tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4179706215035890152024-03-19T12:04:10.035+07:00Wayfaring WriterThese are my memories and stories I have collected and recalled while living my life outside of the US. Some are from recent travels and others have been locked away for years and ready to be told.THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-9904097676248464202015-03-01T20:37:00.003+07:002015-03-01T20:37:47.536+07:00A Little New Year Celebration from Hong Kong....once again<br />
<di adventure:="" again="" and="" div="" getting="" landing="" most="" nbsp="" our="" recent="" running="" starting="" textbook="" up="" with=""></di><br />
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ITS THE YEAR OF THE GOAT!!!<br />
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Just about every international school in Asia gives a holiday<br />
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for CNY, and the closer in proximity you are to China, the more time off you get! Indonesia being south of the equator, and a 4 hour flight away from HK, we get a good 4-day weekend which happened to be just perfect for our adventure.<br />
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The day we arrived, Thursday, February 19th marked the official turn to the Year of the GOAT! They also say it could be the SHEEP or the RAM! Guess it depends on how auspicious the year is to one. Since 2015 has thus been good to us, we're inclined to believe the Year of the Ram suits it best for us. Each day promises some celebratory event in honor of the new year. Day 1 (19th) is the kick off CNY Parade over on the Kowloon side. We decided to spend the day on that side visiting the touristy Jade and Temple Street markets, which for me makes it a complete trip to HK! What we didn't bank on was that in honor of the biggest holiday in HK, the Jade market would be completely closed and the Temple Street market would be operating at a quarter of the stalls. Bummed, we journeyed back toward the parade route only to find loads of people already camped out at 4 pm claiming prime spots when the parade wasn't even starting for 4 more hours! We pictured some nightmarish additional two-hour return path to take the Star Ferry or metro back over to the HK side. A shared nod of 'let's just watch it on TV' led us all too easily to the longest escalator in the world (2,600 feet), en route our temporary home at "the mid-levels".<br />
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Here's looking down the midlevels. The escalator is the structure on the right, and a much needed set of stairs along side. Much needed as there was only enough room to build one escalator between narrow buildings. As far as I recall it runs 24 hours a day; 6am to 10 am it carries the inhabitants and workers down, and from 10 am it carries them back home! Of course our tourist schedule didn't match the escalator's and we found ourselves doing a lot of stairs! There are tons of shops and well-patroned restaurants fully aligning this path. You can imagine we spent about half of our time here just in transit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac4HrQge4eUsNPPXhTd9rulk8PrOdHIzReBr4EgX2yuwF5AQizqN0CO3p9PNNNcMho4FJwbOXJHgvKxbjSK-3sKwGMU6bgaFLxqP_2H5x36vpmfH20VasL62M9IN7-fFxDpj5AkoPxnI/w476-h357-no/IMG_0101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" class="HAa Eha" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhac4HrQge4eUsNPPXhTd9rulk8PrOdHIzReBr4EgX2yuwF5AQizqN0CO3p9PNNNcMho4FJwbOXJHgvKxbjSK-3sKwGMU6bgaFLxqP_2H5x36vpmfH20VasL62M9IN7-fFxDpj5AkoPxnI/w476-h357-no/IMG_0101.jpg" width="320" /></a>Of all the great restaurants on the central-midlevels system, this one advertised something unknown to Jakarta - Fondue - just can't get this awesomeness back home. So forget sticking to CNY favorites tonight. Good thing my phone kept track of our steps taken that day bc the heavy, delightfully sinful fondue was only countered by the 24,300 of 'em by the end of the day. That is 10.44 miles and a grand total of 30.8 miles for the weekend. Now that is a lot of steps. The only disappointment, no place to watch the parade.<br />
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Day 2: Set out midday...after all it IS our vacation, and therefore, our chance to relax! It's great being an international teacher as no matter where you go there's always someone who knows someone, IF you don't already know someone there yourself! It's not surprising that the brother of one of our really good friends here in Jakarta would offer to meet up with us in his home city, HK. A very lovely encounter, indeed, full of great conversation and healthy food at LIFE Cafe! It felt so normal, just like talking to our Jakarta friend, Brian, but Cork knew HK inside and out, including bus numbers to help get us on our way to Stanley market where we would shop and enjoy the rest of the daylight! Feeling a bit sheepish (pun intended) with having skipped over Day 1 without anything of CNY, we weren't about to miss the Day 2 event, the Fireworks show! Feeling Victoria Peak offered the best views in town, we were set to depart Stanley Market and enjoy dinner and show up there.<br />
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Fortunately/Unfortunately no taxis were coming to help us get there, and no bus driver would even talk to us about taking that route. The taxi stand line just kept building up, and finally we gave up after an hour of trying multiple locations for taxis, and took the bus we came in on back to Central. Now I also add "fortunately" taxis weren't available since it was particularly cloudy by then and unlikely to see past it for the colorful sky explosion. <br />
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Along the harbor, we spotted the ferris wheel, and while thousands of onlookers for the fireworks display were filling up the wide sidewalks, they somehow weren't thinking getting above the crowd! Score!<br />
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DAY 3: We did what ever good HK citizen does for day 3 of CNY...<br />
headed to the races to test our luck! <br />
There's even a dedicated CNY race...this year it was race #7! What horse would we bet on but Gurus Dream, of course! (Guru means "teacher"!) The Chinese might read into Gurus' loss to tell us that it is not an auspicious start to the year for teachers! But then again, we're not as superstitious as the Chinese who would.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzn59rWEA7kqyDK7QguZRv7vBAIDNTgl87c1cIB1HMFijr1sdqsDY_NKLhy48h_AkZBzG8om05IoReP2WO9C_iCDKkQAG7k1OQqKzhdbgz4C7gSftk4N1azOtjASPgAKaXZS6AhobuaQ/w476-h357-no/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="HAa Eha" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirzn59rWEA7kqyDK7QguZRv7vBAIDNTgl87c1cIB1HMFijr1sdqsDY_NKLhy48h_AkZBzG8om05IoReP2WO9C_iCDKkQAG7k1OQqKzhdbgz4C7gSftk4N1azOtjASPgAKaXZS6AhobuaQ/w476-h357-no/IMG_0241.JPG" width="200" /></a>Feeling particularly Chinese that day, it was about time we do as the Chinese do and partake some DimSum! Peking Garden back at TST came by recommendation! Easy to find right outside the Star Ferry entrance in the mall-type building, and certainly worth passing on!<br />
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As I mentioned earlier, it's not so rare to find people all over the world with one or two degrees of separation. Indeed, from a Facebook posting I made a day earlier, our friend, Dawn, from Korea realized we were both in HK! A few messages later, and we're meeting up with her, her husband, and co-worker/friend for some live music at the Hard Rock Cafe! It was a great surprise reunion in a land far from our homes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC8zeRybPHyMNrnaUbqBxMj4PIemw2MGK4oFSQqQxnDyb2WIdD3hgbFN1s1Ewh23HFpvD1O7wCf1hTyRh1GwBEnCIpOm9ZEUrst5IhWiT07se21msLzjL-CLH2k-amYaMRsWEthbDyyU/w495-h290-no/IMG_0269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="HAa Eha" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC8zeRybPHyMNrnaUbqBxMj4PIemw2MGK4oFSQqQxnDyb2WIdD3hgbFN1s1Ewh23HFpvD1O7wCf1hTyRh1GwBEnCIpOm9ZEUrst5IhWiT07se21msLzjL-CLH2k-amYaMRsWEthbDyyU/w495-h290-no/IMG_0269.jpg" width="320" /></a>Our final day in Hong Kong included a lovely send off by the pink dolphins near Lantau! Truth is, they're not really pink, they're actually white! Since they're mammals, the blood rushing through their bodies as they move displays a pinkish tone...much like we do when blushing!<br />
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Some dolphin watchers return to port sans any sightings. We think the luck that bypassed us at the track, doubled up this day considering seeing 1 or 2 is "lucky" as told by our tour guides, and we saw at least 10 that hung out all around our boat swimming at the bow, passing underneath, breaching, and even doing flips in the air! I'd say THAT's an auspicious start to the CNY 2015! :)<br />
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There's so much to do and so many interesting things to witness in HK, it'd be easy to return time and time again even when it's not CNY. <br />
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THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-58401643449376046802013-09-02T22:47:00.004+07:002013-09-02T22:52:39.345+07:00It's been a long time but I have not forgottenSo much has happened the past year.... plus. I finished a Masters degree, switch jobs and moved to Jakarta to teach at Jakarta International School and most importantly met someone, fell in love, proposed, got engaged and now planning to get married this summer to my fiance', Trisha. Seen below glowing as always with her handsome male suitor...ME!<br />
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Anyway, enough excuses for not writing. I am sorry and I promise to write more. And I will start now!!! This is a post from OUR new blog together. <a href="http://www.textbooklanding.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.textbooklanding.blogspot.com</a><br />
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Add this to your list of blogs to follow. But keep in mind I'll still be wayfaring and writing. So don't give up on me yet. I have many more stories to tell and memories to pick out of this aging brain.<br />
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So enjoy a clip from Textbook Landing. Peace Love and Chicken Grease.<br />
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Murphy<br />
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Now that we are on our way into the third full week of school if feels much easier to sit down and write.<br />
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Here's a little ditty about Murf and Trisha. Two American kids growin' up in the heartland.<br />
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Enough of that. I won't continue to try and fit our life into that great John Cougar Mellencamp classic. However, I will try and let you know what has been going on for the past few days and weeks since our last update and it will be easy because there has been a lot of fun things. Have we mentioned how well JIS has taken care of us since we arrived? Well, just in case we have not proven that to you, our faithful readers, we will give another example. <br />
Two Fridays ago there was a big street party over at "Admin Row" where all the top administrators open up their giant homes for a school party and invite all the teachers and families. The block party starts at 3:30 and rolls smoothly into the night with excellent food, wine, flowing margarita machines and ice cold Heineken on tap. As the twilight moved into evening the party's momentum continued with the electronic sounds of DJ Jroo. (That's what I'm calling him.) Andrew is the son of the Head of School and mixed up some <i>Mad Smooth Beats </i>from the 70's, 80's and 90's with modern vibrations for today's top artists. (Don't you think I sound like a writer for <a href="http://www.djmag.com/" target="_blank">DJmag</a>?)<br />
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This brought everyone out to the street to dance and start <a href="http://youtu.be/3JcmQONgXJM" target="_blank">"Gettin' Jiggy With It"</a>. (You have to watch this.) Think back to the last time you were at a block party....... Got it??? Were you in High School?...Junior High?...Elementary?...or was it last year? Whichever you are pondering all of the above were on the bricks gettin' jiggy with it that night. One of the highlights of the night was seeing a dance-off between several teachers and students.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMCccuDeA6WEE85hHJG4fqZ296OSiy7J1N3dOTrjnxS5Eo2w25wdXJ2fGZUU64hJPkAYfWJL8pHV9ieBy-xUFp9LOs1oAeSO1P3uv8_ttyQoE2sR7yOw6adYuU_ypRyPQNBkY7YGieck/s1600/dance+off.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMCccuDeA6WEE85hHJG4fqZ296OSiy7J1N3dOTrjnxS5Eo2w25wdXJ2fGZUU64hJPkAYfWJL8pHV9ieBy-xUFp9LOs1oAeSO1P3uv8_ttyQoE2sR7yOw6adYuU_ypRyPQNBkY7YGieck/s200/dance+off.jpg" width="200" /></a>These kids were children of teachers who had moves. They kept calling out the teachers to the middle of the street. Some in groups of three to four and even one-on-one. It was amazing to see them match move for move. It was one of the most memorable beginning of the year parties we've been to.<br />
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This next part is all about me. Sorry honey!! Sunday night was a hard rockin night. Along with 18 other guys and girls we rocked it out with James, Kirk, Robert and Lars and the rest of Jakarta's heavy metal rockers that could not wait another minute to see METALLICA take the stage. With head banging and non-stop singing from the juiced Jakarta crowd the boys of Metallica put on a loud energetic show that finished off the Asian tour. I won't go too in depth with the setlist and happenings of the concert. I will let you know it was one of the best concerts in the recent years that I've been able to see. Here is a link to some videos for you to choose from if you need to get a little <a href="http://www.metallica.com/videos/the-videos.asp" target="_blank">Metallica fix</a>. (For sure you have to watch one of these.)<br />
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We have been extremely lucky to be around so many great new people. Everyone has been too hospitable and welcoming to us. Last week we had 3 birthday parties. The first was with our friend Kim, who I worked with in Tokyo and is in Trisha's department this year. We celebrated her 50th at a Japanese restaurant located in a swanky hotel. We toasted the night with shochu and fine Japanese sushi, unagi and great new friends. It was nice to get out in the middle of the week but we paid for it in the morning at 5:30 am when the alarm sounded. It makes for a long day at work when you start before the crack of dawn. However, finishing at 2:00 in the afternoon for me and 2:40 for Trisha is pretty nice as long as we don't have a meeting. <b><i>We can't always be that lucky.</i></b> As the case in many big schools, we have lot's of meetings. It is just the life we have to get accustomed to here at Jakarta International School. We have Staff, School, PLC, DRE's, BS, BS, BS. Did I mention BS meetings?<br />
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When they were all finished and the weekend had started it was off to another MS Math party where the math jokes were kept to a minimum and the food served by Ally and Shawn was at a maximum overload. Stocked with wine, drinks and beer they put on a spread that included, fresh grilled shrimp,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyX9FOpRROur2hxFvCSn59FuVWjnLndR7wYK9PixbRNY92d-d7db6XAhK7XmiLC5WF45YeE41uSN_T0VXvFNFxrevgPCqe3334coItCgAvqlofK-3Ro4-sqysl6PfhCPgZnichyjzm7Y/s1600/group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUyX9FOpRROur2hxFvCSn59FuVWjnLndR7wYK9PixbRNY92d-d7db6XAhK7XmiLC5WF45YeE41uSN_T0VXvFNFxrevgPCqe3334coItCgAvqlofK-3Ro4-sqysl6PfhCPgZnichyjzm7Y/s200/group.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
baked salmon, numerous salads and Ally's "<i>secret recipe</i>" scalloped potatoes that added a little extra love to my handles. Yet, the night was not over there. Next stop was our beloved Eduardo's Birthday party (pictured here in the middle), who came in new with us this year. We continued the partying theme with mugs of beer from the local dive bar DeHooi. This place has it all. Beer, food, live music, pool tables, darts, fun people and lot's of smoke. Everything a bar needs.<br />
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Saturday provided us with a much deserved sleep-in. I can't think of the last time we slept in til...9:00. We had some much needed time to catch up on emails and especially time together. We find that with the move to a new school there are many occasions to get out to mix and mingle with our new colleagues and develop new friendships that will last for the next several years and a lifetime. At some point we will have to actually turn down some of these invites... but not yet. There is just too much fun to be had right now and we sure showed that this weekend with one more bday party. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ix6dfpw9yQ3wuvjevVKNA5hEG3PbUDTnP0vrmXlwPzMPNm3DYH3WcLkrquBTxx3gxzh9DZgRs0ljKmoxan0hyphenhyphen5alrfiOlO5nXkl1iiPo4QYbTgIG64sDFTeLhupMvfUJxqPvzxJgT-k/s1600/snake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ix6dfpw9yQ3wuvjevVKNA5hEG3PbUDTnP0vrmXlwPzMPNm3DYH3WcLkrquBTxx3gxzh9DZgRs0ljKmoxan0hyphenhyphen5alrfiOlO5nXkl1iiPo4QYbTgIG64sDFTeLhupMvfUJxqPvzxJgT-k/s200/snake.jpg" width="150" /></a>We made our way out to a nice Indian restaurant to celebrate the birthday of Kate, the first person we met here in Jakarta. The spicy food just kept coming and the V&T's were hardly empty and always topped with ice and lime. The night included traditional dancing and even a special showing of two cobras charmed by the magical sounds of the silent flute. Hard to beat that on a Saturday night out on the town.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN-5h5HcAZf1aYFiPQPEoNRaqBNlYaqJuozznGQETfMfSZOj-DP1226Dlw4uV3iTQyvOZuFr-EtNWFGFPvuIAfJGdzbVgJOuOEPc2R9FZtAKF9QUjOpAo7Qm_vzUSJEUUwytydmVcs5w/s1600/Pizza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiN-5h5HcAZf1aYFiPQPEoNRaqBNlYaqJuozznGQETfMfSZOj-DP1226Dlw4uV3iTQyvOZuFr-EtNWFGFPvuIAfJGdzbVgJOuOEPc2R9FZtAKF9QUjOpAo7Qm_vzUSJEUUwytydmVcs5w/s200/Pizza.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
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Unless its teaching Ani how to make pizza.<br />
I guess next week we will head out to the JIS cabin. Yeah, they have their own cabin that sleeps about 15. Now you know what will be next on the blog.<br />
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One last thing and it is super important. <b>Happy Birthday Mom!!</b> We are sending you miles and miles of love. I hope you received the gift from Trisha and I. Love you lots!<br />
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Take care all and we will see you on the next landing.<br />
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Neal and Trisha<br />
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<br />THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-90488161060653140272011-10-13T18:19:00.021+07:002011-10-13T19:28:26.571+07:00Need to write to you about this place<div style="text-align: center;">Hey! It me, Neal. I need to tell my friends and readers sorry for the long delay in writing. Much has happened since my last post. Too much to get into. But this I know. I need to write tonight. I just spent the past 30 minutes reading some old posts. <a href="http://wayfaringwriter.blogspot.com/2008/04/drunken-kantor-man.html">Drunken Kantor Man</a>, <a href="http://wayfaringwriter.blogspot.com/2008/02/02271986-day-my-life-changed.html">The Day My Life Changed</a> and a <a href="http://wayfaringwriter.blogspot.com/2008/10/to-top-of-japan-and-back.html">couple more</a>. They get me thinking back to the times when it is less about work and more about play. So, it is time for some playin'. Let me see if I can take you back to a bar in</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tokyo about 6o years or so back. Back when times where better and cheaper.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my neighborhood there is a little shop called Kayabara. It is just out of the exit at Kayabacho Eki on the Hibiya Line. My buddy AJ and I had walked around our neighborhood looking for a place to eat and drink. Then... we find this gem.<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RMQ5wwhyphenhyphen1G9g5t3ahXcUMnRMKflY8ndUZ-5UQwtGiQHj0k89wnibqK06MbzSqcOWC12c3BJqHgmHLH6ypdIUZ_bNxWh6GHJzY29eBL2LdOZYaM2gidbvossK5qwQ6cXQVQwQGbU8Xw/s1600/IMG_4288.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RMQ5wwhyphenhyphen1G9g5t3ahXcUMnRMKflY8ndUZ-5UQwtGiQHj0k89wnibqK06MbzSqcOWC12c3BJqHgmHLH6ypdIUZ_bNxWh6GHJzY29eBL2LdOZYaM2gidbvossK5qwQ6cXQVQwQGbU8Xw/s200/IMG_4288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662936922678608338" /></a></div><div> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination:none;mso-layout-grid-align:none; text-autospace:none">Well, AJ and I stroll up to this place that is conveniently located behind two parked cars in a driveway. The only way we found it was by the giant hanging red lantern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>We walk in and grab a table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Instantly noticing there are only men in the place. Wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is one woman and she looks as she has never been here before. AJ grabs a bottle of Kirin Beer for 500 yen, which is pretty damn cheap for a liter of beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Looking around the bar you can see why there are only men in the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>There is a thick cloud of cigarette smoke hovering above every table. Each table has about 5-8 guys crowed around a small table big enough to hold some small glasses, tiny portions of food and several ashtrays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Coupled with the small <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakitori">yakitori</a> station in the corner where spewing out fumes from chicken fat dripping in the fire as the customers grill their own meat. This is my type of place.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt_CnaVqmQh7rUVTBpR6X2CJ4kyH7wQb6bttxFlHtsSzo3pXLFNeJu9HUPFO2uTrPpwImmmWv0POO-MF5xGQLavQxjKAAmlSixsBp9K7ZGOH9u0ADFjRumqmUmuATXg9kgeZ7v6hK0A/s1600/IMG_4280.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIt_CnaVqmQh7rUVTBpR6X2CJ4kyH7wQb6bttxFlHtsSzo3pXLFNeJu9HUPFO2uTrPpwImmmWv0POO-MF5xGQLavQxjKAAmlSixsBp9K7ZGOH9u0ADFjRumqmUmuATXg9kgeZ7v6hK0A/s320/IMG_4280.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662942204754627794" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The men are dressed in their standard black jackets, white shirts, black pants, black shoes and colored ties so to show some type of individuality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>You know... normal Japanese Businessmen attire. Laughter fills the room as a new member joins the table. Everyone is letting off steam after a long 10 hour day of work. The men tip back the glasses of booze, beer, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shochu">shochu</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sake">sake.</a> Smoke a pack or two and tell lies, stories and jokes. It is a true happiness bar with everything you can want... except women. There is only one.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XhYzKFMCux1EloNLvfWI4h179ZLK18yxtNknUTcosaqC4lvR6pNK40wHnuZv2RB2uSjKyiIa7t9tVg7z3Db9Q85b597xD6o_poWO5Z0uEqPyN-BRwX_bU1FvMd18bE6dEVEvFPNyuw/s320/IMG_4285.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662949516753875250" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">You see this type of place is not your typical <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izakaya">Japanese Izakaya</a>. It is special. It is a traditional Japanese place that has been off the map for decades. Only the good, the bad and the lucky find it. As I said no women are there. That is because they are not allowed. Yeah, that is right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Women can join men but the owner, an oba-chan (grandma), will not allow women groups. She told me 1. they talk too much, 2. complain about the state of the bathrooms, & 3. they do not drink enough. Those seem like good reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Right? Oh I failed to mention something very important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This bar is special, wait I said that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>This bar is a traditional Japanese place. Oh, I said that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Oh, I know. It is a coin bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>"Coin bar?", you ask. Yeah, a coin bar.</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXL7X4XPeYqgFKrGJugabird8aIOvr_fW-Kn3CeXsh5kaS_yPHj4BIrPdk2LdMRbVQ2-CAoAmZ2154qi8uBGdhDMhXlpzfnyPf8fB9uLyjWigy7-IiQwXu3DWTrl1U5L3Bxiseyv_nJg/s320/IMG_4258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662949858153141906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">There is not a bartender, a waiter and for sure not a waitress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>To get your drinks you walk up to a coin operated machine that dispenses your choice of three kinds of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>Shochu, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awamori">Awamori</a>, one Sake that you can get hot or cold, some Tory's a cheap Japanese whiskey and of course some beer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It cost you 100 Yen for a shot!!! That is basically ONE DOLLAR.</p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbfBXb3IWywM909FopDGHCMcTHJX1EjgfCeM1Zm5PZvrtY-AFUliuCOjnlVDXa2SWAkHU2M6DvGTG6JA_MTAv_G-wpLTYglEJnTdaWBoSbE_02hJU_pbFwCJ56_wM5GdHFHhv8fpov8Q/s320/IMG_4279.