淋雨

"Yay, thunderstorms!" 那个女同事装可爱状地叫到。

于是我问她喜欢在雨里走么？她迷茫地胆怯地说“No”。我莫名地有点失望，思绪回到了以前。

小时候，家里附近的路还没修好，到处都是挖开的深沟和两层楼高的土山。一旦下雨，路上就很泥泞，我的上学路就象爬雪山过草地似的。映像里，我的轻功就是那时候练成的。这许多年里，我只有一次，早上下着大雨，我跳过一个小水塘的时候滑倒，只好回去换裤子。

即使如此，我还是很喜欢淋雨。淋湿了以后，也无非就是换个衣服就是了，乐趣早已经体验到。从来没觉得淋雨是个不舒服的事情。倒是那些课本书包的要小心伺候着，淋湿了处理起来比较麻烦。小学里有一次，下午提前放学，我就走到母亲的学校去。结果路上下大雨，倾盆的那种。路上行人都躲在屋檐下，惊异地看着我迎着雨，不在意地甚至有点享受地劈里啪啦地走。那种夏天的暴雨，虽来势凶猛，本是下不长的。等我走到目的地，雨就已经止了。于是我浑身滴着水，跟学校门房说找我妈，然后在走廊里留下一串湿湿的脚印。不过，最后结果也挺惨：我妈不在办公室，我就被她办公室里的老师们七手八脚地剥得只剩一条小内裤，光光地坐在那里写作业，晾课本。

到了上中学。上海的天气，雨水是不少的。我又不经常看天气预报，所以淋雨更是经常。最浪漫的一次－－其实也是因为别人提醒才觉浪漫的。那天放学，天上又下起了小雨。这种雨，我自然是不会撑伞的，也不会疾走，就那样懒散地放学的走法，在一个大花坛旁踱着。忽然一声清脆的女声传来，“哟，你老浪漫的嘛。” 随着这声音，一辆红色的自行车擦身而过，那女孩回头来笑看着我。她是我们班的，还算是一个可爱的女孩。我被这么一说，竟也词穷，只是笑笑，接着悠闲地走。回味着那句话，咂吧咂吧嘴，觉得好像是有点浪漫的样子，便继续独自浪漫着了。

最痛快的一次，是某年暑假。那天我的两个表弟在我家玩。他们比我小很多，自然也没什么太多可以玩到一块的东西。正觉无趣时，忽然天降大雨，我顿时来了精神。听着那响雷一声声炸响，我心潮越来越澎湃；振臂一呼，问：“谁跟我淋雨去？” 表弟们一听，也来了精神。于是三人穿着汗衫拖鞋就冲进了大雨。不消说，只不到一分钟，我们就已浑身湿透，甚是彻底。一路沿着新村走了一大圈，遇水塘踏水塘，百无禁忌的气势。表弟们跟着左冲右突的样子，倒是颇有些古惑仔跟着大哥那样，充满了无条件的信任。不一会儿，雨过天晴，我们三只落汤鸡就回家了。

越长大，淋雨便越少了。不是觉得麻烦，就是觉得无趣。于是伞成了随身物，一旦有点雨，就嫌地上脏，越来越把自己和放纵的自然隔绝开来。这，算是进步么？

西班牙－4／25

早上照例10点多起床。当我们还在睡梦中的时候，已经下过一场雨；清新的方石路上透着一丝凉意。

早饭完毕，便直接出发了。又沿Calle de Mayor西行，至Plaza de Village；再左转，到了一个较为僻静的教堂。这不太起眼的教堂，据称是西班牙为数不多的巴洛克式教堂之一。走到门前，发现数日前曾路过这里，那时就被它外墙的雕像吸引，随便拍过几张照片。今日拾级而上，首先注意到的是浑厚的木门上磨得发亮的把手和沧桑的伤痕。迈进门槛，很容易便被内部的华丽和端庄吸引。相比几天前去的皇宫旁的教堂，这个教堂要小而精致得多。处于闹市之中，神坛，立柱，彩窗，天顶画，以及各处的雕塑，都是这里要胜一筹。这个教堂就仿佛是上帝在社区里的家，有一种可以随意来串门的亲切。时不时的，那些拎着塑料袋买菜回来的老妈妈们顺路过来坐下，祈祷一番，恬静得仿佛几百年来都如此。我们随处坐下，就被这教堂的静浸没了。教堂里面走往的人并不多，因此连脚步声都不多得的。偶尔窗外的鸟叫传来，便似什么了不得的声响了。坐在我们后面隔开好几排的老太太虔诚的祷告声，仿佛没有任何阻拦和衰减，径直钻入我的耳中。这种静，让人陶醉到觉得打破它是一种罪过；我相机的快门声像是一把尖刀，一次次地划破这寂静。神坛旁的木楼梯，一望便知是厚重而有年头的，磨得发亮的扶手反射出柔和的光晕。

