Most people dream of a white Christmas. Mine was spent on a white sandy beach. There were no snowball fights or decorated sugar cookies, but there was an afternoon game of cricket and plenty of golden toasted marshmallows. I wanted to hang stockings by our campfire, but soon remembered the only socks I had were smelly and at the hostel anyway. Five Aussies, one English-Colombian, a Swede and one Canadian celebrated Christmas with me this year. We brought our traditions together and had a blast; I didn´t have any lefsa to share, but I did lead a round of carols while swaying in my hammock.
For four days and three nights I was barefoot - atop a surfboard, stepping gingerly over slated shale rock and sprinting full speed at low tide along the beach. At sunrise I saw jumping dolphins, at sunset I tried to make yoga a routine. Playones beach was both a place of abundance and scarcity. There was passion fruit, papaya and pineapple galore, but not a trace of my vice - dark chocolate. I was always in the water, but I never actually felt clean. My body was salty from the sea, greasy from sunscreen, and gritty from blowing sand. We had everything we needed right in front of us, without wireless Internet or cell phone towers. A small generator was all that was required to power the blender for fresh fruit smoothies.
Today I traded in my bikini for more appropriate city ware. I´m now back in San Juan del Sur for New Year´s Eve, and will travel to the Islas del Ometepe on the 2nd of January. These islands are on Lake Nicaragua; they´re noted for incredible hiking on active volcanoes, broadening ecotourism efforts, and the lake itself hosts the world´s only known freshwater shark species - though their popularity in China´s markets for believed panacea-like medicinal properties have caused them to be largely fished out. There haven´t been any attacks on humans reported in recent years. Still, I think I´ll stick to knee-deep wading. Happy New Year´s everyone; wishing you a good one.
23 December 2008
A Moment of Repose
Today is both an ending and a beginning. I sent my little sister, Erika, off on Delta flight 414 at 9 this morning, and have spent the remainder of the day resting and readying for the next step in this journey. Tomorrow a.m. I´m catching a TicaBus - Costa Rica´s most popular coach service - to San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, where I´ll spend Christmas holidays with an English-Colombian kite surfer and a Swedish environmentalist. I met the first at a bus stop a couple of days ago, and the latter on the doorstep of a hostel I was staying at.
Unexpected encounters - opening up and being present to the experience - are one of ¨the greats¨ of nomadic travels. Each day is a river bend; one never knows what quite to expect. Erika and I´ve found ourselves building a bonfire twice our size on the beach in Mal Pais, celebrating at an ex-pat Israeli birthday party in Santa Teresa, grooving with ¨The Boom Booms¨ (a band from Vancouver, BC on tour in Central America in a hand-painted van) at El Coquito, and rushing to get off a rickety old yellow school bus yesterday because the driver thought it had caught fire.
There was a lot of shouting - ¨fuego!¨ - but after an initial assessment our driver said the billowing smoke was only the friction of brakes and would cause us no harm. We were ushered back on to the bus about as quickly as we were commanded to get off; some passengers weren´t convinced and decided to walk instead. Erika and I had a connection to make so we said a prayer and slid back into our seats. I think God-Allah-Buddha - something greater than ourselves - must have been watching out for us because we were flanked by two nuns in black habits on our next bus ride.
Jaime Koss - an artist I met at his studio in Samara - and I talked at great length about giving space and allowing for life to freely unravel. His words for it were: emergent creation, which he explained is like sitting down in front of a white canvas with no expectation, pre-conceived ideas or absolute image of what he will paint. He might have a feeling, one word - like ¨joy¨ - but will not know how he´ll express it until his brush starts moving.
This spontaneous spirit is something we all have the ability to tap into; it may manifest in different ways for each of us, but it shares a similar emanating and creative process. And so, during this holiday season - may you be spiritually guided by spontaneity and be present to the wonders that surround you. Peace and blessings - Elise
Unexpected encounters - opening up and being present to the experience - are one of ¨the greats¨ of nomadic travels. Each day is a river bend; one never knows what quite to expect. Erika and I´ve found ourselves building a bonfire twice our size on the beach in Mal Pais, celebrating at an ex-pat Israeli birthday party in Santa Teresa, grooving with ¨The Boom Booms¨ (a band from Vancouver, BC on tour in Central America in a hand-painted van) at El Coquito, and rushing to get off a rickety old yellow school bus yesterday because the driver thought it had caught fire.
There was a lot of shouting - ¨fuego!¨ - but after an initial assessment our driver said the billowing smoke was only the friction of brakes and would cause us no harm. We were ushered back on to the bus about as quickly as we were commanded to get off; some passengers weren´t convinced and decided to walk instead. Erika and I had a connection to make so we said a prayer and slid back into our seats. I think God-Allah-Buddha - something greater than ourselves - must have been watching out for us because we were flanked by two nuns in black habits on our next bus ride.
Jaime Koss - an artist I met at his studio in Samara - and I talked at great length about giving space and allowing for life to freely unravel. His words for it were: emergent creation, which he explained is like sitting down in front of a white canvas with no expectation, pre-conceived ideas or absolute image of what he will paint. He might have a feeling, one word - like ¨joy¨ - but will not know how he´ll express it until his brush starts moving.
This spontaneous spirit is something we all have the ability to tap into; it may manifest in different ways for each of us, but it shares a similar emanating and creative process. And so, during this holiday season - may you be spiritually guided by spontaneity and be present to the wonders that surround you. Peace and blessings - Elise
12 December 2008
Pura Vida
Greetings from Costa Rica! I flew into San Jose late Monday night and have been collecting stories ever since - some more poetic than others of course. There is a certain glamor to life on the road, but it wears off quickly when you´re too nauseous to look out the window and busy heaving into a plastic bag. This is what happened to me today returning to the city from Samara beach. I´m not sure what caused my food poisoning, but I´m overjoyed to have a settled stomach tonight.
A runaway coach en route to Samara has been the only other unfortunate incident. I was coming out of the washroom when I saw my driver pulling away. I ran as fast as I could in flip flops while flailing my arms up in the air, only to realize he was just turning the bus around - not actually leaving me behind. Smiling eyes welcomed my beet red face back to seat no. 24.
So, perhaps the moral of the story is to stay off of buses and spend more time on the beach? I´ve had a marvelous time on sandy shores so far. Yesterday morning I took a barefoot skip, trot and hop; I saw a man playing his didgeridoo, two extraordinary jugglers, galloping horses and a long beaked bird who wouldn´t sit still for a photo. In the afternoon I rented a surf board; high tide was at 1:30 so the sets were consistently good. I spent the last 30 minutes just chilling and rolling along over undulating ripples, face resting on my forearms and eyes on the horizon. My shoulders, hamstrings and left cheek are a bit pink but I don´t mind at all.
