Reading List

We both love to read and books are an absolute godsend to pass the time traveling, waiting for the train, lazing around in bed or as often as we can at the park on a blissful shady afternoon.

Ron and I usually have one or two in tow to read and then swap, the only downside is they weigh down the backpacks. Since we are on a budget, we try to peruse hotel bookswaps and used bookstores whenever we can, so you can see we get a lot of popular, mainstream fiction writers. But with Crichton or King, you can hardly go wrong.

Here's a list of all the books we read during our travels:

Out of these 30 books, the following are highly recommended:
Naked Spirits: A Journey into Occupied Tibet
Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling
Stupid White Men : ...And Other Sorry Excuses for the State of the Nation!
Different Seasons
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Annapurna
Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill
On Writing

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Bon Voyage!

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First Stop....

....Dublin! Only 3 plane changes and 18 hours later and we'll be drinking some Guinness. I know that sounds like a hellishly long trip but the ticket was a sweet deal at only $284/each!

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What We Packed

Here is a complete pack list of every little thing we are bringing along. This will all fit in a backpack (approx 22 lbs) and shoulder bag each. We are packing as lightly as we possibly can but it seems like a lot of stuff! We are resisting the urge to think we can't get things on the road. It may be the funnest part of the trip to try and procure a new whatever from a local market.

Electronics:
Cameras (case, charger, extra battery, extra memory card)
Ipods (earbuds, usb charger)
Laptop (charger, travel mouse, lock, flash drive)

Travel Gear:
Money Belt
Keyed Lock (for lockers, backpack)
Silk Sleep Sack
Headlamp
Mini Calculator
Mini Sewing Kit
Swiss Army Knife* or Travel Corkscrew
Lighter*
Journals
Change Purse
Little bit of Duct Tape
Asst Safety Pins, Paper Clips, Rubber Bands
Black Sharpie
Ziploc Baggies
Plastic Spork

Sleep Aids:
Inflatable Neck Rest
Ear Plugs
Night Mask

Water Gear:
Sigg Water Bottles
Platypus 1 liter Bottles
Water Purification Tabs
Emergen C
Water Purifier

Laundry/Shower:
Dr. Bronner's All Purpose Soap
Conditioner
Travel Towels
Sink Stopper
Clothes Line
Razor (and replacement blades)

Sun/Bug Protection:
High SPF Facial Sunscreen
Spray Sunscreen
SPF 15 Lip Balm
Bandana
Ultrathon Insect Repellent

Personal Care:
Deodarant
Purelle
Travel Tissues
Q-tips
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Travel Brush/Mirror
Lotion
Freshette (best invention ever for females on the go!)
Nail Clippers
Talcum Powder

First Aid/Healthcare:
Mini First Aid Kit
Various OTC Medicines (Alleve, Ibuprofen, Cold/Flu, Anti- Diaherreal, Benadryl)
Prescribed Antibiotics and Anti-malerials
Bandaids
Oral Rehydration Salts
Visine and Saline Eye Drops

Rain Gear:
Hooded Rain Jackets
Travel Umbrella

Ali's Clothes:
Convertible Button Down Shirt
Fleece Zipper Sweater
Convertible Pants (to Capris)
Convertible Long Skirt (to Dress)
Two T-Shirts
Tank Top
Bathing Suit
Bra
Underwear x 4
Socks x 4
Merryl Light Hiker Sneakers
Chaco Sandals
Yoga Pants/Pajama Bottoms
Jewelry (watch, earrings, necklace)

Ron's Clothes:
Convertible Button Down Shirt
Fleece Zipper Sweater
Convertible Pants (to Capris)
Convertible Shorts (to Swim Trunks)
Extra pair of Shorts
Two T-Shirts
Thermal Underwear
Underwear x 4
Socks x 4
Sneakers
Chaco Sandals
Watch

Asst Documents:
Passport
Drivers Licence
ATM and Credit Cards
Extra Visa Photos
Travelers Business Cards (with our contact info)
Family Photos

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Cats on a Plane

You’ve seen Snakes on a Plane, now get ready, prepare yourself and buckle up for the ultimate in aviation adventure…
“Cats on a Plane!“

The vet had given us kitty xanax but they both freaked out during the trial run last week. Sushi became a total bitch, hissing almost continually at anyone and anything for an entire 24 hours. In complete and utter contrast to Cooper who regressed to a little baby and whined and cried unless you held him. I had to carry him around with me all day like an oversized handbag.

With this drama, we opted to not drug the cats at all and they were actually really good on the plane. Silent. Petrified. And so ecstatic to make it to Oklahoma after 10 hours of trains, planes, and automobiles. So were we.

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Packin it Up

I got back at 4:30pm on Sunday and packed until 1 in the morning, woke up the next day at 9 and did it again. Still the kitchen and office isn’t yet packed. I’m exhausted. (And so is Ron - he packed all weekend).

How did I collect all this stuff, err crap? Like a meeting that will drone on unnecessarily to fill the time slot or your stomach expands to fit another slice of blueberry pie, so will your house hold more and more until every nook and cranny has something, anything to fill up the space. I’m a firm believer now that you don’t own your stuff your stuff owns you. I can’t wait to have everything I need to worry about able to fit squarely on my back.

On Tuesday, four cubes were delivered by Door to Door Storage and the movers also came that afternoon to pack them up. It was another 10 hour frenzy of activity. I highly recommend Corrib Movers for anyone moving in the Bay Area, they definitely live up to their 5-star Yelp rating. They were really good packing every inch of the cubes like a massive 3-d puzzle. And funny enough the foreman was Irish. Since Ireland came into our line-up I keep meeting Irishmen. But they all see to be from Cork. Maybe this is serendipity and we should head to Cork and heed the wisdom of the universe.

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Little Niece Jordan

San Diego was short but sweet. Lots of hanging out, walking on the bluffs over the beach, and a pleasantly sunny Sunday BBQ. My brother Jason and his wife Joanna had their first baby this last New Years, a little girl named Jordan. She has the whole family coo-coo for coco puffs, and you can see why when she gazes at you with those perfectly pure innocent blue eyes. She is an amazingly good baby, and they are such doting new parents. I love to see my brother melt when he kisses her little forehead.

Babies can really soften you up. Even me, I came home and said, “I want one!” Ron had the typical slightly frightened, slightly excited expression on his face. Maybe after the trip…

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