I remember the segment on Alaskan men  and what was said after loads of gals arrived there with their stuff.  ” The odds are good..but the goods are a little odd.”  Here in Lapland they like calm and quiet. The men here are hearty to say the least. I observed men doing the following; reaching into fires to adjust burning logs, cooking and fetching water (frozen lake and axe).  Chopping wood and starting a fire so quickly. And offering coffee in one fell swoop. I  took an informal survey and found out there are plenty of singles here. To apply one must like wide open spaces, the cold and working hard Every single day. Beautiful names “Aiva, Santos and Opi” do not begin to describe their solid mass and strength. You will be safe because they read tracks ” rabbit, reindeer and red fox” Bears? “No they are sleeping now…no worries”  beautiful faces and love of nature make them attractive but the courtesy and kindness make them special. These guys aren’t pleasure seekers, living here provides that. They are low key and content. They are asking for the same.  When you apply tell them the Mexican sent you. Ole haavya

OMGI what did I sign up for. 2 days of husky sledding which meant falling…a lot.  Watching dogs go at like some couples I know, either f.ing or fighting. The guide introduced himself ” My nom  is Visa like the card I’ll be your guide. He gave us gear, a short lesson and off we went. I fell 1st and the 6 dogs kept running.  Heart beating so hard I heard it in my eardrums.  Although I had no regrets I began to realize that this was not for everybody.  Unfortunately (I won’t go into details)  we lost a dog (died) and the  3 females in heat created such a stir that breaking up dog fights became a routine. I would  yell in my harshest tone and the more blood I saw I had to  use something substantial to avoid further harm. I would pull off a branch tree switch and with all my might try to  break up the fights. Sometimes I could but the  pitch blackness made me really scared  and my head  lamp worked but in 35 below it’d freeze. I been bitten before..no thanks. The guide  helped  but only if he realize I’d fallen behind.  Then I remembered Visa  saying  theses dogs were more like a pack of wolves than pack of dogs. I had nothing to compare this to and writing about this has helped. I have a healthy respect for mother nature even in  its  cruelest moments, it  had defined me to be initially pro-active  then have my emotional collapse later. I wish to thank my true friend Cynthia who was with me and Visa the guide. I just didn’t want to cry. May the beautiful husky go quickly to dog heaven. Amen.

Hell maybe hot but here is not. Observation led me to believe a few things. During winter with double digit negative temperatures the Fins get by with very little. One approached me and was frank, he pointed to my ensemble and said “it’s too much and I am from here.”   Diners looking out the window would tap their companion as to indicate to look at the passers-by.  I did not care because I was warm and planning on staying outside for hours.  Sardines and lovely jams do well for sustenance. You can have open bottles of booze in public. Saunas are ubiquitous. Sweden once occupied Finland then the Russians had a go at it.  Then around  1918 Finland came into its own, a relatively new country.  The language with its  multiple meanings and maximize use of the umlaut is an auditory treat.
Its a tongue twister without being harsh   KUSSI KITTOS and Terveuloa. Hei hei  moi moi are easy but ruisvalipalanakkileipa and suklaapatukka are not. I close my eyes to listen.  To me it’s the most lilting diaphanous language I’ve heard.  Next stop Lapland. A local said there is nothing out there, I beg to differ because it’s all new to me.

Ah the trappings of economy class flight. “Ein grosse bier” wine and champagne all complementary…Thank goodness because the gal in front is determine to recline her seat to  the max. If she reclines anymore it will result on girl girl action… The last time I was on a lufthansa flight I was 16 years old. My wise grandparents offered to help me get a car (freedom) or go to Germany  (opportunity of a lifetime).  Culture shock took place quickly.  A flaxen German goddess sitting on the floor at the Munich airport rolling tobacco.  I was familiar with rolled Marijuana joints so I was confused. Then the topless beaches.  My grandma tugged me hard and said ” don’t even think it”. I was in Deutsche heaven. Mailmen  had long hair, unshaven armpits and  Marienplatz.  The best memory was the pairing of me and some Spanish girl. She spoke German and Spanish and I English. We rode the underground  to meet up with her brother whose soccer team won some title.  And what a celebration it was. I was sixteen years old and all that is implied, to drink “Lyon’s brew” with a sea of young buff sweaty  men.  But not me.  I  was fascinated with the Spanish gal because she was my age, spoke two languages and could care less about the revelry. She was sophisticated and I was impressed with how she handled the beer laden barbarians.  And this time I’m impressed that nothing has changed in economy except better movies. Bitte please.

