Seeking Nirvana

We headed to Mexico in November - hoping to encounter warmer temperatures and fewer tourists (like us). I didn’t rub a magic lamp before we left, but we received our wishes (Where was that lamp when Montezuma’s Revenge hit Jason on the day we were supposed to go to Chichen Itza??). Us- being us, would not be content to just relax on the beach sipping margaritas in the shade of palm trees. Our priorities included soaking up plenty of vitamin D, enjoying the bathwater temperatures of the Caribbean (which was four shades of turquoise at once), and experiencing ancient Mayan cities beyond Chichen Itza. The Maya are a rich and industrious people, as seen by the many cities still standing today in this region. It was hard to narrow it down to just a few—each ruin ... read more

I hoped it would be warmer when we got back home, but it hasn't been! That's been my primary excuse for not hiking since we've been back! A couple of weekends ago the weatherman's prediction and what was actually happening outside matched up! But! We also had my four year old nephew for the weekend. I remembered one of my favorite places to go with my girlfriends was Twin Falls--a short hike off I-90 (about 30 minutes outside of Seattle) that has gorgeous waterfalls and family friendly. So off we went.....with thousands of other Seattleites looking to enjoy the brief sunshine. We headed out on the highway around 10:30am, and arrived just in time to see 5 more cars pull in to the parking lot behind us. That's ok; nature should be enjoyed by all. This ... read more

6 months, and I am finally comfortable enough to miss home and crave food from home without going into any sort of panic. And then it is time to go back. The flight home is quiet and uneventful. My last glimpse of the UK was the Isle of Skye, a place I felt oddly connected to; maybe the winter quiet of the island reflects what is going on inside of me. I am leaving a different way of life, of trains and people from all over the world, and quite possibly one of the most challenging social work jobs I have ever had; I am leaving, and I know a little piece of me will always be there. I also know that I will travel again, to many other places. I come home. I feel like ... read more

In between touring some of the major cities and countries, we explored bits of England. From the Tor in Glastonbury, rock formations in Stonehenge and Avebury, to a different kind of rock in Liverpool… Liverpool: The Beatles and the Culture Capital (November 2007) A young girl sits next to the old, gigantic dark wood stereo cabinet. Morning sunlight streams through the house’s many windows. Next to her, sitting cross-legged, her dad, barefoot and in faded jeans, holds an album jacket. Records are scattered on the floor as the jangling guitars and melodic voices of John Lennon and Paul McCartney blend in song. This is one of my earliest memories of the Beatles. Every Saturday, before commencing our chores, my dad and brothers and I sat around the record player listening to the Fab Four. I vowed ... read more

OVER THE SEA TO SKYE (VARIANT) Sing me a song of a lad that is gone Say, could that lad be I? Merry of soul, he sailed on a day Over the sea to Skye Mull was astern, Rum was on port Eigg on the starboard bow Glory of youth glowed in his soul Where is that glory now? Give me again all that was there Give me the sun that shone Give me the eyes, give me the soul Give me the lad that's gone Billow and breeze, islands and seas Mountains of rain and sun All that was good, all that was fair All that was me is gone words by Robert Louis Stevenson I sang this song in choir in my last year of high school. It always sounded mystical and wistful, and ... read more