B Day in London

On March 29, 2017June 12, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, England, Europe, London, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

B Day was today in London with Theresa May cutting Britain loose from the European Union. Thom and I had experienced a celebration of the EU in Munich last Sunday and now we were on hand to witness this historic Brexit moment in London. Two sides of an important issue affecting so many people.

We walked across the Westminster Bridge one week after the terrorist attack and thanked the Muslims who were peacefully standing by the memorials and advocating love and unity. Right on! Later in the day, the police blocked off the bridge and marched in solidarity to show support for their officer who died in the attack.

We walked by Big Ben to see all the news teams who had taken over a local park to broadcast. With Parliament across the street. it made for a good backdrop for the news personalities to discuss B Day. Back at the hotel after 20,000+ steps (9 miles) of walking all over London on my only day off here before I head to work tomorrow, it was fun to watch the news broadcasts from where we had just been.

All the news shows are discussing Brexit and the effect it will have on London and the EU. There seems to be so much uncertainty and confusion. Of course, there were protestors making a statement on our crazy POTUS too-it is all one tangled mess. Seems like our leaders could get their act together and actually take care of their citizens but people here are shaking their heads in dismay just like we are in the US. What. The. Hell.

Happy EU Anniversary!

On March 28, 2017June 12, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Europe, Germany, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Of course, wherever Thom goes, he finds a protest or a rally. He is a magnet for all things political. So it came as no surprise when we stumbled upon a guy wearing a EU flag setting up for a rally while we were on our walking tour of Munich on Sunday. After our tour ended, we circled back to the square, which by this time was packed with pro-EU flag-waving supporters.

While the speeches were in German, I wasn’t surprised to hear them call out “Trump” and then “women’s march” no doubt alluding to our idiot POTUS and the successful protests in the US against him and his pro-Russian regime. Thom was wearing his “sorry about our President” t-shirt in 13 languages. As we walked around the crowd, many were amused as they read the sentiments, some even asking for photos with Thom. That’s my guy-always making a political statement!

Amidst the chants, cheers, marching and flag-waving, it was obvious that Germany embraces the EU. We found the merch table and loaded up on EU stickers, pins and bags for souvenirs and to support the cause. When in Rome and all. I can only hope that the US steps up their political activism and pours on the protests to make a difference. We won’t give up and neither will the Germans apparently in their support of the EU. Go forth and rally people!

Walking Munich

On March 26, 2017June 12, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Germany, Travel, Uncategorized, vacationLeave a comment

With only one day to explore Munich, we chose to take a historic walking tour offered by InMunich. My brain is in overload with all the cool facts and interesting stories that our tour guide, Hein, shared with us. Meeting in Marienplatz Square at 10:45 a.m., we got a quick summary of the history of Munich before the glockenspiel went off at 11 a.m. serenading the huge crowd with music, bells and the moving characters that illustrate the history of Munich. Fantastic.

Hein guided us over the next three hours through the streets of Munich, pointing out the beautiful buildings and giving us the backstory of each one. Admittedly, I am the ignorant American who obviously never paid attention in history classes as I learned more about Hitler and WWII from Hein than I did in school. Munich lost 80% of their buildings to the war but they rebuilt beautifully. The few buildings and parts of buildings that did survive the raining down of bombs were on the tour. As Hein asked various questions, the answer was always “beer”. To distract a pet monkey who saved a royal baby from a rampaging baboon, what did they offer? Beer. When the town folk didn’t have enough gold to get the Swedish King to leave them alone during a takeover, what did they offer him? Liquid gold, aka beer. And so on.

Along with six other couples, all Americans, we learned of Hitler’s early years as an aspiring artist. Hein told us that if he could go back in history, he would make sure Hitler made it into art school vs. getting rejected which led to his career in government and killing. Most powerful moment was seeing “dodger alley” where the Resistance would run to get around the mandatory saluting to the Nazi regime off the major square where Hitler made campaign speeches. Seeing the beer hall where Hitler had one of his first major oratory moments as he came into power was also chilling. So many times over the course of the tour, Thom and I would look at each other and mouth “Trump moment” because it feels like history is repeating itself with our lying, power hungry, amoral POTUS who would rather let citizens die if it meant his agenda was approved. Terrifying.

