| Futurecat's Final Stop |
[May. 7th, 2008|07:05 pm] |
![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) futurecatnz has finally arrived home in New Zealand. The last stop in her whirlwind world tour was Sydney on Monday (for about 12 hours!). She was hosted overnight by Servalan who also hosted a pizza night in her honour.
She arrived at about 7.00pm to be met by a roomful of about 10 Sydney BCers plus wombles from Brisbane who made a special trip to be there. She looked a little stunned and in need of a rest. However, she managed to bravely hang in there, even during the more unusual twists in the conversation such as: Is it possible to garotte someone with a roll of sticky tape? (Apparently Australian Customs thinks it is).
The mob left at about 10pm to allow Futurecat to get some rest. Apparently she was due to get up at the unearthly hour of 4am (or something like that) in order to get back to the airport on time. Yikes!
Hopefully she's now catching up on much needed sleep. I look forward to hearing what Hawaii was like! |
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| I'm home! |
[May. 6th, 2008|06:20 pm] |
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I'm home! |
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| The Kiwi's Visit (from TexasWren) |
[May. 5th, 2008|11:08 am] |
We got to Panera about 15 minutes early and wondered if they were there. As we approached the building, I saw a wild book, so I knew we weren't the first to arrive. ;-)
It was so nice meeting them finally. We talked awhile, while Johnnie ate his sweet roll, then we headed out.
First stop was the stockyards. I wanted them to see the cattle drive, but it was later in the day than I remembered, so we missed that. They did get to see the Longhorn herd and had their picture taken with some "real" cowboys. I guess that didn't need quotes, because they were real--they actually drive the cattle on horseback.
Anyway, we walked around the stockyard station and peeked in some shops. It's amazing to me the things that they know about American culture, things that seem so obscure to me. And the things that seem obvious, that they didn't know. I wish we'd had hours longer to sit and talk.
Then, we drive through downtown and showed them our Bass Hall Angels. Lunch was Tex-Mex. Otakuu wanted to try chicken fried steak. I know that chicken fried stead in a Mexican restaurant isn't giving it a fair chance. It was probably horrible. Otakuu, don't judge the real stuff by what you had. Next time, I'll fix the real thing for you!
Then, we went to the Botanic Gardens. We walked through the rose garden, and then they saw what FC called "the highlight of the visit". Turtles sunning on an artificial lily pad in the pond. We hung out there for awhile, then walked through the rest of the garden. Otakuu spotted a rose that was developed in New Zealand. ;-) Oh, and we saw what must surely be the world's largest magnolia tree. It's huge!!! And they met a squirrel. Otakuu wondered how common they were. As I sit here at my desk, I can see 3 outside my window. One is in the oak tree, one is sitting on my fence, and one just ran across the street.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/texaswren/2465882056/sizes/m/
Then, it was back in the car to return them to Turbostitcher, who was taking them to the airport. Johnnie again says, "Bless you for that!".
I really, really hated to see them go. The visit was far too short for my taste.
But, how thankful I am for BookCrossing. For, without that, I never would have known them. And thank you to the people who made this trip possible for letting me have the chance to hug them in person!!
http://texaswren.livejournal.com/349411.html |
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| Reposting with permission from these two lovelies |
[May. 3rd, 2008|05:44 pm] |
At a tea given by Ant's church ladies (originally posted by antof9)
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| pictures from Bookczuk |
[May. 1st, 2008|07:44 pm] |
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| In which I hug Bumma and ride in a carriage (from Otakuu) |
[May. 1st, 2008|03:59 pm] |
I have just spent a whirlwind 30 hours following a human dynamo called bookczuk. She is one of the most dynamic human beings I have ever met in my life and is worthy of all the many accolades that have been showered upon her, even if SHE doesn't believe it!
Charleston is a charming city and is full of many treasures and pleasures but today's two highlights, for me anyway, were the carriage ride we took around old Charleston in a rig drawn by two mules called Assault and Battery and my long anticipated meeting with Bumma.
My emotions are a little raw right now, so all I am prepared to say is that it has been a privilege to see the love shared between a mother and a daughter and the humour and courage with which each faces the changing roles that come with failing health and advancing years. May God cherish and embrace them both.
http://teotakuu.livejournal.com/246018.html?view=1518850#t1518850 |
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| Charleston, Day 2 (April 30, 2008) |
[Apr. 30th, 2008|10:08 pm] |
It was a lovely day spent with extraordinary women, and I am too tired to write more. (I am putting up pictures-- but only some-- but don't expect explanations until I am more rested.) Live with it. I don't want to let any of them go. |
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| Meeting Old Friends you've never met before (from Bookczuk) |
[Apr. 30th, 2008|05:51 pm] |
Once again, that odd sensation that so often happens with BookCrossing-- you get to meet old friends who you have actually met before.
