Thru Hazel Eyes

Sights of Sydney

2010-07-18T14:53:00.001-07:00

A brief glimpse at some of the things we have done in Sydney...

At Bondi Beach looking and getting ready to do something absolutely crazy!

I did it. She chickened out!

Walking the Circular Quay (pronounced key) at night.

These are the sights of the Harbor Bridge and the city skyline.

More of the SOH (Sydney Opera House).

Beautiful! Lots of performances. Lots of stairs!

There is so much to see and do here. I can't wait to come back!

Figaro!

2010-07-18T14:04:00.000-07:00

I am not sure where I first learned and became curious about opera or various forms of music in general. My guess is "Pretty Woman" or the "Cosby Show". Regardless, I grew-up taking private lessons from the age of 5 until 18. Was I some musical genius, no. A more than average player of piano and flute, yes. So, in coming to Sydney one of the "have to's" was the Sydney Opera House, a world renowned arts and theatre complex that is far more than opera.

We took in a concert, the Barefoot Fiddler, a violinist from Vienna who played Haydn and Vivaldi (two of my favorite composers). She literally played barefooted and stomped the majority of the performance. Following the performance, we took a guided tour at sunset and learned the history of a building that took nearly 15 years to build. I must admit that the Opera house is stunning from all angles and even more impressive up front. There are 5 performing venues within the hall and we were able to see 3 of them (but no pictures) during the tour. We climbed nearly 200 stairs in the process of completing the tour.

Only a few days left and still so much to do. More to come. Thanks for reading. I am getting emails from a few people that say they are having problems posting. You can post anonymously and leave your name at the end of your comment. Otherwise, I will look into the problem when I return.

The waters of Sydney, Australia

2010-07-18T04:07:00.000-07:00

I love water and everything about it -- the look, the feel, and sound of it. As a port city, so much of Sydney focuses on water. We are staying at the Marriot in Sydney Harbor and upon check-in learned that we could get upgraded to a harbor view... lovin' it! Day one, we boarded a bus and took off around the city loop of Sydney consisting of 40 of the city's most popular sights. But, my favorite part of the trip began with day two, which was all about water. We boarded the suburban loop and headed out to Bondi beach, Darjling Harbor, and the Aquarium.

It's winter here. The temperature ranges from 45-65 degrees daily, there is always a breeze, and it is always sunny. People are wearing everything from jackets, scarves, and gloves to shorts and a t-shirt. I have really been confused by this! Clearly going to the beach during this weather is a stretch, but I am sure you also know that I am not a big fan of rules. How many times will I have the opportunity to go into the Tasmanian Sea? Well, there's no time like the present. So, off I went with my winter coat, scarf, and sandals.....nearly knee deep into the water. I am still trying to warm up, but wouldn't change a thing!

Next the world famous aquarium, which included a large focus on sharks and dispelling the myths that they are dangerous to people. I think we all know that despite a few casualties, we are largely more dangerous to them. We walked for hours in the aquarium. We moved from exhibit to exhibit, down long tunnels, into feeding tanks, nurseries, and nearly a mile of underwater tunnels.

Overall, it was a long but really enjoyable day. And yes, this journey ended like the last. I had fish for dinner.

NOTE: Sorry for the delay. I have been having some trouble uploading pictures. I hope to be posting pictures again soon.

Hello Sydney!

2010-07-16T04:44:00.000-07:00

I always wanted to come here but never knew if I would. I am sitting in my room looking out my window at the Sydney Opera house. We arrived today and did the requisite tour around the city. This has been a long trip, not easily travelled, but well worth it for nothing more than this view. If you look closely you will see the harbour lit in the lower left corner of the picture. I have arranged a tour and will be going to a concert in two days. This has been a dream of mine since childhood and stems from my love of music and training growing up. For now, off to bed. Trips to the Bondi Beaches, Barrier Reef, and Aquarium tomorrow.

I'm in love with a shearer...

