Det kannes like home
March 12 I left work in a tizzy. I had to leave early if I would catch my buss and my boss had challenged me to a half hour of geographic trivia. I made it to the central bus station with about a minute to spare. I boarded the bus. Bus4u and proceeded to take out my book, the Brothers Karamozov, which is a classic in all senses of the word.
I read for about an hour and finished the book. For those of you who have read it, nice huh? And to those of you who haven’t get on it! One of the best books I have read.
So there I was with 3 hours left in my 4 hour bus ride. I took my computer out and proceeded to instant message with my mom. She and my sister were getting ready for their big Chicago trip, which is exciting because my mom used to live near Chi town and my sister is exciting because she likes shiny things? And is my early birthday present being delivered three years before my grand entrance into the world.
About an hour before I arrived I began to feel a strange sensation. It is kind of like when you are on your way to gymnasiet and you have to fight 3 polar bears because you don’t want to be late to Swedish class because you know that’s where you are supposed to be. For those of you who haven’t experienced this. Syn (sad, it is such a typical Swedish experience).
However, I began to feel myself getting nervous. I began to recognize the scenery (rather like Northern Minnesota) and when I finally saw the big lake vattern (sweden’s lake superior maybe) I began to get fidgety. I began to relieve all of the memories that I had from four years earlier which felt like just yesterday and an entirely different lifetime.
So there was butterflies in my stomach and I couldn’t tell if it was because soon I would be entering my old stomping grounds or was it just my aversion to busses that I attribute to my father’s treatment by his former employer. It was probably the former. How would I be welcomed from my exile? As an invader or liberator.
I got off the bus and was immediately greeted by my parents, well my Swedish parents and in those moments I had flashbacks and flashforwards. Really words are so limiting and I can’t legitimately describe what I was experiencing. I remembered moving to their place and leaving and going home to A’mer’I’ka.’
I have quickly learned that sometimes other languages have a better word for some words. It just feels more accurate. For example, I dislike the word annoying and think that the Swedish words pinsamt or jobbigt are much closer to what this feeling is. Isn’t jobby more accurate a description of annoying. It is so jobby to do etc. plus it’s fun to say.
That being said I remember thinking det kannes som home. Which means it feels like home. And indeed it did, seeing as Jonkoping in many ways is my second home.
My host parents took me to Twin Cities (ironic name for a Minnesotan going to Jonkoping?) and I had a delicious steak and num nums limoncello sorbet. We stopped at my host parents best friends house and I saw almost the whole family. It brought back so many memories, though the whole trip did.
The next day I woke up fairly early 8ish… and we had breakfast. Then Asa and I went to the city to go shopping for souvenirs and see the old time. We went by my old high school and wow was I flooded with memories. We walked down the main pedestrian thoroughfare and there were moments when I was like wow where am I because it seemed like past and present were merging.
I was able to find some good things for some of the important ladies in my life
Then we went to get Robert and we went for KEBAB PIZZA with POMME FRITTES! Real Kebab. Num Nums! However, it seems it is much larger than I remembered it and I sadly could not finish the whole thing. Note in Sweden everyone gets their own pizza, which is a lot of pizza.
We returned home and had princess tarta for fika. Again num nums. Then my host familys best friends came over and we had tacos and watched melodifestavalen, which is the most important show in Sweden. It is like American idol except it is a contest for songwriters and the winner goes to the eurovision song contest which is held in May and features a performer from almost all European countries. Exciting!
Then we watched 2 movies and then it was bed time.
The next day we went to the big lake vattern to walk on the ice. It doesn’t always freeze over but every winter when I am here it does. They might not let me back in the winter I think…
Then it was time for me to rock and roll and return to the capital… official government business you know
So I bid adjo to my host parents and we wondered where and when we would meet again? South America maybe?
The entire ride home I contemplated that little town in Southern Sweden which was my home for 11 months. You can learn a lot in that time. And then I thought about my house here in Stockholm and what I am learning here.
I want to have a top ten list by the time I am done here. Less than 2 weeks left! Ah!
I also thought about how it will be to come home. I miss everyone very much and have been promised the release of dragons and eagles upon my return. I look forward to it
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Saturday, 6 March 2010
Sveiki
Sveiki
Hello lettland or Latvia if you prefer. I took David on a tour of the embassy and then we were going to go to museums when we were walking down the street and I was like hey Dave you want to go to Latvia? And he was like yea why not? So we went back to my apt and look up the cost of going and I make a phone call and it only costs 420 kr. Which is like about $50 for the both of us! Round trip! Super cheap.