Tomorrow afternoon will be spent in the company of U.S. diplomats. I interned at the United States Embassy in San Jose a few years ago and still have contacts I´m excited to re-connect with; in the evening my sister and I´ll go downtown for the Festival of Lights. I guess there will be a wild parade, tasty empañadas, lots of glitz and blinking bulbs of course. Stay tuned for more to come - most likely in a week´s time. Be well...
A runaway coach en route to Samara has been the only other unfortunate incident. I was coming out of the washroom when I saw my driver pulling away. I ran as fast as I could in flip flops while flailing my arms up in the air, only to realize he was just turning the bus around - not actually leaving me behind. Smiling eyes welcomed my beet red face back to seat no. 24.
So, perhaps the moral of the story is to stay off of buses and spend more time on the beach? I´ve had a marvelous time on sandy shores so far. Yesterday morning I took a barefoot skip, trot and hop; I saw a man playing his didgeridoo, two extraordinary jugglers, galloping horses and a long beaked bird who wouldn´t sit still for a photo. In the afternoon I rented a surf board; high tide was at 1:30 so the sets were consistently good. I spent the last 30 minutes just chilling and rolling along over undulating ripples, face resting on my forearms and eyes on the horizon. My shoulders, hamstrings and left cheek are a bit pink but I don´t mind at all.
Tomorrow afternoon will be spent in the company of U.S. diplomats. I interned at the United States Embassy in San Jose a few years ago and still have contacts I´m excited to re-connect with; in the evening my sister and I´ll go downtown for the Festival of Lights. I guess there will be a wild parade, tasty empañadas, lots of glitz and blinking bulbs of course. Stay tuned for more to come - most likely in a week´s time. Be well...
12 November 2008
How To Build Global Community
Think of no one as "them"; Don't confuse your comfort with your safety; Talk to strangers; Imagine other cultures through their art, poetry and novels; Listen to music you don't understand; Dance to it; Act locally; Notice the workings of power and privilege in your culture; Question consumption; Know how your lettuce and coffee are grown: wake up and smell the exploitation; Look for fair trade and union labels; Help build economies from the bottom up; Acquire few needs; Learn a second (or third) language; Visit people, places, and cultures - not tourist attractions; Learn people's history; Re-define progress; Know physical & political geography; Play games from other cultures; Watch films with subtitles; Know your heritage; Honor everyone's holidays; Look at the moon and imagine someone else, somewhere else, looking at it too; Read the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Understand the global economy in terms of people, land and water; Know where your bank banks; Never believe you have a right to anyone else's resources; Refuse to wear corporate logos: defy corporate domination; Question military/corporate connections; Don't confuse money with wealth, or time with money; Have a pen/email pal; Honor indigenous cultures; Judge governance by how well it meets all people's needs; Be skeptical about what you read; Eat adventurous!; Enjoy vegetables, beans and grains in your diet; Choose curiosity over certainty; Know where your water comes from and where your wastes go; Pledge allegiance to the earth: question nationalism; Think South, Central and North - there are many Americans; Assume that many others share your dreams; Know that no one is silent through many are not heard - Work to change this...
By Syracuse Cultural Workers
Think of no one as "them"; Don't confuse your comfort with your safety; Talk to strangers; Imagine other cultures through their art, poetry and novels; Listen to music you don't understand; Dance to it; Act locally; Notice the workings of power and privilege in your culture; Question consumption; Know how your lettuce and coffee are grown: wake up and smell the exploitation; Look for fair trade and union labels; Help build economies from the bottom up; Acquire few needs; Learn a second (or third) language; Visit people, places, and cultures - not tourist attractions; Learn people's history; Re-define progress; Know physical & political geography; Play games from other cultures; Watch films with subtitles; Know your heritage; Honor everyone's holidays; Look at the moon and imagine someone else, somewhere else, looking at it too; Read the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Understand the global economy in terms of people, land and water; Know where your bank banks; Never believe you have a right to anyone else's resources; Refuse to wear corporate logos: defy corporate domination; Question military/corporate connections; Don't confuse money with wealth, or time with money; Have a pen/email pal; Honor indigenous cultures; Judge governance by how well it meets all people's needs; Be skeptical about what you read; Eat adventurous!; Enjoy vegetables, beans and grains in your diet; Choose curiosity over certainty; Know where your water comes from and where your wastes go; Pledge allegiance to the earth: question nationalism; Think South, Central and North - there are many Americans; Assume that many others share your dreams; Know that no one is silent through many are not heard - Work to change this...
By Syracuse Cultural Workers
30 October 2008
Excerpts from my journal...
October 29th, 2008
A Mosaic
"She is a curious one, always with a question. For the most part she is confident, but she also has days of self-doubt. She longs, sometimes, for two opposites simultaneously - like the stability of a career, location or constant someone, yet the freedom of movement across continents. She loves languages and generating discussion between groups of people - especially across cultures and belief systems. She is a 'Jill' of many trades and probably a master of none. She's an avid outdoorsy type and interested in holistic healing - with food, massage and in building positive affirming relationships. She sometimes feels she objectifies past experiences. Most people seem to want an abbreviated version of a story and there is a tendency to regurgitate. Plus, she sometimes wonders to what extent people in Morrison County will understand. She loves to create and is hoping to further develop her drawing talents. Her number one goal within the next year is to finish writing her book; learning another language is number two. This is my self-portrait in its best sense. It is the essence of who I am as well as who I hope to become. I pray that I have the patience with myself and others to listen, growing compassion in my heart to love, and a joyful spirit of laughter for meaningful living."
October 30th, 2008
Freedom
"'I want to be free' she said. Then he said, 'What do you mean?' She responded with a whisper, 'to run with the wind, bike across a country, or swim across a sea; to follow a heart's spontaneous desire, or a lifelong dream; to communicate with worldly vernacular or through a common medium - like music; to let go of external expectations, and even stronger internal influence; to defy gravity - in its literal and figurative sense; to greet each morning with gratitude and each evening with even greater thankfulness; to readily forgive - others but more importantly oneself; to see beyond the paradigm; to be self-aware and see the bigger picture; to know that each one of us knows a certain something, and that something may be different from someone else, but, that someone else also holds an understanding, from which we could learn a lot. That is to be free...'"