2010-07-16T02:24:00.001-07:00

If you haven't heard the T-Pain song then I don't think you'll understand. Now, I hate the T-Pain song, it's just stupid. But it has a catchy beat and the concept of being infatuated with someone because of the work that they do "could" have some merit. However, the job in question is important and in T-Pain's version....we'll just say...really, if that's all you could get excited about then you need to seriously ther might be an issue!

Anyways, I digress... back to the concept. So, the shearer...

The shearer in New Zealand is the equivalent of the cowboy in the US. This is a labor intensive job, that requires a great deal of skill and the shearing of at least 350 sheep per day. Wow, right? I can't think of anything that I do 350 times a day other than breathe. Shearing involves removing the coat of wool on a lamb. There are 3 lamb for every one person in New Zealand. There is also the hearding of sheep and other work related to the ongoing maintenance and production of the farm for which this person is responsible. All in all I would say it's fairly demanding.

This love affair came about during my visit to a local New Zealand farm. New Zealand is rich with farm land (most of it man made) and is considered a top farming and agricultural producing country. We visited the farm, saw some of the most interesting animals (which I fed and stood amongst). I was shoulder to shoulder with a lama and was almost knocked down by two sheep running across a hitch.... still not sure how I feel about that. I witnessed the "cycle of lamb and wool" from the baby lamb to the lamb chop I had for dinner later that evening. I went into a store called the Wool Barn that was full of different types of wool and yarn from the floor to the ceiling (something I felt unprepared for and needed to channel my inner Jean Frank). I also saw an award winning hearding dog that was fierce (my mom wants one for her school...).

But, back to the love affair...... hardworking, handsome, and humorous. A great combination!

A picture of my dinner later that evening in honor of the shearer. And before everyone says "aww.....not the little lamb", I would like to remind you of all the hefers, chicken, and other animals you've likely eaten in your day. As my friend Paris says, "it was mmm, mmm good".

Kiwi: A fruit, a bird, and the wonderful people of New Zealand

2010-07-16T01:13:00.000-07:00

This is a country of warm, friendly, beautiful people. It is so interesting to travel to a place where the history of a people is so much an obvious part of the present and in such a positive way. The Maori people, indigienous to New Zealand, are of a polynesian background. Kiwi's (as New Zealanders are commonly called), are a mixed society of Maori, European immigrants, and an increasing Asian population.

On a day trip to Rotorua and Waitomo we visited Te Puia, a former Maoiri village and cultural center frequented by visitors. We began with a welcoming ceremony where a male member of our group (brother George from South Carolina -- you know everywhere I go I must find my people) was welcomed by the chief of the Maori tribe. We then watched a traditional welcoming ceremony and dance.

Rotorua is situated on a volcano and several fault lines with frquent tremors. The volcano is dormant (really...?) but the mud pools, hot rocks, and geysers serve as "presure points" relieving the build up that could potentially cause the area to be active again. The region is known for it's homepathic therapies and geothermal treatments -- mud and water. Driving to the location the aroma was present nearly 5 miles away. The strong smell of sulfur and the low steam of geysers were obvious. The pictures below show the mudpools and geysers that are used at the facilities nearby. The pictures are great but don't do it justice. We stayed, breathed, sat, and enjoyed overselves for over and hour trying to "be healed". My mother even did her pilates moves on the hot rocks in honor of Pam! I was just trying to heal my right hip which has been aching since I arrived.

It was amazing. There are very few things this unique and it is one of the memories that I will cherish most.

So...you know we bought some mud. And, some water products from the geyser. We hope that the healing will continue but more specifically just want to have a special memory of something that we are unlikely to see again. My hip hasn't hurt since....

Kia Ora!

2010-07-14T14:16:00.001-07:00

Pronounced "key-aura" and means hello, welcome, and thank you! We are finally getting to know the city and what a beautiful place! New Zealand is a country made up of three islands. We are staying in Auckland, the northern island and since arriving have made our way to Waitomo (pronounced wyatt-omo) and Rotorua (wrote-ur-rua). The history of the country is present everywhere-- from the acknowledgement, embracing, and celebration of it’s indigenous people—to the harbor and coastlines of boats that make this the “city of sails”. We’ve been busy, taking tours around the city and venturing off just about everywhere to cover the country in 5 days. It's a whirlwind...

