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Survival Tips For Your First Visit to Lagos, Nigeria
The city of Lagos, Nigeria can take you from a momentary depression to an intense rave in seconds. It is a city that never sleeps with more than a few good remarks to its name. Most cities have a culture that is unique to them but Lagos is filled with much more than that.
It is the pride of the people and foreigners soon grow an affection for it as they soak in the city's effortless beauty and innate charm.
You can't deny the magnetic pull the city has on everything around it. People come from all over the world to get a piece of its wondrous nightlife, and eccentric traditions. Take a trip to Eko, the centre of excellence.
The city is kind to those who know their way around it but for people who are new to its ways, here are a few survival tips from Jovago.com, that will help you get by in this rough and tumble megacity.
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Hold On to Your Belongings
Lagos is generally safe when you're nicely tucked into your home. While touring the city, visiting markets, exploring the zoos and museums, watch your bags and phones. It is not uncommon to have your phone snatched from you while making a call by an open car window. Street hawkers have been known to connive and steal valuables from slowly moving vehicles. It's best to travel light but next time you're in a busy place in Lagos, be on the look-out for suspicious activity.
Mind Your Car
Lagos is best explored via your own vehicle as the public transportation system is not very easy to navigate to first-time visitors. If you are traveling the city with a private vehicle, you might want to take note of a few things others probably wouldn't be bothered with. Firstly, be mindful of where you park your car, car theft is common in areas of high activity. Also, when things go wrong, ask around for a trusted mechanic to take a look at your car. You don't want to be stuck with a car that's worse off after a visit to the workshop.
"I remember the night I lost my car in Lagos. I had gone out to a club and parked it at a corner right outside. By the time I was ready to return home, my car was gone. I guess that's the price you have to pay to really live in this city," said Godson from Lagos.
All Roads Connect
As former capital of Nigeria, Lagos is one of those cities with an amazing road network. Even though some of these roads aren't in tip-top shape, they were designed to provide ease of transportation. With more road construction going on across the city, you don't have to worry about getting lost.
You will encounter places where every street has a turning and that turning leads to another street which then takes you to the road that leads you home. Miss your turning and in a few minutes you're back on track.
Traffic Can Be Hellish, Leave Early
Can 3,500 square kilometres really contain 20 million people? You'll find the answer at rush hour when throngs of cars, buses and commercial motorcycles battle it out on the roads with everyone rushing to be somewhere as quickly as possible. Some days are good and others, well, not so good. Some of the worst days to deal with traffic are Mondays and Fridays.
e say the heavy traffic on Mondays is due to the number of people travelling from their homes on the Mainland to their temporary homes on the Island for close proximity to work, while the traffic on Fridays is as a result of the same people heading back to their homes for the weekend.
Lagos traffic can be unpredictable; you could find yourself stuck in the worst kind of traffic after a heavy downpour or an accident that occurred 50 kilometres from your route. To stop your travel plans from getting ruined, leave extra early and plan your trip with an hour or two as a buffer for any unexpected traffic delays.
"The first day I got to Lagos, I met traffic I had never experienced before. I won't be caught in that kind of traffic again. I either travel very early in the morning or late in the afternoon," said Doyin from Lagos.
Oh The Places You'll Go
Explore the city, visit the malls, tread the unbeaten path, getting lost is a good way to find yourself. The city of Lagos has many avenues for you to get lost in, from adventures at the seaside to Eureka moments at the museum.
You will always have places to go and sometimes you may get caught up in the thrill of it all and venture out into places you really shouldn't be. Imagine visiting the most magnificent place you've ever seen and only 10 minutes away is a local slum known for nefarious activities.
"Wow! Lagos is beautiful. I wasn't impressed by what I saw at first coming into the city but then a friend took me to Lekki Conservation Park. It was filled with lots of animals and my friend and I went on a jungle adventure through the bushes. It was so much fun. I will definitely be visiting Lagos again soon," said David, a visitor to Lagos.
Before you take a road trip around Lagos, make a list of everywhere you want to go and look it up on a map. Google Maps will also help you with directions but just to be sure, ask a Lagosian about the reputation of such places. You have to be extra careful if you want to survive this city.
Carry a Reasonable Amount of Cash
Travelling any major African city has its perks; you get to experience the new wave of African civilization and also get a taste of what's left of Africa's past. Lagos is very much like that, as its many spots and historical buildings speak very highly of the city without uttering a word. To get around the city, however, you would need some backup.
Money can get many things done in Lagos. You need it to settle an argument, please your helpers and appease the men at the top. Get out your cash but don't empty your wallet, Lagos is friendly to both light and heavy spenders. If you want to have enough control over how your day goes – what you eat, where you stay and where you go – carry a few notes with you, it would save you a ton in the end.
Haggle till the End
Financial transactions of all kinds are conducted at every point in time on the streets of Lagos. What you might call a heated bargain is simply an exercise of sizing the customer up before a sale is made. Many sellers can tell when you're new to the game. They might try to extort you with exorbitant prices of goods or services.
Don't let that get to you, we all love a good chat even if it's with a salesman trying to rip us off. Buyers are also guilty of this misdemeanour as they try to avoid getting ripped off by haggling too low. The only rule you have to remember is this – pay as little as you can and if you're selling, charge as high as you can. Follow these unspoken rules and you'll be fine.
"On my way back from work, I had to get some groceries but I didn't have the time to stop at a local shop. I quickly bought all the things I needed from people selling by the side of the road. Each seller charged a different price for the same fruit, after several stops I resorted to bargaining my way to the price I wanted," said Aisha from Lagos.
Take Lessons in Yoruba
People love to get familiar with one another. The moment you mention that you and someone else have a common background a spark lights up and the two of you become best pals. This natural human instinct has been exploited by salespeople to get on the good side of their prospective customers.
You too can borrow a leaf and use it to your advantage. Getting closer to even the passer-by can earn you traveller points that you would have foregone without an introduction. After establishing a connection with the people you come across, they become friendlier and more willing to help.
You may not always have something in common with the people of Lagos but one thing that brings us together is a common language. Keep your ear down and ask for the meanings of words and phrases, and in no time, you'll be able to handle a basic conversation in Yoruba, earning you those traveller points that you so desperately want.
"I found it hard to learn Yoruba at first but when I set my mind to it, I got to know the language bit by bit. Now it's very easy for me to make new friends in Lagos,"
said Gloria from Lagos.
See Before You Pay
Many a great man has been swindled by the appealing words of the average Lagosian. Whenever you make a purchase in Lagos, don't part with your money until you can see what you're paying for. Whether it's a fruit or a house or a bus ticket, check out their sources and their previous business especially when it comes to real estate.
You don't want to pay rent on an apartment for two years only to find out that it was never for rent in the first place. That can be heart-breaking, so to avoid that, check and double-check your sources, look for customer reviews and be vigilant.
If you're just making a small purchase that you cannot extensively research, be sure to collect the goods before you actually pay for them. It's a Lagos trick few outsiders know.
Travel With A Friend
While exploring the city, you will come across places that are just perfect for two – the beach, the clubs, the amusement parks, all couple magnets.
You may not go out with your significant other, but see the city with a companion; one that would stir you in the right direction when you get lost and also help you avoid the lonely look at parties on Victoria Island.
Jovago.com is an online hotel booking service headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, founded by Africa Internet Group and has MTN as one of the investors. Jovago.com has over 6,000 hotels in Nigeria, over 20,000 local hotel listings across Africa and over 200,000 hotels around the world.
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Rated the world's third most authentic city in 2008 by National Geographic, Ghent is one of Europe's hidden treasures that is often missed on the well beaten tourist path between Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp.
Founded by Celts 2,000 years ago on the banks of the rivers Lys and Schelde, Ghent was once a bustling medieval port city, at one point it was bigger than Paris or London. It is now a small, but vibrant city, with picturesque medieval buildings and cobblestone streets. Flemish is the language in this city, but you can get by easily with English, the multi-lingual Belgians are more than happy to change languages.
Ten Great Ghent Attractions
The Count's Castle
Smack bang in the heart of the city stands an imposing and meticulously resorted medieval castle. You'll feel like you're in an episode of the "Game of Thrones" traversing spiralling, and steep staircases, perusing the weaponry and then into the torture chamber, not for the faint of heart, where a life size replica of a man undergoing the infamous water torture awaits to horrify visitors. The Castle often has medieval theme days which include duels between knights, medieval food and puppet shows. Admission is €10, people under 26 pay €6, +65 pay €7,50 and children under the age of 19 are free.
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Graselei and Korenlei
If the weather is nice, the Graslei and Korenlei are picture perfect to have a drink or something to eat at one of the many outdoor patios. The Graslei and Korenlei were the sites of the original medieval port where ships came to weigh up and trade their goods and pay taxes. The buildings are old guild or storage houses, and are impressive with their elegant step gable facades. Number 10 on the Graslei is the oldest step gable building in the world, dating back to the 12th cen tury. There is a view of the St Michel's cathedral with its tower forever unfinished. You can also take a boat ride and let the informative multi-lingual guides impress you with their encyclopaedic knowledge of the area, don't forget to tip them at the end!
A walk down the Graslei and Korenlei is free.
The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
Painted in 1432 by the van Eyck brothers, this painting has been stolen by Napoleon, requisitioned by Nazis, hidden in a salt silo, it has survived fires, only to have two panels mysteriously disappear in 1932 and never to appear again.
