From Coast to Coast

I got back to Zuoz from New York yesterday in the early afternoon. Once I cleared the hell of Newark airport the trip was easy - only 7 1/2 hours on the plane, and only 3 trains from the airport to Zuoz. The perpetual Newark zoo was exacerbated by the United/Continental merger. The reader board indicating the terminals ran out of room after Washington, i.e. my flight to Zurich didn't fit. Fortunately a pilot was riding in my section of the Air Train and told me that although my flight was a United fight, I had to check in at the Continental Terminal. However not at the Continental check-in, but in a far off section specific to United... I made my flight thanks to an attendant who let me cut most of the security line!

My brain is shrouded in the jet lag fog and I am having difficulties putting my thoughts together. Part of my head still is in the US - it truly was a wonderful trip. I got to enjoy my friends instead of worrying about my life - a great break. Also, after so much togetherness, time with family and friends, it is an adjustment to again be alone. Not for long though, as tomorrow I am expecting Cathey and Tom, whom I visited in Lanciano.

The remaining days in Portland were spent like all, seeing more friends and doing last-minute shopping. I feel bad because I didn't manage to see all the folks I would have liked to see. Please forgive me for not calling you. The only reason is that I ran out of time. Marianne and I finally spent a whole day together, just the two of us. We weeded her yard and I tried not to think about the state of my yard, just a mile from her house... Under her influence I spent too much at the Columbia Sportswear store... but it's all such cool stuff! We ended the day with a walk up to Angel's Rest in the Columbia Gorge - which entailed me trying to keep up with her - and failing to do so!

I spent a fun day with Larry. We had planned on climbing Saddle Mountain, one of my favorite hikes in the spring because of the wide variety of wildflowers, but the access road was closed. So we had to improvise and as a result I discovered some new places on the coast: Sunset Beach and Fort Clatsop where I became painfully aware of how quickly I am forgetting Oregon history. Copper River salmon, Sauvignon Blanc from friend Guy's vineyard and slides of the Owyhee capped off the day.

My stay in Oregon ended unexpectedly. I was flying to New York on a red-eye and had planned on spending my last day packing, cleaning, relaxing. However, Marianne's brother flew in from Geneva the night before for a conference but had nothing to do on Wednesday. For those who don't know Marianne's story: she grew up on my street in Neuchatel, but we met in a supermarket in Beaverton in the fall of 1986. However, I did know her younger brother Eric when we were kids. So I treated myself to a day downtown, playing tour guide, showing Eric my favorite places, from the Pearl to the Waterfront, via Powell's, of course.

New York was a delight. Perfect weather all along. Of course I was sad leaving Portland, but also so much looking forward to finally see Eric again. An added bonus was Claire's invitation to have breakfast with her. She had spent the previous week in New York and was leaving one hour after my planned arrival - and we made it. Eric and Pam were perfect hosts, tolerating the invasion of their privacy with much patience. We had fun the 3 of us together, playing frisbee in Cental Park, catching up with Eric's dance partner and roommate Kerry, playing games. Eric took responsibility for most of the meals and it was fun to see him develop his domestic side - great cooking! Because of Pam's dance commitments, Eric and I also had time for just the two of us, and made great use of it: Governor's Island, a 3-minute ferry ride from Battery Park, on an overcast Friday. There were very few people, it was a quiet and relaxed day, and we explored the island on free rental bikes! On Sunday we headed to his former neighborhood near Union Square and stumbled onto the Pride Parade. The state of New York had just enacted a gay marriage law, and the parade became a moving (in both senses of the term) celebration. On the day I flew back to Switzerland we had time for a last trip downtown to walk the High Line, a linear park on an old train track, that just got extended 3 weeks ago.

The big news is that I think I sold the apartment! I accepted an offer by email, and today I hope to meet with my realtor to sign the papers. Until then I don't dare cancel the utilities, the insurances, etc. No news on the job front. I am finding myself checking my email way too often, hoping for some progress.

Thanks:

- JoAnn for driving me to and from the pool. It was good to get some exercise to metabolize all the delicious food and libations.
- Thea: for making the best of a rainy Saturday afternoon. Too bad the hot tub wasn't an option!
- Larry: for being a patient tour guide and driver.
- Jon and Merrie: for a perfect day.
- Regna: for indulging a trip through the lingerie department and the final drop-off at the airport.
- Marianne: for making me feel at home in your house.
- Eric and Pam: for graciously sharing your new and beautiful apartment.

Pictures:

The Columbia River from Angels Rest. Portland is in the far distance.














The Statue of Liberty from Governor's Island.















Eric on the High Line. A short section has water running over the pavers. It's very refreshing to walk it barefoot.


















Pride Parade.

Wrapping it up

Not much quiet time to write, and I am afraid that there isn't much exciting to write about as I am now well settled into the routine of visiting . Today is one of the first nice days, and I am hoping to finally wear some of the summer clothes I brought to the US. So far I have constantly worn the one pair of jeans I took from Zuoz and Marianne's sweaters and long-sleeved t-shirts! The thermometer has rarely risen above 70 (which is 20 C for my Swiss readers).

