Russia

After studying all summer, and sitting on a metal chair at a folding table in a cold, noisy, airplane hanger for 2 full days taking the grueling Ga Bar Exam, I thought I deserved a reward. Lots of people plan post-bar trips, and not just to their local pub. So of course, I thought a trip to a hot climate, with white sandy beaches, clear blue water and gorgeous cabana boys bringing me pina coladas would be a nice place to revel in my new post bar freedom. Instead I went to Russia with my niece.


I could tell you the details of the trip, but no one seems to believe the incredulous story. We had a wild time. The purpose of our trip was to be English teachers on a English Language reality show for teenagers. There were kids. I believe some of them were spawn of Satan.

Another few I think were Mafia. And kids have drama! They fall in love for 24 hours and change crushes with the tide.


Vitale. Look for him as an assassin or on Interpol's most wanted list in 8 years.









*
Also there was teacher drama and rivalry. Then my niece, I lovehersomuch, but she earned the name Drama Queen. Must be from the other side of the family. *wink*

The funniest part of my trip I believe, was planning our escape to the the US embassy like runaway slaves. Only to be told xxxxxxxx. That's right. I can't even print what the Embassy Consular officer said for two reasons: 1) My Certification of Fitness to Practice Law just came in the mail and that joker IS revocable and 2) my application to work in the US State Department is still pending. So you will have to call me and guarantee we are speaking off the record if you want to know what xxxxxx entailed.

Neva River.

I went to Russia before when I was 14. So I was pleased to see how much it had changed. I also enjoyed spending the day at the Hermitage Museum and going on a boat ride on the Neva River

Alexsie.

People seemed to recognize us in St. Petersburg. I like to think it was because of our performance on television. It could also be because there weren't any other Black American women within a 2 hour plane ride of our location

Kassidy, Tade, Me, Andrew

There were a lot of African students in St. Petersburg studying engineering or architecture. I think we met all of them. This is just a few of the African students (and our co-teachers) taken by my racist camera that makes black people come out looking like thumbprints.

So that was my latest adventure. The theme of this year was to go around the world. If I hit India or Australia, I think I will have reached my goal. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Surprise Surprise

The birthday weekend was quite busy and full of wonderful surprises. First, Meki took Nicole and I to see Savion Glover in "Classic Savion". I've admired the performer since he was in The Tap Dance Kid on Broadway and a regular on Sesame Street. His performance on Sunday was electrifying and phenomenal. I sat at the edge of my seat watching him tap to a 9 piece orchestra and improvise with a 4 piece jazz band. After the show, Nicole talked her way into backstage (Bravo!) and we all got to meet Savion and have our little photo op. He is amazingly kind.




Saturday night we had the law school dinner cruise around Tokyo Bay. I enjoyed that as well because I got to see my classmates clean up and it will be one of the last times we are all together as a group. I guess we should have taken a group shot, but given seasickness (and other illnesses) that would probably have been impossible.































Sunday night I had a surprise party thrown for me by Rachel and Jeremy. It took a lot of trust to get me to wear that blindfold and walk down busy Tokyo streets. I was a good sport and did it though. We had so much fun at a Karaoke Bar. I have actually not done Karaoke up until this point.

Something about having a microphone in hand and surrounded by other people who cannot really sing, makes the inner diva in all of us emerge.

I'm just surprised Jerry or Jeremy didn't jump on the table and really "bust a move." But I did blush when they both serenaded me... Jeremy did so in Japanese. Show off.

In all, it was a fun, fun weekend and an excellent way to celebrate another birthday. I appreciate everyone who shared in my merriment and sent well wishes my way.

And because of the time difference, I actually get to celebrate for almost 3 full days. I just missed my brother's call to wish me Happy Birthday.

Nikko

We also went to Nikko one weekend, which is north of Tokyo. Remember my spring motif? Well there was snow on the ground in Nikko. Kristina and Jeremy got in a snowball fight. I figured referee was the safest position to play.

In Nikko, we saw shrines, temples, waterfalls and snow capped mountains. It was absolutely serene and gorgeous.










I also had the BEST steak in Nikko. That's the stuff memories are made of. I guess I shouldn't let a cut of beef outshine the traditional Ryokan we stayed at that evicted us at 9:55 am or the Onsen that was a 1.5 KM walk off the main road. (I have to do an onsen post!)