From Spain - Misc

出教堂再走几步，便碰上一对新人从另一个教堂里走出来，喧闹的景象与刚刚经历的宁静形成了令人会心的对比。

继续西行，便又来到了皇宫。今天是周六，所以到处都是熙熙攘攘的人群。皇宫售票处的队伍更是在广场上蜿蜒了上百米。我们暗自庆幸几天前我们已经游览过此处。售票广场上有两艺人，一人奏电子琴，一人弹吉他。琴声在广场上回荡，甚是悠扬。我们驻足的几分钟里，他们弹奏了Rodrigo和爱的罗曼史。那信手拈来的自信和优雅，很让人击案。老婆问要不要买他们的CD，我摆摆手－－弹得比他们好的大牛们有得是，可这种广场音乐的体验是无法装在那小银碟里带回去的。他们的生活是令人羡慕甚至妒嫉的。

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又走出几步，另一卖艺人在用手指沾了水摩擦酒杯口，以此发声演奏。大大小小的酒杯，竟能发出有点类似管风琴的声音，令人叫绝。再走几步，是一个半大的男孩，如痴地看着拉手风琴的艺人，不肯离去。在这样的天气享受这许多的街头即景，美得来。

From Spain - Misc

From Spain - Misc

继续前行，有一女孩上来搭讪，要求签名，说是为了Unicef。既然我西班牙语不通，她的英语也不畅，原想不必太多解释；可路有好心人提醒，说”Don't do it"，才想起我也不知道签的是什么。无奈西班牙骗子的故事听得太多，只好作罢。

不一会儿，来到了著名的西班牙广场。这广场上很吸引眼球的便是一座从埃及运来的神庙。于是我们互相抒发了一阵对帝国主义疯狂掠夺的无耻行径的控诉，怀着满腔的怒火走错了路，误入密林深处。。。

From Spain - Misc

待到走出密林，已经到了3点，到了吃午饭的点。在路上看到一人声鼎沸的小饭馆，便走了进去。由于语言不通，我们只能通过肢体语言交流，在店里上蹿下跳，从柜台走到各个餐桌，指指点点柜上的和人家桌上的，终于点齐了饮料和若干菜色。籽虾和蛏子都极美味，Jamon火腿和不知名的酱料也很不错。当我们满意于这第一顿像样的午餐时，送上来的帐单却是我们两人猜测的总和。虽意外，却也未觉不值。

原想顺着Gran Via一路东行，再坐地铁去斗牛场的。可时间已晚，我们便只好直接上地铁。地铁上偷拍了一张照片，和老婆一起嘲笑了那个小丑牛仔裤。这个式样貌似在西班牙很流行。

From Spain - Misc

斗牛场挺新，1926年造。在门口取到票后，便迫不及待地进场了。这却是一场令人失望的表演。首先，这根本就不是一个传统的斗牛表演，而是一群小子们“躲牛”的竞赛。虽然有斗牛士空翻跃过公牛的特技动作，虽然有人裤子被牛顶破，可这却更象一场马戏表演，失望至极。倒是开场前的一个小插曲，还有趣些。老婆要上厕所，我便去问在哪里。问来了，找到了，可是分不清男女，结果她走错了。。。

From Spain - Bull Fighting

伤心地回到宾馆，顺路买了一堆Jamon和面包。所谓Jamon，就是生火腿，直接切片生吃的。见下图：

From Spain - Misc

老婆小睡之后，外出觅食。由于是周六，昨天我们发誓要去的那些饭馆各个爆满。好不容易找了家坐下，随意点了几个小菜，两杯啤酒，慢慢地吃起来。然后发现，很多桌似乎都所食不多，经常是四五个人才点一两碟小菜，然后大家便一人一杯酒地闲侃起来。难怪他们不怕那么晚吃饭会发胖。

回宾馆后，意外地发现今天是Julio值晚班。于是向他哭诉那冒牌斗牛，得到了他深切的同情。他又帮我们查了真正的斗牛在我们接下来要去的几个城市的日程表，于是我们决定明天到巴塞罗那去看，就这样了。睡前又和Julio聊了两句，他讲了一个他亲眼所见的一个女生被抢的故事，蛮吓人的。

西班牙－4／24

今天本来安排就不多。早上睡到10:20起床，却只是为了能在11:30以前下楼，能赶上早餐。早餐甚是简单，橙汁牛奶，加点面包什么的。西班牙人管面包叫Pan，读音象是“棒”。吃完上楼，老婆继续睡觉；我则失语。

直到一点左右，睡醒的梳洗过的打扮完的老婆才上路，直奔Thyssen博物馆。博物馆不算太大，却也颇费了些时间。欣赏完写实的印象的喜欢的不知所云的各类绘画，时间已近五点。时间既晚，老婆已无心无力再去这类博物馆；于是打道回府，准备到宾馆附近的Tapas Bar去一试。未曾想，我们从未搞清楚的西班牙人各餐的作息时间，此时又站在我们的对立面，所有的酒饭之所都颇为冷清。我们便也无心恋战，灰溜溜地回宾馆吃了些水果杂碎，心中为再次错过了西班牙人一天中最重要最大的一餐而懊悔不已。闷闷不乐的老婆于是决定睡觉等饭，一觉睡到了八点。

