Turkmenistan Oct. 2015

    The ferry that's transporting our truck and us across the Caspian Sea is a train ferry. They have left off one train carriage so we would fit. Bless them. We managed to get on and thru both customs in about 24 hours. Miraculous. 

     Turkmenistan is still paranoid. President is still honored, we witnessed the Independent Day Celebration. Thousands of co-ordinated groups doing synchronized marching. Color coordinated flags held up to match different parts of the 'dance'. Many military vehicles and the floats had a portrait of the President on what looked like a representation of the enclosed Ferris wheel. The procession goes for only one block in front of the president. 

     Gas is $.20/liter. 

    Our guide was very knowledgeable about the history of this made up country. He said the president had elimated the drug problem. When asked how it was done, he did not know. Also, when asked about homosexuality- it does not exist. That's that. At the end of the trip during our goodbyes, this adorable guide said I could come back and stay at his house.  Nice offer.

    Ashgabat has expanded its white marble building. Sunglasses needed. 

Now a new 5 *, almond shaped hotel lit up with blue lights. Next to the wedding registration, which is an amazing building-shaped like a ball with the eight pointed stars encircling it. Well lit up with changing colors. Now, next to that is the new wedding hotel, also with changing colored lights. The wedding night is free at this hotel. Children are encouraged, if you have 6 children, you get an apartment. Police get an apartment, if they do not do any coruption for a year. Worked. 

    

     

Muscat, Oman October 2015

     Dancing has been banned. They have the most technologically advanced opera house. And, it's jaw dropping beautiful. 

     The Grand Mosque has the second largest crystal chandelier in the world. Ask Gumiess' book. Abu Dhabi has the largest, but, not the prettiest.

     The locals drive the taxi's and busses. Not so in the UAE. Also no meters, so they do take advantage. Nice beaches, lots of sand. Fish were jumping out of the water and flying thru the air. 

   Hosted by an Indian family that took great care of me and made me feel like family. 

    Building impressive high end resorts. I found that because I was not in a hotel, I had no access to tours. 

    Did go to three treatments at an Ayurvedic clinic. They knew my name, guess because I was the odd one there.

   Just saw a program on Oman, I missed all the green, fancy resorts. They are on the south part, where I was not. 

    

Dubai to Oman on the bus Oct. 2015

Oct. 19, I just boarded the Oman National Transport Bus Co. Enroute to Muscat, Oman. Seats are dusty and part of the seat belt is poking my bum. My shoes are a bit stuck to the floor. Windows are very dirty, both pieces of glass. A new costume is worn by the Omani men. Same long white dress with a light colored embroidered hat, similar to a mitre. Can't see out of front as the top half of the windshield is blacked out. So hot coming in the window I will look out the other side and pull the curtain. Wouldn't say the driver is a smooth one, perhaps he will improve. I think we just got stopped by the police. Just to say, I just left the Ritz Carlton where I was staying in a serviced apartment of friends. Ying/Yang. Life is good.  

    This driver is not acquainted with  this trucks clutch. Or, he is punishing it. And same with the gas. Pedal to the metal. We are very close to the last stop and seem to have stopped for a cigarette break. And, we are already about 25 minutes late.  Arrived!

    Did get to see some of the countryside. Sand and some mountains. 

That was the idea, not to fly.

   

Abu Dhabi Oct. 2015

Notes while on the Hop On-Hop Off bus.

• Early oil money was used for education, hospitals, and infra structure.

• There is a shortage of construction cranes in Ireland, they're here.

• Dates have been and are a diet staple as well as the tree for construction material. Ever tasted a fresh date, you would remember.

• Ladies black covering dress is called : Kardura

• Beaches are segregated: families and single men. No comment.

• Coming soon: Louvre, Guggenheim, cultural capital of Arab world. 

• Buildings are covered with glass and the glass is covered with dusty sand. 

• Highest water consumption in the world-and- 97% comes from de-salinization. 

• Many parks, playgrounds and creshes for children. Saw a huge one at a mall. My jaw dropped it was so extensive.

• The older women wore a face cover made from stiffened linen. Covered the nostrils and mouth.

• Grand Mosque has over 1000 pillars inlaid with semi precious stones. Beautiful. 

Oh! Canada

    I happened to look out of the airplane window on my flight from Vancouver, BC to Reykjavik. And there was Isle Royal, island of my father's young life. I know it was because the planes map indicated we were over Lake Superior, to make it really picturesque, an iron ore boat was passing it. His family captained boats to and from Larsmont in the mainland to the island. Boat builders from Finland, they knew how to make sturdy, enclosed fishing vessels. Viking heritage. My birthplace of Duluth, Minnesota, has a Leif Ericson park, complete with boat. I read that Rekjavik has this also. 

    I took Amtrak from Vancouver to Vancouver. Had big plans for seeing many new places in BC. Not happened. I lost a crown just before I left the U.S.. Dentist in BC did a good job to fix me up so I could leave with a new tooth and new root canal. Procedures were compacted and tough. I am not a dental whus, but, this put me out of commission, lost days because of it. So, I saw what I could, had lovely visits with friends and had yummy food. So much like the US , and then not.  

    One thing I found odd, there are signs to look out for 'bait cars', so, don't take the bait and steal. Undercover cars. 

     Donald Trump is towering over the skyline with a tall twisted building. Seems it is on hold because he is petitioning to make it just a bit taller to be the tallest. 

    

Iceland

    

   Geothermal provides home heating and electricity for €60 a month! All one can use. Reykjavik is the cleanest city. Also, pure drinking water. 

     They have joined the Schengen treaty, but not the EU. Smart. Except I must count the days for my allowed Schengen 90 days.   

   The myth is elves live under the big rocks that have been thrown out of the volcano. Roads are built around them so as not to disturb them.

    Geyser is an Icelandic word.

    A village of 50 people will have a swimming pool- advantage of geothermal wealth. They are the gathering place in place of bars because alcohol is expensive. 

    Skyr is a yogurt type of product, very old in the culture. Not a fan, yet.

    Read that tips are NOT done. I can tell how the tourism industry is changing that, the guide on bus tour asked for one. Was shamed into it. Not cool. 

   Gas is 202.7 Kroners per liter, $1.57.

   Door locks open towards the door jamb, might I say they are knuckle busters as they are so close  to the jamb.

   I SAW the Northern Lights! Just a bit, I'll take it. Have not seen them since I was a child in Minnesota. I remembered them like it was yesterday. Exciting. 

     And, the fog lifted and the sun came out to see the largest glacier in Eurooe and a lagoon full of icebergs. I do like a good iceberg.

    I also got to walk where two continents are splitting my apart. It has been on my list for many years. That was cool.

   A good trip...