Miami

Sunday May 11
I am really sick and weazing when laying down and with any exercion. I am so disappointed I had to leave China without finishing my tour. Today is Mother's Day and luckily my son David is taking me out for dinner tonight, after which I will be going to a 'going away for 6 months' party for one of my best friends.
Thursday May 15
I had worked as a Real Estate Broker for 2, luxury pre-construction condo projects in Downtown Denver prior to beginning my travels last year, and had planned to be in Denver from August to Dec for my 17 closings. However, I just confirmed that we have been asked not to participate in the final walk throughs or to be at the closings. Now I have to re-think through my options, including where I want to live, and employment opportunities.
I remind myself not to stress about it because part of my journey is to be in the present. In considering possible choices, I would likely live in Miami, Denver, or Aspen. I have asked the people renting my townhome in Denver if they would be interested in continuing to rent or even to purchase my home. They responded that they were not sure of there plans at this time, and to contact them in August.
Unfortunately, I am having another Leep procedure this morning due to another abnormal pap smear.
My sister Rhonda is in town for one day, and her friends and family have been invited by my sister Diana for a gathering at her house. It was great to see everybody since I am by myself so much.
Friday May 16
I take an early walk on Key Biscayne beach with my sister, Linda. After visiting with her and my twin infant niece and nephew, I return home and for 6 hours help my mother go through her personal and business papers and organize her files. This will require 100's of hours since my mother insists on going through every tiny piece of paper. Hanging out with my dearest and oldest friend Laurie (since 5th grade) for a few hours, and then meeting my son David and his girl friend for dinner is my reward for my hard work.
Wed May 21 and Thurs May 22
My sister Linda is thinking about moving to Jupiter, Fl, and asked me to join her to see houses and give her my opinion about the community. We stayed in a hotel on the ocean, and went to 3 popular bar/resturaunts she had heard about. She says she is ready to 'Divorce' her house on Key Biscayne, and I think she will be happy here. The down side is that, with her twins, she will be 2 hours drive from support from family members.

The beach is so beautiful, that I decided to try and run on the beach, which was my first run since Oct. 2007 when I tore my miniscus (knee surgery was March 17, 2008). It felt good to be able to do a slow 30 minute run (and to breathe since I am recovering from bronchitis). Pouring rain follows us back to Miami.
Friday May 23
My ankle hurts from running on the beach barefoot. After exercising (every morning), I continue working with my mom organizing her office ( I have spent at least 40 hrs so far, and she has spent twice that, and we now see the white of her desk). There are at least 15 more boxes to go through! I hope to assist her in completing as much of it as possible before I leave for S Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and then Aspen, Co. for 2 months.

I started working on my resume and emailed the draft to my sisters and sons for feedback. David gave me his suggestions when I met him at his office on Key Biscayne, then took me out to dinner. I met my friends, Pete (my High School boyfriend) and Heather on South Beach at their favorite bar, and then to a private club for dancing. I am embaressed to wake my parents up at 2:30am since I can't find my house keys. At 5am I finally go to bed after making the suggested changes to my resume.
Sat May 24
After waking up late, exercising, and BBQing fish, tofu, and vegetables, I work for 5 hours with my mother. Exhausted, I take a 1 hr rest.
Pete and Heather (she is a Chinese Jamaican) graciously invite me to a dinner party hosted by a Black Jamaican friend and his girlfriend. Walking into a spectacular ocean facing condo, with many shades of black Jamaicans, catches my attention. The crowd is mostly couples, yet I want to meet these people of diverse and mixed, race and backgrounds, and proceed to introduce myself to almost everyone. During a discussion with to 2 obviously highly educated black Jamaican men, I learn a few things about the history of the black population of Cuba.