明以食为天，我的命运早已经给古人讲定了。醒来第一件事，便是去找食。冲到旅游书介绍的Casa Patas，做了当晚这个饭馆的第一批食客。由于这里的Flamenco表演也颇有口碑，便预定了当晚午夜的座。接下来的闲逛，却将我们带到了Calle de la Cruz周围的食肆。这里的小店，都是直接在橱窗后面烹饪。那些新鲜的原料，诱人的成品，又让我们捧着满载的肚子唏嘘了一阵，发誓说明天来吃；不知道能否守誓。

其后，回宾馆小坐，却又因这午夜场的Flamenco被人批为荒淫无度，令我好生...自豪。

早早地回到Casa Patas，正巧遇到一中年男过生日。我们进门的时候，他的好友正抱着一个粉色的礼物箱子走过来，箱盖还不时地被顶开。原来，他们准备送一只小狗给他。看到他开心地捧着那和他体型相差过于悬殊的小狗左亲又吻的样子，颇让人忍俊不禁。

From Spain - Misc

表演本身虽甚热烈精彩，却也无甚可述。虽然以前找过视频，但不消说绝是绝没有现场的震触的。那琴声出彩，舞步飞转，汗水飞散。观众和台上的旁观者时不时地吼上两嗓子；我却连他们吼什么都无从可知。

转眼又到了3:35，该睡了。

西班牙－4／23

飞机提前于九点三十分左右着陆。机长技术不错，触地非常平稳；可是那跑道可能是我经历过的最糟糕的，滑行的时候颠簸得厉害。当然，也许事实并非如此，可骨子里对近乎第三世界国家的没落的西班牙多少有点歧视，使我作出这个结论。

西班牙的海关很宽松，也没有什么打指纹那类的等待；入境表根本不入签证官的法眼，签证也不过是略扫了一眼，同我们的面孔享受的待遇相仿；护照更未博得他眼角的余光；态度并不热情，我却也乐得享受这没有意外，没有找茬的快速过关。

有了上次在巴黎坐地铁的经验，我们这次决定尽量入乡随俗，多多利用公共交通。也因此，在机场找地铁站便费了些周折，走了不少路。虽然我对西班牙语毫无所知，可拉丁语系的共同字根也让我对自己的西班牙问阅读能力颇有信心。然而，这找地铁的过程却丝毫没有我的用武之地，因为在很大一块区域里既没有问询处，也没有地铁指示牌；相比之下，老婆的“找同胞，找警察”的战术，连同久经沙场的警察同学的手舞足蹈指路法，最终把我们带到了久违的Metro标记。

买票也是一关。我们想买十次的连票，而机场还有个附加费。在自动售票机上买票的时候，却没有任何说明，只是问要多少票，有多少人同行。我是个诚实的孩子，所以在我正确回答了之后机器给出了合理的金额，可它却死活不肯收我们任何一张信用卡。无奈之下，就排队在人工售票窗口排队。卖票MM解释说，“Cas Only"，于是我们屈服了，拿出现金来。

机场到宾馆的路不难走，按照拓扑的方法倒了三条地铁；从地铁站出来再用昨天买的指南针辨别一下方位，然后步行三五分钟，就找到了Hotel Miau，那个以猫作吉祥物的宾馆。虽然只有十一点不到，好运的我们仍得以提前拿到正等着我们的房间钥匙。虽然我知道我背着登山包的样子很帅，可我宁愿牺牲我的帅来换取减轻几十磅的自由。于是我们轻装上阵，轻到连旅游书都忘了带。好在出门之前，我们虚心接受了前台Julio的教导良久，拿了一张作满标记的地图当圣旨，再凭着踏破铁鞋的坚忍耐力，终于将这一路上有趣些的景点基本覆盖了。

马德里颇有些漂亮MM，而且有些还不惜肉地穿着肚兜似的衣服。与纽约的人造美女不同，这里基本都是纯然天成的，妩媚之间又还少了一份造作，让人感觉颇为清新。

From Spain - Misc

市中心广场颇多，各有特点，却都是小坐小酌的好去处。每到一小广场，总有些有闲的人们，啤酒橄榄地小憩大侃，颇是自在。于是在一点多的时候，我们也忍不住加入了这体验。晚春的太阳晒着让人陶醉，便什么都不用急了，安心地让口胃去享受。

Plaza Mayor比较壮观。那地面上凹突的方石又平添了一丝沧桑感。不过，想来高根鞋美女们可能不太会赞赏。值得一提的是广场上卖画为生的人们；看到几幅用色大胆风格鲜明的油画，直想把他们都买下来。相比之下，我家里挂的那几幅产业化的油画实在是垃圾得很。画家们只是随意地将作品陈列开，便也不多看护，兀自埋头继续创作去了。想起来，如若叫上一杯啤酒，坐在边上看他们画一下午，也是写意的。

