Tuesday, May 31, 2011

News from Nelson


Silver says hi too
Dear Lulu,


As you could have deduced from Ginger’s letter I have been living on a farm for the past week and a half helping out Kevin. He is an organic farmer and also has a bunch of goats that he milks and then makes tasty cheeses. I got to help make some of the cheeses and also milk the goats! I know it may seem sad to most that I got excited to milk a goat, but alas I did. It was one of the exiting parts of my day on the farm. Kevin is really sweet and tried to make my WWOOFing experience with him as good as possible. He made a point to teach us how to make fresh bread, fruit preserves, cheese, and gave us lots of organic farming and goat herding tips. You know, all the important lessons in life that are no longer taught. He tries to live as sustainably as possible and is a huge advocate in the fight to eliminate genetically engineered foods. I was shocked when I found out more about it. Something really does need to be done.
Kevin hanging the cream cheese to drain

Freshly made preserves

One of the gardens

You may be asking how I ended up on an organic farm… especially since I had my mind set on working on a vineyard. Well, turns out it was close to impossible to get a job for such a short period of time. Truthfully, I knew this all along, but denial is a strong force. So since I only had three weeks before I had to leave to come home for over a month I had to face the fact that a vineyard job wasn’t going to happen until I got back. I met a really sweet American girl who was couch surfing at the same house as me. We ended up becoming good friends and she had a WWOOFing account so we started going through it and sending out a few requests. We both didn’t want to pay the ridiculous prices for hostels here, $25 to $30 a night, and we also wanted to do something interesting with our time….so I find myself here at Kevin’s farm. He was equally as excited to have us since he was running the whole farm by himself! I don’t know how he was managing. It was almost too much work for all three of us let alone just him! His partner is away in England for six weeks and I think he is relying on the WWOOFing program for help. Poor guy, I was happy that we were able to help him, and the goats are just so cute too! Ginger is my favorite. She is so soft and cuddly. I try not to play favorites, but she definitely gets pet the most. The others get jealous and they will start nibbling at my clothes and pulling at them until I pay attention to them too. It is so funny. They are really smart and affectionate, very much like dogs. I can’t decide now if I want a goat or a cow….maybe I will just have to have both. My farm just keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Grace petting Ginger and her mom(too bad you can only see Ginger's little ear)

Picking Beets

Feeding time! 

On top of all the great stuff he taught us, he also took a day off of farm work (don’t worry we still fed the animals) and took us on a day hike to climb Mt. Arthur. It was an amazing hike, one of the best ones I have done so far I think. It was really a unique experience because for most of the hike we were above the clouds! You know how you see those pictures of people who have climbed to the tops of mountains and are looking out over a sea of clouds as far as they can see and only the neighboring peaks are visible? Well, I have always wanted to experience that and I think that’s why I loved this hike so much. I wish you could have been there. Honestly it was strange hiking without you. Most of my hikes up to now have been with you. We saw a bunch of really cool birds with interesting calls that you would have held up the hike for hours looking at. I didn’t have anyone yelling at me for taking a million pictures either. It was all too strange. There was snow at the top and it made me think of Valaniracu in Peru( I don’t know if I spelled that right). It was nowhere near as intense though.
The forest on the lower part of the hike was really mossy and mysterious

A cool bird we saw on the hike. It looks like a parrot but lives in the mountains?

Grace hiking under the clouds

The view from the top

A view from under the clouds

I loved the way the light fell on the trees on the way back down

So that was my time on the farm. I can’t wait to get home and make breads and preserves and cheeses with you and the family. I hope the blueberries are in season so we can go pick them and then make pies and muffins and preserves….and then give them to people so we don’t eat them all! I know how your will power is when it comes to sugar. Don’t worry we will be doing yoga and riding our bikes every day. I will even do classes for everyone… well we will see. I have to fill you in on a few other ridiculous stories about my New Zealand time. I will leave them for another letter though. Let’s just say search and rescue was involved! Haha! Only me! Don’t worry I will tell you everything in my next letter.

Love,

Kiki
Funny little fan tail.  They are so friendly.  They are known to land on your shoulder
or outstretched finger.

P.S. Maggie how is the new bike? You have to get Lulu to give you a few pointers. She is a pro.

