POW-WOW Festival

On Saturday, Suzie drove us all to the pow-wow(Red-Indian) festival in Cody. We paid $6 and were treated to a kaleidoscope of colours, sounds and dance by the natives of the West. I kinda sympathized with them when I heard how they were mercilessly slaughtered by the Whites in past conquests and then made to live on "reservations" which were usually the worst in that particular area. Since then, they seemed to have assimilated into American society and are trying hard to hold on to their traditional roots. Looking at some of these Indians, I couldnt help noticing the uncanny resemblance they had to us. They had Asian features like black eyes and hair but Latino skin. Their songs sounded like folk songs from the eastern tribes of China and they war-cry ancient and archaic. However, it was probably due to the environment of the West that their features started to evolve to look more Caucasian. We tried their "Fried-Bread" with a mixture of butter and honey and it was delicious! It tasted somewhat like a Hum-Jing-Peng and a Naan. Boy...I miss prata!! In the forest of colours and feathers, everyone looked like a peacock, especially the guys. I'm wondering, in a community where everyone is so colourful, how do you standout? Probably by wearing a suit huh! (Sad note to make here but my hair was shaved almost botak by the stupid hairdresser at Walmart...so now I have to grow it back again...sigh)
Check out the pow-wow entrance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQw2YRcc5vg

The Fellowship journeys to Clearlake and Wapiti lake

Last Sat was a good day of hiking as Eric(this middle-aged white guy) drove us to the Canyon area to do a 7 mile hike...which translates to about 10km. Walked past numerous Bison herds, pastures and pastures of green acres, lakes and a thermal area. I lost my sole(no pun intended) and had to cut it off to facilitate walking. I am definitely buying trekking boots now...Oh! we saw a wolf or a coyote as we went up the hills and I really felt like part of 'The sound of music' film as I frolick on the plains of Wyoming watching the bison graze and fight.

You are what you eat...

They say you are what you eat...so eat well. I think that breakfast is the most important meal of MY day...it either makes or breaks the start of my day. After living in sg for 24 yrs...i must say i'm quite disappointed with the food. I'll show you what the Americans eat for breakfast...and lunch...and dinner. The first pic is the restaurant dinner we had at the shakedown(which means before the guests come the waiters practise serving us at the dining restaurant) Their everyday meal is like what we pay 15-20 SGD to eat at cafes and restaurant, how unfair!! Well, so much for over abundunce.

Walking in a Winter Wonderland...

Well....Its been one week in Wyoming and 4 days at Lake Hotel and the snows not even melted yet. Considering its summer now and the ice's not even melted, you can guess the temp of the place. I saw the doc yesturday and he told me the reason my nose kept runnin was cos of the pollen allergy or something. Damn...never tot i'll get that...well ..nasal spray and decongestion pills are helping.

Mammoth Hot Springs...

Well...finally i finished work at 3.30pm today and got some time to post a new blog and those fabulous pics. The view here is just breathtaking!! Its like what u'll see on some discovery channel documentary...Well continuing my journey...I took two delta airlines flight from san fran to salt lake city and then to bozeman where our employee buses were waiting for us..I got to see with some Venezuelans on one of the flight and one of them even did a catholic prayer before the plane took off! I withheld my laughter...hehe. I was pretty caught off guard at salt lake city cos there were so many white folks and us...we were a long way from home...aliens in a foreign land..Finally, we arrived in Bozeman where buses took us to CIEE building to sign up for our work letter. Afterwhich, it was a long 2 hr ride to Mammoth HotSprings where I had to stay for two days to train before leaving to Lake Hotel. Nuff said...enjoy the photos at Mammoth..Btw, all photos are taken by hand...so its authentic:)

The BrokeBack Journey...

My journey was as long and ardous as Frodo's but finally I have arrived! BrokeBack Mountain here I come...Join me as I trace my journey more than 10 000 miles from home(Singapore).

07-05-07 11.30am

I arrived at Changi Airport with my family and we had lunch and took some pictures.

By 1440, my flight flight to taipei took off on CL662. Although I din really know anyone there cos my frens already took the first flight on sunday, I was able to make some new frens including Mabel, Qingling and Judith.

The flight to taipei was pretty good cos firstly I had a window seat and secondly the lady that sat beside me was Taiwanese and we talked a great deal about the cultural differences btw Taiwan and Singapore. I found out that Taiwan's economy emphasized a lot on the IT and Engineering sector and our salaries are approximately 2k thereabout as well. Out of her kindness, she even offered to gave me her namecard and promised to take me around Taipei if i decide to stopover when I return in October.Her name was Nancy I think.

Approx 1900 07-05-07

I arrived at ChangKaiShek Airport in Taiwan and we had about 4 hrs to go before the flight to San Fran so my new-found frens and I went to chill at the starbucks cafe and got to know each other better. See those lanterns? The kids in Taiwan made them and each had their name on it.The flight to san fran was pretty terrible. I had to sit in btw 3 middle aged ppl and there was no individual tv to watch at all on the way there.I practicially stagnated for 11 hrs before heaving a sigh of relief when we arrived at SFO(san fran). Oh! The 4 of us took a picture of us eating pizzas...our very first authentic american pizzas...The subway here is even better too! With more choices of cheese and bread and even vegs like banana pepper..10USD for 2 foot long subway...wat a deal!(only btw midnite to 4am) Its 10pm at Mammoth Yellowstone rite now....will update soon. :)

Lots to do before I embark on the journey of my life...

BAh! Last minute again...I thought I planned my prisonbreak well...I'm no scofield I admit. Granny's altering my tan pants, I bought my portable hard disk for pics and entertainment, arranged a few goodbye dinners and lastly my dreadful ippt to pass. I really hope i got everything settled before i leave...I hate leaving unfinished things behind. Just one more week till i embrace the beauty of nature. The hills are alive i swear!!