Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!
love Lorraine, Dog and Bruiser.

Behind the Sheraton Hotel where the Society of American Travel Writer's conference was held in Santiago, Chile, many trails zig-zagged up a steep hill. I followed the sound of barking dogs and half way up I discovered a make-shift house. A man lived at this tidy encampment with his four cats and two dogs, enjoying incredible views of the city and encircling snow-capped mountains. On closer inspection, I noticed this striking dog, one of the man's pack. We bonded immediately. At a sumptuous banquet for the Society of America Travel Writers, held in a winery where we feasted underneath huge tenting, I gathered up all the pork scraps from my table. The next afternoon, I traipsed up the hill again and gave all the animals a morsel before giving the copious remains to the man for him to dispense (or not) as he wished.

In this market area, cats and dogs seemed to intermix with each other well, unlike other areas where the two species often regard each other as predator and prey.

A puppy as a fashion accessory.

This kitten is obviously not concerned about being in so vulnerable position in the market...

...nor is this cat.

Despite all the bins of cat and dog food, the animals seem to ignore the dry food, just as the often did in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Pet food companies in other countries use similar approaches to those they use in the US. Cute sells. So they celebrate puppies and kittens, despite the overpopulation and sometimes accompanying culls.

Pedigree pet food sign, with a dog they'd never use in their advertising campaigns.

These two kittens had no intention of letting this dog near their scrap of meat - and this dog had no intention of trying to get it from the kittens.

A woman storekeeper and her cat.

This woman has sacks of potatoes she peels while her two dogs provide companionship.

The woman's second dog.

Guarding in the main square.

This family have a fenced garden on the outskirts of Santiago which a few family pets guard.

These two dogs have obviously been hanging out in this very public area all their lives. Their size alone would make many in America alarmed, but in Santiago people seem more accepting.

A stray dog in a tourist area...

...and another.

This man and the dog are not together, though hanging out appears comfortable for both.

Soaking up the afternoon sun.

These dogs are owned, and clearly loved by these men. But despite Santiago's free spay and neuter program and huge dog population, the dogs are unfixed. Trying to convince most men in macho societies (and I include parts of the US) that having their dogs gonads cut into will not effect their manhood is a futile battle. The reality is, large round testicals are sexy.

Click here to discover new ways Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (www.acc-d.org) is currently promoting and informing us about non-surgical sterilization.

