Smores In Arabia

My Venice Biennale Pillow

2009-07-15T03:28:00.000-07:00

This were hard to find, the City was crowded but AMAZING. Like no other place, my favorite sign that I saw said, "I fell in love with a lampost in Venice" I had to agree I was completely charmed.

A Hiatus

2009-07-15T03:27:00.001-07:00

If there were any loyal readers I apologize.

A river runs thru her

2009-06-01T13:00:00.001-07:00

For the last two weeks, all day and night

2009-06-01T12:56:00.000-07:00

Draft One DONE

2009-06-01T12:53:00.001-07:00

Omigod, this process is so emotional, scary, fun, exciting, liberating and hard. And I have the carpel tunnel to prove it now.

Ivrea where Olivetti Typewriters were made

2009-06-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

The Olivetti family also invested heavily in its employees and the culture of the community. They let people take days off to tend to their vineyards (priorities people) and helped them financially to remodel their homes. So Ivrea is actually a little architecture gem here in Piedmonte.

Three Sundays

2009-05-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow will be my third Sunday here in the mountains. I am so close to completing a first draft of this screenplay, I can smell it. But it still has a long way to go.

I actually hiked to a lake nearby

2009-05-25T04:36:00.000-07:00

In the neighborhood

2009-05-25T04:27:00.001-07:00

They bloomed while I slept

2009-05-25T04:22:00.001-07:00

I swear these flowers were not there yesterday and today they are in full bloom. Its amazing to be here while everything is coming to life

Divina Italia

2009-05-22T12:31:00.001-07:00

Palm Reading: My New Career

2009-05-21T03:44:00.000-07:00

We were at dinner and I was BS'ing thru everyone's future using various methods of palm reading, intuition, residual information previously shared and a whole lot of bullshit. Nobody stopped me, infact they listened. To the extent that this young italian girl took notice and came over to our table for her very own reading. I told her I was making it up and I didn't speak Italian, but that didn't stop her.

Who's next?

An afternoon in Ivrea

2009-05-20T05:52:00.001-07:00

A Film in the Making

2009-05-19T03:42:00.000-07:00

My New Place

2009-05-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

I'm in a village outside of a town called Ivrea outside of Turin. These are the kind of places that people live to over 100 on the regular.

My new watch

2009-05-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

It chimes every hour and once for the half hour. I have not had a watch this whole trip and no cellphone which is usually how I tell time. This new/old method is working very well for me.

A pillow in my own apartment

2009-05-18T11:53:00.000-07:00

I have a whole apartment, with a kitchen, bathroom, study and bedroom. Oh and balcony with a view of the Dolomites. Not bad for a girl on the road.

The view from my room in Cagliari

2009-05-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

Bye Sardegna, Hello Mainland

2009-05-15T21:10:00.001-07:00

Oh Gelato

2009-05-14T12:38:00.000-07:00

So many flavours, and only one a day. I get one a day right?

I want this in my backyard one day

2009-05-14T05:13:00.000-07:00

Cagliari, Sardegna

2009-05-14T05:04:00.000-07:00

Somehow I'm managing to communicate with a lot of hand gestures, spanish words, sometimes a pathetic eyebrow lift and always a smile. I did invest in an Italian-English pocket dictionary but that doesn't help much with random conversation.

An afternoon in the Botanical Gardens

2009-05-14T04:51:00.000-07:00

Man vs Nature

2009-05-13T14:12:00.000-07:00

This giant cactus is 60 years old and apparently one of the largest in Europe

A pillow in Cagliari

2009-05-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

A very exciting pillow indeed, the room even comes equipped with a view of a castle.

Finding RED: A creative exercise

2009-05-12T05:08:00.001-07:00

Moving Again...

2009-05-11T06:27:00.000-07:00

To the South of Sardinia. The North has been wonderful...

Mabrook ya Rumzi

2009-05-08T23:35:00.000-07:00

We are so broud of you

Morgana

2009-05-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

How can you not love this face?

