Traveling Feet

Today is one of those days where I couldn't get traveling out of my head. I was listening to Ojos de Brujo and other flamenco variations this morning which made me nostalgic of my days in Spain; more particularly of a travel that I took to Portugal with David and our girlfriends at the time. Later at lunch, I was reading Che's Back on the Road, which documents his second set of travels around the American continent. I visualized myself walking in his footsteps through Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica, crossing borders and crossing cultures with nothing but a bag and very little money. Someone in the restaurant spoke of traveling and how he'd always miss the Northeast. There is something to be said about this...the changing of the seasons is something I do cherish.

Later in the day, I stumbled upon new photos of an Argentine friend of mine who is living and traveling around Mexico. I saw pictures of places that I've been and it brought me back. I learned that she is looking to go to Oaxaca so I'm trying to put her in touch with my friends from there. I hope they can connect.

Nostalgia is great tool to get back in touch with friends.

I love when my different friends are able to meeting each other. It shows how small the world can be.

Of course my trip to Brazil is also on my mind as I leave for two weeks next Monday. I have been wanting to travel to this country for some time and it seems unreal that I'm almost there. I'll be surfing a lot of couches in Curitiba and Rio and meeting up with some old friends. I have a sense of calm, but know that the airport will surely break this. Let's hope not. Here I come Brazil

Tulips Blooming

Another Tulip Fest has come and gone, but the great weather and tulips themselves have stuck around. Yes, it is that time of the year again when Albany celebrates its Dutch heritage by gathering in Washington Park for music and festivities. This year it wasn't as crowded as most, I suspect because of the ban on drinking in public. It seems to me that most people celebrated in their homes or on their stoops to be able to drink without worrying about getting ticketed. Luckily, we have an amazing little courtyard for such occasions.

Aside from one girl who got way too drunk, way too early (around noonish) the courtyard festivities went off without a hitch. There were games, and booze and introductions to neighbors and meeting new people who were visiting Albany for this momentous occasion.

After the celebration in our courtyard died down, we headed to my front yard, also known as Washington Park, to see the headlining band at the Tulip Fest. They put on a pretty good show, however I must admit that I didn't watch much of it as I was on a mission searching for some vegetarian food from the plethora of vendors. Eventually I found a falafel dish that was very overpriced but also quite tasty. I guess anything at that point would have been tasty though.

Later on we made the trek to Pearl St. to see Awolnation play at Jillian's for the Tulip Fest after party. We must've arrived around 9ish or so, but we made it just in time for the band to start. There weren't as my people as I expected, given that it was a free show, so that was pretty nice. And I ran into a Biergarten friend who gave me a pass to the VIP section...which entailed less crowds. I did get a free beer which was a plus! By this point I was pretty beat, but I made sure to stop by McGeary's before calling it quits. All in all, it was some good times.

Old New Year's Wishes

So I just came across this note that I wrote during the 2010 New Year that I completely forgot about. It made me smile and so I wanted to include it in my blog. I wrote this after living in Spain while I was teaching English so it's in Spanish...but I'll translate :) Although I wrote it over a year ago, I think it's still quite applicable today...especially the part about my friends.

"Otra vez ha pasado otro año; un año lleno de experiencias nuevas, culturas distintas y amigos nuevos. Aunque se fue muy rápido el año, me dejó un impacto imprescindible que me hará recordarlo por toda la vida. Es preciso decir que gracias a las amistades que he hecho este último año, me siento cambiado, claro por lo mejor. Los viajes que he realizado me ayudaron conectar con los amigos del ayer y hacer amigos nuevos.

Otro año ha empezado y se supone que por lo cual somos más sabios, más racionales y más perspicaces. Con los viajes que uno hace, no solamente se ve el bueno, pero también el malo que existe en el mundo. La pobreza, el racismo, la desigualdad y la inhumanidad de las guerras siguen siendo problemas de la actualidad. Es importante recordar que nosotr@s somos parte de una sola raza humana, entonces todos tenemos una responsabilidad de hacer algo para cambiar esta situación.

Brindo por un mundo más justo basado en la fraternidad y un mundo sin violencia y prejuicios. Les/Os agradezco mucho a todos mis amig@s por ser parte de mi familia extendida, por ayudarme ser una buena persona y por aceptarme en sus/vuestras vidas. Les/Os deseo un año lleno de amor y amistades nuevas."

Once again another year has passed; a year filled with new experiences, distinct cultures and new friends. Although the year went by so fast, it left an indispensable impact that will make me remember it for the rest of my life. It's important to say that thanks to the friendships that I have made this past year, I feel changed, of course for the better. The travels that I have took have helped me connect with friends from yesterday and make new friends.

Another year has started and one supposes that because of it we are more knowledgeable, more rational and more perceptive. With the travels that one takes, not only does he/she see the good, but also the bad that exists in the world. Poverty, racism, inequality and the inhumanity of wars continue to be current problems. It's important to remember that we are part of one human race, and therefore we all have a responsibility to do something to change this situation.

I give cheers for a world that is more just based on fraternity and a world without violence and prejudices. I am thankful to all my friends for being part of my extended family, for helping me be a good person and for having me in their lives. I wish for a year filled with love and new friendships.