Travels in Columbia Dec 2018

Greetings

I have just returned from a Gate1 tour of Columbia for 10 days and I enjoyed it thoroughly.  I took notes throughout the 4 city tour and want to share a little with you.  

A little about the culture.  The people are a wonderful mix of indigenous, European and African.  There is no racism in Columbia but there is classism.  The neighborhoods are divided into Tiers from 1, being the poorest, to 6, being the richest.  Rents, water bills, electric, education and food is subsidized by the government for the residents of the lower tiers.  Gun ownership is illegal except for law enforcement.  Education is free and mandatory through high school but not enforced.  So many poorer children go to work and not to school.  Healthcare is available to all. There is no income tax but there is a 19% tax on food and goods.  The mortgage rate is 12% as well as car loans so many Columbians are in debt.  They do shy away from credit cards , preferring to use cash.  

More than 1 million Venezuelans crossed into Colombia fleeing widespread food and medicine shortages and rampant hyperinflation . This coincided with USA sanctions on Venezuela.  This, in turn, has put a great strain on the education and healthcare system.  

Columbia has long held the reputation for its drug cartels and murder and disappearances  Medellin was the most dangerous but it is now safe and its citizens are very proud of how far they have come.  It recently won an award for the most innovative city.

https://www.andovar.com/medellin-most-innovative-city-of-the-world/

The Medellin transportation system is one to envy.  It includes trams, subways, buses and taxis.  Tickets can be purchased with plastic bottles.  

Coca are still grown in Columbia but it is much undercover now.  Also synthetic drugs are competing with the more laborious and timely cocaine.

I found Columbian food to be OK.  It is high in sugar and fried foods.  Market places teem with fresh fruit but not many vegetables.  Unfortunately the US, and Israel are pushing Columbia into growing GMO corn.  The farmers protested in great numbers and the GMO lobby was put on hold for a year.  

The weather was lovely, around 80 every day but in the 90’s on the coast.  I was there in December.  

I did have a brief episode of altitude sickness, with rapid heart beat.  This happens when I go up over 10,000 feet.  Others were sick and some not.  It resolves as one becomes acclimated. 

From Bogota, we flew to Manizales, the coffee growing area.  Coffee is very labor intensive in Columbia as the trees are planted on hillsides and each berry must be handpicked as they ripen at different times.  We visited a reserve run by the Federation of coffee growers.  There , under the guide o Yohany we saw birds and butterflies and hummingbirds in abundance.  This attention to preserving native species is a goal of environmentalists and the government.  

We visited gold museums in Bogota and Medellin.  The Spanish Conquistadors took all the gold artifacts and mined gold that they could find.  Fortunately, the excavated graves contained lots of gold artifacts so the Columbian people’s heritage was spared. 

The trip ended in Cartegenia and we had 1 1/2 free days enjoying the northern city on the . Walking on the  beach, swimming in the ocean and exploring the Old Walled city, and the neighborhood, Getsemane was a delight. 

Boondocking in Ireland

Today I am flying back to the United States. I want to remember what I experienced during my one month in Ireland. It was an unusual trip as I travelled with my son in his RV. We started in Killarney boondocked (parking RV without payment) at the Killarney National Forest, then on to the ring of Kerry and the ring of Skellig. Dingle and a bit of the Dingle Peninsula

The roads are narrow and the countryside green. All the roads are bordered by either Stonewalls or hedges  There are few trees, not too many people in the rural areas and lot of grazing sheep, dairy cows, and cattle. The grazing area is divided up into irregular lots bordered by either Stonewall or hedges.

So looking out are green pastures with sheep cattle Stonewall hedges and tidy cottages.

The Irish build to last. Wether it be Stonewall or houses. Slate is the common stone used in both. Slate roofs are common and most have hot water heaters on the roofs. Of course these need sun to work and they're isn't much of it and Ireland. The sky was usually dark with clouds with light peeking through at times. There was enough Sun which was great for us as we have solar panels on the roof which generate electricity.

Of course there was the ever present sea as we were most often driving along the coast. They say that Ireland has the longest coastline in the world. The wild Atlantic Way which we followed also has the most sandy beaches. The last one we found was at least two miles long with very few people on it. We were able to camp right close to the beach. I never did swim but I saw a lot of crazy Irish swimming in the ocean. They are a Hardy folk. We took long walks on the beach and let our dog Shiba run to her hearts content.