This wonderful painting recently featured in Hollywood film "The Monuments Men" starring George Clooney, but it deserves to be the star all on its own. This Polyptych intricately crafted wonder is a cornerstone for the Flemish Primitive movement.
You can find it in the St Bavo's Cathedral, although you can watch expert restoration artists work on restoring the painting, panel by panel, behind bullet proof glass, in the Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent.
Graffiti Street
Werregarrenstraat, or Graffiti Street, was set up by Ghent city council to combat the problem of graffiti in the city. Anyone can come here with a spray can and paint whatever they like upon the walls. The result is an organic work of art that changes in tome and colour day to day. You can buy a can of spray paint and try it out for yourself for free. If you're interested in more professional murals, you can take the "Concrete Canvas Tour" which will take you past each mural that talented street artists have painted on the walls of Ghent.
The S mall Beguinage
This is a place where nuns lived (the female equivalent of a monastery) and is one of the two in Ghent that is listed in UNESCO world heritage list and is the only one that has survived intact from before the French Revolution. The last beguine (nun) passed away in 2005 and the buildings are now leased out, nonetheless it is an attractive place to stroll through.
If you want to delve deeper into the heart of Ghent, be sure to visit STAM museum, located in the restored fourteenth century Bijloke Abbey. The permanent exhibition provides the perfect introduction to the fascinating history of Ghent and urbanisation in general. The collection relies on a mixture of high-tech multimedia and traditional museum displays such as archaeological artefacts from Gallo Roman and Medieval periods.
Antiques market next to St Jacobs Cathedral
Hunt for treasure at this eccentric and eclectic antique market, which is open next to St Jacob's every Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. You can find toys, antique curious, furniture, books, buttons and religious iconography.
Gruut Brewery
It wouldn't be Belgium without one brewery in the city. Gruut brewery is the place where new technology crosses with ancient brewingrecipes. Instead of brewing the beer with hops, the founders of Gruutuse a recipe that hails from the medieval days and involves an infusion of spices to ferment it, which apparently makes the beer a healthy drink, so bottoms up!You can book a tour and partake in a three course dinner with beer tasting.
This modern art museum has a cutting edge permanent collection from top international and national artists alongside the revolving temporary exhibitions which often push the limits of taste and decency. Afterwards you can come to your senses by taking a stroll in the surrounding Citadel Park, an oasis of rest in the city.
If there is a symbol of Ghent tenacity this is surely it. The Belfry stands in the middle of the city and is topped by a copper Dragon (stolen from rival city Bruges) and at its base, in a small city park, is its bell, which the Nazis, while invading Ghent, came and threw from the top of the Belfry to the ground.
The Belfry boasts the most amazing views of Ghent, but for those who keep their feet on the ground, you can find an old jail at the base where a man named the "'Mammelokker" was to face out his sentence of being starved to death. The punishment was foiled when the prisoner didn't starve to death thanks to his daughter, who recently had a baby and came every day to breastfed her father!
Vanessa Rombaut is a freelance journalist based in Ghent Belgium
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In the Footsteps of the Literati of Vieux Carré
Vieux Carré, or the French Quarter of New Orleans as it is more typically known to modern day travelers, is among those unique U.S. destinations paved with layers of culture in every step you take.
Stretching from Canal to Frenchman Streets along the crescent of the Mississippi, the Quarter's inherent soulful vibe grooves through streets, in and out of speakeasies and burning like Bourbon Street's neon lights. That's what so many people know and love.
But in the daylight, there is a lot to learn of the landscape's culture which was woven together by so much diversity and has influenced so many. The melding cuisines and architecture that derive from here have always been big attractions too, but I was intrigued about the equally significant history of its literature.
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What an influential imprint left by many literary artists who were amorously drawn to the area in a magical time of literary inspiration. Imagine taking a walk in the footsteps of the literati of Vieux Carré. What a thrill romanticizing at their old haunts, looking through the windows of their old dwellings, looking past the neon and maybe experiencing similar inspirations - perhaps some of their favorite libations - like I did on my all-out literary themed tour.
Before the U.S.
This old port city which actually predates the U.S. proper is synonymous with old-world charm. Touristy at times, sure, but it still possesses a bit of the character that resonated with the bohemian life-style that attracted many literary artists from the late 1800s to the mid 20th century. Some of this select clique includes authors like Tennessee Williams, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, Francis Keyes, Sherwood Anderson, native George W. Cable and many more.
The Works Progress Association, headed by author Lyle Saxon, encouraged new authors to come to New Orleans during the Depression, and in return, those who made their playground here retain historical significance and have a charm worth rediscovering.
They got the support and the affordable housing they needed to be able to create and have published some of the works of art we revere. Whether preserved or revamped, the remains of their time in the Crescent City remains an important part of the history here.
Potent Notables and Notable Potables
Delving into the layers of a destination's history helps reveal a bigger picture, and here there are lots of crevasses to satisfy explorers.
Taking in dinners and drinks each night at the top places with locals after trailing an educated guide by day, I soon learned things like those galleries on Bourbon where I once swayed to the rhythm sipping on Sidecars once kept a secret backroom for those in-the-know during Prohibition.
It makes even more sense to me now that in those bohemian-days, the ease of getting hooked-up with some spirits in clandestine places was also a big draw for French Qtr. artist transplants, naturally.
I would not have guessed that the very chair I was sitting down in for dinner at Antoine's, the world-famous 1840's fine-dining landmark that inspired local author Frances Parkinson Keyes' classic murder-mystery novel, Dinner at Antoine's, may be the same seat as General Patton's, the Pope's, the King's, or the Queen's for that matter.
These are also those things only a good tour guide can make you p rivy to in the VIP dining room. During a revealing and intriguing tour of the restaurant that night, I discovered that there exist many backrooms for low-key societies - still set up for service in an almost ghostly manner – which likely served as inspiration for the mysterious tone of Keyes' novel.
There is also a place called the 'Mystery Room' here which would have been accessed through a secret passageway leading elite patrons to an intoxicating time under the radar of Prohibition police. (Hint: It'
s inconspicuously located through a ladies powder room.)
Tennessee Williams
Down east on Bourbon is one of Tennessee William's old haunts, sans fancy china or tiaras, but not minus character. Williams came to New Orleans as a struggling writer in 1939 and felt a deep attraction to the progressive lifestyle of Vieux Carré, embracing all of it.
I wanted to do the same. Williams deemed the area his "spiritual home" according to Dr. Kenneth Holditch, author of The Last Frontier of Bohemia: Tennessee Williams in New Orleans.
Holditch himself organized a daytime tour for me and my assistant with expert guide, Ms. Inez Douglas, a local literary scholar and colleague of Holditch's. In the midst of our in-depth walking tour which began mid-morning at 88 degrees, the three of us ducked out of the heat and pulled up a stool at Lafitte's Blacksmith for some refreshments.
We each ordered what the Streetcar Named Desire playwright is said to have had a penchant for - Sazeracs. Ms Inez, a well-traveled woman with a polite southern manner and a charming twang described the playwright as "a quiet man who disliked crowds…He would write 'til about noon everyday…everyday and then set out on a stroll - people watchin' like he did – locals were more interestin' back then - Probably meander a bit and head to Bourbon House or here at Lafitte's and start on a cocktail."
Lafitte's Blacksmith is on Bourbon and St. Philip. It is reputed to be the oldest bar in the States dating back to 1722, and with its rustic charm and mystique it is not difficult to imagine Williams cavorting with a friend here or peering out above a cocktail watching the locals.
Up on the uptown end of Bourbon is Galatoire's Restaurant at 209 Bourbon Street. Capote, Louisiana's own existentialist, Walker Percy, as well as John Steinbeck favored this world-renowned French Creole restaurant. Like the works of many of the area's authors, this place is time tested. Williams was a famously loyal patron here and usually dined in solitude.
In a corner immediately to the far right near the front window at the entrance is the location of what became known as his table stood, always reserved and sentimentally revered. As I was being seated in his corner, I could see why Williams preferred this table. Private enough to go unnoticed by the local characters of the street, but still optimal for people watching, it suited him.
Incidentally, in Williams' play, A Streetcar Named Desire, Stella takes Blanche to Galatoire's. One of the allures of this landmark is the feel that it is an old-fashioned establishment. The menu is as clean or as rich as you make it.
Its style is a classic bistro; elegant and not too elaborate, but it is jacket-required for dinner. Like the old days. In traditional fashion, regulars have a personally selected regular staff each time they visit. Galatoire's Private Reserve Cocktail gave the iconic dining experience a fine finish.
Around the corner is Broussard's at 819 Conti Street, famous for favoring local artists and eccentrics back in the day. Faulkner with Williams as close confidants would often have lunch here.
Faulkner was a major proponent of Williams and was instrumental in getting his work published it is said. I imagined the two of them diving deep into each other's latest work as I enjoyed the fresh garden courtyard, just as they likely did.
It was an interesting visual to imagine hearing that past Cajun owner, Joseph Broussard, with a penchant for Napoleon Bonaparte and a reputed similar temperament, would throw any less than stellar dish right out onto Conti Street plate and all. These days, the 1920's high-end fine dining establishment is a gem of Vieux Carré.
At its very popular Empire Bar, Paul Gustings, one of the country's top bartenders according to experts, can mix a serious Sazerac as it was originally intended when created in the city more than 100 years ago. Yum.
