Home Where the Buffalo Roam

This past weekend the sweet Wisconsin pavement passed under me. I saw road signs that said "Next Exit, Wisconsin Fun." It was tough to resist taking each and every exit. Among the many beautiful views, the one that takes the cake is the one of Lake Mendota's waves crashing on the student union's terrace of colorful chairs.

LA, Atlanta, Reunions, Oh My!

April Showers bring May Flowers...


so I've been showering myself in the love of friends. First stop: Los Angeles for a possible job hunting mission near the Union Station (pictured with palm trees). Can't beat the Getty Center's free art and gardens. Love the BOP staffers, beaches, and public transportation ain't so bad.




Second stop: Atlanta, aka Hotlanta. Met with my two best girlfriends from high school for a weekend of crafting, eating, and general merriment. We caught a Braves v. LA Dodgers game. My LA team lost. Loved the aquarium. Learned to knit. My friend lives in Cabbagetown, a cozy hub similar to my capital hill but built around an old cotton mill gone condo instead of the US Capitol. Hospitality and friendship was bar-none.

Last stop: A University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Student Senate Reunion in D.C. These are my people!! A critical mass of personalities live in D.C. and we finally reunited after months of waiting. My empty threat of moving to LA spurred us into action planning the reunion. I erroneously made this threat after falling in love with John Vanderslice all over again. You may recall that John sings the song "Dear Sarah Shu," and you may recall that John swooped me into his D.C. concert a few weeks ago for free. For the foregoing reasons, I wanted to move to LA -anything for John. And, it just so happens there's a great BOP crowd in LA, too. Regardless, relax because I am jolly in DC after a month of adventure.

Clever Tourism

In the past few days, I have learned a few new clever tricks for tourists. They all involve buses.

It all began when my cousins visited and mentioned taking the actual tourist bus, the one that costs $28 and allows you to hop on and off at will. As a local, I feel compelled to guide (midwest) visitors myself. While I cannot offer the same historic perspective over a microphone, I can offer cheap, way cheap prices.

Tip 1: Circulate around town for $1 for hours. This bus offers three simple routes. One from Georgetown to Union Station, one north and south from Union Station to Southwest, and one around the National Mall. Don't forget to get your transfer ticket for a free pass for hours. Look for the giant red buses near the red bus stations. What can the circulator offer you? Great views of the key parts of town. Plus, you can say you circulated around DC. (Not to be confused with a great dance move, the perculator.)

Tip 2: Take the Dulles Bus for an unintended purpose. For $3, you can take the Dulles airport 5A bus from Rosslyn metro stop to L'Enfant metro stop, or visa versa. This route goes past the Tidal Basin with beautiful views. For those who prefer to leave their walking shoes in the tent, wear your heals and still feel as if you've circled the most popular DC destination in Spring. For $3, I vote to take the bus twice! From Rossyln you could walk to Georgetown; Or from L'Enfant you could walk the Hirshorn Smithsonian and see my favorite modern art video about simple machines.

After a tough day on the bus, don't forget to keep your transfer so you can bus it up Independence and into Eastern Market for some Tunicliffs or Finn McCools.

Just two tips for those with DC in their dreams.

Cherry Blossom Season

Spring - the season of new beginnings. It could just be that Cool Hand Luke (see previous post) is so cute, but there was a girl in a cherry tree that gave him a run for his money.

With family in town, I spent much of my weekend enjoying the sweet scent of cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin, sweat of runners on the cherry blossom 10 miler, and tourists in the Smithsonian museums.

Can you guess where these tourists were located in our Nation's Capital?
1. A tourist on the phone said to someone on the other line, "I'm coming out of the Universe."
2. A tourist on the phone said to someone on the other line, "I'm near the calcitrates."
3. "We're Circulating."
4. "I love Ballarina stationary."
5. Which way does the arrow go? Where is my card? You don't need to put the card in to exit!

When you've given up, here are the answers
1. Air & Space Museum
2. Natural History Museum
3. Circulator bus - the best bus invention for tourists, ever.
4. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts Gift Shop
5. Metro. And you do need to put the card in to exit.

