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April 22, 2006
when a day feels right
I'm in Phoenix (Arizona). After traveling nearly 12 total hours yesterday, I crashed at what was equivalently 2:30 a.m. in New York. By 7:00 a.m. local time, I had already had two cups of freshly made Melitta drip coffee, read a dated issued of National Geographic featuring an article and pull-out map about the sun, it's composition, it's behavior, temperatures, and flares, and the several earthbound devices in place to measure same (from a variety of countries, possibly the most interesting feature of the story being the compilation of information from these several sources), and an article about the cocaine growing trade/regions of Columbia (which merits a separate post), showered, dressed, checked e-mail and was ready for next activity.
Had lunch in Mexico (the country. Shopped along the local tourist strip, with its relentless assault of hawkers, including small children selling 4-piece mini-paks of chiclets and the gaudy bracelets their parent trusted them out the door of the touristy "jewelry" shop with. Ventured off the tourist square in search of a local grocer. Found same, where a very pleasant middle-aged woman who spoke not a word of English graciously worked through my gesturing and VERY limited Spanish to sell me a small block of fresh farmer-style cheese (for which I'm certain there is a name and if you know what it is, please post it here....), for all of $1.10 American. Wandered through the sidewalk vendors and happened on a PURPLE gauzy skirt/top combination for which I am certain the vendor got the better of the bargaining (which is to say, I didn't bargain much - I just wanted it), and then ventured back to another stall with many hanging leather purses where I bought a black leather hobo purse, nearly identical to the tan one that is my favorite that I acquired in the Mexico pavillion in the World Showcase at Disney World about 21 years ago (did better on this one - got the vendor to knock off a whole $4. whoo-hoo.) Accompanied my mother to the pharmacy where she acquired about $1,000 (retail) worth of medications for about $230, skipped across the border where customs guy scanned my passport through this slick little counter-top reader but looked not once at my several bags or asked about their contents (damn - I knew I should have bought that tequila!).
Came home and contemplated the re-arrangement of the two main living spaces in my mom's house, did some of the moving, made a very cool salad using the fresh cheese we bought, along with some of the asparagus we bought from a corner vendor in the same little town in Mexico, watched a bit of TV, and crash-o.
I don't know whether it's because I spent so much of my life in this time zone, or whether it's the occasions that bring me here, but I am more awake and vibrant at 5 am here on less than 6 hours sleep than I ever am in NY after it doesn't matter how many hours sleep. Somethin's up there.
But for now, it is so wonderful to feel energetic and productive, and to feel at the end of the day that its beginning was a lifetime ago.
yeah. that's a good day.
Posted by cageyer at April 22, 2006 12:14 AM
Comments
I sense that there may be more serious reasons for your travels than a quick jaunt to the sunny desert. Nonetheless, your trip sounds quite satisfying to me, especially given that it was a sunny 75 yesterday, and this morning it is rainy and cold. Enjoy your trip.
Posted by: Tamika at April 22, 2006 12:12 PM
that all sounds positively wonderful.
yum.
bring some of that salad home for me! :) (or the weather. or the energy. or the sense of felicity & satisfaction. or the bargains!)
Posted by: tyra at April 24, 2006 08:25 PM