solo roadtrip

speed week by christopher wilson (www.christopherwilsonphotography.com)

so, over the weekend, i went on a solo roadtrip. and i had a ball! totally. of course i was slightly anxious and minorly scared before taking off. i mean, with all the insecurity stories you hear in kenya… and i kept having visions of getting a flat in some weirdly isolated stretch of road and wondering what to do. ah. but in my new fabulous, more daring life, i have discovered that we trudge on, not because we are not afraid, but despite that fear. (mandela said something brilliant about moving forward despite the fear… anyway).

so, i started out really early. blame it on the anxiety that woke me up at ungodly hours to start. and beloveds, i loved it.

i loved the open road ahead of me. i loved being just me and ka-defender (that’s the given name of my car :- ) and the radio which chose to play some really good music “just for me”. (delusions of grandeur!) and after the radio stations i like lost frequency after i got to the more rural parts, then it was me and estelle, the cool in shine!

i loved the beauty around me. at some point, i switched off the music and had to burst into song! literally! a song of praise at creation and just wonder at the beauty of my beloved country. “peace song”, also called “finlandia”. i must have sang for a whole 20 kilometres! what was i gonna do, seeing all the vast land spread out around me? i loved it.

and on the way back, i played with a stranger! okay. for some reason, i started competing with other cars on the road. oh and by the way, i went the fastest i have ever driven! speed indicator needle tittering on the brink of 140 kilometres per hour. which then scared the daylights out of me and i promptly went back to my cool 100. anyway, back to that competition.

so i noticed a KAY 654 – maybe somewhere about two hours from destination. i pass it easy and take off “like the wind” at 100 kilometres per hour anyway, somewhere about 40 minutes to destination, who flies by me? KAY 654. and that was it for me, people, i had to win that one. and i did, after speeding over some rather bumpy, pot-hole heavy road, screaming half the time coz of fear and joy combined, i won. turning off, KAY 654 hooted. not a sour loser that one. and my win had me smiling almost all the way home although i suffered a serious headache from the stress of it all. but it was fun, playing with strangers.

so, that was my roadtrip. which got me thinking that maybe i should take on nairobi to mombasa on my own. which i then promptly deleted from my mind thinking how boring that would be. a 3 hour drive alone? that i recommend to you all. 8 hours on the other hand is abit much. get some good good company to take that on.

so for today, i highly recommend taking an easy trip by yourself. it is kinda very nice!

xoxo, m

[Via http://sweetfreshlove.wordpress.com]

Nothing much...

This J again, D does not have internet yet, because she got a new laptop but does not know how to program the network’s IP address… I would do it, but she’s back home in NY and I’m still Indy… Next week I will be heading back to NC and should be able to go visit D the following weekend…

 Well the SUV that I have chosen to buy is the 2006 Toyota Highlander AWD 5 SPD Auto trans… The gas mileage is great, and the price is withing my budget…. I just need to find a good used one and test drive it… So far Duro is holding on strong, so I have confidence that he will make it till the summer… By the way Duro is my current car, a 1992 BMW 525 with almost 200k miles… He earned the nick name Duro because the cars has traveled back and forth more that 10 times on 8 hour trips and has not needed any work…  

Next week I plan to buy a new cell phone I’m leaning towards the Droid… I’m not big on those types of cell phone but I think I need one… It will be cool to have internet and other cool gadgets on my cell…

 Still want advice on what places to go see… Looking for cool destinations where the views are awesome and breath-taking…

[Via http://djadventure.wordpress.com]

Florence

We got up early and got our stuff all packed for our train trip to Florence. We headed to the train station and bought our tickets for a regional train (the cheapest and longest journey).  The trip was about 4 hours, but it seemed to go quite quickly. We had some seats to ourselves to we played some uno and cards to kill some time.

When we got to Florence, as per usual it took us ages to find the hostel. We didn’t have a great map of the city so I went into a real fancy pance hotel to ask for a map and directions after about 45 minutes walking to try find the place. The guy was very nice and pointed us  back in the direction we had came but we had a map now! So we found it pretty easily – but the hostel had a tiny tiny sign on the door (4cmx2cm). We got up the stairs and checked in. We decided to book a twin room as it was very cheap and was about the same price as a dorm room. The room was massive – and it’s like a double bed so that was good news. We’ve got a safe and a large dining table and a massive ensuite. After dumping our bags – we went out to explore.

