Ramblin Technology

On this trip I'm lucky that technology advances so quickly, because it just keeps getting better and lighter. With a 50 lb. weight limit (and the suitcase weighs 10 lbs.), weight is a huge issue.
I love the new Notebook wireless laptop from Verizon. It weighs less than 2 lbs. and fits in a purse. I've already taken it on a test run in Albuquerque and was able to send photos easily to my blog.
My favorite piece of technology, however, is my new iPod (in photo between my laptop and cell phone). What an addiction! In 2 weeks I've recorded 300 songs and it is only half full. I own over 2,000 CDs and LPs and it was tough thinking about being without my music for the 7 months of this trip. I love world music and it is my biggest collectable while traveling, but sometimes you just need to listen to your own tunes.
And finally, I can't say enough about plastic bags, low-tech though they may be. The stores all display beautiful expensive luggage with all their beautiful matching bags to pack inside. Forget it! In China I had to carry all my luggage while I ran across the airport to the international terminal to make my connection to Tibet, and I felt every ounce I was carrying. Forget matching leather cases and go for matching Ziplocs. If you feel the need, buy some of those little stick on alligators to make you feel like they are designer bags.
And happy "light" rambling!

Tonight in Santa Fe - Zozobra!

Tonight is the night that the 48 ft. Zozobra marionette is burned in a huge bon fire with almost a third of the town watching. For weeks people have been sending in their worries and concerns that will be placed inside Zozobra and burned away. Last year 18,000 people attended and this year over 20,000 people are expected. For a town of only 68,000, that's a really good turn out. If you are like me and just don't want to deal with the traffic - this year you can watch it over the internet at www.santafenm.gov or www.kob.com .
Also, going on - Shirley McLaine, the actress, has donated a huge selection of her Hollywood type clothes to be auctioned off tomorrow from 4-7pm at Zoe and Guido's Pet Boutique in Santa Fe. The money will be used for animal causes that she supports. Ms McLaine has a ranch in Abiquiu (Georgia O'Keefe country about 30 minutes north of Santa Fe) and also a house in northeastern Santa Fe.
And speaking of actors - Robert Redford is building a house in Teseque (about 10 min north of Santa Fe). He is sponsoring a film institute and festival similar to his Sundance Film festival. In Santa Fe he will focus on young Native Americans and Hispanics in the film industry.
Recent visiting actors include Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker eating dinner at the Cowgirl restaurant while they were here filming a movie and also Julia Roberts who was here filming "Love, Eat, Pray." She actually lives in Taos, the beautiful city and ski resort about 45 minutes north of Santa Fe.
Actors and movie types will now have an easier time getting from LA to Santa Fe with a new air service that will specialize in that route. Our airport is so small that we don't have any commercial airlines stopping here. (Friends who visit me have to fly into Albuquerque and then drive the 50 minute trip north to Santa Fe.)
There is so much movie activity here that I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner.

Fellow Traveler's Email

A friend and former boss who travels A LOT more than I do recently sent out this very funny email.
"Please hold all email until Sept 23. Princess lines is repositioning a ship from England to NYC and seems to need a professional to drink with the captain for the whole cruise. Stops in Norway, Shetland Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland. Hey, don't blame if he doesn't know how to navigate! Talk to you when I get back. B"
I've never been to any of the islands he mentioned and I now have serious travel envy.
(I cheated on the boat photo. This is a picture I took of fishing boats in a small fishing village in Chile. I'm sure B is traveling on a much larger ship......hopefully...... )

Viva Santa Fe - It's Our 400th Anniversary

This weekend was the roaring start of 18 months of celebrations of the 400th anniversary of Santa Fe. Yes, Jamestown Virginia is older, but we are the oldest capital city in the US. This photo is of Santa Fe taken in 1900 from Fort Macy hill and it is at Fort Macy that the Anniversary festivities were kicked off this weekend. Also of note this week is the Burning of Zozobra on Sept 10. Each year 18,000 or more people gather to watch Zozobra (Old Man Gloom) go up in flames. The Zozorba that is set on fire is a 49 ft marionette that contains thousands of pieces of paper on which the attendees have written their troubles. At $5 a ticket ($10 at the venue), it is much cheaper than therapy. (505) 660-1965 or zozobra.com .

Getting Ready to Ramble

Pat, a good friend who always asks the most insightful questions, asked me about how I get ready for this next trip - do I need to get shots? Yes indeed - and the answer to every traveler's needs in this department is your local travel clinic. In Santa Fe it is Laurie Sandman at Passport Health. You tell her the countries that you will be visiting and she thoroughly researches the areas and prepares you with innoculations, medicines to take with, and general tips for staying healthy.
Your important travel document is your "Little Yellow Book" which you present on demand at various borders to prove that you have the shots you need before entering the country. Thank goodness almost all the shots I needed (Hepatitus A/B, Polio, Tetanus & Diptheria, Typhoid, and Yellow Fever) were still good from my last trip around the world in 2005.
Malaria is an ongoing concern in the countries I will visit and it looks like I'll be taking malaria tablets once a day for the full 7 months. You really can't immunize against all of the diseases carried by insects in the countries I'll visit, so prevention is huge, including insect repellent, treating your clothes in a chemical repellent, and using a mosquito net where needed.
Laurie was great . She presented me with a comprehensive guide to each of the 30+ countries I hope to visit and a summary of potential health issues in each. I was also able to buy malaria tablets, rehydration tablets, and insect repellent treatment for clothes at quite a discount.
Thanks to Laurie, I'm almost ready to ramble again. Next up - obtaining visas for countries that require them, checking out government security warnings for each country, arranging for the trips within each country, and packing up the house to put everything in storage - all within the next 2 months. Somehow it will all get done.....