At our break halfway through the tour, Hein encouraged us to make use of the public bathrooms and Starbucks but I chose a different path. Cold and needing an instant warm-up, I got a shot of good whiskey at an Irish pub. No ice just whiskey. My friends, Kurt and Ernie, would be so proud of me. Later, we would fill up on a good German dinner of sausages/sauerkraut/potatoes for Thom and white asparagus/potatoes with hollandaise sauce for me with a side of pretzels, of course, and a carafe of wine. Cheers!

Creating Indian Bracelets

On March 26, 2017June 12, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, India, Shopping, UncategorizedLeave a comment

In the basement of my hotel outside one of the many restaurants, a turbaned gent sits cross-legged in front of a small charcoal fire taking requests to make bracelets. If you dine in the restaurant, you get a complimentary bracelet. Of course, I’m not eating in India so I was told to just tip the craftsman a few dollars and he will make some for me. I decided to tip him with all my remaining rupees.

Picking out the colors I wanted from the blocks on sticks, he melts each color, smearing them onto his tool one at a time . After sizing up the two thin pieces of copper onto my wrist which he will curl the melted colors around to form a circle, he expertly rolls out the colors somehow manipulating the swirls of black, gold and silver to form a gorgeous and unique piece of art. After some banging and more sizing, the bracelet is finished and hot. Literally. Allowing it to cool off, I proceeded to get others made for Mia and co-workers. When I proudly wear mine, I will always remember my incredible adventure in India.

Eating Challenges in India

On March 25, 2017June 12, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Food, India, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I ate fish on a plane. Not wise. After spending a week in India only drinking bottled water and eating Cliff bars, I was so hungry I tempted fate and took a bite of the offered meal on my Emirates flight out of India. After 2 bites, common sense took over and I put down the fork. Facing 2 long flights to get to Munich from Hyderabad, I couldn’t afford to be sick so all eating airplane food had to cease. Too risky. But with an aching back, I did order up an OJ with a side of whiskey to loosen up my muscles. Starving but wise I am and 5 pounds lighter too. WP_20170320_18_14_30_Pro (2)

Life on the road with a weak stomach is a challenge. First, I have to pack enough food to last me and scads of Imodium. Cliff bars are heavy thus the aching back from my backpack full of snacks. Then, you have to get used to explaining to everyone inviting you to eat that you just can’t partake and try not to share too many medical details but just enough to get them to stop pushing food on you even though they are just trying to be hospitable. Socially it’s awkward at best to tag along with those of strong stomachs as they go to the “hot” restaurants and sample the local cuisine and you can’t join in. I have to keep explaining that it all looks delicious so as not to offend our hosts. But, no thank you, if I eat the lamb curry and lentils, I’ll die.

Unfortunately, one of our team members did partake and felt like dying for at least a day. She tempted fate and lost. Checking on her and sending up Gatorade and antacids, we all knew it could happen to any of us. Nothing worse than being on the road and getting ill. No one to hold your head as you puke your guts out or get the hotel doctor for a house call. Luckily, she recovered in time to fly home.

Okay, besides Cliff bars I did happen to sample wine in every city including a nice Chateau St. Michelle Syrah in Delhi. I certainly eyed the morning breakfast buffets at the hotels as they were over-the-top with offerings from all around the world. Thom would have gorged himself had he accompanied me. He likes a good buffet. One day I did go down and got a plain waffle. Very boring but it was hot and delicious.

The work cafeterias offered a wide variety of options daily from Indian cuisine to Subway. Since the locals eat with their hands, there are washing stations for easy clean up. Ice cream is a big hit too and necessary to cleanse the palate after a hot and spicy meal. The coffee cart was interesting with delicious (I’m told) boiled sugar cane sweetened drinks served in small clay pots (biodegradable). The barista was kind enough to just give me one of the little cups to take home as a souvenir.

Now I’m off to Germany where I will try not to gain back the 5 pounds when I grab a pretzel or two.

Dog vs. Monkey. Monkey won. #india

On March 23, 2017June 12, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, India, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Walking the local streets of Hyderabad, we heard intense barking. A group of dogs, so skinny their ribs stuck out, were going crazy by the side of the busy road so, of course, we went to investigate. “Don’t get too close!” my co-worker yelled as I weighed the odds of dying if I ran through scooters, cars and buses to get a picture of the monkey vs. dog urban turf war. In a wise choice, I decided not to get any closer to the angry monkey as he drove off the dogs and wandered back into the trash-infested vegetation to claim his territory. One lone dog raced up a piece of broken concrete to continue the battle, barking furiously at the monkey but no longer with back-up. Monkey 1, Dogs 0.