Walking the streets was great – you got woffs of fresh waffles being cooked and everyone seemed really happy. The first few pub/bars we looked at – we saw they sold cider and walking down to the supermarket we saw they had a chocolate festival happening for 5 days.

There’s not a lot in Florence, but the atmosphere of the city has been one of best we’ve stayed at.

We got a few things at the supermarket and headed back to the hostel to drop our stuff off. We decided to eat out that night and then go for a couple of drinks. We had a great chicken kebab at this place… the guy gave us a 2 euro discount for something… we then headed across the road to this American pub and I had a beer called a Gasoline Beer and Cindy had a strongbow. We started talking to this Brisbane guy who works as a head chef called ‘1889 Enoteca’ in Woolongabba.  He seemed really nice so we kept talking to him and after a drink we all went out to find the Australian Pub which was meant to be around the corner. Well we found it…but it was closed… it was 7:45pm so we thought we’d wait till 8 to see if it opened… we walked around the corner to have a look in the chocolate festival and OMG – The chocolate was incredible!! We just looked but everything look delicious. At 8, we went back to see that the pub was still closed. I remembered seeing a Scottish Pub back near our hostel – so we went there and it was open. I tried a Scottish beer called Devils Kiss, Cindy had a bulmers. After our first drink – Matthew and I had a Tequila shot… the bartender was like “you won’t need lime and salt, this stuff is smoooth”… I was a little apprehensive… but we shot it and it was soo good…. It didn’t burn or anything. After the shot we went back to the American pub and had a drink watching this band warm up, they sounded really good but apperently wouldn’t start till 11pm. So Cindy and I finished our drink and headed back to the hostel. We made an arrangement to meet up with Matthew for lunch the next day.

The next day – we slept in because we could and no one was in the room to bother us or wake us up. Plus I wasn’t feeling too well from that tequila the night before so it made the day longer… so we took our time and then went out to meet Matthew.. It wasn’t the nicest day – cold and rainy.  We couldn’t find Matthew – we waited about 15 minutes and then gave up. So went and found a cheap place to have lunch. Found a place that did cheap cabonaras… It wasn’t great but it wasn’t too bad, we saw him warming it up in the microwave. ( I would think it would be illegal for Italians to serve frozen Italian meals). We walked around and went to a giant church – The outside was insane – so much detail was put into everything… but inside was very big but very plain.  We found a square (piazza) that had all these statues – there was a replica of the statue of David. We found a really cool looking pizzeria that we thought we would try out one day. We then went to the chocolate festival – there is such a selection – we tried some different chocolates.. but we bought a really lifelike spanner and nut and bolt. Was so cool.

We went to the supermarket again and bought ingredients for spaghetti. We ate the chocolate spanner, nut/bolt over the day/night and they were so delicious.

The next day we walked around town and had found that little pizza place… It was packed so we waited and I had a Mediterranean pizza and Cindy had a calzone (A pizza folded in half). They were really nice… We went back to the chocolate festival and thought we’d try a different chocolate. We went to this one booth and got a sliver (75grams) of this amazing hazelnut chocolate. The blocks were massive. We also bought a chocolate spoon. You can only eat a tiny bit of the hazelnut chocolate so it will last a long time.

I started to get a fluey during the afternoon… so we came back to the hostel and I drugged up with vitamins.

This morning, I took some cold and flu tablets and we off we set to Pisa, It was really easy to get there by train. The leaning tower is so cool – really busy. Quite busy with tourists and locals alike… the weather was so nice (not a cloud to be seen), still cold in the shade though. We sat and looked at the tower and had morning tea and then walked around Pisa. There’s not a great deal to do in Pisa, but we had a nice lunch and then headed back to Florence. We walked back and decided to have a Gelato, I had a peppermint one and Cindy had a vanilla. There smalls were massive… They were delicious but sickening… You felt quite ill after eating a only a small tub. We walked around some smaller back streets where we havent been yet, there was this tiny 3 wheeled car charging it’s batteries with this little electricity thing on the side of the road. So cool!!

