Urban Wood Nymphs Need Love Too

Cooking My Way Back Home at home

2011-12-09T06:01:00.000-08:00

A sensation hit suddenly. Yesterday, for the first time in my life I returned to a place I consider my own. Foreign as it is, crazy as where I have settled may seem, and as far from my family I may be, it feels like I am home. After over two years of roaming around it is nice to be able to crawl into my own bed and dream vivid dreams, go to the kitchen and prepare comfort foods with elements collected throughout my travels, and sit in my room to write these words.

My uncles Mitch and Jon recently wrote a cookbook titled Cooking My Way Home. Told through a collection of recipes, it is a unique account of how hard work, dedication and enthusiasm for something you are passionate for lead to the realization that sometimes the best things can be explored in a space you call your own. Mitch and my aunt May are the most amazing chefs I know and have continued to inspire me through their devotion to good food. Now they made it possible to share that love and some of the dishes that came out of it with the masses. Cooking My Way Home pushes the limits of conventional cookbooks by proving one can be a chef of high caliber without leaving the home kitchen. The recipes are tried and true and turn out just as good as if you were to sit down in one of Mitch’s amazing restaurants. Everyone I know who has attempted to cook from the book were pleased with the outcome, including my wonderful grandparents who claimed the braised lamb shank from the book prepared by my grandma was the best they had had (a strong statement when you are in your 80's). The holidays have hit with quickness and I know there will be a lot of cooking (and eating) happening soon. I will be using the book as a manual to cook some things in my home away from home this Christmas in Istanbul, and I recommend you pick up a copy and do the same.

Check out COOKING MY WAY BACK HOME on the NY Times Notable Cookbook list and order your copy today!

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/30/dining/notable-cookbooks-of-2011.html

http://www.amazon.com/Cooking-Way-Back-Home-Franciscos/dp/158008592X

Happy holidays and love to all!

XOXO

Ally

An oldie, but goody to get the writing bus moving again.

2011-10-09T05:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a little something from my traveling past, to celebrate temporary stability, hopefully siz smuggles, in Istanbul.

All aboard……the night train.

2:30 am Nis, Serbia

I briefly say goodbye to my dear friend Nenad and board the night train that had arrived in a timely fashion, an unusual occurrence for this line I’d been told. Foreign travel does not always come easy, and this was one of those moments where a basic knowledge of the language, or in this case, the ability to decipher the local alphabet will insure you arrive in your planned destination. I note this because the cars separate mid trip leaving a misinformed traveler with a potentially detrimental detour.

I climb into the correct car and was instantly overwhelmed with by intense conflicting energies surrounding the various nocturnal persons on board. I realized soon after finding seat that I had entered the smuggling car, as admittedly I had been warned could happen travelling overnight on this line.

After being in a city with 60-70% unemployment the idea of black market trade as a form of survival, brings little shock to my mind. Good people make a living buying and selling what they can with little profit and high risk. Life for many is a dangerous game.

What began as an unnerving stake out by some of the passengers, soon turned into frenzy. Cartons of cigarettes with comical names were ripped apart and stuffed into every last crevice of the train. Panels in the cars compartments were being removed, bags were being packed and re packed again and again. Sleep was not an option on this trip.

Before reaching the border the chaos finally lifted as an air of tension rose. The train came to a halt and the heavy-footed Bulgarian border control stepped on. A waiting game commenced, and as the controller approached our compartment I watched the previously confident, spunky woman seated across from me started to sweat. After a small amount of questioning the pressure had ended and her lighting of a cigarette acted as a sign of relief.

The train’s successful release resulted in a sort of upheaval. All that had been safely stored earlier was recovered including the packages that were forced upon my fellow car mates. In addition the cigarettes were now being sold and older village women and rough workmen alike were purchasing cartons at a premium price. If this was not enough to take in at 6am, unbeknownst to me I was situated in front of what was presumably an illegal drug smuggle. I watched in awe as a lanky, sinister character wedged his way above the aisle between my compartment and the window. Once secure, he pulled out a giant knife, popped open one of the roof panels and quickly cut out of the insulation 10 small carefully wrapped packages, whose content one could only imagine was meant to stay undisclosed. The passenger flow in the aisle was undisturbed, and people passed under this shady character without hesitation. All I can do is, assume this was not a rare occurrence and I was the abnormal passenger.

As we finally pulled into Sofia’s main station I was in a delirious state, digesting my dose of surreal reality. Think I will stick to daytime travel from now on.

To those living in La la land....

2010-12-20T04:52:00.000-08:00

consider supporting my favorite local non-profit Machine Project this holiday season, memberships also make great gifts :)

Then fry your life away at their annual fundraising party....good fun, good coronary, good cause.

DreamWorld

2010-12-18T06:54:00.000-08:00

Holidays are fleeting past and I miss my family most around this time of year (especially my Gram Athena), lots of love to you all. My mother has requested an update, so here it goes:

What a year. What a world.

Currently, I have been able to create a life within Istanbul with the luxury to be both removed from and immersed in the culture. This optional and anonymous nature makes for very exciting possibilities day to day; not seeking permanent place, because I have an idea where I want to end up, just finding temporary refuge in a city with a creative outlet and a little bit of comfort.

The fact that I am in a foreign country cannot escape me however, and is very apparent when I exit the rather modern western interior of home and into the neighborhood; a sort of village within the city where scrap collectors announce there needs and sweet toddling carts, their presence.

I also cannot overlook when I pass by an all girls school where scriptures are being recited in a rather cult like fashion.

Or am blessed with an intrusive call to prayer at 6 in the morning.

I am not here to ignore these moments, but embrace that I can live my life amongst them. No interruption or criticizing, but learning and choosing which aspects to participate in and which I prefer not to.

A good exercise in acceptance, and proof that coexistence is real and possible.

I have really developed an interesting way to look at life, embracing the present moment and accepting that in my eyes there are only a few things found to be true. Everything else is up to interpretation and becomes a battleground for the egocentric.

This is a period of intrinsic knowledge development, full eye opening experiences and challenges by which to grow. Here are some of the highlights this year (please also take these as a deep Thank You to those who contributed to the experience, you know who you are!):

-Meeting my Chilean twin Julian…Serydarth connects the best of the best.

-Being humanized by fresh humanure in the Tuscan mountains of Garfagnaga.

-Italy, it’s people, and all of its splendors!!

-Mutual understanding and the enjoyment of life with the lovely Joicy!

-Falling in love with the Balkans!! Music, cultural diversity, beautiful languages, and hot headed nationalism. This includes the countless bus rides, the ‘living in a car experience’ in Malakaland, and the unexpected 'ending up in' Turkey one morning in June.

-Learning about creating a homestead in the most sustainable fashion in Krushevo, Bulgaria.

-Permaship and the path to Istanbul (Andrew you have done more for me than you know!)

-Morocco, tranquility and trances.

-Visits from old friends and a beautiful brother.......Beer Gardens, following the World Cup (Germany and Holland during the finals was not planned), and a Spritz introduction!

-Maya opening up the Dour for music, a new found love for Belgian everything, and my lovely covoituraging hosts to Paris….. a lesson in ask and you shall receive.

-Non-hostile, hostel life and my worldly family in Pisa.

-The renovation of my current life c/o Cynthia, Angelika, and Emiliano. A Big GIANT Thank You.

-The opportunity to take a PDC with the masters, thanks to the Permaculture Institute of Turkey.

-‘Stumbling upon’ the passage Hazzopoulo and finding (my) Aponia.

At the end of 2010, my hair a bit darker, my wit a bit sharper, and my mind a bit clearer….I have a realization:

I do not live in a dream world, but in the real world living my dreams. Lucky me.

Luck Bless You. (XX Aponia)

XOXO

Ally

Oh and if you are not bored by the self –absorbed ranting by now, here’s a little extra food for thought…

Let go lovies, just live; and keep in mind this set of Alex-isms, some cliché but all carrying some truth through personal experience thus far.

Be inspired and it will inspire others effortlessly. Trust yourself and people will trust you.

Do what you have to do to survive even if you feel it is irrelevant at the moment, you can always develop a way to connect what you have learned later on. There is always a way to maintain integrity of a goal while developing new skills.

Any skill you learn will come in handy some time in the future, and you are able to learn anything if you really want to and put in time and effort.

With this said there are some things I just don’t want to learn, which I think is ok too.

Be yourself and stop questioning things, everything will fall into place if you have good intention….and thankfully it has so far for me.

Don’t ignore the ignorant; open their mind to something new (if you can, of course).

This world has so much potential for universal happiness, so start making choices that feed the happiness. I have much hope for 2011!!! Happy New Year......

Quote of the day (AKA: How to charm a wood nymph.)

2010-10-12T16:03:00.000-07:00

to dance under huge catterfly wings

u, me and a bunch of jackalopes
oh the visuals!!

A sea of people swallows you whole.....Istanbul don't steal my soul!

2010-09-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

The ambient sounds of the city have shifted from church bells ringing in the distance to the call to prayer.

I have made it to Istanbul and I believe I made the right decision. The city is 'out of control' in a good way. Imagine LA with twice the population and cultural whiplash. A month and a half will do me good.

Follow my daily adventures here and maybe you will understand why:

http://interistanbul.tumblr.com/

Tilt a whirl wind tour….and my heads still spinning

2010-09-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

Alas, I’ve stopped.

