This note has nothing to do with my Next Big Adventure but I need to take a minute to look back on what some of my past adventures have allowed to me see and experience.
I remember Dec. 26, 2004. My family and I booked a fabulous all inclusive Christmas vacation to the Dominican Republic. The resort was buzzing as guests milled back and forth from the news on all of the TVs to peering out at the calm, blue sea that was our hotel front. Trying to understand the devastation of those SE Asian countries as we all prepared for a day of sun and swimming was next to impossible. The hesitation for water activities increased as the day wore on and the newsfeeds rolled in.
I remember Dec. 26, 2005. I had been in Thailand for two months and had overcome the tear-jerking, nausea causing culture shock by this point, and had started my love obsession with this country and its people. We were on a break from our school and my dear friend Joanna and I were spending a few days on the beaches of Ton Sai and Railay along the coast of South Thailand to celebrate our Western holiday. A fabulous Christmas dinner the night before left some of our friends slightly incapacitated for most of the morning. Dec. 26 also happens to be Jo's birthday. I decorated the door and porch of the hut where Jo was soundly sleeping off the previous night's festivities and I hiked through the jungle up over the rocky barrier that separates the two beaches. Railay was usually pretty deserted early in the mornings so I wasn't surprised to see that indescribable white sand wide open for my sun bathing.
Shortly after I settled down to bake in the Thai heat, I noticed people gathering near the water line. More and more people, not in a group, but kind of standing side by side, along the shore. Thais and white folk alike slowly made their way to the edge of the water, quietly, staring out to sea. Curiosity overcame me and I had to see what was going on. Just before I reached the water, the realization of the date and time and what exactly was happening came rushing together for me. As I approached the growing line of people, I saw that everyone was holding hands. I quietly became part of the line, took someone's hand as another took mine, and we all stood there, no words, no sound but the gentle breathing of the soft waves on the softer sand. I don't remember if songs were sung or prayers were said, but I remember standing there for a very long time and trying to imagine, but failing miserably, how this flat, inviting, warm, salty vacation destination had devastated this part of the country only one short year ago. The memories, however, were vivid for some as told by the tears on many faces that day.
A few days later, Joanna and I moved on to Phi Phi as the stories and tales continued. Railay, being underdeveloped and on the mainland no longer showed the scars of the deadly wave and was quick to rebuild. Phi Phi, however, was not so lucky. Evidence of how the wave had attacked this small, open island from both sides was everywhere and still a very real problem. Talking to diveshop employees and locals who had survived the ordeal but lost everything else was overwhelming. Despite the vivid descriptions and stories, it is still impossible to imagine.
Then finally, this past year, May 2009, I had the chance to visit Northern Sumatra. I went for the diving and had quite honestly forgotten about the effects that the tsunami had on this part of the world. Until I realized that I would be taking the bus to Banda Aceh. Banda Aceh. I don't think there's a soul in the world who doesn't know this name, this place. I first heard it in Dec. 2004, I first saw it in May 2009. While billions of relief and aid dollars have helped to rebuild this place and despite the 40C heat that seems to beat in on you from every direction, I felt chills up my spine as the water came into view. The water off of Banda Aceh is big. Open and wild and big. Bits of land creep along the coastline reaching out to that fear commanding Indian Ocean.
Crossing that ocean on a ferry over to Pulau Weh in the calm of day, looking back onto the mainland of Banda Aceh, you could see how flat everything was. No trees, no tall buildings, and shiny new rooves as far back as more than 5 miles from the shore. It was absolutely intimidating. I asked for and was told more tales of devastation and survival on the small island of Pulau Weh, everywhere continuing to rebuild. Even being there, it was impossible to comprehend what had happened that day.
I don't know if it's okay to say that I've been "lucky" to see some of these magnificent people and places that have been completely reshaped because of the angry water five years ago, but I know I am humbled to have seen strength and resiliency unmatched on our side of the world. Dec. 26. And life goes on...
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
On the move...
Merry Christmas to everyone! If you're all experiencing a bit of withdrawal after faithfully tracking Santa on his journey across the globe, feel free to carry on with the tracking fever and follow me as I trace Santa's footsteps. Nowhere near as generous or joyfully welcomed as the jolly old guy, I'm sure, but hey, I bet he won't have the stories of disaster and drama that seem to endlessly entertain. So here to provide that bit of entertainment, is the trouble I've already gotten into, even though I'm only in CHICAGO!