THE DOG BLOG

For
Animal Lovers
and
Lovers of Travel

~~~Costa Rica~~~

Because of a unique arrangement with the co-publisher of Cairo Cats, I'm able to sell copies via my own website for a larger profit than through Amazon or other sources.

As the author,
I thank you so much for ordering
Cairo Cats!

Monthly updates are boring. Daily entries take a lot of time since when I get writing, I can't stop. Because I've kept in touch with so many people while living 13 years overseas, I've decided to share my correspondence. To protect everyone's privacy, I never include the emails I receive, only those I write.

This gives me an excuse to spend time on emails which I'm clearly addicted to, without feeling guilty. ;-) And it gives you the chance to peer into the lives of some modern day working nomads and others who live slightly different lifestyles.

21 December, 2006 Happy Winter Solstice! Again, thank you everyone who sent me congratulations for the review of Cairo Cats in the Washington Post! Now the hubbub has died down, I'd like to wish everyone a lovely holiday season. I'll be taking off soon to go camping with my dogs, the first time in nine months! "My" beach fills up with vacation goers and ATV's etc at this time of year and Bruiser is petrified of fireworks, which there will be plenty. So, we'll be gone till approximately January 3rd.
best wishes, Lorraine

10 December, 2006
Dear AB,

I woke up in the middle of the night, hit connect, and went back to bed. When I woke up, your book had made it's way through. (About 45 minutes just so you know if you send to anyone else from a landline...)

I looked at it while drinking tea. Tears immediately came to my eyes. My first thoughts were having read the first chapter, this will very much positively impact people lives. It is wonderful. It's such a beautiful book. I love the layout. Simple, powerful, with a few daring moves that don't seem at all out of place. Publishers didn't want it??? I shake my head in amazement. But am not so surprised. You are doing the right thing. The cover photo is exquisite, certainly nothing I would've imagined to go on a cover. And that's what a good designer will see..

I am soooo excited to know you!!! I wish I had done a more intensive journey like this, and I think I've mentioned this before. However, at this point in my life, it makes me even more want to do something more extensive with my dogs. It's the intensity of the experience which will draw people in. It's what so many want to do, in one way or another. That to me is what this book is about. And I loved the section about previous explorers. This is very important.

Well, I could go on and on.
Alf-i-mabrouk!!!!!!!!
Lorraine

3 December, 2006
Dear AB,
Interesting about your friend and her life changing so dramatically. I almost FEEL this happening with me right now. And then yesterday I looked up my horoscope at a site which is often quite true, and she said things have been difficult for 12 years and now they're starting to open up. She couldn't be more right... There's another animal conference in January. This one in India. I may be too late as a potential speaker, but I'm going to email them today...

Efficient is another word I need to keep in my mind.... These chats have been very helpful to me. I'm really seeing how I often make things more difficult than they need to be. If more efficient, perhaps I could more easily bring more variety into my life. We'll see.
L

3 December, 2006
Dear BT,

Well, I'm back in my house, and thought of you. I have very mixed feelings about being here. It's great Bruiser's able to be as outside as much as he wants because there's no cats here, but the first thing that struck me when I got back was all the crap I have in my house. No, it's hardly anything compared to most, but when I taking care of L's vacation rentals, I had minimal stuff with me. Just my laptop, what I was working on and clothes. And where I was living was a studio and easy to clean. Simple.

Here I've got books I've been hanging onto, and boxes of stuff I brought down with me from the states. (And mice are in everything...) I'm determined to pare it down. You said that since your move is temporary you feel like you're camping. I wish I were. Life is so much simpler then.

The back garden is a disaster. It's actually only one tree that came down, but then it knocked limbs from other trees. The result is all the bulldozing they'd done on the lot above is is now in clear view. It's ugly. And all the limbs and trunks have to be sawn. I can see this is going to take time and be noisy. Of course, none of this could've been done while I was gone! No. I'm going to see if there's anyone who needs a housesitter in the area, but of course we're now coming up to the tourist season so I think all the vacation rentals will fill up. I'd love to leave, but financially can't right now. So I need to be focusing on what I need to do.

1 December, 2006
Dear AB,

You wrote you try not to get involved with 'other' stuff because you feel your time is limited. Interesting. Perhaps I feel my time is endless. I do know I'm always surprised by how long things take. I almost always underestimate...