From Spain - Misc

继续西行，来到教堂和皇宫。要说这皇宫，虽然旅游书里说它是built to impress，可怎么看，怎么寒碜。非但这建筑本身又不大又不精美，远不及紫禁城的一角；里面的装饰玩艺也很难让人相信这是帝王之家。最拿得出手的，可能就是天顶那些壁画了。就灯光来说，原先的设计可能还是颇有效果的，有无数水晶吊灯垂挂在各室。可是，也许是为了节约成本，参观的时候只见寥寥无几的吊灯是亮着的，其余的房间都是靠嵌在天花接缝里的冷色日光灯照明，光色，亮度都大打折扣，十分扫兴。

From Spain - Misc

大教堂就在皇宫旁边，所以随便就拐了进去。这教堂原本无甚特别之处，却为我们提供了一个歇脚的好去处；这样虽然有些大不敬，却也是事实。我们两个坐在硬木座椅上耷拉着头，小睡片刻后，就又似充上了电一般，得以继续行程。

From Spain - Misc

出了教堂随意乱走，竟无意间走到了购物区。虽不比第五大道，却多了些平民化的喧闹和平易。兴冲冲找到了专门售票的FNAC，却被告知斗牛的票没有。对了，售票的MM不懂英文，还是排在我们后面的MM主动帮忙翻译来着。极度失望中。我们继续打探，终于在旅游信息亭里得到了电话一个网址若干。回到宾馆，恳请热心的前台帮忙打电话订票。又是一番周折后，终于成功地订上了周六的票。这周折，主要是由于著名的外包。美国人外包是包给印度人，西班牙人则外包给同样讲西班牙语的阿根廷人；然而，虽然是同一种语言，这口音的不同也造成了鸡同鸭讲的效果，以至于我的名字拼写都能听错。无论如何，在排除万难之后终于能在后天体验一下了，期待。

此时的两人，用精疲力竭来形容也不为过。其时已六点，于是便小睡。一觉醒来，到了九点。早听说这里晚饭至少要九点以后才开饭，原先觉得不解；等到了九点便释然了－－虽已九点，天光却还大亮。旁边广场上乐队火热的音乐催人，我们两个便一骨碌起身下楼了。在广场上凑热闹直到演出散场，正好天空开始湛蓝，便开始一路拍照去。

From Spain - Misc

From Spain - Misc

From Spain - Misc

Julio介绍了一个餐馆，在皇宫以南，于是我们又一路走了过去。路上见到一对年长的情侣忘情地接吻，忽而他们脚下有一阵异响。定睛一看，发现是一副太阳眼镜。我们正在讨论那眼镜是不是他们的，他们却已扬长而去。我于是找了个自认为十分圆满的借口，“反正这眼镜在地上磨着，也已经磨坏了。”接着我们继续走。左寻右瞧地，却未寻着。正在路上踌躇看地图，两个热心人上来指点我们，说只要走进La Latina区，就有无数的餐馆酒吧；这是个居住区，而西班牙人又整天不停地吃，所以自然不难找吃的。走过一个人声鼎沸的饭馆的时候，已近11点；老婆毅然决定就这家了。待到坐定，才知道这家生意极好，平时都要提前两周订座；待到点菜，才知道这里没有西班牙菜，而是专做墨西哥菜的。在英语流利的小哥的帮助下，我们吃到了在美国从没吃到过的可口墨西哥菜。不去计较到底哪个更正宗，这一顿还是很让人留恋的；愿天下的墨西哥菜都如此可口。末了，以仙人掌龙舌兰Sorbet和一种一口闷的shot结束。此时已十二点一刻，我特意拍了一张照片纪念这在午夜后还喧闹的饭馆，并同小哥一同嘲笑了美国餐馆6点到10点的清教徒式的作息时间。

From Spain - Misc

饭后又一路走回宾馆，便倒了。倒完挣扎起来洗澡，再记完这流水账，便又倒了。

已经四点一刻。

西班牙－4／22

今天晚上要出发，白天在家上班，结果一直到下午4点才开始理包。急急忙忙的，总一心漏忘了什么东西。

六点十分出发去机场。机场安检很送，人也不多；所以七点多一点就已经等候在登机口了。老婆想打电话给“亲戚”道别，结果无人答理。

飞机准点起飞，原本我们两个人坐三个人的座位；结果一个不识时务的臭脚西班牙小男坐了过来，令一路的舒适度大打折扣。

一路无事，尽量睡觉。待到漫漫旅途结束，再加时差，到达目的地的时候已经到了第二天。

失眠

凌晨4点多，忽然地醒了，睡意全无。张眼四望，还只是一片漆黑。这实在是种奇怪的感觉：仿佛应该是我平时醒来的时候，却如穿越时间隧道般身处黑夜；知道我按亮了手机，这疑惑就算是解了。既然不能再睡，便起来吧。

