seeking for the peace

back to warm Laos

2011-07-08T04:28:00.000-07:00

On the way back i decided to stay at the same village i'd stayed before and visit that lovely teacher Noi and stay at her brother's guest house before move to Vientiane, the capital of Laos where i intended to apply for a Chinese visa. Second stay turned to be less informative then the first. This time Noi was out in Vientiane and her brother reached home late and drank, fooling around and giving his girlfriend affencive names, calling her fat and so on. He was sweet though, and his girlfriend as well I was just very tired and didn't have any will to explain him english words or trying to persuade him to give me a discount. With all this sircumstances the absence of water was quiet annoying decpite of the previous time.
Again as it happend the last time i was there i had to get my Western Union money transfer and again had to wait before the office was open. Then i received my money, paid a guest house fee and took off towards the capital.

end of Viet Nam trip

2011-06-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

in Viet Nam it was unbearably cold! I know, this statement sounds bizzarre from a russian girl, but there was no opportunity to get warm and even those +10C were felt like hell after the hot Laos and Thailand! Even the cofeeshops where you can drink the best cofee ever with a bottom covered with reach portion of condenced milk, even they didn't have any doors, neither heaters!
Well, but there ain't no doubt that i enjoyed all my days in Ha Noi! First lazy, slowly days at an Australian hostel, having an included to the price somewhat breakfast, movie room and knitting, then crazy days with an amazing hospitality of Tracy and all the couchsurfers i met there! Have to confess, i even drank there, quiet much, but that was worthwile as it was too cold and the bars were too inviting:)

Of course there was one event which i can't call positive at all. When I was refused to issue a Chinese visa in Ha Noi, I decided to move back to Vientiane, Laos to receive one. And the transportation was choosed as on the forward way - buses. But this time the driver chited me harshly! Not only he took the duble price but also didn't inform me that the second one will drop me off at the border, from which i'll have to find a way out by myself! And it was again cold and foggy, i crossed the border in a slow pace as all the passangers were let through in front of me. Then i get ot at a Laos side and that's it, no bus, nothing visible due to the thick fog, raining, wet shoes, expencive taxis standing on the side of the road and only tears of despare apeared on my face. But i was lucky to find a mini bus, full of a kindest family who gave me a ride till the first warm point in Laos!

///to be continued

Viet Nam

2011-01-11T23:35:00.001-08:00

Here now, but so far here what happened:

Was probably the first foregner local people have ever seen in Vinh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinh

so they stared and even touched me to check if I am real;

Was helped by two Laos boys to oder the food in a restaurant in Vinh;

Moved to Ha Noi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi

by a cozy half sleeping bus, met a Vetnamese boy who was with me till I entered the hostel doors to make sure I am safe;

Enjoying the street food but had first dissapointment – one of the souses turned to be disgusting!!

Have been surprised by price chitting by every seller on the street!

Visited the fine museum of arts http://vnfineartsmuseum.org.vn/English/gioithieu.asp;

Was refused to be issued the Chinese visa;

Couldn’t find the Russian embassy by the address given in web.

Laos (end of December - 7 January)

2011-01-11T23:34:00.000-08:00

Traveled to 4 thousand island (less in fact)http://wikitravel.org/en/Si_Phan_Don

In Pakse when my monthly money were gone, sold some of the hand made, was fed by a very kind Laos cook in a hostel;

Got the Vitnamese visa for $40, even though in fact it is for free for russians (some of them even spoke Russian to me and were very friendly);

Hitchhiked to north (kindness of local people is impressive, but one boy charged me at the end of a trip, no English speakers of course);

Visited amazing Kong Lor cave

http://www.grottegruppa.no/index.php?topic=2439.0

(was lucky to meet Canadian tourist who bought a tour and invited me to join him in the boat saving me quiet a lot of money!

The owners of a guest house I’d stayed in turned to be teachers in local school, and gave me the opportunity to go to school and have a little chat about the world with kids

http://wikitravel.org/en/Ban_Nahin

Had the most gorgeouse border crossing with Vietnam, even though the sun was left in LaosJ

Thailand (end of November - end of December)

2011-01-11T23:33:00.000-08:00

Had a flight to Bangkok, asked where is the tourist area, took the bus there, asked the people where is the cheapest accomodation, found amazing hostel with flooded entrance

http://www.phimanwaterview.com/#/home/

Met a God gifted Thai artist and moved to a Koh Chang island http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Chang

with him to help to organise an art and music festival,

http://duddproject.blogspot.com/2010/12/bailan-art-craft-fair-young-artists.html

Had a water colors class with a nude model

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45927585@N00/

Had first in my life dumpster diving with a lovely kiwi girl;

Sold my jewelry and then drank a lot of coctailes and had to loan money

http://www.travelfish.org/board/post/thailandadditions/9718_new-open----jungle-garden-----in-bailan--koh-chang

Went to every consert of a funky Mexican bandhttp://www.lasabrosasabrosura.com/

Had tones of inspiration;

ate a lot of pine apples!

After almost a month in Koh Chang moved back to Bangkok and from there crossed the border with

Laos

by bus.

Overstayed in Thailand for one extra day and payed around $15 fine!

Back to India (end of September)

2011-01-11T23:27:00.000-08:00

Stayed in New Delhi with my friend fashion designer from Canada, helping him to teach the ‘personality development’ course, learning scetching;

Had a party week with Swedish and Indian girls;

Spent thousands of rupees on a brended cloth;

Learned more Hindi;

Stayed 2 weeks in a village in Himaliya, eating abandoned apples from the frozen ground (with the frozen hands);

Witnessed the cycling of the Common Wealth Games

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commonwealth_Games

Boughed a very expenceve last minute ticket to Thailand.

