Santo Domingo Day 9

I have counted the days on my fingers. ....mmmm the Frenchman, Antoin, left tonight and asked us to cover his shift. He is tired of the rules and the straw that broke the camel's back was the night that he could not get a key to a spare room. He usually sleeps in his vehicle due to the frige noise in his room and on this night we had a barking dog in the garden. Antoin was sleeping in his vehicle and the dog barked nearby. So he had a lousy sleep and decided that the controlling of a volunteer is more than he could cope with. A great fit guy at 71. ...but hey just take the key and sleep where you want. What makes the 4th member of our team so powerful...in the eyes of the others? So now that Antoin is gone we shall see how the chips fall. Clive is doing the late evening for Antoin tonight. There is a childrens' evening outside - they have all been given a cup of chocolate pudding and a sponge type of cake to dip in it. This is to celebrate St Juan, and the equinox. The children are dressed up as if Halloween.

Thinking about food, as I so often do..... In Greece, we had fresh salads of cucumber, tomato and feta cheese if you wished. Good heavy country white bread. The main dish was usually meat or fish and nothing else, occasionally french fries or fried potato. The cost of the entree was about the same as the salad or the vegetable (greens like spinach or the salad) and cheap wine, of course. A small dessert and a liquer, rakki, were usually on the house and then a euro charge for bread was standard.

In Spain so far, we find that the foods available are somewhat limiting. There are green beans in a jar, archichokes in a jar, pimiento in a jar, tuna in a can, iceberg lettuce, good white bread if you choose it. A lot of oil and a lot of fried foods. Salsa is the word used if there is a sauce and they are usually pretty mild. There is fried fish, chops (quarter inch thick), rabbit, chicken and sometimes tripe or cheek or foot. We pretty much choose familiar including rabbit which is pretty much like chicken. Not too keen on organs though they gave some for us to try and Clive like it! Ugh! I am surprised by the lack of fresh vegetables around especially since there seems to be so much good weather for growing grapes and wheat. These countries make me realize how ethnically diverse our diet is and how much of everything we eat and the huge variety that we have to choose from!

Day 11
Well, time is passing and it has been interesting. I love meeting the travellers and so many of them have walked for a long time and they never tire of it either. I like it best when it is busy....and that is not every day or not all of the time every day. As time passes, people adjust differently. Antoin is gone. So Clive and I said that we were not prepared to put in any more time (one of us is receiving guests from 11am to 10pm. The Spanish lady thinks that we need 2 on. Clive and I disagreed. She got all wordy and phoned the Confradia here. They obviously did not back her up so we now have one on all of the time (I would do more but there are not enough pilgrims to keep busy). She has totally withdrawn and now only does the minimum and is no longer running the show. I wanted an hour off tonight and she would not help me make a phone call to arrange this ( a musical group doing Gregorian chant is coming to the cathedral). So I did fine phoning on my own - but previously she would not have let me do something like that because of my poor Spanish. She is tired and has lost interest. Clive has found a book online for something to read during his spare time. He has adjusted well. I think if I was not so keen that he might be ready to leave - but he is making the most of it. I like it here....nothing is perfect and it is an experience. The guests, we both agree, are most interesting people. ....can there be that many interesting people around. ...and somebody else cooks our evening meal and we enjoy a glass of wine and a coffee everyday and sunshine and a comfortable interesting stay ...with some time waiting for new guests. We hear the cathedral bells every hour and sometimes every quarter hour, we hear the birds and we see the sky and the sunshine most days.

Today I met an Argentinan doing the Camino twice back to back. An infatuation on the first go round and so quick and a more reflective time this time with her cousin. A young fellow from Quebec and one from Florida walking from LePuy adding another month....and then I find that one of them ships his backpack on days like today. The German fellow with a sore foot is catching a bus to the next alburgue with a pool! Some people walk so far, all are enthusiastic about their experience, some have sore feet, all seem to be experiencing life on some intense level. The young French girl who said she learned so much practising her languages, meeting people and gaining confidence and realzing that the world is out there and ready to be explored. The Mexican today who said that he really finds Mexico City somewhat unsafe for Mexicans. The girl with her best friend her dog last night and sleeping in the garden in her simple European design tent. The 71 year old Frenchman who rode from Caen Rouen France averaging 125 km per day and a bike with 2 front panniers, a handlecar pouch, 2 rear panniers, stuff on top and a light back pack....so fit, so experienced...but why so much stuff. Today 3 Japanese, 2 Koreans, an English speaking group, last night a different group were enjoying each other. Every day is different. Each persons experience depends somewhat on the mix of people that they meet.

I have seen individuals, small groups, different languages, same language groups, couples, cycling from solo to groups and so on. Depending on the speed you walk or cycle will affect whether you stay with and continue to see the same group or if you travel different than the norm more different faces each day. I see that I travelled the average speed when I did and with a group that pretty much kept to themselves - friendly but not overly social. Interesting...

Day 13
Clive took a day off today and went to Burgos to see the the town and Cathedral





Burgos Cathedral



Burgos Old Town Entrance Gate

St. Domingo Day 6

The sun is shining. We managed to walk out of town a little past where I got my dog bite 2 years ago. Saw eagles, herons, wheat in various greens, poppies, other flowers and a few interesting people. Nice to share a bit of what I did 2 years ago with Clive. Then a day of work Clive and I taking turns as they seem to split up the languages. Boy oh boy does the Spanaird go on a lot about solving little problems. I do find it extremely challenging to hear the voice go on and on about very little - everything takes a million words and is extremely important to her - I don't care. it reminds me of a few of the people that I worked with at the Olympics - control is an important issue.

So funny the other night. I was looking forward to a group singing in the Cathedral. But I did not realize that miso means mass and so there I was at mass and hoping to hear a music group. It reminded me of our recent time in Bath when we thought that we were going to ballet but instead we heard the orchestra for the ballet.... All of the short Spanairds dressed up for churchand the church was pretty full. The women wear suits that are probably of wool or tweed with skirts below the knee and a buttoned jacket, black shoes, pantyhose, makeup and nicely curled short hair. The older man in front of me helped what must have been his mother up and down each time that you rise and sit. He whispered into her ear. Nice to see his care. I like the way the Catholics always shake hands in church. Anyways I was not disappointed - the rooster made his noise in the service (they are on display as part of a legend) and after the service the group did indeed sing!

