Here and There Blog

Ah, the travel and work pace finally caught up with me. Too much going on and only one day in-between trips isn't working for my peace of mind or my body. While in Jakarta my body decided to let me know it's not amused and ramped up a freakish anxiety attack on my senses. Try talking and training while your brain is spinning. It's not easy. The only way through was to keep working. After all, Indonesia isn't my first choice for medication and eating fresh fruit there is risky. I'm not saying the fruit isn't tasty but I've learned the hard way, even a bite is a bite too much. I actually had to call the doctor and make an appointment for when I came home to check myself out. That said appointment was today. The verdict - (I could be a celeb) exhaustion and dehydration with a touch of depression and anxiety. Okay then! So finished a yoga session, drank plenty of water, am eating an organic squash enchilada (such things do exist) and typing this out. Less...

Traffic. More Traffic. Motorcycles. Fight for a lane to get 3 feet ahead of another car. Worse than Los Angeles, we make our daily plans based on traffic and almost nothing else. I don't see much of the city other than the view from a car window of the car next to me. When I get home next week and get mad at traffic I am going to have to remember how bad it is here. The day to day routine is work with in a restaurant with the manager and coach them for success. I don't know who is more tired at the end of the day, me or my people. I'm pretty sure it's them but they are being good sports, even working the weekend so we can observe peak business hours. Today is Sunday and it's official get out and exercise day. The road by my hotel is closed until 11 am and is only open to bicycles and pedestrian traffic. Someone with a microphone and music encourages everyone to stay motivated. It's hot outside and I didn't bring shorts so I put on my headsets and joined...

The smog is worse this morning so I'm using the photos from last night. It was close to sunset but not so close that the sky should have been this dark. Wonderful pollution working hard for us! I'm on the 25th floor. You'd think this high up there would be no street noise.  That's so not the case, I'm glad on not on the ground floor because I hear all the cars honking, and random noise. I wonder how all the people who live along this road sleep at night because a lot of the homes have open windows, no A/C, and there's no way it can be quiet or comfortable.

12 hours! It didn't seem that bad when I booked the flight but 12 hours point to point from the hotel in Tokyo to the hotel in Jakarta. 7.5 of that was on the plane, the rest was filled with the to/from business. I'm hitting that jet lag where my computer tells me it's 5:39 in California and time to wake up, my phone is on Tokyo time and it's 9:39 pm there and time to think about closing down work for the night. Here, it's 7:39 pm and I'm not sure what to do. Sleep calls but I must wait. View from the room photos later. The sky was full of smog and the picture didn't turn out. I'll take another one in the morning.

Unlike Aucklands "Paint it Gray" campaign, the small town of Penticton had a sponsored event a few years ago to showcase local artists. Hidden in alleys and side streets, this art is not your average paint can scribble. This one below is what caught my eye, and one wall led to another.  Different styles,unique paintings.    

Merritt bills itself as the home of Canada's country music. The small town that's a gas station stop as you drive through BC has set itself up as a longer stop with 100 Stars of country music, murals, and plenty of street musicians.      

The Kamloops Art Gallery , worked to organize a Yarn Bombing project on trees, to celebrate the 2013 BC Seniors Games where were held in August. The project is located in downtown Kamloops and it's the first time I've ever seen such a thing. Had this taken place in California, the project would not have lasted more than a day or two before vandalism and theft would make short work of such an exhibit. Some trees were full of hot pads, or ornamental yarns, others were wrapped up snug and warm in their own tree cozy.  To learn more about the Senior Games in Kamloops click here:

First stop on this trip was to the Nexus office at the YVR airport to get my Iris scan that will allow me expedited entry into Canada. I have enough trouble with getting my fingerprints to scan correctly, so I should have known the Iris scan would not go on the first take either. But seriously, it's my eyeballs and I'm looking straight into the little circles? Did it really need 14 takes? Apparently so. With that I can now enter Canada via a kiosk instead of the dreaded customs line.  Always a wonder when you get a nice balcony room and you're only in a hotel for one night. After getting caught up on work details, I went out and walked along Canada place. The cruise ships had departed and a sense of evening tranquility had already settled in.

September 5. School is back in session and most of the tourists departed. This is the perfect time to be in San Diego. I've got in three sunset beach walks this week and the water is warm enough to be in the ocean. I'm going to miss my favorite time of year. Preparation for the next round included that much needed flu shot. Don't knock it until you're in some random country and everyone has the flu but you. Suitcase 1 is packed and ready for tomorrow's trip to Canada. Oh, 3:30 am wake up alarm, how I'm not looking forward to you! Suitcase 2 is packed and ready for Indonesia in 12 days, or 36 hours after I return home from Canada. Set of winter clothes is somewhat organized for Denmark in October. Let the marathon begin!

Side street, historic buildings, blah blah. Wait, what's that giant sculpture peeking out from the garden? It's a Picasso tribute that's so out of place that it is kind of cool.    Found by random wandering on a mission to find something else.

Because even though it seems like I'd remember, the memory will disappear over time. 1) Sometimes museum cafe's are the best place to eat. Good food, good price. Think Getty Center, Louvre.  The NYC Met is not on that list. Bad, bland food, over-priced. No, no, and no. Think the food at the Balcony Bar is any better? Yes it is. And really small portions. You will go hungry. Solution - eat a sandwich at Pret or 7-Eleven. Then later have wine at the Met's Balcony Bar. 2) Super Shuttle is a good bargain until it's not. Like when they decide your pre-paid business isn't worth it to drive you from JFK to Manhattan at 01:00 am. Super Shuttle will happily refund your money and let you pay $60 for a taxi. Solution - When arriving after midnight, take a taxi. 3) Going back to JFK for mid-day flights - take the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station to Jamaica station. Transfer to the JFK Air Train. $12.00. 1 Hour. Helpful Tip - Buy both tickets at the same time...