其实对于这失眠，我多少有些享受和向往。这些时间仿佛是中彩票赢来的似的，可以随意挥霍。在这清晨的时候里，四处都被寂静浸润着，全然没有白日的喧嚣。做点什么也好，什么都不做也罢，总觉得是安心而妥帖的。于是，虽然头脑难免混沌，身上也有一丝寒意，却也不愿再睡。

虽然是周末，可白天的时间总还是有种不属于自己的感觉，虽然一样是做在电脑前面却魂不守舍，看着电影却有着浪费时间的自责。原本，三十出头还不是叹老的时候，可是眼见着未来的种种，不免有种与“狗”同悲的感觉。年少年轻时做的梦，难道真的到了要亲手埋葬的时候？纵使千万个不乐意，我也看不到出路。

贴一首我喜欢的歌吧

苟延残喘

我从来以为自己是个特能写的人，没有怀疑过有一天我能靠出本畅销书退休。也因为这自信，就一直没动作。直到偶然填表格的时候，发现年龄有了三张，个位数还不是0了，忽然有些猴急。人家大师写个好东西也要N多年，我现在还不开始，啥时候才能结束啊？所以趁这失眠而才思泉涌的夜，开个头吧。

我是南方人，却一贯以自己可以乱真的北京口音自豪。某天跟老婆开玩笑的时候，告诉她我的第一本书应该是《我的上半身》；于是被嘲笑。我的上半身的确没啥内容，没骨没肉的，还小细胳膊。相比只下，我的下半身还有那么一点有用；当然，我那条滑雪致残的右腿和过劳而费的左腿都排除在了有用的范围之外。

闲言少叙。

70年代末我出生在上海；不到一个月大的时候就被带到了离太原45分钟车程的一个部队大院，一直到5岁回上海。也许就这一段经历，就是日后大家谣传我练过武术的起源。当然，在部队里的确也免不了练了几手，比如把其他小朋友脸抓花什么的。不过终究是没师傅指点，成不了气候。

部队里的事情，已经记不太清楚。

Rendezvous

Crazy passionate French ...

Gay Rights

I'm not gay, and I'm not British.

It's an inspiring age to live in, with gay marriage legalized, and gay pride parades blossoming everywhere. It shouldn't be a big fuzz; the fact that people are cheering or denouncing is more disturbing to me.

Seriously, what's the problem of being gay? People love each other and choose to live with a same sex, why does it make some one angry and pretend to "save them from satan"? It's just like food, I like Chinese food, you might like Mexican. Most sane people will just be cool with that. And even for the sex life part, how different is it from nose-picking? None of these seem relevant to others. The only down side of gay marriage might be the inability to give birth to child, which is not completely true, and not completely false in straight marriages.

Up to now, I've yet to hear a plausible argument against gay marriage. Most people support equal rights for gay couples, but stop short of supporting marriage, arguing with one reason or another. I'd say, a lot of arguments could both be "reason" as well as "consequence", resulted from the inequality of rights. Assume everything is equal, term gay-marriage will be mostly interchangeable in those arguments with straight-marriage, except for some physical constraints. If gay couples cannot bear their own child, they could simply adopt, and that's as contributive towards the continuation of the species as raising our own child. Besides, lesbian couples can bear their own child with no more effort than infertile straight couples. Everything being equal, gay family would not be more of an adverse environment for kid's upbringing; just think about the hardship gay kids usually encounters in straight families.

Anyway, I'm not in the mood of writing long arguments as there're already plenty of them online; random ranting will not help either party, just serves as a time-killer for a VPN-less Friday night.

Depression Kills

Last summer we went to his home for a picnic party; that was our first visit to his house. I can't say we are close friends, just FOF; still it hurts when hearing that he killed himself with potassium cyanide (KCN). It was last Saturday/Sunday, so the hurt is still fresh.

There are few reasons in the world that could convince me that a life should kill itself; being terminally ill is a good one; depression would be too tragic. I mean, physically the body is perfect, yet a crippled mind inflicts the total destruction of it all.

Six crawl once described her hiking through the Long Trail: walking day in and day out, life became so simple. The essentials of life was such a bare minimal that all she yearned for was to have a big hot pot of noodle at the end of day, or to sink in a warm bath tub if it was an inn-night. If only life were so simple always.

I've seen a fair share of depression cases around me, some were cured, some ended up in tragedy. I can only hope tragedy won't happen any more, but I know that's in vain...

Morman, Bison, Yellowstone

Just for the sake of documenting the trip ...

9/1
We took the flight from EWR to SLC, arriving late night.