So we book our tickets and we go to the center of Stockholm to get some Lats so we can actually buy something in Latvia (like lunch) and the guy working at the exchange place didn’t believe I was who I said I was and wrote down all of my information. Also I should mention that we went to change money at like 3:00 and we were supposed to be at the port (on the otherside of the city) at 4:00. I knew it was going to be tight…
So we get the money and we get on the subway. Unfortunately we got on the wrong train and went to the wrong station… woops I don’t ride the metro very often! But Dave was very calm about it and wasn’t even mad. Strange right?
So we finally get to the ferry and check-in and await the long cruise there. It took about 17 hours to get there.
And I found that in my haste to pack I didn’t bring anything except an extra shirt. No contact solution or case… So that was a bit of a pain, but we found an optometrist in Riga and I got solution.
We arrived at about 11:00 local time and we went to a small grocery store and got some pastries. I got 2 apple filled buns that cost .25 lats which is like 50 cents… I like Latvia
Then we went to the sights and saw churches and old buildings. Riga was founded 800 years ago by Vikings. The city itself has architecture which I can only describe as European. There are town squares and the churches are the biggest and most impressive buildings.
We went to a market which is held in old Zepplin hangers. It was really cool. You could get pretty much whatever you want there. I was tempted to buy a Russian fur hat but couldn’t find one that I liked. Markets are interesting to see, at least to me, because there is a sense of wonder. You never know what you will find there.
We went to Hesburger for lunch or as David calls it Hezbolla. As in the terrorist group. It was here we heard sveiki (or at least the first time I heard it) It is a really cool word and means hello. But it sounds so great. I will say it a lot.
We continued our adventures and visited the freedom tower which was pretty impressive. We saw this very big bridge which must be important because it is on all the postcards.
We wondered around Riga until we needed to return to the ship. We returned to the ship at about 4:30 and prepared for our trip back.
Riga is a charming little city (700,000 people) that was nice when we went, but would be even better in the Summer. The people were friendly and spoke surprisingly good English.
If given the chance I will go back
The entire way there and back and during I kept saying to Dave. Hey Dave we are going/in/went to Latvia!
There are few people that I know that would just decide hey let’s go to Latvia today and actually go with me. I am glad we went and I know Dave is too.
Hmm, where will I go next?
Hello lettland or Latvia if you prefer. I took David on a tour of the embassy and then we were going to go to museums when we were walking down the street and I was like hey Dave you want to go to Latvia? And he was like yea why not? So we went back to my apt and look up the cost of going and I make a phone call and it only costs 420 kr. Which is like about $50 for the both of us! Round trip! Super cheap.
So we book our tickets and we go to the center of Stockholm to get some Lats so we can actually buy something in Latvia (like lunch) and the guy working at the exchange place didn’t believe I was who I said I was and wrote down all of my information. Also I should mention that we went to change money at like 3:00 and we were supposed to be at the port (on the otherside of the city) at 4:00. I knew it was going to be tight…
So we get the money and we get on the subway. Unfortunately we got on the wrong train and went to the wrong station… woops I don’t ride the metro very often! But Dave was very calm about it and wasn’t even mad. Strange right?
So we finally get to the ferry and check-in and await the long cruise there. It took about 17 hours to get there.
And I found that in my haste to pack I didn’t bring anything except an extra shirt. No contact solution or case… So that was a bit of a pain, but we found an optometrist in Riga and I got solution.
We arrived at about 11:00 local time and we went to a small grocery store and got some pastries. I got 2 apple filled buns that cost .25 lats which is like 50 cents… I like Latvia
Then we went to the sights and saw churches and old buildings. Riga was founded 800 years ago by Vikings. The city itself has architecture which I can only describe as European. There are town squares and the churches are the biggest and most impressive buildings.
We went to a market which is held in old Zepplin hangers. It was really cool. You could get pretty much whatever you want there. I was tempted to buy a Russian fur hat but couldn’t find one that I liked. Markets are interesting to see, at least to me, because there is a sense of wonder. You never know what you will find there.
We went to Hesburger for lunch or as David calls it Hezbolla. As in the terrorist group. It was here we heard sveiki (or at least the first time I heard it) It is a really cool word and means hello. But it sounds so great. I will say it a lot.
We continued our adventures and visited the freedom tower which was pretty impressive. We saw this very big bridge which must be important because it is on all the postcards.
We wondered around Riga until we needed to return to the ship. We returned to the ship at about 4:30 and prepared for our trip back.
Riga is a charming little city (700,000 people) that was nice when we went, but would be even better in the Summer. The people were friendly and spoke surprisingly good English.
If given the chance I will go back
The entire way there and back and during I kept saying to Dave. Hey Dave we are going/in/went to Latvia!
