A Travel Series by Diane Covington

Follow along with Diane as she explores the northern end of the South Island of New Zealand for adventures along the back roads…

Part 4: Catching the updraft above Nelson Lakes National Park, New Zealand

While we were staying at the Alpine Lodge in St. Arnaud, I had the chance to go up in a glider above Nelson Lakes National Park. What an unforgettable experience! Here are my thoughts on that amazing journey through the sky. If you want more information on taking a ride in a glider, check out the online home of the New Zealand gliding clubs.

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The fat brown Jersey cows munched the thick grass, flicking their tails against flies, then moseyed along. They never even glanced over at the light planes that zoomed past on the grassy runway, recently reclaimed from their pasture. The slender gliders raced up and down, landing and taking off, like birds in flight.

To go up in a glider, you get strapped into your seat, then the glider, attached by a cable to a wench, gets towed down the runway till it takes to the air, sort of like launching a kite. You’re taxiing down the runway, then whoosh, up, into the sky. No motor, no sound, just the feel of lifting up fast, carried by the wind. The wench releases, attached to a tiny parachute and billows down to the ground.

Up in the air, the sound of the wind rushing past the wings, a thin Plexiglas cover is all you have between you and the open sky. 1,000 feet above the ground, catching updrafts, lift as they call it, up, then down, circling, just like the ospreys, hawks and vultures, I’ve watched soaring, drifting, circling- -amazing.

I was stunned by the beauty of the perspective, thrilled by the closeness of the treetops, awed by the sensibility of literally “casting our fate to the winds” and depending on the whims of Mother Nature to carry us along.

The sheep and cows below looked like little dots of white cotton or brown fuzz. The sun sparkled off the Plexiglas cover, the clouds danced along the ridges, almost eye level to us now.
It must be one of the most direct experiences of flying that a person could have, except maybe hang gliding. I was reminded of the myth of Icarus who fulfilled his dream of flying but soared too close to the sun and melted the wax holding his wings together and fell to his death.

I’ve had dreams of flying and this felt pretty close. I can see why my friend who was piloting the glider has logged over 600 hours, feeling out the air currents, riding them and soaring through the sky.

How could I have missed this for all these years? Where was I that I didn’t know this wonder?

It felt gentle somehow, like we were riding Mother Nature, in some sync with her moods and fancies, flowing, natural like a bird. It felt like she smiled at us in a playful way, played with us a bit, a game of hide and seek, hiding the currents—catch me if you can—down, down, down, then up, up, up, over, always gliding, soaring, falling, then soaring again.

I thought about life–where are the updrafts, the places where I can soar with ease and grace, the wind beneath my wings, carried by something larger than myself, but which I am a part of?
And saw that gliding and life both require that you pay close attention to what is happening, moment by moment. Looking for the gifts, like the updrafts, the lift, which will carry you on.

Diane Covington 2010

A Travel Series by Diane Covington

Follow along with Diane as she explores the northern end of the south island of New Zealand for adventures along the back roads…

Part 3: Nelson Lakes National Park

It was a three-hour drive from the ocean at Golden Bay to Nelson Lakes National Park, up in the mountains.

We chose the small village of St. Arnaud, right on the shore of the sparkling waters of Lake Rotoiti. There is so much outdoor fun available here, it’s hard to know what to do first.

On the lake, you can kayak, windsurf, water-ski, canoe and swim. Or try your hand at fly-fishing in the nearby rivers, for some of the best brown and rainbow trout fishing in New Zealand. Or kayak or raft down the river.

There are hiking trails all over the park, with an extensive network of tracks and huts for overnight stays for backpackers.

I spent my days bike riding and then jumping in the lake to cool off.

We found a gem of a lodge, the Alpine Lodge, a five-minute walk from the lake.

The lodge is a perfect place if you want to be outside and active all day, then come back to a clean and comfortable room, shower and have a gourmet dinner. We enjoyed delicious entrees such as Chicken Curry, a Vegetarian Burrito and an amazing Burger in their bar at the Lodge.

