Travel diary 7 ...... 11th March 2005

Snow in Arizona desert in March 2005 

Yes, USA is jittery since 9/11.

My flight from Auckland was delayed for 2 hours due to unaccompanied luggage on the plane. Whilst under 3rd degree security check at San Francisco airport, there was security ALERT for few seconds when we all FROZE on the spot waiting for Hollywood style action to take place.

Since leaving Auckland, I have added 5 hours and few more grey hair to my life whilst crossing the International Date Line and finished up in Portland to recover.

Portland: is a city of roses during summer and bridges, art, literature all the year around. It is a city of liberal people who have elected to have their own TV channel and had in the past, allowed an Indian Guru to set up the biggest Hindu Temple in USA and watch him collect, amongst other good things in life, ROLL ROYCES, whilst paying very little tax!
It is a city of mountains, waterfalls, gorges, and the Pacific sea on one side and acres and acres of timber yards all around.
It is also a city where the main library is built to look like a palace and where you can enjoy 1 hour of free access to fast and efficient internet service, what more would you want?( NO MORE SPELLING MISTAKES PLEASE).
Flagstaff : city on the famous ROUTE 66 and looks like a GHOST city off-season but must wake up during the summer since tourism is its main industry. If you want to bump into the simple folks, of all shapes, sizes, and colours make sure you pay a visit to the largest superstore WAL MART. If you are into meeting WEIRD looking hippies of bygone days and new ones too , call at MACY'S CAFE down town  for lunch. You might just enjoy the works of art on the wall too?

Grand Canyon: UNBELIEVABLY, GIGANTIC, ENORMOUS, COLOURFULL SCAR  on the face of the planet earth which can be seen from the MOON, I have been told. So how did I miss it last time I was in USA, I ask my self , Mr Jones?
If you happen to go to the Grand Canyon by road, on doubt you will pass through the INDIAN RESERVATION settlements, the PANDADOSA region and don't be surprised if you sink into 12 inches of snow in the Arizona Desert this time of the year !

Whilst here in the LAND of PLENTY for a short period, I hear that the battles still continuous over the land rights between the NATIVE AMERICAN ( Red Indian) and the WHITEMAN who rule the land. There does not seem to be any racial harmony between the AFRICAN AMERICAN ( the Blackman) and the WHITES either and on top of all this there are 1000's of ILLEGAL ALIENS ( illegal immigrants not from another planet but from planet Earth) who keep ALL AMERICANS on their toes!

My final port of call is, I understand the melting pot of the world and it will be the first time I shall be setting my tired feet in SOUTH AMERICA. My original plan to be there for a month may be extended to 3 months and it will all depend on how safe I feel being female and travelling alone? I heard of some horror stories? I thank my lucky stars that I am not an ALIEN with blue eyes, white skin, with blonde hair or young!
I fly to Rio Janeiro on 16th March and I need more luck plus some Spanish lessons to get by?
Look forward to meeting you all with bunches of GOOD LUCK in Rio.

Love..............from sunny, beautiful..... Portland

Davinder x