Continue Nepali trip

2011-01-11T23:12:00.001-08:00

Pokhara.

Went trakking to Annapurna. 7 amazing days in the Himaliya, with rains, waterfalles, leeches, and my companions – 4 students from France!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annapurna

Had couple Yoga lessons with Satyavanhttp://satyavanasia.blogspot.com/

Couchsurfed with a wonderful Kashmiri family, had Ramadan fasting for 3 days, cooked Mexican hot tomato soup and learned Hindi

http://www.couchsurfing.org/mapsurf.html?SEARCH[skip]=0&view=detail&sid=3752615d1adcd6b761d2af7c3a7948a8

Kathmandu.

Danced at the Krishna’s Birthday in Durbar Square

http://www.magical-nepal.com/nepal_UNESCO_culturalHeritageSites_patanDurbarSquare.htm

Couchsurfed with French – Nepali couple;

Hitchhiked in a police truck;

Stayed with a family in a village and had a great time at a local school with kids;

Learned how to make chatney and a bit Nepali language;

Hiked with 8 th grade girls from a village school;

Got the Indian visa for 2 month.

my SE Asia trip on a shoestring

2011-01-11T20:29:00.000-08:00

Quick overview:
After Napal came back to India, straight to New Delhi, where was met by my friend. We spend some great time at his house near the city and there was no doubt that i'd return to him. This time he had students over, hours of mutual inspiration and creativity and of course a lot of cooking.

We tried to extend my Indian visa, but this time Jugad (Indian "there is every time a way") didn't work and I moved on to Thailand.

Arrived in Bangkok, found a dorm, met people, met a Thai artist, who took me to an island where I helped him to make a ground for the Music and Art festival. Heat, cold beer, semi vegetarian food, motorbikes, sharp curves, sea, jamming, creating, selling handicraft, being in love, dancing, inspiring.

Time was to go. Visa limit is not really fun. Grabbed my belongings in Bangkok, took a night bus to Laos. At the bus station met a boy. My seat next to the window was occupied, the conductor didn't want to change it, the lady which occupied my seat smiled and at the end of the trip stole the bus blanket. I didn't like her till the end..

Reached Ubon Rachathani. Had to pay a fine (500 baht) for one extra day of my stay. Yet haven't learnt how to count.. Was stressed. Lao visa was for free, that pleased me. At the border they issued the visa and asked for some Thai money, in return they gave and exchange in Laos Kips, the rate was absent, they just gave couple bills which were enough to visit a restroom at the bus station.

I reached the town, waited till all the Songteuos (local transport) were gone and asked a nearby party of how and where to go. They recommended the price and named me another bus station which will take me further into the country.

Everyone went to Pakxe, so did I. There I was given an information that it is rather expensive, had to chose another option. Talked to French boys and decided to follow them to 4 thousand islands. Had a long interesting conversation with a German monk along the whole trip. One beg under our feet was moving.. My vegetarian soul whipped. Shared with this German guy a bungalow for 3 day, slept outside in the hammock, with a view to the river Mekong. Full moon, silence and fresh air.

Moved towards Pakxe. Was given a ride across the river by Thai tourists. The boat boy charged me less.. Tried to hitchhike, but there were only taxes. One had a paper in front, containing the passengers' names. They were russian, but the bus was empty. Thought to try my luck and ask if the are so nice to give me a lift, but neither wanted to wait, nor to fail. Had to walk. One boy gave me a lift to the main road. Then again had to walk. Then was almost exhausted and when one more taxi driver offered me a ride, said yes, but bargained hard. Yet deserved to have a better price as walking in the heated and dusty south of Laos is not much fun.

The driver was sweet, picked some tourists from Airport, chatted with me easily but yet not overdoing. Shared with me some local vegetables, taught me how to recognize them and what price to pay. I had some bananas with me, but he refused them. It was interesting with what purpose he did so, either because there are really too many bananas as he said, or he just kindly helped a traveler.

Dropped me off at the Sabaidi guest house, where there was a dormitory. There i stayed till 31 December. Money were spent, and there was none to pay for the bed and while waiting for the transaction I sold some of my handicraft, some exchanged for the food. But the main thing was that i met one wonderful woman Cathrine, 78 y.o. who became my friend and with whom we spent some days together, wondered around temples, met her 79th year, traveled to waterfalls, hitchhiked on motorbikes, celebrated New Year and just had a grand time!

The story about my monthly income was pretty unexpected. Girl, who supposed to send me them didn't do it till the last moment, till 30 December. Hence at this day all the banks, meaning Western Union were closing at 3p.m. Money were sent, but not yet delivered to me. New Year was coming, the bill for the dorm had to be paid and i had to eat.. The situation was resolved by a very unexpected turn of my luck. I went to the cyber cafe and spent my last dollar on the hour of the on-line. Checked up with the "money" girl, they were sent, but the time was after 3p.m. and there was no banks open for the next 3 days. Thus i decided to check the balance on my bank of america card. There was nothing, but i still went to their website to see this fact again. HERE WERE money! 100 some dollars! I was rich:) From a billing address I learned that they were the "Tax back" from my US working times (2 years prior). What a surprise, what a relief!