As I stumbled and stuttered around the house this morning, gathering the way too many way too heavy bags that I packed, dumped out on the kitchen floor, and packed several more times last night, I was good to go and on time. Feeling pretty tired but as organized as I was going to get, my mom, dad, sister and I headed out for Halifax international airport. A quaint little airport that is closed as often as it is open due to Maritime weather but for the most part, employees at the airport generally tend to have that East coast friendliness that starts your trip off with a smile. Apparently working Christmas Day did not bring out that East coast friendliness in the airport employees today.
Waiting in line after trying several times to do the self-check in, print your own boarding pass, we were sniped at twice by this lovely United airlines hag who insisted that yes, it can be done. Knowing that I was flying internationally and only connecting in the US, we decided to ignore her and her self-righteousness and carry on. She was one of the two very special gifts who were scheduled to work checking in passengers on this lovely Christmas morn. The other sweetheart was white-haired with a pile of yellowing curled hair pieces pinned up on her somewhat scowling head. We listened as they berated a sweet old lady about one thing or another and this sweet old lady proved them wrong as she knew exactly what she was doing and it was THEY who made the mistakes. No apologies from Santa's little helpers, nor when we proved them wrong by needing them to print off my boarding pass. sigh. smile and cheer, Merry Christmas hags! Whatever. $50 later, two bags checked in, we hung around in the iconic company of Tim Hortons and waited out the time.
I bid my family farewell, cleared customs, and plopped my butt at my gate with the clock reading 11:57am. We were due to start boarding at 11:59am and fly at 12:19pm. The same two lovely senior elves were the boarding guards. They waited until I sat down, then one of these silver tongued snotbags paged "passenger Beaton". So up and I went with a smile on my face... Are you going to Chicago?... I sure am... sigh, eye rolls and nasty snarls between the two Christmas angels thrown out of heaven ... everybody is already on the plane!... oh, sorry, my pass said we haven't even started boarding yet... more sighs and eye rolls... everyone is waiting on you, you better get on the plane... okay (cheesy big smile) I'll go right away. Thanks so much! ugh. see ya later wrinkly alligators!!! Oh how I wanted to stick out my tongue at them.
Don't go yet... I got in trouble one more time...
Sitting on the mostly empty plane, the flight attendants were encouraging people to spread out if they wanted. I had my row to myself so I was good. Just before we took off, the phlegm filled creature behind me started to cough. And not just cough, but hack and snort and dredge up any remaining tissue that may have been left in their lungs. I felt my hair being blown and caressed by this unbelievably disgusting germ container. Dude... COME ON! H1N1 is on every single form of media on the planet, COVER YOUR FREAKING MOUTH!!!! So this carried on and I was just getting more and more and MORE sicked out by the second. We stopped to de-ice and I knew I had to make a break for it. I grabbed my bag, scoped out a seat a couple of rows ahead, and bolted.
The second my ass left the seat, I heard the wider than the airplane aisle flight attendant start yelling,"Ma'am! Ma'am! MA'AM!!!" I dodged into my seat and slunk down feeling the burn of staring eyes and hearing the tsk tsks of my fellow sardines. Then the too large to close her mouth flight attendant picked up the P.A. system and publically scolded me. "Passengers! Just because we are stopped for de-icing does NOT mean that you can get out of your seats!! The seat belt sign is on! Sit down, fasten your seatbelts and STAY IN YOUR SEATS!!!" I thought I was going to die. But when faced with the choice of dying from embarassment or nasty, nasty germ creature, I opted for embarassment. sigh. Not a good start to the trip.
Off we went and two and a half hours later I'm in Chicago. Four and a half hours to wait and I am LOVING my new mini laptop, being the uber geeky chick typing away in the empty waiting area. All Asian boys are very envious of my new toy - I see them checking it out. Not checking ME out, checking my LAPTOP out. But hey, I'm okay with that. It IS a pretty cool new toy. So a couple of more hours to wait then I'm on the overnight to London. Will arrive there, attempt to gather my excess of baggage and crash at my hotel for the following 24 hours. I have a feeling I'll have a few more stories to share by then if today's start was any hint as to how this trip is going to go.
