My great big GUNGULA!

Estoy en Costa Rica!

2007-03-10T01:09:04Z

Hola amigos! Many years after those Spanish lessons I am finally in a country where I could potentially use what I learned...if only I could remember a little more of it! So I made it here safely and I am really enjoying myself. The plane rides were alright accept for not being able to get much sleep - I sat by a "talker" on the first flight. I even closed my eyes but he kept talking! So arriving in Costa Rica was pretty surreal. I hadn't quite had time to prepare myself for it since I only bought the ticket a week beforehand! Some plans I had didnt work out but a new door opened so I went for it. My friend Greta from college is living and working here in San Jose and she invited me...so here I am I took a taxi from the airport and met Greta at her work yesterday. Then we went to her house. She has a sweet set-up. Her employer pays for her rent in this fully furnished house in a gated community...she even has a cleaning lady! So nice So last night we walked around in the little town she lives in, San Raphael de Heredia, and got some food. The rest of the night we just caught up since we hadn't seen each other in three years! We made fun of all the crazy things we remember about our alma mater and made fun of me and how spontaneous I am. Then today while Greta went to work I set out to explore the city of San Jose. I took a taxi there (about 25 minutes). I toured the National Theater, which was just beautiful. Then I went to the Pre-Colombian gold museum, where I was hit on by numerous men who worked there. One of whom enthusiastically told me about the Costa Rican belief that alcohol is a preventative treatement for cholera and other illnesses..."Better drunk than sick! Drunk is gone tomorrow, sick it stays!" The gold itself was vaguely interesting :P I just was all museumed out. So I went walking again. I found the Central Market, which the guide book said was supposed to be really good....yeah, not so much. It was a whole city block covered over with a pluthera of raw meat vendors...mmmm... tasty! I got out of there quickly and then went looking for the National Park so I could see the National Monument. On the way I found a different market - an Arts and Crafts Market. This one was much less stinky and had some nice things. I had to laugh though when I realized that a lot of thie things I saw there were made in India, Mexico, hong Kong, etc.! I did eventually go to the Park. It was very tranquil. I didnt mention the weather yet! It is so beautiful, just perfect. It is sunny and not too humid, not too dry, slight breeze that cools your skin...perfect really...ahhhhh. So I eventually got a taxi and went back to Greta's place. Now we are just hanging out and will go get some dinner soon and go dancing with her friends later Tomorrow....the BEACH!!!! I can hardly wait Hope you are all well!!

Estoy en Costa Rica! remains copyright of the author kaitamelia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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...Oh Canada...

2007-01-03T20:28:57Z

I went to Canada It was a fast trip but a good time. I flew out of Minneapolis early Friday morning and in to Toronto around noon. My friend picked me up and we went speeding to the wedding (which was in the city of Niagara Falls, about an hour away)...unfortunately we got some lousy directions and we got there just as they were finishing up the ceremony. Friday was spent doing wedding stuff all day. Even though I went to Canada it was much more of a lesson in the Cameroon culture for me since the entire wedding party is originally from Cameroon. Cameroon culture notes: "Now" always means at least 2 hours later. Everyone is your auntie or uncle or family member. And numerous other little tid bits.
Saturday we went to Niagara Falls and actually saw the falls this time. They were pretty amazing. I don't really know what to say about them without sounding completely cliche, but it was a great day being there. Later that night we went into downtown Toronto just to see it. There is a really tall bilding there called the CN Tower which I was told is the tallest building in the northern hemisphere. It was late by the time we got there so I didnt see or do much in Toronto but I did get to see it. We went to some chain restaurant called "Fran's" becuse most everything else was closed.
I flew home a few hours later so didn't bother trying to sleep at all. Toronto airport was extremely strange and backwards to me. They had no one working at the ticket counters when I got there and my flight wasnt on the departure board but they assured me it was there. US customs was at the Toronto airport, in an effort to save time back in the states...I was so confused. Then in the screening area they were really laid back and stuff. A lot of things in Canada were like going back 10-15 years in the US. For example no one had cell phones. The roads were really basic. There was only one main road that lead into Toronto (as opposed to like 5 that go into Minneapolis and its a much bigger city even!)I was completely exhausted when I got back and slept most of the last day of 2006. I rang in the New Year with my sis and some of her friends at a club nearby. It had snowed the first real big snow of the year earlier in the day (while I was sleeping) so the roads were pretty bad and not many people were out celebrating. I wasn't too into celebrating so called it an early night.
Today I'm home with an icky cold and am rather bored. As I think of 2006, it was a really good year. It was awesome. My resolution for 2007 is to accomplish more of the things on my to do list. Things to do, places to go, people to see, habits to break, habits to develop. I dont really see the new year as a time to try and do all these things at once. It's all a big long process...a gungula! So that is all for now. Happy Travels All!

...Oh Canada... remains copyright of the author kaitamelia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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My Year, in review

2006-12-29T05:56:09Z

One year ago yesterday I set out on my great big gungula (pronounced like “gun-gew-la” for any who haven’t heard it pronounced before). I was on my way to Mumbai, Dubai, back to India, Bangkok, Honk Kong, all around Australia, Vienna then all around Turkey. I had the amazing opportunity to travel all around the globe for the next three and a half months. It was terrifying, awe-inspiring, testing, affirming, challenging, beautiful, mind-opening and simply wonderful. It’s something I can’t wait to do again. It pushed me to be more independent, but to rely on others in situations I couldn’t control. This past year has changed so many things. While time has flown by, I can definitely see and feel the impressions the events have left on me. This past year I have traveled and I have stayed put. I have loved and lost. I’ve been loved and been lost. I’ve been with and without sleep, food, money, etc. I’ve worked and been jobless. I’ve had friendships wax and wane. My faith and beliefs have waxed and waned. And so on…

And all of this is gungula. Quick recap for any who don’t remember what gungula is: It is the word my dad made up, which he calls the 27th letter of the alphabet. It’s when you write all 26 preceding letters directly on top of one another. You have an indistinguishable glob which makes no sense and has no real reason or purpose; it just has a name that’s fun to say and its fun to write it. The idea of gungula as it applies to life is everything all at once, piled on top of each other, a conglomeration of all experiences and emotions, it is chaotic, and yet somehow it is balanced and it is the nature of life.