Then all the way to the north. Several days of hitchhiking, visiting the Kong Lor cave, learning digits in Lao, surprising locals, befriending travelers, sharing good vibes with kids and finally coming to a Viet Nam border. Somewhere on the way I had an interesting situation. Like always was dropped somewhere on the way, walked along the road. The sun was still up, approximately 3 hours before down, the temperature was as always high and comfortable, trees along the road, villages and of course local dwellers. Passing one of the villages I was noticed by the local kids, which were probably going from the school to the other village. They laughed, shyly hiding at each other's back when i looked at them, saying some separate words in English they knew and making me an adorable company for the next half kilometer. There was one old woman among them and she was excited about communication with me not less then kids. When children turned from the main road into the side path, yelled "Bye" to me,she remained with me.

in Nepal

2010-08-01T04:55:00.000-07:00

Namastey if somebody is still reading me:)
i am so shameful not to upload here anything but you have to understand that i am a lazy person and internet is very slowly in this areas;) (one more excuse)

After crossing the border with Nepal i have moved to an amazingly quiet place called Lumbini, birthplace of Buddha. There i have stayed a month, because first time i was sick and had a weird unexplainable dehydration and i stayed in Korean Buddhist monastery. Lovely place with so friendly and cheerful people!! And after that full of bliss and peace I took a 10 day Vipassana meditation course to be closer to a Wisdom of Enlightened Buddha and my path of liberation.

Then i moved to Pokhara to Himalaya to extend my visa. And now I am fully enjoying it's hospitality and beauty and further more i keep on meeting travelers i met before during my India - Nepal traveling! Great times!!))
Yesterday we were jamming in a restaurant, Eric from Brussels was playing guitar, we were singing and making percussion with drumming the table with fingers and knocking glasses with spoons!)))
Inconceivable pleasant time!!)
Thank you guys!!!
PS still no possibility to publish photos.. sorry

love,
Anastasia

...

2010-06-27T04:02:00.000-07:00

Indian visa expired and i am moving to Nepal!
PS i do hope i can write more here but there is no opportunity...
big hugs,
Ana

1 June

2010-06-02T06:10:00.000-07:00

i am in this incredible and breathtaking place called Kasol!

i don' have words guys!!!!! So far it is the most beautiful place i have ever seen!!!!!!

And what a smell here!!!!! mmm.. reminds me Northern Cali)))))

i believe i'll be here for a week chilling)))

i have a privet balcony with a view of snow picks and nabours laid back europeans))))

niiiceeee)))

c u when i c u:)

Ana

i did a move to one of the hottest places at the hottest time

2010-05-27T04:35:00.000-07:00

so i am in Jaipur, Rajastan, exploring my temperature limits!

it was 50 degrees one day, but usually it is not more then 48!

But i am being taken care of! I am staying with a family of my friend and his brother shows me around, his mother teaches me how to cook and his father tells all the interesting stories of history and scientific facts.

I am visiting old forts, eating national Rajastani foods, smoking shisha and having fun with a young part of this hot city!

cheers!

Peace in Rewalsar

2010-05-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

9 May.

Here i am again!
I am in sacred for Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs place called Rewalsar. It was built around the lake with the similar name. This place gathers pilligrimms from different parts of Earth but though it never bacame touristee which is very good!
Google it: Rewalsar, Himachal Pradesh, India

I am staying now by myself in a Buddhist monastery in a single room for 50 rupees with a huge window opening a nice view to the lake and houses and temples around it. I am willing to stay here for a while and take my time for meditation and thinking.

Facts:
i still keep on drinking tap water and eating just washed veggies and no desease have hit me yet. Only pozitive emotions from Indian and Tibetian food and wisdom:)

Tushidele

again in mountains

2010-04-25T23:06:00.000-07:00

26, April 2010

After a short trip to New Delhi i came back to a pleasant, charming North to feel the spirit of fresh and strong Himalaya's winds.
The place i am at calls Mcloudganj, famous for Tibetians living here, Buddhism in every corner and also everybody knows that exactly here lives Dalai Lama :)
And i've heard that tomorrow he comes to make a speech at a town temple!

We'll see how it'll go! Now i am by my self waiting for my travel partner's return and again we'll do hitchhikin and camping! But now, i am staying safe and protected in hotels:)

peace,
Ana

in Himalaya

2010-04-20T03:16:00.000-07:00

so we are staying in Rishikesh for 5 days already and doing a lot of things!!!

Practicing yoga, meditation, hiking for 4 km, visiting temples, learning Hindi, climbing the waterfalls, meeting great souls and indeed digging deeper into ourselves!

I am very happy to have a travel partner, but i feel it's time to split, and may be meet later!:)

Yesterday we had strong rain and wind and lightning and thunder and it was amazing! Nowhere it can be more marvelous then in Himalayas!!!

see you soon,

Ana

India

2010-04-09T02:46:00.000-07:00

so I am in India and will write here later!
I AM FEELING overwhelming and happy!!! it is what i was looking for!:)
Namastey
*btw, i've read my last blog articles and have a question, How could you read them? they are so boring at the end!))))
ok, t2us!
ANa

leaving for San Diego. December

2010-01-10T23:41:00.000-08:00

I had to leave La Paz sooner or later. It was too simple and peaceful, I was eager for some action. Life was easy and lovely, there were money for food and I had three places where i'd be welcomed to stay. But the time came. And there was a very exciting opportunity to deliver a boat from La Paz to San Diego, being paid of course and gaining the essential experience.
There were 4 of us aboard, two - professional captains and two kids. One of which was the son of Kevin, who grew up on the boat, but yet was under 15 and me, who was an independent traveler, kind of a newbie in the boat life. We took off twice, one time some of the systems wasn't working and we had to return. Although the second time was successful and brought us to US through the day in the wonderful endless sea with gorgeous bays and shooting stars. 10 days in this moving paradise. My stomach was becoming stronger and stronger, the wind colder and colder, San Diego was closer and closer. They say they say that going Northbound is not worthwhile, due to the strong cold winds blowing the wrong direction. We were brave enough to take this chance and were truly satisfied.