Friday, May 27, 2011

1 Goat, 2 Goat, 3 Goat more...

Dear Maggie and Lulu,

Thank you so much for writing Kiki, it made her smile.  My name is Ginger and I am 8 months old too.  I am one of the goats Kiki is taking care of along with my mother and about 50 of my other family members here on the farm.  She is really good at scratching that spot behind my ears and she always gives me a little extra hay because I am so cute.  I don't have a communion because I am a goat and all, but I know God loves me too.  I don't get any money though because I would eat it, and bikes are a little complicated for me too.  I do get a green field to run and play in and all the head scratching I could want.

Love,
Ginger

Thursday, May 26, 2011

abc

Hi Kiki

Hows life for you? my name is  Maggie M. lula babysits me and my three brothers.
The oldest one is seán.the most annoying one is neil. And the youngest and cutest one is cian. I am 8+9 months. my dad is the mayor of our town.I had my commuinion  on the 21st of may. I got a new bike with my money that i got for my commuinion.sorry that i cant tell you how much money i got for my commuinion its because        
I am special god loves me

                                                 maggie m

Monday, May 16, 2011

Finally in New Zealand!


Beautiful New Zealand as seen from the ferry to Picton
Dear Lulu,


So much has happened since the last time I wrote to you. I am a bit overwhelmed as to where to start. I guess I will just start where we left off. As I said I was leaving Langkawi and heading to Kuala Lumpur with Sofi. We managed to get a couch surf host for the two days we were there. She lived on a college campus and we were staying in a dorm room. It was a rather humorous situation filled with Drama. I guess it was no different than when I lived in a dorm when I was in college. They were extremely nice and drove us around the city and even picked us up and dropped us off at the airport. I got to see the twin towers, but apart from that there wasn’t much else we did there.
Twin Towers

Our couch hosts

One of the twin towers at night

The night before we left Kuala Lumpur to go to Singapore we did a little research online to see what there was to do. Well, come to find out, the only things Singapore is known for other than being really clean and strict is food and shopping. So Sofi and I felt obligated to eat and shop. I mean that is what any decent tourist is meant to do in Singapore. It’s not like we enjoyed it…. I must say they do have some amazing food there. You would have loved it. You can find any type of cuisine you could ever want. You could also find any store you could ever want and more! It was almost as bad as Hong Kong, but I think Hong Kong still takes the prize for the most shopping mall and designer stores. Sofi and I spent the day going through all the shops and managed to get out with only a pair of jeans. As you know from China, my jeans split across the butt, so I needed a new pair for New Zealand. Plus I finished the job by cutting them off for Malaysia. It was strange being back in a more western feeling city going shopping and eating out and going to the movies. Yes, we went to the movies twice and ate massive amounts of popcorn. I think I have finally found a country that serves things in larger sizes than the states. Lets just say we were served buckets of popcorn and our medium drink looked like the super sized soda you get at Mcdonalds.
Little India...Have they been to India?

I am way to excited for our oversized popcorn and sodas

China Town, again it was spotless and perfectly maintained.
I don't think there is on place in Sigapore that isn't.
I had a great time with Sofi and was sad to say goodbye to her again. I know I will see her again in a few months so it was a bit easier this time. She left for Australia and I caught a plane to New Zealand! I got here a few days ago and already I am in love with the place. I flew into Wellington and the view from the plane was amazing. First my day started with an amazing sun rise from the plane and then I got to see the green mountains of New Zealand. I spent the night in Wellington and then caught the ferry the next morning to the South Island to start making my way to Nelson. Everywhere I look is another breathtaking view. The ferry ride was amazing.
Sunrise out my plane window

More sunrise

View from the ferry

Unfortunately, the ferry was delayed so I missed the bus to Nelson. I didn’t want to spend the night in Picton so I asked the girl at the information desk if I could hitch and where the best place to stand was. Funny enough she said it was really easy and showed me on a map where to stand and helped me make a sign for Nelson. Everyone here is so nice I can’t believe it. I managed to get a ride within five minutes and was on my way. I was picked up by a band on their way to play a gig in Nelson. They were really nice and we talked about music and travel and they gave me a bunch of advice on their country. Two hours later I was in Nelson! What a great city. I really think this place was made for me. I have only been here for two days and it already feels like home. I have been to a national basketball game, gone to an organ concert at the old catholic cathedral, been invited to an art opening, purused the local library, been to the Saturday market, been shown around to all the bars, looked through a bunch of second hand stores and just wandered through the city. I have made a couple of good friends that I met through couch surfing and they have been great at welcoming me and showing me around. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that the town is full of organic cafes and yoga studios, and there is so much good wine! I love this place. It is really cute and quaint as well. I feel at times like I am on a movie set.
The band that gave me a ride

