What a dream I had...pressed in organdy, clothed in crinoline of smoky burgundy softer than the rain.
I wandered empty streets down past the shop displays. I heard cathedral bells dripping down the alleyways as I walked on.
And when you ran to me your cheeks flushed with the night. We walked on frosted fields of juniper and lamplight- I held your hand.
And when I awoke and felt you warm and near I kissed your honey hair with my grateful tears. I love you girl. I love you.
--Paul Simon
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
REBA
My work at the World Health Organization has ended, and the pace of life is a bit different around here now. The WHO is a necessary, quirky, amazing, frustrating and enlightening entity. There are some fabulous people working there (many of whom I was lucky enough to see daily), and there are some oddballs. I am legally obliged to not get too into it, but suffice it to say that I am very grateful for the time I have spent there.
On new fronts...
-We now have a PIANO (read: nice keyboard) in our apartment, and we will soon play host to recitals, lessons, hymnsings, chorales and perhaps the composition of a few pieces.
-I've taken a number of fabulous day trips into Geneva and out to Avenches and Annecy.
-Tyler has come and gone back to the homeland, and I am INCREDIBLY thankful and joyous anytime I get to see his face.
-I am cooking much more now. Since yesterday I've made a tasty cilantro salsa, a pomegranate salad wrap and some delicious Moo-Shu Pork. Yummm. I'm looking for good recipes if anybody's good any ideas...
But I must say...without a doubt in my mind...the most important and exciting thing going on in my life right now is the planning of my Reallybig European Backpacking Adventure (REBA). Two days ago, I ordered my Eurail ticket online, previously being prompted to expect 4 weeks for delivery. So when I got a call earlier today from a Frenchmen saying things I couldn't quite pick out, I assumed he had a wrong number, apologized and hung up. Faith & I were just on the way out to the store and we didn't have time for misinformed callers. We went out, got into the car and were backing out as Carlos--the lovable concierge who manages to shovel the walkways better than anyone in France despite seemingly constant toxic blood alcohol levels-- made a strange gesture to me to stop the car. After a few confused moments, I signed for a package from the Eurail office in the Netherlands and thanked the delivery man for his patience- 48 hours from online confirmation to doorstep.
Since then I have cleared EVERYTHING off the dining room table except maps, pens, a lamp and this computer. Though the large table is relatively clear, my head is FILLED with big thoughts and plans, potential routes and housing accommodations, museums and landmarks. I want to do it all though I don't have the time. It feels strange to write off a city or even a country from the itinerary with the flick of my pen; it feels weird to think of all the places that I WON'T be able to see in my month on the road. But as I scan the docket of incredible places I will get to experience, I can't help but smile.
I wish I could videotape my dreams tonight- from romantic walks along the Mediterranean to dancing ballerinas with drunk Carlos' head on them to a broken wall in Berlin, in a matter of minutes. But I need to sit here and prepare myself because the journey will pass by just as quickly and I've got to be prepared to move fast and cherish every minute.
It all seems so far away as I sit here in front of funny-colored maps and timetables with nothing but time at my fingertips, but this ticket's arrival has set in motion a visceral excitement in me- a tingling in my core I set out to address when I left for this adventure months ago.
I'm ready.
On new fronts...
-We now have a PIANO (read: nice keyboard) in our apartment, and we will soon play host to recitals, lessons, hymnsings, chorales and perhaps the composition of a few pieces.
-I've taken a number of fabulous day trips into Geneva and out to Avenches and Annecy.
-Tyler has come and gone back to the homeland, and I am INCREDIBLY thankful and joyous anytime I get to see his face.
-I am cooking much more now. Since yesterday I've made a tasty cilantro salsa, a pomegranate salad wrap and some delicious Moo-Shu Pork. Yummm. I'm looking for good recipes if anybody's good any ideas...
But I must say...without a doubt in my mind...the most important and exciting thing going on in my life right now is the planning of my Reallybig European Backpacking Adventure (REBA). Two days ago, I ordered my Eurail ticket online, previously being prompted to expect 4 weeks for delivery. So when I got a call earlier today from a Frenchmen saying things I couldn't quite pick out, I assumed he had a wrong number, apologized and hung up. Faith & I were just on the way out to the store and we didn't have time for misinformed callers. We went out, got into the car and were backing out as Carlos--the lovable concierge who manages to shovel the walkways better than anyone in France despite seemingly constant toxic blood alcohol levels-- made a strange gesture to me to stop the car. After a few confused moments, I signed for a package from the Eurail office in the Netherlands and thanked the delivery man for his patience- 48 hours from online confirmation to doorstep.
Since then I have cleared EVERYTHING off the dining room table except maps, pens, a lamp and this computer. Though the large table is relatively clear, my head is FILLED with big thoughts and plans, potential routes and housing accommodations, museums and landmarks. I want to do it all though I don't have the time. It feels strange to write off a city or even a country from the itinerary with the flick of my pen; it feels weird to think of all the places that I WON'T be able to see in my month on the road. But as I scan the docket of incredible places I will get to experience, I can't help but smile.
I wish I could videotape my dreams tonight- from romantic walks along the Mediterranean to dancing ballerinas with drunk Carlos' head on them to a broken wall in Berlin, in a matter of minutes. But I need to sit here and prepare myself because the journey will pass by just as quickly and I've got to be prepared to move fast and cherish every minute.
It all seems so far away as I sit here in front of funny-colored maps and timetables with nothing but time at my fingertips, but this ticket's arrival has set in motion a visceral excitement in me- a tingling in my core I set out to address when I left for this adventure months ago.
I'm ready.
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