I am spending most of my time meeting up with old friends, and catching up. The boring part is repeating my story, but then I get to hear their stories, always new and interesting. The privileged visits are those when we actually get to do something together, like a hike (Hamilton Mountain in the Columbia Gorge with Rachel), or, of course, a whole weekend in Sonoma with Claire. The many conversations also work as therapy for me. As I am telling my story over and over, it takes on a life of its own, becomes detached from me and my emotions, and this distance is allowing me 1. to see more clearly, and 2. to look at it all with interest and wonderment, rather than just freaking out at the uncertainty of my life.

On the outside not much has changed since my last post. The apartment in Switzerland still hasn't sold and we have some major decisions to make. The plan still is to clean it out next month. I still don't have any plans as to what I'll do when we are done with the job, simply because I just can't make plans. Yesterday I submitted an application for a position with the Oregon Community Foundation. I have the skills and the experience for the job and I think I have a good chance of getting it. That would mean a quick departure from Switzerland, probably as soon as early August. The Swiss job still is pending too, so staying also is a good possibility. Default, i.e. I don't find a job, still is to return to Portland on September 15th. I was not planning to look for work here during this visit, but when I saw the posting I just couldn't ignore it. It's the perfect job for me, and I am the perfect candidate for the position.

Sonoma with Claire was relaxing, low-key, perfect. Neither one of us had ever been there. We rented a car at the airport. Not having been at the wheel for over a year I let her drive while navigating us through rush-time traffic. The fact that she knows the city really well helped, except that she found out that getting around in a car is very different from walking! Once we were in more laid-back Sonoma I mustered the courage to drive, Claire navigating with her iPhone, which I would have been incapable of doing. The highlight was coming back into the city, across the Golden Gate Bridge, for once enjoying the very slow pace caused by the heavy Sunday night traffic. I discovered the existence of the Golden Gate Bridge in grade 4, and this is when I decided that one day I would travel and see the world. Despite my repeated visits to San Francisco, I still get emotional when I cross the bridge.

On the way out of the city we decided to take advantage of the fact that for once we had a car to check out something interesting on the way, and I proposed the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge, in the North Bay. DO NOT PLAN TO VISIT THIS REFUGE. It is merely a pull-out along the highway and we didn't recognize it as possibly being the Refuge as we first drove by. By the time we knew we missed it, we were not able to make a U-turn until we arrived to the next town (Vallejo), some 10 miles down the road. Along the highway, driving at 55mph with the rest of the traffic we could see egrets and pelicans from the corner of our eyes and were looking forward to checking out the wildlife viewing area which we had missed earlier. We were so disappointed: the noise from the highway prevented us from hearing any birds (there were supposed to be clapper rails), and the short trail led across a dry and garbage-strewn field. Desperate we tried to bushwhack to find water, but only got mired in mud.

We opted to explore the wine country on rented bicycles, on a relatively flat route. Despite Sonoma being just a little over one hour's drive from San Francisco, we enjoyed not being in the car. Unfortunately Claire turned out to be very allergic to some of the local grasses, and so the next day we decided to head out to Point Reyes, which I had wanted to explore for a long time. The fog cleared just as we hit the coast. We drove all the way out to the lighthouse, checked it out, and headed for Stinson Beach where we finally were able to take a walk on the beach, without Claire sneezing. I had forgotten the noise of the pounding surf and the pungent smell of the Ocean - we sat for a long time on a rock, taking it all in, watching the tide come in.

Thanks:

- Marianne: for being such an easy-going host, for chasing me up Council Crest.
- Katharine and Byron: for lunch, your flexibility and driving me all over the place.
- Kathy: for your trust and generosity in lending us your gorgeous and peaceful apartment in Sonoma
- Linda: for lunch in one of my favorite restaurants (Marco's in Multnomah Village) and the ride to the dentist.
- Beth: for rides to yoga and the tips and encouragement to really work that job application.
- Pat: for being my unconditional professional cheerleader for over 2 years. For encouraging me to see the bigger picture.
- Jody: for organizing coffee with the pool ladies and for returning from the pool to pick me up despite the fact that I didn't contact her! What did I do to deserve such loyalty and service?
- Ernst: for accepting to keep on serving as my trusted mailbox despite the repeated extensions. For the good food and wine (the noodles were just fine!).
- Claire: for a very relaxing mother/daughter weekend. I treasure every minute we get to spend together.
- Rachel: for a day amid wildflowers, for identifying them, and for the stroll in historic downtown Camas.
- Randy: for making time to catch up despite the pressures of the legislative session.
- Jill and family: for a simple and warm time all together. It felt like family. Thanks for letting me use your printer.
- Bill: for lunch and half a life time of friendship.
- Ricardo: for lunch and keeping an eye on my lawn mower!
- Ron and Ria: for keeping scores (and for the rides, the home-cooked meal, the laughs)
- last but not least: Peg, for being persistent, for keeping on trying to reach me on the phone.