Santo Domingo Day 5

Wow, Day 5 already....how the days start to meld together. Amazing that the world can have so many different people and so many people with such different responses and interpretations to things. So many people today...and sunshine. I definitely prefer working with the Frenchman as alongside the Spanaird woman. Antoin, 71, and very healthy and interested and Hunckl still caught up in managing and controlling and doing things 'her way'. Today I talked to Martha Gay, a professional harpist that plays professionally at Renaissance festivals in the US and she is pulling her harp behind her. She tells me that pulling behind halves the weight. She is 55 with a long grey braid out to the side and a beret. She and and Irish flute player played in the lounge here tonight. What a wonderful sound.


I used my teacher skills to quieten a couple of loud people. Wow, and then there was the architect, come pen drawing artist, drawing bridges from Texas - and they are going to walk together tomorrow. There was the fellow from Toronto who exists apparently on an inheritance. He has spent the last 18 months hand writing Shakspeare's original script (including flaws) and now is on to some project relating Wagner's music to math??? Anyways, I guess that it goes on display in galleries in Toronto. Then the 70 year old female Aussie who had her first experience in a foreign land alone yesterday. She was petrified but managed. As the younger fellow who brought them to the Camino experience said to me today .....we meet our baggage on the camino and relationships can be made or broken on the camino. For most people it seems that it is a very moving experience and intense and all seem to be gaining something. Then there was the German who managed to tell me - by placing his camino shell (the symbol) on the desk with the dates that he has been here before - 4 times. Not a single word of English, French or Spanish! Hard to believe - then he was annoyed that his bunk was near a window!...and the coveted lower bunk at that. Wanting to communicate and yet so unwilling to communicate. Three Japanese today, 1 and then 2. A South Korean yesterday spending time with 2 young American girls who like to catch the bus...because walking is too hard. Some people work so hard to do this....through weight on their back, blisters, pulled muscles, etc and then some who drive a car and say that they are walking. The French girl who sleeps out most nights but occasinally sleeps in an alburgue and cooks. The Irish gal who lost her vivacious husband to brain cancer last year. The Swedish gal who flies down every holiday break to do a few days and then continue next time.
All of the cyclists are on mountain bikes and well laden down.
Num bers seem way down this year on the camino.... a holy year....world cup soccer, the volcano or world economic slump.
So many people, so many stories....so many people enjoying connecting and living and enjoying today.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada, June 18

First things first....we enjoyed Crete - not unlike a holiday somewhere like Mexico....lots of tourist spots, tons of restaurants and tavernas serving food. Their livelihood is tourism or growing olives here and somewhere all the tomatoes and cucumbers must be grown. The interior is very mountainous and the roads are amazing. It was nice to be driven in a bus....especially for Clive as he does most or rather all of the driving abroad (in England, anyways) and we just enjoyed the scenery - very dry, hairpin turns and amazing condition of the roads. It is up one side and down the other. and sometimes up again and down the other side before reaching the next coast. Chania has a wonderful town centre built around the harbour, and the neighboring streets small and old with little shops and restaurants. You dine outside on the walking streets and they are not very wide. We spent 5 nights in a cute room overlooking the sea from our 150 year old room inside the city walls. As per usual, lots of walking and eating, a little beaching and a day out walking the famous gorge. I enjoyed the drive to and from the gorge and the gorge itself was a lot of walking down - nice to walk but not as good as so many that I have seen. So glad that Clive was able to do it. He enjoyed it but would not be keen to repeat....and neither would I. We walked to beaches and caught the bus on other days.

SAMARIA GORGE

We were going to rent a car for a couple of days but Clive got stage fright at the last moment. We arranged it all with a very nice lady and her daughter. When we came back the next am, the man working (husband?) left blank the amount of money due and then he wanted to increase the rental amount because we did not have an international driver's license. More bullshit to feed the tourist. Clive was not overly keen to drive so with this prank at the last second he and then we decided that we would continue on public transport (though difficult that day because of reduced service on a Sunday).

I liked the town that we stayed in and the restaurants and the being outside. I also liked when we found a small place to eat and spend time that was not full of so many tourists. A bit like leaving Banff and finding Field.

View from our bedroom Chania, Crete

All of our connections worked 100% from taxi to plane to plane to bus to bus to arrive at St. Domingo late evening. Another interesting bus ride through the mountains here and then arriving in a very flat area.

St. Domingo is a very cute town - an old cathedral and some cute old streets with old housing, part of the old town wall is still intact. Lots of little restaurants to eat in and nice to wander about in. Not much exercise as it is quite small and flat though interesting.

We have a great room in this alburgue. The hospitaleros are not in the dorms and we share a bathroom with each other. There is a Spanish (Basque) lady and a French man and the two of us. The Spanaird, Hunckle, speaks a lot of Spanish and we have no idea what she is saying. She is now getting that we have no idea what she is saying. It is probably good that we don't understand much as she is the control freak of the group. Everything is always 'in a moment' and someone always has to wait for her to finish talking or dealing with whatever she is doing...and everything seems to take a lot of words. And of course she manages and controls - pretty funny really as I see this happen constantly. The French gentleman is very interested in communicating, using the dictionary and learning a few English as well as Spanish words. He seems fun to work with. Clive really has not liked the bossy lady but I think that as he is feeling more comfortable in this environment that he is letting that go. Me, well I am perfect and get along well with myself! ...and then I have my judgements and heaven forbid my flaws! I see each coming with their own personality. I am not very good at listening to long explanations of things in a foreign language that are related to rules. In fact, I appear off hand and disinterested and sometimes just walk away and let her work it out or wait until she figures out her solution- that probably bothers her. She is totally inflexible in the bunk arrangement and the order that she does things. I would prefer to give people what they want providing we are filling up the room in a reasonably sequential order. I am happy to work whenever and do whatever. It is all good. I love talking to the peregrinos, trying to communicate in English, French or Spanish or hand language to the volunteers and a little to the people from the community who visit and socialize here as it is their confraternity (I guess that they own and manage it, especially the bottom line). There Spanish is very difficult as they are older and speak very fast for the most part. However as time passes and I have the dictionary handy that is changing. So many people with so many stories. Each one is different ...and from so many countries. Yesterday someone arrived who had walked from Germany and today someone who walked from Holland (2.5 months) and neither were tiring of it. Of course, the Camino is so much more social than walking in the countries outside this route in Spain. Then there are those who have sore and blistered feet and sometimes pulled ligaments or tendon issues. A fellow comes in everyday and treats people here.

