My Voyage Around the World

PHOTOs!!! 232 of MY Various Favorites

2004-09-08T22:34:00.000-07:00

This is all too much.
Yet Not enough.

Thank you everyone for making this possible and for staying in touch. A day did not go by that I didn't think of ATLEAST one of you over the last four months. Your emails and words of wisdem have been so important to me. I am very much looking forward to coming home.

Debbie's Top 16.5 wisdoms gained

2004-09-08T14:15:00.001-07:00

16. Being a little stinky is not all that bad.

15. Sleeping in public airports is not all that bad.

14. If an artical of clothing is in the way... send it home.

13. Walk into a local bar and strike up a conversation. =]

12. Ask the locals what they think a traveler should see in their country. (you'll get a variety of ideas)

11. Available space in your backpack is a precious comodity, and becomes a goal.

10. learn to be okay with out you backpack for two days. (see item #15)

9. When leaving a country to go to the next, use and get rid of your coins before the paper notes. Money Exchanges purchase and exchange only bills. On the other hand, coins are a cool momento.

8. When using the international snail mail system, allow for a good three to four weeks, regardless of what is "promised".

7. For four months, you CAN in fact get away with two pairs of pants (deep side pockets), two pairs of underwear, two pairs of "smart wool socks", two pair of all-in-one sports tank-tops, one pair of nice sandals (Keen Sandals specifically), one fleece jacket, one rain jacket, one pair of long underwear... and one nice scarf.

6. contrary to beliefs, you don't need a compass, three pairs of shoes, a vast selection of clothes, a traveling airpillow...

5. A nice square scarf can keep you fairly warm on a chilly night, can turn an all-in-one sports tank-top into something elegant, can turn a pair of black pants in to a nice pair of skants for the evening, can keep your neck warm during a stroll in cold weather, can cover your sleeping face when out like a light in the middle seat of an 8-hour plane flight.

4. instead of a traveling airpillow, the airline blanket, when wrapped tightly around your neck can be used to prop your head up while sleeping.

3. The airline counter person might be stressed and rushed because of the lines, so be sure you get your luggage sticker to reclaim your luggage.

2. the world is not that scary. Even though common since and staying aware is valuable in everything you do; I had no personal experiences of being mugged, harrassed or scammed. Paranoia is perhaps a bit crippling.

1. Pure Castile Soap and Plastic ziplock bags ROCK!!

(.5) If you meet someone in australia at the beginning of your ventures, and you do not have will power... throw your cell phone away!!!!!

The End ... and the beginning

2004-09-08T14:15:00.000-07:00

It's all too much.
It's all not enough.

I have learned a lot
I haven't learned enough

I am more aware
I am still naive

My Brother Chris at the start of my adventure emailed me and quoted Walt Whitman. I'd like to repeat his quote.

Happy and free
Strong and Content
I travel the open road before me...
---Walt Whitman

USA: back in BOSTON

2004-09-08T14:10:00.000-07:00

I'm back in Boston with my Brother. He was kind enough to host Pal Fekete my buddy from Australia and kind enough to taxi Solomon and Noni to their host's house in Boston. For about an hour my worlds collided as my brother, Pal from australia, Solomon now from seattle then from toronto, and Noni whom I had met in Melbourne sat on a bench at the market, and then using my brother gps in his suv to find solomon and noni's host. It was short but surreal.

I FINALLY received the care package that Sarah sent in July. I had given her some stuff to forward me but she added a few things!!! She sent it to Graham's in Australia what should have been plenty of time, but I left before it arrived. Graham sent it to Toby's in Boston. I opened it today!!! Sarah sent my favorite shampoo and portland post cards, some for Graham. (i'll be sending them on to him later today.) Someone anonymously sent a good chunk of cash (money order) with Sarah's Package! So thank you thank you!!! whoever you are!!!

I've received an email from my subletter. My apartment is in good shape. Apparently she has planted herbs outside the kitchen window, left a long lenghth mirror and purchased a new iron that she broke. Richard Rodriques has my house keys... Eric Lane has my car and car keys. Helen has collected my mail and stored all the packages I sent home.

I leave for Portland tomorrow (tomorrow!!) thursday ... I make it in to Portland just in time for Kristin's Gig at North Star ballroom. I hope I can get a ride to my apartment from somebody =]

This is all too much, and yet not enough.

USA: Swingout New Hampshire

2004-09-08T11:25:00.000-07:00

Most of you know I started my travels at the Oakland Swing Dance Festival and ended it at Swingout New Hampshire. One of the better decisions I had made.

Swingout New Hampshire was incredible, not only because of the camp itself... but because I was able to see and talk to swing friends from portland: Helen, Kristin, Foster, Carlos, Joshua and Todd. Many of whom not only kept up on my blog, but emailed me and took care of things back home for me.

It was quite the feeling to see Helen, Todd and Foster arrive early, even before the registration staff was ready for them. In fact of the 260 people attending SONH, they were the first to register. We caught up quickly, I was running off at the mouth I'm sure, and couldn't get enough of my buddies. I told helen right away we needed some serious helen and deb time, even though there wasn't a starbucks near by.

Kristin, Carlos, Joshua all showed up with the SONH bus from the airport, so I could only give a squeal to them when they were standing infront of the registration table, and I was behind it checking people in. Once settled in our cabin, Kristin delivered a monitary package (halleluha) for me from a buddy in portland... helen gave me two extra shirts, a pair of underwear and a pair of socks. She figured I could use the change =) and boy did she peg it! Very thoughtful Helen! Thank you!

Of course, as what usually happens at these swing camps, there were many folks with whom to reunite, regardless of my travels. Getting a really good dose of dancing and lessons with folks I see once a year, came as more of a delight this year. I also caught up with Pal Fekete from australia. The gentleman I met dancing in sydney and who took me hiking in the blue mountains, and who hosted me, and who was doing his own three-month travels in the USA.

The week was not only filled with lessons, dances, and late nights, but, while dozing off in our sleeping bags, or while eating in the dining hall, I was caught up slowly to portland news.

I definitely felt needed by SONH reegistration organizer, Judy, a refreshing change from four months of no work whatsoever. I found I was quite eager to assist in anyway I could. It was about time I started working!!! =]

This was a great way to come back to the states. Books and websites tell me to be careful of culture shock as I return from my travels... and I think the way I am returning to the states was a better idea then I had thought.

Kristin's photo from sonh. http://pics.livejournal.com/kbuxton/pic/00001x7e/g1

Finalissmo - email from dad

2004-08-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

- Ben Balsley wrote:

Deb,

Well....the traveling's over....at least for a while. In my opinion,
you have done a really remarkable thing that has and ever will change your
life completely. The experiences you've had, the knowledge you've
gained, the friends you've made, the global "appreciation" of a small
other part of the world, these things are priceless.

I am both pleased that you made up your own mind to do it, and very
proud of your stamina and good humor throughout your adventure.

Whatever comes in your future will bear strongly on your adventures the
past few months.

LYP

USA: Boston

2004-08-28T13:42:00.000-07:00

After a bit of a harry departure from Argentina, Buenos Aires.... I am back in the states, but not home yet. I flew into boston, 10 hours of flying, backpack on my back and ready to be home and was greeted my brother Toby.

I am at Toby's. We saw the Broadway version of the Lion King and will be seeing a Red Sox Game tomorrow ... two wonderful USA type of activities. I'm working on my Dance Lab Artical for a website, so that I will have a link for folks to go to if they have some interested. The last two time I've done this I had nothing to give them. I will be heading to the swing camp in New Hampshire a little early to assist Mark with some pre-setup stuff.

Of course I'm a little stressed about the money job thing. Interestng words of wisdom came from one of toby's coworkers: "if you've traveled around the world... you can find another job". Although I generally think these are different skill sets, one perhaps easier to accomplish then the other, depending on the person, I understand what she was getting at: I can take another risk, move to the next country and deal with whatever comes my way... i guess

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires. Tomorrow... I leave for the states!

2004-08-23T17:38:00.000-07:00

Because of money and energy, I´m heading back to the states tomorrow. Going first to see my brother in Boston, then Swingout New Hampshire, of course, only earlier. Mark needs some assistance setting up and preparing for the workshop. Then, finally, home to Portland on Thursday the 9th of September. Man... this is all too much... I´m ready, but I´m not.

Okay, except for one last private Tango lesson with Mario, the last few days have been spent entirely on logistics. My tango lesson with Mario is discribed below. But my task lists for today was to do the following. It was a great test to my Spanish speaking skills:

O Meet Mario for my last private tango lesson and a take a photo with him.
O Go to Correo Argentine, or to OCA to send yet another load of items back home so that there´s room in my back pack. (a regular task in every country as I accumulate things on the way.)
O Go to travel agent on Maipu 42 and change my ticket (Argentina to Boston) from August 30th to tomorrow (September 24th)
O Phone (from a "cabina telefonica") my Property Management association about my studio on lovejoy (I may be giving my 30days notice..... )
O Go to internet shop about cost for a round trip ticket to Sydney for three months.
O Phone Leo about my customized tango shoes before I go home
O Phone Estuko at Luna Llena, to see if we can meet up for dinner before I go.
O Phone Facundo, a gentleman I met on the subway, to see if we can meet up for "un cafe" before I leave.
O Email Richard Rodrigues for a copy of my resume, from off my lap top.
O Go to internet cafe to look over Adecco´s website and other temporary jobs.
O Work on my Communications Dance Lab & Forum article in time for SONH
O Call Matthew in Melbourne to help me with the "copy lefting" idea for the Dance Lab article.
O Call COBRA about my insurance.

My tango lesson with Mario...splendid. ¡Absolutemente! He is exactly what I needed, or at least felt I needed, in my tango dance. His technique is from the heart, literally. Working from the inside, on balance, axis, strength, resistance, engery, and not worrying about steps (so much). The "dance is one of the heart" he says, and from there, is where he works. He speeks little english so he doesn´t "go off at the mouth" since I wouldn´t understand him. Every spoken word, every exercise, every dance, was slow, intense and meaningful. Every word to be translated and understood. Every movement to be translated and understood. Incredible. He is a good man, and a wonderful soul.

After my tango lesson and a goodbye that finished at about one, for the rest of the day, the hardest thing to do was to change my departure date of my ticket. I walked everywhere! At least I knew the streets and subways fairly well. In every other country changing my departure date had been a simple task, but for some reason this was not the case in Buenos Aires. I went back to the agency that helped me with my Lima Peru flight and they were an absolute joy to work with. After about a half hour of trying, it turned out they could not help me either, but they got on the phone and found out who and where and when. I´ve kept their business cards so if any of you plan to go to Argentina, and need some ideas while you are there (here) I´ll give you their card... (by the way I also have the card of a wonderful taxi driver, Juan Manuel, who comes recommended by Luna Llena. He would meet you at the airport 32 pesos) . I finally ended up at the United Airlines Headquarters for Argentina and they too were an absolute joy. The task was to change my departure date, but after an hour of talking in spanish and english, laughing and sharing, I finally left the building at 5:40 when the building closed at 5:30. Of course, I took a photo.

Shit...I´m leaving tomorrow.

PERU - Cusco, Machu Picchu and new friend Sarita,

2004-08-20T23:59:00.000-07:00

Cusco was stunning, like a rose in that if you touch it you could get hurt. If you visit cusco, you might get a massive headache.

I had been told to expect to acclimate acclimatize. I kinda shrugged because well after all, hmph, I had summitted Mt Adams several years ago.

Mt Adams (internet) 12,276 feet (3,742 m) . Two Sources for Cusco: (either) 12, 628 feet (3, 850 m) or 10,561 feet (3,219 m) . Either way it´s close, but I still got the head ache a cusco.

I, indeed, I did befriend a MASSIVE headache, a kind I´ve never experienced before ( I don´t get headaches, so I can compare the ones I do get.) This headache was all over my brain. Quite odd. It´s of course a lack of oxygen, and they say to take glucose tablets that stimulate what oxygen you do have to go to the brain. Well it was too late, but I popped an advil and slept it off. I did get glucose tables in time for my return from Machupicchu to Cusco (Machupicchu is a lower elevation then the city of cusco), and well... I didn´t get a headache as some other folks did.

Cusco has a beautiful nightlife, with the main pedestrian square in the center of town surrounding a well-lit catholic church. I felt completely safe, and enjoyed all the children that tried to sell themselves to my camera for a picture, or who simply tried to sell me something from chiclets to flashlights.

Machupicchu was stunning. I just wish I could enjoy its majesty alone, without the tourist. It is incredible. The guide I had, Jose, was well informed, articulate and charming. You could tell he know only knew his stuff, but cherished the Inca History.

On a side note, some friends of the Lima Peru bride a groom (Ryan and Elgin) were to be heading to cusco as well after the wedding, so when I was introduced to them, we agreed we´d look out for eachother, but in reality we thought, there´s no way we would hook up.... But we did!!!! I was on my organized tour of a temple in cusco and they were on theirs when we recognized eachother. It turns out the bride and groom were in cusco as well, so to make a long story short, we all met up with eachother for drinks and pizza... In CUSCO! Ryan and Elgin were of course newlyweds, but you could tell they truly enjoyed the company of their friends. Neither Elign nor I recognized eachother, but we can tell stories of eachother´s father! We had a good time although brief.

. 1280 first Incas
. 1450 Inca Empire, improved architecture with no mortar between rocks.
. 1533 Spaniards came to Peru
. 1536 revolution (not 1492 Indians discovered Columbus)
. Incas had no documents, they had an oral history, passed down etc.
. Incas tax was to work for the empire.
. Spaniards first documented various legends in 1616.
. Many of the Inca Temples were destroyed as it was that they worshiped too many gods.
. Apu = God
. Sept 22, 23 solstice important to the Incas, that´s when the could harvest the corn.
. Corn was sacred to them. The harvest in the sacred valley below cusco, supported the city of cusco.
. Kechuas (Inca language) still spoken today
. Pachamama, mother earth
. Religious Mecca -Dominican convents
. Orion Belt´s portrayed on paintings and sculptures.
. Incas did not worship the sun alone, they cherished a "three-tiered" concept: God of the sky, God of the middle world (man and animals) and God of the earth. The "three-tiered" concept is depicted in much of their architecture and carvings.
ulike Galileo, Incas new the earth was round.
. Renascent and the baroque style combined and formed in Peru. (Crescopuquanie naroccoco)

My "transfer" guide, Sarita is another gem and a wonderful memory during my travels. She was the one who met me at the airport (remember this package was set up with the assistance of Koki so I had nothing by the best in store for me) and she was also the one who had the hotel give me a wake up call, and she was also the one who met me every morning in the lobby of the hotel before every tour. She would always introduce me to the English speaking guide for the day.

For Sarita and I, although our time together was brief and our language skills both at a minimal, we still giggled at a few things, and shared simple, brief stories about ourselves. When I said good bye to her at the airport terminal, I found I had a lump in my throat and was holding back some tears. She and I will stay in contact I´m sure.

PERU - Jicamarca - my dad

2004-08-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

I am so floored by my visit to Jicamarca Radio Observatory, the radar sight my dad help build. Most all, if not all, the original staff are still there, be it clerical, janitorial, lunch room, maintenance, executive or research staff.

When I returned to Lima from Cusco I, again, was met at the airport by a taxi driver holding a sign with my name. He took me to the now familiar Chau residence. I was again welcomed by the maid, and as I set my backpack down in Tiffany´s room, Gloria, the secretary to both Ron Woodman (whose daughter got married) and to Koki Chau (at whose house I was staying) was on the phone requesting me. She asked of my plans and said she could send a driver to the house to take me to meet up with her and go to Jicamarca! I had all day; my plane for Buenos Aires not boarding that night until 11:00 p.m.

It wasn´t until a half hour in to the drive to Jicamarca that Gloria introduced me to the driver. It turns out he is the driver for jicamarca and knows my dad. His eyes opened wide, looked at me through the rear view mirror, and, returning his concentration to the road, went on in Spanish saying something that seemed to be all pleasantries towards my father. Gloria slowly translated, and indeed he spoke nothing but good things about my dad.

As we drove up, the familiar desert landscape gave way to a site slowly coming into view: the field on which I was sure we played and had "company" picnics. Of course it was smaller then I remembered, but had football (soccer) goals at each end for the lunch hour respite for staff and had two alpachas grazing on the lawn!

Lunch was waiting for me in the lunch room prepared by the kitchen staff at Jicamarac. Lomo Saltado! A childhood memory! This was too much and already I was chocking back tears, unbeknownst to Gloria.

It was time for the tour. And Gloria slowly introduced me to a few folks walking around the warehouse-type of building filled with an electrical engineers´ candy and toys! Similar items I can also say that could be found on my dad´s garage and work table or office in Boulder.

The tour was not only a tour around familiar specs of memory, but a tour into a life of my father. Everyone I met who knows and still remembers my father, responded just like, if not to a greater degree, the driver. One by one, I met folks who have known my dad since 1964, all speaking so highly and admirably about my dad, more so with fondness then with a respect that might otherwise be expected. Bit by bit the lump in my throat would become tougher to swallow. It was also difficult because I could not fully understand all they would say, but Gloria would translate all that they would say, all being nice pleasantries.

Finally, I was introduced to a gentleman who had said something I understood, perhaps because he spoke slowly, or perhaps because he used words I understood, but as he spoke, this time Gloria only confirmed what I had heard. This gentleman said that my dad would speak to everyone the same way, whether they were scientists or maintenance staff, adults or children. He too ask me to send regards to my father. I could not hold the tears this time. I said in simple Spanish and also choked up speach... That I too thought my dad was a good man. Kindly, we change the subject. =)

Eventually I was introduced to the gentleman that would give me the technical tour of Jicamarca. He wasn´t quite fluent in English, but he could still poor out the technical phrases and words in English needed to describe all that is behind Jicarmaca and the research.

We first climbed a simple ladder to the roof top of a small, single story building, which give way to a sight I only saw in pictures, magazines and documents. I saw what seemed to be miles and miles of a "simple" structure of poles, but what is actually the largest radar site in the world (actually only 90,000 meters square *not* miles and miles =) .

After touring the grounds of the radar, we then went inside and toured several rooms filled with old, antiquated, equipment that still transmits and receives info to and from the radar. Among the equipment would be more modern equipment, transcribing the information into digital information. They are designing software at this site as well. I was able to catch most of the technical stuff this gentleman described.

Lima Peru has been a wonderful end to my Round the World Trip, as I had planned, but not as I had imagined. Directly below is the link for Jicamarca, further below is the link to my own photos of Jicamarca.

http://jro.igp.gob.pe/

http://www.amazon.ofoto.com/BrowsePhotos.jsp?&collid=279701108103&page=1&sort_order=0

PERU - Lima & The Wedding!

2004-08-14T23:59:00.000-07:00

... Stunning.... Really! As Koki parked the car, his wife Jenny and I, in our gowns, walked up to the church, and the bride and her father drove up in a classic antic car. I didn´t recognized the bride, but I recognized my dad´s colleague Ron Woodman right way. While he was with his daughter in the car, his familiar proud smile gave way to a wonderful waive as he recognized me. It of course wouldn´t be until after the ceremony, or perhaps until the reception that I would get to shake his hand. Jenny and I ascended the stairs and picked a place on the pews. The catholic ceremony was wonderful, the bride was gorgeous, the groom was beaming, the preacher (minister?), although speaking in a language I didn´t know, was gracious and wise. Everyone was dressed to the hilt.

The reception #1 just outside of the church in the court yard ... Stunning of course. Champagne was served and if you could get a chance you could talk to the wedding party, you did. As I was shy, Koki was kind enough get the attention of Ron and his wife, and get a picture of us. It´s my favorite picture of my time in Peru.

The reception #2.... Stunning.... In the back yard of a house, my description nor my pictures will even do it justice. Upon entering the back yard, I couldn´t tell if the structure in the back yard was how they had it, or if it was "rented". But I discovered they had turned the back yard in to a dance hall, setting up an outdoor ceiling with white pillars, and walls of shear cloth. You could still get a hint of the trees and bushes outside. There was a dance floor, and the DJ and speakers were hidden! Tables were set with dinner settings, and buffet tables were in every corner. There was a small, lighted, wading pool by the main buffet table,.... I think that was part of the house =)

I met a couple people that new my dad, and danced with one of them. And it was great to meet them. Stunning. I felt like a princess.

PERU - Lima, Koki & my house when I was five years old. My god the memories!

2004-08-14T23:09:00.000-07:00

So, still being Saturday, I finally met Koki as he came in from his work out. We caught up a bit and were off to do our errands and site seeing. Koki is fluent in English and very forgiving as he realized I wanted to work on my Spanish. His 10 year old daughter Tiffany, too, is fairly fluent. She speaks slowly, but concisely, using all the correct (or correcting herself) with proper grammar and even using subjective or conditional tense, and reflexive verbs! Certainly she is more fluent English then I am in Spanish.

We went about our errands talking in Spanish. And once we found shoes at Payless, Koki took me and his oldest daughter Tiffany to the house I lived in when I was five. As I mentioned I had various memories and I was a bit figity when we turned down the street to my house at Bartolome Trujillo 134.

It wasn´t instant recognition, but slowly, looking around, it all came into "focus". Indeed, as thought, there was a small (triangular) park just across from the house. As we parked and approached the house we spoke to the people in front who turned out to be the current residents. At Koki´s request, they were quite happy to let me tour around the house.... now an office for counselors.... interestingly enough =).

All was of course smaller then I remembered, but in indeed the memories I had were slowly confirmed with actual and true locations in and around the house.

1. The main car port. the memory: blue tile, having a garage sale, and my temper tantrum as I discovered my mother selling my favorite teddy bear.... I still have that teddy bear and I display it proudly!!! =)

2. The main dining room although now sectioned off into separate rooms, had a large glass doors opening up to the back yard. The memory: sitting just in side the doors at our dining room table (the same dining room table we had in the house in boulder Colorado), experiencing an earthquake and having dad sweep me out of my chair to stand outside in the yard. Another memory: sitting in the dining room table, table cloth off, now only having the familiar red, plastic protective covering to work on, and making those rubbery insects or creatures (spiders, ants, scorpions etc) powering hot liquid rubber into metal molds. To this day the smell of a certain rubber takes me back to this memory.

3. The kitchen: just next to the dining room: much smaller then I remember but never the less... The memory: the maid speaking to me in Spanish, pointing to a dish towel and wanting me to pick it up. I did so.

4. A hall way between the kitchen and the kids room. It was more of a "room" then I remember, but nevertheless... The memory: a cot of some sort in the hall. Also the famous family disagreement about the memory of a tarantula coming from underneath the cot, and us running into the mom and dad´s room. Toby says it´s his dream and that I´ve taken it in as a memory, but I say it´s real.... =)

5. The kids room at the far corner, along the street side of the house. The memory: me climbing up the chest of drawers to turn on the t.v., and the dresser and the tv falling ... Possibly *on* me, but I was fine....

