Going to Tanzania.
Saturday, July 22, 2017
Friday, July 21, 2017
Monday, July 17, 2017
The Last Time?
We leave for Africa soon. (Laaaaaaaaaa!)
Even though we've had the trip planned, officially, for about a year, I haven't been able to think about it much lately, other than the "To Do List". Get Visa paperwork. Get shots. Pack meds. Buy packs. Schedule boarding for Roo. Schedule house + plant sitter. Etc.
But now, the logistics are in place and, well, WE'RE GOING TO AFRICA.
And we're going to the Netherlands!
I have mixed feelings about this trip. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to go to Africa. When I was young, I would flip through my Papa's National Geographic magazines in awe of the landscape, animals, and people. In high school and college, I read literary classics and sociological/anthropological studies about various African countries and just could not fathom what it would be like to be there, feet on the ground.
The first few years that G and I were married, we would talk about travel during our hikes. About 10 years ago, we made a goal. At age 40 we would seriously plan to go to Africa, and we would seriously start looking at options to move out west (in America, haha, not Africa).
We achieved both goals five years ago, as fate would have it. So now, we will be making our second trip just in time for our upcoming 40th birthdays.
I sort of can't believe it. Hence, the mixed feelings.
If I had unlimited time and money (well, mostly the money) I would go to a different part of Africa every year, until I got to the point where I was revisiting places I'd already seen. It's just amazing. But, alas, I don't have unlimited time or money, and there's no rich benefactor in sight. So, as we make plans to scrimp and save for the next vacation, we consider other places that are on the list, and other things we'd like to experience while we're "young".
And so I don't know if we'll ever go back again after this trip.
I hope so, but I can't say.
So. For this trip we're going to be completely unplugged. No cell phones. No laptops. No suit cases. Just packs with the bare minimum and a ton of cameras and memory sticks. And a small journal, and one pen.
I'm going to fully take in the sights and sounds and smells and accents and adventures and dust and sun and crazy-looking trees and food and I'm going to be in the moment.
And then I'm gonna come back and blog like crazy so I can share everything with you!
Even though we've had the trip planned, officially, for about a year, I haven't been able to think about it much lately, other than the "To Do List". Get Visa paperwork. Get shots. Pack meds. Buy packs. Schedule boarding for Roo. Schedule house + plant sitter. Etc.
But now, the logistics are in place and, well, WE'RE GOING TO AFRICA.
And we're going to the Netherlands!
I have mixed feelings about this trip. For as long as I can remember I've wanted to go to Africa. When I was young, I would flip through my Papa's National Geographic magazines in awe of the landscape, animals, and people. In high school and college, I read literary classics and sociological/anthropological studies about various African countries and just could not fathom what it would be like to be there, feet on the ground.
The first few years that G and I were married, we would talk about travel during our hikes. About 10 years ago, we made a goal. At age 40 we would seriously plan to go to Africa, and we would seriously start looking at options to move out west (in America, haha, not Africa).
We achieved both goals five years ago, as fate would have it. So now, we will be making our second trip just in time for our upcoming 40th birthdays.
I sort of can't believe it. Hence, the mixed feelings.
If I had unlimited time and money (well, mostly the money) I would go to a different part of Africa every year, until I got to the point where I was revisiting places I'd already seen. It's just amazing. But, alas, I don't have unlimited time or money, and there's no rich benefactor in sight. So, as we make plans to scrimp and save for the next vacation, we consider other places that are on the list, and other things we'd like to experience while we're "young".
And so I don't know if we'll ever go back again after this trip.
I hope so, but I can't say.
So. For this trip we're going to be completely unplugged. No cell phones. No laptops. No suit cases. Just packs with the bare minimum and a ton of cameras and memory sticks. And a small journal, and one pen.
I'm going to fully take in the sights and sounds and smells and accents and adventures and dust and sun and crazy-looking trees and food and I'm going to be in the moment.
And then I'm gonna come back and blog like crazy so I can share everything with you!
Friday, July 14, 2017
Sunday, July 9, 2017
The Introverts Have Died a Little
So, as fun as this summer is, the introvert in me (which, let's be honest, is a big part of me) is dying a little.
Em has been here for a couple of weeks, and G's brother and his gf have been staying with us for the last few days. When I'm not in the office, I have taken to doing my work in small 10-minute segments between activities and thus don't feel like I'm on top of anything, ever, and thus feel like I'm about to lose all of my jobs.
Plus, last night we had a few friends over. It was so fun. It was so...social. So social, says the introvert.
Between organizing meals and activities and texts and work and emails and deadlines and Africa prep and more meals and activities, I, well, I die a little.
Social death is the theme. Internal death is the theme.
But we're seeing a lot of people! Life is messy and chaotic and fun and flavorful and...really full in a way that it hasn't been in I don't know how long. In the wake of losing Lucy, this has been good for us.
So I guess internal life is a theme, too.
G took his bro and gf to Pike's Peak yesterday. A storm rolled in while they were on the peak, and they had to shelter down until it passed.
