I gasped

when I suddenly awoke from a deep sleep and saw a silhouette in the shadows in my little brothers’ living room. A stranger stood two yards from my feet, and I wondered if I was in imminent danger.

As I have been sleeping in a lot in unfamiliar places over the past months traveling, I was least expecting to have a dangerous encounter in the safety of my brothers Boulder home. After recounting past nights stuffing my purse at the bottom of my sleeping bag in dormitory hostel rooms, it’s ironic that this time, I decided that was an unnecessary precaution. Who knew this was the one time it actually mattered.

My heart began to beat at an uncontrollable speed as tried to regain my bearings at this midnight hour.

The sound of my reaction started the man, too. “Oh, I didn’t see you there, maam. I’m sorry, maam,” he said.

What? Sorry? Who is that? How the hell did he get in here, I thought. Those words stammered out of my mouth two moments later. “Some guy let me in,” he said. I, not knowing exactly where that back door really led to, noted the likely flaw in his story and also noted his fingers were inches from my computer bag and purse.

I desperately tried to record the details of his face, perhaps I would need to describe him one day soon. He could be a criminal. He could be a rapist. Okay, he could be one of my brother’s friends. Or, he could be a just some random drunk guy.

I could barely make out the contours of his face, but was thankful I left the bathroom light on, which let in just enough light.

He said he was looking for the party. He said it was meant be in that unit. He asked me if so and so was there. Whomever he wanted did not belong to this house. He began to apologize again and then assured me he was just looking for the party. I just wanted the creepy guy out.

His story was plausible. He did have an empty green beer bottle in his hand. It matched the big green stripes in his shirt. Okay, he’s a drunk dude just looking for the party.

I shoed him to out, so he obediently turned and stumbled out the door. RELIEF! Then I rushed over to my computer bag and purse. My purse was unzipped. Why was my purse unzipped? Did I leave it like that? Maybe. Hmm, well, luckily, nothing was missing, so I thought.

I quickly called my brother. I didn’t know it, but he was asleep upstairs in this room the whole time. He, knowing I can be a worry wort, reassured me it was probably nothing. This is Boulder, people go to parties, and when people get drunk, this kind of stuff happens, people walk into the wrong house. It was Saturday night!

I had a hard time sleeping after that. I wrote in my journal for hours, and then left the next morning a bit restless.

A few hours later, I received a text message from my brother. Two ipods were missing. Damn.

Road Trip to Minnesota

Hop in the car and take a trip to the land of 10,000 lakes; it's time to celebrate cousin Becky's new marriage!


Click HERE to view the album

Africa, Asia & America all in one week!

It wasn't easy battling the combined side effects of potent anti-malarials and continued jet lag on my return home. I touched base in seven countries in ten days--Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, China / Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, and finally, the USA--yikes! My world changed drastically--as quickly as one can change channels on the television! My pockets were filled with coins of varying currencies; my tongue unsure of what language to spit out; my head, dizzy; and my limbs numb, literally! Never has my bed felt so soft, my clothes never smelt so clean, or mom's cookin' never tasted so good!!! It was quite a luxury to return to home sweet home. Even for only one day.

Kickin' it with Bruce Lee in Hong Kong

A good friend of mine was appaled when I told her I was going to Africa via Hong Kong and not stopping to have a look. So, added a stopover in hopes to understand why everyone tells me it's so wonderful.

It was a challenge, tired & jet lagged from recent travels and a bit under the weather, but I surprised myself and even Bruce Lee with all the miles covered.
(Wax museum at The Peak)

I was impressed with Hong Kong's fabulously futuristic buildings and assortment of double-decker busses. The architecture was innovative and interesting to look at.

(Picture of Lippo buildings taken from Hong Kong Park)

I enjoyed the Tea Museum in Hong Kong Park. Who could imagine there were so many creative ways to sculpt a simple tea set! My favorite was the "half" tea set, which featured two sets of teapots split laterally and longitudinally.

I was also maybe impressed with the cheesy-but-kind-of-cool Symphony of Lights--the daily night show that choreographs flashing lights in the city skyline to ice skating music.


At first, I was slightly disappointed in how Western this Asian city felt, especially when walking down the diverse Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui. Having been to some other really "Asian" cities with ancient and traditional charm, Hong Kong lacked the authentic feel I suppose I was looking for. Hong Kong stands out in my mind because it is so mixed. It's considered the place where “East meets West,” and that's exactly how it felt.

I searched out Chinese elements where I could. I found a mid-autumn Chinese lantern festival and fire dragon dance my first evening. It was horribly crowded, but also exciting to stand in with the masses and take part in the festivities (though I was envious of the shorties with stepping ladders). The fire dragon was a little unusual, a big furry hose-like thing with flaming incense sticks arranged on top. I suppose what was more fascinating was the line of people holding this heavy spectacle above their heads and moving in unison.


I was not so impressed with the infamous budget accommodation supercenter called Chung King Mansions. It was easy to understand my frustration, after traversing across three blocks and investigating seventeen floors of dodgy guesthouses and leaving empty handed. Seeking out budget accommodation on a holiday weekday is impossible for anyone with some standards. Then again, what did I expect from a place with sketchy touters hassling you on the ground floor; a place that videotapes elevator rides, and then broadcasts the footage to awaiting passengers in the lobby? I settled for the cheapest option, because it was comparably as dodgy as the more expensive alternatives, the $7/night youth hostel across the street.



