Sunday Musings

While sitting on my balcony first thing in the morning or as the sun goes down (if I am home), I sit and think, hear, see, and watch. These are my observations and or musings. I was sitting and saw a husband from across the street on his family balcony, washing a plastic stool, as the wife looks on. House next to that, a few stories up, the young couple is meeting with a contractor going over the top floor that is still unfinished. From the motions, you can see the husband explaining with a sweep of his hand what he wants. The wife sits down on a stool while the men talk. Later in the day while I sat on my balcony I watch the husband sitting on his balcony across the way, talking with the contractor going over blueprints. 6:25pm, a lone bat comes out for the night. It's a good sized one and flies in front of me a few times. At 6:31 the bats awaken from their slumber. They come out in groups, droves, packs. They soar, high above the buildings, then swoop low. They are happy to be awake. The breeze brushes against my skin and must fuel them to lift them up. The bugs must see them, and know their attacker is out for the night, that they are no longer safe to fly about. Birds fly during the day, they aren't half as menacing as the bats. The bats sense their prey, their food, their life force. The bats fly in front of me, over me, swooping, then climbing higher and higher as they come out from their roost for the night. These little creatures fly in a symphony of happiness and meaning of life. They know they must fly to live. They don't know or realize that they help humans. They are part of the delicate balance of life, they play this part each and every night. Starting at dusk as the sun goes down, the sky changes shifts. The birds go to their roost and the bats once again take flight. The sky becomes alive with these wonderful tiny creatures. The circle of life takes part in front of my eyes in different ways.

Welcome to my World

Well, it is June 10th and I have been here almost 2 weeks. Time flies when you are wicked busy. The house was secured before I got here. Thank G-d or that would have been a cluster of epic proportions. We had trouble with two pieces of luggage that didn't arrive with us. One of my son's had a passport that his exit stamp back in 2015 never happened... so they were looking at me trying to figure, he must have stayed here and then snuck out just before re-entering... I was having a hard time staying cool, knowing any show of anger would sure not help us. I did slam my purse down on the counter so I wouldn't blow more steam then I was about to blow. Things move at a different pace here and to get upset about anything or for instance because the internet doesn't get hooked up the day it is supposed to or the technician didn't show up... well you just have to go with it. When it finally gets hooked up and you paid a pretty penny or in this case riel for 6 months up front and the very next day it doesn't work... after a few calls and they finally say "Oh, we are working on the entire network so it is down..." Why couldn't they have said that to begin with? No telling why you just have to go with it. When it still not up and my daughter-in-law who is Khmer had called them, still no telling when it would be up. I found the email for customer service. I had to vent and it did help. I got a reply right away and they checked up on me later to see if I had internet. They even called a couple times the next couple days to make sure we were happy... So now that for the most part the house is settled, I can start work. I still have school work to do. I am also getting my assignments for work in order, picking my best time for writing and the best time for going out. I start my mornings on my balcony watching people go by. I love the sights and sounds of the day starting. I get the scents, wafting up my way. At dusk, if I am around I watch the bats take flight. The first photo is of Java Cafe. I had Saturday Breakfast there. The second Photo is of a slab, found in Takeo, Prov. in 1937. It was written by a Queen for her King. She was "Beloved of the King" Third photo of a early dinner at The Boat Noodle. While we were eating, outside a comedy or drama was taking place. My son had it correct. They were trying to catch or kill a rat. Our feet went up. We never did see the rat. Follow me on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babyboomerincambodia/

One of the Youtube vloggers I follow

Hi everyone! While I finish up my preparations for getting back overseas, I research and watch travel videos. To say I am like a horse chomping at the bit, to get out of the "starting gate", is an understatement. It takes a lot and I am not just moving myself but my last two sons at home plus pets. I am also going to school full time and working. I watch a lot of vloggers and glean a lot from them. Once I hit the ground back in SE Asia I will start my blog up here fulltime plus my travel vlog. Here is one person, a recommendation from my oldest son to watch. Mark Wiens is one of the travel/food vloggers that has become very popular and successful. He has done it by sticking to it and hard work. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyEd6QBSgat5kkC6svyjudA https://migrationology.com/about/ So enjoy and see you soon!

