2018. Tangier & Chaouen

This almost brings us to today - we are almost in Fes so I may take a break and see if my mood improves before continuing this reflection.

- We got to Tarifa.

(Here is where I reflect upon my journal entries to figure out what happened today, 2 months ago.)

We took a bus from Ronda around noon after a morning walking tour and "lunch/souvenir/rush/free time". We were taken to the port to ride a ferry to Tangiers. On the way, we could see the rock of Gibraltar. I was cranky and tired. The sun was strong. We also made a "hydraulic stop" in olive oil country and sampled Spanish delicacies: almonds, olive oil, cherries, and turron.

We arrived in Tangier in the evening and in small groups, we explored the brand new beach front. Their McDonalds was intimidating. I had no idea how to order but it felt so fancy. The staff were so well dressed. They had fresh baked goods in the cafe. They had digital order platforms. we could watch the soccer matches on the large screens. I was really happy to be traveling during the FIFA World Cup.

The next morning, we left early and saw our first medina in Tangiers. A medina is a ---
walls. Every medina has schools, bakeries, and mosques inside. The cemeteries are outside the walls. After our introduction to Morocco, we got a bus and started driving south towards Chaouen. "The Blue City" was a place I was really looking forward to visiting. We did not have enough time at all. It was another tourist dump where they gave us a brief tour and let us try some samples before letting us try to have lunch, shop, explore, and model. ... more time. no justice.

I was upset by this and the same in Cordoba. Cities that I dreamed of were reduced to 90 minute experiences. How can you make the most with so little time? I am thankful I had the opportunity to be there but it almost feels as if I was barely there at all. I enjoyed lunch on a roof top almost all to ourselves. There was an asian woman with a good book and a cat. We watched the cat try to run off with her scraps and the bread off the table. We learned that lemon chicken and bread were delicious. The cat tried to befriend us and then rob us of our scraps as well. We had little time to get too lost. It was beautiful. I couldn't breathe and relax. I couldn't sit and watch. We got back on the bus and drove on to arrive in Fes in the afternoon.

26-27 Jun 2018. Ronda, Spain.

27 Junio 2018:


https://www.spain-holiday.com/Ronda/articles/the-12-things-you-must-see-when-visiting-ronda

We did not stay very long. We moved forward to Ronda. Ronda was a blessing. a hidden gem that we could only enjoy for a night and a walk in the morning. We were also blessed with a fine hotel that had a rooftop pool and restaurant that overlooked the oldest bullring in Spain.

We had dinner at ____________ with a terrace that overlooked the fajo. Fado? No se.
I haven't really discussed Spanish cuisine... I am not really impressed. I do not really like it. We had pork cheeks, plate of meats, chicharon, jamon iberico, queso manchego, sangria, cerveza Alhambra verde y san cruz. Piononos muy dulce pero dame helado por favor. On the terrace we witnessed the sunset. Sarah and I briefly wandered through the streets after dinner and discovered both the New Bridge and the Old Bridge.

The hotel room shower was a dream with a ceiling shower ad a shower head that could be used at the same time. Our baggage had to be ready for travel the next day. We woke up early to go on another walking tour. Another local guide took us on an hour long walk around the neighborhood. "Look it", "look at", "Look"- doorways, crests, flowerpots, coat-of-arms. She really wanted us to look and appreciate all the details of the old homes. Eventually she guided us back to the bull ring where we saw the museum of bull fighting in Ronda. September is the one time that the space is used for bullfighting. Otherwise, it is used for performance - plays and music. We were left with an hour or so for food and shopping before heading to Tarifa to take the ferry to Tangier that night. I remembered to buy bullfighting art for my brother and bought him a print from a studio. Lunch was a double scoop of ice cream. Ale Hope was a fun spanish shop that was invaded by a group of kids so I could not buy the fan that inspired me. We also wandered into a fun toy shop.

Ronda required more time for street and trail explorations. All the bus travel put me in a foul mood. I felt sinus pressure and a cold coming on. I was tired. There was more travel ahead.

http://www.rmcr.org/es/bullring_museum.html

One month later, A lifetime ago.

Bleach hair fashion and dreadlocks. I want my hair to grow. I should have fun while it is short but I just want it to be long again. I want to hide easily.

I have made many advances and improvements. I have gotten things done. It feels good. Sleep is a thing. A very important thing. I am back home from vacations and I have had one week to myself to adjust and transition back to school. I feel I get a little silly on my own. I have worked on art. A lot of sketchbook time.

I am excited to see 311. I used to listen to so much 311 and I had great times.

It was always funny to think about how my younger self would approve of my present self. I want to study art. Talking to other people is difficult. Connection? 

Okay. Focus. Remember that time you saw Incubus & Deftones with good friends in Camden, NJ? I had just returned from traveling around the world, literally circumnavigating the globe, for the past 6 weeks. My 26-year-old self made my 16-year-old self's dreams come true. She would have loved that. I loved it.

I intend to sort files and lesson ideas. I need to upload and present my work from this summer. If you have had access it has been the first round. WORK.

11-18 August - agosto - aout 2018. Kailua - Kona Town, Hawaii, United States

https://www.hawaii-guide.com/big-island/towns/kailua_kona_town

11 August - https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/events/obon-dance-festival-hilo-higashi-hongwanji-mission

http://volcanoartcenter.org/events/

http://bigislandnow.com/event/listing/figure-drawing-salon/2435

https://www.lovebigisland.com/big-island-beaches/papakolea/#best-time-to-visit

http://www.bigislandhikes.com/papakolea-green-sand-beach/

https://www.nps.gov/havo/2018-closure.htm

https://www.nps.gov/havo/index.htm

https://www.nps.gov/alka/index.htm

http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/lava-viewing/


Bonus: