[written on 27 March] For taking me in for 64 days For all the vegan friendly shops and restaurants For your stunningly gorgeous mountains For your shockingly turquoise, jade waters For the opportunities to drink from icy cold, clear waterfalls For your commitment to protect this uniquely beautiful land For your honest attempts at reconciliation…
Tag: adventure
Canceled
Now what?! If you’d told me even 3 days ago: “You will be in the USA on Friday,” I would have replied: “You are insane.” And yet, “here I am,” as Skid Row so aptly said. After this layover, and on into Los Angeles, I honestly do not know what awaits me.
The Crossroads
It’s taken around 12 hours in the past two days, not to mention more time over days before, to finally secure a reasonable route out of New Zealand. Very few flight routes are available. Every Southeast Asian nation I can name has closed its borders, even to transiting passengers. Prices are so outrageous you’d be…
The Haunting
It’s all gone down in a matter of hours. Shuttered. So sad. It’s all a ghost town now. Guess it takes an aggressively paced, swiftly enforced lock down to finally drag me away… 48 hours notice for anyone who needs to leave. Otherwise, 4 week minimum lock down. Universal. Even includes restaurants. No “takeaways.” Apocalyptic…
8 Week Anniversary in New Zealand
I know I’ve been in New Zealand for a while because… The trees are changing from green to red, gold, yellow. Seasons have changed from my mid-summer arrival, to early-mid fall weather now. Early mornings here on the South Island have been around 33F. My full tube of toothpaste has been depleted: Even though I…
Peter’s Coming Over for Dinner
Meanwhile, Melissa and her future mother-in-law Karen need to discuss September’s wedding guest list. Ethan changed plans and didn’t come home last weekend, but it’s okay since his mates were also scheduled to arrive and it ended up quieter around here. These are the days of my adoption within a New Zealand family. Originally scheduled…
How is New Zealand Different?
Running down the trail, sulphur fumes permeate my nostrils. Steaming gases rise in the distance. Blackened craters spew acidic steam. Just down the road, a traditional Maori village welcomes foreigners to watch–and learn, for men–the Haka war ritual. Sacred Maori lands are home to Middle Earth, where I ran as close to Mount Doom as…
New Zealand Adventure!
I have to use the ! when writing about this place. There’s a reason it’s become the place to be. Here are annotated photos from my first full day in Auckland and running on Waiheke Island. 😭😭😭Her visa application was rejected. So, my beautiful girlfriend is in the Philippines right now. 我是一个人。 This tree is…
Are 11% of Americans Drug Addicts? And Assorted Other Chinese Questions, Part I
What are some questions Chinese people who’ve spent their entire lives–in most cases–in mainland China have for an American? I’ve asked a number of folks in Shanghai, men and women–although most responses below are from women. A sampling, in no certain order [translated from Mandarin by me if not using ” “, sent to me…
Underground Vegan
This vegan spot located on 15th floor of an apartment building near Jing’an Temple, in Shanghai. Opened upon request with promise we’d bring in at least 10 folks. We brought 14. So, off the sidewalk, no signs advertising any restaurant, past apartment building security, up a back entrance…take elevator to 15. Don’t fear the prison-like…
Lessons Learned: Yokohama Marathon, November 10, 2019
Here’s the story, in short (in no particular order)… 1. Japanese volunteers, race officials and spectators are more vocal on the whole than perhaps any spectators I’ve encountered this side of Boston. 2. Japanese spectators outstretch their hands more for high-fives than anywhere else I’ve seen. 3. At 28k, there are gorgeous Carnivalesque dancers clad…
Better Than a Snow Day
November 3rd: What’s better for a teacher than a snow day?! When the Chinese government decrees all schools in Shanghai closed for TWO (2) days due to the annual International Import Expo. Yes, that’s right. At the noontime hour, I’m back at my second home–东外滩。The East Bund. Its a second Saturday repeating after the first….