They tell me that more Jamaicans live outside of Jamaica then in Jamaica. In other words, Jamaicans live in many countries, including Jamaica. When Castro came to Cuba from Mexico, the black Cubans had been repressed by the white people of Spanish decent who owned and controlled the Island. The black Cubans took Castro into their community and hid him. They are still loyal to him today, and many of them have benefited by being able to get a better education which they would not have been able to do under the previous government. Of the approximately 10 mil people in Cuba, approximately 4 mil are black, and many more of mixed races.
When the kind and generous host hears that I am tired and would like to call a taxi for a 4 block ride to my car, he offers to leave the party and drive me to my car. At that moment another couple is leaving and offers to take me. I am thankful for the experience of meeting these interesting and gracious people.
Sunday May 25
I am almost finished packing for my Africa trip, and I start to organize for Aspen trip, since I will only be back for 4 days before going on to Aspen for 2 months.
Tonight I am cooking dinner for a friend who helped me with a computer problem.

Tommorrow, Memorial Day, I will spend the afternoon and evening with a very special man, Salo, who is a close friend of my sister Rhonda, who I knew in college.
Monday May 26
After exercising, I meet my sister Linda with her twins at the outside South Beach style, bar/beach area at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Key Biscayne. I said hello to one of my step daughters best friends and her husband. Later in the afternoon, Salo picked me up from my parents house, and since the Ritz was such a great spot to be, we returned there together. We relaxed on a hammock watching the green palm leaves sway in the wind, and a blue sky scattered with puffiy white clouds, took a long walk on the beach, and had a delicious dinner at my favorite Sushi Siam resturaunt. I enjoyed being in the presence of this happy, sweet man. He told me that he had a crush on me in College.
Wed May 28
My family is taking me out to dinner tonight to my favorite resturaunt for my birthday (I will be in Africa on June 7, my BD). I am so grateful for my family and how they show me their love.
Thurday May 29
At my follow up visit with my doctor I find out that the Leep procedure was successful and the biopsy showed that all the abnormal cells where removed and I have to return for a pap in 4 mo. I continue on to the skin doctor because the area around my left shoulder blade has been numb yet painful, burning and itchy. She doesn't see much, but suggests it might be shingles and takes some cells to test from a little pimple.
Friday May 30
Last night Salo and I walked around Lincoln Road on South Beach after dinner at Sushi Samba. Tonight we watched the sun set sitting outside on the water at the very zen Mandarin hotel on Brickell Key, followed by dinner and dancing at the very exclusive Casa Tua. I like this thoughtful and generous man who is full of love and joy.
Sat May 31
Today my doctor called me to let me know I have Shingles! This is caused by the same virus as chickenpox, and lives dormant in the nervous system until it is reactivated when the immune system is compromised. I must have been run down from the bronchitis, and working hard everyday on helping my mother organize her things. I am feeling fatigued , but will still leave for South Africa on Wed.
My sister Diana and I spent the morning continuing to throw out and sort my mothers papers.
I brought my car to the repair shop to fix the dent my sister Linda made when she backed into my car months ago. She said I should not have parked behind her!
Diana and I sat on the dock where my parents live and watched an exceptionally pink and turquoise sunset.
Tues May 3
I wake up tired and fatiqued from the Shingles and the 1000 mil of Valtrex, 3 times a day, I have to take for it. I do my final packing for S Africa, and organizing of my things for Aspen. David, who is very busy at work, is going to take me out for dinner for my Birthday. The last 2 weekends he attended weddings out of town, with a business trip inbetween. He has 12 weddings to attend this year and 6 batchelor parties.
Wed May 4
S Africa, here I come! My daughter Ashley called from Israel. She is traveling with her boyfriend, Peter. With my son Max, they spent 2 days in Tel Aviv, went flying on the coast to the Golan, and north to Rosh Pina (Max takes flying lessons from Tamars grandfather), and visited Jerusalem. With Peter driving, he and Ashley continued on their journey. They stayed in a bedoiun tent, did a camel ride, 14 mi hike in the desert, hiked up Masada, stayed at Ein Gedi Spa and did the mud bath, floated in the Dead Sea, and drove 4 1/2 hours north to the Sea of Galilea where they camped in a tent, and are now staying on a Kibbutz for 2 days next to a wake boarding shop. The owner is the #1 wake boarding champion of Israel, and taught Ashley all kinds of jumps and tricks. They are having a great time and it is the first time Peter has been to Israel. I miss my precious daughter and look forward to seeing her for a day in Denver on June 29th, on my way to Aspen.