I have to get sign out for now as all of the electrical outlets in the airport seem to be occupied and my battery is almost dead. Hope everyone is having the Merriest of Christmas and eating lots of turkey for me. My sis and brother in law are taking care of the drinking part. Talk to everyone soon! xo
As I stumbled and stuttered around the house this morning, gathering the way too many way too heavy bags that I packed, dumped out on the kitchen floor, and packed several more times last night, I was good to go and on time. Feeling pretty tired but as organized as I was going to get, my mom, dad, sister and I headed out for Halifax international airport. A quaint little airport that is closed as often as it is open due to Maritime weather but for the most part, employees at the airport generally tend to have that East coast friendliness that starts your trip off with a smile. Apparently working Christmas Day did not bring out that East coast friendliness in the airport employees today.
Waiting in line after trying several times to do the self-check in, print your own boarding pass, we were sniped at twice by this lovely United airlines hag who insisted that yes, it can be done. Knowing that I was flying internationally and only connecting in the US, we decided to ignore her and her self-righteousness and carry on. She was one of the two very special gifts who were scheduled to work checking in passengers on this lovely Christmas morn. The other sweetheart was white-haired with a pile of yellowing curled hair pieces pinned up on her somewhat scowling head. We listened as they berated a sweet old lady about one thing or another and this sweet old lady proved them wrong as she knew exactly what she was doing and it was THEY who made the mistakes. No apologies from Santa's little helpers, nor when we proved them wrong by needing them to print off my boarding pass. sigh. smile and cheer, Merry Christmas hags! Whatever. $50 later, two bags checked in, we hung around in the iconic company of Tim Hortons and waited out the time.
I bid my family farewell, cleared customs, and plopped my butt at my gate with the clock reading 11:57am. We were due to start boarding at 11:59am and fly at 12:19pm. The same two lovely senior elves were the boarding guards. They waited until I sat down, then one of these silver tongued snotbags paged "passenger Beaton". So up and I went with a smile on my face... Are you going to Chicago?... I sure am... sigh, eye rolls and nasty snarls between the two Christmas angels thrown out of heaven ... everybody is already on the plane!... oh, sorry, my pass said we haven't even started boarding yet... more sighs and eye rolls... everyone is waiting on you, you better get on the plane... okay (cheesy big smile) I'll go right away. Thanks so much! ugh. see ya later wrinkly alligators!!! Oh how I wanted to stick out my tongue at them.
Don't go yet... I got in trouble one more time...
Sitting on the mostly empty plane, the flight attendants were encouraging people to spread out if they wanted. I had my row to myself so I was good. Just before we took off, the phlegm filled creature behind me started to cough. And not just cough, but hack and snort and dredge up any remaining tissue that may have been left in their lungs. I felt my hair being blown and caressed by this unbelievably disgusting germ container. Dude... COME ON! H1N1 is on every single form of media on the planet, COVER YOUR FREAKING MOUTH!!!! So this carried on and I was just getting more and more and MORE sicked out by the second. We stopped to de-ice and I knew I had to make a break for it. I grabbed my bag, scoped out a seat a couple of rows ahead, and bolted.
The second my ass left the seat, I heard the wider than the airplane aisle flight attendant start yelling,"Ma'am! Ma'am! MA'AM!!!" I dodged into my seat and slunk down feeling the burn of staring eyes and hearing the tsk tsks of my fellow sardines. Then the too large to close her mouth flight attendant picked up the P.A. system and publically scolded me. "Passengers! Just because we are stopped for de-icing does NOT mean that you can get out of your seats!! The seat belt sign is on! Sit down, fasten your seatbelts and STAY IN YOUR SEATS!!!" I thought I was going to die. But when faced with the choice of dying from embarassment or nasty, nasty germ creature, I opted for embarassment. sigh. Not a good start to the trip.