Just next door, their café serves breakfast and lunch. I had a delectable chocolate and berry muffin for breakfast and for lunch, a bacon, cheese and vegetable quiche. All their breads and baked goods are made from scratch. They buy local produce and support local businesses, including serving beers brewed in nearby Nelson and of course, New Zealand wines.

Owner Alexandra Unterberger, who runs the lodge with her fiancée Leighton Marshall, comes from a family with over 300 years history in the hotel and restaurant business. They really go out of their way to make guests feel welcome.

“We’re here every night with the guests. We enjoy having that personal touch,” Alexandra said.

The Alpine Lodge and St Arnaud are centrally located for sightseeing day trips. It’s one hour to Nelson, for arts and crafts and Blenheim for wine tasting. Or the West coast for dramatic coastal scenery, including blowholes.

We had a two-story studio with a view of the creek and felt at home during our three-day stay.

“We want to provide clean rooms, good service and good food,” Alexandra said.

And they did. We’ll go back for sure.

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Diane Covington 2010

A Travel Series by Diane Covington

Follow along with Diane as she explores the northern end of the south island of New Zealand for adventures along the back roads…

Part 2: Golden Bay

I’m visiting a friend who lives in Golden Bay, known for its beautiful and remote beaches. It’s at the north end of the south island and there’s only one two-lane road in and out, so the quiet is palpable. The ocean sparkles on one side of the road and the sheep and cows graze on the other. The skies at night are amazing—you’re gazing up at the Milky Way and a different sky from the northern hemisphere.

The back roads are perfect for biking, fairly flat and not too many cars. For Americans, we just have to remember to drive on the left!
Here are some must see stops in this area:

Farewell Spit Bird Sanctuary

Farewell Spit nature reserve, a bird sanctuary particularly important for migratory shorebirds and including over 90 species of birds, juts out into the ocean at the northern most tip of the south island of New Zealand. The 35km long peninsula looks like a fish hook as it curves around. Public access is restricted so you have to go on an organized tour to see it.
We took a long and relaxing bike ride along Golden Bay. Feeling the fresh salt air on my face and the freedom of pedaling along on a bicycle, followed by a jump in the cool ocean waves were great tonics for jet lag!

Wharariki Beach

It’s a hike (20-30 minutes) from the parking lot, but well worth it. Very dramatic landscape, views, sand dunes, caves and ocean. The day we went it was very windy, so go when it is calm if you can. It would be a great spot to spend the day with a picnic and for sure, bring your camera.

We’re off the Nelson Lakes National Park next so stay tuned!

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Diane Covington 2010

Follow along with Diane as she explores the northern end of the south island of New Zealand for adventures along the back roads…

Part 1 – From jet lag to stunt pilot:
First day in New Zealand and I become a stunt pilot—even with jet lag! Read on and catch the two videos for more fun. Photos too. Enjoy!

If you’ve ever dreamed of being a stunt pilot, soaring high among the clouds and doing rolls and loops, this is your chance!

Want to be a stunt pilot—at least for a day? Well now you can. New Zealand is living up to its reputation of the “land of wild and crazy adventures” and this one leaves bunjee jumping in the dust, literally.

In the little town of Motueka , at the north end of New Zealand’s south island, near Nelson and Golden Bay, there’s a small grassy airstrip where a very brave pilot lets you pay him to take you up in his open air bi-plane, and not only fly it, but do turns, rolls and loops.

You’re soaring through the air, snoopy style, goggles, hair flying, looking down on the green hills and valleys of New Zealand, the ocean sparkling below, farms with sheep and cows grazing. In the distance, there’s Farewell Spit, the narrow peninsula that extends out like a fish hook at the top of the island, then the curving shore and white sands of Golden Bay and the wilderness of Abel Tasman National Park.

You take the plane up to 7,000 feet, feeling the air temperature cool as you climb higher and the wind rushes by. The pilot, Vince, sitting right behind you, gives you instructions—‘nose up, nose down, now move the stick to the left, that’s good…’
When it’s time to roll, he says simply ‘hard left, hard left, hard left’ and over you roll!

It was terrifyingly wonderful and that was with jet-lag—I’d just gotten off the plane from California a few hours before. Don’t miss this chance to be a stunt pilot. Vince is an amazing coach and you can do it!