Already I know that I want to do this again and next time it will be in a more intimate alburgue where I will have to do more cooking and cleaning and spending more time with fewer individuals. ( It reminds me of teaching school - I like teaching Home Ec but I really preferred more time with fewer students teaching whatever). I was really uncertain how I would like being here but now I know. As one of my quotes said we are now the stone in the river - that is the people come and go every day and we stay here to greet and settle new guests in. I am amazed how 2 years ago I could not visualize volunteering here and here we are. I find it hard to believe that I slept in dorms for 35 nights two years ago and loved it. I guess that you settle into whatever it is that you are doing at the moment. I wonder if I will choose to walk some camino experience again. The walking the Pyreees in France will give me another different experience and then I shall have lots to compare. I guess that the most important is enjoy the moment.

Plakias, laid back south coast, June 8

Just so you don't miss too much of our trip we finished up our time in Athens and walked many a mile. We had dinner near the Acropolis one night and watched a portion of a film being made. They moved all of the tables out of the restaurant as we finished dinner. We just moved towards the corner (outside) a little and tried to be patient. The lighting guys spent a lot of time checking shadows and moving lights and fixing glitches, sometimes covering the light with opaque or sometimes translucent paper. Then the hairdresser comes along and sprays water on these musicians to make it look like they were sweating - wet hair and wet shirts. Then they take two cuts of a scene miming a song that was playing quite quietly - compared to what will be in the real thing. Then the crowd scene. So many people being managed and following directions - from various people - all quite interesting to watch. But we too gave up in the end and left - at about midnight. So we are managing to keep quite late nights!

We caught the tram and metro to the ferry and managed to get a glimpse of the Olympic Stadium for the '04 games - all right next to the beautiful beaches of Athens. Another city with spectacular beaches!
We had a great lunch in a workmen's kind of taverna. They spoke no English and eventually some gentleman sort of encouraged us with his English. We do enjoy these down to earth experiences. Then onto the ferry which are pretty nice ferries - like a cruise ship but scaled down a few notches - and no real food.

Visited Knossos while in Heraklion, the beginning of civilization. Anyways, big and Clive was impressed more than I was.



Then on down the coast to Rhythmno and now Plakias. We love it here - very laid back, not busy, beautiful beaches - some sandy and amazing cliffs. Had a great hike around the headland today. We are still enjoying relaxing over meals and a drink.

Heraklion, Crete June 6, 2010

We're on the go again....born to travel....
Before we catch a bus west today thought that I would write a few things before they go into the delete tray of the brain - or the hodgepodge....

Starting at the beginning and quickly catching up to date. We arrived in Manchester to sunny weather - hurrah which we had for all but one of our days whilst in England. We, Clive, got to admire the Ironbridge with a pint on the way. An engineering marvel that has been on to the 'to see' list since we fly into Manchester most often. We enjoyed seeing all of the family (except Chris who was working)...pretty good. We thank them all for the opportunity to get together and see how they are all doing. The kids keep getting taller... and of course, us older people don't change....much. Laura is just back from New Zealand, Hayley has worked a year now, the boys are settled into secondary school and so on. Mark, Kerri and family enjoyed their unscheduled extra week in Abu Dabi.

Then on to Greece. We were on schedule in spite of the BA strike. I had booked us 4 nights in Athens thinking that meant 2 days???? Good thing - as there was a transportation strike for our last day there and we would not have gone anywhere. We settled into enjoying walking and seeing Athens. Good thing that Clive can remember where we have been and follow the map with all of the triangular streets and Greek writing to boot. I just do the walking. Not to say that we didn't walk a few extra miles as a result. One evening after we had been to see folk dancing near the Acropolis we thought that we would use the exit that the others were using. We got a little lost and it took 1.5hr. to get back to our hotel. As Athens is built on hilly terrain and everything is down and out from the Acropolis we went down the wrong side of the hill and so a long way back to the right bottom of the hill. A bit like an upside down ice cream cone with a flat top....have to use that imagery as on the day of the transportation strike we walked out to the Hellenic Cosmos, a sort of virtual theatre and saw the math exhibit and had a short geometry course laid out for us. Visualizing the area and volume of triangles, cones, etc.....oh so much fun.





The Acropolis can be seen from so many vantage points as you wander the city....a bit like a city tower but quite a bit more romantic. We wandered streets, ruins, parks and ate. From breakfast to mid-morning coffee (keeping habits) to lunch midafternoon with a beer or wine, to dinner at 9 or 10 in the evening we have adjusted to the schedule here. Food is available at all hours (unlike Spain) but we have managed to fit into the local custom of hours. We sample the foods and enjoy trying different spots often using our lonely planet for guidance. Lots of salads with cucumber and/or tomato and possibly feta cheese. Lots of fried foods, meatballs, fish and boiled greens. All very good and much to our liking however it does not vary a lot from place to place (no Chinese and few pizzas here). You always order your dishes and then eat Chinese style that is take what you want off the shared platter. I am amazed at how the Greeks have a table of food in front of them and sit for ages with it still there. Food is socializing and not just a time to eat. Lots on the table appears to be important. They charge for bread whether or not you eat it and they often throw in a free dessert of deep fried doughnots in syrup and a spirit called raki (like firewater). People are loud and talkative and having fun, often in groups. We don't ever seem to miss a meal even the day that we didn't have lunch until 4pm.

We have found the people to be mostly friendly and helpful though not always. Our first impressions were amazing but not always supported in subsequent encounters. On the metro in from the airport, we saw a couple of people give up their seats to elders. The tourist girl at the airport was amazing and the one in town did not want to be of any assistance! So it is all chance encouters that you draw conclusions from. We have seen the African migrants selling that handbags or sunglasses on a sheet - the same as Spain. There are people coming to the tavernas selling roses - just like home. So many people out late at night and all through the day.

The one day transportation strike seemed an inconvenience that everyone seemed to say was something that happens occasionally. No one seemed to want to dwell on it - at least anyone that we encountered that spoke English. We saw graffiti everywhere, everywhere. There are also blobs and smears of red paint in lots of places,,,on the pavement, etc. We did see the bank that had been bombed last month and 3 people died. The front entrance was entirely black and lots of dead flowers piled high there.

Vancouver Paralympics

Two days ago was another one of those extraordinary days. I was testing at Whistler Olympic Park in the cross country events. I tested a couple of amazing athletes and met Brian McKeever (the partially blind cross country athlete) who trains in Canmore and is guided by his brother. A wonderfully shy and accomplished person he appears to be. Everyone in the station was anxious to shake his hand and congratulate him before he left the doping station. As well we all got to see his medal - they are heavy and have a nice 3-d wave to them as well as very nice aboriginal designs on them.

