Bike transformation

Life consists of 2 boys.  My bike.  And a very comfy bed.  That's right still super nannyin' it up while training on my bike as much as possible--that's after I hand over the kids to their parents with a smile at 5pm every day.

Started riding with bags today.  20 lbs of weights in there to help me train.  This is INSANITY!  Try telling people you're riding a bicycle to Iowa when they're out riding more miles a day than you.

Before Jorge and Hector

After Jorge and Hector!

Feel like there's a chance this can actually be done now.  Can confidently say that without the help of my new Puerto Rican friends Jorge and Hector at REI, I would have been laid up on the side of some road in the middle of nowhere Oklahoma kicking my bike.  But now.............feel like its my birthday (actually it's my bestie's bday today. Shout out to ANNA!!! Happy 26 chica!).

Friday night LIVE music

My first experience at a pre-kindergarten graduation.  Consider it an 'ab' workout as they sang in Spanish, danced like trees and accepted diplomas for being 4!

Hitchhiking

That's right.  Already hitched a ride and the Dallas-Iowa bike ride hasn't started.  Found myself north of Lake Lewisville, huge lake that has over 185 miles of shoreline, plopped down in the northern Dallas suburbs.  Turns out......there aren't many bridges to cross it.  

Bike route hit a detour.  Next thing I know I'm climbing hills on a 2 lane (one lane each way) road as Texas trucks are barreling past me.  Head into grocery store.  They do not serve cold Gatorades.  Figures.  Money gets stuck in machine.  Make small talk with people in store for directions to Coppell (suburb, 25 miles south!) and nice architect/biker short wearer man offers me a ride in his Texas truck across the only bridge around.  Good ole I35!  No way I was crossing that on a two wheel self propelled bike.

Hindsight on the weekend.....Hitching rides is going to become a new favorite hobby of mine as I lose my way up north!  And, butt is sore!

REI reimbursement

Bought my trusty Salomon shoes for the Central America trip.  Wore, tore and beat them down on volcanoes and such.   When originally purchased the salesman told me I could bring them back within the year and get a refund if anything happened to them.

So, holes, tears and all; off we went to REI last night to see if the shoes (unwearable) were refundable.  Guy at the counter is taking his time, diligently looking up the type of shoe it is, my membership number and the amount he can give in store credit.  While I'm on the other side of the counter.  Crossing my fingers for $60, while I paid $90 new.  Hoping, really trying to will my positive thoughts to the computer screen that he was looking at.

He looks up, smiles.  I'm feeling good, secretly pumped, loving REI at this moment, Saloman shoes too.  Then the news.  I'm already feeling it, it's gotta be good.  He says "we can give you $6.83 in store credit."  I look, in disbelief.  "Can you say that again?"  He smiles "we can give you $6.83 cents in store credit."  Tail between my legs.  Ok, REI, you win.  I kept the unwearable shoes!

Moral of the story:  Can't trade volcanoes for a new pair of bike shorts!

Catch of the day

Oh how my big moments have changed since returning to the US.  Today's life changing moment was shared with Zach (2) and Ginger (dog).

Story goes like this:   Dog needs to go outside.  Dog starts chasing baby rabbit.  I run, rescue half stunned/half chewed on rabbit.   Zach falls in love with rabbit.  Pets it.  Loves it.  Then, requests his release to the world to- go see his mommy.

The next idea/adventure!

Thinking about riding a bike (with pedals) from Dallas home to Iowa.  And might do it in less than 3 weeks!  Who really needs to prepare for 981 miles on a bike anyways?

Going to be spending some serious time on this guy.  Needs a name, ideas?

Oh and for all of you that have said they wanted to visit me or travel with me.  Consider this an open invitation to join me on the road for 2-3 weeks.  Biking.  Camping.  And more biking!   Leaving Frisco, Texas around June 8th.

Think you're tired?

This little guy woke up drooling from a nap.  Not because he was sleeping good, because he had his tonsils out last Friday.  His parents left him with me today.  Super Nanny at it again.  Except he's not the biggest fan of me.  He likes Ginger, the dog, more.

Ten minutes after he woke up from his first nap, I said 'medicine time' and this is what happened.  A complete boycott turned into nap #2!

Still have the Spanish touch!

In Texas.  But it doesn't mean the Spanish speaking has come to an end.  In fact, was talking to some construction workers the other day and next thing I know, I'm holding this:

Does it mean I still have the touch or accent?

How did you afford 9 months of travel?

Are you rich?  No

Is your family rich?  No

Did you win the lottery?  Nope

So, how did you have enough money to travel all those countries for 9 months?
I saved.  I was frugal.  I wanted it, bad.

But honestly, it's not that expensive if you keep to your budget, allow for those spontaneous ideas to have funding and move at your own pace.  I wasn't on a bus every other day because that's more expensive.  I tended to settle down for 3-5 days, on beaches sometimes 2 weeks!

When I left, my budget was to spend less than $1000/month.  Here's my mint spending from August '09-May '10.  It tracks all activity coming from any and all financial accounts.  Great way for me to keep an eye on where my money was going and most importantly, how fast it was 'going.'