When we arrived to San Diego it was already dark and no people were noticed at the pier. Kevin called to customs and in 20 minutes they came to check our passports and our purposes for been in US. I was more then happy to learn that my visa was not cancelled and i could be in this country with my visa valid and without any headache. But again it was only the beginning, i asked the officer to issue me the i-94 which was obviously in his paper folder but he said that he can not do that and i have to call to a number which he gave me and to inquire there how i can do it. I was not expecting anything bad and i was happy and content to be again in the country which brought me so many positive emotions this and last year and i was not warring about anything. First night we slept on the boat, and at the morning the owner came, paid us and we happily announced all the troubles this boat can make, wished good luck and off we went. Saw Kevin’s friends in Shelter Island, watched Christmas boat parade and next morning after a night in a cheap motel i had to say good bye to everybody and start my own day, again by myself on the road but this time with a little money in my pocket.

I arranged the meeting with my friend from Tijuana which was by the chance also in San Diego and before that as i had 2 extra hours i decided to make a walk in downtown and refresh my memories of SD. I was like an alien, brightly dressed, with a wide real smile on my face and with an adventure in my eyes. One guy came to me smiling and pointed how he amazed by my coloures and i shared with him the information that Mexico gave me lots of inspiration and that i highly recommend him and everybody to check it out! But the rest of the people on the Broadway were not real, with plastic smiles, running fast to their jobs and lunches, dressed in suits and ties from known brands and with perfect shoes. That was real US, material, fast and fake. And also there were many homeless, many crazy people, yelling something to the crowd or just talking to the air. That was the real South Californian Downtown with all the unreal life taking place there. I was really scared if not to say more, i was frightened, i was freaked out and at this moment i so wished to be at home at lovely La Paz crowded with all those content and full of life families on Malecon!! When my friend Victor came i shared with him all my feelings and he was just friendly laughing reminding me the time when i didn´t believe him that Mexico is much more safe then US!!

Then i walked to Shelter Island grabbed my bags and took off to my friend’s house in Clearmont. And there was another crazy story. When i reached Old Town and was waiting for my bus one strangely dressed man was asking me too many questions, where i am going to stay and for how long i am here.. and when my bus came he entered it before me, but it was questionable if he really needed this bus or not, because on the bus stop i was staying was only one bus stoping – 30. And the fact that he entered it before me didn´t really mean anything! Then was worse – he took a sit in front when i sat at the back. Then he took his cell-phone and called somebody, holding it that way in which i didn´t see his mouth and couldn´t even (if i knew how) to read his lips and guess what he talks about. And during all his talking every 20 seconds he was turning his head to me and looked at me as he was talking about me! And at this moment the feeling of fear took over me and i started choking. I didn´t have anything with me to protect, no even pepper spray, i just had 3 big bags and a sombrero which would give to a burglar a nice chance to mug me without expecting fighting back! And becides i was a traveller, without any relatives here nor with knowing how to act in this country if something happens. So i realized that with all that i am just a sweet sacrifice for a criminal!! So the first decision which came to my mind is to go out on the wrong bus stop but with all that weight i was holding it was rediculous and foolish. So i decided to get out on the right stop but i had to do something before that i started staring at him, straightly as i knew what he was going to do. He kept on turning to me and i kept staring. Then when i recognised the area and my coming bus stop i went to a driver to confirm if it is really the right one and when he proved i asked him to stop. It was the deal of seconds, the bus stopped and i saw nobody was going to get out and i waited till the bus driver opened the doors and checked on this guy that he is sitting still and grabbed my stuff as fast as i can and just jumped out yelling thank you and checking if nobody got out after me. There were nobody, but my heart was beating almost painfully. And with all those emotions i mumbling went to my friend’s house, turning my head back after every 10 feet. If you have been to US you probably know that a lot of streets there don´t have street lights and this area wasn't an exception. I decided somehow to call my friend to pick me up because closer to there house there was even no wide curb and i had to walk almost on the road. So i went in the closest 7-11 and with trembling voice asked the store assistant to give me his phone to call my friend and luckily he was so nice that he did so. My friend James came and my fear left me as soon as i reached their house and hugged my friend Janet. On this point i decided to leave US as soon as possible!
That´s what i actually did, after i went to see the customer officer and he said that i have to have any evidence of been in Mexico for 4 months and i didn´t have any! So i left US for Mexicali where i am now, waiting for all my papers been sent to me and volunteering in the orphanage playing with 16 charming but not lucky with their families kids. My mexican visa was extended for more 90 days and now i had a headache with only american one, because with only evidence of me been out of states i can enter it now. And one more thing makes my tourist life more complicated – the last i-94 which i sent when i arrived to La Paz with the explanation latter never reached US and due to the officer´s words i had to take copies of all the documents i have or even send anywhere! But it was the first time and i wasn´t prepared for so many complications and hopefully this will help me! And furthermore now i own a plane ticket back home from Las Vegas and this fact should definitely make customs control of US take it easy. Keep my fingers crossed.
So next rule of a smart traveller – save all the checks and all the tickets and whatever you´ve got in a foreign country if some unexpected things happen with you like they happened to me!
Cheers
By the way, for a russian citizen Mexican visa has two parts. The first is the visa where there is a number of days which mean you can enter Mexico in those days, for example i had visa for 90 days, that means that i had to enter Mexico before 90 will past. And the second thing is the Tarjeta de Turista, which you get when you enter Mexico. Usually it is given for 140 days. So for a Mexican visa you have to pay twice! (visa – 36$ + 21$-tarjeta de turista)
Don´t brake the rules!
Yours,
Ana