A Mosaic
"She is a curious one, always with a question. For the most part she is confident, but she also has days of self-doubt. She longs, sometimes, for two opposites simultaneously - like the stability of a career, location or constant someone, yet the freedom of movement across continents. She loves languages and generating discussion between groups of people - especially across cultures and belief systems. She is a 'Jill' of many trades and probably a master of none. She's an avid outdoorsy type and interested in holistic healing - with food, massage and in building positive affirming relationships. She sometimes feels she objectifies past experiences. Most people seem to want an abbreviated version of a story and there is a tendency to regurgitate. Plus, she sometimes wonders to what extent people in Morrison County will understand. She loves to create and is hoping to further develop her drawing talents. Her number one goal within the next year is to finish writing her book; learning another language is number two. This is my self-portrait in its best sense. It is the essence of who I am as well as who I hope to become. I pray that I have the patience with myself and others to listen, growing compassion in my heart to love, and a joyful spirit of laughter for meaningful living."
October 30th, 2008
Freedom
"'I want to be free' she said. Then he said, 'What do you mean?' She responded with a whisper, 'to run with the wind, bike across a country, or swim across a sea; to follow a heart's spontaneous desire, or a lifelong dream; to communicate with worldly vernacular or through a common medium - like music; to let go of external expectations, and even stronger internal influence; to defy gravity - in its literal and figurative sense; to greet each morning with gratitude and each evening with even greater thankfulness; to readily forgive - others but more importantly oneself; to see beyond the paradigm; to be self-aware and see the bigger picture; to know that each one of us knows a certain something, and that something may be different from someone else, but, that someone else also holds an understanding, from which we could learn a lot. That is to be free...'"
08 October 2008
A story sent to me by good friend, Robert Skinner
Gorilla Tracking in Bwindi Impenetrable Rainforest
I still cannot believe that I went to Africa without a pair of pants. I did go shopping before I left, but I was distracted by a camping espresso maker, and forgot all about the pants.
I tried buying some at the Owimo markets in Kampala. But it was not a success. As usual, I forgot to try them on before I bought them, and when I got back to the hostel I almost severed a testicle trying to pull them on. They made me look like a giraffe going through an awkward puberty. They were, in a word, ridiculous. The pants bothered me. How does one get rid of a pair of pants? I had no idea what the etiquette was for this sort of thing. It didn't seem right to throw them away, especially in a place like Africa, where so many people are in desperate need of pants. But they were ludicrous pants and no-one wanted them. I could think of nothing else to do with them, so in the middle of the night, I snuck outside in the cover of darkness, hung them on the clothesline and checked out of the hostel.
After 14 hours on a bus, I reached Bwindi impenetrable rainforest. I was here to track mountain gorillas. This would be, I thought, the highlightof my trip. Possibly even my life. But on the morning of the big day, the people at the hostel told me that there was no way, absolutely no way in hell, that I would be allowed to track wearing shorts.
Frantically, I ran back into my room and went hunting through my bag. There was only one alternative. I don't even remember packing them - I certainly had no use for them - but there they were, wrapped around my beloved espresso maker to protect it during transit. I would have to wear my thermal underwear.
I couldn't believe it. This one grand moment of my life. This intertwining of dreams and ambition. The event that would forever mark my passage through time. And I was going to do it in my underwear.
There was nothing for it. I struck out for the border of the national park. Villagers everywhere stopped what they were doing and stared. I'm not sure what the Rwukiga translation is for: "I think that man is wearing only his underwear"...but the tone is unmistakable.
At the national park the rangers looked me over. "Why is this Muzungu not wearing any pants?" I tried to look proud and defiant, but it is a hard thing to do when you are talking to grown men in your underwear. "These are state of the art trekking trousers" I said indignantly. They laughed a deep African chuckle. "Where are you from?" they asked. "Australia." "Aaah" they said, "We understand."
I still cannot believe that I went to Africa without a pair of pants. I did go shopping before I left, but I was distracted by a camping espresso maker, and forgot all about the pants.
I tried buying some at the Owimo markets in Kampala. But it was not a success. As usual, I forgot to try them on before I bought them, and when I got back to the hostel I almost severed a testicle trying to pull them on. They made me look like a giraffe going through an awkward puberty. They were, in a word, ridiculous. The pants bothered me. How does one get rid of a pair of pants? I had no idea what the etiquette was for this sort of thing. It didn't seem right to throw them away, especially in a place like Africa, where so many people are in desperate need of pants. But they were ludicrous pants and no-one wanted them. I could think of nothing else to do with them, so in the middle of the night, I snuck outside in the cover of darkness, hung them on the clothesline and checked out of the hostel.
After 14 hours on a bus, I reached Bwindi impenetrable rainforest. I was here to track mountain gorillas. This would be, I thought, the highlightof my trip. Possibly even my life. But on the morning of the big day, the people at the hostel told me that there was no way, absolutely no way in hell, that I would be allowed to track wearing shorts.
Frantically, I ran back into my room and went hunting through my bag. There was only one alternative. I don't even remember packing them - I certainly had no use for them - but there they were, wrapped around my beloved espresso maker to protect it during transit. I would have to wear my thermal underwear.
I couldn't believe it. This one grand moment of my life. This intertwining of dreams and ambition. The event that would forever mark my passage through time. And I was going to do it in my underwear.
There was nothing for it. I struck out for the border of the national park. Villagers everywhere stopped what they were doing and stared. I'm not sure what the Rwukiga translation is for: "I think that man is wearing only his underwear"...but the tone is unmistakable.
At the national park the rangers looked me over. "Why is this Muzungu not wearing any pants?" I tried to look proud and defiant, but it is a hard thing to do when you are talking to grown men in your underwear. "These are state of the art trekking trousers" I said indignantly. They laughed a deep African chuckle. "Where are you from?" they asked. "Australia." "Aaah" they said, "We understand."
31 August 2008
Fugit hora!
Six weeks in Japan have passed in a flash and I pause to recall a stream of memories. The photos below depict some of the highlights - of Rin, one of my students at ASIJ's Summer Day Camp (SDC) getting a piggy-back ride from his little brother; a Mohawk-leather jacket-kilt combination I saw on the streets of Harajuku, Papersky's CD release gig in Shibuya; a trip to Sendai for a Rakuten Eagles baseball game; and an evening out with Makoto in Aomori. Intangible images etched to mind but visually inaccessible for anyone else include: time spent in Melanie's veggie patch digging through dirt planting lettuce and spinach seedlings, a starry midnight stroll through Nogawa park listening to a cicada orchestra with Brian Taro, and a fresh pasta culinary pursuit that left everyone a bit beyond a sated state.
