Sat the temple

This was on Mitch's facebook and I about fell off my stool laughing.  It is funny the comments I get ..how can you just sit... what do you think about.... etc... so thank you Mitch for a great laugh out loud... for that is often my little self shouting to my parent self...

Yesterday I went to the Wat by the gas station.  I am always impressed when Jeannine knows all the correct names.  I say... the Wat by the gas station, the road by the bank, the DaDa road, the Blue Diamond Soi.  Like learning Thai... it is only polite. At this Wat, they practice the same meditation as they do at Doi Sutep..I did not bring my white clothes so when I go to DaDa, I will buy some.











Sat and Sunday are no class, no treatment and no appointment days.  Sat, I will try to go to the Wat and do Vapassana with the others.  The leader is helpful and whenever you walk with others there is something very special.   I tried to take a movie…but need to read more before I can get it down.  In the pictures above, we are sitting and then walking.  Without the movie, hard to see the process.. but we slowly move from side to side like a giant salamander

 The internet is not great today.  I am writing and then pasting but the pictures are taking a long time.  I don’t know the story of the various animals and soldiers that guard everything.  I pretty much can guess at the Buddha story around the walls, but these are a mystery

I like this Wat.  There are many things to take a picture of and it feels old and friendly.   I think the dog was a ridgeback.  He did not move even when I walked around and then back out. - I call this black dog with feather spot

To honor my feet, I had a pedicure …funny little place over a restaurant with no business and a salon with no business.  She asked if I could pay 200bt… about $6 and then gave me a tea and a banana… all good.

Time to meditate

I will be off soon to do my funny walking sitting chanting..  I will try to get some pictures for Kay to show the family... this is a source of amusement to them.  A few pictures.   this little boy was near the ChaingMai Gate... in a cart and in the car was a Styrofoam box which he apeared to think was his ship.  As you can see,,,,he is holding the packing tape for his father.

At DaDa's cafe the other morning.. there was a man with a very pleasant face... He was by himself and was very mindful of his food.  There are many handsome folks here... but most are looking to score

I found out that my magicjack was not getting calls ...so I uninstalled the app and installed it again and it is working.. with voicemail.   I feel better knowing that I can get a message if one were needed

I went to the Market yesterday and bought two pair of pants... 230 for both  5-6 .  and so there were a few faces that struck me

 As you might know, I am not a sausage kind of person....but the shape of them just made an interesting picture...
This woman was walking about...not sure if she was a shopper or shopkeeper...  what was she thinking

qw

Thanksgiving post 2

by the way, I did these photos twice since I deleted the first batch.

This pic is for Alyssa... she is in CA with her family and I am sure she is missing her Chinese roomates at RIT who are into chicken feet.  As I was taking the shot... the owner of he dead bird was clucking like a chicken.  Since it is Thanksgiving and they are big, I think they might be turkeys.

Every once in awhile I like to do an artsy shot.  This string was hanging over the market stalls..
I am sure it has some meaning.. but I just thought is was cool.















Dragon fruit...awaiting a smoothy



















Two sweeps....new and old





And lastly.  I am sure these folks get up and are at it very early in he morning.  One thing they know how to do .....take care of themselves.   so if you are tired.....crash

Thanksgiving photo day part 1

I set as one of my MIT (Most Important Tasks) for the day to go and take 10 pictures... well .. took a few more but I enjoyed the subjects.  Also, when I was on my out and about, a woman from a CA photg club wanted to take a picture of me on the scooter with my harness.  I felt that was the least I can do since I did not ask these folks.

Henry has been taking Thai lessons so I went and signed up today.  Ann, teacher will be working me into her schedule for two afternoons a week it is located on the Sunday market road about 3-4 blocks from my bungalow.  This will be much less hazardous than last year going across he Ping at rush hour..

I do miss my Max... but when I look at some of the pooches here... I don't see a replacement.  Note the sweater.  It has been about 70 in he morning so the Thai's are freezing and thus the dogs must be cold.  Rod, the QiKong teacher has a bouncy golden retriever puppy who also has a sweater on.