Emergency return to Miami

May 9

On my 4th night in Bejing, I woke up at 1am and could not breath due to my bronchitus. After trying to catch my breath, I called the emergency medical dept of the Tour insurance company, went to ask the front desk to get a doctor (which they interpreted as an ambulance), and to connect me to my Tour guides room in the hotel, packed up things to take, and was driven to the hospital in Bejing. They gave me oxygen on the ride to the hospital....which is when I called my sister Rhonda in Rome. I was scared and grasping for air as I gave her the case # and all pertinent details...phone # , contact name, etc......In between gasping for air we were laughing at my how neurotically organized I am. Rhonda called the American Embassy and found out that the hospital I was being taken to was the best in Bejing.

Upon arrival at the hospital, I had to pay for the ambulance in cash ($30), fill out forms and pay for the Dr and hospital (about $30 each). The doctor spoke broken English, but was thoughtful and I began to trust him. The meds he gave me (another $30) turned out to be the same as the specialist in Miami would have given me. After I returned to the hotel and rested for a few hours, I had to decide whether to continue to the next city with the tour group or return to Miami. As sad as I was about not being able to finish my trip, I felt I had to go back to miami to recover.

sitting next to me on my flight home was a couple who was bringing home their newly adopted chinese 8 mo old daughter. She had been abandoned at a bus station, which is common since it is against the law to bring a child to an orphanage. It was a 2 year process to arrange the adoption. They adored her and took turns holding her the entire 12 hr trip.

Bejing, China

Back Sea Lake, Hutong area

Li Chen exhibit, National Art Museum

Sacred Way

The Great Wall of China

One of many Olympic Stadiums

Tiananmen Square

Forbidden City
May 3
I leave for Miami International airport at 5am for a 7:45am flight to Bejing via San Fransico, and Hong Kong. There are at least 1000 people in one line waitng to check in at the American Airline International counter. I wait over 1 hour before getting my boarding pass, and another 45 min before I get to my gate. On my flight to Hong Kong I am very lucky to find 3 seats together where I can sleep. Unfortunately, we take off late and I miss my connecting flight to Bejing by 10 minutes, and they put me overnight at the very nice Hong Kong Airport Hotel.
I feel like I am getting sick and my chest is tight. Using the internet costs about $25 pr hr, but for some reason since it is 5:30am they are not charging me.
I am a little skeptical about traveling with 19 people on my tour of China. I will have to follow the time and itinerary of the group, and be on a bus. This is the only country I am going on a tour, since I was told by many of my friends who have been there, that it is difficult to get around even if I was traveling with my own guide and driver, as I have done in all the other countries I have visited.
I believe this to be a good time to visit China, since they will be sprucing up for the Olympics.
I am reading a very funny book called 'Holy Cow' written by a Sarah Macdonald, about her experience living in India with her boyfriend. Since I was just there, I can relate.

May 5
I arrive in Bejing airport and have to wait with the local guide 1 hr for another couple to fill out forms since their luggage did not arrive. As it turns out, the representative from Cathay Pacific airlines who greeted me the night before and gave me my voucher for the Airport Hotel and my new boarding pass, didn't call the Hotel and driver in Bejing as she promised she would, to let them know I would not be arriving until the next day. The guide from Ritz Tours waited until 1am at the airport for me, and the hotel said they would charge me since they did not receive the call. All in the life of a traveler.
My throat is starting to hurt, and my ears fell plugged.