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Diane Convington 2010

I attended one of the southwest’s biggest horror genre conferences called Texas Frightmare Weekend in May 2009. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a little time talking about purposeful travel and animal rescue with Linda Blair.

She has come a long way since she garnered much acclaim for her role as the possessed girl in The Exorcist whose soul needed rescue from evil forces. In real life, it’s Linda Blair who’s rescuing via her WorldHeart Foundation which rehabilitates abused, neglected and abandoned dogs (including some in shelters) back to mental and physical wellness to prepare them for new, loving owners.

Fans of her work lined up in droves for a short chat and her autograph on various memorabilia. Blair talked to them about the rescuing of these unfortunate animals. Her signing table contained information about her cause. The money she made from the horror convention goes to her work on behalf of these dogs.

Those who want to travel for a cause have many options, including helping Linda Blair take care of rescued dogs. The work is performed some 20 miles north of Los Angeles on 2.5 acres of land. Imagine working alongside with a movie star in a very worthwhile project for animal welfare. Because her facility is set up at her home and has limited space (much of that going for the care of the dogs), the volunteer project doesn’t provide housing. So finding volunteers who’d give of their time for what she deems “an American crisis” is a constant challenge:

They’d have to stay in hotels (about 20 minutes away) and have a real passion.” While a lot of people tell her that they’re interested in coming out, she added, “They just don’t seem to come. That’s sad.”

Playing God Is “the worst job ever”

Blair, with a small volunteer staff, is responsible for taking care of, at most, only 50 dogs at once (what she’s currently licensed for). That’s because if she’s short on volunteers, then she’s left doing the feeding and cleaning chores for the dogs basically on her own. Unfortunately, this means hard decisions for her over who she chooses for sanctuary. Knowing how much Blair loves animals, but also knowing that her facility isn’t infinite in its powers to save all animals who need rescuing from a bad life, I asked her about the process of selection. She was quite emphatic in stating:

I’ve written articles about playing God. It’s the worst job ever, but because somebody else didn’t have the decency to keep the animal or couldn’t find another home when they lost their home or they weren’t willing to move into an apartment that would take animals for a period of time. I’ve heard every excuse in the world, and there is no excuse good enough for me. The animals are your family and if they’re not, then you shouldn’t have had them in the first place.”

“I understand that there are people now who can’t put food on their own tables, let alone feed their animals, so go and ask for help. Go into a local vet, go into a feed store, go into anywhere and say, ‘Is there anything you can do and/or think of to help me because I’m in a bit of a difficult time?’ Some shelters are giving some food. Other shelters are begging for people to come and volunteer.”

She knows that the tough economy is forcing people to make tough choices but she still expects people to keep their commitments to their animals:

When I go into a shelter, I’m going for a specific animal or I [could] walk by and I say ‘Oh, I could take 25, I could take 50 – I’m only one person.’”

“People are trying to survive. This is a very scary time. We will make it out. But just care and be passionate. Fear makes you make mistakes. If you have fear, you have to believe that much harder that there’s help somewhere but you have to sometimes look for the help and realize what’s in front of you or somebody may offer you a suggestion. And it’s not always about, ‘We’ll just give the dog away’ or ‘I’m going to take it to the pound.’ It’s talk about it, think about it, put up signs, ask your friends – ask for help.”

Blair also suggests seeking out local groups that perform animal care and rescue in your community, too. She admonishes vets to give half price discounts on their spaying and neutering procedure at least once a month, charging that half the pet overpopulation is due to the difficulty in obtaining grants for these expensive procedures.

Travelers can give back

As for the subject of travel, Blair has seen a lot of this world, so I was curious about her favorite travel spots, and not only did she talk about her preferences, but she emphasized her feelings about the meaning of exploring our world. She initially spoke of her fondness for Australia and then about noticing what needs to be done to make things a little better whenever you find yourself away from home:

I’m sad to think of when enough people go to Australia, it’s gonna become more like what we’ve done to America. America is a very special place, but many people have ruined it. Many people have said ‘What can you guys do for me?’ It’s about ‘What can I do for my country?’ Kennedy’s words were [that]. Be proud of this country. I’m serving my country and I want others to do the same. Australia was one of my favorite places because it’s similar to what I know America was 50 years ago. You could have a lemonade, you could leave your doors open, you weren’t stabbed in the back and shot.”

