New Tab: Away

I have several things I want to do to improve my blog and I finally got around to implementing one of them by adding an "Away" tab.  It is a map of the world showing the countries that I have visited and by clicking on different regions it links to pictures and posts I've written about the corresponding area. I may tinker around with it a bit more, but it is generally what I envisioned.

I have a long list of things to add (like a "Home" tab with a house tour and link page with projects) and hopefully I can get around to them faster than I did adding this tab.

As I am thinking about what I want to add I am curious if there is anything in particular you would be interested in seeing or having me add?

Coming Home to the U.S.

Today marks three years since I moved back to the U.S. from Japan. That spring and summer of 2009 was a really difficult adjustment for me. Moving over to Japan was hard but moving back home was even harder.

When I first went to Japan I was nervous and lonely. Everything was new and foreign, but I had expected to have culture shock so I was mentally prepared. Mixed in with my frustrations was the excitement of exploring new places and meeting amazing people from around the world which helped balance things out. The wonderful expats I met were going through the same experiences and emotions as I was and they enriched my time in Japan while making me feel I wasn't alone.

Repatriation was a completely different story and the reverse culture shock hit me hard. After living in Japan for over a year I was used to my life over there. Upon returning to the U.S. I was quite disoriented and everything that was supposed to seem familiar seemed odd. On empty roads without the cues from other cars driving I would find myself on the left side of the road. I was used to everything and everyone being tightly packed together in Japan and back in Ann Arbor the open spaces seemed strange and the relative scarcity of people made me feel like I was moving through a ghost town. In Japan when people were talking in Japanese I could only understand them if I was concentrating on listening. In the U.S. with everyone speaking English I could understand passing conversations again and it felt surreal, like I was reading people's minds. I felt like a foreigner in my home culture which was really unnerving and I was completely unprepared for it.

At work I was off balance readjusting to American business culture. In Japan I was used to music playing at exactly noon and again at exactly one o'clock to signal the start and end of lunch. No one gets up from their desk before the music and everyone is sure to be back in their seat before it plays again. The music was so ingrained in me that back in the U.S. I would not realize it was lunchtime and look up from my work at 12:15 to see an empty office. To add to my confusion I came back to a new group with a new boss and my company had built and moved to a new location while I was gone. I didn't know where anything was and didn't know my way around anymore. Nothing was familiar.

In my personal life not only had I changed as a person since I went away, but the world I left behind had also changed in my absence. My best friend had moved back to California and the guy I was dating before I left and I had broken up while I was in Japan. Several other of my Ann Arbor friends had also moved away or had started families and didn't have much free time available anymore. The guy that I started dating at the end of my time in Japan came to visit me, but the literal ocean between us made things really hard and we broke up not too long after. My ex-husband married a former friend of mine that summer and although the divorce had been two years prior and I had healed and moved on, hearing the news reopened some old wounds. I felt completely lost and alone.

I was in a bad place and craved the company of my good friends so I spent many of my weekends visiting my friends around the country. I hadn't seen any of them since I had come back on my home leave the previous October and it was great to spend time with them and be around people who knew me well and loved me. As wonderful as it was seeing all these special people in my life, it meant that by not being around Ann Arbor I wasn't doing anything to rebuild my life here and I needed to do something about it. 

Even though I just wanted to lay in bed and read (my typical escape when I can't deal with the world) I started making myself get out of the house and do things that I enjoyed, even though it was by myself. I wandered around the Art Fairs and the other festivals that close down Main Street in the summer. I walked up to Washtenaw Dairy for ice cream cones that I would eat while sitting on the rocker of my front porch. I renewed my membership to the Michigan Theater and went to the movies, eating big vats of popcorn and listening to the Wurlitzer organ before the show. I brought my books to Sweetwater's Coffee & Tea and hung out there to read. My friendship with Trisha (who I met in Japan and also moved back to Southeast Michigan) evolved to fit U.S. life after we repatriated and was something I relied on to help me cope since she knew first hand the difficulties of moving home. Slowly, I got to know some new people at work and I made some new local friends. In time, I fell in love with my life in Ann Arbor again, just as I had fallen in love with my life in Japan.

