I DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN

Or so you thought since I have not blogged for a while.  I left Busan, Korea, flew into Osaka and boarded a train to Kobe, Japan. I had one objective – to try the famous Kobe beef and believe me after one bite I did feel like I went to heaven.  I have never tasted anything so amazing.  The beef comes from the Wagu cattle. It is very expensive!

The meat is  valued for its flavor, tenderness and fatty well-marbled texture. Rumor has it the cattle are served beer or sake with their meals while being brushed and petted and classical music played in the background. That rumor is disputed, but I do know they eat mainly rice and any leftover vegetation from making beer and sake.  In general, they are not raised on huge crowded farms but are being raised in a comfortable pleasing environment.

I always say the best part of my trips are the people I meet. While eating alone in a restaurant in Kobe, a young girl picked up her plate, walked over to me, sat down and said ”I eat with you.”I learned she was also traveling alone and was from China. Her English, although not fluent was good.  We sat for 3 hours talking about life. We discussed what made us laugh this year, what gave us hope, set backs, new adventures we tried and things we learned during our travels. We shared some of our deepest thoughts with one another. Funny how sometimes you can open up to a stranger in ways that you cannot open up to friends or family. We learned that we both had birthdays a few days apart and since we were there on my birthday, she asked the waitress to bring a cake for us to share.  Needless to say, we have remained friends and keep in touch.

From Japan I flew to Wyoming to celebrate my sisters birthday. We celebrated with a steak dinner and although it was not Kobe beef, it was very good.  My sisters back yard is Yellowstone Park and we roamed through the park seeing buffalo, bears and of course Old Faithful. We also went to Big Horn Mountain to camp with her daughter’s family while the boys bow hunted elk. The wide open spaces and laid back atmosphere was a welcome change.

From the nice relaxed atmosphere in Wyoming I jumped into the chaos of central LA, house sitting for my son. It was a startling change. LA itself is a different world and culture. I enjoyed the food from the street vendors in the area that came out each evening serving empanadas, pupusas, tamales and more.

One of the highlights in LA was attending a service at a Ukrainian Orthodox church just two blocks from my sons home.  The service was in Ukrainian and after the service they served a wonderful Ukrainian lunch complete with Ukrainian pastries. I sat with Ukrainians who fled the Ukraine after Putin invaded and heard their stories. Most said they were homesick for their country and hope to go back when it is safe.

Eventually I headed back to Nashville area to see my grandaughter who will be three this year and as many of us know, they grow up in the blink of an eye.  I have had time to reflect on 2024 and realized I slept in over 50 different beds. I continue to enjoy my life as a nomad with no real home base. A peripatetic traveler as someone called me.

The greatest part of traveling isn’t arrving at your destination, it is all the unexpected, wild things that happen along the way. Traveling always changes my life, mostly in good ways and I will contniue for as long as I can. I leave in February for Budapest – stay tuned!

Kobe Beef

My new Chinese Friend who I promise to visit

Odd signs in the airport

Nice buffalo, nice buffalo, please don’t attack me!

My sister Renee, just a year younger!

I bought my granddaughter a bus that palys wheels on the bus.

She drove me around the house without any accidents!!!