Where did I land? Italia of course…

My return came not by surprise or chance, but necessity. Sammy, my youngest brother, was visiting Italy with school and I could not miss the chance to see him. It was a brief but worthy trip that brought me back to one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Venice. I enjoyed every moment with my sweet bub, but felt a little like the crazy vagabond sister and hope I did not embarrass him too much crashing in his hotel room, and looking like a real ragamuffin, as gram would say. I must note here that I am soooooooo very proud of my brothers and am thrilled to see what fine young men they’ve beco

me. This visit made me realize more than ever how lucky I am to have such a wonderful family, the youngest being the most brilliant of all (I can say this because we all agree)!

Rewind.

After Istanbul in June I really did not stop. Essaouira, Morocco for the Gnaoua festival of music. Germany and Holland to visit my dear friend Daniela from SF. Then back Italy by land via Belgium for the Dour festival, hitching to Paris, covoituraging to Southern France, trucking to Casale, train-ing to Venice and now living in Pisa, where I work in the best hostel in the world Walking Street Pisa with my dear friends Marco and Anna. http://www.walkingstreethostel.com/

This part of the trip was filled will such randomness I do not know where to start. I have posted albums and will take any questions if the photos do not speak for themselves.

Sammy and friends http://www

.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2156

89&id=693271938&l=5a350ea020

Roadtrippin' http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2156

75&id=693271938&l=94da9c6c8d

Danyaya!!!

http://www.facebook.co

m/album.php?aid=21278

0&id=693271938&l=322bedef2d

Moroccan Trance http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=1992

32&id=

693271

938&l=b006702904

Stay hydrated.

My pauses never come without a stint of grief, for good reason. When you beat your body up for extended periods of

time, it has a way of retaliating…this time in the form of renal colitis (particle matter passing similar to kidney stones). My body managed to stage three ailments over a period of a week, strategically amplifying the pain from one to the next without actually killing me. It was a dreadful spell that left me missing home more than ever. My trip to the emergency room for diagnosis was the highlight of this ‘low point’ due to the fact that I conducted the entire process in Italian, including understanding the diagnosis, truly an accomplishment in my eyes. Walking past the leaning tower sick as a dog, I still enjoyed watching countless tourists prevent the tower from falling down, and realized I would not want to be sick anywhere else in the world (except home that is). I could not express my internal laughter because of the pain, but I really love this aspect of the city.

After this episode I often would ride the bike that I purchased for 15 euro back to the surreal Piazza dei Miracoli to read my book and admire the giant landmarks that seem as though they spontaneously arose from the bright green carpet of grass.

I can describe the scene in one word, miraculous!!

Hostel World

I cannot end this post without

briefly describing how fun it has been working at Walking Street. Marco and Anna run the hostel as if it were a home for the weary travelers that are usually just passing through to visit other parts of Toscana or Cinque Terre. They’ve created and amazing atmosphere in a beautiful historic building with no outside help. The couple work their asses off and made me r

ealize how difficult working in ‘hospitality’ actually is. With that said I really enjoy meeting all of the guests from around the world and have even developed a new tangent of my project because of it based on nothing other than ‘identity’ (considering the diversity of my sampling, I could not resist…more info to come!).

We have created a strange little family at Walking Street Pisa, communicating by way of a weird mix of Italian, English, and Thai (since Anna is from Thailand), with the occasional Japanese and Spanish bits. There have also been some guests in residence that have added to the goodness. The presence of sweet Morvarid from Iran, Norbert from Hungary, and a Chilean family (Lorreto and her aunt and nonna!) have really strengthened the sense of community within the hostel and make the experience and dinners that much better.

Another notable experience to add to my nonstop adventure.

I will be returning to Istanbul soon, to build a garden and prepare myself for India. Am I ready? I will have to be.

Tales from the east are coming soon.

Obscura Observa

2010-08-07T07:52:00.000-07:00

The Camera Obscura is a fascinating contraption, wish I could see how MP worked this one.

http://machineproject.com/events/2010/08/07/camera-obscura-at-machine-project/

Fellow San Franciscans, is the camera by the Cliff house still standing or was it destroyed when they moved the mechanical museum....I don't recall. Please go and check either one for me and report back. Thanks.

XOXO

Ally

Permaship sails!

2010-06-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

I randomly found myself at a Permaculture workshop at the Permaship in Shipka, Bulgaria. Oddly enough the instructor ended up being from the states, which was an unexpected pleasure since I was able to understand on a level superior to what could have been otherwise. Doug Crouch is an amazing instructor and I highly recommend any course you can take from him. He is extremely knowledgeable in the area of permaculture and teaches with practicality and enthusiasm. You can see some of his projects here:

http://treeyopermaculture.wordpress.com/about/

The PermaShip itself was a wonderful space that managed to gather a real lovely group of people for this workshop. It was a period of interaction, engagement, and friendship building and I feel fortunate to have been a part of it.

Permaship is part of the Liveplaces collective of spaces around the country of Bulgaria. It is an innovative project that is putting into effect the changes we need to sustain our future. Unfortunately from Turkey I can not access theses websites to link, so you will have to wait for more…….coming soon

Village Living…..in a ‘Live’ Village

2010-06-15T05:01:00.000-07:00

After the Greek madness, Nenad was kind enough to chauffer me past the Bulgarian border and through the fairytale like mountains of the Rhodopi. We battled ogres and wild horses before heading into the valley of Gotse Delchev where I met my hosts, a lovely couple from the UK who have decided to create a homestead in the Muslim village of Krushevo, successfully using their gorgeous piece of land to experiment with sustainable building methods and create a place to exchange ideas and experiences.

Time warp…..

While there, I spend some time out in the fields working with a kinship group in the community. The backbreaking labor is performed exclusively by hand or with the aide of a horse, and yet there is not one complaint. The hours depend on the day length; work can last for hours on end. Entire families go to the fields cultivating potatoes or their other cash crop of tobacco, working the land to benefit the entire village. The work is also seasonal, and the winter months bring a time to work with in the home and rest from the years work. There is a spirit to the people that I don’t see often, and the interactions between family members is endearing. Children are ever-present. During breaks in the field the family recollects fro tea and snacks and the children at times participate if they are strong enough to hold a tool. It is a collective effort and the job gets done. There is a social aspect to the work that you have to experience for yourself, and I really wish I could communicate on a higher level as I aided in the feels. It was a semi- surreal experience. As I looked beyond the fields at the green mountains and big- ever-changing skies I realized that hard work has incredible reward, and I take a lot for granted.

Both sides of the spectrum.

We went down to purchase stone from the roadside yards, a field trip of sorts. Series of palleted local stone are strewn alongside the road heading to Krushevo. Mountainside quarries extract a beautiful rock rich in mica and ranging on tone from greenish slate to a yellowish brown color. The high mica content gives it a glittery overlay, and leaves your skin with a costume makeup sparkle. The stones are hand cut with a chisel and the workers sit in the hot sun daily splitting slabs on small cushions. I was in a state of shock when I heard the prices paid for such amazing product. Having formerly priced stone, I could not believe the cost when purchasing direct from the source (pennies in comparison). Furthermore, I could not believe the prices we pay for similar, possibly the same, stone in California. It blew my mind how little is awarded to the laborer in comparison to the buyers. It also made me visualize the carbon footprint that trails the demand for such luxuries in life, and made me question: If the person buying comes from Bulgaria or California the worker gets paid the same, so why do we insist on not purchasing locally? One of the many questions that arise unanswered.

Village Homestead

Lily and Yan are an amazing and inspiring pair. They have managed to relocate their lives and become an active part of a village with very particular cultural values and living standards, enjoying and embracing every moment. It is total immersion and they handle the adjustment in a beautiful way.

As individuals, their wealth of knowledge and amazing patience makes them great teachers (or rather ‘sharing professionals). The practical knowledge I attained during my stay will stick with me for life (my cake baking skills have gone from dependent to equated and I will never NEED a basic cake recipe again, and that is only one newly developed skill!). It was valuable and memorable time spent, and I hope to re-vist the site as it shifts and changes in the coming years.

Thank you Lily and Yan for sharing your space, good luck with the developments to come.

Please check out the village website for more information and images (my camera was still broken at this point): http://krushevo.com/

Detours lead to terrible tan lines

2010-06-15T04:32:00.000-07:00

A crisis has struck and I had to experience it. A brief stop in Nis, Serbia turned into a 10-day journey and the formation of an amazing friendship. My host in Nenad managed to talk me into detouring through Southern Serbia, Macedonia, and Greece before heading to Bulgaria for work, an adventure defying international borders and imposing cultural edification. The history and conflicts in the Balkans are so complex that I have just begun to wrap my head around what has gone on and what is going on…..it is hard to understand so I opted to accept and enjoy the ride

It was an experience to say the least. Protests, beaches filled with Malakas, job-hunting in horrendous seaside tourist resorts and tacky towns, finding abandoned greenhouse production sites and trying to understand why, sleeping in cars and on beaches, discovering a sea-side sanctuary and making it an alter to Athena. There was not a dull moment and the days flew past with little time to register how much we had actually done.

Here is a taste of the spectrum of places we visited,

The very expensive and successful Sani beach resort( http://www.saniresort.gr/en_GB) and this video I shot of the abandoned and beautiful greenhouse (former eco-village), contrast the interests in the tourist industry:(

The job-search was particularly amusing, and I had my doubts from the beginning not looking at it as a waste of time, but instead an experience. Going door-to-door asking for work at every hotel, restaurant, and tchotchke shop is exasperating, and constant rejection gets old fast, but the stories that came along with the regrets were worth the effort. Thankfully I was travelling with a person that has lived through this sort of ‘crisis’ for the past 20 years, and we managed to make light of the situation. He put into perspective our values in life, and made me recognize what type of person you become when you let all the bullshit go. Nenad you are the most positive being I’ve met yet. Don’t change. Thank you for softening my realism with optimism and laughter… until the next Balkan adventure!