New Orleans native, Truman Capote, Author of In Cold Blood and Breakfast at Tiffany's among others, was oft overheard at Hotel Monteleone's Carousel Bar bragging about being born in the hotel. It's not true – not literally – but it's not too much of a stretch considering his mother did go into labor with him while living in the hotel.
Capote did stay here often. Declared a landmark by the Friends of the Library Association, the Monteleone offers four tribute suites each named for the classic authors who often stayed there. The Capote (obviously), Williams, Hemingway, and Welty have a distinctive charm and luxury.
A literary history related to the hotel which also includes Faulkner and Sherwin Anderson is displayed in lobby galleries. The Carousel Bar inside was the perfect place to let my imagination spin about those days gone by. It's one of those jewels of the city you have to experience to appreciate fully and many do at happy hour and late night, so I was quite strategic in lassoing a horse of my own and order me up a Vieux Carré cocktail from master mixer, Marvin Allen.
Walking New Orleans
During our foot-walking tour, in between visiting the nooks of some of the local greats, Ms. Inez swept us into the Napoleon House, a corner building on Chartres S
treet once meant to be a residence for Napoleon Bonaparte after exile. He never quite made it over (obviously). But many bohemian artists from Faulkner to Warhol - and now us - frequented here. The restaurant, bar and courtyard is peppered generously with an intriguing collection of art work probably built up from its inception, is also known for its Muffaletta sandwiches and refreshing Pimms Cup.
Two of the most ever-present characters in Southern literature, making appearances in works like Huckleberry Finn, The Awakening, Wild Palms, The Bear, Showboat, and Dr. Sevier - to name a few - are The Mississippi River and those old steamboats.
Natchez Steamboat
The Natchez Steamboat is the oldest running steamboat on the river to date. They offer a lovely brunch tour with bubbly and festive live jazz, and ample opportunity to then roam about the exterior taking in the sights, rolling along and back again while getting acquainted with the majestic Old Man River.
I evoked the words of authors like Eudora Welty who wrote in her book On the Landing: "The river went by immeasurable under the sky, moving and dimming and snagging freeing itself without effort…"
I experienced what may have moved Faulkner to write words like "the steamboats carrying the baled cotton to New Orleans seemed to crawl along the sky…" Calling ahead is recommended, but the boarding pier and ticket booth can also be found at the Quarter's east end of the river's esplanade along its shore.
Old Haunts
During our stay, we got rooms at the French Quarter's historic and upscale world-renowned haunted Bourbon Orleans Hotel which I had heard much about. Part of this structure was the very same that housed the Sisters of the Holy Cross, the first black Catholic convent.
This luxury hotel is central to everything French Quarter, making everything accessible on foot. It has a street-level speakeasy with top-notch bartenders, entertainment and fine-dining. This place also houses the only surviving Quadroon Ballroom, where the hotel's annual 'Ghost Camp' holds séances and which is featured in a lot of literature such as Anne Rice's Feast of all Saints and G. W. Cable's Creole Days.
Viewable from the Orleans Street side of this grand hotel is St. Louis Cathedral. It was the prominent site from my room here. At night, the statue of Christ in the rear garden is illuminated and casts a wonderfully grand shadow upon its 18th Century façade.
I was also surprised to find that my room sat right across from 714 Orleans, an apartment that Tennessee Williams rented in his early years here. I imagined him taking a break, same time as I would to people watch from his balcony and letting the inspiration of the view work its magic.
"He loved seeing the statue of Christ with arms uplifted 'as if to comfort the suffering world'… He said it gave him a kind of peace," Tennessee Williams scholar, Dr. William Holditch, said of the emotive writer.
It was indeed a place that inspired and opened him up creatively and personally. This is where he wrote Streetcar, a poignant analogy of life taken from the two cars which intersected there; Cemeteries and Desiree (not actually pronounced "Desire").
Le Petit Theater
Virtually next door to Williams residence on St. Peter's Street is Le Petit Theater which staged Streetcar's first production. Our guide explained that while the acclaimed production was true to what Williams intended, the movie version was said to have disappointed him because the character of Blanche, though very flawed, was not characterized as the story's hero, like she was originally written.
Around the corner beside the Cathedral is Pirate's Alley where the Faulkner House rests at number 624. Nobel Prize Winner, William Faulkner had particular support from fellow writer Sherwood Anderson, who he first stayed with at the Pontalba Apartments on either side of Jackson Square in front of the Cathedral.
The Faulkner House is where he wrote the 1927 classic Mosquitos among many others. A tour of this quirky restored apartment can be arranged, a place where you may feel the inspiration
of the past almost haunt you. I felt time stand still for a second. Books and catalogues that boast both history and authors from the area fill every inch of every corner of the street level bookstore in this amazing landmark.
We strolled with Ms. Inez, escaping the rising mercury through Royal Pharmacy on Rue Royale, a place Williams' frequented to fill his tonic prescriptions and what-not.
It has a preserved back-in-time décor with shelves of old fashioned tonic bottles and soda fountains. It made me want to hop on a stool and order an egg cream, but I was still buzzing from the Sazerac.
Williams at the Top
It is very fair to say that Williams is the foremost celebrated literary artist associated with the Crescent City. In fact, he is so celebrated that he has his own festival named for him in New Orleans.
The inaugural Tennessee Williams New Orleans Literary Festival was in 1987 and attracts literary historians, fans, authors, locals and many dignitaries worldwide. Thanks to Holditch and his dedicated crew, the festival is a major draw that offers a number of events to participate in ranging from popular author readings and discussions, networking, music & food, productions, contests, specialized tours, and the Stella! Screaming contest which can be seen on YouTube!
This 29th year presents a variety of new and exciting activities as well as accommodation specials for its annual celebrations – and it is indeed a celebration – that is unique to NOLA.
Although Williams held New Orleans dear to his heart, he was the type of guy who also had wanderlust. It is said by scholars that he would get his mind set on going somewhere, like Italy, and then leave the next morning. But he always came back to Vieux Carré. His final home in the neighborhood was at 1014 Dumaine St., where he "hoped to die in my sleep, in this beautiful big brass bed in my New Orleans apartment …"
Traces of Himself
Like other notable authors, he left traces of himself everywhere: 722 Toulouse St. and 429 Royal St. were old haunts of his. The Tennessee Williams Suite, as it is now called at Hotel Maison De Ville is one of those special places.
With a brick exposed nook by the courtyard fountain that Williams once called home, it is said to be one of the oldest existing buildings of New Orleans after being rebuilt in 1800 no thanks to the destructive 1788 blaze that wiped out much of New Orleans. As a writer, I could feel how this place would be a very charming private oasis to work in. It is similar to the Audubon Cottages nearby on Dauphine St. too, where many writers actually do go to work.
Interesting Odds & (Book) Ends
To switch it up for a more dressy and elegant evening of late-night jazz and cocktails, and perhaps dancing, the Ritz Carlton's Davenport Lounge is a special place. The Ritz is among the top-notch in service, ambience, and location.
It is upscale and the extensive bar menu offers a very old-fashioned classy night away from Bourbon Street. The same can be said for the International Hotel and its Loa Lounge - upscale - but modern with art gallery lobby installations shuffled in through the year.
It was refreshing to breeze through, have a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres and browse the gallery before heading to dinner. Set between the Arts District and the French Quarter, this boutique hotel is a unique blend of elegance meets rock star, which we loved.
We enjoyed playing it that way a night or two and then balancing it out with some old-school local places like the very fun Spotted Cat and Balcony Music Club - down by Frenchman Street - perhaps today's version of what Preservation Hall might have been in the days of classic Vieux Carré.
The Ignatius Reilly Statue
The very animated Statue of Ignatius Reilly, the main character in contemporary author John Kennedy Toole's highly praised The Confederacy of Dunces, stands On Canal Street right by the Ritz. The book won Toole a posthumous Pulitzer Prize largely because of its very accurate portrayals of modern New Orleans life and characters.
It definitely demands attention. The title is taken from a Jonathan Swift essay: "When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign; that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."
Before heading back to New York after our literary exploration back in time, we stumbled upon quite a perfect punctuation for our trip: A very comfortable kitchen called Back Space. Located on Chartres near Hotel Monteleone, the aptly themed place has a homey and unpretentious touch with old-fashioned typewriters and kitschy things of that type. Book shelves full of classics loom above big comfy chairs to curl up with one.
They have a literary themed varietal menu of Introductions, Prologues, and Epilogues. The libations are inspired as well with articulations from the authors who loved them.
As Faulkner once said, "Isn't anything ah got that whiskey won't cure."
Christopher Ludgate is an award winning writer, multimedia artist, and filmmaker from New York City. He enjoys travel as a chance to experience culture, beauty, and intrigue and then to reflect on the bigger picture gained from it.
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Mobile Home Swap: A New Way to Vacation on Wheels
By Jon Brandt
As prices for airline tickets, hotels, and other necessities for a trip continue to rise, many travelers have begun to look for alternatives that will not only help save some money, but give a new perspective on travel as well.
The company was born when Farrow came up with the idea of swapping mobile homes with some friends from France.
"We both saved a fortune"
By taking the idea of motor home swapping and combining it with the freedom that a motor home gives to those traveling on the road, Farrow has given birth to a new way of vacationing. It's simple, affordable, and allows the participants to see as much, if not more, than they would on a regular trip.