There are few people that I know that would just decide hey let’s go to Latvia today and actually go with me. I am glad we went and I know Dave is too.
Hmm, where will I go next?
You have lived a Charmed Life Patrick Brennan
You have lived a charmed life Patrick Brennan
It is not every day that you look back on your life and just think about what you have done and how you got where you are.
Not long ago I had this opportunity. I was talking with a friend from the embassy and I was telling him of my many adventures and misadventures. The topics and trips ranged from Fiji to Iceland to Greece to Rome and finally to Prague.
During the course of our conversation we talked about that oh so mysterious and murky topic the future.
Plan A is to get into the foreign service immediately and live a life of high adventure serving my country diplomatically. To this end I have taken the foreign service officer test (FSOT) and now with cautious optimism I am waiting for my results. I will find out if I am invited to continue with the process in the next 3-5 weeks. Hopefully I will know before I head back home .
Plan B is to join Peace Corp and go to somewhere in south or central America and teach English. I am putting the finishing touches on my essays and will send in my application tomorrow. If I am accepted it will take at least 6 months before I hit the ground. I have written a rather nice essay about why I want to be in peace corp and I think I will post it when I am finished.
But back to my reflections upon my life at the tender age of 22. I have been extremely fortunate for all of the experiences I have had. I have been to 17 countries I think and have seen some amazing things. After hearing of my travels my coworker turns to me and says you have lived a charmed life Patrick Brennan and I couldn’t agree more.
One of the questions on the peace corp application is what do you see as the most difficult part of peace corp. And I responded that it is always hard to be away from friends and family, however, I have a great group of friends and an amazing family. I feel strongly supported and I can’t find the words to properly express this feeling. I may be 1,000s of miles away but I know that I am in the thoughts of many and you all should feel the same because you are all never far from my mind.
As I am not half-way through this internship I am becoming curious as to what my next chapter will be. I know where ever I end up life will happen as it should.
It is not every day that you look back on your life and just think about what you have done and how you got where you are.
Not long ago I had this opportunity. I was talking with a friend from the embassy and I was telling him of my many adventures and misadventures. The topics and trips ranged from Fiji to Iceland to Greece to Rome and finally to Prague.
During the course of our conversation we talked about that oh so mysterious and murky topic the future.
Plan A is to get into the foreign service immediately and live a life of high adventure serving my country diplomatically. To this end I have taken the foreign service officer test (FSOT) and now with cautious optimism I am waiting for my results. I will find out if I am invited to continue with the process in the next 3-5 weeks. Hopefully I will know before I head back home .
Plan B is to join Peace Corp and go to somewhere in south or central America and teach English. I am putting the finishing touches on my essays and will send in my application tomorrow. If I am accepted it will take at least 6 months before I hit the ground. I have written a rather nice essay about why I want to be in peace corp and I think I will post it when I am finished.
But back to my reflections upon my life at the tender age of 22. I have been extremely fortunate for all of the experiences I have had. I have been to 17 countries I think and have seen some amazing things. After hearing of my travels my coworker turns to me and says you have lived a charmed life Patrick Brennan and I couldn’t agree more.
One of the questions on the peace corp application is what do you see as the most difficult part of peace corp. And I responded that it is always hard to be away from friends and family, however, I have a great group of friends and an amazing family. I feel strongly supported and I can’t find the words to properly express this feeling. I may be 1,000s of miles away but I know that I am in the thoughts of many and you all should feel the same because you are all never far from my mind.
As I am not half-way through this internship I am becoming curious as to what my next chapter will be. I know where ever I end up life will happen as it should.
March update and what I do...
Dear All I miss you. -Patrick
This was going to be my post, but I thought that might not satisfy some of my greedy readers (Jenna).
It has been six weeks since I hopped across the pond and life is going well.
Work is going swimmingly. I do so many different things on a daily basis.
When I get to work I check my e-mail and see if we have received any visitor requests (when federal employees want to travel to a different country they have to receive clearance) If the people have been cleared I approve them and take down their information in case they are involved with one of the embassy’s pet projects or if someone at the embassy might want to meet them.
Then I go to news websites and look to see if there are developments that I need to know. For example: Political developments or economic ones. I monitor them and track them.
Sometimes I get special projects, which are often related to cables we receive. Cables are requests from Washington for us to do something or for information. The first cable I worked with was a demarche (official communication between governments) requesting that we ask the Swedes what their laws say in regards to distracted driving (using a cell phone or texting while driving). Apparently, the US government wants other countries to consider banning distracted driving….
