Granada: gas bottles are delivered on bicycles, some have a board on the bar from the seat to the handlebars to set it on.
Forks are so blunt, I have a hard time spearing anything.
All little shops are behind bars, actually, so are the houses. Good business to sell rebar.
Kids have konkers, those balls on a string from long ago. As irritating as ever. Unless it is you doing it.
24 cordobas equal $1.00
Bus ride Granada to Managua: 24 cordobas.
Taxi in Managua: 70-100 cordobas
Popcorn in movie: 60
Movie: 70-170. Special VIP theaters with lounge chairs. That is the 170 price.
Vaho: street food 40 Cordobas for: Chicken, plantain chips, sautéed banana.
Street sellers with towers of cashews, bigger bags to smaller balanced on head or hand.
Water sold to cars in the middle of the street in little plastic pillows. Clever
Movie food court: argentine plate, steak, salad, bread, potatoes and free soup. 90 Cordoba's.
Rap music all over and very loud.
Ride the local bus Managua to Granada. A man got on with a Machete in a leather sheath, ornate with leather wrappings, it went from his mid chest to mid calf. The topper was his look alike Channel sun glasses, all rhinestones.
Horse drawn funeral carriage covered with flowers like in New Orleans.
Second hand store: big bins surrounded by people staking out their spot, piece of cloth over the side to protect their clothes. Then-the signal and they start sorting to get the special sale of 10C. Next day the bins were mounded high. Helpers gave me a basket and when I was done they put it behind a counter where I lined up to pay and get my booty. A bit chaotic.
Church: on Thursdays there is a procession from the altar to the right aisle, across the nave to the left door, out the door, around to enter from the back door, up the isle to the altar, raise the host enclosed in a big sunburst, descend from altar, went left and disappeared. The priest came back to the altar in different vestments to resume mass. The procession had the main priest, 6 men holding poles that held up a canopy, many parishioners walked behind. This accompanied by very loud singing, I saw no choir, assuming it was taped. One number sounded like Andrea Bocelli. Mary is the main focus on the altar with four attending angels, Jesus was behind in the apse.
$1200 for implant surgery with follow up and the parts for the second stage, so they will fit properly, not like the first time I got implants in two different countries.
Wedding: bride looked like she stepped out of Vogue. Took place in a big hall, intimate dining after the ceremony, dancing most of the night. I was privileged to go on my third honeymoon that was not mine. The groom and 6 women went to a sea side resort. Only drawback was I had to leave the morning after I got there.
People are grand. Best part of the experience. One hostel was called Casa de Abuelos, game of grandfather. They treated me like family, helped me get my outfit together for the wedding, fed me, took me shopping, let me help with a craft project. Good fun. Another hostel took me to a wood maker to make a frame for a sculpture I made for the wedding. Another one was $8.00/day, included breakfast, WI-FI, and a big black man for a roommate that reminded me of a lover I had. Weird.
The expensive hotel where the wedding party was held overcharged me, would not fix it and the $10.00/day WI-FI would not work. Go figure.
Volcanos were impressive. The main road coming into Managua from the south perfectly lined up with a volcano dead center. I was impressed.
Friday, November 9, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Blind men do Tango. Argentina 2012 October.
Came for wedding of Katie and Eze. She, Taiwan/Australian, he, Argentine. He the Tango dancer, she, the student. Four years later, this fabulous wedding. Theme was: Gaucho. They came to the civil ceremony at city hall in wonderful costumes. He was General Martinez while she was his demure consort.
The reception was on an estancia. BBQ, of course, mechanical bull, folk dancing show. To top it off, bride and groom blessed us with a Samba. She in a brocade dress with a Chinese bodice with a full skirt for dancing. He in Gaucho costume. Being foodies, we ate from then on. Many went on the honeymoon to Mendoza on a first class overnight bus. I woke up and thought the plane had hit some turbulence. Now I know what it is like to be in those flat airplane seats.
A friend of the couple is blind and, yes, he does Tango. Bravo.
There are roadside shrines to a folk hero-saint called, Gauchito Gil. Some are quite big in trees and some a small bit at the side of the road. He is likened to Europe's Robin Hood.
What a show our Katie and Eze put on. Congradulations.
The reception was on an estancia. BBQ, of course, mechanical bull, folk dancing show. To top it off, bride and groom blessed us with a Samba. She in a brocade dress with a Chinese bodice with a full skirt for dancing. He in Gaucho costume. Being foodies, we ate from then on. Many went on the honeymoon to Mendoza on a first class overnight bus. I woke up and thought the plane had hit some turbulence. Now I know what it is like to be in those flat airplane seats.
A friend of the couple is blind and, yes, he does Tango. Bravo.
There are roadside shrines to a folk hero-saint called, Gauchito Gil. Some are quite big in trees and some a small bit at the side of the road. He is likened to Europe's Robin Hood.
What a show our Katie and Eze put on. Congradulations.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Viet Nam Sept. 2012
Here I sit at the Cú Chi Tunnels outside Saí Gón. Tourists can shoot an AK47 or an M16. How the worm turns.
They have made part of the tunnels bigger for western tourists. A short film to show how they made the tunnels, traps, and weapons from used US artillery. Now I know how Germans must feel. Hard to listen and watch as people want to have photos taken with mannequin Viet Cong. I feel so heavy in my heart. I flashback to husband Richard that was a 101st Airborne paratrooper here/twice. I cry for him and all the others touched by this madness.
The symbol for Viet Nam is the bamboo-flexible and strong. They are that. And forgiving. And they have a lot to forgive. I wanted to see what this part of the world was like. Not the war film on TV, not Richards trauma. I am pleased to see it is green now. Locals and foreigners are extending help to orphans, the victims of Agent Orange and other atrocities.
Stopped at a rubber plantation to see how the trees are bled. The bark is cut off to a depth of about 3/8 in. In a 45 degree angle with a cup made from 1/2 a coconut to catch the liquid. It smelled like glue.
Saigon has a mosaic on the side of the road that goes for almost 7 kilometers. Tells the history of VN. Another addition to the landscape are mile after mile of topiary trees, all shaped different. Very pleasing to look at.
Had lots of foot massages, know I will have more. Been on many boats from Hanoi's Han Long Bay to the Mekong Delta outside Saigon. Ate a deep fried silk worm, And some new fruits. Saw a different bottle opener and a man that can open 6 bottles at once with them. Good trick. It consists of a nut and bolt almost to the end if a piece of wood 7x1x1.5. Hook head of bolt on the cap and firmly strike the other end. Voila, it pops off with a flourish.
Three train rides. I did not know girls really scream and jump on the bed when spying mice. Yes, there were many on one trip. Yes, they do get into Orio's.
A Japanese company is introducing milk for babies. Conference at our hotel. So against nature. Lots of Russian tourists in Hoi An. Beach resorts are the draw.
Traffic is amazing, I do not use that word lightly. Walking on the sidewalk to get my, yet another new, suitcase fixed. I was surrounded with motorbikes. They go anywhere, any direction, red or green-no matter. Like a school of fish how they work around each other. Bike helmets have an upside down U space at the back for the pony tail. Kids are held on with a sling around it and driver.
Was told that one chopstick will not feed you, two together will. Shows how working together is the way. Can see it here.
The houses are one room wide, and many stories wide. All side by side, like fingers.
Some prices: $1.00 = 20,000 Dong
New glasses: $120-exam, Celine Dion frames; $20 for replacement lenses for old frames, and done in one day.
Baskin Robbins: two scoops, $4, oh, it was candy floss and praline.
Found my favorite European hair color: Keune-$7. Color and developer
French bakery: four goodies-$4
Pedi socks: $.50
Lemonade: $1.50
Taxi: $1 - 3
Purse: $4
Face mask with polka dots: $.75
Brocade small bag: $1
Shoe repair men on the street corner, sitting on tiny stools, fixing away. Got my new hand made $35 shoes fixed inside the heel, had given me a blister. $2. They have good glue and all the tools they need right there. Impressive.
