Tuesday is going to be a big day here, the presidential elections. It's also going to be a big mess.
I won't go into all of the details, it's all out on the web, it's just going to be a mess, such that there will most likely be a city wide curfew imposed on Wednesday when the results are announced, it won't make a difference.
When we went to the supermarket today it was rather apparent that it was a little bit more busier than usual. We came to the conclusion that people were stocking up for the curfew.
Hoping that it doesn't turn violent.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The Big Green Meanie and Boots
I have always meant to blog someday about two, well actually three, items that have stood the test of time. That would be my Jeep brand luggage and my Hi-Tec hiking boots.
I bought the two piece Jeep luggage back in 2000 before going to Sarajevo. I think it cost around $50 or so. Since Sarajevo it has been everywhere with me and aside from a torn outer seem that is only cosmetic I have had no problems with it at all. The handles have never broken, always slide in and out easily and the zippers have never torn or broke. I have stuffed these suitcases to the breaking point on more than one occasion.
They aren't the most attractive luggage, but they are durable and olive drab green, thus the "Big Green Meanie". I never miss them on the luggage carousel at the airport.
On the other hand we have gone through quite a few pieces of luggage. Most recently a rolling duffel bag purchased off of eBay sustained a broken liner (Probably it was only cardboard, who knows) on it's maiden trip. More expensive luggage we own have had multiple parts pieces broken.
And my Hi-Tec boots. I bought these on sale for $25 in December 2004 before going to Baghdad. I envisioned, and correctly so, lots of walking around and time on my feet. I wanted something comfortable. The best thing about these boots when I tried them on was that they fit. I have a hard time finding comfortable shoes that fit me well, but these were spot on.
I pretty much wore those boots everyday when I was in Baghdad.
Now fast forward to 2010. I still have the boots and amazingly the same boot laces! They are beginning to look a tad bit worn and there have been multiple threats from my wife to throw them out but they still get used at least once a week and I like to where them on long walks.
I know when I was in the Marines Hi-Tec also made a pair of combat boots that were supposed to be the most comfortable combat boots around. But the Marine Corps being the Marine Corps if you could get away with wearing them was a different story.
I bought the two piece Jeep luggage back in 2000 before going to Sarajevo. I think it cost around $50 or so. Since Sarajevo it has been everywhere with me and aside from a torn outer seem that is only cosmetic I have had no problems with it at all. The handles have never broken, always slide in and out easily and the zippers have never torn or broke. I have stuffed these suitcases to the breaking point on more than one occasion.
They aren't the most attractive luggage, but they are durable and olive drab green, thus the "Big Green Meanie". I never miss them on the luggage carousel at the airport.
On the other hand we have gone through quite a few pieces of luggage. Most recently a rolling duffel bag purchased off of eBay sustained a broken liner (Probably it was only cardboard, who knows) on it's maiden trip. More expensive luggage we own have had multiple parts pieces broken.
And my Hi-Tec boots. I bought these on sale for $25 in December 2004 before going to Baghdad. I envisioned, and correctly so, lots of walking around and time on my feet. I wanted something comfortable. The best thing about these boots when I tried them on was that they fit. I have a hard time finding comfortable shoes that fit me well, but these were spot on.
I pretty much wore those boots everyday when I was in Baghdad.
Now fast forward to 2010. I still have the boots and amazingly the same boot laces! They are beginning to look a tad bit worn and there have been multiple threats from my wife to throw them out but they still get used at least once a week and I like to where them on long walks.
I know when I was in the Marines Hi-Tec also made a pair of combat boots that were supposed to be the most comfortable combat boots around. But the Marine Corps being the Marine Corps if you could get away with wearing them was a different story.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Mongolian BBQ Night
Just returned from a Mongolian BBQ night at the Cinnamon Gran Hotel. This was by far the best Mongolian BBQ layout I have ever been to. Not only did they have an excellent selection of meats and vegetables but they had different spices to select from to add to your mix. There was 4 cooking stations that had a selection of rice or different noodles for your BBQ. The 4th station was a Halal (No pork) and vegetarian station.
The bowls they provided were rather small so I shamelessly doubled up on the bowls and showed my colleagues the same technique (Meat and such in one bowl and veggies in the other) which quickly caught on.
If this wasn't enough there was an ice cream station with 6 different types of ice cream to include mango, toffee and cookies. There was a nice selection of toppings for your ice cream and someone to mix it all up a la Coldstone Creamery style.
In true Marine Corps fashion I had 2 bowls of spicy Mongolian BBQ with plenty of garlic and 2 bowls of ice cream.
I'm stuffed.
The bowls they provided were rather small so I shamelessly doubled up on the bowls and showed my colleagues the same technique (Meat and such in one bowl and veggies in the other) which quickly caught on.
If this wasn't enough there was an ice cream station with 6 different types of ice cream to include mango, toffee and cookies. There was a nice selection of toppings for your ice cream and someone to mix it all up a la Coldstone Creamery style.
In true Marine Corps fashion I had 2 bowls of spicy Mongolian BBQ with plenty of garlic and 2 bowls of ice cream.
I'm stuffed.
Matara the Waves
One thing I did enjoy about our trip to Matara was the chance to sample some of Sri Lanka's famous waves.
Now I'm hardly some fancy acrobatic boogie boarder, I just enjoy the sensation of riding a fast wave, Matara offered that and then some.
If you have kept up with my blog you'll know that the waves in Beruwela were disappointing, to the point that even attempting to ride them was a waste of time. On the other hand in Matara I had to wait for the right chance to ride a wave that I decided wasn't going to crush me.
On my first trip out into the water I worked my way past the breakers and almost immediately was greeted with the crest of a wave. With my boogie board power fins adorned on my feet I started paddling and waited to get picked up by the wave, and I did. It was probably at least 10' or higher, I was going very fast inside the wave when I suddenly fell down and the wave crashed over me. It was a very scary sensation. When I finally made my way to the surface I headed immediately to the beach to recover.
I ended up riding some other good waves that day, but steered clear on the man crushers.
I would like to learn how to surf while I'm here. I'd be happy to ride one wave on a surfboard.
Now I'm hardly some fancy acrobatic boogie boarder, I just enjoy the sensation of riding a fast wave, Matara offered that and then some.
If you have kept up with my blog you'll know that the waves in Beruwela were disappointing, to the point that even attempting to ride them was a waste of time. On the other hand in Matara I had to wait for the right chance to ride a wave that I decided wasn't going to crush me.
On my first trip out into the water I worked my way past the breakers and almost immediately was greeted with the crest of a wave. With my boogie board power fins adorned on my feet I started paddling and waited to get picked up by the wave, and I did. It was probably at least 10' or higher, I was going very fast inside the wave when I suddenly fell down and the wave crashed over me. It was a very scary sensation. When I finally made my way to the surface I headed immediately to the beach to recover.
I ended up riding some other good waves that day, but steered clear on the man crushers.
I would like to learn how to surf while I'm here. I'd be happy to ride one wave on a surfboard.
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