Blair continued about America:

I love driving through Alabama and Georgia – all of the trees. It’s very beautiful and peaceful. I’m still a big fan of lemonade. I like the bayous. I think it’s really really interesting. Look at the West. The pioneers. Go back historically [and see] what they went through. I have seen many places and history is very interesting to me. Remember how we got here. People came over on ships and they died for us. So give something back in our communities…and you and your family will feel better.”

“Pick what you like. You like nature. Give back. You just don’t take from it. You must give back. Clean up. I did a play one time, and every night in back of this hotel was so much trash and I used to take my dog out and we’d just go clean trash at night, and I thought if only people knew I was cleaning the back of the hotel at night. But somebody’s got to do it. Just volunteer your services, whether it’s animals, children, environmentally. If you don’t have the money, give the gift of time.”

If you have some vacation time coming up and want to make a difference, and really love working with dogs, contact the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation

photo credit of Linda Blair and dog: Terri Keefer (used with permission)

Roy A. Barnes writes from southeastern Wyoming and is a frequent contributor to The Traveler Blog. Roy is seen here with Linda Blair at the Texas Frightmare Weekend.

As the nation prepares to party through its third new year in 4 months, Chiang Mai is as ever, dubbed as the center of activity and it is there that the celebrations are most vigorous.

If you’re intending to be there at the hub of things, you should be already booked. If not, be quick. The main events take place over three days starting on the 13th.

Firecrackers are let off at dawn on the 13th as people start to spring clean their homes. In the afternoon Buddha images from local temples are paraded through the streets as people toss lustral water (water scented with perfume and flowers) to bathe the images.

Ceremonies are not held on the second day which separates the new year from the old.

The new year begins on the third day but water throwing takes place continuously throughout the festival. Daily drenching begins as early as nine in the morning and goes on till sundown. It continues for at least four days and sometimes longer in the countryside. Drive slowly and beware of water hitting you at high velocity, especially if you’re on a motorcycle.

The entire nation arms itself with buckets, squirt guns and anything that can project water – and drench all but monks, the aged and mothers carrying very young children. Wear clothes that you can be wet and happy in. Foreigners are always a welcome target so protect cameras, wallets, etc. in plastic bags.

Of course, the activity is not limited to Chiangmai as the whole country goes water crazy in the hottest month of the year. Perfect.

Bangkok tends to suffer a longer bout of drenching as does Pattaya which virtually sees 2 weeks of revelry with the follow up Pattaya festival immediately after the new year.

For those in less of a party mood, more traditonal style parades etc.. can be seen in Hua Hin, Prachuap Khiri Khan or the northern villages.

However, the watchword is to book early or be disappointed. Hotels book up far in advance and even guest houses are usually at capacity before Songkran day. Rail and bus tickets are impossible to find at festival time as relatives head up country to visit their families. The whole country is in transit for a week.

For 2001, the beach destinations have been fully booked for some time and it is the northern towns, other than Chiangmai and Kanchanaburi province that always show the last of the accommodation availability.

In this respect, that’s good value for money as most upcountry destinations do not increase their prices anywhere near the escalated rates of the beach resorts. An unwelcome recent addition is the noticeable “compulsory” Songkran dinner which has started to appear on some hotel reservations

Neighbouring Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and even Nepal have similar festivals at this time so its perhaps the busiest annual period for the region, not just for the land of smiles. Venturing out of the country either for the holidays or to avoid a drenching can therefore be similarly frustrating when booking accommo-dations and flights. It also makes Malaysia and Indonesia very popular destinations, even allowing for Easter visitors.

For many expatriates it is an ideal opportunity to make headway on the sightseeing within the region that requires those extra few days. Such holidays involve Teman Negara and Mount Kinabalu along with Sandakan Orangutan sanctuary in Malaysia. In China, Yangtze cruises prove more than popular, especially with a Great Wall and Terracotta Warrior excursion thrown in. A visit to Japan prior to the May blossom festival will always be a cheaper(!) treat than a month later. For the Phillipines, Cebu and Boracay seem closer and worthwhile when the extra days are taken into consideration. Sri Lanka, although celebrating the Easter festival is one of those destinations also requiring that little extra time to see enough of it – and Songkran is a perfect time for that.