Returning to my roots as a DC tourist made me appreciate this great city all over again. Spring is great.

One Day Anniversary

In the year 2008, I have wireless internet at home. Today is my one day anniversary. My wireless and I shared a beautiful day together so far. What a wonderful world.

DC by night

My Baby: Cool Hand Luke

Since I do not have Internet at home I do not stalk my friends on Facebook like a proper friend should in the year of 2008. Tonight I took a look and noticed that somehow so many of my friends have married or had the question popped to them with a huge heirloom diamond. Instead of participating in the institution of marriage (for now), I've decided to move straight into motherhood.

A baby was born on Fat Tuesday, 2008. Born is defined as found in a cake. My baby was inside the Fat Tuesday Cake, under the purple frosting. That is where I found him. The color purple is the color for justice. My baby is supposed to bring me justice this year. I named him Cool Hand Luke after inspiration from my office/cubicle neighbor. Luke enjoys getting his picture taken. I think he is starting to look like me already.

Finer Things in DC - in the spring!

My one-of-a-kind IKEA shelf. Thank you to my neighbor, Mr. Rogers, for that. Also pictured, the Library of Congress with spring tree, and the Jefferson.

Minneapolis

The homeland. These are some great people.

New room New room

New Room

Hello All,

I've moved to a new room and have a new roommate. We are working on getting internet in our home. That will greatly improve my posting frequency. Curses to my oldish labtop, though. We are not getting along well currently. We will have to have a serious relationship talk tonight. It needs to treat me better. I carry it in a nice pouch, restart it and cleanse it from viruses. What does it want from me??!?!

In other news, I'm looking forward to upcoming family visits.

Hope all is well

Links for Work Colleagues

Wisconsin is so popular already!!

Read the linked article entitled: "Wisconsin Seeks a Less Cheesy Image"

What's your vote. Cheese or no cheese?

Atlanta!

On the trek to Jamaica, my flight was canceled from Miami to Jamaica. I found myself on a flight to Atlanta for the night in order to fly from Atlanta to Jamaica the next day. My good best friend lives in Atlanta! I called saying something like, "I'm going to be in your neighborhood. What are you doing in around two hours?" My favorite Atlanta people showed me good cheese and true hospitality. I hope to return soon.

Ya Mon, I'm Ire.

I've returned from Jamaica with a new hop to my step. Stay tuned for the photo tour.

Tourist gone Local

Today while on my jog a tourist held up his hand to me like a cop stopping traffic. Now, I run on the capitol mall so I accept and even welcome tourist questions. I like to test my new city knowledge. To boot, my running speed is such that it is like stopping traffic to slow me down!

The tourist asked, "Where is the White House."
I pointed to his left.
He asked, "What is that White House?," pointing to his right.
"The Jefferson Memorial" I replied.

2 points for the jogger, another happy tourist. YES!

There are two follow up comments to the free items mentioned in previous blogs.
1-Thank you to a reader for this article supporting dumpster diving worldwide.
2-When I ask questions at the farmer's market starting with, "In Wisconsin we.." the farmers respond well. Sunday I happily walked home with a large box of ripened tomatoes for cooking, free. Guess what I'm making tonight? Hungry? Come on over!

I heart John Vanderslice + Boston

Digital cameras are great. Here you see my Boston experience: The City, John Vanderslice, Harvard, and Tufts University.

Streets of Schuhington

Schuhington is nestled in cozy capitol hill. The Saturday farmer's market is famous for sale of fresh produce, lunches in the inside structure, and a large outdoor flea market. The breakfasts and lunches boast it's most famous crab cakes and blueberry buckwheat pancakes. Though the main structure of the market had a fire in the sprint, a temporary structure pictured here keeps the tradition alive while they re-build. The market is one of my favorite parts of the neighborhood because I can purchase local produce from farmers. Fun to taste the produce, talk to the farmers, and remember my roots. You can find me here every weekend at least once.