My surrounds for the past week

2009-05-08T23:15:00.001-07:00

On the Northern coast of Sardinia. The food is local, the skyline is dramatic, the people are entertaining and summer is just starting to break.

Did you see the full moon last night?

2009-05-08T23:13:00.000-07:00

Ca' LA Somara, Sardinia Italy

2009-05-08T23:06:00.001-07:00

There are no words...

2009-05-05T23:21:00.001-07:00

...To describe the overnight ferry I took from the port of rome to Sardinia. I thought, hey I have the time, a ferry to Sardinia might be fun. Well last minute I booked an overnight ferry and the cabins we're full so I figured I would make do with a 'seat' I mean, I'm a traveler right? RIGHT. So I took the bus in Rome to the metro to the train to Civitavecchia port. The Ferry was where it got interesting. Not having a bed like the rest of the civilain passengers, I had to find a seat in the open area for myself....until morning. If you look closely that is me sleeping on a bench wrapped in my sarongs. It was a great observation in Italian culture and believe it or not I did sleep. But the characters I saw are best described in person. We arrived in the port by morning as the sun was considering rising and Sardinia did not disappoint. What was crazy is that I met some American backpackers, two guys from Chicago. They had just come off a semester in Sevilla, the same program I did. It was hard to admit that I had studied there 11 years ago. Different times.

Strolling thru Rome

2009-05-04T23:32:00.000-07:00

We miss you Sedo Issa

2009-05-04T23:16:00.000-07:00

From the Exhibit, Buried in Michigan, for the Dia De los Muertos Exhibit in San Francisco. Dedicated to my Sedo's who we're both buried there.

The Sky was Amazing

2009-05-04T23:06:00.000-07:00

Rome for Sale

2009-05-04T22:47:00.000-07:00

Papi, I thought you would like this

2009-05-04T03:10:00.000-07:00

I should probably learn Italian

2009-05-02T01:38:00.001-07:00

I'll miss the Coconuts in Asia

2009-05-02T01:23:00.000-07:00

The people and the nut.

For Siham

2009-05-02T01:19:00.000-07:00

SOLO UNA MALETA, es increible, La nueva Suha.

pero es muy muy llena.

May Day Aftermath

2009-05-02T01:11:00.001-07:00

So the Italians like to party, but who cleans up? I did not stick around to find out.

Nutella

2009-05-02T01:07:00.001-07:00

This one is for you Renna. I haven't had my nutella pizza yet but I PROMISE you I will. I love Nutella, we love Nutella, Nutella makes everybody happy.

May Day

2009-05-02T00:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Labor day here in Roma and I think much of the world. I am really hitting all the holidays. Well the Italians do it right with a day of no work and a party at night. No wonder the world loves them so much. I went to the famous free concert and I felt like I was in Sevilla again 10 years ago, only this time I was too old to deal with the madness. So I hung back where it was less crowded and made a home in the hippie drum circle (you win Shank, I can't get the hippie out of me). Some things are the same everywhere. Vasco, the italian sensation rocked the crowd, I of course felt like the only one not singing along.

My Roman Pillow with a View

2009-05-02T00:55:00.000-07:00

I'm staying in a nice little neighborhood not too far from the Vatican.

A Whole Lotta God

2009-05-01T05:32:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of Gods on this trip but this is the western crusaders approved Jesus kind. The mecca for the Catholics and the place I watch the Pope say Merry Christmas after the media pans the Nativity Church in Bethlehem.

The Long Journey from Asia to Italy

2009-05-01T05:05:00.000-07:00

I knew it wasn't going to be pretty, but I made it to Rome in one piece and managed to figure out the public transportation to get me to my little neighborhood home for the next few days. I flew China Eastern from Shanghai to Bangkok, then Japan airlines from Bangkok to Tok E O and Tok E O to Roma. Japan Airlines is kinda annoying with their small seats, obedience for non sensical rules and un-satisfying meals. Ok, not fair I was just annoyed at the security people who tried to take the eye-make up remover I had just bought in Duty Free and at the airline stewardess who kept skipping me with drinks and wouldn't let me move to an empty row. I had to turn on a more aggressive approach and found an empty 4 seat row to myself. A girl needs her sleep and after 24 hours of travel, I was not going to take no for an answer.