Foot bath with the tiny fish was a laugh. $5.
Just had my last massage, it was a whopper. Said my back hurt between the blades. That little boy walked all over me, with his feet, knees, hands, Tiger Balm, hot towels. He really worked out, lots of grunting on both parts.
Oh, and the toilet is called, Happy House. Like it.
Good by Viet Nam.
They have made part of the tunnels bigger for western tourists. A short film to show how they made the tunnels, traps, and weapons from used US artillery. Now I know how Germans must feel. Hard to listen and watch as people want to have photos taken with mannequin Viet Cong. I feel so heavy in my heart. I flashback to husband Richard that was a 101st Airborne paratrooper here/twice. I cry for him and all the others touched by this madness.
The symbol for Viet Nam is the bamboo-flexible and strong. They are that. And forgiving. And they have a lot to forgive. I wanted to see what this part of the world was like. Not the war film on TV, not Richards trauma. I am pleased to see it is green now. Locals and foreigners are extending help to orphans, the victims of Agent Orange and other atrocities.
Stopped at a rubber plantation to see how the trees are bled. The bark is cut off to a depth of about 3/8 in. In a 45 degree angle with a cup made from 1/2 a coconut to catch the liquid. It smelled like glue.
Saigon has a mosaic on the side of the road that goes for almost 7 kilometers. Tells the history of VN. Another addition to the landscape are mile after mile of topiary trees, all shaped different. Very pleasing to look at.
Had lots of foot massages, know I will have more. Been on many boats from Hanoi's Han Long Bay to the Mekong Delta outside Saigon. Ate a deep fried silk worm, And some new fruits. Saw a different bottle opener and a man that can open 6 bottles at once with them. Good trick. It consists of a nut and bolt almost to the end if a piece of wood 7x1x1.5. Hook head of bolt on the cap and firmly strike the other end. Voila, it pops off with a flourish.
Three train rides. I did not know girls really scream and jump on the bed when spying mice. Yes, there were many on one trip. Yes, they do get into Orio's.
A Japanese company is introducing milk for babies. Conference at our hotel. So against nature. Lots of Russian tourists in Hoi An. Beach resorts are the draw.
Traffic is amazing, I do not use that word lightly. Walking on the sidewalk to get my, yet another new, suitcase fixed. I was surrounded with motorbikes. They go anywhere, any direction, red or green-no matter. Like a school of fish how they work around each other. Bike helmets have an upside down U space at the back for the pony tail. Kids are held on with a sling around it and driver.
Was told that one chopstick will not feed you, two together will. Shows how working together is the way. Can see it here.
The houses are one room wide, and many stories wide. All side by side, like fingers.
Some prices: $1.00 = 20,000 Dong
New glasses: $120-exam, Celine Dion frames; $20 for replacement lenses for old frames, and done in one day.
Baskin Robbins: two scoops, $4, oh, it was candy floss and praline.
Found my favorite European hair color: Keune-$7. Color and developer
French bakery: four goodies-$4
Pedi socks: $.50
Lemonade: $1.50
Taxi: $1 - 3
Purse: $4
Face mask with polka dots: $.75
Brocade small bag: $1
Shoe repair men on the street corner, sitting on tiny stools, fixing away. Got my new hand made $35 shoes fixed inside the heel, had given me a blister. $2. They have good glue and all the tools they need right there. Impressive.
Foot bath with the tiny fish was a laugh. $5.
Just had my last massage, it was a whopper. Said my back hurt between the blades. That little boy walked all over me, with his feet, knees, hands, Tiger Balm, hot towels. He really worked out, lots of grunting on both parts.
Oh, and the toilet is called, Happy House. Like it.
Good by Viet Nam.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
China part 2. 2012
Sun-maid raisins took on a new meaning. The Urumqi area is the grape capital. Brick buildings with open work, for poles to go through to hang grapes to air/sun dry.
Hunduang has big arches over the street with lots of lights and color. Did help to identify where the hotel was.
Hugh rocks are used for signs or that they look like an animal or another significant deity.
Liujiaxia is akin to scary science fiction in that it is so industrial. A tall stack with hugh gas burning flame. We could feel the heat in the truck.
Around Urumqi, in the Taklamakan desert are hugh mounds of dirt, that I imagine were dumped by giant dump trucks. Devoid of life. Another part of the desert was dark, flat, bit rocky. This is the desert that says if you go in, you will not come out, in the original Silk Road days. Then, when a city is finished, roadsides are covered with flowers, greenery, sculptures, topiary.
Stopped at a roadside stand for roasted chicken, my bowl had, not one but two heads. Guess it was good luck, not for the two headed chicken.
Foot massage: herbal soak, reflexology, massage of-feet, calves, thighs, arms, shoulders, hands. All for about $8. Nice.
Beijing hotel lobby. Had three cycladis in a cage, three cages of singing birds-2 to a cage. They all made noise.
Boiling water available everywhere. Train station had many instant noodle eaters, including me. I was eating mine, noticed many eyes watching. The noodles were hot, so I gave a bit of a show. Also had to change my suitcase, the Greek one busted an axel, not rolling well. That seemed to be very entertaining to watch me change suitcases. Now I have a giraffe pattern one. Yippee
When a new vehicle is bought, a red ribbon is tied on somewhere. And, it stays.
Umbrellas are made for motorbikes that attach behind the handlebars and extend back over the rear seat. Ponchos for bikes and bicycles, even saw one with two heads.
Little stools are used to sit on about the size for kids.
The new rich can buy the expensive new clothes, however, do not have the knowledge to put it together well.
Many Williebets trucks out of Germany that transports goods to the US groups in Afghanistan from Lithuania.
Money: 6.2 Yuan = $1.00
Gas: 6.2 liter
Water: 2 to 10
Beer: 2 to 10
Noodles: +- 6
Hunduang has big arches over the street with lots of lights and color. Did help to identify where the hotel was.
Hugh rocks are used for signs or that they look like an animal or another significant deity.
Liujiaxia is akin to scary science fiction in that it is so industrial. A tall stack with hugh gas burning flame. We could feel the heat in the truck.
Around Urumqi, in the Taklamakan desert are hugh mounds of dirt, that I imagine were dumped by giant dump trucks. Devoid of life. Another part of the desert was dark, flat, bit rocky. This is the desert that says if you go in, you will not come out, in the original Silk Road days. Then, when a city is finished, roadsides are covered with flowers, greenery, sculptures, topiary.
Stopped at a roadside stand for roasted chicken, my bowl had, not one but two heads. Guess it was good luck, not for the two headed chicken.
Foot massage: herbal soak, reflexology, massage of-feet, calves, thighs, arms, shoulders, hands. All for about $8. Nice.
Beijing hotel lobby. Had three cycladis in a cage, three cages of singing birds-2 to a cage. They all made noise.
Boiling water available everywhere. Train station had many instant noodle eaters, including me. I was eating mine, noticed many eyes watching. The noodles were hot, so I gave a bit of a show. Also had to change my suitcase, the Greek one busted an axel, not rolling well. That seemed to be very entertaining to watch me change suitcases. Now I have a giraffe pattern one. Yippee
When a new vehicle is bought, a red ribbon is tied on somewhere. And, it stays.
Umbrellas are made for motorbikes that attach behind the handlebars and extend back over the rear seat. Ponchos for bikes and bicycles, even saw one with two heads.
Little stools are used to sit on about the size for kids.
The new rich can buy the expensive new clothes, however, do not have the knowledge to put it together well.
Many Williebets trucks out of Germany that transports goods to the US groups in Afghanistan from Lithuania.