National league game

Nelson city street

The organ that I listened to at the concert

More of the Cathedral

I am searching for a job and an apartment at the moment but don’t think it will be too hard. At least I hope it won’t be. Andrew, my couch surfing friend, is helping me out a lot. I am here a bit off season for the vineyard work I was hoping to get, but I am sure I will find something to do. There are a lot of outdoor stores hiring…. I don’t know if I want to do that again, but we will see what happens.
Saturday Market

My friend Ute picking out some pears

Love this kid's face (also at the Saturday market)

There is so much to do here and so much to see. I am so excited to do it all. Sounds like you are still having a good time in Ireland. I am glad to hear you haven’t made any cooking disasters yet. I can’t wait to get home and cook with you and JJ (no not the cat). I think it’s funny that the cat and Jeannette have the same name. Hehe!

Love you,

Kiki

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

P.S. Sisters


Kiki and JJ (Jeannette Marie)
Okay yes I have messed up a few recipes in the past, but I think that I have gotten better. I now read the recipes several times out loud. This has helped my results, but now if I cook with someone they think that I am slightly crazy. I guess that is fair enough since I am probably more than slightly crazy.

I have yet to cook at BM's, but I did cook at my last two places and things turned out okay. It wasn't my best cooking at either place. I blame the lack of proper ingredients. I made red curry chicken for the Devoy's and they found it too spicy... I thought it was bland. For the folks in Macroom I made picadillo and black beans and rice with pecan pie for dessert. I need to learn more cuban recipes.

Lulu

Monday, May 9, 2011

Baltimore Fiddle Fair


Kiki

Okay to answer your question about pirate cycling. I am totally in. I have already been planning to bring my bike with me when I go back to Europe. I don't know when you will be there but I guess it does not really matter since I have no plans.

The man in the red shirt in the following picture kept talking to me in some sort of non coherent language and then forced me to dance twice with him in the middle of a packed bar. It was interesting to say the least. I think that he is the village idiot.

my sexy dance partner

This past weekend was the Fiddle Fair in the neighboring town of Baltimore. A beautiful seaside town that fills with musicians from all over. All the bands were good but my favorites were the Foghorn Trio from Portland and the Moulettes from England. I also saw the best clogger ever. I know that sounds lame but you would not think so if you had seen him. He was just so good. I can not even describe the moves he did. He looked like he was floating above the floor.

Last night was the last night of the Fair. I went out with the family at about 4 pm to see some of the afternoon performances. This is the beginning of the end. I had a pint of Murphy's. With one down and more to come. We then went to visit one of BM's sisters for lunch/snack. When we got there the Foghorn Trio had joined and so had the cellist from the Moulettes. We sat around drinking good wine and eating good food while they messed around and when I say messed around I mean improvised excellent music. My boss who I will call boss man or BM had a session in a local pub.  I went with the Hannah, the cellist from the Moulettes, Vincent, a friend of the family, and Kaleb from the Foghorn Trio to the pub to listen. We started their but then quickly found a group of guys that invited us to join them in pub just across the road. They had a session going as well and it was more Hannah's style so we decided to stay. Oh, by now I have finished a shandy, beer with lemonade, and started on a Carlsberg my current drink of choice. After two of those and two glasses of wine with dinner I thought maybe it would be a good time to stop drinking. Yes by this point I am my usual drunk self. Which for those lucky enough not to have seen me drunk. I am a rambling, moody, flirtatious mess. I gave some guy my number which is par for the course. Also some strange older man asked if I wanted to sleep with him. Just straight up propositioned me in the middle of the bar. I, of course, politely declined and made my way to Vincent. On the way to the main stage it started pouring down rain and I did not have a rain coat. I was soaked to the bone and I am pretty sure it was now that I went to the bathroom and took pictures of myself in the mirror. I just found these pictures on my camera this morning and still can not remember taking them. BM's sister had to drag me out of the bar. I was having such a fabulous time that 4 am was just too early to go home. The whole night was a blur of great music and spilled pints. I am sad that it is over.

