Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Rio De Janeiro: Dec 31st 2008


What a fascinating city. Stark contrast between poor and wealthy and I would guess a lot more poor! Much dirtier and underdeveloped than I had imagined.


Myself and a group that I am now travelling with spent New Years eve at Copacabana beach. Wow! Before this night I could not even imagine 2 million people gathered at one place. Yes... a big place, but people as far as the eye could see in every direction, 8 enormous cruise liners anchored off shore, fireworks, food, drink, music and so much more. Thank goodness we had a buddy system in place. The tradition here is to wear white on NY eve. Imagine trying to find your group - people you just met that afternoon, while sleep deprived, mildly intoxicated and in a sea of people at a very umfamiliar place, where everyone is wearing white!!! Needless to say, the camera stayed in the hotel that night so as not to invite trouble of any kind. And after surviving a hair raising taxi ride (where red lights dont even seem to mean slowing down) I was back at the hotel in the early hours and slept like a baby, ready to really start the trip on Jan 1st.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

SPOT




IMG_1459, originally uploaded by dallicetylee.
I love Christmas... and this year was a particularly useful (and gadgety) one for Osman and I.

I am now the proud bearer of a SPOT. This satellite tracking device will accompany me to Brazil and beyond when I leave next week.

Not quite as subtle as a microchip, none-the-less it will enable Osman and you (if you like) to keep track of me as I travel around Patagonia over the next 2 months. Essentially I will be "checking in" with the touch of a button to assure that all is well and to plot my position on a Google Map. I have the option to call for help or scream 911 should there be an incident, and the knowledge that at the other end of the emergency beacon, help is at hand - and it knows exactly where to find me!

So, give me a few days to get rolling and by about Dec 31st you should be able to click this link and see where I'm at.

Of course, if all goes according to plan and failing any pilot confusion, I should have landed in Rio Dejaneiro and be planning my New Years Eve! Watch this space!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Natural Selection



This morning I was horrified and surprised to see our relatively lazy cat, Smokey Joe, pacing the back yard with a small bird in his mouth. He looked like he was on the run.

I stepped outside and called him. Smokey Joe thought this was an invitation to bring his little prey inside for breakfast. As he raced toward the open door I called NO and he stopped and opened his mouth. To both of our surprise, the little bird, with an obvious pulse, flew out of his mouth with speed and ease.

But it gets better...
Why was Smokey Joe pacing and looking for a sanctuary? Up in a near by tree this young hawk was waiting for his opportunity to score breakfast from my cat (or score his breakfast back from my cat)! As the bird took off, so did the hawk, in hot pursuit.

Fortunately for the bird, who appeared to be completely in tact, neither my cat, nor the hawk were spectacular hunters!!! The hawk circled briefly and returned to perch in our tree. Smokey Joe is still hiding under the bushes beneath him... In general he is afraid of birds that stand up to him!