SINGapore, quick and hazy

A brief stop in Tokyo (not sure why people claim they have been to someplace when they only saw the airport; that doesn't count), and a full 24 hour travel time, we land safely in Sinagpore. Jet lagged and tired, we had one day (plenty) to check out the city and jump back on a flight to Kuching, Malaysia. Sinapore is on its own, located on the tip of the Malaysia peninsula. The majority of people running around are Chinese with a business mind and mythological heart. Sinagpore thrives.

As fires from Indonesia haze the sky with a thick smog planted over the city, the streets seems busy, hot and uninviting. Nonetheless, I was determined to wear in my new flip flops and see what the hype is all about. They have opened the floodgates and welcomed the cosmopolitan lifestyle in, and share in the dance. But like every city, it is the parts that make it whole. The bustling business district has those appropriate business heels, mixed skyscraper/cafe/food stall designs, and beautiful parks. While Little India, Chinatown, and Arab Town add the spice to Sinapore's flavor. Much needed flavor in my personal culinary opinion. The city is very clean and has this crazy skyscraper with a huge cruise ship resting on top of the three towers. Can't miss it. Must symbolize the wealth, and the "what is to come."

Our hostel was called Footprints. This being the first hostel on the trip, it provided a scare, a hint, and a laugh. A scare, shit, can I do this? A hint of remembrance of my past hostel days and as much fun as they were - realizing that this is where we will rest our heads for the months ahead. A laugh; Bring it on.....I love this.

It has Begun, Away We Fly

Dreaming and Dreaming, Now, Awake in the Dream.....

How long do you wish and pray for something and wait? And work hard, trying to keep your eye on the prize, and wait. What makes it worth the sacrifice? You are told to believe in your dreams, follow them, and then, you will find your way. The Alchemist taught me back in '03....Only when you are on the path of your dreams will peace, love and happiness will find you. The sacrifices smack you in the face, and the money never seems to be enough.....but, now all said and done....being here...living MY dream....knowing all I sacrificed, all I prayed for....I have never felt so free and alive. Without any doubt that I am where I am suppose to be. Not a month ago, or next year. NOW. Clay and I excitedly ran ourselves mad to pack and take care of our affairs, and found finally on that Delta bird heading west, one way. Weeeeeee....

We are here and it is awesome and it is fast. Our trip is a month in and as much as I wish I were able to get the words to this blog earlier, the time and effort has only found me now.

Basel on a Saturday

Zurich may have the award for sophistication, but Basel has all the class. An hour northwest of Zurich on the French/German/Swiss border along the Rhine River is Basel. Somewhat familiar to me this trip, believe it or not, given my first appearance over Basel Fasnaught at 4am dancing in the rain with the other carnival goers…. This trip I played it much more subdued. Like all Swiss cities, the architecture is brilliant, the river is set just right within the heart of the city, the Munster is powerful, stone rock, and breathtaking…. and the streets are

full of shops, cafes, boutiques, markets, vendors, smiling faces, strollers, and sweets. Lord, could there be any more sweets?? Just when I think I have tried them all, another is introduced…and I respectfully indulge my taste buds.

There is no argument that Saturday is the BEST day in this country. The quiet winter street and side streets are suddenly bombarded with swiss folk, native and not, old and new, young and old, sheepishly strolling or at a bustling speed….there is not a crevasse to hide. The city becomes alive: corners for musicians, sidewalks for espresso drinkers, alleys for lovers, sales for shoppers, sites for

tourists, benches for readers, parks for loungers….anywhere but inside….we’ll exhale on Sunday.

Basel Photo Album Link:

http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=295763402/a=156758901_156758901/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

I will, in Rapperswil

The city of Zurich is awesome – can’t argue that, but the villages surrounding the city, soothe the soul in many more ways than one…the city of Polish influence and style and recovery….an afternoon in Rapperswil. The Fischmarkplatz hugs the lake and draws the residents and tourists to its famous lakeside restaurants, cafes, and shaded promenade – lovely, but the lanterns and small wooden doors up the small alleys impressed me more.

The village sits in the shadow of the thirteen-century castle that protects, provides, and embraces the foreign touch…the view is that from a professional, but still no justice would be found…

I had my first donor kabob for lunch (since Spain)…fell in love with Thomas Sabo…and decided churches and cemeteries will never get old to me…

I love to remember where I am on the map.

Basel Fasnacht 2009

Basel is the home of the largest carnival festival in Switzerland – BASEL FASNACHT! The festivities begin at 4am Monday morning and continue for three days. I wouldn’t dare to miss such an event, at such a time. Sunday evening, after dinner and many drinks….3:30am finally arrived….thousands of people filled the streets of Basel and at exactly 4am EVERY light in the city went out! And the piccolos started to hum and the drums began to beat…and the parades began. The only lights in the city were those lanterns sitting on the heads of the masks and the uniquely painted and themed lantern canvases held high in the air, leading each groups marching beat. Absolutely one of the coolest sites I have ever seen…and one of the most incredible cultural festivals I have ever been a part of….each mask distinctive in designed…tradition flowed through the streets like the lanterns in the air. 10am tiptoed in quickly…and daylight brought us out of the mystic and to the trains homebound…

Link to photo gallery of Basel Fasnacht, Greifensee, and Rapperswil:
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=258611471/a=156758901_156758901/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

Enya

Introducing, Enya Monique Schnieder....my new girlfriend

Really...she is the cutest baby in all of Europe!

Link to photo galleries of Basel Fasnacht, Rapperswil, & Greifensee:
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=258611471/a=156758901_156758901/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish

My backyard

I live in Volkeswil, a town 10 minutes by train to the heart of Zurich. Scoping out my town one day I found my place of comfort and my sanctuary; my track and my backyard. A sidewalk runs along this lake, with hills in the foreground and the infinite alps in the background. I wish my feet could take me further…there are many secretly hidden villages waiting to be explored…but, then again, we are still so early in the trip. Tucked within the lakeside is a small village called Greifensee. On Saturdays city folk come to enjoy the lake, stroll along the waterway, have coffee, watch the kids play….last Saturday we were serenaded by a older German man singing only Cat Stevens…”from the moment I could talk, I was ordered to listen. Now there’s a way and I know that I have to go away. I know, I have to go away.” Then he made us join in (completely surprised how many knew the lyrics in English I might add)…”All the times that I cried, keeping all the things I knew inside, It’s hard, but it’s harder to ignore it. If they were right, I’d agree, but it’s them they know not me.” All together now he yelled (almost as if trying to share a darken, suppressed desire) ….”I know I have to go away.”

Not sue if it gets much better than that….and the children played, caffeine buzzes filled the air, Cat Stevens played on, and the sun shined…

i enjoy taking up space here....