Baja's trip to North

2010-01-10T23:24:00.000-08:00

So at last we had a chance to leave La Paz for San Diego. I had a fever, cough, but with all that i felt myself pretty fine i just needed a long good sleep in a warm and definitely not wet bad, but we so long waited for this trip so there was no chance not to go and leave my dream paid trip behind! So off we went. We left when it was already afternoon and the Captain made a decision to anchor close by in the Balandra bay and start moving at the early morning not to loose any precious time. So that´s how it was. By that moment we had an annoying alarm which was warning us about some non existent problem with an anchor every 26 seconds (i counted)!! That was just a small trouble and little that we knew were other troubles which we were gonna have later. So at early morning we took off towards North and in 6 or 8 hours our auto-pilot just stopped working!! There was no panic, because there were two qualified captains one of which was at the moment of quiting auto-pilot at the steer with me. I want to confess that at this moment I had a silent panic attack!! I ran downstairs to wake up Kevin as he was the main leader of this trip, while uncle Bob was taking care of manual steering, trying to stop circling on high speed boat. Other problem was that the wheel was very difficult to turn - almost impossible. So the situation was already not healthy and there was a decision to return back and fix all those problems. First we again anchored for a night to escape dangerous situation and on the next evening we were back to La Paz, this time at the dock, with keys from hot shower, high speed Internet and electricity for movies and pop corn. And what is important to mention on the way back i experienced my first in life Baja’s bash and unexpectedly for the first time i was more then fine – jumping, catching the ups and downs of waives laughing and being very happy!=)
In two days we again took off but this time i was healthy and the auto-pilot worked and we were more then determine to get this boat delivered in short time and without any complains. It was a great first trip for me, i felt sea sick only once but my stomach was pretty strong to accept this light bash outside and inside. But this time i was already unable to make a lunch for the crew and enjoy it by myself.
Luckely, cellphones of both captains worked and we were able to get the recent weather news and made a decision to wait for the weather in a nice calm Bay with a name Abrejos (open your eyes). This name was given to this bay due to many underwater rocks and cliffs and as we later, with a sunlight understood because of hundreds of small lobster catchers which were invisible in dark but could easily get into the motor propeller and stop the boat. So there quietly and with dolphins we spent 3 long days waiting for the calm ocean. I was enjoying night stars with almost all the astrological signs visible, but unfortunately my sickness partly returned and i was forced to keep myself warm inside the boat, crouching and making jewelry from the wire.
All in all we spent 10 days on the ocean, getting very cold and very wet, watching sea lions and dolphins, eating very easy almost fast food and sleeping on the half wet, jumping with the boat bads. But it was indeed much fun and lots of new information and definitions and of course emotions. I took millions of new photos of sunsets and jagged hills on the Baja’s shore and of course lots of photos of the crew and myself with wide smile and dressed as so as it was a real December in a real North!!))

my inspiration in La Paz. water colores plus picasso

2009-11-23T09:54:00.000-08:00

dia de los muertos

2009-11-19T19:08:00.000-08:00

sunsets and streets of La Paz

2009-11-19T18:45:00.000-08:00

2009-11-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

1 October 4, 2009
We experience the heavy consequences of the passing cyclone by heavy rain, wind and dark clouds. The Malecon is under the dark water, streams running from the hills to the Bay. Warm clean water from the sky and dirty, without bottom under feet. Woohooo!! What a feeling!! At this moment the best what anybody can do is to grab a friend by his hand and walk under the warm rain laughing at running, passing you people, scared to get wet! That is what we did. In my city it rains a lot, but the rain is acid and cold. However I enjoy it, and I found the same mood guy here and we both enjoyed pure clean warm rain, remembering my and his rain at home! Ah, what a pleasure!
And then rain stopped, clouds disappeared and our dearest sun came and everything returned to usual La Paz, Baja California way. After that we grabbed the bottle of good tequila and grapefruit soda and had a nice evening. I slept at the deck of the boat and was glad to have a smooth wind all the night.

