Faith. It seems like such a simple word. But, here I sit not really knowing what it means to me.
So, I'm setting my sights on 2008 to learn about faith. Learn about how to be faithful to myself and define my own set of beliefs. So, I declare 2008 as the Year of the Bird, and more specifically the year of Betsy Bird. This one is going to be a good one; it HAS to be a good one. I am challenging myself to have some faith.
Thanks to everyone for their love and support as I worked through a very difficult 2007. I wish you all your own personal year of success, love and faith. Cheers.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Purple Mountains Majesty
So, I've been in Denver for 18 days and things are indeed getting back to normal. OK, maybe not normal but I enjoy being back here. Now, if only I could move into my house. That will come soon enough...
The other morning, I was on my way to work when I looked West and saw the most beautiful sight - the snow covered mountains shining purple in the sunrise. I honestly had to stop my car and enjoy the view for a few seconds. I think I've been rushing to do things here in Denver and haven't really taken time to stop and realize where I am. This is it; I'm home and I LOVE IT.
I head to IL tomorrow for Christmas; Mom and I are driving to Chip's on Christmas Eve for the traditional celebration. It will be nice to spend some time with my family; I only wish G and his family could be around too.
The other morning, I was on my way to work when I looked West and saw the most beautiful sight - the snow covered mountains shining purple in the sunrise. I honestly had to stop my car and enjoy the view for a few seconds. I think I've been rushing to do things here in Denver and haven't really taken time to stop and realize where I am. This is it; I'm home and I LOVE IT.
I head to IL tomorrow for Christmas; Mom and I are driving to Chip's on Christmas Eve for the traditional celebration. It will be nice to spend some time with my family; I only wish G and his family could be around too.
Monday, December 10, 2007
a series of unfortunate events...
It has taken me over a week to be able to sit down and blog about my last trip. If you were paying attention, you would know that I shouldn't be done with it yet. So, I will update you from the luxury of a couch in Denver...
On the 30th of November, I packed my bags and headed to the airport for South Africa. My friends Gerald and Rikka were getting married and some friends and I decided to make a trip out of it. I get to Heathrow, get my first class ticket (paid for by miles) for Johannesberg and make my way to the gate. My first stop, 2 hours later was in Lisbon to change flights for the long haul down south. The Lisboa airport is a trip; loads of smoking sections and stinky portugese everywhere! :) My flight down to Johannesberg was a 10 hour flight to Maputo, Mozambique then a 45 minute jaunt over to Jo-berg. All went well, I even got some sleep on the long haul. While first class was more like business class, I was happy to have the ability to lie flat.
Upon arrival into Jo-berg, I hightailed it to passport control in order to miss the crowds. I wind my way through the queue made to handle hundreds of passengers to find myself first in line! What a treat; this never happens when you have a visiting passport. I walk up to the immigration officer all smiles and anxious for my adventure to begin. She flips through my passport and asks where she should place the visa and stamp. I show her a page with two available boxes and wait patiently. She calls over her manager and after a brief discussion, I am taken to the "official" immigration office where I am stuck pacing in a hallway for about 2 hours. SA requires one completely empty page for the visa and stamp. While I don't understand this practice they were not about to budge. I honestly thought I would wait for an hour or two, then they would stamp the passport and off I would go.
Boy, was I wrong.
After spending 2 hours in a hallway, I was moved to a "holding cell" where they took away my cell phone, laptop, camera, sleeping pills (in case I decide to off myself) and all of my personal possessions. Honestly, I was a prisoner. I was doing OK until I was told that should I feel unsafe all I needed to do was close the HUGE door between the male and female wards and a supervisor would come with me should I need to use the toilet, etc. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I did nothing wrong!! Well, after about an hour of shear panic in the holding cell, the airline contact came and got me. She moved me into the TAP lounge and apologize for the treatment. This was the first time I was able to get something to eat or drink (about 8 hours since last eating). I was put on the first return flight back to London and ended up in the same seat for all my day's journey. That is one way to spend a day!
So, I did go to SA. I did even see the airport. However, I never touched SA soil outside the airport. I was deported back to the UK.
