LONG ENOUGH

September 25, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

The art vendors on Fifth Avenue, just steps from the Met, selling paintings, photographs, magnets, Russian dolls, and souvenirs are a common sight. I usually glance at the items for sale, but rarely do anything more. But the other day a Polaroid of Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel. caught my eye. I was in a nostalgic mood and Coney Island is a place I’ve always held dear.

The artist, standing in front of dozens of matted prints all neatly displayed in boxes, wore impenetrable dark sunglasses. He explained, with a Japanese accent, his technique of printing Polaroids while showing me other images I might prefer. But I continued to prefer the saturated colors and grainy framed image of the Wonder Wheel.

After the purchase was made, I inquired where the artist was from.

“Tokyo,” he replied. “How long have you lived in New York?” I asked. “Long enough.” he answered. I smiled, said goodbye, and thought of the many ways I might interpret his response.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

CATCHING A STAR

September 24, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

I missed Marilyn Monroe’s first screen appearance, apparently so did almost everyone else, but I was told that in one of her early films, before she was known, she unmistakably exuded star quality.

There are a dozen actors, maybe more, where I recall asking myself, “Who is that?” Natalie Portman, Leonardo Di Caprio, Denzel Washington, Gary Oldman, Jessica Chastain, Edward Norton, Jennifer Lawrence quickly come to mind.

In a few of these instances beauty caught my eye, but very few. Star quality is clearly something more. Talent helps, but this alone was not enough to ensure these actors’ fame. (I will leave our Hollywood icons for another time.)

Perhaps it is an inexplicable allure, an alchemy, or confluence of perfect storms?

The explanation alludes me, but few of us are asking when these faces now light the screen, “Who is that?” anymore.

MISADVENTURES: LARGE AND SMALL

B. AND I

September 22, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

Decades ago three friends and I were driving back at night from Gubbio’s lively festival to Urbino, in Italy, about an hour’s drive. We passed two fellow students hitching home and stopped to give them a ride. Our rented Fiat was not built for six, but we’d manage. The woman sitting shotgun, B., offered to put some things in the trunk to make more room in the car. On the backseat two of the women sat on the other women’s laps. We were a mix of Italians and Americans all studying in Urbino for various lengths of time. We chatted freely while B. was outside.

B. got in and gave me back the keys so I could start the car. The key would not turn. I jiggled it several times before it turned freely, too freely. I was now holding only part of the key. The narrow end was still inside the ignition.

“I had some trouble opening the trunk. I guess I tried too hard.” B. said sheepishly. Stunned, I thought, “We’ll all be here awhile.” But I was wrong. The four women hopped out of the backseat, said some quick goodbyes, and were soon offered a ride.

B. and I stood on the side of the dark country road.

The details of the moments that follow remain vague: B. and I made it home, the Fiat was towed, damages were paid.

However, I vividly recall watching a car drive off with the four women inside.

FAMILY MATTERS

PAPERS

September 21, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

The handwriting of my mother is familiar and unmistakable. I have seen it all my life on letters, cards, notes, and shopping lists, only recently showing a less fluid stroke of her hand.

I remove the calendar from the wall. It is marked with important dates, like all her calendars marked before. Things to do are circled in blue, family birthdays and visits have hearts in red ink. On a date, in two days’ time, my name lies within a heart of red.

I spend hours combing through copies of the papers she wrote and shared over the years. I sift through pages and pages of her exuberant encouragement, her unwavering support, and her advice to us, her family, for leading healthy, happy lives. The output seemed to be endless, until now.

I leaf through her phonebooks eyeing names, very few I do not recognize. Numerous small bounded books, some with pressed flowers and photographs, contain her poems and short stories. All of these, even the phonebooks, begin with inscriptions to us, her children and grandchildren.

These are the papers of a woman, my mother, who lived gracefully, completely, and enthusiastically, who loved unconditionally and selflessly, who was loved and will be missed profoundly.

The papers do not reflect my mother’s smile, echo her voice and laughter, or offer her warm embrace. But they offer a whisper of her presence here by my side.

OBSERVATIONS

SIGNS OF CHANGE

August 24, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

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

August 23, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

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

August 22, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

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.

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

August 21, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

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

August 20, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

“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

August 19, 2015 startsolo Leave a comment

Unlike 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.

START SOLO