May 6
I didn't sleep most of the night with my chest hurting when I couph up flem, and my body aching. Bill responds to an email I sent him asking for directions with medication I have brought. We met in the lobby at 8:30am for a full day of sightseeing. I meet my tour group and feel like I am traveling with my parents friends, but everyone is very nice. The hotel is beautiful, and my room is great.
We take our bus to Tiananmen Square which can hold 1/2 million people. In the square there is the Peoples Conference Hall, the Monument to the Peoples Hero's, the National History museum and the Tomb of Chairman Mao. The air in Bejing is polluted and it is smoggy outside which makes me feel even worse. We enter the Forbidden City through a gate with a picture of Mao Ze Dong above us. The Imperial Palace covers an area of 1,ooo,ooo sq meters, with its many outer and inner courts, facing south, with only red, blue, green and yellow colors. It was built 600 years ago and was the ritual center of the Ming and Qing Dynasty.
In 1949, Mao Ze Dong declared independenence for the Chinese People. Bejing is 1000's of years old, but the highrise buildings started in the 1950's. Bejing is laid out in an organized way with many new tall modern buildings. Everywhere, there are road and building improvements in preperation for the Olympic games.

I feel so ill that I leave the group and take a taxi back to the hotel, missing the afternoon visit to the summer palace.

May 7

China has 1.3 billion people consisting of 56 nationalities, primarily Han people. In the morning we head into the countryside to visit the Ming dynasty Emperor Museum, and walk on the majestic Sacred Way lined with willow trees and stone animal carvings. We eat lunch at a government store that actually has a large variety of high quality Chinese products. I buy Olympic T shirts for my family. Engraved 4 star toilet signs let us know they are clean, but usually just a hole in the ground.

As we drive through the green covered Yan mountains, our guide explains that when more tourists began coming to the Great Wall, the government brought in soil to cover 10 to 20 kilometers of what was barren rocky mountains. The highlight of the day is climbing the Great Wall of China. The 4000 mile Wall was built 2500 years ago by different Kingdoms, and was connected in 220 BC under the leadership of the 1st Emperor of China who unified the country of China, which took 1 million people, 10 years to complete. We take a cable car up to the 8th station, and climb ancient, steep, slippery worn steps, which zig zag up, down, and around. As I am walking, many chinese young men motion me to stand next to their girlfriends for a picture. Later it is explained to me by by guide that these are chinese tourists from other provinces who rarely see foreigners.

May 8

This is the first day we can see blue skies. Hutong, in old town Bejing, has low rise buildings, with narrow alley ways. On rickshaws, we visit a clean, organized public preschool. A public park has exercise equipment supported by lottery money. Lunch is at an 'average' private home consisting 1000 sq meters, 16 small rooms surrounding an open courtyard covered overhead with grapes growing on bamboo trellises, plants, red paper decorations, birds, a clothes line, red painted doors, and green painted window frames. This home has been in this family for 5 generations and though not for sale is worth 1 and 1/2 million dollars. In the husband's studio we see his inticate paper cutting art work which is for sale.

Back sea lake, in Hutong, is surrounded with a willow tree lined boardwalk, with stores, resturaunts, music and people strolling.

Most of the exhibits at the National Art Museum of China are in the process of being prepared in time for the Olympics and only had 2 exhibits open, both of which were great. One was by a famous miniature caligraphy artist, and the other was an exhibit of Li Chen called "In Search of Spiritual Space". With another couple from my tour, we take a taxi to 798, a Soho like street of old warehouses lined with Art Galleries. Again, the street is being redone and is a mess, filled with rocks and dirt. We see many interesting works of art, and many large pieces in the $40,000 range.

In Bejing in the winter, it may only snow 5-6 times, but more problematic are the heavy wind and sand storms. Our guide, Cher told us her family's story. She grew up in the Hutong area. In the 1960's Chairman Mao redistributed existing housing to 4 sq meters per person. Her family, consisting of her mother, father, sister and grandmother, lived in 2 rooms totaling 30 sq meters. Her sister slept in her parents bed and she slept with her grandmother. They used a coal stove for heating and cooking. Seven families, consisting of 40 people were squeezed in her building, with one toilet. Even though there was no privacy, she remembers a good childhood where all the neighbors took care of each other. When she was a young child, her father was forced to leave and work in the country side for 3 years. Her mother was allowed to stay in their home due to the young age of her children.