Nostalgia in the Rose City

Phantom of the Opera from the grand piano, live for the pleasure of the folks streaming through security and waiting to board their planes. Wifi blankets the air. Quiet hush of people bustling but not rushed. It feels like there's sunlight streaming through the walls and ceilings of windows even though the sky is actually grey. 

Leaving Portland is always hard. She smiles on you to the end, so your heart is wrenching as you walk out the door, tears streaming, wondering if you should have stayed longer, or if you should return. Emotion runs deep in the Northwest, where the multi-hued grey clouds hangs low adding depth to the sky, and the sun glows down imbuing color and contrast to the land. Even airport security was pleasant, with extra friendly folks in line, security and gate agents who were the same, plus efficient. 

So here I sit, wondering what is next again, with so many possibilities on the horizon. 

(Kathie & Genie at Portland International Airport)

Leaving Taiwan

Again, I'm in the airport killing time. Luckily someone has taken pity on us poor souls and installed free internet terminals that actually work.How much duty free shopping can a person do in one day, really? I find when you have one small bag, it's not very fulfilling. (However, one pair of my pants already has see-through patches and I've repaired one t-shirt and my swimming suit, so I'll have to break down and shop one of these days.)

A two-minute synopsis for you:
Taiwan is where...
You are greeted with "morning!" or "good morning!" regardless the time of day when entering a store.
About a third of the population wears face masks to protect against pollution and reduce disease spread.
They have the most extensive recycling sytem in a McDonald's that I've ever seen.
When you hear the ice cream man, it's actually the garbage truck!
The people are exceptionally friendly and genuinely want to help.
The center of the island is filled with mountains and hiking trails are abundant.
You can get food anytime of the day at one of their glorious night markets. (Just watch out for the "stinky tofu"- it is just as it sounds.)

The next journey begins when Carrie arrives in Bangkok in the wee hours of January 9th. I'll be waiting with bells on at the airport. For the new year, I'll continue spreading peace and gaining knowledge. I'll also clean up the skeletons in my closet and get home to see my loved ones.

Airport Contemplations: Take 2

Sometimes I wonder, "Am I wasting my life?" What constitutes"wasting?" I am certainly living more that I ever have before- I guess that is the biggest thing. I've never been as connected to our fellow beings, our tress, our butterflies and birds and dogs and creatures as I am now.

It's the simple things, like sitting here watching people when I don't understand their words, but they're laughing and smiling, walking together, carrying their kids on their shoulders. I understand their language of humanity and love.

The thought of returning to a regular life where I rise and follow someone else's schedule, someone else's rules sounds painfully restricting right now. I can't help but think I'm getting older, but that would be happening regardless of my status in life. (Unless more grim happenings come about... Heh.)

If life is about loving, learning, and living then I should have no regrets or doubts about this time. I only hope to better understand my fellow earth-mates and share my spirit throughout the world.

Christmas in SE Asia

Here I am in the Singapore airport, where they have free internet terminals scattered throughout. How handy for time-killing if there is such a thing at airports after one has made their way through the maze of airport security and immigration.

I'm about to fly up to Taipei. It still doesn't feel much like Christmas, despite my evening last night spent singing Christmas carols in one of the cathedrals of Singapore. Maybe it's the drenching sweat that appears on my clothing the minute I walk out of an air-conditioned building. Maybe it's the no cards, no gifts, no family thing. I don't know.

No matter my feelings, I wish you all a Merry, Merry Christmas, a few days early. May you all make it home to your loved ones if that is your wish. And eats lots of Christmas cookies for me!