Off we went and two and a half hours later I'm in Chicago. Four and a half hours to wait and I am LOVING my new mini laptop, being the uber geeky chick typing away in the empty waiting area. All Asian boys are very envious of my new toy - I see them checking it out. Not checking ME out, checking my LAPTOP out. But hey, I'm okay with that. It IS a pretty cool new toy. So a couple of more hours to wait then I'm on the overnight to London. Will arrive there, attempt to gather my excess of baggage and crash at my hotel for the following 24 hours. I have a feeling I'll have a few more stories to share by then if today's start was any hint as to how this trip is going to go.
I have to get sign out for now as all of the electrical outlets in the airport seem to be occupied and my battery is almost dead. Hope everyone is having the Merriest of Christmas and eating lots of turkey for me. My sis and brother in law are taking care of the drinking part. Talk to everyone soon! xo
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Back in NS
So this isn't quite the African adventure I had promised yet, but I'm getting there, step by step. If you keep checking in from time to time, I can almost guarantee that these entries will become a little more entertaining. For now, I'm still on Canadian soil watching the sand slip much too quickly through that unstoppable hourglass.
After many tear-filled, heart wrenching, no-I'm-really-never-coming-back, goodbyes, I boarded my Air Canada flight to Halifax via Toronto. As we were waiting patiently on the lovely new plane with the individual pods that have now replaced 1st class seating (jealous!), the lovely flight attendants were paging a missing passenger. Over the PA system and walking up and down the aisles, repeat calls for "Tom Collins" were heard echoing through the air. I couldn't help but laugh out loud and comment to my seat mate that, well OF COURSE he's still in the pub, he's TOM COLLINS for crying out loud! Eventually this gangly kid of all of about 23 stumbles into his empty seat, makes a few spacey wisecracks about being up all weekend, then promptly falls asleep. It was the flight attendant who commented on the disappointment in that one - with a name like Tom Collins, we were definitely hoping for a little more entertainment than THAT! Sheesh.
So la de dah, we wait, and wait. Apparently we were waiting on the de-icing crew. They finally arrive and we leave an hour and a half late. No biggie as this delay only shortened my layover in Toronto. It was only after I arrived home did I find out that some of the delay with the de-icing crew most likely came from the fact that one of the de-icing guys at the YYC airport fell out of his bucket and died just a couple of hours previous to me boarding my plane! My dad filled me in on this when I got into Halifax. So apparently it made national news, but noone in the airport was aware. Wow. Horrible. Ongoing drama that I didn't even know about.
On to the drama that I DID know about... we arrive in Toronto and pull up to our gate. The Captain comes on to the PA system and very calmly requests that we all remain seated while they deal with a "minor security issue". Ummm... pardon? Being confined on a plane for even three minutes after being informed that there is a "minor security issue" is somewhat unsettling. My seatmate and I were spectulating and hypothesizing as to what kind of story was about to unfold as there were no major disruptions on the flight as far as we knew. The only inkling of ruffled feathers was two flight attendants loudly discussing a bothersome passenger over the drink cart. Apparently a man continued to swear at a female flight attendant after she repeatedly advised him of his inappropriate language. The male flight attended did a lot of agreeing and cheerleading telling her that she handled things very well even though he didn't really see what happened. K, folks... just a word of advice, don't be chatting about the passengers you don't like within earshot of other passengers, it just makes you look silly. Really. So yeah, back to the "minor security issue"...
We continue with our waiting and creative imagining, when quite suddenly 5 nicely armed, POLICE labelled, very focused men in grey fatigues with body armour and weapons strapped to bulging arms and legs walk quickly and with purpose towards the middle of the plane. I'm in a window seat but you can be darn sure that I was up and turned around watching for the show that was about to go down. They stop about midway back, stand in front of a rather chubby, well-dressed young man, say a few words, and this "minor security issue" stands up, puts on his glasses, and saunters off the plane with a smug little smile on his face. As he walked past me, I recognized him as the nice chubby guy who held the washroom door open for me when I had to pee during the flight. Seriously. I had a connection to the "minor security issue"! But that's it. No hassle, no fuss, no wrestling or raised voices, or hints of insanity. Just a casual stroll off the plane with my buddies, the goons. It could have been SUCH a great story. Sorry.