16 November 2009

Wow, how much time past and I didn’t write anything!! What a shame! But I have to say that all this time I was content with my life here in La Paz.
By now I have Spanish classes, with wonderful family paceño, who treat me as I am part of it. Which I appreciate so much! Also I took couple water colors classes and have made some nice and bright works. Then one day I was volunteering as an English teacher at the school for poor, which was indeed inspiring for me and I am looking forward to do it again! I also had been at the fiesta of the Dia De Los Muertos, which is a big holiday here and I want to say that very fun one! Dressed people in the skeleton Katrina dress, music, small exhibitions of how Mexicans treat the dead people. How the pay attention to them. I can say that it was a very touching moment, both at the cemetery, where we went at the morning and at the official fiesta in front of the city theatre.
When I was on my way to this fiesta I saw a hippie looking van and then there a guy came out and he turned to be a friend of the girl at whose roof i stayed the first two nights in La Paz, that wonderful girl who crossed the Baja Desert by her feet! And now we went together and at the fiesta I met her with warm hugs and praising words! Today she has a birthday and I am invited for a dinner at her house and very excited about it!
I also had a meeting with couchsurfers in La Paz, one was local, one from Spain, one from Mexico city, from France, from Peru, one from somewhere in the main land and I forgot from where and I couldn’t believe it, but the server in the bar we were sitting in was a CS too and it’s turned to be that I already shared couple of messages with him online before, but we couldn’t meet due to some reasons! So with this noisy and fun company I spent an evening and a night too, because I had cockroaches on my boat. Now I got rid of them, and I sleep well by myself with my music and a nightlight.
Besides all that I was continuing to paint the boat where I have been living and falling in a dipper and dipper love with everything around me here!
Yesterday on Sunday (El domingo) I had a movie morning, I watched 4 spanish and Portuguese speaking ones – Turistas, Tropa de Elita, Ciudad de Deus and Caotica Ana, after the last one I was almost crying like always, I love this movie so much that I have watched it for dozens times by now. And I want to mention that partly I didn’t use subtitles and watched all the films in original!;) I am very glad to know some Spanish and understand it!! As in Caotica Ana I have a feeling that I knew it already before and now I just trying to remember! I love Spanish and Mexico and I dream about a land here with a small farm, and after I’ll make a trip across the world in a boat! i know I can!
So I will update my blog later, because I bet I will have something to say!;)
Ciao,
Yours Ana

close by to La Paz, B.C.S.

2009-10-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

My friend who brought me all the way from Ensenada, came to visit me in Paz. And here you can see where he took me to this time. The person whose career started with hopping on the cargo train and whose articles are translated into dozens of languages became my friend. I am very proud of it and will be telling this to everyone! Hurray to Ray The Sun!

still in Paz

2009-10-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

19 September 2009

Guess what! I’m still in La Paz!;)

I think I can stay here for ever, lovely, peaceful, quite city full of kind and open people and

thousands stunning picturesque landscapes around!

Malecon. Saturday

2009-10-05T09:59:00.000-07:00

13 September 2009

Yesterday was Saturday and almost whole La Paz was walking on the Malecon (the street next to the Bay) with families. Kids and old people, bicycles and skateboards, graffiti performances and musicians with bongos, lots of jewelry trades and homemade decorations. Lively Malecon, lively La Paz and lots of happy relaxed smiles and faces. I had a company of a nice Capitan and we were walking and talking, enjoying at last cooled down wind and wonderful view of a night water.

Then we went to the bar to listen to a live band which included one Israeli guy on drums and two Mexican with guitars and they were playing the old school American rock! That was fun!!

marina de La Paz 2

2009-10-05T09:57:00.000-07:00

11 September 2009

Now I’m currently staying at a boat, the owner of which I haven’t seen and hopefully will never see (especially unexpected), because it will be very difficult to explain him fast enough, without ashamed bubbling What on Earth I am doing in his boat! And even the fact that his friend allowed me to do it won't sound rather firm.

Let me start my story from yesterday morning – I left my previous accommodation with all my stuff because my host had to leave the place and I went straight to the marine! After the inspiring story of the boat hitchhiking I decided to throw a dice and see how far i can go with that smallest sum of money i had left. I found that magic radio where every morning at 8 o’clock sailors exchange their news, advertise some new interesting events and where you can share your wishes to go somewhere or advertise something even if you’re not a member of their society.

So I met this guy and staying there with my luggage all alone, chewing nervously the words I shared with him my crazy idea to hitchhike to the main land and if he would be so king to show me how I can do it and how I can announce it on the radio so everybody could hear me. And guess what – he said that he saw travelers with the same purpose a lot in this marine, the same desperate traveling souls without money, lonely wondering in the world people!!

Now I know how to arrange this and can share this information easily with everybody if somebody is interested;) But as this was not the right season there were not so many people hanging out in the marine and my chance to get a ride was extremely close to zero, but my destiny is very kind to me and it lead me again to very open people and while I was waiting for the miracle I was staying in a boat with a roof, great view to the stars and an extra blanket! ;)

Tomorrow at 8.30 I’ll lead the yoga class for the ladies living near or at the marine and at 1p.m. I have a meeting with a Russian old lady who lives here for a long time and I believe she’s got some tips for me. We’ll see!

Now, quietly swinging on the waives with the pleasant voice of Billy Holliday I’m going to have a sleep at my new temporary house!;)

Hasta manana!

Anastasia

Marina de La Paz

2009-10-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

La Paz

2009-10-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

9 September 2009

Now I’m in La Paz, my credit card is blocked I don’t know how to deal with Russian bank from Mexico, there is $100 pesos in my pocket and I’m looking for the decision how to make it!

Tonight we plan to drink vodka and tequila with guys, now we are four and everybody from different countries – one Russian, one American, one Canadian and now one more – Mexican ;)

I eager to make it and I won’t have to go back, biting my nails in sadness and shaming tears in my eyes! I’ve heard some stories how brave and desperate people crossed the countries without money and how they were inspired with the free nomadic way of life and how they were sharing and learning on their road. And I don’t understand why I can’t be like them, be a simple human seeking for the piece of happiness in this internal life and bless. I want to feel the value of this life and I want to help others to understand it through my experience and my conclusions and in my dream I want everybody see this beauty which I admire right now!

Today I had colored dreams about trees, caws, cactuses and peaceful life on this planet. And I believe tomorrow will bring me more adventure and some interesting turns! Life is amazing!!