Overall:  Spent just under $9,000 for the 9 months.  That included:  Spanish lessons, scuba diving, 4 flights, numerous buses, heaps of tours and hikes, a bit of food!, a bed each night and 8 countries of intense travel.  You can do it too!  And you should!

Love you Craigslist

You have to love the randomness of Craigslist.  And the differences a city has to offer.  Today, in Dallas, this is what you can find in the Free section:

Free dirt - (Oak Cliff) pic
Free rabbit manure fertilizer - (Wylie, Texas 75098)
FREE BEES AND HIVE - (Joshua)
Free non working Refrigerator - (Lewisville)
wedding vail, 2 left crocs, plastic easter eggs - (Frisco just north of preston and main) pic img


That's right people, this is Texas!  You can drive somewhere to pick up someone's dirt or rabbit poo.  Make your own honey from the free bees, get a non working fridge to store it in and wear the left crocs while you work!
Here's the the US of A!

Thx thx thx

Do yourself a favor and check out this blog.  My friend Kate , who's a guru on knowing cool things, shared it today.  Thx Kate!

Thx Thx Thx

How to respond?

Meet my nephew Zach (he's 2, expressionless and witty, charming and most of the time, OUT - OF - CONTROL)

Zach: he points at my arm "Hailee, what's that?"
me:  "my armpit"
Zach:  "why does it have whiskers?"

A night to day difference!

 I went from 2 backpacks and days filled with walking unknown territories.  To 2 boys.  Ages 2 (Zach) and 4(Brett).  In a house, somewhere in a suburb in Dallas!

A few moments ago:
(I had been running on the elliptical, thought Brett was napping or reading books.  So I came out into the living room and was doing an ab workout, Brett was taking a #2 in the restroom and somehow we managed to have this conversation)

Brett:  "are we going to the park today?"
me: "not sure Brett, we need to be good kids to get to go to the park, maybe tomorrow" (caught Brett stomping on Zach with baseball cleats earlier)
Brett:  "ok, are you going to be here tomorrow?"
me:  "yes, I'll be here for awhile"
Brett:  "are you staying here until you find a man to build you a house?"
me:  "ha, well Brett, maybe, maybe not"

Life changes REALLY fast!  So do the questions that kids ask!

It's true. I came home!

Most important thing of the day:  Happy Mothers day to you, mom.  To you, Kelly.  To my grandmas.  And to all those other mom's out there!

Here's what brought me home.  After Cuba.  It just felt right.  I'll just say 'my bag was getting heavy' as the reason for coming home!

The price of the ticket was right.  So, I flew into Houston on Thursday.  Angie was able to keep the secret for a few days.  Surprised everyone.  My mom-through an email.  My aunt and cousins-in person.  Then Kelly and her family late yesterday afternoon.  My dad didn't know it was me at first on the phone.  And my grandmas, well I wished them Happy Grandma's day today with the news.

In Dallas now.  For how long who knows.  The reverse culture shock is hitting pretty hard.  Still having a hard time remembering that I need to FLUSH my toilet paper instead of throw it away.  It's fantastic that I can brush my teeth from the water from the faucet, not a bottle!

My taste buds are on sensory overload.  Eating a pickle was fantastic!  Frozen pizza CHECK.  Sushi, oh yeah.  The salsa here can't be hot enough.  I ate chocolate chips for the first time in 9 months and they were dreamy.

Not only is the food rocking my world.  The people, well, it's a bit overwhelming.  Lots of my family members are assigning me tasks.  Let the SUCTION, the rush, of the US of A begin.  Goal #1:  see it, understand it, but avoid it.  I appreciate the life here, however societies norm isn't appealing to me still.

I ask:  please be patient with me.  It's hard to answer the 'so how was your trip' question.  Think about summing up this:
Costa Rica
Nicaragua
El Salvador
Honduras
Guatemala
Belize
Cuba
Mexico

and everything with that those countries present.  Tough stuff ehh?  I'll try my best to describe these fantasy places with my words, however to best explain, I say you should go visit and experience it for yourself.

What's next?  Who knows.  Right now I know I'll be in Texas for the next week.  Then who knows?  I might ride a bike to Iowa.  Or jump over to Arkansas.  How long will I be in the US?  Maybe for the next year.

Working on the 'next trip' plans now.

Health benefits of Cayenne Pepper

My sister Angie has relayed a message to me:  Cayenne pepper has amazing benefits to the human body.  Told her I had a cold and she tells me to drink hot water with cayenne pepper, honey and lemon.  Sounds gross, not to mention, kind of crazy.

Did a little research and what do ya know, she's right again!   Is this a current trend in the states?

Info below from OrganicFacts.net

The health benefits of cayenne pepper include weight loss, digestion, immunity, heart diseases, dyspepsia, inflammation, headache, throat congestion, and blood circulation.

Cayenne pepper belongs to the Capsicum family and its botanical name is Capsicum annuum. It is the red chili pepper that is used to add flavor in food and has high medicinal values. Cayenne contains vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin K, carotenoids and the complete B complexes. It is also a source of organic calciumpotassium, manganese and dietary fiber.

Playing in mi cabeza!

