Barcelona kind of hits me as a bit on the crazy side. So much Gaudi! I spent a lot of time in the Parc Guell; I have some pictures but haven't had time to download yet- so visit the website by clicking on the link above- they have great pictures. The loopiness of the creations has matched my mood, kind of an out of body experience. Or is it out of mind?
I slept in until after ten this morning, then met John for the trip to the park, and a lunch of tapas. Of course aside from the sightseeing, I have been contemplating the feasability of the idea that I came with- to travel with John in his motor-home. A very confined space. And I have been feeling very irritable since I got here, so not all starry eyed about anything. We went to see the proposed 'hostel on wheels' this afternoon, and sat and talked for hours, before I finally got a sense of comfort and safety with the whole plan. I have my own space in front, above the driver's seats. John has been very communicative about all my concerns and doubts, and I can still leave if I decide I need to. Part of the comfort level comes from learning that we share many thoughts and values, talking about history and philosophy, and even enjoy the same kinds of music.
So, that tough decision out of the way, I plan to continue to sight-see Barcelona for the next several days, maybe getting about on bicycle more than that tiny motorcycle. Or by bus. Actually the motorcycle isn't too bad, and I don't mind that many people see it and laugh that two grownups (theoretically) are riding on it. But still...
After Barcelona, the plan for me to walk the Camino de Santiago still stands. I read up on some of the trail- that the northern part of it comes from France over the Pyrenees by several different trails, that it has been in use for a thousand years, and some parts are prettier than others. At some point there is a spigot on the wall of a winery, where one can pour free wine...Will watch for that part.
I hope I am not repeating myself too much, as I have begun to do in normal conversation. The short memory would require that I go back and read past posts each time I write, too time consuming! Anyway, if so, just ignore it. I will edit when I have more time.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Sunset in the Morning
Most of my flight(s) from SLC to Barcelona were unremarkable, but in the morning as we approached Spain, the sunrise really looked like a typical colorful sunset in Utah- and it occured to me that this is because of all the ash still in the atmosphere from the volcano! Very pretty, in a way.
John met me when I got off the bus in Paza Catalunya, and helped me find the hostel (no easy task on this silly little streets) and haul my bags up three flights of old marble stairs. After a shower, I went out with him to see some of the local sights and get lunch. I also got a chip for my Nokia, so I now have a local phone number- and calls to the US are pretty darn cheap, no idea why that is.
I am between naps at the hostel, having explored some basic parts of Barcelona on the back of a tiny Chinese made motorcycle. John chose it to fit in a closet in his motorhome. I quickly decided to just trust, and not get uptight about the aggressive driving style, which is apparently necessary and expected. The motor bike saves a lot of walking.
We did walk the Ramblas, a wide avenue with lots of trees, here in old Barcelona. Lots of activity, like buscars and living statues and- especially since today is (was) a semifinals futbol (?) game between Barcelona and an Italian team, roving gangs of yelling, chanting fans wearing the team colors comprised more than half the population on the streets.
After walking around the famous unfinished Familia Sagrada church (part of the facade can be seen in the above picture), I had to get back and sleep. Tomorrow- or today, actually, I will see more, and upload my own photographs to send more. I was given a complimentary sangria by the young Pakistani host here at the hostel, while I watched the futball(?) soccer match with him in the cucina (kitchcen) . Barcelona lost by one point. So now it is time to try to sleep again.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Intercontinental Blind Date©
So this is going to be the title of the book, and of course the movie. Intercontinental Blind Date©. Watch for it. ;-)
So what do I have to say, on this day three days before I get on the plane? The plan, as determined by my travel companion-to-be, is that he will show me Barcelona for a few days, however long I want, then drive up the coast, maybe stop in Roses, a town he has lived in. Then go to the starting point of the Camino de Santiago (Pamplona?), which I can walk while he drives the motor home to the day's destination, and walks back to meet me. I get to walk the pilgrim trail! Sounds perfect.
