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 |   Enga mellom fjella: where from across the meadow, poems sing from mountains and molehills. |
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Enga mellom Fjella  Sentinel Marked as if you own me I bow before the Bitterroots and just like you my rocky soil, my withered grass lays prey to the empty sky. © Kåre Enga 2007 "Sentinel"   Reader's Choice of Poems: "Sentinel" "Where grows the compost heap" "In search of Iris" "Speak soft my name" "Starbeams on Tulsa" Reader's Choice of blog entries from my old blog "L'aura del Campo" :"Death of Jeannie New Moon" "Winter: 18 Mas'il (December 29)" "In a garden of roses, baby" "A Thanksgiving Dinner poem and the WDC Zoo" "James Doohan, Scotty. Ombra mai fu. Eutin Guitar Orchestra" FACES     PLACES            Kåre  Enga~ until everything was rainbow, rainbow, rainbow! And I let the fish go. ~ Elizabeth Bishop The Fish |
| Traveling can be stressful for some of us. There are many who simply couldn't travel like I do (hostels, long periods of time, tight budget). Plane flights are one issue. A place to stay is another. It's possible to show up in a strange town and find a place... when any place will do and comfort or price isn't the issue. But... I'll be in at least 7 countries during national holidays and Spring, Autumn and religious events. If I don't reserve places to stay... soon... 1. I'm staying in Ueno, Tokyo for $86/3 nights. Dates: March 6,7,8. It's near Uguisudani station. Not sure which train line that is but it will be easy to get to from the airport. There are good connections north from Ueno station to Mito, to Sendai, to Tohoku. 2. Ireland is an issue. I'll be in Listowel May 28,29,30. I don't know how the Writersweek goes though. Big opening on the 27th? Big finale on the 31st? No clue. I'm signed up for a workshop on travel writing (with Mary Russell) but have no idea what else is free, open to the public, et cetera. Is there an open mic? In any case, there will be no place to stay if I don't act soon. Did find out that the buses run on June 1st, a bank holiday. So much to learn about a place I've never been. 3. Key places: Dubai U.A.E. April 21,22 (like only one reasonable place to stay), Coimbra, Portugal May 8,9,10 (university festival); Lisbon, Portugal April 23,24,25 (national holiday). Kansai, Japan (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara) may be decided because when the cherries bloom (hanami) it will be crowded. 4. Coming and going... First and last nights in Japan (Narita, Fukuoka), in Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne), in Portugal (Lisbon both times), in Norway (Kristiansand on May 15th is reserved but May 24th is not)... you get the picture. Over 4-5 months there will be dates when it doesn't matter but I like to know where I'm going when I arrive. And having a place to stay before I get on a plane to my next destination is essential as well. 5. I realize that I should just let go. Depend on being flexible and the kindness of strangers. Go with the flow. But my finances and high anxiety won't allow me. Next trip? Maybe just couch surf... play it by ear... make it open-ended like a friend Paula did. But NOT this trip. Not me.  My goal today is to tackle this. |
What to call me new blog... The skies have been dripping. Still spring-like weather. Someone mentioned "crocus". Oh my! I still have small yellow flowers in bloom by my bed. And still lots of questions that need to be answered before this trip! I need to send my itinerary out by mail to family and friends that don't use the internet. I should practice smiling. I do smile a lot. Maybe frown less? Can anyone come over and pack for me?Me: Not too stressed, but need to accomplish some things I've put on a list. Have a better idea how trains and buses run in Ireland... buses are cheaper. And there's a bus from Dublin airport that goes through Cashel on the way to Cork. Can I stay in Mito in Japan? Yes! Do I know a way to get there from Narita airport (Tokyo)? Not yet. Can I afford this trip? Called my bank and we slashed my piggy bank in half. Transferred enough funds to checking to hold me on this trip. Poor  .I'm running out of space on this old blog. I could consolidate it but it may be easier to use my old blog or open another one especially for this trip (and future trips?). It'll need a new name as well. I'll try to do more links on facebook. Few folks read my daily blitherings anymore. The travel blogs will be in a different writing style with a goal of daily writing if not posting. One can hope. |
| ...are killing me... But for my kind of trip? They have to be done.  I do hope to do daily vignettes, even if I don't post daily. I'll need a new blog as well. It will be getting into autumn in Australia and South Africa but I don't expect anything other than slightly cooler temps.  I need some magic. A fairy will do. I'm not a party person so I'm reading the notes on places to stay. Loud-party-hostel? Not for me.  I don't do water but the cheapest places to stay in Honolulu are by the beach... Ah...mE... I am looking at places in Honolulu and Ueno (Taito), Japan. I have choices between hostels and capsule hotels. Capsules? Reminds me a bit of a hostel I stayed at in Goteborg, Sweden and another in Brugge, Belgium. Prices? 5 nights in Honolulu for $150-170. 3 nights in Ueno area of Tokyo. $60-100. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this. End of trip not near to being planned. I've looked at Sweden through June 22. May be doable. But... details. And how do I do everything? Truth? I can't. At least it's now clearER when my mother is visiting my sister. That's no longer a factor. Money could be a factor but I'm more concerned about doing too much. Or not doing what I want to do most. Can the roses in Molde, Norway hear me now? SCREAM. So... I'm doing okay. 53,034 |