One gal that I tested (German) taught me something about catherization and how well it works. She told me that she became parapeligic about 8 years ago. As she hurriedly cycled to school (she was running late) she fell off her bike. That was the end of her functioning legs. She was so easy to chat with and just quickly shared her story of how one's life changes in just a split second and how unexpectedly it can happen.

The station here is pretty laid back (a station manager and co-ordinator with great interpersonal skills and judgement). We heard that the Russian doctor/interpreter did not like coming to doping control the first time. But after that it was all good. In fact, she now loves the doping station and says that it is the best place to be. She loves us, we love her - just like it should be. We all shook her hand or hugged her ...and the athletes - so much different than I have seen before. So much human warmth. Maybe sport can be an avenue to break cultural barriers.

Then I hopped onto a bus at the Workforce check-in to get to the Athlete's Village (a 500m walk). I wanted to avoid security and this bus was going through a different security channel so I jumped on. That was fine and then I looked around the bus. I was the only one who was not an athlete! Guess that bus was not the one that I should have been looking to get on. Never mind. It was a bus with lots of standing room and only a few seats. I chatted to a Brit .....and then he did tell me that he was biking (motor?), fell off and was run over by a car. He is paralyzed from the mid-chest down. He gave me a quick lesson on life. His accident happened six years ago. He said that he could be angry and that some of the athletes still are. Or he said that he could get over it and live. He took up skiing and sits in a sit-ski. He was having trouble with the webbing straps that keep his chest secure in the sit-ski as something had broken. He could not repair it properly. He had developed the webbing himself. He needed this as his injury is so high up his spinal column that he needs to be secured in. I was expressing my understanding of his plight and he simply said that he would do the best that he could and hopefully the repair job would last the race. ....I guess that the accident taught him to put things into perspective.

From there it was an evening of wonderful entertainment with a guitar by one of our DCO's. He played in the coffee shop and a large group of us enjoyed that. I walked back to the trailer and saw the new moon and stars and felt extremely blessed to have had the opportunity for so many amazing experiences and feelings jammed into one day.

That was followed by a day of skiing. This is the first day that the sun shining brilliantly and the snow was fantastic. My other days here were at least half with very flat light. So I enjoyed the fabulous views, the mountain air and the awesome skiing. I found a lift called Peak Express and it had the moguls and snow that were perfect for me. I skiied more than half a day here and eventually went on the peak to peak to Blackcombe. It was a stunning day and I skiied alone except for the first 3 runs. I skiied so hard and for a long day with a short lunch. My legs performed pretty damned well! Managed to phone in to check about work at 200pm and eventually I arrived at 5. With no tests we were let go at 6. Several of us working this evening had gone skiing today. It was the best day weatherwise amd visibility to be out there. Then a hottub after a short shift at Club Intrawest.

Today was another day at the cross country doping station. Another brilliant sunny day, enthusiastic crowd (not as many as the other day) and wonderful athletes. Today only 2 females to test and both produced dilute samples to required a second sample. One jumping up and down and around with enthusiasm and trying to get the urine into her bladder? The other sitting quietly. She gave me her bouquet from the medal ceremony. Often they throw them into the crowd but she gave this to me. Initially I said no that we can not accept anything. I thought about it and later accepted. The manager suggested that I put it in my backpack and keep the information to myself. They are a pretty green and not very colorful. They have a banana leaf folded on the outside and white flowers that are sprayed quite green. All very natural and selected as the Olympic/ParaOlympic bouquet from a contest of entries.

Then lots of us went tubing. It was fun sliding and hooking up and going down the tube park. Not as good as skiing but fun with the gang.

Only one more day left and I shall enjoy that with a yoga class in the morning, then a walk and check-in to work. Hopefully see the closing ceremonies from some angle somewhere.

It's been quite the ride - just about time to go back home. The food has been amazing - no cooking, no dishes and such variety here. I guess that I have adjusted before. The people have been enriching - from the athletes and their wonderful spirits to the dynamics of how the doping control stations function and all of the relationships and personalities that comprise them - from the absolute rule bound to the more liberal approach, from the excellent interpersonal skills to those that seem to lack them, from the team players to those with big egos. They are all there and all a pleasure to see. I am sure that each has learned something on this opportunity that usually only comes around once. From the posh 5 star boutique hotel to the functional trailer here at Athletes' Village. I will not miss the security check everytime you enter a secure area and especially the manual check as we come into the Village from the trailer. They probably won't miss it either. Even the bus drivers have been amazing and some have tales to share with you - sometimes you go all the way to Whistler (15minutes) in a bus all by yourself....rather a big limo don't you think? They are pretty good guys and most really enjoy the people that they pick up. So the experience has touched many people in many ways. How is the contribution to breaking down barriers in this world? Anyways it's been fun!!!

Olympics and Paralympics

I have been meaning to write for so long. First of all, a week at home (sick for a few days - very unlike me) and then no connection here at the Paralympics. But the intensity of the emotions and feelings and experiences are so fleeting that I would like to write something before it becomes too far in the past and I can forget what I experienced. The experience of some moments are so intense and certainly not at all programmed - I love living it. Lots of moments have been quite boring, some exciting, some interesting, some annoying and some like today so absolutley moving. Sometimes it feels like I am travelling and yet staying in one spot. I have had conversations and met all sorts of interesting people and observed lots. Feelings come and go and it is always amazing what I experience - and don't plan. It just happens and wow! I especially enjoy chance encounters and sometimes there are more of those when you are on your own. ....so back to where I left off last time and of course it becomes more synoptic the further into the past that I remember.

....back to the Olympics after the night of sledders being so supportive of each other I then spent an evening in doping with the bobsled team winners (we test one from each sled of the top 5 and then 3 random). The American had won a bronze and when I asked her how she was going to celebrate after doping she said that she was following her schedule - a pickup at midnight to arrive in Vancouver for a 4am taping of the Morning America show that would broadcast live in Eastern America in the morning. The Canadians were gold and silver. One sat texting in the doping station and the other sat quietly. It was pretty quiet - quite unlike the comraderie of the skeleton and luge racers. Some of them showed us their shoes and talked about their sleds, etc. Someone said that the two Canadians had once been team mates and now were on different sleds. Whatever the reason it was quiet and there was no sharing.