I did see this guy chatting with the 5 stormtroopers and three local cops as we entered into the airport; the cops had their hands in their pockets and no one seemed all too concerned. Then about a half an hour later, I saw the chubby "minor security issue" who held the washroom door open for me being led in handcuffs out of the arrivals area by this same large, armed entourage. He had taken his coat off by this point, must have become flustered by all of the attention, and one of the nice, POLICE labelled gentlemen was carrying it for him. They all continued to chat and smile and stroll. Sigh. What a disappointing end to what started out as a bit of an adreneline rush.
The rest of the trip out of Toronto and onto Halifax was uneventful. Weather held out, just barely, and I crashed HARD into a nice, soft bed. After almost a week of foam pads and a sleeping bag on the hard floor of my lonely apartment, the excessive amount of time in my bed today can be forgiven. Or at least somewhat justified.
Today was as unproductive as all hell but tomorrow the crunch is on. Last minute running around, unpacking to repack, and tying up any and all loose ends that may still be buzzing around my severely overloaded brain. None of this has sunk in yet. That's the funny thing about coming home first. Everything is too familiar and too comfortable - there is no possibility at this point of even being able to conceive of the chaos soon to be upon me. For now, I'm letting everyone else be anxious and excited for me. Thanks for that, by the way.
Okay, so another unadventurous post but like I said, they will improve. I expect responses and remarks and cries of how much I am missed as time marches on and the distance between me and my native land grows. I'm serious people! Off to bed for me. For those of you not on Facebook, boo on you, for everyone reading this, get on Skype, register Janice Beaton as your friend, and hopefully we can chat to save your eyesight from my long windedness. Nighty night.
After many tear-filled, heart wrenching, no-I'm-really-never-coming-back, goodbyes, I boarded my Air Canada flight to Halifax via Toronto. As we were waiting patiently on the lovely new plane with the individual pods that have now replaced 1st class seating (jealous!), the lovely flight attendants were paging a missing passenger. Over the PA system and walking up and down the aisles, repeat calls for "Tom Collins" were heard echoing through the air. I couldn't help but laugh out loud and comment to my seat mate that, well OF COURSE he's still in the pub, he's TOM COLLINS for crying out loud! Eventually this gangly kid of all of about 23 stumbles into his empty seat, makes a few spacey wisecracks about being up all weekend, then promptly falls asleep. It was the flight attendant who commented on the disappointment in that one - with a name like Tom Collins, we were definitely hoping for a little more entertainment than THAT! Sheesh.
So la de dah, we wait, and wait. Apparently we were waiting on the de-icing crew. They finally arrive and we leave an hour and a half late. No biggie as this delay only shortened my layover in Toronto. It was only after I arrived home did I find out that some of the delay with the de-icing crew most likely came from the fact that one of the de-icing guys at the YYC airport fell out of his bucket and died just a couple of hours previous to me boarding my plane! My dad filled me in on this when I got into Halifax. So apparently it made national news, but noone in the airport was aware. Wow. Horrible. Ongoing drama that I didn't even know about.
On to the drama that I DID know about... we arrive in Toronto and pull up to our gate. The Captain comes on to the PA system and very calmly requests that we all remain seated while they deal with a "minor security issue". Ummm... pardon? Being confined on a plane for even three minutes after being informed that there is a "minor security issue" is somewhat unsettling. My seatmate and I were spectulating and hypothesizing as to what kind of story was about to unfold as there were no major disruptions on the flight as far as we knew. The only inkling of ruffled feathers was two flight attendants loudly discussing a bothersome passenger over the drink cart. Apparently a man continued to swear at a female flight attendant after she repeatedly advised him of his inappropriate language. The male flight attended did a lot of agreeing and cheerleading telling her that she handled things very well even though he didn't really see what happened. K, folks... just a word of advice, don't be chatting about the passengers you don't like within earshot of other passengers, it just makes you look silly. Really. So yeah, back to the "minor security issue"...