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662950155986420098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><p class="MsoNormal">You grab a glass that is on the side of the machine, put it under the spout, drop in a coin and bingo; shochu, awamori, sake, whiskey or beer. Walk to the counter, where the oba-chan is selling food, and grab some ice cubes or water if you need then tilt back like the rest of the boys and enjoy the good times. AJ and I walked out of there filled up with bar food and booze and spent about 1600 yen together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>About 16 dollars. We both had a liter of beer, tofo, veggies, meat sticks, 4 awamori and 2 beers. Yeah, 6 drinks each Anyone, want to come see this place?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I think I am heading there now.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnx0E_LVadRiDbuOWUGdWAf-Ib6RzM89C-541171gitpHCx23whpYAUH_XjHFnq9g-GJZJ1jc5OWQ8sdcgs6tpgNSxPkCvTv47tz7c92bd3GyA_7nkYWmQGNP0lzwhd4hMth9xMW2ZQ/s320/IMG_4287.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662950416557958178" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></p><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div> <!--EndFragment--></div><div></div></div>THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-59217963564517948712011-03-19T23:21:00.001+07:002011-03-19T23:25:03.684+07:00The Purest FeelingThere has been a lot of discussion between friends of mine who are still in Tokyo and those who have decided to leave during this time of struggles that Japan is facing and will be facing for the next years to come. To get straight to the point of how I feel living in Tokyo it is merely one simple word, safe. I don’t feel any different when I wake up in the morning. Only difference is I feel less rested because I have been up late every night for the past week talking to many of my friends on Skype who are concerned. I keep reassuring them that we are in good shape in Tokyo and the rest of the people who are outside the 30km evacuation zone. We really are. I trust the information I have received and look at it with logical thinking and remain calm. That is my way of living. I just relax and let go. But not everyone thinks the same as I do.<br /><br />There are those who don’t feel they are safe and that’s is okay. If you are scared then get away. There are many things in life that we need and safety is the purest of them all. If you don’t feel safe or you feel threatened, out of control and vulnerable then take control of that feeling. Do what makes you feel is best. For those who have a family and want to take care of their wife, husband or children you go and do what is best for them and you. It’s what I would do if I had a family…I think. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;">But, don’t try to convince me that I am not safe. Only I will make that decision. </span> <br /><br />There is a lot of information out there circling the planet in a variety of different media formats. There are the big foreign media organizations from the US and Europe. There are the masses of people posting their personal editorials on international sites. There are those telling their story on facebook and other social networks. And there are the personal blogs, like this one. You have to decide what is true and not true. You make the decisions for your life. You make the choice that will impact your living experience for the rest of your life and you need to live with that. <br />I am NOT going to quote any facts or non-factual material that I have read over the week on this post. That is not why I am writing. This is about my thoughts and my feelings and I want to record them and I don’t mind sharing them with you.<br /><br />I feel that much of the information that has been released is scaring people. Fear is a powerful emotion and makes people do things they would never do. Think of the last time you were so scared and you did something that was out of your realm of thinking. That is how I feel some people have reacted to the situation. Fear has driven them to do things I feel they would have never done if that had the right information. <br /><br />I want to know what people were feeling when they went to the airport. I would like to sit at the airport and interview the people returning to Tokyo after they realize life is safe here and find out why they left. It would be such a good study to look into and find out why they left. Was it their pure emotion and thoughts that said, “I am not safe?” Was it the foreign media and the shocking headlines that caused the fear? Was it the governments’ demand or recommendation for voluntary or involuntary evacuations that made them go? Was it the free ticket home? There are many.<br /><br />I would also like to ask those people who have stayed Japan some questions too. Why didn’t you leave? What made you feel safe and secure? Was it the cost of a flight that kept you here? Was it your job? Was it your commitment to Japan? Or, was it that you just felt safe? These are some questions I may or may not ask. I don’t know. <br /><br />I do think there is going to be a change in the way people look at each other at work and on the street. I feel there will be a strong distinction between those who stayed and those who left. <span style="font-weight:bold;">And this saddens me.</span> Why do you ask? There will be no medal given out to those who stayed and continued living. There will be no certificate given to people returning for taking care of their families and thinking about being safe. The government is not going to line people up and say, “I want to thank these people for staying behind and making the country continue to proceed and move forward”. On the other hand, no one will say the opposite and call them cowards for leaving. It won’t happen. And it shouldn't’t. But, I think people will talk amongst friends and say, “They left when Japan needed them”. <span style="font-weight:bold;">And this saddens me</span>.<br /><br />I have gone through some roller coaster emotions over the past week. I think back to last Friday night on March 11 when I was sitting in this same chair shaking from the constant after shocks. I was scared and uncertain of what was happening. I had just experienced a new sensation that will forever change me. They don’t scare me anymore. I have become desensitized and don’t really notice them anymore like I had before the great quake. I have made the switch back to the habitual lifestyle I have grown accustomed to in Tokyo. I am spending time with those I care about. I am walking in the sun and getting outside and enjoying the little things like a good bowl of ramen. Today, I went out and had a great TexMex dinner with some new and old friends. It’s what makes life grand and what makes me continue to move forward. Tomorrow is a new day. I will continue to be safe and I will continue to live life to the fullest.THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-90125989996750941862011-03-18T13:00:00.005+07:002011-03-18T13:51:20.347+07:00Out for a walk in Tokyo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbK4rwnDz70T50GObNY34YcjIyvIAJhcfCAVL5CqZowuyebH8aKai4E3bnXVoGn9xYlSrN8Zq5RUH6d6TvLybrUWpnAzGPg-tyauTd_jmuoVs0gEc4B7dz233BcTSMQba_6KV-UDZWoA/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbK4rwnDz70T50GObNY34YcjIyvIAJhcfCAVL5CqZowuyebH8aKai4E3bnXVoGn9xYlSrN8Zq5RUH6d6TvLybrUWpnAzGPg-tyauTd_jmuoVs0gEc4B7dz233BcTSMQba_6KV-UDZWoA/s320/IMG_3948.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585300256836050738" /></a><br /><br />I have been asked some questions throughout the past few days.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"And now a few days later? Where are you? What are you doing? What are you going to do? The news seems worse every day."<br /><span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span><br /><br />This was a comment from a reader. Well, to tell you the truth. I am still in Tokyo sitting at my apartment. My school was closed this week with power blackouts. When this was announced many families and teachers left to US and other countries. I am still here with a handful of other teachers. We are basically doing the same thing we have for the past years. Meet up with each other, have dinner and enjoy life. Today, my friend stayed downtown after a fun night out for St. Paddy's Day. We woke up this morning walked to Tsukiji Market and have sushi and sashimi. We are just doing what is normal. <br /><br />As we walked around the neighborhood I felt like some people were looking at us with a bit of surprise, since all foreigners have left. I keep getting more and more requests to leave. But i am doing well. I have plan to leave on Sunday for a teaching conference that I planned in January. I am not leaving because I feel unsafe. I feel quite safe. If I were in Fukushima yes I would be worried but I am not. I am in Tokyo. We have water. We have food. We have gas. Life is continuing. I was stopped by a Japanese TV crew and was interviewed. They were asking me why I was in Tokyo and I told them I worked here and this is my neighborhood. We were in the area where they sell Monja and were happy to see us enjoying the Tsukishima neighborhood. I told them this area of Tokyo is great and I love living across the river in Hatchobori. Now that is not normal. I don't get interviewed everyday. However, I did get interviewed on Tuesday as well but with a Chinese crew while I was donating blood at one of the Japanese Red Cross Centers. <br /><br />I am going back to the balcony and watch the boats go by on the Sumida River. I have many more thoughts and questions to consider and I will post more soon. I need to get them out head and onto paper. <br /><br /> I appreciate the concern from all of you. You really are true friends. <br />I will be back after a little break.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaNQPIJrxLifXpY41oMTqSMs1Ez5nr_AsBu9u0rCuqwBpZQXpFExC4FL8m4vIdYJswqQHErbWtIiv7-rXKCy1CMtTjzKQvLRKZ4tBLRhUhwoEMhKeFz5e4Gvn83xqYCmQyMTZwM0urg/s1600/IMG_3956.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaNQPIJrxLifXpY41oMTqSMs1Ez5nr_AsBu9u0rCuqwBpZQXpFExC4FL8m4vIdYJswqQHErbWtIiv7-rXKCy1CMtTjzKQvLRKZ4tBLRhUhwoEMhKeFz5e4Gvn83xqYCmQyMTZwM0urg/s400/IMG_3956.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585303813618876786" /></a>THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-21475140017529228292011-03-13T19:09:00.001+07:002011-03-13T16:56:34.128+07:00Japan's Earthquake upgraded to 9.0!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5z4jITcPN_ZkDdGDNtdJyk9-OTp2PS4nxdIsvlLTh_FQFq2nSJ6PzFSgz0rB-v7umqtCdFNoknDGl9TeIHb9HNxYqiQIYeT9RG-djb-e3jMn1M3ZGK4F6Cv__Vw69zyd8f0lDWzupA/s1600/IMG_3871.JPG"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5z4jITcPN_ZkDdGDNtdJyk9-OTp2PS4nxdIsvlLTh_FQFq2nSJ6PzFSgz0rB-v7umqtCdFNoknDGl9TeIHb9HNxYqiQIYeT9RG-djb-e3jMn1M3ZGK4F6Cv__Vw69zyd8f0lDWzupA/s400/IMG_3871.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583441087147309986" border="0"></a><br /><br />It has been a while since I have written. So now is the best time to let you know what happening. All my thoughts go out to families and friend of people from Sendai and around Japan. I hope those who are lost will be found.<br /><br /> <br /><br />As the day as gone on I have found myself to slowly slip back in my world as it was before March 11, 2011. I am back in my house sitting alone watching television and thinking about my life and how it has changed. I remember the times when I would watch world news specials on television separated by oceans and landmasses imagining what is it like to be where those people are and to feel what is happening. That imagination is no longer there. Though I am not in any physical danger now, I do feel the need to be concerned for my safety. I don’t know what is happening. All I know is yesterday was the scariest thing I have dealt with as an adult. I have seen things and been through many tough times throughout my life. However, feeling so completely out of control yesterday was horrifying. <br /><br />I was sitting alone in my classroom preparing to upload photos for my class blog. Thinking about the week and how amazing it was. Monday started out with an absolute brilliant snowfall that would make any child dream of being out of school and at home playing. Yet, we were at school and we were playing. It was the beginning of what I though was going to be a great week. As the week went on and the days became warmer and then cooler again the feel of spring was in the air. Birds were singing, flowers were beginning to bloom and the weather was seemingly letting go of its grasp on winter. New life was beginning and things were changing for this year and it felt good. Little did I know that in seconds my life and many others were about to change forever in a few seconds? <br /><br />It started with a little movement in my body. Something inside said to stop what you are doing and focus. So I did just that. I tilted my head back and gazed toward the ceiling and windows and noticed the red Chinese New Year's lanterns the children made were gently swaying from side to side. I stood up from my chair and looked out the window to see people moving quickly across the bridge over the street that connects Mori Complex with Robot Park. Robot Park is an area where out children play during outside playtime during school hours and is frequented by local children daily. As I see parents begin to move more quickly and the jog turns into a run. I realize it is my turn to run. Not out but next door to the room where 10 children are practicing their weekly gymnastics. I rush to the room and see them sitting by the windows getting their shoes. I express deeply and calmly how important it is to listen to my voice at this time and follow me now. “Boys and girls leave your things and come with me now. Stay away from the windows.” By this time we are in a full on earthquake. Nothing like this has ever happened to me. I am having a hard time standing straight. I briefly hesitate and think about leaving the building but realize it is not stopping. It is rolling on and on. It is no at least a 40 seconds into the earthquake and it is not getting weaker. We can’t leave we need to stay inside and take cover. <br /><br />The safety doors that block the stairwells slam shut with another big jolt. The shutters fall and cracked down tight. The children look to me and see that this is not a game. There is no fear in their eyes, just surprise. I remain calm and I immediately get them into my room and get them under the table with the assistance of the gymnastic team and Judy, the Director or the ELC. It is now past a minute of adrenaline. We get under the table and it is still rolling on and on. A minute has passed and it is getting stronger. Judy and I made contact with a look that said, “what is happening?” The walls were swaying creaking, the ceiling tiles were cracking, the blocks were falling from the shelves and my heart was racing like never before. But, staying calm and making sure the kids were safe was my main concern. As I look back I realize I had not climbed under the table at all. One there was no room and two I was too busy watching the children and keeping them safe. When the time came to leave we filed down the stairs to the playground. The young men who were in charge of the gymnastics went back to gather the coats, shoes and bags for the children. We reassembled and left the area to wait for parents. As we left I could hear phones ringing as parents were calling to find out about their children. <br /><br />We waited for parents with the children in front of the building. As parents walked up we could see the fear in their eyes and the struggle to remain calm. The kids were not fazed by the incident. One child even said, “That was fun, let’s do it again.” When you are four your really can not grasp the idea of an earthquake. But they were such good listeners. While waiting for parents I could not holding the kids close to me. I felt I needed to have the close at all times. It was very hard for me to show the strength I displayed to in front of the kids. It was terrifying. But, it wasn’t over. <br /><br />We began to walk to the evacuation meeting ground with only two children left. As were walked up the stair I began to have that feeling in my stomach again. We were moving. I looked up to see the three buildings of Mori Complex begin to move from side to side; the two residential buildings are 30+ floors and Mori Tower, which are 57 floors. What will happen if they fall? Where will I take these boys? What do I do? These are the thoughts that flipped through my head. What I did was just stop and cover their heads. As I looked up I just watched these massive towers move like they were reeds blowing in the wind. Never have I seen anything like that before. When it finally stopped we moved on and the boys were reunited with their parents.<br /><br />My job was done. Now what? Can I get my coat? Can we go back in? Do we stay here? Why are we under power lines? Do I need water? Where was the epicenter? How big was that? Is there any damage? Are you ok? Am I ok? Are the trains running? How will I get home? Do you want a drink? Is AJ ok? How about Robert, Miya and Lilu? Why are the phones not working? What do we do now? I wonder if Skype works? Should I wake up my family? <br /><br />My mind was everywhere. I was on alert mode looking around and preparing for anything. I knew I had to get back inside to get my things and prepare for the next step. Call friends in Tokyo using Skype and call my Mom, Dad and brothers to let them know I was fine before I began my 10km walk home. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The walk home<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ycQY8XN33Bdy8YLbdK_1oJgALSIgHKQ5Lg4gSmpVNKaGE_k1rrJLnd6bNkAf7967NRn_pTmL3hPJNzCyqRKxEdyHwW8zl7klnbZ3C7Wjeb-qOALohzSr_Q0sdskme7MrheNC9ootXA/s1600/IMG_3876.JPG"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ycQY8XN33Bdy8YLbdK_1oJgALSIgHKQ5Lg4gSmpVNKaGE_k1rrJLnd6bNkAf7967NRn_pTmL3hPJNzCyqRKxEdyHwW8zl7klnbZ3C7Wjeb-qOALohzSr_Q0sdskme7MrheNC9ootXA/s400/IMG_3876.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583441431547451058" border="0"></a><br />I had walked home from Roppongi, which is where my school is located. It is not far from, just 10km. It is an easy walk and I have done it a 1000 times on my bike and on foot. I knew my way home but as I was walking I could see there were hundreds and thousands of people who had no idea where there were going. I saw rows and rows of black suits walking towards me with solemn faces some stopping to look around and others trying to use their mobile phones with no luck of connection. I am sure they were all thinking the same thoughts I had. What’s next? The weather predicted for the day was to be warmer so I didn’t bring gloves or a scarf. Yet, that was not the case. It was cold and I needed gloves. I stopped in to get some at a Family Mart, which is a convenience store that sells everything, and there was no food left or water. I found gloves but no food. The people here were not panicking at all but just being prepared. All the people on the street most likely were going to have to walk for hours to get home. I talked with some friends later and they said it took them 9 hours to walk home. <br /><br />As I was walking I could see that many were lost. I offered my assistance to a couple of German girls who were trying to head North to Toda-Koen. They were heading the wrong way and would for sure been lost but I got them on track. Also, I noticed that many people were carrying yellow bags with them. I am guessing they were earthquake safety bag issued from companies. I saw one man sitting with the item out on the ground. Inside the bag were bottles of water, some snack, towels, gloves, a helmet and a book that looked like a map of Tokyo. As I walked closer I could see the he was trying to find his way through the streets of Japan on the map. <br /><br />The Japanese are so prepared for this emergency. I really am impressed. On Friday, the mobile phone system was down so the Japanese Telephone Company made all the public phones free of charge. The cues were so long and people were patiently waiting and limiting their calls to only a couple minutes. I found out later that many of the beverage companies made the vending machines free as well for people to get water and other drinks. I, of course, found this out later and did not benefit from the free drinks but I was fine and had plenty of water. But, it just proves to me how well prepared the country is. People located in many places to keep the flow of pedestrians moving. Police regulating the traffic and keep order. Yet, still no panic. Unbelievable!!!<br /><br />I think about the US and other countries and I wonder if anything like that is set in place. Do they?<br /><br />I made it home and all was fine at my place little damage to tile work I the kitchen but nothing really. As the night approached my good friend AJ visited me. He came by to check on me and ultimately ended up staying in the extra room because the trains were still down and he could not get home. We talked about the news on television and he filled me in on some information that I just could not understand in Japanese. 4 million homes in Machida city, Tokyo were reported to be out of electricity. One thing he really helped me with was getting the gas turned back on. I went to heat up water for some tea but no gas. The building was completely shut off. When he arrived he said, “Oh, let me show you. You see there is a mercury switch that automatically shuts off the gas to your home to prevent fires. Press he for 3 seconds and it is back on.” WOW! Now that is efficiency. I had never thought of that, mercury to shut off the gas. Brilliant! <br /><br />Many aftershocks rolled through the night. It seemed like there was one every 10 or 15 minutes and they kept me up until 2am. Then another one woke me up at 4am. It was a 6.6 hit Nagano. It was a bad one. Everyone was in bed. The city is leveled in some places. It is so sad. Below is a video of how it looked before and after.<br />The aftershocks just wouldn’t stop. They kept coming and come. They are not bad at all just make you stop and think “here comes another one”.<br /> I got about 4 hrs of sleep and calls kept coming in. I am glad many of you called. It helped to calm me down and feel better. Thanks <br /><br />6:00pm Saturday, March 13, 2011<br />The phone just rang and I had to stop writing. It was my good friend AJ telling me that he had to bike home to Yokohama. Then he proceeded to tell me that the nuclear plant just exploded and the walls are gone at 4pm. A 20 Km evacuation zone has been set up. Man, I was just getting comfortable again and calming down. I am scared once again. There is so much uncertainty right now. I cant understand the television announcers because my Japanese terrible. But, AJ told me that they are planning to start shutting down the electricity to Tokyo to try and reserve power. The nuclear plant that exploded was the major supplier to this area. He said to take a shower now if you want to be clean. I just did. As well as put on layers to prepare for the cold tonight and get batteries for the phone charger and flashlights. I have battery-powered lights around the house to use because candles CAN'T be used in a time like this. SO we will see what is next. Right now all is well and I am safe. No radiation here and no damage in Tokyo. They talk more of blackouts but so far not yet. I will keep you informed.<br /><br />All my best,<br />Neal<br /><br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http%3A%2F%2Fw36.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe20%2Fnvmurphy%2FJapan%20Earthquake%20and%20Tsunami%2Fce93cbc4.pbw" height="360" width="480">THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-26631416045399947032011-03-13T14:44:00.003+07:002011-03-13T14:46:31.323+07:00Before and After from EarthquakesAnother video of what has happened in Japan. It starts with Nagano and move to other parts of Japan. It is hard to watch but you should see it.<br /><br /><br /><embed width="600" height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid36.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe20%2Fnvmurphy%2FJapan%2520Earthquake%2520and%2520Tsunami%2FMVI_3860.mp4">THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-52906127482244799022011-03-13T13:38:00.000+07:002011-03-13T14:41:01.881+07:00Video from Japan of TsunamiThis is my reaction from watching this video for what seems like the 100th time. So sad.<br /><br /><br /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allownetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid36.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe20%2Fnvmurphy%2FJapan%2520Earthquake%2520and%2520Tsunami%2FMVI_3858.mp4" height="361" width="600"></embed>THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-67666405376679398012010-12-19T05:13:00.004+07:002010-12-19T05:56:39.748+07:00It's been too longI know it has been so long since writing. I feel terrible about it. I often sit on the train or walk around saying to myself "I need to write about this". But, when I get home... I don't. However, I have been up since 4:45 this morning talking to family and friends. My Dad called me this morning and got me out of bed after a night out in Tokyo. (That is another story) I crawled out of bed and put on the smile and BING! I was ready to Skype. <br />It was so great to see my family together. I have not been that happy in so long. Seeing my Grandmother, Father, Brothers with the kids and family all around was the best Christmas gift I could ask for. I almost felt like I was there in the room. I was taking pictures of my computer of all the family. It truly is amazing how Skype can bring us together. It was hard for me to hang up. I didn't want the call to end. I feel like calling back now and just watching everyone as they watch the new television my Dad bought. I wouldn't even need to talk. Just watch.I think to myself that I need to get the new iPhone 4 so I can use video on my mobile phone as well. It would be so great to show you all Tokyo as I walk around the city and explore the fun world of Japanese Life. Thank you Eva for reminding me how much I enjoy writing. I am so glad we talked this morning. <br /><br />Well that is enough for now. I am starting to get a little bit sleepy and ramble too much. I see I am making a lot of mistakes and having to go back and korrect them. See! I did it again. I will leave that one. <br /><br />Here is a little bit of what my morning was like. So enjoy the slideshow. I am going to call some more people since I am awake now. Maybe I will call you. Do you have Skype? If not, get it at <a href="www.skype.com">www.skype.com</a> and then call me.