“Where?“. “ Right before you hit Arizona” My first impression I thought the town should be renamed “ Bleak”. I’m at a rural hospital with a prison nearby. Drive down the Main Street and most businesses are closed and boarded up. Asking questions I found out there is Saudi prince whose alfalfa bales head quickly to Dubai. And he is in some kind of situation with the water board Here in Palo Verde. There are cotton fields, dates and pomegranates. The Palo Verde and Parker Dam open to raise the Colorado river so her silt is not showing and the river rats can party up to their neck. VFW karaoke is every 1st and 3rd Friday. Farmers are part of scene and work a lot so all of us can enjoy our chips and salsa. It’s horribly hot right now but at night the stars are closer and you forget the heat of the day. People of Blythe have a common story. They leave and live elsewhere but return eventually to be with family. There is a wholesome atmosphere and everyone knows everyone. I know that once this contract is over I will not ask where but When.

My recruiter called with an offer to be a camp nurse. I drove to Oakland, rented a room from an artist and packed light. Kids from 5 to eleven years old, got to swim, go on field trips and cook pupusas and potstickers. I got to relax, laugh and make new acquaintances. The fascination with a stuffed animal known as Corny, had me stumped but quickly it was used as leverage. “ Hey if you lie down and take off your shoes to take a nap I’ll give you Corny” other times I was asked to hide it because some of the kids would fight over it. The end of camp came quickly but how this moment happened and the memory of this wonderful place will stay slowly on my mind. The camp’s motto was “The best place to be” and it really was.

Historically I know very little about this place. I’m renting a room in a 1898 Victorian house. 11 foot ceilings, narrow doors and steep stairs. A magnificent redwood tree in backyard gives me chills as I water the foliage around it. Erica Huggins a former black panther activist recent spoke at a high school here. And fellow co worker said she lives in a home that was part of an estate. The scenic part of my drive to camp I saw a big wild turkey and a passive doe. I have quickly fallen for parts of this town. I’ve also driven thru a homeless encampment that rivals Las Vegas and Los Angeles. I’ve been warned about the smash and grab. The street signs have Chinese characters and I imagine the significance of the entire Bay Area that these signs render. Oakland feels like home wherever that may be.

My first memory was a room above a restaurant and wafting aroma of waffles lulled me back to sleep after cooped up in a Pinto hatchback. Decades later I got a two for one when both my sister and grandmother lived in North beach and the Normandy apartments (9th Folsom area) respectively. Now it’s emptied out rows of unoccupied storefronts. San Francisco has taken a beating. Parts of the city have always been rough “ if you know you know” so you stayed away and walked fast. Buses are not crowded. Once the line at Union to get on the cable car was in the hundreds now 30 or so. The hotel fees are over 50.00 and self valet 68.00. 15 dollar Wi-Fi. I was sad but everything has a comeback and rent control is alive. It’s gonna take some time.

Most popular pet is The Bichon Frisée. Like the Jack Russells are to the UK. Not all night markets are the same. You could take a chance at shooting some hoops or popping balloons in addition to the array of tongue tingling tidbits. Food is the star of this whole country. Marquees feature silhouettes of chefs in chef’s hat or a giant mochi cut in half, as big as your house. Bubble tea or “Boba” was invented here so like the hands of a clock, there is one for every hour. Every glance is either a store front, billboard or a hand holding bubble tea. Coin operated karaoke . Push in the code of 8412 and get ready to sing “Paper Roses” The Pacific Ocean water is blue compare to the greenish hues in Huntington Beach. No graffiti no trash no problem. 30 NTD ( new Taiwan dollar) is 1 dollar US. Tonight staying at a 9 story hostel with a Japanese style tub. I sit in as I sip my white gourd and lemon tea boba thing which has theses little seeds encased in a tart jelly like fruit. Slightly sour then a little sweet and tiny crunch once you bite seed . Taipei has just as many layers as the drink. How did we all get so lucky.

“ Are you excited “ “No but it’s different more like A longing” . Heading towards a giant island, replete with all things desired. Night market day market. Ginger the chef and her Aunt whose restaurant is open daily. Hoping to break bread with her and her crew. A visit my friend’s dad in Taichung. He is 94 so I better be quick to meet up. Staying near a railway station so I can ride to see the jungle and feel the ocean. My Mandarin is non existent but Wo Jiao….Adrianna and my stalwart belief. “always count on the kindness of strangers”is something I bank on. Flying a new airline called STARLUX. I immediately went on you tube and there’s a picture of a Asian dude with a thumbs down. Oh well checks in the mail. Ziàjiàn for now.

Released last year with pain and sadness I told friends “ glad to see 2023 go away” . The death of my cousin Cathy. Sorrow felt deeply knowing that she may have given up and it was disguised as something else. My dear Nena who graced heaven at 92 . A lively spirit whose little hands reached out to call me just to say hello. Both of these women were pivotal in shaping my perspective on all things great in Life. Refinement, attitude and savvy.

So here we are bringing in what I know will be the best year. A brief trip with a new friend and finding my way back to my mom. This is what happens when you look the other way. You see twice as good.

Bulgaria has its own history with emphasis that this town is not named after a woman or a saint but from a church. St Sophia Church. The grand scale buildings and guards at gate are enough to make you feel glad you visited. The metro has areas of Roman reign section off between the turnstiles and ticket machine. Martin is a common Bulgarian name according to 25 year old Martin. He left his town to find work. He runs the desk at the hotel and I assumed he’s the massage therapist too at said hotel. The younger bartender upstairs move to Sofia to find a girlfriend he “come from a small town of 10,000” and we could tell he was on Tinder. Our hostel was shitty no sink in kitchen so dishes had to cleaned at bathroom sink so I ended up going to hotel for a few more bucks. Travel buddy stayed at hostel so we’d both get a good nights sleep. Next morning she’s pissed, the groceries we purchased went bad because the refrigerator wasn’t working? No money back but a poor review and never again notion. The woman below weighs 8 tons she holds three coins in her left hand (Christianity) and her name is NOT Sofia.

An Overnight train from Sarajevo to Belgrade. Taxi guys looming at train station to take advantage of your tired and weary ass “ how much? . “ Twenty Euro” then in a quick gesture he tacks on another 5 for each suitcase. No thank you we walk. Yes a Starbucks not yet open but outdoor seating empty after humping luggage uphill and over stairs. We are told once it opened 0700 am by the sullen mean spirited barista “Next time you can not sit there” I immediately say “okay” but my travel buddy is justifiably pissed off. He takes our order and serves burritos cold and since one was touched “ I cannot heat it you touched it “ He was a bona fide asshole. So this is Belgrade. Cold reception leads me to guess what else is next? . My bad impression ended once we trudged to Hostel Che and were greeted by Dutch gal Melissa with her first words “yes” and “sure”. Hot water in kitchen and tea was available and all was good again.