Here in Schuhington, you can find many treasures in the main residence. A gold and maroon motif include the pillow, sheets, curtain, and bed skirt. All very exciting purchases for a first time job holder. Also, enjoy the antique desk, my only furniture purchase over $15 to be found in Schuhington. This weekend I added to my dynasty with a free bedside table. My clock is no longer on the floor. Needless to say, I am crowing my self reigning dumpsterdiver/garage sale attendee in all of Schuhington. When are you visiting?

Schuh-ington. Est. 2007

Schuhington
Population: 1

Bauston

Hello from Boston. I'm off to a John Vanderslice concert (dear Sarah Shu) and my girlfriend's wedding tomorrow. My first time here. And I have a digital camera.. be prepared for great ones.

Transition

Today a co-worker in DC sent me this article about the problems finding change (money) in Guatemala.

http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/09/27/guatemala_has_big_money_problem/

This article sets the stage for a transitional blog entry for a host of reasons:
1. NPR has picked up on my blog and is now running stories about my observations abroad.
2. The story is about my city of Xela in Guatemala.
3. Last night I watched my first pro soccer game, DC v. Mexico, at the DC stadium. I am continuing to practicar espanol at soccer games, with a co-worker, and in my head... that's right. What does this have to do with the article? Time's proximity.
4. A friend I studied with in Guatemala was in town this week.

For those just entering the blogstream of climbingamountain, I have moved from the mountains of Guatemala to wearing heels in Washington DC. I started my first full time real job last week and have a retirement plan and everything.

Also, I now have a digital camera. Go figure. So I hope to use it for DC pics soon. The sad news is that my trusty law school computer has clunked out on me. She was a trusty but temporamental machine, and I'm not letting her off this easy. We will be back in coffee shops together on wireless soon. In the meantime, I am enjoying the Southeast DC public library's free internet access for 1 hr and 10 minute periods. Extra kudos to the library for recently ordering Kristin Gore's new book (on cd), Sammy's House. This is the second in a series about a Washington DC staffer who mymics Bridget Jones in clumsiness with decisions and love. I love it because it's about my new city, politics, people my age, and funny funny. The first book, Sammy's Hill, was my travel research guide last summer before I moved here.

And now we have completely transitioned to DC. Welcome to the new journey with me! I look forward to our twists and turns on the comment board!

Much love from our nation's capital.

Link Warm-up

The following blog includes many links. As a warm-up, here is a link to photos from the Lake, Lake Atitlan, where I spent several weekends. This particular set of photos includes a side trip to the lake city of Santiago and a peace park dedicated after the army massacred 15 people leading the people to push the army out of the city by petition, brave in the days of civil war.

When you have mastered this link, go to the next section and see more!

Digital Friends

While I do not possess a digital camera, I have made friends with a steady travel partner who does.

In solely photo form, check out some recent destinations..
-a festival in a local pueblito (small village). Each village celebrates a different saint, and the saint day for the city is listed on a calendar. I visited a pueblo nearby named Cantel.
-Last weekend, my ultimate weekend.. my last weekend in Guatemala, I made a small pueblo tour in the north where native indiginous culture is stronger than in the city.
1. First we stopped in San Francisco. This city boasts one of the most authentic markets, we arrived just as it was closing to see some of the veggies, clothes, cloth, and animals offered for sale. Next we continued on, reaching the bus station by hopping on ride on the back of a pickup truck of a local old man. Kindest man. By bus we reached Huehuetenango and the next day Mayan ruins in Zacual.

2. Second we traveled an hour and a half up a paved road and an hour and a half down an unpaved road to reach Todos Santos, famous for the authentic clothing everyone wears. In particular we saw a political rally featuring the man running for President in the party currently in office. We also sauna-ed in a Mayan sauna, powered by a fire in a small clay hut. Finally we ate beans, eggs, fried chicken and rice + sweet bread (not so sweet), for every meal. Not a pueblo know for it's restaurants. But it does boast it's name in stones on the nearby mountain, much like the large Hollywood word in Cali.