I think someone in advertising
thinks that women with big lower lips and a silly smile is sexy and will make the "ladies" come in so they could look like that....  I don't think so.   you will note that the 1 hr treatment cost about $18.












There are many fast and  cheap ways to get to Pai and Chaingrai... The 170 ticket for about a 2 hr drive is just about $5.   If you go to the "big city" of Chaingrai.. you can travel VIP for $10

















When I saw this, I thought it would be a good addition  to the back yard.   It is an old mailbox.. but note the :foot.

End of first week

There is something rather goofy about getting a picture from Joe today showing the lights he so kindly put on my bushes for the house tour.  Beth will put up a wreath so I will do my community duty... but I am here half an earth away in my shorts getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving.. and no I know there are lights on the house.
As I was sitting on the plane, I did have a moments thought what am I doing.. But as I sat tonight an ate some Pho with H&H... I am exactly where I should be..  And yes I blew up the picture to see that the feeder has 2/3 bird food.

If you know me at all, you know that I usually eat a head of cauliflower a day or every other day when I am home.   As I shift from Wegmans/Hart's/Trader Joes..frozen, canned, microwave to fresh etc.. i say farewell to my favorite veggie...Today I went accross the Ping to the S&P market to check out some things.. and what did my wonderous eye did appear.............

Ok...they are not big.. and I don't know how they taste since my paper towels, detergent, and coat hangers took up all he space... but there they were.

In February there are new people coming to Thailand who are wine drinkers.  One of the reasons I went to the market was to check out the variety.  There are four or five cases of wines... they will be fine.

Today, I left my scooter in the acupuncture place to have breakfast.  I then found out that they close, as in close the door, gate, etc from noon until 2pm... so I walked home and got my camera and then went back to get my bike...  As I walked I thought ... water water everywhere and not a drop to drink...or scooter scooter everywhere but not a one to ride.

....

Notes to myself (SB)

       After just about a week, I have had some insight as to some simple changes in perspective that can be a tool for creating a balance.  Staying with the moment to moment living is much more difficult than I thought.  When something occurs, I see the situation and player but also a bag of history that is either positive or negative.  That Judgment shades how I react and drags me in the drama or script of past conversations.  I can see this much more clearly when I replay conversations with people that I have less than pleasant history with and it is particularly true when the heat of a former encounter was intense.

        Another light bulb was that it is not easy to have a good pulse on what I  KNOW and don’t KNOW.When I am present - focused mindfully and living with compassion for myself and others… life flows and there is a true sense of living in the present moment.

        When there is a connection to others, strangers, friend, family…there is quality of loving kindness and emphatic neurons fire when we connect. 

         Delusion, speculating, clinging to the past is such a waste of time and causes the lost of a connection to the here and now.  It also can be an excuses for not living awake and alive.

         Setting boundaries is a key to taking the project out of living.  No means No… and that helps with priorities and knowledge that at any given second we are best we can be.

 

          Insufficient time is an illusion… there is always enough time to do what is important.  Focus on what is important to reduce desolation and foster equanimity.

          Without strategic renewal – meditation or pause.. we move depleted and scattered into the next situation rather than bringing our best.   It is the dust of the last encounter that fogs up the new

          Responding too quickly has created an appearance of reacting  which has led to needing to go back and repair… Writing an emails and waiting an hour before sending or send it to myself and see how it sets my reduce to eliminate the need to restep.   Restep and repair takes time from moving forward.

The plan

I put this on Facebook, but I think this is how many people see me.  Since I am wearing the "bulletproof" vest as someone asked. they really want to know who I work for and one even asked.. do you do combat photos.   The only combat I am in is that with myself.










In my dialogue my family photog... Alyssa, I said you need good frineds that will help you see your own ass.   Henry sent all three photos to me and I hope he keeps them coming.  I can see that not only do I not see my own ass... I don't see my own expressions and I look more upset and worried and whatever than I feel.... so I will share his photos and you can make your own captions.  