All in all it’s a big break as well as a third new year for all those resident in the kingdom. As ever, the fact of actually being here offers a tremendous choice of how to spend that holiday time.

Personally, I am staying put to take advantage of an empty capitol and to see all of those things I have been unable to reach during those heavy traffic days – Wat Indrawiharn, Kamthieng House, Vimanmek, Suan Pakkard, Muang Boran – as well as also enjoying some non-noise pollution days.

Seriously, Bangkok is a treat at any holiday time, but especially at Songkran when it is the least busy and everything is so attractively accesible. Of course, I will get wet, but not behind the ears. Sawasdee Pimai.

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Tom Aikins is a Bangkok-based journalist who runs an Online Marketing Excellence business at http://www.marketingbangkok.com and does IT consulting at http://www.itready.co.th

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/songkran-day-in-thailand-1634396.html

Kauai is the oldest and most remote of the major Hawaiian Islands. It is where Pele, the goddess of fire, fell in love with the mortal prince Lohi’au, and where the mythical Menehune people live in the hidden forests and valleys above the taro fields. It was the last holdout when King Kamehameha sought to unify (a/k/a take over) the islands, and I think it is the most magical and serene place on earth.

The north shore of Kauai is home to an eclectic mix of folks; celebrities and vacation homeowners from every state on the mainland, tourists who aren’t looking for high-rise hotels or condos (no building on Kauai can be taller than a coconut tree), and locals who choose the ultimate laid-back lifestyle to surf and coexist with the land of aloha spirit. It is here, in Hanalei town, I meet an artist who paints with his mouth. I have been walking the beaches of Hanalei and riding waves by the iconic pier for days. I am looking for a way to slow down deeply after a year that hardly bears recollection. Na ke Akua e ha ‘awi mai I ka maluhia … God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change …

Completely disabled, he is not physically a pretty site, however, he is anything but a sad man. He tells me God closed one door when he was paralyzed after a car accident in 2002, but opened another. What might sound cliché is his simple reality. He tells me he did not take his art seriously enough and spent most of the time surfing, but that has all changed now. He earns his living with his mouth – not by songs or words, which seems a profound irony. His name is Moses and I find its spiritual significance interesting: his art astounding. His painting of the Hanalei pier is a fusion of light and sea. It would be very difficult for Moses to go out there on the pier now, to see the sunlight and clouds play together in the shadow of the vast Napali cliffs. Perhaps his mind, his eyes, his heart and at final turn his mouth, have bonded with spirit of Lohi’au, because I can see so much fire and passion for this island in his painting. Most importantly, it is filled with both the aloha and maluhia he has found in his life and art.

I am home now and it is grey, but I am not. My resolution for the new year is working well, something I would have formerly thought impossible. Each morning I look at the painting Moses created with his mouth and find inspiration in his reflection of a place I was honored to experience. I move more slowly, savoring a bit more of the moment: my life, my love, my family, my work, my friends. I vow to chuck away just one stupid and needless stress each day and move one more tiny step toward maluhia. I think it is working.

Mahalo Moses!

Visit the online home of Moses Hamilton for more of his story and artwork

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Copyright 2010 Christine Scioli All Rights Reserved

Christine Scioli owns Zan Media, a film and video production company, http://www.zanmedia.com

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/exotic-locations-articles/finding-maluhia-in-kauai-1702522.html

By Roy A. Barnes

It’s a 242-acre complex of recreational, educational, and entertaining activities that emanates a sense of peace and tranquility.  One will notice 3 mighty pyramids rising into the air 10 stories high: what a sight!  But I found five other top reasons why it’s worth coming to Moody Gardens.