I loved the story about the rose and it growing more beautiful if you clip the side branches. But I wonder. It may grow more beautiful, (and I'm not trying to be difficult here) but it won't be growing naturally. It will grow as manipulated by us, instead of it's natural flow. I think both interpretations are interesting...

I think as I said yesterday that I'm better off with a main focus for a specific amount of time. J used to do this, but on a daily basis. I think a month works better for me. So this month my focus is the cat book so I can have the money to focus next month on the dog book.

So speaking of the On a Mission from Dog book, as I've said, I LOVE working as part of a team. There's a woman I know in Cairo who's a brilliant designer. Really the best. When I did design my first two books she was out of the country. She's back in Cairo again and I'm contemplating asking her if she'd be interested designing it IF I self-publish a limited/collectors edition first before going to a NY publisher. Would I design again if she can't do it?? Argh. It's not my forte, and I know that, but there's few designers I've ever worked with. I think for me it's a trust and control issue. And I am a visual person, and I do know the programs etc. But no, it's not how I want to spend my time anymore.

You are my role model in doing what gives you pleasure is what works best. It's taken me a long time to realize this and I still lapse into thoughts of, "I SHOULD like doing this, and if I don't, there's obviously something wrong with me, I need to be looking at in a different way..." And then there's so much I do enjoy doing. So perhaps I need to differenciate what I like doing and what I'd PREFER doing. Living here is fine. I'd PREFER travelling in my van while working...

I can't believe what you wrote about my generosity. It's taken a few hours to take it in. It's true, I do believe that my sharing and inspiring is the best way to live life. But in all seriousness, I wonder if I would've been so generous had the contact been for an animal magazine...

Which brings me to your former email about coming to Amsterdam! There's a possible project, a group one, which if that happens all else will reside into the back, I'm that excited about it.

I actually had it in my mind that if I come to Europe, I'd like to do the van thing like I did in the states. Working and living in my own 'moving' space. And visit while you're there. Kind of silly for me to sublet your place when you're not around!

At some point in our lives, we need to do a grand trip together. You suggested Chile or Siberia. It would have to be in the middle of summer. I'm not good in cold climates. But I'm very game. It fits into one of the projects I want to do. ;-)
much love, Lorraine

29 November, 2006
Dear CK,

No, my Spanish is almost non-existent! If I didn't want to be totally side-tracked I'd write a funny book called, The Fifty Words You Need To Survive Anywhere. Or something. I get by amazingly well on very little I'm ashamed to say. Important words include, before, after, here, there, but, maybe etc etc.

Tico's are what Costa Rican's call themselves.

28 November, 2006
PS,
I just remembered something Ted Simon, of Jupiter's Travels who rode around the world twice on his motorcycle, has as his 'signature.' "The interruptions are the journey." I always think of it as a travelling from A to B idea. But, without trying to be too new agey about it, life is a travelling from A to B. Maybe I need to follow this more and fret less...
L

28 November, 2006
Dear AB,

I'm about to embark on making/having made, eleborate picture frames for my photos to sell to residents and tourists here. I love looking for the wood on the beach. But I shook my head when I was at the hardware store after talking to a Danish woman who's done woodworking here. Time. But I need to do a sample first to show carpenters what I want... I'm feeling this is taking me away from my animal path. But, it's more immediate money than articles etc and I need funds coming in so I can work on the larger projects! I guess for all my rambling, it does make sense...

I know you were heavily involved in your 'hobbit' house last summer and remember your frustration. But I wonder how often that kind of thing comes along for you? In my imaginings, I feel not nearly as often as for me. I swore when I moved here I wouldn't get involved with gardening, or improving the rental property as I know that sucks my time. And I haven't. (I did make some shelving, which I see as the precursor for the frames and I did this when my computer was in the shop.) I just wonder how much I'd get accomplished if I focused more.

I remember a photographer (who commited suicide in the 60's I think) who said something along the lines of, "The narrower the focus, the more universal the meaning." So I get involved with a myriad of projects, all of them good, with the idea it's going to expand my life, but perhaps by narrowing my focus, I would gain more. I know when I've spent time doing nothing but one thing, like a book, I'm VERY satisfied. So maybe there's my answer... Although, that's usually only for a few months at a stretch. I rarely feel I have the financial luxury to do this.

