I got myself a backpack, some amphibious, all-terrain shoes, a fleece jacket, some light weight convertible pants, floppy hat, mosquito repellent, and other junk. Additionally, I purchased some books for my trip. I'm going to book a room for a couple of nights in Antigua.
Less than two weeks.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Leap Frog
It's February 29th. I've never considered that before. I lived through 7 or 8 (maybe 9???) leap years, and I've never once noticed it. But, I'm noticing it tonight - or this morning - or whatever.
It was a strange evening. A great, old friend and I got some food at this new noodle joint around the corner from my house. The food was stodgy and boring. I seriously doubt I'll eat there again. We then went to a coffee house by the university to see a mutual friend's kid play in his band. It was sort of an orchestrated experimental cacophony. Really not my cup of LSD. I was hoping the kid's father, my friend, would show-up, but he did not. I've called him a few times, and so far he hasn't found it necessary to call me back. He and his very young bride-to-be are expecting a baby, so I should expect that he'd be a bit on the busy end of things, but it's hard not to take it personally. In fact, I think I will take it personally. So, if you're reading this... fuck you. I'd be happy to tell you that in person or on the phone, but you don't return calls now. How very important of you.
The great, old friend had some girl with him. Apparently she's a lesbian. But, she's into guys. She kept talking about her "wife". However, my understanding is that she is still married to some guy, and they got separated a couple of weeks ago on Valentines Day because he's bipolar. That's just confusing. She sort of rubbed me the wrong way. Hopefully, she's rubbing my friend the right way.
I don't know if this is making sense. It's pretty late, and I'm sure I'll regret having posted this when I read it tomorrow.
It was a strange evening. A great, old friend and I got some food at this new noodle joint around the corner from my house. The food was stodgy and boring. I seriously doubt I'll eat there again. We then went to a coffee house by the university to see a mutual friend's kid play in his band. It was sort of an orchestrated experimental cacophony. Really not my cup of LSD. I was hoping the kid's father, my friend, would show-up, but he did not. I've called him a few times, and so far he hasn't found it necessary to call me back. He and his very young bride-to-be are expecting a baby, so I should expect that he'd be a bit on the busy end of things, but it's hard not to take it personally. In fact, I think I will take it personally. So, if you're reading this... fuck you. I'd be happy to tell you that in person or on the phone, but you don't return calls now. How very important of you.
The great, old friend had some girl with him. Apparently she's a lesbian. But, she's into guys. She kept talking about her "wife". However, my understanding is that she is still married to some guy, and they got separated a couple of weeks ago on Valentines Day because he's bipolar. That's just confusing. She sort of rubbed me the wrong way. Hopefully, she's rubbing my friend the right way.
I don't know if this is making sense. It's pretty late, and I'm sure I'll regret having posted this when I read it tomorrow.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
"R" is for research
“Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar” – nos dice el poeta Antonio Machado.
I need to get better acquainted with Guatemala.
I am doing all of my preliminary work online: reading user forums, perusing articles, and watching home-made, amateur travel videos. There's a used bookstore around the corner from my house, and I will walk over there after lunch and purchase a travel book or two.
My concern is morphing into excitement. I don't know that I gave myself an optimal amount of planning time, but there isn't any reason I should concern myself at this point with such matters. I can only move forward... and by forward, I mean southward.
I just spoke with Janelle, and she's going to help me load up my ipod with movies and audio books for entertainment and distraction while I sit in airports and airplanes. I hate sitting in airports and airplanes.
This is really fun to think about, although my headache (I have no doubt, a result of work-related stress and not a malignant brain tumor) has yet to lift. This is all so entertaining. I am realizing that I don't usually have any excitement in my life. That is an unforgivable sin. I'm not going to sit by passively watching the days of my life blend into one another until it's too late. Even while I'm deep into the research for this upcoming quest, I have to admit that the next trip is already beginning to take shape in the back of my mind. Or, maybe that's the tumor.
I need to get better acquainted with Guatemala.
I am doing all of my preliminary work online: reading user forums, perusing articles, and watching home-made, amateur travel videos. There's a used bookstore around the corner from my house, and I will walk over there after lunch and purchase a travel book or two.
My concern is morphing into excitement. I don't know that I gave myself an optimal amount of planning time, but there isn't any reason I should concern myself at this point with such matters. I can only move forward... and by forward, I mean southward.
I just spoke with Janelle, and she's going to help me load up my ipod with movies and audio books for entertainment and distraction while I sit in airports and airplanes. I hate sitting in airports and airplanes.
This is really fun to think about, although my headache (I have no doubt, a result of work-related stress and not a malignant brain tumor) has yet to lift. This is all so entertaining. I am realizing that I don't usually have any excitement in my life. That is an unforgivable sin. I'm not going to sit by passively watching the days of my life blend into one another until it's too late. Even while I'm deep into the research for this upcoming quest, I have to admit that the next trip is already beginning to take shape in the back of my mind. Or, maybe that's the tumor.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
On the brink of vacation
It's been too long since I've relinquished concern for vocation and occupation and ruminated instead upon the soothing, tranquil notions of holiday and vacation. More than two years, in fact. Earlier today, I abandoned responsibility and booked round-trip tickets for Central America; more precisely Guatemala.
This is new territory for me never having been to Central America, never having traveled alone, never having taken time for adventure and sojourn, albeit briefly, in the primeval rain forests and ruins of the ancient Mayans.
I am excited. I am exhilarated. And, I am scared.
I find myself madly researching and studying the villages and jungles into which I will soon trek. My first stop will be Guatemala City. I need to begin planning. I suppose I'll need a back-pack, some tee-shirts, mosquito repellent, and a toothbrush.
This is me being excited, exhilarated, and scared. And, this is you being jealous!
This is new territory for me never having been to Central America, never having traveled alone, never having taken time for adventure and sojourn, albeit briefly, in the primeval rain forests and ruins of the ancient Mayans.
I am excited. I am exhilarated. And, I am scared.
I find myself madly researching and studying the villages and jungles into which I will soon trek. My first stop will be Guatemala City. I need to begin planning. I suppose I'll need a back-pack, some tee-shirts, mosquito repellent, and a toothbrush.
This is me being excited, exhilarated, and scared. And, this is you being jealous!
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