1. Making A New Friend at Penguin Encounter!

Saturday or Sunday is definitely a day worth planning a visit because you can arrange to interact with penguins. I made a new friend of the King Penguin kind in Picabu, a real ham.  Her handler Rebecca told me that a number of their 100-plus penguins on site attempt to bolt out of the door to meet their fans.  The penguins at Moody Gardens have such names as Ringo, Hendrix, Eric, and Jasmine. Besides Kings, other penguin species like Rockhoppers and Chinstraps may entertain visitors, screeching and howling like children, showing their enthusiasm.

I petted Picabu’s semi-soft backside, while being aware of the movement of her long pecking beak.  She creates paintings with her webbed feet and plays with various children’s toys during presentations. If you love penguins, this is definitely one of those must do activities to take part in before you die!

16 people are allowed to attend the 1 p.m., 45 minute-long functions.  First come, first serve tickets (well worth $40) often sell out a couple hours before the show.  Private bookings are also available. See the website below for more details.

2. Fish and Mammals Aplenty at The Aquarium Pyramid

Over 1.5 million gallons of water make up this aquarium. This pyramid is very user friendly in that it contains wide walkways and high ceilings that give a sense of openness, making it easy to see the various species of sharks swimming around or watching seal feedings.   I saw a number of species of fish and mammals via four large exhibit spaces on The Caribbean, The South Atlantic, The North Pacific and South Pacific. One of my favorite exhibits was being able to touch the exterior of some non-poisonous sea urchins. The staff worker told me that I would get at the most a little pinch if I touched the spaces between their spines. I anxiously proceeded, but didn’t feel anything.  The penguin colony exhibit allows visitors to not only see them on land, but also swimming gracefully under the water through the transparent enclosure.

3. Experience The Tropics in The Rainforest Pyramid

Even though the Rainforest Pyramid was heavily flooded out due to Hurricane Ike, it’s being refurbished off and on and is scheduled for reopen during the summer of 2010.  It features 1000-plus plant species from Asian, African, and American rainforests. I got a sneak preview of the restoration in early 2009, and must say that it’s awesome!  It offers plant lovers the opportunity to see firsthand plant species from the various rainforests in Asia, Africa, and the Americas inside 50-plus feet of canopy.  Non-plant life exists too, where I got to view a 14 foot-long Green Anaconda that hails from South America that looks more black than green. Colorful and “outspoken” macaws will be again making their home there, too.

Also landscaped into the flora in the Americas section is some really beautiful quartz as well as some replica Mayan ruins. I admired some Bromeliads, coconut trees, root beer and pepper plants.

4. Hang with The Seagulls on Board The Colonel

When you say you’re going to “The Colonel” in Galveston, that shouldn’t be interpreted as necessarily going for fried chicken! Instead, Moody Gardens has a paddlewheel boat that cruises around one of Galveston’s waterways called Offatts Bayou.  I got to see some nice looking harbor front homes as a cloudy and breezy afternoon gave way to some refreshing sunshine.

What I found most enjoyable about this cruise was not only getting to see the pyramids of Moody Gardens, but the fact that scores of seagulls flew alongside the boat and entertained us riders, expecting some handouts in return for their performance.

5. Dine in Nature at The Terrace Restaurant

I feasted on some tasty food at Moody Gardens’ Terrace Restaurant, surrounded by beautiful and lush green flora as light pop music emanated into the dining room prefaced by butterfly artwork.  This dining establishment is located on the ground floor of the Moody Gardens Hotel, and is definitely the place to relax and refuel at after a day of sightseeing.

Regarding soups, salads, and appetizers, they are heavily influenced by seafood, especially shrimp and crabmeat, which are two of the biggest seafood catches around Galveston. I’ve never had a better tasting gumbo in my life than the two cups of Shrimp Gumbo, loaded with rice, okra, tomatoes, netting a rich, hearty flavor to my taste buds! I also enjoyed the filling Grilled Chicken Salad, full of really fresh-tasting vegetables and a little bit of string cheese.

As for entrees, this restaurant features many seafood, chicken, beef, and pasta dishes, including the Pasta Primavera that I choose for my main course. The dish’s Penne Pasta was brilliantly sautéed in olive oil and garlic that really helped to enhance the flavor of the pasta and vegetables. Other main dishes include some Fried or Grilled Jumbo Shrimp as well as several choices in burgers and sandwiches which come in big portions.