...   Note to self: wake up before you make a phone call. South Africa... my trip will be too short.  I may see penguins in Australia or South Africa. I'll be traveling alone... I may need good meds before, during or after flights. Suggestions? Me: Still going a bit nuts. Must make plans for trip back. Then I must reserve places to stay in key cities: 1. The first night off the plane. 2. The night before getting on a plane. 3. Festivals... so I'm not sleeping on the ground. (Old bones  .)Festivals: I'll be in... Japan for the 21st of March. Lisbon, Portugal for the Carnation Revolution, April 25th. Coimbra, Portugal for A Queima das Fitas, May 10th. Kristiansand, Norway for Constitution Day, May 17th. Listowel, Ireland for the Literary Fest, March 28th-30th. (maybe) Goteborg, Sweden for the Pride Parade, June 14th. (maybe) Dalarna, Sweden for the Midsummer fest, June 20th. I'll have to check the calendar of holidays to make sure I'm not missing any key ones. It affects transportation, lodging and what-to-do (something special? everything closed?). So much to do! My friends back east were shocked when I told them this morning. I called Gary... and John walked into his office while we were on the phone. I should've been more awake.  53,029 |
| That or... I'm nuts or... both.  I hope to see some trees on my trip. I also hope to see the fynbos. If there were a pirate ship going my way it'd have to be easier than arranging planes. I'll be on a few trains... those tickets must wait. At times it's cheaper to fly. Must remember to buy tea as gifts and instant coffee bags as well. I was in Costa Rica for my birthday in 2012, in Luxembourg in 2013, in Spain in 2014. This year? South Africa. me me me me me: I haven't been a good person to be around the last two weeks. The planning has driven me nuts. Good plans... and mistakes. So: 1. Honolulu, Hawai'i 2. Tokyo, Japan: Will try to get to Kyoto, Nara, Osaka... plus Shikoku and Kyushu. Would like to visit Tohoku. 3. Brisbane, Australia: To include visiting friends in Sydney and leaving from Melbourne. 4. Cape Town, South Africa (should I have done a stayover in Singapore?) 5. Dubai: It breaks up the trip. Just two nights. 6. Lisbon, Portugal: Coimbra! Évora! Lagos! And probably Tavira, maybe Bragança, Sevilla or Mérida in Spain. 7. Oslo, Norway: Definitely Kristiansand for the 17th of May! 8. Dublin, Ireland: Tra Lí (Writer's workshop in Listowel?), Cork. 9. Oslo, Norway... and it's the 9th of June and the next part isn't planned yet. Sweden? Finland? Latvia? Estonia? Lithuania? Noway: Molde, Solvorn, Ålesund, Trondheim, Voss, Bergen? 10. HOME? That's not planned yet either. I've thought of cutting it a bit short but June 27th is big in Sweden. Some problem with cheap tickets to the U.S. as well; but, Canada may be the answer from Dublin or Glasgow. A lengthy list; but, it's a lengthy trip. 4 months or longer. Anyone want to lend me some money? In other news: I'm eating, sleeping, pooping... and slowly calming down. I'm sooo FOUR YEARS OLD! |
| I have no idea of where I'll go after Japan... Yep. Bought my tickets. I'll be in Honolulu February 26th and Tokyo March 3rd. After that? Annabel mentioned New Zealand. Must consider it. I've gotten some encouragement from friends in Australia. There are reasonable flights between the two. But then back to Japan... or Korea? Onward to Lisbon or Northern Europe. Flights back? Cheap flights to Canada from Dublin. Cheap flight to Dublin from Oslo. Cheap flights... Yeah. I'm looking at my options. But... I'm leaving on a jet plane on February 26th. Might not get back before July. me: I'm okay. At least the stress of buying the first two tickets is over. That wasn't exactly fun. But I did it yesterday. 5 days in Hawai'i instead of 3? I'll cope somehow.  Mild temperatures and some sun. Winter isn't bad when the sidewalks are clear and it's calm and sunny. I like traveling by train but lots of places are cheaper by air! Printers were off line yesterday at the library. But I've got my e-mails and ticket codes. I really need to lose weight... again. 4 months of travel might slim me down. I think I know how to eat cheap in Japan. Can you say noodles? Like: ramen, udon, soba... I'll need to pre-pack soon to get my weight down. Unfortunately computers and notebooks weigh something... chuck the clothes?So... that's it for now. Have lots of work to do to plan next phase of the trip. Entire trip needs to be planned within a couple weeks. Well... the structure of it. The details will come later. But major airplane tickets must be bought a.s.a.p. Bon voyage! |
