Laos - Vang Vieng

After a few days here, preceded by a few days in Luang Prabang, we are once again packing our backpacks and boarding a bus. Tomorrow we leave for Vientiane and shortly thereafter, back down to Bangkok.

This is the smallest, sleepiest little place we've been. Beautiful...as is all of Laos. Unfortunately, I scarcely left our room as I've been quite ill for the last four days. I considered going to a local hospital...but after much deliberation, decided it would be wiser to wait until Bangkok.

Patrick's been taking excellent care of me...feeding me grapefruits, making sure I'm drinking enough water and tolerating my feverish delirium! What can I say?...I'm a very lucky girl. Jo...you taught him well. ;)

I love Laos and am sorry that so much of my time here was spent in bed. Perhaps that simply means that I'll have to return...someday. ;)

xoxo

p.s.
I've posted a few pics in my gallery section...just in case you hadn't found those yet. ;)

Thailand - Chiang Mai

Hello!!

I've been on quite the whirlwind journey. I've been so many places since my last entry that I'm becoming slightly confused as to what path I've taken.

We travelled to Ayuthaya by train, hired bicycles and spent the day visiting as many of the beautiful old temple ruins as we could. We had lunch at the most adorable little place and I had what I truly believe was the best Pad Thai I've ever tasted. :)

After only one day...we again boarded a train to Nakhon Ratchasima, where we then hopped quickly onto a bus bound for Phimai. Same as Ayuthaya...we spent one day enjoying the small town. We visited the oldest Banyan tree in Thailand, had a spectacular swim at our guest house during a torrential downpour and spent a short time exploring another beautiful old temple.

We then hopped another bus to Talad Kae, then another to Khon Kaen, another to Pitsanalok and YET ANOTHER to Suhkothai where we spent a relaxing couple days exploring ever more temple ruins on hired bicycles. I have to admit that the ruins in Suhkothai were, thus far, my favorite. They are a fair distance from the new city and our day was incredibly quiet and peacful as we pedaled from one to another. I would love to someday return and spend more time sitting in front of the largest Buddha I've ever seen. Awe-inspiring...

After Suhkothai, we climbed aboard another bus to Chiang Mai where we spent a couple days recovering from our week of nonstop bus travel. :)

Finally...we just returned from a three day trek into the hills of Northern Thailand. We stayed with hilltribes the last two nights, last night being the most enjoyable. We stayed at a small village of native Palong Tribe people. Among other things...I rode an elephant..right there on his neck with his massive muscles shifting beneath me. WOW! And today we rode down the river on bamboo rafts. THAT was quite the experience as our raft was nearly nonexistent by the time we reached our destination...but I loved every drenched minute of it!!

Alright...my time has run out. We are leaving for Laos tomorrow morning, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to post another entry.

Until then...love and kisses!

xoxo

Thailand - Bangkok

Well...here we are in the bustling center of Thailand. We arrived by bus early this morning.

I completed my Open Water course on Koh Phi-Phi a few days ago. I had a few minor setbacks, but thoroughly enjoyed my course nonetheless. I passed my final exam with a surprising 92%! Not bad, eh? More importantly...I admittedly fell instantly in love with Scuba Diving. Similar to sky-diving...if you've never been there...you'll never know. Lucky for all of you...I put my new toys to the test and have a few fun underwater images to share. I even filmed a few short mpg's. :)

Patrick and I visited the weekend market here in Bangkok today. NOT the place for those who fear crowds. And Zippy learned a very painful and expensive lesson about bustling crowds in Thailand. I fell victim to a pickpocket and, sadly, lost somewhere around 12,000 Baht. That translates to something close to $300 US. OUCH! I spent a good while pouting and beating myself up for not being more aware...but in the end...it's only money, and I have little choice but to accept my misfortune and move on. Patrick has been an absolute doll about it, treated me to a cold drink, a lovely new scarf and a snazzy new money belt to prevent further disappointment. Had I been alone...I surely would've withered into an unrecognizable heap of tears.