I managed to "watch" a hockey match with Canada playing in the semi-finals at the bar next door to Nita Lodge. Locals and internationals were crammed in. We waited to get in and then two of us got in. I loved the enthusiasm at the sports bar. It was nuts with noise. The female proprietor was so careful with numbers in the bar as apparently 8 extra liquor inspectators were hired for the Olympics and they could be shut down if there were too many patrons.

I went skiing on the final Sunday of the Olympics and yes Canada was playing USA in the finals and Blue Rodeo was playing in Whistler Live (on the stroll in Whistler Village ie in the street). I skiied and it was like being blind for most of the morning. I nearly quit as I could not tell if I was going up or down. Then I decided to enjoy the challenge of having my legs react and staying on easy slopes. Then my frustration changed to pleasure. I went in for lunch and lots of people were getting ready to watch the game. I went out and came back in to see how it was going. My goodness, the lodge at the top of the mountain was ricocheting with the cheering. It was amazing as the overtime goal went in. Then I skiied down to the Village and yes, I quit early and walked down the street with my skis so that I could listen to the concert in the street. Thousands of people wandering and listening and all excited with the hockey win. The energy of the crowds, the flags flying, faces painted and such a good family time. Everyone was so positive (as all through the Olympics) - all the positive energy of the crowds as the whole world seemed to come together. What a showcase for Whistler - it has a warm space for me as a place having been here all through the Olympics.

Then on to home for a week - though I did not feel great for a few days. Still I managed to catch up with a few people and spend some precious time with precious people. I stayed home 3 extra days as I wanted the time at home and I did not want any more time being retrained for what we already know. So with the bosses not happen with my decision in the end they could not force me to return when they wished. It was a good thing that I missed the training as it was a total repeat of what we already knew - I guess that they can still read slides to us as part of the training.

I knew that returning would probably be a letdown after our wonderful accommodation at the Olympics but hey a clean bed and an ensuite - that's all you need, right? I arrived at midnight and the bus from Whistler to the Village was not appearing. Eventually I discovered that the bus was there all along, I would be the only passenger and the driver was sleeping in his 'closed' bus. Anyways I made it. The accommodation is in big trailers - clean, functional and basic. I realized yet again that I really like the room when the sun shines in or when I go across the hall and see the trees outside. That makes a difference. ....no TV, no internet, no fireplace, no big tub, no big window but still a space for me and my stuff and kind of nice. A good light to read at night, a thermostat and hot water in the clean shower.
The food is really very good - I just don't like the 'grey' noise caused by all of the ducts. I meet some very interesting people sometimes when in the dining tent...as well as lots of other places.

I worked - not just put in the time for 3 days. We were looking for athletes in the village and the IPC has been so good at providing the address of all of the athletes....much faster than the Olympic group. So we go to find an atlete and they are now pretty easy to find. Also these athletes are so helpful at finding them for you if they are not in their room. Though we do not divulge the name of the person that we are looking for - sometimes they have a good idea (there are not that many) and they are so friendly and helpful. These athletes are absolutely amazing people and so many of them exude a real joy. Their spirits and smiles are so heartwarming. And then you learn something of their story. So many with such patience... I guess that they must learn some of that because they have to depend on the help of others to get through each day. This has touched me time and time again. It brings tears to my eyes to see the strength, courage, determination and perserverance that I see in so many of them. I see how they care for each other and how they are so willing to share with people like me. By the time I do the doping test, I would usually feel like I could hug each of them. Instead I shake their hand, wish them well and tell them how I admire them and thank them if they shared some of their story.

The American who skis and got a gold in Beijing in wheelchair basketball. She became paraplegic after a snowboarding accident. She tells that she is a bit of a risk taker and so chose to take up ski racing a couple of years ago. She told me that new doors opened as a result of her accident - successful elite sports. ...how to make lemonade from lemons.... Lots of these athletes have lost limbs due to cancer or accidents; paraplegics may have been in sports accidents. A volunteer Christian gal in the prayer room whom I talked to at dinner became a paraplegic after diving into shallow water. Josh who won silver today in the seated slalom ski lost the use of his legs when training for acrobatic snowboarding at an elite level.

Lots have vision impairment - 3 categories in the Paralympics depending upon how much they can see - totally blind and then two categories of vison - it seems some have a narrow bit of vision on the side on a narrow bit in the centre or some can see the outline of shapes. These skiers have a guide. I watched and tested the alpine events today - seated, standing (but not 4 limbs) and vision impaired were the categories today. I spoke with guides and vision impaired athletes and learned that they each have a microphone and earpiece in their helmet to get instructions about the course that they are racing. The trust that the impaired person must have in the seeing person boggles my mind. It seems that most of the guides were elite skiers before they took up this kind of racing. This is a way to race after their own racing was about done. It seems in Canada that you would have to be at least a provincial racer and in the case of the Spanaird they have been a pair for 8 years professionally. Prior to that the sighted person was on the national Spanish team. One Canadian gal has only been with her guide `15 months and this second guide of hers is now pregnant (same as the first one). Some females have male guides and not all are young. One of the skiers told me today that in the downhill that they can go over 100km/hr. How you guide someone at those speeds is beyond my comprehension.

I went to the Medals ceremony tonight after testing the athletes today. Because we were so many DCO's and chaperones we shared the testing. So that meant that if I was not doing the testing that I sometimes had to sit in the room instead of the chaperone (the boring part for the chaperone). So that meant that I had tested a fair number of the athletes on the podium tonight either today or randomly in the past few days. It was very moving for me to be there. The athletes were just so joyous and they clearly showed that to the crowd of I would guess 1,000???people. They posed for the cameras, shook hands and enjoyed the moments of glory. It was beautiful with the usual enthusiastic Whistler crowd, the anthems, flags, snow flakes falling, the Paralympic flame, trees in white lights still decorated in the background and a clock tower somewhere in the background. It was magical especially with the snow all evening. After it was all over and a band was playing and people dispersing there were the Mounties getting photos with lots of people. A few athletes wandered around the medals plaza. I congratulated a couple of them. I hugged the Spanish doctor whom I had met twice in the doping station. Then I hugged and congratulated the parents of the blind Spanish athlete and then the doctor got the athletes and I hugged them. I was in tears - such a wonderful moment for them.

During the medals there was an athlete from Belarus that I had tested. Only a few feet from me was her coach - an elderly gentleman fairly large with tears below his eyes. I had to give him a hug too. It was just such a moment. The gal on the stage was loving the glory and her spirit touched so many of us.