I also have research projects where I become an expert on a subject. For example, I was recently researching the new Bio-fuels initiative which is a congressional mandate to have a certain percentage of bio-fuel mixed into all fuel over the next 10 years. Interesting but not exactly stimulating…
I had a little excitement this past week I was given the chance to attend a meeting to discuss nuclear proliferation. Three Swedish experts held a panel discussion about nuclear nonproliferation, eliminating nuclear weapons, and peaceful use of nuclear energy. Two of the experts were former ambassadors to the US and were also very involved with the UN on issues of nuclear proliferation and the other was…
HANS BLIX. I was a little star struck by Hans. He was the former head of the IAEA and said that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. If you have seen Team America You will understand that I kept seeing visions of him in an aquarium just about to get attacked by a shark… this did not happen.
I felt strange going to this talk. I got to take a taxi (on embassy expense) but it was weird because I was one of the youngest people there (other than some college kids) and yet I was representing the US… strange but cool.
I am working on updating the background notes for Sweden. Specifically the economic and Political sections of the notes…. Look for it coming soon ok maybe in like 4 weeks.
This was going to be my post, but I thought that might not satisfy some of my greedy readers (Jenna).
It has been six weeks since I hopped across the pond and life is going well.
Work is going swimmingly. I do so many different things on a daily basis.
When I get to work I check my e-mail and see if we have received any visitor requests (when federal employees want to travel to a different country they have to receive clearance) If the people have been cleared I approve them and take down their information in case they are involved with one of the embassy’s pet projects or if someone at the embassy might want to meet them.
Then I go to news websites and look to see if there are developments that I need to know. For example: Political developments or economic ones. I monitor them and track them.
Sometimes I get special projects, which are often related to cables we receive. Cables are requests from Washington for us to do something or for information. The first cable I worked with was a demarche (official communication between governments) requesting that we ask the Swedes what their laws say in regards to distracted driving (using a cell phone or texting while driving). Apparently, the US government wants other countries to consider banning distracted driving….
I also have research projects where I become an expert on a subject. For example, I was recently researching the new Bio-fuels initiative which is a congressional mandate to have a certain percentage of bio-fuel mixed into all fuel over the next 10 years. Interesting but not exactly stimulating…
I had a little excitement this past week I was given the chance to attend a meeting to discuss nuclear proliferation. Three Swedish experts held a panel discussion about nuclear nonproliferation, eliminating nuclear weapons, and peaceful use of nuclear energy. Two of the experts were former ambassadors to the US and were also very involved with the UN on issues of nuclear proliferation and the other was…
HANS BLIX. I was a little star struck by Hans. He was the former head of the IAEA and said that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction. If you have seen Team America You will understand that I kept seeing visions of him in an aquarium just about to get attacked by a shark… this did not happen.
I felt strange going to this talk. I got to take a taxi (on embassy expense) but it was weird because I was one of the youngest people there (other than some college kids) and yet I was representing the US… strange but cool.
I am working on updating the background notes for Sweden. Specifically the economic and Political sections of the notes…. Look for it coming soon ok maybe in like 4 weeks.
Friday, 29 January 2010
A week in the life of an intern
29 januari 2010
The following is based upon the true happenings of one intern in Stockholm, Sweden.
Leaving America
I left America on Saturday 23 January bound for excitement and wonder. My first stop was Amsterdam. I wont go into extreme detail about the plane ride but I will take this chance to lecture on the importance of handbaggage etiquette.
One's carry-on may go in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of YOU! Not below your own seat! It is highly annoying for others if you put your baggage under your seat especially if the others happen to be vikings of great stature (tall).
My lay over in Amsterdam was long and there is no free internet there:( I amused myself by playing the fun and entertaining game of guess the language. Then it was on to Stockholm.
Travel note... when traveling with a cold you should take some sort of anti-congestant. I didn't and I think I am still half deaf. My left ear played the fun game called "lets not pop and see how that feels." I thought I was going to die...
Arriving in Stockholm I was met by my boss who took me to my apartment and told me a lot of information which I hope I remember.
Then I unpacked my things and went to sleep. I set my alarm and hoped I wouldn't be too jetlegged.
My alarm went off and I was like wow I can't do this, this is too early. It was 8:30. So I got up and went to check the fate of the vikings... strangely they had not played... because I had not set my time to PM so I had been asleep for 1 hour.... needless to say I was glad to go back to sleep.
My next day was spent reading cables and background notes trying to get a feel for the major issues facing Sweden and waiting for internet access.
I was taken to lunch by one of my bosses which was very nice.
my projects for the week have been drafting a letter, making a calendar on a white board, updating statistics and researching and then making a memo on Iran sanctions.
