Nepal Nov. 2014

•Vodka billboard: "My Nepal-My Attitude" 

•Suicide knob on steering wheel 

•Cow dung 'shish ka bob' fire sticks 

•bright, glittery saris 

• Light colored sand in very wide dry river beds and is generally the land testifying that this was the sea.

•Campimg by a river that was very cold and wet in the night, also had a snake in the tent, my roommate took off to a bungalo. I should have joined her. 

•Kathmandu: one minute I was having a local dinner with ethnic dancing-next minute I was in hospital with a needle in my arm and a diaper on. Spent the next days in the hotel room, loving the bed and room service for white food. Gastrointinitis. My roommate was also doing poorly so, we stayed at the hotel, which was the best one we could have been infirmed in. We had to fly to Varanasi to meet up with the group. The bonus of it all was:  WE SAW THE HIMALAYES!

•In Chitwan National Park we had an elephant walk by our room. The Mahout had the elephant give us a - Namasti.

Darjeeling Nov. 2014

   Hot water Madam? Must push button outside the bathroom that says: Geezer

   The streets that are on an incline have stones imbedded in the asphalt for traction, works well. All laid by hand. 

    On the 'Toy Train' from Darjeeling to  Ghum saw a makeshift telescope made from two tubes and big binoculars. Clever, like MacGiver.  

    School children wait for the 'bus' with an adult in the side of the road. All in uniforms. 

     Tibetian refuge center with 11 families that have been there for a long time. Ladies weaving dense carpets. 

    Invited into a monestary to witness the children chanting and were served tea along with the little monks. 

     English breakfast at a 'bakery' with a Scotish name. We all bought some baked goods as well. 

     Visited tea plantation, photo is of tea flower and seed. Were treated to 5 second tea which is the tips of the plant, delicious. We bought some illicit tea as the workers were on strike, however the owner of the plantation made us the tea and sold it to us. Very naughty. And, delicious. 

     All roads were up. And with altitude. Yikes 

Kolkata, India Nov. 2014

    This city is a total assalt on all senses. Noisy, smelly, old, dirty, busy, colorful, friendly, grand buildings, photo manic, decaying splendor, tacky, insane traffic, yes-no-maybe-bobble heads, concentrated diversified neighborhoods in a small area, clever recycling, firery hot chilis, useless Internet.

   Street food is served in dishes made from fallen leaves formed into small bowls. 

    Masala chai served in disposable clay cups. 

   Fish in mustard sauce is the special dish of Kolkata:  delicious

   Mosaics in St. Paul's church like I have never seen, small rectangular semi precious stones creating images that look like painting. 

   Grand old cemetary for the English. 

    Worst jet lag ever.

Bhutan Nov. 2014

    I am on a huge truck named Daisy for a 10 hour drive on a narrow, bumpy, twisting mountain road above the clouds. Have had a flat tire and backed into a government car. It was so close behind us it could not be seen. He just drove away. 

     Chilies are a vegetable. Served in a cheese sauce. Also battered and deep fried.  Climate change has allowed  rice to grow, replacing buckwheat. 

   Streams are clear or glacial fed. Mountains are deeply forested.

 Rare Black Necked Cranes  migrate here frrom Tibet-OVER the Himalayes! 

     Women do not drive. None.

   National dress code is imperative at work. Gho is men's: big kimono style wrap  around tied tight around the waist, hiked over the knee and blousaned. Giving a nice pouch. Paired with knee high socks and brough style shoes. Kira is womens: wrap long sarong with short jacket.

   Archery is popular and good fun for all. 125 meters is the distance attempted with a bamboo bow. To me it looks like there is no aiming, just pulling and letting go. Jesting and dancing is the order of the game. 

   Tobacco is banned, progressive. 

SW USA Road Trip

  This is the most majestic part of the country in my observations. 

    Bishops Castle: one mans fantasy building project, wrought iron and rocks. Soaring arched second story reminiscent of an old French train station complete with stained glass. Many signs taking his stand against government-like that. 

    Great Sand Dunes: 750 feet tall piled up against the west side of the Sangre de Christo mountains. Seems improbable.

    Durango-Silverton train: Durango is a great word to say. The tracks run alongside a river winding thru mountains. Spectacular views. Could see the steam engine from our car winding around the bends. Silverton had billions of tons of ore taken out. In fact had 32 bars and bordellos on its three block Main Street. Must have been heaven. Saw a family of deer cross the highway in central Durango. They were a bit hesitant, then one by one they stepped out, seems that the locals are trained, because they stopped in the middle of the street alerting others to stop for them. Many smiles could be seen when they were safely across. 