We continue with our waiting and creative imagining, when quite suddenly 5 nicely armed, POLICE labelled, very focused men in grey fatigues with body armour and weapons strapped to bulging arms and legs walk quickly and with purpose towards the middle of the plane. I'm in a window seat but you can be darn sure that I was up and turned around watching for the show that was about to go down. They stop about midway back, stand in front of a rather chubby, well-dressed young man, say a few words, and this "minor security issue" stands up, puts on his glasses, and saunters off the plane with a smug little smile on his face. As he walked past me, I recognized him as the nice chubby guy who held the washroom door open for me when I had to pee during the flight. Seriously. I had a connection to the "minor security issue"! But that's it. No hassle, no fuss, no wrestling or raised voices, or hints of insanity. Just a casual stroll off the plane with my buddies, the goons. It could have been SUCH a great story. Sorry.
I did see this guy chatting with the 5 stormtroopers and three local cops as we entered into the airport; the cops had their hands in their pockets and no one seemed all too concerned. Then about a half an hour later, I saw the chubby "minor security issue" who held the washroom door open for me being led in handcuffs out of the arrivals area by this same large, armed entourage. He had taken his coat off by this point, must have become flustered by all of the attention, and one of the nice, POLICE labelled gentlemen was carrying it for him. They all continued to chat and smile and stroll. Sigh. What a disappointing end to what started out as a bit of an adreneline rush.
The rest of the trip out of Toronto and onto Halifax was uneventful. Weather held out, just barely, and I crashed HARD into a nice, soft bed. After almost a week of foam pads and a sleeping bag on the hard floor of my lonely apartment, the excessive amount of time in my bed today can be forgiven. Or at least somewhat justified.
Today was as unproductive as all hell but tomorrow the crunch is on. Last minute running around, unpacking to repack, and tying up any and all loose ends that may still be buzzing around my severely overloaded brain. None of this has sunk in yet. That's the funny thing about coming home first. Everything is too familiar and too comfortable - there is no possibility at this point of even being able to conceive of the chaos soon to be upon me. For now, I'm letting everyone else be anxious and excited for me. Thanks for that, by the way.
Okay, so another unadventurous post but like I said, they will improve. I expect responses and remarks and cries of how much I am missed as time marches on and the distance between me and my native land grows. I'm serious people! Off to bed for me. For those of you not on Facebook, boo on you, for everyone reading this, get on Skype, register Janice Beaton as your friend, and hopefully we can chat to save your eyesight from my long windedness. Nighty night.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Empty apartment
And so my adventure in blogging begins. Apparently this is supposed to be the easiest way to share my stories and tales as I venture out across the world over the next few months. I'm refusing to acknowledge the fact that internet connections will be few and far between. There's a lot that I'm refusing to acknowledge at the moment. Case in point...
The movers came today... I felt very grown up as they tagged and hauled all of my neatly packed belongings into the truck in hmmm... one short hour? then waved goodbye. I walked into my empty, albeit, dirty apartment and felt it like a nice, solid kick... I'm really doing this. For good. There's no turning back now. In typical Janice fashion, instead of dealing with it, I had a nap. Stress is my best sleep medication ever. Avoid, denial, procrastinate, sleep. I'll deal with it, eventually, just not right now. So here I am, doing everything except cleaning and organizing as I convince myself that this next distraction is THE most important thing to be doing right now. sigh. I never learn.
Not much to report as I try to get this up and running. The next few days, my last few days, in Calgary will pass in a blur so there may not be much on here until it's time to go. Fingers crossed that this blogging process is as easy as it seems. Any tips from you seasoned bloggers are more than welcome, please! Wish me luck, strength, and a clear head to get through this next little bit!
The movers came today... I felt very grown up as they tagged and hauled all of my neatly packed belongings into the truck in hmmm... one short hour? then waved goodbye. I walked into my empty, albeit, dirty apartment and felt it like a nice, solid kick... I'm really doing this. For good. There's no turning back now. In typical Janice fashion, instead of dealing with it, I had a nap. Stress is my best sleep medication ever. Avoid, denial, procrastinate, sleep. I'll deal with it, eventually, just not right now. So here I am, doing everything except cleaning and organizing as I convince myself that this next distraction is THE most important thing to be doing right now. sigh. I never learn.
Not much to report as I try to get this up and running. The next few days, my last few days, in Calgary will pass in a blur so there may not be much on here until it's time to go. Fingers crossed that this blogging process is as easy as it seems. Any tips from you seasoned bloggers are more than welcome, please! Wish me luck, strength, and a clear head to get through this next little bit!
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