Mother and daughter hiked up to a viewpoint above Sonoma.














Taking in the Pacific Ocean.















I am doing it: driving across the Golden Gate Bridge!













Mt. Adams from the Hamilton Mountain trail, in the Columbia River Gorge.

Back in the USA

Just finished a great cup of coffee. I am at Marianne's, it's an unusual and quiet afternoon "at home." "Home" is a rather complex notion these days. My home is just a few blocks to the west. But no, my home is in Zuoz, except that right now it's here, at Marianne's. It actually feels very much like home. Her house is a great fit for me, right size, right feel, right amount of time of being here alone and time with her. I'd love more time with her, but we both are very busy, and I'd rather regret that we don't spend more time together than being too much on top of each other. Both of us are used to much space and independence. It's the perfect set up for me - I hope it works equally well for her.

My Portland household is in storage. I set up a new household in Zuoz. The other day I was buying some food to take on a trip. I was about to grab some nuts when I remembered that I have plenty of nuts at home... until I snapped back into reality and realized that the nuts are in Zuoz!

All my friends want to know what my plans are, when I am coming back to live here. Thanks to the warm welcome I very quickly felt reintegrated into my Portland life. People also are curious about how it feels to be back. It feels so normal, so easy, so much like my life. And then I remember that although odds are that I will return permanently mid-September, it's not a done deal and there still is a good possibility that I'll stay in Switzerland - if I find a good job. I saw my financial adviser, and he painted a rather spartan picture of a potential early retirement. So finding work still is a high priority. Between not knowing where home is, and not knowing what tomorrow will look like, despite the fact that I like planning and certainties, I am very much having to learn to live in the present. It feels frivolous and irresponsible, but the happy-go-lucky attitude certainly has its advantages - sparing me from a lot of agonizing.

What can I write about my stay in Portland so far? There isn't much to write about, since it's "just" coming home. I don't like this blog to be a boring compilation of my activities but that's what will have to do for today.

The trip over was hell, 28 hours in total. The only redeeming factor was an absolutely wonderful Swiss attendant in Chicago who went well beyond her duty in making sure I somehow got to Portland. It's terribly embarrassing having to ask friends to pick you up at the airport in the middle of the night - but Ron did so very gracefully. Despite my exhaustion I couldn't sleep between Chicago and Portland because it was so cold on the plane - at one point my teeth were chattering, despite 2 layers of fleece. Lo and behold, I came down with a cold a couple of days later.

Between the jetlag, the cold and the horrible weather my first few days here were laid back. Joe provided the perfect resting place, his cozy home at Black Butte. We birded a little, walked a little, hiked some, but spent plenty of time in front of the blazing fire, playing gin.

The mammogram was fine, always a relief, and there still is hope that the dental work will not be as extensive as I feared, although I have to go back on Tuesday and he will have to numb me up before he can figure out exactly what's going on.

My yoga group had a little party for me after the class; next week I will go for coffee with the pool ladies; I went to the Sierra Club High Desert Committee meeting to see the fellow desert rats. I am just returning from a weekend in the John Day country with some of them, staying with Anne who now lives there. We finally had a couple of sunny days and roamed around in our favorite landscape. We saw a snake, a scorpion, found a fossilized tooth. Everywhere there is flooding because of the non-stop rain over the last few months. The John Day, the Sandy, the Columbia... all the rivers are high. If only we could send some of that water to parched Switzerland!

Thank you:

- Ron, for the late night pick-up at the airport. Thank you Ria for being on stand-by.
- Marianne, for the hospitality, the coffee, the laundry facilities, etc.
- Catherine, for a gourmet lunch and for driving me around for an afternoon.
- Joe, for your kindness and offering the perfect setting for recovery.
- Dory, for a great walk along the Willamette.
- Beth, for the ride to yoga.
- Jim Gillen and the Tuesday night yoginis for the welcoming party. Namaste.
- Hannah for coffee, the ride home and letting me get caught up on your life.
- Jody, for the ride to and from the pool.
- Sandy for the cup of tea, Ken for the ride in the Miata (!)
- Bill, for the Y2Y book. These pictures alone are enough to make me want to return to America!
- Rustica for taxi service and dinner.
- Velma for a great day: brunch, walk, errands.
- Martin and Laurie, for still being my family.
- Anne, for the warm hospitality in Fossil.
- Borden, Rustica and Heidi: for putting together the perfect weekend.


Pictures:


Tomb at Camp Polk Cemetery, near Sisters. Very interesting and colorful.


















On the Metolius Bridge at Camp Sherman. I am wearing Marianne's too big sweater because I didn't bring enough warm clothes.












Hiking among Painted-Hills like formations. They contain mammal fossils. Near the Twickenham bridge over the John Day River.












The bar was a great reflection of the John Wayne movie playing on the screen.