We thought we’d check out the chocolate festival as it was the last day and we thought we could get a bargain. Some stuff was cheaper, Cindy got a chocolate dog and I got a chocolate camera. We also got this cool chocolate light bulb. The festival was packed – so hard to move around.

We’ve booked another 2 nights in Florence – we might try go day trip to Sienna and another town before going to Bologna for 3 nights before going to Padova which is about 3o minutes from Venice. It’s carnival time in Venice so alot of it’s booked out or very very expensive – there are hardly any hostels ( I think 1 hostel) so we’re staying out of Venice and are going to catch the train into Venice everyday and see Carnival (Venice Mardi Gra) – Have to buy a mask!!

Hope all is well!

[Via http://kathandcindystravels.wordpress.com]

In the Car with my Dad

For all of you that don’t know yet, for the past months I’ve been coming into terms with myself and making life-altering decisions. I’m going to let go of Civil Engineering to, hopefully, pursuit a degree in International Relations. My parents know this and encourage me to go after what’s best for me (after a lot, LOT discussions).

“I think I know what I want to do for the rest of my life.”, I say while driving with only my dad in the car and myself.

“What? I thought you said International Relations.”, he asks.

“Hmm, yeah, that sounds fun. But, umm… I don’t think so.”, I change the lane. I feel his breathe going heavy and his body contorting silently in the car seat.

“No? Well.”, there’s some pause. I can feel his head is going to explode but still he manages to “stay cool”. “Well, then what is it? Back to engineering? Perhaps History?”

“Taxi driver.”, I hold firmly the wheel.

“Excuse me?”, he tilts his head.

“Taxi driver, dad. Don’t you know they make tons of money? I love driving! Look at me, I’m a natural, dad.”, My smile touch each side of my ears, it’s so big and confident.

“You’re kidding me right? Barbara, you are not going to become a taxi driver.”, ooh, my dad is really easy to fool.

“Why not? It’s so fun, and it makes money-”

“TELL ME YOU ARE JOKING RIGHT NOW, THIS IS NOT FUN, ARE YOU INSANE?”, man, he turns himself into this red tone and his eyeballs are almost popping out of his skull. This, of course, it’s the funniest scene I’ve ever witnessed and cannot hold my laugh any longer which calms him down. “What’s so funny?”

“Dad, you’re very easy to fool. I wonder how’s that going to be when you have your grandchildren around you.”

He opens his eyes in a big stare, holding his breathe.

“Relax. You won’t have them for the next six years. Cool it off, grandpa.”

[Via http://bambooska.wordpress.com]

We need a new car - Vi behöver en ny bil

Okay, so our old car did not pass the car inspection…it was not entirely unexpected.

Okey, så vår gamla bil klarade sig inte genom bilprovningen..det var ju inte helt oväntat.

Dom var inte så lättlurade ; )

They were not so easily fooled ; )

It seems too expensive to repair ours so now we are looking for a better used car.

I know nothing about cars. Have never even had a license. I just look at the appearance. Hmm ..it looks like the extra lights are not straight.

You have to keep your fingers krossed so we will not get fooled!

Det verkar för dyrt att reparera så nu är vi på jakt efter en bättre begagnad bil.

Själv hajar jag ju ingenting om bilar. Har aldrig ens haft körkort. Jag tittar mest på det estetiska. Hm..sitter inte dom där extra lamporna lite snett.

Ni får väl hålla tummarna för att vi inte råkar ut för några bilskojare.

[Via http://renatheschneider.wordpress.com]

"No, the car doesn't have a name."

We really need a car here.  We have been lucky to have drivers take us around when we need to go somewhere, but we really need our own form of transportation. 

Week 1:  One of Sandy’s colleagues started helping us look for a used car within our price range.

Week 2:  We decided to purchase a Toyota Rav-4 from another of his colleagues but at the last minute, it was sold to another buyer.