3. The third night was my last in the mountains of Guatemala and perhaps the most fascinating. We asked the bus driver to drop us at the home of Telma and Luis, no kidding, and the bus driver did. This couple sells arts in the school and hosted us at their home for the night in Momostenango. They are artisians, making rugs, blankets, purses, scarves, many things, out of sheep's wool yard died with natural berries, bark, rocks and insects. The home had a pit toilet with the door being a political ad for the presidential candidate I saw in Todos Santos the day before. I am supportive. The family cooks over the fire for every meal, making tortillas fresh every day from corn. Outstanding experience.

4. I am now in Chicago.. a little under the weather from the weekend but back and excited to see you again!

Will post more about the past two weeks soon, b/c they were amazing.

Incarceration Continues

Last week began with some disappointments but ended with a moving ceremony.

Wednesday two first communions were planned for women in the women´s prison. The other student volunteer and I purchased veggies at the market to contribute to the lunch to follow the ceremony. While purchasing carrots, I felt a small veggie hit me in the head. When I looked for the culprit, two Mayan saleswomen were giggling. As always, I smiled and said Buenas Dias.. but really I was a little miffed that I was the target of harssment while purchasing food for a religious ceremony in a prison. In the end it was a worthy experience to be the target of discrimination and understandt he feeling. Later in this day, one women in the prison said to her friends with me in company, that I did not understand spanish. To which I replied, I understand spanish. She was embarassed and I felt uncomfortable b-c I want to lift spirits, not bring a divide. But all was fine, just a bit of strangeness.

In the end the ceremony was incredibly touching. I understood what people said and met two interesting people. One an American Deacon who works with juveniles in Cali prisons, the other a Guat newscaster who works with the church and jail here. We all exchanged emails.

Cambio?

Some mutterings about money. Today I sent a card to the states. For change of $5 I visited a bakery, paper shop and finally purchased coffee at a tourist hangout. This country is really hurting for change, as in coins and small bills. Please send some. One extremely popular bakery here is a huge chain called Xelapan (the name of the city, Xela, and pan is bread). The various breads and cookies cost between 3 cents and 40 cents, up to more for cakes. This is a popular snack for many students, but again, the change thing will get you. Here 7 Quetzal (there money, the name of a parrot like bird), here 7 quetzal is around $1. Change goes down to 1-10th of a Quetzal. You can get a workout carrying these coins around.

This week in the prison
1. making bunny purses
2. visiting with the doctor and bringing medicines for diabetics and vitamins
3. participating in the baptism of two women, followed by a luncheon.

And some spanish puns--
1. The name of my old school was Guatebuena. The name of the country is Guatemala. Mala means bad, Buena means good, the country name was switched for the better...(grone?)
2. People watch those fantastic spanish soap operas here, they are called telenovelas (television novels) but my teacher calls them televiejas (television for the old)...(snicker here)
3. One Guatemalan boy told me I was old when he found out my age, then he quickly added, but pretty.. so now I introduce my age with Vieja pero Bonita (old but pretty)...

For those of you in Minneapolis and the area, I send a big hug and hopes that all is ok with your loved ones.

Maximon

Another memorable weekend at Lake Atitlan. By far the quietest most serene excursion yet. Details to follow. Including: Second visit to Saint Simon (Maximon), bartering for goods, feeding the hungry, and tranquil swimming.

I am going to Cuba

That is I am going to experience Cuban culture, music, history, and all that is the Buena Vista Social Club. In Antigua I heard one member of the band- following this I viewed the documentary. Tonight a band of Buena Vista is in Xela and I will attend with classmates and teachers from school. This band is a musical goldmine in Cuba´s history. I nearly cried during the documentary seeing the old band members smiling on stage in New York with their eyes glistening in the spotlights. It raises issues of art, politics, geography, history... and touches me the way music should.

To boot, I have found a pretty fantastic dance partner in town and taken up a few salsa and merengue moves. This has become a regular outing at night with friends from school, teachers, and my dance partner. I am taking my two step to the concert, too.

Yesterday I danced for two hours with the women in prison. First with a dance video, then only with music. They either thought I was really good (i hope?) or really bad, because the women called me back from a break to dance so the director could see. Que Extraño. I have come to really enjoy my days in the prison with activities from drawing to sewing, dancing, cooking, talking, reading.. and hoping soon to incorporate win lose or draw, español style.

Big hug to you today!