     Mesa Verde, Pueblo people's invention for safe affordable housing. Over the cliff, dug into the side, ladders and/or foot holds to get up the top. No waste of building materials. The Federated Women's Club were the organization that made this area into a national park. I am glad I was a part of this organization. 

    Grand Canyon was next. It really is too big for the brain to process. The earth and all its formations is so interesting. The layers are on full view, makes for a colorful panorama. 

     Dinosaur museum was next. The new theory of some having feathers was explored there. Also footprints were in abundance.   

     Arches park was next. Mother Natures wind carving technique worked its wonders there. One was so hard to see until we realized part had fallen, confused us as there was no sign! Lovely red sandstone in majestic shapes.  

     Garden of the Gods was a disappointment, only because the trees had grown so much that the towers could not be seen from the road and little available place to pull over. 

     We got the last room in Grand Junction, this area in very busy. On to sisters home. It was a beautiful drive, as we crested on hill, pow...there was the quintessential Western movie set. Jaw dropping.

    To top it off, the Aspens were turning. One shot: mountain of evergreen trees with one spot of Aspen yellow half way up. Thank you, Mother Nature. 

    

   

      

Minnesota Aug. 2014

     Ice houses on wheels as big as a motor home. Tow it out, set it down, raise the wheels, bingo. Home away from home. Come  Spring lower the wheels, hook up to truck and off you go. 

     State Fair, it's schtick is fried on a stick. Mashed potatoes, spaghetti and meatballs, corn dog, hydrogen ice cream.  So fun, where else is a really big snowplow in a parade. 

     Nelson town has, Shoot The Minnow. That means a dead minnow in a shot glass of alcohol, T-shirt included. 700 sold last night. 

    Fire hydrants with snow depth poles attached to them. 

     Tornado warnings.

     Hail.

     Really big and thick rain drops.

     Recycle-little is done

     Plastic bags aplenty

     Cannot go far before you run into a lake. And, the trees! And, grass-lawns as big as golf courses. 

Hawaii May 2014

   Earthquake today, last one I felt was in Tokyo. Strangest was in the west of England, happened off shore in York, but I woke up for it. When you are used to them, you are aware. 

   Waikiki is a mecca for some very crazy people. Talking to unknown entities crazy.  Enough street people to make up a small village. No laws exist to make their life style in jeopardy. Is making Waikiki different. 

   Other than that: paradise. So casual, thong wearing women peddling along on their bikes, gaggles of young healthy men  showing off their torsos. Why aren't they wearing thongs?

   Lots of hula, symphony, ballet, museums, Polynesian Cultural Center, fireworks, Shangri la, lazy days, meals with friends. 

   It's not called paradise for nothing.

Aloha

Korea April 2014

   I don't know if Korea has Kamakazis, if they do, the bus driver taking me to the airport is on the path.

    I saw some of Buddhas ashes in a temple in Gyeongju. They were on display because the pagoda they were in is being refurbished. They look like diamonds placed on a velvet pillow. And, it is said, the finest example of a carving of Buddha in all of Asia. Made from white granite. It is beautiful. 

    Gyeongju is also home of love motels. Mine was classed as a 'business'. Motel. The hall was black with blue neon accents. My room had red inserts in the wall. Never seen before ammenities. Big toothpaste-used, big-lotion, hair gel, spray, skin freshener, soap bars-all in use. To check out, put key in a box on the elevator wall. 

    Did miss the Toilet Museum. It is a building shaped like an American Standard white porcelain one. Too bad.

    Sunday morning after seeing the changing of the guard at the palace, was wandering the small lanes and came upon a Protestant church. Humm. I went in thinking I would see what was in it, oops, service was starting. A chance to sing. The only place I do it. I was the only non Asian person. This was the first church that had the stations of the cross painted with Asian people. Very interesting and quite nice. Makes more sense than the blond, white baby Jesus in the Christmas service in The Sudan.

   Had a lunch with ladies from the tour bus: many pickled things I had to manage to wrap in a lettuce leaf. Called: Ssam. Where was the Korean BBQ we know in the US? Didn't see it. 

     Glad I went, did not want to go to the DMZ. Seen enough. 

   Gamsa Hamnida

     

     

Leaving Tokyo, April 2014

    Was that Superman, faster than a speeding bullet? No, it was the Bullet Train passing the station. 