A side note. Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the most beautiful and green countries I have ever seen and I would love to return and explore with a car and a companion.

Sarajevo is a melting pot of culture, and I wish I could have spent more time there, without the downpour of rain. My camera broke after enjoying a Nescafé (!!), but I managed to collect more pictures of myself then ever with the aide of my photographer/travel guide and American enthusiast George from France (a lovely, though contradictory, character…think as to why).

Here is a taste of my most tourist documentation yet (try to ignore what I am wearing):

Amongst Balkan Giants

2010-06-15T04:22:00.000-07:00

I sat in a bar in Thessaloniki, Greece with the Balkan ‘Mafia’, the only native English speaker, and realized whether I was there or not the group would carry on interacting in foreign tongue. The lingua franca continued to dominate road trip tunes and beachside conversation, woven with a mix of Serbo-Croation, Bulgarian, Greek and the occasional Duetch bit.

Amidst this collection of characters I realized how much I want to be able to fully communicate in a different language, and how lucky I am to be born a native English speaker. I reference this thought often as I consistently change countries and know one day my brain will deliver. Spero que oui.

Moral: Learn at least one other language. It’s good for you. If you don’t, travel to the Balkans you will not regret it.

TED...Spreading Genius

2010-05-31T11:04:00.000-07:00

How did I not know of this site? Inspiration at your fingertips.

http://www.ted.com/

Left me SPLIT in two….

2010-05-15T06:43:00.000-07:00

After a restless night crossing the Adriatic, I’ve made it to Split, Croatia. The natural beauty of the Dalmatian coast is stunning, but I am still adjusting from the 6 month stint in Italy (my grazie means nothing here and it’s frustrating :)!

Next week I will make my way to Bulgaria for work by way of Bosnia & Herzegovina (stopping in Sarajevo) and Serbia (either Belgrade or Nis). Needless to say my Balkan leg of the trip has begun.

While touring Split, I was randomly guided toward the 2010 exhibition of World Press photos, showcasing the best images in photojournalism from the past year.

I gazed at the photographs in awe, and they seemed to summon a spectrum of emotions as I slowly made my way through the exhibit by way of fear, endearment, and fascination.

I left feeling inspired but weakened by reality, overwhelmed by my naiveté as a traveler in this great big world. It took this collection of pictures to make me realize that the bubble many of us live in actually floats.

As I enter a region that has suffered from recent war, I’m sure this will sink in even more.

XOXO

Ally

If you have the opportunity please see the exhibition for yourself.

www.worldpressphoto.org

You can also see the beauty of the Dalmatian Coast (including some photos from the exhibition), here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171394&id=693271938

A very special Hvala to my lovely host Pascal, I really appreciate your humble being for opening up your home and allowing a pleasant transition into Eastern Europe. Your generosity and kindness will not be forgotten and you’ve reminded me how wonderful it is to be part of the CS community!

A girl in RUINS

2010-05-15T06:39:00.000-07:00

After a whirlwind Tuscan holiday, a la Americana (courtesy of Govi, Dustin, and his amazingly generous family!) I returned to Roma to meet May and Karen.

It was a nice visit that left me renewed and refocused (with cleaner clothing and shorter hair), ready to take on another 10 months or more of travel…..

Though my stomach was feeling similar to its surrounding antiquities (the terms heavy, worn, and ruin come to mind). I forced myself to endure, and thoroughly enjoy, the opportunity to eat at out nightly, experiencing Roman cuisine in a way that would have been impossible in the months preceding. I can also say that tripe has never tasted so good!

I now can navigate through most of the city center on autopilot. It is an amazing walking city and you can spend an entire day outside if the skies are clear, in fact I encourage it. All of the monuments and ruins can be seen walking the city center, and a guidebook or tour can facilitate the routes you choose. I do recommend seeing the inside of the coliseum and the Vatican museum for sure.

Here are a few sights that deserve honorable mention, if you would like any other recommendations (by budget traveler standards, of course) please let me know and I will send a more inclusive list!

Crypt of the Capuchin Monks

If there were anything I recommend as a must see in Rome, this is the place. A spectacle of eerie standards, the crypt, adorned with bones of monks and royalty in the most beautiful fashion, is incredible. Symbols and scenes depicting the crossing from life to death are all the more realistic when represented by human remains. The hard women at the entry desk are intimidating but add to the charm, and if you are genuinely interested will give you a wealth of information (in a way that makes you feel like how I imagine a schoolchild in catechism does). It is a worthwhile experience that will take about 30 minutes out of your day and 1 Euro out of your pocket. Go and give 2 Euros instead.

Aventine Hill

A peaceful picnicking spot, with a beautiful view of the city. Walking to it along the Circus Maximus also presents great photo opportunities of the ruins.

As for shopping, I do not do much personally for obvious reasons, but the Porta Portese market in Trastevere is the largest in Europe and an opportunity to experience the madness of a giant. The hustle and bustle down the main throughway is enhanced by shouts from the Napolitano, and other immigrant vendors, selling clothing of all sorts. This is where I obtained the now famous, and well documented, brown down jacket for one Euro, my winter savior and best purchase thus far (it lives on as a cat bed). You can spend a day browsing, or be immediately discouraged (because there is a lot of junk). If you are in search for treasure, take time and dig. The Trastevere zone is a worthwhile wandering neighborhood, and has good apperitivo and bars in the evening.

Basilica Santa Prassede (near Santa Maria Maggiore)-Amazing mosaics! Just go and see….

San Lorenzo district for music, art, cheap drinks and the occasional protest.

Café e Dolci

Dagnigno Bakery near Republica and the opera has an amazing pistachio cream! They specialize in Sicilian sweets and also have a selection of savory items to take away.

Forno Antico bakery Where via rippetto turns into via scorfa, has amazing biscotti and scafiogl, a Napolitano pastry filled with ricotta and candied citrus.

The famous Giolotti (near the Pantheon) and Millennium in the Prati district near the Musei Vaticani (if you like chocolate with pepperoncino).

Pizza!

Classic Roma- (touristy, yet tasty): Pizzeria da Baffeto

Quick n’ delicious- Antico forno in Campo di Fiori

Meglio- Dar Poeta (A tip: order for take away and eat on someone’s doorstep in the rain instead :)

See some more of ROMA here:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=171392&id=693271938

As a final thought, I realize, I am a very lucky girl. I am blessed and fortunate to have people that love and support me in my life. A million Grazies to May and Karen for the visit. I love you so much, you don’t even know. This adventure has made an impression on me and I hope it doesn’t frighten anyone to see what I am doing, or where I am going, or who I am becoming….I am excited to see what happens, and hope you are too! I promise not to disappoint.

XOXO,

Ally

Thank you also to Erica who gave me new ideas and new friendship. We will see each other soon; plans for an international feast are in the works! Un grande bacione, I hope you take time rest soon….

To all the folks in La La Land; counting sheep is IN.

2010-04-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

These are the kind of random events I have yet to find during my travels:

http://hammer.ucla.edu/programs/detail/program_id/496

All courtesy of one of my favorite organizations Machine Project, please check them out if you haven't already!

Awaiting the arrival.

2010-04-11T11:04:00.000-07:00

After 9 months of being on the road I will soon have visitors, bringing an opportunity to request things I need or want from home. This is a close to impossible task, as the list fluctuates on a daily basis. Realistic and unrealistic requests are jotted down and erased, and then appear on the paper again. It is a difficult question, since there are only very specific things I cannot get here in Europe, and I have to think long and hard about what I am willing to carry around or ingest. Any suggestions?

While I scribble these lists, another more unattainable, and quasi-superficial one is accumulating in the back of my head that makes me realize what I really do miss. Before you read what is below I must express that, while I have little desire to return to the states, I struggle with feelings of longing for my family and friends all of the time. Especially those boys. There.

So, What DO I wish I had access to right now? May sound silly but…….

-Clay and his song writing self.

-A bathtub.

-Deodorant that makes your pits smell fresh and clean, and soap that actually works, without irritating your skin. Glad your not reading in smell-o-vision. Enough said.

-Taco trucks. The thought of a La Estrella taco prompts an insatiable hunger, no amount of pizza or pasta can tame. Oh chile, I miss you most. Daikokuya’s fried rice, and that psychedelic curry are runners up. Basically, I wish there was more gastronomic diversity at times.

-Pure unadulterated FUN. The type of FUN that I have only experienced with a certain group of people (you know who you are), and continue to search for as I encounter others. My nonsensical side takes over at times and I miss my other halves most when the wave attacks.

-Manicure/Pedicure and that once a year airbrush design by Tony at Lee’s on Fig…..you are not in my budget anymore, and it shows.

-The opportunity to hear live music nightly (LA, I love you for this!), open bars, and free movie screenings. I still get the invites in the mail, and do wish I could teleport every once in a while.

-Themed get-togethers and dinner parties. Spaghetti Western night may taste better in Italy, but where are the stacked televisions and ADD atmosphere? And what about those fabulous random art movements? That collective creativity is a lacking force in my environment at the moment, and I crave the energy.

-LBE. We must film a new video.

That’s all I can think of for now. The list will grow and shrink as I go along…….

XOXO

Ally

Adaptation.