As I no longer really lived in the UK and Nick & Penny (my friend's with the remainder of my stuff) were on holiday, I was completely and totally homeless without a place to stay. Thanks to some very good friends and wonderful people, I was able to get to Nick & Pen's and get in using the neighbors key. At which point, I proceeded to completely breakdown from the stress of the last couple of days.
After pulling myself together, I booked a ticket and headed to Denver three days later which brings me back to the beginning of this story.
I can now honestly say, the life of a world traveler is not all that glam. I think I will keep my feet on the ground in Denver for a while.
On the 30th of November, I packed my bags and headed to the airport for South Africa. My friends Gerald and Rikka were getting married and some friends and I decided to make a trip out of it. I get to Heathrow, get my first class ticket (paid for by miles) for Johannesberg and make my way to the gate. My first stop, 2 hours later was in Lisbon to change flights for the long haul down south. The Lisboa airport is a trip; loads of smoking sections and stinky portugese everywhere! :) My flight down to Johannesberg was a 10 hour flight to Maputo, Mozambique then a 45 minute jaunt over to Jo-berg. All went well, I even got some sleep on the long haul. While first class was more like business class, I was happy to have the ability to lie flat.
Upon arrival into Jo-berg, I hightailed it to passport control in order to miss the crowds. I wind my way through the queue made to handle hundreds of passengers to find myself first in line! What a treat; this never happens when you have a visiting passport. I walk up to the immigration officer all smiles and anxious for my adventure to begin. She flips through my passport and asks where she should place the visa and stamp. I show her a page with two available boxes and wait patiently. She calls over her manager and after a brief discussion, I am taken to the "official" immigration office where I am stuck pacing in a hallway for about 2 hours. SA requires one completely empty page for the visa and stamp. While I don't understand this practice they were not about to budge. I honestly thought I would wait for an hour or two, then they would stamp the passport and off I would go.
Boy, was I wrong.
After spending 2 hours in a hallway, I was moved to a "holding cell" where they took away my cell phone, laptop, camera, sleeping pills (in case I decide to off myself) and all of my personal possessions. Honestly, I was a prisoner. I was doing OK until I was told that should I feel unsafe all I needed to do was close the HUGE door between the male and female wards and a supervisor would come with me should I need to use the toilet, etc. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? I did nothing wrong!! Well, after about an hour of shear panic in the holding cell, the airline contact came and got me. She moved me into the TAP lounge and apologize for the treatment. This was the first time I was able to get something to eat or drink (about 8 hours since last eating). I was put on the first return flight back to London and ended up in the same seat for all my day's journey. That is one way to spend a day!
So, I did go to SA. I did even see the airport. However, I never touched SA soil outside the airport. I was deported back to the UK.
As I no longer really lived in the UK and Nick & Penny (my friend's with the remainder of my stuff) were on holiday, I was completely and totally homeless without a place to stay. Thanks to some very good friends and wonderful people, I was able to get to Nick & Pen's and get in using the neighbors key. At which point, I proceeded to completely breakdown from the stress of the last couple of days.
After pulling myself together, I booked a ticket and headed to Denver three days later which brings me back to the beginning of this story.
I can now honestly say, the life of a world traveler is not all that glam. I think I will keep my feet on the ground in Denver for a while.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Oh where, oh where...
... has my little bird gone?
oh where, oh where can she be?
I am back in lovely Burghfield Common staying with Nick & Penny before heading off to my next destination (Exeter for a day then South Africa).
I got back to the UK over a week ago, from the US, just in time for my leaving drinks with work friends and the Foo Fighters concert. I was in town only long enough to switch suitcases, get a bit drunk and head off to Berlin the following Monday. So, needless to say, during my unemployment I've been running a bit.
Last week I surrounded myself with Cold War history in lovely Berlin. I really put my feet to the pavement and saw as much as I absolutely could while I was there. After a nice long lie in on Tuesday morning, I went to the Brandenberg Tor (Gate), the Holocaust Memorial, Unter den Linden, Potsdamer Platz, the Topography of Terror and Checkpoint Charlie. It was a full (and somewhat depressing day) of walking, reading and freezing. I am totally impressed by any city that can thrive under the shadow of recent communist reign. While I loved seeing the WWII sites of the city, I think my favorite was Checkpoint Charlie and the Bauer (wall) Museum. Reading the accounts of people who had escaped or helped people across the wall was fascinating. Some of the pictures, videos and newsreels were in color! I never thought such world history could be so contemporary. I am amazed at the reality people were living with 18 years ago.
