MEXICO

Mexico was fun.  It always is.  This was such a short visit, but nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed it!  It was my first time to Puebla, on a quick layover to visit my friends Marnie and Abbey.  Marnie's flight was canceled last minute and delayed two full days (who does that?!), so it ended up being just Abbey and I for New Years.  I have to say, Puebla is not exactly a happening spot.  After wandering the deserted streets for nearly an hour, we finally found a hamburger/hot dog stand that offered us some impromptu tacos.  Not exactly how I was planning to spend New Year's Eve, but it had to do... The bright side?  I had great company :)
The next day wasn't a whole heap better, but I will say this for Puebla: I relaxed, rested, and got some internet stuff done.  Besides that, I had a wonderful time with great friends.  The food was good (as always in Mexico) and the view of the volcano Popocateptl was pretty sweet...

Churros in the Plaza with Abbey

Una cemita!

What I seem to keep forgetting is how much I like Mexico City.  I could live there.  People are EVERYWHERE.  When I arrived on the bus from Puebla, it was immediately evident in the pile-up of traffic... I don't know how they do it!

I made it to a sketchy hostel in a neighborhood behind the airport, dropped my bag, locked up all my valuables as best I could, and hit the streets!  Riding the metro was a hoot; people coming through with their boomboxes, selling stuff, the works.  I met a nice guy going my direction who whisked me through the maze of subway station stairs and corridors, and before I knew it, I was downtown!  A live Cuban band, and a room full of dancers :)  *Happy place*  Some last minute emails, a hot shower, and a half-hour nap was all that I had time for before my 8:45 a.m. Cubana flight... Have to arrive early to those things!  Needless to say, it's 9:15 a.m. as I sit here writing, and we are definitely not on board the plane... Nope, not even an announcement.  I heard someone say our plane was in Veracruz, Mexico.  The screen is still flashing "8:45 On Time".  Guess not.  Welcome to Cuban Airways.  Just a little reminder of what the next month will be like...  A lot of waiting :)  That's okay. I can deal with it.  I'm prepared.  It's worth it!  Let's see what time I get there (and if my ride is still waiting on the other end)...

I wish!

I wish there were a little more time in a day... and a few more hours in the night.

I wish I had more than a week left - to see friends and family before my flight.

I wish plane tickets didn't cost money; I'd travel endlessly all over the place.

I wish that bags would pack themselves, so I wouldn't have to worry about my suitcase!

I wish the sun shone all the time and it were warmer where I choose to live.

I wish more people understood the need at 3 a.m. to be productive!

I wish I could pursue all the plans and ideas and dreams that swirl around in my head.

I wish I weren't sitting on the couch, and instead were in a nice, warm bed...

Goodnight!  (Technically morning by now...)

Freedom

Something about this country makes me think of freedom.  Perhaps it's being in the land of William Wallace, and thinking of Mel Gibson's cry of "FREEEEDOMMM!!" in the movie "Braveheart".  Maybe it's the sound of bagpipes and seeing men in kilts... or better yet, it could be the endless rolling hills and wild countryside.  Whatever it is, freedom hangs in the air.

Freedom to live, freedom to love.  Thank God for freedom!  As the presidential elections in the U.S. draw near, I am reminded of the freedom that was fought for in that country, and the many who have died for it.  I am thankful for the foundation they have laid, allowing me the great joy - and responsibility - of making daily choices that determine my circumstances in life.  I am grateful for the privilege to cast a vote this year, and am inspired to stand for the cause of true freedom.  The question is, what does it really mean to be "free"?

William Wallace Memorial

Scotland

On freedom...

Pitlochry

Life in Scotland: what can I say?!  It's absolutely beautiful here; reminds me a lot of Washington state.  I've been on a few walks and hikes, and I keep forgetting where I am.  There's a park with a waterfall nearby that looks just like Whatcom Falls, and a little inlet on the river that looks like a part of Larrabee State Park.  The most similar thing, though, is the RAIN.  Rain and cold, clouds and rain, all day, every day... And it's summer.  Oh well.  Like I said, it's beautiful, and in an odd way (minus the cold), refreshing.  There is a sense of renewal that hangs in the air.  The people who are hosting us are kind and caring, opening their homes to us, and welcoming us warmly.  The scenery is green and luscious; even as a team we have been resting and enjoying some extra free time...

Last week we visited Edinburgh and the world-famous Fringe Art Festival, where we also hiked up to the spot where one of the scenes from "Chariots of Fire" was shot.  It happened to be a gorgeous day and we had the chance for a few good photos in the sunshine...  

An Epic Tale

This is the story - an epic tale - of two football (AKA soccer) teams

in all-out war to claim their place in the Olympic quarter-finals...

(Actually, it's more like a story of how I went to the match, but

that's besides the point.)

One afternoon, not too long ago, I was sitting in the living room with

some friends, eating pizza, when one of them found available tickets

to watch Brazil play New Zealand in the Olympics. We all looked at

each other, and in the following 25 seconds, as Lee clicked through

the screens to confirm the availability of the tickets, we decided to

take the plunge. In unison we turned to Lee, exclaiming "I'm in!".

Five tickets were purchased, and the adventure began... Only AFTER we

bought tickets did I realize the game would be in Newcastle and I was

to be staying in London during that time. Oh well :)

Thankful that I found tickets to an Olympic event, and even more so

that I would have the (perhaps) once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to

watch Brazil play, AND it all happened to coincide with my one day

off... How could I refuse the chance to witness such an epic event -

history in the making?!

Tuesday night my team performed in Sidcup, in the greater London area.

After the show and mingling with the audience, I quickly changed and

literally RAN to the train station to make the 22h train back into

London. I had an 23.55h bus to catch, and it would take a 40 minute

train, 20 minute subway, and 10 minute walk to get me there, not to

mention transfers and waiting time.

After huffing and puffing and breaking quite a sweat (I hate running),

we arrived at the train station with 2 minutes to spare to catch the

incoming train. Safely aboard, I could relax that there was enough

time to make all the connections. At London Waterloo, we transferred

to the tube (subway), and rode two different lines, eventually

covering the distance to Victoria station. It's incredible how many

people were still traveling at 11pm... :) oh the city!

When we arrived at the coach station, I knew we were in the right

place: I found myself surrounded by the musical sound of Portuguese,

and bright yellow jerseys everywhere I looked. We weren't the only

ones to catch an overnight bus to Newcastle...

Seven hours later, with a solid 40 minutes of sound sleep, we pulled

up to a lifeless Newcastle, supporting my theory that no one should be

awake at 6.30am... The streets looked like a ghost town, with not a

soul to be seen. I considered sleeping in an alley somewhere, but

unfortunately it was cold and wet, and I didn't think it would be

conducive to my wellbeing. We settled for Starbucks instead. What's

6 hours in a coffee shop anyways?! One crazy way to spend my day off,

but to take the train at a more convenient time was 5 times the

price... Overnight buses it is!

Four hours of Starbucks later, I had my nails painted green and

yellow, my eyeshadow matching, and decked out in Brazil colors. Go

big or go home :) I fully support my Latin American team! I even did

Clark's nails, as I told him he should take one for the team...

The game was a blast. Brazil dominated New Zealand 3-0 and we proudly supported their win. The crowd was friendly and upbeat, fully

sporting the Olympic spirit. With our big flag and enthusiastic

cheers we made friends quickly...

What a day! It's nice to slip away from the usual routine, find

myself in a new environment, and hang out with a different group of

people... I experienced the Olympics first-hand, and THAT is a special

event indeed.

Cheers mates! :)