2010-04-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

The pauses lengthen as I continue this journey, posing some to question what I am exactly doing out there in this big world? Where to begin…..

For starters, some notes on Italy:

The only thing consistent in Italy is its beauty.

This is both good and bad for many reasons for me personally right now.

Then trains are late, and have random ticket checks. The weather is unpredictable. The dialects change from town to town, and looming fears force me to be cautious of whom I speak to…..

Stating these facts, my randomness fits perfectly here and I feel at home. It must be in my blood.

I’ve been around…..check out the photos to see for yourself

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120325&id=693271938&l=8584473e75

Right now I am staying near a city called Sora on the border of Abruzzo and Lazio, in the village of Pescosolido.

I am helping to restore a series of abandoned homes that will be eventually connected, creating a bed and breakfast. There is a lot of work to be done, but the idea is great and everyday something improves and changes! Exciting.

I will be here for another couple weeks until friendly faces land on Italian soil (YAY!). Giovanna, I can’t wait to see you, and the moment I see my May and Karen, I believe I will cry….. I am desperately looking forward to those tears of joy!

Learning along the way…

Californians will have a hard time conforming to real, seasonal change.

The months of January and February forced me into a sort of hibernation. I really felt like a bear. I was freezing cold, and could not understand why I felt the way I did…. then, I realized I had never endured a true winter, especially one with no heating. Something to consider!

The slushy wet snow kept me in and I dreaded exiting the house. It would have been a very interesting psychological study, and I did learn to become comfortable in the kitchen at least.

Not all of the time was spent sleeping, however. I did manage to improve my Italian, ran a really lovely group for English conversation (I really miss them!), and attended a theater course for foreigners (Thank you Sarah darling!), among other things.

When it was all over, I realized it was the first time I was truly ALONE in all of my life…and I embraced the opportunity (being in a foreign country does add and extra element), and so everyone knows, I can live with myself just fine.

The arrival of Spring.

The most interesting part of this time of year was observing nature’s response to the change of season. As spring was breaking, I was not the only one waking. The contrasting differences were apparent, and most encounters displayed themselves while walking in the Tuscan mountains of Gafagnana. The snow was melting. The birds were singing, insects spawning, flowers blooming…PRIMAVERA! It was beautiful! For me, the fog was starting to clear, and I not unlike my feathered friends; I began to sing with delight at the thought that winter would soon be over. Sorry to the poor family I was living with at the time, I am sure they will never want to hear this American girl try to harmonize again! Alex in Wonderland I was.

I consider myself fortunate to have been in their home during this transition, it was a good place for me, under the Tuscan sun (and rain), with folks that helped to heal the strain. Thank you immensely La familglia Irlandese and that sweet, sweet Catalan.

Changes….turn and face the strange?

I want to state, I am NOT on Vacation. This is a lifestyle change.

I am dirty and smelly. I have strange reactions to the constantly changing environment and diet. I feel cold and damp, but you would never be able to tell by the dryness of my skin.

Physically I look a MESS, but something positive is brewing within, and for this, I will continue to endure the challenge.

The fact is, I am at peace with the idea that I am no longer ‘travelling’ but instead embracing a new way of life. I have become a modern day nomad and the wondrous web, leads my way. It is a bizarre concept......but I like it! I make no money and spend very little…and I learn so much! The challenges will only become greater as I prepare to head East, but I know I will be ready soon!

Feel like traveling?

Below are links to a list of helpful resources, which may guide you along the way. I encourage everyone to consider experiencing some sort of travel and assure you I have learned so much more about myself and others, and will continue to every day I am gone (not only work skills, but people skills, communication, language, building friendships, realizing you are alone and not alone at the same time, and learning to cope with yourself….the greatest challenge of all.) Almost all of my experiences have been positive thus far.

Help Exchange

www.helpx.net/

Workaway

www.workaway.info/

W.W.O.O.F (Worldwide Organization of Organic Farmers)

http://www.wwoof.org/

Couchsurfing

http://www.couchsurfing.org

Hospitality Club

http://www.hospitalityclub.org/

Roadsharing

http://www.roadsharing.com/

Digihitch

http://www.digihitch.com/

My advice to those craving adventure through exchange…… be intuitive. Know your likes, dislikes, and capabilities….you can always leave if a place does not fulfill your expectations, or suit your needs (however most of these things can be felt out during initial correspondence with the host, or helper for that matter). Make sure you know what you will be doing before you go (ie, hours, scope of work, meal situation) and ask questions ahead of time. You must subscribe to each of these sites individually, but I believe it is worth doing at least for helpex and workaway, (wwoof requires separate membership by region.) Realize that this is a form of travelling that is not for everyone, and do not expect to be on holiday!

Couchsurfing is incredible because it really is networks of like-minded people…do not use it as a hotel or dating service and you should be fine. Whew! There are other programs and resources of course, but at this point, you must allow your fingertips to do the work themselves :)

Wishing everyone inspiration in continuing our paths to happiness….

XOXO

Ally

And now in the spirit of the season, I give my thanks, because I am always thankful:

TO Casale: Cristian and his amazing family for housing and going out their way to make sure I was ok, Chantal for putting up with my scatterbrain self (your family is beautiful!), and Michael for making me laugh even though he may not have thought so. The lovely Micol and her family for your hospitality and friendship, I will test your mother’s recipe on a good man soon enough! The conversation hour folk….Mario and Marzia (who made me want to be a better person), Ambra and their family for giving me an authentic Piemontese experience. Katia and Lele and all the people at Pantagruel (http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1145043337&ref=ts ), it is a very special place, and if you ever go to Casale, please stop there. There are many others that go unnamed but have made a special mark in my travel. Oh and who can forget…..the Cantina Sociale.

Daniele…..Spero di vedervi in India!

Joicy and Julian (my Chilean twin), I love them, and feel like they are some of the few people in the world I could share a room with while travelling for the rest of my life. It is incredibly refreshing when you meet these types of friends. Lucky Me!

The Irlandese, and their energetic home…..Finn one day we must kill a bunny the right way….maybe somewhere far away. Ian, the Catalan you kept my spirits high as a kite, in the shit and out of it.

Anna della Austria, you are strong, independent, and inspirational…Thank you and good luck!

Grazie Mille Tutti, Cheers!

Sorry Easter Bunny…Errah, Aha! (This is onomatopoeia that only my mamma will understand)

2010-04-03T16:21:00.000-07:00

I have recently been obsessed with slaughtering a rabbit.

I know it sounds strange, but I felt compelled to for once kill the meat I ate on my own, and thought that the furry little mammal would be a good start. I HAVE been eating meat all of my life, and wanted to understand the process a bit more, giving the act the respect it deserves.

I had heard about the actual rabbit kill, and felt at peace with the ritual. No whipping chickens around by their necks or bleeding pigs, just a simple wack on the head and the limp body would tenderly undergo my thoughtful skinning. I had even imagined preserving the pelt and using it……maybe to practice with taxidermy? (a strange fantasy, but this whole post is a bit off.)

After talking it up for weeks, my images were instead crushed by a brutal, seemingly painful kill (Rule 1: do not ask an Italian military man to demonstrate a harrowing task). As soon as the rabbit was taken from the hutch, visions of my sweet bunny Pretty, and thoughts of Grandma’s Snowball rushed to the brain. I could not bring myself to slit the creature’s throat (his method of choice), but forcefully watched in shock.

My excitement instantly turned to grief once I saw the sweet white rabbit wriggling, legs strung up like Jesus reversed. Then, the moment I had waited for….blood stained white fur, a half alive skinning, guts fed to the surrounding chickens, it was a sight too strong to bear, and my dreams of peaceful sacrifice were crushed.

When it all was done, we were kindly given the tortured carcass (thank you Guiseppe!) as a present for Pasqua, and did the animal justice (it was the least we could do) by presenting it as the centerpiece for a splendid supper the following night.

I did help butcher the rabbit, and Anna, Chris, and I roasted it over a nice bon-fire, accompanied by roasted potatoes, artichokes, and delicious white wine that the builder of the project, Antonio, had made himself. Mmmmm…

It was a truly memorable Easter feast, sorry if you don’t get your baskets in the morning kids!

CAUTION: Photos are not suitable for children, and I assure you while some of the poses seem to belittle the poor animal, the slaughter haunted my every bite and I will never look at meat the same, needless to say Mr. Easter bunny has made an impression.

Happy Easter up your Keaster!

XOXO

Ally

Radio! Radio! Give Me! Give Me!

2010-01-09T10:41:00.000-08:00

Enjoy this haiku, then enjoy the music:

LifeGate Radio

The best station in the world

Stream it now or else!

http://www.lifegate.it/lg_radio/

Italia LOOP-dee-LOOP

2010-01-09T10:36:00.000-08:00

Ciao Ciao! Tanti Auguri!

Hope this New Year finds everyone happy, healthy, and ready for what 2010 brings! Before rambling further, I would like to note that during the holidays I spent quite a bit of time reflecting on how grateful I am for my amazing family and friends at home and those I have met throughout my travels. Thank you for being part of my life, I feel very fortunate to be a part of yours! Hugs and Kisses to all!

Now to update my status…..

I have successfully made a giant loop within the interior of Italy and have found myself back where I left off, in Casale Monferrato. Many things have happened since my last check in and I finally have the time to submit the events in writing. One could infer justly, that sickness generally prompts these long updates so here I go typing a way from in bed in a very chilly room sniffling and sneezing away (glad you can’t catch a cold from the internet!).