Living in Japan taught me a lot about myself, but in some ways moving home taught me even more. I was lucky to be able to live overseas and am even luckier to have such a wonderful place to call home in the U.S. Change is always hard and on more than one occasion I have lamented the fact that several times in my life due to moving and other personal circumstances I've had to start over. Looking back, however, these "restarts," including moving back to the U.S., have given me the gift of forcing me to reevaluate who and what I want to be. From each of these transition periods in my life I decided which things from my experiences I wanted to keep and what I should let go. It has made me a better person and for that I am grateful. 

My Someday Travel List

It's no secret that I love to head out traveling whenever I can get the opportunity. I love the way my passport has developed a broken in, well loved look to it and I am always ready to jump at the chance to use it some more.

I've had some questions about where I haven't been that I would like to go so I thought I would share my someday travel list. I pretty much want to go everywhere but below are a few places on my wish list that I particularly want to see.

Scandinavia: My maternal heritage is Swedish and Norwegian so I would love to visit. I especially want to see the fjords.

Tanzania: I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro someday...

Egypt: Cruising down the Nile to Giza to go see the Pyramids and Sphinx is a dream of mine.

Alaska: Of the fifty states of the United States, Alaska is the only one I haven't seen. I want to go on a cruise and visit Denali National Park.

India: There is so much I want to see in India, but I especially want to visit the Golden Triangle and see the Taj Mahal.

Jordan: I would absolutely love to see Petra at some point in my life.

Argentina: I've briefly been to Argentina when I crossed over the border to explore Iguazú Falls from the Argentinian side, but I want to go to Buenos Aires and visit Patagonia someday.

Croatia & Slovenia: I want to start in Dubrovnik, relax along the Dalmatian Coast and then head up to Ljubljana and Lake Bled.

I could go on and on listing places I want to visit but I'll stop now. Now that I have shared some of my dream destinations what places are on your travel wish list?

Quick Trip to Upstate New York

Today I had to go to upstate New York for work. It was just a quick day trip and I was busy working the whole time but two things of note happened.

First, when I was going through security at DTW I got flagged to go through an expedited security line that the TSA was testing out. All I had to do was take my phone out of my pocket and walk through. There was no need to take off my shoes and coat or remove liquids or my computer from my luggage. It was awesome! It really is the little things in life.

Secondly, I had a little extra time between when my meetings wrapped up and when I needed to be at the airport for my evening flight so I snuck in dinner at the original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Willow Street. I was first introduced to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que when a friend of mine from grad school who was from Syracuse gave me a bottle of their sauce. It was really awesome so a few years back when I was in the area I made a point to go there and was not disappointed.

This evening I ordered a pulled pork sandwich with a side of macaroni and cheese. My sandwich was fabulous. The pork was tender and juicy and the sandwich was served on a nice soft roll with tons of cole slaw. I also really liked my macaroni and cheese which had a nice little kick of spice and pepper. It was definitely a great treat in an otherwise very long day (I left home before five and won't be home until ten thirty tonight at the earliest). If you find yourself in Syracuse you should definitely make a stop.

Now I am hanging out at the airport (yeah for free airport WiFi!) waiting for my delayed flight to go home. It's been a long day and I hope we take off soon...

Back to Las Vegas

Hello from Vegas! Wasn't I just in Vegas in January? Wasn't I just on vacation two weeks ago? Have I not even finished writing up that trip? Well, yes, but my previous Vegas trip was for work, not fun, and things just worked out with schedules that this trip and the Italy trip were close together.

This trip is short (just Monday night through Wednesday night) and is a little pre-wedding celebration for some friends getting married in May. After being non-stop on the move during the Italy trip I am looking forward to two days of nothing but trying to relax. Last night we had a great time and randomly saw Carrot Top getting drinks with some people in the bar in the lobby of our hotel. Today is gorgeous outside so I'm off to grab some sun by the pool...

Obtaining an International Driving Permit in the U.S.

Before Frank and I went on our trip to Italy last month I decided to get a new International Driving Permit (IDP) in case we decided to rent a car while we were over there. Since the permits are only good for a year at a time I have gotten several over the years and thought I would share some details about obtaining one.