It was a bit, well, disgusting, but, I spent my hard saved money on what Hong Kong is most famous for: shopping!!! I whizzed through the ladies market and left with a few souvenirs to enjoy forever. A girl's got priorities! haha.

African Drums, Part Two: Zanzibar

(Boat to Prison Island)

A few billion zebras and impalas later, it was time to shake things up; adding a little sunshine, a little sand, and some spice to the mix! Unfortunately, we had to let half our team go, as they were decidedly voted off the island / truck (or off to do something more fun without us). Twelve remained for African Drums: part two, which took place on an exotic little island called Zanzibar.

Fresh off the boat, we arrived in Stone Town a bit dazed and confused; a mixture of sea sickness and shock from the drastic change in setting. The ferry ride from mainland Tanzania transported us miles away to an exotic land.
(Stone Town)

Zanzibar, also known as the "Spice Islands", has historical ties with the slave trade.
.

Our visit fell right at the start of Ramadan, and Stone Town is nearly completely Muslim. Though we arrived with mouths salivating for fresh seafood, we had to wait until dark to dig in; no food in public during daylight hours! I was a bit apprehensive about paying only $5 for my humongous crab claw and Coke...but managed to avoid food poisioning!

(Forodhani Gardens outdoor food market)

Our very own Ali-G-like Ali-T tour guide was very entertaining and drove us to some spice plantations in a mosquito-infested van. He taught us about nutmeg, cardamom, tumeric, lemongrass, cinnamon, vanilla, coco bean, and more! He told us not to be shy like the mimosa, which temporarily shrivels up when you touch it, but to interact with the spices: taste, touch, smell and feel. I most enjoyed eating passion fruit during the fresh fruit tasting session and trying the ever-so large jackfruit…too bad it was Ramadan and we could not taste the curry!

We also sailed to Prison Island, finding Giant Tortoises hungry for a feed!


After a few days in Stone Town, we zoomed up the the northern beaches for a total change in pace.


It was the perfect place for rest and relaxation. We settled down in bungalow town called Nungwi. We laid in the sun and watched ancient dhows sail across turquoise blue water while relaxing on the white sand beaches.


We also had a jumping contest (Go Noah!)


I most enjoyed the walk through the town to the aquarium, where the brave got to swim with the turtles!




Until next time...

African Drums, Part One: On Safari

There are just a few prices one must pay in order to experience East Africa on a budget.

One must:
Endure miles and miles of turbulent, bumpy roads;


Sleep in basic campsites in a 2-man tent;


Flap the dishes dry;
Taste poison on occasion when ingesting too much bug spray;
Remove layers of dust and dirt with baby wipes;
Or brave a “ish-ish” cold shower;

And bear the stench of a series of long drop toilets.


As grim as that may sound, that's all part of the fun when you travel over land to experience the REAL "Africa Africa"...and it was well worth it.

Much was covered along the 21-day journey around East Africa. The overland safari included a variety of bathroom stops, and curio shops along the way, with highlights marked daily. The tour started in Nairobi, Kenya, and moved straight to Lake Nakuru for some animal watching. Then, we stopped at Lake Naivasha and Hells Gate National Park on the way to Kenya’s most famous game park, the Masai Mara. Week two, we exited Kenya after seeing the elephants at Amboseli National Park, and covered Northern Tanzania’s two most popular game parks, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti. Changing gears, during week three, I traded my binoculars for my bikini and enjoyed the white sand beaches and Spice tour on Zanzibar Island.



(The Masai at dawn at Amboseli National Park)

WEEK ONE & TWO: SAFARI IN KENYA & TANZANIA
*Seeing the pink stripe of flamingos along Lake Nakuru and observing the dinosaur-like white Rhino.


*Spotting hippos while boating across Lake Naivasha and stopping to take a walk with the giraffes





*Biking alongside zebras and impalas at Hells Gate National Park and doing a challenging trek through the picturesque gorge (where they filmed Tomb Raider and where they did the sketches for the Lion King)



*Indulging in a lukewarm, but locally brewed, Tusker beer, overlooking the intriguing town of Narok



*Watching thousands of wildebeest hoofs thunder across the Masai Mara's rolling plains.


*Gazing at the most intensely-colored evening sunset (Masai Mara)

*Spotting Africa's "Big 5": lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino





*taking in the brilliant colors of the Masai women's brightly patterned clothing



*Watching the Masai warriors jump to win the ladies and listening to the unfamiliar sounds in song


*Chowing down on endless rounds of meat at Nairobi's famous Carnivore Restaurant (also considered one of the world's top 50 restaurants)


*Catching a cheetah kill an antelope at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro and coming face to face with the African Elephant (Amboseli National Park)




*Observing ruffled feathers and exaggerated movements of ostrich mating in the Serengeti


*Witnessing hungry hyenas scavenge over a wildebeest carcass at Ngorongoro Crater


*Bargaining with merchants (and gaining a reputation for my negotiation skills & the "Stone Cold" face)


*Watching the booties on the dance floor


AND--
*Collecting African recipes from Noah, fighting like Jackie Chan, and learning the Swahili lyrics to "Jambo Jambo" (theme song of the trip)




...all to walk away,


charmed, to say the least!


I'd be lying if I said it was easy,

(William and his toothbrush)



but it sure was great.

(Serengeti)


(Mt. Kilimanjaro)

3 Cheers to my awesome Aussie Safari Crew!


Enjoy your t-shirts!


and a BIG shout out to my amazing tentmate Louise!

Happy Feet