When I left Casale last, I stayed about two weeks with a lovely couple in Cerrina Monferrato, helping revamp and renovate their very old villa in the Piemonte hills. The owners, Amelia and Roberto also run a bed and breakfast and have an animal shelter on premise for which they hold dinners in a tavola downstairs to raise money for the cause. After previously staying in a house with all women, I had the reverse experience here living with four men instead. Though the energy was way different than Serydarth, we had a lot of fun together and ate extremely well, since Robbie is an AMAZING chef! Their organization is called Ponte dell’ Arcobaleno and you can find more about it here:http://www.pontedellarcobaleno.com/

I then head south by train. The nearly two weeks in Rome, flew past. My small town break was over, and I had little time to switch gears. Rome is incredible if for nothing more than it’s astounding age. Being surrounded by buildings much older than the United States brings little significance to your existence.

I have semi created a budget guide to Rome, actually more of a list, that will be posted eventually because ROME needs it’s own space……

After spending a week with my friends Hallie and Emiliano, who live just outside of Rome (and whom later invited me to spend the Christmas holiday with their family!), I headed east where I lived almost a month in a town called Pacentro, a quiet community situated within the mountains in Abruzzo. This piccolo paise is just above the city of Sulmona, known for it’s amazing confetti (in the states confetti translates to Jordan almonds, but as usual, the Italians have away of making everything delicious so don’t imagine the typical wedding favor flavor.) It’s hard to explain my experience in Pacentro- it almost felt unreal. Instantly I was shown hospitality by my neighbors that ceased to end the entire stay. I have never felt so welcomed into a family, so quickly in a foreign country. Almost every meal was taken at one of their family’s homes, and was allowed, with enthusiasm, to work along side them learning a multitude of things from baking holiday goods to herding sheep and feeding horses (they lead guided tours of the mountain Mejella by horseback in the summer.) The chance to participate in the making of sausage and other cured meats was also REAL eye opening experience. Almost everything in Pacentro is made locally, if not in the home. The town also has a cooperative that distributes regional specialties throughout the world. Because of the altitude and climate of the region you find many products that are unlike other areas of Italy. It was great to see such a small village come together in this way. You can learn more about the products on their website:http://www.riverapacentro.it/

The time spent in Pacentro was incredible and I left missing the town and it’s people instantly. Grazie mille to Annetto, Maria, and their entire wonderful family for letting me temporarily become a part of it! Huge thanks to Wilma for allowing me to stay in her home and introducing me to this town that would have otherwise been unknown during this trip, and last but no least thank you to Hallie, Emiliano, and their family for making my holiday less lonely (I was in good hands, for those concerned!)

I have now returned to Casale where I will stay for two months to learn Italian, volunteer with various local organizations, and prospectively teach English. Please visit if you happen to find yourself in Italia, and grace me with some sunshine, it’s freezing over here! Baci!

XOXO Ally

NOT lost in translation

2009-11-08T11:32:00.000-08:00

Is it coincidence that Mr. Bean presents himself nightly in this non-english speaking household...I think not!

The Real World

2009-11-04T07:19:00.000-08:00

I am now staying with four other solo traveling women representing different countries at an intercultural space called Serydarth in the town of Casale Monferato, Piemonte, Italy. The exact terms and purpose of the living situation were unclear prior to my arrival, but I was pleasantly surprised once I got there. Coordinated and founded by the lovely Cristhian Scoranno,the home is run as an intercultural space inviting volunteers to stay (room and board) in exchange with giving back to the community in some way, whether it be language lessons, workshops, or just volunteering outside of the home. It is sort of a sustainable communal living experiment, and it seems to actually work in the most un-cultish way possible. It’s a great concept…..I assure you. I really lucked out with my roomettes, (and I think we all agree), I have learned a lot. Thank you girls, and of course grazie mille Cristhian!!!

On Wednesday I will be giving a talk on exotic plants at the Piccolo Spazio Interculturale. Check out more about the lecture and Cristhian’s Serydarth vision at: http://serydarth.wordpress.com/

Venice IS breathtaking, but don’t eat bread in front of poor people, please.

2009-11-04T07:04:00.000-08:00

Venice is a walking city; full of such beauty the air seems romantic. I took advantage of the exercise, and had an unconventional trip that lacked amore, but was filled with inspiration. Looking around the piazzas you find everyone with a map in hand attempting to navigate the narrow passages and canal crossings. I opted to abandon the guide and just roam, discovering empty churches and neighborhoods filled with locals during my daily expeditions. My visit was during the 53^rd International Biennale, and I often ran into exhibits outside of the main museums that I would not have found otherwise because of this wanderlust. This escape from the crows of tourists surrounding the main attractions was enjoyable.

The biennale gave opportunity to remove your self from the picture takers and smoochers of the city, providing space to reflect. Every two years popular contemporary artists are represented by country throughout the city, with a larger themed exhibit, this year titled Making Worlds, showcasing pieces collectively at the Giardidni, and Arsenale. The contrast of contemporary art and classic architecture, painting, and sculpture gave balance to

the spaces. This unusual presentation brought new life to the frescoes and rooms that hadn’t been inhabited in ages. It was really an experience beyond just entering a museum that unveiled alternative approach to observing art, and allowed you visualize the dramatic differences in style and thought throughout the ages.

I enjoy contemporary art, but now know quickly what I like and dislike. For example, I liked this lengthy title more that the installation itself:

Take this dagger, open my veins, I want to bleed until I die, I don’t want life if I have to see your aloofness, since with out your love it’s not worth it!

Bernardita Rakos, Venezuela, 2009

Everyone has different tastes, and you are bound to enjoy something at the biennale!

I did not eat much food in Venice, but could not resist So’Frito. In the states we have taco trucks, but fish ships? I had to try it. For a hefty14 euro, a lovely woman (in proper yachting attire) serves fresh fish fried to order and a small bottle of procescco. The fish was delicious and fresh chunks of polenta complemented the mix of sardines, calamari, and shrimps perfectly. I indulged but it was well worth it.

I happened upon the finish line of the Venice Marathon after lunch. The energy filled me with emotion having felt the adrenaline before personally when I ran half of the Mardi Gras Marathon, knowing that intense feeling as you cross the finish line. I burst into tears of joy as I wandered through the crowds of spectators. Was it the race? Did the processecco go straight to my head? Or did I just finally realize I was in Italy and made it to Venice?

Wit this said, I left many sights unseen, guess I must return once I fall in love.

XOXO

I became a master at taking fast photos since my camera was not co-operating. This new-style of snapping is reflected in the album…enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=120303

Artworld magazine gives a good breakdown of the festival, with recommendations and maps. Here is their site: http://www.artworldvenice.com/

If you have a few days for art, I recommend getting a map of the Exhibitions and viewing:

The Giardini (it is giant, be warned!): RUSSIA, Brazil, Egypt,

The entire Arsenale (especially ITALY!)

Danger Museum

Iceland/Singapore

Making Perfect World

Distortion Library

Unconditional Love

The Library at the Foundazine Querini Stampalia

Marrakesh Express

2009-11-03T06:40:00.000-08:00

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116654

After being in Spain for two months the question of where I was going to go next started to come up frequently. This required intensive planning, or no planning at all. I opted to be spontaneous.

Italy? France? They were neighboring countries. Then there was Morocco. I never thought I would travel into the continent of Africa but since I was SO close, I just couldn’t resist. I had family friends (the lovely Murcia, aka Terri Merlo’s family!) to contact and found a travel partner who expressed interest in going to North Africa while working together on the finca…so all signs pointed to go! I was off on the road to Morocco!

I met my friend in Granada and we had a nice visit to the Alhambra. The architectural wonder was only a precursor for what was to come. The next day we were on the bus Algeciras, from there our destination was just a ferry away! We embarked and landed in Ceuta, the Spanish enclave of Morocco…then onto the border.

Borders crossings are very strange places and seem to harbor equally tense energies all-over the world. A tip when entering Morocco- if someone helps you through, make sure to tip them, we made the mistake of not having small change before crossing. Tips are most often expected for every small service given, at times even just for simple directions. Beware of children used a pawns. Once we made it through we were in a taxi to the Murcia’s home in M’Diq!

Our welcome to Morocco could not have been better, and I feel if I did not have the initial connection with people there, my experience would have been entirely different. I had an amazing time with the Murcias, and it was a real treat to have the comforts of family in such a foreign place. With this said, meeting them and getting a taste of living in Morocco was worth the trip in itself (reminiscing about family in the Bay Area was an added bonus!) After spending a few days together and taking a couple day trips, we set out on our own. A ferry, Buses, trains, and Moroccan taxis, mixed with Spanish French, English and Arabic languages somehow got us around the northern half of the country and back to Spain in one piece!

The brief but inclusive trip went as follows:

Ceuta-M’Diq-Tetouan-Chefchaouen- Tangier-Marekesh- Meknes- Fez

Tetoan’s windy medina was our first introduction to the souks. These local shops serve as little cameos, peeking into the lives of the medina dwellers. Small rooms were full of textiles, spices, and other goods that covered every inch of space, leaving little room for the shopkeeper to take a nap or wave you in for a visit. On our way home we stopped at the beach and enjoyed a beautiful sunset, singing all the way home.

