Since my camera died in Berlin, a new friend I met while there just sent me his photos. I miss Berlin.. actually I miss Europe... can´t wait until I go back..






ME...



















Jean Paul and the towers...

JP and I... in 3D

I woke up this morning to CNN´s coverage of the financial crisis back home. My friend, who has been emailing me updates, best labeled it as ¨financial armageddon¨.

¨How can you even think of quitting when people are losing their jobs on Wall Street¨, my parents repeatedly commented/interrogated/harassed even up the final days before departure. They have always supported my choices in life, although I´m sure this one was over the top for even them. I had to remind them that the uncertainty of our country´s economic future and that of Wall Street will carry on regardless of where I am. I just chose to take myself out of the equation of whatever it is that produces unhappiness in my life.

Nonetheless, I still worry for my friends caught in this ¨armageddon¨if you will. I can only imagine the worries plaguing them. Food for thought: Standing at the foot of the Cotapaxi the other day, I was reminded just how much beauty exits in this world. It´s hard to grasp sometimes when we are so overwhelmed by the mires of our daily lives. Take a step back, open the senses and enjoy life.. because it´s too damn short!

September 28, 2008

AHHHH!!!! I can´t believe I made it here. I thought I would never arrive. I took a bus this morning from Quito to Cuenca. I was first told by locals it would take 8 hours. When I got to the ticket booth I was informed it would take about 9 hours. When I entered the bus the driver told me it would take more like 10 hours, ¨muy traffico¨ he said. Whatever, there was NO traffic on the road and yet it took a whopping 10 hours and 25 minutes to get here. My body is stiff, my back sore and my butt flattened.

Fortunately, on my car ride from the terminal to my hotel I was enamored by the empty streets of this quaint city. I can´t wait until I explore in the morning.

Today: Sept. 27, 2008

AND

RELAX

LOVE

It just seems like yesterday that I was in Antigua. Actually it was two days ago. I have arrived in Quito, Ecuador and my hotel is full of hippies from all over the world. Too funny.

Yesterday I had a layover in.... New York City! It sounds a bit weird to say it was a layover but it was exactly just that.

So my free day in New York consisted of the following : waking up late in my friend´s sun drenched apartment; facial and massage; bibimbap at my favorite bibimbap restaurant (doshirak); vanilla rooibos tea at Grounded cafe; doctor appointment; dinner with family.

I´m not sure where the time went. But yesterday got me thinking just how pleasant it is to enjoy a day in the city with zero agenda. I wish I had done that more often, perhaps I would have been less burnt out.

Tomorrow is a new day. I shall start with a recap of my time in Guatemala. For now, I sleep.

I felt like Frodo today! We had the brilliant idea to take a hike up Pacaya, one of Guatemala's several active volcanoes, at 6:00 am. I'm not sure what got over me when I agreed to this ummm, adventure. Perhaps I envisioned the driver taking us close enough that I would have to only stroll up oh I don't know 20-30 mins max. It was upon arrival I discovered (to my horror): the trek would be more than 2 hours; it was 2500+ m in elevation to our destination; over the years the path had experienced many armed robberies; and there were frequent eruptions, the most recent being earlier this year. Grrrr!!! Looking up towards the apex of this Mount Doom I was reminded of my trip to Bali last year. How we once again had the brilliant idea to watch the sunrise on the island's tallest mountain. Needless to say, I never watched the sunrise at the apex of that mountain. It was safe to assume that I wouldn't be swimming in the lava today either.

I had some real eye opening realizations occur during this expedition.

1. I AM OUT OF SHAPE!!!! It was quite humbling actually.. watching senior citizens passing me on the path. There was this one American lady in her 60s slightly ahead of me. I was certain she would stop and turn back but even she perservered to the end without the assistance of the "taxi", which leads me to my second realization.

2. I NEED TO BE IN SHAPE!! The tour guide's starkly remarks still taunt me: "Princesas no bueno". I was called a princess for utilizing the services of the taxi (aka sweet horse named Santanas) okay.. it was pretty hard for me to raise my head proudly as I passed by the senior citizens on foot. But I had to put my pride on hold for today was the day I would conquer Mount Doom!!