While I've already spent a considerable amount of time in Japan, each visit I continue to try to discover more about myself and my relationship to the Land of the Rising Sun. It's a place with space for the unpredictable - I went to a Persian restaurant one night for a birthday party and found myself in a crowd of belly dancers and cloud of hookah. Before I knew it I was dressed head to toe in a blue netting dress, arms were extended and I was swinging my hips too. In a culture that is most often reserved I delight in moments of boisterous spontaneity.
Japan is also gentle. There is a peaceful spirit that guides interaction, an existential harmony that accompanies day-to-day life. It is a quality I hope to consistently embody in whatever culture and company I find myself in. I saw this gentleness in the eyes of Kasai-san when she spoke about her horses, in my students' smiles at SDC when exchanging stickers, and while watching Take-san's shiatsu massage care with his clients. I tell him he has magical hands.
Tomorrow I'll leave Japan and fly to Seattle. My next adventure in life will be at Holden Village, a retreat center in the Cascade Mountains where I'll stay for the rest of September. It'll take trains, planes, automobiles and a ferry to get there, but I'm betting it'll be well worth it. My next post in early October will share the story...
While I've already spent a considerable amount of time in Japan, each visit I continue to try to discover more about myself and my relationship to the Land of the Rising Sun. It's a place with space for the unpredictable - I went to a Persian restaurant one night for a birthday party and found myself in a crowd of belly dancers and cloud of hookah. Before I knew it I was dressed head to toe in a blue netting dress, arms were extended and I was swinging my hips too. In a culture that is most often reserved I delight in moments of boisterous spontaneity.
Japan is also gentle. There is a peaceful spirit that guides interaction, an existential harmony that accompanies day-to-day life. It is a quality I hope to consistently embody in whatever culture and company I find myself in. I saw this gentleness in the eyes of Kasai-san when she spoke about her horses, in my students' smiles at SDC when exchanging stickers, and while watching Take-san's shiatsu massage care with his clients. I tell him he has magical hands.
Tomorrow I'll leave Japan and fly to Seattle. My next adventure in life will be at Holden Village, a retreat center in the Cascade Mountains where I'll stay for the rest of September. It'll take trains, planes, automobiles and a ferry to get there, but I'm betting it'll be well worth it. My next post in early October will share the story...
02 August 2008
Wedding Bells, a Pontoon Boat, Mini-cheese Cakes and Crowd Surfing
July 11th my little brother, Andy, married his high school sweetheart - Miss Jody Kliber. The day was divine, albeit a bit windy. Most of the photos were taken inside Lady of Lourdes church; we did pose for a few outdoors between stone walls on the east side, as well as one in front with Jody hoisted atop the railing and surrounded by all eight bridesmaids and their groomsmen.
Jody was absolutely beautiful - simultaneously gracious, graceful and gorgeous. Andy is such a lucky man, and one could tell he knew this while watching his bride-to-be walk down the aisle.
The ceremony almost went off without a hitch; the exception being the sand ritual, where the wick of the unity candle was accidentally covered, making it impossible to actually light it. Instead, Andy and Jody stuck their individual candles in the sand, leaning up against each other. My Mum thought the turn of events was actually ideal, and said in marriage creative improvisation is a must!
My most memorable moments of the day were mentioned above - we took a pontoon boat on wheels to the Falls Ballroom for the reception, there were miniature cheese cakes served with strawberries and kiwi on top instead of traditional sheet cakes smothered with too much frosting, and on a whim I hopped on stage after In Denial's performance and jumped backwards into the crowd.
And so, I continue to yield to spontaneity in life. One last story further exemplifies this; I went to Avery's Salon for an up-do at 11 a.m. on July 11th, and came out an hour later with a cute cut instead! I've now got a sweeping fringe and layered locks that curl under or out. It's totally perfect for summer, and there are photos on my flickr site should you wish to get a glimpse: www.flickr.com/photos/emspofford.
Jody was absolutely beautiful - simultaneously gracious, graceful and gorgeous. Andy is such a lucky man, and one could tell he knew this while watching his bride-to-be walk down the aisle.
The ceremony almost went off without a hitch; the exception being the sand ritual, where the wick of the unity candle was accidentally covered, making it impossible to actually light it. Instead, Andy and Jody stuck their individual candles in the sand, leaning up against each other. My Mum thought the turn of events was actually ideal, and said in marriage creative improvisation is a must!
My most memorable moments of the day were mentioned above - we took a pontoon boat on wheels to the Falls Ballroom for the reception, there were miniature cheese cakes served with strawberries and kiwi on top instead of traditional sheet cakes smothered with too much frosting, and on a whim I hopped on stage after In Denial's performance and jumped backwards into the crowd.
And so, I continue to yield to spontaneity in life. One last story further exemplifies this; I went to Avery's Salon for an up-do at 11 a.m. on July 11th, and came out an hour later with a cute cut instead! I've now got a sweeping fringe and layered locks that curl under or out. It's totally perfect for summer, and there are photos on my flickr site should you wish to get a glimpse: www.flickr.com/photos/emspofford.
30 June 2008
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" A good friend of mine attaches this Mary Oliver quote to the end of all of her e-mails. An entire essay could be written to respond to this question, breaking it down and defining what each word means to me. Put simply, I'd say plans in our precious lives should be open to wild adventures!
I write from Washington D.C. where I've just celebrated my 28th birthday! It was a grand affair - Spain won the Euro Cup and Sussex mates - Julia, Nicole and I went to Alero for margaritas! Waiters caught wind it was my birthday and before I knew it a sombrero was plopped on my head, the room was singing and a big piece of "tres leches" cake was set in front of me.
You may be wondering why I'm already in D.C. The story takes time to tell and is entertaining but I'll give you an abbreviated version. I was pedaling through the bourbon capital of the world in the heartland of Kentucky when I decided to stop. This cross country journey has been a bit of an internal tug-of-war; I've loved the day-to-day movement through new sights and sounds, but equally, I've felt a pull to pause and really get to know some of the places we've passed through. Bardstown, Kentucky is one of them.
Twenty eight miles outside of Bardstown I met Jinpa, a cyclist from Colorado who will be cruising through New England and up into Canada. We chatted our way into the city but had to stop briefly and check my rear and front wheels a few miles after I hit a destructive divet in the road. The collateral damage was a hop in each wheel, which is really annoying but generally still safe to ride on.
