Monthly Archives: August 2015

OBSERVATIONS

SIGNS OF CHANGE

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Kent Avenue’s bike path in Brooklyn follows along an area transforming at an extraordinary rate. Tall, gleaming glass structures with magnificent views of the East River and bridges contrast with the low warehouses, shops, and homes that have populated the area for years.

Just feet away from the once thriving Domino Sugar Refinery–soon to be transformed into housing–is a garden, advertising Sunday evening BBQs(seasonal, I presume), and a Keith Haring-ish decorated skateboard and bike park. I strain to imagine the area bustling with factory workers rather than those lazily enjoying the outdoor pleasures of a summer afternoon.

I am wary of change, but there are now ample parks and public areas that afford us all access to the vibrant life of a New York City waterway.

week end break

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE QUOTE #2

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You get whatever accomplishment you are willing to declare. -Georgia O’ Keeffe

Thank you subscribers and readers for taking the time to visit my blog!!

If this is the first time you are visiting the site, welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new.

Although I take a break during the weekends, I’ll be back on Monday and would be delighted, in the meantime, if you would look through my previous posts. Perhaps you missed a few or will reread one with a new perspective.There is a list of all the previous posts by title and date.

Since the configuration of the site may differ on your browser, perhaps you have not noticed the tabs which offer some additional information:Why this blog?, Images, How I Began, etc.

You can search certain posts by category: Practical Advice, Thoughts on Oneself, Snapshots, etc.

All of these may be at the very bottom of the posts.

While traveling I may not be posting each day. To be notified when I have written a new post please subscribe-of course its free.
I would be delighted if you would sign up.

I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.

Here’s to new discoveries near and far!

Enjoy the days.

week end break

GEORGIA O’KEEFFE QUOTE #1

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I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do- Georgia O’ Keeffe

Thank you subscribers and readers for taking the time to visit my blog!!

If this is the first time you are visiting the site, welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new.

Although I take a break during the weekends, I’ll be back on Monday and would be delighted, in the meantime, if you would look through my previous posts. Perhaps you missed a few or will reread one with a new perspective.There is a list of all the previous posts by title and date.

Since the configuration of the site may differ on your browser, perhaps you have not noticed the tabs which offer some additional information:Why this blog?, Images, How I Began, etc.

You can search certain posts by category: Practical Advice, Thoughts on Oneself, Snapshots, etc.

All of these may be at the very bottom of the posts.

While traveling I may not be posting each day. To be notified when I have written a new post please subscribe-of course its free.
I would be delighted if you would sign up.

I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.

Here’s to new discoveries near and far!

Enjoy the days.

TRAVEL TALES

CUSTOMER CARE

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In my travels, problems arise: the strap of my only pair of sandals has broken, my backpack’s strap has detached from the bag, I’ve put a big rip in a borrowed shirt, and the list goes on.

The initial pantomimes to describe my needs can be challenging, but showing the item in need of repair always transcends any language barriers. Following the directions of the locals to find the artisan’s shop is often the most challenging aspect of my quest.

In Turkey, Morocco, Vietnam, and elsewhere, the shops are often very small–sometimes just enough room for a table and chair– but they possess all the necessary equipment.

I’ve usually opted to stay and watch my possessions being transformed, often by hand, to a pristine state. The expertise is undoubtedly passed down from the generations before. 

My pleasure with the workmanship is seemingly equal to the doer’s pride.

 

 

VIEWPOINTS

MISSION STATEMENTS

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“The paramount obligation of a college is to develop in its students the ability to think clearly and independently, and the ability to live confidently, courageously and hopefully.” –Ellen Browning Scripps

I recently ran across this original mission statement for Scripps College in an article by William Deresiewicz discussing the goals of colleges today. Mr. Deresiewicz is lamenting a shift from the focus of knowledge for knowledge sake–the preparation for individuals to lead fuller lives as participants in their societies, to that of solely seeking economic worth, defined by a paycheck. In what he calls neoliberalism, literature, the arts, philosophy, and other liberal-art disciplines are viewed increasingly inferior to that of commercial ones; computer sciences, economics, entrepeneurship, technology.

The mission statement for Scripps College is now: leadership, service, integrity, creativity. It is not seemingly a bad change, but rather vague, impersonal, and ironically the word “thinking” has been excised. The societies’ pendulums swing and will swing again.

But I hope we do not forget the importance of independence, confidence, courage, hope, and the love of learning and thinking, whether we are students or not.

THOUGHTS ON ONESELF

SUMMER DAY AT THE BEACH

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20150815_162350Unlike most people, I prefer the beach in winter, spring, and fall when there are few visitors and often the only sounds I hear are the waves, wind, and seabirds. But the 25th annual sand-sculpting contest was too enticing to pass up.

The sun was blazing, music blared, people were dancing, men carried boas seeking tips for photos, there was an endless parade of beachgoers. Coolers, umbrellas, towels, beach chairs, an array of bodies young, old, and in between, sitting, lying, walking, eating, and sculpting, left little empty space to roam.  This was Coney Island on a Saturday afternoon in August.