Its good because I am never bored and always have something to do which is sometimes reading the news.
Every day is better than the last and I am starting to get an idea of how things go. Pretty soon I will really be into it.
I met the ambassador and the DCM (second in command).
I went to a cocktail party and that was pretty sweet.
And now it is a weekend. Which is really cool. I think I am going to go to Gamla stan and see the castle again. It should be swede..er sweet.
Laters-
The following is based upon the true happenings of one intern in Stockholm, Sweden.
Leaving America
I left America on Saturday 23 January bound for excitement and wonder. My first stop was Amsterdam. I wont go into extreme detail about the plane ride but I will take this chance to lecture on the importance of handbaggage etiquette.
One's carry-on may go in the overhead compartments or under the seat in front of YOU! Not below your own seat! It is highly annoying for others if you put your baggage under your seat especially if the others happen to be vikings of great stature (tall).
My lay over in Amsterdam was long and there is no free internet there:( I amused myself by playing the fun and entertaining game of guess the language. Then it was on to Stockholm.
Travel note... when traveling with a cold you should take some sort of anti-congestant. I didn't and I think I am still half deaf. My left ear played the fun game called "lets not pop and see how that feels." I thought I was going to die...
Arriving in Stockholm I was met by my boss who took me to my apartment and told me a lot of information which I hope I remember.
Then I unpacked my things and went to sleep. I set my alarm and hoped I wouldn't be too jetlegged.
My alarm went off and I was like wow I can't do this, this is too early. It was 8:30. So I got up and went to check the fate of the vikings... strangely they had not played... because I had not set my time to PM so I had been asleep for 1 hour.... needless to say I was glad to go back to sleep.
My next day was spent reading cables and background notes trying to get a feel for the major issues facing Sweden and waiting for internet access.
I was taken to lunch by one of my bosses which was very nice.
my projects for the week have been drafting a letter, making a calendar on a white board, updating statistics and researching and then making a memo on Iran sanctions.
Its good because I am never bored and always have something to do which is sometimes reading the news.
Every day is better than the last and I am starting to get an idea of how things go. Pretty soon I will really be into it.
I met the ambassador and the DCM (second in command).
I went to a cocktail party and that was pretty sweet.
And now it is a weekend. Which is really cool. I think I am going to go to Gamla stan and see the castle again. It should be swede..er sweet.
Laters-
Wednesday, 7 January 2009
la dia ultima
7 enero 2009
Today was our last full day in Mexico and what a day. Filled with raindrops, volleyball, swedes, and losing one of our own...
It's usually best to start at the beginning. The day began early seeing as a wily pilot had it in his mind to take off early... like 6 in the AM. This awoke dear sweet james or Tubba as we now call him... read last blog. Tubba wanted to take a better look and opened the door. So the noise was unbearable. I think my ears are still bleeding a little... ok maybe not... Then after the plane took off the mexican marines decided to run around and do the hup 2 three four only in spanish so it was probably something like hup dos tres cuatro... This woke me up.
When I got up I was all excited to eat my cakery items. I was to have an apple croissant. I did only there was no filling. remember the burger king commercial where's the beef? I was like where's the apples...
Jenna, mom and dad went to the south end of the island and Jim and I went to the navy store. we bought kinder eggs for jenna. We almost bought a bag of candy thinking it was 65 pesos like 5 bucks... then i saw that it was 165... like super expensive... so we didnt get it. Fiscally responsible. What do you think about that?
Then we walked back. Dad, Jim and I went to town to try and find a firestation. Dad and I went to information and dad tried to ask where the fire station was. Something didnt translate so the guy thought we were asking where a t-shirt store was... like all over the island... anyways... we went to the grocery store and got viddels. then Jim was to circle around the main drag while dad and I went in search of coke.
we first asked for where the fire station is. I asked in spanish and the woman understood me... so proud... though I didnt understand her when she was explaining where it was... half a point to me.
We got diet coke and went in search of Jim. He had been circling for 4 times at least. he was very happy about this because he likes waiting for us.
We returned to the condo and ate lunch.
Then we went to the beach. A German guy asked to borrow our volleyball. I was trying to win the tanning contest at all costs barring the killing or abandonment of Jim so I wasn't playing. Then more people joined. They were Swedes so I had to join. It was pretty fun and I played amazingly. I must have been channeling Misty-May. The teams were unfair though. It was 5 of us mighty viking warriors against a german and 5 mexicans. I almost feel a little sorry for them.
Then all of a sudden Mexico remembered that we are leaving tomorrow and started to cry. At first it rained and then it downpoured. I didnt think it could rain that hard. there were sheets of water coming down. We hopped in the gold cart and got the heck out of north beach.
we waited for the storm to past and went back into town.