6. I kept asking about cement stairs and indeed, they took me out to the back yard and to the back of the house to a flight of stairs that would lead up to the maids rooms. I climbed the stairs with possibly my most vivid memory of the house: falling down those flight of steps. Indeed... They were in fact cement.

7. The maids room (up the cement stairs), are in fact small rooms on top of a flat roof. The memory: playing on the flat roof top, cement walls of course all around. Another memory: major-ly shocking myself and scaring my finger as I tried to turn on a lamp in the maids room. (you know, the lamp switches that you have to push in on either side of the light build "stem". Even hate those type of lamps today!!) Another memory: Holding my hand in a bowl of ice as we drove somewhere.

8. The back yard: the memory: being able to run around to the side of the house and enter into the main car port. 2nd memory: my childhood furniture i.e. kitchen set and rocking horse along that side of the house.

That about does it. Thanks for reading this one guys!!! I bet this could get boring to you, but this has truly been a wonderful trip back to memory lane.

PERU: Lima - The Chau Family and getting ready for the Wedding

2004-08-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

After several emails with both Koki and his Secretary Gloria, I read the last minutes developments from the Buenos Aires airport. Gloria had not only kindly scheduled a taxi driver to meet me at the airport in Lima, where the driver would be holding up a sign with my name, but she had scheduled a 3-day tour that includes an English speaking guide for the city of Cusco and Machu Picchu. She also schedule my hotel room, and my flight in to Cusco from Lima. I guess after four months of travel...I can handle this. :)

Upon my arrival, at 11:30 p.m., I was to look for a sign that said "Debbie - Jicamarca". Jicamarca being the radar site the my dad and his colleagues built. Among the wall of people waiting for their beloved or their colleagues to come through the gates for "Arrivals", half of whom are holding signs with names on them, I finally find my name on a white plague. The man was standing at the very far side of the wall of people. With my broken Spanish, I could tell him where I needed to go.

At about 12:30 a.m., as both Koki and his wife Jenny were at a dinner party, I was met by the maid, who let me in, greeted me, and showed me straight to my room and the bathroom.

My room was the daughter of Koki and Jenny and before I fell a sleep I tried to guess how old she was... I knew they had three kids, so I guessed about 10. I was right :)

In the morning (this would be a Saturday morning) I was awakened by a darling curious 6 year old girl, their second oldest who snuck in to check out the new guest. She was shy, but still curious. After my shower I finally met with Jenny in the hallway. Koki had gone running.

The wedding I had mentioned in my previous post would be that evening at 7:00, so right away Jenny and talked about what I would wear. I showed her what I had and what I had bought, and reminded her, with some embarrassment for some reason, that I had been traveling and didn´t have much. There was a long pause and she said her sister was my size and perhaps there would be something she had for me. She was very sweet and a commodating and was instantly on her wireless phone (nextel =) to her sister and her mother, both who live in the same complex. Her mother came down instantly with several dresses, beaming from ear to ear... This seemed to be her forte to dress someone up for a wedding. Very sweet! She brought the dresses in and I was stunned absolutely stunned, this was not only going to be a nice wedding it was going to be an authentic ball. All the dress were long, and all were, I´m sure, expensive. My eyes went instantly to the shimmery turquoise, sleeveless, strapless dress. It was beautiful I was stunned! And they new it. Jenny reassured me is that this was how they did it in Peru, it´s a big event for everyone.

So we tried on the turquoise dress, tied it in the back, and it was perfect. We didn´t event try the others (of which there were five!) . I felt like I would be the princess and not the bride. But I quickly assured myself, that somehow, I am sure the bride would out shine me =).

Shoes would be the next thing and we agreed that simple silver-grey shoes at Payless would be fine. (whew). Jenny invited me to go with her later that afternoon to get "our hair done" and she said her mother would do my make up... ¡Por su puesto! But of couse! =) She was on her nextel phone again with Koki, explaining to him that in addition to taking me to see my childhood house today, he would need to take me to Payless shoe store. Oye!

So here, after having met Jenny, all the kids and the maid/nanny, picked my dress out, and had the afternoon scheduled for hair and make up, I still hadn't me Koki.

Preparing for Lima Peru - the Wedding

2004-08-12T23:12:00.000-07:00

As I would be attending the wedding of my father's collegue's daughter, I would certainly be needing something else then even my "fancy blouse" that I packed.

Shopping for a nice outfit for a wedding is stressful for me to start with, but to shop for a nice outfit in another country, and then *for* a wedding in another country, and for a wedding of the daughter of my father's collegue, and with the possibility of having to buy shoes... all in one day... I was a bit stressed. Would nice slacks be appropriate?? Would I need to buy a dress (they never fit my body shape)? If a dress, I would need to by shoes (they never fit my foot shape)... yada yada.

I kicked it all in to high gear. I was packing, planning get togethers with the other folks in the house for when I return, washing my clothes and needing to get out on the shopping streets to look for an outfit. With my jaunt around to find tango halls, I already had two areas of buenos aires picked out. To hit both areas, it would require a subway ride and a taxi cab. I had it mapped out, literally.

Frustrated, I found nice slacks, that would need hemming, but, still perhaps not nice enough for a wedding, perhaps not this wedding. But that's what I had, it would have to do, and I would of course confer with Jenny for some advise once I got to Lima.

MAKING PLANS for Lima Peru!

2004-08-11T13:41:00.000-07:00

Lima Peru, my final destination (well swingout new Hampshire is my final, but that´s like coming home)

Surprisingly many folks ask me why lima? They are quick to ask if I plan on visiting Machu Picchu, but don´t understand why I would choose Lima to be a stop for my worldwide travels.

Basically my family lived in Lima when I was young. We returned to the states when I was going into kindergarten. My father is a physicist and worked for many years in Lima. He, my mother (now past away) and my older brother Chris speak fluent Spanish. My other brother Toby was born in Lima... so we joke that he can never be the president of the United States.

I simply want to go back an take a photo of the house and maybe some surrounding areas. I think there´s a park across the street... We´ll see. I remember running in to the street, I´m guessing towards said park and almost being hit by a car. I remember a screech, and then looking at headlights... I significant memory to say the least, but probably minor in the world of Lima Peru.

I´ve made contact with a family friend, Gorge Chau (Koki), whom I don´t remember, but dad says we have met. He is one of dad´s graduate students at University of Colorado, but I believe Gorge also attended the University of Piora in Peru.

I also have memories of the radar sight that my dad help build and manage: Jicamarca... so I think Koki will be taking me to visit there. I remember a picnic type gathering, i think in the fields of Jicamarca, and my brother Toby, then probably 6 years old, joining in with a local band, playing the banjos. I might be mixing memories... i´ll have to confer with dad.

We have another family friend, one of Dad´s colleagues: Dr Ron Woodman. Ron speaks absolute fluent English, so much that I have a memory of him turning to my Dad with a scientifically perplex look on his face and saying in English: "In what language am I speaking ?" :) It´s probably not so much my memory as it is my dad´s as he tells the story quite often. :) It turns out Ron is marrying his last daughter the weekend I´m there... This will be very fun!

Also, I made a contact at Herrang, Eddie Salgado, who shared with us his efforts towards the children of Peru. Knowing I was going to travel there, I asked for his email address and wondered if he or his associates would need any volunteer work. We´ll see what happens.

Finally, Koki has offered his secretary to help me plan my trip to cuzco and to machu picchu... to say the least I feel quite embraced by Koki and eager to meet him. My father speaks highly of him. It will be awesome to make this connection.

Woo hoo! My heart pounds!!

WEDNESDAY - yep... More tango - private lessons in dance and Spanish - caution dance talk

2004-08-11T10:07:00.000-07:00

Wednesday... yep more tango. In fact a bit of a marathon, to my standards any way.

This was the first time I had set my alarm on this trip, and it was for an 11:00 Tango lesson. It's not uncommon for me to sleep in to 9:00 or 10:00, but for Mario's lesson I would have to take the subway and would need to leave by 10:00. And with his "en punto" (on time) remark I was a bit nervous. He's only about 30 years old, but I think both the dance and the language barrier intimidate me. It was also going to be an hour and a half private lesson.

I had also made an appoint for another private lesson with another couple. They came recommended by Ricarda owner of Luna Llena, but I hadn't met them. They could only meet at 1:30 back at Luna Llena so I had exactly one hour on the subway from Mario's studio to get back home.

Mario's Studio was a walk into what I would peg as authentic, typical Argentina.

Finally finding the address for the studio, Avenida Belgrano 2259, I couldn't tell which numbered address went with which door. The doors were typical, tall, narrow, barred with black iron and with a small "stoop" or step from the sidewalk to reach the buzzer.

After I buzz, I am let in with another buzz. Steep, narrow granite steps instantly await my ascend. I see Mario's silhouette up on the the second floor landing, sitting, waiting. I was 10 minutes late. (the map showed a subway stop at "pasco", but in reality it was closed. I had to get off at the next station and walk a ways. I didn´t tell him this... I just said with my own frustrated voice: "lo siento". But as I hoped, he still gave me one of those cheek kisses and a hug. whew. All okay. The walk through to the studio is preciously memorable. It's an old building, narrow halls. At one point we're outside walking along a terrace, potted plants on the edges, and opened doors to studios align on one side of the terrace. The opened doors showed folks practicing dance, some doing tango, some taking voice lessons - the maestros each about 50 to 70 years old, perhaps old school?

After the terrace, we continue walking through another narrow hall, and on the left opens up into another narrow steep flight of stairs, showing cracked granite. At the top of the staircase, it is split left and right in to two more steep flights of stairs. Behind me he directs "a la escierda, por favor", so I turn to go up the flight of stairs to my left. This flight finally opens up to the roof top! You could see the dome of an old building, my guess a church. There is another terrace on the left where you can also see to the terrace below. I´m somewhat stunned and think we will be practicing on the roof top with this old brick floor, but, after all, it did seem appropriate in Buenos Aires. However, he points to a small room at the other end, a small room with two set of doors each with long windows. Inside there is are only chairs, cd player and a mirror.

He starts by explaining, again, that we will only be doing exercises, that I have the basics, and something about that he works from the inside and doesn´t worry about the steps. (I am certain I know what he is talking about, as I´ve always wanted to teach a "preparation for lindy 101" or "remedial lindy class 098", teaching only movement and partnership... yadayada. So since this somewhat a public domain, if you hear this class title somewhere, remember you´ve heard it hear first. =)

Anyway we start standing face to face, walking and following, walking and following. He corrects me but I don´t know what he needs. He wants me to replace his foot with mine... okay.... I think I got it.

We then work maybe 20 minutes on an exercise involving connection and resistance... Yea baby! This is my type of class, the Paul and Sharon of tango, but we practice with different points of the body. It was fascinating. First to know little of each other´s language and then to know little of a new concept he was (about) to teach me, it was both frustrating and rewarding.

With my eyes closed, he would first place his hand on the side of my shoulder. I´d not only lean into his pressure from the hand but I would also then initiate the movement. This was hard for me to grasp because as a follow, I simply match his pressure or resistance and couldn´t understand that he wanted me to move him once the pressure was matched ... the other confusing part was that although I was initiating and sustaining the movement, the moment he chose to release the pressure, I would have to hold my own. It was truly an exercise of "matching" each others energy, "initiating" movement, "listening" and then, the hard part, matching the lead´s RELEASE OF PRESSURE as well.

Once I got this down, with his hand on the side of my shoulder, he would introduce the challenge and apply compression else where... i.e. First: the hand on the shoulder, matching his energy, initiating the movement, matching his "release", holding my own, but then waiting for his hand to apply compression else where, i.e. my other shoulder, my back, my knee, the shoulder blade, my hip, my arms, my knees. With my eyes closed, not knowing where the hand was going to apply compression next, this was a fascinated exercise in waiting, matching, initiating, sustaining, matching (the release), waiting being ready, then responding in a nano second with the same amount of pressure (whether light or intense) when you feel compression else where!

The final connection exercise, was similar to exercises I´ve done in the past, the exercise where you provide connection, frame, compression, and simply change off who leads and who follows. Mario´s exercises were just more intense, subtle and unforgiving. As he explained and walked me through the exercise in Spanish, at one point I wasn´t doing it right. He needed something from me. We would try it again and at the same point I didn´t do it right. As he tried to explain I needed to ask him a question and I could think of one simple word in Spanish. It was an important word in order to ask the question and I couldn´t get it. I want to remember the word for "give", because I needed to know if he needed to "give" me the opportunity or do I "take" the opportunity to lead and vice a versa. I could think of the word for "take", but I couldn´t remember the world for "give". (perhaps a statement on my personality??? I hope not =) ... So I pantomimed and used the word for "gift" or "present" and then pantomimed and said the word "take" and then pantomimed the word "give", the word I didn´t know. It probably took a good 3 minutes, and I was getting frustrated. Finally with a questionable look on his face he said "¿Dar?" "Sí" I exclaimed! "¡Eso es!" and I feigned and exaggerated frustration. At that moment knew, too, what question I was needing to have answered and he showed me.

When maintaining the energy, compression and movement between us, he explained that he would "give" me the opportunity to lead by releasing the compression a bit, and I would "take" the opportunity to lead by continuing the direction or by changing the direction. He would¨"give" the opportunity and say "doy" (I give) and I would "take" the opportunity and say "tomo" (I take). At that point, when I was leading, I would "give" the opportunity and say "doy" (I give) and he would "take" the opportunity and say "tomo" (I take). "Certainly we were talking baby talk here, but it worked! I understood and it was obvious for both of us. Woo hoo. We then tried it without words. I got it until, with the same exercise, I was screwing up, at which point he would stop me. He tried again and he stopped me again. I was confused. Again he tried, he lead me around, changed my direction, and at the moment I was doing it wrong, he froze looked at me and said ... "No doy"... ("I no give")... Looking down at our connection, I realized that although our tension was the same, and our movement was the same, the direction was different and I was leading. Instantly I was perplexed and said "¡Ay!" ¿Que paso?" He totally chuckled because he knew I almost had it. And, when one realizes he or she is in the wrong, one truly gets it! It´s just a matter of practice and mileage.

Any way, what was happening was, at the moment he would keep the compression but change my direction, in this case changing me to go backward. I would instantly take the lead thinking he "gave" it to me, but he didn´t, and found my self pulling him in the same direction instead of pulling, but he only changed the direction not give up the lead. I understood, but like any other dance concept getting it to manifest into the dance itself is difficult.

With my new understanding, we tried a few more minutes, would get it but every now and then he would freeze and whisper... "No doy".... not believing that he "got me again", we cracked up! He new I understood; it was just a matter of practice.

It was an AMAZING private lesson.

We left promptly at 12:30. And believe it or not I made it just in time for my next private lesson back at Luna Llena. This was a good private lesson, but not as impressively intense. I got a lot from them, but I would return to Mario.

TUESDAY: Um...Yea...more Tango - Mario and Etsuko

2004-08-10T12:52:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY: Um.... Yea... So like more Tango. Etsuko and I met up at the first place I went last Friday: La Confiteria La Ideal with Zoraida and Diego. It was great to know what to expect. I am beginning to recognize a few people, certainly the instructors, but a few of the regulars. Again... don´t these people work?? It´s 1:00 in the afternoon. I thought maybe their lunch hour... but they stay till the end.

Anyway I was finally feeling comfortable, like I said, recognizing a few people and saying "hola". The kind Mario, the instructor who assists the two main instructors, is careful to dance with the new people,"los turistas". He speak little English, words here and there, and he is kind when he gives direction as it is a "Practica". He´s a kind dancer as well. Forgiving.

Although the traditional eye contact is not the form at a practica (so I am told), I did seem to make eye contact, I think by mistake, or maybe subconsciously, I dunno, with a gentleman who was very good, but possibly more generous. He too spoke little English and when we had our four dances, he spoke quickly to me in Spanish. Focusing very hard, I still didn´t know what he was saying so he took me by the hand and brought me to some one who spoke English. He wanted me to know that it was tradition to dance only four dances and to change partners, but that he would want to dance with me again later. I quickly said "Oh esta bien! entiendo! Luego! No problema." Embarrassed a bit since I already knew this tradition, I sat down. I can only think that he confused my concentration on his language and on his speaking to me that my body language was not saying "thank you ... Until the next dance" :) It was very sweet and we did dance again later. He in fact introduced me to another gentlemen, introducing him as an "excellent" dancer... and indeed! Oi!! He was doing all the fancy moves, making me feel like a million bucks... never the less... I know, ones the dance slows down, I have two left feet!

Mario approached me with his business card... and I was quick to jump on his offer for private lessons. While we made arrangements to meet the next day at 11:00 he called over a friend of his tell help him explained where he lived, since it seems some argentinians don´t use maps. His friend, Jeremy, was from New Zealand and had been traveling in Argentina for several years. After locating where the studio was on the map, with Jeremy still at our table, I asked if he could translate. I wanted to know if there would be someone with Mario and I who would speak English. He simply relayed back that what Mario and I would work on would be exercises, over and over again. not so much anything technical.

Mario also turned to me and said clearly "a la 11:00... en punto" (on time).... Knowing by this time I could joke with him a bit... I said "si señor! como no!" and I saluted him. He chuckled. But I got the point. We did the cheek kiss thing and parted ways.

It was a great night! Both Estuko and I had a great time. We both decided to grab a bite to eat after and we enjoyed each other´s company. We shared a bottle of wine, tasted each other´s meals and shared stories.

I would not have guessed it, but Etsuko is 50 years old. She´s an accomplished business woman in the TV industry, sport documentaries for Japan, etc. She tells some fun stories of meeting and interviewing Jimmie Connors, Chris Everett and Navratalova (spell). She also traveled to the small country of Trinidad and Topago off the North Coast of South America. I had to look it up in my handy World Pocket Atlas. She did another documentary there ... but I forget for what... she spoke of the music there.... the steel drums... Perhaps it was about that ... I forget... Any way... a very interesting woman!

Tomorrow... the private lesson with Mario!

MONDAY: Umm, so... Yea... More Tango

2004-08-09T16:38:00.000-07:00

I´ve befriended a guest at Luna Llena, her name is Itsuko. She from Japan, but has been living in Australia for quite some time. I took her card... i´m sure I´ll meet her again when i´m in Australia. We´ve taken to going to a few places together, but most of the time we´re on our own. We checked out another class and practica on the other side of town at 3:00 p.m. There were about 30 couples, even leads and follows (do these people not work??) The to instructors were wonderful. Could translate a bit into English, but I am able to get about 60% of what is said anyway. The women, we worked on an "adornment" or a variations... It was fun but personally i´m still working on the basics.

I was still recouping and Itsuko had been out dancing till 4:00 a.m. So she and I had agreed earlier, that we would just head home. On the subway, this was the first time either of us were accompanied by someone, much less someone with whom we could chat up a storm. A young man across from us, in perfect English asked if we wanted him to close the window. I think he wanted to try his English :)... But we ended up chatting with for the whole subway ride including a transfer. He was 23 years old, from Buenos Aires, but spend many years in Miami. He was great to talk to. We´ve exchange emails, and i´m sure the three of us will do a coffee. (he doesn´t tango... :)

So anyway... Itsuko wanted to make a dinner at home because we hadn´t been finding anything we could sink our teeth in... (i haven´t been impressed with the local meals yet.... even though I ask around for what is good...) . It´s a beautiful kitchen with a large family boarding house table (beautiful wood of course) so it was a wonderful quite evening at home, guest would come in, say "hola", fix a cup of tea and head to their rooms. Ricarda came in with her cute chiuaua, asked how everything was, just checked in, and went about her business. I offered to do the dishes. :)

ARGENTINE: So it´s cold here... and i got a little sick...

2004-08-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

So it´s cold here... (it´s winter and way below the equator)... and after Friday´s tango excursion, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, (Aug 7,8,9) I "gave in" to a head cold and a cough, and simply stayed in my room (as gorgeous as it is!) to only nurture the tired-ness and assure myself that I don´t have to do it all. Reminded myself i´d be here in BA for a month. I remembered talking to a traveler in New Zealand, on the Wellington to Picton ferry, the woman from Germany, Caroline, saying "take your time. If you push, you run the risk of sickness, and sickness makes one vulnerable, you might not have your wits about you, you see, not 'goot' really. take your time." Especially now, I take this to heart. Again.

I did take the time to ride the subway completely bundled up. I had a good chuckle because one of the subway advertisements has an elephant with watery eyes, and it´s trunk tied up in a knot and red to the tip... not sure what it said, but i could guess. :) conveniently i had my own stash!

I also took some serious "disconnect time"... Since I didn´t have a book, I went to the movies, again! I wanted to go to two movies... all day... so I went to see The New Jersey Girl, and Fahrenheit 9/11. It was extremely interesting to see the latter in another country! The theater was packed! Spanish subtitles etc. Interesting to hear the grunts and groans and see the heads shake the same places in the film that I did. Another interesting perspective.... when an iranian spoke in his or her language... the subtitles were still in spanish... of course, but something one would take for granted. Then there was laughter in the theater... "what?" "what happened! what he´d say" :) I also notice that when an amount of money was quoted as being in the billions, the subtitles marked it as ¨millions¨... close enough I guess. There was loud applause at the end....

So ... yes, I stayed in my room and the moving theaters, for some of my first days here. Playing solitaire, text-ing some friends. The place i´m staying is beautiful and very open. I could easily hear folks coming and going, in the kitchen, trying out a few tango steps on the center dance floor. So, again, it wasn´t an easy time, i was emotionally weak (again) , called home a couple times, it´s the end of my four months, i´m get sick of my clothes... ya da ya ya ay... but jeez! I´m in Buenos Aires! :)

soo yea... but then... it gets better ! :) woo hoo!

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires - Tango

2004-08-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

So it is day three and I attended my first drop-in tango lesson followed by a Milonga. It was a three-hour drop-in starting at noon, and ran into the Milango which starts about 3:00. The building was beautiful, old, and the dance floor was up on the second floor, marble staircase, wooden banister etc... I left "early", but I probably danced with 5 gentlemen, all older, and then also with the instructor and another lead who was assisting the main instructors.

The famous Tango Map that Ricarda gave me, which I mentioned in my previous post, shows all the classes and milongas throughout Buenas Aires. What I didn´t tell you is that there are about TWENTY places, everyday, through out the day, to go. Starting at noon and going till 6:00 a.m. the next morning -- every day. Twenty places. AND THIS IS NORMAL. :) To me it sounds like an exchange or a special workshop with "Late Nights" :)

The instruction was awesome, even with the language barrier. The main instructors spoke English, and were very accommodating, cautioning me to three things... 1) that I´m a woman, 2) that I´m single and 3) that I´m pretty ... She says, "the men, they will tell you many things on how to dance. All of which will be different. They are not professional instructors. Dance with them three times and say ¨thank you."