<br /><br />M<span style="font-weight:bold;">issing you all so much. Merry Christmas and I hope to talk soon.</span><br /><br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http%3A%2F%2Fw36.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe20%2Fnvmurphy%2FMurphy Christmas%2F04251fa4.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/Murphy%20Christmas/?action=view&current=04251fa4.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-64031471508567324722010-07-16T03:46:00.009+07:002010-07-16T04:28:07.646+07:00The African Experience Part 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamtG9ya9OUQRklFfEd4fdW8rccIsc82J8fQ3qfht2dwzuSP1wgQAeEvGWMS6elIx1hTwYGOoAqbvLh67O7JTvbJZrhUXv6iKq86hLZ-xo_fcQywG_VLfF2Us9lsOhA_-0ysxkUBTLOw/s1600/P6150125.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgamtG9ya9OUQRklFfEd4fdW8rccIsc82J8fQ3qfht2dwzuSP1wgQAeEvGWMS6elIx1hTwYGOoAqbvLh67O7JTvbJZrhUXv6iKq86hLZ-xo_fcQywG_VLfF2Us9lsOhA_-0ysxkUBTLOw/s400/P6150125.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494238699560866130" /></a><br />“Coming down the mountain!” as Perry Farrell says of Jane’s Addiction. We make our way back to the Kia and set out on another long drive to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hluhluwe-Umfolozi_Game_Reserve">Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Park </a>{pronounced ShlooShloowee Umfolozi}. As we get closer and closer to Durban we begin to see the Indian Ocean. It is a must stop for us. I had not seen the Indian Ocean before and I know mSqwearl had not either. Our minds were made up an we drove on looking for a small village to turn off into. We miss one turn off and decide on Zinkwazi. A small little beach community that looked perfect for a quick 10 minute stop. We park and walk out onto the beach. We stand looking at the 2meter high waves crash on the beach as the tide is rushing in at our feet. While standing to capture the moment with me compact Olympus waterproof camera the waves rush over my feet. Still wearing my Gortex shoes I get soaked as a father and his children capture it on his video camera. We laugh and move up the beach. Standing in the water knee high, mSqwearl is relaxing in the cool rushing water of the Indian Ocean. Ken and I are talking about something as we hear a scream and yell from the distance. With is back turned to the water Ken makes a run for higher ground thinking the waves are going to crash into him. I bolt the opposite direction and run toward the water. I see a bobbing head being pulled along the beach. The head belongs to one of the young children who was with his father down the beach. A large swell came in to the beach too fast and was too powerful for the child to run from. The water grabbed the small boy as if it wanted to take the child to the great blue. However, fate had something else planned. As with us missing our turn a few miles back forcing us to choose Zinkwazi for our stop. The young boy would not be taken by the great waves. As I was running to the water to grab the boy, he was brought to the waiting arms of mSqwearl. He had been standing in the water relaxing as the same giant wave rushed into him chest high. All mSqwearl had to do was reach out and grab the frightened, yet calm boy, by the shoulder. As the father came running to make sure his son was safe, mSqwearl passed the child back to his father. And he thanks him as a caring father would do after watching his child be swept away. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYGo2fK_kXIBS1LO82n81iKaFJStMI3qNivDB_eUhyphenhyphenjl4lfa-FD8zJwBoi0VxsPU5Fc0KR9SQ4fVzdLWOWWoCdmcvo4tXxsrFcVBu6qrjvdIVb1U-2yVW9XRfLB6-dx7vCGFTaL9gFA/s1600/P6150135.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYGo2fK_kXIBS1LO82n81iKaFJStMI3qNivDB_eUhyphenhyphenjl4lfa-FD8zJwBoi0VxsPU5Fc0KR9SQ4fVzdLWOWWoCdmcvo4tXxsrFcVBu6qrjvdIVb1U-2yVW9XRfLB6-dx7vCGFTaL9gFA/s320/P6150135.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494241194546949762" /></a><br />Jasper, the father’s name, would invite us back to his home for coffee and to allow mSqwearl to shower and put on clean clothes. Soaking from the neck down after racing to save the boy , who for certain would have been swept over jagged rocks, mSqwearl, Ken and I all drive to the house up the beach. There we meet the whole family. Jasper introduced us to his wife, mother and father. His father, Jasper Sr., was a retired sugarcane farmer. In the recent years Jasper Sr. has been making trips to schools to talk about nature and wildlife. He felt that many children now a days don’t spend enough time outdoors. So, he brings the outdoors to the children. Doing so takes place in many forms. It could be live animals, plants, flowers or even animal bones and skulls. David, the young boy who was saved at the beach asked his father to get some of the animals out to show us. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvKgbbM7bwhz7vLME_vyzbceoyZH48BWMoVrBroYKWj9NZRjOayFvbDjqKZQKk5YWXFgR0JS8e5FT9x8kO_gjINp8d47NZS3_aKoe1BeP8kx5twWd40_gTPgsCeZcX5QNZ-rWF8F5Pw/s1600/P6150127.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRvKgbbM7bwhz7vLME_vyzbceoyZH48BWMoVrBroYKWj9NZRjOayFvbDjqKZQKk5YWXFgR0JS8e5FT9x8kO_gjINp8d47NZS3_aKoe1BeP8kx5twWd40_gTPgsCeZcX5QNZ-rWF8F5Pw/s320/P6150127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494241994570456306" /></a><br />Jasper kindly abides and leaves to room and comes back with a large box of treats. He first pulls out a massive skull of a warthog. He talks about how the large tusks are used for digging and foraging and the smaller tusks are used to defend itself. <br /><br />The second animal he pulled out a small bag came with lots of items in it. First he brought out a tiny skull and placed it on the table in front of us. We tried to guess and determine what it was. To help us out he brought some long quills out and we immediately knew it is a porcupine.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUZNvYb-4L80M-j8saaAaeklGzEXudD_8Y-1TuJYc7WAEJdy1QhvHZ5k3GfzbUDmkD6YAMK45CgEl1gKeygbJaw1wklLOXZzMsYwrQGjD4PQXsjYaRc4V8YGuSUuq6GI9EDfLzHTwKQ/s1600/P6150130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUZNvYb-4L80M-j8saaAaeklGzEXudD_8Y-1TuJYc7WAEJdy1QhvHZ5k3GfzbUDmkD6YAMK45CgEl1gKeygbJaw1wklLOXZzMsYwrQGjD4PQXsjYaRc4V8YGuSUuq6GI9EDfLzHTwKQ/s320/P6150130.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494245817380932850" /></a> <br />He talked about the different quills and told us which ones are the most dangerous and how the porcupine defends itself. He told us that when a porcupine in cornered by a lion or other predator it will charge them in hopes to jab the hard quills into the animal’s face. Lions can’t resist the taste of porcupine, Jasper said , because porcupine is one of the lion’s favorite meats to eat. But, porcupines are no push over and have been know to kill lions with their quills. <br />As the quills get jabbed into the face of the lion by the porcupine, the lion will force the quills in deeper as it tries to dig them out. I had no idea that porcupines protected themselves that way. I love learning something new. And that day I was going to learn even more.<br /><br />The third thing he took out of his massive box was a large lioness skull. He showed us how lions grab onto the face of is prey or the next. To prove his point he too his massive hands and placed them on the neck of Ken, who was sitting next to him. He grabbed and shook Ken then grabbed his own face to show how and where a lion would grab a man.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmaKFPxllXRS6YmVlZMMf0T4pgwFf8aVJ2QQAV626o-x-_wxyoMGlvRv7wCx90-afA4D4ZuVAiM4spt1z2hHIBLVrt8-60pqLqQU_-egfgT27jJapdqHeDVhmdX__0z1cEIHBTN6KHw/s1600/P6150133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmaKFPxllXRS6YmVlZMMf0T4pgwFf8aVJ2QQAV626o-x-_wxyoMGlvRv7wCx90-afA4D4ZuVAiM4spt1z2hHIBLVrt8-60pqLqQU_-egfgT27jJapdqHeDVhmdX__0z1cEIHBTN6KHw/s320/P6150133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494245821664046066" /></a> <br /><br />The fourth animal he showed us was a baboon skull. It was white and shiny with large fangs. Jasper said the getting into a fight with a baboon would be a bad thing. The have large front fangs but they are used for puncturing the meat. the teeth you have to worry about are the bottom ones. As they rub against the top long fangs they get sharpened. Almost to a razor sharpness. I touched them and could feel the edge, much like a knife. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVn2HJKhnAoUsc_Af0pMk8YyJa2OJFb4UhZHBawQvBsGpWSxwH-dY658Qb4HrmmGl39HaIvb5SyTT5ie-mKQUYsYS-iGY2TX4tv2lKpLZjmxC6LdYbnaTB6xHqbjoa5asK4CfTS2llw/s1600/P6150134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifVn2HJKhnAoUsc_Af0pMk8YyJa2OJFb4UhZHBawQvBsGpWSxwH-dY658Qb4HrmmGl39HaIvb5SyTT5ie-mKQUYsYS-iGY2TX4tv2lKpLZjmxC6LdYbnaTB6xHqbjoa5asK4CfTS2llw/s320/P6150134.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494245833925667202" /></a><br />We were amazed by the animals and knowledge of the grandfather. Yet, we were not finished. The children and parents all were not satisfied with impressing the Americans. They asked their grandfather to “bring out the fun stuff”. So, once again Jasper the retired sugarcane farmer now turned naturalist leaves the room. This time he returns with a plastic bag. We could see it had been in the freezer as cold air permeated through the air. He opened the bag and pulled out a whole baboon head. Still containing the hair, eyes, tongue and teeth. Ken and mSqwearl leaned back away from the beast. .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xUSQOLwQZbWkprUyzRSRRFgjgXM03N0bOBVeC8L7obnx6874wpxPgC5Pu7xABd9bNzNB1C2-TtVMkC4QQiuFQSk3JmRDNdNmpnWeqWZxY4-Qx0lLXVBCAHXaDwY4FYTVCPS4GbTHZw/s1600/P6150138.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xUSQOLwQZbWkprUyzRSRRFgjgXM03N0bOBVeC8L7obnx6874wpxPgC5Pu7xABd9bNzNB1C2-TtVMkC4QQiuFQSk3JmRDNdNmpnWeqWZxY4-Qx0lLXVBCAHXaDwY4FYTVCPS4GbTHZw/s320/P6150138.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494245845033103266" /></a><br /><br />I reached forward and asked if I could hold it. He kindly passed it along to me and I admired its powerful and strong features. This baboon had come into the village and was tormenting people and killing animals. It was threatening the lives of many people and need to be killed. Jasper was asked to come to the village and dispose of it. He did, but decided to keep the head for his teachings. I am glad he kept it otherwise I would have never been able to hold it. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dxi5AbKGDMTbTWSLC2QJnXU82n5kerl5i0y7F8NMwLVHKV5BKY25kxGlYFuMnk1PYRBHB0GdrpoqEJv8KQQmcIPWEQffTrVDX9FpqJxMGtBQIFggbdOhV4Hfp-6MqOctIhtKMnTUVg/s1600/P6150140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dxi5AbKGDMTbTWSLC2QJnXU82n5kerl5i0y7F8NMwLVHKV5BKY25kxGlYFuMnk1PYRBHB0GdrpoqEJv8KQQmcIPWEQffTrVDX9FpqJxMGtBQIFggbdOhV4Hfp-6MqOctIhtKMnTUVg/s320/P6150140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494245856609006066" /></a><br />Out plan to stop for 10 minutes soon turned into almost 2 hours. We were asked to join them for fish curry and stew. But, we kindly denied as it was getting late and we needed to check into out huts at the game park. We did however enjoy some birthday cake leftover from the afternoon. We kindly said our thanks for hospitality and moved out the door. Once again, we are shown that people are the greatest keys to vacation and travel. Meeting this family was a pure pleasure and one I will never forget. This day has been one of the most amazing days of my life. I began the morning atop a mountain plateau in the small country of Lesotho and I finished it in the sitting room of a South African family looking at animal skulls and holding a baboon head while hearing the Indian Ocean pound it’s powerful waves on the beach of Zinkwazi.<br />What kind of life am I living? I ask myself this question many times. I guess I am living my dream.<br /><br /><br />Part 3 of the African Experience will show you the animals you have been waiting to see. The BIG FIVE!THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-23336325033876845902010-07-14T22:29:00.033+07:002010-07-15T03:34:14.922+07:00The African Experience Part 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd32PbuCpw4lhyphenhyphenhXqYYTdQgE5-oN7QmHMIEM4xkUb75AvqmMFcjQYoiKNImbxWuj7_Ux3QK7sn5vs-QEuXcIwNQtNbNCLCr8fD5dmAPb1-TZ8PkwCr068sdCy9nEEqsyHxtlqNSn0mAw/s1600/P6130002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd32PbuCpw4lhyphenhyphenhXqYYTdQgE5-oN7QmHMIEM4xkUb75AvqmMFcjQYoiKNImbxWuj7_Ux3QK7sn5vs-QEuXcIwNQtNbNCLCr8fD5dmAPb1-TZ8PkwCr068sdCy9nEEqsyHxtlqNSn0mAw/s400/P6130002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493799059103934946" /></a>
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<br />It has been a long time coming for the next installment of the Wayfaring Writer. I am halfway around the world on my Around The World Flight. I am sitting here in Warsaw, Missouri at the Cosmic Coffee chatting with the locals. It is time to fill you on on the African Experience.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOP1uWTtPLIR39U-BZam7cZgaaEbGG6v0syJnQdG8xX-x9kZXseTtIfTDbJ83xjH_1Jy_INDO-2yr3Fnyrjql1t3_18iya2cvkzk7NMCyqUArvV2lvat_F5LqaY5XML_0lTxc_ILDAg/s1600/P6130004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 106px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikOP1uWTtPLIR39U-BZam7cZgaaEbGG6v0syJnQdG8xX-x9kZXseTtIfTDbJ83xjH_1Jy_INDO-2yr3Fnyrjql1t3_18iya2cvkzk7NMCyqUArvV2lvat_F5LqaY5XML_0lTxc_ILDAg/s400/P6130004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493799611905894674" /></a>
<br />Stepping off the plane and going through customs you could see that the World Cup had hit South Africa in full swing. June 11th was the beginning of the World Cup and I arrived on the 13th after a 26hr travel schedule taking me from Tokyo to Beijing, Bangkok, Hong Kong and finally to Johanesburg. Walking through the madness of World Cup Mania you could see the excitement and anticipation of the tournament in everybody's eyes. I walked out of customs to see a mass of people holding signs with names from all over the world. I had hopes of seeing my sign with the name "Schwartz's Sweet-Ass Ride" on it but no luck. I sat around for an hour then stood on my bag to get noticed better and then heard "MURF"! It was time to begin an epic trip my with Ken and Squirrel, who would later earn his new South African name mSqwearl.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpFcG0LBBKU42qWlfJoUekOWehdApug7FnVIvnuDYwZNONuMOw_aAQGJnN8YMoprkQHkozuZwaGM0LbnnMFax5UmY8s4VKPiypHula53yKRCZ34lh79F9JTsWGFLLiaEAuVPr2OSyDw/s1600/P6180235.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpFcG0LBBKU42qWlfJoUekOWehdApug7FnVIvnuDYwZNONuMOw_aAQGJnN8YMoprkQHkozuZwaGM0LbnnMFax5UmY8s4VKPiypHula53yKRCZ34lh79F9JTsWGFLLiaEAuVPr2OSyDw/s400/P6180235.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493800422783664914" /></a>(Decked out in our World Cup Gear)
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<br />Summing up the three week long travel experience in one post is impossible. Luckily, I have lots of time to fill you in between working on my new house and sitting in the Cosmic Coffee shop. It will take some time so be patient. We gathered ourselves and headed to the Meewes household in Boksburg. My good friend Michele was nice enough to set us up with a place to stay at her parents house. Mike and June's hospitality and home were at a 5 star level. If they were to open a bed & breakfast I would suggest not choosing any other place. Michele's <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-9KwcA-aCmWMcbaMXC8bYR_FvSRs7M7ODTPJ65ho2IKTskNXAr0XtMErxpouSgbvKSIolVQOHdXozSjZ-NmOaHmlkFDn0kf0AJP1uX19jpp3c6Gd-6INA01-rAg3zQ64B2AYHDE39A/s1600/P6180322.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-9KwcA-aCmWMcbaMXC8bYR_FvSRs7M7ODTPJ65ho2IKTskNXAr0XtMErxpouSgbvKSIolVQOHdXozSjZ-NmOaHmlkFDn0kf0AJP1uX19jpp3c6Gd-6INA01-rAg3zQ64B2AYHDE39A/s200/P6180322.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493800923252940658" /></a>daughter, Amy was in my Kindergarten class four years ago when I was teaching in Poland. Michele and I continued our friendship after she moved back to South Africa. Arriving at her parent's house we were immediately welcomed to the family. They remembered me as Mr. Murphy and soon adjusted the name to Neal. Michele and the girls came over for some fun and playtime. We all caught up and informed them of our travel plans and when we would return. It was so good to see Michele and her girls Chloe, Amy and Leah.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvyvD5yr_u4ztXUkUgOn-6YYQzV6swbZGdOvPiy-X7nx9ddOIm8bwqtnR2Bqjdq6BzC2cmpotj1d3JGJD6mGD-11r2ieFhBkRz4cpFTmBZr5bHcoNmhp2Ze9gvdM9f5KFtZ6kwcnqPA/s1600/P6130007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvyvD5yr_u4ztXUkUgOn-6YYQzV6swbZGdOvPiy-X7nx9ddOIm8bwqtnR2Bqjdq6BzC2cmpotj1d3JGJD6mGD-11r2ieFhBkRz4cpFTmBZr5bHcoNmhp2Ze9gvdM9f5KFtZ6kwcnqPA/s200/P6130007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493802571004243394" /></a>With Ken and mSqwearl sleeping in the new Kia Senata I was on the road to Giant's Castle for our first adventure in South Africa. The road was flat and straight with not much to look at. Actually, it looked a lot like Kansas until a table top mountain appeared in the distance. At that point we knew we were getting to the highlands. The roads were nice and the drivers even better. It was not what I expected. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhXdf-0hNuzRYuhgDXWaVxnoL4WYlVkXCleCq8L-MxQGuBDrCOwjPr6BmtAnHGZMxLhO3P6JzoSwGuiek585becdWwTWqHsit0QKjtDWatiEmr08BvvvnzlBCbOBCEqYGfGD8pWPG5A/s1600/P6130009.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhXdf-0hNuzRYuhgDXWaVxnoL4WYlVkXCleCq8L-MxQGuBDrCOwjPr6BmtAnHGZMxLhO3P6JzoSwGuiek585becdWwTWqHsit0QKjtDWatiEmr08BvvvnzlBCbOBCEqYGfGD8pWPG5A/s200/P6130009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493802982564038290" /></a<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3f8Cj0TBkRY89_OBBkSgbwA9e5f5KxJgvy-uvQE4R3BGTQiQt-5GaDdVIT4IkwQYKJqUHetQ1_SuiQOtwCBBoJRS029u5RQeEGitKpGUbtvWNwVKP2dlsGAIHnueXGMIS5mShCpbHmQ/s1600/P6130008.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3f8Cj0TBkRY89_OBBkSgbwA9e5f5KxJgvy-uvQE4R3BGTQiQt-5GaDdVIT4IkwQYKJqUHetQ1_SuiQOtwCBBoJRS029u5RQeEGitKpGUbtvWNwVKP2dlsGAIHnueXGMIS5mShCpbHmQ/s200/P6130008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493801857931859378" /></a>
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<br />From what I had been told by people who visited I was expected a rough and dangerous environment with threats of theft and murder. WRONG! South Africa is much more than I expected. Throughout the traveling we met countless numbers of people who went out of their way to make us feel welcome. At no point in the <em><strong>entire</strong></em> 3 week trip did we feel threatened or unsafe, even though many people had told us to be careful. Being smart is all you need to do. Don't put yourself in situation that might cause you problems is what I always say. More stories of generosity and hospitality are in the next installments.
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<br />Back to the driving. As we climb slowly through the hills of the Drakensburg we find our way through some small villages on a black dirt roads covered with potholes. We drive amongst the local children waving and smiling as we go by. Some reaching with hands out asking for money. These people make their living off of farming and raising livestock in the hills. We stop for a break and a stretch, as well as to admire the surroundings. This country is beautiful, whether it is the landscape or the people. The Drakensburgs region of South Africa proved to be the beginning of the best trip of my life.
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGK2n1T5EnDM92uj6pM8ABwCYDVNyE1aFWpNwDKDvBjut4nWr-cA04AgQ4_VtqspMMoBj2pYZDyKESDlxalMp8F5Xz0blfOVkGo8WoyViGwd4feBqKUHVjyGn-OW5JF3RB0Mr6X7IePw/s1600/P6130021.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGK2n1T5EnDM92uj6pM8ABwCYDVNyE1aFWpNwDKDvBjut4nWr-cA04AgQ4_VtqspMMoBj2pYZDyKESDlxalMp8F5Xz0blfOVkGo8WoyViGwd4feBqKUHVjyGn-OW5JF3RB0Mr6X7IePw/s200/P6130021.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493805903655693970" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJml8vzcxRnce-RwtOlhVkox1q6OpIkmAWjxma2hltIaaFvGSeeyNvKV_tPsyARfP5z7raY8rDt-OaizHIteIyZctQEhNBYx-tND7xNyYYwtZh0PIP7CKONE1iN2QtPcYuF96OETBouQ/s1600/P6130020.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJml8vzcxRnce-RwtOlhVkox1q6OpIkmAWjxma2hltIaaFvGSeeyNvKV_tPsyARfP5z7raY8rDt-OaizHIteIyZctQEhNBYx-tND7xNyYYwtZh0PIP7CKONE1iN2QtPcYuF96OETBouQ/s320/P6130020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493805255121263074" /></a>Arriving at Giant's Castle we walked into an amazing chalet with two bedrooms, fireplace, kitchen and a view to die for. We played cards and watched some World Cup matches and enjoyed some nice cold glasses of Castle Beer. This beer would soon become our favorite beer of choice. In the morning I wake up to the sound of a Gurney's Sugarbird chatting on a bush in front of the window with a breath-taking sunrise behind it. I yell at Ken to get up and he is reluctant but I force him out of bed to see the Sugarbird. He can barely see out of his binoculars but is soon awaken by the beauty of the amazing creature. "I am finally on vacation", I thought to myself and made my way to the kitchen for some fruit and coffee.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vkapeJsp2GwOH9MBqZu0uidMboyTaCjb8-Zk8PZzRzccgDyOMvdxCEqlQHEC4QaOpMB7_yMfFW7YJuU6bkLldLw3ysir5RsUYp1Mu8_elnC7QPxyR-u9ppNEXPmaOOGUnA7KX6gTDA/s1600/P6140069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4vkapeJsp2GwOH9MBqZu0uidMboyTaCjb8-Zk8PZzRzccgDyOMvdxCEqlQHEC4QaOpMB7_yMfFW7YJuU6bkLldLw3ysir5RsUYp1Mu8_elnC7QPxyR-u9ppNEXPmaOOGUnA7KX6gTDA/s400/P6140069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493806506705680818" /></a>
<br />Our plan that day was to walk through the mountains and make our way to the caves. The landscape and views on our walk were some of the best I had ever seen. The one hour walk ended up taking us about 2 hours and we barely made it to the tour for the ancient cave drawings. These drawings were thousands of years old and were done by the Bushmen of South Africa.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwXAOmUv5h8H2PggzETEbOHIx_bxv563BUA84qXf5DJ-VOxSnQf9IG-GGX8kMvYI3Rxs474qfjBE7Xy-8RZSiMUOh3BqduoAOY4qcp-pakjxBPTZpatpSYU2a6H45GMXFfuE4zuSFHA/s1600/P6140035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwXAOmUv5h8H2PggzETEbOHIx_bxv563BUA84qXf5DJ-VOxSnQf9IG-GGX8kMvYI3Rxs474qfjBE7Xy-8RZSiMUOh3BqduoAOY4qcp-pakjxBPTZpatpSYU2a6H45GMXFfuE4zuSFHA/s400/P6140035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493807093934659586" /></a>I have never seen ancient drawings like this before. I have seen them in museums but never in naturally preserved environments like that one. They were kept in brilliant condition, even after the English had set up camp in the caves and used the drawings and walls for target practice in the 1800's.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircEEEXNNBteBmVUgv_mo04KFHrRpm7vhFdzHOeChRYaHg0JfVv2ia1zipi-bllGG3i97QzYI_noWl4Wo1C-qUt1z-KCfQa6-j71EqIQuluSSxr7mcs8H50Di95sfndsBJUDx4fbEsHA/s1600/P6140036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircEEEXNNBteBmVUgv_mo04KFHrRpm7vhFdzHOeChRYaHg0JfVv2ia1zipi-bllGG3i97QzYI_noWl4Wo1C-qUt1z-KCfQa6-j71EqIQuluSSxr7mcs8H50Di95sfndsBJUDx4fbEsHA/s400/P6140036.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493807082566337538" /></a>
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<br />After Giant's Castle we started off on a seven hour drive around Giant's Castle mountain range to find our next stop in Underburg to prepare of our drive up Sani Pass to Lesotho. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFpCFNQwn-eNTGkdiC0HFzVRc6qBpVvfysOsSwoIlR-UmriT_nsl1ti2mDbc2FKRPILibReWQAEc5qGGf4IhRs5eqMRZW2ias_cvMpzFniaGKA1tIBupCJF85DCR_l-c5ujLSgJci1Q/s1600/P6140049.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFpCFNQwn-eNTGkdiC0HFzVRc6qBpVvfysOsSwoIlR-UmriT_nsl1ti2mDbc2FKRPILibReWQAEc5qGGf4IhRs5eqMRZW2ias_cvMpzFniaGKA1tIBupCJF85DCR_l-c5ujLSgJci1Q/s400/P6140049.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493808225751721666" /></a>
<br />Lesotho is a small country in the middle of South Africa with a population a little over 2,000,000. This part of the trip would be the first of many experiences with people living off the land. The people of Lesotho had been living the same way for the past 300 years. Homes are made out of animal dung and mud.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52toazFe_ZW4vF5eq5nMFmR-PEMRVbmlsU_V5xKF-Kw9PiyCLF3KLGFeZ8VNSOZhxcc2RRzen5mcRCvAtNkXdefhePL_FHaHC4mqUXoHVt0PduIh0BKWS_BPsJp7JlQqaqYsxgI4u7w/s1600/P6150084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj52toazFe_ZW4vF5eq5nMFmR-PEMRVbmlsU_V5xKF-Kw9PiyCLF3KLGFeZ8VNSOZhxcc2RRzen5mcRCvAtNkXdefhePL_FHaHC4mqUXoHVt0PduIh0BKWS_BPsJp7JlQqaqYsxgI4u7w/s320/P6150084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493842618571565234" /></a>The funnel shaped roofs covered in straw and grass allow the home to stay warm on top the the mountain ranges of Lesotho. Most people raise livestock or harvest grain on the plateaus atop the mountain peaks. Life is simple there. Men and women are considered to be equal and 70% of the female population are literate. Families usually consist of a mother and father with only two children about 2 to 3 years apart.
