thisisjoy
Joy Couch Joined: June 5th 2006
Logged in: July 31st 2011
Logged in: July 31st 2011
Travel Blog Posts
Houses In Hvar
The tiny flame flickered furiously as it bent to resist external control. Its un-rhythmic dance served to tease its master as the glow swooped and swayed, paying homage to the wind. Rising swiftly upward then all but ceasing to exist, the fire defiantly demanded its audience take heed. In response, two burly hands encircled the performer to which it slowed in tentative obedience. The master was in control now. His breath drew the flame into complete submission, enticed into a thin strand of light, which crackled at its success. And then, without warning, the fire was extinguished and the master exhaled in a billow of smoke. I woke the next morning covered in ash. Peering out the tiny window I could see the silent flakes fall, like black snow onto a world which feared their origin. ... read more
Flower at Belfast Castle
OXFORD
Oxford Europe » United Kingdom » England » Oxfordshire » Oxford By thisisjoy March 31st 2007The blogs are back and it’s a relief to me that despite working full time in London, I am still managing to get away. Oxford was a welcome break to the city bustle and I don't think I'd quite realised how much I was missing a bit of nature and open spaces! An added bonus was the chance to catch up with some friends from many years ago and to revive some of the old school memories. A big thanks to Anna, Fran & Rachel for their hospitalit... read more
Nai Soi, Thailand
As my travels though SE Asia have drawn to a close, I've been thinking back over the months and many places I have had the chance to visit. On one of my last days in Burma, I set my IPOD to shuffle and was excited to hear one of my old favorite songs. The words fit how I felt and still do feel in a poetic way about the world and the people in it. Here are those lyrics and some faces of those I've met along the way... Different People - Lyrics by No Doubt Things can be broken down In this world of ours You don't have to be a famous person Just to make your mark A mother can be an inspiration To her little son Change his thoughts, his mind, his life, ... read more
Hua-Hin-Couch-Kids-King-Kong-Pose
This blog has remained unpublished for nearly 5 months. Although the photos have long been arranged and captions created, at each attempt to consider the story it represents, I am faced with a delicate and difficult task: To tell a tale that will perhaps be cryptic to most, but is in fact the only way I know how. I left Thailand in January 2007. In the days leading up to departure there was a massive flurry of photos - some to document the passing moments that would forever be fondly remembered, and others unearthed to connect more than a decade worth of attachment to one place - surely something of an oddity for such wandering lives. Photos were sorted, stacked and catalogued and I was eventually handed a small pile labeled 'Thailand' to choose from. As ... read more
Approaching Dhammayan Gyi Temple
Hours from Inle to Bagan: 12 Number of arses that can fit on bus seat for two from Inle to Bagan: 1 & 1/2 Number of people permitted on the bus: unlimited Tourist entry fee into Bagan: $10 USD. Local Burmese food along the way: $0.70 USD Mandalay beer for Bindal on arrival: $1.50 USD Chinese tea for me: complementary Dirty double room per night: $4 USD Horse & cart temple tour: $3 USD Burmese souvenir: $7 USD Discovering just before boarding the 16 hour bus from Bagan to Yangon that the peculiar stomach cramp from that morning is actually full blown diarrhea: absolutely priceless. ... read more