I have been looking at books about Gaudi, the famous architect in Barcelona, as well as the artist Goya. I think if I learn more about them now, I will better appreciate what I see, so I have homework. I expect to be overwhelmed in Barcelona, just trying to understand Gaudi's wild architectural shapes, and how they were seen by the people of his time. I understand that he was ridiculed for some time, and that George Orwell thought it was awful. But a few people admired his work, at least the wealthy man who hired him to create La Casa Mila, and eventually he became very popular and famous. So he is an example of the benefit of ignoring what other people think. I like him already.
Goya was a maverick also, painting people as they were, not flattering them as was the tradition. another great example! Maybe it is a theme, in Spain. According to Mary Lee Settle, in Spanish Recognitions, many famous Spaniards refused to go along with the program, and apparently valued obedience far less than speaking up for rights, equality, fairness.
I return to my preparations, while my future travel companion says he is spending a few days in the mountains north of Barcelona. He mentioned a very small town, name unknown, up in a steep valley where he stopped for breakfast in the town square. The town is all old stone buildings, many hundreds of years old. He says he tried the computer, just for fun, and was amazed that he had access to wifi.
Who needs anything else?
So what do I have to say, on this day three days before I get on the plane? The plan, as determined by my travel companion-to-be, is that he will show me Barcelona for a few days, however long I want, then drive up the coast, maybe stop in Roses, a town he has lived in. Then go to the starting point of the Camino de Santiago (Pamplona?), which I can walk while he drives the motor home to the day's destination, and walks back to meet me. I get to walk the pilgrim trail! Sounds perfect.
I have been looking at books about Gaudi, the famous architect in Barcelona, as well as the artist Goya. I think if I learn more about them now, I will better appreciate what I see, so I have homework. I expect to be overwhelmed in Barcelona, just trying to understand Gaudi's wild architectural shapes, and how they were seen by the people of his time. I understand that he was ridiculed for some time, and that George Orwell thought it was awful. But a few people admired his work, at least the wealthy man who hired him to create La Casa Mila, and eventually he became very popular and famous. So he is an example of the benefit of ignoring what other people think. I like him already.
Goya was a maverick also, painting people as they were, not flattering them as was the tradition. another great example! Maybe it is a theme, in Spain. According to Mary Lee Settle, in Spanish Recognitions, many famous Spaniards refused to go along with the program, and apparently valued obedience far less than speaking up for rights, equality, fairness.
I return to my preparations, while my future travel companion says he is spending a few days in the mountains north of Barcelona. He mentioned a very small town, name unknown, up in a steep valley where he stopped for breakfast in the town square. The town is all old stone buildings, many hundreds of years old. He says he tried the computer, just for fun, and was amazed that he had access to wifi.
Who needs anything else?
Monday, April 19, 2010
Packing, and How This All Came About.
April 19
Since April 4, when I think I made the decision to go to Spain, there has been lots of time to think about how I wound up here, packing to leave in one week. Now I can share some of the details of this process... Some influences that have bearing on my present state include: my own journey of letting go of what isn't really me, the 'law of attraction', and internet dating.
For the 'letting go' part, in what has been my daily morning (therapy) walk with apartment manager/dog-walker friend Sharon, a popular topic for discussion is how much of what we are doing, every day, is really only some kind of distraction from what we really want to be doing? Earlier on in life, when there are kids to feed, it is easier to rationalize working activities as being necessary to make money, to feed the family. But when its just us, then what? Security in old age? Sounds good, but what does that really mean? And when do you actually achieve it?
I love the little saying that got emailed around a lot a few months back, something about choosing between quietly and calmly easing into the last stage of life (death) or coming flying around the corner, hair all askew, saying, 'whew, what a ride'. Are we guided by fear- or by a love of life? I had a lot of fears to let go of, and the biggest fears were about my own right to really enjoy myself.
I had been working on (yet another) career in counseling, finished the masters degree, and was looking at three years or so of internship. It just wasn't looking joyful. The school part was ok, fun for me, actually, but an internship for several reasons was a sticky place to even approach. Looking at why, I realized that the long term commitment meant not very much travel time. Or time and energy for more creative pursuits like writing, or art. It felt wrong. But I felt selfish about not doing it.