9/2
Although we hadn't made any plan in Salt Lake City, a flight-mate mentioned the famous temple square. As close as we were, we decided to take a look. Temple Square is the headquarter of Morman religion. They are rich. All those gorgeous buildings in and out the Square belong to them. Inside the conference center, an auditorium that could host 21,000 people has a pipe organ of 7667 pipes; the Tabernacle, where the choir used to perform, was in renovation; it was said that the pipe organ in there was even bigger, made of more than 11,000 pipes. While walking around in the square, you are very likely to be greeted by cordial Morman women, which may or may not be a good thing ;-)

The drive to Grand Teton was interesting. We took a detour, going through I80 -> 40 -> U-Turn -> 32 -> 150 -> I80 -> 189. At the intersection of 150 and I80, we stopped at a small town called Evanston. Before that stop, we had wasted quite a lot of time, marveling at the "majestic views" that we were not able to enjoy in NJ. Dinner was served in a Chinese buffet at Evanston, so we didn't leave there until after 7pm. Thinking we were not too far from Grand Teton, it came as a surprise that "Jackson is about 4 hrs away" when we stopped for gas after about 1 hr's drive. As our hotel was still more than 1 hr past Jackson, it looked kind of hopeless. Fortunately, we managed to Jackson in about 3 hrs while abiding to speed limits, mostly.

Driving in total darkness was not scary, not knowing when a deer or moose or bison would jump out was nerve wrecking. When there was a car following me, I slowed down to 10 mph below speed limit, forcing him/her to get into leading position; in less than 5 minutes, it was braking hard, and I saw a deer cut through in front of it. In the very next town, that car turned off into a motel.

We stayed at Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton. That was a pretty rustic but comfortable residence. The log cabin we lived in was built in 1922, and later moved to its current location in 1955 from Jackson Lake Lodge. It could comfortably sleep 5 and was complete with electricity and bath room, plus the location was quite convenient too.

9/3
As we arrived quite late the previous night, we slept through the whole morning. Throughout the day it was pretty foggy, making the view of the mountains dull. We walked around a short trail beside Jackson Lake, snapped some pictures. Water was crystal clear, luring me to dive into it; yet it was cold, so I just wet my feet and felt content.

Hiked to hidden falls in the afternoon. That was an ok place, not much difference than, say, Delaware Water Gap. However, it seemed the trails would get more interesting beyond that fall; unfortunately we didn't have time to explore further.

There were quite a few nice turnouts along the side-road from North Jenny Lake Junction to South Jenny Lake Junction; Jenny Lake Lodge was on this side road. The scenic turnouts here gave unobstructed close view of the mountains and the lake lying below.

On the way back from Jenny Lake Lodge, we spotted a moose cow near Jackson Lake Lodge, in a large patch of wetland. Quite ugly an animal.

9/4
Nothing too interesting, hiked on the trail along Jackson Lake again. As relaxed as we were, we went back to the cabin, and wife took a nap while I played with the camera.

After lunch, we drove down to Signal Mountain Marina and kayaked for 1 hour.

Before sunset, we went to Antelop Flats Drive outside the park, where you could easily see bisons. There really were many, so many that we thought they must be farm raised bulls. Those were cute, but probably not worth the dedicated drive, as it turned out there were way too many of those almost everywhere in Yellowstone.

9/5
Left Colter Bay area by around 10:00, then drove all the way up to Yellowstone. As close as it is, the geological features are so different from those in Teton. Teton feels pretty flat, while Yellowstone is immerced in mountains. On the road, we stopped by at Lewis Falls, West Thumbs Geyser Basin, Old Faithful, and a bunch of geothermal features. When entering the park, everything seemed so idyllic, so colorful, so desolate; we stopped at almost every place to cherish what we could never enjoy in NJ. When we drove through the same places several days later, things looked quite "ordinary" that we laughed at ourselves for being so excited over such "petty stimuli".

In summary, Old Faithful is probably the most famous, but it's far from the prettiest. With a crowd around it for every erruption, the beauty of solitude is lost. There're places satuated with color, with steam, with surprise, with formation, while Old Faithful is only faithful.

9/6
Cloudy with T-Storm possible; thus the decision of swimming in Boiling River. That is the only place in the park where you could swim in geothermal water. Driving past Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs etc, we stopped here and there to take a peek. To be honest, we grew a little bit tired of all those similar-looking geothermal stuff. The Upper and Lower Terrace at Mammoth Hot Springs used to be spectacular, however they have dried up in recent years and lost its charm.

Close to the north entrance, the landscape was so different that we decided to drive all the way to the entrance, and spend some time lingering around on the slopes. As we strolled around on in the midst of cactus fields, cars stopped on the road to peek at us ---- the wild animals.

Boiling River boasts over 200 visitors daily, though we were quite lucky to strike a light-traffic day. The scenic trail from the parking lot to the bathing area was about half a mile long, and was a very enjoyable walk. As we submerged ourselves in hot water, suddenly a pack of elks emerged from nowhere, stepping into the creek downstream. The setting sun cast an even golden glow on the slopes, the elks, and the creek; sitting in heart-thumping natural hot tub, life couldn't get better. When we were leaving, the elks were still lingering along the trail, sort of blocking our way out. The lead male was such a magnificent animal with a set of 12 point antler. As I got closer to him, I could feel his smell, his strut, and his nervousness from his responsibility of the whole family. With 12 sharp points on his head, I had no plan to even slightly tease him. Finally the family left.