In all, it was another fabulous weekend in Japan.

Spring in Tokyo

Spring has always been my favorite season. It represents new life, renewal, warm weather, birds chirping, my birthday. Paris in the spring is a dream of mine, but for now I'll have to settle for Tokyo in the spring, which represents everything, except warmth. But Tokyo in the spring has a nice uniqueness of its own.

We had Hanami, which is the cherry blossom viewing. My roommate and I planned a picnic. We sat in the cold and viewed the beautiful white flowers with our classmates and newly made friends.

Mark and I contemplated our future with a hyphenated last name ceremony. Luckily, no paperwork was involved, so it's not legally binding.

And I saw this hurried group of Geisha at Ueno park. They were headed to a party that I was not invited to, nor could I even attempt to gain admission. Maybe next time. More happened, but my computer doesn't want you to know.

Conversation Piece

On Sunday, we went to the Hakone Open Air Museum. This sculpture was called Miss Black Power and it was commission in 1968. I welcome your thoughts.

Spring is Coming

Spring, my favorite season. Spring in Tokyo is not nearly as balmy as Bali, but I get a few glimpses of warmer weather coming. Also, I'm just going to post a few pictures because really, people want to see who I'm hanging out with and right now, I have no funny stories to tell. So here goes:

Jeremy before drinks and before we had a cigar at the Tokyo Restaurant.


Vercell, Meki and myself at TGIFs. True Gaijin eating American food.

Kristina and I at dinner (with Jeremy).




Aaron at the outdoor museum in Hakone. He is also my neighbor.



Yours truly at the outdoor museum (children's section).




My roomate, Rachel, and I before boarding the pirate ship.




And my favorite O.G., Ja$on. 'Sup, Sun!

More Pictures

Rice Paddy Terrace and workers in Bali




Sunset in Bali overlooking Ocean.

I made a few friends: I look like that because I grossed myself out by actually touching the elephant.

Le Meridien Beach Resort - Phuket

This is the view from our room. The beach is just beyond the palm trees.

Portrait of Paradise

Bali is beautiful. I can understand why people come here to relax. After having an emotionally draining night, I spent the day sunning and swimming and thinking. In 2003/2004 I traveled to Savannah and Charlotte. Woooo, exciting. *rme* In the past year I've been to Canada, Panama, South Africa, Germany, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, and Thailand. And I have a few more places I'd like to go this year.

So while I was sad about what I lost, I thought about all the freedom I've gained. I LOVE to travel. After my second or third pina colada by the pool today I recognized the silver lining. I'm really the winner in this situation! I have had my free papers. I'm out of Shawshank! It's time to start acting like it.

Here are some pictures posted for the sole purpose of inducing jealousy in others. Disfruta! Enjoy!


Le Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort.

The "Phun" In the Cut Awards

When someone says a place is in the cut, they typically mean that the place is in the ghetto or hidden or in a part of town where no one but locals travel.

As we are traveling, my companions and I have hired a driver to take us around and show us the highlights of each country. Obviously, some drivers are better than others. Let's review.

Malaysia: This guy was great. He showed us around Kuala Lumpur, took us to the Petronas towers. Let us see KL Tower which looks like a giant golf ball. He also took us to a traditional Malaysian restaurant where we enjoyed fresh, spicy seafood. After dropping us off at 1 am, he returned at 5 am to take us to the airport. We liked him and tipped him lovely.

Vietnam: *Sigh* Poor little fella. He insisted he spoke English. He didn't. We jumped out of his taxi while it approached a light in Ho Chi Minh City. I threw some cash on the seat for his trouble. We decided to go back to the New World Saigon Hotel to catch another cab. We walked up to the hotel and the driver we just ditched was there waiting for us. He insisted he spoke English and would take us where we wanted to go. With the concierge as our interpreter, we politely declined his offer and hired another cab driver. He spoke 10 words of English rather than 5. Our second driver was more slick. If we fell asleep in the cab he'd just drive and drive in a circle. The second one of us woke up, he'd take a hard left and magically say "Look, a temple."

