observation of the day

Spanish people are extremly willing to help you in what ever way possible, unless they are working.

Its been a month

Well gang, as of the 28th of October I will officially have been here for one month. I am happy to report that I am very content here. Of course there are days when I miss everyone so much that it literally hurts, but then there are moments like today. I work up happy, took a stroll to buy a pizza, ran into a teacher that I work with and enjoyed a glass of wine with her, and then I went home and watched a movie I rented from the library. And I'm still happy. It is a very relaxing lifestyle here. Don't misunderstand me. I spend a lot of time working, and when I am not at work, I spend a lot of time preparing lessons for work. But I now understand what it’s like to really love a job. I wake up at 7am generally. (I can hear some of you saying "YEAH RIGHT"), but I do and I even shower and do my hair and makeup!!! That’s right Dad, I am a real human now haha. But I still have to say that I look forward to being retired (again). :)
Some reflections:
-I would really love to have a car again. Its frustrating taking the bus for 45 mins. to go 8 miles.
-I stand out like a sore thumb and attract a lot of African immigrants haha.
-Carrying a lunch to work is a huge savings, but it makes for some really awkward moments because of the fact that no one else does.
-TONS of families want me to teach their children English. How wonderful!
-Nothing, apart from "negrita" rum, is cheap in this country.
-I still can't figure out the driving system here.
-For some reasons Spanish people have extremely well trained dogs!

Well, that’s all from Lake Woebegone. The link I've included is an image of my front door, but if you move the arrows around you can see the whole area.
Over and out!
http://maps.google.es/maps?hl=es&ie=UTF8&ll=43.55941,-5.931877&spn=0,0.010525&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=43.559487,-5.931826&panoid=Sn_UttKWh0DUz1Ov3GPA-Q&cbp=12,109.76,,0,4.37

The journey has officially started.

Officially I have left Madrid!
But let me say that it really is an amazing city. The people are pretty great, and they are always very helpful. One thing I had forgotten about Spanish culture is their really odd schedule. They work for a few hours in the morning, take a break for a few hours (3 or 4) and then head back to work. During the time off everyone is literally just walking around. Since most things are closed, the Spanish have mastered the art of window shopping. The only things that are open are the restaurants so many people meet up with their family or friends and have a three course lunch! It really does blow your mind to see people just sauntering around a large city with no real purpose.
I had my conference which was helpful, but I am glad its over.
The next day (sat) I left Madrid by bus.
It didn't take very long for us to get outside the city limits and into New Mexico. :) Not literally, but it looked so much like the south west. Very dry and with a few bluffs here and there. Then after a few hours I found myself back in Wisconsin! How great! There wasn't much time in Wisconsin though before we entered the tunnels of Duluth and came out into the province of Asturias. Or as many would say; Paradise. And it really is absolutely gorgeous.
I arrived after 6 hours of travel and my "boss" was there waiting for me. He has become the kindest stranger I have ever met. He walked me around town, showed me to my hotel where I dropped off my stuff and then tool me to one apartment that was available to me. After all this, mind you its 10pm, he took me out to dinner. We were one of the first few people to eat so "early". I think getting used to Spanish time is going to be the biggest challenge.
Today is Sunday and Jaime - I have to mention that he wanted to help me pronounce his name so in an e-mail he told me to say hi-men ahahahahahahah and then drop the n-Anyways, Jaime took me to see where I would get on and off the bus and also showed me where I would be working. He really is an amazing guy.
So now the apartment hunt starts, and the hassle of getting resident cards and a bank account are on the docket as well.
Wish me luck!
Ilee

The picture is of the Madrid strike against government spending in Spain. There were strikes throughout the whole country.

Cat's Hostel

Oh my goodness!
There is beer for a buck thirty-five in a vending machine at my hostel!! And its good!
I've officially made it to Spain. We landed at 8am and I was surprised to see that it was still dark outside. By the time I got to my hostel it was 10am. Customs and baggage claim went well, but the subway system, however very efficient and cheep, is not handicap accessible. Or in my case, out of shape woman with a 50lb suitcase accessible. Needless to say I put down a deposit for a towel when I arrived, took a shower and went back to sleep for 4 and a half hours. It's good to be back over the pond. :)

I'm Back!

The Adventure Continues!!

I'm currently in Chicago, but it is only a matter of hours before I will step foot once again onto foreign soil!
I hope we can go with each other through this blog.

I just won $50 for comming in 2nd in a poker tournament!!! Awesome!

Hello again those who are interested :)
So I have officially become one of the many to get stuck in Yemba. It's such an addicting town that you just can't leave. It kind of reminds me of Hayward only without anybody from Chicago! I haven't spent much time at the beach yet because I forgot my swim suite at the last hostel. But I bought a new one today, and might I say, that it is fabulous!
So for those of you who don't know yet. Mirra and the rest of the family are in a bit of a scare... I feel okay saying this, because I don't think many people read this. Soooooooooo it looks as though I might go home early. (its 11:30 at night here and I've had a bit to drink), but I really am okay with it. Actually, after realizing it might become reality, I am sort of comfortable with the idea. Hopefully though, Its nothing to worry about and I wont be needed, but the idea of living in Superior again is a brand new concept for me. I haven't lived there during a summer since I was 15!
Anyways. Happy Mothers day to any mothers out there.
Please pray for Mirra.
-over and out

lovely!