Many countries do not recognize a U.S. driver's license but they do accept an IDP. Recognised by over 150 countries, an IDP is an official translation of your driver's license into ten languages. Because the IDP is a translation, you also need to carry your U.S. driver's license for the IDP to be valid.

An IDP is intended for short term driving for visitors on travel. If you are planning to become a resident overseas you should confirm the local regulations regarding driving as you may be required to get a license in that country within a set period of time.

It is really important to check the rules for the specific country or countries that you plan on driving in on your vacation. A rental car agency may allow you to rent a car with just your U.S. license but that does not mean you wouldn't be in trouble with the law if you were pulled over and did not have an IDP. The U.S. Department of State has Traffic Safety and Road Conditions section that you can look up under their Country Specific Information. In addition to sharing what licensing requirements are necessary (if IDP is needed or other certification is necessary) there is some great basic information about how that specific country's traffic rules differ from the U.S. If the requirement does not state that an IDP is needed but an official translation is required, an IDP can act in that role.

Currently in the U.S. there are two ways to get an IDP, through the American Automobile Association (AAA) or National Automobile Club (NAC). In both cases you do not need to be a member and the current fee for the IDP is $15.00. There are several internet scams claiming they can provide international driver's licenses but if you are a holder of a U.S. driver's license, currently the only way authorized by the U.S. Department of State is with an IDP through AAA or NAC.

To obtain an IDP from NAC, you apply by mail, submitting a signed photocopy of the front and back of your driver's license, a completed application, two original passport photos and the IDP fee payment of $15.00 along with applicable shipping and handling fees. I've never applied through NAC, but according to their website you can expect to receive your IDP back within about two weeks.

I've always applied for my IDP at AAA because you can just do it in person at a local AAA which means no waiting and no shipping fees. Another benefit of going to AAA is that you can take your required passport photos there and if you are a AAA Plus member (which I am) you get up to two sets of passport photos free per year. If you are not a member you can still get your pictures taken there for a fee (currently $12 at my local AAA) and AAA Basic members can get the pictures for a discounted fee (currently $8 at my local AAA). If you choose not to get your photos at the AAA, just bring a set of two original passport photos with you when you apply.

To get your IDP at AAA bring your driver's license, AAA card if you have one, a set of original passport photos if you don't plan to get them at AAA and a form of payment to your local AAA office. You can fill out the application at the office once you are there. Being able to get your pictures and IDP at one place makes it really convenient and if there is no line at AAA, you can have everything done within 15 minutes and walk out the door with your IDP. If you would rather apply by mail, AAA also provides that option like NAC.

Happy international driving! 

Disclaimer: This information was true to the best of my knowledge at the time of writing and information may have changed. It is each person's individual responsibility to check the driving regulations for any country they intend to visit.

Italy Trip Day 2: Paris Whirlwind

Arriving at Charles de Gaulle exhausted in the late morning Frank and I decided to get a day room at the airport. We made a brief half hour stop there to take quick showers and leave our luggage while we went out into Paris by train.

After our flight from Montreal to Paris was delayed by nearly five hours, the full day that we thought we would have in Paris was now shrunk down to a few hours but we definitely made the most of what time we did have. On my first trip to Europe ten years ago the very first thing I did was go to see the Eiffel Tower so I wanted that to be our first stop in Paris. Despite the gloomy weather, the intricate lattice work soaring into the sky was just as impressive as the first time I saw it.

Built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair, the tower currently stands at 1,063 feet (324 meters). It was a technological marvel when it was built and held the honor of being the tallest building in the world for forty-one years. To give the tower added illusion of height, three paint colors are used on the tower with the darkest shade on the bottom and the lightest up top. The Eiffel Tower was never intended to be a permanent structure, but due to its usefulness for communications it was allowed to stand and has since become an iconic French symbol. 

After seeing the Eiffel Tower we made a little stop at a crêpe stand for savory crêpes filled with ham, cheese and mushrooms. They were absolutely delicious! We ate them on a park bench along the Seine and then headed to the Bir-Hakeim metro station.