And yes, I have thought about living somewhere like Amsterdam for a stretch! It seems a very connected place, both physically and creatively. Maybe we should talk about me subletting your place when you're next away for a long stretch...which is when???! Yes, I'm serious.

And yes, the computer side of digital camera's is horrible! Especially the editing! But, the 'film' is free and that's very nice. Nothing is perfect.

You didn't happen to meet Alaistair Humphrey's at the Royal Geographical Society, did you? I met him when he was at the beginning of his round the world bicycle trip and he just gave a talk on expedition planning. It's about time you gave a talk there! And yes, SPANA is a great animal org. I know of a couple in Northern Kenya who have camels who also who focus on helping the livestock of nomads in times of drought. Makes soo much more sense than 'throwing food' for the people. And a political party for the welfare of animals got two seats in the Dutch parliament? Europe is so evolved... Interesting you'll be meeting Amr Khalid. He's an animal person apparently!
love Lorraine

28 November, 2006
Dear JB,
You wrote, "Thank you reminding me of the universal bonds..."

I guess I needed reminding too. It's easy when in developing countries to notice all the skinny animals on the streets and draw what we assume are obvious conclusions. The abandoned puppy I picked up a few days ago was driving both me and the dogs up the wall so I called a gringa here in town to see if she knew anyone who wanted one. I drew the assumption that the best recipient would be a fellow gringo... She didn't know of anyone, but asked me to call back in the afternoon. I walked over to my friend's worker and jokingly handed the puppy to him, saying it was for him. I never expected him to want it. He was entranced. And I hate to admit it, but the first thing I thought was, Will he be the best household for a puppy? And then I thought with a gringo it risks being shut indoors all day, just like in America. The flip side is the puppy probably won't receive as good medical care and won't live as long. (Tomas earns $70 a week.) I know what I'd prefer, freedom... A little later Tomas, who's about 60 and Ivan who's 20-something were kneeling down ohing and ahing over the thing, saying how beautiful it was. While I was inside the house I overheard Tomas continually talking about the puppy. I was surprised and saddened by my own reaction.

Anyway, the puppy is with a new owner, and myself and especially my dogs are very happy. They really, really didn't like it at all...

26 November, 2006
Me again, I guess I've been pretty down about loosing that article I'd written on the computer a few days ago. I bicycled down to the beach with the dogs towards where I live, but it was coming up to high tide and the lagoon was completely impassable so I decided to just walk around the edge. I came across all these amazing pieces of driftwood which will be perfect for the picture frames I want to make for my photos. What's odd was how much of it was there, and of a type of wood which is rare a kilometer down on my beach. I can't believe how happy it made me. It jolted me out of my 'mood.' Some were too big to take back this trip (and you're not allowed to drive on this part of the beach, so it's going to be rough going trekking them back) but I took about 7 smaller pieces.

As I got to the entrance to the beach, there were a group of Tico's gathered around looking down at an abandoned puppy. Sunday, a public place, just like the states... I encouraged a girl to take it, she said I should, and I replied I already had two dogs etc etc. All in Spanish... The five of them were on two motorcycles, with plenty of stuff from their day out, so in the end they left. I'd already left, but slowly, not wanting them to think I was going to take it. So now of course I went back, unloading half my wood and putting the puppy into the new bicycle basket I'd bought last week. Poor thing was shaking like a leaf and completely covered from head to tail with a weird insect. I've given it two baths, a bit of flea repellent (though they're not fleas) and milk mixed with an egg. (From my friends hens who I'm still housesitting for.)

Now puppy is wrapped in a towel and quiet in a ice chest on the table. (It was the only box I had.) Next to it are two pieces of driftwood. And I feel completely myself again. What's interesting is this evening I recalled a book a friend loaned me a year ago written by the choreographer Twyla Tharp. She gave an example of looking at some paint and a canvas and being tempted to experiment, and of thinking, "No, I will NOT be sidetracked." And of course I feel I'm nothing but sidetracked at times. So on an already overloaded plate, I've added caring for a puppy and gallery work. One not a money earner but which connects me to animals, and gallery work which I hope will earn me money, but has nothing to do with animals - unless I photograph monkeys. Which I hope to. So perhaps it is focused. Though I don't think Twyla would agree... But I'm happier for it.
love Lorraine