It has been decades since I’ve been immersed in such a scene. It was initially overwhelming. But it quickly brought back treasured memories of the hours I spent here as a child: learning to swim, tumbling in the waves, eating knishes and hot dogs, drinking fresh juices, playing in the sand.

When did I lose my taste for the summer crowds?  As I listened to the laughter, waded in the  cool flow of gentle waves, and watched people having a ball, I realized I could not recall.

 

 

ENCOUNTERS

THE CLAM SHUCKER

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20150815_162401“Hey there, where do these clams come from?” I asked the extraordinarily deft shucker at a Coney Island food stall. “Right here.” he replied. His grey bushy moustache barely moved as he spoke, while his hands continued with graceful and swift motion.

In each smooth gesture he took a clam from the pile of crushed ice, opened it with the knife, glided the blade underneath its flesh separating the meat from the shell, then placed an entire clam, one after another, on a plastic plate. I looked over to the ocean on my left and silently questioned its cleanliness. “Do you know Brooklyn?” he asked. “Born and live here.” I replied without hiding my pride. “They come from Gowanus actually.”– Anyone who knows anything about Brooklyn knows the waters of Gowanus are as toxic as they come. I looked at him with my best, “I don’t believe you” expression. “No, they’re shipped fresh from Rhode Island,” he conceded with a visible smile.

“You’re a master at shucking these clams.” I continued. “My two cousins are neurosurgeons.” he replied. His hands never stopped moving. “Well, dexterity runs in your blood. If you ever get tired of this, you can always join them.” I said. “Yeah, I’ll just need to go to medical school.”

We chatted about Coney Island. He spoke of the must-sees, never diverting his attention from his work. But I had taken enough of his time and wished him well. “Next time, give the clams a try. They’re really delicious.”

I have no doubt I will, and they are.

ENCOUNTERS

LUNA PARK PROWESS

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20150815_162110His aim of each ball was precise and the power of his throw broke the plates one after another–CRASH, CRASH, CRASH, CRASH. A perfect sequence.The sounds from the game booth resounded over the screams of delight and terror from the rides, and caught my attention. The prowess of the tall, young man won him a large plush SpongeBob doll. He displayed no bravado. He smiled shyly, taking the prize in his hands, while his friends applauded. It was a hot Saturday in Coney Island. Luna Park, the ocean, and sea breezes, attracted a crowd of all ages.

A woman, pushing a stroller with a young child inside, approached the young man holding SpongeBob and said, “Excuse me, would you mind doing that again? I’d like a doll for my baby. I’ll pay for it of course.” He paused for a moment, then agreed. He was handed four balls. He looked a little ill at ease, but focused. Although one may have argued that the stakes were not high, the sense of expectation was palpable. He threw a ball. It missed. Then CRASH, CRASH. And another miss. He quietly accepted a small green frog and passed it on to the woman. She said with a smile, “Oh, thank you. That’s nice.”

She was giving her child the frog, when the young man handed her SpongeBob. “Here, take this instead.”

week end break

HENRI MATISSE #2

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Would not it be best to leave room for mystery? Henri Matisse

Thank you subscribers and readers for taking the time to visit my blog!!

If this is the first time you are visiting the site, welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new.

Although I take a break during the weekends, I’ll be back on Monday and would be delighted, in the meantime, if you would look through my previous posts. Perhaps you missed a few or will reread one with a new perspective.There is a list of all the previous posts by title and date.

Since the configuration of the site may differ on your browser, perhaps you have not noticed the tabs which offer some additional information:Why this blog?, Images, How I Began, etc.

You can search certain posts by category: Practical Advice, Thoughts on Oneself, Snapshots, etc.

All of these may be at the very bottom of the posts.

While traveling I may not be posting each day. To be notified when I have written a new post please subscribe-of course its free.
I would be delighted if you would sign up.

I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.

Here’s to new discoveries near and far!

Enjoy the days.

week end break

HENRI MATISSE #1

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Creativity takes courage.  Henri Matisse

Thank you subscribers and readers for taking the time to visit my blog!!

If this is the first time you are visiting the site, welcome to the tales of a woman solo traveler and thoughts to make today the start of something new.

Although I take a break during the weekends, I’ll be back on Monday and would be delighted, in the meantime, if you would look through my previous posts. Perhaps you missed a few or will reread one with a new perspective.There is a list of all the previous posts by title and date.

Since the configuration of the site may differ on your browser, perhaps you have not noticed the tabs which offer some additional information:Why this blog?, Images, How I Began, etc.

You can search certain posts by category: Practical Advice, Thoughts on Oneself, Snapshots, etc.

All of these may be at the very bottom of the posts.

While traveling I may not be posting each day. To be notified when I have written a new post please subscribe-of course its free.
I would be delighted if you would sign up.

I hope you find information and inspiration in the text and images and join me in my quest for growth, wonderment and self-improvement.

Here’s to new discoveries near and far!

Enjoy the days.