My interest in agriculture was indulged the next day on our way to Chefchaouen when we pulled off the road to visit a local farm. I was pleasantly surprised when the farmer allowed me to plow his field. He cultivated the land in a traditional way using mule power to pull a large blade through the small plot he was planning to plant turnips on. It was less efficient but surprisingly effective. When I embarrassed myself enough, we headed back on the windy road to Chefchaouen. The town is situated at the foot of the mountains and is beautiful. There is a very relaxed sense about the village and the pale blue wash on the walls creates a soothing atmosphere for wandering. On our way home we had a bit of a mix up that involved the police, and provided more than enough entertainment for the evening.

Tangier was our first destination without guidance. We ended up walking the entire day exploring the city and taking in the beautiful view of the sea from the Kasbah. The markets in Tangier were the best I had seen on the trip. Food was displayed in a way that made you want to buy, and the colors and smells made if hard to resist. At night, when making our way to catch the overnight train to Marrakesh we happened upon another set of indoor food stalls that were dark and dingier. There were chickens being sold by young boys and cafes filled with shady characters. It enticed me in a way I can’t explain, I was drawn to the darkness. We took an overnight train to Marrakesh and made the mistake of purchasing a second-class ticket. The hard plastic seating was similar to the muni bus and was extremely uncomfortable for traveling nine hours. On the platform I had an unfortunate experience with a religious extremist, that ended well but made me a bit uncomfortable.

When we arrived to Marrakesh sore and tired, we dove right in finding a hostel that was extremely cheap in a central location. My advice would be to ease into Marrakesh, it is very touristy and I think it can give you a bad first impression, but it is filled with such life! With this said I think it is a must see, especially if you combine your visit with day trips to the villages surrounding. I stayed right in the heart of the old town near the famous Djeema El Fna Square. The square, which is rather dull during the day, turns in to a spectacle at night, filled with steaming food stalls and street performers. Circles of people stand watching snake charmers, contortionists, and other strange talents. Food raging from snails to goat’s head is prepared by a number of men in crisp white. The hassling is unbearable in the stalls which makes it easier to take a seat at the first stall that seems decent, but I would advise to take a quick look see what type of food you fancy before settling down just anywhere. Juice stalls are good meeting points if you get lost and provide a refreshing pick me up.

The Hamam Experince- A trip to the local hammam (or public bath) serves a backpacker well, and also gives an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture! An oasis for women in the area, the bathhouse serves as a social space. It is also one of the only places where you have a chance to meet local women, and really reflect on our cultural differences. The workers in a restaurant directed me to an older hammam and once inside I was instructed by an old woman to strip down and wash up. It was wild. For a mere 60dh (around $7 US), the treatment includes access to the bath, a very intense scrub, a thorough washing and massage. I was first told to rinse off and enter a dark and steamy chamber to soften up I suppose, while my lady scrubbed another bather. Echoes and chatter roared through the concrete vault, and being face down I could only rely on few senses. It was a strange atmosphere that conjured similarities to what I believe Chinese water torture would be like in prison. A call to prayer sounds and a neighboring mosque fills the space with devotion creating a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere. After the steam I was scrubbed clean and washed. I left squeaky, clean feeling and like a newborn baby, not knowing what to think of the experience, but glowing nonetheless.

Some other sights I would recommend: Garden Marjorelle, The museum-Ben Youssef-mosque pass, Having a drink overlooking the giant storks nests atop the palace’s ruins at kozybar, Koutoubia Mosque, the Kasbah (saddian toumbs), try all of the foods, the spices give wonderful favor and aromas!

In Marrakesh particularly, the constant harassment when you’re a woman alone, and questioning when your partnered, would lead me to advise against Moroccan honeymoons, but recommend a travel partner…all of your true colors show when you’re immersed in such intensity so choose your company wisely (keep in mind I was traveling on an extremely tight budget, which adds to the frustration). I did wear a band on my ring finger to avoid further bother.

After spending two full days in Marrakesh we felt it was enough. We tried to book a bus to Fez, but it was full. The next bus went to Meknes at 2 am. We luckily got the last two spaces and since we now had the day to spare, asked our hostel manager Mohammed about taking a day trip. He quickly set up with a friend of his to drive us to the Ourika Valley, home to a series Berber Villages about 45 minutes outside of the city. The villages produce many unique textiles and natural products, and the farms and mills were impressive. Setti Fatma was the furthest village on our route and we hired a local guide to take us up into the mountains to see the seven cascades in the Big Atlas Mountains. On our way to the seventh and highest waterfall we encountered monkeys and snacked under their walnut tree, families howling at us as we cracked nuts and went on our way. It was a great break from the city…and the fresh mountain air was much needed.

My day in Meknes gave time to rest from the high-energy environment of Marrakesh. I saw a beautiful Riad and took the opportunity to catch up with writing in the peaceful garden. The sunset from the hostel rooftop was a sight, completed by the call to prayer ringing throughout the city. I really enjoyed myself there, and inquired about their school of agriculture……who is to say if I will return in the future?

Fes is the land artisan crafts, beautiful pottery, leather, and other goods adorn the walls of shops and restaurants. The windy maze-like medina is one of the oldest in Morocco, and it is very difficult to navigate through the series of narrow streets, tempting you to hire a guide. If you do, be cautious, at times they are genuine, but many just want to make a quick buck and can leave you stranded, far from your hostel.

A visit to the tanneries is a smelly but rewarding experience. The seemingly archaic methods of making leather painstakingly produces the most beautiful goods I had seen. The skins (of sheep, goat, cow, and camel, in range of strength) are sent from slaughter outside of the city, rinsed, soaked in pigeon droppings, cured and cleaned before the dying process begins. The natural dyes range from ground amethysts and poppies, which produce brilliant purples and reds, to hand dyed saffron resulting in a bold beautiful yellow. At the end of the tour you are allowed to see the artisans at work, making shoes, pouffies (bean bag seats), and bags, which you can purchase before exiting.

Observing daily life in the medina was what I enjoyed most about my visit. From children doing schoolwork on blackboards on the walls outside of their homes to motorcycles whizzing through the narrow streets, at times replaced by mules pulling carts. Taking in beautiful architecture and intricate wood and textile work that adorns the surrounding buildings, viewing the bright jalabas that mysteriously cloak most women, and devouring incredible street food full of flavors are an indication that you’re far from home. Overall, the trip was wonderful; I really would have missed out had I not taken the chance to visit. I would love to go further south into the Sahara next time, and am excited to return. Thank you to the Murcias for opening up your home and sharing your beautiful culture with me, my trip would not have been as amazing without you. XOXO

A REAL Moto Guzzi....

2009-10-17T06:25:00.000-07:00

I am now in Mandello, Italy, near Lake Como, birthplace of Moto Guzzi motorbikes, and home to my dear friend Jo. This is my view from the loo:

and my new tattoo (for my brother boos):

Milan tomorrow...Morocco update very soon! Ciao! XOXO.

Update from Ally (aka. Utilizing my existing and under-represented now travel blog.)

2009-09-26T03:35:00.000-07:00

To all of my family and friends,

I am alive and well and still in Spain!

For those who do not know my first project fell through in Granada :( I guess the funding did not suffice so it was postponed until next spring. This unexpected event resulted in a whirlwind month of travelling in Spain with friends both new and old! The short notice of my work cancellation led to the most economical decision to rent an apartment in Madrid for the month of August with my friend Sandra, because for those that don’t know, in August everyone in Madrid goes on holiday, (YES, VACATION, a difficult thing for most Americans to grasp!) leaving their rooms for a month until the unsuspecting pair of American girls decide to take advantage of the vacancy. This was a good move for the both of us, providing a kitchen to cook inexpensive meals (disastrous tortilla espanolas were my contribution) and a safe place to store our things during our various side trips.

Madrid is a very easy, and very beautiful city to live in. The apartment was in a great location next to the park Retiro, and had easy access to the very convenient metro system, (Angelinos please take note of the emphasis of the metro’s EASE and be jealous!). The buildings have been around for centuries and there are amazing monuments at every corner you turn (the park is a perfect example of this!). Spain is a very social culture and everyone has a great appreciation for enjoying life with friends, food, and drink. With this being said, it can be difficult to plan your day, in summer especially, because the hours businesses are open coincide with the siestas and such. It is also looked at as strange to travel solo, even to the park, so I definitely stuck out at times. The daily routine has also taken some time to get adjusted to. People wake up later than the US (which is great for me, since you know I am not a morning person!!) eat very little for breakfast (usually just a coffee), and eat a larger lunch around 2 or 3. From 2:30 to 5 almost all businesses are closed, then around 8, 9 or 10 people have dinner. The nightlife does not end and it is not unheard of to stay out until 6 am on the weekends! Madrid does not sleep! Since arriving to Spain, we have met wonderful friends that have given us a proper introduction to the city and added an element of comfort to being in a foreign country. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102328&id=693271938&l=8038673450

This style of travel has proved interesting and at times frustrating because you don’t know where life is going to lead you! I had planned to work a grape harvest in northern Spain but it also fell through. Fortunately, with the aide of the help-exchange website, I was able to quickly find a replacement project with a wonderful and generous woman named Marjolein. I am now working on her finca, La Vida es Bella, outside of Madrid, which is why I have time to sit down and write without any distractions. I love the Spanish country lifestyle and have been balancing working on the property with creating little projects for myself (for example harvesting grapes and juicing them with my feet!)

So far I have built the walls of a shed out of burled grape wood to keep firewood dry and am trying to figure out how to construct a roof that will be waterproof, before resorting to a plastic cover. I am experimenting with weaving poplar branches together tightly, but don’t know if it will work…any suggestions? The finca is off the grid completely and is powered with solar and wind. The neighbors have similar properties and I have learned a lot about sustainable building and permaculture from one couple in particular.