For the last one..One of my verbal expressions is ... I't all good... and Henry added.. are you sure to this one.....    and my (SB) expression... you take the whole package...

.

The Plan (SB)

It is only the first Tuesday that I am in Thailand and already I have said Hello to Dash at his restaurant, started my Qi Kong class, met with my dear sweet Chinese Doctor, had a two hour massage with Phat and worked out a plan for my body.  Had dinner and breakfast with H&H, dinner with the gypsy twice…. Etc.   As H&H and I sat in the garden last night, we all commented that it felt like we never left except they did come to the house in the interim.

This is the first time that I have intentionally come to Thailand with some personal goals beyond getting my teeth fixed.  I am not sure there is such a thing as a “sinner” but if there were I think my definition would be knowing what you should/need to do and not doing it.  I know that I need a strong practice to keep myself mindful, discerning, congruent and living with integrity.  I also know that I need the fortitude to live in the world and maintain my bonnyness.   So, I have come here to take some good look at my life, do the slow cleaning, and honestly face myself.  To this, there must be balance – introspection, relaxation, reflection, and for me, looking at life as a cartoon.

This balance will also be reflected in my blogging.  This blog is for me.. to help me see all the facets of my person as they fly onto the page.  I rarely edit except to spell check and only occasionally think I have gone too far.  I try not to make judgments of others and on occasion I am a little hard on myself or not as supportive and positive about what I have accomplished.   As I watch the words come down, I am seeing patterns and many things that will help me be the person I want to be all the time and not just when I am half way round the world. 

Even in this short time, I have recognized I need to step back and out but my ego or sense of “if I don’t who will…” keeps tossing the brass ring in my direction and I grab and run.   This is a journey of being very present and getting my Yes…and I mean it and it is a commitment… and No.. and I mean it and I will not waver.

This is the plan, for those that want to follow the travelogue…. I will just put up a tile and for those of you that don’t care about my soul searching and really don’t want to read about. I will put (SB) in the title… as in soap box and you can just delete my dribble.   Some of the readers are into both and I thank you..for that is me and that is my journey.

Faces at the Sunday Market 11 24

There is a machine for everything.  This is a sugar juice extractor for squeezing the juice from the cane.   The Juice then goes into a tube and into a vat.   Lordy what one will do to make $1.  I suspect it takes about 12 canes... one at a time to go through the shredder
... you don't want to look the other way...




The rest of the photos are just my shots while sitting for an hour at one location... These are a few women I thought were interesting and had a story


Go ahead...you only live once... buy it












 It is hard being this remarkable










Well maybe it is remarkable to be hard











I do my hair by putting my finger in the light socket

I can't be bothered with my hair...there are other things in life








 Where am I going ...where have I been...am I lost.









and there are also some men who were interesting

This dude is related to the man this morning.. 

I must really like this girl to be walking around in the crowd...I could be home watching soccer

 If I get the right thing maybe my wife will like me more








That would look great on me.

First Sunday photos

Joe and Henry are using a camera harness holster. If I want to, I can use a trampoline and the camera will stay close to my body.  Since I really am not concerned what I look like.. this will work for me.  Also, the lens is great.   i can't do anything close.. but when I got out, I will carry the short and wide lens. I have done this trip a few times...and each time I think..what do I bring.  The first trip, i spent hours and $ at interest cafe.  This year, I have my laptop, tablet, two phones. and a good editor.  The picture is in my mirror with no flash... I like it... and I live the harness.  Before I left I went to Rowe's and got a tether for the lens cap.  Yesterday, I was getting tangled up with the harness tether and the lens cap tether.  I was thinking.... might want to leave the lens cap home...
 Be careful what you wish for.  As I took the bike to the street when Cheryl and Candy will be staying... I heard a soft blink.. and when I looked down I saw the cap tether sliding into the street sewer hole.... bye bye lens cap. What are the chances of the cap dropping directly into the sewer hole.   i did not have a second of thought to retrieving it. After this event, I went back to the bank.  I called Summit last night and found that you can only withdraw $500 a day from an ATM.  So i paid 22,000 of the 34000 and will extract the remaining money after my class, acupuncture and breakfast and before massage.  And it is all good. With the bank under control,
This morning at breakfast and was sitting alone enjoying my own company and for a second I gave a thought to eating with someone.  When I am sitting by myself, I think...ah would it not be just sweet to be sitting with a friend..etc.  When I looked up I saw two friends haveing breakfast... mmmm we are along.