Money: 6.2 Yuan = $1.00
Gas: 6.2 liter
Water: 2 to 10
Beer: 2 to 10
Noodles: +- 6
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Observations in China July 2012 part 1
*Fancy pillows in car back window
*Muslim women, full scarves, on scooters with groceries and child
*Mega apt. Complexes next to Adobe
*Gates that sizzor and roll into side
*Drop toilet open to air in back, wide rectangle hole, chest high wall, no door
*Rock houses on hill with solar panel
*Aqua colored guard rail on new highway
*Kale Karakul 3600m, mines all the way, could see 7 glaciers
*Taklamaken desert had so much salts blowing it looked like snow
*Grape vines growing up to roof of homes on lean to, shade and easy picking
*Whole hills dug down
*Other hills with narrow terraces for trees, erosion control, also big projects for erosion on sides of roads, thousands of kilometers hand planted
*Lots of derelict buildings, dirty, garbage, shit
*Everywhere is building, moving dirt, digging, filling, dumping
*Ladies covered up from sun. Hat with brim, back neck cover, face mask, arm sleeves with elastic, bed jacket style, parasols
*Saw man tie his hammock from his parked truck to a tree on the sidewalk for a nap
* Home Depot, Dunkin Donut, Dairy Queen, KFC, McDonalds, Starbucks, Subway, Costa Coffee, IKEA, Hagen Dazs
* Street sweepers vehicle plays music
* Dump trucks tip sideways
* Banks of flowers in pots, not planted
* Cemetery graves are conical mounds
* Diaper less babies, pants spilt front to back, all hanging out
* Flashy billboards for alcohol
* Alcohol bottled are so pretty, as are cigarettes, shiny and holographic
* Trucks have 12 wheels in back and bloody long
.* Coffins are shaped like a foot with toes turned up
* Special carpets to fit the seat on motorbike
* Road tolls are expensive
* Red Bull from here
* Sun drying melon pieces
* Hollyhocks along roads
* Motorcycle taxis
* Street sweepers have broom from shredded plastic, like feathers
* Exercise is done before work
* Car license plates ate gotten by 60% by lottery and 40% by auction
* Beijing medical city has 14,000 beds
* Moochi with Batman logo inside
* Hot drink from Pomelo, bits of skin and flesh
* Sunflower seed shells tossed anywhere
* Big rocks used for entrance signs, announcements, about anything. Also just for the shape
* Sleeping buses, ride along in a bed
*Muslim women, full scarves, on scooters with groceries and child
*Mega apt. Complexes next to Adobe
*Gates that sizzor and roll into side
*Drop toilet open to air in back, wide rectangle hole, chest high wall, no door
*Rock houses on hill with solar panel
*Aqua colored guard rail on new highway
*Kale Karakul 3600m, mines all the way, could see 7 glaciers
*Taklamaken desert had so much salts blowing it looked like snow
*Grape vines growing up to roof of homes on lean to, shade and easy picking
*Whole hills dug down
*Other hills with narrow terraces for trees, erosion control, also big projects for erosion on sides of roads, thousands of kilometers hand planted
*Lots of derelict buildings, dirty, garbage, shit
*Everywhere is building, moving dirt, digging, filling, dumping
*Ladies covered up from sun. Hat with brim, back neck cover, face mask, arm sleeves with elastic, bed jacket style, parasols
*Saw man tie his hammock from his parked truck to a tree on the sidewalk for a nap
* Home Depot, Dunkin Donut, Dairy Queen, KFC, McDonalds, Starbucks, Subway, Costa Coffee, IKEA, Hagen Dazs
* Street sweepers vehicle plays music
* Dump trucks tip sideways
* Banks of flowers in pots, not planted
* Cemetery graves are conical mounds
* Diaper less babies, pants spilt front to back, all hanging out
* Flashy billboards for alcohol
* Alcohol bottled are so pretty, as are cigarettes, shiny and holographic
* Trucks have 12 wheels in back and bloody long
.* Coffins are shaped like a foot with toes turned up
* Special carpets to fit the seat on motorbike
* Road tolls are expensive
* Red Bull from here
* Sun drying melon pieces
* Hollyhocks along roads
* Motorcycle taxis
* Street sweepers have broom from shredded plastic, like feathers
* Exercise is done before work
* Car license plates ate gotten by 60% by lottery and 40% by auction
* Beijing medical city has 14,000 beds
* Moochi with Batman logo inside
* Hot drink from Pomelo, bits of skin and flesh
* Sunflower seed shells tossed anywhere
* Big rocks used for entrance signs, announcements, about anything. Also just for the shape
* Sleeping buses, ride along in a bed
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Hair cut in Beijing
Yan, our guide, and I were walking to find an optical store as my glasses are broken-again. There was a group of eager young people in a shop door. I was thinking of having my hair fixed as I gave it quite a chop last time I gave myself a cut, and here was the opportunity. Yan was game as well.
She translated that I give the creative opportunity to the stylist. I got the hot one, very cute in her high heels, short jean shorts, beautiful smile.
But first, as I sat in the chair, a boy put some 'dry shampoo' out my head which made a lot of foam. He made an art out of this process. Then to the rinse chair which was so comfortable, supported in every way.
Back to the regular cutting chair, not yet was the cutting to begin. The chair was laid back and the massage started. Head, neck, back, arms. A rigorous one as well. Back to wet my hair again.
Now the cut. It is short, looks fuller and she put my flower more to the top, up from my ear where it had been for a very long time. My sideburn areas are shaved, hair with wax and sprayed.
Yan got a great cut and her ends permed. Looking very fluffy.
And the price? 60 Yuan. 6.2 Yuan to $1. What a deal.
She translated that I give the creative opportunity to the stylist. I got the hot one, very cute in her high heels, short jean shorts, beautiful smile.
But first, as I sat in the chair, a boy put some 'dry shampoo' out my head which made a lot of foam. He made an art out of this process. Then to the rinse chair which was so comfortable, supported in every way.
Back to the regular cutting chair, not yet was the cutting to begin. The chair was laid back and the massage started. Head, neck, back, arms. A rigorous one as well. Back to wet my hair again.
Now the cut. It is short, looks fuller and she put my flower more to the top, up from my ear where it had been for a very long time. My sideburn areas are shaved, hair with wax and sprayed.
Yan got a great cut and her ends permed. Looking very fluffy.
And the price? 60 Yuan. 6.2 Yuan to $1. What a deal.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Kyrgyzstan & Goat Polo July 2012
Burkashi is the ancient sport of goat polo. It isn't riding the goat, the goat is the 'ball' in the game. We experienced it from the start. That is when the goat arrives draped in the lap of a rider as he sits on his horse. It is polo. The a prayer is said over the goat and the throat is slit, drained and beheaded. Then the lower joint of the legs are cut off and now it is ready to be the 'ball'.
The game is to pick up the goat from the ground and hurl it into a mound with car tires at the edge of the hole that is the goal. The horses are trained to butt each other and stay in he 'scrum'. Gets very rough. Our guide had scars on both legs. Not a popular politically correct sport in the western eye, however, we bought the goat and there was a big BBQ that night for the village.
The flag represents the opening at the top of the yurt. Double crosshairs in a circle.
Mobile bee hives on a flatbed truck. Trained eagles for hunting. We had a demonstration from the national champion. The trainer wore a beautiful black embroidered suit, seems the eagle was not hungry for the bunny the trainer let go for it. I woosed out and did not hold the eagle.
Yogurt is made into dried balls for the trail. They are very tart and not exciting for an untrained palette.
Song Kul Lake. Again, cold. The yurt had so many mice living in holes in the ground. Lovely wild flowers. Ellen, our leader was so happy to get to ride a horse. I watched. Farther East was a real caravanaseri, compete with a Bactrain camel. This is what the :Silk Road was like. Made from stones, many rooms for sleeping and trading.