I talked to people I respected, and did an NLP process that is just for decision making, and finally got it, my plans for the future were what I thought I 'should' be doing, what I 'ought' to do, but not about me, what I wanted.
The 'law of attraction' part is something I acquired by association. I have been coaching another NLP course over the winter, to keep myself in tune with those skills, and got more out of doing it that I expected. NLP deeply incorporates the concepts of the 'law of attraction' in the presuppositions that it is based on. The everyday accountability of living with a knowledge that we are fully responsible for how our lives are working can be hard lessons, but it is sinking in. Learning to think in terms of the life you intend (with intentionality) is most empowering. For a long time, the very question, what do you really want, would put my brain in some kind of jammed up place. But bit by bit, I have tracked down a picture (yes, I am very visual).
In that picture was travel, of course. Europe, more specifically. Also writing, painting, and not being in a hurry. Also a partner to do these things with. I will get back to that in a bit.
The third influence has been computer dating. I admit it, I did this off and on for years, and the net result has been a lot of 'coffee dates', and a few really good friends. And a lot of learning about myself. Most of it comes back to what it is I really want. Surprise surprise.
SO- back to now, the story behind the Spanish adventure.
As soon as I was clear that I was not continuing with the counseling track, my thoughts turned to travel. It's been almost two years since my last great adventure, and the world was calling my name! I went to my favorite site, helpx.net, and looked around; Greece, Italy, Spain? I sent out a few inquiries, and then looked in the 'companions' section, and update my profile. I wrote to a woman who was touring some of Europe in a motor-home, seeking more information.
The next day, I got a response, thinking it was from her, but no, it was from a man in Spain looking for someone to travel with him. I was a bit reticent. I have a few iffy experiences with male travel companions- nothing to be afraid of, mind you- just personality issues (I plan to eventually post my China and Italy journals on this site, and they have all the details).
I wrote back, and we started an email conversation about expectations, plans, and who are you? My long experience with computer dating helped me in that I was not shy about asking important questions, and being authentic about myself. I thought I would scare him away. Nope. We sent a lot of pictures back and forth, and within a few days I couldn't ignore the burning question, WHY NOT? He is planning to tour all the places I wanted to see. He is retired, my age, he writes, and wanted me to share a writing project. He wants to support my painting by giving me time to stop and paint anything that I want. (He even bought a set of used oil paints at a 'boot sale' (yard sale on this side of the pond) just for me. He loves to talk about history, philosophy, ideas, like I do. He has been polite and thoughtful, suggesting that I need a day to sleep upon arrival, and that he would help me get to the hostel. That too is his suggestion, that I stay at a hostel for a few days while we get to know each other.
Well, I wasn't looking for a date! Over two weeks of daily emails, we have sort of established that while romance is on his mind, the real bottom line is to have a great time and explore together, and I trust that. He sent photographs of his (sizable) motor home, with license plates for my daughter should she feel a need to have him tracked down.
I alternate between excitement, doubts, and the usual stress of remembering what needs to be remembered to be done before I leave, planning for four months. My daughter is unwaveringly supportive, as she has been on past leaps, while family, friends and neighbors vary from incredulity (how could you?) to jealousy. Good friend Naomi intended to talk me out of it, she said, but decided on learning more that I was right. Why not?
So- That is where it is, and I may end up staying in Barcelona for a few weeks and coming back- but I doubt it, and I certainly hope not. I am packing for a summer of adventure, creating, and joy. I will share the ups and downs of it, right here.
Since April 4, when I think I made the decision to go to Spain, there has been lots of time to think about how I wound up here, packing to leave in one week. Now I can share some of the details of this process... Some influences that have bearing on my present state include: my own journey of letting go of what isn't really me, the 'law of attraction', and internet dating.
For the 'letting go' part, in what has been my daily morning (therapy) walk with apartment manager/dog-walker friend Sharon, a popular topic for discussion is how much of what we are doing, every day, is really only some kind of distraction from what we really want to be doing? Earlier on in life, when there are kids to feed, it is easier to rationalize working activities as being necessary to make money, to feed the family. But when its just us, then what? Security in old age? Sounds good, but what does that really mean? And when do you actually achieve it?