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So it goes in India. Finally escaping the cocoon of hotels and offices, I broke free after work to walk around and soak up the street life in Hyderabad, a city known for it’s tech worker population. Tall office buildings for HSBC, Allegiant, Expedia, etc. give shade to the tin shacks and roadside food carts where locals huddle to eat in the heat. Amidst the dirt and debris, we dodged traffic to get a flavor for the neighborhood. I was struck by the similarity to what I observed in China both with the abject poverty of the locals and the camaraderie of the people smiling as they congregated on the streets to eat and chat.

My colleague, a diverse female, and I got many long stares as we walked, the only Westerners in sight. I waved back to the children looking at us with curiosity. They smiled in return. The men I ignored as they gave us “up and down” looks. You get used to being surprised by men’s behavior here unfortunately. The local men immediately speak only to our male team member travelling with us. Men like to take over and make decisions for the women, a practice that doesn’t sit well with strong women like me. I now understand why the Indian women I have observed in work situations can speak very loud and firm. They probably have to in order to live and work in this type of environment and have their voices heard. Good for them!

Another day in India and then off to Munich and London. What a contrast that will be to India. Cheers!

Good Bye Delhi, Hello Bangalore!

On March 21, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

Travel is always an adventure. The Delhi airport, however, definitely took the foreign airport experience to a new level from the armed guards strutting around with large assault rifles to free mandatory massages by security, it didn’t disappoint in the WTF factor.

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Jet Airways was our inter-country flight option. Not a fan. Even my small carry-on bag was deemed “too heavy” for the flight so I had to check it. So much for packing light to avoid the inconvenience of waiting for my luggage. Just how damn tiny is our plane that a small carry-on doesn’t fit in the overhead? Dude checking me in couldn’t understand my flight info and tagged my bag to Hyderabad-my next destination in two days. Explaining I really needed my bag to follow me to Bangalore and not skip ahead to Hyderabad without me took some time and effort, though eventually I believe we got it right but I’ll reserve judgement until I can confirm the bag makes it to the right destination. Not holding my breath.

Entering the security area, my female teammate and I were told to go to the most remote scanner as we were “ladies”. Sure enough, not only were there separate “lady” and “gent” lanes to walk through but the ladies got to go into a special curtained tent area where I proceeded to get the most thorough pat down EVER. I’m talking full body, no private part left untouched and I didn’t even get introduced to the guard. Perhaps I should have asked for an address where I could send a Christmas card because after that security massage, she knew me better than most of my dearest friends.

With bags and body checked, we proceeded to shop. It was that or grab a smoke in the multiple smoking lounges, but I don’t imbibe even after a quality pat down. Along with the smoking lounges which were quite crowded, there were prayer lounges too. I chose to check out the Benetton shop which is a blast from the 80’s in the U.S. but apparently still quite popular around the world. After advising my co-worker to verify the size portions, as a medium would probably be small in US sizes, sure enough she ended up buying the extra-large for her medium-sized husband.

Why, why do nice airports still have squat toilets for the ladies? They had the regular kind as well so is it to make the visitors from China feel at home? I did find it interesting that every bathroom had multiple bathroom attendants who literally wiped your toilet seat for you before inviting you into the stall and then they handed you a paper towel to dry your hands. I’ll remember these hard-working gals when I think my job is tough and remember to count my blessings.

Spying a spa across the promenade, I decided to follow up my full body massage by the guard with a lovely 30-minute foot massage. Now, I haven’t had many massages since my Dragonfly Spa membership in Shanghai so it was quite the treat. In China, they soak your feet in a big bucket of hot water first which makes sense because people’s feet are yuck. Really, who on Earth would want to rub dirty feet? Obviously, here in India it’s not a concern because they got right to the action with no cleaning. Double yuck. The Indian version of foot massage involved some pretty rough pulling and cracking of the toes and the use of a small wooden rod that she dug into each toe to make a point. Pretty sure I’ll have bruises but it was all for the greater health and well-being of my body. Finally, the rough stuff stopped and was followed by a lovely lotion rub that felt amazing. Here I was leaving Delhi for Bangalore and enjoying a massage. Who am I and how did I get so lucky???

Finally arriving at our gate, I was surprised to find chaises upon which weary travelers could recline and relax before their next terrifying flight within India. Ahhhh, it’s all about the journey and what a gift travelling is to experience other cultures. Next stop Bangalore.