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<br /><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/Lesotho/?action=view¤t=P6150099-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/Lesotho/P6150099-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br />Women do most of the work as men often try to find work elsewhere outside of Lesotho in South Africa. The problem with this is after leaving Lesotho they find themselves in a new world that exposes them to new experiences and new vices. Often with money in hand, men find themselves searching for women and alcohol. Beginning a new life with alcohol and unsafe sex. With that comes the possibility of contraction of STDs, most common HIV and AIDS. After living a life in South Africa for sometime, they return to Lesotho with money and STDs. Spreading the diseases to their wives. 23% of the population has AIDS or HIV, according to UNISEF statistics. This information was passed on to us by Crispian, our guide and driver. Crispian has traveled and lived amongst the people of Lesotho since 1960. He was a horseman and guided tourist for many years. Now, he conducts his tours by off-road vehicle. His knowledge and experience with the people of Lesotho proved to be a valuable component in acquiring knowledge about Lesotho and its people.
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<br />The following photographs are a series of shots taken by myself and by Emmanual,the 2year old child present in the first photo. He saw my silvery, mirror-like camera and wanted to touch grab it. After looking through Ken's binoculars he reached for my camera and started pushing buttons and captured photos of another boy named David. The people who live in this village survive on the bare minimum. Fire baked bread is the main source of nutrition along with goat's milk and other vegetables. Money is earned by making a variety of products for tourist. Relying on tourists to purchase these woven hats, rugs and other artwork helps them to survive. With the beginning of Winter at hand we felt a hard wind blow and a snowstorm set in. Shoeless and wearing only one layer of clothing the boys run inside as a flash blizzard hits the peaceful village. On top of the Sani Pass you can also find Africa's Highest Pub. It is located in a small building that serves it own beer call Maluti, hot or cold wine and a variety of other bar drinks. We choose to have a hot glass of tea spiked with rum. Perfect for the cold morning that has set in. With a blanket of snow piling up outside we sit by the fire warming up before our decent down the snow and ice covered switchbacks to South Africa.
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<br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http%3A%2F%2Fw36.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe20%2Fnvmurphy%2FLesotho%2F9536c304.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/Lesotho/?action=view¤t=9536c304.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
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<br />The Lesotho experience opened my eyes to Africa and I will be forever changed by it.
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<br />More to come. Part 2 will take you from the top of the mountains of Lesotho to the beaches of the Indian Ocean in Zinkwazi, South Africa.
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<br />THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-44239690174613836362010-02-28T14:15:00.009+07:002010-02-28T15:57:34.928+07:00Tokyo Marathon 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OlcgDv01QdaJxGPONI55lgMU3Bvd5K2T8cWdPiPJsXmI4q2J7H7j73puqe89sVR14nxV_cDckUuje_zajag5OtaCrsd_2xdxD0U1z32jb2CAzrJj_07JWzvMyHxpjvTCtHdqxdXidQ/s1600-h/P2280156.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_OlcgDv01QdaJxGPONI55lgMU3Bvd5K2T8cWdPiPJsXmI4q2J7H7j73puqe89sVR14nxV_cDckUuje_zajag5OtaCrsd_2xdxD0U1z32jb2CAzrJj_07JWzvMyHxpjvTCtHdqxdXidQ/s400/P2280156.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443197932931484818" /></a>
<br />It was a cold and terrible day to begin the 2010 Tokyo Marathon but that did not stop thousands of runners and walkers from competing and performing at their very best. This year marks the 5th Tokyo Marathon. Both winners of the Tokyo Marathon take home 8,000,000 ¥en = $88,000 (men & women's 1st place). If the winner of either division sets a new World Record in Tokyo then he or she will receive 30,000,000 ¥en Bonus!!! Yeah! That is $330,000. But, it would not happen today. The men's winner Masakazu Fujiwara of Japan pulled away from the pack 2 kilometers before the finish and was never really challenged to finish with a time 2:12:19 and captured his first victory at the Tokyo marathon. The women's winner was Alevtina Biktimirova of Russia. After finishing 4th last year she surged ahead of all women and ran with the men to finish at personal best of 2:34:39. But these great winners were not the only racers in the crowd. Many of my friends were pushing themselves to personal bests and fighting the tough weather today.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E27TzHB1A-8nT5eU8pTwF4PqZZUUNMSrE8YuZpgkb1sciX5Wq3sE11gTuY00TLlx91hk6i6mPYGZuvKT7raJfUGffvkNUt1r_mUTjXhzT2c184V8c5BSED85PP41zwae8wbW3w5umg/s1600-h/Mary.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5E27TzHB1A-8nT5eU8pTwF4PqZZUUNMSrE8YuZpgkb1sciX5Wq3sE11gTuY00TLlx91hk6i6mPYGZuvKT7raJfUGffvkNUt1r_mUTjXhzT2c184V8c5BSED85PP41zwae8wbW3w5umg/s400/Mary.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443199008823845538" /></a>I am very proud of my good friend Mary for working so hard the past months to prepare for the Tokyo Marathon. She performed well today in this cold cold rain. Many other friends ran today and I want to tell you all congratulations on finishing and doing your best. Great job Jason, Steve, Satoi, Susan, Barbara and Matt. I know many more were out there as well.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXw5pPOceEu0zrY6YtfR0hKdJkEnFfxIQ58_ak3JniA27EvtnQk12al9QZg5ZYQ-9TRj0V5iZkz4NCZZchGK2fs1snHlaklRLkbq5Xxj3zmoWXYSG9E8ybQqEaFknSEdzu6GRNSEpCbw/s1600-h/P2280121.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXw5pPOceEu0zrY6YtfR0hKdJkEnFfxIQ58_ak3JniA27EvtnQk12al9QZg5ZYQ-9TRj0V5iZkz4NCZZchGK2fs1snHlaklRLkbq5Xxj3zmoWXYSG9E8ybQqEaFknSEdzu6GRNSEpCbw/s320/P2280121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443209475626221634" /></a>On the course today I saw many runners enjoying themselves and dressing up for the occasion. Many had costumes and others messages of peace and love. People were dressed as Santa Clause, Superman, Spiderman and even Jesus was there carrying his cross. But, the runners I feel deserve a great applause are the men and women with disabilities who are running the race. Some in wheelchairs others who are visual impaired. These blind runners have a special guide with them to help through the course and they wear bright pink to be seen clearly by other racers. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiH_N9mr_Fh6cyhJowIG1pdz85mufKiAAvLNJZ64FQLoPcblSL598DKRXqkE7MxoneeTp0bfiNKUas383-vtND9Q643TJ0QzqrvXbcG9hERPnQZ8Q25KgV01sXDx3OouhHIi0ka8Kvw/s1600-h/P2280140.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 196px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixiH_N9mr_Fh6cyhJowIG1pdz85mufKiAAvLNJZ64FQLoPcblSL598DKRXqkE7MxoneeTp0bfiNKUas383-vtND9Q643TJ0QzqrvXbcG9hERPnQZ8Q25KgV01sXDx3OouhHIi0ka8Kvw/s320/P2280140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443206761429797570" /></a>I had never witnessed runners who are blind before or ever heard of someone running without sight. I find those people to be very motivating and possess a true demonstration of the love for running and sport. Keep Running!!!<div style="width:320px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/Tokyo Marathon/eda628d7.pbw" height="240" width="320"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-31304169764495543972010-01-25T17:33:00.006+07:002010-01-25T21:45:35.552+07:00Introducing the Tokyo Cheap Food Critics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yofCV3YhyMNIXUIxx185T1o7qXwcNxuWZWtr2qmsBZI_VIE5Um-_mn_eGgrZ63d-8PObBPqBpVXEfmSreJ6hhkwc1Q3x6SLoF-Ivs_Ph5L7ZV9X96GG1ydZaykHMvX_jRcMnfUBwsg/s1600-h/IMG_2930.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yofCV3YhyMNIXUIxx185T1o7qXwcNxuWZWtr2qmsBZI_VIE5Um-_mn_eGgrZ63d-8PObBPqBpVXEfmSreJ6hhkwc1Q3x6SLoF-Ivs_Ph5L7ZV9X96GG1ydZaykHMvX_jRcMnfUBwsg/s400/IMG_2930.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430626713315358370" /></a>Just wanted to let all you faithful readers and new readers out there I have started another blog. Click here for my new blog <a href="http://www.tokyocheapfood.blogspot.com/">Tokyo Cheap Food Critics</a>. It is my good buddy AJ and I who are doing the critiques of local Tokyo establishments. With our combined 88 years of eating experience and AJ's expert knowledge of the city, and the fact that he <span style="font-style:italic;">is</span> Japanese, we will guarantee you that we will provide you with the YUMMIEST food for your ¥EN. Now, go check it out if you havn't already done so and jump on the favorites list. Be back soon with more stories of traveling and life from the Wayfaring Writer.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bSlw4nmOAaxvZ8fKCnLDp2kwYDwbIbrreWvmAuNqxusBVmPX9e9ahHQdT4EW4Je2eyYLlk1r33OsoZjKi479c1RHkJ4UgTg9WrSSv9J9GcxmZtLVqO2trPehosIB_mhVuFJAAPZIjg/s1600-h/IMG_2931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bSlw4nmOAaxvZ8fKCnLDp2kwYDwbIbrreWvmAuNqxusBVmPX9e9ahHQdT4EW4Je2eyYLlk1r33OsoZjKi479c1RHkJ4UgTg9WrSSv9J9GcxmZtLVqO2trPehosIB_mhVuFJAAPZIjg/s400/IMG_2931.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430626908525105218" /></a>THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-39421447144123690182010-01-19T01:23:00.006+07:002010-01-28T14:30:57.921+07:00New Zealand part two<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxWdiMtQNcMIgamtguAa7x2D2cHQtgtAKMrq3A6OaPw89ExlNMsSDtWXH07fsiMSLpdjrpSrHunFwu0moI-uIZgEQf5IhHvRM_Y2gwfOLcB3Xi2zSx49HoFHI0IPOK3IG43tfT9FZnw/s1600-h/PC250158.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxWdiMtQNcMIgamtguAa7x2D2cHQtgtAKMrq3A6OaPw89ExlNMsSDtWXH07fsiMSLpdjrpSrHunFwu0moI-uIZgEQf5IhHvRM_Y2gwfOLcB3Xi2zSx49HoFHI0IPOK3IG43tfT9FZnw/s400/PC250158.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428392748029801570" /></a><br />I left you off with Christmas morning after the Kiwi trip. We went on down the road cruising and relaxing to the sounds of the wind blowing through the windows and the tires beating the highway. While driving or riding along these roads I cant help to think how much better it would be with a pack on my back and walking. Sure I would not have covered the ground we did in the vans but I think I would have felt the true feeling of the New Zealand life. Free and easy down the road is all I wanted and I got it. But, I just couldn't help thinking it could be more. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnD1HYarXTwXXFaQywJmj2BtYcqRXMBWOQe1l_8lpymk1Soik7ghC2JE-ly6-WpI6MqP9NNDGYybc2aw6o_imEiSimcEhlsQfAa17SKDzDsVruLhBPXPQ9cmlvajhFuIbfwOLzq_hVg/s1600-h/PC260205.JPG"><img style="float:center; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnD1HYarXTwXXFaQywJmj2BtYcqRXMBWOQe1l_8lpymk1Soik7ghC2JE-ly6-WpI6MqP9NNDGYybc2aw6o_imEiSimcEhlsQfAa17SKDzDsVruLhBPXPQ9cmlvajhFuIbfwOLzq_hVg/s400/PC260205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428384870465178338" /></a><br />Many times I had the opportunity to go off and enjoy my time alone. I needed it. Times were tough during those three weeks. I mentioned in the first NZ post about the wish I made on the falling star. Did it come true or not. Keep reading. There was a chance that I could have been let go at work because of low numbers for next year. I was the last one in and would be the first one out if the numbers drop. This news came one day before the trip. What was I suppose to think about on my trip? Relax? Yeah, right!! But that is exactly what I did. Judy, my director, said just try to let it go and we will deal with it when you come back. She was right and that is exactly what I did. I enjoyed my time with my friends on the road and in the mountains. <br /><br />I hadn't really stopped thinking about it. I just stopped talking about it and believed everything would be fine. Now, this is not what this blog is about so I will sum this up. I get back from NZ to chaos and more headache. Jobs are being offered to me and no news of what is happening in Tokyo is all I know. However, after a long three and half weeks of craziness and worrying about my future I have an answer. My wish had come true on that star. They will not be any teachers released. Made me happier than I was when I first got the job. Tokyo is back on my mind and I wasn't thinking about the new moves to new countries. I say thank you to the schools who made great offers. They were great schools and I hope one day to work with the directors, principals and possibly be at those schools. Still I must say Tokyo is my life now and I am happy with that decision. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvVfG6Dh6Sjxmr2GPogTYqjB5vWUJBStvyDYn0rOdNXvgphQ2EQuDB9uKs3Nt-PX0G3Gd-0GxuXxXhURuBOLSb3WUds86xhBmlYX8m_ID0cK3yAIyp0jj7wKGpr-bQihPjr9ec4l7sw/s1600-h/PC250132.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvVfG6Dh6Sjxmr2GPogTYqjB5vWUJBStvyDYn0rOdNXvgphQ2EQuDB9uKs3Nt-PX0G3Gd-0GxuXxXhURuBOLSb3WUds86xhBmlYX8m_ID0cK3yAIyp0jj7wKGpr-bQihPjr9ec4l7sw/s400/PC250132.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428391058702235362" /></a>Continuing our trip down the road from our camp we make our way to Fox Glacier. It was Christmas Day and we were happy to be near snow. Unfortunately, because it was xmas day we could not take the tour that allowed us to walk on the glacier. So, we did the next best thing. We walked up to it and watched it move and break into chunks as it slowly made its through the mountains cutting and gouging out a U-shaped valley along its path into greatness. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNwLbg2INWS8anmPufQM6ywsPxzn3mGGLQLr257VMuVShgnftfOjhR9jwdttJzu0Q6CsF-gDXGWjWFvxlCujCtqTMkaO5aVDiDNaPYRh3DZEvJhOUs48zOXyt9O9wpV7IbFLGJNVlUQ/s1600-h/PC250142.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 244px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNwLbg2INWS8anmPufQM6ywsPxzn3mGGLQLr257VMuVShgnftfOjhR9jwdttJzu0Q6CsF-gDXGWjWFvxlCujCtqTMkaO5aVDiDNaPYRh3DZEvJhOUs48zOXyt9O9wpV7IbFLGJNVlUQ/s320/PC250142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428391425673220338" /></a> I drank the fresh water from the glacier. Kneeling down to find a small pool that was free from floating sediment was easy. I filled bottles and drank as much as I could. I found myself being lost in the wilderness even though I was surrounded by people on all sides. I guess I just mentally blocked them out and enjoyed the quiet and clear space. Cole, Kat and Ken soon joined in a refreshing drink and realized I wasn't so crazy drinking from the pools. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHH0hqm-M3h7bqenPMSfyWV2fZgB6_FTzS5dmI4q3Z_OWnmGhdUI8nfLYp-ZdX91bUJIp3qt9Xf0U0vkIjNAd7REJ7cueJKJ7w1Qq1zj0xqel-9wqF3_oH8-TiZtzJWSJtvDTEc9nFFw/s1600-h/PC250140.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHH0hqm-M3h7bqenPMSfyWV2fZgB6_FTzS5dmI4q3Z_OWnmGhdUI8nfLYp-ZdX91bUJIp3qt9Xf0U0vkIjNAd7REJ7cueJKJ7w1Qq1zj0xqel-9wqF3_oH8-TiZtzJWSJtvDTEc9nFFw/s200/PC250140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428392006113107506" /></a>Cole liked it so much he ran to the van to get a bottle of water then ran the twenty minute walk back. He was back in 5 or 7 minutes. He was determined to fill that bottle and drink it while driving down the road. Rhonda waited so see more pieces of the glacier break off. Disappointed that she was not able to touch the glacier. So, being the good friend I am I waited for those pieces to float down the stream and I pick them up and place them is my Gortex jacket and bring them to her. She laughs and touches them. Coat full of glacier ice ready to cool down the beer and we are back on our way. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHW1ZP71hpl2wLqlCJNtZE8gMS_i1n354P5L9osRZtTPPZpxGb-WPET1aguueZD8lfncaY3mpb47tJpQk8b0NyJM1vsSuA375OjgVQRe-ODbkpV-K3LjfQaX0gkLKadACLJzMkTFS_Q/s1600-h/PC250149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHW1ZP71hpl2wLqlCJNtZE8gMS_i1n354P5L9osRZtTPPZpxGb-WPET1aguueZD8lfncaY3mpb47tJpQk8b0NyJM1vsSuA375OjgVQRe-ODbkpV-K3LjfQaX0gkLKadACLJzMkTFS_Q/s400/PC250149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428392338894643490" /></a><br />Driving down the road we stopped off at wonderful beach with protected dunes and wildlife. Boardwalks were set up for us to keep from damaging the dunes and the marshes ahead. We saw ferns, ferns and more ferms. Ken and I were facinated by the <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NipmVZ_aMJK9tWt_qHc27atMbEbU9yfrVozkAsYnPU4uKYf0cVkEbBOWjlEGI1OHf0EiIp2YBTW3Cu9g5Qmq0WQzOjaaJuC_d_KnmnB4eu4XW3tf0GqOT9AN3elIpEp6GMgejVNigQ/s1600-h/PC280317.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NipmVZ_aMJK9tWt_qHc27atMbEbU9yfrVozkAsYnPU4uKYf0cVkEbBOWjlEGI1OHf0EiIp2YBTW3Cu9g5Qmq0WQzOjaaJuC_d_KnmnB4eu4XW3tf0GqOT9AN3elIpEp6GMgejVNigQ/s400/PC280317.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428387102645707778" /></a>designs and the patterns of the growth. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg0WBH0wGIo6ykFqDhorD4roXWRY_rNhHZ3FhelpdnaZq9tTToVsyBCg5kk9eDWeNbQ9WdHZ1dAW7hpAWTGoXob3TRX1KWg6a0Hh3giOFlgbwQmgKV-tYby5PQrLAApCRGoKrv7_eRQ/s1600-h/PC250176.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEg0WBH0wGIo6ykFqDhorD4roXWRY_rNhHZ3FhelpdnaZq9tTToVsyBCg5kk9eDWeNbQ9WdHZ1dAW7hpAWTGoXob3TRX1KWg6a0Hh3giOFlgbwQmgKV-tYby5PQrLAApCRGoKrv7_eRQ/s200/PC250176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428388181643936082" /></a> I stopped and admired the different stages of growth. It so amazing to see life in growing in front of me. I had seen ferns before but not like this. Everywhere I looked something new grabbed my attention. Black ones, furry ones, smooth, rough,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T3JC5Q5XX7iVWDzcfHjPL-Ee43JXhv6P5UUVb1U6YG2To4yLmw0bIWt93D1atNxwJOZGCO5a6nDdgU2d1viHZFEGS9fcZaz_gTiraMguJU_01xSWxKiXhIkwwpp8SjL0RkKKTRRf7A/s1600-h/PC250174.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7T3JC5Q5XX7iVWDzcfHjPL-Ee43JXhv6P5UUVb1U6YG2To4yLmw0bIWt93D1atNxwJOZGCO5a6nDdgU2d1viHZFEGS9fcZaz_gTiraMguJU_01xSWxKiXhIkwwpp8SjL0RkKKTRRf7A/s320/PC250174.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428387757342082946" /></a> short, tall and more. I walked with my hands out touching and feeling the forest at my fingertips. Every touch of the gentle leaves brought me deeper and deeper into what I needed. I closed my eyes knowing I was happy and where I needed to be. That place was peaceful, quiet and healed me as I walked with every step. <br /><br />I woke up from my walk and saw fantails dancing and singing. They were all around me pushing me along the path. It was pure beauty. I soon realize the fantails are trying to push me along the path away from their nest to keep their chicks safe. I obliged and moved on my way and waved goodbye to the little creatures and kept smiling. Life was good and I was at peace with myself in that amazing place. <br /><br />Merry Christmas 12/25/09<br /><br />More to come...THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-54928593550737131432010-01-15T05:50:00.000+07:002010-01-14T21:14:52.300+07:00New ZealandIt has been way too long since I have updated the Wayfaring Writer. It's easy to say I have been extremely busy. But, I am going to give you the best glimpse into my fabulous, wonderful and amazing trip to the South Island of New Zealand.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HYkDnFu5o3NRTeuHMlcAevAZicMF72LJTD-lD8rodR5YtMMcO6cx4AcorqWknzE374CJHCfougWQxZgun1Du06kp9MZPU-KTHfgVHhYbOc4VsCW9hWhYaDtRRADhLlJrNC6JeZe2BQ/s1600-h/PC260241.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HYkDnFu5o3NRTeuHMlcAevAZicMF72LJTD-lD8rodR5YtMMcO6cx4AcorqWknzE374CJHCfougWQxZgun1Du06kp9MZPU-KTHfgVHhYbOc4VsCW9hWhYaDtRRADhLlJrNC6JeZe2BQ/s400/PC260241.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426168421920471426" /></a>It's hard to begin to tell you about one of the best trips I have ever been on but I will try. Maybe the best way to begin is to talk about what happened before I arrived in Christchurch, NZ. Yeah, that's it. So I am sitting in Hong Kong airport waiting for my late night flight to Auckland, NZ and then to my final destination, Christchurch. While ordering some scrumptious looking noodles and I reach into my wallet for my bank card. I panic, my heart begins to race, my breathing accelerates, I begin shaking and I try not to lose control. I stop and sit down and search my bags, my coat and my wallet saying to myself out loud with people watching, "It's here don't worry. Just stay calm." but it was not there. By now you must realize I lost my bank card. And so had I. I knew right where it was. Before I had jumped on a plane in Manila I had stopped to pick up a head lamp at a local outdoor shop for my good friend Dawn. I reached into my wallet and found the receipt and located the number and called. I asked for the manager and sure enough as the day is long, it's there. "Sir, I have your card. It is safe. I will keep it in our safe and you can get it when you return."