I at least was having breakfast with a strong connection to self... i think both of these women were wondering why they agreed to do this trip with each other...

to be fair, the med don't do much better.  Cell phones are the isolater and a massive plot to get people way from the here and now... The second man is waiting.. I could say waiting for Godot... but more probably the shopping wife.  He is the person there is a beer tent at the CHAF...so the men are entertained....i say...get a life and go learn about monkeys..    i S                                 

The Thai's are strong in family and generally very caring with the children. I went to the Thape Gate this morning to watch everyone setting up.  While everyone is busy you sense it is a family thing as in the baby helping to set up.  No one said.. don't touch that.

I am not sure what happened to get the little one dirty or weather it was just hot and she needed to cool off.  Big brother is watching her scream as father pours water over her.... You can imagine this is noon at the plaza in front of the Thape Gate.... it matters not that they are in the middle of setting up... just time to do the water on the baby thing.

And finally a collage taken from the same location with different focus and energy.  I really liked the helmet shot... my helmet hardly fits and has a pink dragon on it... but then my licence plate holder says kitti... must be i am a pussy cat.  

Yes and No

     I am very pleased to say I slept over 6 hrs with only one up in the night.  this is second night on the FIRM bed..(an Asian thing)   The Melitonin is great.   Probably helped by taking  a good get organize day... got the camera strapped on the carrying case and took a scoot to find where I was having dinner. Bought my toothpaste and shampoo....   Also tried to find the outside exercise place... but today I will do more walking.and that will be good exercise.  I am still ahead of folks on the fit-bit team... (I am not a competitive person... mmmm)
     Most of all... I  had dinner with my Canadian gypsy friend.  I know she is important to me, but I forget how compatible we are or I should say how she brings out my humor side.  I smile all the way home - following her bike on my scooter after we have an adventure ---I was waiting for her to just take off as in the Wizard of Oz.
      Last night we met at the Bird's Nest for a Sat night theme buffet. (150 bt or $5)  Last nights theme was a veggie Mexican  or basically a taco and grilled veggies. They offered a margarita but I opted for a tall Leo.  It was a buffet but I was so full from our fun conversation that one plate did it for me... we got there at 7 and closed the place (9pm)  Jeannine, the gypsy, was the one that introduced me to Michael Brown..the Present Process... I have been looking for a process so when I got home I picked it up again and looked at book marks..  i think this is the time to get present.  A few things struck me... know when to say no and mean it and when to say yes and mean it...
       I  will marry the proces with what I gleaned from an article I read in Tricycle...  I will set up an imaginary discard container and do my slow cleaning with my life... one drawer at time...   That process is just to do that... open a draw.. (file cabinet of your life) and pick up everything and really be present .. is this something of value..., helps me be a better bonny...or this something to give to someone who wants it, needs it. could use it... then re purpose and step away.. or is this something that drains my energy, saps my soul... into the discard container....DC  
      I go to Thailand to help Bonny get some perspective on life.. .or  is what in front of me mine to own ..or do I wish others to be different... Not going to happen...  You can't change others.. you can try to influence.. you can ask for what you need.... but eventually -- you need to find playmates with similar values... so    #1... I need to "move" off my side street.. move off...move on... say No.. and not be part of any litter ...who knows, I am probably part of the problem but I know I can't stand in the "love canal" and be well...  
    Off to get my break/fast... and the next post will be for the picture lovers...and word toleraters... bonny with a y...that is me...and the y is for yes to life.

First Sat.