And, next, the border with China. We crossed at a military one at the Torugart Pass. Mat, our intrepid driver knows how to do it. We got thru with
losing only our fruit. The soliders looked like an assembly line, carrying so many watermelons from us and others. Fruit salad that day. We had just got them.
Here comes China!
The game is to pick up the goat from the ground and hurl it into a mound with car tires at the edge of the hole that is the goal. The horses are trained to butt each other and stay in he 'scrum'. Gets very rough. Our guide had scars on both legs. Not a popular politically correct sport in the western eye, however, we bought the goat and there was a big BBQ that night for the village.
The flag represents the opening at the top of the yurt. Double crosshairs in a circle.
Mobile bee hives on a flatbed truck. Trained eagles for hunting. We had a demonstration from the national champion. The trainer wore a beautiful black embroidered suit, seems the eagle was not hungry for the bunny the trainer let go for it. I woosed out and did not hold the eagle.
Yogurt is made into dried balls for the trail. They are very tart and not exciting for an untrained palette.
Song Kul Lake. Again, cold. The yurt had so many mice living in holes in the ground. Lovely wild flowers. Ellen, our leader was so happy to get to ride a horse. I watched. Farther East was a real caravanaseri, compete with a Bactrain camel. This is what the :Silk Road was like. Made from stones, many rooms for sleeping and trading.
And, next, the border with China. We crossed at a military one at the Torugart Pass. Mat, our intrepid driver knows how to do it. We got thru with
losing only our fruit. The soliders looked like an assembly line, carrying so many watermelons from us and others. Fruit salad that day. We had just got them.
Here comes China!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Day on the Dragoman truck
This is a long day so an early start. Up at 6:30. My phone is too cold for the battery, so have to depend on others to wake me. I do not have to cook breakfast today. Yea. So, first the toilet, what ever it happens to be. Sometimes there is a drop one and sometimes there is the bush. There are small garden shovels to bury the solid waste and we ladies put the paper in a plastic bag tied to the wheel in the back of the truck. Take down the tent, it has tension poles corner to corner and clips that snap on to it. I had an old 'fly sheet' that leaked, so had a wet one after rain. Then I got a new one that zips on the slant so that does not happen again. I learned this time to hold the center tie and flap it on each side to make it as flat as possible, then fold it in thirds, put the fly sheet on top and roll it tight. That way it will fit easily into the bag. Now to haul the bags to the truck so they can be loaded into the back locker where they all go. We take a day pack into the truck and leave the rest in the back.
Breakfast: It can be pancakes, eggs, fruit salad, lots of bread tea and the downright awful Nescafe. That is a travesty. I do have my own coffee. Having some now. We wash our hands before all food in one bowl with some hand soap and then rinse with treated water. Tuck in. There are fold up chairs that get put out to sit on to eat or visit. Breakfast time they are swooped up so we can get going.
When we enter the truck we spray our hands with a solution of Detol and water to try to keep the bugs down. We must also rotate daily so there is no squabbling and all get a chance for all the seats. Off we go.
The windows do wind down, that is a plus. Also a library on board, and a game box. Also lots of BS to be had.
About every two hours is a pee stop, women to the right, men to the left. I still have not gotten the She Pee down pat. When it is cold and need to wear pants, it will not work. Need a full skirt and no panties.
Lunch: It is usually a sandwich as it is the easiest to do on the road.
Sometimes we stop for places to see or things to do. If not, our destination is the place for that.
Dinner: This is when people get creative and we have some darn good food. We shop locally for what we need and what we do not need. Lots of sodas and alcohol is consumed. Oh, and foreign chips are the favorite, there are so many kinds in the world. How about, caviar or bacon? Yummy.
Camp again. We do not always camp, sometimes hotels, home stays, the popular yurt.
Some people read all the time, some do not, some have the ear buds in, some talk, some sleep.
Keeping clean is a new style for me. I have discovered wet ones, ie: baby wipes. Now, this is just fine. I have washed my hair in glacier water in a rushing stream and done the laundry in same river. I am a bit obsessive about laundry. I always wanted to have all my things ready all the time, nothing has changed, except I have fewer, well, much fewer things to wash.
On to the next hill and adventure. On the bumpy road of the hill as it turns out to be. Sometimes we get bogged down and have to dig the truck out. It worked on previous trips, this time, not. We were seriously in trouble. That is another story in another blog.
Breakfast: It can be pancakes, eggs, fruit salad, lots of bread tea and the downright awful Nescafe. That is a travesty. I do have my own coffee. Having some now. We wash our hands before all food in one bowl with some hand soap and then rinse with treated water. Tuck in. There are fold up chairs that get put out to sit on to eat or visit. Breakfast time they are swooped up so we can get going.
When we enter the truck we spray our hands with a solution of Detol and water to try to keep the bugs down. We must also rotate daily so there is no squabbling and all get a chance for all the seats. Off we go.
The windows do wind down, that is a plus. Also a library on board, and a game box. Also lots of BS to be had.
About every two hours is a pee stop, women to the right, men to the left. I still have not gotten the She Pee down pat. When it is cold and need to wear pants, it will not work. Need a full skirt and no panties.
Lunch: It is usually a sandwich as it is the easiest to do on the road.
Sometimes we stop for places to see or things to do. If not, our destination is the place for that.
Dinner: This is when people get creative and we have some darn good food. We shop locally for what we need and what we do not need. Lots of sodas and alcohol is consumed. Oh, and foreign chips are the favorite, there are so many kinds in the world. How about, caviar or bacon? Yummy.
Camp again. We do not always camp, sometimes hotels, home stays, the popular yurt.
Some people read all the time, some do not, some have the ear buds in, some talk, some sleep.
Keeping clean is a new style for me. I have discovered wet ones, ie: baby wipes. Now, this is just fine. I have washed my hair in glacier water in a rushing stream and done the laundry in same river. I am a bit obsessive about laundry. I always wanted to have all my things ready all the time, nothing has changed, except I have fewer, well, much fewer things to wash.
On to the next hill and adventure. On the bumpy road of the hill as it turns out to be. Sometimes we get bogged down and have to dig the truck out. It worked on previous trips, this time, not. We were seriously in trouble. That is another story in another blog.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Uzbekistan
The mosques, minarets, and mausoleums are the order of the day. The tiles were made in workshops, numbered and assembled at the site using the numbers. Millions of them. Also there is so much wood carving of pillars that it is mind boggling to me. Then there is the brickwork. Pattern after patterns used in one building. So clever.
Samarkand is the best so far. Colossal mosques covered in turquoise tiles, inside and out. Truly a sight to behold. Not just one in the square, but matching madrasahs facing each other. Some of the tiles were cut out in a fretwork pattern, concave and convex. Not allowed to photo them without a fee, I did not get a ticket and was sorry not to photograph them.
My first night in a yurt. It is deceiving how big it is inside. Feels comfy and very spacious. Will have more along the way.
Peeked on the door of a wedding. The couple were sat apart from the gusts under a flashy white silk arch festooned with lights, complete with a boom camera.
Found an ice cream kiosk in Registan Square.Our first ones.
Tashkent a big city. Best thing going for it is the metro art. No photos allowed and there is also a curfew of 11PM. We were at a dinner/dance place and it did indeed empty out. The locals were dancing like robots on speed, very cool. And they hav lots of energy. Many of our group got drunk and sick. Oops. Noel, the oldest of us-71-did a flip on the dance floor and was very popular with the ladies.
The tomb of Mohammed is in Samarkand.
The little girls heads are shaved to encourage thicker hair. They do look a bit like waifs.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Turkmenistan from Istanbul Airport
Well, one better get out of the way of the ladies boarding the flight from Istanbul to Ashgabat. They have been formidable so far, pushing me out of the way and boldly stepping in front of me. Wearing long dresses, trimmed with braid around the neckline and down the front placket. And the head dressing-similar to the Rastaferians. Will have to find out what is in there. Must be long hair. Not seen this style before. Found out it is single women have the largest style and it is a plastic pot like amendment that goes under the head scarf.