Instead of having to deal with the airlines or trains, the travelers can just pick up where they want to and go wherever they want, all in accordance with a pre-determined agreement with the person they swap with.
Farrow has also recently started a similar website, mobilehomeholidayswap.com, for people who want a different kind of vacation than they are used to. He said he created the site to fill a gap in the holiday market.
It doesn't really matter if it's a short trip or an extended amount of time, because the only expense you have while you swap vehicles is the gas. Since you are borrowing the motor home of the person who is borrowing yours, you can be fairly sure both vehicles will be returned in good condition.
If you've ever rented your house to someone and returned to find it a mess, you know how aggravating it can be. However, this swapping ensures that both parties do their best to keep the vehicles in top shape. As Farrow says, "Owners can have the reassurance that they will exchange with like-minded people who care about their motor homes/RVs."
Read more GoNOMAD stories about RVs.
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In a culture where after-work happy hours, brunch mimosas and weekend nights at the bar are the norm when it comes to socializing and meeting people, being sober can be tough. It can feel very isolating, even though you know that logically there have to be others out there just like you.
According to a Princeton University poll, 30% of Americans don't drink, though with the way American culture glorifies alcohol, you'd never know it.
A person who's recently made the decision to be sober might be concerned they'll never be able to go on a vacation again. On all-inclusive vacations where the alcohol is free-flowing, the temptation for some people can be too great.
A new organization is hoping to change this.
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Jimmy Hamm and MJ Gottlieb started the Clean Fun Network in January 2015 to combat this very problem. The group is a social network that hosts several monthly events in New York City and travel experiences to fun destinations – all without alcohol, but with a lot of fun.
"Everything we do is centered around an activity," said Hamm, "and our trips are like going away on spring break, but you remember everything that you do." Clean Fun Network trips are very group-oriented. Nothing is mandatory, but everyone is encouraged to do a majority of the activities together.
Hamm started the network because he saw a demand for it in his own life. He began hosting people in a summer house in Montauk in 2009, and what started as one house quickly expanded to more, as Hamm's friends began to invite their friends and those people invited their friends.
He began to see a need for a wider network bringing together sober people in New York City. He reached out to his friend, MJ Gottlieb, an entrepreneur who saw a similar need there. Together they formed the Clean Fun Network.
"I've been doing this for a few years now," said Hamm, "and I have an idea of what people want to do. All of our trips are one hundred percent about fun."
Hamm brings together like-minded people who are committed to sobriety for these trips. The company will have four trips, each a week long, to Puerto Rico in March. Through a partnership with Absolute Travel, they'll be going to Big Sky Resort in Montana, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Then they'll go to Chile, one of the network's "premier" trips.
These trips are all-inclusive, save for airfare. Hamm, who directs the "fun" aspect of the network, has planned itineraries full of activities, from biking, hiking, skiing, kayaking and other destination-specific activities.
CFN member Laura heard about the network from friends who'd been on CFN trips before. "Society now cares a great deal about what they put into their bodies - physically, emotionally, spiritually," she said, calling 'clean living' the new black.
"Sobriety is so much better"
Kelly Fitzgerald, who runs the lifestyle blog The Adventures of a Sober Senorita, has never traveled with a sober travel company but hopes to soon. She plans trips herself, and finds that the planning process goes much smoother now that she doesn't drink.
"I stick to my plans and I get a lot more activities done. I am able to see and do twice as much because I am not hung over or drinking all day and night. I can also remember everything and savor every moment, instead of letting each day pass me by, like when I was drinking," she said.
Hamm wants to show that sobriety does not have to be the end of the fun in a person's life. In fact, it can enhance it. For him, sobriety after years of alcohol abuse has been eye opening.
"I have had more fun in sobriety, my life is a million times more fun," he said. "You realize you don't need all the outside things like drugs and alcohol to have a good time."
Not everyone who is part of the Clean Fun Network has struggled with alcohol. Some members simply choose to abstain for any number of reasons. For some, it might be the taste, it might be a familial predisposition toward alcoholism, or perhaps it's that alcohol can be expensive.
"I don't have to plan around getting drunk or places that have alcohol. I also spend less money because I don't spend any on alcohol," said Fitzgerald. When planning her trips with friends, she focuses on making them very activity based so they're not thinking about drinking. But for her, "avoiding alcohol while traveling is just like saying no to it every day of [her] life."
She keeps her focus not on avoiding it, but keeping herself "mentally and spiritually strong" to take her sobriety one day at a time, and traveling is no different.
CFN member Laura said that she finds that "many sober people tend to wake up earlier, eat healthy, and do active things like surf, run, and bike ride."
There are other benefits for her too. "There is never any bar drama, hangovers or drunken people to slow you up."
Organic Growth
Hamm is quick to stress that his trips are not the equivalent of Alcoholics Anonymous and have nothing to do with recovery. If someone is living in a detox treatment facility, this isn't the kind of trip for them, at least until they have a hold on their addiction. These trips are for anyone who is committed to sobriety and the idea of having fun without alcohol. They are vacations, pure and simple, just like anyone else would take; there's just no alcohol or drug use whatsoever.
The trips provide a support group for people who may not have taken a vacation since they gave up drinking. As they work to overcome the challenges inherent in that new experience and the kind of behavior patterns they're working to change, CFN members are there for them.
The network has grown organically so far, mostly through mutual friends and references. A lot of the people are Hamm's acquaintances for previous trips, but as the network grows through new events, new people are being introduced. There's a screening process for would-be trip attendees who Hamm, Gottlieb or a network member don't know, but Hamm said it's just a meeting to make sure they're on the same page about what the trip is about.
"We basically want to make sure everyone on the trip plays well with others," he said, since the idea is to build friendships with like-minded people.
The network hosts multiple events a month, everything ranging from weekend ski trips to going to dinners and shows. The goal is to offer a wide range of activities in the areas of health, culture and wellness. Through it all, members keep things in confidence and agree to protect each other's anonymity.
Hamm really wants to provide a safe space for members to get to know each other through activities that any other regular person might do. Their sobriety is what connects them, but it isn't what defines them.
Clean Fun Network isn't the only sober travel company.
Sober Vacations International runs week long trips to Cancun, the Galapagos Islands and the Club Med resort in Turks and Caicos. They offer multiple meetings a day on these trips, and activities at the resorts vary from adventure sports to spa treatments.
Travel Sober is a company that allows people in recovery to make like-minded friends and experience new adventures with them. They partner with cruise companies to offer sober cruises, travel to AA conventions, and visit places all over the world.
Visit Sober Travelers for the latest in sober travel news and get new travel ideas.
Eleanor Harte is a journalist and writer based in Boston, MA. She's fortunate to have studied abroad in Paris and to have visited Ireland, Belgium, Scotland, the Czech Republic, and a few other countries, but she has many remaining on her list! She's always looking for the next adventure.
Read more stories about cruising on GoNOMAD
{showgsearch Cruises}
Food, Fitness and Fun on Wellness Vacations
Picture your ideal vacation. Do you spend the week waking up without an alarm, lying on the beach soaking up the sun, and indulging in carbs, margaritas and ice cream for every meal? Or do you wake with the sun, doing yoga and a bootcamp class on the beach before sitting down to a healthy breakfast that was prepared by a local chef? If your answer is the latter, a health and fitness getaway might be just the vacation option you're looking for.
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Fitness vacations are a growing trend – in 2013, the global wellness tourism market grew to $494 million dollars, a 12.5 increase from 2012. At first it seems crazy – isn't the point of a vacation to relax, hang out and do nothing?
But many times getting home from a vacation makes you feel like you need another one just to recover. You might feel bad about everything that you ate and vow to double your time at the gym to make up for it. A "get in shape" vacation can eliminate all that.
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One company that offers these all-inclusive fitness vacations is Escape to Shape, a company that has taken fitness lovers to exotic locations all over the globe for fifteen years. Co-founder Erica Gragg says that with the company, she and her business partner Francesco Anchisi created a vacation that they themselves would want to go on. These vacations include daily fitness classes, group excursions, language classes, health prepared food and cultural visits. Everything is included, except for airfare and alcohol.
All You Have to Do is Show Up
Gragg often returns to the same sites year after year, and has nailed down the perfect itinerary. Most trips host between fourteen to twenty people per week. Some of them come in groups, some come with one friend, and some come alone. Thanks to the communal atmosphere and common interests, guests quickly become friends. And in regards to activities, all that guests have to do is pack their things and get on the plane.
"We make it really easy for them to visit a place that might not have been on their radar before, or a place they maybe didn't want to visit by themselves," said Gragg.
On the Escape to Shape trip in Cartagena, a city on the northern coast of Colombia, guests are picked up at the airport and brought to the 16th century villa where they stay for the next five nights. Each day they'll take two exercise classes – taught by instructors from the barre-based fitness brand Physique 57, which offers a "results driven" program – and spend their days exploring Cartagena.
The idea behind this kind of trip is to take cultural explorations that might happen on an "ordinary" vacation and pair them with the fitness classes and healthy food, which tend to take a back seat when most people vacation. Even better, people don't need to worry about planning what to do every day or what they're going to eat.
"They just have to buy their ticket and the rest we take care of, everything from curating the meals so that they represent an authentic way to experience the local cuisine in a healthy way, " said Gregg, "to organizing unique activities and excursions that will help guests to develop their own relationship with the country and the culture.