I now live in an apartment in Minneapolis with my sister. It is perfect (for me anyway)! It's in a nice neighborhood, near lots of walking paths and lakes, near the city, close to work, I'm getting along great with my sis, it's roomy, high ceilings, wood floors; ahhh...it's charming really. Work is going better. I have learned so much this year and been challenged in new ways. While admittedly I do still kinda hate it some days, there are those other days that really make it worth while. My family is well, I am well (in spite of the small car accident a month ago that's had me attached to the chiropractors office!), most all is well. I shouldn't complain really. I can't believe that 2006 is nearly completed!

To finish out the year I decided at the very last minute to take a friend up on an offer to go to his sisters wedding in Toronto - tomorrow! I just had to squeeze in seeing one more new country in 2006! (Kind of sad that I live so close to Canada and haven't been there yet!) I look forward to seeing Niagra Falls and whatever else is there (I dont know, I haven't done my research!) I also look forward to a new year, new experiences, new adventures, new lessons to learn, and I wish you all the best in this new year to come! Love...ME!

My Year, in review remains copyright of the author kaitamelia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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my little life

2006-08-16T23:59:52Z

It's been over a month, I suppose I could update. Well let's see...my travels lately have brough me on a road trip to Nebraska a few weeks ago for a wedding, 25 miles each way to and from work 5 days a week, about 40 miles to Valleyfair amusement park a few weeks ago and last weekend Atlanta! Atlanta was pretty fun. It was hot and muggy.
I rode the worlds longest escalator there, went to the popular nightclub "Vision", toured CNN world headquearters, swam in a pool fully clothed, went to the top of the tallest hotel in the western hemisphere "The Westin", toured Coca Cola where my sister is working, saw Stone Mountain (a huge monolith with a big ol' carving of some civil war generals on one side of it) and spent many hours lost in Atlanta with my sis :P
Now that I've written it down I realize I've been doing tons of stuff. Life is pretty alright. There are things I guess I could/should be down about but its just not worth the energy. I'm letting my brain and everything just veg out a little. There are so many things I don't know or understand but its like the harder I try, the less grasp I have on things. So I'm just living and breathing and looking for the good in life around me. Feeling a little like a hippie or something (minus the pot...though I still really dig smokin' a hooka now and then!...especially at Yafa Grill!). Speaking of recreational activities, I'm taking salsa dance lessons with some of my girlfriends which is a blast..just wish I had someone tall, dark and handsome to dance with

My job, is a job. It's a learning experience that's for sure. The ladies that live at the houses I manage are funny at least and are the highlight of the job. The other highlight is the stupid people (like their parents and therapists) I get to talk to, ya know the ones who are so stupid you can't help but laugh in pain and pity for them. My future plans are...completely unknown to me! So yeah, thats a bit of me at the moment. I hope all is well with you all, Take care everyone

my little life remains copyright of the author kaitamelia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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the hidden and the revealed

2007-03-01T18:35:30Z

There are some things I really wish I knew the truth about in my life. Sadly though this is not always a possibility. I have to have faith that there is some reason for the madness, the gut-wrenching injustice, the senseless pain. I recently have watched a loved one turn into a completely different, and honestly pretty horrible person. It is senseless and painful to stand by and not be able to fathom why it is happening or be able to do anything about it. And I wonder whether to feel more mad about this persons actions and how they have hurt me or sadness about what they have become. And people tell you that it is just another life experience. And they are right. But it doesn't make it hurt any less right now. I'm sure that eventually I will look back and not really feel much of anything about it at all.
I guess if nothing else this is all helping me to reevaluate what I find important in life and in people and in myself. Mostly the things I find important haven't changed, they have only intensified. Things like honesty, compassion, integrity, kindness, forgiveness, and love. That's all for now, I guess this entry is more introspective than a recitation of events. Oh well, that happens. Goodnight all.

the hidden and the revealed remains copyright of the author kaitamelia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Energizer and keep going

2006-07-12T00:09:30Z

Wow, its unreal that I have been home for three months. It is not what I expected, but then life rarely is. I scheme and I dream of possible next steps, new adventures. But right now, I am here and I think I need to be. My biggest wish is that I could be happy and have peace and come out of this stuff better, not bitter. Trials do eventually make you stronger but they can be numbingly painful. I'm too stubborn and yet too stupidly...oh I dont even have a word for it. It resonates in me...like once I care for a person, I'm just screwed, they have me hooked forever. My heart and soul are completely at their mercy. Be this a friend, family member or significant other. For me there is just no telling what will set it off. It is my greatest weakness. I build up walls to protect myself, but some people with their crazy magic voodoo still get in. Then I let them tear me all to shreds. I guess I have learned that even when I hurt so badly I think I'll probably die from the pain, in fact I will not die, and I will even be ok eventually, and I will be stupid enough/weak enough to let someone else do it all over again. What a crazy stupid life it is sometimes. I never claimed to live safely or sanely. Sometimes I think I'd like it better if I did, but I know my soul would thirst. So I'm doomed to repeat my circular fate of taking chances, loving too much and losing. And keep hoping beyond reason that eventually something will happen or someone will happen and break the circle. Now that you are all slightly confused, I'm going to leave it at that and go get some dinner. As usual, I hope you all are doing well and I hope you are living life fully.