I am now surrounded by another language I do not know.
Airport: man comes to me stating the hotel name. Yea, it is my transfer. I am glad he waited as I the last one after paying $95.00 to enter which was
not mentioned in my preparations. I go to get money and he says at the hotel. Off we go. Then he stops at some low rent housing place for me to change money, I refuse. Got a funny feeling. Arrive at the hotel and he wants money. Huh? I paid for this transfer already thru the hotel. I take him into the hotel and now he reveals that he is a taxi and I agreed to taxi. Many words later , after I say again. 'you lied to me, twice' in anger he leaves. Now I have no money because he lied about that too, no exchange at the hotel. It is 8AM, cannot check in until 1PM.
I have managed to get a free cup of coffee, reception said I could buy it with $2.00, restaurant was not aware. So, they gave it to me. I hope it roll keep me awake until I check in as I am falling asleep.
Welcome to Turkmenistan.
Next day: I meet Sheker, Hospitality Club member. She and her friend take me out to buy underwear because when I unpacked, the magician had been busy again making things disappear. My nightdress and underwear is in the drawer in Paros. I did not listen to the friend that asked if I had done a 'dummy' check. Was sure I had. I was blessed with many visitors that day and got distracted. An opportunity for shopping local. Not my best talent.
Also found out that on the 4th floor of my hotel is an American Embassy facility that does have Internet. I was just there for a local women's craft fair. Sure I can use the Internet, today from 1-8pm today, I will be out. And, tomorrow closed. Of course, I asked the reception why they did not tell me yesterday, and for her it just is not there. Ce'st la Vie. This city at night is more than Las Vegas. HUGE buildings lit with up lighting, white marble, many change colors. They are Soviet big. If there are so many huge hotels, and the country does not like visitors, how does that compute? My jaw dropped many times on the city bus ride my hostesses took me on. There is an enclosed ferris wheel, spinning inside a lollipop colored glass like building. Grand entrance reminding me of the entrance to the tomb of Hetchepsut. I'm telling you, this city is grand on a very big scale. Fantasy like. White with fancy gold trim.
There is a permanent circus across from the hotel and, I went. It was so much fun. Like the Russian circus of my childhood on TV. Horses, whips cracking, acrobats, trapeze.No phone except local SIM. No Internet and public places were bugged. My Hospitality Club hostess was wonderful. Took me shopping for new underwear as I left all that in the drawer on Paros.
The city is all new, soviet/Arab huge, white marble trimmed in gold, lights on par with Las Vegas, more fountains than one can imagine.
On to two nights of bush camping. First night was OK, then next day we pulled off for lunch, went a bit too close to the river and got stuck. I don't mean sand stuck like those travel shows, wet clay up to the axels, and on a very precarious angle. Very hot, no shade, could not access the water tank from the angle the truck was leaning. Four attempts at pulling us out by some very big dump trucks. Then they had to be pulled out by each other. Then... A huge back hoe on tracks came. We saw it way up on the road back off it's trailer, slowly amble down the hill. First it tried to pull us out, no way. The wheels were turned, a sand mat was jammed up on the axel and air tank. Then it hooked onto the rear bumper with its bucket and lifted the truck up and then pulled it backwards. What a sight and relief. It pulled it quite far up the hill. Then we had to carry everything thru the mud and powdery sand to load the truck and get out to our camp site down the road. Next day, many were sick, probably a bit of heat exhaustion and a bug going around. Then, in the morning we had to cross the border into Uzbekistan. Lordy. Three hours, hot and cumbersome. At one point half were laying on the floor like a bunch of puppies or refuges. We were so dirty, and sickly. This is why I travel. Adventure travel at it's best. We camped in the bush so we could see the Darwasa Gas Crater. If is so much more than the pictures I looked at, and muchore than mine. A burning hole in the ground the size of a football field, burning thru the soil, flames licking upwards to get out. So dark was the night and so bright the fire, hard to look at it, felt like I could not see the edge well. Worth the bumpy road.
I am now surrounded by another language I do not know.
Airport: man comes to me stating the hotel name. Yea, it is my transfer. I am glad he waited as I the last one after paying $95.00 to enter which was
not mentioned in my preparations. I go to get money and he says at the hotel. Off we go. Then he stops at some low rent housing place for me to change money, I refuse. Got a funny feeling. Arrive at the hotel and he wants money. Huh? I paid for this transfer already thru the hotel. I take him into the hotel and now he reveals that he is a taxi and I agreed to taxi. Many words later , after I say again. 'you lied to me, twice' in anger he leaves. Now I have no money because he lied about that too, no exchange at the hotel. It is 8AM, cannot check in until 1PM.
I have managed to get a free cup of coffee, reception said I could buy it with $2.00, restaurant was not aware. So, they gave it to me. I hope it roll keep me awake until I check in as I am falling asleep.
Welcome to Turkmenistan.
Next day: I meet Sheker, Hospitality Club member. She and her friend take me out to buy underwear because when I unpacked, the magician had been busy again making things disappear. My nightdress and underwear is in the drawer in Paros. I did not listen to the friend that asked if I had done a 'dummy' check. Was sure I had. I was blessed with many visitors that day and got distracted. An opportunity for shopping local. Not my best talent.
Also found out that on the 4th floor of my hotel is an American Embassy facility that does have Internet. I was just there for a local women's craft fair. Sure I can use the Internet, today from 1-8pm today, I will be out. And, tomorrow closed. Of course, I asked the reception why they did not tell me yesterday, and for her it just is not there. Ce'st la Vie. This city at night is more than Las Vegas. HUGE buildings lit with up lighting, white marble, many change colors. They are Soviet big. If there are so many huge hotels, and the country does not like visitors, how does that compute? My jaw dropped many times on the city bus ride my hostesses took me on. There is an enclosed ferris wheel, spinning inside a lollipop colored glass like building. Grand entrance reminding me of the entrance to the tomb of Hetchepsut. I'm telling you, this city is grand on a very big scale. Fantasy like. White with fancy gold trim.
There is a permanent circus across from the hotel and, I went. It was so much fun. Like the Russian circus of my childhood on TV. Horses, whips cracking, acrobats, trapeze.No phone except local SIM. No Internet and public places were bugged. My Hospitality Club hostess was wonderful. Took me shopping for new underwear as I left all that in the drawer on Paros.
The city is all new, soviet/Arab huge, white marble trimmed in gold, lights on par with Las Vegas, more fountains than one can imagine.
On to two nights of bush camping. First night was OK, then next day we pulled off for lunch, went a bit too close to the river and got stuck. I don't mean sand stuck like those travel shows, wet clay up to the axels, and on a very precarious angle. Very hot, no shade, could not access the water tank from the angle the truck was leaning. Four attempts at pulling us out by some very big dump trucks. Then they had to be pulled out by each other. Then... A huge back hoe on tracks came. We saw it way up on the road back off it's trailer, slowly amble down the hill. First it tried to pull us out, no way. The wheels were turned, a sand mat was jammed up on the axel and air tank. Then it hooked onto the rear bumper with its bucket and lifted the truck up and then pulled it backwards. What a sight and relief. It pulled it quite far up the hill. Then we had to carry everything thru the mud and powdery sand to load the truck and get out to our camp site down the road. Next day, many were sick, probably a bit of heat exhaustion and a bug going around. Then, in the morning we had to cross the border into Uzbekistan. Lordy. Three hours, hot and cumbersome. At one point half were laying on the floor like a bunch of puppies or refuges. We were so dirty, and sickly. This is why I travel. Adventure travel at it's best. We camped in the bush so we could see the Darwasa Gas Crater. If is so much more than the pictures I looked at, and muchore than mine. A burning hole in the ground the size of a football field, burning thru the soil, flames licking upwards to get out. So dark was the night and so bright the fire, hard to look at it, felt like I could not see the edge well. Worth the bumpy road.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
USA - Finally to Graceland and beyond March/April 2012
First had a little holiday in Denver on my own. Yves St. Laurent show was on, many hours to view hundreds of his creations. A treat, reminds me of when I had nice clothes. Picked up my sister Bonnie and off we were for a road trip. She was recovering form surgery on her shoulder, so she got to ride along in my merry bright green rental car. No mistaking it, even little children pointed it out. Good fun.