But they are my friends, and very dear ones, and I'm thrilled to bits that they came to Charleston. (And stuffed to the gills on barbcue from Jim n' Nicks ... an obscene amount of food. Otakuu, FutureCat and I split a dinner for 2 and still had enough to take home for a full meal for someone (probably javaczuk) tomorrow.
More later when I have digested and rested.
pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/bookczuk/with/2452892849/
http://bookczuk.livejournal.com/316818.html |
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| Lovely!! (from Buffra) |
[Apr. 30th, 2008|05:48 pm] |
On Sunday evening, I picked BookCrosser FutureCat up from the Columbus (Ohio) airport. We began the first leg of the Kiwi's Great American Road Trip, stopping in West Virginia for a meal at the Cracker Barrel. I thought she really needed to experience such kitschy Americana....as well as proper US biscuits!
We continued barreling through states, passing through Pennsylvania, more West Virginia, and into Maryland. Mom had offered to let us stay there. So, FC was able to do some laundry and we gratefully headed to bed.
In the morning, we had a very nice breakfast (courtesy of my mom) and switched cars -- again, Mom came through and lent me her car, which is bigger, has AC, and is not full of dog hair, so is far better for a road trip! Then we drove towards Washington, DC. In Manassas, Virginia, we met up with crrcookie and her son lilgrover, as well as resqgeek and teotakuu. A quick visit to the museum and a peering out at the sodden battlefield and we were off to an enormous lunch. Then I loaded both Kiwis into my car and we began to drive south.
We made it to Rocky Mount, North Carolina. It was wonderful that the sun came up today, as yesterday was dreary weather from start to finish. We had a nice relaxed start and then drove through more small-town America. Teotakuu and FutureCat were both quite taken with some aspects of it, especially The World's Largest Frying Pan (in Rose Hill, NC). We stopped at that memorable photo op and released a book, of course!
They were a bit more overwhelmed when we drove through the Myrtle Beach, SC, touristy area. Huge, tacky, themed putt-putt (mini-golf) courses -- dinosaurs, volcanoes, a plane wreck and more --, giant stores selling souvenirs, a pirate aquarium (?!), alligator feedings....it was all *right there* and in very large quantities. We soon escaped that area for the haven of a national forest and I do think they were a bit relieved!
We arrived in Charleston around 5 p.m. and met Bookczuk, who led us into town and to a parking spot. Then we walked around a bit, stretching our legs, before eating dinner at a yummy BBQ place. There were about 10 of us around the table, chatting and laughing and carrying on. The conversation ranged far and wide and was spiked with laughter. BrownWhiteTan opened her home to me and the Kiwis and tomorrow we'll be out in Charleston, wandering, sightseeing, and enjoying one another's company.
Yay for road trips, I think.
:-)
http://buffra.livejournal.com/604734.html |
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| They made it to Charleston!!! |
[Apr. 29th, 2008|11:03 pm] |
We're havin' fun. More over at my flickr page. And More Later. |
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| teotakuu in DC |
[Apr. 29th, 2008|10:39 am] |
After a long afternoon of promoting books at the Kensington Day of the Book Festival and a relaxing evening meal at Panera Bread, it was time for everyone to go their separate ways. I had to honor of hosting teotakuu for the night, and so after making sure all her luggage was successfully transfered to my van, we set of for what would be her fifth different state for the day. We crossed the Potomac River into Virginia and drove down the George Washington Parkway towards the heart of the nation's capital. We crossed the river again at the Memorial Bridge, admiring the views of the Kennedy Center, the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument as we drove. I found a parking space on Constitution Avenue, right next to the Vietnam War Memorial, and we got out for a stroll.
The night was damp and chilly, with a bit of wind, but even so, there were still a number of tour groups moving among the monuments as we payed our respects to those who served in Vietnam and in Korea. As we walked, we talked at length about these conflicts, and the histories of our countries, and it was clear that she found these monuments quite moving. We also walked up to the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, but the climb was simply too daunting after such a long day, so we decided to take a pass on a closer look at old Abe. We did pause and admire the view down the National Mall at the Washington Monument and the Capitol dome, though, before heading back to the van.
The rest of the tour was conducted from the vehicle, as I drove past the White House and the Jefferson Memorial, before returning to the Virginia side of the river. We drove within an easy stone's throw of the Pentagon before heading down into Old Town Alexandria, where I think teotakuu was a bit surprised to find street names, such as King, Duke, and Royal, that are clear holdovers from our colonial days. Finally, we arrived at my house, where my wife was waiting up for us to return. We sat and talked for a spell, but eventually we all needed to get some sleep.