Made it to Australia!
Things really are beautiful here. I was really sick for about 5 days but I feel just fine now. I went surfing this morning and was reminded of just how powerfull the ocean really is. But I have gotten a bit better at it and its a good workout even if Im not very gracefull it :)
Now at a town called Yemba. After this, Byron Bay!
-over and out

Traveling is never just butterflies and caiparinahs

Today started as a bus trip from Durban to Joberg. A trip that should be 7 hours. 15 hours later I am finally at my destination. The day started with an image of one man being brutally arrested by the police; I'm sure some of his teeth were knocked out. Later our bus broke down on the side of the road. 5 hours later I am able to get on another bus, but not after a constant battle for the other 3 busses that passed. I dont feel too bad about not getting on them because the young men who did, wouldn't even give up their seat for an 86 year old woman. We make it into joberg, but now its dark, and this is not a kind city. So while waiting for my extremly expensive taxi (about $40), I have to listen to the guy next to me, who won't be quiet, for another hour and a half.
It's been a long day.
-over and out.

on my way

"send me on my way"
SO the journey continues. I am currently in a wonderful little town called Swellanden in South Africa, and I am traveling with two English girls. Hannah and Kirstie. Both are wonderful girls with that brilliant British sense of humor. We had a few set backs. While in a small town where we went shark cage diving (which was amazing) I was robbed at night. Someone stole all my valuables and my wallet during the night. Later that day a guy named Dan who was also traveling with us got his card eaten by an ATM! We both had to cancel our cards but I had a spare so when I called Visa I told them to only cancel the one. Guess what, they canceled the wrong card! So I am no without any way to access my bank account, but no worries I have my lovely sugar momma, Kirstie.:) Everything is getting worked out. TIA (this is Africa)!
Tonight we will take our karasen lanterns into our cabin that is surrounded by beautiful woods just off the main street. Tomorrow, horseback riding and a game of golf.
I would post pictures, but..... no camera.

in and out of the bush

Well, mom and dad got to South Africa on the 15th and the next day we left right away for the bush. After about 4 hours we arrived at Richard Holmes Safari camp. Being that we all got up early and our "Professional Hunter",Lalase, had to wake up at 4 to come fetch us, we thought we would just get there and take it easy. NOPE. We went straight out hunting. It started to rain a bit but we got to the Springbok and Dad and I, Mom and Lalase all snuck up on a herd of them. Wasnt too diffacult but we ended up getting two trophy springbok in the rain!
The next day was by far the most diffacult. My dad and Lalase are now both sick, but are both willing to walk with me all day in the semi-desert region with the extreme heat that comes with being in Africa. After a long day I gave up, but my dad and Lalase give it one last attempt. With my mom, Jon, me and Nizbet driving around and pushing the animals to move, my dad shoots a beautiful Hearabeast running at 300 yards. Sucess!
The third day started with a long drive to another ranch in search of a Kudu. My dad is now feeling pretty crummy with a bug of some sorts. Lalase and I sneek about the moutains in seach of a Kudu and not too long after, we are able to sneek up on a heard. While getting set up to shoot, we scare them off, but they magically stop at about 300 yards away. So another trophy was added to the list! We decide to head home early, but not before picking up Jon's 4 children, 1 nephew, and Lalase's 2 children. We now 14 people in one pickup truck.
The next day consisted of a lot of driving, the sighting of lots of neat animals, but no meat. :)
The fifth day was back to the Kudu ranch which is actually called Ntoni which means white in the Kosa Language. We snuck around the mountains again and caught a beautiful Red Heartabeast bull looking the wrong way. We set up the shooting sticks and at 250 yards I was able to get my third trophy.
The last day was the day of the Gemsbok. A very beautiful animal that I got in the plains region at about 200 yards. A beautiful hunt in a comfortable temperature.
The hunting was wonderful, but the knowledge we learded about the animals themselves and the environment was unbelievable. Lalase was a wonderfully friendly and warm person despite the fact that his wife had died of cancer not two months ago. He opened up to us so much it was really touching. We learned about South Africa and about the people, expecially the Kosa people.
Most memorable experience yet!


We are now being pampered in the Pumba lodge on a private game reserve. We have sean lions, cheetahs, elephants, and rhinos. It just keeps getting better and better!

So worth it!

Well, I made it!
I left at 9:30 am 3-8 from the cabin and arrived in Jo-berg at 11pm 3-9. It was a LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOng day.
So far I havent got much of a good look at the area, spend most my time in the airport, but the little that I did get was truly awe-inspiring. The sounds are different, the smell is different, and the accent sure is different. But I feel very comfortable here.
It was completly worth the fights!

pre-departure

Thanks to any of you who might be interested in following me on my journey. I hope I can keep this pretty up to date.