Multiple Vacation Options
Cartegena isn't the only place for clients to visit. The company runs trips to Laos, Chile, Germany, Morocco, Sicily and a number of other countries. On every trip, Gragg organizes active cultural activities that allow participants to feel like they had an equal mix between fitness and culture on their vacation
As far as food goes, everything is included in the trip cost – and it's representative of the culture, with a local twist. Fried foods are very popular in Cartagena, so Gragg explains that they make adjustments. Instead of fried plantains, they'll have baked plantains instead – people still get to sample the local flavor, but in a healthier way.
A group called Girlfriend Getaways runs similar trips, but for women only. Their mission is to "empower women to strong, healthy, confident and to be their best". Their all-inclusive trips are held at luxury hotel resorts, pairing fitness activities and personal training sessions with a vacation at the beach. Their vacations include three healthy meals a day, nutritional snacks and five hours of fitness per day. Biking, kayaking, boot camp, kayaking and cardio kickboxing are among the activities they offer.
Another company is Rancho La Puerto, a fitness ranch located in Baja California, just over the Mexican border that specializes in giving guests a chance for renewal of "mind, body and spirit on a journey to true wellness." The ranch welcomes men and women of all ages, and offers approximately forty different fitness classes a day for each week long stay. Activities include hiking, cardio, tennis, yoga, cooking classes, meditation, and evening entertainment. All food is semi-vegetarian.
The Best Kind of Clients
Gragg said the best client for an Escape to Shape trip is one who has a sense of curiosity, enjoys the art of discovery, and likes being around other people. She thinks some of the best parts of the trips come from the communal dinners, where participants eat meals prepared from local ingredients and there's interesting conversation. She said that over the years she has had some really engaging and fun guests come on trips.
"Some clients have done ten or fourteen trips with us," she said. "More guests have done multiple vacations with us than those who have just done one, and we're really proud of that statistic."
Participants of all ages have gone on her trips, though the average age tends to be between 30 and 55 years old. Gragg doesn't focus on ages, young or old, when thinking about trips. "It's really about being young at heart, being open minded and wanting to experience new things."
How intense are the classes? Gragg said that her instructors cater to all fitness levels and can adapt to various injuries and suggest modifications. Participants don't even have to love fitness; no class is required and participants can choose how many they want to attend. She has even had a handful of people come on a trip and not attend any, though that's rare.
The appeal of these classes lies in the fact that all of the planning is taken care of down to the last detail. "We attract a lot of Type A personalities who entrust us with their holidays which is nice because they can completely surrender," said Gragg. "They leave the details up to us."
Costs of Escape to Shape trips vary depending on destination, but for the Cartagena trip, the cost is $3,200 per person for a double occupancy room and $4,000 for a single occupancy room. This includes everything but flights.
Eleanor Harte is a journalist and writer based in Boston, MA. She's fortunate to have studied abroad in Paris and to have visited Ireland, Belgium, Scotland, the Czech Republic, and a few other countries, but she has many remaining on her list! She's always looking for the next adventure.
Read more about fitness vacations on GoNOMAD:
Reebok Fitness Vacations with Austin Adventures
The Top Ten U.S. Tennis Resorts
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You can now invite anyone to meet at your favorite Starbucks.
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30 year old woman | San Francisco, CA, USA | Seeking men 25-40 within 50 miles
Fun & outgoing chick looking for her tour guide
I'm much more fun in person- I promise! I like to enjoy life! Life's too short to waste it on the petty stuff. I'd like to think I'm laid back and easy going even if i won't leave the house without makeup. I just moved here because I love this city! I'm done moving for a while but can't wait to explore my new area. I'm not looking for anyone in particular, actually I wouldn't even say I'm looking (except that I just joined this site) but if you're down for some laughs and some fun, I'm sure I'd like to meet you! I'll try anything once! I'm addicted to vanilla lattes, love activities around water and can't wait for football season. I am still on the path to finding myself, this move was just the beginning. Have a good job but know there's more to contribute to my life and community. I want to meet people, I'm down for whatever. So if you're interested, "wink"! Take a chance, what do we have to lose?
Camping , Coffee and conversation , Cooking , Dining out , Movies/Videos , Music and concerts , Exploring new areas , Travel/Sightseeing , Wine tasting
Bowling, Cycling, Football, Swimming, Tennis / Racquet sports, VolleyBall
I exercise 3-4 times per week.
I like Dogs
Z{{Cta}} {{#if HasMoreInfo}} ?{{CtaSecondary}} {{/if}}
|What she is looking for
|5'5" (165cms)
|3'0" (91cms) to 8'11" (271cms)
|Body type:
|Big and beautiful
|No preference
|No preference
|Dark brown
|No preference
|No Way
|No Way
|Social Drinker
|No preference
|Travel / Hospitality / Transportation
|No preference
|I'll tell you later
|No preference
|Never Married
|No preference
|Have kids:
|No preference
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|Some college
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realmagick.com The shrine of knowledge.
Lu Decomposition Applications
A selection of articles related to lu decomposition applications.
Original articles from our library related to the Lu Decomposition Applications. See Table of Contents for further available material (downloadable resources) on Lu Decomposition Applications.
- Manifesting World Enlightenment: Part 2
- When thoughts are replaced by silence in the mind, perception arises. It is a part of the modern condition wherein the mind of humanity is constantly overwhelmed, by a million considerations and thoughts. In acquiring silence, the mind is enabled to get out...
Mind >> World Mind
- Herbs of Folklore and Modern Medicine: White Willow, Aloe Vera, and Garlic
- Many of the medicinal herbs we use today have been studied by modern science for application in today's medical field. These studies have shown that our ancestral folk uses of these herbs were very much correct in their applications. Here we will explore...
Earth Mysteries >> Herbalism
- The Aeonic Perspective of the Enochian Temples
- The initiatory system of the Enochian Temples divides the path of initiation into four major stages, distinguished primarily by the types and sources of the influences they are sensitive to. Briefly, these stages are: 1. Lunar-planetary, focused in Yesod and...
Magick >> Enochian
- Software of the Mind #3: Implementing Natural Software
- " Logic " is a primary means for the refinement of the mental vehicle in particular. A common view of logic is that it is merely a system of reasoning that is in itself without direction. This view holds that logic is only a framework of...
Mystic Sciences >> Mind
- Story of the Celts: The Celts Today
- The Celts Today [ 40 ] The Celts, and Celtic peoples, are alive and well today. Celtic culture is well documented and preserved, and there are millions of people on different continents who make it a point to identify with that culture. In Ireland Irish...
History & Anthropology >> Celtic & Irish
- Isa
- Last year I wrote the Hagalaz article while snowed in. Later in the year I somehow managed to get the Nauthiz article written. (Library School is going well, got 3 A's and a B, should be finished by the end of 99, and in the spirit of Wunjo, a moderate "h...
Divination >> Rune Stones
- Safety With Herbs in Healing and Magick
- I want to talk to you about Safety. There are a lot of common misconceptions out there regarding herbal healing, and I hope with this article to be able to clear some of those up. Safety with any treatment is essential for overall health and well-being,...
Earth Mysteries >> Herbalism
Lu Decomposition Applications is described in multiple online sources, as addition to our editors' articles, see section below for printable documents, Lu Decomposition Applications books and related discussion.
Suggested Pdf Resources
- 2.3 LU Decomposition and Its Applications
- Westlake, J.R. 1968, A Handbook of Numerical Matrix Inversion and Solution of Linear Equations.
- www.mpi-hd.mpg.de
- Lecture 12 LU Decomposition
- LU Decomposition. In many applications where linear systems appear, one needs to solve Ax = b for many different vectors b.
- www.math.ohiou.edu
- A parallel sparse LU decomposition with application to
- A Parallel Sparse LU Decomposition with Application to. Semiconductor Device Simulation. Mounir Hahad.
- www.springerlink.com
- Vol.28, No.6, 2010, 745–766.
- www.global-sci.org
- Sparse LU Decomposition using FPGA *
- processing.
- spiral.ece.cmu.edu
Suggested Web Resources
- 2.3 LU Decomposition and Its Applications
- Westlake, J.R. 1968, A Handbook of Numerical Matrix Inversion and Solution of Linear Equations.
- www.mpi-hd.mpg.de
- LU decomposition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Applications. [edit.
- en.wikipedia.org
- LU Decomposition - Application Center
- Jan 25, 2007 LU Decomposition Method. 2006 Kevin Martin, Autar Kaw, Jamie Trahan. University of South Florida.
- www.maplesoft.com
- LU Decomposition -- from Wolfram MathWorld
- 5 days ago Press, W. H.; Flannery, B.
- mathworld.wolfram.com
- Gauss Elimination and LU Decomposition
- Now I want to remind you of why we bother with L U decomposition. associated with things like matrix multiplies can be a very big deal in many applications.
- www.personal.psu.edu
Great care has been taken to prepare the information on this page. Elements of the content come from factual and lexical knowledge databases, realmagick.com library and third-party sources. We appreciate your suggestions and comments on further improvements of the site.