I bought some souvenirs. The guy said to me it would be 240 pesos for one of the souvenirs. I got 2 for 200. Nice:)
We ate tacos for dinner and lost dad in the process. Jim and I went to the grocery store to get pop to be more economico. Jenna and mom waited in the restaurant. They didnt know dad was waiting for them and left without them. They met up with us on the beach and asked where is your father? We found him eventually.
Then it was time for more souvenirs.
Followed by margaritas. They were pretty good. i took a hit for the fam and had 2. This got my dear sweet father singing. he wanted to find a karaoke bar but then decided he didnt need one. he sang the theme song for the Beverly Hillbillies on our way back. I saw the cops lights and yelled to my dad "sober face dad it's the po-po" I never for the life of me would have thought I would ever say those words.
update it seems the tannig competition is now over. Jim claims victory but I am going to pull a Franken and ask for a recount because then I will surely win.
Jenna says I sparkle in the sunshine. I guess she can see my halo:)
Jim stop it. Don't throw a fit. naughty don't throw things. Calm down. Ok maybe you are a little tanner than me but I am sparklier:) Dont hang on the fan. I will take away your mustang. yea that got your attention didnt it? Tubbo no crying... oh i have to go get him a hankie. I wasnt serious Jim. I wouildnt really take away your mustang.
Tomorrow at 7:00 in the AM we must be outa this place. It has been fun and real. The weather was marvelous the entire time.
Maybe we will come back next year?
oh yea still reading? nice. Jenna decided she would be hilar and put on a fake tattoo on her back to see if dad would notice. He did and was none too happy.
Hasta luego-
i need to go pack
Today was our last full day in Mexico and what a day. Filled with raindrops, volleyball, swedes, and losing one of our own...
It's usually best to start at the beginning. The day began early seeing as a wily pilot had it in his mind to take off early... like 6 in the AM. This awoke dear sweet james or Tubba as we now call him... read last blog. Tubba wanted to take a better look and opened the door. So the noise was unbearable. I think my ears are still bleeding a little... ok maybe not... Then after the plane took off the mexican marines decided to run around and do the hup 2 three four only in spanish so it was probably something like hup dos tres cuatro... This woke me up.
When I got up I was all excited to eat my cakery items. I was to have an apple croissant. I did only there was no filling. remember the burger king commercial where's the beef? I was like where's the apples...
Jenna, mom and dad went to the south end of the island and Jim and I went to the navy store. we bought kinder eggs for jenna. We almost bought a bag of candy thinking it was 65 pesos like 5 bucks... then i saw that it was 165... like super expensive... so we didnt get it. Fiscally responsible. What do you think about that?
Then we walked back. Dad, Jim and I went to town to try and find a firestation. Dad and I went to information and dad tried to ask where the fire station was. Something didnt translate so the guy thought we were asking where a t-shirt store was... like all over the island... anyways... we went to the grocery store and got viddels. then Jim was to circle around the main drag while dad and I went in search of coke.
we first asked for where the fire station is. I asked in spanish and the woman understood me... so proud... though I didnt understand her when she was explaining where it was... half a point to me.
We got diet coke and went in search of Jim. He had been circling for 4 times at least. he was very happy about this because he likes waiting for us.
We returned to the condo and ate lunch.
Then we went to the beach. A German guy asked to borrow our volleyball. I was trying to win the tanning contest at all costs barring the killing or abandonment of Jim so I wasn't playing. Then more people joined. They were Swedes so I had to join. It was pretty fun and I played amazingly. I must have been channeling Misty-May. The teams were unfair though. It was 5 of us mighty viking warriors against a german and 5 mexicans. I almost feel a little sorry for them.
Then all of a sudden Mexico remembered that we are leaving tomorrow and started to cry. At first it rained and then it downpoured. I didnt think it could rain that hard. there were sheets of water coming down. We hopped in the gold cart and got the heck out of north beach.
we waited for the storm to past and went back into town.
I bought some souvenirs. The guy said to me it would be 240 pesos for one of the souvenirs. I got 2 for 200. Nice:)
We ate tacos for dinner and lost dad in the process. Jim and I went to the grocery store to get pop to be more economico. Jenna and mom waited in the restaurant. They didnt know dad was waiting for them and left without them. They met up with us on the beach and asked where is your father? We found him eventually.
Then it was time for more souvenirs.