On the first day (after recovering from jet lag) my father and I boarded this bus to get a quick glimpse of the city. 14 stops in one hour. This is the way I start every city. Of course, we checked into our hotel first, but here is some of the sights as we saw them on the route.

This is the SKY City Tower. The tallest building in Auckland. We will be having lunch today at the Orbit restaurant, which cirlces the city while you eat. We will then visit the observatory. I have a ridiculous fear of heights but am going anyway....my legs are already tingling and close to going numb just thinking about it.

This is the view from our hotel room. SKY City is adjacent to the convention center and the hub of media and technology for the city. That should explain the huge dishes seen on top of the buildings. Lovely...

And, this is our hotel, SKY City Hotel, in the heart of downtown Auckland.

These are pictures of the harbour and beaches. As a country of islands you can imagine that there are beaches and harbours just about everywhere. The beaches are a bit muddy and have no sand. Still, they are remarkably beautiful.

This is the hillside just outside of Auckland. Everything is so green and plush. Those who say they want to be a green city on blue water need to come here first to really learn what that means.

This is a bit random but is one of the busiest intersections that I have ever seen. People walk in all directions. 1 in 3 New Zealand residents live in Auckland. So, you can imagine just how busy someof the intersections get.

This picture doesn't do it justice.

Everything is really expensive here, including the internet $10 for 2 hours or $30 for 24 hours. Crazy, right? So, I will be going to the cafe across the street for future posts tonight. Stay tuned...

Code 10! Man Down!! Holla!!!

2010-07-11T22:44:00.000-07:00

We have arrived! It was not nearly as challenging as I thought. But we are exhausted and trying hard not to waste this day because of jet lag. So, we are here in Auckland and I am trying to convince my parents to stay awake. Both of them came immediately into the hotel room and fell asleep. I unpacked, took a shower, and then started waking everyone up to do the same.

One of the things that I have learned is that you have to get adjusted to the new time zone as soon as possible. So, I will be staying up until at least 8pm, taking a magical sleeping pill, wearing my total blackout sleeping mask, and getting refreshed for a full day of sightseeing tomorrow. I have repeated this cycle every time I travel. I am generally pretty moody the first day but after that….no problem. It is worth the effort in the long run.

So far we haven’t seen much and it’s hard to take pictures when you can barely keep your eyes open. I wish I had a picture of my mother falling asleep eating at lunch... it was definitely a code 10. A few more seconds and she would have fallen out the chair…a man down emergency. We did manage to leave the room for a bit, walk around the area and find a place for lunch, registered for the IRC conference, pick up some toiletries and beverages that were in the lost luggage, go to the casino (A desperate attempt to keep my mother awake and even that failed. That is how you know she is really tired.), and head back to the room so that my mother could prepare for the opening session.

So far I am surprised at how urban Auckland is. We are staying at the SKY City Hotel, the largest building in New Zealand. Outside of the nearly 20 minute drive from the airport, there isn’t much green space. Okay…there were cows in a field across from the airport and I thought I was hallucinating. Also, the people don’t seem really friendly. I know I should never be on anyone’s welcoming committee but seriously these people have got me beat. I asked a women if she wanted to get in front of me in line for dinner. She scowled, moved ahead, but said nothing. I have already gotten the what are you question. I always struggle with this, although I have learned that people generally know fairly quickly that I am American. They just appear to be confused about my cultural/racial background. I still don’t really have a sense for the cultural dynamic here. The area around the hotel seems Asian inspired.

This is the first time I have been someplace and I don’t know what to expect or what to do. So, while the mice are sleeping, I am getting ready to head out and map out a plan for the next few days. Here is what I am thinking so far:

· Shopping. I know it sounds crazy. But they lost my father’s luggage and we need to go somewhere and find him a jacket. We hope it will arrive tomorrow but need to make some contingency plans. It’s chilly here and we can’t have him walking around not properly dressed and getting sick.

· On-and-off tour 3 hours tomorrow. This will allow us to get a brief overview of the city and determine what we want to do and see more of.