Saturday market in the rain

Moulettes at the saturday market

Foghorn Trio and Hannah

Foghorn Trio

one of ten mystery pics of me in the bathroom

late night session

BM's family

Other than the crazy weekend I really have not been doing much in the way of exciting things. I look after a two year old all day. The most exciting thing in the day is when I put Beyonce's single ladies on and we dance together. He really loves watching the video. Wait now this is really exciting he says my name. Well really he says Lula, but that is close enough. I have a hard time believeing that I was just like these kids but I see myself in them all the time. I laugh all the time because they say the same things I used to say. Although I don't think that we ever thought that just saying the word fart was as funny as they think it is.

The pigs are doing well. Though every time I go in to feed them they rush me and try and eat my pants and shoes. At the devoy's the chickens kept trying to eat my shoes and pants and now with the pigs I feel that the natural world is trying to eat me. Maybe I should stay away from farm animals for a while.

Lulu

Friday, May 6, 2011

Leaving Langkawi


Langkawi! Isn't it beautiful?
Hi Lulu,

I know it has been far too long since I write to you, but really nothing new and exciting has happened in Langkawi.  I am enjoying doing absolutely nothing.  I love the feeling that I can get up in the morning and ask myself, "What would you like to do today?"... and then I do that.  Would you like to go for a swim?... Lay in the sun?... go for a scooter ride?... do yoga while the sun sets?... go for a fresh coconut? (yes I love coconut water now... strange but I can't get enough of them.)... hang out with my friends?... go dancing?... or whatever else might intrigue me at that particular moment.  So that is exactly what my days have consisted of.  So I haven't had much new news to impart.
Wine and cheese night with the girls!

"Forced" to make mojitos again.... Yes we are making them in buckets

....and drinking them from buckets!

Simba drank some too

I leave tomorrow for Kuala Lumpur with Sofi.  We are going to stay there for a few days to see the city then fly to Singapore and spend a few days there as well.  Then I am off to New Zealand!!  I am really excited to finally be going to New Zealand.  It is one of the few countries that I have always dreamed of going to.  I have been researching vineyards and found a few that I would really like to work at.  I emailed them so I hope to get a reply soon.  If not I will just go and figure it out.  There are so many vineyards there so I don't think it will be too hard to find work.

All of your adventures sound fun.  Your first day as an au pair didn't go so well it seems.  I can't believe they kept you after all that.  Haha!!  If you cook for them remember to read the recipe out loud!  (Laura tends to have problems mixing up key steps when following recipes.  For example simple things like using salt instead of sugar)  It sounds like you are having a great time and meeting some amazing people.
The Umbrella Crew

Mina Svenska Slynor!  (My Swedish Bitches!)

There are so many Swedish people here in Langkawi.  I think 80% of all the people I meet are Swedish.  The other 20% are English or from another European country.  I think I am one of two Americans here.  Apparently not too many Americans make it this far east.  So I have made a lot of great new Swedish friends, and I know they are good friends because the added me on Facebook (a true sign of friendship).  I think a trip to Sweden is unavoidable now.  I have too many great people I need to see again.  I was pretty sure I could convince you to come along too.  A few of my Swedish friends and I have devised a plan to bike across Sweden.... dressed as pirates!  I know the pirate thing is a bit random, but it spices it up a bit don't you think.  We have an excuse to say Aarrrr whenever we want....  We are recruiting pirate cyclists as we speak!  Are you interested?
Elin or better known as "Capt. Long Shallow Jones"
The inspiration behind pirate cycling

Well we went out last night for our last night of dancing with our friends and had a blast.  I am going to miss Sunba, our dancing spot, and all the great friends I have made here.  Going out here reminds me of Aspen.  You know almost everyone in the bar, so it almost feels as if you rented out a club for a private event for all of your friends.  I am eager to make my next move though and excited to see what's to come!
Add caption

We decided to try for a pyramid...yeah that ended porely

Stockholm Boogie

Love,
Kiki
Stormy sunset in Langkawi

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