Upon reaching Bardstown I reunited with my group and introduced Jinpa. We all sat on a curb with our legs extended, exchanging the usual cyclist banter and sharing a juicy melon. We talked about the week to come - Aremy and Alex were hoping to ride 700 miles in 7 days, Jinpa was going to chill out for awhile and then head up to Louisville to visit a friend. One thing led to another and I was invited to join Jinpa; I accepted the offer and the rest is history.
To some this decision might sound bamboozling, to others, quite Elise-like! My Daddio said - "Elise, this is so much like you!" I suppose he was talking about my spontaneous spirit and curious self. I believe there is great value in yielding to the moment. The conversations that have resulted from it have been remarkable - with Jinpa (in Bardstown) about Buddhist philosophy; Austin, (in Louisville) about a possible new touring bike: the Jamis Aurora Elite; Hector from Veracruz, Mexico (on a Greyhound bus) and his perspectives as a seasonal worker in the U.S.; and with Saeed, a Muslim man from Egypt - a lawyer there and a taxi driver here - who is hoping to feel more at home and accepted.
Stay tuned for more to come -
I think I'm really starting to like this writing business.
I write from Washington D.C. where I've just celebrated my 28th birthday! It was a grand affair - Spain won the Euro Cup and Sussex mates - Julia, Nicole and I went to Alero for margaritas! Waiters caught wind it was my birthday and before I knew it a sombrero was plopped on my head, the room was singing and a big piece of "tres leches" cake was set in front of me.
You may be wondering why I'm already in D.C. The story takes time to tell and is entertaining but I'll give you an abbreviated version. I was pedaling through the bourbon capital of the world in the heartland of Kentucky when I decided to stop. This cross country journey has been a bit of an internal tug-of-war; I've loved the day-to-day movement through new sights and sounds, but equally, I've felt a pull to pause and really get to know some of the places we've passed through. Bardstown, Kentucky is one of them.
Twenty eight miles outside of Bardstown I met Jinpa, a cyclist from Colorado who will be cruising through New England and up into Canada. We chatted our way into the city but had to stop briefly and check my rear and front wheels a few miles after I hit a destructive divet in the road. The collateral damage was a hop in each wheel, which is really annoying but generally still safe to ride on.
Upon reaching Bardstown I reunited with my group and introduced Jinpa. We all sat on a curb with our legs extended, exchanging the usual cyclist banter and sharing a juicy melon. We talked about the week to come - Aremy and Alex were hoping to ride 700 miles in 7 days, Jinpa was going to chill out for awhile and then head up to Louisville to visit a friend. One thing led to another and I was invited to join Jinpa; I accepted the offer and the rest is history.
To some this decision might sound bamboozling, to others, quite Elise-like! My Daddio said - "Elise, this is so much like you!" I suppose he was talking about my spontaneous spirit and curious self. I believe there is great value in yielding to the moment. The conversations that have resulted from it have been remarkable - with Jinpa (in Bardstown) about Buddhist philosophy; Austin, (in Louisville) about a possible new touring bike: the Jamis Aurora Elite; Hector from Veracruz, Mexico (on a Greyhound bus) and his perspectives as a seasonal worker in the U.S.; and with Saeed, a Muslim man from Egypt - a lawyer there and a taxi driver here - who is hoping to feel more at home and accepted.
Stay tuned for more to come -
I think I'm really starting to like this writing business.
28 June 2008
21 June 2008
Two days ago we crossed the Ohio River by ferry - leaving the Shawnee State Park area in southern Illinois and entering the pennyrile region in western Kentucky! The landscape continues to be rolling but orange daylilies have replaced the echinacea I saw throughout Missouri and Illinois alongside the road.
Cyclists we've met in passing have issued the following caveat - beware of unfriendly dogs in Kentucky! A group of bikers traveling west under the auspices of Adventure Cycling said their pannier bags were ripped open by one feisty fellow. We've got one can of pepper spray but it isn't in my handlebar bag. Aremy keeps it close and I don't think she is willing to give it up! I wouldn't want to either.
Our group has settled into a comfortable routine. Aremy is our alarm clock and likes to rise early. The rest of us are always trying to convince her to let us sleep in a bit later. Every morning Max gets up last, and Alex spends most of his time trying to cajole him out of his sleeping bag. Max is our time keeper; he's the only one with a watch on the trip. Alex is our official guide; he carries the map and has only mis-led us twice! I lock up our bikes each night; luckily, we've had no problems with theft.
We've picked up our pace and must get to Virginia in the next ten days. I've bought my flight back to Minneapolis and will arrive on the 5th of July! Wishing ya'll well from the junction of Hwy 84 and 920 in rural Kentucky. I've just had a super serving of strawberry ice cream and I'm spent.
Cyclists we've met in passing have issued the following caveat - beware of unfriendly dogs in Kentucky! A group of bikers traveling west under the auspices of Adventure Cycling said their pannier bags were ripped open by one feisty fellow. We've got one can of pepper spray but it isn't in my handlebar bag. Aremy keeps it close and I don't think she is willing to give it up! I wouldn't want to either.
Our group has settled into a comfortable routine. Aremy is our alarm clock and likes to rise early. The rest of us are always trying to convince her to let us sleep in a bit later. Every morning Max gets up last, and Alex spends most of his time trying to cajole him out of his sleeping bag. Max is our time keeper; he's the only one with a watch on the trip. Alex is our official guide; he carries the map and has only mis-led us twice! I lock up our bikes each night; luckily, we've had no problems with theft.
We've picked up our pace and must get to Virginia in the next ten days. I've bought my flight back to Minneapolis and will arrive on the 5th of July! Wishing ya'll well from the junction of Hwy 84 and 920 in rural Kentucky. I've just had a super serving of strawberry ice cream and I'm spent.
13 June 2008
Alex and Aremy woke up this a.m. floating. We'd pitched our tents alongside a creek in Girard's city park - which I guess was a mistake! There really is something to the cliche "hindsight is 20-20" isn't there?! I can only imagine what people are experiencing in Iowa with all of the flooding. The rain pelted us throughout the night; the crashing thunder and flashing lightening allowed us little sleep. At 6 a.m. we surrendered and shifted soaked sleeping bags and thermarests along with our shivering selves under an open-air gazebo. I pulled out my headlamp and sat, pen in hand scribbling in my journal. Max babbled on and on about checking into a hotel room, Aremy and Alex pulled out OJ and Shredded Wheat for an early breakfast.