So many tourists

2009-05-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

We have all seen photos of Rome, what you might not have seen is how many people are taking those photos at any given time.

At the Collesum

At the Vatican

At the Trevi Fountian

At the Spanish Steps

My Traveling Shoe Collection

2009-05-01T04:45:00.000-07:00

Only 4 pairs I swear. I'm not even sure that those flip flops count.

Bye Asia

2009-04-28T21:23:00.001-07:00

Im off to Roma, but first stops in Bangkok and Tokoyo.

Shanghai Pillow

2009-04-28T21:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks B for taking in two girls from the Jungle. Your place was the perfect home in the middle of a foreign journey. Namaste

Oon My Elephant

2009-04-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

She was so easy to love and we both cried when we said goodbye.

WTF

2009-04-27T19:53:00.001-07:00

As many things in China, we hypothesis on what is happening or why it is happening. This is one of those things that makes you go, huh? Does anyone have a good theory on what the dog with the tray is meant to convey?

Chinese Muslims

2009-04-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

We went to a great noodle spot last night in Shanghai. Thanks b for knowing the best places to eat anywhere on earth. On this trip, I have been taking picture of the locals because that is the best part. This is the first time the locals thought we were the photo-worthy. I guess they don't get a lot of foreigners in here. I mean at least Angeline and Suewen could fake being Asian since they are Asian but I am a dead giveaway that we are not from here. The noodles were super yummy and the family were so kind. Since they took photos of us, I returned the favor.

Shanghai Life

2009-04-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

Chinese Laundry

2009-04-26T11:08:00.000-07:00

Your Son and My Daughter

2009-04-26T10:55:00.000-07:00

This was unreal, a Saturday in people's park in Shanghai, parents of unwed children meet to negotiate, swaggle, haggle and get their kids married off. We had heard about this happening and laughed it off, then we accidently walked right in the middle of it yesterday. There were signs that I could not read noting height weight and God knows what else. No suitors or fair ladies present only the parents to do the talking. I mean, it is genius...I just wonder if the kids know what their parents are up to. This would take Arabia by storm and India I would imagine. Gotta give it to the Chinese for just getting down to business and taking the romance out of it. Match.com has nothing on this operation.

China makes me laugh

2009-04-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

The Spanish Crew in Shanghai

2009-04-26T10:44:00.001-07:00

I love the Marc Jacobs feel, so Shanghai, so Chic

A Pillow on the way to Shanghai overnight

2009-04-24T19:29:00.001-07:00

Thai Airways give you a real blanket, like one I would have on my bed. It made me very happy.

China Regulating

2009-04-24T19:26:00.001-07:00

Down by the River

2009-04-24T19:20:00.000-07:00

Then to Vang Vieng for another night

2009-04-24T19:15:00.001-07:00

Back in LuangPrabang for a night

2009-04-24T19:12:00.000-07:00

Elephant Camp Accommodations

2009-04-23T01:31:00.000-07:00

This was by far the most I have ever needed a mosquito net. Normally I want to know what creatures surround me but in this case I did not. I spent 3 days camping (willingly) Lao style on the Mekong (its brown) to play with the elephants. For those of you that know me well, you would have been beyond impressed with my tolerance for bugs, i impressed myself.

Tight Security

2009-04-23T01:28:00.000-07:00

Lao Monk

2009-04-23T00:47:00.001-07:00

Isn't he beautiful?

In Route

2009-04-22T04:06:00.000-07:00

Breakfast in Vang Vien Lao, dinner in Vientiane. Flight to Shanghi via Bankok. Good morning China.

Water Fighting

2009-04-20T18:07:00.000-07:00

Elephant Time

2009-04-17T20:46:00.000-07:00

I'm going off the grid for a few days to play with elephants in a village. I'll be back with photos and stories as soon as the internet connection is better.