It is all good.  As I feared, the bank did not understand that I would be taking out $1000 ... so I only got $300 and then it said contact your bank.   Since it last Friday night, the bank is closed and hopefully we can get it corrected.  Sopha knows where I live..so she is not anxious for the money... but she has my passport and it would be nice to get it accomplished.
I had breakfast with Henry this am.  Hannah was under the weather (I am just thinking what a strange expression that is... I would what kind of weather it is when you have digestive problems vs a cold)  The oatmeal and banana with coconut milk was terrific. After we  went to a coffee place where they make terrific cappachino.  Also, there is a baker in the house and I had a croissant that was so hot the butter just melted...   Tonight I will go to a Mexican vegetarian buffet at the Bird's Nest Cafe.  Hopefully I will find it.   I did find the organic food market..amazing.  that was the good thing and the bad thing... the organic bug repellent bottle did not close so I have a half bottle in a plastic bag... and that brings me to the black box above.  When H&H visited Rochester, I used the phrase It's all good... so that is what it says on my new t-shirt... My camara case is calling me out the door... so poof.  ..

Coming to second home

While there is a sense of returning, 48 Atkinson is my only owned property and so it will always be my home.   Coming into the city today is a returning to my sanctuary.  How one can say this bustling city is a sanctuary leave much to even my imagination.  As I came from the airport, I can say...that is when we had the dinner with Beth ..first trip.. that is where I had lunch with Jeannine..that is the road to the movies... there is the Jok place... here is the one way street ....the mugkala clinic... dada health food... Soi 6... my street.  New construction replacing some of the small funny little shops.  Tin served me dinner... Sopha is cutting the bushes in the front....There is more of a presence of military and police but it doesn't slow down the traffic and the scooters weaving in and out.  
I jumped on the scooter as if I had never left...tooled for gas,,, dinner... a beer and massage.
H&H were here to meet me.. but I was not to be met having taken a cab from the airport...   I am packing better.. forgot little..and all is good except my body has not see water in 35 hrs and the thought of hot water and soap is drawing me to the lower level.
As I become clearer, I will write more about the purpose and goal(s) for the trip.  To make it simple it is to value my time and effort and be happy.  As I cruised the movie list and watch some movies... I also noted that they had audio books.  Only three.  what are the chances that the third book would be one I had thought of buying... Zen of Done.  While it is a time management process...this is based upon finding your passion ... doing three Most important Tasks a day....and setting person priorities.   Now how was that for a beginning.....   and I took notes and paused.  

Introduction

Let me introduce myself.  My name is Max-a-million but you can call me Max. I have little idea of all the places I have been or even who my parents were.  I think I was born in the Carolina's and then "rescued" ( a fancy name for dumped).  That is how I came north. I got sick and needed some surgery to fix my stomach... and while I think I am wonderful and will love you more than you want me to, the rescue people did not think that was a great idea. Lucky for me they took me to a vet that thinks little guys should have a chance and they could see the love I had to give someone.  Maybe the person will need to be rescued and I will not abandoned them. In fact, I will not let them out of my sight.
So the vet rescued me from the rescue folks and cut my belly and fixed me up. I was living in a pen area of the vet for the past few months so I forgot a few things, like you are to tell someone you need to go out to poop or you don't poop on the dinning room floor.  I am smart and just need some help.
So yesterday July 8th. my friend Amy led me into a little viewing room and I met some folks.  The one, Georgiana, I met on Friday with her dog Jill.  She brought a friend with her and I played very hard to get so I got lots of treats.  The new person, Bonny, sat on the floor and I played hard to get and even got her with my mouth.  I did not want to be "rescued" if it meant another take me home, I have an issue and dump me.  It took a while but soon my bed and toys were in the car and we were on the road.  I like to go for rides and so I just sat and looked out the window and sat.  We picked up a crate which is just a fancy word for cage and then we were to Bonny's house.
I heard something about cats and I am familiar with them...but there were three of them.  I can't say any of them came running out with a welcome to the house present.  In fact the girl cat....who is called Bitchy Missy was exactly like that.  She and I had words... and posed at each other and she got my head with the tip of her claw.  I think it is better to be a lover than a fighter.  The one has very funny fur with a fluffy tail and socks.... strange but the most friendly and he will almost play with me. I wasn't too happy to share the big bed with him, but we did ok until he jumped back on the bed near me.  I told him to be careful but I went down on the floor and into my own bed....    The last one is big....BIG....BIGGER THAN ME.  He stands around and watches what I am doing and while I am a tenacious terrier (OK....not full Jack Russell...but a little dachshund), I think it is prudent that I not make him angry.    So, if home is where your bed is.... I must be home.... and time to just chill out and watch the birds....