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<br />What would you do? Would you cancel it? Would you trust him? I trusted him and knew it would be fine and I just let it go and decided I will survive. Plus, it's only money right? Right! So, I thanked him and told him I'd be back January 6, 2010. And I began to relax with a nice glass of wine when I stepped onto the plane. Smooth sailing after that. Five glasses of wine later I was asleep and only woke to eat and then fall back to sleep. I dreamt that the plane was having technical problems and went down in the ocean. But, was awaken by the women next to asking to get by to have a toilet break. I looked around the plane and all was fine, cold as a witch's...well you know, but perfect. So, I waited for her to return and I was cutting logs again. I changed my flight in Auckland and continued sleeping on the domestic flight and arrived in Christchurch. Ready to get my van, meet Dawn and drive through to Arthur's pass. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfBamiYWnkym4Fmf6wFtU8aWXiDZLxm2cPLf-g0lBozGWXxmvcrpgKxgjps9w4cIkRhBiGhfylag15uuDkA7A8bMubJrRAt55Cy2t6eXeCzy46r5OKJZhoJPaEMugDp1ck06nwyJcEw/s1600-h/PC270276.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 97px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfBamiYWnkym4Fmf6wFtU8aWXiDZLxm2cPLf-g0lBozGWXxmvcrpgKxgjps9w4cIkRhBiGhfylag15uuDkA7A8bMubJrRAt55Cy2t6eXeCzy46r5OKJZhoJPaEMugDp1ck06nwyJcEw/s400/PC270276.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426166538012374562" /></a> But, I did it again. I left something behind. I left my driver's license in Tokyo after switching to a waterproof wallet. I swear I was trying to sabotage this trip from the beginning. Then Dawn arrived and she saved the day. She had her driver's license with her and all was good. Let the good times roll in our Awesome <span style="font-style:italic;">Escape Van</span> named Hairy Maclary. This van was covered with dogs chasing sausages. <a href="http://www.murphsplace.com/crowe/charlie/hairy-story.html">Hairy Maclary is a children's Story in New Zealand</a>. Have a look if you get a chance. Quite good reading.
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<br />Ken and Rhonda had an <a href="http://www.escaperentals.co.nz/">Escape Rental Van</a> as well. Their van was called Super Tui. If you plan to tour NZ then these are the guys to call. Ask for Crispy and tell him Murphy sent you. He won't know me but what the hell, right.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AASaoiWt-im57yqNU1Ed8UaQtCHi7qoXdazpRiu3al2ebyLkA3ND2ZaGoRehrWSTb_KrLgs_lRoCsthEtM4NJSEw-BQJJh6hH-aQuPdPMK58TOgwhDS_TG5iU86zoUfFWDVYRNe60A/s1600-h/PC230041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AASaoiWt-im57yqNU1Ed8UaQtCHi7qoXdazpRiu3al2ebyLkA3ND2ZaGoRehrWSTb_KrLgs_lRoCsthEtM4NJSEw-BQJJh6hH-aQuPdPMK58TOgwhDS_TG5iU86zoUfFWDVYRNe60A/s400/PC230041.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426172757165950738" /></a>Driving through the hills and mountains of New Zealand is like being in a movie. So many times I just could not believe it was real. The slow winding roads and switchbacks was the kind of driving I was waiting for. Life in Tokyo is great, fun and exciting but it is busy and fast. I needed slow and relaxed and I was there. Dawn and I enjoyed catching up and talking about what's been happening with our jobs.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh_ip5VEV369opiqF7TIWGyEb_wOfjPCGsxuZee8BHM_M3PLgva9i-kA984w5dFv5jR8D3JifClOs20eoyIRoJ4D2RWm7ctEwly1k0LRCZ8j0h8kkXK-ALLs8YeG3uFJFaTGiV0qLpA/s1600-h/PC230043.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWh_ip5VEV369opiqF7TIWGyEb_wOfjPCGsxuZee8BHM_M3PLgva9i-kA984w5dFv5jR8D3JifClOs20eoyIRoJ4D2RWm7ctEwly1k0LRCZ8j0h8kkXK-ALLs8YeG3uFJFaTGiV0qLpA/s320/PC230043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426173729688404946" /></a> We finally got to a point in the drive and said "ENOUGH SHOP TALK". After that we enjoyed the scenery and the smell of clean fresh air. The views of snow tipped mountains and the warmth of the sun that slipping behind the towering peaks ahead of us on this snake of a road. Slowly bringing us to our first stop at Arthur's Pass and to the Schwartz family. Bringing together the Melurphzkis for another adventure. Much like the trips to Bali and Vietnam the previous two years.
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<br />That first night sitting out in the middle of a field with our vans parked side by side and just the four of us sitting together talking, drinking and counting shooting stars while the kids were sleeping was the beginning of what I needed. Peace and quiet. While sitting in the peaceful night we broke the silence when our faces lit up from the brightest meteor we all had ever seen. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z84iGxciGiUSNOoDjX3vfvX3Ci-K66_fT0n-07BjrTRzkPgt7pp9xbK7kSKbrnO8kQ-YjA-a2I1fGWQljKe3xu6pM2yJyR1tKdqviHgdSLKDrjbjaIJN_jLe3eFySFgp7H3AMM39AQ/s1600-h/meteor_1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Z84iGxciGiUSNOoDjX3vfvX3Ci-K66_fT0n-07BjrTRzkPgt7pp9xbK7kSKbrnO8kQ-YjA-a2I1fGWQljKe3xu6pM2yJyR1tKdqviHgdSLKDrjbjaIJN_jLe3eFySFgp7H3AMM39AQ/s200/meteor_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426179075543600034" /></a> It was like someone had shot off a roman candle 5 feet from our faces. I was looking in the opposite direction and all of a sudden Ken and Dawn's faces lit up like the sun was out. I turned around to see a ball of fire like I had never seen before. I don't think I will ever seen anything like that for the rest of my life. And it carried across the sky and went behind the mountain still burning and lasted about 5 seconds. Now this photo is not the one we saw but this is pretty damn close to it. <span style="font-weight:bold;">What a way to begin the trip.</span> I made a big wish on that on that falling star and I hope it comes trues. I will let you know what happens.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y53tChyajF3piTbPnOh3HhFyeONCIv6uXFkAiPZA6ZZbLc1qi8E36j7RMCZ6TsqVla9d9joHnjJFhUTr1ahTe3pBRcHJqehXVrzes6LpEBu0U8dttNV9MDHE7nr14t1_-yWVdRzgBA/s1600-h/PC270260.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y53tChyajF3piTbPnOh3HhFyeONCIv6uXFkAiPZA6ZZbLc1qi8E36j7RMCZ6TsqVla9d9joHnjJFhUTr1ahTe3pBRcHJqehXVrzes6LpEBu0U8dttNV9MDHE7nr14t1_-yWVdRzgBA/s400/PC270260.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426594769574833042" /></a>We woke up to beautiful skies, more clean air and sand flies. What heck are sand flies? There wasn't any sand for miles. But, they were there. Biting my ankles and swarming my head. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I hadn't showered for three days. Nope! Everyone was having problems with these little guys not just the smelly guy. We sprayed ourselves down and did our morning business. Ya know... cooking oatmeal and making coffee. There is nothing like a good crap of coffee I mean cup with this view and I had 13 more days of it. Have a look at what I lived.
<br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/More time on the road/0540c517.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/More%20time%20on%20the%20road/?action=view¤t=0540c517.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
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<br />Our next destination would be Okarito on the west coast of the south island. Here we have plans to go kayaking up into the lagoon and see some different species of birds and animals. Cole, who is 10 now, is my co-pilot and is heading up the stern of the kayak for me. We have a pretty tough headwind pushing us back toward the Tasman Sea but we are battling our way up stream to a good stopping point. It's a lot of work having a 10 yr old as your partner. But, I still wouldn't trade it in for a bus ticket or a metro pass in Tokyo. The views we have are still getting better and better. The weather is warm and the sun is bright in the sky. We catch up with the rest of the group to stop and take a break and look and some birds on the flats feeding.
<br />It was time for Cole and I to turn around so the rest could get out of this little nook and continue on up stream. We went back out into the wind and the current and worked as hard as we could. I told Cole that he had to work harder than he ever had to or we were not going to make it. We cut across the current to the opposite bank so we could have a little wind block then move on up stream. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PEoAXw7OrILGHfPFvfvNJF0UcHAd2ds-mkMUbIptoG2d87KzzcqQJSB8ghfY5HioG66NLP95b4qWzmHIw2_V679qFxLyoDQh3FeiLcryN0qviJ7S_w4PaA1l-yyN1F5EErRDaPJjsw/s1600-h/PC240076.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PEoAXw7OrILGHfPFvfvNJF0UcHAd2ds-mkMUbIptoG2d87KzzcqQJSB8ghfY5HioG66NLP95b4qWzmHIw2_V679qFxLyoDQh3FeiLcryN0qviJ7S_w4PaA1l-yyN1F5EErRDaPJjsw/s200/PC240076.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426197353867764066" /></a>We made it and joined the rest of the group just in time to relax and enjoy the beauty of a small forest running into the banks of the lagoon. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIebl_59hDpRoMXcOZFp8_H49iRqpyGAMMh99xoxcXBi-JiniFmVEmv31Mh9eaQhzkOv-gphw_ZuqYcJ57oVflPLDX094rNmtKB9DUB06GCKT-Kijrmia8sQQiep6xF0GQxdojtPDtw/s1600-h/PC240068.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIebl_59hDpRoMXcOZFp8_H49iRqpyGAMMh99xoxcXBi-JiniFmVEmv31Mh9eaQhzkOv-gphw_ZuqYcJ57oVflPLDX094rNmtKB9DUB06GCKT-Kijrmia8sQQiep6xF0GQxdojtPDtw/s200/PC240068.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426197217531287170" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij07jKbewzFE_lSxaUsuJJFi41UNjhDu0d03LP8tjmunxViBxt521ulqubhqfoE03uTasCGuygjYHpkE8_FGeCLSAPM484-1zTEVayV1TO1PLTgHD6bnb1X2PPCWxl1lWeH1WNOpuxbg/s1600-h/PC240063.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij07jKbewzFE_lSxaUsuJJFi41UNjhDu0d03LP8tjmunxViBxt521ulqubhqfoE03uTasCGuygjYHpkE8_FGeCLSAPM484-1zTEVayV1TO1PLTgHD6bnb1X2PPCWxl1lWeH1WNOpuxbg/s200/PC240063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426197077108193490" /></a>We stopped for some photos and switched partners. I now had Kat who is 12 and she is much stronger than her brother. We headed back toward the shanty where the day began and we were so pleased to find out that the tide was coming in and the wind had shifted and was now blowing in from the Tasman and straight into our faces once again. Kat and I worked hard for about 2 hours and were rewarded with being the first ones back. Well, not really the first. Ken and Cole had to take a ride on the motor boat cause they were not going to make it. It was a real accomplishment for Kat to make it all the way back. When the boatman asked if we wanted a ride she would send him on his way and keep on working. She never bragged about it to her brother but just kept it inside knowing she worked hard.
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<br />That night after returning from the Kayak trip we had planned to go out on a search for the Kiwi. We had an early dinner to prepare for a night out in the forest searching for the elusive Kiwi. The kiwi is a nocturnal bird that is very shy and rarely seen. We had a group of 6 people setting out to find this night walking bird with feet that are 20% of its body weight. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CqcQjmzUUIm-yICdmFxuavVdsRH4oWV2SkTF3QYem-Vcu1RHAzfFtw1KeegTFo8NKLqMZvxlojLz8BfYHfDMplisTfz7SD2j03NHcK7xoSoXxoiXOeJSExf-QvNkS4qJ8reUdrR-Uw/s1600-h/Kiwi2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CqcQjmzUUIm-yICdmFxuavVdsRH4oWV2SkTF3QYem-Vcu1RHAzfFtw1KeegTFo8NKLqMZvxlojLz8BfYHfDMplisTfz7SD2j03NHcK7xoSoXxoiXOeJSExf-QvNkS4qJ8reUdrR-Uw/s320/Kiwi2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426584251210372274" /></a>Those are some big ol' feet to be walking around at night in hopes of not being heard. Our guide, Iian, was quite the character. He did know his Kiwi though. I think I heard him say he had been studying these birds for about 15 years. He asked one of the other people in our group what her hopes were of seeing a Kiwi and she said, "pretty good". He then said that the chances are not always certain and we may not even come close. He asked again and she said the same. And without missing a breath he said "Erika, You Bitch" in an affectionate tone of course. Not meaning any disrespect but one of playfulness. She didn't seem to like it but to me and the rest of the group it was funny and all get out.
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<br />Anyhow, we set out looking for one of the most rare birds in the world. We walked out into the forest, still dusk, hoping to get to our location before the kiwis break from their dens. We walk as if we are stalking our prey. Not wanting to make a sound or snap a twig. No talking, no whispers, no swishing and swaying of clothing. Pure silence. With every step we creep closer to our destination. Only stopping to talk about the plan and locate our area. Then, out of nowhere a New Zealand Falcon comes swooping out of the sky only a meter or two above my head and finding a resting spot on a dead tree only 15 meters from the little kiwi's den. It waits perched on the branch for the kiwi to begin its nightly feeding. We wait standing in the path hoping to see this amazing night creature. The falcon may be fast and furious but with 6 people close to the den its plan for a midnight feast was spoiled by our presence. There would be no kiwi killing that night.
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<br />20 minutes pass, then 30, then 40. Still no movement from us. Only listening to the call of the kiwi. It's a boisterous call. Creee Creee Creee Blat Blat Blat Reeeee Reeeee Reeeee or something like that. <a href="http://www.kamcom.co.nz/kiwi/recognisingkiwi.htm">(Feel free to listen here)</a> It was coming from the bushes in front of us and we new we were in the right place. Next was the Female responding and the male was on the move to find her and get some lovin. We moved right behind him still in silence. We waited again and finally the sound of crushing sticks from their massive feet. Both getting closer to us. I clicked my tongue as quietly as possible to get Iian's attention and the group moved next to me. Finally, in the back of the brush I saw a glint of silver reflect of the eye of the kiwi from the moons glare and moments later it appeared. It was only a meter from me. Not many people in the world get a chance to see these birds in the wild. We watch it in complete darkness with the help of a red lamp so we don't harm the bird eyes or scare it away. The male ran away instantly knowing something was wrong. The female stayed and ate bugs and worms for about 3 to 4 minutes before it scurried off. By the end of the night we saw 3 Kiwi and heard 6. It was the beginning Christmas Day about Midnight when we returned to camp. Not too bad of a present from Santa I would say.
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<br />Time for bed and I will be back soon with more updates from New Zealand...
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<br />THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-26532470748236273422009-10-09T16:58:00.001+07:002009-10-10T15:01:16.239+07:00Typhoon Day?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgtFoXuWhJH12iAu7ZJDg9iFkRgsdHq4BD1yFhHL3ZDkhQZgWbd_PpRsp8liyNJDSZ_l1x1CziZO7M_jG2Mmt-n-aiWmLiM-mxLQTP7jj1c4va9INz5OciMnzWOaL5En0DU94KCOVMQ/s1600-h/2-typhoonmelor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgtFoXuWhJH12iAu7ZJDg9iFkRgsdHq4BD1yFhHL3ZDkhQZgWbd_PpRsp8liyNJDSZ_l1x1CziZO7M_jG2Mmt-n-aiWmLiM-mxLQTP7jj1c4va9INz5OciMnzWOaL5En0DU94KCOVMQ/s400/2-typhoonmelor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390877389129310018" /></a><br />You may ask what a typhoon day is and I am here to tell you. Now, I've had snow days, ice days, birthdays (that's today), played hookie and days off to honor the death of the Pope. But, I had never had day off work for a typhoon. Thursday morning I woke to an Email saying "school is closed due to Typhoon 18 or Melor, the English name. That means no kids but I still have to try <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBDU3LRc32lPjQvbciO5i8j-Dhg3bj0h_hrNKFq2rLFWDuBPfOcZGrFrQySr_rWUQmovYOS8sSF4o1SJF_4r3zg-4fm2pjuILI4gE6QbgkLBy7m_etGbmuljk7MEGSAhxwX29K1vRGw/s1600-h/article-0-06BE8F43000005DC-458_634x382.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBDU3LRc32lPjQvbciO5i8j-Dhg3bj0h_hrNKFq2rLFWDuBPfOcZGrFrQySr_rWUQmovYOS8sSF4o1SJF_4r3zg-4fm2pjuILI4gE6QbgkLBy7m_etGbmuljk7MEGSAhxwX29K1vRGw/s400/article-0-06BE8F43000005DC-458_634x382.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390877810009160978" /></a>and make it in if it is safe. You see Tokyo has not been directly hit by a typhoon since 2007. That year there was enough rain to flood several metro tubes and shut down several train lines. This typhoon missed Tokyo by a 100 miles of so. So, it was not a direct hit but is was some nasty weather when I was on my way to work. I saw limbs down and people walking sideways to keep from falling over. > Umbrellas were mangled and destroyed on curbs or flying down the road. I had not experienced something like this since a stiff wind blew threw the flat plains of Kansas. Lots of schools, trains and all of Tokyo's factories were closed to prevent injuries and keep people safe.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVtUHuWVXuA5OtXdQ7bVzswIP6T7hJOHwSAzUbthqc1ZfFaLTAhbzYq_VETPS01n_jR6AQzvdNlv1KGOsOnsPCS5isiEENoarI0iaSGvHa-YvE0lAzt98PRBnU8QmYexGN5tUeNQ2Sg/s1600-h/w1007171A.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVtUHuWVXuA5OtXdQ7bVzswIP6T7hJOHwSAzUbthqc1ZfFaLTAhbzYq_VETPS01n_jR6AQzvdNlv1KGOsOnsPCS5isiEENoarI0iaSGvHa-YvE0lAzt98PRBnU8QmYexGN5tUeNQ2Sg/s400/w1007171A.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390877564314822690" /></a<br /><br />I went to work and I was one do 4 people who showed up. It was quiet, peaceful and ended up being a beautiful day after the storm. It went from being a cold, dark and grey Polish day to a wonder, warm and blue Japanese morning. How the weather can change in a moment. I was happy to be alone in my room with the sounds of Dave Matthews, Bob Marley and friends. I worked on my room and this blog too. Anyway, just some thoughts for the day and now I am off to celebrate my 34th B-day in Manila. Thank you Mom for giving birth to me 34 years at 11:58am. I love you, Mom.<br /><br />Talk to you all soon.THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-56202223595473813192009-09-27T21:16:00.011+07:002009-10-03T07:16:07.924+07:00Oh My What a Day!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGzMNwkJ_D0Gklco3QQ4fUnAeFXPWmQutljyah88MdqGDYEQm_4IqHkQmSujILJbqZAXpgvVMxj__Q_2qkXBBHbtLbCMtSr2kg9ob55LBnNNVb7lM3w9OTz-TDmcDr_7fGucCEBklUw/s1600-h/IMG_5533.JPG.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGzMNwkJ_D0Gklco3QQ4fUnAeFXPWmQutljyah88MdqGDYEQm_4IqHkQmSujILJbqZAXpgvVMxj__Q_2qkXBBHbtLbCMtSr2kg9ob55LBnNNVb7lM3w9OTz-TDmcDr_7fGucCEBklUw/s320/IMG_5533.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388159123643232786" /></a><br />This weekend was one of the most amazing weekends while living in Japan. Yesterday I had the opportunity to watch the next to last day of the Sumo Grand Tournament. We had great seats and great friends to sit with and enjoy good Sumo. Today, however was the Grand Sumo Final and it came down to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asashōryū_Akinori">Asashoryu (Asa)</a> who is a Yokozuna and Hakuho also a Yokozuna. Yokozuna is the highest level of wrestler and to have two at the same time is extremely rare. Asa has been champion 23 times and his record is 14-0 until today. Hakuho's record was 13-1 and they had to go head to head today. If Hakuho wins they go into a playoff round. Hakuho beat Asa today making their records equal. Both Hakuho and Asa leave the arena and get their hair fixed. Yes, get their hair fixed. I believe it is the only sport where you get your hair done before fighting again. So Asa came out ready to become one a legend of the sport. He was defeated in the first round by Haku quite easily but the second round, the playoff, was to be Asa's round. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-0c3ANElTtB9MF8lryzAxHOefg2hpTDUO3HxmK1EQvYpQBri6pjIZ5O7CReZ7NPubRJ3SDJHvJ09IJbFbOfghlJu7eQV0aPGwHXnbXzA_AJPqZaZcz9_Es9Sm6ow3O4b-Q-LL0oV2w/s1600-h/IMG_5593.JPG.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-0c3ANElTtB9MF8lryzAxHOefg2hpTDUO3HxmK1EQvYpQBri6pjIZ5O7CReZ7NPubRJ3SDJHvJ09IJbFbOfghlJu7eQV0aPGwHXnbXzA_AJPqZaZcz9_Es9Sm6ow3O4b-Q-LL0oV2w/s320/IMG_5593.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388158309643755378" /></a> Hakuho didn't have a chance and Asa walked away the Sumo Grand Champion for the 24th Time. Things legends are made of. He raised his hands in victory in the Dohyo (ring), which is very disrespectful, and expressed his joy. He most likely will retire because to be so disrespectful to the traditions and ways of sumo by pumping his fists after winner could cause some problems for him. But who knows. He is a Mongolian fighter and he has left the dohyo the best of his time. <br /><br />To make this night even better was to be invited to a party to celebrate and contribute to another Sumo stable called Shikoroyama stable. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hōmashō_Noriyuki">Homasho</a> is the most famous and best wrestler in the stable<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsY64Fo42lgBEZuAIT4cnkg-pDV61KS91sBJeIfmUXPY9L9TNDqJS8GkU5n8TqfbmgnCoSVEtlvjc0BJi9wjGtAq-S1cpUQQLotl2Du91T7cCprUr62aC1m4VzpUMNQZEELZj6aEj-w/s1600-h/220px-Sumo_May09_Homasho.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYsY64Fo42lgBEZuAIT4cnkg-pDV61KS91sBJeIfmUXPY9L9TNDqJS8GkU5n8TqfbmgnCoSVEtlvjc0BJi9wjGtAq-S1cpUQQLotl2Du91T7cCprUr62aC1m4VzpUMNQZEELZj6aEj-w/s320/220px-Sumo_May09_Homasho.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386171575362782978" /></a> and his coach Terao "iron man" as he as knows as for 23 years of wrestling. I was lucky enough to meet them both tonight and talk them him briefly. They are huge. We drank, excepted gift and donated money to help the stable continue to function and grow. Especially to feed the big boys. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMWUOoWh-h0wwGteVlqB9FoTCq_SjmCBHHtLW4FQNIbzsEGQh7jTwapC1fD0yAgwGa1iUP-h51ewMWI3OYmCr9o2liaMZUUDt0cumVxZyiQfV1Z88UTFerxryTnYyRcjqpzZ0LL0ggA/s1600-h/IMG_5539.JPG.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMWUOoWh-h0wwGteVlqB9FoTCq_SjmCBHHtLW4FQNIbzsEGQh7jTwapC1fD0yAgwGa1iUP-h51ewMWI3OYmCr9o2liaMZUUDt0cumVxZyiQfV1Z88UTFerxryTnYyRcjqpzZ0LL0ggA/s200/IMG_5539.JPG.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388158690988254386" /></a><br /><br /><br />After leaving the party we happened to be in the same hotel as the Grand Champion. Yes, Asa was there. We saw him and I was only two feet from him. Being this close to Asa in Japan is like being next to Michael Jordan after winning the Final. Asa is a legend and the best and turned 29 today. How about that? Winning Grand Sumo Champion for the 24th time on your birthday and I was right next to him. Here is the video of him and me. It is a short one but a good one. A Yokozuna only 5 feet away. Pretty amazing. <br /><br />Great day. Happy to be in Japan and experience these things. Please come visit when you can.THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-2927482904459519582009-08-29T08:54:00.013+07:002009-08-29T11:33:20.869+07:00The 1st Stop of the Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7m9Y7Jr8HhvlAkEuBV94dMLD7yyTy73pAGZdpoenID07neHHaxTRnFAeMn40eKIZDT1PjMu-sRBHYQ80H0s1snHvZuBTjR9HTuqs40hojpJlpn0Bx_OH1TuOM1LNixZ6CvGPEmLkzg/s1600-h/IMG_0959.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7m9Y7Jr8HhvlAkEuBV94dMLD7yyTy73pAGZdpoenID07neHHaxTRnFAeMn40eKIZDT1PjMu-sRBHYQ80H0s1snHvZuBTjR9HTuqs40hojpJlpn0Bx_OH1TuOM1LNixZ6CvGPEmLkzg/s400/IMG_0959.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375238858722506658" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />Well, it has been a long time for me to write and update the Wayfaring
<br />Writer. Traveling around the world during the months of June, July
<br />and August limited my computer access. Plus, I really just didn’t
<br />want to sit in front of the computer for a couple hours wasting
<br />valuable time instead of being with friends and family. However, now
<br />being back in Tokyo, I have a lot of time to think back and reflect
<br />upon my
<br />
<br />I left Tokyo on June 13 for my around the world flight stopping in
<br />Warsaw, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Dallas and Kansas. Then
<br />returning to Tokyo to add up 18,940 miles or 30,480 Km. But there
<br />would be some changes in there and adjustments to my plan and more
<br />miles added to my frequent flyer miles.