Cambodia: Phun the taxi driver/ tour guide. Phun is a man's man. We could tell because EVERYBODY in Siem Reap knew Phun. When we hastily left the Le' Meridien (because they wanted to charge us extra for the third person and we reserved a two person room) he patiently drove us around in the heat. We realized he was patient because at the subsequent hotels, the reservation desk asked "Well, aren't there three of you?" Well, how would they know that? Because A) 3 black women traveling... duh. We were marked from the moment we stepped off the plane. B) They all knew Phun and told us such and C) Siem Reap is a small town. One guy went as far as to say "I know your driver. He is a good person. Speaks English well. You are lucky to have him." Finally, when we returned to Le Meridien with our tails between our legs, the Hotel bellhop gave Phun a wink and told us "Welcome back."

The 'In the Cut' awards are actually inspired by Phun. He told us he would take us on a sunset riverboat ride. We agreed. Sounds lovely, harmless right? Wellllllll. He actually drove us in the cut where chickens, goats and naked babies run around on the sides of the road. He drove us past the rice paddy fields. Then we traveled at least 20 minutes on an unpaved road, until finally, we got to the boats. Oh. My. God. I think C's look captures our collective mood:

Where Phun saw river, we saw a swamp. He said boat and he meant that in the loosest sense of the word. No one really would have been surprised had the boat capsized. Tour really meant, two kids take us out a-ways and bringing us back. Good thing we had our disposible surgical masks to block out some of the stench of the river water. Bad thing no one had taken malaria pills prior to departure. Yes, it was that far in the cut. And funny thing is, people actually live on these river boats and further out along the lake, there was a mini floating city. This city had a police station, school, restaurant and general store. So for the swamptour on the dilapidated boat, Phun originates the In the Cut Award.

Thailand: We got swindled once by a taxi who charged us about $10 to go up the street and back in Bangkok. Of course we were hotel shopping once again. We were fresh off the plane, so he got us. In Phuket, a woman I had 'supped' with the night before took us for a ride. I personally believe she knew the where abouts of my shopping bag, but when I asked her... she conveniently didn't speak English. Later that night, she spoke very good English as she and her partner served as our drivers. I'll take the loss on my bag of goodies. Maybe they thought it was okay, because they shared fresh green coconuts with me the night before.

Singapore: Again, hoodwinked and bamboozled. Now it was $12 for a 4 block drive to the Clarke Quay (pier). We learned to demand a meter.

Indonesia: Jakarta is a very unsafe city. Personally, I think the entire city is in the cut. Had we known, we would have skipped the city altogether. Anyway, we hired a driver who came with a 'heavy.' A heavy is kinda like Oak is to Michael Jordan. A bodyguard. Okay, Lapipi wasn't that big but he was still exerted some power. And we think he was packing heat. He had a leather jacket on or near him the entire day. It was about 95 degrees in Jakarta. The other 'heavy' had a knife wound on his neck that extended from his left earlobe to his Adam's apple. The two of them watched us closer than the locals watched us.

Bali was the worse. We got taken for a RIDE. (I'm singing Take a ride by Roy Davis, Jr.) We hired a driver for the day. He wanted to take us to Butar Mountain. It's was actually a volcano. He failed to mention it was about 3 hours away. Oh, and though our hotel told us it would be a flat rate, he had the meter running. The volcano was pretty.

But this driver gets the "In the Cut" award for three reasons.
A) He raved about these Hot Springs. We get there and there are a bunch of natives swarming about waiting for us to get out to purchase trinkets. I knew we were in trouble because I didn't see any tour buses. I'm all about getting off the beaten track, but not this far of a detour. Children were playing naked in the hot springs. Babies peeing in the hot springs. People washing their clothes in the very same hot springs. Oh, and lets not talk about the trash floating along the shore. I dipped the underside of my big toe in the hot spring for a nanosecond and I had had enough. Luckily, my companions are more bourgie than I, so I never have to cry "Uncle" first.

B) He then took us to the locals market where we could have purchased all the dried meat and smoked corn we wanted. I was congested with a cold and I could tell the place stank, stunk and would generally offend the olfactory senses.

C) The taxi driver ended the evening at the locals' shopping mall. It was particularly bad because the locals were staring at US like, who let the foreingers in? We didn't pay him. At all. Not the metered price nor the agreed upon price. That scene is worth a post all of its own. But to give a preview... I believe B almost jumped over the counter when complaining to Hotel management about recommending this taxi.