· Rotorua and Island Tours. These are full day tours into inland New Zealand. I have been told by many that this is something that we HAVE to do.

UPDATE: I managed to convince my dad to leave the room. We found a coat, are sitting in a coffee shop chatting and using free wi-fi, and talking about how European the country seems, and planning what we will do for dinner. Good stuff!!!

Blogging Neglect

2010-07-11T22:41:00.000-07:00

It has clearly been some time since my last blog. Knowing me, I am sure you recognize that I have not remained in Cleveland the entire time. Don’t get me wrong, I love my city and would never desert it like the traitorous LeBum Judas (for those of you who don’t know, this is the person formerly known as LeBron James --- and yes, I am still a bit bitter --- and when his ankles break I will not be sad).

But, I love to travel, get antsy and need to spread my wings a bit. Since March, I have visited Las Vegas (which I will post about on my current trip), East Lansing (Michigan), and Concord (Ohio – Quail Hollow Resort). I will post about my Vegas birthday trip soon – stayed at a brand new resort, hung out with my crazy brother, and went to see Carlos Santana (The real reason for the trip. I LOVE Carlos Santana! He is a great musician).

Right now, I am on my way to Aukland, New Zealand and Sydney, Australia for a little less than two weeks. I will be travelling with my parents, attending portions of a conference (health promoting schools), and doing some great sightseeing in what has been described as one of the most beautiful places on earth. I am excited but anxious about the long trip ahead. I HATE airplane bathrooms and can say with pride that I have never seen or used one. The thought of them just gives me chills….YUCK! We leave Cleveland on a Saturday afternoon and arrive in New Zealand on Monday morning, with nearly 19 hours physically in the air and 6 hours of layovers.

Stay tuned, this should be fun…

I am definitely my father’s daughter!

2010-03-12T15:21:00.000-08:00

I think for the most part I am really a combination of both my mother and father. I wrote about my jewelry pact with my mother, with whom I spend a great deal of time doing different things (including everything from travelling to pottery and water aerobics). The fire behind the eyes, the passion with which I work, the ability to take charge of a situation, my common sense approach (including the look that everyone who knows me says means a very sarcastic “really….are you serious”), and womanly conservativism (I still believe I posses this despite the fact that she referred to me as her flower child today) come from her. From my father I get my quick wit, fearlessness in trying new things, analytic skills and broad perspective. Whether at a sporting event, watching a movie, MSNBC and FoxNews, or looking at the newest gadgets…it is not uncommon for my father and I to openly debate the merits of just about everything (even the best way home…stoplights or stop signs). My father has a genuine appreciation for a good stinging one liner and will acknowledge a good one. All this debating sometimes catches people off guard, even my mother (who at this point just generally shakes her head). But really, the art of debating is like a family tradition and nothing but love.

So, when I was told that the final in-country project for the class would be a debate, I was a bit excited. We were hosted at the University of Amsterdam by the Debate Institute of the Netherlands. They train politicians, policy makers, and advocates across the Netherlands and were there to host a special session with us about the various tolerance laws implemented in Holland. At first, I was a bit apprehensive because we were given no advanced notice regarding the nature of the topics to be debated. We were divided in to three rotating groups of pro, cons, and jurors. The questions ranged from prostitution, addiction, and harm reduction and I found myself with far too many thoughts in my head to form a rationale statement (yet alone, advocate for or against something that I did not agree with) except on one occasion which I have now been told by a number of people will go down as one of the most unforgettable moments in the history of these student debates.

I was on the jury for the debate based on the notion that the”US should provide illicit drugs to all drug addicts” (or something like that). I listened as each side presented its’ arguments. The pro’s…. addiction is a chemical imbalance, often associated with mental illness, we need to allow for self-determination and dignity in the treatment of the disease. The cons…..honestly I can’t even remember what they said (other than one guys saying “PCP, who really needs PCP”). I was still stuck on the previous group. They also made statements about all the things having the potential for being addictive and that it would benefit both the individual and society for the individual to be given drugs so that they did not seek criminal acts to do so.