Energizer and keep going remains copyright of the author kaitamelia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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this is my life...?

2006-06-02T03:49:49Z

I have sat down to write a new entry several times now but somehow I just cant think of anything I want to say. Ok not completely true. I want to say things about exciting places I am exploring. However I have been back in the states now for seven weeks and am no longer out venturing in the world. I have a job now. Its not half bad. I'm managing group homes again.
Its been really wierd the past few weeks. I've been having flashbacks to India, Australia, Turkey, Thailand. All at really unexpected times. I kind of figured this would happen eventually. I had a lot of experiences in a very short period of time so now they are all catching up to me and I'm finally processing them. Yesterday out for walk in my neighborhood I smelled something smokey and suddenly I was back to a dusty, dirty street in Ambarnath, India walking to the cyber cafe. Very specific moments flash in my mind.
I often feel a kind of heartsick longing when I look at pictures of Romania, Italy, New Zealand and other places I havent been yet and the same for places I have been to and miss.
I was thinking yesterday about how it wasn't love at first sight at any of the places I've visited. I actually was pretty put off from my first impressions of each country but I had the desire to find what made each place loveable and unique. That is part of what makes travel so great. Some culture differences are obvious and easy, but others you have to work for. Thats what I love. You have to change your thinking to catch a glimpse of those things.
I'm trying to reconnect with this life in the US. It is really hard. It's been almost two months since I came "home". My friends are still my friends...kind of and for the most part. It is difficult to get back into routines and into anything that feels right.
Looking back, I feel like a different person than I was a year ago. Not just because of traveling, just life experiences in general. This isn't neccessarily a bad thing, just a thing. So many things that I once assumed to be absolute about life, about myself, about other people have been challenged. I feel the same but expanded.
Thats all for tonight, g'night all

this is my life...? remains copyright of the author kaitamelia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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Lethargy and normality

2006-05-02T20:16:50Z

Well, it has been three weeks now since I returned to Minnesota. I have to say I am much less inspired to write from here. There was definitely a crash and burn effect to coming home. I was riding high and and coming here I suddenly collapsed. I am not the most depressed I have ever been by any means but I'm not my "usual self" either. The past few weeks I have been a bit under the weather with allergies, colds, stomache issues and post trip blues, all of which have made me completely lazy and lack in the energy department. After this trip I'm not my usual self so that is big part of the challenge. I find myself seeing things differently and even experiencing things I once found normal as if they were completely foreign. It is kind of difficult to sort through all of those things because it's something hard to relate to others unless they've gone through it themselves. So I find myself trying to do those ordinary things and be happy doing them but I'm not really connecting with my surroundings very well yet. I'm becoming a bit more of an introvert than I usually am. I'm not sure if thats a bad thing, its just a thing right now. So its hard to write because I just feel a bit down and don't feel anyone will completely understand. The only semi productive things I have done are to print off my picture and put them in albums and I've begun the job search process (which in and of itself is a reason to be depressed!) I don't write because all I want to do is complain, but I really have no good reason to complain when really I should be talking about how fortunate I am. Ummmmmm, soooo that is my uber lame update. Hope everyone is well :P

Lethargy and normality remains copyright of the author kaitamelia, a member of the travel community Travellerspoint.

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The one thing

2006-04-12T11:51:53Z

The one thing that made Monday only slightly less than perfect was the certainty that Tuesday morning would come all too soon...and we had to leave Istanbul on Tuesday morning...Hasan for Ankara...and me for home.
That was a very difficult parting to say the very least. He took me to the airport and of course I cried, but it was a pathetic cry the kind where you feel so much but you are too tired to give your cry the full effort it deserves which makes you feel even worse than if you never cried at all. I wasnt ready to go or ready for that parting but I decided that I probably never would/will be. But I needed to leave so that Hasan could stop skipping classes to travel and hang out with me and so he could pass his last semester of college and graduate. I nearly stopped breathing when I walked through the security gates into the terminal...it took all I had to keep walking.
The trip back was long. On the first flight I sat by a nice American lady who does basically the same job I used to do working at a group home and was travelling with her siblings so it was nice to talk to her. I flew through Paris first, which in my opinion is a very poor airport. I had to take two shuttle buses to get to my plane and got practically strip-searched by a tiny wretched woman named Maria before I could board. Then I sat by a semi-nice German man who suffered from sever halitosis...ugg. The flights were all ok but the closer I got to home the stranger I felt and the less I could breath.
I called my parents when I got to the Cinncinatti airport last night - I didnt tell anyone I was coming home before that (so don't be offended that I didnt tell ya', I didnt tell anyone!) When I got to the MSP airport I didnt see them. I went to use the payphone to call them when I saw them coming down the escalator towards me. So I ducked my head down so they wouldn't see me. When their backs were to me I ran up behind them and surprised them. It was nice to have them both meet me there, even if I wasn't fully ready to be there or fully sure I wanted to be there. It feels like I left ten minutes ago. The roads and the places and everything are as familiar to me as the back of my own hand and they are as much a part of me as the back of my hand even when I havent seen them in ages.
I couldnt sleep last night...partly jet-lag and partly heart sickness. Readjusting and the culture shock that I am going to have here I think will be worse than all those of the past few months. I will be happy to see you my friends again though. My phone number is the same as before I left, so call me if you'd like, I'd be glad to hear from you I will continue to blog on here for some time and will try to finally show you a few pictures. Please bear with me while I continue my gungula...it is not over because I am back here in MN, it has only just begun.....

