284 day of the project,
San Francisco, California
"We shall not cease from our exploration
and at the end of all our exploring
will be to arrive where we started
and to know the place for the first time.”
- T.S. Eliot
I have always loved this passage from "Little Giddings.” It alludes to the resolution of an expedition, whether it is a literal or metaphoric journey. The resolution of the 30th Year Project gave new meaning to those words. Indeed, I see my community—global, local, familial and by extension, myself--through new eyes. On the eve of my 31st birthday, I am reflecting on the experiences that will influence me for the rest of my life.
April 15, 2015
January 4, 2015
Full circle with gratitude
Day 183 of the project,
en route from Los Angeles to Dallas
"Welcome to the United States. The local time in Los Angeles is 7:15am on Sunday, January 4..." The greeting from the Australian-accented flight attendant sounded more like exotic destination than my native soil. I braced myself for re-entry. The holidays in the U.S. wreak havoc upon airports; the combination of so many travelers, weather delays and chronic overbooking creates a unique chaos and can bring out the worst of our national traits. Maybe not warmest embrace from American society.
en route from Los Angeles to Dallas
"Welcome to the United States. The local time in Los Angeles is 7:15am on Sunday, January 4..." The greeting from the Australian-accented flight attendant sounded more like exotic destination than my native soil. I braced myself for re-entry. The holidays in the U.S. wreak havoc upon airports; the combination of so many travelers, weather delays and chronic overbooking creates a unique chaos and can bring out the worst of our national traits. Maybe not warmest embrace from American society.
December 25, 2014
Holiday laughs in Oz
Day 174 of the project,
Christmas Day in Apollo Bay, Australia
"You're sitting like you're a baller at some fancy hotel. Like this is the Ritz Carlton of Apollo Bay instead of the YHA and you are drinking a vintage champagne instead of quadruple X lager."
Her eyebrow arched and pinky shot out from the gaudy yellow can, posing for a ridiculous Instagram post. It was contagious and within seconds, we were both giggling uncontrollably. Not quite our signature silent hyena laugh, but enough to make my eyes tear up a little. It was a good release after a long meandering day on Australia's Great Ocean Road.
Christmas Day in Apollo Bay, Australia
"You're sitting like you're a baller at some fancy hotel. Like this is the Ritz Carlton of Apollo Bay instead of the YHA and you are drinking a vintage champagne instead of quadruple X lager."
Her eyebrow arched and pinky shot out from the gaudy yellow can, posing for a ridiculous Instagram post. It was contagious and within seconds, we were both giggling uncontrollably. Not quite our signature silent hyena laugh, but enough to make my eyes tear up a little. It was a good release after a long meandering day on Australia's Great Ocean Road.
December 10, 2014
Dreaming in Green
Day 159 of the project,
Auckland, New Zealand
"One....two...three...AHHH!" After wading waist-deep into the glacier fed lake, I finally worked up enough courage to plunge underwater. My fellow walker, a lovely woman from Toulouse, France, had bravely gone first and pronounced it "refreshing." I don't know that I stayed in long enough to describe it as anything but "frigid."
New Zealand is famous for its stunning and diverse landscapes. Fans of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy know it well (and often travel to tour the Hobbit homes). It is also famous for its series of nine Great Walks scattered throughout the numerous national parks. The Milford Track is one of the most famous of those walks. It is difficult to get a permit, as access is restricted to 40 people per day during high season. Trampers (Kiwi terminology for hikers) walk 33.5 miles over four days, tracing the river from Lake Te Anau through Mackennon Pass, past New Zealand's highest waterfall, Sutherland Falls and ending at Milford Sound.
Auckland, New Zealand
"One....two...three...AHHH!" After wading waist-deep into the glacier fed lake, I finally worked up enough courage to plunge underwater. My fellow walker, a lovely woman from Toulouse, France, had bravely gone first and pronounced it "refreshing." I don't know that I stayed in long enough to describe it as anything but "frigid."
New Zealand is famous for its stunning and diverse landscapes. Fans of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy know it well (and often travel to tour the Hobbit homes). It is also famous for its series of nine Great Walks scattered throughout the numerous national parks. The Milford Track is one of the most famous of those walks. It is difficult to get a permit, as access is restricted to 40 people per day during high season. Trampers (Kiwi terminology for hikers) walk 33.5 miles over four days, tracing the river from Lake Te Anau through Mackennon Pass, past New Zealand's highest waterfall, Sutherland Falls and ending at Milford Sound.
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