Creating a new norm

Life as we know it is changing. Wages are stagnant, food and gas prices are up, global warming seems to be ever more present and things seem like they are not getting better anytime soon. Some people believe it is beyond their control and that the little things that an individual can do are not sufficient enough to make a major change in this world.

We Americans are the biggest energy consumers in the world and very wasteful. We drive too much, we spend too much and we eat too much junk. When you think about the world, are you part of the cure or the disease? Most of us, if we look long and hard enough, would realize that despite are high moral values, we are contributing to an unsustainable world. Blame is easy to lay on others, but the truth of the mater is that most of us are at fault, me included. It is easy to disagree with politicians, but do you vote? Do you write your representatives to let them know how you feel? Are you angry about gas prices going up? How often do you drive? Could you drive less or drive a more efficient vehicle?

Now is time to create a new norm for yourself. Be a part of the solution and make conscious decision about what you do. It is hard to stay focused in a society of mass media and instant gratification, but I guarantee that you will be a happier person is in the long run if you slow down and participate in the better good for humanity. Carpool with a coworker, invite friends over for dinner instead of going out to eat, write a letter and let your opinions be known.

Best of luck. Leif

The man who walks his dog with a truck.

The sun is peaking its bright head over the top of Mt. Baker spilling red and orange light down its slopes. The sky is a bright blue with just a few white wispy clouds handing around like a scarf around a person neck. Ahhhh, I thought to myself, this is a nice drive to work, but man would I love to be going on a walk right now feeling the crisp air in my lungs, the sunlight on my face and all my senses coming to life.

As I look to the left out my car's window I see the Smith road soccer fields and a friendly dog, sniffing, running and enjoying his walk as I wanted to be doing ( I could do without the sniffing). Behind him slightly I noticed a large F-150 slowly creeping along and then it dawned on me, this dog isn't alone, he is being walked by a truck! It isn't the first time I've seen this truck before and the dog shortly following behind him, but it was this occasion that it dawned on me that this dog was being walked by a truck.

Is this man handicapped? Is this man extremely lazy? Does the dog think the truck is his walking companion? Are there people that also walk their dogs with trucks? I don't know the answer to any of my questions, but I do know that to me, he will always be "the man who walked is dog with a truck."

San Diego

Well well well, look who is back. I know it has been a long time since I have put anything up on my blog and by this point, I imagine that my small group of followers has abandoned checking my site for updates. Tiss tiss Leif!

I have decided that as I am not traveling much these days, that I am going to change what I write about. I haven't come to a concrete decision as to what I will write about, but I'm hoping to allow some of my foreign friends to get a more cultural connection to the this beautiful corner of the United States. They have shared a great deal of themselves and their culture with me over the years and this is opportunity to give a little back. As for my fellow state side friends, I hope to share a little more about what I think, do and where I hope to go in life. Until then here are a

few pics of my trip to San Diego during winter break. Looking for sun and beach time all Eleanor and myself found was one of the rainiest weeks in history. Lucky we had great hosts, two Spanish friends of Eleanors who are studying in SD.

Part of Coronado Island and downtown San Diego.

Downtown San Diego. We took this train in from Old Town.

Eleanor, Pati and Anayansi at 70% off Sushi Night.

Taking the Elevator to the very top for some great views.

Lake Ann

I haven't done an overnight back backing trip in years, but a few weekends ago I was able to sneak off with my friend Ben to a lovely hike to Lake Ann just 4.8 miles beyond the Mt. Baker ski area. Despite giant flesh eating flies and tons of mosquitoes we had a fantastic time. No cell phones, no cars, no crazy people at town hall meetings bashing a health care system that might actually get me health insurance, just us, the great outdoors and breath taking glaciers, vistas and waterfalls. Ahhh Washington in summer time.

Me with Mt. Baker looming in the background.

Ben and Mt. Baker

Lake Ann and the back side of Shuksan Arm.

Lake Ann.

Leif learns to ski

I live in the "Costa del Sol" or Sun Coast, but 2 hours from my house there is Europe's most southern ski resort. A few months ago I got the chance to make my way up to the Sierra Nevada and finally try skiing. I have snowboarded all my life, but I have always had a desire to try skiing and to see what it is like. After a few hard tumbles I picked this new sport up without too much trouble and without expensive lessons. Believe it or not, I think knowing how to ice-skate helped me how to ski more than knowing how to snowboard, they both have very similar stopping movements.
What a beautiful sunny day to learn how to ski!!!!!


















Me in action!



















My good friends Nuria and Victor. Here we are in the village after a great sunny day of skiing/snowboarding and many many laughs!!!

Morocco and beyond

It has been so long since my last post and so many things have happened that I don't know where to start except to talk about my one week trip to Morocco that I went on a month ago. I was last in Morocco at the end of 2005 and I have to say that the country has changed a lot since I was there. During my trip in 2005 I felt suffocated as a tourist, harassed many times and not at all comfortable. I remembering it being an interest trip, but not a relaxing one by any means. Apparently in 06 the government invested 1 billion dollars in tourism and cracked down on illegal guides and invested money in some different infrastructure project. Any who, the this trip was a refreshing change from last time and at the end of the week I was left with a desire to plunge deeper into Morocco and spend more time there. Enjoy the pictures!






















Me over looking an oasis from on one of the stops we made during our 3 day package trip we took to the desert.
























An old alleyway in a small Moroccan town.
















