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.

“I feel like we are leaving on high note” I said to my travel colleague. The day before we got on the accordion bus and it was packed! A bunch of youngsters rushed the doors and the driver pissed off for obvious reasons. Moments later the bus slams on the brakes and several people fall. After the commotion everyone got up except one gal who obviously had an ankle dislocated. “Everyone off” and in the distance, wailing siren getting louder. The transport was for her, and later a guy said “oh ya I saw it on the news” huh?. The adrenaline pump we received from the ordeal was used up in the long walk. Today we went to a mall got nails, eyelashes, and a blow out. Taxi to dentist who came highly recommended. Once teeth cleaned (legit) it came to about 100 bucks for everything. The high note was meeting Adis,Haris, Dr Tarik and others who made us feel safe and comfortable. Tonight overnight train to Belgrade. Until the next time adios and goodbye.