Thinking

In my meditation practice, I often find that I am saying thinking thinking thinking more than rising, falling. I am beginning to total accept... "it is all good" and to beat myself up for not doing it right is to go back to formal religion and having to do it right or god, Sr Mary somebody, the priest, my mother will give me one of those looks.  
I looked up thinking.....the process of using one's mind to consider or reason about something.  That is not what I am doing.. what I have been doing is rehearsing what I am going to say to some one.. either apology or blame or I am reviewing what I have already said or done.  Looking forward...Looking backward.  My head is spinning.
If I were really thinking, it would lofty...world peace or solving the ozone issues.  No...I am spending my mental time on rehearsing and or reliving.  It is either going back to a place I will not visit again or forward to a place I will never see since a conversation will never evolve as I planning or rehearse it.     Crazy stuff.    so... I am going to drop that and drag me back to the Now.

Home Part 2

Still trying to hold to my new tranquil NOW self, well home much is the room... (I have paid #120 for the room at Sleep Inn 2)...with tax $108.  So with the cab $228 to sleep....  I am reminded that it was $320 a month for room and scooter in my little warm sunny bungalow...    I also need to ask for some tissues since I am starting to sneeze.   Usually I only get a cold when I am very depressed about something, but it could have been 450 hacking Chinese folk on a sealed plane for 13 hrs that send something my way.  So I am now whipping my nose while gathering my duffle and backpack and waiting for the town car the desk person has called.  He tried a metered cab, but alas...I will have a “this is what you owe me person”.   The SUV arrived in about 15 min.  The two gents trying to get money from the internet walk out to get something to eat.. I did not see anything that looked like open..but that is their thing

I thought we were driving to Newark since I was in the car about 15 minutes.  The Sleep Inn 2 was listed as an airport motel, but it must have been on the other side.  We managed to experience about 20 red lights...so after I paid $30...chachink chachink... I was standing at the bottom of some stairs facing the elevator inside the sub-lobby of Sleep Inn 2.  In addition to money going out...time was ticking by. 

I saw two people talking to the desk woman so I tried the elevator...nothing...   tried the door and it opened and I dragged the duffle, backpack, tissues, and what is left of Bonny up the stair.   The couple at the desk are travelling light... as in no luggage....  but they finally got settled and it was my turn.

Sorry about the limo but we have one for you to go back...good   You need to leave at 7 for the 9:30 flight... ok... breakfast at 6...vending machines on 2 and basement when the breakfast is ..... credit card for “incidentals” what ....the limo is free..the breakfast is free.... there is nothing to eat now...but ok here it is... and I am in 408....   you need the room key to operate the elevator in sub floor...which makes sense since you arrive with luggage.  Maybe this is a test that you are healthy enough to stay and Sleep Inn.

Up to 408.....  blow nose.. they have tissues...mmm bathroom....mmmm and I start to put the stuff that can fly into the duffle and take the winter stuff out into the backpack... well...what is the weather like.... where is the remote.   I looked in the drawers, under the bed, in the bathroom, around the tv... and finally...phone to the desk.... did I get the only $120 room with the cheaper TV that is only for decoration. (ok...i slipped into my usual smart response...but I am tired... with cold and it is now 2am Tuesday and I left the bed in Bangkok at 6pm Sunday  butting it into one time zone....)  I’ll come right up... she brings a remote, which doesn't work... goes back and brings another.  Unplugged the TV and when it starts up again the remote works.    Could you get me up at 6 I said as I set my vibrating alarm, watch, tablet, and cellphone.