I have to mention food of course.  We ate out only once as the Irish cuisine is not exciting but the food markets and bakeries were excellent.  They have 2 chains for food store, Lidl, in the bigger cities.  What is so cool about all countries in the EU is that they carrry food products from all of Europe.   We ate Lamb, Irish soda bread, potatoes, scones and jams from Ireland, cheeses from England and France, and sausages from Germany.

But I can't forget the Irish pub. I'm a fan of cider and Guiness and love to sip and listen to Irish music. And a toast to the Irish people. We talked to them on the beach and in the pubs and in the supermarket. They were warm and friendly and funny and the best

The only drawback was the lack of facilities for RVers.  They try to discourage Irish Gypsies and that also makes it difficult for all travelers outside of tours and families.  Rvers need water, a place to dump black and gray water and trash and recycling receptacles.  They did recycle but that is all.  We had to get very inventive but we always respected the environment.

Christmas Season, 2011 on the Road with Crazy, my 1990 Toyota Dolphin

photo 1 The Dolphin and I at Julie's lot in Gainesville, FL
photo 2 my campsite at Little Talbot State Park, Jacksonville, FL
photo 3 the beach at little talbot. It went on for miles and notice not one human being
photo 4 Hike in woods at KIng George State Park, FL
photo 5 night time at the Okefenokee state park, Waycross, GA

This a the maiden voyage with my Toyota Dolphin. It is a time to try things out like water and electric, all new to me as I have always been a tent camper. It is a time of finding my way and exploring new areas in Georgia and Florida, during the winter months.

It's 6pm on Dec 15, 2011 and pitch dark here at High Falls State Park.
http://georgiastateparks.org/HighFalls I discovered this place while talking to a woman at a party and thought I would try it out. What can I say, it is a treasure and only 44 miles south of my home in Atlanta.
I am taking a week to travel with my Toyota Dolphin who I have named "Crazy" because I was crazy to buy it, crazy to put lots of money into it. Right now I am feeling crazy about "Crazy". I loved pulling into a lovely wooded site on the banks of a river and in 5 minutes have it all set up. Just put in the plug for electricity, hooked up the water and switched the fridge from gas to electric. Had a lovely dinner of lentil loaf, salad, and beans which I heated up in the microwave. After dinner I took a walk and bike ride and noticed how happy I was feeling. Just being outdoors really makes me feel good. I have no reservations which is not necessary in Dec, just ideas of where I want to go. I will put away any concept of schedule.
In the morning I will sit by the river to meditate, take another walk and then hit the road on my way to Gainesville, FL. I get 15 miles to the gallon which is not great nor is it too bad.
I will definitely come back here and camp frequently. Having Crazy, has opened up a new door for me, winter camping. I have a heater if I need it. I have hot water as well but will probably make use of the campground shower and conserve my gas. so these are my thoughts about High Falls State Park in Jackson, GA.
there is no phone service and no internet service. but that is ok, I have books to read and a uke to play.