First stop: Salt mine in Hutchison, KS-we went deep into the earth, picked up some salt which Bonnie used for the base of a sculpture she wanted to make with the fork that was pulled out of her tire. Very modern art it is now.
On to Memphis and Elvis. Memphis is old and crumbling. Beale Street was happening for us as well, we went into BBKings place, listened to music, had a drink and felt the vibe. Interesting lunch: 'pizza'-toppings were: lettuce, duck, caramelized onion, cranberry, balsamic vinegar. Fun and tasty. Road the trolley around the town, that is when we really noticed the decay, and the drive into town. There is a pyramid which is now a big white elephant as it is empty. I really did not get the connection to the pyramid and Memphis, and I was not too long ago in Egypt. Some days are slower than others.
Graceland. I used my AMEX card and got two for the price of one, and the all inclusive tours. Now, there are many ways to spend your money in Graceland. Each place is another charge. We did spend all day there. One room with only the gold records and another with costumes, another with vehicles. We were truly Elvis'ed all day. Off for some food at a place with a big pink pig on top. Elvis in there too. They would pick you up at your hotel with a pink Cadillac if you wanted. I did pay homage to him at his grave. He is the King.
The national metal museum was the last we say of Memphis. Some pieces were very clever and some not.I might have some contempt as I am not doing any art work.
On to New Orleans. Found our way to the Audubon Park thru the Garden district for a little time to look at the Mississippi. As we sat on the grass, caterpillars kept falling on Bonnie. Not me. She has a fear of these things, she felt the fear and stayed anyway. Along the trolley route, the trees are full of the famous beads thrown up into them, looking very festive. Took a walking tour of a cemetery, the mausoleum style of tombs have sunken almost two levels so far into the earth. So odd to look at. Enough of that, on to the Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait, now that is New Orleans. The Mardi Gras World was next where they make the floats and all the big items on them. Lots of paper mache. Learned that there are about 20 krews and each has it's own float and parade.
Heading west we toured Laura Plantation, ate crab in Galveston-houses on really tall legs, Carlsbad Caverns, hail in the car like I never heard, desert covered with white, Roswell and little green men all around, Albuquerque to visit a friend from Minnesota and Trader Joe's for Bonnie. That girl was in heaven in there.
Some funny signs:
Quinter next to Dunker church
Joy church faith center has vintage and contemporary services
Red neck corner- weddings and shotgun sign
Toad Suck Inn
Use the rod and save your child
XXX adult world, factory outlet
And back to Denver
First stop: Salt mine in Hutchison, KS-we went deep into the earth, picked up some salt which Bonnie used for the base of a sculpture she wanted to make with the fork that was pulled out of her tire. Very modern art it is now.
On to Memphis and Elvis. Memphis is old and crumbling. Beale Street was happening for us as well, we went into BBKings place, listened to music, had a drink and felt the vibe. Interesting lunch: 'pizza'-toppings were: lettuce, duck, caramelized onion, cranberry, balsamic vinegar. Fun and tasty. Road the trolley around the town, that is when we really noticed the decay, and the drive into town. There is a pyramid which is now a big white elephant as it is empty. I really did not get the connection to the pyramid and Memphis, and I was not too long ago in Egypt. Some days are slower than others.
Graceland. I used my AMEX card and got two for the price of one, and the all inclusive tours. Now, there are many ways to spend your money in Graceland. Each place is another charge. We did spend all day there. One room with only the gold records and another with costumes, another with vehicles. We were truly Elvis'ed all day. Off for some food at a place with a big pink pig on top. Elvis in there too. They would pick you up at your hotel with a pink Cadillac if you wanted. I did pay homage to him at his grave. He is the King.
The national metal museum was the last we say of Memphis. Some pieces were very clever and some not.I might have some contempt as I am not doing any art work.
On to New Orleans. Found our way to the Audubon Park thru the Garden district for a little time to look at the Mississippi. As we sat on the grass, caterpillars kept falling on Bonnie. Not me. She has a fear of these things, she felt the fear and stayed anyway. Along the trolley route, the trees are full of the famous beads thrown up into them, looking very festive. Took a walking tour of a cemetery, the mausoleum style of tombs have sunken almost two levels so far into the earth. So odd to look at. Enough of that, on to the Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait, now that is New Orleans. The Mardi Gras World was next where they make the floats and all the big items on them. Lots of paper mache. Learned that there are about 20 krews and each has it's own float and parade.
Heading west we toured Laura Plantation, ate crab in Galveston-houses on really tall legs, Carlsbad Caverns, hail in the car like I never heard, desert covered with white, Roswell and little green men all around, Albuquerque to visit a friend from Minnesota and Trader Joe's for Bonnie. That girl was in heaven in there.
Some funny signs:
Quinter next to Dunker church
Joy church faith center has vintage and contemporary services
Red neck corner- weddings and shotgun sign
Toad Suck Inn
Use the rod and save your child
XXX adult world, factory outlet
And back to Denver
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Hawaii 2011
Came to Honolulu to attend the AA convention, mostly I looked at TV and the hotel outside my window. Was sick. Finally got better and went to the International Hula festival with Bev, Sharlene was sick, so, I gave the ticket to a man who was in line to buy one. Pass it on. The Japanese won the contest. I have seen Japanese hula before and it was very stilted, well, that has changed. They won, and should have, hands down. Maybe 20 ladies on stage, wearing long, plain red dresses with long white shell lei. The final move was all of them on the knees, bending back ward, arms outstretched and slowly came up in the most synchronised move ever. It was mesmerizing and totally fascinating. Well done.
APEC was on as well. My hotel was across the street from the Hale Koa where Pres. Obama was staying and the street outside my room was the main thoroughfare for all he other heads of state. One had to walk, could not get the bus or drive, streets closed, parks, so many police.
Kauai. Met Gina and John for the ceremony I promised Gracie on her deathbed. I went to the Thanksgiving AA day and I asked the greeter if she knew any Hawaiian prayer for a memorial ceremony, she told me to ask the big man at her table, he was her boyfriend and a holy man. He told us what to do and said that he would do the ceremony. A real gift. We went to the beach, he plunged into the water to cleanse himself, then changed into his sarong, shell lei, hair flying. He took our leis, went to the shore, was chanting and when he was ready he took the flowers into the sea and let them go. It was so beautiful, more than I could have ever done and would have made Gracie so proud. It sparked Gina to look into her heritage more. She had never been to Hawaii, now she know why it is so special. Then we had a feast of local food and his friend came to play music and laugh. What a special day.
APEC was on as well. My hotel was across the street from the Hale Koa where Pres. Obama was staying and the street outside my room was the main thoroughfare for all he other heads of state. One had to walk, could not get the bus or drive, streets closed, parks, so many police.
Kauai. Met Gina and John for the ceremony I promised Gracie on her deathbed. I went to the Thanksgiving AA day and I asked the greeter if she knew any Hawaiian prayer for a memorial ceremony, she told me to ask the big man at her table, he was her boyfriend and a holy man. He told us what to do and said that he would do the ceremony. A real gift. We went to the beach, he plunged into the water to cleanse himself, then changed into his sarong, shell lei, hair flying. He took our leis, went to the shore, was chanting and when he was ready he took the flowers into the sea and let them go. It was so beautiful, more than I could have ever done and would have made Gracie so proud. It sparked Gina to look into her heritage more. She had never been to Hawaii, now she know why it is so special. Then we had a feast of local food and his friend came to play music and laugh. What a special day.