If you're wondering how Roo is adjusting, take a look. She's clearly at home and is ruling the roost (<<< the ROOst, get it?). Unlike Loo Loo Bean, Roo hops all over the house and much prefers the dining room to the hearth. She spends most of her time laying on the cool wood floor or exploring under the table. It's all very fun and exciting.
There was a delightful sushi dinner the other night with peeps. Nat King Cole recommended the white rolls below and dang. I'm sold. They are called Crispy Bincho and are filled with crab meat, asparagus, avocado, and I can't remember what else. They are to die for. I never need to visit Japan again; I can just go to Sushi Den.
Roo Roo fits in very well to our newly-extroverted lifestyle. She's all up in everyone's business. All the time.
Well, time for the next 10 minutes of work and then we're going to RMNP for some American safari. Tomorrow is a long work day for me, so I'll get to, you know, relax a little. :)
Em has been here for a couple of weeks, and G's brother and his gf have been staying with us for the last few days. When I'm not in the office, I have taken to doing my work in small 10-minute segments between activities and thus don't feel like I'm on top of anything, ever, and thus feel like I'm about to lose all of my jobs.
Plus, last night we had a few friends over. It was so fun. It was so...social. So social, says the introvert.
Between organizing meals and activities and texts and work and emails and deadlines and Africa prep and more meals and activities, I, well, I die a little.
Social death is the theme. Internal death is the theme.
But we're seeing a lot of people! Life is messy and chaotic and fun and flavorful and...really full in a way that it hasn't been in I don't know how long. In the wake of losing Lucy, this has been good for us.
So I guess internal life is a theme, too.
G took his bro and gf to Pike's Peak yesterday. A storm rolled in while they were on the peak, and they had to shelter down until it passed.
If you're wondering how Roo is adjusting, take a look. She's clearly at home and is ruling the roost (<<< the ROOst, get it?). Unlike Loo Loo Bean, Roo hops all over the house and much prefers the dining room to the hearth. She spends most of her time laying on the cool wood floor or exploring under the table. It's all very fun and exciting.
There was a delightful sushi dinner the other night with peeps. Nat King Cole recommended the white rolls below and dang. I'm sold. They are called Crispy Bincho and are filled with crab meat, asparagus, avocado, and I can't remember what else. They are to die for. I never need to visit Japan again; I can just go to Sushi Den.
Roo Roo fits in very well to our newly-extroverted lifestyle. She's all up in everyone's business. All the time.
Well, time for the next 10 minutes of work and then we're going to RMNP for some American safari. Tomorrow is a long work day for me, so I'll get to, you know, relax a little. :)
Friday, July 7, 2017
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
A Taste of America
You guys.
When we were in Santa Fe, the Drury Hotel in the downtown plaza was offering a special Georgia O Keeffe tasting menu. We heard about it from Em's aunt who has done everything in the world at least once and whom I idolize to an unhealthy extent. We had to do it. So on Saturday night while Em's aunt was at the opening night of the opera, Em and I were seated outside in front of a lovely fireplace, toasting cocktails and awaiting quite the culinary experience.
The first course was aromatic. The server brought out large, hardback photo books for each of us and told us the story of Georgia O Keeffe's relationship with the American southwest, particularly New Mexico. She had a ranch (Ghost Ranch) in the next town over and was known for her interest in local spices, herbs, flowers, and seasonal foods/flavor combinations. The chef at Drury Hotel was inspired to create this menu because his grandmother, Eloise, cooked for Ms. O Keeffe for many, many years.
The server walked us through beautiful paintings and also photographs of the land while we sniffed lavender, sage, jalapenos, dried red chili pepper, apricots, and strawberries. We didn't eat a thing and it was by far my favorite course of the night. Looking at the pictures, hearing the stories, and smelling the bright, wonderful aromas was an experience all its own.
But then. The food!
The second course was a New Mexican purple potato chip topped with chipotle aoli, sliced red onions, and local trout caviar. It's meant to be eaten as an amuse bouche, all in one bite so that you can appreciate the flavors. It was crisp, spicy, and just wonderful.
Look how it was served! Ms. O Keeffe's art often featured white-washed skulls.
The third course was a salad of bitter greens, local beets (fresh and pickled), and green beans in a light herb dressing. The beets were so good that I bought two jars of them. Notice that the courses were either served with table props that highlight the region and the artist, or atop plates that included photographs of her. The whole meal was a multi-layered artistic experience.
The fish course was salmon and a purple potato cake served on tomatillo sauce. We might have deliberated actually licking this plate. The sauce was spicy and added a southwest zing to the fish, which was lightly grilled to perfection. I kid you not; this was one of the best meals, and meal experiences, that I've ever had.
The meat course was grilled lamb. It was served with a southwest vegetable ratatouille and was so good that we - I kid you not - picked up the bones at the end of the course and ate every last morsel.
#yolo
#notashamed
The dessert course was apricot sorbet made with apricots picked off of a tree right next to our table. The course also included a caramelized brioche cake atop apricot sauce. This was Em's favorite course of the night.
Each course was served alongside wine pairings (which were international and included wines from Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Belgium) and the dinner in its entirety took about 2.5 to 3 hours. It was the perfect way to recoup from our 7-mile-straight-up-a-mountain hike earlier in the day. The night air was cool and refreshing; and two friends who are apart most of the year got to catch up and just relax.