Water fest Lao Style

2009-04-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

Pictures can hardly capture the excitement in the streets. No camera is sacred from the water either. This is a you tube video that can begin to explain this madness, I can't remember when I have had more fun. Click on this link to see it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kMHMXGzQvs&feature=related

Resting My head: Luang Prabang Lao

2009-04-15T18:27:00.000-07:00

I love Lao

2009-04-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

We are in the north in Laung Probang. Guess what? It's new year here. Yesterday i left the guest house we are staying in with my wallet in a plastic bag and packing a water gun. Watch out kids, its time to get wet.

Unrest in Bangkok

2009-04-12T17:50:00.000-07:00

I guess all this is going on, we must have just missed it on the way to the airport. Or maybe we drove right thru it, I was sound asleep in the cab.

Thai soldiers, anti-government protesters clash

Happy Birthday Rumzi

2009-04-12T17:36:00.000-07:00

Garbage Fashion

2009-04-12T17:26:00.000-07:00

I have been impressed overall with the fashion in Thailand, very stylish. This was my favorite raincoat, a garbage bag gently draped over the mannequin outside of a 7-11 in Koh Tao. For the price and practicality, how can you say no?

Chillin on the Beach

2009-04-12T17:23:00.000-07:00

This is what people do in Thailand, at least on the islands....a whole lotta lounging

Life Size Gecko

2009-04-12T17:21:00.001-07:00

Check out the Gecko in our bathroom. She's big. I knew she was around there somewhere, because every night I would hear a big gecko noise. She finally showed herself in all her glory. Geckos are my allies in killing bugs, but wow, when they are that big you really have to give them their space.

Bangkok to Lao

2009-04-12T17:09:00.000-07:00

For more adventure. Im sleep-blogging, we just got off an overnight bus from the islands to Bangkok. I feel like I only scratched the surface of Thailand, ill have to come back for more.

Crazy Thai Trees

2009-04-12T17:07:00.000-07:00

Look closely, the tilt up to a 90 degree angle.

Mosquitos

2009-04-10T03:00:00.000-07:00

More often than not, I am sad when something dies, like people or animals even pretty insects. But when a mosquito dies, I find joy....I'm not bad at killing them either: you have to watch them for a minute and anticipate their next move. But they always seem to win, there are just more of them than me. This is my favorite travel companion, a mosquito killer. It just plugs into the wall and releases some sort of poison. The best part is watching them fly towards the ground. Sometimes I kill them on their way down just for sport and practice.

A Snake Encounter

2009-04-10T00:06:00.000-07:00

I was sitting with my laptop having a perftectly senic moment. Music, coffee, ocean, enough activity to keep me entertained. I figured I should stretch and take it all in, after all I had just come from yoga and my stretching was in top shape. I was practically in a backbend over a thai pillow-back rest thing (im sure there is a name for it). As I opened my eyes, a snake above me was streching him/herself. There was a meter or 2 between us so I didn't scream and he/she was thin and green. She saw me and hid. After some research, this is my best guess of what I saw...looks like one of the few that are not poisonous. Then a baby gecko ran across my table and that is when the scream came out. My threshold for creepy crawlies has increased greatly in Asia, when a centipede hung out on my yoga mat while I was in upward dog, I just let it be...Im so zen...im not exactly looking to test that theory though.

Trimeresurus hageni resides in the flatland rainforests. It can usually be found after rainfall at night. The snakes are active in trees and bushes as well as on the ground. Hagen’s bamboo viper is generally calm snake which does not bite as quickly as most of the other Trimeresurus species. This species differs from the other green Trimeresuru species due to the relatively clear markings and especially due to the fact that the animals look very slender.

Breakfast after Yoga this morning

2009-04-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

This is how I feel in Asia

2009-04-09T11:10:00.001-07:00

its so hot, but since I got to Thailand it has been tropically raining every 4-5 minutes. I love it.