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Istanbul

2006-04-12T11:54:23Z

Hi all So Istanbul was interesting. We took an overnight train there from Ankara, which was so nice, especially after all those stinky buses! About half an hour before we arrived I reached into my backpack and miraculously sliced the tip of my thumb off with my razor that was hiding inside my bag. Holy crap was that painful! Poor Hasan nearly had heart failure because it was bleeding so badly and I was crying in pain. Fortunately I remembered all the necessary info from my first aid classes so I managed to control the bleeding and not pass out. To add to the fun it was pouring rain when we arrived and had to find a taxi to take me to a hospital. Two cab rides later we got to an open hospital where a young doctor who spoke English cleaned and bandaged my finger up and gave me a prescription for pain pills and antibiotics. Anyway I'll be fine and most likely my thumbprint will grow back. (Ewwww I know) Soooo after that we had a big hassle over which of the friends and relatives were going to host us while we were there and everyone was upset and offended with us for not agreeing to stay with them the whole time we were there. Eventually we divided it up and agreed to stay one day with one family and the other two days letting someone else host us. So then, we went out in Istanbul to the old bazaar which was basically the Mall of America in ancient times. It was absolutely huge. You could easlily get lost in there. I bought a bunch of gifts and stuff and Hasan bargained and got me great prices because he is so stinkin' charming and likable. Then we went and smoked an apple nargile at this place that is an ancient tomb - you walk past a bunch of tousand year old grave stones on your way in! Then we spent the evening having dinner with Omar's family (though he couldnt come with us to Istanbul). They were really nice and of course didnt let me leave without my hands full of gifts. The next day we went to the bazaar again but it was closed so we just walked around the city for a while and looked at a bunch of the ancient mosques and tombs and various structures. We went and looked inside the Blue Mosque...it was so amazing and intricately decorated. We tried going inside Hagi Sophia, the church which is right across the street from there but it was already closed. We walked in the gardens around it instead and ate some Ottoman candy from a street vendor who was dressed in goofy traditional Ottoman clothes. We had a cherry nargile at another tomb place - it was most excellent We had a walk through a beautiful park to the sea side. The whole city is full of tulips in bloom right now...ahhh....gorgeous. Then we took a bus to the other side of the city to the main street area where most of the college kids and tourists hang out. We walked around and found a place to have a turkish coffee fortune read (which is a really popular thing to do there). You drink your thick turkish coffee and when you get down to the solid stuff on the bottom you tip your glass upside down and wait for about 10 minutes for the stuff to slide down the edges and dry then the fortune teller reads what the shapes mean. The crazy lady made up a whole bunch of stuff and tried to look all knowing and mystical - which was pretty funny....maybe I can get a job as a coffee fortune reader! After a few turkish hamburgers we called it a night and caught a dolmus back. (Dolmus's are a form of public transporation that are like short buses and almost always have insane drivers.) Then on Monday we went again to try to see Hagi Sophia but it was closed so we spent most of the beautiful sunny day lazily walking around and exploring the Topkapi palace and museum. It was really interesting. It is an old Ottoman palace and has a ton of sort of random artifacts housed there. There was the famous 86 karat Kisikci diamond, hairs of the prophet Mohammed, armor and swords from various surrounding regions, a piece of the scull and hand of John the Baptist...etc...very interesting! We took a nap on the nice green lawn then had some of the famous meetballs of the area and went back to our favorite nargile place from the first day and relaxed for a few hours. It was a perfect day except for one thing...

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A week to rest

2006-04-06T13:23:30Z

For the fırst tıme sınce arrıvıng here ın Turkey I have been ın one place for a week (Ankara). Though ıt has been a bıt borıng ıt has admıttedly been nıce just to relax and not sıt ın a bus for a whıle. Lets see what have I been doıng...not too much. I vısıted Ataturks grave and huge mausoleum (much to Hasans dısgust becase he hates the guy ), went ın the Turkısh space needle and saw Ankara from the bırds eye vıew, spent lots of lovely tıme cookıng Amerıcan style food for the guys (I have mıssed cookıng), vısıted my buddy Omar agaın, and dıd lots of other orıdınary stuff. Ankara ıs kınd of a gray cıty, ıt doenst have much natural beauty and ıs just buıldıngs as far as the eye can see. At least the weather ıs fınally startıng to agree wıth me and not be so stınkın cold. Tomorrow we are goıng to Istanbul for the weekend. I hope the weather wıll cooperate thıs tıme around! Last tıme ıt was so raıny we couldnt see 2 feet ın front of us. Well thıs entry ıs kınd of short but there ısnt much to tell. I just wanted to update and let you know Im stıll alıve and well. Hope you all are well too, love me

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Medıteranean mood

2006-03-31T14:16:00Z

Hey all
Im back ın Ankara agaın. Bodrum was "wonderful!" as Hasan boasted that ıt would be. It ıs further south from Izmır on the Agean sea. It ıs a tourıst town but sınce the season doesnt start for another 2 weeks ıt was basıcally deserted. It was just lıke the way I pıctured a relaxed seasıde town to be. The fırst day we got there and were greeted by one of Hasans´ dads frıends and treated to a nıce dınner. The next day the weather was perfect and we walked for about 8 solıd hours all over the cıty, through the old bazaar, along the coast and ın the freezıng cold water for a bıt. We also stopped about 10 tımes for Hasan to buy Turkısh hotdogs....ewwww! It was totally exhaustıng but worth ıt to enjoy the sunny day. That nıght we went to a place that serves homestyle Turkısh meals and I got to sample even more tradıtıonal foods. The next day we walked around the bazaars agaın and then went and explored the castle for the rest of the day. It was really ınterestıng - we even went down ınto the dungeon! Before leavıng Hasan smoked another apple flavored "nargile" (that steam pıpe thıng) to relax after another full day. We took yet another long busrıde back to Ankara that nıght. It was good because ıt was free...however ıt was also carryıng a half dozen workıng men...our noses were cryıng ıt smelled so bad ın there. Ive been back ın Ankara for the past 2 days now just hangıng around. Last nıght I made spagettı sauce because Id been cravıng some Italıan food and ıt turned out very nıce. As for my upcomıng plans, I have no comment at thıs poınt. Thanks to all who keep wrıtıng to me. Even though I dont always have the chance to wrıte back, I apprrecıate ıt. Later Gators