Here were my thoughts and interpretation of their position:

· People can be addicted to drugs

· There are any number of things for which a person can be addicted

· It is necessary to give people the things they are addicted to, so they do not have to resort to desperate or illegal acts to fulfill their addictions

After touring the Red Light District, seeing and speaking with prostitutes, and getting our butts kicked in the previous debate about sex workers... I asked,”So, if I were a sex addict would you make sure I was given all the sex I needed? And could you make sure it was from one of those prostitutes that you have been trying to legalize.” Let me tell you….people were cracking up (seriously… HA HA HA HA HA, no kidding). It was a smart a** comment. But people were rollin’ for a good minute, holding their stomachs (one of the instructors said they almost fell out their chair, another said they almost peed on them self).

At the end of the debate, I was given the “Slippery Award “ for the craftiest one liner issued during the debate. While walking back to the hotel, one of the professors said “I thought your comment was hilarious and right on point. What made you think of it? Where did it come from?” My response, “I am definitely my father’s daughter! And, I finally won an award for it.”

Ohh Ohhhh, Pretty Woman...

2010-03-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

Today we got out early. Our original scheduled vist to the prison cancelled at the last minute without enough time to find a replacement. I was actually looking forward to going, but am exhausted after days of walking endlessly around this city. Every part of my body aches and my ankle is swollen again. So, when I learned that we had a light day, my immediate thought was that I would head home.

Then it happened…..I found the mother ship. It started with the smell of leather (take a deep luxurious inhale), the sound of clacking (a sign of a great pair of shoes), and stars (the glow of the diamonds). The sales people were all around hoping an American would happily spend their money. The music started and then I finally saw it , that one ( or 2, or 3, or 4…) item you never knew you always needed…..I was off and running. I felt like they would be disappointed if I did not buy….and so I did.

Do you hear the music?

Do do do do do...
Do do do do do...

Do do do do do, do do do
Do do do do do, do do do
Ohhhh, Ohhh, pretty women...

Sing it with me..

First, a jewlery store to get a gift for a friend who helped inspire me to start blogging (and kindly left a hint about what she might want…). Then shoes from Van Dalen, a european line that is stylish and comfortable.

And, finally the continuation of the mother daughter pact to purchase at least one piece of jewelry every where we go. She gets one for me and I get one for her. This time matching Swarovski bracelets – mine silver, hers red. Only offered in Europe and caught my eye as soon as I walked in the store.

Add in a little souvenir shopping and a few special gifts for people who helped make all of this possible and I am exhausted…..I am so glad I called and put preestablished limits on my credit cards.

Tomorrow is another full day, so I am off to bed!

Do you remember those old school field trips?

2010-03-10T13:56:00.000-08:00

That’s really why I am here. I am not just sightseeing and gallivanting in the red light district (by the way parents….we had a tour guide with us the WHOLE time). I opted and was approved to take this study abroad course to the Netherlands in lieu of a Public Health Promotion course at KSU. The course is designed as a comparative analysis of health and social justice issues in the Netherlands versus the US. We are specifically examining issues related to euthanasia, sex workers, drug policy, and health care. Monday through Friday we have been in class from 8am-5pm daily (I have a few comments about that which I will place liberally and with my full birth name when submitting the course evaluations). This blog started with the trip and was an idea that I got from my friend Kelli whose blog I follow daily (yay Kel and thanks for the comments) and her husband Rondell (who once said, in response to news of an upcoming trip, that he was seeing the world through my eyes). This blog is an unusual practice of full disclosure and candidness.