Yellowstone is really the heaven of wild animals; and there're so many of them, which makes driving in the dark quite dangerous. Neverthless, we rarely got back to hotel before the sky was soaked in darkness. By doing that, we were blessed to see quite some interesting stuff in the coming days ...

9/7
Today Mr He was supposed to join us. In previous day's phone call, everything was confirmed as scheduled.

Before heading to the airport, we drove through Firehole Canyon Drive, walked around Midway Geyser Basin, and hiked to Fairy Falls.

Firehole Canyon Drive used to be part of the main loop road; nowadays it is just a 2 mile detour along which there are several falls and cascades. It is also where one of the two places in the park where swimming is allowed, though this spot is icy cold, unlike in Boiling River. When we arrived, a Russian man was swimming, and his comment of the temperature was "it's ok, you'll survive". Yet I wasn't so sure.

Midway Geyser Basin hosts the grand Grand Prismatic Spring. Of course without elevation, you could only get half the picture. However, once you are on top of the nearby hill, that is what you would see. The hill is accessible from the Fairy Falls trail, but don't expect a trail to the hilltop ---- there is none. As there were 2 hills there, and I climbed both, this experience contributed a lot to Mr He's 2-hr wait at the airport.

Fairy Falls trail was fairly boring, except this herd of bison and this pair of shoes.

We were 2 hrs late for picking up Mr He, and he waited 2 hrs on the bench at Jackson Hole Airport.

On the way back, I got this cutie.

After finishing dinner at Signal Mountain Lodge, it was already 9 o'clock. The drive back to the hotel took us 2 hrs, along which we saw 1 car accident, 1 elk crossing the road in front of us, 1 bison walking along the road, and 1 bison walking right in front of us. Didn't I know night driving was fun?

9/8
Overcast. We went to Artist's Point, and the color was just right. It was quite crowded at the Point. However, when we hiked along the trail to Point Sublime, the view was spectacular and the crowd was all gone.

Bear encounters were the topic of this day, as there were 3; one grizzly, one black, and a black female named Rosey with 2 cubs.

We also tried to find a wolf pack in Larma Valley, but no luck; though the prey was there.

When driving back, a totally smashed SUV blocked the road between Madison Junction and West Entrance. The SUV hit a bison, quite likely at pretty high speed. To show our sympathy, no pictures were taken.

9/9
Upon Mr He's request, we went to Mammoth Hot Springs for the Terraces again; though not early in the morning, as he longed for, when temperature was low and overhanging steam was supposed to be thicker. This trip was not in vain, as we finally discovered some nice spots and live hot springs.

After learning that Mr He didn't bring his swim trunks with him, we decided to show him Boiling River. Obviously he regretted, complained, and voyeured ...

On the way back, there was a "yesterday-she-was-with-a-baby" moose cow, along with her baby. Also wife got scared by a sneezing bison. Some of the animals were really permanent residents, as we saw Rosey and her two cubs at the very same spot, chewing pine cones again.

9/10
Grand Finale.

Despite tight schedule, we had a delicious breakfast, visited Midway Geyser Basin again, and arrived at Jackson Hole Airport just 40 min before Mr He's flight was to take off. With that experience, we drove non-stop to the capital of Morman; well, almost non-stop.

New Spices

Finally fixed up the pictures for my Yellowstone trip. Look at Animals, us, or the rest.

Although I did make some notes along the road, but nothing quite interesting in there. I'll see whether it's worth making entries here.

Dream Last Night

Recently I've been dreaming more and more. Last night's dream was especially interesting, partly because I could remember quite clearly, and partly because it was interesting.

It started with a trip to Las Vegas. After boarding the plane, wife was sitting on a window seat, I sat next to her. Soon the plane took off, and I fell asleep; I must be pretty tired, or else why would I dream of sleeping? Next I was waken up by the scared voice of wife saying, "What should we do now? What to do?"; her eyes wide open, staring at my opening sleepy eyes. I felt the plane was shaking side to side, and water line was in the middle of the window. Obviously our plane made an emergency landing in the water. Upon realizing this, I yelled with excitement and joy, "Holy cow, we are lucky; my life is complete!" Sure it is; not many people could experience an emergency landing, let alone a successful one. Just as I was reaching for my camera to take some pictures, to my bewilderment, the plane powered up its engines, lifting off the water, and headed back to the airport. After getting off the plane peacefully, we were informed that this flight was cancelled, and we cannot be rescheduled for the same route in 3 days; therefore most passengers just left upset, no violent protests, no anger, even no signs of trauma. I was upset too, as the travel plan was disrrupted; so I gathered with a few who were still there, and tried to find out whereelse we could buy a ticket and travel to. That was when I woke up.

In reality what would I do? I would feel lucky if I hadn't wet my pants under such circumstances.

Let's Go Too Far, Shall We?

Quite an interesting question, really like it.