The three of us (Eleanor, Leif and Layla) did this trip together. Here is a picture of us eating at one of many cheap and delicious restaurants. If olives, lamb and great bread is your bag, then Morocco is the place for you. I couldn't eat enough food and did not even get diarrhea. Yahoo for me!
















One of many amazing villages we saw. See the donkeys below? They are to take people across. Did I get my feet wet and fall in the water trying to get a piggyback ride across the river from Layla? Yes, yes I did. Lets just say the locals had a good laugh at my expense and I saved a good 1 dollar.

Typical Breakfast

Yummy! Here is a few pictures of a typical Spanish breakfast, it is simple but delicious. It is a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, a piece of toast with fresh squeezed tomatoes on it, a cup of coffee and a large bottle of olive oil so that one can generously splash his toast with this delicious and healthy Spanish product.

Mom in Spain

Mom and I in the Plaza de Espana in Seville


After three years of living in Spain, my mom finally made it over for a visit. She has been here for a little over two weeks and tomorrow I will miss work and take her to the airport. As I do not plan on coming back to Spain next year it is good that she decided to come for a visit. I had a week off from work and was able to show her some of my favorite places in Spain and also share some new adventures as well. We spent 2 days in Granada, she visited the city and the Alhambra and I got to try skiing in the Sierra Nevadas with my friend Victor and Cecilia. Besides Granada we visited Sevilla, Ronda, Melbez, Cordoba, Merida and also got to spend two nights visiting my friends and old stomping grounds from last year, Caceres.

A weekend in England.

My friend Edu (bald Spanish guy on left) has spent the last 4 months or so working as a waiter in England to practice his English. I took advantage of cheap European flights (as did Victor (guy in the middle)) to visit Edu and have a "local" tour guide.
Here are a few random observations about England.
1) The food is bad. How is it possible to ruin a burger or fish and chips? I don't know, but both were without taste and gross. This rule held true for everything... well. minus the beer.
2) An excessive use of "thank you" or "sorry." I'm all about being polite, but I ask you, is it really necessary to thank someone for saying your welcome?
3) Great live music! I love England style bars and miss the warm wooden feel that they bring, especially when they are accompanied by SwingSka music. Break a leg!
4) England wasn't as nearly as expensive as I thought it was going to be.
5) Double-decker buses are sweet. I got picked up by one as soon as I left the airport and have to say they are as cool as they look.
6) The rain and the clouds brought me pack to the Pacific Northwest without having to actually go all the way home.

















Yes, this is actually a statue.























Our hostel in Bristol.


















Look right Leif!!! If it was not for these signs I would probable be dead. It is hard to break the habit of looking left first after doing it for 27 years. doh!!!

England 2

Here are a few pictures of the weird and interesting things I saw during my time in England.






















This photo was taken in the massive mall of Birmingham. In this photo you can see 3 of the 4 or so levels. A mall walkers dream come true!
















This is a giant Jelly Belly bull. Yahoo for most flavors, bohoo for popcorn flavor.
















One sweet ride!

TUNISIA

ROEL AND MYSELF ENJOYING CAMEL STEAK. YUM!! It reminded me of Dad's bbq.

Tunisia. Where do I start? I would have to say that our best idea of the trip was to take the advice of the owner of a coffee shop and to leave the capital, Tunis. Heading south we found friendlier people, richer sights and fantastic picturesque villages. We saw the 3rd biggest Roman coliseum in the world, in el Jem, a Star Wars town, dried up salt lakes, beautiful brick work, wondering camels, dried hanging figs and many other sights to fill the imagination. On top of that, we meet a wonderful Dutch couple, Nan and Roel, and managed to tag along with them and their rental car for two days of easy traveling and culture rich conversations.

TUNISIA

In the center of Tunisia lies a giant salt lake. Near this lake is Tozeur, a small town famous for its brick work.
























Paige and I standing on salt. The lake was dried up when when we drove on the small highway that makes its way across this lake.























Desert Rose, the small crystal I have in my hand. I purchased this little rock off my good friend seen here in this picture. He invited me in too see his house and his backyard as well.
























Sheep in transport.
















Random camel on the side of the road.

TUNISIA

In southern Tunisia lies one of my favorite towns that I visited during my six day travel in Tunisia, Matmata. This small town was full of mist, sand, mystery and also the where part of the original Star Wars movie was filmed.



















Paige and I pretending to drink sand. Notice the Star Wars memorabilia on the walls.

















One of several cave hotels that you can stay at while visiting Matmata.
















Our Hotel we stayed at.

















Our cave room was surprising warm considering it had no heat and only one light bulb to light the room.

TUNISIA

Me in the capital, Tunis, modeling some of my favorite bottled water and enjoying the clock tower.

















Sometimes 1st class on the train means waiting for an open seat in between cars. After a 30 minute inter car ride we found some open seats and continue are comfortable train ride to southern Tunisia.



















Me in the old Roman Colosseum in El Jem. Tunisia is an interesting mix of new and old.






















My favorite part about traveling, street food. This delicious and spicy french fried stuffed chicken sandwich is just what the doctor ordered after a morning of sight seeing.

Day Trip to Ronda

Nestled on cliff tops, this precious little whitewash town is a great place to revisit. I was here during my days of living in Jerez de los Caballeros. With stunning views, small streets and lots of nice hikes around the town it was a refreshing break from the traffic and noise of the Malaga.







It is hard to tell, but I'm on the edge of a bridge with a huge drop off.




















A night shot

















Cactus covered cliffs.























Getting some love from Store Front Santa!!

















More cliff action!