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More Gungula

2006-03-26T20:54:19Z

Oops ıts been a whıle agaın...a quıck run down of my tıme sınce last entry...
In Dıyarbakır, I met more people, ate a bunch more food, recıeved many lovely gıfts (people love to show hospıtalıty here), dıd some more shoppıng ın the markets, then took the long bus rıde back to Ankara (for some reason these buses thınk that ıt means good servıce ıf they almost boıl you to death...lots of elderly people rıde these buses wearıng scarfs, hats and sweaters...I watch wıth wonder as they snore away...I cant complaın too much though because we get most tıckets for free and free food at the stops sınce Hasans dad ıs the manager of a bus company.)
Back ın Ankara I dıd well pretty much nothıng for 2 days. I shopped wıth Omar and had fun tryıng to tell each other what we wanted to buy, I read some, cooked, ate, ate, ate, dıd laundry and a bunch of normal stuff.
Then 2 days ago we left for Izmır, whıch ıs on the far west coast on the Agean sea, where some of Hasans frıends lıve(who are really cool by the way). Another swelterıng bus rıde got us here safely yesterday mornıng, though not well rested. After a nap, we spent the remaınder of the day at the cıty center ın Izmır on the sea sıde. It was a beautıful day We drank a dozen cups of tea as we stopped at varıous places. That nıght we had what a surprıse but another tea at another outdoor cafe! And smoked these weırd pıpe thıngs that I cant remember the name of (dont freak out on me people Im tryıng to explaın). Basıcally you end up ınhalıng flavoured water vapours...ıts kınd of wıerd. Apparently ıt was a hobby of very ımportant people ın the past. You feel very ımportant breathıng flavoured aır from thıs 4 foot long pıpe that ıs connected to thıs 3 foot tall contraptıon that has water ın the base and hot coals at the top creatıng the steam. I dıd a horrıble job of explaınıng that and Im actually kınd of embarrassed that I even trıed :P Yeah so anyway...today we all went on thıs bus tour wıth a bunch of college students and ıt took us a whole bunch of places. (Im ehxausted so that ıs my excuse for why my wrıtıng ıs so crazy tonıght) Fırst ıt took us to what remaıns of the ancıent cıty of Ephesus. It was so surreal to be there tryıng to ımagıne what the place looked lıke ın ıts former glory and pıcture the people walkıng those same roads and everythıng. I ımagıne ıt was quıte amazıng. Now here ıs where I get ın trouble because I cant remember the names of all the places we went next and everyone ıs gone from the apartment so I cant even ask anyone. Anyway next we saw an ancıent church turned mosque ın the same area. Also really ınterestıng. Then we went up ın the mountaıns to a small vıllıage where they make fruıt wınes. We sampled quıte a few and bought a few. Turkısh people get really funny when they have had a few...they all start sıngıng tradıtıonal songs together and clappıng and stuff...we had a good tıme. Our last stop was a tourısty sea sıde town where we just walked around and ate (agaın). There are these nasty sandwıches here that I call Turkısh hotdogs and they taste the same as hotdogs but look fancıer because they are all thın slıced and on a fancy bun...not my favorıte but then agaın neıther are hotdogs. I slept a good bıt on the bus rıde back and am ready to head to bed agaın. Im sure there ıs more but I just cant remember at the moment. Tomorrow we are off to Bodrum...I dont know whats there so Ill let you know ın a few days after I fınd out love, me

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Spellbound

2006-03-20T18:30:52Z

There ıs a cloud over my head that has followed me everywhere I have gone ın Turkey. The sun ıs there before me and after me but whıle I am vısıtıng a place ıt ıs raıny and cold. At fırst I saıd jokıngly that someone put a curse on me but now Im not so sure... Anyway even though ıt was stıll cold at least there was some sun today so ıt was possıble to see a few more places. I got to clımb the ancıent cıty walls of Dıyarbakır today. They are made of volcanıc rock and are saıd to be vısıble from space - the largest ın the world second to the great wall of Chına, pretty cool stuff. After the long and swealterıng hot bus rıde here I met lots of frıends and famıly members of Hasans. All were very nıce but sadly for me I couldnt really talk wıth any of them. Gosh, I really wısh I wasnt so poor wıth languages. I have also vısıted some mosques and hıstorıcal sıtes, drunk about 83 cups of tea ın 3 days and gaıned about 10 lbs(...ok maybe 5 of those were gaıned earlıer but stıll)! I am enjoyıng the eatıng style and also obvıously, the foods here too, hence the ıncrease ın my rear end...oh well my pants stıll fıt...for now. Thıs cıty ıs more conservatıve than other places Ive vısıted here so ıt feels a bıt more restrıctıng - kınd of lıke beıng ın Indıa wıth everybody starıng at you because you are so dıfferent - good thıng I have practıce beıng stared at already! Famılıes are famılıes everywhere you go and ıts so ınterestıng for me to observe all these cultures from the outsıde wıth no clue what they are sayıng and pıecıng together what ıs happenıng. I stıll have a bıt of culture shock beıng here even though ıts been 2 weeks because thıngs really are quıte dıfferent. For example, everybody kısses on the cheeks ın greetıng here and we from the US mıdwest wouldnt dream of doıng that even wıth our famıly members most of the tıme, let alone the perfect strangers at stores and stuff. Its so weırd to me but I am adjustıng. And thıs wıll sound gross but showerıng ıs kınd of a bı-weekly event for most people here, as most people dont have the greezy scandanavıan haır that I do and hot water ıs a lıttle more expensıve and dıffıcult to come by. Umm anyway, Im about to go blınd and choke to death ın thıs lıttle smoke hole of a net cafe so I thınk I wıll call ıt a nıght for now. (Smokıng ıs a lot more common and socıally accepted over here...uggg...) Hope all ıs well wıth you all, love me