Dec 16
O"Leno State park, is 40 miles NO of Gainesville. http://www.floridastateparks.org/oleno/default.cfm It is the kind of campground I like, heavily wooded with large sites. Coming out of the camper at night, I see the starred sky between the trees. Beside my camper there is a monster tree. Can't help to think of the CRUSH if it should fall. It is dark at 6pm so I have a roomy evening to read, write and play my uke. I am thinking that I like nature more than I do people, although I for sure need both in my life. Humans are often fickle were Nature is straight on.
Dec 17, 18
Spent the morning riding bike and then on to Gainesville. With my handy GPS,
I easily find Julie's place. She is at her house site where she will soon have a house built. She sublets an apartment across the street and spends lots of time, cleaning out brush from her acreage and planting native plants. we go for a bike ride and then to a contra dance. in the am, we go to the Advent service at her church and afterwards, I visit a new friend I met at the Southern Dharma. We go to a Buddhist Service together, and a walk. I will be back to visit friends and dive with the manatee.
Dec 19,
Last summer in Gouldsboro, ME I met a woman who spoke about Anastasia state park. http://www.floridastateparks.org/anastasia/default.cfm I went there today and got a campsite. A very long wooden walkway brought me down to the beach, where I walked a long distance and saw all kinds of seabirds and their fledglings. Some of the birds had long orange and black beak and looked tropical. Why do the good looking birds and people attract us while we pass by the gray birds and and so so looking people. They are all wonderful, yes.
I wished I could stay longer at Anastasia which has been one of the drawbacks of this trip: too much to see and do in too little time. Next time I will go to fewer places and or stay longer.
Dec 20
On to Little Talbot state park which is east of Jacksonville.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/littletalbotisland/default.cfm I have never been there before and had to pass through historical St Augustine which was really beautiful. I was traveling to Jacksonville to see John's brother so had to go into Jacksonville, and then on to Little Talbot. But the city. I hate riding through the city. I am happy to spend all my time at the campsite. That is good as I wish to leave my camper and get around by bike. I can't travel too far that way. I have been cooking most of my meals. I passed a huge farm and stopped at their roadside veggie stand. They had cauliflower and broccoli big enough for a family of 4 to eat for a week. and the oranges and tangelos, yum. South georgia and florida are our food baskets.
Dec 21
Woke this morning and explored Little Talbot. Took my bike onto the beach and rode and rode. I have never done that before and it really is so much fun. The beach went on for miles and I never saw another person. These waters are the birthing ground for right wales and lots of birds nest here in sept and oct. I look forward to coming back here with my canoe/kayak as there are navigable inland water ways. Went to the Kingsley plantation at Fort George, an island close to Little Talbot. It is supposed to be the oldest plantation in Florida. What is unusual is that the Kingsleys were black. When FL was under Spanish rule, blacks could own slaves and property. So they had several plantations raising cotton, citrus, indigo and rice. If a slave worked indigo he had only 7 years to survive before death took him. In drying the powdered indigo, it got into their lungs so their fate was similar to a coal miner before they used protection. When spain lost control of FL in 1821, the US enacted harsh laws restricting the right of all persons of color. Anna Kingsley moved to Haiti, a free Black republic. Zephaniah Kingsley, her husband, died at age 24.


Dec 22,
will travel back to Atlanta now as I need to be home to make a salad for lots of folks for a 90th birthday for Mamita. It has been a fast trip but good in many ways. I discovered that I really love RVing. And I want to come back and explore Little Talbot and Anastasia as well as the inland waterways during the manatee time which is Dec through Feb. Of course I would also like to scuba dive which means driving down to the Keys.
I still have not stayed at a Walmart parking lot. Due to the high gas bill for an RV, I will need to occasionally offset the expense, by staying for free in my RV. I do make all my meals which I prefer and save money that way. When you travel a lot, as I want to , it is not a vacation but a way of living. Being a frugal person, I will find ways of having the best time, spending the least. Stayed at crooked river State Park, st Marys. GA http://georgiastateparks.org/CrookedRiver. Not much to say. If I had my kayak, there are some great waterways. I did ride my hybrid bike through several trails. So much fun
Dec 23
Home by way of the Okefenokee, and stayed right on the water at http://georgiastateparks.org/LauraSWalker. Riding my bike through the woods, I scared up about 10 wild turkeys. Thank god they were spared from the Christmas platter.

Father Phil and his digs

Father Phil and his digs

Phil doesn't like to be called Father Phil.  He left the priesthood at age 30, bought a piece of land on a lake in Washington, NH and built himself a home.  He did it by himself. Phil is 86 now.

Phil still lives alone in his house and he is very happy.  He has become quite forgetful with little short term memory but it still works out for him. He stopped driving when he was 80.    He is a minamalist and so his house is without clutter with everything in its place.  He still chops wood and heats his home with it.  His nephew takes care of all his paperwork needs.  Several neighbors look in on him, take him shopping once a week.  Phil takes a walk every day.  I walked with him and he frequently exclaimed.  "This is so beautiful".

Phil doesn't want meals on wheels.  He doesn't want too much outside interference.  wants to live peacefully till he dies, which is the natural course of things.  His nephew who has children will inherit the place.  So it all works out.

Phil smiles a lot, and laughs a lot.  I met him while visiting my friend Tara.

  He accepted me readily.  He is a magical human being who lives very much in the moment, without world news, Only a phone which is unlisted.  And so it was a gift meeting and spending time with Phil.  I will try to keep in touch with a card sent now and then to brighten his mailbox.  and I hope to see him next year.   