With observing these sorts of properties, my research and documentation of sustainable/communal- farming/gardening has begun, and any insights or links to similar projects will be appreciated as I travel. I have started a directory and it can only grow!

From this point on, I will be posting updates on the blog along the way, so check in periodically as posts may be more frequent when Internet access is available. Subscribing to the blog will give you email updates, otherwise I would hate to be sending you junk mail.….. now you all will have a look to my vagabond lifestyle at your leisure! I will also try and post interesting places, events, and of course restaurants and foods as I move through Europe and beyond!

For those that are not on the crazy online social network known as Facebook, I have at least been posting a photo representation of my trip along the way because it is convenient to upload and quickly share. I will provide those album links on the blog so you can see photos as well!

Hope all is well stateside! I would enjoy updates from your lives when time permits! Sending lots of love XOXO Alex

Here are very brief descriptions of those side-trips I mentioned and other interesting links:

Bilbao: The Aste Nagusia/ Semana Grande (or great week) in Bilbao is a weeklong festival of Basque culture. We met a great group of transplants from the US (and England) that showed us a wonderful time and housed us in a lovely flat! Basque country has natural beauty and the culture is quite different from the rest of Spain. While everyone also speaks Spanish, the Basque language itself is pre-Latin and was impossible for me to understand. We took the necessary trip to Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim and I was thrilled to find that one of my favorite artists Cai Guo Quiang’s I Want To Believe exhibit was showing (I had missed by a week during my last visit to New York!). It was amazing and worth the whole trip!

Pintxos (pronounced pin-chos) are the Basque’s version of Tapas, and was one of my favorite parts of visiting Bilbao. The quality and range of flavors these small bites provided made for an unexpected culinary experience, and presentation of the food was even more interesting. A selection of different pintxos are laid out on the bar, and, at your leisure, you pick and choose depending on your mood. From the traditional tortilla patata to more sophisticated creations, the freedom and complexity of pintxo bar dining was extraordinary. Hoping that this small bite style of eating catches on in the states!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=107557&id=693271938&l=29c3596b0e

Lisbon, Portugal: Sandra and I were off too a rough start in Lisbon, but the 5-day jaunt was worthwhile. The city drew many parallels to San Francisco with the rolling hills, cable cars, and it’s very own golden gate bridge. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a man there that sold tillandsias and bromeliads at a flea market; apparently he is the only person that sells them in Portugal! Lisbon has delicious, inexpensive food and wonderful outdoor coffee kiosks that were great places to sit and people watch. We stayed in a hostel in the Barrio Alto and area full of bars and Fado clubs. The streets were packed nightly with young people from all over the world! I wish we could visit more of Portugal and would consider a longer trip in the future.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=107562&id=693271938&l=8373d4d046

South of Spain: You all know I love a road trip! Getting to Spain’s southern beaches proved quite an adventure, but camping at San Pedro beach, Cabo de Gata in Andalusia was one of the most relaxing destinations I had ever experienced. The contrasting energy made it one of the most memorable and fun road trips I had taken thus far, and gave me an opportunity to see parts of Spain that I never would have otherwise. A million thanks to my driver J! On our way back we made a stop in Granada for lunch and I briefly saw how charming the old city was, I will definitely have to make it back sometime to see the Alhambra!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=107575&id=693271938&l=574e0b34b4

La Noche en Blanco (The White Night): In Madrid (and apparently all of Europe) there is a surprising number of cultural events each month funded by the city and in this case the smaller banks of Spain. The white night is a good example of this sort of event. It was spectacular, and affirmation that Madrid does NOT sleep! Sandra and I did not either…except on the metro. http://lanocheenblanco.esmadrid.com/lanocheenblanco/

Hope you enjoy these updates! Send me questions if you have them, and any recommendations from you are always appreciated, I would love to report back on places you have heard were worth visiting!

SXSW 09'

2009-04-04T02:32:00.000-07:00

I love Austin, I love Liz Howard, I love Music, I love Queso from Torchy's and I love Rabbit Fur Coats! What a weekend....Ask and you shall receive.

Green Porn!

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

Isabella Rosellini's green porn is fascinating! She managed to reveal insightful information on the sex lives of sea creatures while making me giggle uncontrollably...Kudos!

Check out the porn:

Then take the quiz:

I was

PRAYING MANTIS-THE GIVER

You take a lickin' and keep on tickin'. Sure to satisfy your Green Porno lover no matter what the cost, you'll keep giving and giving until you literally can't give anymore. If only you knew when to pull back, you might avoid repeatedly losing your head in relationships. It's a pity that your lovers don't always appreciate your generosity and attentiveness. Needless to say, you're always ready to get back on the stick and give it the best you've got despite the inevitable odds.

What a Bitchen' Kitchen!!!

2008-11-17T23:45:00.000-08:00

The long awaited project has finally begun- I have started to build my bike.

After sanding and painting my frame I am ready to assemble. The gals over at the LA Bike Kitchen helped me get started and I can't wait to see the end result!!

Mondays it's Bitchen' at the Kitchen, an all woman bike workshop, so lady's check it out. It was definitely less intimidating for me, since I am not a hard core bike rider, and don't know the first thing about tinkering with the machine. By the end of the night I had more done than expected and can not wait until next monday to work on the bike some more.

Learn more about the Bike Kitchen and what they stand for:

http://www.bicyclekitchen.com/

Banana Fro

2008-11-17T23:42:00.001-08:00

Go see Josie and her other friends from the Bronx Zoo at the GettoGloss art gallery.

Mad-Wicked-Sick-Yo!

http://www.ghettogloss.com/

Get FeltUp!!

2008-11-17T23:25:00.000-08:00

I finally have something to sell! This weekend I was in craft heaven! Not only did I learn how to crochet amiguri chicks, and get a Ambient Haircut at the fantastic Machine Project takeover at LACMA, I learned how to felt at Felt Clubs craft fair! (For those who did not make it on saturday, you missed out. It was a spectacular event....props to machine project, I love you guys! Check them out http://machineproject.com/lacma)

I am now obbsessed with making cute mini felt objects.

This means a collection of Oh My Dear!! FeltUp figurines actually exists (just in time for christmas, yay). I am also making shiny toy gun earings as well as my usual plant art.

Pictures coming soon......

Read more about the event at LACMA:http://www.latimes.com/ent

ertainment/la-et-lacma17-2008nov17,0,2476602.story

Musical Privatization

2008-11-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

I don't know what to think....

http://flux.net/it-happened-one-nighta-silent-rave

Elections, Protests, and Fasting.....

2008-11-09T23:42:00.000-08:00

November is one hell of a month!

We have a new president...all hail Barack Obama!

We care more about poultry than we do people.....8 is hate!

I need to lose 12 more pounds......is a shaved head in my future?

I Left My Heart in San Francisco....

2008-10-29T00:20:00.000-07:00

Can I just say, I really miss home!

STOP THE DRAMA, VOTE OBAMA!!!!

2008-10-17T22:39:00.000-07:00

Apart from adorning my vehicle with political statements, and asking everyone I know if they have registered to vote, I took it upon myself last weekend to go one step further and canvass for Barack Obama in Nevada.

By my lonesome I drove hours in traffic to Las Vegas not knowing with whom I was going to stay or what group I would be apart of for the campaigning itself. The idea of walking door to door or 'canvassing' as it it refer to in the political community, is not something that I would generally find appealing, however the thought of having 4-8 more years of the same bullshit has forced me to do whatever I can to prevent another republican from being elected into office (especially one with a running mate as embarrassing as Sarah Palin). Seeing as Nevada is a swing state (a red state really), this was something I could do to help.

My effort was well rewarded. I found myself staying with a fantastic couchsurfing host who welcomed me into his home and treated me with kindness. I also joined a wonderful group of folks from LA to canvass with, which made an experience that was nothing like I expected, much better than it could have been.

The canvassing itself was extremely intense. Your group is given a packet and you drive out to a neighborhood, equipped with lists and pamphlets, feeling like a Barack's witnesses.

The first day we were sent to 'Naked City', a place as Padraic (another lovely group member) later told us police only went to in groups, and I soon found out was the drug mecca of Vegas. We knocked on over 100 doors, and spoke to many people, most in good spirits regardless of their situation. Struggling single mothers, drug addicts, Vietnam Vets, all living in dire conditions just trying to survive. It was saddening, but it was reality. The next morning seemed better, but the afternoon's canvass proved everyone was having a hard time. Gangs, Pitbulls, Eviction Notices, Crack-heads, Condemned Buildings, the outskirts of Vegas were slums filled with people that go unnoticed by tourists vacationing in the artificial world created on the strip.

The trip was a wake up call, and unfortunately, even if we wake up, the people in these neighborhoods are not going to gain any resources or reap any benefits for years to come. I drove back home happy that I made the trip, but depressed in thinking about the mess we have gotten ourselves into as a nation, knowing that this lifestyles is more common than not across the US. Things need to change, but will they? All we can do now is vote and wait......

Thank you Wayne for being a wonderful host, and Danielle and Martha for making the whole experience as enjoyable as it could be!

The Great Freeloader

2008-10-17T21:28:00.000-07:00

For all those that know me well, you will agree that I am not only a great resource for finding local events, but for searching for those that have some sort of added incentive. Well today was my lucky day! What started off as my weekly movie screening fix turned into an evening of freebie flourish. The night unfolded as follows:

#1 Deli Connoisseur: An email the night before notified me that the famous Canter's on Fairfax was celebrating it's 60th Anniversary. What could this celebration call for? None other than a 65 cent special (w/tax)!