I had gone to the Medals Plaza alone. Seven of us I thought were going but I had confused the Village as Whistler Village and they were going to the Athletes' Village. So I jumped out of the car at the intersection and jumped onto the bus to Whistler Village. I am so glad that I did. It was a moving evening after testing so many of the athletes and feeling such a connection to them. By being alone it allowed me to linger and watch as the band played and the crowd changed. I had no agenda except to savour the moment and my feelings.

Like the other day, a chaperone spent time with an athlete and when they saw each other again (in the athletes' cafeteria where we were looking for another athlete)the athlete stopped and spent 5 minutes chatting to this lady. Now that is not what I usually expect but that girl (from Iceland - the only athlete from Iceland and training in the US) took the time and obviously felt some connection. What I have seen and felt is this connection that so many of these amazing happy individuals seem to create or allow to happen.

So I have had some amazing experiences. Even tonight I had dinner with an interesting couple - travelled the world with CEDA - so Chinese leaving China in 1959 to Hong Kong and eventually to Canada as an au-pere at 21 to support the family in Hong Kong. They risked everything getting out of China. This pm I chatted with a couple who I have spoken to quite a bit. Today I learned that they spent 5 years sailing around the world in their youth. Yesterday I had lunch with someone who practises yoga as a spiritual practice and the day before the gal who had her story of Christ being her raison d'etre. Even the bus driver can tell me what it is like to live on the ship and have a roomate who snores. So many interesting things in a day. Aren't I lucky?

These Paralympic games have given me some 'food for thought'. For that, I am thankful - to enjoy so many feelings as they run through my body and to be able to think of friends and family and how important they are to me even though I choose to be away.

Feb. 20 Well into the Olympics

It has been an amazing and interesting time here. There have been periods of seeing how people deal with very little to do... and and they may have travelled up from Vancouver for the day- that means a minimum of 5 hours on a bus. There are way too many people for most of the jobs here. However working at a sports venue definitely has way more testing now. In the final race we usually test the top 5 and 3 random so that provides some interest for most volunteers - also hearing the crowds, meeting the athletes and dealing with them when their emotions are running pretty powerfully.

Different stations run pretty differently depending upon who is the station manager - another DCO (one of us) but so many personalities. My main commitment is at the sliding centre (luge, skeleton and bobsled) and we have a superb manager - he is so committed and positive and believes in working together. I spent a day at Alpine and it was great to see the ladies downhill (from the tv in the doping station) but the personalities there are so controlling and manage rather autocratically - so the tension runs high and the people do not have fun. People are settling into their roles and learning to cope with the position that they have been given. Most are very positive but there are the controlling people...and they too eventually get tired.
I worked in Athletes' Village tonight and most people were sent home early because there is virtually no testing left to do here. So I listened to an entertainer on their stage, then joined the drumming circle and in the evening I listened to a celloist/pianist for an hour. Also lunch, dinner and a little socializing. So I totally enjoyed myself. Some went home early and some went to the Medal Ceremony and I volunteered to stay at the village. ... Before working I enjoyed my near daily yoga class.

Yesterday was the most exciting day of working the sliding centre. We tested the female skeleton sliders for the second night. So tonight it was the top 5 and 3 random. Everyone was expecting a gold or at least a placement from Mellissa Hollingsworth. It was devastating that she came in fifth. She cried a lot and all athletes must get to doping control within 60 minutes of finishing the race. Our station manager showed his human side and let her unaccredited parents into the station for a little while (this means a supplementary report for breaking rules) and then they had to leave. The Germans hugged her and each other and talked. Everyone gave Melissa some time and space. The medallist that I processed said that they are all good friends and everyone believed that Melissa should have got a medal. She was proud of her attainment but felt for Melissa. She showed me a scrape on her arm and said that cost her the next medal up......Five athletes were less than 1 second apart after totalling the time for 4 runs. How can they believe that one is better than another. They all seem so dedicated and damned good to me.They have all worked and dreamed about this moment.

Then we gals went up to the mixed zone - at the finish line where the reporters are waiting in a line to talk to the athletes as they come off the track and after being notified for doping control. We got to watch the men - I got up on the dock (special sleeve colors are required for this privilege) just as Jon Montgomery came in first and won the gold for Canada in the skeleton. CTV got the first interview and then they talk to a line of reporters. Then the athletes are placed in a van with the chaperone (and me today) and with a police escort are driven the 300m to the media tent. This is a massive tent with probably 100 chairs and about 20 reporters asking questions - the backdrop that you always see on tv. It was fun to watch Jon answer questions and speak especially when someone asked him what he thought in the time before he knew that he had won. He replied that in the 52.so many seconds that he had not thought about it. A stupid question - as when he crossed the finish line he was the winner. It was wonderful to see his exuberance and again in the station how they are such good friends with one another - from competing against each other on tracks around the world.
Then the athletes and their chaperones and representatives walk the 30 m. to the doping control station. I left after they checked in here as the station gets too full with all of the people and extras are not wanted. Besides it was the end of a great shift. Then we caught the gondola down to Whistler and I jumped onto the bus for my hotel.
I am really getting into these Olympics. I seem to have a bit of a routine and I have enjoyed a yoga class most mornings - so nice to jump on a bus and arrive in 10 minutes. I have enjoyed several days of sunshine and fresh air and I am enjoying the hype and the buzz around Whistler as well as lots of groups playing and people milling and excited and positive. I was not so sure earlier on that it would play out this way as the doping was so slow and not very demanding and lots of people moaning. But as the Olympics started there was a change and for most some acceptance of the pace and looking to enjoy the opportunity just to be here. ...and as I suspected in the beginning I have done my fair share of testing....however not Lindsay Vonn as a VANOC employee did that. I have to wonder why. And the only athlete that has ever had her coat hung up for her. Don't silver, bronze and participation have the same value in some people's minds? They are all Olympians in my mind.

Olympics approaching 2010

....Darned connection....Anyways I have two days off and I was hoping to ski today but the fog is pretty thick. They have cancelled the training runs today and cancelled them yesterday after an accident. The run is 2.5-5km long and they need to be able to see 250m. (travelling up to and over 150km per hour. I see as I log in that unfortunately a luge athlete has just died. There has been a lot of talk about how fast (and maybe dangerous...) the track may be. That will put a damper on what happens next. You have to ask yourself about the risk that some of the equipment and technology has created?? There is excellence and then... I think about the role of risk....often.