I love the little saying that got emailed around a lot a few months back, something about choosing between quietly and calmly easing into the last stage of life (death) or coming flying around the corner, hair all askew, saying, 'whew, what a ride'. Are we guided by fear- or by a love of life? I had a lot of fears to let go of, and the biggest fears were about my own right to really enjoy myself.
I had been working on (yet another) career in counseling, finished the masters degree, and was looking at three years or so of internship. It just wasn't looking joyful. The school part was ok, fun for me, actually, but an internship for several reasons was a sticky place to even approach. Looking at why, I realized that the long term commitment meant not very much travel time. Or time and energy for more creative pursuits like writing, or art. It felt wrong. But I felt selfish about not doing it.
I talked to people I respected, and did an NLP process that is just for decision making, and finally got it, my plans for the future were what I thought I 'should' be doing, what I 'ought' to do, but not about me, what I wanted.
The 'law of attraction' part is something I acquired by association. I have been coaching another NLP course over the winter, to keep myself in tune with those skills, and got more out of doing it that I expected. NLP deeply incorporates the concepts of the 'law of attraction' in the presuppositions that it is based on. The everyday accountability of living with a knowledge that we are fully responsible for how our lives are working can be hard lessons, but it is sinking in. Learning to think in terms of the life you intend (with intentionality) is most empowering. For a long time, the very question, what do you really want, would put my brain in some kind of jammed up place. But bit by bit, I have tracked down a picture (yes, I am very visual).
In that picture was travel, of course. Europe, more specifically. Also writing, painting, and not being in a hurry. Also a partner to do these things with. I will get back to that in a bit.
The third influence has been computer dating. I admit it, I did this off and on for years, and the net result has been a lot of 'coffee dates', and a few really good friends. And a lot of learning about myself. Most of it comes back to what it is I really want. Surprise surprise.
SO- back to now, the story behind the Spanish adventure.
As soon as I was clear that I was not continuing with the counseling track, my thoughts turned to travel. It's been almost two years since my last great adventure, and the world was calling my name! I went to my favorite site, helpx.net, and looked around; Greece, Italy, Spain? I sent out a few inquiries, and then looked in the 'companions' section, and update my profile. I wrote to a woman who was touring some of Europe in a motor-home, seeking more information.
The next day, I got a response, thinking it was from her, but no, it was from a man in Spain looking for someone to travel with him. I was a bit reticent. I have a few iffy experiences with male travel companions- nothing to be afraid of, mind you- just personality issues (I plan to eventually post my China and Italy journals on this site, and they have all the details).
I wrote back, and we started an email conversation about expectations, plans, and who are you? My long experience with computer dating helped me in that I was not shy about asking important questions, and being authentic about myself. I thought I would scare him away. Nope. We sent a lot of pictures back and forth, and within a few days I couldn't ignore the burning question, WHY NOT? He is planning to tour all the places I wanted to see. He is retired, my age, he writes, and wanted me to share a writing project. He wants to support my painting by giving me time to stop and paint anything that I want. (He even bought a set of used oil paints at a 'boot sale' (yard sale on this side of the pond) just for me. He loves to talk about history, philosophy, ideas, like I do. He has been polite and thoughtful, suggesting that I need a day to sleep upon arrival, and that he would help me get to the hostel. That too is his suggestion, that I stay at a hostel for a few days while we get to know each other.
Well, I wasn't looking for a date! Over two weeks of daily emails, we have sort of established that while romance is on his mind, the real bottom line is to have a great time and explore together, and I trust that. He sent photographs of his (sizable) motor home, with license plates for my daughter should she feel a need to have him tracked down.
I alternate between excitement, doubts, and the usual stress of remembering what needs to be remembered to be done before I leave, planning for four months. My daughter is unwaveringly supportive, as she has been on past leaps, while family, friends and neighbors vary from incredulity (how could you?) to jealousy. Good friend Naomi intended to talk me out of it, she said, but decided on learning more that I was right. Why not?