22 November, 2006
Hi CK,
Feeling incredibly better. Went for a walk late afternoon and a lot of Gringo's on the beach. It's the start of tourist season and right now I'm not complaining. A French woman I met the other day waved and walked up to me and was very interested in my thoughts about animals, and then later I met a woman who's just moved down here who's a vet! You know I'm not a big talker, but if the topic is animals, I really do come alive. This all feeds into the DVD/video idea...
all for now,
Love L

22 November, 2006
Dear CK, In a total flump after all the chaos around here (which I choose to be stressed about...) and decided to look at the presentation I put together for the talk. I hadn't had time to really SEE it, because I was still working on it in the 11th hour. Well, it's lovely. Someone mentioned they'd wished it had been video taped it to take around to senior centers etc.. I've been thinking about putting a DVD together of the pics and have someone videotape me talking, while surrounded by local animals. All about animals in other countries and their connections with humans. It would be soooo much easier to do this with the backing of a actual company. A grant of some kind.

However, what occured to my while watching the show I did, was whenever someone suggests me doing a story down here, I get tired and think, What a lot of work. When I was in Santiago, Chile and in other places, it is merely a JOY to pick up my camera and take pics of the animals. The pics on my website were basically ALL done on the last day there, when I was coming down with bronchitas and could barely think!!!!! And yet I knew I needed/wanted the pictures. So I went out.

For the last two days, at the end of the day before sleeping, I've been writing down 'discoveries' I've made mentally. This will be the one for today. I think it's easy for revelations to get lost. And they are all very important.
love L

22 November, 2006
Journal entry
Just got back from my house. Incredible winds the past two days signifying the end of winter and the beginning of summer. There are no in-between seasons here. Hot and wet, hot and dry. Still no power at my house, but another step has been completed. Perhaps a few more days. The landlady doesn't know I'm housesitting for another week, and I'm not going to tell her.

But what's incredible, is the wreckage. I have three trees down in my beautiful back jungle garden. A mess. Inside the house are as many leaves strewn on the floor, as outside. I don't have glass on some of the windows, and I admit I like it that way - usually. I'm just glad I wasn't there at the time. I've loved previously seeing these dramatic changes, but with no water, no power and no phone, I think it would've been one thing too many.

The roads all look similar to New Orleans after Hurricane K. Trees and limbs down all over. Roots saturated from last week's rains, now uprooted and fallen across the roads, sawn to let traffic through. They look decapitated. The wind, with its after effects is very unsettling. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been housesitting for my friend during this time. I'd been here about 32 hours when the winds began. At that time, I felt I wouldn't want to return to what was once a little sanctuary by the ocean. Now I really feel I won't. I keep feeling I'm being coaxed to leave. To where, I don't know. I have an article due tomorrow. That is very calming and solidifying.

20 November, 2006
Dear BB and MC
I just wanted to let you both know that the ACC-D conference (www.acc-d.org) was amazing. I learnt a lot. I know you've both been in earlier years, but I'm sure M, you found it refreshing to not be around just 'emotive' animal people since there was plenty of scientists and others present. ;-) And I'm pleased to say, my presentation was very well received. Thanks B for sending me all those Sri Lanka pics. I also found some info you'd written on community dogs, and the problems with surgery in the field on the website very helpful. And M, thanks for all the articles you've sent or referred me to in the past. I was also able to include both your names in regards the work done with animals post-Tsunami in Sri Lanka. (The Tsunami Memorial Animal Welfare Trust, www.tsunami-animal.org )

As you both know I'm sure, Mexico City, an island in the Galapagos, and the Navajo Nation are all using injections as well as surgery to spay/neuter loose dogs. I've proposed doing a video documenting these three sites which could be shown to vets overseas and in the US, and a simplified version for the general public. I'm also hoping to get some other speaking engagements where I can share photos of companion animals living overseas. AND, to turn an ammended version of the presentation I gave into a multi-media video for schools etc.

I know there's an animal conference in China this year, as well as the one in Cairo for the Middle East. Do either of you know where I can find more about the China one? Someone in DC mentioned I might be able to get sponsorship for going.

So, as you can see the conference was rather a turning point for me!
Thank you again for your respective help,
Lorraine