That's right for a mere 65 cents you could fill yourself with a generous helping of corned beef on fresh rye, potato salad, pickle and a delicious chocolate rugelach. Self title the recession special, the hearty plate was worth every penny....who says we can't benefit from the economy's downturn? Added bonus: the service was so fast at the counter, I couldn't fish my book out of my cluttered bag before the food arrived!

The article tells all: http://laist.com/2008/10/14/canters_60cent_sandwich.php

#2 Political Activist: After that sweet sweet recession special, I headed toward the theater. While blasting the radio I happened to hear that the Paul Frank Store on Melrose was registering voters. Since I had just canvasses in Nevada all weekend, I thought I would check out how effective using a store as a political tool proved to be. It was conveniently located around the corner, so what did I have to loose? Nada. In fact I gained, turns out if you register they gave you a free concert ticket (already registered, of course, my canvassing efforts earned me a ticket to Of Montreal at the Palladium). They also had drinks, cupcakes, and deals on Paul Frank clothing once registered. I was shocked that the store wasn't packed, but I guess it is a reflection of today's youth.

#3 Film Buffy: On to the Montalban theater. This week they happened to be screening a Swedish Vampire movie titled 'Let the Right One In'. It was fantastic, one of the best films I had seen in a long time. This was a pleasant surprise since I figured it would be more of a horror movie (no my favorite genre). Sponsored by Flux and Nike, the Montalban theater has been pre-screening films every Tuesday night since August providing music, open bar, appetizers, and a slew of other goodies. A great way to spend the evening, and the cheapest date you could ever plan! Doors open at 7 and usually end by 10. I have enjoyed these screenings, and will be sad when the series ends this month.

Check it! http://flux.net/cinema-tuesdays-october

What a fun-filled (and super cheap) evening!

Moral: Look, Listen, Learn, Save?

Dim-Sum-Brunch-Ride

2008-09-27T14:47:00.000-07:00

Flying Pigeon, a sweet new bike shop in Highland Park, makes it easy for beginner bike enthusiasts to select a bicycle, they only give you two choices! These well equipped Chinese bicycles come in a range of colors with a lot of style. The shop also sponsers a sunday dim-sum ride.

Me and Kev decided to have a brother sister bonding moment and decided to check it out. The result? A feeling of accomplishment as I conquered biking the streets of downtown LA, my first city ride ever! It was definitely good practice for the longer more intense rides Kev has been trying to get me to go to for months.

The sunday ride is highly recommended if you are a beginner like myself. Flying Pigeon also provides a bicycle free of charge to test out for the day (If you buy one brunch is on them!). Dim Sum never goes over 15 dollars and you end the ride fulfilled not only because of the food, but through the sense of community you feel meeting other locals.

Make new freinds, and eat good food (while getting exercise), what more can you ask for on a Sunday afternoon!

For more info on the Dim Sum Ride, and Flying Pigeon's awesome bikes, check out their web page at http://flyingpigeon-la.com/

Kev and I learning the 'rules of the ride'

Flock of Pigeons!!!!

Getting my wings...on the way to Ocean Seafood

Truckin'

2008-09-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

While on my trip, I found myself indulging the inner-foodie, amongst other things (mostly plant related).

Seeing as NY is filled with amazing restraunts I decided to go wild once I bussed in!

I became obsessed, seeking out dumpling shops, fry bars, and gastro pubs, donut 'plants', hot dog stands and other amazing fare.

This out of control behavior could create problems if not handled correctly. So, instead of aimlessly wandering the streets in search of great eats I devised a focused plan that balanced all that calorie consumption with an almost equal burn.( Thank goodness NY is a walking city!)

The end result was a food venture that concentrated mostly on 'mobile street food'( an idea inspired by my love of taco trucks in LA, and the new wave of gourmet food trucks that are sprouting up in citites all over the country), and included a few other places that I just couldn't miss checking out.

Trucks:

Dessert Truck

Mud Truck

TheWhoFarm.Org

Hearts Challenger

Belgian Waffles and Pomme Frites

Honorable mention, Best o' tha Best Americana:

Pizza: Bleeker Street Pizza-The Village

Hot Dog: Gray's Papaya (bring on those ressesion specials)-Differnt locations around town

Donut: Doghnut Plant- Lower East Side

Fries: Belgian frites-East Village
Bakery: Magnolia Bakery-SOHO

Fast Food: BAMN!-East Village

Cheap Bar Food: Alligator Bar- Brooklyn (free wood-fire pizza with each beer, absurd!)

Upscale '' '':The Spotted Pig- Grenich Village

Candy Shop:Economy Candy- L.E.S

Road Trippin' on the East....A thing of the past.

2008-08-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

I have finally made it back from my journey down the Northeast Coast to my home in the West, Los Angeles. I learned so much on this trip from garden growing, to an increased dislike in driving (that for those who know me was no much of a like to begin with). I will slowly post my various adventures and findings within these wonderful cities through which I traveled. It will be a slow process but the fact that I am documenting the experience is a goal worth working for. Tune in, I assure you it's worth it!

A day off Island

2008-07-23T21:13:00.001-07:00

Today was wonderful! Elliot Coleman's Four Season Farms is quite impressive, and the couples hospitality was much appreciated. A genius in the world of organics, elliot and his wife barbara manage to farm year round in Maine, and amazing feat if you realized the harshness of their winter season. Check out the Farm Store if your in the area. http://www.fourseasonfarm.com/

Meet-A-brother: Keith

2008-07-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

Keith is the middle of my three younger brothers. He is an artist. He is most like me, so we argue a lot. I love Keith, he is great. Look what he can do:

Isn't he talented!

See more Keith...http://keiff.tumblr.com/archive

Red Scare

2008-07-20T19:32:00.000-07:00

boomp3.com

Can't get enough of this song from Godard's La Chinoise.

Don't make pop songs like they used too!

Man vs. Nature

2008-07-19T19:48:00.000-07:00

The Spectacle:

On a beach surrounding woods a series of incredible fireworks are set off, only to be trumped by lightening in the distance. A harvest moon rises, it's orange-red glow warm and romantic. Inland, the tree's fine foliage cast psychedelic shadows on the forest floor. Upon returning, the the guiding light has faded, but strong senses leads me through the darkness. A sight to see, an experience to be had, another day in Ilesford.

Check those mailboxes folks!

2008-07-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's Craft Hour on the Island!!!

I am finally feeling better which means all of the countless hours I was was wasting sleeping, are now productive hours either working in the garden or CRAFTING!

My most recent mindless pass-time is creating friendship bracelets from the beautiful but very old yarn left on Nancy's porch. There is really not much else you can do with it, and throwing it away would be wasteful, so, voila! beautiful bracelets for all....of my friends of course. Will you get one? Would you even want it if I made one for you?

The finished product. (My 1st friendship bracelet! Given to Nancy)

My 1st official craft on the island, a Bonsai Balsam fir I found hiking complete w/ collected, seaglass, shell and moss . Ka wa ii ne?

More island crafts to come! Sea glass mobiles are next on the list.

In case you've yet to see it....

2008-07-12T11:50:00.001-07:00

Here is my living-living room. Oceanic version coming in the near future....

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-07-12T11:47:00.000-07:00

My yearly birthday gift has finally expired. Oh how I love airbrush.

This Year: Graffiti Splash

Last Year: Neapolitan Cheetah

You see my taste in eyewear hasn't changed.

Courtesy of Tim at Le's Nails, Highland Park

Rooftop gardens for all!

2008-07-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

I LOVE these sweet, smart, n' silly planters designed by Nobuhiro Sato.

Found them at Flora Grubb Gardens in SF.

Like Brother like Sister.

2008-07-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

NYC Waterfalls

2008-07-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

I Can't wait to see these in NY!

Olafur Eliasson is incredible, and so is New York's public art fund!

Visit www.nycwaterfalls.com for more.

I can't forget PS1's urban farm PF1 either-

www.publicfarm1.org

So excited to be East this summer!

Isleford

2008-07-10T10:52:00.000-07:00

I am now on an Island with Labrynthitis....sounds very exotic, but I assure you it is not.

I have been on this tiny island now for over a week, it is beautiful, and rich in an unexplored American culture. It is a place that is very difficult to describe without visiting for yourself. I wish I could explore/understand it more myself, but I'm afraid I will tip over.

I did manage to collect a nice piece of driftwood (to adorn with tillandsias), and a balsam fir sapling which I have bonsai-ed. I hope they make it home!

A side note: On 4th of July I ate my 1st (Maine) lobster in Maine, and saw fireworks from a Lobster boat. It was a crustaceastic night that probably lead to the state I'm in at this moment..boo.

A word to the wise....

2008-06-11T22:55:00.000-07:00

Random reflections are heading your way. Do not read on unless you enjoy nonsense, silliness, food, plants, and of course DEER, oh my!

So you want to study Horticulture?

2008-06-11T22:31:00.000-07:00

hor·ti·cul·ture (hôrt-klchr)

The art or practice of garden cultivation and management

(Thoughts after finishing finals this quarter)

Just look at all the wonderful things you can create while earning your degree! Spreading that roach was just splendid!

Be warned childhood reversion gets old when there are deadlines to make. Who knew collecting bugs could cause such stress?

And then there were weeds......

Props to Flaxleaf Fleabane, you got me through this past week. So glad it's over.