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I read a while ago  a brief excerpt  about a man seeking spirituality.  As  he went into seclusion he took very little,  one pencil, pad of paper,  and towel and  said these items lasted him a year. The people in the town provided him with food. I get it, having moved several times these past years, less is more.  And it is a spiritual thing because I reflect on the kindness of others. I got a tv on loan and foam top used on the air mattress. The TV stand is my luggage.  Blow up chair deflates easily so the perpetual camping continues but in an 2 bedroom apartment. Side note the company “homes for rent” did a bait and switch on me. Promised me a 1 bedroom, arrived back to Porterville California, “it’s not available anymore…whatever.  It’s sparse which allows other things to occupy my mind like thoughts and feelings of space. And peacefulness. No microwave either but I’m not that altruistic I have washer dryer in unit. I save the chopsticks from take out and they double for cooking utensils and stemware. One beautiful glass and bowl. I have a portable cook top “convection induction thing you see on TV ” it works nicely and is named after the 80’s.  Nuwave.  At the end of  13  weeks I’ll do this again. In another part of the country. I often hear people say “I can’t do without my (fill in the blank)..” they’re right but I’m not wrong either. In the end all its ever about is  choices.

This country was everyone’s favorite. Lush and mountainous. One is  greeted  by persons with  hands place together in prayer format. If you see the King  place your hands way above your head. Neutral greeting is below the  sternal notch. I attended a lecture about Thailand before my visit. I was surprised to hear that the men can have girlfriends and mistresses and it’s  accepted…somewhat. A pragmatic culture with emphasis on being mostly nice and pleasant. I quickly memorized some Thai words that I wanted to use to  convey my best regard for Thai people and make a  good impression. Baht dollars went far and speaking of few Thai words  went further. The King  is celebrating his  88th birthday. He is not in the Palace but at a hospital, given his failing health.  All throughout Phuket  there are altars with his picture.  I try to learn as much as I can in the amount of time given but here it was about quietness and observation. People love the King. Faces range from full moon plumpness  to exotic light eyes and razor high cheekbones. I chose a legit Thai massage and had an experience that gave me deep respect for this skill. A bone deep inside my body had released and I was not scared of the “pop” sound.  All that I was holding in was released and I was whole again.  Long live the King!

I didn’t go but here it goes. Thanks to Espy and Mary brave gals who gave me report immediately. These 180 lbs dragons can take down a deer. One bite wait 3 days for infection to kick in then feast. They smell with their tongue which explains why menstrual peeps stay away as well as anyone with recent cuts or wounds. The mother lays eggs and once hatched the babies scamper up a tree to survive otherwise they become a snack for a hungry male.   They can sprint faster than you think. The  rangers who work 2 days on an island then return home via boat, make 45$ dollars. 200 people live on  the island and the young boys hop quickly  in the outrigger in hopes that someone will throw something worthy over board. I remember years ago Sharon Stone former  hubby got bitten by a Komodo and was brought into the emergency room (never on my shift). It was bad news because a komodo mouth is worst Than a drunken sailor’s. With that said I enjoyed my futile attempt to see one with binoculars. The driftwood looked like one so that counts doesn’t it?

I KNOW VERY LITTLE BUT HERE IT GOES. WOMEN HAVE SAME RIGHTS AS MEN. VOTING HAS RECENTLY TAKEN PLACE SINCE 2004. ALTARS EVERYWHERE YOU LOOK. BUDISM AND MUSLIM IS MOST PROMINENT AND THE WHITE COW IS SACRED. NO BEEF PLEASE BUT “BABI”.  FREE RANGE CHICKENS ABOUND NIBBLING ON RUBBISH AND DEBRIS.  WOMEN SMILE RELUCTANTLY  AND IT IS THE OLDER WOMEN WHO ARE THE THINNEST. BEAUTY HAD NO BOUNDARIES AND WAS MOST EVIDENT IN BUILDINGS AND TEMPLES. STEADFAST IS THE CULTURE DESPITE GLOBAL INTERVENTION.  STONE CARVINGS AND STATUE INVENTORY MAKES ONE CONTEMPLATE EXPORT BUSINESS. THE ARTISTRY IS GIFT WELL PERFORMED. NEW MOON CELEBRATION CLOG THE STREETS WHILE HAZE IS PRESENT FROM THE BURNING OF TRASH WHICH IS OFTEN ABANDONED.  YES I DRANK LUWAK COFFEE WHICH IS PASSED THRU THE GI SYSTEM  OF SAID MAMMAL. AND IT WAS GOOD JUST LIKE “CATPOO..CHINO” ziajian.

Dark chocolate faces is what I notice first. Then the hustle which can’t be helped. “Taksi”. Thin and sinewy men with sun beaten faces, days and years  have registered quite nicely on their face. Stares continue throughout the time spent  here. What must they saying to themselves? “Oh you again” I  say “no no you have it wrong I wish to learn and love more my Indonesian brothers and sisters.” Economic dependence on tourism  is 69% as I was told. Brochure says at 55 years of age I can retire here. Proof of pension, health and life insurance and an agreement  to hire balinese is in the handshake. The food although not questionable, is suspect. “Fry the heck out if it I say and forget the cloudy fish eyeball. My dear mother got the Bali Bug. There is madness in the traffic and  delight in finding the motorbike with the  greatest number of people riding on it.  I personally like to ride side saddle so I can’t see.  I feel like an unwelcomed cousin, a necessary evil and wish to apologize and explain as I am not a tourist nor a traveler but somewhere in between.