While no one has ever accused me of being shy, this is different …

GROUP LEADERS KOOS and REUBEN

PART OF THE GROUP GATHERING OUTSIDE THE FACILITY

I have seen and heard a lot, and the past two days have been particularly challenging. Today we visited a residential facility for youth with mental and behavioral issues in Rotterdam. We met the director, staff, and most importantly the youth who shared their stories, asked us questions about being Americans and showed us what and how they live their lives in the facility. This was the point of “last resort” for children who had experienced sexual abuse, homelessness, abandonment, been witness to and victims of violence and other experiences that led to challenging behavior. I heard stories from the mouths of 8, 9, and 10 year olds of things that I am not sure that I could ever recover from. I looked dead ahead, did not flinch, or show any sign of emotion when listening to one particular girl whose story of sexual abuse had been so publicly recorded in newspapers across the country, sat on the lap of her counselor holding a teddy bear. At a separate rehabilitation facility for ex-offenders I met a young man whose struggle with mental health issues and addiction led him to prison. He cited his fear of hanging around his old friends again and hoped his belief in God would pull him through. He looked in size and skin tone so much like my nephew who is navigating his way through adolescence. I explained this to him and asked through an interpreter what advice he had for me. He said “Find the good, the things he does well and make those the focus of his success. You will not change him and should not try.”

It was hard not to cry today. Really hard.

Both of these individuals, and the majority of those in the social facilities and program which I am visiting are from minority populations. Tomorrow’s blog (which I have already titled “Where have all the Black people gone?) will focus on some of the issues of race and culture that are shockingly a part of this liberal Dutch culture. I have heard and seen some of the most ridiculous statements about race since being here…

The sights of Amsterdam

2010-03-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

A fitting charge for a weekend romp around the city

On a canal cruise with my roommate Kim, and roommates Susan and Rachel.

This is the Diamond Museum, also something the Dutch are known for. Hmmmm...a new purse or a new diamond? What do you think?

This is the entrance to the Anne Frank House. No pictures were allowed in this exhibit. It wouldn't do it justice. It is perhaps the most moving experience I have had and is presented in a way that simultaneously builds a story, and the anxiety associated with the experience, as you move further and further into the house. The leg breaking stairwells were steep and intimidating. It was as chilling as experience as I have had since visiting Pearl Harbor.

I am going to become a biker chick so that I can arm myself with the weapon used most often here....the Bike. This is a bicycle garage with multiple levels. Bikes have the right of way at all times. The bing there horn and you are expected to get out of the way. People do not use breaks they would prefer instead to hit you. If you are crossing the street, look out because they will not stop.

The Dutch are known for cheese and chocolate.
The cheese is in this store and the chocolate is in my bag.

Great architecture. Beautifully maintained and restored buildings. HOWEVER, everything is narrow...the elevators, the rooms, and especially the stairways.

Despite the weather (21-34 degrees), I am having a great time. Tomorrow we leave for Rotterdam and a few people are planning a quick trip to Germany.

Love to All!

My momma says to "Say No" to Sex, Drugs, and Alcohol...

2010-03-09T11:11:00.000-08:00

Apparently neither she nor Willis have been to Amsterdam! It is virtually impossible to avoid these three amigos here. The Dutch, known for their tolerance (which is crap, and I will explain in a later post), are also know for sex (in the red light district), drugs (illegal to posses unless you're in a coffee house or a certified addict), and alcohol (have I told you that Heineken is cheaper than water). It is impossible to avoid, but I have managed to hang on....and at least be consistent in avoiding sex. As of today I have been propositioned by two certified drug users (who started by telling me how pretty my eyes were) and at least three sex workers (one of whom I am pretty sure was a man and told me s/he had something I had never seen before). I have already admitted to drinking at least one Heineken daily and I have not intentionally done drugs. However, the smell is sooooooo strong in some places that I can't entirely be sure... but I think I was high (at least that's what I remember)!

My parents tell the horrifying story of me singing the song Street Life (you know "street life is the only life I know") in church. I learned the words after listening to my sister play it on the radio. Well, in Amsterdam there is plenty of street life, particularly in the red light district. You know you are there when the little red street lights appear in the middle of the street (almost like a miniature stop sign). Then the windows of women appear. Literally, there are windows like the ones on your house with a nearly naked women (and occasionally a transsexual) in it. The window is as big as most front doors and show the room in which their work occurs. There is often a bed, sink, night stand....and any number of other things readily in sight. Basically, a women is selected, the person goes inside, and she draws the shade on the window while working. It is one of the craziest things that I have ever seen. It is really an evolution in my thinking to call it sex work and not prostitution. I struggle with that and actually met with the sex workers union leader yesterday. It's amazing how union leaders, regardless of discipline, sometimes advocate for things that are unreasonable. For example, there is no mandatory STI/HIV testing, nor is the use of contraception mandatory AND when the question was asked about why these things were not required....she was actually offended and cited the rights of sex workers over the safety to those workers and the public. There are no pictures of the women because it is considered rude and was also cited a safty risk (I believe the comment was something about angry pimps jumping out to stop you and snatching your camera).