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text: Wayne Madsen Report http://www.waynemadsenreport.com In the tradition of Drew Pearson's and Jack Anderson's famous "Washington Merry-Go-Round" syndicated column and I.F. Stone, this online publication tackles the "politically incorrect" and "politically embarrassing" stories and holds government officials accountable for their actions. This web site extends a warm open invitation to whistleblowers and leakers. Business as usual for the crooks and liars in Washington, DC, is over. July 2-5, 2015 -- EXTENDED WEEKEND FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150702_1 2015-07-02T11:37:00-00:00 July 2-5, 2015 -- Is NSA amassing 4th Party allies through coercion and deceit? http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150702 Is NSA playing the role in which it was portrayed in the film "Enemy of the State?" 2015-07-02T08:36:00-00:00 July 1-2, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150701 2015-07-01T08:30:00-00:00 July 1-2, 2015 -- Obama's BIC training turned him into an "austerity" and "free trade" promoter http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150630_2 Austerity and free markets were engrained in Obama at an early age. 2015-06-30T17:11:00-00:00 June 30-July 1, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150630_1 2015-06-30T08:55:00-00:00 June 30-July 1, 2015 -- CIA employed "divide and conquer" in Venezuela during Jeb Bush's tenure in Caracas http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150630 Jeb Bush fingerprints on CIA memo from Caracas in 1978 2015-06-30T07:46:00-00:00 June 29-30, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150629_1 2015-06-29T10:39:00-00:00 June 29-30, 2015 -- Exotic assassination methods worry foreign leaders http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150629 NSA and CIA engaged in research that involves crimes against humanity. 2015-06-29T09:13:00-00:00 June 25-28, 2015 -- CIA eyed East Asian maritime oil fields for exploitation in 1974 http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150626_1 CIA fronted for Gulf, AMOCO, and CONOCO in manufacturing intelligence on East Asian rival maritime claims. 2015-06-26T06:18:00-00:00 June 26-28, 2015 -- WEEKEND FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150626 2015-06-26T06:14:00-00:00 June 25-26, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150625_1 2015-06-25T08:24:00-00:00 June 25-26, 2015 -- Ignoring and mocking a regicide: journalists' myopia on Nepal http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150625 Corporate media wallows in their own ignorance. 2015-06-25T06:11:00-00:00 June 24-25, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150624_1 2015-06-24T11:12:00-00:00 June 24-25, 2015 -- CIA ran female and male prostitution escort services http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150624 CIA videotaped politicians' trysts with underage teens for blackmail purposes. 2015-06-24T05:54:00-00:00 June 23-24, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150623_1 2015-06-23T08:17:00-00:00 June 23-24, 2015 -- Dead White House chef "knew what was going on" on 9/11 http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150623 Scheib is second notable person with insider knowledge of 9/11 to die while hiking. 2015-06-23T06:09:00-00:00 June 22-23, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150622_1 2015-06-22T08:39:00-00:00 June 22-23, 2015 -- By design: Many of ISIL's enemies are also America's enemies. http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150622 ISIL's enemies include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Houthis of Yemen: all enemies of the U.S. 2015-06-22T06:07:00-00:00 June 19-21, 2015 -- South Carolina ground zero for the neo-Confederates http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150619_1 Dylann Roof's aiders and abettors among neo-Confederate ranks are numerous. 2015-06-19T10:13:00-00:00 June 19-21, 2015 -- WEEKEND FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150619 2015-06-19T09:15:00-00:00 June 19-21, 2015 -- Guest Op-Ed: Celebrate Father's Day with Shared Parenting http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150618_2 Shared parenting after a divorce is the best way to celebrate Father's Day. 2015-06-18T16:32:00-00:00 June 18-19, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150618_1 2015-06-18T09:42:00-00:00 June 18-19, 2015 -- Brennan's financial ties to Rothschilds exposed http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150618 Brennan makes money off Israeli expansionism and destabilization. 2015-06-18T08:25:00-00:00 June 17-18, 2015 -- DAILY FORUM http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150617_1 2015-06-17T09:03:00-00:00 June 17-18, 2015 -- Declassified CIA report yields information contained in missing 28-pages http://www.waynemadsenreport.com/articles/20150617 CIA report provides more proof that Saudi Arabia and Israel were jointly behind 9/11 attack. 2015-06-17T07:02:00-00:00


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Must-See Sneak Peek! Puck and Lauren's Seven Minutes in Heaven From "Silly Love Songs" Episode
Remember when Puck made the promise to spend "7 Minutes in Heaven" with Lauren Zizes to get her to join the glee club after Kurt left? Well....let's just say it wasn't so heaven-ly for all parties involved. Watch what really happened...
Original Air Date: February 8, 2011, 8/7c


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Talk to the Talking Justin West Baby and get into his dreaming world. He answers with his funny voice and reacts to what you say or your touch. With 4 exciting inside games with many levels to play. Spend some time with Justin the dreaming super star and his highly entertaining activities. He will show his talent and how much he likes performing for you.
Sketch with buddies is a multi-player sketchbook style game where two players have their turns to draw a picture and have the opponent guess the word based on the picture drawn. Most advanced sketching tool in the world, sketch with buddies even brings stick drawings to life. Features include buy mind-blowing bombs, one-touch settings shake it up to erase and adjust all settings or block an annoying player, fantastic sketching tools, guess the word make out the word before the clock stops ticking, share via email and Facebook, and lots more.
Eine Skizze Werkzeug, um Ihr Telefon und Tablet in Skizzenbuch zu drehen, können Sie genießen Skizze Spaß jederzeit und überall! App- Features: * 17 Bürsten + Radiergummi * Intuitive Pinselauswahl , um Pinsel auswählen, anpassen Bürstenbreiteund Druck. * Desktop -Class- Farbwähler * Skizze auf Foto. * Undo / Redo * Pinch zu vergrößern und zu verkleinern. * Build - in der Gale
Years ago, there was once a priest in antique China who sent his scholar on a trip to draw the prettiness of the world onto a pottery tile. So the scholar began his long trip all over the world. Unfortunately, one day the scholar stumbled on astound and chop. Unfortunately, the earthenware tile broke into seven geometric pieces, two great triangles, a medium amount triangle, two small triangles, a square and a parallelogram. Attempt as he might, the scholar could no longer place the pieces back together. But he did by no means give up and after trying again and again to glue the earthenware tile, something superb happened. Each time he assemble the seven pieces, a gorgeous creature sprang up. After a long time, he created so many different designs, human beings, animals, plants, buildings and boats. In the end, the scholar completed a significant awareness, it's not essential to travel across the seven seas to Find prettiness in the world. The prettiness and uniqueness of our world was to be found right there in those seven busted pieces. The Diagram X is a itemization riddle consisting of seven flat shapes called dias which jointly can form different shapes. Designs like natural world, individual beings, buildings, boats, number, and alphabet and so on. The objective of Diagram X puzzle is to form a exact shape based on backdrop sketch or given only a shadow using all seven pieces which may not overlie. Roughly 1000 levels accessible in usual and masters modes together which guarantees weeks or even months of huge fun, with the stunning design and soothing yet challenging puzzles. You won't be repentant downloading it.
Simply open a most loved sketch of your tyke and play together Investigate through 36 riddles. Simple to learn and control, actually for little children Look at bright mind and riddle test children Puzzles For Kids. Let your tyke play with children riddle 4 children and have some good times train cerebrum while you get together the pic pieces.
Changed flags category icon Cleaner design. v2.1.1. Fixed issue with Flag drawings not getting selected when play button is clicked. v2.0-2.1.0. Added new Flags category with 25 drawings. Enjoy coloring and Learn about flags. Updated Ad SDK to be COPPA compliant. Magic brush will surprise you child while painting. Reference image now in animated drawer which can be pulled when needed. Multiple painting modes like sketch-pen, crayon, marker, glitter etc.
Drawing and painting is one of the favourite past time for all kids. Along with that it gives them a lot of fun and also helps to build their creativity. This app is a colouring pad for kids where they can learn to draw with numerous options available to sketch and paint. Children can paint using any drawing tools with lots of different colours. This game can motivate a childs imagination and their artistic skills. You can paint on readymade outlined uncoloured images or draw on blank screens. You can choose multiplayer option where 2 kids can draw at the same time and compete with each other. Draw and paint any images and save the picture to your gallery. Paint the images fully and score maximum points. Share your drawings and paintings with your friends.
Hero of the game name is Sketch Turner, he is an artist, draws comics. One night, a severe storm Turner worked on their new creation called Comix Zone and suddenly lightning struck directly in more unfinished work. This thunderbolt helped escape to freedom main villain comic. Once in the real world, it throws sketch into his own comic book. But as Mortusa is a drawn character, it can not fully embodied in the human world, is still alive Sketch. Now the artist Turner have to meet in its path drawn by him, a lots of mutants and eventually compete with Mortusa to get out of a comic book and for all to be free.
The hero of the game, Sketch Turner, is an artist, draws comics. One night, a severe storm Turner worked on their new creation called Comix Zone and suddenly lightning struck directly in more unfinished work. This thunderbolt helped escape to freedom main villain comic, Mortusa. Once in the real world, it throws sketch in comic book. But as Mortusa is drawn characters, it cannot fully embodied in the human world, is still alive Sketch. Now the artist Turner will have to undergo written by him as a product from start to finish, meeting in its path drawn a lot of mutants and eventually compete with yourself Mortusa to get out of a comic book and for all to be free. In this version we have added the ability to save and load game.