Sunset Watch

2009-04-09T02:28:00.000-07:00

A tale from the Hakawati

2009-04-08T19:27:00.000-07:00

Uncle Jihad use to tell me an Iraqi story about whom to mourn.
It seems the great Caliph Haroun al -Rashid was traveling among his people when he came across a woman weeping. He asked the cause of her immense sorrow, and she replied that she was mourning her beloved son, who had just died. He asked her what her son did while he was alive. She said he worked for her. She was poor, and her son kept her alive. She no longer had anyone to take care of her and no one to make her a living. "Cry no more," said the caliph. "I will give you a sturdy mule. He will work hard for you and help you earn a living. You shall not miss your son. You will be as comfortable as you were before."

Haroun al-Rashid moved on. He came across another woman crying next to the grave of her son. The caliph asked her the same question, "What did your son do while he was alive?"

"My son?" He use to gather honest nobles and men of good repute to his feasts. He would serve them the most delicious of meals. He would entertain them with th emost ambrosial of music, regale them with the greatest tales. When these men left his feasts, he would ride with them, keeping them company until they lost sight of his tent."

"Weep on, O mother of a most gracious son," said the caliph. "Cry and shed more tears, for no one, certainly not I, can comfort you or make good such a great loss"

And Haroun al Rashid wept.

Garlic

2009-04-08T03:02:00.001-07:00

I don't know how to read Thai, but I bet this sign says something like....garlic

Happy New Year

2009-04-08T02:16:00.000-07:00

We are on the Asia new year circuit. In Bali the Hindu's celebrate the new year called Neypi with a day of silence. No lights no flames no talking no working. Here in Thailand we are due to celebrate Thai new year on April 13th. Guess how? By throwing water at each other in the street. Its so hot here, I can't wait. Happy New Year

Koh Tao (Turtle Island) Thailand

2009-04-08T01:54:00.000-07:00

My upright bed

2009-04-08T01:35:00.000-07:00

On the bus on the way to southern Thailand, overnight.

Groucho

2009-04-07T04:20:00.000-07:00

This kitten made me laugh, its like someone painted on a mustache.

I stopped and had a Mango

2009-04-07T04:18:00.001-07:00

The mangos here are in competition for the best I have ever had. Other top mangos: Philippines and Honduras

A bed in Bangkok

2009-04-07T04:15:00.000-07:00

Don't let the simplicity of the bed fool you, Bangkok is anything but. We are sitting and watching the thunderstorm right now washing away last nights' sins. Not mine of course.

Bangkok

2009-04-06T06:33:00.000-07:00

Vegas meets burning man meets mardi gras meets florida spring break in another language. Lets say the people watching is superb.

Bye bye Bali, hello Bangkok.

2009-04-06T06:28:00.001-07:00

A life scheduled around sunset.

2009-04-06T06:17:00.000-07:00

Sleeping in Bingin...again

2009-04-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

Check out the view from the bathroom. This place is called Temple Lodge and run by an Italian woman...The view was hard to beat.

A lot of sweating in the tropics

2009-04-03T00:18:00.000-07:00

The Monkey Stole My Toothbrush

2009-04-02T23:40:00.000-07:00

I mean he definitely lived in the jungle before I came in to visit. I checked into a new paradise and my room booklet came with a list of do's and don'ts. I thought that was odd so I had myself a read. First on the list don't feed the monkeys. WHAT, MONKEYS? Dude, Im still getting use to the geckos, cockroaches, spiders, mosquitos, free roaming cows and now MONKEYS? I mean I love a monkey, as long as they are tied to a chain. I use to want one until I realized they are kinda mean. Anyways, I asked the friendly staff about these alleged "monkeys" and they brought me a SLINGSHOT. That did not make me feel better. Did I mention that the room is wide open on a cliff on the ocean. I mean I am not complaining just getting my barring. I want to know what can attack me and what is harmless. So today after being out of the room for a while, I noticed the cat....the cat that had just ate a snake....backing off of something in the trees at the entrance of my room. Of course it was a monkey. That slingshot works....he took my soap, my toothbrush and left me some poop. Don't worry mama, I can scream pretty loud and there are people around to save me.

A good read

2009-04-01T22:54:00.000-07:00

I bought the book because I thought it was beautiful, probably 8 months ago in San Francisco. The book is a sensory overload and the writing is just as beautiful as the colors.