A new day breaks in India

On March 19, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

The ABJASS strike has been called off with new talks underway between the government and the group who vowed to shut down the city of Delhi with thousands of protesters if their voice was not heard and action taken. This alleviates some of my tension as I face my first work day in India and brace for the grey pollution that I can taste sitting inside. Yum.

The ethnic Jat group was campaigning for quotas for Jats in state government jobs and educational institutions. It’s all about good jobs, diversity, representation and being treated equally all over the world and protests do work. The U.S. is finding that out too.

After a long nap and on/off bouts of sleep overnight, I am up watching the local neighborhood outside my hotel wake up. While I am in a gated compound, the hotel is adjacent to a desolate urban scene with trains rumbling by and hard dirt spaces filled with street carts, homeless camps and construction materials. I see men walking by and students in uniform making their way to school. The cars are small and white with the 3 wheel Tuk Tuk carts everywhere and scooters/bikes weaving in, out and between lanes. General chaos with loose rules of the road by the look of it from my fifth floor perch.

Though it is going to hot here today-close to 100 degrees-the men I see walking by are wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts. No casual shorts and flip flops here despite the heat. Carts are being set up again on the side of the roads to provide wares and food. Hard life indeed.

Where are the women? Are they home with children? At brunch yesterday with my male boss and female co-worker, the host of the restaurant at the hotel came to our table but only spoke to the male in the group. “Get used to it” was the comment from my boss as we commented on the snub. I’m wondering if this discrimination will be prevalent at work today. But, hey, they had a clown for the kids at the brunch and he was open to a photo op with a female so perhaps all will be okay. Here’s hoping!

WP_20170319_13_07_19_Pro — Sunday Brunch at the Westin Gurgaon-I didn’t eat but enjoyed the clown for the kids!

India First Impressions

On March 18, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

India. Never really thought I would travel here but, as with China, life takes you to unexpected places if you open yourself up to the possibilities. Of course, with these adventures come the acrid stench of pollution so prevalent where the government doesn’t regulate air quality. Waking up in Delhi, my eyes and throat are already burning at the 200+ AQI “haze” outside which hangs over the bleak landscape of the local neighborhood outside my hotel room.

On the trip leg from Amsterdam to Delhi, the India culture was evident immediately. Snacks on the plane were nothing I had ever heard of vs. the usual pretzel/peanut offerings. I’m still not sure what it was as I am following a strict “never eat on plane” routine to protect my weak stomach. I looked on as people enjoyed their snacks and dinners and I ate my protein bar. Boring but necessary.

As I travel, the hot beverages I enjoy tend to move to tea vs. coffee with the electric tea kettle always available. French press for coffee was the option in New Zealand and also offered in India. I use only bottled water, of course, for all beverages so that my Imodium stash is not needed. Milk is not readily available everywhere so powdered cream is the alternative. I’ve already gone through my supply of bottled water and had to ask for more. Even when brushing your teeth, you MUST use bottled water or die. Seriously.

Enjoying a very Western waffle/juice/coffee room service breakfast on Sunday morning, I am watching The Voice. Seems that India, like China, is in love with music reality shows. I remember watching endless reruns of the The Voice in Shanghai and Delhi is no different. Back-to-back episodes are running while I rest up from the long journey to get here.

Entering the hotel compound around 1:30 a.m. on a Sunday morning, the streets were still busy with many enjoying food carts on the side of the road, which would kill me but Thom would have enjoyed. Rat or cat, Thom can and did eat everything in China and never got sick. Never questioning the “mystery meat on a stick”, he will miss out on the India delicacies offered. So sad because I always lived vicariously through his cast iron stomach.

Staying at The Westin Gurgaon, we had to pass through a guarded gate where our car was searched. Upon pulling up to the hotel, we had to have our bags scanned outside just like at the airport and walk through a metal detector and be hand scanned by a security guard. WOW. I would imagine a Western hotel like this could be a target for terrorism so high security is appreciated. I will not be wandering out of the hotel tomorrow as I normally would when I hit a new country. While I do look forward to seeing more of India, there is some unrest with election results coming out this weekend and other issues so I’m just going to play it safe this time.

Tomorrow, our first day to work in Delhi, should be interesting. I just received this SOS travel warning: “Members in the capital Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) on 20 March should expect significant travel disruption during planned protests by the ethnic-Jat ABJASS group. ABJASS, which has been campaigning for quotas for Jats in state government jobs and educational institutions, has threatened to block the prime minister’s residence, the parliament building, and all highways and roads in Delhi on the day if its demands are not met. Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to attend the 20 March rally with tractors. ABJASS has threatened to block all lanes and transit points into Delhi if the security forces prevent them from entering the city. A heightened security force presence should be expected around the prime minister’s residence and the parliament building, as well as on all roads into Delhi and near the Jantar Mantar monument.”

