Shades of Mongolia, Jordan, and Thailand

Ladyville, Belize

When I arrive in a new place, I often find myself trying to figure out what the new place reminds me of. It's silly in a way because the new really is a NEW place, but somehow arriving in Belize drove home the point that my experience of "place" is very relational.

My mind quickly turns to trying to figure out into which "categories" to put the new place. These calculations seem to be based on some combination of food, landscape, language, architecture, people--and who knows what else. So, yesterday when I went out and made a few purchases, my initial sense of place was registering as Mongolia (I will always associate ultra-pasteurized milk with Mongolia because it was one of our main staples for three years), Jordan for the McVitie's Ginger Nuts (they got me through two long years of teaching) and Thailand--both for the papayas, the tropical weather and vegetation, and the architecture. 

It's early days, though, and this place may yet re-register itself on my internal index of place...

Arrived Belize City!

Ladyville, Belize

Arrived Belize City---well, not quite. We are staying at an "inn" near the airport, giving ourselves a chance to recover from the overnight flight from Seattle. Still, wandering this empty neighborhood gave me a good opportunity to buy tropical fruit (sapadillas and papayas!) and admire this water purification station. I've traveled a good bit, but never seen one like this (except at home at Safeway where it's really NOT necessary). It's self-service: just enter a few coins, and the purified water starts flowing.

I was impressed. 

Let the good eating begin

Miami, Florida

Made it to Miami on our way to Belize. Funky food stand at the airport got us off to a good start. That was a FINE cafe con leche!

And sometimes Fridays

Seattle, Washington

This past Monday I had to work, so my big biking day came today--on a gorgeous, sunny fall day! Rode up north with a friend and when she peeled off to return to work, I headed east around the top of Lake Washington. Stopped at my new favorite coffee shop (Cafe Ladro in Kirkland) and then headed into Bellevue to my other favorite stop: H-Mart.

I am grateful for the good weather and the freedom of a day to myself!

43.6 miles

MaM.2

Seattle, Washington

(Mondays are Mine)

Well, the weather did not really cooperate today, but I got in a lovely ride anyhow. I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to explore Mercer Island but finally I did. It's lovely!

27.8 miles

Mondays are Mine!

Seattle, Washington

Well, not ALL Mondays are mine, but those that are--and when the weather is tolerable--are wonderful! Today I rode out to Alki Beach and then headed around the perimeter of West Seattle--with a bahn mi in my bike bag. Glorious sun and stunning views. And extra vegetables on my tofu bahn mi. Lucky am I!

26.2 miles: just exactly a marathon--but not really when you're on a bike...

RAW: Day 4

Goldendale, Washington 

Today is Day 4, and the weather dawned bright and clear with a strong hint of more HOT weather in store. We had the option of 22 or 66-mile loop rides out of Goldendale. So I chose my own medium-length option of combining parts of the two rides for a total of 36 mostly-flat miles. Gorgeous countryside with lots of freshly baled hay, horses, and mostly car-free roads. Back to camp by 11:15am. Great morning!

36 miles