We'll be here until the 16th when we climb onto yet another bus to Ayuthaya. We'll be there for a day..and then we travel on...slowly making our way through Northeastern Thailand and eventually to Chiang Mai. Our plans are somewhat indefinite at this point. But we are solidifying them more and more everyday.

I'll continue to post these little updates whenever possible. For now...I do believe a nice, cold Chang Beer is in order!

Big hugs!

Thailand - Koh Phi-Phi

After a ten hour bus ride from KL to Hat Yai...another five to Krabi in the tiniest little van, packed with Swedish and Norwegian students...then a quick jaunt by ferry to this incredibly beautiful little island... I finally feel as though I've arrived. :)

There are no vehicles here...only bicycles and a maze of brick walkways winding their way through town. Adorable thai children and an overabundance of kittens greet you at every turn. We found a sweet little room, just off the beach and a short walk from the heart of town.

Today delivered a break...but it's the rainy season here, so yesterday was quite wet. The sky would simply open up and dump half of itself upon us without warning. I LOVED IT!

Most notably...this is where Patrick felt I should complete my open-water scuba course...so that's precisely what I am doing. Today was my first day in the water. WOW! It's alot to learn...but I'm doing far better than I imagined I might. I caught glimpses of what's to come, even in the shallow water of today's lessons. Tomorrow I'll be in deeper water...and Patrick won't be far away, so I get to see him in action! Should be quite the experience!

Oddly enough...I feel right at home here. No culture shock...for which I am quite thankful. The squat toilets took me a moment to comprehend...but that confusion was rather short lived. ;) The manual flush toilets and cold showers are just part of everyday life here and took very little time to adjust to. And the temperature...even during the torrential downpour, has been perfectly pleasant. I enjoy the humidity. My hair curls into little ringlets beside my ears and I require no ties to hold my braid in place. This climate suits me..but I imagine it would suit just about anyone. ;)

Patrick seems to glow forever...just as most everyone else here. It's the glistening on the forehead and the subtley rosy cheeks. Having him at my side is an entirely new kind of contentment...one which I cannot even begin to attempt to articulate.

I've been taking photos..but won't likely be able to post them until we arrive in Bangkok. So...you'll just have to trust me...this place is unbelievably gorgeous.

Simply put...I haven't a complaint, don't forsee any arising any time soon and I've never felt so relaxed.

Until next time....Sawas dee kah...

Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur

Well...I made it!

My journey was rather long, with a 24 hour layover in Japan, but I arrived in Kuala Lumpur last night.

KL is....humid...very warm....noisy...and spectacularly intriguing. Patrick is at my side...chatting with his mum on MSN. We are making a brief stop here before exploring a bit of the city on foot. This evening we will be climbing onto a bus bound for Thailand.

I can't even begin to describe my excitement! I've got my trusty little digital camera...so I'll be posting pics, just as soon as I have enough to warrant another trip to the internet cafe.

Take care of yourselves!

xo,
zippy

Playadusted

I returned from the Black Rock Desert this morning. As usual, Burning Man was cathartic...spectacular...awe-inspiring and more than a litte bit exhausting.

Check out my new album. There are many more images to follow, just as soon as I return from Asia. ;)

Enjoy!!

Twenty Two Days

Never thought I'd say this but....too much to do...too little time.

Cruel joke...really. Four months...excrutiatingly slooow passage of time. Now the clock is excelerating. Now the frenzied preparations begin...

I only hope I have the strength to HOLD ON.

Too much fun...

Digital Cameras are dangerous

...especially for those of us with overinflated egos. ;)

Look out world...my vanity has a new face...

Yes....the specs are new as well...thanks for noticing. ;)

Thank You!

Just wanted to thank everyone who made the trip out on Wednesday night. It really means alot to me that you were all there.

xoxoxo

Reception !

Ray has invited me to celebrate the showing of my artwork on Wednesday the 30th of July at 8pm.

Come join me for a complimentary glass of wine!

The Fuse is located on the corner of Kearny & Broadway, right in the heart of North Beach.

http://www.posthoc.com/fuse.htm

See you there!

Minor Setback

Alright...after a couple days of minor frustrations...my site is back up and running. Simple server relocation caused a series of little earthquakes in my world!

