Saturday, January 17, 2015

Three weeks to go

Iceberg Lake, 2011
First of all, I just put this picture up on here because I was perusing some of my old photos and found this one taken October 2011 on one of our Trailblazer hikes. The sun, the lake, the red leaves and the snow-laden pine all added up to make me feel good, so here I am, sharing it with you.

About the title of this post: I will leave three weeks from today for a trip to Turkey. Now some of you might wonder why in the world I would travel to the Middle East while the world seems to be blowing up all around us, but it all started several months ago, when my old boss asked me if I would help him for one last conference, and I reluctantly agreed. I'm not as resilient as I used to be (who is?), and I am anxious about all the travel, since I seem to get sick almost every time I am forced to breathe airplane air for long periods. I've got some tricks up my sleeve this time. And I am finally beginning to actually get a little excited about it. I will be blogging from Turkey, so I shouldn't be missing any posts. More on this later.

We lucked out again this Saturday morning. Twenty-one of us showed up on a cloudy overcast day, with rain in the forecast. As I sit here, I can hear it drumming on the roof, but we stayed dry, with only a sprinkle or two during the six-mile brisk walk. We were all ready for it, of course, but it waited until we had finished. That always makes the day brighter, even without any sunshine.

And I'm going to see a movie this afternoon that I hadn't even heard about until the Oscars were announced. It is one of the Best Picture nominees, and it happens to be on at our local independent theater. It's called Whiplash, and after reading the dazzling reviews (the link takes you to Rotten Tomatoes), I'm wondering why it has been kept so quiet. I will be sitting in the movie theater with Judy in less than two hours from now, if all goes as planned. I'll let you know on Tuesday what I think about it.
:-)

25 comments:

  1. Wow, DJan. How exciting is this news? Your adventures just keep getting more interesting. I can hardly wait to read all about it.

    The movie sounds interesting. I will be interested to see what you have to say about it.

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  2. Our trip to Turkey in 2005 was one of the TOP three or four trips we've undertaken in the last 15 years. There is so much to see, DJan. You are going to absolutely LOVE it!

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  3. Turkey? Wow. The smaller portion has now gone twice and loved it both times.
    Have a heap of fun, and look after your important self.
    LOVE that photo of Iceberg Lake. I could feel tension ebb away just looking at its beauty. And how much better to be there, to drink it in, and feel the air.

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  4. You're going to Turkey? Cool! I'm excited for you! Glad to hear you'll be blogging during your trip. Can't wait to hear all about it.

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  5. What a great adventure for you. I understand, though, your trepidation of airplane travel. I don't eat, breathe, or touch anything on the plane! Well, the breathing part is kind of difficult, but I try to take shallow breaths due to the germy air. Build your immune system before you go and you should do just fine. Looking forward to reading your posts while traveling.

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  6. I'm sure Turkey will be a wonderful adventure for your adventurous soul. That's such a pretty photo .. the touch of orange on the left sets the whole image aglow. Enjoy the movie. I hadn't heard of it still.

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  7. You name-dropped Turkey a while ago and I wondered what was up. That's very exciting!
    I have my list of Oscar nominated movies on the fridge, and of course Whiplash" is there. I'll be interested in your review. We checked off "Boy Hood" last night - watched it on On Demand on our TV. We liked it very much.

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  8. I'm sure you will have a wonderful trip, my brother has travelled there time and time again, and just loves it.
    What a gorgeous photo, you venture into the most time-forgotten places, serene and magical !
    ~Jo

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  9. wow! turkey! you're more daring than i. but i knew that already. ;)

    and glad you got in a great walk today!

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  10. Going to Turkey?! I'm jealous!!! I'd love to go, need a hand? ;o)

    Don't worry about "the world blowing up around us", it's not really as frequent as the sensational media makes out... I haven't had any issues and I've been hopping around some very random (and sometimes risky) places these past 8 months.

    HAVE FUN!!! I look forward to reading about it!

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  11. Turkey sounds very fun. Lots of good foods and unique history to explore.

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  12. Turkey seems like a popular place to go. I've had friends tour and certainly some of the bloggers have gone to Turkey. I think the world is much safer than we think. One bad act gets and awful lot of press.

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  13. I saw Wild last night, and it reminded me of you. Not the heroin-addicted, sexually promiscuous, self-destructive Cheryl, but the tough, persistent, never-give-up Cheryl who walks a thousand miles on the PCT.

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  14. Too weird. Moments ago I added Whiplash to my Netflix list for when it is released on DVD. Turkey - how exciting is that. I wish you great health on this adventure.

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  15. How exciting, your trip to Turkey. I hope you enjoy it and tell us all about it when you get back.

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  16. Good luck in Turkey. My sister visited Istanbul many years ago and bought a ruby ring there. Hope you don't get sick and can enjoy the sights while there.

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  17. That picture makes me feel good too. It's wintry, but there are color and contrast, which is what I miss most in the winter time.
    And TURKEY! Please, please, take millions of photos! I want to see impossibly ancient and architecturally exotic buildings!

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  18. wow. i think it will be an amazing trip...and with the state of the world i can imagine the trepidation but what a trip...i look forward to seeing your pictures from that trip, when you are safely back...

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  19. Turkey! Oh wow! The only thing I know about Turkey is that Dagan went there on a college trip and I know he would say to watch your wallet and beware of the shady shopkeepers. They had some stolen wallets and when Dagan bought a small rug the man claimed he had given him a much smaller bill than he had but had already put it away so there was no proof, of course...and Dagan lost around $50. But it was a beautiful little rug and it was a crowded, fascinating place. I look forward to traveling with you vicariously and expect you will take lots of pictures! How exciting!

    I always look forward to hearing what you think of new movies!! I already had this one in my queue on Netflix. :)

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  20. If your old boss is bringing you, perhaps he is paying for the trip?? Cool. I am so glad you will continue blogging while there. I love it when bloggers take me on their trips. It has saved me a ton of money.I do vicarious well.
    Looking forward to your review of Whiplash. I have to wait for the DVDs since there are no theaters around here.

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  21. Well that is great news! You better see your Doctor and have him prescribe an antibiotic that you can take with you just to be on the safe side. Maybe lots of Vitamin C before you go...lots of people around here use those essential oils but we cannot stand the smell. How about your heel problem? I hope that is resolved.
    I am excited to follow you along on the trip to Turkey!!! Is it summer or winter there i wonder:)

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  22. Turkey, you say? Well, how marvellous is that? I do hope you survive the excursion. For me, walking to the back of the yard is a long trip. I don't think I'd make to Turkey. Hope you have a great time!

    See you in the spring, DJan. Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  23. I'm so glad you're able to get a little excited about your trip!
    I'm excited for you! I understand the reluctant feelings, I think those are in my nature. Home and routine are comfortable. But I always enjoy an experience that broadens my perspective on the world, and I'd say traveling to Turkey will definitely do that!
    Beautiful photo of Iceberg Lake.

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  24. Wow, Turkey! I look forward to those posts. It sounds like an adventure!

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