Skiied one day last week and really enjoyed it though I spent most of the day on one run as the light was so flat. We are staying at a beautiful boutique hotel in Creekside, a 4km walk or busride from Whistler. I have found a few good special dinners at a couple of hotels around here. I can just about see the alpine courses from the corner of my window.

The position I have as a doping control officer gives us lots of privileges to see where the athletes eat and live. We talk to them (not a social evening but for a few minutes) as we look for various athletes to test. Most are pretty co-operative though a few are bit initially too happy. This year many athletes will go through a blood screen, that is be warned the night before and have blood taken for haemoglobin levels and possibly other things. The long distance and endurance sports seem to be the most likely areas where cheating may occur.

The days are long and the number of people volunteering seems way too many for the amount of work to do. People are vying for where they fit into the wheel and there seem to be way more chiefs than indians...as the expression goes. People are constantly concerned about what the one above will say. So there are lots of rules and decision makers and people vying for turf. For example yesterday in the blood screening one manager says two athletes per room regardless of country and then the next manager comes along and says that they must be from the same country. Another exampe, at one venue your access passes and clipboards (identifying you as antidoping if you know what to look for) can be carried visibly and at another venue they are to be in backpacks or coats. And so it goes. It seems that errors are too frequent in the paperwork and they are checked by several people but sometimes the errors are not caught....spelling, dates, initials in the wrong spot, etc. That upsets the IOC and the seriousness of it is reported back and interpreted by many rules and ultimately striving for a very professional look. I do understand the concerns and it is a challenge however it makes teambuilding pretty hard.
Heck, I am happy to walk the athlete's village or the cross country starting point or whatever...I love being outside and moving so I am happy to be the peon. I figure that people will get pretty tired soon and the competition for so called valued work will decrease. In fact these days that are supposed to be 12 or more hours (reality 9 or 10) are pretty long and I see that some people are starting to acknowledge that. We also have a lot of chaperones, some of whom travel 3 hours each way to get here. Since we have such coveted positions these are all pretty high calibre take charge personalities and many of them experience frustration at the little amount to be done. If you can get over that then it can be fun. It reminds me of work and relationships but in this case it is all compressed into days and so you see the changes much more quickly than in a real life work situation. So yes, I am enjoying it...not in a ra ra way but rather as an observer seeing how all of these people work together, try to become a team, etc. I realize that I like to meet people doing various other jobs around the venue and meeting athletes, etc. I also like time alone and I am happy to read the paper, etc. Yesterday I felt like the Wal-Mart greeter outside checking off who was coming for blood screens. That is all fine till you find out that if they don't turn up you don't know what that means and if they turn up unexpectedly then they are tested anyways. So let them all go in... they know who they are. So I was learning and laughing testing out a couple of Russian words that the Russian doctor was teaching me. Then an Andorran and then the athlete from Senegal and then all of the Norweigans that we had already taken urine from. I manaaged to see the Bermuda people do their national athem with Squamish Indians as the percussion. So there is enough to keep me interested. And I was able to test how waterproof our jackets are because I stood in the rain for 2 hours. And the Japanese boots (blue rubber boots of Jenny's) were perfect.

I will go up to the Whistler and see part of the Opening ceremonies on big screen tvs and see how the village is supposed to double in population today.You meet people everywhere - on the bus, in the bus,,,everywhere...people are all so friendly. Even last night in the lobby as I came in, I met an Austrian who is a long distance coach for one of the Canadian female bobsledders. I have also met an American of German heritage coaching Kiwis. Rather global in their endeavours and so many European coaches. Then I met the guys working for Piston Bully (is that the brand of your snowcat, Andrew?) and the buses will not stop at their location (this is an issue that needs to be resolved on several fronts but hey never mind). And I had time to do my yoga today and I can walk up to the village. I also tried out the hottub that looks directly onto the downhill course. And finally time to write and record a few thoughts. I have tomorrow off and work 11 days straight.

Jan27 Home from Japan already!

Hard to believe that I/we are home already and that I need to pack for the Olympics. I really want to savour the experience that I had in Japan. It was pretty incredible.

For the last two days we went with Andrew and 2 clients to two ski resorts near Sapporo. (He skiied with the clients and we did regular runs). I saw them do crazy (for me, anyways) jumps off the avalanche fence catchers that are perched up the hill keeping the snow off the road. Makes a good jump, I guess.

Then we stayed at the hotel Mercure where Yui works at reception. A first class international hotel and we enjoyed seeing Yui at work and being so well treated.

On the last evening Andrew drove his clients back to Niseko, Yui worked and Trish and I were treated to a wonderful evening with Yui's parents. Norry, Yui's Dad, speaks a little English and Nor, her Mom, speaks very little. So we had so much fun with a little translator calculator, gestures, smiles, etc. Yui's Dad is pretty expressive with his happiness and it is such a treat to see him. The kindness in Nor comes across so well. You can say so much and enjoy lots together with very few words. Tonight was yakitori (grilled skewers) and we tried all sorts.

I found the whole trip a pretty emotional experience. I am so grateful for the opportunity to see and understand more of what Andrew is doing. I see him working with all his heart. He has created a job that you have to be passionate about if you are going to attempt it. There is a lot of managing, juggling, planning, responding to the moment, and interpersonal connections. Spending time with Yui and her family with also pretty special. Also all of the friendly staff at Black Diamond and Freeride. So it was time to leave but not without tears, tears of joy for the opportunity to enjoy all of these connections and opportunities and to see Andrew in 'his space' living his life to the fullest. Being with Trish after all these years was amazing...I enjoyed being with her so much. Hard to believe the twists and turns and opportunities that present themselves in life. I look forward to skiing again in Japan and reconnecting. I am thankful for the experience.

Jan 21 Snowmobiling

We wandered around and had a quiet day yesterday as it was pretty wet snow - rainy snow at the bottom and so pretty wet so the skiing would be pretty icy. We went out for and all you can eat meat bar-b-q with Andrew driving the bus. It was great fun grilling your meat, fish (including scallops, oysters, prawns) and veggies including 3 kinds of dense mushrooms. Today it got colder but earlier in the day not enough new snow to stick to the icy layer underneath. By tomorrow it should be amazing everywhere. So we went snowmobiling and zoomed around for an hour. Andrew ran two tours today to the snowmobiling park in the bus. It was a blast for an hour going up and down the hills and through the trees was the best part. It is not as good as skiing but great for a day out when the skiing was not to be spectacular. The legs should be well recovered and ready for the powder slopes tomorrow. We may get on Andrew's bus if he has space tomorrow and go to a resort .5hours from here. If not it will be great here.