Aside from a few sprinkler surprises we've mostly stayed dry on the trip. We're lucky really. Snow in Nevada and a swift hail storm in Colorado stalled us momentarily, but altogether, Mother Nature has been quite kind to us. We're almost all of the way through Kansas, with only four miles to Missouri. This afternoon we'll leave the windy plains and enter the limestone Ozarks!
Initially, I'd had a bit of trepidation towards leaving the scenic vistas of Nevada's mountains, Utah's cliffs and canyons and Colorado's 14er summits. I felt pretty sure I'd get bored with the flat-lands in Kansas. Wow, was I wrong! There's been so much to see - like wildlife - we had an antelope chasing us a few days ago, there was the cutest baby fox which crossed our path, and did you know that there are zebra here too? Well, not naturally of course, they belonged to a nature conservatory.
The shaded colors of grain are breathtaking as well - deep amber, light amaranth, turmeric tans and khaki browns paint the landscape. Then, we've met a slew of cyclists pedaling east to west in Kansas, too! Most are riding in two's or three's; the largest group was an eclectic mix of six: two from the Netherlands teamed up with a couple in their sixties from Virginia, along with a 19 yr. old cycling to college in Boulder, Colorado, and a 20-something yr. old guy raising money for leukemia.
I've just been alerted my time is almost up. Have got to strap on my Axo cycling shoes and clip into my pedals. Wishing you all well and have a great weekend!
Aside from a few sprinkler surprises we've mostly stayed dry on the trip. We're lucky really. Snow in Nevada and a swift hail storm in Colorado stalled us momentarily, but altogether, Mother Nature has been quite kind to us. We're almost all of the way through Kansas, with only four miles to Missouri. This afternoon we'll leave the windy plains and enter the limestone Ozarks!
Initially, I'd had a bit of trepidation towards leaving the scenic vistas of Nevada's mountains, Utah's cliffs and canyons and Colorado's 14er summits. I felt pretty sure I'd get bored with the flat-lands in Kansas. Wow, was I wrong! There's been so much to see - like wildlife - we had an antelope chasing us a few days ago, there was the cutest baby fox which crossed our path, and did you know that there are zebra here too? Well, not naturally of course, they belonged to a nature conservatory.
The shaded colors of grain are breathtaking as well - deep amber, light amaranth, turmeric tans and khaki browns paint the landscape. Then, we've met a slew of cyclists pedaling east to west in Kansas, too! Most are riding in two's or three's; the largest group was an eclectic mix of six: two from the Netherlands teamed up with a couple in their sixties from Virginia, along with a 19 yr. old cycling to college in Boulder, Colorado, and a 20-something yr. old guy raising money for leukemia.
I've just been alerted my time is almost up. Have got to strap on my Axo cycling shoes and clip into my pedals. Wishing you all well and have a great weekend!
06 June 2008
Inching towards Kansas
Each time I sit in front of a computer to post to my blog I go blank. It's difficult to convey the panoramic picture of life on the road. Some days seem interminable while others zip by as if in fast-forward mode. Both command a great deal of energy, and physical exhaustion definitely takes its toll on one's brain.
I notice my creativity has suffered; parsimony guides my blog entries - they're detail-oriented, short and somewhat story-less. I've also picked up a drooling habit at night. I must be so zonked I can't even keep my mouth shut. A couple of days ago I introduced myself as "Max" (he was sitting to my left), and before that I mixed up time zones and phoned a friend at midnight! This a.m. I read the paper and thought to myself - "is it really Friday, June 6th?!"
I write from The Black Forest, which is about 25 miles north of Colorado Springs. Annie's auntie and uncle are generously hosting us. Colorado has been remarkable in many ways; the hospitality we've been shown has been especially appreciated. Our first night in Dove Creek, Colorado we were invited to Jess and Lisa's home, a couple we seemingly met by chance but instantly felt closely connected with. Our second day in Colorado we went to Durango and stayed with Deb, a good friend Aremy met while working on a tree farm in Minnesota.
After patching tires and cleaning chains this morning we'll hit the road again, and fingers crossed, we'll be in Kansas in the next two days! If only we could click our heels in ruby red shoes three times to take us directly there...
I notice my creativity has suffered; parsimony guides my blog entries - they're detail-oriented, short and somewhat story-less. I've also picked up a drooling habit at night. I must be so zonked I can't even keep my mouth shut. A couple of days ago I introduced myself as "Max" (he was sitting to my left), and before that I mixed up time zones and phoned a friend at midnight! This a.m. I read the paper and thought to myself - "is it really Friday, June 6th?!"
I write from The Black Forest, which is about 25 miles north of Colorado Springs. Annie's auntie and uncle are generously hosting us. Colorado has been remarkable in many ways; the hospitality we've been shown has been especially appreciated. Our first night in Dove Creek, Colorado we were invited to Jess and Lisa's home, a couple we seemingly met by chance but instantly felt closely connected with. Our second day in Colorado we went to Durango and stayed with Deb, a good friend Aremy met while working on a tree farm in Minnesota.
After patching tires and cleaning chains this morning we'll hit the road again, and fingers crossed, we'll be in Kansas in the next two days! If only we could click our heels in ruby red shoes three times to take us directly there...
03 June 2008
Greetings from Gunnison, Colorado!
Whoo hooooooooooo, to date we've logged ~1300 miles, crossed three states and I've only had one flat tire! I had a puncture this afternoon just before our second summit. Alex and Max are our expert bike technicians so I was well taken care of - I've learned loads about fixing flat tires, "truing spokes", adjusting "limit screws", and keeping up with chain maintenance in the past couple of days.
Our legs were fresh this a.m. after taking a rest day in Durango, CO yesterday. We'll be especially appreciative tomorrow, as we pedal towards Monarch Pass at 11,500 feet! This will be our last big climb before hitting the plains in Kansas. Our fingers are crossed we'll favorably have winds to our backs and will miss any twisters. Must sign off for now - go find a shower, fill a grumbling tummy and then pop up the tent. Ciao!
Our legs were fresh this a.m. after taking a rest day in Durango, CO yesterday. We'll be especially appreciative tomorrow, as we pedal towards Monarch Pass at 11,500 feet! This will be our last big climb before hitting the plains in Kansas. Our fingers are crossed we'll favorably have winds to our backs and will miss any twisters. Must sign off for now - go find a shower, fill a grumbling tummy and then pop up the tent. Ciao!