Salut,

Ana

pics from Baja's road trip

2009-10-05T09:31:00.000-07:00

two bajas

2009-09-12T11:22:00.000-07:00

7 September 2009

Now we were on our way to La Paz. I have a pretty stubborn plan to get there and boat hitchhike to the main land to Los Mochis or Mazatlan from where I could somehow get to Mexico city and meet at last a girl from my city, the only one Russian girl I know who came to Mexico and guess what she now lives here!;) We have one good mutual friend and after the conversation with her I realized that I want to meet her and hang out because she seems to be really nice person! So we spent 4 days in car and cheap hotels at night, visited destroyed by the Jimena hurricane cities and met some friendly people. We drank plenty of water and cold beer, visited the Loreto’s local religious festival and ate lots of bananas as the most cheap and full of sugar fruit.
We passed the endless desert full of cactuses, funny trees and sharp bushes. We saw the rainbow, admired low clouds and short rain which came to greet us. There, in the middle of the peninsula, in the heart of desert was no sound except whistling wind and rear cars due to the recently passed hurricane. Enjoying the view and company we crossed the boarder between two states and changed our clock’s one hour forward and now we were in Baja California Sur!;)
On our way we met a Canadian guy and now already we are three moving together, two in a car and one on a motorcycle. Planning by tomorrow reach La Paz where I’ll again be by myself looking for adventures
So we end up in our destination met a wonderful talented and creative Mexican girl who passed the Baja California by her feet, won a prize on a photographer’s contest and has lots of ideas about eco-tourism. She was very kind and offered to host me and that’s how I spent two wonderful days in her company and company of her friends, sleeping on the roof and admiring the warmth of nights in La Paz!

road in both Bajas

2009-09-11T17:40:00.000-07:00

7 September 2009

We passed the endless desert full of cactuses, funny trees and sharp bushes. We saw rainbows, admired low clouds and short rain which came to greet us. There, in the middle of the peninsula, in the heart of desert was no sound except whistling wind and rear cars due to the recently passed hurricane. Enjoying the view and company we crossed the boarder between two states and changed our clock’s one hour forward and now we are in Baja California Sur!;)
On our way we met a Canadian guy and now already we are three moving together, two in a car and one on a motorcycle. Planning by tomorrow reach La Paz where I’ll again be by myself looking for adventures.

dearest Ensenada

2009-09-05T23:08:00.000-07:00

September 5, 2009

Today I woke up in a nice quite apartment inside and with a view to the Pacific Ocean outside. I don’t know if life can ever again be boring for me, I won’t just let it happen!
Two days ago I came to Ensenada the second time and one more time I have such a kick-ass experience that I can say again – Ensenada is cool!;)
On the first night here I was already drinking beer on the beach with two smart and funny people. We were speaking, laughing, I went swimming (this time I was a nice girl – only topless). And I had pleasant time there, watching the moon, showing off a little with Miriam in who knows more incredible gymnastics poses ;) haha))
On the next day they showed me Laguna Hanson. And that was one of those places where you want to stay no matter how dangerous it can be or how much money it can cost to you! It is an amazing place, charming treats of wild nature and even wild people, littering on the ground. I felt this Mexican freedom, freedom of lands, of behavior of spirit, fresh air and the Vanilla smell from trees! I love it! I was circling on one place, waving hands, looking at the spinning beautiful sky and it was it, I was there!!! Thanking my God for all that he does for me and thanking all the people who brought me here at this point at particular this part of my life and my progress.
I start thinking when it all started - in the bar in Atlanta, where I met V and he presented me the acquaintance of A in San Francisco and there I met a person S who shared with me the blessed place hidden in mountains and where I had a sign sanding me to south, or it started with a girl E whom I met in my University and who brought me to that bar? Or may be it is University was the main part of this long chain….. I can go deeper and deeper, but what I can definitely say that all the things which happen they happen with the purpose and I am really glad that I figured this out not so late as I could!

The things that I've learned from the trip to Ensenada:
1. in those parts of Earth where there is a big chance of Tsunami everybody knows that when ocean water goes far from the shore and you can see all the fish and all the ocean citizens open under the sky it means that you have to RUN!!! Climb the highest tree, or run to the top of mountain or somewhere high and safe as the Water which left the Earth will definitely come back with the enormous energy and power!
2. some specific trees in Baja California smell like vanilla
3. the wholes which you can see in the ground could belong to innocent moles but they can also contain Tarantulas:)
4. in Mexico is very important to shake your shoes before you put there you feet and check if nothing is there, as there could be Scorpions.
5. also very important – don’t keep drugs in your car, they have military stops which check cars in a lot of places between cities and believe me you don’t want to mess with the guys in uniform in Mexico!!
6. and concluding this I want you to know that when you cross the Mexican boarder you better have Tarjeta de Migracion, it costs you $20 backs and with this thing you don’t have to worry about getting into jail without it! *I’ll figure out later if Russians actually need it..