19 November, 2006
PS What is this Sahara and North Africa travel day you're going to all about? Have never heard of it. As always, I think you benefit greatly by living in Holland and being so close to many places. Like being at the hubb.

Part of me feels like hibernating too. It was heading towards winter when I left the US, and we're just coming out of winter here. I feel incredibly energetic, and then want to curl up and nap.

18 November, 2006
Dear AB, Seeing you was one of the highlights of my trip too! I hope you like the pics I just sent. I normally have a series of pics on my desktop that rotate, things like satelite pics of the world at night, close-ups of the sun etc. I've recently added an email friends dog sitting in the Oman desert, and now I'm including one of the pics I took of you and I sitting up in bed in the swish Hudson hotel room. (Another friend had a room comped during a conference, and A and I occupied it for a few hours until check-out time.) I chose the picture that I should've lightened. We look strangely similar. Two nomads...

I've been back in CR five nights, but I'm not at my house. I returned to no electricity. So no water, no phone either. I think I could be in between a dispute between my landlady and neighbor. Amazingly, my friend Linda who lives here is making a rare trip to the states tomorrow and needed someone to look after her 'estate'. She has a house plus three rental properties, three horses, swimming pool and tennis courts. It's much more upscale from where I live. There's even HOT water! So I'm feeling very fortunate and am actually right now wearing one of the cocktail dresses I wore to one of the conferences. Ironically, when John and I came to CR five years ago on holiday, I would sneak away to what was literally at that time a shack with dirt floors. Now, it's got beautiful wood beams and walls and sits on a hill with lots of light. Not at all like the jungle environment I live in. I have a sneaking suspicion I won't want to return when the ten days is up. Which then leads to what and I going to do next? I only thought I'd be here 3-6 months. It's now been eight. I'm hoping one of a few things materializes from the conferences...

I envision getting lots of work done here. The place has a very good feel to it. There will be workers (hope it's not too noisy) around during the day, and all I need to do is put the horses away at night and feed the cats-making sure I keep Bruiser on a lead...

Sounds like you've got a busy travel schedule coming up. Say hello to Egypt for me. I now know I need to get out more often. I absolutely thrived being around creative types at the writing conference and animal people at the end. And I LOVED doing the presentation. People really enjoyed it. I want to do more.
more later, love L

17 November, 2006
Dear Bob, Well, I certainly didn't expect anything like this!!!! Your review on Amazon for CC is lovely. So heartfelt and warm, and yet factual and descriptive. It is most definitely the best review yet!!!! I will most certainly be saving this note from you. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your efforts.

Thank you again. I have a question for you while you get ready for the big weekend ahead. Do you happen to know anyone who deals in educational issues in schools?? I've decided I want to focus on two areas for Cairo Cats.

Just thought I'd ask you since you're so in the know about so many diverse things!
Enjoy the weekend!!!!
all best, Lorraine

17 November, 2006
Dear AS,
Regarding giving 110% to our work. I had a dream last night I thought I'd share, remembering the similar dreams we had while in Wadi Halfa where we both dreamt of lions the night when there were fears of undercover security police. But I can only remember the beginning of last night's dream, which was of ocean waves that were constantly at a crest. It felt like the waves represented creativity. And this feels a very creative time. But there was no ebb and flow and when I remembered the dream, my thought was it wasn't right. There needs to be incubation, growth, hibernation. Balance is crucial.

So, I've worked well much of the day but feel I have part of the key which is what you enforced in me last Sunday. It's NOT a numbers game. Sending out masses of inquires gets you no where. It's about nurturing the contacts I have and 'thinking smart.' Which I feel I've been doing today. :-) And, I was able to take a long break to bicycle with the dogs and swim.

So why is it that by the end of the day I feel like a drone? I wonder if it's about money. At the end of the day of someone who has a 'job', there's at least the knowledge you've earned money. If you work for yourself, that's not necessarily the case. I have probably built a firmer foundation for a future that's focused on my work as opposed to someone else's company. But though there was an hour where I thought I was going to get a paying assignment, I did not. And money didn't come in from any other source. I don't want to just return to being a workaholic, which I can easily do, so I want to keep ideas coming.

Hope ideas are formulating in your mind too!
best, L

16 November, 2006
Dear AS,