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Merhaba

2006-03-16T20:09:17Z

Hello All Yes I am stıll out here ın Turkey, sorry for the lack of posts. Dıdnt mean to scare anyone. Contrary to some common belıefs, Turkey ıs not a dangerous place and they are not hostıle towards me as an Amerıcan, rather most people are happy to meet me and thınk ıt ıs cool that I dıd not cave ın to that popular belıef and had the courage to come and see for myself. The bıggest problem though ıs the language because most people dont speak any Englısh and I am havıng a hard tıme pıckıng up Turkısh. Languages are not my strong suıt. Sınce last post...I spent another day or so ın Istanbul and the weather was rotten so I dıdnt see anythıng of the cıty...maybe when and ıf I fly out from there the weather wıll cooperate and I can see ıt. After that we went to Ankara to Hasans house and saw a lıttle of the cıty here. There really ısnt a whole lot to see ın Ankara and the weather ıs raıny here too. Then for the past 4 days we went wıth Hasans cousın, Omar, to theır grandparents house ın northern Turkey out ın the mountaınous countrysıde, hence the lack of emaıls. Theır "dada" and "nana" lıve ın an ancıent farm house wıth a barn ın the basement. It was a very ınterestıng experıence. I dıdnt get to shower for those 4 days..I smelled quıte lıterally lıke a cow. The whole house smelled lıke cows though so ıts not so surprısıng. The mountaıns are part of a natıonal forest and they are really serene. I spent my tıme sleepıng, readıng, walkıng around, carryıng hay for the cows, eatıng lots of weırd homemade food and generally beıng lazy..oh and smelly. I cant belıeve how hard that old lady works. She ıs up at 6 am mılkıng the cows and not to bed untıl 11 or 12 (shes gotta be 80 and not ın very good health), crazy. So yeah thats generally what Ive been up to. Back ın Ankrara the routıne ıs pretty much the same: sleepıng, readıng, tryıng to learn Turkısh from Osgar and Omar the other roommates (ıts a rıot, they are really cool), watchıng Turkısh telı, etc. My favorıte thıng ıs how they eat theır meals here. They prepaır lots of dıshes and lay out newspaper on the ground or a low table (but the guys use newspaper) and everyone eats together sometımes wıthout ındıvıdual plates just enjoyıng and eatıng slowly. It sounds wıerd but I love ıt. Breakfast comes around 2 ın the afternoon (whıch about kılls me so I usually cheat and eat somethıng whıle they are cookıng Tonıght I fınally got to see my frıend Omar (a dıfferent one) who I knew from the US too. He ıs a clown so ıt was good to see hım too, hopefully Ill get to hang out wıth hım more. Tomorrow Hasan and I are goıng to western Turkey, to Diyarbakir where hıs famıly lıves. I hope that the cold weather doesnt follow us there too! (I know I know, all of you ın MN are thınkıng ıt must be nothıng next to all of your snow, but hey ıts stıll kıllın me!) Well I thınk thats about ıt for thıs round so I hope all ıs well ın your worlds, take care, love me

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The raıny cıty

2006-03-08T19:31:58Z

Hı guys So now I wrıte to you from...Turkey! I was nearly detaıned at the Vıenna aırport supposedly due to an error made by my travel agent (I thınk the guy helpıng me was just a bıt ıncompetant...but whatever) After gıvıng me a bıg hassle I was eventually allowed to board the plane. A few hours later I reached Istanbul and luckıly Hasan spotted me rıght away because I was pretty out of ıt. It has been raınıng, foggy, bıtter cold and cloudy sınce I arrıved so I haven´t really seen much of anythıng yet. I´m stayıng wıth some of Hasans frıends that go to Unı here. They are really nıce, though I havent spent much tıme wıth them yet sınce I´ve mostly been sleepıng and catchıng up wıth Hasan. If thıs weather contınues we wıll probably move on from here to Ankara soon. I am pretty jet lagged stıll. I´m tryıng to gear myself up for experıencıng a new culture. It sort of feels lıke when I went to Indıa for the fırst tıme because most people dont speak any Englısh and I dont know any of theır language, ıt ıs a bıt dısorganızed so as an outsıder ıt ıs harder to get around and ıt ıs full of busy people. I thınk Istanbul ıs probably a beautıful cıty but I´ll have to waıt untıl the raın clears to say for sure. Well thats all for now, hope you are all well.

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Seasons Change

2006-03-06T11:29:28Z

Hi all, hope you are well. I'll make an effort at correct spelling this time. Life in Vienne is alright. I started off rocky here after the near loss of luggage and being locked out of my hostel on no sleep. Since then, I did a walking tour of the city (saw all the emperial palaces and stuff like that), sat in some nice coffee houses, and slept for nearly 20 hours straight through. Then yesterday I got myself thoughrally lost on the public transport system, but of course had fun seeing the sights while doing so. It was cloudy and snowing all day yesterday which had me kind of down. That is until I was invited out of the cold for coffee and given a free ticket to the Imperial Orchestra concert by a nice Italian guy. The concert last night was nice and so were dinner and drinks that followed. I also got to spend the evening with a cool couple from Florida so I got a taste of the American accent again and funny enough it actually sounded wrong to my ear! Strangely the Aussie accent now sounds correct to me! So now I have the rest of the day to spend here. Maybe I'll go for a ride on the giant wheel today since it is clear and I might actually be able to see something. Tomorrow I fly on to Istanbul. I am a bit nervous and excited. I'll be happy to see my friend Hasan again though. That's all for this episode, talk to you all again from Turkey...