Monday morning started with the usual bustle of getting the girls up and ready for school. I don't know if teotakuu managed to sleep through all the ruckus, but she (perhaps wisely) stayed out of the way until the girls were on their way. She had some tea and toast and checked her e-mail and such, while we waited for crrcookie and her son to join us from Maryland for the trip to Manassas to meet buffra and futurecatnz. The steady, soaking rain made any detailed sightseeing at the battlefield an unpleasant prospect, so we limited ourselves to the views from the visitor's center and a quick glance through the small museum.
We then headed for lunch, after which we said our good-byes. It was lovely to meet both travelers from New Zealand, even if it was only for such a brief period. I hope they enjoyed their brief time here, and I look forward to reading about the remainder of their travels in the coming days.
[cross posted from my LJ] |
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| A dizzying whiz around four states and a capital! (from Otakuu) |
[Apr. 29th, 2008|04:13 pm] |
I arrived in Philadelphia in good time, de-planed and collected my baggage before looking for zemarkable,my New Jersey host. She and her youngest son found me while her husband and eldest son were parked on the kerb. Unfortunately, one of Philly's finest waved them on before we could attract their attention so we waited for them to come back. Once loaded on board, we headed out of Philadelphia and across the bridge into Camden, NJ before heading for a diner for what Zemarkable called 'supper'.
The diner, called Pete's (I think) was enormous and quite crowded. After a short wait, we were seated and ordered our food which proved to both plentiful and tasty. On the road again and we were soon at May's Landing. After a look around the historic district including Ze's former home, it was on to their house and a room with a view. After some chit and chat it was time for bed.
In the morning it was clear that youngest son was unwell so we pottered for awhile with internet high on the list of importance. Later in the day, we adults went for a drive to Ocean City where I stood on the windy boardwalk beside the Atlantic and waved to Miketrollstigen and my other 'Euro' friends now back at their homes on the other side of 'the pond'.
We had another nice meal during which I learned another important lesson about American food - if you don't want your meat smothered in gravy, ask for it on the side! After that, a quick trip to the mall for something from Radio Shack for MrZe and some minuted for my mobile from T-mobile before our return home.
I chatted to ArtisticAlias and then went to bed in order to be ready for the next day's early start. I slept poorly, despite the comfort of ZeDaughter's brand new bed, because I was worried about oversleeping. Despite my fears, we were up and away in good time and on our way to Columbia to meet MaryZee, my kind chauffeur to Old Kensington, Maryland and the Book Fair. We stopped at another diner for breakfast and then it was time for yet another goodbye. They don't get any easier!
We made good time on the road and arrived in Old Kensington in good time to help with odd jobs and the giving away of more than 1000 books over 5 hours. The DC crew are wonderful ambassadors for Bookcrossing with energy, enthusiasm and enchanting children. They even had a sign with a map of New Zealand on it that I adorned with stars to indicate my hometown and the Convention town. After a hectic five hours wheedling and coaxing unsuspecting passers-by into lessening the book stock, we packed books and baggage and headed to a Panera Breads led by Florafloraflora followed by ResQGeek, MaryZee, crrcookie and melidia (sp). SqueakyChu joined us as well and with LilGrover to supervise, once he awoke, we were a merry crew until the store closed and we reluctantly dispersed.
MaryZee left for her home leaving me to the care of ResQGeek my host for the night. We took a tour of a few of Washington's many monuments by night. I was very impressed by FDR's tribute to Lincoln, intrigued by the view of the Washington monument and the reflecting pool but deeply moved by the Vietnam Memorial, especially the statuary honouring the women who served (and died) in that action. That there names are not on the roll of honour angered and saddened me as their role was vital and their deaths no less important than their male counterparts. Then it was on to the Korean Memorial which was also stunning. I was brought to tears by the sight of New Zealand's name amongst those countries who fought. Soem of my friends and family were in Korea and I felt honoured that their contribution was acknowledged.
ResQGeek was an extremely knowledgeable tour guide and I would have enjoyed seeing more but the night was getting late and so we were Virginia bound and, after a tour of Alexandria by night, I chatted with MrsResQGeek before crawling into my bed.
I had traversed New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC all in one action packed, funfilled day.
This WILL be cross posted to ChitChat which seems to be malfunctioning at present.
http://teotakuu.livejournal.com/245882.html |
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| Kiwi Update en route from DC to Charleston |
[Apr. 28th, 2008|08:40 pm] |
The gang stopped for the night in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, which FutureCat has dubbed Wobbly Bonk,
That's a 5 hour drive to Charleston, so I'm off to goggle the back roads and give 'em some fun stuff to see.
(Wobbly Bonk, my arse. We have much more interesting places here in South Carolina: Hell Hole Swamp, Due West, and Pee Dee.)
See you tomorrow, girls! |
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