It was such a taste of America.
When you're in Santa Fe, I highly recommend this restaurant (Eloise) at the Drury Hotel.
When we were in Santa Fe, the Drury Hotel in the downtown plaza was offering a special Georgia O Keeffe tasting menu. We heard about it from Em's aunt who has done everything in the world at least once and whom I idolize to an unhealthy extent. We had to do it. So on Saturday night while Em's aunt was at the opening night of the opera, Em and I were seated outside in front of a lovely fireplace, toasting cocktails and awaiting quite the culinary experience.
 |
| Chocolate-infused tequila cocktail served with orange. |
The server walked us through beautiful paintings and also photographs of the land while we sniffed lavender, sage, jalapenos, dried red chili pepper, apricots, and strawberries. We didn't eat a thing and it was by far my favorite course of the night. Looking at the pictures, hearing the stories, and smelling the bright, wonderful aromas was an experience all its own.
But then. The food!
The second course was a New Mexican purple potato chip topped with chipotle aoli, sliced red onions, and local trout caviar. It's meant to be eaten as an amuse bouche, all in one bite so that you can appreciate the flavors. It was crisp, spicy, and just wonderful.
Look how it was served! Ms. O Keeffe's art often featured white-washed skulls.
The third course was a salad of bitter greens, local beets (fresh and pickled), and green beans in a light herb dressing. The beets were so good that I bought two jars of them. Notice that the courses were either served with table props that highlight the region and the artist, or atop plates that included photographs of her. The whole meal was a multi-layered artistic experience.
The fish course was salmon and a purple potato cake served on tomatillo sauce. We might have deliberated actually licking this plate. The sauce was spicy and added a southwest zing to the fish, which was lightly grilled to perfection. I kid you not; this was one of the best meals, and meal experiences, that I've ever had.
The meat course was grilled lamb. It was served with a southwest vegetable ratatouille and was so good that we - I kid you not - picked up the bones at the end of the course and ate every last morsel.
#yolo
#notashamed
The dessert course was apricot sorbet made with apricots picked off of a tree right next to our table. The course also included a caramelized brioche cake atop apricot sauce. This was Em's favorite course of the night.
Each course was served alongside wine pairings (which were international and included wines from Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Belgium) and the dinner in its entirety took about 2.5 to 3 hours. It was the perfect way to recoup from our 7-mile-straight-up-a-mountain hike earlier in the day. The night air was cool and refreshing; and two friends who are apart most of the year got to catch up and just relax.
It was such a taste of America.
When you're in Santa Fe, I highly recommend this restaurant (Eloise) at the Drury Hotel.
Monday, July 3, 2017
A Weekend in Santa Fe
Em and I went to New Mexico for the weekend and stayed with her aunt. If you remember, we did this last summer, and I'm making it my personal mission in life to turn this trip into a yearly tradition. Her aunt is a world traveler and, at the age of 60+, has entered a seminary program. She is basically who I want to become in life.
On Friday we went to the hot springs at Ojo Caliente, about an hour outside Santa Fe. Despite growing up in a town famous for its hot springs, I'd never actually stepped foot in one before. And, let me tell you, now the bar is set very high. These springs are separated into various pools: iron, lithia, arsenic (yes, really!), etc., as well as the "cool" pool that was 89 degrees. Em and I would sit in the hottest one (the arsenic: 103 degrees) until our muscles melted, then hop right into the cool one. We called it the Polar Plunge. After biking to work on the reg, this was totes what my muscles needed to limber up.
I turned into a noodle and loved every minute of it.
And after all that relaxation, we went on a 7-mile hike the next day. Straight uphill. I don't think Em knows how to hike on level ground. I just about died. But, it was beautiful, and I like to think that I worked off at least one of the last thousand tasty meals...
Speaking of tasty meals, we went to a Georgia O'Keefe themed tasting night at the Drury Hotel in the Santa Fe Plaza. It was EVERYTHING. More about that soon! I now have to drink liters and liters of water, and go to work...
On Friday we went to the hot springs at Ojo Caliente, about an hour outside Santa Fe. Despite growing up in a town famous for its hot springs, I'd never actually stepped foot in one before. And, let me tell you, now the bar is set very high. These springs are separated into various pools: iron, lithia, arsenic (yes, really!), etc., as well as the "cool" pool that was 89 degrees. Em and I would sit in the hottest one (the arsenic: 103 degrees) until our muscles melted, then hop right into the cool one. We called it the Polar Plunge. After biking to work on the reg, this was totes what my muscles needed to limber up.
I turned into a noodle and loved every minute of it.
And after all that relaxation, we went on a 7-mile hike the next day. Straight uphill. I don't think Em knows how to hike on level ground. I just about died. But, it was beautiful, and I like to think that I worked off at least one of the last thousand tasty meals...
Speaking of tasty meals, we went to a Georgia O'Keefe themed tasting night at the Drury Hotel in the Santa Fe Plaza. It was EVERYTHING. More about that soon! I now have to drink liters and liters of water, and go to work...
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