01 June 2008
Somewhere between Cedar City and Panguitch, Utah!
This was an epic climbing day - over 4,000 ft! Hungry bellies commanded we stop for tomato & cucumber sandwiches half-way through.
27 May 2008
I never expected
...100F degree temperatures would abruptly drop to 20. A few days ago we were snowed in for a day in Eureka, Nevada!
...we'd have to watch out for mountain lions and rattler snakes. We were warned about a few isolated mountain lion attacks in California, and rattler snakes became a motif in Nevada. We saw many sunning themselves alongside US Hwy 50 - coined "The Loneliest Road in America" by LIFE magazine.
...to climb so much in a single day! Today we started at ~6,000 feet and pedaled 25 miles to ~10,000 feet. The scenery was breathtaking - we're now in Utah and the massive red rock cliffs and canyons are brilliant against a bright blue sky.
...we'd have to lose a teammate so soon. Anne fainted and fell off of her bike two days ago. She's got a pretty good concussion and a broken collarbone. We've sent her to Salt Lake City for R & R with her auntie, hoping she'll heal quickly and re-join us in a few week's time.
...we'd have to watch out for mountain lions and rattler snakes. We were warned about a few isolated mountain lion attacks in California, and rattler snakes became a motif in Nevada. We saw many sunning themselves alongside US Hwy 50 - coined "The Loneliest Road in America" by LIFE magazine.
...to climb so much in a single day! Today we started at ~6,000 feet and pedaled 25 miles to ~10,000 feet. The scenery was breathtaking - we're now in Utah and the massive red rock cliffs and canyons are brilliant against a bright blue sky.
...we'd have to lose a teammate so soon. Anne fainted and fell off of her bike two days ago. She's got a pretty good concussion and a broken collarbone. We've sent her to Salt Lake City for R & R with her auntie, hoping she'll heal quickly and re-join us in a few week's time.
19 May 2008
From Fallon, Nevada!
After five days peddling strong we've stopped for a rest. Altogether, we've logged approximately 300 miles - traveling through arrid regions, up lucsious mountain passes at 8,500 ft., and then down, coasting, curving and trying not to get smacked by too many bugs in the face. I had a fly hit me square in the forehead, and another drop down my top on yesterday's 15 mile descent.
We're starting to look like real cyclists, with crazy tan lines from our jerseys and gloves. We've also met many other cycling wanderers; Hugh and Pete from Seattle are two on an incredible journey to St. Andrew's, Florida. Hugh's got a salt and pepper beard and is relishing his recent retirement freedom. Pete rides a recumbant bike, and is able to update his blog every day on his Blackberry!
Our days are a mix of riding, respites at roadside stops with cool icy drinks, spontaneous chats with people we encounter, and evening meals together at any random location. Thus far, we've stayed at a hippy house in Davis, outside a firestation in Rescue, and beside a lake in Kirkwood, California. In Fallon we're at the fairgrounds - for $1/person per night!
I'm learning loads everyday - like how to pack up strategically quick, stay hydrated in the streak heat wave we're caught in, and sleep soundly on almost any surface. I see success in movement; at times we zoom along with the westerly winds at our backs, other times we inch forward, climbing seemingly interminable 10 percent gradients.
While we sat in front of "Soap and Suds" this a.m. waiting for our clothes to dry, Annie reminded me that each part of the journey is significant. She said, "Elise, you only get to coast down what you've climbed up." And with this in mind I prepare for our next jaunt, into the heart of the Sierra Nevadas!
We're starting to look like real cyclists, with crazy tan lines from our jerseys and gloves. We've also met many other cycling wanderers; Hugh and Pete from Seattle are two on an incredible journey to St. Andrew's, Florida. Hugh's got a salt and pepper beard and is relishing his recent retirement freedom. Pete rides a recumbant bike, and is able to update his blog every day on his Blackberry!
Our days are a mix of riding, respites at roadside stops with cool icy drinks, spontaneous chats with people we encounter, and evening meals together at any random location. Thus far, we've stayed at a hippy house in Davis, outside a firestation in Rescue, and beside a lake in Kirkwood, California. In Fallon we're at the fairgrounds - for $1/person per night!
I'm learning loads everyday - like how to pack up strategically quick, stay hydrated in the streak heat wave we're caught in, and sleep soundly on almost any surface. I see success in movement; at times we zoom along with the westerly winds at our backs, other times we inch forward, climbing seemingly interminable 10 percent gradients.
While we sat in front of "Soap and Suds" this a.m. waiting for our clothes to dry, Annie reminded me that each part of the journey is significant. She said, "Elise, you only get to coast down what you've climbed up." And with this in mind I prepare for our next jaunt, into the heart of the Sierra Nevadas!
16 May 2008
Donate to Faithful Fools Street Ministry
Dear Good People,
If you want to learn more about Faithful Fools in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, and Colegio San Francisco in Nicaragua,
you can go to www.faithfulfools.org. Under the "Abundance" you will be guided as to donating through paypal. Word from the bikers is that all is well. Blessings to all for your generosity, especially those who are a peddlin'.
Peace,
Carmen at Faithful Fools
If you want to learn more about Faithful Fools in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, and Colegio San Francisco in Nicaragua,
you can go to www.faithfulfools.org. Under the "Abundance" you will be guided as to donating through paypal. Word from the bikers is that all is well. Blessings to all for your generosity, especially those who are a peddlin'.
Peace,
Carmen at Faithful Fools
14 May 2008
Setting Out
Dear Friends of Elise,
I share with you photos of the bikers as they set out from Faithful Fools this morning, May 14th. What wonderful beings they all are. They were sent off with good wishes from the folks on the street. Blessings upon them!
Carmen Barsody, OSF
12 May 2008
Readying for the ride...
I write from San Francisco, California! My good friend, Anne, and I arrived on a midnight flight last Friday. We've spent a couple of days unwinding and touring the town - wandering around the Asian Art Museum all day Saturday and enjoying gallo pinto at my favorite Nicaraguan restaurant that evening with Mr. DXx. On Sunday we meandered around Japantown, stopping for sushi and then moving onto Thai for dessert - mango sticky rice.
Today cyclist number three, Max, flew in from Australia. He joins us from Brisbane, and will be fully decked out throughout the ride in ultra-sporty attire. Aremy and Alex arrive early tomorrow a.m. They had to pick up their tandem bike in Portland and are taking an overnight train to SF. I imagine the five of us will look like quite the odd group as we pedal along. While some of us are super keen to look professional, we've also got members who've bought all apparel from second-hand stores - including cycling shorts. Hmm...