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCOI0qdV4ayBew5kIf5nSPwo1971s2X2D_AtTCJN6ikwM2RolQD_OtOnHZ7gV9I-T6HplS8ALE1dsswudoFNR3Qyd3ZbBtqsuuXVhwbdDGp2dnDKOZujGpSmz8NXgwhI0HwyIcuNNtg/s1600-h/worldtravel.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilCOI0qdV4ayBew5kIf5nSPwo1971s2X2D_AtTCJN6ikwM2RolQD_OtOnHZ7gV9I-T6HplS8ALE1dsswudoFNR3Qyd3ZbBtqsuuXVhwbdDGp2dnDKOZujGpSmz8NXgwhI0HwyIcuNNtg/s400/worldtravel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375231587757311202" /></a>
<br />
<br /> Finally I arrived in Warsaw after a 15-hour flight and landing at 9:30pm I was met by my good friend Mr. G at the airport with a warm LECH, just the way I like them. We jumped in with my old taxi driver, Marek and headed of to change so I could make it to the Schaffner wedding. With little planning and a map. We were able to find the wedding hall and begin
<br />what would be the first night of craziness for me and would last two
<br />months. Seeing friends and surprising those who didn’t know I was
<br />coming was a great way to begin the summer and kick off the 1st of my
<br />4 weddings for the summer. After partying till the wee morning hours
<br />of 5 and 6 I finally woke to find myself on the floor between two
<br />friends past out. What a way to start the summer.
<br />
<br /><a href="<div style="width:320px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/cfefdbe1.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/?action=view¤t=cfefdbe1.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>"></a>
<br />
<br />
<br />The following days I met up with several friends from ASW and met some
<br />new ones. While sitting at the beer tents by the Metro Wilonowska
<br />many faces, bodies and smiles kept walking up. Plus, the beers kept
<br />going down. Somewhere in the evening of one of the nights I thought
<br />it would be a good idea to go to London with one of the new teachers
<br />from ASW. So, with my around the world trip ticket in
<br />hand I call the airline and add London to my trip. Adding the flight
<br />to the list cost me nickels and dimes so why not, and so began my
<br />first jaunt and detour of my planned summer. It was only a two-day
<br />trip but it was a good one. Saw many things I had never seen before.
<br />It was my first trip to London (I will write about London in next post) and won’t be the last.
<br />
<br />However, after the trip I realized I did a bad thing. I missed out having those two days with Mr. G. I look back now and wish I had my thinking cap on instead of my drinking cap. Sorry G!! I will make it up to you when you make it to Japan.
<br />
<br />I returned from London in time to get ready for Tim and Ania’s
<br />wedding. We had a couple of days to prepare Tim for his walk down
<br />the aisle. Several friends gathered at the Eagles stadium for Tim’s
<br />American football game. Yes, they play in Poland. We had so much fun
<br />together and getting back together with those people who are so close
<br />to me.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjddLZvX4a-PspT7LBHa67gvX6KOsYZZW4zpTg58XkXNTR2XqKa6RyCMjUtgrl0htSfX267wpq8kANOQxlYkypbmDVdR3dMvLpZGDOMz5Z_eigvtBNFjVS_qWm40Ee26b7h__iFUUYA/s1600-h/IMG_0762.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjddLZvX4a-PspT7LBHa67gvX6KOsYZZW4zpTg58XkXNTR2XqKa6RyCMjUtgrl0htSfX267wpq8kANOQxlYkypbmDVdR3dMvLpZGDOMz5Z_eigvtBNFjVS_qWm40Ee26b7h__iFUUYA/s320/IMG_0762.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375235366668407826" /></a> It was wonderful seeing Tim’s daughters Ali, Gilli and Katie.
<br /> I couldn’t believe how big they had gotten and how tall Ali was. She
<br />was just as tall as me and now she is taller for sure. I hadn’t seen
<br />them in years. Sitting with them at Tim’s football game was so much
<br />fun. Talking to them about school and Kansas felt like I had not even
<br />left Warsaw. Other friends later joined the gathering at the football
<br />game and it turned into a great day.
<br />
<br /><div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/c24cd1b9.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/?action=view¤t=c24cd1b9.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>
<br />
<br />For this wedding I would be standing in front of the guest as a
<br />groomsman and the reader of the Paul’s first letter to the
<br />Corinthians. The wedding went of so well and it was truly beautiful.
<br />Leading up to the wedding I had moved in with Solli and spent so much
<br />time hanging out with him and Andrew. We wondered the city and went
<br />to some old places I used to frequent while living in Poland. We were
<br />out to the early morning hours again and got back in time to get some
<br />rest before the 5pm wedding. I knew I needed some sleep because Tim and
<br />Ania’s party would be another all nighter. I prepared myself for
<br />getting less than 6 hours asleep and would continue that for the rest
<br />of the summer. My body was feeling the pressure and the results of
<br />what was now 9 days of boozing, with another wedding to come the
<br />following weekend.
<br />
<br /><a href="<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/561ae89d.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/?action=view¤t=561ae89d.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>"></a>
<br />
<br />Fletcher and Iza were having their wedding making my third Polish
<br />wedding in three consecutive weekends. This is not an easy thing to
<br />do. I don’t know if you have ever been to a Polish wedding but for
<br />those who have you know how long and crazy they can get. So, for
<br />those who don’t know, let me give you an idea. To get straight to the
<br />point there is a lot of Vodka.
<br />
<br />Usually it’s a given that there will
<br />be 1 bottle of vodka for every person at the party. However, since
<br />all three were mixed Polish weddings there was a bottle for every two
<br />people, give or take a few. To go along with the vodka there is more
<br />food than you can imagine. It just keeps coming out all night and
<br />then usually stops with some soups at 5am. Oh, I forgot to mention
<br />the beer. There is plenty of beer, dancing and singing and stops at
<br />5,6 or 7ish. Depending on the couple and often there will be one of
<br />two grandma and grandpas still there.
<br />
<br />So much more happened and I hope these photos will give an idea of who
<br />else I got to see and spend time with. Unplanned BBQ’s with friends
<br />like, Iain, Alex, Bas and so many others made my trip back to Warsaw
<br />worth every Zloty, Yen or Dollar I spent and the time it took to get
<br />there. I know there were so many other people I wish I could have
<br />seen but it was so hard to be everywhere at once. So, to those I
<br />missed I say I hope all is well and we have to do better at staying in touch. Miss you all.
<br />
<br /><a href="<div style="width:480px; text-align: center;"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://w36.photobucket.com/pbwidget.swf?pbwurl=http://w36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/0eb79891.pbw" height="360" width="480"><a href="http://photobucket.com/slideshows" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a><a href="http://s36.photobucket.com/albums/e20/nvmurphy/?action=view¤t=0eb79891.pbw" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.photobucket.com/slideshows/btn_viewallimages.gif" style="float:left;border-width: 0;" ></a></div>"></a>
<br />THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-63182701569904340992009-08-26T15:51:00.003+07:002009-08-26T16:05:24.168+07:00New iMac<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8poTDEDgM4apNLEsORLyadLk2EzvHHyaUhOdNddqsF7jO4QWU4VurBLpmJUaRvoOUKfmxGOLMollMnlzibqwG6m9mub4xD-in7X_RpcEyIaci88lCIYVAYCyLiYdrGzBVbcKC4MFRw/s1600-h/Photo+7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8poTDEDgM4apNLEsORLyadLk2EzvHHyaUhOdNddqsF7jO4QWU4VurBLpmJUaRvoOUKfmxGOLMollMnlzibqwG6m9mub4xD-in7X_RpcEyIaci88lCIYVAYCyLiYdrGzBVbcKC4MFRw/s400/Photo+7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374195157312980386" /></a><br />Sorry I have been away so long. I have been traveling and getting back to Tokyo to begin a new year with kids. I had some problems with my computer and had difficulties everyday logging on. But I am Back with a new iMac 24 inch screen. <br />I like it..a lot. I really just hooked it an hour ago and this is the first thing on have done with it. <br /><br />I have started writing about the Summer and only completed the trip to Warsaw but hope to have it up soon. Here`s a picture of me from my new computer. All I got now until I update my photos from the summer. Doing it after this posts.<br /><br />Miss you all but finally back.<br /><br />Talk soon,<br />NealTHE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-9656927664532585782009-04-28T21:29:00.005+07:002009-04-28T22:50:22.266+07:00Dancing Elvises<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe-K_hRi298cu0be1USDmqC3TZRNsTcHj0mgm0hn6aE_VJqwFqTcJOY6NSZhuK3Ar6fNO3UxHcYI0j8VY1klq9677m3r7SiDqAflOOcXJPwk8EFQtVEP9zkIC_0hE-J3TUjiE3gFVhQ/s1600-h/Elvises+Twin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe-K_hRi298cu0be1USDmqC3TZRNsTcHj0mgm0hn6aE_VJqwFqTcJOY6NSZhuK3Ar6fNO3UxHcYI0j8VY1klq9677m3r7SiDqAflOOcXJPwk8EFQtVEP9zkIC_0hE-J3TUjiE3gFVhQ/s400/Elvises+Twin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329758245132787970" /></a><br />Yes it's true. Elvis and his multiples are alive and well in Tokyo. This is a short but I believe a quality entry. I was out biking in Yoyogi Park and there they were. Dancing away to 1950's Rock'n Roll with a Japanese twist. It was pretty amazing. These guys perform for themselves, and the King of course. With cameras flashing and videos recording they don't ask for money or applause, but they get it. They have a pile of empty beer cans and take a break when needed. So, if you go to see them make sure to bring them a beer or two for a tip and watch what happens. <br />!Notice the boots in the clips below!. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtXopoRgvd_F-ol_-69SdeyGlNlT3A-cCKI2zgtN-A74Z8dRtN0YPcBzib4RLwA_N5JzTlzexMmyk_RS_weV5VOus2U8OqOr1CYNlhyi7zxpibeAMgcXjNgALeaRzHEzoBr8zwvAA9Q/s1600-h/The+boot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtXopoRgvd_F-ol_-69SdeyGlNlT3A-cCKI2zgtN-A74Z8dRtN0YPcBzib4RLwA_N5JzTlzexMmyk_RS_weV5VOus2U8OqOr1CYNlhyi7zxpibeAMgcXjNgALeaRzHEzoBr8zwvAA9Q/s320/The+boot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329760606196582722" /></a>They look as if they've been dragged behind and 1952 Buick after a cheap wedding in Vegas.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5IvRKZJdr3jXAyhrVW535SRq5jEZpKaAOkhHq8od_607OO6v4qEq_l879mKadVWkmcvR9prNV37nUDeW2s_NfqdTPj0lOeGAs_Or2upKH_bdJd5I3RdxcEjph8pAWAJQ4r_nx-32Lg/s1600-h/1193684712.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5IvRKZJdr3jXAyhrVW535SRq5jEZpKaAOkhHq8od_607OO6v4qEq_l879mKadVWkmcvR9prNV37nUDeW2s_NfqdTPj0lOeGAs_Or2upKH_bdJd5I3RdxcEjph8pAWAJQ4r_nx-32Lg/s200/1193684712.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329769896901186034" /></a> Then taped back together with beautiful black electrical tape. Nothing beats a shine like a fresh coat of tape. And if the boots don't get you wanting to join this elite club. You get a matching red comb to keep that ultra smooth look to go along with the painted on black pants. So enough typing and trying to be witty. I will let you enjoy. <br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8zWfv-7tokk&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8zWfv-7tokk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_v_OkguWOdQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_v_OkguWOdQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-85529533807676224952009-04-26T08:20:00.020+07:002009-04-26T12:57:40.184+07:00Tokyo Happenings<span style="font-weight:bold;">FRIENDS, FOOD, SAKI, BOATS, GIANTS, SUMO AND MORE!</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UiuSMTVGsWE2CortzaefudsxNRNR8o5oWd3QmLPHP1eDS5KffKvg5nk1xFe4UkZFrMHL3ccdvM8yjS-DjUgS9uYRR2WiGZY6ItXviWhqPtQkFP2A_R9pTyMckPHSHMbxbfUUivjQOg/s1600-h/Saki+Bottles.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UiuSMTVGsWE2CortzaefudsxNRNR8o5oWd3QmLPHP1eDS5KffKvg5nk1xFe4UkZFrMHL3ccdvM8yjS-DjUgS9uYRR2WiGZY6ItXviWhqPtQkFP2A_R9pTyMckPHSHMbxbfUUivjQOg/s400/Saki+Bottles.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328810615268349762"></a><br />I feel it's about time to let you all know what's going on here in Tokyo. I've been writing about my travels and forgot to tell you about the great time I am having in Tokyo. About two weeks ago my good friends Ken, Rhonda, Kat and Cole Schwartz showed up from Hong Kong to hang out in Tokyo. They arrived on a beautiful day and were ready for some good sushi and great Saki. But, first we had to deal with Rhonda losing some of her documents and train passes. She forgot to take them<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-QRKJB6IuYuhrlvZMoDvVnS3h-bO9jCPbJuDO-K-M5xbTzyHjyFC-CcJhMn79wVb33J3HosgJPoy9AGOGWqcIWP4p9lc2u4C-Q04c1g3GPjKHGH70MI_ahUWqK8VwMEYdpAJEJmDVQ/s1600-h/Lost.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-QRKJB6IuYuhrlvZMoDvVnS3h-bO9jCPbJuDO-K-M5xbTzyHjyFC-CcJhMn79wVb33J3HosgJPoy9AGOGWqcIWP4p9lc2u4C-Q04c1g3GPjKHGH70MI_ahUWqK8VwMEYdpAJEJmDVQ/s320/Lost.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328817082084291874"></a> out of the back of the seat and realized it as the train pulled away. We were there in the station for about an hour trying to figure out how to explain to the station men that we left them on the train that just left. They working so hard to help us and so friendly even though they didn't speak any English. But, it didn't matter at all. They understood what happened from my broken Japanese... and the help from an English speaking operator on the phone. It all worked out and we would pick them up 2 days later. <br />So, we got back to my place and immediately took the children to the metro to send them away with some friends they knew from Warsaw. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMM4MOAAhxu-PI9gAmh-un2bdn2QFU3nyVuffUcEzaIox1k_TUL2yUjTqOlZYpLNCogufosMqlp8AC_HECdJxP7ei2LBoKRpwcpBIlFUSi0gtyY1JlxMmMOBxZyPXPp7KzHeeTyKaQlw/s1600-h/Sushi+trays.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMM4MOAAhxu-PI9gAmh-un2bdn2QFU3nyVuffUcEzaIox1k_TUL2yUjTqOlZYpLNCogufosMqlp8AC_HECdJxP7ei2LBoKRpwcpBIlFUSi0gtyY1JlxMmMOBxZyPXPp7KzHeeTyKaQlw/s200/Sushi+trays.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328821717169879730"></a>We had a night alone without kids and ate some great sushi just around the corner from my place. I go there quite often and was greeted boastfully from the staff, well as boastful as the Japanese can be that is. We ate and ate some great food and toasted to friendship with some great saki and beer. Then a little more beer. There is a great place called Popeye's. It's a bar that prides itself on good beer at a good price. They have about 70 beers on tap. We sat, talked and enjoyed some great local and international brews. It was a good night to have friends in Tokyo. You know, I might end up there tonight. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TT5kNfled9OLK9zgPPwc8lALNMBgwOg4qc2JGbPrM_41NF9khcCXAFfjDqLCYggfEaCbUVheibNuHu6rO8QlMJrPuonOdt2o8_jM5QXpm2aIOdOylAaf9HYH2DBUTBVT79Dxoq3x9A/s1600-h/Popeyes.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TT5kNfled9OLK9zgPPwc8lALNMBgwOg4qc2JGbPrM_41NF9khcCXAFfjDqLCYggfEaCbUVheibNuHu6rO8QlMJrPuonOdt2o8_jM5QXpm2aIOdOylAaf9HYH2DBUTBVT79Dxoq3x9A/s320/Popeyes.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328822596845237122"></a><br />Ken, Rhonda and I went out for a walk in my area of Tokyo called Tsukishimida. It is right just across the river Samida from me. It was a good walk that ended about 7 km (that's about 4.3 miles) from my house at the Emperor's Palace. We were lucky enough to come by a Omochi Party. Omochi is pounded cooked rice. It was mostly older Japanese men and women celebrating the blossoming of the cherry trees.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3VqN0me85gHCa57sLPqO8ClbTl7US5GmCGbq3zG0AYuiv0ljPC5ekuwEgqU1QhgDDwwV9N5TMfHr4OCvEOCho8h_G0uL-nhfflqOBL_k_pPz40ffjXDD_Psm9YhpC9fAtwDcQHojLg/s1600-h/IMG_0182.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3VqN0me85gHCa57sLPqO8ClbTl7US5GmCGbq3zG0AYuiv0ljPC5ekuwEgqU1QhgDDwwV9N5TMfHr4OCvEOCho8h_G0uL-nhfflqOBL_k_pPz40ffjXDD_Psm9YhpC9fAtwDcQHojLg/s320/IMG_0182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328821478679015810"></a> Ken was asked by the elders to pound some omochi. It was great. He picked up this heavy wooden mallet and reach backed almost touching the ground and smacked the ball of rice over and over. I thought he was going to hit the old man moving the omochi in the head. Luckily, we didn't have to rush anyone to the hospital. But, we did have to rush in line to get some of that fresh omochi.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSumSyl7wir89DRR0ozS4aS2a6n48IH5_qt_oiA0i2sOYRmnGMjAyRHRVuIM7zO-oySaD9-55W5a4UCvy_j9fTzj4eb0tD_6xgO6KcPnSrqElBTf3kfl6EKtGhozwbGLFak9dRGWBIw/s1600-h/IMG_0186.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmSumSyl7wir89DRR0ozS4aS2a6n48IH5_qt_oiA0i2sOYRmnGMjAyRHRVuIM7zO-oySaD9-55W5a4UCvy_j9fTzj4eb0tD_6xgO6KcPnSrqElBTf3kfl6EKtGhozwbGLFak9dRGWBIw/s200/IMG_0186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328826343175480018"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gpJW48ad6cOi7bTwnFXbsAWSYUyJ3zRfhiqTHSaADoaTHZ0AO5xAhXltak_xYoPzGxu2tTJ56DYPKRMTf-5iIKfZ31rquWmPh3XdNaDr4D9CplNvrCD_vRDlfnOVKYRQh6h6YQqRWA/s1600-h/IMG_0192.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gpJW48ad6cOi7bTwnFXbsAWSYUyJ3zRfhiqTHSaADoaTHZ0AO5xAhXltak_xYoPzGxu2tTJ56DYPKRMTf-5iIKfZ31rquWmPh3XdNaDr4D9CplNvrCD_vRDlfnOVKYRQh6h6YQqRWA/s320/IMG_0192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328827255539010402"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs8rbum2J5eQ-CieIU6y3iY512nJDBKrpHkBrmwvi6MH_CdPiXUG9hya8itYBXXczGd6Eqgdb50D8jUINPZ6pcc11fTvAf-O6gpo2i-siJW90tJuHnZJ2-NL1pasUcjmX6ha8HIwExQ/s1600-h/IMG_0191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs8rbum2J5eQ-CieIU6y3iY512nJDBKrpHkBrmwvi6MH_CdPiXUG9hya8itYBXXczGd6Eqgdb50D8jUINPZ6pcc11fTvAf-O6gpo2i-siJW90tJuHnZJ2-NL1pasUcjmX6ha8HIwExQ/s320/IMG_0191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328826669295089906"></a><br />I could go on and on about the wonderful times the Schwartz Family and I had together. It was a pretty great week of fun, food and most of all friends. Ken, Rhonda, Kat and Cole made my year so far. I felt for the first time while living in Tokyo that I was home. It revived me from the winter and set me up for some great adventures to come. <br /> I ask all of you readers out there if you feel like visiting please contact me. I love having friends, family or friends of friends. Like you, Dana Mason from Independence, Mo. I hear your daughter is thinking of international teaching. If so have her drop me a message and <span style="font-weight:bold;">you must have her read</span> my good friends blog. He and I taught together in Poland and he puts together a good argument for traveling. <a href="http://whywarsaw.blogspot.com/2008/11/wanted-teachers-willing-to-relocate-to.html">The Keilbasa Chronicle - Wanted: Teachers willing to relocate to faraway lands</a> <br /><br />After the Schwartskis left Tokyo I started getting out enjoying the lovely weather of Spring. It's so beautiful here and I can't wait to finish writing so I can head out again. But first I need to talk about the boat ride. I was out with my friend Kristy. She and I like to go on adventures in Tokyo and do anything we can. This trip came about after watching a beautiful concert in Hamarikyu Garden.<br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bmyj0q-H210&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bmyj0q-H210&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />Kristy and I started walking around and she decided she wanted to go on a boat ride up the Samida to Asakusa. These boats go right by my house. I see them everyday and had always wanted to take a trip so I said why not. Let's go. It only cost 700 yen which is about 7 USD. Pretty cheap and it brings you back if you want and we wanted. So we had some beers, and some food and laughed all along the way. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9UbDFyH3aQRPSd0doCTeY7LBKRojfPx-7IZKFqDXYEaWP5pH1WKhaCIJNmLyklkDfAv8nd5M8k78CwqCgyX4vwZF0gLXKgVNHOmiEWkMmHGnOhA3Y7VGuERvDqmkPpGhfDeH13fXMQ/s1600-h/on+the+boat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9UbDFyH3aQRPSd0doCTeY7LBKRojfPx-7IZKFqDXYEaWP5pH1WKhaCIJNmLyklkDfAv8nd5M8k78CwqCgyX4vwZF0gLXKgVNHOmiEWkMmHGnOhA3Y7VGuERvDqmkPpGhfDeH13fXMQ/s200/on+the+boat.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328848550477239138"></a> It was a great day for a boat ride and really enjoyed seeing my place from the waters. We came back to the park and checked out he great Japanese gardens and sat back to watch the people. As Jack Johnson says, <blockquote>I like people watching the other people watching me. We're all people watching the other people watching we.