Tuesday, Week 3:  Sandy looked at several other Rav-4s and settled on a green one.  The seller ended up being really sketchy and tried to manipulate us into paying 200,000 kwatcha more than the agreed price. 

Thursday, Wee3: Instead, Sandy found another Rav 4, one that was even better than the sketchy lady’s car and agreed to buy it from a really lovely couple that Friday.

Friday afternoon, Sandy got the keys to our new car.  He was SO excited – he was giddy – jumping up and down, playing with the power windows, buffing the dashboard with his sleeve.  He picked me up and we decided to go out to dinner.  He drove really well considering he was driving a manual on the other side of the road.

About seven minutes into this drive, we were climbing the small hill outside of the Mt. Soche hotel, when all of a sudden, the car dies.  Dies Dies Dies.  Won’t turn on, won’t crank, won’t do anything.  We’ve had this car for an hour!? 

A few taxi drivers rush over from outside the hotel and help us move it to the side of the road.  They ask the obvious question: is there enough petrol?  There was.  We opened the hood – Sandy and I combined have virtually no car-fixing experience.  But we stared at it all the same, willing it to heal itself.

Sandy calls the couple we bought it from, who raced out to meet us.  They were shocked that something like this could happen.  It’s obvious they love this car and have taken great care of it.  They went out and got their brother and cousin who are good with cars.  They stared at the engine and fiddled with a few things.  Then Sandy’s work colleague came out and stared at it and fiddled some more.

We stood there for two hours – staring at people stare at our new car.  While waiting, I asked the couple if the car has a name.  They looked at me for a few seconds.  “No, no, the car doesn’t have a name,” they replied slowly, as if talking to a small child.  I told them that growing up, all of our cars had names.  They seemed to like the idea (or were humoring me) and we spent a few minutes discussing potential names.

Eventually, we decided to tow the car and deal with it in the morning.  When I say tow the car, don’t get the wrong idea.  There was no tow truck.  Instead, they tied a rope between the front bumper of our car and the back bumper of their Rav 4.  They put the car in neutral and the couple’s cousin steered it.  That’s how it was towed.

Saturday, Week 3:  Several mechanics tried to fix it, but no luck.

Sunday, beginning of Week 4: the couple brought the mechanic who has always serviced this car (“the best mechanic in Malawi”) to take a look.  In one hour, he identified the problem, fixed it, and we were on our way.  It ended up that the timing belt had slipped or something like that.

So now, almost a month later, we have a great car, 100% fixed and working!  now we just need a name…

[Via http://intomalawi.wordpress.com]

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes!

(I have my own personal soundtrack, you know.)

I used to think I was pretty good at dealing with change, but I realized, I just haven’t really had to much. I’m actually pretty terrible at it. In crisis situations, I think I can be pretty calm, but it’s really kind of a facade. In crisis I don’t think super clearly, and I push for the fastest solution, which may not always be the best solution.

My car broke down, and I had to either spend a fortune I don’t have to fix it and hope it doesn’t break down again, or purchase a new vehicle, which I also can’t afford. I opted for the latter, and I got a great deal. But, can I just tell you that selling my car was TRAMATIC. It felt a bit like the last straw. I was being stripped of the last vestiges of my life before! (Now I know this is over-dramatic, but I’m just telling you what it felt like.) And, truly, it isn’t the last vestige. I have made some very, very big changes in the last few years, and most of them have been good. It feels like change is becoming the constant. And, I reached my limit when I had to clean out my car and leave it sitting there all by it’s lonely self in the parking lot. I cried out loud when we drove away! I know. It’s just a car. I liked having four-wheel drive and a full spare tire on the back, with lots of interior space. I know the precise volume of the car and how to fit all of my earthly possessions snugly inside. It was the kind of car that ran well until it had catastrophic failure (like the starter, or the radiator), but I forgave it for that. It was sparkly blue with grey interior, and I kept it well groomed wearing Tommy scented leaves around the rear view mirror.

Somehow this post turned into Ode to Car. The point is I now have a black (I think the color is growing on me), functional, small commuter car, that is lovely to drive, better gas mileage, and much quieter. Overall, probably an improvement. But, I miss my car.

[Via http://harmlesswisdom.wordpress.com]