I got ready for bed thinking...I will shower in the am..I am sure the breakfast will not take long. And at about 2:45....TV off and zzzzz

At 6:15, something woke me but it wasn't anything I had set since they were all 12 hrs off.  I asked about the wake up call and she said...oh I set your clock..now that was scary...what else can she do remotely.  By the time I got organized and my sleepers stowed... I rationalizing that travelling without a shower was better than no coffee.   So I trudged down to the lobby with my gear, grabbed a coffee and a sticky bun (ugh) and waited in the lobby.  

I was the only passenger to the airport...so after hearing my story the driver said I can drop you off at station 5.... and then got off at 4 and had to get a ticket and out and around the on to 5.

I had checked in so I just had to drop the bag off and get into the priority immigration line and off I was sitting in the waiting area for the plane and the last leg home...to a waiting Joe with a happy to see you face.

Home Part 1

Getting into NYC was as it always is..returning to a third world country.  While I started out seated in mid plane, I ended up immediately in front of the toilet.  I can tell you the swish noise made by airbus toilets travelling 500+ at high altitudes is very loud and with everyone drinking during the 13hr flight..wosh wosh went the sound of the plane.  I watched the movies and ate the Indian Vegetarian and slept a couple of hours but when the plane landed at 10:30PM...to start the deboarding and reentry, I was not in great shape. 

The Chinese plane was primarily Asian but the majority was either green cards or US citizens.  So the massive group slowly snaked along until we were shown which row to get in to go through customs.  Of course there are three inspectors, 2 line em uppers, and several that are walking about just in case.

Since I was the one of the first to board the first plane, my duffle was one of the last to snake down the ramp.  Happily Jeannine’s safety pin held up the far end of the zipper and down it came in tack.  My backpack was fairly close to the 47 pound duffle.  So off I went for the overnight stay.  Unlike any other country with major cities, there are no planes from NYC to Rochester; the third largest city in the empire state, after 10:30 PM, so overnight was not an option.

I put on my coat, picked up the backbreaker and got the duffle rolling out of the airport, across the parking area, and up the elevator to the sky train.  I took the train to Federal Circle and then down the elevator to the walk out to the airport to motel shuttles.

I had retrieved the paper with the prepaid numbers for the Sleep Inn which after a 15 min wait decided to retrieve the paper and call the motel.  It was now 11:45.  I am starting to be weary of travel and want to try to get some shut eye before I have to return to the airport for the morning flight.

The friendly woman on the other end of the phone says, “There are no pickup after 11, you’ll have to get a cab”.  Since I am in my new Zen mode, I didn't levitate and say...nothing on this paper says that or I would not have taken all this time to get to Federal Circle to wait for the bus..  “Thank you...see you soon” my better self said.

Get the backbreaker back on the back, turn the duffle around and start back to the elevator.  The transit person was at the stop and suggested I get off at terminal 4 since that would have the best shot at a cab.  On the trail....Off at #4....walk a long way....escalator down... and as I am walking toward the cab area a driver says I’ll take for $45 dollars.  I kept walking and got in the cue and boarded a yellow cab with a meter.  I gave him my paper and said Sleep Inn and here is the address.  He looked at the paper and off we were...   I am tired....but there it was Sleep Inn and I am ready to sleep.  He left me off at the fence since turning in would have been a chore and I gave him the $12 for the cab and $5 because I needed to work off some Karma for thinking about levitating...

I entered the lobby which was not much and there were 4 men in the lobby, two trying to get a credit card to work so they could stay and two that worked at the Sleep Inn.....   I remembered that it was a woman that answered the phone when I called, but I still said... I made it and gave him the paper.  He said... you are at the wrong Sleep Inn.. They are a different owner and I can’t just switch the room......  (to be continued)