So- That is where it is, and I may end up staying in Barcelona for a few weeks and coming back- but I doubt it, and I certainly hope not. I am packing for a summer of adventure, creating, and joy. I will share the ups and downs of it, right here.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Cheap Travel
I mentioned in my last blog about giving a speech on Cheap Travel. It was a review of some of my experiences with traveling while not spending my entire life savings, which I will share here.
My first experience was a trip to China- as an employee. Teaching English abroad is definitely an interesting and inexpensive way to have an in-depth experience of a new culture. In this case, I had to pay for my airfare to China, but had I stayed for one year, it would have been reimbursed. As it was, I stayed for a semester, and my return trip was paid for.
There are some places that are hesitant to hire people over sixty, but there are plenty out there who appreciate the value of those of us 'with extensive life experience'.
The five months that I lived in Wuhan, China, included free housing- nothing fancy, mind you, but sufficient, and a monthly pay that allowed me to save a few hundred dollars while enjoying myself with lots of little trips and shopping at a store that was reminiscent of Costco. Of course the downside is the commitment, to stay and work. But I would rate it overall as a fantastic opportunity.
A few of the countries currently offering teaching positions include Korea, much of Asia, Thailand, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Russia, Slovakia... A good website for getting started (There are many many of them) is here.
A bachelor's degree is most often required, and while some places don't require a TEFL certificate, like the university I worked for, I would recommend for your own comfort level that you invest in such a course. I have since taken one- which leads to my second idea for cheap travel.
Learning abroad- either a language or a TEFL course, can be relatively inexpensive- the cost of the course plus housing for a month varies but can be as low as $1800.00. I took a TEFL course in Guadalajara, as detailed on this website for instance. A few years ago, it was even less, and there may be other good schools that are less expensive. Even so, four weeks of fun and learning in a city for this amount is a good deal. There are online TEFL certificates available, but for me, the most valuable part of the training was observed classroom experience.
Another way to go- I did this two years ago in Italy- is to exchange some kind of work for free room and board- or sometimes just free room. Or free campsite. A wonderful website called helpx.net, if you haven't discovered it yet, opens up a whole (literally) world of opportunities. I did an Italian language course for a month in Florence Italy (about $1500.00), but was not ready to return home after that so arranged with a few folks I found on helpx to spend some time on a farm in a national forest southeast of Rome, and a little hill town south of Rome. At the first I helped in the vinyard and garden, and at the second I helped the lady learn English, and a bit more gardening. In between I shared a rental car with a 'travel companion' who I also found on helpx, and visited Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Rome.
So that's the bare basics. There is much more to be discovered, and my next adventure, which is soon to be revealed, can also be attributed to helpx.net. Happy trail hunting- til next time!
Phoebe
My first experience was a trip to China- as an employee. Teaching English abroad is definitely an interesting and inexpensive way to have an in-depth experience of a new culture. In this case, I had to pay for my airfare to China, but had I stayed for one year, it would have been reimbursed. As it was, I stayed for a semester, and my return trip was paid for.
There are some places that are hesitant to hire people over sixty, but there are plenty out there who appreciate the value of those of us 'with extensive life experience'.
The five months that I lived in Wuhan, China, included free housing- nothing fancy, mind you, but sufficient, and a monthly pay that allowed me to save a few hundred dollars while enjoying myself with lots of little trips and shopping at a store that was reminiscent of Costco. Of course the downside is the commitment, to stay and work. But I would rate it overall as a fantastic opportunity.
A few of the countries currently offering teaching positions include Korea, much of Asia, Thailand, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Russia, Slovakia... A good website for getting started (There are many many of them) is here.
A bachelor's degree is most often required, and while some places don't require a TEFL certificate, like the university I worked for, I would recommend for your own comfort level that you invest in such a course. I have since taken one- which leads to my second idea for cheap travel.