I also visited a user room today. This is a place where certified drug users are legally able to use cocaine and heroine. The idea is considered a harm reduction approach. Essentially there is acknowledgment that drug use will occur so instead of outlawing it, the government has provided guidelines under which drug use may occur. IV users are seperated from smokers and while no drugs are sold in house, the facility provides all the necessary supplies for users to use safely. We met the staff at two locations and all of the users "RAN" out of the buildings as soon as we arrived. I understand, am a bit conflicted, and feel like we violated their space. I have a great deal of compassion for those who struggle with addiction, who often have mental health issues, and really lack a sense of belonging.

Today was an interesting and difficult day. This place challenges your spirit.

Thanks to all who have read and posted.

Finally here!

2010-03-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

I left Cleveland on Friday at 2:50pm, connecting in New Jersey, and arriving in Amsterdam bright and early at 8:45am. Saturday morning. After about an hour delay outside of customs, we grabbed our luggage and were on our way. There are about 50 of us here from CWRU on this Netherlands trip. We boarded a big travel bus and headed out to our hotel in Leidse Square.

We literally dropped our bags and headed out on a tour led by Dean Gilmore to become more acquainted with Amsterdam. At a glance, it is a beautiful Eurpoean city built for people (nothing too big, nothing too small). The streets are narrow, as are the houses which also have very narrow stairways. Things are tight here. Most of the houses have a hook and plank at the top that is used to lift furniture in through the windows becausethey can't fit in through the doors. It is an arts and culture mecca, where in just this short time, I have managed to meet people from everywhere. And, it is very expensive....I paid 1.15 euros for ketchup and someone else paid 8 euros for bottled water. That's like $1.60 and $11.20 respectively.

Some interesting things about Amsterdam....they are referred to as the "Americans of Europe". They have very liberal social policy and are notoriously known as a place where "anything goes". In less that one day I have seen just about everything...from bicycles everywhere (they have the right of way and will hit you),coffee houses (coffee and weed), public urinals (placed out for men to use on the weekends after leaving bars), and sex workers no pictures...sorry!!!).

So far, so good! I got a great night of rest and am ready to take on the city. Today we will be taking a canal boat tour, going to the Anne Frank museum, the Heineken museum, and then shopping (I already saw some great purses). And, in case your wondering, no I haven't, and no I am not bring back any special brownies. More to come...

The Madness of Packing

2010-03-02T21:09:00.001-08:00

It is just after midnight and I am two days away from my departure for Amsterdam. I had hoped to have everything finished on Sunday (LMAO!!!) The process of packing is a nightmare and I can't believe that I don't have this down to a science, especially as often as I travel. I went for my final Target run today (I will be going back....) and have finally managed to close my suitcases. I haven't weighed them yet so keep your fingers crossed. This is what my room looked like two hours ago...after more than two hours of packing. At this point I am just about done and am downloading movies and music for my laptop and iPod.

I am taking two suitcases, one to check and one to carry one. The checked bag is full of things that ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY NEED TO ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM (this is my way of putting that request out there in the universe)but combined are too much to fit in an overhead bin. Checking a bag these days is like betting against the house in Vegas. I only have one connecting flight so I am not as concerned. My carry on is all of the things that there is no way in the world that I would go to Amsterdam without! One of the things I always worry about are the travel restrictions for liquid and medicine. All of your liquids and gels (except medicine) need to be less that 3 ounces and all fit in a 1 quart bag.

I know deep, deeP, deEP, dEEP, DEEP down in my soul that this is for my protection but I am not a fan of the TSA. I am in no way convinced that those people (only those at security checkpoints) could save.....I'll just stop there. One time a TSA agent took my benedryl because it was the children's formula. I had been bitten by a spider and was a swollen mess (those of you who know me know how often this happens...). The rationale for taking the medicine was that I was an adult and didn't have any children with me. I guess walking around like a zombie mumbling aimlessly or laying out on the concourse with swollen eyes itching, and scratching was a better alternative.