A wonderful drawing program for all ages to free your imagination and inner artist. Simple, neat while full of possibility. With Paint Joy, you have full control of brush style, color, brush size, background color etc. Paint Joy has more than 20 beautiful brushes, such as glow neon, glow, crayon, chalk, sketch etc. You can draw on a color canvas, or decorate any of your photos to make them more beautiful.
Learn to draw will teach you how to draw different things. The program will show step by step how to draw. You don't need any special skills its self teaching. There are two modes: 1. Drawing on paper, figure appears on the screen, you need to redraw it on paper. 2. Drawing on the screen, figure appears at the top of the screen, and in the bottom you need to sketch it. All easy and intuitive to use even a small child. Give a try to your child and you will not be able to pick up the phone back. The game is optimized for phones and tablets. Allows to send artwork via the Internet or save to sd card. Children and their parents will have hours of fun with this game.


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Lord your love is mighty and never-ending.
Lord I hold you up I want you to fill my cup.
I want the Holy Spirit in my heart.
I want to thank you for taking away my sin.
I want to do what you ask me to no matter how hard it is!
I'm fired up with your love, Oh Lord fill my cup!
I'm fired up I'm fired up!
I'm fired up with your love, Oh Lord please fill my cup!
My sin affects others and myself more than I see.
I ask you God to please forgive me.
I'm for you Lord, I walk with you in my heart.
I ask for help in my brokenness and despair.
I will truly be obedient to your word. Because
I know you are there, I know you have paid for my sin
God you are great I want you in my life.
I'm fired up with your love, Oh Lord fill my cup!
I'm fired up I'm fired up.
I'm fired up with your love, Oh Lord please fill my cup!
Lord deliver me from the darkness to the light.
Oh Lord show me what you want me to sacrifice.
I will give you all in the flesh that I hold onto tight
I give it to you,with faith in your word. You will give me
back some thing much more that I deserve. Thank you
God for all that you did! Thank you Lord for paying for our sin.
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Benches have been around for years and, largely they can go unnoticed.
Today there are endless designs and sizes – all you have to do is take a look at our range of garden benches to see this for yourself.
However, there are certain benches out there that stand out and catch the eye due to their flamboyant, and sometimes downright ridiculous, designs.
We've rounded up some of the more unusual designs we've come across in our travels but first we're going to offer a few of the more unusual insights into the history of the bench.


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You can now invite anyone to meet at your favorite Starbucks.
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33 year old woman | Seattle, WA, USA | Seeking women 24-42 within 50 miles
i like to smile
I like to make sure that I have fun everyday and that everything thing I do in life makes me happy. I am focused and determined when it comes to work and personal happiness. I am compassionate and understanding but I also have a strong personality and strong convictions. I am a very devoted friend and I enjoy doing things for others. I like to do so many things: travel, garden, baking, yoga, sewing, hiking, rollerskating, brew beer and so much more. I even enjoy the occasional Mariner's game. I live a pretty green lifestyle. My master's degree is in Environmental Studies, so I love my mother nature and do my best to reduce my carbon footprint and support sustainable agriculture. I am looking for someone who is motivated in her own life and who has her own drive for personal happiness. I need someone who is kind, understanding and strong. I tend to be more attracted to intelligent women who are open and direct. Mostly this person needs to be fun and open to new things. I spend my free time being active and engaging in life and I hope that you would too.
Coffee and conversation , Cooking , Dining out , Movies/Videos , Museums and art , Music and concerts , Exploring new areas , Nightclubs/Dancing , Playing sports , Political interests , Travel/Sightseeing , Watching sports
Baseball, Basketball, Martial arts, Other types of exercise, Skiing, Swimming, Walking / Hiking, Weights / Machines, Yoga
I exercise 3-4 times per week.
I have Cats
Very Liberal
I love France and Thailand, been to both and want to go back. I really want to visit Spain, Greece and South America. Here in town I like to visit Golden Gardens, the Arboretum and any nearby park.
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
I listen to indie rock, mostly bands like the yeah yeah yeahs, raveonettes, the gossip, etc. But recently I have gotten into older music like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, and so on.
I play roller derby, which takes up most of my free time. I like to play most other sports, go to movies, go out with friends, go dancing, learn new things, go rock climbing, see shows and pretty much anything that sounds like an adventure.
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text:
First Known Use: 13th century
noun Nor·man \ˈnȯr-mən\
Definition of NORMAN
: a native or inhabitant of Normandy:a : one of the Scandinavian conquerors of Normandy in the 10th centuryb : one of the Norman-French conquerors of England in 1066
— Norman adjective
See Norman defined for English-language learners
Ask The Editor Videos
Origin of NORMAN
Middle English, from Anglo-French Normant, from Old Norse Northmann-, Northmathr Norseman, from northr north + mann-, mathr man; akin to Old English north north and to Old English man man
biographical name Nor·man \ˈnȯr-mən\
Definition of NORMAN
Jessye 1945– Am. soprano
geographical name Nor·man \ˈnȯr-mən\
Definition of NORMAN
city cen Oklahoma on Canadian River pop 110,925
NORMANS Defined for Kids
noun Nor·man \ˈnȯr-mən\
Definition of NORMAN for Kids
: one of the Scandinavians who conquered Normandy in the tenth century
: one of the people of mixed Norman and French ancestry who conquered England in 1066
Learn More About NORMAN
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Feb. 23, 2012
Complete Results | Photo Gallery
COLUMBIA, Mo. - After the second night of the 2012 Big 12 Swimming and Diving Championships at Mizzou Aquatic Center, the Missouri men's swimming and diving team are in third place with 222.50 points.
Mizzou started off the night on a good note as the 200 free relay team of Ramom Melo, Joe Hladik, John Krause and Mark Conroy finished in second with a time of 1:19.62.
Freshman Eegan Groome took fourth in the 500 Free with a time of 4:22.08, while classmate Andrew Phillips claimed eighth place as he swam a 4:29.83. Fellow freshman Connor Nolan also competed in the 500 Free, finishing fourteenth in 4:29.15.
In the 200 IM, Yaniv Shnaider tied for sixth place in a time of 1:47.49, while Igor Kozlovskij finished in eighth place as he swam a 1:47.80. In the same event, Mack Darragh finished thirteenth in 1:51.03, while Jason King came in fourteenth in 1:51.51, followed by Austin Fish in fifteenth in 1:52.19.
Freshman Ramom Melo finished third in the 50 Freestyle in 19.96, meeting the NCAA B-Qualifying standard of 20.29. Tigers swept the eleventh through fourteenth spots with John Krause in eleventh place in 20.70, followed by Sam Tierney I twelfth in 20.90. Senior Adam Abernathy finished thirteenth in 20.96, while Mark Conroy recorded a time of 2098 for fourteenth.
Thursday finals action starts at 6 p.m. at the Mizzou Aquatic Center.
More Headlines
Four Tigers Earn Olympic Trials Cuts in Intrasquad
Four members of the Mizzou men's and women's swimming teams qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials...
Mizzou Swimming and Diving Places 26 on Winter ...
The Mizzou men's and women's swimming and diving team combined to place 26 student-athletes on...
Six Tigers Earn All-SEC Swimming and Diving Honors
Six members of the Mizzou swimming and diving teams earned All-Southeastern Conference honors,...
Mizzou Finishes Program Record 11th at NCAA...
Concluding their most successful season in program history, the Mizzou men's swimming and diving ...
Tierney Earns Fourth-Place Finish at the NCAA...
Mizzou senior Sam Tierney earned his third straight All-America first team honor in the 100...
Mizzou Posts Three Top-10 Finishes During Day...
The Mizzou men's swimming and diving team opened the 2015 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving...
Mizzou Men Ready for 2015 NCAA Championships
The Mizzou men's swimming and diving team will begin action at the 2015 NCAA Men's Swimming and...
Team Record Eight Male Swimmers Earn NCAA Invites
A team record eight members of the Mizzou men's swimming team earned invitations to the 2015 NCAA...
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Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Somewhere, out there.
Oddometer: 40
First Solo Tent Camping Ride: 8 States, 23 Days
Howdy all-
I'm gearing up for a solo ride in June, and felt like it would be fun to get more involved with the community here. This is my first material post on the forum.
I'll start this off with a bit of an intro / some background to put this trip (and future adventures) into context. Here goes:
I've been riding since 2007. Started off with street bikes (yikes), and in 2011 bought my dream bike - a 1972 BMW R75/5 aka Charlie Sr. Until 2014, Charlie was my daily driver. I've had dreams of taking him bike on wild adventures across the country, but unfortunately my back isn't made of steel, and I'm a sucker for comfort - SO - in March of this year I bought a R1200GS Adventure to take over the daily routine, as well as to prepare for bigger adventures.
As far as general information is concerned - I'm a gainfully employed 26yr old, trying to figure myself out. I have the flexibility to work from anywhere with an internet connection and a nearby airport this year, and plan to take full advantage. I have two major moto trips planned (err, or in planning) for the year.
The first will be written up in this thread will be a 23 day ride leaving from Portland, Oregon and making my way to Santa Fe, NM before heading to SoCal, and then back up to PDX. I'm going to try to camp for the majority of the trip, barring a 2 night stay with my Grandparents in Santa Fe.
The second will come later in a second thread as a close friend and I set out for Panama.