Another instructor, assisting the class, spoke little English so I got a kick out of trying to understand. Luckily, although tango is serious here, he got a kick out of it too.

the instructors came recommended by Ricarda, and are eager to provide private lesson. I should like to think about that. I have already eight things to work on, but the imagery that they gave me is what I´m focusing on: dance like your body is neck deep in water (maybe molasses) and the your spine, too, is engulfed. The imagery corresponds with ... Resistance, posture, balance and.... Waiting! Have I heard that before or what!

So, plenty of opportunities throughout the day and night to dance. I think I´ll pace myself! Information overload. I´ll be here to the end of the month, with a jaunt perhaps, to Lima Peru... So tonight... Maybe another milonga, or maybe I´m finished. Tomorrow.... In search of customized tango shoes.

I finished Kristin´s book, The Power of One, so I have no companion, no escape. I"m in search of an English books store, and the book "The Alchemist", come recommended by other travelers in search of their passion.

They don´t have English books stores, ... Obviously... But never-the-less... Something one takes for granted.

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires, Luna Llena

2004-08-05T15:48:00.000-07:00

Wow! I can not believe the place I am staying in: Luna Llena! It is absolutely astonishing, grandiose, warm, inviting, tango-esque. It has touches of the old as well as the new. The main entrance is a sunken dance floor, and when you cross the dance floor you can step up to the enormous, open, kitchen with a large, 10-person wood dining table. Again very inviting. Various corners of the town house have stairs winding up to separate rooms each with it´s own name. http://www.ps-raebel.de/Milonguita/02-02-Argentinien/Ricarda/

The owner Ricarda is German, was a "Tango Tourist" many years ago and never left. She greeted me warmly, offered me tea, and sat me down at this table to review options for tango classes, shops, milonga´s etc. The tango community uses a famous "Tango Map", made locally by one of the teachers, that shows a comprehensive view for the times and locations for milongas, classes, shops etc.

As Ricarda and I sipped our tea, she also carefully reviewed the maps, reviewed where luna llena was located, and gave a wonderful commentary on various cafe´s and suggestions for the best instructors, etc. I love the place the hospitality and am sure I should return.

I´m not sure if I was more more overwhelmed in Thailand or now in Buenos Aires. Both have the language barrier, but here, I can´t say I don´t know the language... So need to make the effort to use what I know.... I tend to shy away, but slowly am surprised at what I remember. Second day and no tango yet. Most folks including Ricarda says the best way is to just jump in. And in the words of my Comedysportz Stage Training... "go when you are most afraid". But instead... I chose to not go to a Tango Class, but rather sleep in, again, shower, wash the clothes, assess what I´m running low on, get my barring on the map and just get something to eat. (the enormous kitchen although inviting for a guest, still intimidates me to actually use it :)

So I sauntered out, to find someplace to eat, read the menu as best I could (I knew I was getting chicken, but I didn´t know the other item it was paired with), talked to the waiter the best I could, and got directions to a cinema! I felt like I just needed to escape... whether a Spanish flick or English with Spanish subtitles, or maybe they dub it... I dunnno.

So I headed to the Subway, took Linea D, from The Carranza Station, three stops to the Juramento station, walked a few blocks to see "The Stepford Wives" although here the call it "Las Mujeres Perfectas" -- The perfect women. (don´t go see it. Although star studded, I was disappointed). I made an effort to look for an office supply store to find a mechanical pencil, to replace the one I lost. (Traveling, you find joy in the most simple things... And a mechanical pencil was one for me).

I suppose the trek to find this pencil, was not only to find the product, but just to get situated, interact casually with folks, find my way around the transit system, and well to just say I´ve accomplished something beside a cinema.

So there you have it, my day for today, now at an internet cafe to upload photos and blog this entry... The music in the background is: "Someone´s knocking at the door, Somebody´s ringing the bell". Not even my Pepsi light tastes the same ;)

tomorrow...? Perhaps a trek to a milonga in the afternoon, or a class, or a call to a teacher for private lessons.... Maybe shoes....
http://www.ps-raebel.de/Milonguita/02-02-Argentinien/Ricarda/

ARGENTINA: Buenos Aires

2004-08-03T09:38:00.000-07:00

I´m now at the Ezeiza Airport in Buenos Aires. I got in around 7:30 a.m., but didn´t get out of passport control, luggage reclaim and customs until about 10:00. I´m awaiting for a confirmation call from a possible place to stay, a place that was suggested to me by both Alex Krebs and Rachel Litsgog (spell) if I were truly interested in Tango and emercing myself there. I had called Luna Llena while I was in the UK, spoke to someone who didn´t know english and was quick to become embarrassed with my spanish. All good though and if I don´t get a call... I´m heading to another hostel promoted by kiosks at the airport.

ENGLAND: one day in London before heading to Buenos Aires!

2004-08-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

I had a good 24 hours in London to mess around. Staying with Dave and Lois Kim would have put too much of my time on the bus and rail system before my flight to Buenos Aires, so I decided to find accommodations in London, do a bit of sight seeing. I met someone in herrang who lived in London proper, but by the time I got to the Tubes I was extremely tired, I decided to take the lead from Sarah Zollner and go to the victoria station to look up her suggested hotel, and if not, just take the first hostel in the area.

So yea, it was 3:00 pm and indeed the Cherry Court Hotel was full. I walked by ¨lastminute.com¨ accommodations, walked up to their kiosk and got a place right around the corner... with breakfast! woo woo!

I "napped" till 9:30 the next morning... so much for "24 hours" in london. But I did have four hours for sigth seeing before hopping the Tube to the Airport... so i took a tour bus. Great pictues of the usual... and clarified some misunderstanding of various sites that I and many other tourist harbor... The Tower Bridge (not the london bridge) is the famous bridge. The london bridge is just a regular bridge. Big Ben, not infact the name of the ¨the clock¨, but rather the bell that rings inside... the tour guide also pointed out the building on which the Beatles performed on top. Rode by St. Paul´s Cathedral etc.

SWEDEN: Herrang!

2004-07-31T05:36:00.000-07:00

Finally! Herrang Dance Camp was my vacation with in a vacation. With my food paid for and my accommodations set -- the herrang way (a mattress next someone else mattress inches away, next to bunk beds throughout rooms in a school house) -- I fully enjoyed my stay at herrang, dancing, chatting, reading, exploring a bit, meeting new folks etc. I´m so glad I had this experience! Every swing dancer must do this camp at least once! I met up with swing friends from back in the states: Rachel (Portland), Mija(Portland), Alex (san Francisco), Michael (san Francisco), Andrew (Sacramento), Tim (Seattle), Lucy (Vancouver).... What a trip to finally touch bases with my "past" (with my pseudo isolation with this trip it certainly feels like my ¨past¨ :)

I also met up with my new friends from Melbourne: Brian and Wendy, who participated in my dance lab when I was there. I was to meet up with Mathew and Lotte also, but my plans took me to the fourth week instead of the original plan which was working the first week and taking classes the third week.

The Herrang instruction was great. I was a couple days behind my class, and since most of the classes were choreography along with partner dancing, I caught up on one of them, but simply sat in with the others. While I was there, I took a private from Andrew Sutton which was awesome as usual; he really gets me thinkin´on the dance floor!

Of course the dances were great, most the big wigs came out after 2:00 a.m. The cabaret was impressive, but most impressive was the Harlem Hot Shots performance and show! On stage they the incorporate old video footage from the era and actually interacted with the characters in the film in the foreground ... The effect was awesome and much more impressive then their old routine from the 90´s when the did a play/skit to depict the times.

The last night was the Wall Street Crash theme... And the staff and volunteers truly go all out to make it true to form. The started with selling ¨stock¨ for ¨The Lindy Hop Shop¨¨, ¨Lindy´s Laundry¨, ¨the icecreams shop¨, ¨Bar bedlam¨ for 10 Kronor... The idea being we new we could / should sell just be fore the said ¨crash¨. The bar was a private party and you needed to learn the pass phrase before they would let you in (¨Joe sent me¨). The bar was also experiencing the prohibition, so we couldn´t ask for drinks by their familiar alcoholic name, rather allude to what we wanted. The bar was urgently raided at one point in the evening by volunteers in period cop costume, and the patrons had to exit. Rumor had that that they had to change the pass phrase to ¨Solomon sent me¨. Throughout the night the volunteers who were selling stock were true to form, encourage folks to buy and sell etc. Of course at one point the market crashed, and if you hadn´t sold.... the profits they earned went to a charity.

And of course, just being apart of this well known dance camp was fun, being amongst Frankie, Chazz, Sugar, and newbie guest Fayad Nicholson from the Nicholson Brothers! . Folks had been there for all four weeks and were just about living there. http://www.herrang.com/

Good times!

SWEDEN: almost to Herrang!

2004-07-25T03:01:00.000-07:00

I made it to Stockholm, but the trials, tribulations don´t stop here... of course. After my trek around the south end of wales, I returned the hired car, caught the bus from Cardiff City Center to the Cardiff International Airport.... and I missed my flight to Stockholm!

I had been doing great to date as far as showing up two hours early, etc, and this was no different.... except that I was one day late! shit! this flight was extracurricular, and not on my regular round-the-world ticket, so it was not refundable or changeable. It was an e-ticket so I simply wrote down the wrong date in my travel log... I had to purchase another one (yuck!!), which was not only extra money but eight hours away!!! Another wasted day at an airport, and, unlike the luton airport, this one had no luggage storage!!!

I called the herrang office that I had missed my flight, and would be a day late, I asked how I would find the limo service and the person at the desk simply said it would be obvious. So for the next eight hours I wrote a letter to graham, read my book, played cards, talked to people, had a Guinness.... Played cards, slept by my backpack... and finally caught my flight to Stockholm!

It doesn't end there. Once I arrived in Stockholm, 9:30pm, there were about 50 of us whose luggage was not coming off the belt...However, there were luggage for about 50 people still going around and around the belt... The longer we waited as others grabbed theirs, and the longer the same luggage kept going around and around, the more obvious it became... Something was wrong. They finally came over the intercom and had us go to baggage service to tell us ours had been delayed, and they set up a claim number. They couldn't give me an ETA. great. I called the herrang number again to say that I was even further delayed. and I'm not sure what miscommunication happened here, but I thought the limo service was still going to be there around 11:00 pm to pick me and others up. But 11:00 came and went. Around midnight I called herrang office again and was told that in fact, no, the next limo wouldn't be until 5:00. Realizing that was a ways away, both the herrang receptionist and felt it would be worth it to go ahead and get a taxi even though it was more expensive but would be about 600 kronor. so i did.... But.... Negotiating for a taxi to herrang didn't quite seem that easy. No one new where it was... Finally one taxi driver seemed to know where it was and said a fixed price at 500 kronor. so i took it. By 1:00 a.m. i was in the taxi, pulled over the side of the road, with the driver calling to figure out where this Herrang was. He had taken me to "Herrangen" and assured me this was the correct area and that my address was wrong with a condescending silly-American tone to his voice. I assured him the address was correct, as I had confirmed it several times because of my luggage issue, and that this was an annual event for over 20 years with 500 people attending at one time... yadayada... and the address was not wrong.... He still was explaining why it would be wrong ... and was still explaining why it wasn't wrong... and he called his boss and spoke in a different language. It was now 2:00 a.m. and i was with out luggage and seemingly almost to the camp. I asked to speak to the guy on the phone, who was to be his boss. He explained that in fact where I wanted to go, "Herrang", was 1 hour _north_ of Stockholm and the taxi driver had taken me to a suburb of Stockholm --Herrangen -- one hour _south_ of Stockholm. And that it would be 1000 kronor... At this point I simply asked to be returned to the airport at no charge since my address was correct. After all this, it would be just a couple more hours before the 5:00 limo would show at the airport anyway.

But.... The Herrang Receptionist must have meant 5;00 p.m. not a.m. and it wasn´t´t until 5:30 am that I figured this out because there were no flights coming in until 6:30 anyway! agggg! The information booth would be opened til 6:00 a.m. so i waited. I got the information how to get to Herrang by train and bus, which was on a piece of paper that had the herrang logo on it so I knew it was official. So .... after arriving at 9:30 pm, I finally got to the herrang dance camp at 10:30 a.m.!! woo hoo! Nearly 8 hours again at an airport, and four hours transferring from train, to bus, to bus!! But I got there! and the Herrang receptionist... Abbeth.... was the best! She gave me a big hug as I was beginning to tear up with exhaustion, checked me in, gave me 20 kronors for a sandwich, and introduced me to Karintha who would help me find a mattress and a spot in the school house, and took all the information about my luggage and would prove to be diligent in calling the baggage service folks, and had a volunteer go pick up my luggage! Really impressive. They were great!

WALES: Llanwit Major

2004-07-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

So off to Llantwit Major to find The White House Cottage accommodations. A 200 year old Country house 15 minutes from Cardiff. Quite the British experience. Narrow roads, old pubs, small village, nice people. etc. I spent two nights at the cottage, both with included british breakfasts. took the car along the roads of south wales, enjoyed the sun, the scenary, read, strolled, beach-walked etc.

The second night I was there the owners of the cottage B&B were throwing a Murder Mystery Dinner party in the 1940's casablanca theme with their neighborhood friends. The drank and partied til wee hours, but it was all good!

I returned to cardif, to catch my flight to Stockholm, then to the Herrang Dance Camp

WALES: Cardiff

2004-07-22T03:01:00.000-07:00

From Royston, I took the train to london Kings Cross . Went down stairs to Pattington to take the Hammersmith and City (pink) line of "the tube". Was impressed with Pattington station, big, impressive, had to pay 10 pounds to use the toelett. Once at Pattington went back up the stairs to take the fast train to cardiff. All in all a long trip, many transfers, fun, confusing, but it all worked thanks to lois' guidance earlier.

I walked out from the cardiff station into the city of cardiff with no place to stay. went to a couple books stores to purchase book on travel tips to trekking south coast of wales. walking cardiff, i was bombarded with 1000 of people running and walking all atleast in Red, and most in red dresses. (you´ll see them in pictures). the festival : the World InterHash 2004! http://www.ih2004.com/PAGES/LUBES_UK_JOCKHASH.HTM
and not a single accommodations in town. Still 3:00 with backpack.

With the festival in town, the visitor's center would be a must this time. They were able to help me book a place outside of cardiff (in Llintwit Major) and I had wanted to hire a car anyway to travel the south wales coast, so she helped me quite a bit.

Yes I hired a car!! And drove on the opposite side of the street. I not only studied the map to get out of town, but I meditated! My montra being: "Hug Left when turning left." and "Swing wide right when turning right". "hug left; wide right" "hug left;wide right" etc. I literally sat in the Avis Car parking lot and took the image from the map, and pictured me driving the street and turning and going around the round about etc. ...

So off to Llantwit Major to find The White House Cottage accommodations. A 200 year old Country house 15 minutes from Cardiff. Quite the British experience. Narrow roads, old pubs, small village, nice people. etc.

ENGLAND: Luton Airport - my melt down

2004-07-21T17:50:00.000-07:00

I would not be doing this blog justice, nor would I be honoring it's purpose if I didn't share with you my melt down experience.

It starts the night before when graham told me he wasnät going to make the august 30th time frame for visiting the united states with me. So I was sad at the start of the morning.

The day -- the goal: Ireland
- 1 hour bus ride from Dave and Lois' home to luton airport
- arrived quite early to check in to the waterford flight, to start my Ireland trek.
- I got to the ticket counter and found I had my wallet but not my credit card ID pouch.
- you know the routine from here: stepped out of the queue, searched in the depths of my small carry-on, ran my hand through my hair, took a deep breath... It must be there... Pretty sure... I removed myself and my backpack from the crowds, found a wide spot on the airport floor and slowly, calmly, methodically took everything out of my carry-on. Nothing. at this point mentally retracing my steps. I knew I had my visa card out the night before to purchase the ticket on line. I started checking the peripheral pockets of my backpack, but each item had it's spot... And I knew my credit card pouch wouldn't be there. .. But I still took items out methodically. It could be in the depths of my backpack... But I wasn't about to release all of it's contents... i checked my carry-on again.
- I was resigning to the fact that it was either at dave's, or it was deep in my backpack and I wasn't willing to burst out the well packed, no-inch-to-give backpack in the middle of the airport. Either way I wasn't going to make the flight and perhaps it was gonna be a do-over kinda day.

- at the same time as all this graham was returning my call from earlier. I hesitated accepting the call but at this point I had resigned to heading back, and took his call and it was a continuing conversation of not getting to see him august 30th after all. continents apart ... ( boo hoo i know)

so here it is:
- the luton airport was far from a romantic airport
- an hour bus ride back to Cambridge / royston was imminent,
- and the next bus back to Cambridge / royston was 3 hours away.
- I was missing graham, confused about what and when we would see eachother again,
- I wasn't really liking the change of plans of our reunion
- I hadnät eaten
- I had started my period
- I was in the airport, a four-hour trip back to Cambridge / royston
- I didnät have my credit card or Drivers License, luckily I took cash out the night before still had my passport.
- all with the obvious impending possibility of needing to cancel credit cards etc, and the far away fear of "what then"???
- I had four hours until I was going to start making calls to my credit card... maybe
- along with all this came the other stuff... getting tired of my clothes, tired of lugging my backpack.... ya da ya da

so:
- I had my meltdown on the steel / chrome chair in from of burger king with folks as close as my elbows. I covered my forehead and eyes to be discreet and cover my tears. On the wireless, I whispered to graham, "I just want this trip to be over" .

But after a while... indeed... i got a grip... i remembered Sarah Zollner's words: to be "Militantly optomistic!" so it was just a do over kinda day....

The credit card pouch was at daveäs. turns out i got to take a photo of dave and lois which i had forgotten, i got to do another load of laundry at dave and lois' place -- a luxury when your traveling -- and, AND I joined dave and lois to have dinner with their friends and had my first Guiness.... Corey.... I had my first Guiness and drank the whole thing! Dave's my witness! I decided to skip ireland a trek wales instead.... probably a better idea to start with. It was all good.

Typing this after the fact certainly doesn't seem a big deal..., but it was . :)

ENGLAND: Cambridge (Royston)

2004-07-20T05:47:00.000-07:00

From the London Heathrow Airport I took the bus to meet up with Dave Kim who was once from the Portland Dance Lindy Scene -- a key player at that -- and his wife from England, Lois. I crashed from noon to 8:00 pm and we walked to my first british pub. It was great catching up with them and atleast talking about my friends back home if I couldn't actually talk to them myself :)

Dave and Lois have a lovely home in Royston, just outside of cambridge, and are wonderful hosts. I walked around cambridge a bit, and enjoyed "punting" (like a canoe ride ) down a river, among the colleges house where people like Prince Charles studied. My "punter" was quite knowledgeable and entertaining, standing on the tip of the canoe and pushing with his punt.

THAILAND: Bangkok - a few common sights

2004-07-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

People watching on Kao San Road while I waited: common sights: one man approaching only drunk men and selling them a tuk tuk ride. My guess is that the drunk were less likely to bargain. Thai girls (16-17 years) enjoy a stroll arm-in-arm or hand-in-hand. Thai boys (16-17years) walking together, not arm-in-arm, but with one boys hand on the other's shoulder, sharing a laugh. Scooters and motor bikes working their way through the busy street. White anglo-saxon men with younger thai women. Feh-long or Farang (westerners) taking pictures down the center of Kao San Road... (i did that :)... tired, and almost frustrated feh-long, sometimes with kids, as they stop in the middle of the road deciding what to do or where to go... poverty striken locals placing their hands together and asking for money, even 5-year old poverty striken boys placing their hands together and asking for money, the stalls and stalls of clothes, shoes, sandles, watches, trinkets, scarves, food.... stall owners packing up and heading home. so much more.

THAILAND: Bangkok yet again - one great moment

2004-07-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

Folks say to spend no more then two days in bangkok, and I would tend to agree. If it weren't for meeting up with renate, mary and richie. I would've left for london today. Maybe even yesterday.

Anyway... the plane flight from sydney to bangkok this time was much more relax. I remember feeling the anxiety last time. This time, "been there done that". I new the routine, and was even able to tell the taxi driver where my guest house was as long as he got to Kao San Road. I liked being able to say "hello" and "thank you" this time to the taxi driver.

I chose the guest house across the way from the one last time. I had liked the atmosphere and it was great to have a choice. I settled right in, slept till noon. My room is the smallest I've seen. The width of the room is the length of the bed and maybe another three feet to the wall with the door. It's actually still very nice. A frosty, curtain-less window to the hall way that gives way to the out doors anyway. Nice paint, nice buddah painting, large mirror, and cool chrome hook things on the wall.

I made plans to meet up with renate at the hotel her family was staying. I bargained and took a "tuk tuk" to the royal hotel for 50 baht, only to find that it was totally walking distance :) That's okay though. With the crazy streets and allies, crowded sidewalks, and wierd turn-a-rounds, I would've had difficulty walking there the first time even with a map.

Renate was waiting for me right outside the hotel and was already at the taxi as I was paying the driver. Big smiles and hugs. It was sooo good to see her. Nearby was her sister (and it was obvious), Hemma.

We strolled through the food and fruit stands to 7-11 for our traditional or habitual purchase of Wallys Mangmum Classic Chocolate Icecream bars and bottled water. I had dinner with her family, and would be lost in my pad thai as they sometimes spoke German without me. :) All members but the father spoke english.

After dinner, renate, hemma and I enjoyed a little cd shopping; I headed to a thai message while they finished their shopping and we meet up again for drinks.

It didn't take long at all to catch up. News about her thesis, richie's new girlfriend, her leaving chiang mai after 6-7 months, the infamous CD release party, of course my Graham and her Wolfgang, and any theories or philosophies of life, family and happiness.

Today was a bit of the same, except i met at their hotel first for a little sunbathing by the pool. Her parents were intent on doing museums and temples, but we were content by the pool, eating fruit from the stands, and doing another message.

We parted ways after the message to catch a nap. and was to meet up again at 9:30 p.m. sadly I slept right through til 9:40. Even though I waited for them from 9:50 until 10:30 under the agreed upon spot (under the large, flashing, Tom Yum sign) hoping to see them strolling amoungst the wall of neon lights and street of people. It was obvious I missed them and sadness crept in. they were leaving tomorrow. i made a resolve to meet them at the hotel to try and catch them.