     Foot baths on street corners-how civilized is this?

     Good coffee everywhere, and, Lavazza in the shop. 

     So much art available. Paintings, sculptures, much I know nothing about-Manga + Anime. 

    Little Bo Peep girls walking down the street.   Boys in hostess clubs look so feminine. Plenty of places available for is ladies. 

     There is piped in sound everywhere, ex: birds chirping at train platforms, music in the streets, when one sits on a toilet. Makes a sound of water running, however, it confused my body-made it stop, not go. So my timing is off. 

     Yes, white gloves are worn by many. Did not get pushed into the metro. 

   Money is never, creased, torn, dirty, wrinkled, always like new. 

    Even elders have toys hanging from their bags and even on their walkers. 

     My experience was full of amazing sights and experiences. The tour was full on. One fantasizes about staying at a Ryokan. Yes, I did sleep on the floor more than not, got better at getting up as the days went on. 

   The temples! Gold. The gardens: Zen itself. The shrines: beauty personified. People: graciousness,  squared. Countryside: serene.

   I took an Ikebana class and made a beautiful arrangement. Saw part of Mt. Fuji. Lucky me. Could not see Sumo wrestling. Bad luck. 

   Hakone has a Lalique Museum that knocked my socks off. Who could have known that? It even had rooms that were imported from France, made in glass!

  Did I mention cherry blossoms? Got to see them in the mountains. A blessing. 

    I felt sad to leave Japan. It got better each day. 

    Now I am in a Hawaii, surrounded by Japanese. Ironic. 

Tokyo, Japan April 2014

  Tears came to me as I sit in the park in Nara during Golden Festival Week

 in Japan.  I heard singing when I entered the Botanical garden, I followed the music. Next to my seat is a lady in full Kimono and an elderly gentleman is reciting poetry on the stage set over a pond in the Botanical garden.  It is a program of entertainment, singing, dancing, martial arts.  How lucky is my life! Now, the TAIKO DRUMS! Primal, muscles rippling, much ceremony, love it. 

- Drinks in cans available up and down all streets. Many different coffees in the street machines and in the ever popular 7-11. There is available hot or cold in the vending machines. Sadly, I did not see the used panty machine. Probably I. The little street we were told foreigners could not go.  Also, ramped up coffee ones, and, the energy drinks, many, are advertised in TV by very sensual women with a come on approach. 

    Women only metro cars during commute time as the men are too grabby. 

   Myanmar has more public information in English than here. Was explained that for the upcoming Olympics in 2020, this is being addressed. 

   It's cold and wet out, thought I would go back to little tatami mat/futon room, however, was sent to the Idemitsu Museum of Arts, by helpful lady at the information center,  as they are open late this day. A lady at the entrance gave me a ticket. Another lucky day. Very good show on Japanese painting. Many decades and genres. There is a sitting room that looks out over the palace grounds and free tea.

   I spent  the morning trying to find friend Mari's hotel and then had lunch with her before she flew back to Shanghai. And she bought me delicious local meal called: Okonomiyaki. 

    And, wonders, my metro line is just outside. 

     No trash cans.

     No trash. 

     Flower pots in street corner and in front of shops. 

    Clean, clean, clean. 

     NO graffiti. 

     Taxi drivers wear black suit with hat, white gloves, seats are lace covered. 

     Train conductor bowed as he exited the carriage. So nice to be acknowledged. 

   Using Google Maps gave me many long walks around Tokyo trying to locate my destination. And, I got to manage my bags up and down many flights of stairs. 

   On to the next destination. 

 

Seoul, Korea - April 2014

     After 3 flights and hours of layovers, I fell into a bed about 2:30, I was out. I arrived at 6:30AM, I knew no checking on until 14:00 and knew I was far too tired to deal with roaming a city. I was last off the plane, why hurry? The airport advertised it was #1, what did they have for me? I had a lovely coffee, twice. The best Jr. Whopper ever. I might have been full of rice. But, considering, my week long toilet problems, I doubt I was full of anything. Got money, had a little nap watching a modern dance program on TV. Walked the length, several times. Gathered all the tourist info I could get my hands on. Went to medical center for the mysterious rash up one side of my body. Why not check it out. For about $50, I saw Dr. and  got medicine. Still unknown. There is a cinema in the complex, that is cool. Not the right time for me. Darn. Left airport about noon. Train, metro and short walk I was at hotel. Easy. Still not check in. Time to eat then, tried to get Korean BBQ, nope, got schnitzel. Did have lots of chimchi and pickled things. 