Anyone else have Cuenta Me in your head?  Disregard the video!

Real Mexican food!

What a change from bland peso pizza and ham sandwiches in Cuba.  True Mexican food is stealing my heart, none of this TexMex stuff!  The flavor.  The fire from the spice!   The variety (they put pineapple on the tacos, brilliant.)  Not knowing the words to the food, but ordering it anyway....Just going with the flow!  I love you Mexican food!

No time to think

We'd just got done watching a baseball tryout game in a stadium that was condemned after Hurricane Ike, but they let us in anyway, as long as we wouldn't take pictures.  Not sure if that was because they didn't want us to recruit their players to other countries or to report that tourists were inside this crumbling stadium that rested on the beach of Baracoa!

We were walking along the sidewalk, drenched in sweat deciding what to do next with the day when we were surprised by a random guy who jumped out of the back of a bicitaxi, hold a guitar and bag of instruments.

Next thing we knew we were making music with the guy, while amused locals poured out of the houses to laugh and enjoy.  Things like this were everyday occurrences on the island!

(video is from Jochem Tyhuis)

Lucha Libre!

When in Mexico............see Mexican wrestling!

Last night went to see Lucha Libre matches in Mexico City.  Mystico was the headliner.  "Best Mexican Good Guy" as our tour guide says to us, as he's wearing the scariest red mask I've ever seen.  Most the wrestlers wear some form of mask, to hide their identity.  Probably for many reasons!

My Spanish vocabulary increased as well.  But I'll hold those words for conversation only!  Ask me later.

This wrestling entertainment is a strange reality.  A mans' world of women barely wearing underwear dancing along the catwalk.  Where men beat on each other in a gymnast way inside a boxing ring.  I swear one of them could have been Shawn Johnson's brother (does she have one?).  With midgets dressed as monkeys but look like gummy candies.  Old men with died hair and butt pads.  Capes.  And I'm guessing a lot of steroids!  The drama of Lucha Libre brings families, young men and tourists!   New to me:  the good guys always win!

Check that off the list.  Been there-done that-glad to have gone-don't need to do it again!

(all photos from Google images because no cameras allowed in the stadium)

Viva Mexico protests!

Nothing like getting to Mexico City (third largest city in the world) and experiencing a good ole' protest against the government.  Then watching as the 'march' escalates and the Mexican version of a SWAT team shows up!

If I got the story right, the protest is from the people in the state of Chiapas, the poorest region of Mexico.  They're tired of the government taking their jobs.  This is also the area of the Zapitistas.  Not sure if it's affiliated.

Time warp from the 50's

The debate to post photos from my trip or not was cleared up after I read an email from my mom with an article from my hometown newspaper.  I'd sent an email to them before I left, thinking I could report on a topic, from inside a communist country, if they wanted and I laughed when seeing that the email had been  quoted in an entire article.  

Now that the news is public, I'll just try my luck on the border whenever I come home, hopefully my 17 day dissappearance won't stir up any unwanted fines or jail time from the US Customs peeps.  Land of the free but restricted to travel in certain countries!?!?

I'm back.  PERMA SMILE.  Face hurts actually, still laughing re-living the magical moments from Cuba.  By far my favorite country......EVER!

A time warp with cars, buses, and the public transportation of horse drawn carriages.  The archicture is stunning, so old the people walk in the middle of the streets in Habana Vieja because buildings fall every day.

(photo from Lukas Rada)

Ice cream for 4 cents.  Pizzas and ham sandwiches for 25 cents. Which I hope to never eat one of those again!

Tourist buses.  Evil musicals from the 80's.  Tourist currency (a 25-1 difference....discrimination?)

Beaches.
Dominos. And Chess in the park.

Castles.
Fantasy beaches in the Carribean.
Cigars.
Temperatures between 80-100 degrees.
Havanna Club.  Mojitos.
Cakes fro 40cents.  Entire cakes!

MUSIC.  Oh the music.  Coming from the cracks of every building.  It's magical.  Live music everyday.

The dancing.  Don't even get me started.  I felt like a professional.  The men......haha oh the Cuban men can dance.  It's in their blood.

Latin passion.
Casa particulars.  No hostels here, instead you stay with the people.
One day I heard:  Czech, Hebrew, Dutch, German, English, Spanish, French being spoken.

Street corner cameras.  Big brother is watching.
Safest country I've ever been in.  Maybe because the locals can get arrested for talking to tourists.

Bars open 24 hours.  A round of shots for the entire bar:  $1.50.

Coffee.

Street art.
A name change to 'Linda' (Spanish meaning: beautiful)  aka they love Americans.
Everyone has family in Miami.
The billboards are for propagada only.

Solismo si!   Viva Raul.  Viva Fidel.  Viva Cuba Libre!

A local said:  Cuba is the biggest prision in the world.  Another local told me that 'if she could leave, she wouldn't want to, best place in the world to live.'

(marched with a millon for their labor day parade)

I'm forever changed.  My heart hurts because I had to leave, but wow, what an experience.  Put this place on your list.  It's special and magical.  Bring patience!

More to come.  Takes time to recall this 17 day adventure!