We got off the metro at Charles de Gaulle Étoile and headed to the Arc de Triomphe which honors the men who fought and died on behalf of France during the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Built at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the arch stands 146 feet (50 meters) tall and is covered with relief sculptures representing important moments and battles from the French Revolution and Napoleonic era. Located at the center of a roundabout with twelve roads radiating out, it is a truly impressive sight.

Frank and I bought tickets and went up the narrow spiral steps inside the arch to see the gallery at the top of the arch and the view from the top.

The views from the top of the Arc de Triomphe were amazing, even with the cloudy day. Looking directly below, we could look straight down the famed Champs-Élysées. We also had a great view of the Eiffel Tower and could even see the Sacré-Cœur Basilica perched on the top of Montmartre in the distance.

Back on the subway, we got off at Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. Due to our shortened day we sadly had no time to visit the Louvre but we did walk by to enjoy the architecture. The history of the Lourve Palace dates back to a twelfth century fortress and has undergone many expansions and renovations over the years, most recently adding the glass pyramid and underground lobby in 1989. After centuries as a royal palace, during the French Revolution it was decided to use the Louvre as a museum to showcase national art treasures.

With over the two hundred years of history as an art museum the Lourve is one of the largest museums in the world with an impressive collection. On my previous trip I spent a full day wandering the galleries and saw only a fraction of the museum. Perhaps I'll get to go back and explore it again on another trip.

From the Louvre we decided to next visit Notre Dame Cathedral and walked along the Seine to get there instead of taking the Metro. Along the way we had beautiful views of the river and Île de la Cité.

Along the Seine, book stalls (bouquinistes) line the banks selling books and prints. When not open for use the stalls close up as boxes that can be locked. It was fun to browse as we walked and we stumbled upon some vintage reproduction fruit postcard prints that I had purchased at one of the stalls ten years ago. At only 50 Euro cents per card, I couldn't resist adding a few more to my collection.

We arrived at Notre Dame Cathedral late in the afternoon. Begun in 1163 and taking nearly two hundred years to complete, it was among the first buildings in the world to utilize flying buttresses enabling the soaring vaulted ceilings. Considered one of the best examples of French-Gothic architecture, the cathedral is truly impressive with amazing stone carvings and stained glass. Wandering around it was truly impressive.

After visiting Notre Dame it was time to catch the train back to the airport to catch our flight to Rome. At the airport there was a Ladurée shop and I couldn't resist buying a trio of macarons in black currant, strawberry and chocolate. They were amazing and a sweet way to end our whirlwind time in Paris.

Home Sweet Home

My Italy vacation with Frank has finally come to an end. After a twenty-one hour journey starting in Rome at 4:30 in the morning I am back at home.

I had a really wonderful time on our trip. We spent a while in Rome enjoying the myriad of sights, ate amazing pizza in Naples, explored the ruins of Pompeii and soaked in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. The best surprise of the trip was how much we loved Sicily and I definitely want to go back there to explore more someday.

I am exhausted and jet lagged but happy. I look forward to sharing some pictures and stories. Now for a little sleep...

Random Sights: Clever Vending Machine Solution in Rome

Earlier this week in Rome as Frank and I were walking from the Spanish Steps to the restaurant we were going to have dinner at, we spotted this clever bit of entrepreneurship. This little shop had closed for the night and pulled down its metal shutter but was still open for selling cigarettes. By cutting a few strategic holes in the metal shutter passersbys could still use the cigarette vending machine. Just to be sure you didn't miss it, there was a lit up blue and white "T" sign indicating a Tabacchi and proclaming it was open 24 hours for self serve. It totally cracked me up!

Random Sights: Smart Car Parking in Rome

While Frank I were in Rome earlier this week we saw a lot of interesting parking jobs to most effectively utilize the limited space available. My particular favorite was the creativity used by two passenger Smart Car drivers.

On several occasions (like this picture I snapped next to Trajan's Forum) the Smart Cars parked perpendicularly on the side of the street where the other cars had parallel parked. Parking flexibility definitely seems to be an advantage of driving a two passanger car!