Evil Parsnip
12-26-2006, 01:21 AM
to all of our friends and family (present company included). I'm sorry I didn't just e-mail the lot of you but I'm a lazy sort these days (blame it on the torn ligaments).
so....
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Wishing you and yours an amazing 2007 with joyous surprises, lots of love and much laughter.
Looking back on 2006, all we can say is WOW, we’ve truly made our dreams come true and without a magic wand. We can’t say it was easy to pull up our roots and leave NY, our jobs and our family and friends behind but somehow we managed. We almost didn’t want to sell our apartment just so we could keep a foot in NYC but in the end it’s not the apartment which keeps grounded back in the States.
What we have really learned this year is that things and homes aren’t really what’s important, but the people that you know, love and meet. We are lucky to have great family and friends at home (wherever that may be) and to have met and made new friends around the world as well. Without these strings attaching us to all of the various “homes”, this trip would be without context and wouldn’t mean half as much to us. It allows us to appreciate what we see, taste and experience and for that we thank you all!
We started our around the world journey with a goal of touching every continent and from wandering from the top of the world to the bottom. Now 11 months later, we’re on the verge of making that our reality. So far we’ve managed to visit five of the seven continents and in the first half of 2007 we’ll have touched them all.
Our first destination was Argentina, a mysterious land of gauchos, tango, and incredible food (especially if you like beef, wine and chocolate); it was heavenly. From Buenos Aires to Patagonia we indulged with horseback riding, amazing wine tasting, and exploring the untamed wilderness. We also were lucky enough in Mendoza to meet Cecilia and Ignacio, who took us under their wings, invited us into their home, and taught us about Argentinean life over a cup (or two) of yerba mate. We also bonded with Marla and Ed (a terrific couple) from Minnesota after a multi-car accident and ended up exploring the country a bit (and going beer tasting) with them.
Following a recommendation from Jonathan’s father, who had been there some 30 years ago, we rented a car and drove to the beautiful lakes region of Chile. Again we found the kindness of a local couple (Ron and Nancy – like the Reagan’s as they joke) who not only invited us to their home and prepared a traditional asado barbeque for us, but even offered us the use of their beach house next time we come to visit. With a little of their friendly advice we found ourselves camping in the wilderness, fishing for trout, staying at an incredible estancia and driving through the clouds which shroud the Andes.
Advice from home via Marta and Rubin gave us great pointers for Uruguay. We sipped sangria, admired the architecture, walked the beaches of the gold coast of Punte Del Este, and were seduced by the charm of Colonia.
Antarctica truly took our breath away. It was like visiting another world. In fact the conditions are more like those of Mars than the planet Earth as we know it. There were no restaurants, no hotels, no information wires, no trash, not even a visible hint of human habitation, just pristine beauty. You can’t help but be swayed by the magnificently colored ice, water, and creatures who call this home. We explored in zodiacs, slid down glaciers, cavorted with penguins and hung out with a pod of whales, who were as curious about us as we were about them. We didn’t even mind getting up at 6 AM each day, it was that amazing.
Next came Japan, a land of history, culture, baseball and artistic style. We cheered on the local teams in Osaka and Nagoya, devoured sushi at 6AM in the largest fish market in the world in Tokyo, sped through the country via bullet train, and relaxed in the serenity of the temples of Kyoto.
On to South Korea where we soaked in the largest public bathes in Asia, explored temples and dined on exquisite kimchi and Korean BBQ. Jonathan developed a taste for Soju, a liquor which made Emily’s entire body shake from just one sip.
Seven weeks in China, was not even enough time to see a 10th of this huge country. But hiking along a deserted section of the Great Wall was awe-inspiring, and holding a baby Siberian Tiger gave Emily great joy. Communing with the monks in temples atop remote mountains in Wutai Shan, and the jaw dropping Buddhist caves in Datong and Longman Grotto is enough to make you believe in reincarnation. Did we mention the Peking duck or the gazillion species of crabs that Jonathan ate? It was in China that we perfected our point at food and hope for the best technique. And we did pretty well overall.
Hong Kong was a special treat because we were able to spend time with Diana and Alan and finally meet baby Emily. They are amazing hosts and even better friends. Staying in a home rather than a hotel, reinvigorated us for continued travel and the gourmet tour of the city sure didn’t hurt either.
Our second favorite country has been Mongolia. We timed our visit to coincide with their Nadaam festival. A crazy all out week crammed with horse races, archery contests, traditional wrestling and even the strangely appealing ankle bone shooting. We shared in the wildness with a group of crazy Aussies and one Israeli who made our time there even more special. With our Irish friends in the mix we set off into the steppe and Gobi dessert where we camped under the stars for two incredible weeks.
We found ourselves stranded in London for a week when our plane to Poland was grounded due to would be terrorists (foiled by British authorities). It worked out well because we had a lot of friends in London and Emily had never been there. Elizabeth and Jonathan were in Israel when we arrived but they arranged for us to stay at their home as a base to explore the city. Fortunately Tina and Bruce were in town and invited us over to meet Joya and for a lovely dinner. In London, Emily was like a kid seeing the places she had read so much about but never seen – Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Camden Market, Buckingham Palace, Harrods… Did we mention the gourmet food markets and the best fish and chips in the world? When the flights started back we decided that it was more important to see Elizabeth and Jonathan (and Erin and Sam), so we extended our stay a few days until they returned. It is amazing the strength that good friends give you.