Colombia, Oct. 2011
Katie and I went to Bogota for her to renew her visa For Argentina. I had not been, so, off we flew. Gas is $4.75 gallon. Bogota is in the mountains, so, it seems as if all the sidewalks head up. Motorcycles have license plate # on the back in reflective fabric on fluorescent vests. Taxi's have a meter that ticks off a number for distance, than use a chart to figure the fare. Took the funicular to the top of Monterassat mountain, quite a view over the city, it spreads in front of the mountain. We took a taxi for the day to Zipaquina Salt Mine. The word salary comes from the time salt was used as money. It was more valuable than gold, as gold can only decorate, not eaten or preserve food. On to Villa de Layva, where John Paul II said mass. Very beautiful church in this small village.
Amazing Zenu canals are south of Cartehena. We saw them in a museum. They had total control of the water for fields and flood prevention. Why can't we do it now?
Speaking of gold. The gold museum has the most gold ever. The Mayans even had gold palettes and little spoons to snort something fun. Used the lost wax technique to make intricate jewelry and keepsakes. One item is made with half balls glued together then granulated, some the size of a pea. Good eyes. Post card cost 4200n peso or $2.37, ouch. The streets are numbered in increasing value going north, called, CALLE. These streets are perpendicular to the mountain. The streets parallel to mountain increase in value going west away from the mountain. Our hotel Casa Deco was at calle 12c 2-16. It was on second street, cross street is 16, going west and 16 is building number.
Street vendors sell: plantain chips made the long way. fruit, juice, chips, mobile phone time with the phones on a chain, scarves, candy, gum, bottled juice, cigarettes, hot drinks, sandwiches, long snake like churros, figs stuffed with caramel, orange colored sugar and nut sweet-or white coconut, and obleas-which are a thin wafer with dulce de leche in between two of them. Had to try. Traditional dish is made with potato, chicken, corn, then add avocado, caper, cream. The other dish that comes with it is: a sort of tamale in leaves with some corn meal, carrot, pork. Our lasagna was deconstructed- a round of pasta, cheese, spinach with marisco sauce. In the village of Villa de Leyva was my first real meal after the painful tooth pulling. It was laid out so picturesque, BBQ ribs, salad, yucca strips, mango juice. In the hotel the breakfast had different juices every day: guava, guafanea, blackberry, goose berry, guayaba, uchuea. Most new to me and not so sweet, hard to adjust to.
In the statues of Jesus there are three five tined fork like rays emanating from his crown. They represent: understanding, will, memory and/or the three properties of the soul.
In Bogota was a step fountain meandering many blocks downhill, it had snakes carved in the top of the side part. It must have been marvelous when working.
Lots of police and military all over the streets. Young pretty boys with big truncheons. At least they got a job.
Amazing Zenu canals are south of Cartehena. We saw them in a museum. They had total control of the water for fields and flood prevention. Why can't we do it now?
Speaking of gold. The gold museum has the most gold ever. The Mayans even had gold palettes and little spoons to snort something fun. Used the lost wax technique to make intricate jewelry and keepsakes. One item is made with half balls glued together then granulated, some the size of a pea. Good eyes. Post card cost 4200n peso or $2.37, ouch. The streets are numbered in increasing value going north, called, CALLE. These streets are perpendicular to the mountain. The streets parallel to mountain increase in value going west away from the mountain. Our hotel Casa Deco was at calle 12c 2-16. It was on second street, cross street is 16, going west and 16 is building number.
Street vendors sell: plantain chips made the long way. fruit, juice, chips, mobile phone time with the phones on a chain, scarves, candy, gum, bottled juice, cigarettes, hot drinks, sandwiches, long snake like churros, figs stuffed with caramel, orange colored sugar and nut sweet-or white coconut, and obleas-which are a thin wafer with dulce de leche in between two of them. Had to try. Traditional dish is made with potato, chicken, corn, then add avocado, caper, cream. The other dish that comes with it is: a sort of tamale in leaves with some corn meal, carrot, pork. Our lasagna was deconstructed- a round of pasta, cheese, spinach with marisco sauce. In the village of Villa de Leyva was my first real meal after the painful tooth pulling. It was laid out so picturesque, BBQ ribs, salad, yucca strips, mango juice. In the hotel the breakfast had different juices every day: guava, guafanea, blackberry, goose berry, guayaba, uchuea. Most new to me and not so sweet, hard to adjust to.
In the statues of Jesus there are three five tined fork like rays emanating from his crown. They represent: understanding, will, memory and/or the three properties of the soul.
In Bogota was a step fountain meandering many blocks downhill, it had snakes carved in the top of the side part. It must have been marvelous when working.
Lots of police and military all over the streets. Young pretty boys with big truncheons. At least they got a job.
Argentina, Uruguay, Oct. 2011
Back to the land of Tango, and the Come el Fait tango shoes. They are amazing looking, wish I could wear them. Met Katie and Lavinia, mates from the Bolivia trip some years ago. We went to an Estancia to check it out for Katie and Eze's wedding in Oct. 2012. One comment I heard was, "My wine is hot", I thought she meant it was tart, but no, she meant put some ice in it, RED wine? My former life as an ala carte waitress shuddered. Oh well.
Then the fun began. The gaucho show, billed as 'Indio", that meant men with bare chests and a wig trying to look like an Apache. The real challenge for Argentine gauchos is trying to put a pencil like stick thru a ring suspended from an goal post apparatus. Now, the famous man did tricks with his horse. How to describe it, like he made love to the horse. All the women in the audience were spellbound. He slowly caressed the horse, making it lay down on its back, then he did a handstand on the horse's chest, put its legs and hooves over his shoulders. Kept on caressing it and got it back on its legs. Lady gauchos wear culottes with braid at the waist and down the side seam, pleats at he hip and sewn down for a bit. The men have bloussant pants, going into a cuff at the ankle like a dress shirt. Their hat is beret shaped only very big and floppy.
We went to the famous Cafe Tortoni, had medialunas, like a croissant crossed with brioche. A submarino is chocolate bar or a flake bar in hot milk. A chop is a glass of beer. Figs stuffed with caramel, after all, Argentina is the home to dulce de leche. My absolute favorite sweet.
Local bus's in town are individually owned, not city.
The sidewalks in Buenos Aires are the most broken I have seen in the Western world and absolutely full of dog excrement. The architecture is mixed Art Nouveau mixed with box style buildings.
Went to the dentist, again. last time I was in BA, I had a tooth extracted and, voila, this time too. last time with Dr., Casanova was so easy, this time, horrendous. Got a new crown to replace the one that broke on the road in Africa.
In BA, there are many people called: pickers. They are the scavengers of the city. There is a huge bag on a cart being pulled like a donkey, only by a man or young boys. Going down one main street there are street fixtures shaped like plant pots, 2 1/2 feet tall, plants growing in them and the bottoms are lit with different colors. As the pots are a bit translucent, they glow in the night. Very Palm Springs. Sex Shop are called, Buttman. Many buildings have pointed domes, maybe from the moors. Gas is $6.05 a liter. The Post Offices are so busy, the wait is up to an hour. .
Oct. 19th, got on the ferry to Uruguay with Lavinia so she could see it and we met Ariel for lunch. Learned about Spanish Moss. Called Old Man's Beard or Beard Of Christ. Story is: the indigenous Cherokee killed some Spanish pioneers, cut off the red hair of one. hung it in a tree as a warning. It jumped from tree to tree, now is hanging all over. When you strip the outer cover, it is a red hair like the maiden. The bull ring in Colonia is only used less than 10 times before bull fighting was banned. and, it is a good thing as it is not constructed well. Too much money to fix it.