Though I miss him so much already, it‘s probably best that Thom is not on this trip as I can just see him now taking photos of the protests and joining in to get in all kinds of trouble.Good times in India! Stay tuned.

Rocking with Bruce in NZ

On March 4, 2017June 12, 2017 By Travels with MelindaIn adventure, Bruce Springsteen, Music, New Zealand, Travel, Uncategorized, vacationLeave a comment

One week ago, we were THIS CLOSE to The Boss. In Auckland, NZ. It was AWESOME!

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Travelling over 7,000 miles from Seattle to NZ to celebrate Thom’s 60th birthday with Bruce, we enjoyed a week on Waiheke Island off the coast of Auckland before the big day. On Saturday we boarded the ferry to the mainland, picked up our tickets in Auckland and made our way to Mt. Smart Stadium. Along the way we dropped off a bag at our roadside motel, hastily booked when we discovered the damn ferry didn’t do a late night run to the island and we would no doubt be stranded sleeping on a ferry terminal bench if we didn’t take action. Those that have been to a Bruce Springsteen concert know that he has great energy and can play. ALL. NIGHT. LONG. When we saw Bruce in LA and Seattle last year, he played for four hours straight. Which is awesome if you don’t have a deadline to cross the ocean to your lovely airbnb cottage. Not daring to leave the concert early, we decided to grab a few hours rest at the “no tell motel” before going back to the island the morning after. Wise we are.

For this concert, Bruce had two opening acts which was unusual because he usually works alone with no opener. Arriving just in time to be one of the first 500 in line, we got the coveted pink bracelets and #’s written on our hands. The NZ stadium crew were very organized, walking in 100 fans at a time in order to avoid chaos. We got to know some lovely people while we waited in the shade of the trees outside the gates. Thom was even interviewed for a NZ podcast. While Thom’s sign didn’t get Bruce’s attention, it did solicit lots of comments from the crowd as did his “Icky Trump” protest shirt. My hubby-always ready to discuss politics-is not shy about voicing his opinions. Luckily this crowd was very anti-Trump so many lively discussions ensued when they asked us, “WTF-how did you elect that wanker?”

Finally inside, we were about three rows from the front of the stage. WOWOWOW! As many times as Thom has seen Bruce, this was the closest he would get. Ever. Fitting for a journey as long as ours. When interlopers without #’s on their hands tried to cut in front of us, the friends we made standing around us including a NZ policeman, joined voices in protests and summoned security to move them behind us. One entitled lady thinking she could just cut in front of me was cussed out by Thom and others, with the cop counselling Thom not to touch her to avoid getting kicked out of the concert. Wouldn’t that have been awful? But, properly restrained but still giving her what for, Thom did not get ejected. Standing firm, we “policed” our area and made sure we kept up close and personal with Bruce.

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The openings acts, Jet and Marlon Williams, were good but everyone had come to see Bruce and the E Street Band. Finally the 40,000+ fans got him as he strolled out in his trademark checkered shirt and belted out Darlington County. Steve Van Zandt was of course his usual crazy self with his head scarf and floral pants. When Bruce declared it was “ass-shakin time” they turned and let their bums do the talking. Impressive. Interesting, the crowd in the stands were seated and fairly quiet unlike the standing mob on the floor where we were. Bruce eventually ran to the sides and got them engaged but they were definitely more reserved than the US crowds that danced for 4 hours straight last year when we were in LA and Seattle.

Next to us all night was a couple from Italy who had planned their vacation to NZ to see Bruce at Christchurch and Auckland. Dedicated. Another woman also interviewed with Thom for the podcast had taken a 36 hour flight from India. Crazy. The gentleman in front of me helping with crowd control in our group was from Poland. Everyone had stories to tell about Bruce and the impact he and his music had on their lives, making it easy to bond quickly with complete strangers. I will always remember them fondly.

While he sang hit after hit, the moving rendition of “41 Hands” brought tears to my eyes as I saw everyone raising their hands and feeling the heartfelt lyrics so relevant to the tensions we are all feeling today in our world, whether in the US or NZ. The Boss ended his three hour jam with an acoustic version of Thunder Road. Brilliant. The concert of a lifetime.