Enjoying Yourself & Knowing Your Surroundings

Enjoying yourself &Knowing your Surroundings March 21, 2018 So as promised I am picking up where I left off. Even when you are with a friend it’s always good to stay aware of what your surroundings are and who is near you. It’s not being paranoid while traveling, it’s about being smart, but enjoying yourself. So my friend and I checked into the Park Plaza. That is where I stay whenever I travel to Boston. I generally can find deals and I just love the feel of staying I a place that has history and I have always been treated very well. The first night we had to ourselves. Saturday I would be at an author event so we just wanted to unwind. So we headed to The Black Rose. This Irish Pub has a storied past and one that I had known about since I was little so I love going there. We had dinner, but the night is young. Both my friend and I love to go out dancing but don’t want to spend a huge amount on a cover charge. So we ask at the pub and they point us in the direction of another Irish pub down around the corner. They have a place to dance upstairs. We go sit at the bar. The bartender comes and takes our orders and comes back with our drinks. It’s not long before two men from Somalia come and sit next to me. Normally if you turn your body that is a hint. Not so with these two. My friend and I are not in our own neighborhood and we don’t want trouble. Finally, the bartender, who was very perceptive comes over and says in a low voice, “Are those two bothering you?” The bartender was from Boston, looked very Irish but the accent was all Boston. I said, “Yea, they aren’t taking any of my hints.” He told me not to worry, he would take care of it. Then after he told “Mutt & Jeff” to go and that my friend and I were not interested, another older fellow came by. I guess we had a sign on us that said: “we are from out of town…” Finally, it was about 10 pm and I was tired but I still wanted to go dancing. The bartender came over with a guy who looked like the comedian Gabirel Iglesias, or better known as @FluffyGuy. This guy in front of us could have been his double. The Bartender said he would watch out for us. I think he felt we needed watching… So for the next few hours, we danced the night away. At closing, he made sure we got a cab. So thankfully we had someone, a guardian angel watching over us. Normally by myself, I wouldn’t be out that late Normally when I am in Boston, I am doing history stuff or museums. Going to the Museum of Fine Art, where there is a project called the Giza Project that my Uncle George Reisner started, who was one of the most important Archeologists of the early 20th century. Genealogy is another reason for me going to Boston. BUT whatever your reason for traveling, plan ahead, be aware of your surroundings but have FUN!

The Beginning Essentials & Know Your Surroundings

The Beginning Essentials & Know Your Surroundings March 20, 2018 Ok, so this is a blog about traveling. It’s a blog about baby boomers and particularly women who want to travel either by themselves or with a friend. Now I have been traveling to SE Asia since 1996. I also lived there for 11+ years. I have gone through a coup d’ etat, riots, being held up by Khmer Rough Soldiers so not a lot fazes me. I had two babies at my home in Cambodia and was in a very bad motorcycle crash. Then add to that, being a retired Interior Firefighter and you have a woman who has seen a lot and has a good dose of common sense. You will come along for the ride wherever I may be. I am chatty in person and I will try to make you feel at home here and talk to you like you are my friend. Please if you have questions don’t hesitate to ask. Now I want to give a disclaimer right off. This blog is for information only. Every trip is different and each person has to exercise caution. Always remember if you go on a trip, you are responsible for yourself. I can tell you about my trip, what I thought was cool, hotels that were great, clean, and safe. Again, if someone finds out you are traveling by yourself and says “What are you doing tonight?” You have to answer with a good common sense answer. Always be aware of your surroundings. So what are the rewards of being a solo woman traveler? You realize you are stronger. It’s like being a single parent for a long time. It’s just you. Yes, a lot of the days stink, but there are those days that are really good. Yes, there are days that you would love to share the responsibility and burdens but after going through a divorce, it’s good to get to know yourself. So traveling solo is the same. If you feel better just going for an overnight to a city close by. Go, have a great time. Same rules apply though, be smart and know what you are going to do and know your surroundings. I think that will be our mantra. Tomorrow I will pick this up and tell you about a story of when my BESTIE and I went to Boston for the weekend back in 2014. What trouble could two women from Camden, Maine get into down in Boston? I was going to a December Author Event… Ok, I will stop there and talk to you tomorrow.

Here in Wicked Cold Maine

Traveling with Mary March 19, 2018 I am still in “Wicked” cold Maine. It is nothing like SE Asia for sure. Once I get moving though, you will be traveling along with me either here or on my vlog. I will be putting out a lot of info for all of you, especially women who may want to travel but maybe a bit fearful to “go it alone”. I have done a lot of traveling, around the states and over in Asia and SE Asia. Two years ago I flew into Qatar for the very first time. That was a trip in itself. Not only will I bring to the table what I see, hear, taste, and experience as a solo, woman traveler but I will also post some ideas from other women travelers. So Stay tuned.

Hello From Cold Maine

Hello from Cold Maine March 18, 2018 Hello to all. I will be getting my site ready here and my youtube page too. I am here in Camden Maine where there is still a lot of snow and it is still wicked cold. Once everything is up and running I will be heading to Cambodia and SE Asia. So stay tuned.