Absolutely. Go gettum girl! Regarding the Darfur project, (http://www.darfurdiaries.org) yes, I'm sure it was video they used. Small tiny equipment like people have used in Afghanistan. Geez, I'd love to go there!!!

I've been trying soooo hard to make a positive inpact in regards the publics ideas of the Middle East with the third edition of Cairo Cats in the educational circuit, but haven't had much luck yet. I'm going to keep plugging away at it though. (Should've given you a copy, as I had some with me.) We do have a totally different perspective and that can be so needed and helpful in this world. You'll have heard by now that Spain and France are treating Palestine/Israel as an international crisis and will try to reign the whole EU and UK in too. And now Al-Jazeera is up and running in English. Can't wait till they go online in English.
(They are: http://english.aljazeera.net/News)

In regards doing high paying stuff to supplement the 'ideal' you might want to email A. L. to see how she's doing. I have NO idea how much she's making. But since you have the Cairo Today connection, you might want to brainstorm with her. I know she's gotten some good editing work in the past. And how about K??? Although that's PR...

16 November, 2006
Dear CK,

Remember the man I was seeing before leaving for Egypt? The one with a Pulitzer who was a great mentor. We got together for a few hours before my flight home. Literally, he picked me up from the woman's house who I crossed the desert with (she and I hadn't seen each other in about 7 years) before midnight, and dropped me off at the airport about 3 am. The evening was very interesting. We hadn't seen each other in 11 years and at that time he was married and I was with J. He's totally devoted to his two girls, as I am with my dogs. I was figuring out today that in the 16 years I've known him, he's done about 9 books. As well as held down a full time job. And had three Pulitzer's. And gotten GRANTS to support his projects. (I always hope my projects will pay for the next project so I don't have to bend to someone else's rules. But I guess when you've got 3 P's, you can pretty assured to make your own rules and will find a publisher for your next project. ;-)

But he's been a total workaholic. Too fast a pace for me. But it's all interesting in terms of what you and I've spoken of and the paths we choose. I knew staying with him wouldn't be right for me, because I needed to find my own path and he is a rather larger than life character. By the end of our 15 months together, I'd pretty much stopped working on my own projects and tagged along on his assignments and projects. I learnt a lot. We both did.

When he's there, he's THERE, if you know what I mean. We're both still fond of each other. Whether that means anything, who knows. Our lives are so totally different. And, as J and I learnt from being together, we're both rather selfish too. We want our own lives. I'd be quite happy to find someone who wanted the kind of life I want! Though I have to admit now is a good time for me to be in contact with him again. It was a wonderful finale for a month of the revitalization I desperately needed. Time to be working smarter, instead of harder.
love Lorraine

16 November, 2006
Dear L,
You won't have to pick me up on Sunday to housesit at your place because I got the van running! I knew what the problem was, but with also having no water and electricity and phone (thank God I do have a phone line and can connect, and have the extra battery plus invertor from the van), it was just one problem over the top and I couldn't deal with it yesterday. Today, no problem. And then I was able to go next door to use their phone and tell neighbors that contrary to what they think, I do not need matrimonia, because I'm a mechanico. Many laughs. Of course, I'm sure they think I need a husband for other purposes too.... And with that, they're almost correcto!

Don't forget to send me the website revisions. You have NO idea how happy I am to finally be giving back after all you've done for me since April!!!! love L

14 November, 2006
Dear DB, I'm back in CRica and got the canvas pictures I ordered from Hawaii. They are WONDERFUL!!! I was really very pleasantly surprised. A friend who's also a photographer saw them and was also amazed. Now, I have to find someone to do the carpentry for the framing! I feel I'm back in Cairo again. First by selling books etc at a booth at a conference, and giving a talk, and now the prints to sell to expats and tourists. It feels very good.

14 November, 2006
Dear DB,
Didn't get home till after dark, and Bruiser was just frantic to see me!!! Dog was nowhere to be seen. And didn't even come when I called! Completely the opposite of last trip. I started getting worried, but she was guarding the house next door who've been feeding them. Anyway, when we reunited she was frantic too, whining etc. And they did this heavy panting stuff all evening until we went to sleep very happily on the bed. My best friends!! :-) Today there was lots of closeness and little noises. Very sweet.

VERY excited about the future!
Thanks for asking about the doggies!!!
love from us three