Learning abroad- either a language or a TEFL course, can be relatively inexpensive- the cost of the course plus housing for a month varies but can be as low as $1800.00. I took a TEFL course in Guadalajara, as detailed on this website for instance. A few years ago, it was even less, and there may be other good schools that are less expensive. Even so, four weeks of fun and learning in a city for this amount is a good deal. There are online TEFL certificates available, but for me, the most valuable part of the training was observed classroom experience.
Another way to go- I did this two years ago in Italy- is to exchange some kind of work for free room and board- or sometimes just free room. Or free campsite. A wonderful website called helpx.net, if you haven't discovered it yet, opens up a whole (literally) world of opportunities. I did an Italian language course for a month in Florence Italy (about $1500.00), but was not ready to return home after that so arranged with a few folks I found on helpx to spend some time on a farm in a national forest southeast of Rome, and a little hill town south of Rome. At the first I helped in the vinyard and garden, and at the second I helped the lady learn English, and a bit more gardening. In between I shared a rental car with a 'travel companion' who I also found on helpx, and visited Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Rome.
So that's the bare basics. There is much more to be discovered, and my next adventure, which is soon to be revealed, can also be attributed to helpx.net. Happy trail hunting- til next time!
Phoebe
Thursday, April 8, 2010
First Post! Taking Yet Another leap
I have made up my mind. I have bought a one-way ticket to Europe.
I gave a little speech a few months back, called Cheap travel. That is probably the preferred style for someone who like me might consider hm/herself as 'semi-retired'. Since giving that little speech, I began to feel a growing tension within- that I might be stagnating, staying in one place too long. A whole year without even leaving my home state!
I think there are a lot of women like me- Over sixty, single, empty nest, maybe wondering how much of one's daily activity is just to fill the time, to stay busy, or to avoid thinking about other scary possibilities. When is a life nothing more than a diversion, or a series of distractions? And if so, from what?
It was three years ago that I made my first leap- To China. Why? I was free to do so. I could. And while anytime in my whole life before that I would have been too frightened to even think about doing this, now my grown daughter was actually cheering me on.
I did have a job lined up to teach, and an acquaintance who offered to be of assistance once I arrived, but it still was pretty much a blind leap. But that's another story. In the next year I made more trips. I went to Mexico and Italy for more than a month each, for a minimal amount of money, staying at hostels or in homes, and having grand adventures. Again, another story.
Leaping is actually a magic trick- where fear is mostly disabled by the sheer decision to act. I say mostly, because it never really goes away- it stays as a background noise, becomes familiar, and is transformed into excitement.
This leap is to Europe again, but for a potentially much longer stay. The seven weeks I was there in '08 was an appetizer, there is so much more that I want to linger over, to hang around. I leave for Barcelona in a few weeks, and will be posting the adventures as they happen. And filling in all the important missing details.
I gave a little speech a few months back, called Cheap travel. That is probably the preferred style for someone who like me might consider hm/herself as 'semi-retired'. Since giving that little speech, I began to feel a growing tension within- that I might be stagnating, staying in one place too long. A whole year without even leaving my home state!
I think there are a lot of women like me- Over sixty, single, empty nest, maybe wondering how much of one's daily activity is just to fill the time, to stay busy, or to avoid thinking about other scary possibilities. When is a life nothing more than a diversion, or a series of distractions? And if so, from what?
It was three years ago that I made my first leap- To China. Why? I was free to do so. I could. And while anytime in my whole life before that I would have been too frightened to even think about doing this, now my grown daughter was actually cheering me on.
I did have a job lined up to teach, and an acquaintance who offered to be of assistance once I arrived, but it still was pretty much a blind leap. But that's another story. In the next year I made more trips. I went to Mexico and Italy for more than a month each, for a minimal amount of money, staying at hostels or in homes, and having grand adventures. Again, another story.
Leaping is actually a magic trick- where fear is mostly disabled by the sheer decision to act. I say mostly, because it never really goes away- it stays as a background noise, becomes familiar, and is transformed into excitement.
This leap is to Europe again, but for a potentially much longer stay. The seven weeks I was there in '08 was an appetizer, there is so much more that I want to linger over, to hang around. I leave for Barcelona in a few weeks, and will be posting the adventures as they happen. And filling in all the important missing details.
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