</blockquote><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OgDz7Urip_BIZSlrh3Q3hLU0EsQZoosCCPARi6dLdtoGLXcxMzxyAkjI-6PH_YfMIJJt6UyJrP4w5wI_17IHIsa6QTVd34p3v_iVL6t3D90eQI4VHLmTC8wNOx00-8wiXKNMgTnqtQ/s1600-h/IMG_0147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OgDz7Urip_BIZSlrh3Q3hLU0EsQZoosCCPARi6dLdtoGLXcxMzxyAkjI-6PH_YfMIJJt6UyJrP4w5wI_17IHIsa6QTVd34p3v_iVL6t3D90eQI4VHLmTC8wNOx00-8wiXKNMgTnqtQ/s320/IMG_0147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328849020517113554"></a><br />The gardens in this park are amazing. The ground they sit on were known as the hunting grounds for the Shoguns in the 1700's. It's now lined with tea houses and gives attractive views of the large metropolitan city surroundings from the middle of this peaceful garden.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3t3526qQ_HQel2JlTeKT0j6FAO6H54WVq1STTPK1AONkkKfqvAqkA_QRqltwOGNWWOk61bMjrYxxu1cEDzYekm-0qbP7BuB7D9Ffn3I5IByTz8nxps1NO9yCvQ4qnIW1LsV9O8-kgA/s1600-h/IMG_0150.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3t3526qQ_HQel2JlTeKT0j6FAO6H54WVq1STTPK1AONkkKfqvAqkA_QRqltwOGNWWOk61bMjrYxxu1cEDzYekm-0qbP7BuB7D9Ffn3I5IByTz8nxps1NO9yCvQ4qnIW1LsV9O8-kgA/s320/IMG_0150.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328850817773332882"></a><br /><br />This past Friday and Saturday were two highlights of my adventures in Tokyo. One of the parents of a child in my class asked me if I like baseball. Of course I do!! He had two tickets to the Yomuiri Giants, known as Tokyo Giants to many people around the world. Our tickets were amazing with ideal seats on the 20th row behind and behind home plate. The game is played the same obviously but the fans and food make it so much more fun and interesting. Hordes of fans dressed in white stand and cheer for the Giants while at bat singing songs and chanting for there favorite player. It's like nothing I had every seen before. I thought going into the game I would be distracted from the the noise and cheering. But it was the opposite. I was drawn into the cheering and yelling. It was entertainment at it's best. Topped off with food and beer girls. Yes, beer girl strapped with kegs of beer on their backs ready to top your glass off with a cold and refreshing Bier. Every where you looked there was another girl coming up the aisle. After the beer goes by you have your choice of food too. Not hot dogs or pretzels, though you can get hot dogs at the concession stand, but soup, rice bowls and sushi boxes. Nothing like enjoying game with beer and sushi. You gotta love Japan.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv4CaRfYTm333NGnow-Pj_GQ00tmYVpM1WFN-9FPvS01SiATZXRLhHg_WbFu68h5dgSxCD0lZ6nRCJFdJXGyn7Ce6nscsxvzSB7ahOPB-RlXLIa4p3gXi8m6mM9cTN3rPbya2JF8DoQ/s1600-h/IMG_0351.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTv4CaRfYTm333NGnow-Pj_GQ00tmYVpM1WFN-9FPvS01SiATZXRLhHg_WbFu68h5dgSxCD0lZ6nRCJFdJXGyn7Ce6nscsxvzSB7ahOPB-RlXLIa4p3gXi8m6mM9cTN3rPbya2JF8DoQ/s200/IMG_0351.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328856247914645154"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgl-p6MWhorzyQZ-9_xvsZUd2MoL6Xr2umJfPpfEikfVM2D2Qv3skzPrgY_bZR3yy0C7b95bJ0Y2_0jYvJHZTwqHcZ8lT4vyTSL5HKwwlhv-QSzqvI9lR_mC2Ak_s7GewwqRGgXRUzg/s1600-h/IMG_0364.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgl-p6MWhorzyQZ-9_xvsZUd2MoL6Xr2umJfPpfEikfVM2D2Qv3skzPrgY_bZR3yy0C7b95bJ0Y2_0jYvJHZTwqHcZ8lT4vyTSL5HKwwlhv-QSzqvI9lR_mC2Ak_s7GewwqRGgXRUzg/s200/IMG_0364.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328856063660619426"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OQ4rg_CMDgIlV50kTGqHLXNIwl-si_XF0o08OHQo2PP284j5POawU1_Iui3aVovB93eT-OBz8FRavLziiYfSY95Jo2BuxqYQIRWBzwt1XVdX0BikIgW7y85PUvV8yaWiq66fwQMPZA/s1600-h/IMG_0362.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OQ4rg_CMDgIlV50kTGqHLXNIwl-si_XF0o08OHQo2PP284j5POawU1_Iui3aVovB93eT-OBz8FRavLziiYfSY95Jo2BuxqYQIRWBzwt1XVdX0BikIgW7y85PUvV8yaWiq66fwQMPZA/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328855506874905234"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumo">Sumo</a> practice was on my agenda for yesterday. It' so hard to put into words and describe everything I saw. To make it easier I have included some videos instead. We were very lucky to be able to video and take photos. Rarely is that allowed and complete respect for the fighters is required or you must leave. No flashes, no talking, no sounds and your feet may never point to the ring. You must sit cross legged or with your feet to the side. It is a matter of respect and tradition. There are anywhere between 12 and 18 men in at the stables. I like the use of the word stables for the description of where these massive men workout. Before watching the videos keep in mind that these men are very big. Most much taller than I an weigh about 165 kilograms, that is 363 pounds!!! Try pushing that around while getting smacked in the face several times. The color of their Mawashi, the belt worn around their waist, indicates their level of rank. The sumo with black mawashi is very young and known as Amasumo or amateur Sumo. Often they are only teens in training. The dark grey mawashi are worn my the more experience fighters. Then the white mawashi are worn by the top fighters and these men compete at the highest level of competition. Enjoy the action and training. I know I did and I hope to bring you to see them in action when you come to visit.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sumo Training</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fxojp6nqz_g&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fxojp6nqz_g&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">More Sumo</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/orzvPA86kyE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/orzvPA86kyE&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Highest Level of Sumo Training</span><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RSw1XmYnUNU&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RSw1XmYnUNU&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />It's been fun for me to relive my last few weeks. I hope you enjoyed. See you back here soon.THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-90633136564939980802009-04-02T14:38:00.001+07:002011-03-25T14:53:51.145+07:00Kota Kinabalu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZ2ilj0mLxEYm_WnrqAdM2nFmZ7OqZc0JfowJh6CpEsL5XKHw0F9CKaDr3rV8w9MkZZ-NMG_Ka2-LnVurjaNCdEfzJV7D3tQ7ACVJjtSw4lsEzBSuSwPpvAUmpeRU1kj2WF9Oi8Hetw/s1600-h/IMG_0070.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFZ2ilj0mLxEYm_WnrqAdM2nFmZ7OqZc0JfowJh6CpEsL5XKHw0F9CKaDr3rV8w9MkZZ-NMG_Ka2-LnVurjaNCdEfzJV7D3tQ7ACVJjtSw4lsEzBSuSwPpvAUmpeRU1kj2WF9Oi8Hetw/s400/IMG_0070.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323709547892479458" /></a><br />It's hard to begin writing about a wonderful Work/Spring Break Vacation. Sounds funny doesn't it? My school thought it would it be a great idea to plan our Spring Break during the <br /><a href="http://www.earcos.org">EARCOS</a> Confernce in Kota Kinabualu (aka KK), Borneo. Yes, I know, it's Borneo what am I whining about? But still I had to work 3 out of the 10 days on vacation. So i decided that the conference is all on my terms. I left Tokyo on the 21st of March and planned to stay until the 29th. How I needed that break. I felt I was going to explode if had to spend another day in the massive city without a feeling of being lost in nature. So it was on a plane to Borneo. <br /><br />I knew it was going to be a great time because I was going to see some good old friends from Warsaw. I knew I would see Jeremy, Jill, Chip and Lillian, Paul and Amanda Jacob and to my suprise Sally. I had not seen most of them for two years and having a great reunion together in the middle of the Malaysia was an ideal location. We met out for drinks and spent some good times together as well. It made me really miss Poland and my friends who are still there. So to those of you reading, lots of love for you.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie74cDSxyGz2oqaCSjueOc5-RKyY7W55mxZCxmO9PL3D_OtpkruWofql_COlczDapqnW1xbyfxVNUDNhqtUjOC5T_3ZEU_npTSwORb6kybF-zFAQjtSmFQY0JXofo3xZ1vTZhfzgimxw/s1600-h/IMG_0095.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie74cDSxyGz2oqaCSjueOc5-RKyY7W55mxZCxmO9PL3D_OtpkruWofql_COlczDapqnW1xbyfxVNUDNhqtUjOC5T_3ZEU_npTSwORb6kybF-zFAQjtSmFQY0JXofo3xZ1vTZhfzgimxw/s200/IMG_0095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323729982231854434" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT1yzAiXp7E-KXQywDtEgIqwIbz3HZhNOIOqyT_k1J8CyG0YpY5yO2yzknDS4deyVifMeEQ2foq9CKkAdg9DuhB2fizIwmgVhjwdw6B6kpDnpi6XYzDjP15yhJJgXQL2zfChL6xH0ag/s1600-h/IMG_0100a.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCT1yzAiXp7E-KXQywDtEgIqwIbz3HZhNOIOqyT_k1J8CyG0YpY5yO2yzknDS4deyVifMeEQ2foq9CKkAdg9DuhB2fizIwmgVhjwdw6B6kpDnpi6XYzDjP15yhJJgXQL2zfChL6xH0ag/s200/IMG_0100a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323710788745695874" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />For the first day I sat at the pool side and drank up some beer and relaxed. I met some nice new people from my school. I hadn't met many from the main campus but did meet Steve, Peter and Glenda.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhBN218epvU1uA50t1gi41bQbmYeS89_sNbQ3M32eU9_0SWmbz1mDZmIOD2K9UN_P2s4A-wA6qXXvgL8YZNCGT9qiPlImqE_pbYDdYnm6RZpK3G6m5IPL3gY70DvV_sb0J8AmvRJ76g/s1600-h/IMG_0067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhBN218epvU1uA50t1gi41bQbmYeS89_sNbQ3M32eU9_0SWmbz1mDZmIOD2K9UN_P2s4A-wA6qXXvgL8YZNCGT9qiPlImqE_pbYDdYnm6RZpK3G6m5IPL3gY70DvV_sb0J8AmvRJ76g/s200/IMG_0067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323723649447313794" /></a> I had a great time with them and hope to keep seeing them. But, the main campus is so far away it's tough but i will make it happen. Later on I met others from all over the world and had a wonderful time talking, laughing, singing and being happy. Most of you know me pretty well and are saying "figures, you always meet so many people". I am a social butterfly and I was feeling very good buzzing around talking and enjoying life. I hadn't done that in a long time. <br /><br />Now, one of my highlights of the trip was going to dive on Mantanani Island. Oh my! If this place isn't heaven then I don't know what is. We took a nice skid across the bay for about an hour to arrive on a dive shop, restaurant and rooms to rent stilted in the middle of the ocean. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifguoCAm4VrJ3ZAvxdSJ9Zwnx29LSelMCz5-PK4nPeib8tDRZ6SX5t_ZvD51_dKIqeGC2T2o_NOrCKyvzRosbN6UzYYOCQUeWZqazQtUekkXlQeugYnCHyndDzOB7asCASnw5n541UIw/s1600-h/IMG_0034.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifguoCAm4VrJ3ZAvxdSJ9Zwnx29LSelMCz5-PK4nPeib8tDRZ6SX5t_ZvD51_dKIqeGC2T2o_NOrCKyvzRosbN6UzYYOCQUeWZqazQtUekkXlQeugYnCHyndDzOB7asCASnw5n541UIw/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323714661147536866" /></a>Not on the beach. Just out in the middle surrounded by water and islands. So amazing. If I had known about that before I left Tokyo I would have stayed there for 3 days diving and living the life without electricity, phones and computers. If you want to know where the place is and feel the need to get away send me a message and I will give you the contact. I don't want to put up a link cause it needs to stay secluded and peaceful. I hope it never changes. The diving was good and I saw some wonderful creatures. I am so happy I took the classes in Bali. It's changed my life and my outlook on life. Being out in the middle of nowhere was so wonderful. Blue skies, blue water, beautiful people, wonderful food and Peace and Quiet. Maybe the best place I'd been in a long time...OK 4 months. I hope to be there again or someplace like it soon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hEmgCHdJMrScT3sftFYUMj1DjTc1RN3VuQxti-NlCzm2p7alEKAETtbihi-uBMVG25-WNhb0rx3mzw4Sdybl8VVXTy7W8yL_WeEjhx2KTA5iyDgT4zGY9g8IoWtfLC6x5klDTz5VVg/s1600-h/IMG_0020.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hEmgCHdJMrScT3sftFYUMj1DjTc1RN3VuQxti-NlCzm2p7alEKAETtbihi-uBMVG25-WNhb0rx3mzw4Sdybl8VVXTy7W8yL_WeEjhx2KTA5iyDgT4zGY9g8IoWtfLC6x5klDTz5VVg/s320/IMG_0020.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323715126961360290" /></a> When I was out on the Mari Mari Lodge I met this great traveler name Carlo. He was out there hanging out for a few days and just relaxing. We talked and enjoyed traveling stories and laughed about how crazy people are in the cities. Getting away from the world and life outside of nature is something I need as often as possible. We said our farewells and said to each other "I hope to see you again." <br /><br />About two day later I decided to take a trip to Mount Kota Kinabalu to do some birding and hiking alone with a guide. Before I go on I must say this was the first time going birding on my own and I am so happy my friends Ken, Rhonda, Kat and Coletrain turned me onto this wonderful world. A lot of you know I am from Kansas and born and raised as a hunter. Listen, looking for<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIJASMlMSqQhJFlhwHYe9XcSGp15WlLnXcTA4Shqv3B3Q6oAE4YxhE2t-Y1ehbDX9xaZVda7fP5wgqqziOOt0SIiZXSvWC6zZBK7lqI21sMqC8GN3ycvSotR3IcNbJwlT11YTwYHOaw/s1600-h/IMG_0515.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIJASMlMSqQhJFlhwHYe9XcSGp15WlLnXcTA4Shqv3B3Q6oAE4YxhE2t-Y1ehbDX9xaZVda7fP5wgqqziOOt0SIiZXSvWC6zZBK7lqI21sMqC8GN3ycvSotR3IcNbJwlT11YTwYHOaw/s200/IMG_0515.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323727323953600914" /></a> birds and not shootin' them was hard and a very different for me, but realized now that my hunting life is over thanks to these wonderful friends. Well, at least until i get back to Kansas in the Fall, which may never happen. Anyway, this guide I hired, CK is an amazing guide. You can reach him at <a href="http://www.borneobirds.com">Borneo Birds</a> if you are in the area and need to get out. I won't go into the names and species but I did some some amazing birds that can only be found on that mountain. I really enjoyed my time in the mountains and wished I had more time. Hoping for more time will become a repeated pattern in this post. After finishing up hike and heading to the truck for another site who do I see walking down the stairs? Carlo!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XY9grAAjtVTAFxYL9FXVLH6V8AWJ-LdZTkOoUAqBtavq_pEnJxkBwvhckH0ouM_VV2l-nMtszECAVKeV-TKmSFRnfmPSzNYhUHipx1AfzhMsXO5IUVaFKxlz33pFHLOjxki7hnWYEA/s1600-h/IMG_0042.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XY9grAAjtVTAFxYL9FXVLH6V8AWJ-LdZTkOoUAqBtavq_pEnJxkBwvhckH0ouM_VV2l-nMtszECAVKeV-TKmSFRnfmPSzNYhUHipx1AfzhMsXO5IUVaFKxlz33pFHLOjxki7hnWYEA/s320/IMG_0042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323723250832075314" /></a><br /> There is was again just as we said to each other meeting again. Funny how life works and throws good people back your way. It's proves what I have said many times to many poeple <span style="font-weight:bold;">"Whenever I look over my shoulder to the places I have left, I always know someone has helped change my outlook on life."</span><br /><br />People People and more People on my vacation. I have a friend, Ellen in Bangkok who told me some good people were coming to the conference. She told me I should try to find them. So one day out in the pool I see 5 lovely ladies swimming and decide to approach and see what's going on and sure enough, it' Ellen's friends from Bangkok. We talked, drank, laughed and made plans for the Happy Hour evening provided by the conference. We all met up and planned a night out after the free drinks and set out for a good time on the city of KK. When getting out of the taxi and going to the bar I hear from behind, "Hey, do you know Heidi Laffey?" Heidi is a friend who works in Warsaw. After some searching through my brain and talking I realize this is Nancy from Zagreb who worked with Heidi in Mexico. We had met 4 years before at a conference in Croatia. Crazy huh? We talked and she <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FIa1K0oHblZeyjmZijd3FpK7dAKBI9sycyAtSKmuca3r4OHKwZRqse_RSWRgbWRwYvVsylcwEmZIEPrMxm8nwTH9GS3sh4TRs9pR-uCZF9B0OcKqFZPYh-z_BbKN4e5c5rUKJDitGA/s1600-h/IMG_0112.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8FIa1K0oHblZeyjmZijd3FpK7dAKBI9sycyAtSKmuca3r4OHKwZRqse_RSWRgbWRwYvVsylcwEmZIEPrMxm8nwTH9GS3sh4TRs9pR-uCZF9B0OcKqFZPYh-z_BbKN4e5c5rUKJDitGA/s320/IMG_0112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323721481947634882" /></a> introduced me to a great person, Jen. Soon after meeing I learned Jen worked with the Schwartz family in Hong Kong and was new in Bangkok. We had a great time together for a few days and once again I hoped I had more time but i had to catch a flight back. I hope to see Jen and Nancy again in Bangkok real soon. It might be sooner than they think it could be tomorrow so be ready ladies.<br /><br />This international world of teaching is a very small world and I love it. If you have ever thought about getting out of you routine and day to day life then CHANGE IT. I beg you to do it. If it's not traveling then it needs to be something. Just make the change. It was the best choice of my life. Look at this view. Could I have ever seen it if I was still teaching in Kansas? Glad I never had to find out.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwQ5XiPeIuFIuNtuSmHcVansleqFR3JZNb6BSYcx3RSiKusc0BCp7n6-r_8UwQmza9hqdydT6ucnVyTV09EgjY0VhKPAe_XINJ-cCW_4oRgHoy7PLFnSoKFn60p0CGbwIUNrklPK6nQ/s1600-h/IMG_0105.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZwQ5XiPeIuFIuNtuSmHcVansleqFR3JZNb6BSYcx3RSiKusc0BCp7n6-r_8UwQmza9hqdydT6ucnVyTV09EgjY0VhKPAe_XINJ-cCW_4oRgHoy7PLFnSoKFn60p0CGbwIUNrklPK6nQ/s400/IMG_0105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323722154572022258" /></a>THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-58911014038459303062009-03-22T14:38:00.012+07:002009-04-12T21:00:43.711+07:00It's Return to Korea 60 Years Later.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHxpe-VsZ9rGTSWHnRCCwt2cZk3Thh5oMp54sgptsIxYaBXLqEYzwX-WASgftH5BkJwa_apcTV9kUpWrfJgLteaDQ1BjwtH3I6s4FO5VtSkwCCjy9u0YQ6whsfvZ_eMVuQWaRj7WogQ/s1600-h/IMG_1074.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyHxpe-VsZ9rGTSWHnRCCwt2cZk3Thh5oMp54sgptsIxYaBXLqEYzwX-WASgftH5BkJwa_apcTV9kUpWrfJgLteaDQ1BjwtH3I6s4FO5VtSkwCCjy9u0YQ6whsfvZ_eMVuQWaRj7WogQ/s400/IMG_1074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323705416797066002" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I must say that I am getting pretty bad and updating. I need to get reminders from you faithful readers to drop me a line and tell me to get off my but and start telling stories.<br /><br />So here's one from a month ago.<br /><br />I had a few days off in February and decided to take a break from Tokyo. It was a tough choice at first to decide where to go but by the title of this post I am sure you can figure out on your own where I went. I decided to go see my good friend Dawn Melarvie who teachers in Seoul. She and I worked together in Warsaw and have stayed in touch over the years. My final decision was influenced by another important person in my as well. My Uncle Gene who, to me, is what a man' man is all about. I could go off on many stories about how amazing he was and how much he taught me throughout my life. But, I think I will stick to this story today. <br />My Uncle Gene passed away 2 years ago. This is My Aunt Seenie and Uncle Gene. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJoIQ_2U595hWVIGRW21nCL64nnBTQbsJU9Ngyg9pmMADaqF2AR1i5eyb4u89quUqiA00XMgV6oH1oFfBdBxgcU5Z79TVSXyQ8Uxd6yRENXD5m2epkCZGqyFIKl675xH7WofVml-jGQ/s1600-h/1073844877_l.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfJoIQ_2U595hWVIGRW21nCL64nnBTQbsJU9Ngyg9pmMADaqF2AR1i5eyb4u89quUqiA00XMgV6oH1oFfBdBxgcU5Z79TVSXyQ8Uxd6yRENXD5m2epkCZGqyFIKl675xH7WofVml-jGQ/s400/1073844877_l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323704644989251234" /></a>How I miss them so much. I hope to see Seenie when I am home this summer. Uncle Gene was a retired Air Force Master Sargent fought in the Korean War. Besides being in the Air Force he also served in the Army and the Navy before finding his place in the Air Force. I don't know many stories about Uncle Gene and the war. I wish I had talked to him about it but it was something I felt should be left alone. War was a hard thing for him. During the Vietnam Conflict his only son Keith was killed and it was a major blow to him. So, bringing up any type of war stories would bring on memories of Keith and I didn't want him to have to show me the pain. <br /><br />The thing that made my decision for me besides Gene and Dawn was an old Air Force Parka. This parka, which I have now, belonged to my Grandfather.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyEsAWpFURDFiQ7wt4IcLXa9a6FD_SmQNUgSL-c_gAzZBqZC0DMWoV3waWWLIf68vSYz6TdrAEzkw0h-sW5YG6naqHAXKEZnd7HxFFeIOyms36UqScdQZhYyxFcwcm2t6S0AKzLdMSA/s1600-h/IMG_0941a.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglyEsAWpFURDFiQ7wt4IcLXa9a6FD_SmQNUgSL-c_gAzZBqZC0DMWoV3waWWLIf68vSYz6TdrAEzkw0h-sW5YG6naqHAXKEZnd7HxFFeIOyms36UqScdQZhYyxFcwcm2t6S0AKzLdMSA/s320/IMG_0941a.