Tuesday Jan 19

Yesterday we caught the bus to the local station and then the train to Sapporo with Yui. It is a good thing that we got on the right bus! A smooth train ride to the old city of Otaru where we wandered around, had lunch and watch the glass blowers - world famous and along the calibre of Venetian glass. We arrived at Sapporo station around 6pm to masses of people in the new huge mall. We visited the food area - lots of samples - pickles, and fishy things and sweets.

Then Andrew picked us up after dropping off clients in Sapporo. Sapporo is a city of 2 million and lots of cars. We worked our way through various side streets that had one lane snowplowed through and finally arrived in the north of the city at Yui's parents home. They were so welcoming and hospitable. We enjoyed sushi, pot stickers, fried noodles, potato salad and deep fried chicken. We sat around a table that is 18inches off the floor. It has a skirt around it and you can extend your legs under the table. This is great because there is an electric heater attached to the underside of the table. I liked the warm...on the feet and legs....even though the house was pleasantly heated. The home surprised me in terms of size and wonderful new and modern design. The big open kitchen eating area with a massive tv in the sitting/eating area. Upstairs are bedrooms and a loft. It seems that you heat the areas that you are in and not the others. Everything is such clean lines and so clean. The kitchen sinks are one massive sink. Food is enjoyed slowly and seems very social here. You take a piece at a time much like our Chinese style. It was a comfortable relaxing evening. Yui did some translating, Andrew spoke some Japanese and it was all extremely comfortable. Nobody tried too hard and we all seemed to enjoy the experience.

Andrew then drove us back to Niseko. It takes a long time to get out of the city - it seems to sprawl on and on.

A slow start this AM. I am starting to understand how the snow drives everything here. Now I understand why they all went skiing the first evening that we were here. It was dumping!! I have never thought about snow conditions before like they do here. When it snows they know where to go. Today is grey and warm - possibly rain/snow at lower elevations. Probably better tonight or tomorrow or at higher elevations. So now I sound like a local. I am hoping for that powder fluff snow that was so heavenly that we experienced earlier in the week. It may be a common occurrence but not everyday. I guess that Andrew specializes in knowing when to go where...for the deep white stuff.

January 18

Well, after 6 days out of the past 7 skiing, we are loving it. The legs definitely required easier runs today. Hope that the snow flies really heavily again and that our legs are ready or recovered for it. We had an easy day today but still keep trying to head out to the powdery or not so powdery stuff. That is more work. And the wonderful lifts - covered chairs quite often and then the antiquated thing that is like a chair without a back. Hang on. We went night skiing last night.. It is truly incredible how far the hill lights up at night - bigger than Sunshine or Louise, I would think and that is just the stuff available at night. The light is really very good for skiing and it looks like a fairyland lit up. ....you really can't ski too far out of the main runs though....tough when your legs are screaming stay on the main run and then I will perform for you. It was mystical watching the snowflakes fly in the light as you go up the lifts. Then the all inclusive lift pass has a shuttle service that we were able to get back to our accommodation.

Yesterday we skiied hard in the am and then relaxed in the onsen before skiing in the evening. Hardly a moment to eat or rest though the legs are starting to complain. Loving the skiing and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Sunday January 17

Well, I can hardly believe it! The sun is shining this minute. I have never seen so much snowing and snow. We will be able to see for at least a few minutes now. Took the day off yesterday. Time for a rest and to encourage us it was -17C with strong winds and all of the gondolas closed because of the swinging. So we read, stayed warm and finally got out for a short wonderful walk taking photos of all of the snow and realizing that we are in Japan.

Andrew took a group to Sapporo and will be back tonight. He seems to change his plans on the fly and no one except him seems to know what will actually transpire. I am surprised at how cold it is here. I am now wearing my down jacket under my other jacket and that seemed to work the other day. Indoor heating seems a challenge. There is no insulation anywhere - not in the roofs, single pane windows, etc. There are room heaters and they must consume a mountain of energy. For all of the technology it is surprising that there is not better insulation.

January 13 Niseko, Hokkaido, Japan

We had a second super day of skiing today. We both woke up early today and yesterday but managed to ski all day and stay awake in the evening. Hope that we can mostly skip jet lag..... We saw a patch of blue yesterday but not today - though the visibility was good. The snow is incredible - dry and light and we like to ski the glades. It is truly incredible and we have never seen snow like this. .....I am so glad to finally see what Andrew does and where he does it. Last night he offered a seminar to all interested on avalanche awareness. He did a great job. He is good at getting the group to participate. That is the way I also preferred to teach - rather than just give the information... He did say that he is working so hard and needs to find some time to sleep. He has an office in a bigger village that is a five minute drive from here this year so every year there are changes and growth.

There are quite a few young people staying at Black Diamond that are taking photos or making videos. People trying to make a living following their passion. It is great to be here - skiing and meeting a few people.... The lodge here is wonderful - Japanese style with the wicker on the floor and quilted type mats to sleep on. Friendly people, lots of wood furniture, good food.... I must say though that the indoor heating is uneven. I don:t think that the windows are double glazed. But it is relatively warm except for the bathroom.

The main slopes are pretty easy terrain so we prefer the glades - going between these trees that have no leaves or more specifically no needles. It is not green trees but there are bamboo shoots coming out of the ground. There are no lines and the ticket checking is all automated and your ticket is read through your jacket. There is someone there sometimes with thin gloves and an almost bow and always a few words as you get on the lift or sometimes they sweep the chair or gondola free of snow. There are a lot of directions or instructions for the Japanese. Often there is a loud speaker giving information across some slope or sometimes a nice quiet female voice giving instruction as you get off the lift. Sometimes there is an area where you hear rap music or some other music. I am glad that I can not understand the Japanese - it reminds me of the safety regulations on a plane - they are always the same and constant.

Buying lunch is fun. Yesterday we looked at samples at a machine, paid the amount of money into the machine, received a ticket and then take it to a human being who then makes up the order. Today was a little different - all sorts of lines and you choose the line for the food that you want - soup, salad, ramen, pizza, steak, curry and then stand in that line. They put your item on the tray and then you go to pay. So many little ways to make it seem quite efficient and quite fast.

I had fun in the toilet at lunch today. Besides the heated seat, warm water bidet spray if you want, I pushed yet another button and presto I had air drying my behind. It seemed to have 5 levels of air pressure intensity. So even going to the toilet can be a cultural experience! And then some live kind of music to entertain the people during lunch.