Followed by margaritas. They were pretty good. i took a hit for the fam and had 2. This got my dear sweet father singing. he wanted to find a karaoke bar but then decided he didnt need one. he sang the theme song for the Beverly Hillbillies on our way back. I saw the cops lights and yelled to my dad "sober face dad it's the po-po" I never for the life of me would have thought I would ever say those words.
update it seems the tannig competition is now over. Jim claims victory but I am going to pull a Franken and ask for a recount because then I will surely win.
Jenna says I sparkle in the sunshine. I guess she can see my halo:)
Jim stop it. Don't throw a fit. naughty don't throw things. Calm down. Ok maybe you are a little tanner than me but I am sparklier:) Dont hang on the fan. I will take away your mustang. yea that got your attention didnt it? Tubbo no crying... oh i have to go get him a hankie. I wasnt serious Jim. I wouildnt really take away your mustang.
Tomorrow at 7:00 in the AM we must be outa this place. It has been fun and real. The weather was marvelous the entire time.
Maybe we will come back next year?
oh yea still reading? nice. Jenna decided she would be hilar and put on a fake tattoo on her back to see if dad would notice. He did and was none too happy.
Hasta luego-
i need to go pack
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
mayan adventures
6 enero 2009
We began our journeys today by renting a golf cart. It is the primary way for turists to see isla mujares. Mom, Jim and dad went around the island first and then jim, jenna and I went when they came back. We went to the South end of the island and saw what there is to see.
We saw a zipline which looked deadly. Essentially you sign a will handing over everything to the people who own the zipline and then proceed to die by falling very quickly into the ocean. I was tempted but decided to pass.
THen we went out to tortuga bay which Jenna says is a turtle farm. I think she is full of baloney. Afterall...
cottleston cottleston cottelston pie
a farm can turtle but a turtle can't farm
cottelston cottelston cottelson pie
Winne T Pooh anyone?
We then went to the South south point of the island. we saw a lot of iguanas. 8 to be exact. I named one Jenna because she was eating bananas the whole time.
We went to the top of a light house. Just inside before you climb it says enter the lighthouse at your own risk. Death may result. I love heights. We got to the top after climbing a million and a half steps. We weer higher than everest... ok maybe not but we were probably 35 feet high which is hihg enough to kill you... and the sight was gorgeous. It looked like a painter had had a field day and gone a little nutso with the blues and greens. Off in the distance we saw the Mayan temple. It is really nothing more than a shack. I thikn it was probably destroyed in the last hurricane some 3 years ago... but it was interesting to look at.
We went back down and we met some people who might have been mayans. I offered to have Jenna sacrificed. They told me no thank you, we aren't sacrificing anymore today. I asked about tomorrow and they said they had a list so if we wanted to add anyone to it we could. we are anxiously awaiting a phone call.
Then we went back to the condo and ate lunch.
We went to the beach and chillaxed.
This is what I learned today. Children are little demons that must be controlled. If you do not control your children I will. If they kick sand at me I will kick sand at them. Sand kicking is not cool. I remember the phrase "no tira la arena" from spanish class. Now I know why I learnt it. because kids like to throw and kick sand. Not anymore!
It was windy at the beach. We sunbathed. Then Jenna, Jim and I went for a walk. I got David an adorable present. It is so cute I know he will love it.
We had pizza and coke on the beach for dinner. Then we came back and chillaxed. I am now out of crosswords and am having trouble not doing them. Do you have nay idea how many times the clue first woman is in the crossword book? Like every other puzzle. I know it is eve can you give me some other clue to try and stretch my mind. How about song about the end of the world during vietnam ends with of destruction. Eve!
We only have 1 full day left and I am getting a little sad. I will miss Mexico and the Mexican coke. I am addicted and will go into an epileptic seizure on the way home. It will be sad and many will mourn. But After days in a coma like state I will wake up speaking German and dancing the cha-cha to the beat of a one-two-one-two-four-and-a-half.
The beaches are so nice and the ocean so pretty. Going back to white cold minnesota will be sad. but will see my friends and relatives. Stephy has told me she would be sad if we don't come home and nobody likes a sad stephy so we will come home. I am telling this to Jim and he is pouting... easy Jim it's ok... no not with the tears again... No it is nice in Minnesota... your mustang is there.... there we go. good boy jim. You will get to see your mustang soon.
Oh sidenote Jim has caught up to me in the hrace to get skin cancer contest (aka tanness ness ness test) (relax we wear sunscreen all the time) He claims victory but bribed the judge (mom). He thinks he is veyr clever and has started to call me Casper as in the ghost. I invented... I mean remembered a story of one of our first nights here when he decided he could fly and jumped on the fan only to have it come loose partially because of his enormous weight. I'm casper? Ok tubs... everyone should call him that. he likes it.
jenna wa happy today because we found a cakery. in mexico there is two types of bakeries. I dislike blending of languages so have invented the word cakery for a bakery that sells cakes. We will have cake goods tomorrow. spannande
In just 2 days we will be back and 5 days I will be back in the frozen north that is st. cloud. Then classes begin... bring it on.