Anyways, I have learned valuable tricks since that time and want to share one of my favorite buys with everyone. Johnson and Johnson makes a baby travel kit with lotion, powder, soap, and shampoo that fits the TSA criteria. It is super cheap and can keep you going for a bit in the event that yourluggage doesn't arrive on time. Throw in some deodorant and toothpaste and you're all set. The only down side is that it includes diper rash cream....I haven't exactly figured out what to do with that yet.

Off to bed! Dinner tomorrow night with the family and a bit more packing to do

UPDATE: I was up all night with an upset stomach. Anxiety! I'll explain more later...

Oh, the places you’ll go. Who knew Dr. Seuss was a genius?

2010-02-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

I love to travel. I caught the bug during summers travelling the country with my family. It started with a tent going fishing at KOA state parks, then to a pop-up trailer that my brother Darryl would flip out of, and finally the 25-foot trailer towed by our Cosby style station wagon. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, I don’t think there is a part of the Midwest left unexplored by the Knight Jr. clan, over the more than 10 years of camping. We even upgraded the station wagon to a tricked out grey GMC Safari with a vent in the rear (oh yeah ☺). The relationships that were formed and unique experiences of each place are the belly-laughing stories told at every family gathering. Did you hear the one about Shenee hurdling the fence, Darryl and Jasaan on dirt bikes, or Mr. O’Neil and his outdoor fly swatter? There are no stories about me (unless you count me laying on the ground laughing at other family members and being eaten alive by insects…..ARGH). Seriously, I was too busy watching and beginning to dream and plan for all the places I would go.

As we got older and our lives more complex, it became increasingly difficult to continue the summers away. So we upgraded, first to extended trips outside the Midwest to places like New Mexico, Florida, and Hawaii to then to resort style living in the Caribbean, and Mexico. I have ridden cautiously to the highest peak in New Mexico to watch the sunset and walked on the Malaccan in Puerto Vallarta in the heart of the Mexican summer. Both remarkable, deeply spiritual, and part of the growing number of experiences that I carry with me. Outside of Canada, my first trip abroad as an adult was a trip to Nassau, Bahamas for my high school graduation with my friend Allison who I had known since middle school. We drank Bahama Mama’s, jet skied until our butts hurt, and junkanoo’ed with complete strangers. Then there were the spring break trips in college with my roommate Chieka to Cancun and the all-homie Vegas style trip to Jamaica where we completely lost our minds and came home with more money then we left with. Ahhh…the good ole days…with people and friendships that I value more and more each day!

This love of travel is really about my love of my family and friends. The pinnacle, and best trip so far was Christmas of 2007 when 10 of our closest family and friends travelled to Spain and Morrocco for a two-week holiday. We walked 10,000 miles literally, did some of the best shopping (EVER!!!!), and just enjoyed each others company. A close second, is the trip to Cancun with my paternal grandparents to Mexico where my grandmother beat me horribly in spades (I swear she cheated) and we got my grandfather Raymond to promise he’d parasail with us when he turned 80. It was great seeing them out of their element, trying new things, and genuinely enjoying themselves. Third is the trip with my three best friends to Jamaica that I mentioned before. Our lives have changed so much since then, but there isn’t a time when we are together that some part of that experience isn’t mentioned.

Now, my travel is a mix of professional, personal, and wellness. Each year for the past three years I have attended at least one conference out of state, one trip abroad, and at least a one-week wellness retreat. Throw in occasional consulting work, a weekend in Vegas and one or two trips to see either family or friends and I find myself buying a new set of luggage every 12-18 months and racking up frequent flyer miles. So, last week I bought a new set of luggage and instead of collecting shot glasses (you can only get so many before you just look like a drunk) and magnets, I have decided to document my journeys on this blog. Sometimes with family, sometimes with friends, sometimes alone, and sometimes with complete strangers, I will document all about the places I’ll go. This is the world through my eyes.