Kia Ora - hello

After my last minute shoving of various items into by 22 inch (airplane carry on appropriate luggage) and then more items, like my homemade first aid kit and 2 headlamps into another little backpack(not really that little at all) ; my good ole friend (22 years of friendship!! thanks girl) Sunghi drove me to the airport. Sadly I was given a middle seat for a 12 hour flight. I had visions of myself drooling either on the nice older man on one side of me or the teenage boy on the other.. But in reality I watched 4 movies and slept just a wee bit. And you know I really liked Mama Mia, I don't care what the critics say. Meryl Streep rocks!So after a 12 hour plane ride I hoped a shuttle to my hostel which didn't open for another 2 hours. But I managed to get in and chill out till my room opened up. I really was fiending for a shower. And by the way this hostel is crazy clean, there is even dissinfectant over the toilets. But somehow my ocd clean joy was overcome by sudden pain as I reached into my shower bag and sliced a portion of the fingerprint section of my thumb off. I began to bleed ...alot but being the MacGyverish dame I am, I had my firstaid kit and covered the cut with antibiotic, wrapped my thumb in gauze...had to use nailclippers to cut it though (and yes I considered briefly giving myself stitches...hee hee just kidding...or am I). So within 3 hours of touching down I was an injured person....and though it was throbbing I still went out to the harbor and had geloto to make it all better:) but I soon returned took some advil and slept for 7 hours. After waking up I hung out with some people from the hostel and after a glass of white wine felt even mo better. The Lantana Hostel in Parnell Auckland is one of the friendliest places I have ever stayed at, and I love that we all have to remove our shoes before entering...so presently, I have stayed for 2 nights and will soon be picked up by a farmer from a nearby community to work on his farm in exchange for room and board. No I know nothing of farming, I am a city girl that has even managed to kill cactus (not intentionally), but I joined WWOOF (willing workers on organic farms) and SERVAS, two groups that present the chance to meet and stay with locale families. I called them yesturday to tell them about the thumb and that I may not be of much help, but they couldn't care less, they even mentioned that we may go sailing on the yatch. After I stay in this community (Timatanga) then I head out to Rotorua for a few days to attend a reggae show and to check out the hot natural baths, then off to another farm that is supossed to be centered around healing. But then again who knows how things will unfold. Yesturday I had a day of swimming and hikes on Waiheke Island. I am beyond sore but feel good and the salt water seemed to heal my cut a bit. I wish I could upload some photos but this computer is ancient, I think I played pong on it in 5th grade. Hope you are all well.

Penthouse Suite

"You are living up to your middle name" my father tells me as I walk up to the roof. I smile at him and open the door leading out on to our simple townhouse roof with it's graying view of the Hollywood sign and a gentle row of palm trees. We moved into this townhouse when I was about 15. I lived here till I was 18, in a nice-sized room with a ceiling that looks like cottage cheese...now why did that just make me think of my thighs :) Anyway, now I stand on the roof at night, there is a soft rain, the air smells clean, which can be unusual for Los Angeles, I hear a helicopter in the distance and watch it hover clumsily away. Lights twinkle in the Hollywood Hills. I stand for a moment appreciating the view, then I unzip my tent and stoop down a little to walk in. I have lived in a tent on my father's roof for the past 3 weeks. My tent is cozy and warm complete with an air-mattress, colorful blankets and a rainbow striped rug. I even strung up a small set of white lights and a pink star lantern (there is an outlet close by). At first, my two brothers and my father offerred up their rooms, not really understanding that I would rather wake up to the smell of the outdoors despite the fact that it is in the middle of LA. When they peeked into the tent I could tell that they may consider pitching a tent in the future, especially being that indoor plumbing is a stairwell away:) Anyway, I will miss it up here in my penthouse suite.

What's in a Name?

My middle name is Ode, meaning born along the road. The name was chosen even before I attempted to be born in a car racing down a snowy street in Boston. And those that really know me, know that I love the road. 

So here I am, tingling with some nervous excitement while the 11 o-clock news blares in the background. You see, I just purchased my first ticket so it all seems more real; though the shots at the travel clinic and my stomach's reaction to the typhoid pills should have done it. I advise everyone to opt for the shot instead. Anyway, I can't help but think back to over 2 years ago, when I first heard of the name Bonderman.  I saw the Bonderman Travel Fellowship listed when I was hunting for money (grants, scholarships etc..) so that I could actually pay for graduate school. I think I even chuckled when I saw it because it seemed too good to be true, so  I made a mental note then to apply for it.  And here I am with this dream opportunity. Thank you Mr. Bonderman!