transplantation...

Random adventures, thoughts and links from a girl who grew up in Colorado, really grew up in NYC then moved back to Colorado as an adult, only to be presented with the opportunity to live in London for a year and work. Oh the places we'll go....

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The two world travelers. The end of the trip. New York City, USA [17 Sept 2010] Katie D, Kate Dawg, Katie Dawg, D. She’s a woman of many nicknames. She’s full of smiles and laughter. She makes quick and smart decisions when needed. She’s a navigator and remembers strange words, names and streets. She was my traveling companion for the 3.5 months we were on the road and I could not have picked a better one. It was wonderful to get to know her again after so many years apart. We were separated by oceans, boyfriends and less than awesome jobs. But these past few months have been some of the best in my entire life. We were given the chance to re-evaluate our life and priorities and were lucky enough to have each other in those discussions and times of introspection. She’s an absolute gem who never fails to put a smile on my face and brighten the room. Her laughter, humor and positive attitude are her gift to the world. Even after traveling in close quarters for months, I just can’t get enough Katie D in my life. Thank you Dawg, for being so amazing. You have forever changed me. I’d do anything for you!

The two world travelers. The end of the trip. New York City, USA [17 Sept 2010]

Katie D, Kate Dawg, Katie Dawg, D. She’s a woman of many nicknames. She’s full of smiles and laughter. She makes quick and smart decisions when needed. She’s a navigator and remembers strange words, names and streets. She was my traveling companion for the 3.5 months we were on the road and I could not have picked a better one.

It was wonderful to get to know her again after so many years apart. We were separated by oceans, boyfriends and less than awesome jobs. But these past few months have been some of the best in my entire life. We were given the chance to re-evaluate our life and priorities and were lucky enough to have each other in those discussions and times of introspection. She’s an absolute gem who never fails to put a smile on my face and brighten the room. Her laughter, humor and positive attitude are her gift to the world. Even after traveling in close quarters for months, I just can’t get enough Katie D in my life.

Thank you Dawg, for being so amazing. You have forever changed me. I’d do anything for you!

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All good things must come to an end…

I am sitting in a cafe in NYC as I type this. It used to be “my” city but is no longer. It feels wonderful to be here yet strange at the same time. I am on the last city visit of my sabbatical before I head back to Colorado to move into my house and rejoin society. The real adjustment will be starting back to work on October 4th.

The past week in London and New York had me telling stories and answering questions, many of them the same. As I reflect on the amazing trip I’ve just taken, I want to share a few stats:

  • The hardest question to answer: what was the best place I visited? Bali, Kho Tao (Thailand), Hoi An (Vietnam), Sapa (Vietnam)
  • The best thing I did: rent a bicycle and ride around the villages of Hoi An with an Englishman living locally
  • # of flights taken: 21
  • # of books read: 15
  • Words of the trip: Omarama, shpanx, katie dawg, turkey leg, malaria, “I’m not gonna lie”, “Ciao castaway!”
  • Best food eaten: pho, thai green curry, vienamese fresh spring rolls, dim sum
  • Things stolen: 0
  • Packages shipped: 3
  • # of countries visited: 10
  • # of visits to the hospital: 0
  • # of gangrenous infections: 0
  • # of new scars: 3
  • # of shark attacks: 0
  • # of visa fails: 1
  • # of hats purchased: 2
  • # of turkey legs: 1
  • # of malaria pills taken: 0
  • # of cougar attacks: 1
  • Backpack weight: 20 kilos
  • $ amount of mistakes made: $165
  • # of times we outsmarted ourselves: 2
  • Best travel purchases: shpanx, tiger balm, girl with the dragon tattoo books
  • # of things chucked/left: 0(sarah), 7(katie)
  • # of things forgotten: 1(s), 0(k)
  • worst moment: Cockroaches (Kho Tao - katie, Ha Long Bay - sarah)
  • # of swimsuits packed: 4(s), 3.5 (k)
  • # dives completed: 22(s), 12(k)
  • # squat toilets used for pooping: 0(s), 1.5(k)
  • # of sarongs purchased: 6(s), 5(k)
  • Worst country for mosquitoes: Malaysia (s), Thailand (k)
  • # of injuries: 1(s), 3(k)
  • # of drunken nights out: 6(s), 3(k)
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Life along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010] It’s very Mekong-y and Delta-y.

Life along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

It’s very Mekong-y and Delta-y.

Posted in Vietnam
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Our boat tour along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010] Our boat driver made us a flower and some jewelry out of these palm leaves. She made a random stop to cut them down and at first we were puzzled. Then we noticed how busy she was in the back of our boat weaving our gifts.

Our boat tour along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Our boat driver made us a flower and some jewelry out of these palm leaves. She made a random stop to cut them down and at first we were puzzled. Then we noticed how busy she was in the back of our boat weaving our gifts.

Posted in Vietnam
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Life along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010] One of my favorite photos of all that I took while in Vietnam.

Life along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

One of my favorite photos of all that I took while in Vietnam.

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Houses along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Houses along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

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Houses along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Houses along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

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Houses along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Houses along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

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Houses along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Houses along the Mekong Delta. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

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Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

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Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010] Selling coconuts and tomatoes, talking on the phone. Classic.

Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Selling coconuts and tomatoes, talking on the phone. Classic.

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Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

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Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

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Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Floating Market. Can Tho, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

Posted in Vietnam
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Mekong Delta, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010] After 24 hours of traveling we made it back to the south. To get here we had to take multiple forms of transportation: mini-bus in Sapa to train station. Packed to the gills. Unnecessary and scary passing on mountain pass roads Overnight train to Hanoi Cab to airport Flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Min City Taxi through crazy traffic to bus station Negotiate bus. Get ass randomly slapped and cheek pinched (yes, we were the only white people in sight) 4.5 hour mini-bus packed to the gills to Can Tho Promptly pass out and not leave hotel until necessary Upon arriving in Can Tho, one of the largest towns in the Mekong Delta, we decided to take a boat ride along the river to see the local sites and the famous floating markets. These houses on stilts made of metal and wood are pretty common along the river. No doubt about it, we had great weather for a boat ride.

Mekong Delta, Vietnam [6 Sept 2010]

After 24 hours of traveling we made it back to the south. To get here we had to take multiple forms of transportation:

  • mini-bus in Sapa to train station. Packed to the gills. Unnecessary and scary passing on mountain pass roads
  • Overnight train to Hanoi
  • Cab to airport
  • Flight from Hanoi to Ho Chi Min City
  • Taxi through crazy traffic to bus station
  • Negotiate bus. Get ass randomly slapped and cheek pinched (yes, we were the only white people in sight)
  • 4.5 hour mini-bus packed to the gills to Can Tho
  • Promptly pass out and not leave hotel until necessary

Upon arriving in Can Tho, one of the largest towns in the Mekong Delta, we decided to take a boat ride along the river to see the local sites and the famous floating markets. These houses on stilts made of metal and wood are pretty common along the river. No doubt about it, we had great weather for a boat ride.

Posted in Vietnam