Katie and I went to Bogota for her to renew her visa For Argentina. I had not been, so, off we flew. Gas is $4.75 gallon. Bogota is in the mountains, so, it seems as if all the sidewalks head up. Motorcycles have license plate # on the back in reflective fabric on fluorescent vests. Taxi's have a meter that ticks off a number for distance, than use a chart to figure the fare. Took the funicular to the top of Monterassat mountain, quite a view over the city, it spreads in front of the mountain. We took a taxi for the day to Zipaquina Salt Mine. The word salary comes from the time salt was used as money. It was more valuable than gold, as gold can only decorate, not eaten or preserve food. On to Villa de Layva, where John Paul II said mass. Very beautiful church in this small village.
Amazing Zenu canals are south of Cartehena. We saw them in a museum. They had total control of the water for fields and flood prevention. Why can't we do it now?
Speaking of gold. The gold museum has the most gold ever. The Mayans even had gold palettes and little spoons to snort something fun. Used the lost wax technique to make intricate jewelry and keepsakes. One item is made with half balls glued together then granulated, some the size of a pea. Good eyes. Post card cost 4200n peso or $2.37, ouch. The streets are numbered in increasing value going north, called, CALLE. These streets are perpendicular to the mountain. The streets parallel to mountain increase in value going west away from the mountain. Our hotel Casa Deco was at calle 12c 2-16. It was on second street, cross street is 16, going west and 16 is building number.
The Edificio Barolo is a sister building to the famous Palacio Salvo in Montevideo, a similar building by the same architect which also has a bulbous stone tower.
- Tallest building in Argentina from 1923 until 1935, when it was surpassed by the Edificio Kavanagh.
- The height of the building was determined by building one meter for each of the 100 cantos in the Divine Comedy.
- Each floor of the building has a unique design and ornamentation.
- The lighthouse beacon on top represents the nine choirs of angels, and is topped by a small spire with an ornament depicting the Southern Cross constellation.
- Topped by a revolving light, which can be seen from the shore of Uruguay.
- The architect Palanti was a fanatic of Dante's Divine Comedy, and the building is divided into 3 zones with corresponding ornament: Paradise for the tower and upper floors; Purgatory in the middle; and Inferno at the bottom.
- A high vaulted shopping gallery crosses the building at street level."architecture in South America series"
architect: Mario Palant
We climbed to the top in a decreasing stairwell and then had to sit on a ledge with only glass and air under our bums. Fascinating building.
I actually went to a Milonga, where one has a Tango lesson and stays for dancing. My two left feet were present. Katie does Tango and Lavinia got asked to dance. Guess the men thought I was too much to 'dip'.
Crepes with dulce de Leche stuffing is heaven, I will end on that note.
Then the fun began. The gaucho show, billed as 'Indio", that meant men with bare chests and a wig trying to look like an Apache. The real challenge for Argentine gauchos is trying to put a pencil like stick thru a ring suspended from an goal post apparatus. Now, the famous man did tricks with his horse. How to describe it, like he made love to the horse. All the women in the audience were spellbound. He slowly caressed the horse, making it lay down on its back, then he did a handstand on the horse's chest, put its legs and hooves over his shoulders. Kept on caressing it and got it back on its legs. Lady gauchos wear culottes with braid at the waist and down the side seam, pleats at he hip and sewn down for a bit. The men have bloussant pants, going into a cuff at the ankle like a dress shirt. Their hat is beret shaped only very big and floppy.
We went to the famous Cafe Tortoni, had medialunas, like a croissant crossed with brioche. A submarino is chocolate bar or a flake bar in hot milk. A chop is a glass of beer. Figs stuffed with caramel, after all, Argentina is the home to dulce de leche. My absolute favorite sweet.
Local bus's in town are individually owned, not city.
The sidewalks in Buenos Aires are the most broken I have seen in the Western world and absolutely full of dog excrement. The architecture is mixed Art Nouveau mixed with box style buildings.
Went to the dentist, again. last time I was in BA, I had a tooth extracted and, voila, this time too. last time with Dr., Casanova was so easy, this time, horrendous. Got a new crown to replace the one that broke on the road in Africa.
In BA, there are many people called: pickers. They are the scavengers of the city. There is a huge bag on a cart being pulled like a donkey, only by a man or young boys. Going down one main street there are street fixtures shaped like plant pots, 2 1/2 feet tall, plants growing in them and the bottoms are lit with different colors. As the pots are a bit translucent, they glow in the night. Very Palm Springs. Sex Shop are called, Buttman. Many buildings have pointed domes, maybe from the moors. Gas is $6.05 a liter. The Post Offices are so busy, the wait is up to an hour. .
Oct. 19th, got on the ferry to Uruguay with Lavinia so she could see it and we met Ariel for lunch. Learned about Spanish Moss. Called Old Man's Beard or Beard Of Christ. Story is: the indigenous Cherokee killed some Spanish pioneers, cut off the red hair of one. hung it in a tree as a warning. It jumped from tree to tree, now is hanging all over. When you strip the outer cover, it is a red hair like the maiden. The bull ring in Colonia is only used less than 10 times before bull fighting was banned. and, it is a good thing as it is not constructed well. Too much money to fix it.
Katie and I went to Bogota for her to renew her visa For Argentina. I had not been, so, off we flew. Gas is $4.75 gallon. Bogota is in the mountains, so, it seems as if all the sidewalks head up. Motorcycles have license plate # on the back in reflective fabric on fluorescent vests. Taxi's have a meter that ticks off a number for distance, than use a chart to figure the fare. Took the funicular to the top of Monterassat mountain, quite a view over the city, it spreads in front of the mountain. We took a taxi for the day to Zipaquina Salt Mine. The word salary comes from the time salt was used as money. It was more valuable than gold, as gold can only decorate, not eaten or preserve food. On to Villa de Layva, where John Paul II said mass. Very beautiful church in this small village.
Amazing Zenu canals are south of Cartehena. We saw them in a museum. They had total control of the water for fields and flood prevention. Why can't we do it now?
Speaking of gold. The gold museum has the most gold ever. The Mayans even had gold palettes and little spoons to snort something fun. Used the lost wax technique to make intricate jewelry and keepsakes. One item is made with half balls glued together then granulated, some the size of a pea. Good eyes. Post card cost 4200n peso or $2.37, ouch. The streets are numbered in increasing value going north, called, CALLE. These streets are perpendicular to the mountain. The streets parallel to mountain increase in value going west away from the mountain. Our hotel Casa Deco was at calle 12c 2-16. It was on second street, cross street is 16, going west and 16 is building number.
The Edificio Barolo is a sister building to the famous Palacio Salvo in Montevideo, a similar building by the same architect which also has a bulbous stone tower.
- Tallest building in Argentina from 1923 until 1935, when it was surpassed by the Edificio Kavanagh.
- The height of the building was determined by building one meter for each of the 100 cantos in the Divine Comedy.
- Each floor of the building has a unique design and ornamentation.
- The lighthouse beacon on top represents the nine choirs of angels, and is topped by a small spire with an ornament depicting the Southern Cross constellation.
- Topped by a revolving light, which can be seen from the shore of Uruguay.
- The architect Palanti was a fanatic of Dante's Divine Comedy, and the building is divided into 3 zones with corresponding ornament: Paradise for the tower and upper floors; Purgatory in the middle; and Inferno at the bottom.
- A high vaulted shopping gallery crosses the building at street level."architecture in South America series"
architect: Mario Palant
We climbed to the top in a decreasing stairwell and then had to sit on a ledge with only glass and air under our bums. Fascinating building.
I actually went to a Milonga, where one has a Tango lesson and stays for dancing. My two left feet were present. Katie does Tango and Lavinia got asked to dance. Guess the men thought I was too much to 'dip'.
Crepes with dulce de Leche stuffing is heaven, I will end on that note.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