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318978290131168226" /></a> My Grandfather, Ira Bughman, wore it during the winter time on the farm in Kansas. To this day it still has grain from Grandpa's farm in the pockets. It really brings me back to my childhood and fishing on the farm. Well, this parka was a gift from Uncle Gene to Grandpa. Gene told him it would keep him warm on the cold winter days in January. When Grandpa died I remember saying I want to have that coat. It's something that is very important to me and I feel like I am wrapped up grips of the two strongest men I've known, Grandpa and Uncle Gene. <br /><br />I decided to bring this parka along with me to Korea to makes it return 60 years later. First, took a trip to the DMZ. Yes, the Demilitarized Zone. The line that separates North and South Korea. I coming from the South headed up to the boarder with a group of people from Japan and the US. When we finally reached the DMZ, we were searched, checked by armed guards and had our pictures taken for security and personal safety reasons. This place is really the most heavily armed place I have ever scene. Bunkers on both sides with anti-aircraft guns ready to fire. Soldiers, tanks, trucks and explosives ready to detonate in case of an attack. Which is possible with the testing of the "satellite missiles" in North Korea. Which most of the world believes its for NUCLEAR Weapons testing. Either way when I was up there on the border you felt that it could happen and any minute. <br /><br />We were able to go into a building with highly trained hand to hand combat soldiers. Remember...no weapons. In this room you could walk around the other side of the table and be in North Korea.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWk9WRCvTG0tp6EQU8hzEYNx3LxXjM8CxoutYAI5te_jQ19Gta7ebS0McDwM342G_lKX9yl7g-x_1m3-Gz-FT83jC-848vZOlqY5DbDOUCc4Em7l2wkUteRnEFTQtoZAfVxZOfQLJWQ/s1600-h/IMG_0272.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWk9WRCvTG0tp6EQU8hzEYNx3LxXjM8CxoutYAI5te_jQ19Gta7ebS0McDwM342G_lKX9yl7g-x_1m3-Gz-FT83jC-848vZOlqY5DbDOUCc4Em7l2wkUteRnEFTQtoZAfVxZOfQLJWQ/s320/IMG_0272.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323704158643786338" /></a> One side has South Korea soldiers. The other, North Korea Soldiers. It is a very tense place. We are asked not to smile, wave, laugh, point and make any gestures or faces that may be used by the North Koreas as propaganda to show their people either how bad we Americans are or how bad we want to be in North Korea. It was a surreal experience and something I am glad I saw. <br /><br />While walking around wearing Gene's coat I was stopped and asked where I got it. I told this older South Korean couple that it was my Uncle's from the War and they asked if they could touch it. It was was shocking to hear that question and I said of course. They spoke in Korean, smiled and stroked my coat for a moment. It was really a good feeling. They told others about it and they all showed happiness and a sort of thankfulness. It was a very interesting place. Something I will always remember. Whenever I think about Korea it will always bring me back to Gene. I hope I can post some more stories about Uncle Gene and Aunt Seenie. Maybe I'll go back to the summer of 1987 in Seguin, Texas to write about catfish contests and skinning snakes. Ok time to go. Miss you buddy. LTHE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-74754933988205219712009-02-27T20:36:00.018+07:002009-02-28T01:37:37.109+07:00February 27th A Day I'll Always RememberIt's time to share some childhood stories about my best friend Kyle. I think about him everyday and what he thinks about me and my life. Plus, I wonder how he would be living his life if he hadn't left my house that day. <br />I wrote a long story about The Blixt Boys, <a href="http://wayfaringwriter.blogspot.com/2008/02/02271986-day-my-life-changed.html">"The Day My Life Changed"</a> one year ago to the day. If you have not read it. STOP and go back and read before you continue. PLEASE! <br /><br />I can remember the day well. But before that I want to tell some stories about some of the things we did. It's hard for me to really decide which story to tell. Do I choose this story for this year or do I wait to tell it next year? Not sure. I guess it really doesn't matter so which ever I tell it's new to you. But, for me it's like yesterday.<br /><br /> I can see walking through the trees and jumping the barb wire fence that leads into Jason Nolan's back yard. Now, Jason's yard is not a small city yard. Most of you who know me have heard stories about Chapman, a small town of about 1000 people in Central Kansas. I was one of the few who lived in "TOWN". Kyle, Kerry and Jeff Blixt lived up the road from me and had a nice home on the hill. Behind their home was a small grove of trees that was perfect for building tree houses. I can remember four trees that grew perfectly to be ideal corner posts to build, what I consider, one of the best tree houses I have ever seen. It had 3 different levels. Yes, separate floors to a tree house. Its hard to believe but those boys could build. Looking back it seemed liked it was impossible to be apart of the "club" but as mentioned in my last story I had been accepted and I was family to these great brothers. <br /><br />We would spend hours and days in that grove behind the house. Whether it was shooting birds, riding motorcycles, driving Bobcats or kicking each others' assess. Plain and simple, it was fun. Many of our outings would end with a trip to the Getty. I hope some of you Chapman readers remember the Getty. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGAMuBAOkZsRaoi1rknSqOzu22nDrZjG5ldectT7H12BdLyaCTYmwQaYoLJ4vnw239mude9U1YqjkB_hmKLVNlHb5rneuu7I67rAGhFIWG5tPRaP3OlKXqzC0iQNVZODNR-rq-YklOA/s1600-h/getty.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGAMuBAOkZsRaoi1rknSqOzu22nDrZjG5ldectT7H12BdLyaCTYmwQaYoLJ4vnw239mude9U1YqjkB_hmKLVNlHb5rneuu7I67rAGhFIWG5tPRaP3OlKXqzC0iQNVZODNR-rq-YklOA/s320/getty.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307527467881543410" /></a>The Getty was the rival gas station of the Fina only 90 ft away (30m for my Euro readers). These two gas stations were always raising and lowering prices to get the customers. Back in 1984ish I can remember it dropping to 83 cents a gallon. Wow!! Where are those days? OK back to the story. We would go to the Getty and have a plan. Kyle, Kerry, myself and others would walk in and say hello to Cat Daddy, Dave Graves. Dave if you are reading I am sorry. We had a plan every time to steal, grab, borrow or whatever you want to call it as much "chew" as we could. Yes, chewing tobacco. Not smokes, not candy, not beer but chew.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedexOMuYOgt7NbYmrO_aovtDfGIQqPvEywAKf0nkw_ZQkKhu0zJNbHXR5gRvc9GKKUkjE_tRLV7N3VdRau60VoMsV6uhXhyphenhyphen5ET0ufnkPh5psC33Dn28ZDFY7wq_tf57rUMuJTTKLEVw/s1600-h/Happy+Days.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 204px; height: 118px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedexOMuYOgt7NbYmrO_aovtDfGIQqPvEywAKf0nkw_ZQkKhu0zJNbHXR5gRvc9GKKUkjE_tRLV7N3VdRau60VoMsV6uhXhyphenhyphen5ET0ufnkPh5psC33Dn28ZDFY7wq_tf57rUMuJTTKLEVw/s320/Happy+Days.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307499042533014194" /></a> Happy Days was our choice of pleasure not for the smooth minty taste but because we had to refill the cans we stole from Leroy, Kyle, Jeff and Kerry's Dad. <br /><br />Our plan was to go to the back room and play video games for a little while and stuff quarters upon quarters in to <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahTVNUMaxJc9z6Hdd2yLZcp0a_djfioYOZmUISWJ4QE2A0BNFbPOWm7Xq0SpqLlFLDt22j4iBvxWd5ugErwavo85Z8WEWE3p8ehhZiaPhkIyzHwoNAowzBTn6X9dWKroYaSPUGSGKSg/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjahTVNUMaxJc9z6Hdd2yLZcp0a_djfioYOZmUISWJ4QE2A0BNFbPOWm7Xq0SpqLlFLDt22j4iBvxWd5ugErwavo85Z8WEWE3p8ehhZiaPhkIyzHwoNAowzBTn6X9dWKroYaSPUGSGKSg/s400/images.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307500998950697154" /></a><br />Ms. Pacman and Galaga. When the time came for the "move" we would always take turns on being the "one". Now you have to remember this is somewhere close to 1984 and the time when if your game "ate" your quarter the guy working, aka Cat Daddy, would come back to the back room and unlock the machine and open it up and get your money back for you. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY57szZztOc2AThvxj6PAAeIzzI7fPSUNETE5L5AZKtTo2GDLW8LWYZewv4IyjtpVGD7MUOrEAmj-mtwoDdfZGUejRy2vCrZhchk5xSZ07rWhHLY2haoNHtZ5hyBla5PcSuON347EAJQ/s1600-h/Galaga1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 249px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY57szZztOc2AThvxj6PAAeIzzI7fPSUNETE5L5AZKtTo2GDLW8LWYZewv4IyjtpVGD7MUOrEAmj-mtwoDdfZGUejRy2vCrZhchk5xSZ07rWhHLY2haoNHtZ5hyBla5PcSuON347EAJQ/s320/Galaga1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307501825747437618" /></a> However, we would plan it that more than one machine was "eating" our quarters. Thus giving "the one" more time. Yes, I am sorry mom. Often I was the one cause i was the fastest. (Yes, I used to be fast before the beer so shut up). Kyle was always so good at keeping Dave in the back room. He would stand in front of him and keep him from coming back in the main area. I would grab rolls of "chew" or whoever was up next to do the deed would stuff them into our pants and run. If you are not a chewer you probably don't know that rolls of chew can come in packs of 5 or more. Yeah, 10 to 20 cans at a time we would grab. We would take turns doing the job and sneak out the door and meet out back to walk up the road past the Meyer's house and back to the trees by Jason's and the Blixt's home. Never being caught...til now. <br />We'd divvy up the cans making sure to replenish Leroy's stash and head to the Bag Swings!<br /><br />OH the bag swings. They were the center point of our life. It didn't matter whether it was sunny, rainy, snowy or sleet. We were there. Being crazy fools. This place was just next door to my house. Remember the story of me climbing the radio tower? Yeah that's the same place, but just down in valley in "Witches Hollow". These bag swings were not pieces of elaborate engineering. They were made of a long piece of 3 inch rope, a burlap sack and hay stuffed inside then tied to a tall cottonwood tree. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S-TnuIRbiwKQ44a6hFa53dfIXmI2rGA1uTXyRTwB8O3rrAyT_IbEyZPSOjkbbA5r1PhyphenhyphenTYB4lhyphenhyphen57_Ewl4SehlflKlh4vf_pd6-JJo98Xqg8tFdX0wcSn8VsImrffKN5AtTpeUUDIA/s1600-h/3219776283_08db790dc0.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-S-TnuIRbiwKQ44a6hFa53dfIXmI2rGA1uTXyRTwB8O3rrAyT_IbEyZPSOjkbbA5r1PhyphenhyphenTYB4lhyphenhyphen57_Ewl4SehlflKlh4vf_pd6-JJo98Xqg8tFdX0wcSn8VsImrffKN5AtTpeUUDIA/s400/3219776283_08db790dc0.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307507542177406930" /></a>Dennis Weinhold, the father of my friend Caleb, was a local horseman who made it for us. He cut, chopped and dug out the area to allow us to have the time of our lives. It was one of the highlights of my childhood. <br /><br />We would spend hours upon hours of jumping, diving, falling, bleeding and laughing. Plus, laughing some more were spent in that pasture. It was the meeting point for our club. I am sure to this day you can find knives, throwing stars and other weapons buried in the ground not far from there with our names on them. This place was a boys dream. The swing was set up to swing down into an old dried out creek bed with a flush grouping of hedge trees in the back. We would have to clear out the hedge apples every time so we wouldn't land on them The rope hung about 50 feet from the the large branch and would have to be pulled back up the the stand, made out of an old walnut stump, every time to beging the day. The soil at the bottom was made of pure lovable sand. Soft to the touch and about 1 foot deep. When you hit it from 12 to 15 ft off the ground. It was like landing in soft butter. POOF!<br /><br />We would have contests to see how far we could jump to the bag. It was all about distance. Imagine. Push the bag out, let it come back and then wait.....JUMP. If you caught it easily it wasn't far enough. Looking back I can see that the declining slope was about 12 degrees decline and thats was pretty damn steep. So if you missed you rolled and tumbled for about 20 to 30 feet (9 to 10m) with a 12 foot free fall before you hit the ground. But, if you have caught on to the reason why I write on this day you don't need to ask who who was the best. <br /><br />Kyle, was and in my mind will always be the craziest and most daring person i have ever met. He wasn't always toughing and stronger but he had more determination than anyone. He was not the biggest kid or the strongest but had more mental strength than most 12 yr olds. If he said he was doing it. He was doing it. So when i came to that creek bed and the bag swing it all about being the best. This place was surrounded by tall cottonwood and hedge trees. The tree our swing was tied to was in the middle of the small clearing. It must have been about 120 years old with a base the diameter of 10 men, okay 10 kids. But none-the-less it was big. A giant to some and a monster to this day. But, on the right side there was the second bag that was added. On that side of the tree there was a tree on the opposite end. Bare, while and dead. Lifeless but strong and willing to support anyone who dared to climb. Kyle would climb to the first stable branch and wait. I would stand on the wooden perch or Kerry or who ever else was next and toss the bag to him. Often it would take several tries for us to whip it around at the right angle to hit Kyle at the perfect point. The bag would swoop down, two feet off the ground and the knotted end would brush the soft sandy bed and then swoop straight up to it's pinnacle of about 30 to 40 ft and it would just come to him like a dream. Then he would leap. I am sure not once he would even think about it. I can still see it so clearly. He would just step off the branch and cling to the rope and glide back to the stand waiting for us to join him on his ride. Never worrying about being hurt or falling. He knew it. He knew he would never miss. The bag wasn't but inches away but if he missed the rope he wouldn't land on the sloping hill and roll to the bottom of the soft milky sand pit. He would drop straight down about 40 ft (13m). But, when he came gliding up to the stand I would always jump off the stand and join him on his joy ride until so many others piled on and we crashed to the ground from the weight. Laughing and screaming. I can feel the sand in my face as I hit the ground. It's like I am there now.<br /><br /> Not many made the jump. But those that did will always remember the Bag Swings. I will always remember the Bag Swings. <br /><br />I will always remember my dear and loved friend, Kyle. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">I will never forget February 27th.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QpRxrchliv0O8Sutp3VBiu_di5IFwpmP8dMU_QVaW-uaCEAjJMpnRfkv-wYHVyYB_slzPQrnoNXlqZ9SnoLhwXAxty7npk3p7w-WNLNx2S82Y7EyNUuTjQL5Hvc4fNQh5BAD6iJyPQ/s1600-h/Kyle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 147px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6QpRxrchliv0O8Sutp3VBiu_di5IFwpmP8dMU_QVaW-uaCEAjJMpnRfkv-wYHVyYB_slzPQrnoNXlqZ9SnoLhwXAxty7npk3p7w-WNLNx2S82Y7EyNUuTjQL5Hvc4fNQh5BAD6iJyPQ/s400/Kyle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5307498128051982434" /></a><br /><br />Kyle died of a gun shot wound February 27th, 1986. He was 12 yrs old. He was a powerful soul and still to this day drives me to be who I am. Much of what I have done in my life is to carry on what I think he would want me to do. Telling stories of our lives together with family and friends and sharing the joy we had together. <br />I know many more people have stories of their friends and family but I ask you to share them. Not for me but for you.THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-417970621503589015.post-73459997165629887132009-01-11T15:14:00.012+07:002009-02-01T15:48:22.520+07:00Bali Livin' 2Sorry so long to get back to finishing the story. So here goes.....Days came and went and now time to leave. I get all packed up and through my <span style="font-style:italic;">shtuff<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> together and head out the door to back my B.A.B. (Big-Ass Bag) on a my S.A.S. (Small-Ass Scooter). However, upon my check out Dwee says to me "Where you going Mr. Neal?" "What do you mean", I ask them. Then she tells me they now have room for the rest of my friends so we stay at the Ayu for a couple more days.one hour before they had no room now they had two rooms. Funny how that works when they see you leaving. So I cancel the other place and stay for the rest of the time. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CYzpvprs4KEx68putrvqnrMccQN8zfbzGskpth1GfI9vcxff6SCm6wFpLZYTU6MKgG9mcgti_RjsnIFjKEDFqi-jgnMXaX4y7ATcJcIbTGXSWeNAbQtS7mR1VW-u4iDE-Db4NgnI3Q/s1600-h/PC250387.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CYzpvprs4KEx68putrvqnrMccQN8zfbzGskpth1GfI9vcxff6SCm6wFpLZYTU6MKgG9mcgti_RjsnIFjKEDFqi-jgnMXaX4y7ATcJcIbTGXSWeNAbQtS7mR1VW-u4iDE-Db4NgnI3Q/s400/PC250387.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296309085700742802" /></a><br />"Kill Trees for Baby Jesus" Eve, has arrived and My good friends the Schwartz family are to arrive around midnight. So i get some things together to make the evening right and fine. Beers! The Bintang was good to us. I arrived at the airport with a driver from the hotel and I had him hold a special sign. This is a picture of Noyman waiting for Ken and Rhonda. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M_WevYZoKY_C86mf0Fqwknp1TYfPaROKyc9xthLb_bp0DRuk3jIh6nuDvVuHLZVwsKMnuoMybugBzaYyjw-dt1368s2LvXxOsu_OqbYTt4zxvJchNltPzXHym12T4-UNCC-MK8VUsg/s1600-h/PC250269.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2M_WevYZoKY_C86mf0Fqwknp1TYfPaROKyc9xthLb_bp0DRuk3jIh6nuDvVuHLZVwsKMnuoMybugBzaYyjw-dt1368s2LvXxOsu_OqbYTt4zxvJchNltPzXHym12T4-UNCC-MK8VUsg/s400/PC250269.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296308572866050050" /></a> It was not a planned sign but thrown together with a black ink pen and a empty cigarette carton box. But still fun to watch them laugh coming out the doors. <br /><br />It's hard to try to retell the who story of the break obviously but I will try to piece it together the best I can. We decided to go visit a place called Turtle Island, which turned out to NOT be an island but just around the corner from where the boat was put in. Anyway, it was a small turtle reserve with a couple a large turtles use to help repopulate the sea turtle species. These turtles were anywhere from a couple days old to 76 years. It was quite amazing to be around these wonderful creatures. <br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqTBktmFZsNnQ_p-IrK0RNkgrhLptU7RzHIaK0YXke1ejh7UIvBmChQAFhWiCUGfqgMBfe8iPEdX1TB-T0H75IV9lU8Hf87HzGL9bGE1XO4h3sAvcCTSFfSrqZBa9zgbJqVSU7MeASQ/s1600-h/IMG_0413.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqTBktmFZsNnQ_p-IrK0RNkgrhLptU7RzHIaK0YXke1ejh7UIvBmChQAFhWiCUGfqgMBfe8iPEdX1TB-T0H75IV9lU8Hf87HzGL9bGE1XO4h3sAvcCTSFfSrqZBa9zgbJqVSU7MeASQ/s200/IMG_0413.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296313949338779426" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHHDXWs4QJFeA2u1WT_MHOWkXb-QVz1jdb1nIS7DXvwmTfPICeexgBhyLCvdvrGkmbdA4mgLipg4M5Ro7BKAIXIuxK-vtQFZMXtp6epm77jMqGQ4slbE5C6OAfmU8y0SNUncBu80rOA/s1600-h/IMG_0402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilHHDXWs4QJFeA2u1WT_MHOWkXb-QVz1jdb1nIS7DXvwmTfPICeexgBhyLCvdvrGkmbdA4mgLipg4M5Ro7BKAIXIuxK-vtQFZMXtp6epm77jMqGQ4slbE5C6OAfmU8y0SNUncBu80rOA/s200/IMG_0402.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296314563341432466" /></a> <br />After the trip back from the turtles we decided to head up to Lovina. It's a nice little village about 4 hours north of where we were staying. Up that way is a good wildlife park and some great snorkeling. Once again we arrived at another great stop <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBedYmoVYQTYxQjHuX0clFCEziSS14m-Qu8KZNWjg-mx5vF0E6QIyubpL2AZ7Qf6YH9yHbIV3Gc34YFyrH_4uSszGAubKmqLXsJ5_RKsssuvhIAMtYijx-zIyD_dPOKtLuqNLeaxwhg/s1600-h/PC300805.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBedYmoVYQTYxQjHuX0clFCEziSS14m-Qu8KZNWjg-mx5vF0E6QIyubpL2AZ7Qf6YH9yHbIV3Gc34YFyrH_4uSszGAubKmqLXsJ5_RKsssuvhIAMtYijx-zIyD_dPOKtLuqNLeaxwhg/s200/PC300805.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296323721178375442" /></a>along the way. We came across the Pura (shrine) for fertility. NO i am not planning on anything so don't ask. We say some nice things while in the village. Food, clothes, spices people and just good relaxing feeling. Completely different from the south. Here in the north people move at Bali speed. Which is about like crawling. No worries, no cares just taking it easy. It was the perfect way to spend the day. Shopping for some bowls made of cinnamon and coconut that smelled so good. I wish I could reach through the screen and pull you through to take a whiff. I really didn't need anything on the entire trip but always can use some nice knick-knacks for the table. And of course half the fun of the traveling or may all the fun is watching for local traditions and things done different from those around the world.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf7zB1kThkYUvm2_FLp4gzlft1S6ur7HhLzDFHrwO2Do35ZhgKROtq-qctH5SsjsdtGLYoA61djRGz77hJynGL3snVPnA7LWwZd5cRVYIi-zqzUVnoQgZfJVUO9_TwuhYpLfG9IMe1Q/s1600-h/PC270514.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRf7zB1kThkYUvm2_FLp4gzlft1S6ur7HhLzDFHrwO2Do35ZhgKROtq-qctH5SsjsdtGLYoA61djRGz77hJynGL3snVPnA7LWwZd5cRVYIi-zqzUVnoQgZfJVUO9_TwuhYpLfG9IMe1Q/s200/PC270514.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296324002058551554" /></a> As my buddy Cole Schwartz said about this woman, "it's not corn on the cob but corn on the head". That boy is funny i tell you. I hope to be around him when he is older.THE MURFNICKELShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01087748102325827019noreply@blogger.com0