The fun story, through all of this, if I haven't bored you yet : while I was waiting, towards about 10:30 pm, a woman approached me and in broken english asked if I was australian and if I remembered her... normllay I would have thought she was trying to sell me something, but she was sincere so I just smiled, shook my head, and told her I'm american. She finally asked if I was a friend of Richie in Chiang Mai and I beamed. (the exclamation mark on this key board doesn't work) Yes I new richie and she then remembered I was the one selling CD's at his CD release party and reminded me that she was one of the ones trying so hard to help me with thai phrases like "loi yi see baht" (which means "120 baht" I think). I beamed at the memory, held her hand and repeated "yes yes 'loi yi see baht'. I remember (exclamation mark)". We talked a bit more, she told me richie had a new girl friend, and I told her I was meeting renate, whom she also remembered. She said, "yes yes... australia" and I reminded her "austria" and she giggled because thai folks seem to go straight to saying australia before hearing "austria". Renate was used to it :)

Anyway... it was a GREAT moment for me on the busy, near-hectic, neon-plad street of Kao San Road. I'm glad I was hanging around at 10:30 pm hoping renata would stroll back by our agreed upon spot.

THAILAND: the old man

2004-07-16T01:14:00.000-07:00

Back in Bangkok for four days. lucky to reunite with both Renate and Meuy. Anyway, I shared this story with my former boss at ATTW and got a great reply back from her :) So I thought I'd share the story with everyone else.

----

I would normally not visit whom my Thailand host Meuy calls "the old man" if it weren't for the fact that only locals of all trades and professions go to "him", but also because of the language barrier, at times, I had no idea where Meuy would be taking me that day =]

The woman we visited could be considered an asian version of a minister or a pastor, and also, of course, reads palms and intuits your past.

This woman allows for "an old man" to speak through her. Her physcial apperance, and vocal inflections, whether affected or real, change from a 45-year old woman to a 70-year old man, and, if affected, would put any actor to shame. Folks come to the old man with payers for buddah and for assistance.

At her temple-like abode, the ceremonious preparation for our session does wonders to my sceptic mind, but the things "the old man" eventually intuited leaves me at the most in awe and at the least with a few good stories and something to think about. =]

There were other people present, and Meuy was present to translate and remind me to keep my bare feet from pointing to buddah, a major no no. "The old man" spoke faster then Meuy could tranlsate, so Meuy began writing down in thai the phrases and quotes from the old man and translated them to me later.

Some of the images the old man intuited from the various facets of my life (at least the ones I remembered from our session) involved a near drowning experience I had at age 21, aspects of my family life, aspects of my health, and my general disposition. Of course she saw me "married" with in the year, and from studying my birthdate and Graham's said we were good for eachother.... :)

But the one that stood out was one involving "work", and my "last boss", and a "good friend" from work. She mentioned I have a "good friend" from work I keep in touch with , and she mentioned the "work" with my boss as "hard" (which it was), but that my boss "likes" me. The translation came via Meuy and somewhat ad hoc as the old man would keep talking, but anyway, again, at the very least a good story, since it wasn't the easiest thing to leave the company. I shared this story with my former boss at ATTW and got a great reply back from her :) So I thought I'd share with everyone else.

Still in AUSTRALIA - back in Manly with Graham Luis Morton. Another love talk alert

2004-07-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

So in addition to joining Graham for his week off up north, I suggested I also stay for a bit back in Manly while he works. I've enjoyed getting to know more about his world:

He currently renovates homes. His business partner, Russell, buys homes, renovates, and sells. They are now living in their current project: a three story home, on the hill side, overlooking Manly. It's a 10 minute walk down to the beach and the center of town.

From the garage on the street level, I would guess 30-40 steps lead to the front door. On the way to the front door, you first pass what I'll call "level 1" a deck, then pass "level 2" a small yard and garden, and then finally reach the front door of the first level of the house. Graham resides on the first level and Russell and his partner reside the next level up.

Eventually, when the main work starts, they will need to move out of the house, but for now it's a good living space. Their last project was just off Sydney harbor and they had a similar set up.

The relationship between Graham and Russell is priceless. Neither have a morning commute and both still spend some off-hours on Russell's yacht. These two have a wonderful bond. I tried to capture it in my photos when we motored around the bay yesterday on the yacht....

Russell purchased the yacht about three months ago, and according to graham has really made him happy. He truly enjoys the challenge. Apparently this yacht is looked at in the yacht world as a potential winner of the Sydney to Hobart race. http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/default.asp

Although Russell owns the yacht, neither he nor Graham are necessarily experts in sailing, although rather skilled. The experts, the skipper and the rest of the crew, have volunteered their time to sail his rig and prepare for the race.

Yesterday, I was invited to join both of them at 5:00 in the morning, to help take off all loose gear from the boat, motor it across the bay where they and other yacht crews needed to weigh-in to determine their handicap. It was quite the sight to see a 9 ton (?) vessel be hoisted out of the water!

After work hours with Graham is dreamy! Sometime we stay at his place, he makes dinner, and I sit and drink a beer while I watch. His flat mate Hiko provides some entertainment at times. Sometimes we head in to town to meet up with his mates at a bar. It's amazing the folks that come up and shake his hand. Lately they come up and say... "You must be Debbie." =]

He has a great repoire with the 20-something and 30-something folk, and it's simply *not* rare that these young men, when graham is not present, shake my hand again and tell me what a great guy graham is, that he is one in a million, some say he's and "enigma". You can tell that these guys look up to him. To me that says a lot. One 30-something couple (Mike and Emma) are getting married in January and we are already on the guest list. (OMG!) Mike is a character and, again, the bond between he and graham, although maybe 15 years difference, is wonderful. Their sense of humour is great. They are tickled to see "Graham so in love". Emma is a match for Mike and a little more grounded. She and Graham would part with a polite kiss on the lips and hug. My kinda guy!

Another couple I met is Mark and Yvonne. They are late forties maybe, and have, I believe, kids that are now out of the house. Mark does some work "related" to the wireless industry so we had some things in common.

[[ A fun side note: hanging around these gatherings is tough, because their no-holds-bar accent throws me. Quite often i don't follow the conversation, although all in english, and both parties (me and them) have to say "pardon" when spoken to or ask a question.

Graham is 45, has been engaged, but never been married. He is still good friends with his former girlfriend who is the mother of the 11-year old boy he has taken under his wing. (not his kid =)

He is actually a Kiwi, a new zealand citizen, and has been in Australia since he was 20-something.

He has traveled to several places around the world but is humble as he shares his experience.

His passion is sailing and his artistry is expressed through making furniture that you would see in modern homes, cafe's and bars. He leans towards renovating old 1950's 1960's style furniture and lavishing them with either a more modern coloring, or almost an art-deco feel. It's hard to explain, but he also builds furniture from recycled material like steel. Old surf boards, speakers, things he finds in a junk yard or garage sale may inspire him.

Believe it or not he loves the music from the swing era. His cd collection includes the best of Billy Holiday, but he also enjoys Dianna Krall, with "peel me a grape", and Michael Buble with "Fever". Tell me I'm dreaming.

He spoke for the first time with my father yesterday. Although I miss calculated and woke him up at 4:00 a.m. colorado time.... ooops! My family is very excited for me.

I am absolutely in love with this guy and it dawned on me that you all know verly little about him. Thank you for reading this far!

email from Meuy

2004-07-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

how wonderful is this.... I will be seeing Meuy again in bangkok when I get back on track with my round the world ticket. I'll be there on the 15th maybe for four days, and then on to london....

--- narisalaporn upalapunya wrote:
> How r u? I think u forgot everything in thailand. I
> and richie called
> graham's mobile 3 day ago. Nobody received. I glad
> you about graham's gifts.
> Tomorrow I and renata go to take picture at studio
> airport plaza. Anna is
> to be monk at rumpeng temple for 10 days.
> Debbie, you are an amazing woman, keep your spirits
> up, enjoy your time with
> graham, go explore the world and "love to love and
> nothing more" I miss you
> so much. Now I sleep alone everynight. I want to see
> you again. Because I
> have something to you and graham. I have plan go to
> Khoa-Chang in Thailand
> on July 28 - August 2. Are you remember?
> I'll write again. Take care
> yourselt.............miss
> you...miss...you...love...you!!!!!

Back in AUSTRALIA - warning: love talk alert

2004-07-01T21:58:00.000-07:00

I was to meet Graham in Cairnes instead of sydney. My one way ticket to cairnes was far from convenient, but was the only way to do it since I wanted to not leave until after richies cd release party on the 26th, but still meet up with Graham no later then the 27th. I left 8:00am the morning of the 27th, after staying up all night from Richies CD release party with the chiang mai peddlers! I had a 5-hour layover in bangkok, a 4-hour layover in Singapore and a 20-minute stop over in Darwin and the finally arriving in Cairnes the 24 hour later (*not* including the 3hour time change) at 8:00a.m.

Graham and I spent most of our time traveling, checking in and out of accomodations, since we had to even change rooms within the same accommodations they were so booked. Novetel (spell?) Resort in Cairnes the first night, the beach house backpackers in Cape Tribulation the next two nights, and PK's back packers, known for their party atmosphere 30 minutes from the beach house backpackers, the next two nights and back in Cairnes the next two nights.

Of course it was great to spend so much uninterrupted time with Graham. We laughed, played pool, walked the beach, sunbathed, told stories, met other people, laughed with them. It's all good. In addition to bringing him up to date on thailand, he shared his experience with Daniel, and we spoke of plans, dreams, ideas, logistics, hurdles, etc. Honeymoon stage yes, but I have experienced the "you just know" phenomenon.

At this point, unless logistics get in the way. He will be joining me at Swingout New Hampshire, beginner level, will meet my brother Toby in Boston. We will fly to Colorado to meet up with my dad, loys, chris and tonya, and then return to portland around September 14th to meet all you guys! OMG!

THAILAND: My last 48 hours in Chiang Mai

2004-06-28T10:26:00.000-07:00

A tribute to Chiang Mai Peddlers! Richie, Meuy, Renata, and Anna: the most fun thing about traveling is meeting people, but in this case the hardest thing about traveling is leaving these people.

The last 48 hours were focused on Richie's CD release party. The CD has songs he has written about Chiang mai, so it was fun to promote it locally. The Chiang mai peddlers all agreed to stay up all night after the party. So it was heading in to a memorable next 36 hours.

We all handed out flyers all week, but Renata and I peddled around the day of the party handing out flyers to visiting "feh-longs" or westerners, but also to locals. If you look closely at one of the picture of renate and I on bikes, you can see the flyers in the basket of my bicycle. Richie Renata Anna and I also spent the afternoon before on the rooftop of meuy's place, painting posters and signs. Richie spent the roof top painting session making hand-made VIP passes, which was ultimately done in fun since "back stage" was just the bathroom. :)

Anna, also a musician, would practice and play guitar with the band on stage. Joe of Joe and durian produced the cd and was to arrive with the box of CD the day before the party, but unfortunately boxes got mixed up and there were no cd's for the cd party, just a box of old jeans, panic struck. Joe hurried around printing new jacket covers and burning new cd's, and meuy spend time working with the bus station employees to locate the box. The rest of us, as we hoped the box would show up, helped folding and inserting the cd jackets and the cds factory style.

The party was a success, even with the panic, and the cd's although thrown together looked surprisingly professional. Somehow I got the job of walking through the crowd with my hand-made VIP pass, a pocket pouch, and a handful of cds, selling to locals and feh-longs! It was quite the site. I was in my element, and the local Thai got a kick out of me trying to make change in baht! They also coached me on a few Thai phrased to help sell. I had a good time.

After the party cool-down, about 1:00 a.m. Richie, Meuy, Anna, Renate, and I all took a group photo, and then we all plus Joe and members of the band all headed back to Meuy's place and headed to the roof top where we ate noodles and had a celebration drink. Richie was the most tired I had seen him, for once without his bright smile. But we all still laughed and told stories. Richie has a game he calls "memory", where someone offers up one word to someone in the group, and that person has to come up with a memory that is triggered by that word, whether the memory was just yesterday or years back. It's quite a fun game to get to know eachother. We played that for awhile.

Once the rooftop gathering ended. The focus migrated a bit on me, and I got to choose which bar to go to next. I had wanted to play pool again even though none of the Chiang mai peddlers played, so I got a game in with the local bartender. (A fun side note: all these bars and restaurants are out doors, so we had to keep up on the mosquito repellent all night!)

Between 5:00 and 6:30 we had breakfast at our usual 2:00 a.m. hangout, and had waffles!!! They tasted soooo good! At 6:30, I had to be at the airport at 7:00 a.m. We piled in meuy's car, my backpack already in the trunk.

At the airport I wanted a group photo again, but realized I left the camera where we had breakfast. Despite being tired, both richie and meuy headed back for the camera. Renata, Ana and Pius and I just found a spot on the floor. Richie and Meuy were out of breath when they returned, but we all had a good 20 minutes left to chill and hang.

This group is very important to me. It's an odd phenomenon, but they've been my best friends for 15 days. I will cherish the memories in Thailand. And look forward to seeing them again.

Most everyone I had met through richie was at the party, so, considering it wasn't a
going away party for me, was still a great end to my stay. Of course the Chiang mai peddlers agreeing to stay up all night and take me to the airport, was unbelievable; it reminds me entirely of my friends agreeing to take transit with me to the Portland airport at... 6:00 in the morning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THAILAND - so I tried fried frog skin last night

2004-06-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

That's all... thougt this deserved a separate post. It tasted like fish...

THAILAND: Wiang Kum Kam: old buried city

2004-06-22T05:31:00.000-07:00

Wiang Kum Kam: Visiting an old buried city with Wow, Anna, Richie. Our tour guide speak Thai, Wow translating a bit, and Anna translating his English and asking questions. If I understand it right, in the buried cities they found ceramics from the Ming Dynasty (AD 1368-1644), but buried during the reins of Phaja Mang Rai (AD 1558). Items were buried to flee war and I think found 20 years ago. They are still excavating certain areas and they can tell via satellites, that heat sensitive technology, and river flow that there are more temples to excavate. I'm not sure I have it right so here's a link I just found. http://www.tatnews.org/emagazine/1777.asp

Temples in my photos:
Wat Ki Kahn
Wat Pu Pia
Wat Kum Kan Ran
Wat Eh Kang
Wat Non Chang

Lan Nan kingdom

THAILAND: Chiang Mai - 2000 and one things to never forget (cont.)

2004-06-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

Again, At this point, there is sooo much to share, I am just gonna write words phrases that will at the least trigger some memories for when I return read my own journal, but at next best can also paint a picture for my loved ones back home, and at the most will be fodder for more prose later.

I apologize if I confuse my days or if I repeat myself. I'd rather do a stream of consciousness then try to have perfect prose and story telling.

Tuk-Tuks: are the open air taxi cabs that are everywhere. They are quick to make i contact with "feh-longs" or westerners.

2-hour traditional thai massage! - It's hard to know when I'm doing day to day, as Meuy has a lot of ideas, and, with the language barrier, I don't always know when we are doing them :) She, richie and I had just finished eating at what I and Joe from new york discover to be the best pad thai dish. num num.... Meuy looked at her watch and said "okay we go". I smiled and said "what". "We go to thai message" (she promonances message as in "voice 'message'" :) I said "now?? really?" "yes, i make 'pointment". I look at her wondering if she's pulling my leg, but she's asking the waiter for the bill in thai. She wasn't kidding!!! I couldn't have though of a better thing to do after a wonderfull meal then to have a two-hour thai message. We did, it was great, i took a picture! It's the phone where you see me so relaxed.

There toilets... some flush, some you have to squat and rinse your self the water through the hose provided. I carry my handing purell no water soap with me! :)

Disco clubs, load music. Yes they took me to two disco clubs, which was one two many :) but one was HUGE, HUGE! They had "live" non-stop muscians singing. the backup band had the order of songs set, and different singers took turns to coming on to stage for their performance. It was like live, non-stop kareoke. One song I recognized was "Play the funky music white boy"!! Note: I was the *only* white anlgo saxon person their, and I was a girl! Richie recognized one of the singers on stage, when upto the stage, and the singer stopped for a moment to shake his hand, before continuing with his song. It was obvious there was a bond between the two musicians.

"Lady Boys" do not do american transvestites justice, I'm sorry. There are boys/men that dress as women here too, but they are BEAUTIFUL! absolutely stunning. They've taken hormones and some have had surgery, which is nothing new in america, but these girls are beautiful. really! stunning. There's truly a whole culture around them, and the "lady boy" shows are beautiful, not like the traditional transvestite show which to me seems to be a joke then a life style or a passion.

7-11's: A tradition for me, going to 7-11 stores and buying walley's icecream bars, and ton's of pre-paid wireless cards for me to beable to use Meuy's wireless phone. Nobody pays by the month here, everyone is on pre-paid, and you only pay if you make the call. Richie buys what he calls "ghetto" mocha, nest tea iced mocha. It's surprisingly good.

Going through Prepaid wireless phone cards like no ones business to call graham. It's been wonderfull to not have to use the pay phones. Each prepaid card 500 baht. Not sure how many minutes. But i've gone through about 10, which I figure totals about $10 a day.

Calling graham 4:00am my time, 7:00am his time, because i'm still up from the casual night life.

Night Bizarre. The street kiosks selling local stuff comes alive at night since it's so hot in the day. This is an every night event, and is blocks from where richie has his gig.

Starbucks/burgerking/swensens. Yes... Richie, Meuy and I induldged in this trio. they were all in one block at the Night Bizarre (see above). Sorry guys!! had to.

Chiang Mai has a "city center" that is surrounded by a square mote on all sides. Each side of the square has and entrance, and the most common one, where everyone meets up is "Tae Pai Gate"

Sunday Market comes alive, every sunday, in the center of the square, and is the thing to wait for if you are liking the local stuff at the night bizarre. The local stuff at the night bizzare is marked up and bargaining is expected, where as sunday market is already marked down, and very little is bargained, perhaps only the greedy. Both Renata and Richie would hold me back from buying anything, because the sunday market would have it and more.... and they were right. I couldn't stop myself and went on a spending binge. All soooo cheap!

Richie toting his guitar and sound system through the sunday market, and hooking up to his local spot to sing after his buddy sings. His buddy is a 70 year old man from japan, and they share this spot to sing.

Walking the streets of the sunday market with Meuy, Joy, Renata, Richie and Joe, wondering how long it would take be fore we loose someone -- it took 5 minutes.

Getting caught up in the friendship circles and a little drama, even thought I don't speak thai, but they are able to explain the mini drama in broken, but good english.

Being served thai food for breakfast!
Hello= sa-wad-dee-kah
Good bye = La-khon
Thank you = kob-koon-kha
Sorry = kor-tod-kha

Following Meuy around as she does errands, like making more copies of Richies cd release flyers, dropping off laundry, and picking up "prayers" each time she pours out the thai speach and I have no idea what their are talking about.

Passing out flyers for richie, either while I'm on the scooter with him, or while we're out eathing, or if we're just out walking.

Traffic: the gaggle of scooters, riding three each and sometimes mother and kids with school uniforms, the herd of tuk tuks with feh-long taking in the sights, red taxi trucks waiting along the side of the roads, and take feh-long and locals where ever they want, it's pay as you go and there is no set route.

Riding my bike and avoiding the gaggle of scooters, the herd of tuk tuks and going around the red taxi trucks. All are safe drivers, despite the lack of traffic rules.

Meet another friend of Richies, Anna from Austria and her friend Visus (spell) they call him "wow" for short. not sure how that works.

Father's Day - traveler's loneliness

2004-06-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

I called home to the states for the first time to wish my dad a happy fathers day. I was lucky enough to get my brother and sister-in-law as they were having lunch with Dad and Loys ... on father's day. It was 1:00 a.m. my time, noon their time.

It was fairly intense. With the internet, a few emails and them reading my blog, and viewing my ofoto albums they were caught up to speed. No time was wasted on news or adventures, I only enhanced what they all ready read, and it was like have them right there with me.

My sister-in-law Tonya already had a million questions ready about graham so it was great to talk to her, a mile a minute. Her and my brothers experience meeting for the first time was much like graham and I: The more they talked within the first 24 hours upon meeting .... the more they knew it was something special.

My friend Kathy had "checked in" earlier in my travels and asked if I had had any of the loneliness associated with traveling alone. At the time I couldn't say I was lonely, simply experiencing a bit of anxiety of getting out into the unknown world ... every day.

After talking to my family though, hearing how exited they are for me, hearing their comments and getting an update on family, it was my first real twang of home sickness. the next day I was on a different planet, having a hard time getting out of bed.

By the time the gang woke up (my Chiang Mai buddies: Renate, Richie, Meuy and Anna) checking in via text messages, and/or knocking on the door, planning out the day, I preferred to be with my thoughts for a while, suggesting I meet up with them later. All understood, and later giving a hug and a knowing smile towards the familiar experience.

The Change in Plans - email to London Host, Dave Kim

2004-06-19T04:57:00.003-07:00

--- David Kim wrote:
Deb,

It's alright, I know how it is to go to another country and meet somebody you never knew existed and yet can't imagine how your life was before you knew they existed.

People say traveling is dangerous, and I agree. But it's not because of the terrorist threats, crocodiles, diseases, etc. It's because you meet people and you never know when one of those people are going to change your life completely.

The world will always be there. Enjoy your time with your boy. And keep writing. Try not to leave out too much good stuff. ;)

Don't worry, we bought this house. So we're not going anywhere. Have fun Deb! Maybe we'll see you in July. :)

Dave

-----Original Message-----
From: Debbie Balsley [mailto:onehepdeb@yahoo.com]
Sent: 16 June 2004 12:58
To: Dave Kim
Subject: Re: incoming deb - ummmm....

Dave,

I am excited and at the same time apologetic to have to tell you that I'm postponing my trip to London/Europe.

I've decided just yesterday to buy a separate ticket to go back to Australia. If you kept up on my weblog you'll know why. :)

My Round the world plane ticket is flexible, as I can change the dates at any time... so I did. At this point, my Bangkok London flight has been postponed to July 15th.

I'm sure you're rolling your eyes, and I hope I haven't inconvenienced you and lois.

I will talk to you again in July.

Debbie

Sad News from home: My Grandmother Moma Rene passed away.

2004-06-19T04:57:00.002-07:00

Hi friends,

I'm beginning to feel like a martyr by sharing news from home on my weblog, but I figure most of you would be with me through these times anyway, if I were not for the fact that I'm on other side of the world. So I'm sharing this email from my dad.

I guess in retrospect, thank you to those that have shared your respective news with me (good and bad). I know life gets busy, but it means so much to me to know what's going on with you, and I'm realizing my weblog doesn't reflect that.

Much love to you, as I sit here think of friends and family.