And don’t forget your smile and your politeness as on your way you’ll meet indeed friendly locals and have a great time eating seafood or tacos with a beer or Mecheladas or whatever you can find. Mexico is fantastic to make yourself as happy as you’ve never been!!
Ciao,
Ana

first time in Mexico pics

2009-09-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

first time in Mexico

2009-09-02T12:40:00.000-07:00

So at last I made it to the San Diego and Tijuana’s border. Nervesing, sweating, without any clue what all those people are speaking about I walked on the long bridge on the other side of which there was the big sign saying MEXICO.
As I was prepared for the worst I was trying not to speak to anybody, not to show my tourist look and not to get into trouble. But there was no bus as I expected right near the border!! I definitely had to ask somebody for the directions! The most safe way I found in my head is to go to the bus driver which was having a break chilling at parking near his bus. And you know what? He was a sweetheart! He spoke really good English and was really interested in my travel story and also he expresses lots of greetings to Russia and my fabulous movings!
So I got to the bus, breaking all possible rules of Spanish, mixing it with English and Russian the bus driver at last understood what my destination was and promised to announce it, which actually he forgot to do, but I’m not that silly to trust them, so to be sure I asked also a girl, sitting next to me.
I got of at the Tecnologico and Universidad and realized that if you reduce the temperature approximately twice, make locals whiter, without touching their boring appearance and if you change the language to Russian you will get my Motherland, my missed world, my destroyed roads and crazy drivers! I was at home! Same! I remember how every my American friend was telling me scary stories about local police that drivers don’t stop if they are asked because they can be killed or tortured, or that everybody want to rob me or rape. But I’m ok, already for the cuatro dias and still alive and with all my parts with me. But what’s important to mention is that police here looks really creepy, they usually drive trucks and in the truck you can see the guy with a huge gun. That’s for sure, but nobody is killed or suffered so far.
I spent two beautiful days in a city Ensenada which is more in south from Tijuana. There was a wine festival and lots of tourists, of course wine, lots of bars and free of cover clubs and definitely great company!
We stayed at my friend’s (I found through Couchsurfing.org) parent’s house in a hilly, quite and nice area, slept all together on the floor, ate his Mom’s delicious breakfasts and were parting both of those nights.
Mexico showed me it’s hospitable and kind nature which I appreciate and value! I want to say thank you to all people who took care of me here and i hope i could write the names of places we’ve visited and all drinks we’ve been drinking and foods we’ve been eaten, if I could remember them all..
Adios!

2009-09-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

First I came to San Diego, California, USA, just in couple days before we had a week camping in Sequoia National Park, close to nature, bears and long conversations during drinking beer.
In San Diego I spent 2 amazing months of doing nothing just lying on the beaches, drinking with my friends and locals, taking pictures of everything and cycling my bike back and forth.
When I finally understood that with having too much fun I don’t move anywhere, I don’t learn anything or even see anything new I decided to visit my favorite city from last year – San Francisco. I published my post in craigslist, had a reply just immediately and moved towards the Bay area! My dear friend Janet helped me to pack my stuff – backpack with couple changing shirts and pants, two pillows, two sheets, one towel, one blanket and some kitchen items not to ask anybody for anything that i might need and I had a present from a Russian girl to boy who lived over there. Also I took my bike in case to ride around and not spending money on bus tickets and of course for my working out as I never was an example of good fitted person.
The plan was to spend first two days at my friend’s place then to move to a big house where there supposed to be friends of my friends waiting for me and where I could spend a week. What happened in real – my friend had a sudden reconstruction at his place and he by himself had to stay at somebody’s house, then those friends of a friends’ house had an economical crisis and they couldn’t host me and I found myself at a cold SF’s street with all my stuff and no place to go! It was fun I’m telling you! 
The first and the best decision was to call the guy to whom I had a present and ask him for accommodation. God bless kind and open people! While I was waiting for Misha at Union square one boy from Hong Kong was waiting with me and let me use his cell phone to call and made me really nice and interesting company! He had a very unexpected view on things, he was counting Friday of the year, connecting them to the moon location. Then Misha came and picked me up to his place. Anyway, after that night I had to move somewhere else and now I was already searching in Web, as been a couchsurfing member using hostels is too easy and yet an issue and I was kind of pressing on the chance to have somebody’s couch for one or two nights. At last, with no hope already, I found it and moved accelerating to the new host's place which was in a really nice area with the marine next by and quite streets. We went together to the really cool Indian music concert, ate delicious salad, drank smoothie and I was preparing to go back to San Diego as all my plans failed, but I had another person whom I wanted to call and whom I definitely wanted to meet before leaving San Fran. He didn’t respond to his cell phone, but he picked the phone when I called to his Mother’s land phone!!!! It was a fate! And long story short – that’s how I spent almost a week in his casa in the middle of nowhere, hidden in woods and mountains with hippies, Buddhists and Rastafarians.

And there, in mountains I had a pretty obvious sign that I have to go to south!

Even at the back trip to San Diego I met great people, also using a rideshare and then Greyhound, where by the way if you have any problems you can talk to the bus drivers personally and they will help you with any your trouble for some “clanking” thanks. 
So right now I’m in Mexico. And I love it!!!!!

about me

2009-09-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

Hi All!
My name is Anastasia, I’m from Russian Federation – the biggest country in the world and one of the biggest disordered places you can find on Earth.
At this point of my life I find myself on the road seeking for the better world and for the peace.
I was every time one of those who was called nutts, dressing in a weird way, trying to cause indignation and to be a point of issue. I don’t like boring things and I believe that in my country there are too many boring people, afraid to be someone, scared to show their real faces and scared to start living with open eyes! Interesting fact but after I started traveling i met more and more inspiring people from every place on Earth, thus Russia as well.
I was an outcast from the kindergarten, society didn’t understand my stream of thoughts. The only person who was every time with me is my dearest Mom, now i am too far from her and usual events!
I remember not so long time ago I met a guy who was the first one to bully me at school. He was a little drunk and tipsy and said that he loved me all those years, and I was laughing so much, saying that he was giving me really hard time back then!!!  Right now I have my best friend, couple close ones, amazing acquaintances and I can defenatly say that I am happy!!! Thank you all who halped me and who believes in me and my aims!
Big hugs and kisses,
Ana