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Drunk tired

2006-03-04T11:04:48Z

Hey all I'm here in Vienna...mostly, accept that I didnt sleep on the plane, and am totallz jet lagged. Zeah I know Iäm misspelling everzthing, the kez pad is different and I cant be bothered to search for the correct kezs at the moment. So, Szdnez was, prettz cool. I met another friend from Scotland and wandered about in search of dinner with him on Wed night, found a cool Thai place on Darling Harbor, then explored some night life, had a good night. The next daz, went with mz English friend again and wandered around more, went to the zoo and saw some Aussie animals, then went to Manlz beach for a bit. Then raced back to get to the opera on time. We barelz made it and were running in our heals to catch the train there! Zeah, Iäm just as classz out in the world as I am at home, some things dont change, za know? So we went to the opera with nothing in our bellies but "brekkie" so dinner consisted of the cough drops provided at the opera house! The opera itself was interesting. We ended up getting top dollar seats for cheap because there were emptz seats next to us so we just scooted over. It was a ver cheeyz love storz, but was well done and entertaining. The storz was too dorkz to reallz move me emotionallz like I alwazs thought operas were meant to do, but I enjozed it anzwaz. Afterwards we went in search of dinner and couldnt find a thing for blocks and blocks, finallz I insisted on stopping at a Kebab stand and getting a slice of piyya...nto a good idea! I got hit on bz kebab man and the food made me ill. Ahhh, oh well, it was quiet memorable. Next daz, went for lunch with Scottish friend, nearlz missed mz flight because I was trzing to finish mz laundrz, then spent the last 24 hours in transit to Austria. Iäm totallz spent. Mz attitude was reallz getting bad because I was so tired. I nearlz left one of mz bags behind in the airport, I was so out of it! Then I finallz got to the hostel and thez told me I couldnt check in for another 5 hours, and all I wanted to do is sleep. So I went out exploring, fond some coffee...now Im ok, but a bit worried that I might just tip over because I feel so drunk tired. I made mzself snap out of mz funk enough to trz to enjoz the daz until I can go crash. Anzwaz, its interesting to be in Europe for the first time in mz life. Not sure if itll capture mz interest enough to want to travel around here later or not, wont make that judgement until I have experienced it with proper rest. So sorrz to all of zou who have actuallz read through all this with all the tzpos and incoherent babble, mzbe next post will be better...no promises though! Hope zou are all well rested and happz, love me

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Spectacular Sydney

2006-03-01T07:23:55Z

Hey all I reached Sydney in one piece yesterday...which is more than I can say for my new suitcase. It already met it's demise when a wheel popped off and it then had to be dragged all the way from the airport, onto the train, off the train and down the road to the hostel. Thats what I get for buying it at Kmart I guess. I better do some downsizing again so my stuff fits in my packpack again! Today I wandered around central Sydney with a new friend from England. We got to the opera house and had a tour, saw the botanical gardens...thats about it actually. The city is pretty cool, it sort of remindes me of San Fransisco in a way. We bought tickets to an opera tomorrow night Should be awesome! It is cool now that I am here, however I am still just wishing to settle in one place for a while longer and am not in a touring mood. Thats about it from this side, hope all is well in your neck of the woods.

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Lets do the time warp again

2006-02-27T04:22:51Z

Tomorrow will be another flight. I'm sad to be leaving now. I had just started building up a some sort of a life here, (i.e. new friends, a job) and now I have to adjust to being on my own again for a bit. I feel a return to Australia in my future though so that is a comfort. This past weekend I worked my last few shifts and went out and enjoyed the Alice Springs night life for the first time since getting here. I had a good time and got to hang out with some cool people. Today is just packing and pouting and buying some Aussie lollies to take with me to the next place. My luggage has expanded significantly since arriving so I have purchased a new suitcase...so much for travelling light. That is pretty much an impossibility for me - I only lasted for the first month travelling that way and now I'm back to my normal habits. Thats all for now, perhaps I'll write next from Sydney, or maybe Vienna. Take care all

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True Confessions

2006-02-24T02:21:48Z

So I have a confession: I'm getting tired of travelling. Now, I'm not saying that I'm ready to come home, its just a phase I think. Just because I'm out in places that I normally would not be doesnt mean that my emotions won't go through the same things they normally do. I mean I'd get tired of what I was doing at home, but then I'd keep going and I'd soon be fine. I think it's the same thing. I think the biggest thing is that the pressures on me now are different than they were at home, so its just an adjustment. At home I had to fulfill my job requirements and pay bills and meet family expectations. Well now, I have even fewer responsibilities, sort of. However, now that I am away, when I feel moody and tired of looking at tourist attractions I feel guilty and obliged to see them anyway because of the expectations of others. There is the pressure in the idea that I am so lucky to be here and may never be here again and so many others may never be able to go here even though they really want to. So I feel I owe it to myself and everyone to make the most of every moment. And I dont think that is a completely unrealistic expectation, however, it's just not possible to feel excited at every moment. Ok that was my little rant, I'm better now. Dont know if that made any sense to anyone else. Anyway...so this is my last weekend pouring beer at my English pub job. Bittersweet I guess. Not because I'm so attatched to that place, its just nice to do something and earn some spending money, and it isnt a bad job either. I fly out to Sydney in a few days. And while I am not super excited about it at the moment, I will try my best to enjoy it. Thats all for todays entry in the cliff notes of my Gunglula.

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Rockin' my butt off!!