--- Debbie Balsley wrote:
> Hi Dad,
>
> I got this email right after the other one's you sent.
> Again, I was at a loss for words and just went back
> to my friends house.
>
> Sometimes this is all too much, dad.... the beauty
> of life, the preciousness.... loosing friends, gaining
> friends, loosing family, gaining family. Missing
> everyone.
>
> I will reach out to Floanne.
>
> --- Ben Balsley wrote:
> > Dear Debbie,
> >
> > Well......how to say this.....
> >
> > Here goes: Moma 'Rene didn't make it to her 90th
> > birthday. She died fairly quickly and with minimal suffering the night before last, with Floanne and Linda present.
> >
> > Basically, she was doing fine, and was walking
> (with her walker) down to dinner with a couple of the girl caretakers where she was staying (Castle Rock). She fell at the elevator, apparently having had a major hemorrhage.
> > They took her to the Emergency Room at Longview,
> but by that time it was clear that she wouldn't make it. Floanne thinks that she maybe got through to Mom in the last hour or so. She called us from the emergency room.
> >
> > Guess I am sad for Mom, but very relieved for
> > Floanne, who has been fully occupied with Mom's care for at least the past couple of years. As you know, that follows a similar history with Grandpa Ben, Pat, and Lyle.
> > Sorry to pass on the news, but I know you would
> want to know.
> >
> > Love you,
> >
> > Dad

THAILAND: Chiang Mai - 2000 and one things to never forget

2004-06-19T04:57:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I've been in Chiang mai since June 10th. What was to be a 4-day trip has been is going to be two week. And know what... At this point, there is sooo much, I am just gonna write words phrases that will at the least trigger some memories for when I return read my own journal, but at next best can also paint a picture for my loved ones back home, and at the most will be fodder for more prose later. I miss most of you ;)

Richie introduced me to Meuy, Chinese heritage born in Bangkok, and moved to Thailand last year.

Both Richie and I have to be careful in saying her name, as, apparently, with the wrong inflexion, is a really bad word. She winces when we get it wrong. ... We call her Mary.

Meuy didn't ask but told me I'd be staying at her guest house, or apartment building. She's 27, manages a guest house, has her sister and sister's friend, and her house lady live with her. She also works for the government, and goes to school

I have set up home at her place, using hangers for my clothes, the local laundry, and she has given me my own wireless phone (mine is still in Melbourne with lotte and mattew).

Richie also introduced me to his best friend in Chiang mai Renata from Austria. She is writing her thesis and doing her research here. She went to a village down south for three days but has return to say she taught the villagers today how to put on condoms, by using wooden carvings shaped like a penis.

She's a beautiful person, has a boyfriend of five years working in Romania, and absolutely cherishes the friendship she has with richie.

I've rented a bicycle for a week, and peddled the streets of Chiang mai with richie, but did my first solo trip to this internet shop.

Motorcycle ride to Doi Suthep, temple on the mountain. Windy roads with richie driving and Renata and I in back. (yes everyone does this!)

I've met Meuy, Renata from Austria in Chiang mai for 5 months, Paul from New Jersey in Thailand for maybe 10 months (place base in several local bands), Daniel from England in Thailand for 9 months teaches English, Sarah a "lady boy", born in Chiang mai. Meuy sister Aom, Aom's friend Tay, their "housewife" or house cleaner Pa-kum.

MY ROUND THE WORLD VOYAGE - a change in direction

2004-06-15T04:57:00.001-07:00

I can't even explain this feeling I am having, nor can I do the story justice. The signs, the coincidences, people hearing my story, people sharing their words of wisdom.

Graham has invited me back to Australia for a week, before I travel on to Europe. With out hesitation, I accepted. He has taken off sometime from his job to spend time with Daniel, an 11-year old boy with whom he has bonded and taken under his wing. He has invited me along and has planned a longer visit in the port Douglas area, cape tribulation, in hopes to spend time, just he and I. I can't tell you how much I miss his company, his laughter, his attention, his wisdom and well etc. I've postponed my Bangkok-London leg of the trip around the world to the end of July, and purchased a one way to cairns Australia. (I will get a second one-way back to Bangkok when the time is right and hop back on to my rtw world itinerary.)

Unfortunately this means I had to ask to be removed from the roster of the herrang work team of 2004, and tell my contact Mandi I could not be the guest assistant to Frankie, Chazz and Dawn. This was NOT an easy task, and indeed, mandi's return email was curt.

The job of telling Mandi my decision was not an easy task for several reasons. 1: to not follow through with an agreement, 2: to miss an opportunity to "hang" with Frankie Chazz and Dawn, and 3: to do this "in the name of love" triggers some odd stubbornness in me that I would like to alleviate.

I think of two things. one: that jobs (albeit regular corporate jobs) are an institution, and if they have a need to down size or "right size", they will. Similarly in Herrang, known to put their workers to the task, if they needed me to clean toilets instead... they would move me to that task. (this might never have happened but it helps my guilty conscience to think it's not to far from the truth) and two: I'm forty, and I think of Joe and Durian (living in Chiang Khom) wisdom: "Don't finish your trip quite yet. Go back to graham while you can. Love is a good thing to experience."

A more interesting part of the story is in the "aligning of the stars", if you would humor me here, or the coincidences, up until and after Graham asked me to return to Australia.

Of course having every opportunity to meet many people, to speak to them with no agenda, to hang with a good connection because you don't have to go any where the next day, opens a huge door to hear folks' story and for me to share mine, and for everyone to gain insight. You know with who you are comfortable sharing, and the interest is most always mutual.

Of course, also, I share the story of my meeting graham, hoping to gleam additional words of wisdom from other travelers, and also because he's the only thing on my mind sometimes. :)

But before I go any further, because this is my blog, I only have the energy to share what I share with folks, and can't begin to share on what other travelers life stories. But trust me, I've gleamed a lot.

Any way the planets and stars align as such:

Richies CD release party is June 26th, and all though he and others tried hard to convince me to stay, my mind, at the time, was on getting up to stolkholm for herrang in time for my job, seeing Carrie and Alex some where in France, and staying with Dave Kim in London for awhile. I could make my Europe trip shorter, but I didn't want to my my south America trip shorter. So I just kept smiling and tell them no.

But then Meuy and I visited Richie's friends, Joe and durian, a Thai household in the country. Our conversations around the dinner table bored the nine year old Dominick, but took the rest of us through not only dinner, but through eating a pile of fresh fruit purchased at the market earlier that afternoon for dessert(linchie, gna, long-kong and mankoot), through a couple cups of hot tea and final til late in the night by a campfire outside. What was difficult for me to grasp, but what Joe kept insisting on, was to go back to Australia to and be with Graham. In my stubbornness, all I could tell him was that I'd think about it.... And think about it I did. By the next day after taking a group photo outside their house, and after saying good byes, I told Joe thank you. Once I got back in to cell phone range I was gonna bring up the idea with graham.

When I called him, the first thing he said was "I have a question". He always starts out like that, so I jumped in and said, no no wait, I have something to talk to you about. With his insistence and after that initial garbled network static folks get when they try to talk at the same time over a wireless digital network, he told me his plans to visit Daniel and followed with a question if I would join him. Stunned, but without hesitation I said "yes". Apparently he was still talking cause he didn't hear me. I said "yes" again. And finally after he paused, I said, "so didn't you hear the first two times I said 'yes'?" after he settled, I said, smiling, can I tell you my story now...." So I told him the decision I had come to after talking to Joe and durian.

Part of the "planets in alignment" comes not only with graham and I making the same decision, separately, but also, in the timing of it all, as the moment Graham said his plans were to head up to port Douglas on the 27th to visit Daniel, it was a done deal, as that was the day after the richies cd release party. How absolutely fun it would be to stay longer in chiang mai with some really wonderful people and, part-take in a meaningful day for richie, someone I trust will be in my life for a while AND AND AND to return to Australia, where Graham and I will spend more time together. It all falls in to place.

signing off

Love is a Journey: words of wisdem

2004-06-14T04:57:00.000-07:00

Of course I speak of graham to most new friends I meet. All have a similar story. Speaking of graham sometimes is all I have to keep his laughter close. So - the local words of wisdem:

Richie: when speaking of my resistance to the word and/or instituition of marriage: "you need to be bigger then this word".

Joe and Durian (living in Chiang Khom): when speaking of my new found love in Graham. "Don't finish your trip. Go back to graham while you can. Love is the best thing you can experience."

Renata: "i admire you moving on in your travels, but a new found love is so fragile. holding off to be with graham for 90 days could be iffy."

Joe, a bartender from new york in thailand on holiday: "you and graham have the passion, the love, the spark, at this point, simply tread slowly and enjoy.

THAILAND: Chiang Mai - so today I rode an elephant

2004-06-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

Day two in Chiang Mai, I signed up for a day tour provided by the guest house. Check out the pictures when I get them up.

I and three other folks: an engish chap and his thai girlfriend and a gentlemen from france, enjoyed:

A one-hour elephant ride
A small hike to a water fall
A trip to a "village" where they made scarves
A street side village cafe lunch (paid for)
A bamboo raft trip down a muddy river. (here elephants crossed the river too)

During the ride home, I slept sitting up right in the back of the truck along with my tour campanions, whom by the end of the day, shared several laughs and personal stories.

I showered and napped in my room and was awakened by my room phone ringing. Graham was able to be put through and this was finally our first phone conversation that was not cut off after 4 minutes for what ever reason!!

sigh.

THAILAND, Road Trip to Mae Say, via Chiang Rai and Chiang Khom

2004-06-13T06:12:00.000-07:00

Richie told me I was going to take a road trip with him to "the boarder": Mae Say, Byrma (but the country is called something else now.) I said... "k". Richie is a musician who has lived here I think 8 months. He and others travel to Mae Say, (i think) because they have a thirty day visa and they need to travel to another country and get another 30 day visa when they return. It's common practice that the cross the boarder, get stamped, and turn around to return to Chiang Mai. But because Meuy and I had never been, we took the time to do some shopping at the boarder, then stayed the night at in Chiang Rae, an hour from the boarder, and also took a side trip into the country city of Chiang Khom to visit Richie's friend Joe and Durian and their 9 year old son dominick.

We had an absolute blast. The inside jokes run rampid even though Meuy's english is good but limited.

THAILAND: Chiang Mai

2004-06-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

There is so much to tell. Bare with me as I will simply spew all my memories in the last few days.

Bangkok was nice, but I had been told by several people include the waitress in Christchurch New Zealand to visit Chaing Mai. They were right!

Chaing Mai is a two hour flight (12 hour bus ride) north of Bangkok. It still feeds off the tourist (which is not at the hight point right now... much to my enjoyment), but it is much more low key.

I met a wonderful French man on the plane trip who has lived in Chaing Mai with his wife for the last several years. He started a conversation instantly, and I new I would not have to pull out my reading material to pass the time.

We shared travels, and I, in my now routine, asked for his advise and suggestions of where to go.

Again I had no place to stay in Chang Mai. He not only suggested a few places, but I met his wife in the concourse and they took me to Lai Thai Guest House, where he new folks and made sure they took care of me. He tried to barter for a lower price, but they wouldn't budge. Oh well, 500 a night Baht is about $11 per night.

I toured the street for a phone booth to call graham, (thanks ron and carol for the $50 MCI calling card!) and just took the sights in.

As the day rolled by, I found a restaurant that had live (albeit american) music: a singer/song writer from Colorado. His sound is great, his style is very entertaining, and now. for the last two days, am a local groupie for Richie Castro. In the ofoto pictures, he's the dark skinned, long haired, native american looking, grining-from-ear to-ear man with a guitar strapped to his back. He tells me since coming to Chiang Mai, he hasn't had so much work, with last night, Friday being his marathone night, playing in three restaurants and bars between 7:30 and midnight. He rides his bike on Chiang Mai streets, between gigs with his guitar strapped to his back. He claims he has found his singer / song writer profession in Chaing Mai. I've heard a few of his originals and they are very good. He will be having his first CD release party on June 26th, which i will need to miss. But you heard it here, I was the first to by a CD, 150 Baht... about $3.50.

He and I hit it off, the first night, thursday, at Mango Cafe and I am lucky to have met him. During his gigs he is very interactive with the customers, of which there were two tables with customers, mine and the couple next to me. He invited me to his next gig down the street at Guitar Man. There, he out-right noticed me, spoke into the microphone, and asked if the lady in front (me), again two tables full (me and a different couple next to me) had a "long heart". Seems he could tell I was thinking of something or someone. I just laughed, sat up in my seat, and took another sip of my gin and tonic :)

After his set, around midnight, he joined my table, and well, I ended up riding double on his peddle bike around the streets of Chang Mai to the local hang outs. It was awesome. This was definitely going in my blog.

We first went to "life house" a rasta (spell) bar where his friends were playing bob marley tunes. I met his friends Paul from New Jersey and Dan from ireland. The pool table called my name and I approached a gentleman with a challenge to a game. Thanks to Graham's coaching back in Manly, I used a bit of defense and won the game.

As we were leaving the "life house", Richie offered to take me to his favorite thai noodle kiosk, by bike of course. First however, he had to excuse himself and take five minutes to have a "five minute talk" with his newly ex-girl friend. So I sat outside the bar and struck up a converstion with Lucy from finland. Instantly we went straight to the travel talk and she gave me suggestions for when I travel to Peru. If I were to do Machu Pichu, she suggested I do the 5-day trek instead the tour bus. If I do, i will arrive ealry morning to see the dawn, before any of the tour buses get there. I think I'll do that.

We then peddle to his favorite thai noodle kiosk (probably 1:00 am by now) and ... here we talked about his ex-girl friend. the struggles, the learning etc. Here too, I told him, that I did have a "long face" at the cafe because of this guy I met in Australia. "I KNEW IT" he exclaims. It was my turn to talk of relationships and learning etc.

It started pouring so we waited under an awning for it to let up, there was lightning; it wasn't letting up, and the light on the entire street went dark. By this time (maybe 3:00 am) i had to go to the bathroom. He looked around, it was still pouring and he said... "well... if you are interested in seeing the "spicey" part of chiang mai, then he could take my across the street to "Spicey's" where there's a bathroom in the back. Up for whatever, he bagged up his guitar case and we ran across the street.

The tent like bar was lit with candles and local activity. He gave me the low down of local "business" happening around me. American men would come here to spiceys as a last resort to find a local girl to go home with. Richie proceeded to tell me the culture behind this local business, and we dove into cultural philosophy, mentality, and our own thoughts and beliefs. I was learning so much.

So, the rain stopped, the lights in the area went back on and it was time to go home... 4:00 a.m. He peddle me back and told me of his gig scheduled the next night. so I said good bye to another new found friend, and said I'd see him at his gig.

This was day one of chiang mai!

News from back home: Jeff and Janine

2004-06-11T21:24:00.000-07:00

It's times like this I feel the distance between me and my friends in portland.

--- Debbie Balsley wrote:

Janine and Jeff,

I am, again, at a loss of words. You two, Oliver,
Adam and Simone all have SUCH a special and rare place
in my heart. You are so very special to me and to the
world.

I will cherish this website during my travels and will
look forward to seeing you when I return.

I wish I could be there with you guys, in your house,
standing in the kitchen, around the island, hearing
your story, jeff getting a beer for me out of that
really cool refridgerator, janine asking jeff for a
glass of wine, adam running to get his chew toy and
throwing it around the kitchen, pictures of Oliver in
the front room.

With your permission, I would like to share this on my
weblog.

Much much love.
Debbie

--- Janine Twining-Freeman wrote:

If you are able to access the Internet please go directly here: http://www.jeffandjanine.com and click on "A letter to our family and friends" otherwise, please read on....

Dear Family & Friends...

Our apologies for this "mass correspondence", we realize it isn't the most personal form of communication but Jeff and I have something we want to share with you all and decided that this would be the fastest and most effective way to do so.

On May 17th, 2004 we discovered that I am pregnant, I am currently just 8-weeks along. Although many people choose not to "go public" so early in a pregnancy, because of it's fragility and uncertainty in the early stages, Jeff and I decided that we needed to do so for those very reasons. Regardless of the outcome, this baby exists and we want to share and celebrate this fact with the people we love.

This baby is not a replacement for Oliver in any way, shape or form... Oliver cannot be replaced, he exists within us and holds a place in our hearts and in our family that can never be filled by anyone. The same also true for this baby who immediately filled his or her very own place the moment we knew of it's existence.

Taking into consideration my age and the fact that it took us over a year to get pregnant with Oliver, we decided that we would begin trying to conceive this Spring. We refused to refer to it as "trying again" a term we heard so many people use. We felt that those words implied that we had previously failed. If you had been lucky enough to hold our beautiful son in your arms as we were, you would understand that this statement couldn't be further from the truth. Oliver was perfect, we did not fail... if anything, we were failed. Given my history, I was fully anticipating and expecting a potentially long and difficult journey of fertility treatments and medical intervention, Jeff however remained optimistic. I was very grateful to be proved wrong on this occasion!

Emotionally, we know this is going to be a very long and often scary pregnancy. The innocence is lost and the pure bliss I experienced while pregnant with Oliver can never be captured again. I knew when Oliver died that I had experienced the only purely happy pregnancy I would ever have. I value every minute of that time I was given with Oliver, those 9-months are something that can never be taken away from me. This doesn't mean that there is no happiness with this pregnancy, there is and there will continue to be, it's just that there is a fear and a loss if innocence associated that wasn't there before.

Medically speaking there is not an increased risk of the same thing happening again, nonetheless we have made the decision to see a Perinatologist which is a "high risk" OBGYN. Medically we are not currently considered "high risk", although emotionally we definitely are. The doctor we are seeing has been very understanding and because of the nature of her practice she has experience with patients who have lost babies. The first time we consulted with her we asked her to put Oliver's photographs in my charts so that he would always be known to anyone treating me in the future. We will be seen every two weeks but have been told that we can come in if we need reassurance at anytime, even if we don't have a scheduled appointment. Knowing that this pregnancy will be watched very carefully, every step of the way, is certainly reassuring.

For those of you trying to calculate as you read this message, this baby is due on January 22nd, 2005. It is likely however that late December or early January may be more accurate for a delivery date, depending how things progress. Obviously we'll keep you posted.

These past seven months since Oliver's birth and death have been the most difficult, most surreal times in our lives we could possibly imagine. There isn't a moment that passes where Oliver is not in our minds and in our hearts. There is nothing that we do or say that doesn't remind us of our son... everyday things that become painful reminders of his absence in our lives. This baby, Oliver's brother or sister, brings a renewed sense of hope that we weren't sure we'd ever experience again.

This baby will always know about Oliver, our firstborn son, his name will always be mentioned, his photographs always displayed... It is important to both Jeff and I that Oliver never be forgotten and we want you all to know that we welcome hearing his name and we want to talk about him. Yes, that will often but not always mean tears but we aren't afraid of tears, they are part of our grief. We are moving forward on what we have accepted as a lifelong journey, we will never "get over" Oliver's loss, we are simply learning to live with it. We move forward with Oliver who will live forever in our hearts.

Both Jeff and I want to thank you for your continued love and support. I've been particularly quiet and introspective in my grief and I realize that this is the first time many of you may have heard from me. I'm still feeling quiet and somewhat introspective but please know that I certainly welcome any contact with you all. Email is always a good way to reach me as I'm often able to articulate better in writing and can choose my time to sit down and write based on my emotions on any given day or time of day... I'll be perfectly honest, there are good days and bad days and I don't always feel like chatting on the phone. Email, although not always the most personal form of communication, has been so helpful to me these past seven months.

In addition to family and friends, we have been extremely lucky to have the support of a local infant loss support group called Brief Encounters, these monthly meetings and the friends we have made though this group have been invaluable to us. I have chosen to give back to this organization by volunteering as a Hospital Liaison and Family support person. I am working with a small group of mothers, now friends who have all experienced the tragedy of losing a baby. Jeff is also planning to volunteer time helping with their website and database management.

As difficult as this pregnancy is going to be emotionally, we are doing our best to stay positive and optimistic. We want to anticipate this baby's arrival with the same excitement and joy as we did Oliver's... he or she deserves nothing less. Thank you all for taking the time to read this message... we appreciate all of your hopes, prayers or positive thoughts during these next few months.

Much Love,

~Janine & Jeff
http://www.jeffandjanine.com
http://www.oliverllewellynfreeman.org
(both of these web sites are incomplete and still in progress)

EMAIL SUBJECT Re: Hi Debbie -- It's Lori from the Ferry!!

2004-06-09T04:33:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo! My first Travel Buddy!! Lori!
Gotta love the internet.

--- "Lori M." wrote:
> Hi Debbie,
> Remember me... Lori, from the ferry in New Zealand.
> Once again, we didn't get to say goodbye when we
> parted ways that day, but I remembered you had told
> me
> you were putting together a daily blog of your
> journey... so, I did a simple search on yahoo and
> found it! I hope you don't mind that I am following
> your adventure -- I almost feel as if I shouldn't be
> reading it without your permission, but I am very
> captivated by your travel stories.
>
> ... It takes a special kind of person to
> embark
> on a journey like this and I want you to know how I
> admire what you are doing. ....
>
> On this journey, I'm sure each day you discover
> something new about the world and about yourself --
> I
> hope you are embracing every single moment of your
> trip.
>
> Well, I hope you are having the best of fun ... it
> seems as if you are meeting many new friends along
> the
> way too.
>
> Good luck with the rest of your journey!
>
> Lori

THAILAND: Bangkok

2004-06-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

I huddle against the window of the plane for Thai airlines, reading once again, The Lonely Planet : Bangkok (condensed version), and reading my notes from my friend back home, Judy. She had given me various names and places for my stay in Thailand.

After reading the notes, watching Cold Mountain, that USA hockey team movie, and *not* watching Scoobie Doo; having two meals, three glasses of wine, one tangare and tonic and washing my hands twice with hot towels... i finally walked down the stairs from the plane in to the hot humid air and on to black top of the bangkok airport. Wow.

I got in last night around 11:00 pm local time without making a reservations or calling ahead for a hostel. I hadn't needed to in New Zealand and Austrailia, as it was just past the peak season. My guide that I read in the plane told me I was not coming to bangkok during the peak tourist season, either, so I told myself I'd be okay. My guide also told me was coming to Bangkok the month after it's hot and humid season. Cool.

So... the name of the backpackers hostel and the street was all I gave to the taxi driver. I still had my jacket on from the flight from Sydney. The whole time in the airport, and from the taxi I couldn't be bothered to take it off, even with the heat and humidity. I wanted to focus on dealing with this new money, looking in my little black book, what I was told to expect for the cost, making sure the drivers meter was on, even though, i'm not sure what the numbers meant. (197 .... what Kilometers? ohwell) Following the highway signs around me, incase he was going the wrong way. We didn't exchange a word, except to confirm the pronunciation of "SIAM" and "Khao San Road". I don't think I took my jacket off until I got in my room. Couldn't be bothered really. I wanted to have my hands free and focused.