 I hang wet 'things' wherever I can. More nails? I don't have a smartphone. I use my Samsung 2 tablet when I travel; but... I need to look into a new travel computer. One that is faster and lighter. Plus, Samsung is cracked.  We could all use hugs, even those who resist them. There are times I could use two. I keep forgetting that I should plan a trip through Iceland... and stay for a few days. I forget as much or more that I remember these days. When (not if) I get to Ireland I must raise the flag of the McCarthy on the Cashel Rock!ME: Great lunch today for $4. Moroccan pork roast, couscous (with chickpeas and raisins), spinach salad (with dates and onion and mint). Over the top! I have wet 'things' like pants, shirts, towels, sheets hung all over the place. By evening everything should be dry. Montana is dry  ... and dusty .I made progress on where and how to go if I decide to visit East Asia. No decisions quite yet. I'll let everyone know. And then I'll plan Norway. Want to revisit Portugal and it's a 101 euros flight from Lisbon to Oslo. Lovely .I forgot that the library was closed yesterday... my brain cells are aching. I now have limited computer access at the Senior center as they have decided to be fee based. Everything costs. |
 I made crunchy peanut butter fudge. It tasted fine and set up great. My neighbor really liked it. What kind of shoes to wear to Japan... if I get to Japan. I think something that would not have laces up to my knees might be wise! Like loafers... My phone balance is $55.88. That's $44 spent in 12 weeks. The pay-as-you-go phone plan is saving me money. Still not as convenient as I wish... Today they will spray the baseboards around the halls. Plus spray my bed and futon. We are nearing the end... I've been staying up too late, been too stressed to properly sleep. I set two alarms this morning and managed quite fine. That's my good news for the day... me: I finally have my rooms set up the way I want them. Kinda... I liked reading on the futon/couch last week. Like how the plants are arranged. Like having my kitchen table clear. After the exterminator leaves I can put it all back together again. My place has finally gotten back to feeling like MY place... it's been depressing... since Summer of 2012. In other Snews... Hobie called yesterday and I answered (thankfully; it wasn't a day to use my phone). He had valuable insight in traveling in Japan. Like... don't go during Golden Week. Nara is great. Travel with a phrase book. Eat lunch, not supper (too expensive). Avoid August unless one visits the north. If I arrange to go I'll have to call him again. I had a great chat with Debra on Saturday. She's my age and easy to talk to. She'd love to have a trinket (like a brush) from Japan as she once worked for a Japanese fabric design company. Family is doing well. My mother is 92 and hoping to travel to my sister's this Summer. My sister is making progress with the family genealogy. Our great-great gran Julia McCarthy may have been born in May of 1844 in Tralee, Ireland. It would be so nice to have that confirmed before I go to Ireland... some day. 52,973 |
...soup. I have never been to Mexico. Very diverse country. I will go there if a friend visits and invites me to go with him. I met someone from East Anglia today. There were two Brits in the room at the same time! I introduced them to each other. Just ducky. I have plenty of money to travel... but for how long and how far? Still, I have plenty of money. I remember when I had absolutely nothing. Snow covered, of course. I'm ready to see trees that flower... with blooms! Yep. Soon I'll be dreaming of Spring. Me: I scored some chicken mushroom soup. Ab-fab. I played Chuzzle. It's addicting. Quit after 117,000 points. I really don't have the time to spare. Getting into the thick of my detective novel placed in Montmartre. I meet a friend at the bakery tomorrow; hopefully we talk haiku. The sun is out and I'm inside. Not much to say today. 52,960 |
...fog. Thinking of writing new lyrics to a tune I like. Unfortunately it's in a language I don't speak about a place I have only visited once.  I like spiders because they eat mosquitos. I really don't like dive-bombing buzzing mosquitos. Plus they carry dengue and chikungunya. I stole a candy bar from my friend Joyce just now. Stolen goods taste best! Thinking is good. Over-thinking isn't so good. Lost in thinking is annoying when I'm trying to fall asleep. "I see the ghost of you fishing with your sons. I can almost hear your laughter." A thought for a piece of writing.me: Not much to say today. I puttered around my place yesterday and my kitchen is looking a bit cleaner. Went through some papers. Got my Nick fix by going out to the Break Espresso. So thrilled he's serious about getting a passport and going to China. He says his family is xenophobic so he's definitely expanding everyone's comfort zones. My family wasn't overly xenophobic or racist or really opposed to much of anything (except my mother's disdain for Catholics). We just didn't have the means and unfortunately, my parents decided to raise us in a blue-collar suburb that was almost the death of me. I'm glad I left. Life is so much brighter not living under a basket. By-the-way... did you know how I choose the emoticons every day? Mostly random. I type {e: and see what comes up. {e:smirk} Ah... the fog is lifting... |
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