Memorial Weekend

I'm getting more and more lazy, just like my friends ---- our blogs keep unchanged for weeks, even months. That's why I'm only going to not down a few points about what we did over the memorial weekend, one week ago, just for the record.

Saturday, a late start. We got up at noon. After some struggling with ideas, we decided to see some movies. Several hours later, we stepped out of the cinema. Over the hedge and Mission Impossible III were what we scooped; fine for a rainy afternoon. After that we joined the Gang in Rutgers and played some ping pong, had a nice dinner, several rounds of card games, and decided to hike the next day.

Finding the trail head took us some time, as well as taking restroom breaks in the wild. We took a trail in Bear Mountain area, right off 9W. The trail was strenuous, the view was ok, and the hike was fun. Dinner at Pang Za's home, and then some rounds of card games as usually. We had a fine wine which Milk Bottle brought from France; unfortunately I had to drive, so couldn't drink more than a couple of sips.

The original plan for Monday was to do some more sports. However, The Violent Couple (Six Crawl and Pangza) surrendered. So we gave our car a nice hand wash.

That's it.

Late for the Train

I'm late for the train again this morning, watching it closing its door before me on the platform; that's upsetting. Thus here I'm siting in the waiting room, carrying a full bag of heavy books to be returned to the library, but nothing to read for now. Blogging.

Just had my real "30th" birthday several days ago; the big celebration we had in April was quite far ahead of my birthday. By Chinese tradition, this is actually my 29th. So when Six Crawl asked me what do I feel about being "30 by Shanghainese tradition", I said I still have hope, for the last 1 year before that turning point. However, the other part of my answer was that I'm feeling mid-age crisis 10 years ahead, a little bit lost about what I want to do for the next 10 years, or next half of my life. The only thing I'm sure of is, I want to retire now and enjoy all the things I like, which is impossible.

Putting future plans or fantacies aside, my birthday night went like this. We went to Loucas for dinner. Loucas is a nice traditional Italian restaurant near my home; we go there a couple of times every year, to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries etc. After a heavy meal, we still managed to stuff in a small chunk of a delicious Tiramisu cake wife bought from La Bonbonaire. That settled it, and we both lied down on the couch at home with exploding stomaches, spent a good half of the night sleeping there. When woke up, we took a shower, and continued sleeping in the bed. Quite an eventless night you would say, but it's peaceful and good.

Anniversary

This is the conversation I heard this afternoon, between two mid-aged men.

A: (Checking watch) I'm going to leave now. I need to pick up my wife. Today is our Anniversary.
B: Oh, that is interesting. Today is my anniversary too. But I got divorced, so ...
A: Oh yeah? You know what, today is my anniversary with my second wife.

I could hardly hear anything through my laughter after that.

Rafting

The rafting trip on last Saturday was quite an adventure. Here are some hilights:

• Zhanna, Doggie, and Var had some intimate moments zipping and unzipping each other's wetsuits
• Wife and Prof Tian fell into the water, and were both rescued by following boats
• Thunder storm and sun mixed through the event, quite a unique experience
• Water gun fighting, escalated into bucket fighting
• Last but not least, a crazy night with 8 people in one hotel suite, partying and later crowding into sleep

One week

It's been one week since Paul's funeral, peace and calmness are already coming back.

I wanted to write a piece when I returned from the funeral, but one thing leads to another, I procrastinated till now. After 7 days, the memory is already not fresh any more; if waited longer, I doubt whether I could recollect enough bits to make this a memorable event. No matter how you dislike it, memory of the passed-away does fade so fast after all.

The funeral probably had nothing special. Paul and Karen are both religious, so the Catholic procedures threaded the ceremony. In the beginning, some not-so-close friends and colleagues stayed briefly, paid their respect, and left. Those who stayed were mostly from the church. The ceremony was quite smooth and touching. I was not so familiar with Paul, so only knew briefly about his history; in the funeral, however, I learned a lot more. I got to know his full Chinese name, his character as a child, and some of his chronicles; the slide show of the family told us where they had been, the stories of their lives together, and the happy moments. There were pictures of them setting foot on different corners of the world; pictures of pregnant Karen holding tightly with Paul, emanating bliss and pride; pictures of the baby clinging to Paul while Paul was so clumsy and obviously scared of the vulnerable thing. I really had a hard time to hold my tears. That was the journey they had been through, the short-lived happiness that everybody would hope to last forever; yet they only had that for a short 3 years.

Time came when we walked up to pay our last respect. Through the thick and uneven plaster like makeups, I could hardly recognize this face as the same face in those pictures; this face was pale and delicate, and lifeless. He surely was resting in peace already.

The closing of the casket was not shown to anybody, including family members; when Paul's body was wheeled out of the patient's quarter, the same rule applied. Call it cruel or not, this at least avoided some heart wrenching sights.

It has only been 7 days, and we are already forgetting. Life is such a journey, it is a magic when you are alive and enjoying, but fades away with little trace and in little time when the life is gone.

66 kg

I am growing pretty fast.