I think my heart was pounding the whole time, until I lay down on my bed. I"m so glad I got a single room. I couldn't tell what I had bought at the counter.

I think I woke up around 9 a.m. but I didn't get up out of bed until 2:00 p.m. It's all a bit daunting really. So stayed spralled in bed, the fan spinning widely above me, using only my silk sleeping sheet that I whipped together the night before I left the states (the guest house's sheet was just too heavy compared to mine.)

There was just one water nozzle in the shower, cold, no need for hot. No toilet paper, just a hose nozzle to wash yourself. I tell ya... the familiar smell of my mint body soap never smelled so good!!!

Today, taking it easy, looking for bottled water, food. you know the basics, breathing, observing, trying not to be nearvous, realizing it's all one world. it's all one world.

Once I got a water bottle and food in me I set off to go back to my room. I'm finding I'm a bit lost. I didn't go far, it's just that the streets are not even close to a grid, and there are hawker stalls every where, it all begins to look the same.

So i found an internet shop that I am comfortable with and was hoping for some emails. And... I got one from Lori from the New Zealand Ferry!!! (Check the May Post)

Awesome!

TONIGHT: Bangkok

2004-06-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Tonight, I travel to bangkok. This one is a bit daunting to me. I purposely planned to travel west around the world in order get used to traveling in atleast an english speaking country. I've been 35 days away from Portland, have gained some additional awareness and perhaps courage to head to bangkok.

Desiree Hunter, a friend from years back via work related conferences for Geographic Information Services, and Judy Mullen, a friend from AT&T Wireless Services have both given me people and places to meet and see, and suggestions for food to eat. I had also talked to a waitress back in Christchurch, New Zealand; who confirmed without solisitation, both Desiree's and Judy's suggestions. When several people suggest the same thing... i've learned to go.

So,

My guess is that I'll be a couple days in Bangkok,
Banglamphu District , Khoa San Road where Backpackers go.

... and then head to or see

Chiang Mai (N. Thailand)
Ko Tao, island off the east coast
Ko Chang (lonely beach)
Ayuthaya (old capitol)
Floating Markets.

Dishes: Hokkien Chicken Rice
Drink: Freshed Squeezed Sugarcane juice
Fruit: Mangosteen, jackfruit, Durian.

Staying healthy and having soooo much fun... !
I think of so many people at home, so often.

Having said all that, I am saddened to be leaving Graham.... I know... gush gush... but, truly... again.... I have not laughed so much, touched so much and shared so much. His eyes and smile say so much. more gushing... but ... you guys know me so don't you dare roll your eyes. ! If all works out, he's planning to come to the states on my return.... oh man!

What's with the photos of Eeyore?? (Carrie Whipple and Chris Jones)

2004-06-03T22:01:00.000-07:00

Carrie Whipple had given me the idea to find some small item to carry with me as a companion for pictures around the world, since I would be traveling alone. This idea may sound familiar if you've seen the movie Amalie, in which the main character, Amalie, steels the Gnome from her father's Garden, has someone take pictures of it around the world and sends the photos anonimously back to her house-bound father.

I had found such item, but then.... One of my gifts at my voyage shower was from Chris Jones, superb dancer and my Tuesday-nights-at-the-Viscount, belly-up-to-the-bar-boys, one-shot-of-crown-royal-before-dancing drinking buddy.

His gift to me was... what else, a fifth, maybe a third (?), of Crown Royal Special Edition, from Canada, you know, the ones that are "numbered". He had placed it in a gift bag with a plastic rendition of Eeyore tied around the handles.

So... Eeyore is my gnome.

Thanks Carrie and Chris!!! Much love. Thinking of you! Hope you're enjoying the pictures!

AUSTRALIA: I'M SMITTEN - Graham Morton

2004-06-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

How can I not make this sound trite. I am happy, haven't laughed so much, touched so much, and shared so much before.

Graham and I have both communicated the 'weirdness' of having met each other, having crossed paths etc.

Even with a reality check, realizing I have more months in my travels, I still dare say I'm sure most of you will meet him. Most of you know what i feel about marriage, so I will stop at saying I'm sure he and I will have a long term relationship.

He is 45, kind, giving, aware, wise, tender, funny, loves people, appreciates the humanity in both the elder and the young. The list goes on. We of course connected, and we both felt like we'd been friends for a long time.

I've returned from Port Douglas to sydney (where my bangkok flight will be departing, but I've decided to postpone my flight for a few more days, yes... staying
with Graham.

And at this point I have no doubt he will be in my life. I realize this sounds like a fairytale, a classic thing you would expect to see in a "blog", or in the movie
"Shirley Valentine", but I will bet it's not.

News from Back Home - Sadness - It's all apart of the Journey

2004-06-02T21:30:00.000-07:00

I hesitate posting this one, but decided to because it is all apart of a journey.

Lynda Pilger was part of the group of friends I had "before dancing". She and the other friends from that time were at my Voyage Shower. She sat next to me and Elana on the couch while I opened gifts. There's a picture of her in "My Ofotos", under 'friends albums', under 'Lac's album'. She had long blond hair. Her boyfriend, J.L. .... Their gift was a headlamp....

I remember seeing Lynda maybe a year ago, driving down town portland, at a red light, window down. I was walking on the side walk, possibly my lunch hour. We greated eachother with suprised smiles, I had a little time to catch up, she mentioned she wanted to start swing dancing and might meet her out some time... the light turned green, and her smile as she drove off, is a memory.

Because of my addiction to swing dance, it was sooo great seeing her and J.L., after all this time. I am amazed at the bonds that friends can have even over time.

At 06:22 PM 5/31/2004 -0700, --- Debbie Balsley wrote:

I'm not sure what to even type, Carol. I'm at the
Cairnes airport with a lump in my throat and tears in
my eyes. I'm boarding in a few minutes.... Thank you
so much for jeff's email address. I have his home
address as well, from the shower....

Again, I am in total loss of words as the tears that
were welling in my eyes are now running down my
cheeks. Much love to you, and a long hug to you and
Ron. I will reach out to Jeff.

This is too much... Thanks for letting me know.
Love,
Debbie

--- Carol Schaaf wrote:
> Debbie,
> I need to tell you something that I am sad to have
> to tell you over e-mail.
>
> We have lost a friend, Lynda Pilger.
> She was hit while walking eastbound on the Morrison
> Bridge on Thursday
> night. Ron and Joe Sandahl drove over to Camp
> Sherman(Sister area) last
> night and woke Jeff and brought him home.
> Bear was also hit and is in surgery now. He has 2
> breaks in his spine and
> a demolish leg. Lynda was killed instantly as the
> vehicle speeding hit the
> metal grate and with the heavy rain flew around and
> up onto the 14 inch
> curb. The man is being tested since he said he had
> been at a company event
> and had a drink.
> She was walking from work to pick up Jeffs car at a
> mechanics and she was
> going to join Jeff, Donna and Joe Liebold camping.
>
> It is hard to believe but waves of reality hit me
> and I am so saddened.
> Sorry to have to relay bad news but I thought you
> should know.
> All my love and please be safe!
> Carol

http://www.koin.com/webnews/20042/20040528_morrisonbridgeb.shtml

AUSTRALIA: the Great Barrier Reef

2004-06-02T20:43:00.000-07:00

It's a good reef; but I wouldn't call it "great". =] But seriously, Graham suggested I schedule a tour with Shaloin a Chinese Junk that would take 10 -12 folks out to the reef. I scheduled, but as it turned out the winds were two strong that morning and I met the man you runs this smaller operation: Alex (?) he's about 50 or 60, gone around the block a few times, his sandals worn, hair long and grey, in a pony tail, and healthy skin that wrinkled with the sun. He gave me $6 back (the difference in price) and escorted me to the "wave dancer" which instead was large catamaran (spell) and could hold 100 people. I was welcomed by a whole crew with matching shirts and generous smiles. There weren't that many, but there were a lot more then 10, many young kids on holiday, screaming and making sure their swim suit looked good. =]

But it was a good time. Glad I did it. The snorkeling wasn't much; the tide was low and we could only go just off the beach of the island where we sailed to. I went a little ways, but actually decided not to go any further because of the crowds and chose to sun bathe instead.... because... well I can.

I would have liked to have gone out further into the ocean; but maybe that would have been a different charter... not sure. The did have live music, a gentleman and his guitar, on deck for the sail home. That was awesome.

AUSTRALIA: Port Douglas - wonderful

2004-06-02T20:27:00.000-07:00

I loved Port Douglas. I spent a total of four days three nights. The city an hour or so south of cairns and is a cross between Canon Beach and Newport. Lots of shops; very artsy; cafes etc - just add a tropical feel to it.

Graham suggested I look up a friend of his, a manager at the Mango Jam Cafe on the main street of Manly - Sean. I did and it was all good fun. Sat at the bar, talked with him when he wasn't seating someone, and talked with the bartender when he was on my section of the bar. It was great to have a connection with a local, even though brief.

My next night at the Port O' Call Lodged, I moved into in to a shared room with four other ladies. We did the usual getting acquainted: Nan was from Florida, and Marian was from England. Both over 40 maybe over 50, and making a change in their lives. It was great. We did our own thing in the day and met up with eachother for a drink at the Yacht Club. We each bought a round, talked of our plans, our "story", men, and laughed at lot. If there were I word or phrase had for them it be that "I went out with the sailors". They didn't hold back on the flagrant words and had plenty of "stories". The teased me to no end on how smitten I was with Graham. I was the young one of the group.

Marion Left the next day, for another tour adventure, experience, and I'm sure she'll make one. Laura came next, and she Nan and I headed to the main street again for Thai dinner. Laura had a craving.

The next morning, after having sun bathed, shopped, sailed to the reef, it was my turn to leave. Nan stayed as she was exploring the opportunity to move to Australia. She had many options, and just needs to land on "the one". Good byes are brief but filled with good wishes and deep peace.

PHOTOS !!! : NEWZEALAND and AUSTRALIA

2004-05-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

I'm opping this will be a good way to show folks my photos, with out having to send a blast email out. Please let me know if you've tried to view these with the link below, and especially tell me if it doesn't work.

My guess is that you will able to use this link everytime? Hopefully.

http://www.amazon.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=vyl95lr.95wo3lqn&x=1&y=tdpkva

AUSTRALIA - Port Douglas

2004-05-28T03:16:00.000-07:00

By the suggestion of Graham, the gentleman I meet in Manly, I'm in Port Douglas which is an hour or so north from Cairns in Northern Australia and I've decided to stay here for a few days. Beautiful, warm, humid, tropical can't wait to head to the beach tomorrow I don't think I'll do anything but lie there.

In Sydney and Melbourne, it's been manageable, but go go go. I came from Melbourne in the south end of australia where it's much colder, as they say: "jumper weather". The swing scene is very active there, so I had instant friends, dancing every night, lots people to meet and a dance lab to facilitate... so I'm ready to relax, this is the place to do it. Can't wait for the morning!! Can you say: "beach"!

I've decided to go for a single room this time instead of the usual 4-bunk or 8-bunk room. I've unpacked, spread my stuff out on the bed, am reorganizing, pulled out my little collage that I made from the wrapping, ribbons and cards everyone had given me during the voyage shower. And am thinking about folks back home.

AUSTRALIA - Melbourne Dance Lab - Wendy Renehan Quote

2004-05-28T03:12:00.000-07:00

Perhaps I should write the trip off for my taxes next year??

--- "Renehan, Wendy L"
wrote:
> Hi Deb,
>
> Thanks so much for the communications dance lab last
> night. I really feel it was the next step our troupe
> needed to take to help each other grow and improve
> in our dancing. The things which really stick out to
> me is asking the person if they would like to be
> observed and the method of gving the feeback being
> in terms of observation and how it made the person
> feel. This really seems to answer questions I've
> often read from dancers on swingtalk about how to
> give each other feedback. I hope you continue to
> spread this great tool.
>
> Wendy Renehan
> Crazy Rhythm Review

AUSTRALIA: Melbourne Dance Lab - Matthew Riddle Quote

2004-05-28T03:06:00.000-07:00

Below is a quote from Matthew Riddle, Organizer of MLX and member of the Lindy troupe, Crazy Rhythm Revue. He and Lotte were my host for a couple days. We have definitely established a working relationship offering eachother suggestions and sharing ideas about promoting Lindy. I am inspired.

--- Matthew Riddle wrote:
> We invited Debbie Balsley to present her Dance Lab
> workshop to our Lindy troupe, Crazy Rhythm Revue, in Melbourne. As a
> group of so-called advanced dancers who work together every week, you'd
> think we would know something about communicating with each other.
> Dance Lab showed us exactly what we don't know, and perhaps what we
> needed more than anything else: a method of structured peer
> communication that takes the sting out of constructive criticism. Her
> presentation style is as engaging as it is thorough, and her method can
> revolutionise the way dancers talk to each other about partnership. I
> think Dance Lab 101 should be in the core curriculum for anyone who is
> interested in furthering their own learning in partnered dance.
>
> Matt Riddle
> SwingShift Melbourne
>
>
> ==================================================================
> matthew riddle :
> matthew@melbournelindyexchange.com
> swingshift melbourne :
> http://www.swingshiftmelbourne.com/
> swingcity melbourne :
> http://www.swingcitymelbourne.com/

AUSTRALIA - THE DANCE LAB a SUCCESS in Melbourne!!!

2004-05-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

Most of you know about the Communications Dance Lab that I've been facilitating in portland, and presented in San Francisco and Swingout NewHampshire.... Now I can say it's gone international!

So .... after my 12 apostles tour, I was picked up by my host Matthew Riddle, stopped for dinner in the Melbourne 'style'. Melbourne is known for the cosmopolitan approach to dining. Matt took me to a section of the city, done the street where he picked me up, took me down a narrow alley that blossomed into several street cafes, and a little 3-pieces salsa/marenge band towards the center. This hidden "alley of cafes" are typical in Melbourne.

After dinner, we headed off to his performance troupe practice where I present the dance lab concept. As usual, with the lab concept still new, there were some memebers that had apprehensions, since it's about giving feedback.... and that could get personal :) But there was full participation, and they totally ate it up. their troupe is very egalitarian, democtratic, organic, and has a grassroots feel to it. They took it beyond in so many ways, I was impressed and getting ideas off of them.

I look forward to see what they do with the new communications tool. they are a really neat bunch of people, i'm not quite sure what their secret is in staying together with no real leader.... just a similar passion for the dance and .... respect for eachother.

What a day!

AUSTRALIA - The 12 Apostles! - One of the seven wonders of the world

2004-05-27T08:05:00.000-07:00

Okay.... I can't do this post justice. I am so glad I spend the time and money to see these... you'll have to wait to see the pictures. (sorry I haven't had time to really figure out how to do to the pictures on line quickly.)

But it was a tour bus ride day trip from Melbourne to the 12 apostles, massive rock fomations on the coast! I met my bus at 7:30 a.m. and returned at 7:00pm. I expect "the usual" tour bus experience with the driver almost talking non-stop, and keeping us strictly to 10 minute breaks or 5 minute photo stops along the way. But when we got there.... wow.... impressive.

I was one of 6 people that took a helicopter ride over the coast and rock formations. the helicopter only fit 3 passengers, so I buddied up with lee and frances from New South Whales. I got the front seat since it was my first time in one, and their third.

It was amazing. loved it. best $50 i've spent so far!
Can't wait for you to see the photos.

AUSTRALIA - Melbourne - SWING SCENE INSPIRATIONAL

2004-05-26T00:03:00.000-07:00

So when three different swing dancers from San Fransisco, New Jersey, and Portland tell you to look up a swing dance couple in the country you are traveling... look up the swing couple!

Erik Lane, Charles d'Harcourt, and Bill Bergida all said to look up Lotte Geldof and Matthew Riddle. Wow! Met them today. Lotte picked me up from the nunnery hostel, the tree of us had lunch, talked swing and travel, and have started a great relationship and i have my europe itineray sorted out :).

At their house now, we put in a dvd of their recent MLXchange... (They had a professional video crew.) A great documentary starting from their planning process, the various workshops, and teachers, the various events, and and of course the dance.

They had their performance troup dance on the street during one of their city festivals and the video showed matthew handing out 1/4 flyers to the on-lookers about MLX workshops. .... hmmmm something we had in our PDX plans but never got around to ... (it was my task to do... :( :)

The concept of course was great, made me drool of course, but even the video itself, of the performances, the energy and the interviews of everyone involved was very inspiring.

hmmmmm...... tonight .... the dance! woo hoo.

AUSTRALIA: Melbourne (Solomon Douglas in the house)

2004-05-25T23:59:00.000-07:00

I'm now in Melbourne, the flight was about an hour (plus) from Sydney. Transitted to my hostel, and checked my email. I had posted to Swing Talk - Melbourne that I was coming so I have some numbers, but more exiting is Solomon has been traveling Australia (japan and singapore as well), and our paths will cross in Melbourne! how fun is that.

Solomon is doing private lessons here and will be djing tomorrow night at "ballyhoo's". Apparently there's some after hours blues dancing somewhere tonight, though, so that's my next task to find where =]. Solomon didn't have the address, but gave me more numbers!! woo hoo! Melbourne is known to have a bigger scene. So this should be fun.

So I'm in Melbourne....

2004-05-25T23:28:00.000-07:00

So, I'm in Melbourne.... It's my birthday.... I'm just off the Skybus (shuttle bus) from the airport to city center.... I'm walking with backpack, like I've done it for years, towards the tram that will be my ticket to "The Nunnery Hostel". I'm not too lost, but I realize I'm walking the wrong way. I for some reason decide to take a minor detour instead of doing a 180.

So I'm walking down this side street... and I see graffiti on the wall... Right? Nothing out of sorts, right? The graffiti says: "happy birthday"! And ... well... it's my birthday... I'm not kidding!! I took a picture of it.

Is that weird..... or wwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaatt?! I shake, and log off. Bye all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME: a tribute to my family.

2004-05-25T17:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you ~Mom and~ Dad, for bringing me in to this world. I'm enjoying it fully now that I am 40! You did a damn good job raising me =]

Thank you Chris and Toby for surviving a little sister! I know we didn't choose eachother, but we sure have had some great times!

Thank you Loys for marry my dad =]; he's a handfull but great, no?!! I look forward to closer times.

Love,

Debbie

World traveler.

AUSTRALIA - Sydney - Manly Beach

2004-05-23T00:40:00.000-07:00

After sleeping in at Pal's house, (yay! no check out time!) i took Sydney transit: Ferry to Sydney where I saw the Opera House as we were coming in to port. Beautiful! Instead of staying there though, I hopped another ferry to Manly Beach.

Manly beach was great, artsy, shops, beach, no hi-rises, and the experience was even better. I was at the stage in my trip that I wanted to meet people beyond the quick "hi, where you from" of the hostel bunk mates, before you leave for the day, and beyond the swing dancers.

I walked the market talked to the artists, jewelers, bought myself a new ring for my birthday. It's a classic deb-style I've had since college: three small rings fit together to look like one. This time I bought 5 small rings, fit together to look like one! I love it! I did the usual stroll, walked the beach, and as I head back, a bar had their door open, pool table inside, it was about 4:00 p.m. no where to go...

There in the world traveler kind of way, two gentlemen (one my age Graham, the other a 'kid' Frank) ask that I join them, just before I was about to ask them if I could join them. Funny that. We played a game, talked, and two other women my age walked in, intending to have a good time, walked right up and challenged us to a game.

These two ladies were a crack up. It turns out, their names were Deb and Jen! They were celibrating Deb's birthday that day, and I told mine was in a couple days.

Deb, the calm one, was just in from a sailing adventure. She was the calmer, and more tan of the two. And Jen was a bett milder look alike! Whiter than I was. Jen ("Bett") was a character. Walked right up, didn't know how to play pool (where as deb did), and proceeded to make sure we all understood the rules -- whatever they were. I never bothered to ask, but imagined she was a soccer mom, organized her kids, her sisters kids, and maybe even deb's kids, and made sure everyone new the rules of her soccer van -- you know the type. We took birthday pictures.

So if I haven't board you yet... there is more. Frank, Deb, and "Bett" came and went after much laughter, and Graham and I kept playing. He's the sort I was hoping to meet on this trip, much like Caroline on the Ferry to Wellington: wise, fun-loving, traveled etc. He has given me contact information for his friends in Cairnes .... "that's what it's all about", idn't it. And yes... my heart skipped a couple beats... but... on to melbourne!

AUSTRALIA - Sydney - Blue Mountains

2004-05-22T00:32:00.000-07:00

Pal (Paul) and I took a hike, boy howdy, did we take a hike. Blue Mountains were about 1 1/2 hour drive from his place. I have pictures, but basically they're called Blue mountains from the blue oil (?) the is released from the eucalyptus trees, it creates a blue haze.

Anyway it was a majestic hike, taking us around the canyon/valley, and then STRAIGHT down STEEP stairs to the end of the trail, where there is a coal mine and an old refurbished cable car that took us STRAIGHT back to the trail head. I think it was 12km. You'll see the pictures when I get around to uploading them.

AUSTRALIA - Sydney - Swing Welcoming Committee

2004-05-21T17:25:00.000-07:00

Well, I found my way to the questionable hostle and quickly decided I needed something else beside this dirty dump and off the questionable "street" if you know what I mean. =]

Calling, from the questionable hostel, I reached Michael, swing dancer from sydney. I posted to Swing Talk Australia - Sydney. His email told me he was the welcoming committee to Sydney. Indeed.

Over the phone he guided me to a trainstation where he would meet me. From there we went to a very nice dinner, 'his treat'; but truly it was mine. This was the first conversation I had about swing dance stuff.

We transitted it over to the dance venue for the night, and I was finally able to use my capezios I had been luggin' around.

It was a good night. The scene here is young, and small, surprisingly. And of course I'd get wind of their theories and stratgies on the chat list and the dance floor. Fun.

I met Pal at the dance, and he suggested I do the Blue Mountains. He was drawing a map and directions and said.... heck I'll just take you. So we agreed to meet and I told him where I was staying with a wince. With out a skip he offered his guest bedroom and we'd get an earlier start!

So after the dance (1:00 a.m.) he drove me back to "the street", waited for me in the car, i quitely packed my pack with me headlamp (thanks J.L.!) and was on my way. Keep the $20 key deposit. Here's your dirty old key. =]

That's what it's all about!!