   Am at the theatre to see production of: Cookin' Nanta. Comedy cooking show guaranteed there will no language barrier.

    Men's ties have dangling metal charm at the tip.

    Metro has videos showing how they clean the cars, tunnels and how to use the emergency fire helmets provided in the station, and, how to open the doors. 

    People showing smoking Cigarettes are blocked out in TV.

Cambodia March 2014

• Big pink pig upside down on the back of motorbike, legs flailing. 

• Eating green crunchy lotus seeds out of the pod. 

• Amok is a local dish. It is a bit curry style with coconut. Very tasty, and, I like the word. 

• As this is a diamond country, the Buddhas are encrusted.  

• The worst part is Pol Pots Killing Field. There are many more, all around the country. AND, all are documented, like Hitlers group. 

• The best part is Angkor Wat. Now that place has a MOAT. Largest religious structure ever built, think on that one. 

• AA meeting right around the corner from the hotel, and, on a free night. Cool.

• The Phnom Phen palace has a Disney feeling in the public areas between buildings, could not call the space a garden, only in respect that it is full of very large plant pots. 

• Kompong Thom is the temple with the really big heads facing all four directions. My favorite. 

• Splendid extensive carvings on temples, so beautiful and intricate.

• Pyramid temples as well.

• Sticky rice cooked on bamboo pieces at road side.

• Plenty of linghams and noni sculptures.

• Karaoke on bus.

• Tall, hollow brick towers at temples.

• Locals told me I danced like one of them, still got it!

• Should not forget the bugs: so many to have for snacks. Tarantulas, black beetles, tiny frogs, cicadas-live or fried, many more. No, I did not partake. 

Train ride in China Feb. 2014

   China is full of Chinese. I don't know where the foreigners are, not where I am. Have seen maybe 4 since I got to China. 

   The train 30+ hour train from Shanghai to Kunming was hell, like a very bad movie. Because of the passport mess, I could not make it earlier to get a bed. And many days in the future for one because of the New Year and Spring Festival. Chinese trains are the busiest in the world. Heard the term-hard seat? Boy howdy, it was.  No table to lean on, arm rests or any thing else I think of as having with a train seat. All faced each other, no leg room nor much space to share foot space. They do sell standing room, and, many people were. So inventive in finding a bit of space to rest. Children were put behind the corridor doors on top of luggage. Others sat on theirs in front of the sinks and one man laid across the sinks. So many children, lots of crying and screaming. No toys were seen, they entertained themselves. Only one snorer, humm. Not a C-PAP to be seen. Movies going on individual players, train music, mobile phones that MUST be shouted into, loud voices are normal. Oh, one must not forget the coughing and gagging. I did research on this phenomenon in China, it is not physical to Chinese, only cultural. I think it rids one of 'evil'. Won't do that again. 

Shanghai Feb. 2014

     Häagen Daz ice cream parlors pack containers to go in a frozen food bag like we used to get at the supermarket and with a little bag of dry ice. Clever. 

     Left over from World Expo 2010 is the Saudi pavilion. It houses the largest IMAX screen on earth. You are on a moving sidewalk that puts you in the center of the film, showing scenes from Saudi Arabia. A treat for the scences. 

   The Chinese pavilion is now an art museum and it is massive. The building is built like bright red Lincoln Logs in an upside down pyramid style. Beautiful. 

    I stayed in his area as this is where my friends live. Just walked in the very cold rain with two days in the museums. 

     My friends went with me to spend the day in Hangzhou. West Lake is up in the top of places to see in China. It was so cold and gloomy that it really got missed out for us. Then my ticket for the stored luggage disappeared. Never to be seen again.  Thank Clod that my friends were there to speak Chinese, I shudder to think of those consequences, I was catching a train. 

Myanmar visa

   Getting this visa has been a whopping comedy of errors. All people, places and things that had anything to do with it, made errors. When I thought I had confirmed something, it was not done. From the tour company, Myanmar embassy, Post Office, me, UPS. It took almost two months. Close to losing  about $5000 if it did not come. It came with one day to spare before losing the airfare. However, it did arrive. All systems go. I vasilated between: letting it GO, and visualizing it in my hand. The day after I really let it go, planning where I would go in the US, it arrived. I also did not have a drivers license, that got sent back by the post. I was trapped! My worse nightmare. Well, maybe not my worst, close to it. On to the next hill.