3. EVERY FRODO NEEDS A SAMMY. I was blessed to have a Sammy on my trip. Actually, I had two - Sons and Rudolpho... without them I would have never made it to the end. I was greatly disappointed to discover that my horse would not be joining me at the last leg of the trek. This meant that if I wanted to see some lava action I would have to walk the last 30 minutes past 3 peaks and burning scoria. I swear I wasn't going to make it if not for the encouragement of my Sammys! Rudolpho kept chanting "think positivo" while Sons kept guilting me "why quit now? you're almost there." Yes, I was almost there and I saw the apex this time closer than ever. But why is it that the thought of quitting is always more prevalent when the prize is closer in reach?!

Arriving at the flowing lava all happened in a blur... literally since the scorching heat blurred my vision.. we must have stayed for a total of 5 minutes at the apex before running for our rubber soles..

Thinking back as I write this entry I realize that getting the prize didn't mean much. Yes, the lava was amazing but it will most likely fade in aweness in my memories some day. What I will surely remember will be the journey I had getting there. There were many moments when I wondered if the sight of lava was even worth the agony. The answer was really a definite NO but I realized this was not about lava but about perserverence. Following through until the end and not giving up when things get unpleasant... something I often struggle with in my life.

Today was good. I am pleased. I will download Lord of The Rings tonight and pay a little homage I think.

It was some ordeal coming to Guatemala with the cancellation of flights and accomodating friend´s schedules... but in the end, it was all worth it.. Lake Atitlan is as beautiful as I imagined. More to come..

Some last thoughts on Berlin... Berlin was a detour stop for me. I have wanted to go for some time now - mainly for their art scene and more importantly, to determine whether I can see myself living there after my travels. Verdict? umm.. perhaps! The first thought that crossed my mind when arriving was that I was in Williamsburg and Tribeca rolled in one. (well, Williamsburg before it became trust fund Williamsburg) The city is rich in history, remnants of the war, a baby boom, graffiti, art, graffiti, squatter palaces and oh, did I say graffiti?! I would have taken more photos if my batteries didn't die on day 2! Overall, there was a very relaxed/laid back feel to the city that I can appreciate. Is it as beautiful as the other European cities on my list? probably not - and the graffiti overdose doesn't help... but still, I enjoyed Berlin and am pleased to have started my journey with this side detour.


Some Random thoughts: Surprisingly very affordable city for European standards, I love Bratwurst, some serious eye candy everywhere, bicycle friendly city, there seems to be more shops than customers, hidden treasures lurk behind every scary looking building, I still can't stand the size of coffee in Europe, oh, and the city's train system is bizarre!! I had a 3-day train pass only to be checked how many times? ZERO! Essentially, if you're lucky not to get checked (which may very well happen) then you can ride the train for free pretty much.


So on my last full day in Berlin I decided to take a tour of the Pergamon. I came to the entrance of the museum only to find myself wanting to leave before even entering. What was more important for me at that very moment than the Pergamon? The grass... and so that is what I did. I turned back and walked another 15 minutes to the front lawn of the Reichstag. There I proceeded to go to sleep under the perfectly blue sky.

Berlin... oh berlin....

If my friend Vivienne was here she and I would have definitely commented about all the CBs that are lurking EVERYWHERE! (no joke Viv)

Today while wandering the streets of Oranienburger my stomach ~ out of nowhere~ had a sudden rice attack. I can't escape it, it follows me everywhere... I searched for the first Asian food depot on the street.. I came across a sign that read "Asian Snacks". My mouth started to water as I heard jasmine, sticky, and brown calling my name. Maybe I can also throw in some dumplings if they have some. Turns out it was a Thai restaurant, no dumplings, but it will do.

While savoring the little curry rice pieces in my mouth I had another attack. This time, it was of the mind. I couldn't escape the image of a sign that was displayed on a window while walking (or running) to my rice palace. "WASH + CUT = 10 euros" 10 euros?! my god, that's cheaper than Supercuts I think.. besides, how bad can they be with a simple cut?!

It all happened so quickly. Next thing I knew, the stylist was begging me "NO, that is TOO short for you. Please, I will only cut this much." (It sounded much sexier I swear with the accent.) Unfortunately, he was not pleased when I pointed at a man sitting nearby and said " I want his hair. Boooy Cutttt. Yes, boy, short, very short, thank you! "

Well, it's done. Today was good. From rice to boy cut. This is now my life ~ feeding the need.

So arrived here safely to Berlin! Time to sightsee...