My second and third days in Berlin really consisted of more sights at a much less agressive speed. I did the Jewish Museum (highly recommend), the East Side Gallery, the Berlin Dome, Pergamom Museum and loads of aimless wanderings that allowed me to only get so lost. I will post a couple pictures in a bit.
On Friday, I hopped the train for Prague. Another beautiful city rich with architecture, history and a communist undertone. The Prague Castle was breathtaking and really steals the skyline; this may be a more romantic city than Paris in my view! I loved, loved, LOVED the Charles Bridge and could have spent hours wandering from statue to statue, end to end except for all the pick pockets, tourists and struggling musicians and artists. My favorite time of day on the Bridge was twilight (roughly 4pm in the winter). The changing colors of the day was a sight to be seen. I did loads of walking in Prague. I honestly would set off for the day, map in hand, and really try to get as lost as possible. I would end up in all sorts of interesting parts of the city taking in sites the average tourist doesn't see. Again, I was impressed by the John Lennon peace wall and the Jewish cemetary. I'm not sure I will ever get back to Prague but I'm glad I've had a chance to experience the city.
As I mentioned earlier, I am back in the UK for a couple of days before my big trip South. I am doing laundry, some last minute research and packing my bags! To be honest while I am excited to continue being a tourist, I am more excited about the return to Denver. It will be good to go home after all this!
oh where, oh where can she be?
I am back in lovely Burghfield Common staying with Nick & Penny before heading off to my next destination (Exeter for a day then South Africa).
I got back to the UK over a week ago, from the US, just in time for my leaving drinks with work friends and the Foo Fighters concert. I was in town only long enough to switch suitcases, get a bit drunk and head off to Berlin the following Monday. So, needless to say, during my unemployment I've been running a bit.
Last week I surrounded myself with Cold War history in lovely Berlin. I really put my feet to the pavement and saw as much as I absolutely could while I was there. After a nice long lie in on Tuesday morning, I went to the Brandenberg Tor (Gate), the Holocaust Memorial, Unter den Linden, Potsdamer Platz, the Topography of Terror and Checkpoint Charlie. It was a full (and somewhat depressing day) of walking, reading and freezing. I am totally impressed by any city that can thrive under the shadow of recent communist reign. While I loved seeing the WWII sites of the city, I think my favorite was Checkpoint Charlie and the Bauer (wall) Museum. Reading the accounts of people who had escaped or helped people across the wall was fascinating. Some of the pictures, videos and newsreels were in color! I never thought such world history could be so contemporary. I am amazed at the reality people were living with 18 years ago.
My second and third days in Berlin really consisted of more sights at a much less agressive speed. I did the Jewish Museum (highly recommend), the East Side Gallery, the Berlin Dome, Pergamom Museum and loads of aimless wanderings that allowed me to only get so lost. I will post a couple pictures in a bit.
On Friday, I hopped the train for Prague. Another beautiful city rich with architecture, history and a communist undertone. The Prague Castle was breathtaking and really steals the skyline; this may be a more romantic city than Paris in my view! I loved, loved, LOVED the Charles Bridge and could have spent hours wandering from statue to statue, end to end except for all the pick pockets, tourists and struggling musicians and artists. My favorite time of day on the Bridge was twilight (roughly 4pm in the winter). The changing colors of the day was a sight to be seen. I did loads of walking in Prague. I honestly would set off for the day, map in hand, and really try to get as lost as possible. I would end up in all sorts of interesting parts of the city taking in sites the average tourist doesn't see. Again, I was impressed by the John Lennon peace wall and the Jewish cemetary. I'm not sure I will ever get back to Prague but I'm glad I've had a chance to experience the city.
As I mentioned earlier, I am back in the UK for a couple of days before my big trip South. I am doing laundry, some last minute research and packing my bags! To be honest while I am excited to continue being a tourist, I am more excited about the return to Denver. It will be good to go home after all this!
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