(Continued in next box)
so....
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Wishing you and yours an amazing 2007 with joyous surprises, lots of love and much laughter.
Looking back on 2006, all we can say is WOW, we’ve truly made our dreams come true and without a magic wand. We can’t say it was easy to pull up our roots and leave NY, our jobs and our family and friends behind but somehow we managed. We almost didn’t want to sell our apartment just so we could keep a foot in NYC but in the end it’s not the apartment which keeps grounded back in the States.
What we have really learned this year is that things and homes aren’t really what’s important, but the people that you know, love and meet. We are lucky to have great family and friends at home (wherever that may be) and to have met and made new friends around the world as well. Without these strings attaching us to all of the various “homes”, this trip would be without context and wouldn’t mean half as much to us. It allows us to appreciate what we see, taste and experience and for that we thank you all!
We started our around the world journey with a goal of touching every continent and from wandering from the top of the world to the bottom. Now 11 months later, we’re on the verge of making that our reality. So far we’ve managed to visit five of the seven continents and in the first half of 2007 we’ll have touched them all.
Our first destination was Argentina, a mysterious land of gauchos, tango, and incredible food (especially if you like beef, wine and chocolate); it was heavenly. From Buenos Aires to Patagonia we indulged with horseback riding, amazing wine tasting, and exploring the untamed wilderness. We also were lucky enough in Mendoza to meet Cecilia and Ignacio, who took us under their wings, invited us into their home, and taught us about Argentinean life over a cup (or two) of yerba mate. We also bonded with Marla and Ed (a terrific couple) from Minnesota after a multi-car accident and ended up exploring the country a bit (and going beer tasting) with them.
Following a recommendation from Jonathan’s father, who had been there some 30 years ago, we rented a car and drove to the beautiful lakes region of Chile. Again we found the kindness of a local couple (Ron and Nancy – like the Reagan’s as they joke) who not only invited us to their home and prepared a traditional asado barbeque for us, but even offered us the use of their beach house next time we come to visit. With a little of their friendly advice we found ourselves camping in the wilderness, fishing for trout, staying at an incredible estancia and driving through the clouds which shroud the Andes.
Advice from home via Marta and Rubin gave us great pointers for Uruguay. We sipped sangria, admired the architecture, walked the beaches of the gold coast of Punte Del Este, and were seduced by the charm of Colonia.
Antarctica truly took our breath away. It was like visiting another world. In fact the conditions are more like those of Mars than the planet Earth as we know it. There were no restaurants, no hotels, no information wires, no trash, not even a visible hint of human habitation, just pristine beauty. You can’t help but be swayed by the magnificently colored ice, water, and creatures who call this home. We explored in zodiacs, slid down glaciers, cavorted with penguins and hung out with a pod of whales, who were as curious about us as we were about them. We didn’t even mind getting up at 6 AM each day, it was that amazing.
Next came Japan, a land of history, culture, baseball and artistic style. We cheered on the local teams in Osaka and Nagoya, devoured sushi at 6AM in the largest fish market in the world in Tokyo, sped through the country via bullet train, and relaxed in the serenity of the temples of Kyoto.
On to South Korea where we soaked in the largest public bathes in Asia, explored temples and dined on exquisite kimchi and Korean BBQ. Jonathan developed a taste for Soju, a liquor which made Emily’s entire body shake from just one sip.
Seven weeks in China, was not even enough time to see a 10th of this huge country. But hiking along a deserted section of the Great Wall was awe-inspiring, and holding a baby Siberian Tiger gave Emily great joy. Communing with the monks in temples atop remote mountains in Wutai Shan, and the jaw dropping Buddhist caves in Datong and Longman Grotto is enough to make you believe in reincarnation. Did we mention the Peking duck or the gazillion species of crabs that Jonathan ate? It was in China that we perfected our point at food and hope for the best technique. And we did pretty well overall.
Hong Kong was a special treat because we were able to spend time with Diana and Alan and finally meet baby Emily. They are amazing hosts and even better friends. Staying in a home rather than a hotel, reinvigorated us for continued travel and the gourmet tour of the city sure didn’t hurt either.
Our second favorite country has been Mongolia. We timed our visit to coincide with their Nadaam festival. A crazy all out week crammed with horse races, archery contests, traditional wrestling and even the strangely appealing ankle bone shooting. We shared in the wildness with a group of crazy Aussies and one Israeli who made our time there even more special. With our Irish friends in the mix we set off into the steppe and Gobi dessert where we camped under the stars for two incredible weeks.
We found ourselves stranded in London for a week when our plane to Poland was grounded due to would be terrorists (foiled by British authorities). It worked out well because we had a lot of friends in London and Emily had never been there. Elizabeth and Jonathan were in Israel when we arrived but they arranged for us to stay at their home as a base to explore the city. Fortunately Tina and Bruce were in town and invited us over to meet Joya and for a lovely dinner. In London, Emily was like a kid seeing the places she had read so much about but never seen – Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Parliament, Camden Market, Buckingham Palace, Harrods… Did we mention the gourmet food markets and the best fish and chips in the world? When the flights started back we decided that it was more important to see Elizabeth and Jonathan (and Erin and Sam), so we extended our stay a few days until they returned. It is amazing the strength that good friends give you.
(Continued in next box)