The plan is to start-off tomorrow early afternoon, but this may change if our bicycles don't arrive! Anne and I sent them to SF on a FedEx truck to avoid excess luggage charges with Northwest. Our first day riding will look like this - we'll take Hyde to Market Street which leads to the port. We'll hop on a ferry across the bay, and then ride to Davis, California ~45 miles away. We're lucky to have lodging with a friend the first night, but will be camping out most nights thereafter as we travel through Nevada, Utah, into Colorado and further east. I'll post to the blog when I can - thanks for reading and wishing you a great day.
Today cyclist number three, Max, flew in from Australia. He joins us from Brisbane, and will be fully decked out throughout the ride in ultra-sporty attire. Aremy and Alex arrive early tomorrow a.m. They had to pick up their tandem bike in Portland and are taking an overnight train to SF. I imagine the five of us will look like quite the odd group as we pedal along. While some of us are super keen to look professional, we've also got members who've bought all apparel from second-hand stores - including cycling shorts. Hmm...
The plan is to start-off tomorrow early afternoon, but this may change if our bicycles don't arrive! Anne and I sent them to SF on a FedEx truck to avoid excess luggage charges with Northwest. Our first day riding will look like this - we'll take Hyde to Market Street which leads to the port. We'll hop on a ferry across the bay, and then ride to Davis, California ~45 miles away. We're lucky to have lodging with a friend the first night, but will be camping out most nights thereafter as we travel through Nevada, Utah, into Colorado and further east. I'll post to the blog when I can - thanks for reading and wishing you a great day.
03 May 2008
A moment of repose in Dickinson, ND
In recent weeks each day has been a stream of endless activity. There's rarely a moment where I sit to ponder, marvel and be still. Tonight, however, I'm grateful to have the opportunity to do so.
I write from the Days Inn in Dickinson, ND. Yesterday I drove ~450 miles to be here for the Rotary 5580 District Conference and I'm having the most fantastic time. The weekend has been a mix of social events and informative presentations. Last night I went to my first rodeo! Everyone was dressed up head to toe - with cowboy hats, chaps and steel toe boots. I tried as best I could to fit in, but still looked completely out of place in my designer plaid long sleeve shirt, red (p)leather jacket and washed out Miss Sixty jeans.
Today I met some really amazing people doing incredible things in our world. Pamela Broussard spoke about her experiences teaching in Afghanistan. She was inspired to go there after reading an article about girls risking their lives to attend clandestine schools under the Taliban regime. The keynote speaker tonight was Dr. Alexandra Mihailovic, who is a trauma surgeon and has worked in 14 African countries. She is currently finishing a PhD in epidemiology, and she is specifically interested in the human health cost of conflict - not only relating to those directly involved with fighting, but also of people who are residually affected by violent crises.
Tomorrow I'll take I-94 East through Bismarck, Fargo and then hop on 59 South to Morris. I plan to visit my little sister, Erika Rachel once more before Anne and I leave for San Francisco next Friday! Preparations are nearly complete for our cross country bicycle trip; I've yet to box my Trek and ship it to SF via UPS, but I'll be able to get to it Tuesday. I've decided to take two of everything - cycling shorts, jerseys, long sleeve shirts, socks - and one dress to wear when I'm not pedaling. I've bought travel size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and contact solution containers, and I hope everything will fit alright in my rear pannier and front handle bar bags.
Right-
without further ado, I must get to the hospitality rooms! The conference ends tomorrow a.m. and everyone will be on the dance floor to boogie tonight. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I wonder where that phrase came from anyway?
I write from the Days Inn in Dickinson, ND. Yesterday I drove ~450 miles to be here for the Rotary 5580 District Conference and I'm having the most fantastic time. The weekend has been a mix of social events and informative presentations. Last night I went to my first rodeo! Everyone was dressed up head to toe - with cowboy hats, chaps and steel toe boots. I tried as best I could to fit in, but still looked completely out of place in my designer plaid long sleeve shirt, red (p)leather jacket and washed out Miss Sixty jeans.
Today I met some really amazing people doing incredible things in our world. Pamela Broussard spoke about her experiences teaching in Afghanistan. She was inspired to go there after reading an article about girls risking their lives to attend clandestine schools under the Taliban regime. The keynote speaker tonight was Dr. Alexandra Mihailovic, who is a trauma surgeon and has worked in 14 African countries. She is currently finishing a PhD in epidemiology, and she is specifically interested in the human health cost of conflict - not only relating to those directly involved with fighting, but also of people who are residually affected by violent crises.
Tomorrow I'll take I-94 East through Bismarck, Fargo and then hop on 59 South to Morris. I plan to visit my little sister, Erika Rachel once more before Anne and I leave for San Francisco next Friday! Preparations are nearly complete for our cross country bicycle trip; I've yet to box my Trek and ship it to SF via UPS, but I'll be able to get to it Tuesday. I've decided to take two of everything - cycling shorts, jerseys, long sleeve shirts, socks - and one dress to wear when I'm not pedaling. I've bought travel size shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste and contact solution containers, and I hope everything will fit alright in my rear pannier and front handle bar bags.
Right-
without further ado, I must get to the hospitality rooms! The conference ends tomorrow a.m. and everyone will be on the dance floor to boogie tonight. I wouldn't miss it for the world. I wonder where that phrase came from anyway?
22 February 2008
Coffee talk...
Interesting conversation always seems to come about with cups of coffee. Today I sit in Common Roots, a quaint cafe on Lyndale Avenue in Minneapolis. I've recently returned from a month in Nicaragua and it's been a morning of reminiscence. In four short weeks I learnt so much - to turn corn masa into lop-sided tortillas, to catch mini-waves and unsteadily stand upon my surfboard, to spout out a bit of Nica spanish slang, and to navigate my way around sunken shipwrecks fifty feet underwater.
Still, more than these personal achievements, what carries greater significance are the moments I spent with many great people in Nicaragua. I'll never forget the stories that were exchanged in Ciudadela, Managua with my host family, or the adventurous backpackers I came into contact with in San Juan del Sur. We met as strangers, but quickly became friends over cups of coffee.
Still, more than these personal achievements, what carries greater significance are the moments I spent with many great people in Nicaragua. I'll never forget the stories that were exchanged in Ciudadela, Managua with my host family, or the adventurous backpackers I came into contact with in San Juan del Sur. We met as strangers, but quickly became friends over cups of coffee.
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