Tara's red casita

Tara's red casita

Tara took on a huge job.  She purchased an old camp in Washington, NH.  It is off the beaten track in a Lake community of year rounders and weekend summer people. It is tiny, just 700 square feet.  She drove by and there was a sale by owner sign.  It caught her eye.  Yes, I could live here and the cost is affordable, 50K.

Tara came to NH last year to make a new home for herself.  At age 69 and with a very limited budget, that is no small task.  Two of her children live in NH and so that was a deciding factor as to where to live.

Tara is a worker.   No thoughts of senior housing or easy condos, she chose country life.  Four miles down a dirt road and surrounded by trees , the little red cabin was waiting for her.  She bought it in March of 2013 so she got the tail end of what winter would be like.  She now has the daunting task of renovating it.  She has very little leisure time, it is work every day: a new roof, a heating system, new wiring, plumbing , sheetrock.  Winter is fast approaching and so by Oct.  she will need to be finished.  And it will be her OWN little house.

Having your own place is an important thing for many people as we age.  Life is hard, our bodies start to age have problems, but if we have our own place with affordable upkeep, one that we can afford to heat and pay the taxes on, then it is possible.  And if there is community that will help in a pinch, all the better.  Tara has that in the Lake community in Washington, NH.  

Our Home on Home

16 Home St (1st floor) in Worcester, MA has been home to our family for 56 years.  My parents bought it then and they worked hard to remodel it for their 4 children and themselves.  The flats are spacious but only one Bathroom (how did we ever manage)  but we love our home on home.  It is a touchstone for so many people.  When Ida who is now 95 passes we will keep it and rent out all 3 floors but it will no longer be our touchstone.  That will be a hard one.  

I spent 5 weeks this summer redoing the second floor.  I had help but even then it was pretty much 7 days a week, 8 to 12 hour days.  It had not been worked on for 20 years and had suffered water damage so it needed a lot of work. (new ceilings etc.  I also found a new tenant via Craig list and they moved in yesterday.  Tomorrow a new work crew comes in to paint the back porches.  And so life goes on and we keep things fixed up and nice.  I am sending a few photos of Home St and the 2nd floor.  

The porch with its clothes line is a unique feature.  Don't see them much anymore..  So is the claw foot bathtub.  

Silent Retreat at Southern Dharma Nov 2011

Southern Dharma Retreat

The Southern Dharma is in Hot Springs, NC in a very rural area. A winding road takes you though hill country and another takes you up, up into the mountain. I went there to attend a 5 day silent retreat, learning by doing sitting meditation, yoga meditation and the tenants of Buddhism. Dharma is the original word for Buddhism. While growing up, I saw my parents benefit from attending the Insight meditation center in Barre, MA so I too wanted to try it.
here is a link to a description of the retreat
http://www.southerndharma.org/retreat_rahula.shtml
As you can see the teacher is an American. We began studying to be a monk at age 24 and has done so for 36 years. He is kind, patient, and knows so much about Buddhism . He is also funny and his teaching is never boring. He has a blog. it is http://bhanterahula.blogspot.com/

I did not miss talking nor did I miss the cell phone, computer, ipod, radio, etc. without speech, we all worked well together. always being mindful of the other persons needs. I did not know anything about them, neither their name, where they came from, what they did All the layers were peeled back to the core. what matters is that they are fellow human beings who are equal to you in every way and working together you fulfill your needs

my day began at 5am with the sounding of the gong. By 5:30 am we were at the meditation center practicing our yoga meditation and deep breathing. the day was full with sitting, standing and walking meditation as well as yoga and Dharma talks.
The retreatants did one hour of working mediation. Mine was assisting the cook in the kitchen, along with 4 other lucky retreatants. we peeled and chopped the vegetables and fruits for the lunch and dinner. it was all vegetarian and sooooo delicious. we also had other responsibilities from doing the dishes to cleaning bathrooms and vacuuming the rooms. All was so very neat, clean and well organized. Athough we did not speak we greeted each other with 2 hands together (in Thailand, this is called Namaste)
http://www.southerndharma.org/retreat_rahula.shtmlThe sitting meditation was difficult for me as my mind would wander or I would get sleepy. My thoughts evolved from worry and criticism to metta or kind thoughts.
My intentions are to continue at home with the yoga meditation and sitting and walking meditation. It is a vehicle to find peace and tranquility in a fast paced and often indifferent world. It will be a challenge to replace old habits of being with new.
Namiste
Susan