From a logistics perspective, I plan to ride ~ 4.5hrs per day, 7 days consecutively until I reach Santa Fe. I'll be staying in Santa Fe for 2 nights and then sprinting to LA in two longer riding days. From LA, I'll be meeting my friend Gus (the one who will be joining me for the Panama ride) who just bought an 08 1200GS Adventure. We'll then head up to Santa Rosa, CA to raft a portion of the American River. We'll be camping along the river for 3 days and then either heading home to PDX or adventuring elsewhere (possibly Yosemite) for the remaining week.
Charlie Sr:
Charlie Jr taking his first nap
Here's the rough route I'll be taking for this first trip:
Until next week.
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Somewhere, out there.
Oddometer: 40
Alrighty - a quick video update for ya'll.
I took Charlie Jr. out with my little brother this weekend for his (errr, all of our) first time out in the dirt on two wheels. We probably logged about 2 hours off "off road" ride time.
This was also a test for my camping setup as it pertains to carrying it on the bike. All in all, I was thoroughly impressed with how the tires handled the soft stuff, despite being more "on-road oriented." I can't even begin imagine how much more stuff I'd be able to do with knobbies - though - I'm sure for now the bikes tires aren't as much of a limitation as my riding skills
Here are some teaser shots from the ride, and an edited reel of footage for your viewing pleasure. Apologies if our music tastes don't align
The full video (watch in HD for full effect).
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: San Francisco
Oddometer: 42
haha i loved watching that video!! Great job! You might have had an easier time picking the bike up if you weren't slipping around in your converse sneaks!
www.DanRidesADucati.com ----Alaska Moto Adventure 2014 Blog
Joined: Aug 2013
Location: Bothell, Washington
Oddometer: 51
Have fun on your trip and you really should be wearing boots when you ride off road!
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Central Florida
Oddometer: 16
Loved the video
I Love that video !!! I also have a 1200GS i bought it new and love it. I was on a forest road in WVA and had the same thing happen to me.... Thanks for making me laugh at my self again :) It's an awesome bike and will take you any where you care to go.... Enjoy it !!
Gnarly Adventurer
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Cincinnapolis, Pennsyltucky
Oddometer: 246
Taking I-5 south from the Oregon border to LA in June will be hot, boring and a waste of a good bike's talents - at least the 475 miles from Redding to Bakersfield. The 101 will have much cooler temps or 395 on the east side will have better scenery than the 5.
But in the end, any day on a bike is a good day. Enjoy the trip.
4 metal plates, 28 screws, titanium shoulder & surprisingly little talent.
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Somewhere, out there.
Oddometer: 40
Thanks guys!
I know I need to get some proper boots. Headed up to Seattle today to try some on and pick up my panniers/tank bag.
@Strokizator - I'm not headed to LA via Oregon - looping up and then east - coming back up through LA>PDX. I chose the five because I wasn't sure how tired I would be after the rafting trip, but if I've got it in me I'll be taking the Lost Coast highway through Ave of the Giants & Petrolia Hadn't thought about the heat, but that's a great point!
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Somewhere, out there.
Oddometer: 40
And it begins! Broadcasting live from my tent!
I ended up leaving today (a day early) to buy myself an extra night camping in Zion. I managed to find myself a great camping spot in the Whitman National Forest. Just found a nice looking dirt road and rode until I found a spot.
Managed to lay Charlie Jr. Over in the process, in what was my most exciting crash to-date. Nearly hit a tree, but managed to change my course and fall injustice to the right of it.
I'll update more tomorrow, but I did heed everyone's advice and bought some boots and a proper suit.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
'72 R75/5 - "Charlie"
'14 R1200GS Adventure - "Juanito, The Black Zebra"
Sergeant 0311
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Winlock, Washington
Oddometer: 199
Hope your trip is more than you expect or can imagine it will be. Just got back from Arches, Moab, etc. great trip.
Be safe,
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Somewhere, out there.
Oddometer: 40
Camping / Ride Video Update
Alright guys, a quick teaser video from some the early footage! I'll put together a full edit this weekend once I've shot more stuff.
Wyoming is UNREAL. I think my campsite view (pictured at the end of the video) is one of the best camping vistas I've ever had. Rode up about 20-30 minutes out of Jackson, then hiked up to the top of the bluff.
I'll be getting out into some rougher roads this afternoon (hopefully) for some fly fishing.
Tomorrow I'll be headed off to camp outside of Salt Lake, and then to Zion/Bryce for two nights of camping before heading to Durango.
I'll try to keep the photos / updates coming.
Quick Teaser from Eli Rubel on Vimeo.
I just tweeted it
Joined: May 2003
Location: NJ
Oddometer: 1,069
good stuff. Nice video editing too, I like the passenger perspective.
looking forward to the next update!
'14 KTM 350 EXC-F, '04 GS Adv, '02 DR-Z 400S
Gnarly Adventurer
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Oddometer: 354
Looking forward to more of your ride! Yes, Wyoming is great isnt it. Great videos and I too liked the perspective of the passenger. Thanks.
The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done and self restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. Theodore Roosevelt
Joined: Nov 2013
Location: Sydney
Oddometer: 63
Iam in. Thanks for sharing.
Looks like it is gonna be a lot of fun.
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Somewhere, out there.
Oddometer: 40
Apparently I'm no good at keeping ride reports up to date, as this ride concluded over a month ago, and Gus and I are now gearing up for a ride through all of Central Am, and possibly parts or all of South (despite breaking his angle in the footage below)...!
I'm going to do my best to post up some photos and stories from the trip, and by the time I'm done with that - the final video edit should be uploaded to vimeo and posted below.
So picking up from where we left of in Jackson WY at my discovered camping spot on the bluff:
Getting there:
Tent Setup:
Staying hydrated, and enjoying my favorite camp food:
The next morning, I went into town to start my workday. View from my standing desk. It was right next to a great little cafe, with solid wifi and nice coffee:
After slinging a days work, I headed into the mountains in search of some decent dirt riding, and a place to cast some flies. The rivers were blown out, so my best bet (according to the local fly shop) was a spot about 2 hours out of town. Perfect!
Everything is better when set against the Tetons...
I arrived at the high mountain lake just as the the sun was going down. In the morning, I woke early to try and trick some fish into a momentary land trip.
'72 R75/5 - "Charlie"
'14 R1200GS Adventure - "Juanito, The Black Zebra"
Joined: Dec 2012
Location: Somewhere, out there.
Oddometer: 40
I was "unsuccessful" in tricking any fish, but if fly fishing success was measured in fish brought to land, many of us might not be so happy with ourselves :)
From here, we're going to jump forward in time. Past the mind numbing drive to and through Salt Lake, and to a place just outside of Zion.
On the recommendation of a local rock climber, I drove out into a section of BLM that begins 30 minutes or so before the entrance to Zion. The riding up here was great - I ended up off the main road, making my own train through brush and trees, slowly making my way towards the edge of the bluff. Much of this riding footage is in the video edit I'll be posting soon.
Once satisfied with my proximity to the edge, I setup camp, and took stock of my surroundings. The views were breathtaking.
Naturally, I was sporting the latest in camping fashion...
In the morning I rode out towards Zion. And after this point, I stopped taking photos, and started relying entirely on my Polaroid camera and GoPro.
Zion was beautiful, but frankly I was underwhelmed with the inability to actually ride through the main portion of the park. I rode straight through with the newfound goal of making it to Durango CO (my hometown) by nightfall.
My original plan had been to camp up in a locals spot overlooking all of La Plata Canyon. It would have made for great views, and some fun, potentially technical riding, but I had been camping now for 2 weeks, and the idea of having a normal night in town drinking sounded too appealing to resist. After all, the last time I'd been home I was under age. I needed to connect the stories of places I'd grown up with, with my own experiences. For the next two days, I did exactly that. For the sake of keeping this thread PG, and about motorcycles, we'll skip forward two days past my time in Durango.
Wait, scratch that - I did just find two SFW food shots to prove that I was doing my best to exclusively eat meals where Green Chili made up more than 50% of the meal. Can't get the good stuff back on the West Coast.
I then blitzed my way out to Santa Fe, NM to visit my quickly aging Grandfather. Who at the age of 94, to my surprise, was very excited to show me his new R1200GS. ;)
I stayed in Santa Fe over the weekend, listening to/extracting stories about my Grandfathers time as Assistant Secretary of Defense, about designing the worlds largest war ship, and hearing his favorite poems.
My Grandfather has a way of answering things in a very roundabout, longwinded, but never the less thoughtful way. This particular trip was most likely going to be my last, so I dug into some bigger questions.
Battling the ability to stay focused on a given topic, I thought that he had skipped over my question - "What has made you most happy in life, and what was your most proud moment."
After close to an hour of dancing around the question, he shifted gears, and without explanation began reciting (from memory) Ulysses by Tennyson. As we approached the last few stanzas, he paused, and through tone and timing made it clear these next few lines were my answer.
Free hearts, free foreheads—you and I are old;
Old age hath yet his honour and his toil;
Death closes all: but something ere the end,
Some work of noble note, may yet be done,
Not unbecoming men that strove with Gods.
The lights begin to twinkle from the rocks:
The long day wanes: the slow moon climbs: the deep
Moans round with many voices. Come, my friends,
'T is not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
"To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield." I'll never forget that moment.
'72 R75/5 - "Charlie"
'14 R1200GS Adventure - "Juanito, The Black Zebra"
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