DRINK RECIPE: Lemon Lime Bitter

2004-05-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

Michael introduced me to a new (non-alcoholic) drink! Any of you heard of a Lemon Lime Bitter?

using:
Angostura's Aromatic Bitters
Procucto de Trinidad y Tobago.

Rim glass with the bitters.
Fill tall glass wit lemondade.
Add 4-5 dashes of bitters.
Add ice and swirl glass
Add 1 dash of lime juice (secret: don't use lime cordial - whatever that is)

mmmm....! desiree! have at it! =]

AUSTRALIA: SYDNEY - My resolve remains intact

2004-05-21T00:36:00.000-07:00

My resolve remains intact;

Tonight: Swing Dancing in the CITY.
Tomorrow: Walk around the opera house (for dad's sake =)
Sydney Tower, possibly harbor bridge.
Sunday: Blue Mountains, Katoomba Skyway (gondola thingy)

Monday: on to Melbourne (solomon douglas DJing somewhere in Melbourne, swing dancer to pick me up. got love this hobbie!!!)

Dad.... where should i go in Melbourne??? =]

AUSTRALIA: SYDNEY - just in - Email from my POP - SWING DANCE TONIGHT! woo hoo

2004-05-21T00:24:00.000-07:00

I just got in. I wouldn't say sydney is clean, and to boot, I picked a hostel which isn't very clean, and well picked one in Kings Crossing, which has a bit of a reputation. Tomorrow I choose a different one.=]

So, 4:00 pm, I picked a bunk, headed out of to the mainstrip and into an internet cafe. Others around me doing the same.

Got an email from my dad, which I'll share below as well as my reply. I also got and email from a friend's (ex-coworker) son Andy. What a treat!!

--- Ben & Loys Balsley wrote:
> Following your adventures with bated breath. Say hi
> to the Opera House in Sydney. Have a walk around it
> if you get the chance, and don't forget a harbor
> cruise.
>
> LYP

thanks, dad! i'll do that. I'm just in. I'm headed out for a swing dance tonight with the locals. the internet is a wonder for the social life of a lonely traveler. Log on, check the latest swing chat room, tell them I'm "in town" and voila! Night life with the locals. I hope I can understand 'em. +]

SYDNEY TOMORROW: My New Resolve

2004-05-19T23:17:00.000-07:00

Because I'm leaving New Zealand with some regrets, beyond the regret of not having more then 10 days here, I've resolved, with each new country, to find out right away where I SHOULD NOT MISS in each country. With travel times, and figuring the local transport system etc, I will need to plan a bit more.

I have plans to meet up with some Sydney Lindy Dancers (thanks to erik lane and charles d'harcourt and Swing Talk Australia) first thing tomorrow evening. So here I go!

NEW ZEALAND: Regrets

2004-05-19T23:13:00.000-07:00

I totally regret not making it down to the south end of the south island. I was told the south island was the one to visit, but the south end of the south island apparently is the area even kiwis love. When talking to the sales person at the out door store in Christchurch, where I found my new larger shammy, and also in the Map Store, where I found... a Map, they both said Queenstown and Milfred were the places to be.

NEW ZEALAND: Christchurch

2004-05-19T22:54:00.000-07:00

I had a bit of a respit here at christchurch. Spending a full three days and three nights here, exploring the city and a local hike. I had my camera for one of the hikes. I leave tomorrow morning, purchased a oneway domestic flight from Christchurch to Auckland to catch my International flight to Sydney!!! woo hoo!

Pictures will show the city look and feel, but really a spent most of my time in the city, with a day hike at "Taylors Mistake". I spent some time in an internet cafe, caught up on my blog, looked for some good restaraunts as I had been "cooking" in the hostel kithcen living on oatmeal, peanut butter, fruit etc. I also strolled, took the city trolley, shopped for a larger, travelers shammy, one that fit around me, and also looked for another shoulder bag as the one I had was to .... vulnerable. I also packaged up some stuff to send home, hoping to be even more of a minimalist.

The hostel here, Stonehurst, is the most social so far, almost a campus with several dormitories and various bunk set ups. It's like a rugged club med of sorts, out to make sure you are welcome. There's tv, reading and writing room, computer, I also wanted to catch my new bunk mates, on the off chance they would want to .... i dunno... converse, socialize.

Mike and Josh, were two bunk mates from Toronto and Ottawa who took me up on "happy hour" in the lobby. They were first year in college, had traveled a bit to isreal, but this was their first trip with out family. The were very nice "kids", we talked for several hours, finished off a "jug" each, and covered self discriptions, who we were, travel plans, travel stories... I was eager to hear their thoughts on 9-11, and guess I'm not too surprised they don't fully understand the issue, nor had any true opinions. Josh actually felt it was more an attack on North America and the "western world" then on the US. Interesting.

One more night here, and I would say spirits are high. I might join in a game of pool perhaps.... don't know. Tomorrow Sydney.

Another Traveler's Journey, Excerpt Shared

2004-05-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

I stole the below excerpt from an email Sara sent to me from her family friend. I had put off reading it as it was long and I was still doing busy work for preparations. Lovingly she kept saying, "just read the last paragraph". So I eventually I did, I couldn't keep, then, from reading from the beginning. Here is the excerpt. Thank you sara!

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_

From: rwanderer@comcast.net
Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 05:45:03 +0000

april 18, Ko Phi Phi, Thailand

Love Among the Embers

The wind blew and it sounded just like rain on the thatch. Across the valley, the fires smoldered and smoked. For a moment, I remembered my vow to contemplate the motive of travel. Why do we leap from our small stream of certainties into the greater current of the world? Is it idle curiosity, boredom, self-indulgence? Perhaps there is some degree of that. but in a bigger, truer sense, we travel first to cast oruselves into a world of aimlessness and uncertainties, seeing everything with
new eyes. And in that traveil, that unknown, we find out who we really are. We find compassion. We have an impulse to open our eyes, to embrace the full girth of mankind-- in folly and in foul intentions, in kindness and withering intolerance. It can be difficult. It is almost certainly uncomfortable. But that leap once made into the bigger drift, you will never return unchanged. We travel to whet the sharp edge of life. Or at least that's what Ithought for a few minutes there, !

among the embers and the Karen, in the dry rain of April.

--
onward,
r dog

NEW ZEALAND: Wellington 2 Picton Ferry - I quote Caroline

2004-05-18T17:50:00.000-07:00

I met Caroline, through Lori, both were on a Kiwi Tour with 50 folks, ages from 19 to 35. Caroline, who is from Germany, and I talk on the Ferry starting on deck and the move in to get a warm drink and sit by a window.

Along with travel suggestions, self descriptions, and on into talks of human relations, she shared with me her quatamala travel experience when she was 21. She said she was on the go go go back then, and has changed her strategies. I try to quote her:

"take your time. if you push, you run the risk of sickness, and sickness makes one vulnerable, you might not have your wits about you, you see, not 'goot' really. take your time."

I take this to heart. Again.

NEW ZEALAND - Wellington to Picton Ferry - I meet my first friends!

2004-05-18T03:36:00.000-07:00

The Ferry to Picton was huge. I'm feeling the surreal feeling again. I could be in the pudget sound, for all i know, but I'm on the other side of the world!!

I'm walking around the four (?) floors of the Feery, loved it, knooks and krannies every where. As I roam the decks, I look up and see the person I meet in the plane from LA!!! Unreal. She and I took the shuttle from the airport -- after the obligatory "where you from, where you going" talk, after 20 minutes, she was dropped off at her hotel where she would meet her tour group; I would be dropped off at the next hostel. Thinking ... you know... wont see her again.

But her she is in front of me, walking the decks as well. We both giggle not believing what we were seeing. Last I saw her was auckland (north of the north island), now it's wellington (south of the north island) on a ferry to Picton. We "caught up", then introduced ourselves, and of course took picture from the ferry! Lori!

Lori introduced my to some other folks on her tour: and I fell into a great conversation with Caroline from Germany for most of the ferry ride: family, friends, boyfriends, relationships and of course, for the traveler in us: what to see and where to go.

It has been a solo trip until now, my first bit of laughter with this group. We'll try to hook up while in Christchurch, but we'll see.

NEW ZEALAND - Wellington

2004-05-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Yay. I city i fell right in love with. Not sure what it takes of a city. But I would come back to Wellington. Auckland is to Seattle what Wellington is to Portland. hmm.

From Whangamata, I took to the shuttle to hamilton and took the train to Wellington. Great scenery! Took pictures of course, with eeyore too.

The hostel i picked was great. Realizing the ratings on the pamphlet are helpful, this was the first one i felt quite comfortable in. (The one in whangamata was great, but that was by chance, by the way the wind blew =)

Again, picked a bunk, took a picture of eeyore in this dorm room, put my night clothes on my pillow, my food in the kitchen, and headed to toured the streets. Played a game of pool by myself, not enough courage to ask the kiwis next to me... next time.

Would definitely return.

NEW ZEALAND - Hamilton Train Station (for Wellington): I observe a quote on a vendor sidewalk sign.

2004-05-17T01:52:00.000-07:00

"Take rest: a field that has rested provides good crop."

Perhaps in my surrealism, I am more prone to take in otherwise, seemingly trivial quotes. But, remembering my my one-on-one wireless conversations with my brother at the LA Airport, this one spoke to me, so I wrote it down.

I am a slow mover, perhaps a late bloomer. I observe, listen and be. Seeing other backpackers around me plan and act so quickly causes me anxiety. This quote reminds me to march to my own drummer.

I decided to take the hour hike (which I made two hours) to the train station instead of the prevelant backpacker shuttles. I walked through Hamilton, what I would deem and mayberry type town although larger. I saw this quote on a vendor sidewalk sign on the way.

NEW ZEALAND - Whangamata

2004-05-14T03:15:00.000-07:00

Well, was late coming back in to Auckland on the ferry, so I missed the Aucklands Thursday Social Dance two to three blocks from my hostel. But there's always Sydney.

After two days in Auckland, I was to head to Coromandel Pennisula to visit Cathederal Cove, by suggestion from Elly Belly Nebecker in San Francisco. She had loaned me a page from a magazine, that she had torn out as a motivator, or a goal to visit.

I took an intercity bus from auckland, and was to switch to another at Thames, and, well... missed my stop! hmmm.... lesson in asking questions, and not assuming... I got off, at the next stop -- who knows where -- and asked the driver of the shuttle bus that was waiting for others on the bus. Literallly told him at this point just needed a hostel and asked the others where they were staying.

After about 30km I decided to be dropped of at the first stop -- Whangamata -- quaint small town. The driver new just the right hostel. The owner, lady my age. Gave me the great service.

This being my second hostel, i was getting the hang of it. Drop your stuff off, pick a bunk, put your night close on the pillow, take out your clothes for the next day, then head in to the city or town. I'm a pro.

It was a Friday, I had dinners at Neros, great pizza. the bar next door was hoppin'. 10 people but it was a small place. I hadn't the courage to join in the party, but i'm sure I would have been welcomed.

Here, i think of Rachel Routh... she would've walked right up... i bet! =]

NEW ZEALAND - Auckland

2004-05-12T01:24:00.000-07:00

wow. take off from LA. 1 hour layover, large plane. large images of the "lord of the wings" on the side of the plane. pacific ocean. 12 hour flight. movie: lord of the rings ... of course... a larger new Zealand gem then I previously thought. Both dinner and breakfast. Free wine with dinner; champagne with breakfast. sure... why not.

New Zealand airport. customs: where am i staying? I'm not sure yet, a youth hostel somewhere. The customs agent jots down "youth hostel". He asks who I am visiting. no one, really. I suppose I will be meeting up with a friend of a friend. Do I have their address? no, not really... i have a phone number.... alright... you can go.

I'm dropped off at the Auckland international Youth Hostel. A YHA. very large, almost hospital like. Room with four bunk beds. I choose a bed, they hadn't changed the sheets yet. I shuffle my stuff around. Take a shower. Small shower, the size of an airplane bathroom. I've signed up for two nights. So far mostly youth, but a few my age an older.

Auckland Downtown: The city: pedestrian walk lights are *green* people walking. Everything just a bit "Off", i can feel it. Indeed drivers are on the left side of road. Crossing streets, look right then left then right again, instead of left then right then left again on a two-way. I seek eye contact of the drivers before I cross, they too are not in the normal spot in the car. Heavy Asian influence; Asian descendents speaking with an Australian accent. Makes sense, just different. Seems a youth hostel on every corner. is it that I'm just now aware of them?

I called Eric Lane's contact Michelle Stoupe, and got directions to their weekly swing dance. Ceroce Dance Studio is blocks from the hostel. I'll dance and perhaps head for a drink with the locals.

Right now... just soaking it all in.

A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE: My brother Chris in Colorado; Me in LA airport

2004-05-11T03:50:00.000-07:00

Where as at the Portland airport I had friends (wonderful, gracious friends) join me. Now, in LA. I sit alone. I had been trying to get a hold of Chris before I left. He returned my call when I was a bit lost between terminals, told him I'd give him a call back. He said he'd wait up. It was 8:00pm-ish, my time 9:00pm-ish his time.

So I'm at the LA airport; at GATE for New Zealand passengers. I've just gone through security and had to remove my tweezers; Exchange money for NZ dollars ... and well sat. The large, double decker plane being prepped in front of me. It's large nose meters from the viewing window. I notice the images on the side of the plane were images from Lord of the Rings.... of course. I couldn't imagine any one better to call, at this stage in the game, for several reasons: one, my brothers dog is named frodo, and two, well my brothers has a masters in counseling from Neropa University in Boulder Colorado.

The talk with Chris was awesome, soothing, calming, centering! This one-on-one was just what I needed. Even over the miles and years apart, there was a time I wouldn't have thought to call Chris, but to use a cliche, times changes things. Resisting, but relying on cliche, he is the oldest of the siblings, and I the youngest and the only girl. When he finds himself in the advise giving mode, he starts with... "Do want a reply from brother Chris or counselor Chris?" I usually go for counselor Chris when it comes time for him to have to ask. =]

The conversation we had was a journey in and of itself. I was feel anxious of course and wanted to explore. I told him most people would respond to my plans by saying, you must be so excited. And well.... no... Excitement maybe deep down inside somewhere, but even sitting at the gate, with the nose of the plane staring at me... Excitement wasn't what I was feeling. Chris himself loves to travel, you can hear the excitement in his voice, as he reminded my of his stories and his travels, but even hearing him talk made me fidget; it's not there excitement wasn't what I was feeling.

I can't do his wisdom justice, relying again on cliches, but what I finally and truly realized from our discussion, was that I was feeling surreal. Truly surreal. It's all amazing really. I have no real plans, no tours to take, no seven wonders of the world to fit in, but the trip it self is really just surreal. I just want to see... and be. And with that, I leave this blog. It's time I explore, and alone, I choose to do it.

Thanks Chris!

A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE: Brother Toby in Boston: Me still San Francisco

2004-05-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

After staying with Kermit at Dave's house, I stayed at Lac's place for the next couple days. With he and his new found girlfriend ( =) I had his place to myself, miles from San Francisco. It was perfect timing. I need to group, focus, finish some blogs, and learn how to use the USB chord for my camera.

The "one-on-one" with Toby lasted over these next several days; me at Lac's computer, talking to Toby on wireless between his consulting meetings and luncheons with his client's that cover system database architecture stuff and I'm sure a bit of 'client politics'.

With Chris being the oldest sibling, and with Toby and I being a year apart in school, Toby and I would be closest siblings growing up. With out knowing who I was, teachers at school would say, 'you must be Toby's sister' --- a phrase I learned to hate, but now cherish.

Toby has been my 1-800 techie help for years. I remember my first non-receptionist job with the state of Oregon (1989 ?). I was employed by the Department of Energy, in the Geographic Information Systems Unit. Our GIS unit, with six staff at the time (Four just-out-of-college techies, a manager, and now myself, was somewhat of an anomaly to the department, entrepreneurial of sorts, not dependent on tax money, forward thinking and all...

The GIS unit mission and purpose, and computer work, was totally over my head, needing to learn to, "log on", to use word perfect, AND to use this new fangled "software" called "GIS." I would stay up nights, fake 'cool' during the day, and call Toby after hours. I think I even used state tax money to call him.... Wow. Don't tell anyone... Who's reading this anyway?? =]

Talking to Toby after hours, he was trying to explain to me the concepts of "hardware", "software", i.e. wordperfect, "operating systems", etc. It was all so new. I remember "voicemail" was still an odd phrase, at least to me, and "email" was just barely coming to state government. Of course our GIS unit, lead my college computer geeks, had the first email in the department. Go figure.

I remember Toby explaining "software" to be something like clothes. You would walk in to the closet and decide what outfit you would want to wear. Once you choose it, you put it on, and well... "use it". I tell Toby this. He remembers, but says he would explain it differently now. =] Perhaps unknowingly he was catering to the stereotypical female by using clothes instead of tool box =].

So, back in San Francisco, again we find ourselves in familiar roles, trying to figure a website that could hold my uploaded picture and also handle by blog writings. There would be so many options, where as other techy friends may grow frustrated with my own frustration with computers, Toby has learned either generally or just with his sister, to talk to me like I'm four, by my own request, and he does it well.

With Toby's help, I have a free website, that not only will have my voyage pictures, and blog links, but it has a guest book and some family photos (collaberative work with Dad, with out my permission =) and some dancing photos (collaberative work with Richard) ... Toby and Richard have already exchanged witty emails between each other and it's great to have worlds collide, if only over email.

Check out http://www.geocities.com/worldtravelerdeb

Thanks TOBY! This is a great birthday present, truly cherished!

SAN FRANCISCO - A winding down time, as well as a gearing up.

2004-05-10T01:05:00.000-07:00

As it turns out, the Oakland Swing Dance Festival was the second weekend in May. My goal was to leave for my voyage by may 1st, and that was hard to budge for some reason. So... I still left May 1st but stayed in San Francisco for 10 days before heading off to New Zealand. It turned out to be perfect. I was out of portland, officially on the road, so to speak, but had another week of familiarity and comfort in the US. A winding down time, as well as a gearing up. Portland friends were coming to the festival as well. Perfect.

As I had done before, I took the BART to civic center station, where Kermit picked me up; this time with the backpackers backpack! We fell in to our discussions of relationships in the lindy scene and caught up a bit with eachother. Dog House that night; met up with familiar faces, and had a story to tell them when the asked me what was new.... Sunday lindy in the park. Monday and Tuesday I toyed with a few errands, got on the internet, made sure my bills were set to be on auto pay, more last minute shopping, and kinko runs. Still had some paper work to finish.

Stayed at Lac's place Wednesday and Thursday. I think he still feels bad he was absent the whole time I was there, but again, it was perfect. Just what I needed. Some down time, a bit more shopping, minor things, but mostly got to spend some time on the phone with my brother Toby who is helping me setup a website, and showing me how to upload digital pictures. The website is great and of course "underconstruction".

www.geocities.com/worldtravelerdeb

For Friday, Saturday and Sunday I stayed with Charles d'Harcourt, a wonderfully thoughtful host. After packing up at Lac's, I had met sarah at the oakland airport!!! She and I both with our backpacks. Kinda cool. We took BART and I had figured which muni bus to take to end at Charles. It was all good fun.

The weekend of course was full of dancing, barbara morrison, dawn hampton stories, musicality clases, and even a bit of tango! Tango will only help the lindy dancer!!!

Monday morning I have breakfast with Kermit in the Haight District, comehome in time to say good bye to Sara. Monday early afternoon, with the help of Josh from Austin (also a guest at Charles'), he and I find a way to an REI for some more last minutes stuff: I found I needed a different water bottle, one that wouldn't spill as easily, not such a wide mouth piece. ended up finding a $2 plastic insert that make it semi spill proof. I also found I was wanting a light colored and light weight longsleeve, which I found. If I keep adding... i'll need to leave something behind eventually.

Monday late after noon Charles drops me off at the SF airport... and I'm ... on my way.

HERRANG - WhoIsThere Record

2004-05-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Debbie Balsley

This is an automatic mail to let you know that you have successfully
registered yourself in the WhoIsThere directory for the Herrang Dance
Camp 2004 at http://www.herrang.com/whosthere/
Please note that this is not a registration for the camp. If you did
not yet register you can do so under http://www.herrang.com/registration/

Keep on swinging
your Herrang Web Team

---

WhoIsThere Record
-----------------
Name: Debbie Balsley
Country: USA
Email: onehepdeb@yahoo.com
Week 28: yes
Week 29: yes
Week 30: no
Week 31: no
Comment: Shall I type out loud that this is my first herrang?

HERRANG Registration Confirmation - baby steps

2004-05-05T10:31:00.000-07:00

Personal Information
--------------------
Name: Debbie Balsley
Street: 2051 NW Lovejoy #300
Zip: 97209
City: Portland
State: OR
Country: USA
Phone day: 971-998-3531
Phone night: 971-998-3531
Mobile: 971-998-3531
Fax:
Email: onehepdeb@yahoo.com
Comment:
I'm working for Mandi Week One.

Class Registration
------------------
Week 29: Lindy Hop Advanced as Follower
Food: Ordinary

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Herrang Dance Camp, Vetegatan 5, SE-118 59 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone/Fax: +46 (8) 6434058, info@herrang.com, www.herrang.com

TRAVEL ADVISE (continued)

2004-05-04T10:20:00.000-07:00

Have fun, be merry, wait at least 24 hours before you "marry"... ;) remember to pause and enjoy, smell the roses, play with the frogs (Herrang) and beware of the "smoked" salmon (Herrang restaurant) :) - Karynn, Swing Flyer

The rest of your email, Karynn, Very Sweet! Thank you!

LA FRAYSSINETTE

2004-05-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

Woo Hoo!! Bright Shiney Object!

--- lafrayssinette wrote:
>
> Hello Debbie,
> We received your request for info.
> First of all that period we don't need volunteer
> workers because we have already one volunteer at our
> place.
> Perhaps there will be a possiblility for you to
> participate with the classes or to watch the classes
> and to stay at our place (with room and food) if you
> are willing to pay for it. What do you think about
> that?
>
> Vincent and Peggy
> La Frayssinette
> Tangovalley
>
> tel. 0033(0)565997421
> email: lafrayssinette@wanadoo.fr
> website: http://www.tangovalley.com
>
>
> from name: Debbie Balsley
> email: onehepdeb@yahoo.com
> message: I am traveling the world over the next four
> months and will be in Europe Mid-June to Mid-July. I
> am a friend of Carrie and Alex. I am an
> advance-beginner, and realize I can not take their
> class. However, is your program set up to accept
> volunteer workers in exchange for room and/or room
> and board? I would like to enjoy your space, the
> guests and possibly sit in on Alex and carrie's
> Class if possible. I look forward to hearing from
> you.
>

GOODBYE from portland@swingout.net Tue 05/04 9k

2004-05-04T09:50:00.000-07:00

--- Administrative commands for the portland list ---

Hi! This is the ezmlm program. I'm managing the
portland@swingout.net mailing list.