Sorry for any confusion...I know a few of you have tried to access the site and were unable to.

Well...Shimone has fixed all the bugs! All better now...

Enjoy!

Piano Zen

In my spare moments...I play the piano. I haven't the words to properly articulate just how soothing it is to me. Particularly now, when so much around me has the potential to induce just the opposite.

When I play....my mind is clear. It is the only activity that allows me to truly stop thinking and simply feel.

It is my solice...my cure all...

...my zen.

Mini Art Show at The Fuse!

A small collection of my work, both drawings and photos, will be displayed at The Fuse on Kearny & Broadway in San Francisco, starting this evening. They should be up for a month or so...or...until Ray tires of looking at them!

Stop in for one of the city's best cocktails, the Cucumber Cosmopolitan and enjoy the view while you're there! The bar is full of sexy bartenders...of all persuasions.;) After you're done drooling over Alexandre or Brenda...have a look at my work!

Enjoy!

Categorically Speaking

I will eventually be posting some music samples. It may be awhile, however...as Dave and I are both ridiculously busy, and I imagine Jason is as well.
It'll happen though...I swear!
Just...maybe not next week... ;)

Gypsy girl...

For those who don't already know, I am flying to Malaysia September 3rd, meeting up with my lovely Patrick Douglas and traveling throughout Southeast Asia!!

As a means to that end, I am presently without a home...as I will be for the next two months. Paying rent in this ridiculously expensive county just wasn't conducive to saving the necessary funds, so...it's back to the gypsy life.

As much as I dislike not having a home base...I am incredibly lucky to have a strong support system. I will never have to worry about finding a place to rest my head. Between my beautiful friends and generous family...I will always be taken care of in that regard. For that...I am eternally grateful. My little fairy friend, Liz has been kind enough to loan me her comfy bed for the past week! Cozy and warm...

I have been fortunate enough to find a few house-sitting gigs as well. I begin a new one today...thanks to Christy, one of my dearest friends. (Olivejuice!)

Caring for homes provides a few extra dollars and the occasional private moment. Although, it is a slightly awkward thing to have such a candid glimpse into the raw humanity of strangers. It's like I'm pushing myself through a peephole and finding myself surrounded by the carelessness of other people's lives. It's all the little things that are normally swept aside...covered up. Old, forgotten food in the fridge...dirty laundry stuffed beneath the bed...wilting, neglected plants in dusty corners...naughty magazines hidden beneath mattresses(it's true! I once found quite the graphic porno mag when making a bed!)

I am nothing but thankful, however. Regardless of the discomfort that comes with temporarily implanting myself in these homes. There are also pleasant little suprises that make it all worthwhile. A piano...no one around to hear me play...the space to finally write a new song. Cable internet access...allowing middle of the night chats with an impossibly distant love. A quiet place to go 'home' to...after a 14 hour work day.

To further complicate my present lifestyle, I have recently picked up a second full-time job waiting tables at a nice little italian restaurant. So...I crunch numbers at the Country Club by day...and push pasta at Milano's by night. It's not quite so crazy as it seems though, as one job is sedentary...while the other definitely is not!

Somehow, despite the current instability of my life...I seem to be successfully maintaining my sanity. Although I'm not quite sure how that's possible. I'm sure there are those that would argue!

Check back with me mid-August and I may very well be singing a different tune. ;)

Glacial Pace

The minutes pass...painfully slow. I swear I've been waiting for years. Perhaps that is why I cram as much as I possibly can into a day...so that my awareness of the clock is clouded by obligation.

It's the quiet nights...like this one...in a strange, empty home...that teach me the meaning of 10,000 kilometers. Seemingly insurmountable... incomprehensable...hopelessly distant.

Two months feels like an eternity when your heart is sleeping across the Pacific.

I miss him...tremendously...

Zippy's new portal!

Well...I wasn't sure it would ever really happen...but my website is finally live! All thanks to the generous efforts of one Shimone Samuel!

At present, this is little more than a simple skeleton, want for content. Needless to say, I will be updating and adding plenty of lovely little things as often as I am able! :)

Check back whenever you happen to think of it...you may find some interesting surprises...