Sidenote 2
I am beginning to realize that I am getting old. The other day when playing volleyball I got tired... That isn't supposed to happen. And I was thirsty... And I was sore right after playing... And I am still sore now... this age business is getting me. I refuse to age anymore.
Hasta Luego-
We began our journeys today by renting a golf cart. It is the primary way for turists to see isla mujares. Mom, Jim and dad went around the island first and then jim, jenna and I went when they came back. We went to the South end of the island and saw what there is to see.
We saw a zipline which looked deadly. Essentially you sign a will handing over everything to the people who own the zipline and then proceed to die by falling very quickly into the ocean. I was tempted but decided to pass.
THen we went out to tortuga bay which Jenna says is a turtle farm. I think she is full of baloney. Afterall...
cottleston cottleston cottelston pie
a farm can turtle but a turtle can't farm
cottelston cottelston cottelson pie
Winne T Pooh anyone?
We then went to the South south point of the island. we saw a lot of iguanas. 8 to be exact. I named one Jenna because she was eating bananas the whole time.
We went to the top of a light house. Just inside before you climb it says enter the lighthouse at your own risk. Death may result. I love heights. We got to the top after climbing a million and a half steps. We weer higher than everest... ok maybe not but we were probably 35 feet high which is hihg enough to kill you... and the sight was gorgeous. It looked like a painter had had a field day and gone a little nutso with the blues and greens. Off in the distance we saw the Mayan temple. It is really nothing more than a shack. I thikn it was probably destroyed in the last hurricane some 3 years ago... but it was interesting to look at.
We went back down and we met some people who might have been mayans. I offered to have Jenna sacrificed. They told me no thank you, we aren't sacrificing anymore today. I asked about tomorrow and they said they had a list so if we wanted to add anyone to it we could. we are anxiously awaiting a phone call.
Then we went back to the condo and ate lunch.
We went to the beach and chillaxed.
This is what I learned today. Children are little demons that must be controlled. If you do not control your children I will. If they kick sand at me I will kick sand at them. Sand kicking is not cool. I remember the phrase "no tira la arena" from spanish class. Now I know why I learnt it. because kids like to throw and kick sand. Not anymore!
It was windy at the beach. We sunbathed. Then Jenna, Jim and I went for a walk. I got David an adorable present. It is so cute I know he will love it.
We had pizza and coke on the beach for dinner. Then we came back and chillaxed. I am now out of crosswords and am having trouble not doing them. Do you have nay idea how many times the clue first woman is in the crossword book? Like every other puzzle. I know it is eve can you give me some other clue to try and stretch my mind. How about song about the end of the world during vietnam ends with of destruction. Eve!
We only have 1 full day left and I am getting a little sad. I will miss Mexico and the Mexican coke. I am addicted and will go into an epileptic seizure on the way home. It will be sad and many will mourn. But After days in a coma like state I will wake up speaking German and dancing the cha-cha to the beat of a one-two-one-two-four-and-a-half.
The beaches are so nice and the ocean so pretty. Going back to white cold minnesota will be sad. but will see my friends and relatives. Stephy has told me she would be sad if we don't come home and nobody likes a sad stephy so we will come home. I am telling this to Jim and he is pouting... easy Jim it's ok... no not with the tears again... No it is nice in Minnesota... your mustang is there.... there we go. good boy jim. You will get to see your mustang soon.
Oh sidenote Jim has caught up to me in the hrace to get skin cancer contest (aka tanness ness ness test) (relax we wear sunscreen all the time) He claims victory but bribed the judge (mom). He thinks he is veyr clever and has started to call me Casper as in the ghost. I invented... I mean remembered a story of one of our first nights here when he decided he could fly and jumped on the fan only to have it come loose partially because of his enormous weight. I'm casper? Ok tubs... everyone should call him that. he likes it.
jenna wa happy today because we found a cakery. in mexico there is two types of bakeries. I dislike blending of languages so have invented the word cakery for a bakery that sells cakes. We will have cake goods tomorrow. spannande
In just 2 days we will be back and 5 days I will be back in the frozen north that is st. cloud. Then classes begin... bring it on.
Sidenote 2
I am beginning to realize that I am getting old. The other day when playing volleyball I got tired... That isn't supposed to happen. And I was thirsty... And I was sore right after playing... And I am still sore now... this age business is getting me. I refuse to age anymore.
Hasta Luego-
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