I'm working for my owner, who can be reached
at portland-owner@swingout.net.

Acknowledgment: I have removed the address

onehepdeb@yahoo.com

from the portland mailing list. This address
is no longer a subscriber.

--- Administrative commands for the portland list ---

GOODBYE portland@swingout.net !!!!
Thanks for the memories.
-- Debbie

DEPARTURE TIME!!!! A LITTLE SIX-ON-SIX: crazy transit people - Richard, Rob, Sarah, Carrie and Dan

2004-05-01T12:30:00.000-07:00

Via email, I had announced my departure plans to some friends. The plan consisited of a Street car ride from outside my studio building at 6:00 to the Max Station at Pioneer Square. From the Max Station at Pioneer square I would take the Airport Max and arrive at the airport at 7:11 a.m. I'd check in and wait at the aiport, with the hope that perhaps some of my friends would join me for a cup of coffee and an hours worth of chit chat at the Food Court.

To no surprise one friend replied with "Dare I ask... do you need a ride to the airport" She added a smiley e-icon, and a wink.

Several crazy folks joined me! I have the bestest of friends! I'm so lucky to have some crazy friends! I cherish and hold this next experience close to my little heart.

5:45 a.m. It's of course dark. I parallel park for the last time (yes I had to do one last errand). Richard, Rob and Sarah round the corner by starbucks. Sweet!! The sight is planted in my brain.

5:50 We walk up to my studio. There's still some miner things that I had merely, and shamefully, "hoped" richard might take these to my storage unit. He would have my keys after all. With out a wince he agreed. RELIEF! Immidiately he looked at the final three boxes of misc. Speaking not just to me, he suggested that he just come back since he had the key. Anal as I am, I grew anxious at that suggestion. I had told my subletter I would be out and the set of keys would be under the door mat by early this morning. Me a pseudo reck, in a daze, Sarah also being leader, offers another suggestions. "let's be done with it and carry the things to your car. " LOVE HER. I another DAZED RELIEF. They took to action; I took to putting the spare keys in an envelop, placing them under the mat an dragging my backpack out in to the hall.

Okay. Locked my door. Put the spare set of keys under the mat. and gave my set of keys to Richard. okay. good bye burgess apartments.... shit this bag is heavy. I put it on a march down the stares with my friends at 6:00 a.m.

One block away, I discover the trolly doesn't run this early on saturday. Luckily, the #77 is driving up. We get on. From the #77 we'll have to walk a ways to the max station, but Rob Sara and Richard are there for me. My guilt subsides.

6:30 a.m. we're walking up the bus mall on 5th or 6th, good spirits, regular morning calmness except for my insides. The wit between the four of us... we talk like it were 8:00 at night.

Sarah: does your sassiness ever end?
Rob: do you ever have a bad attitude?
Richard: will you stop making fun of me? Your chidding wit is endearing.

We take the Max. Fall Silent with other commuters. Sarah, Richard, and Rob fall to reading the paper. I nap of all things. Eeyore is enjoys the ride as well. Photos taken to prove it.

I check in, we get our coffee. Rob orders a bagel, cheese, meat, vegie monstrocity. Even the employees behind the counter are excited to make it. Talk it up for those in line behind us to notice.

We gather by the PDX window, overlooking the planes. I think again I have the bestests of friends. The wit and chiding continue. We have an hour. Precious.

Sarah grabs a bite of Robs bagel monstrocity. I send one last email to erik lane from my phone. Need to tell him know where I left my car. He has been gracious enough to store it for me on his family farm. (hug!)

7:45 a.m. Richard recognized Carrie walking toward us. She made it! In addition to her "daily grind", in which she has found her joyfull nitche assisting in building Alex's Tango Berretin business, she also had an all tango weekend. Having her join me at the airport at 7:45 a.m. was "iffy", and again cherishable to see her approach our table by the window.

I went to hug her, phone still in my hands, and returned with carrie as I put my phone down on the table.... but noticed I missed a call from Dan. How long had that been there. Oh well... don't get his message deb... be present.

8:15. Sure enough. Richard recongnizes Dan approaching. We all look towards Dan's approach, and see he has a story, his head shaking back in forth in a familiar Dan manner.

It's not long before dan has us laughing. He's big on taking side roads, so missing his exits on the freeway, in his just-got-out-of bed conundrum of trying to get to the airport, was not a surprise, but a fun story nun'the'less.

8:30 We head to the security gate. I take a fun photo of your feet in a circle as we share final chit chat. Richards feet are missing.... he must be in the restroom.

8:45 Sarah takes a group photo, the batteries on my borrowed digital camera are already dead. I hug all good by, and I make the trek down through the line, passed security, grabbed my carry-on, waved the familary passenger wave back to my friends on the otherside of security. And on to Gate #3.

As I walked. I text message all of them good bye! =] I have the bestests of friends.

AAACCKK! LAST MINUTE PREPARATIONS

2004-04-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

I can be so flippin' organized with all my lists, timelines and color coded files and boxes, but .... damn it... where are my keys! Where'd I'd park. Can more money just "fall" out of my wallet please. Will I be a target for the tourist scams??? must focus.

Did I say I was galvenized! hah that was short lived. I guess as galvenized as when I would be iff I had 10 second to get my shit together before I jump out of the plane. The last time I jumped out of bed so energized was when I was in Junior High School and realized, instead of needing to go to school, it was saturday and we were heading to Elitches, an amuzement park in Denver. Actually the other time I joyfully rolled out of bed was when I was in High School and my family was visiting my aunt and uncle in the coast city of Depoe Bay Oregon. It was spring break. I'd wake up early naturally, roll out of bed, throw something on and sit on the back porch watching the ocean wave early in the morning. peaceful. I fell in love witih oregon in the spring time. No wonder I don't mind the rain.

Started at starbucks. This will be my final list. Categories #1: must do by 4:00 pm while stores are opened. Category #2: will need to wait till the tasks from category #1 are done. These tasks are things to be done at home. Like PACK the back pack! Could go on in to midnight. Category #3: indeed, these tasks could infact be done during my week in San Francisco. High lighted: Orange - a must do. Yellow - consider letting go the feeling of needing to do it all.

1st . I returned Tango Andrew call with a text message. Was he up this early? Text message not as irritating as a phone call. Perhaps we "could" fit in a little one on one.

2nd: 7:00 a.m. loaded car with boxes to storage unit. Neighbor down the hall was heading out during one of my trips down the stairs. With a smile, and a "no is okay" attitude, I asked if he could take a box down on his way. He was happy to, i think. Done . Car full of boxes.

3rd Fabric Depot at business opening: 9:00am in gresham. had to get 2 more yards of the silk on sale. Sewing the sheet like sleeping bag can wait till even midnight. Shit do I even have thread in the dusty old sewing machine? what am i thinking. Do i need to do this one? Yes.... this is your comfort sheet. Done

Back on the road. Call from Sara Fabulous. "What are you doing?" I ran down my list. How bout I call you in a couple hours, i'm driving...

Headed to Storage unit to unload the car. Return text message came from Andrew yes he's up early. Told him I was at the storage unit, and heading back to my place for load #2. Was he up for helping? Then we could get a quick bite. Yes was happy to. Whew. mental hug for andrew. Real hug will come to him in a few minutes. We merged at my buidling's entrance. He came up and A=as he looked around my apartment he exclaimed in fear... um "Aren't you leaving tomorrow??" I laughed, yes but I'm subletting my apartment on the 10 boxes in the hall way have to go. Done, Loaded my storage unit. Done. Pizza time with andrew!

Hot Lips pizza in pearl district. perfect. always wanted to hang out at the beautifly Eco Building, quaint architecture. Outside eating pizza. warm day. my last in portland. I'm finally having pizza at the eco building.... birds are eating the crumbs. cram in a what I wished could have been a longer talk with Andrew. He understood. My eyebrows raised when I noticed there was a World Cup Coffee next door. ooh... free internet connection. yes i had my computer with me. always. "Andrew... would you mind so much if I sent off a quick few emails. Please?" with a smile. Sure.... He was kind. Three emails sent... DONE. Now I'm also fed. DONE. Thank you Andrew! This was wonderful!!!

Back at the apartment. Carmen's Thank you note had been in my bag. I didn't have her new home address. Lucky for me she works right next to my studio building. I get to drop it off AND get a quick carmen hug!! whew! I'm okay I'm okay I'm okay. This will all be okay.

Okay. Now I can start packing my back pack. what. it's what 4:00? Sara calls. Shit. spaced in calling her. Wanted to get together with her one last time. Let go of the packing deb. you can do this at 9:00 p.m. It's all laid out. It just needs to fit in the back pack. Yes, let the packing go for now. The other things I had to do were a few more emails and some word document updates... (don't ask) So yes... back to my regulary World Cup Coffee. Told sara 45 minutes. I was way looking forward to a shower first.

Turned the shower nozzle on... the wireless rings. It's sara. Can I take a nap at your place while your showering?? Yes... sweet sweet thing. I would love to have you around!!
Sara and I jaunt off to world cup. More emails done. Documents updated. Getting DONE. Kevin calls. Is able to stop by and say a good bye as well. He joins us at world cup. sara and I typing, he reading. Okay... gotta go.... get to meet the old guard at the old guard post... blue moon. a fairly regular friday event for us. I guess I can be fashionably late. Talk and laugh a bit the kevin and Sara. awesome people. The drop me off at bluemoon. Hugs! 2nd Hug... actually I jockingly refuse to give sara a hug... she laughs. sweet sweet woman!

7:00 PM Blue moon old guard at old guard post. What else to say except, the same old same ol good times. wit. politics. inside jokes. Corey joined us - an old guard, but not a regular at our old guard bluemoon post. wonderfully seeing him.

Oops the old guard got on a sensitive topic for debbie. I don't get riled up too easily. But I raised my voice with corey for the second time in my life. silence. I walk outside with richard... "deb... don't leave it this way with corey..." "but but... he made me mad... I couldn't believe I raised my voice at him. Deb... do what's in your heart to make it right for you before you leave. You got to. " okay... we return to bluemoon. corey can we go outside will quick. "I'm so sorry. I am firm on this topic, but I am so sorry I yelled at you. You mean a lot to me... and I'll miss you dearly. " Thats okay deb, it's all good. I know you're under stress. We hug. My eyes tear up. owie!! =]

It's 10:30 p.m. I still need to pack. Get a few more insights from Bria about newzealand. Look forward to her email.

Okay. 12:00 am. I'm done backing. Can't take all with me. oh well. Minimalist will be interesting.

Shit my silk sleeping sheet. Yes I still want to do this. I dust off my sewing maching. whew... there's even thread! 2:00 i'm done. it's a darling sloppy job! a few tears. beige silk and black thread. darling. it'll work.

3:00a.m. can't sleep. of course not. sweep. tidey-up. re-pack for the heck of it. ooh forgot to do last load of sheets and towels for the subletter.

4:00a.m. a bit more computer work. Folks will be joining me in 2 hours.

5:00 oooh, forgot to deposit a $500 check from my insurance to reimburse me for the vaccinations. Sweet. But jeez deb... when were you going to do this.

5:30 a.m. drove to Washington Mutual. More money in the bank. awesome.

5:45 am parallel park for the last time. Richard, Rob and Sarah round the corner by starbucks. Sweet!! I have the bestest of friends.

6:00 final miner things packed in richards car... he will put them in the storage unit since I handed him all my sets of keys. But there is still one thing... I need to let him now where the storage unit is. I'll get to that while i'm in San Fran.

Okay. Locked my door. Put the set of keys under the mat for my subletter as agreed. okay. good by burgess apartments.... shit this bag is heavy. any of you guys want to carry it for me??? =]

More later on the ride to the airport. I have the bestests of friends.

A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE : The Old Guard @ The old guard post

2004-04-30T12:02:00.000-07:00

Text messaging: Bluemoon. Friday.
Text messaging: The Answer is Yes.
The usual.
Booth. Yea, there.
Text message: Yawn!!!
the usual.
Scott: What do you have on Nitro? I'll take that.
Shaun: Ruby
Deb: Wheat beer, double lemon.
Dan: Coffee. Cream? Yea.
The usual.
Deb: Could I go ahead and order... Regular Burger, no special sauce, chips. Extra peppericini please?
Shaun: Boca Burger, please?
Scott: Chowder soup.
Dan: nothing for me thank you. Girlish figure.
The usual.
Politics: Dean...Kerry, bush, the war, the photos. Dan - has past apparently. He keeps unfolding. Shaun, curious. Scott, listening.
Dance: changes in dj, changes in venues, how it used to be, remember when...,
wireless phone rings. It's my ring. where's my phone?
Scott: "hello? Deb, here .... the calls for you... "
Deb: still looking for her phone; it was her ring after all. Looks at Scott, perplexed.
We have the same phone. for me? on your phone?
Deb: hey... it's says kermit on caller Id. Scott knows kermit??? ... ahhh.... damn! practical joke.
The usual... again. doh.

Corey shows up!!! my bud. silent, mysterious, jokster, intelligent, growing.
Five people at a booth. the usual. comfort. Friends. Familiar. Topic: dancing. becomes heated for deb...
Deb: raises voice, rare. Stressed. I leave tomorrow Saturday. Still need to pack. Corey's my bud. confused and frustrated at his statement.
The table: silent.
Richard and I go for a walk: Resolve deb.
Sorry corey.
That's okay. I know your' stressed.
Topic: politics.... the photos, USA, treatment of soldiers... the usual.

Love you guys!

A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE : Helen Opie

2004-04-30T01:02:00.000-07:00

Alas... in Helen's style, she emailed me about doing a quick icecream with her and zoe! Of course. She gave me a couple options and I replied for the Friday 3:00 (?) slot, the day before I leave. It would have been a full day, but I would cherish an icecream break with helen and Zoe! I had also emailed her a separate invited to the old guard dinner at blue moon. As it turns out, while I was out and about, as 3:00 (?) approached, I checked for a confirmation email stating "where" to meet. But alas no confirming email from her nor a phone call. I thought perhaps she decided to join for dinner at blue moon. I came back home to an email stating that she and Zoe waited for me outside my studio for a half hour that she just had wanted to say good bye, and could make the dinner at blue moon. Ouch! Of course. That makes sense. Very Helen like not to need addtional confirmation like me. I regret not being more with it.

Helen and I have spent close to every sunday morning at Starbucks at 10:00, for maybe a year... Me, just getting up out of bed, or having been there already for an hour or so; her, taking a break before her yoga class and her boxing class. we'd have an hour. Dan would join as well. The three of us would speak to the latest swing scene gossip, the last post to the chat list or more generally about the dating scene in portland. I've learned a lot from helen; i think it's mutual.

SEVERAL ONE-ON-ONES: Sara Huntington

2004-04-29T16:53:00.000-07:00

Sara Huntington. My name in hebrew: Queen Bee. Hers: Princess. Although sometimes fitting due to our age, I'm not always sure who is riding the cycle and who is riding the side car. =] She's a sibling, a sister, a good friend and a true giggle partner!

I still giggle at our time several months ago in San Francisco when we were there for a dance weekend. We were staying at Lac's. Waking up in the same bed, after the usual after hours (early morning dancing) I text message her as silently as I could. It goes something like this:

Deb Text message: "what's up girlfriend"
Sara's Phone beeps, she still sleeps, but does move a bit.
Deb Text message: "are you awake?"
Sara: rolls over this time and gets her phone. With just a giggle, she replies with text: "yes, what are you doing?".
Deb: My phone beeps, and with only a giggle in return, and our backs to eachother, I reply: "nuttin'"
Sara: She's still text messaging while I read her reply.
Deb: I realize she's proabably text messaging Lac in the other room. So I send lac a message as well: "good morning my knight"
Sara and I, still with backs still to eachother, both hear lac's recognizeable giggle as he gets sara's message and then mine in the other room. Sarah and I can barely contain our own giggles; but we do.

The next thing we know. Lac brings Sara coffee and my oranges juice. What a knight! I still giggle. She's the best!

TUESDAY: During my last week, while she was still on her vacation leave, we would touch bases daily, both by phone and by meeting either for coffee, laundry, or errands. I think it was Tuesday when she returned from her vacation from Yosemite with her new found Beau Kevin. She called and we planned a meet up point; as she had photos, and my eeyore ( =), and of course we had to giggle.

I was feeling the stress of leaving at this point. Balancing my time with errands and one-on-one time with friends; as well as some self-talk while I re-priorities some of the errands. did I "really" need to do this before I leave... etc.

I'm not sure what my deadline was, but I had time to stop by the laundromat where we had done laundry before, sat on the warm curb in the sun and went through her photos on the lap top. It was sweet to see eeyore in some of them.

We decided to go for a walk around the pearl disctrict. We found ourselves at the Paragon. They were open. It was quite early in the afternoon. I was getting used to a weekly tangaree and tonic at this time of day, why not make it twice in a week. Sarah had one two. We sat at the end of the empty bar. To be honest, I'm not sure what I was sharing, but I teared up, and saw her tear up as well. She's a gem. She shared her trials at the hospital. By trials I mean the human trial a nurse and a patient endure, during rehabilitation, as they are waiting for a life-saving organ. I knew the health industry was a challenge and a god-send, but sara's rendition of her day-to-day work was the first time I came to understand the depth of her work.

Both having teared up and having finished our drinks, i noticed the sun still shining from the window into the dark bar. We paid our "tab" and walked back to the laundro-mat. I enjoy this gift of leisure, although temporary.

Also, FRIDAY. the day before I was to leave, we touched bases again, wanting to get together with her one last time (even though I would see her in a week in San Fran at OSDF.)

My travel stuff had been laid out for weeks, and i took inventory regularly, but Friday, I was finally "packing" my backpack. This was my last day, and things were down to the wire. I got a call from Sara, shit! I forgot to call her back! Let go of the packing deb. you can do this at 9:00 p.m. It's all laid out. It just needs to fit in the back pack. Yes, let the packing go for now. So yes, I coordinated with sara and planned to meet back at my regulary World Cup Coffee in 45 minutes. After all I still had some emails to write. =]

With in the 45 minutes, I was 'way' looking forward to a shower, and turned the shower nozzle on... the wireless rings. It's sara again: "Hey, can I take a nap at your place while your showering??"
"Yes... sweet sweet Sara. I would love to have you around!!"
I leave the door unlocked, I find sara napping on my bed; we chat a bit; I finish; and we jaunt off to world cup.

After WCC, she and kevin drop me off at bluemoon. while in the car, I jockingly refuse to give her a hug... she laughs. sweet sweet woman!

DEPARTURE TIME ANNOUNCE - Crazy Transit People

2004-04-28T13:58:00.000-07:00

From: Debbie Balsley
To: Friends,
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2004 1:52 PM
Subject: My Voyage: Saturday May 1st 9:30 a.m. Flight Departure

Anybody crazy enough to join me on the streetcar, max and/or at the airport??

Saturday May 1st Departure
First stop San Francisco
Oakland Swing Dance Festival

6:00 AM. Leave on the Portland Street Car from 21st
and Lovejoy. (Runs every 14 minutes on Saturday)

06:35 AM Board MAX Red Line to Airport @ Pioneer Courthouse Square.
07:11 AM Get off at Portland Int'l Airport MAX Station

7:15 AM. Airport Check-in, baggage check etc.

7:45 AM. Get Coffee, Hang with friends at the airport Coffee People.

8:45 AM. Debbie goes through security check. (or earlier depending on line)

9:00 Debbie Boards Plan.
9:30 Plan takes off.

I would love to have you join me. ~ Debbie

A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE : Aurelius

2004-04-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

Aurelius and I met up at Craft Night at Nocturnal. I was making my collage, the one that I have mentioned earlier. It was count down and I was so glad he was flexible enough to meet me there.

I sat cutting and pasting, sippin' a hefeveisen.
He sauntered in and first sought a hug, then a drink.
It was he and I for awhile.
Downstairs in the bar for Craft Night.
I was cutting and pasting from my shower wrapping, ribbons and cards.
He was leaning back in his chair.
His foot and leg up on the chair next to him.
His hands and fingers folded atop his waist.
"So Deb..." was a familiar conversation starter from him.
We talked a bit about where he saw himself in four months.
He takes his cocktailing seriously, and we are both always up for a 6:00 drink.
His wisdom usually starts with "Deb...?" with the inflection sounding like "you know what...?"
"So Aurelius ... where do you think you'll be in four months?" His thoughts on the question show in his stare as he sips his drink."

He and I are never at a loss for conversation. We enjoyed a few pictures with eeyore with the bar owners digital camera. I hope the manager will forward the pictures to me.

A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE : Amy, Lindsey and Sophie

2004-04-27T01:03:00.000-07:00

Amy had been taping "who's line is it any way" for me to view with them, as I don't get those fancy channels. Between their church activities and smithstanza social life, I was honored that they fit me in :).

The feeling I've been having in preparation for this trip is like the feeling one gets before one goes on vacation. You know, the one where you want the house spic and span for when you return; only this time it's ten fold. I wanted to get every thing in place, my bills, my website, my blog, the dance lab facilitators etc, my one on ones, my travel pack down to manageable level... etc.

So, yes, I arrived somewhat flustered (spell), but promised myself I'd be "present" with my buds. We were all running late, Amy was feeding Sophie when I arrived. And we just talked, or giggle in sophie's case. Seemed I was able to make her laugh. Before we sat down to watch the tapings, I did manage to ask if I could use their computer for "just one more email", just one more print job.... etc etc. I did, it helped and on to watch "who's line" and also sophie as she sat on the floor before all of us. Loved how she would turn all the way around and just stare at me. I was hoping I got a picture of her.

Anyway... thanks for the time you guys. look forward to seeing little Sophie not so little again. =]

A LITTLE ONE-ON-ONE : Carrie Whipple

2004-04-27T00:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Carrie's lead, she and I have a budding tradition to join the yin yoga Tuesday, Thursdays at 11:00, blocks from my studio. This time, we met a bit early at starbucks and walked down to the class. I wouldn't have missed the class, it was just what I needed before my voyage. It was great spending this time with carrie. I knew she was busy, but after class we walked 23rd street, enjoyed straight from new york pizza, several laughs as usual, and went over our travel calenders.... there may be on opportunity to meet up with each other in France or Buenos Aires.... Carrie had an alll tango weekend, so having her join me at the airport at 7:45 a.m. was "iffy". So I was sure to say a solid goodbye. We did so on the sidewalk of 23rd street. I turned south to finish last minutes shopping; she turned north back to her scooter.