For dessert, one can choose from a variety of baked goods or do what I did and ask for an appetizing fresh fruit plate. The service is very attentive and fast.

Sleeping in the Middle of the Action

I stayed at the onsite Moody Gardens Hotel.  The beds are very comfortable.  Complimentary high speed internet, ample workspace, and a refrigerator are provided in the guestrooms. Their well-stocked fitness center is open 24 hours a day! Of all the hotels I’ve stayed at, I’ve never had the housecleaning staff come by my room and offer me extra towels, coffee, and chocolate during the prime time hours of the evening like the staff here did.

Start your visit at the Moody Gardens website for more information on all that Moody Gardens has to offer.

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Prices and menu items quoted in this article are subject to change.  Roy A. Barnes attended a press trip sponsored by the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau but wrote the above article without editorial scrutiny from the press trip sponsor.

Biography:

Roy A. Barnes is a frequent contributor to The Traveler and writes from southeastern Wyoming.

Homeless in Copenhagen:

After the long, arduous journey from San Francisco to Frankfurt to Copenhagen, I take the taxi to Munkensvej 1, 2000 Frederiksberg (a small municipality within the city limits of Copenhagen -  or, as the Danish call their city “Kopnhaagen.” I am renting Edda Nickelsen’s apartment for my 12-night stay, and we have arranged to meet around 3PM (just as the sun starts to sink into the west) so she can show me around and leave me the keys.

The cabble drops me off and is gone, I am out in the streets of Kopnhaagen with my three bags totally around 85 pounds of luggage (I’m traveling light). No sign of Edda, so I ring the bell. No sign of Edda.  It’s cold, so I am finally forced to drag out a coat from my bags as I fumble with my rented international cell phone to try and call Edda. Two wrong numbers and several “sorry, you can’t do that” messages  instills a growing sense of mild panic. Through my jet-lagged fog I realize I’m not in San Francisco anymore.

A sympathetic neighbor who had already come through the common front door for his apartment several minutes earlier (or perhaps he was Edda’s irritated next door neighbor tired of hearing Edda’s doorbell ringing) allows me into the building to stay a bit warmer. As I am dragging my luggage in, a blond woman in her early thirties (the stereotype fits) comes in and greets me. I won’t be homeless in Copenhagen after all. After a quick tour of the apartment and rundown of where to eat and shop for food (another story perhaps), Edda packs up the last of her things and is gone, leaving me to my new  home. Whew.

Stowaway:

It is a pleasant 20-minute walk down Borups Alle to the metro from the apartment. The cold fresh air and exercise help ease my anxiety of what the day would be like at the international climate  conference, if the UNFCCC would decide to deny my press accreditation after all, if I would somehow derail progress toward a sustainable future… I arrive at the station and find the ticket vending  machine with the requisite slots for the purpose, I thought, of inserting money for a ticket. I try to insert a paper bill, but it doesn’t fit into what looks like the paper bill slot. I try to insert a coin into what appears like the coin slot, but it doesn’t fit. I push a button on the touchscreen and helpful instructions pop up – in Danish. I see several people non-chalantly deal with their ticket issues and proceed onto the train. Three trains headed for the Bella Center come and go. There is no physical barrier preventing a person from just getting on the train. When the next train came, that’s what I do. Nobody noticed.

Now that I am registered at COP15, I have a travel pass for all public transport within Copenhagen, so I am free of the embarrassing rigor of figuring out the ticket machines. No doubt there were a couple of security guards having a bit of a hoot watching my “candid camera-esque” ordeal: “hey, look at this idiot American who can’t figure out how to buy a ticket!”

An old man’s commentary:

To belie my opening comment, most Danish do actually speak English – just not to each other. How rude to speak in a foreign language when guest are present, eh? But my ugly American tendencies  aside, I am not prepared when an old man cones up and starts speaking to me in Danish as I stand waiting for the light allowing me to cross the street. From the tone of the old man’s voice it sounds to me  like some important commentary on the state of the world. Or perhaps he is just telling me I am an ass. Who knows? I sheepishly say to him “I’m sorry – English?” Which prompts another guttural commentary -  this time I’m fairly certain to tell me I am an ass.

-tds