2006-02-22T01:12:49Z

G'day mates! Sorry to worry some of you, I didnt totally dissappear, just wasnt near a computer. So since last entry, I finished off a busy weekend of work. There was a rugby game going on so the whole town was out and about on Saturday night so it was crazy and I was exhausted. Then the next morning on Sunday, Ruth and I packed up her 4x4 and headed west. We went out to Uluru (Ayers Rock - one of the seven wonders of the natural world) and Kata Tjuta (The Olgas). These are some enormous and very cool rocks. Sunday we saw the sunset on Uluru and then got our camp site set up. We had a grand adventure trying to get our stir fry cooked. It was of course pitch black out when we started cooking and the barbie nearest our site was dodgy and ended up running out of gas while our chicken was still raw so we ended up tracking all over the campgrounds in search of a working one. An hour of stumbling in the dark later we found one and had a lovely dinner. The next day we went back to "the rock" and were comtemplating walking around it or climbing up it. We though we're start with climbing up it and then doing the 10km walk around....ha!!! Well weren't we surprised...and absolutely worn out after the 2 hoiur journey to the very top and back. We climbed on hands and knees up the first bit, then pulled ourselves up the next bit on the chain rope, then when we thought we reached the top, we were only half way there! It was insane, but we made it! From a distance you can see the walking path to the top and it looks like a little white vertical crack in the rock - that's how steep it is! It was worth the effort though, there was an amazing view from the top. The way back down was interesting too since our legs were shaking so badly. We were both like zombies for the next few hours recovering. We went for a swim, briefly visited the Olgas (also really cool looking), then headed to a place called Kings canyon. We camped out there - with fewer barbie difficulties this time. We looked like total idiots because we set up our tent under a shelter - it was efective though, we didnt get soaked in the rain. The next day we did the 6km hike up down and around in the canyon, which was really neat and looked sort of like ancient ruins. The only reason we were able to keep our pace up though in spite of our aching muscles, was the annoyance of the flies. Oh yeah - both days the flies were actually a major motivation. We had the pleasure of encountering about 83 million of them. No joke. We wore those really cool looking fly nets over our faces pretty much any time we were outside during the day. It you don't you swallow a bunch, inhale a whole lot and get em stuck in your eyes and ears. Neat huh? So after another exhausting hike we went for another swim to cool down (though thankful both days were relatively cool - around 30C). Today I am extremely sore and tired, but it was well worth it. Now I'm off to collect my pay and then off to Kmart to spend it G'day all

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Woppin' Wallabies!

2006-02-17T04:32:04Z

I completely forgot to mention last entry - I got to hand feed and pet wild wallabies! It was pretty cool esp because some had little babie heads sticking out of their pouches. They come out at night so we went to feed them at dusk. They are like a mini kangaroo and are soft like a house cat. I probably picked up some strange diseases from them..hmm... Anyway, thats really all the Aussie wildlife I've seen. I have seen a few kangaroos and some geckos but thats it. Fortunately I havent run across any of the several extremely deadly animals that central Australia is home to (like the red back spiders!) Nothing really new going on here, I'm still watching way too much Alias, eating too many "lollies" and chocolate, and pouring lotsa beer. I havent seen much of the olympics on TV but what I have seen is just strange. For one, there is snow there! I have forgotten that it is supposed to be winter! Also, the news coverage is cheering for the Aussies, well duh, cause I'm in Australia, but its still really weird after watching all previous Olympic games in the US. So I work again tonight. I am still kind of stupid and dont know what a bunch fo the drinks we carry are but its a fun job. I come across a lot of interesting people that I wouldnt normally talk to. Either people are really stupid or I have a very international look and accent because I've had people guess that I'm everything from Irish or Brazilian to Indian (Though most commonly they guess Canadian). (These were all guesses from people who were not yet drunk and had no excuse!) Ok folks thats all for now, its too hot to think straight!

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Down Under

2006-02-14T03:53:28Z

Hey guys
Hows life? Its pretty good here. Yesterday Ruth and I drove out to Glen Helen, Standley chasm and Ellery. Glen Helen and Ellery are water holes along the Finke "river". The chasm, well is a chasm. None of the rivers actually have water in them over here, they are just river beds, that rarely flow. It was pretty out there. We went for a swim in the "resort" swimming pool (It was more like a dodgy Arkansas motel). We didnt swim in the water holes though because the water was a bit rank and stagnant. So we got a bit burned and ate our picnic lunch out there and headed back. Last night Ruths roommate - whose room I'd been using came back - and I didnt know she was coming, so of course I had the room in shambles! I felt really bad, so I quickly cleared everything out of there. Then last night I went to their bible study thing again. It was alright - kind of different to be going to one again after a long time. Last night was a full moon and I saw the rabbit in the moon! Since its in the southern hemisphere you see the moon at a differnt angle and you can see both a rabbit, and a different face in the moon, its really trippy! I'm really tired from the heat alot over here even though I'm doing a lot better in it than when I first arrived. I spend my time watching a lot of Alias and the OC (thanks Ruth for hooking me on them!) and eating too much (yeah I think I've put on a couple pounds...ugg) and pouring beer. Its kind of boring some of the time but it is a mental break. Unfortunately it gives me time to be a touch homesick. This being V-day (which isnt really even celebrated over here - after Christmas they go straight to selling Easter bunnies) I just wanted to say I love you guys! Take care, hope all is lovely in your corner of the world!

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Cheers!!!

2006-02-11T08:05:32Z

Hey all! I got a job! Can you guess what it is from my title? Yeah I'm working as a bartender, pouring beers and stuff. It is surprisingly kind of fun - sort of like my job at DQ, but the products are obvioulsy a bit different. They had a really good house cover band playing there last night too. So I'm making a few bucks to support myself - aka, buy a return ticket home (yeah...havent gotten around to that yet...) Not something I ever pictured myself doing, but its interesting. All is well down under, hope all is well wherever you are at...

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