FIFA World Cup

Might as well get on the bandwagon and have my say about the World Cup.  Last Sunday, I got up early - yes, 8am is early on a Sunday - so I could go to a bar and watch the Netherlands v Mexico game.  It started at 9am and since my getting up early plans didn't quite pan out, I was there by 9:30am.  Which is actually pretty good.  Unfortunately, when I arrived, all of Mexico was already there.  They let me squeeze in since I was wearing very neutral colors and I ended up jammed in a corner standing next to an Israeli who is still very angry about the fact that Israel has not been in a World Cup since 1970.  I tried to commiserate by pointing out that New Zealand hadn't made it through either but might have ruined it by saying that we didn't care because we are number 1 in rugby.  I said they were number 1 in Kibbutzes.  That was the end of our conversation.

Going in, I wasn't really sure who to support - I have very close ties with both countries.  Once I worked for a company whose European HQ was in the Netherlands.  And I like Mexican food.  Being so connected made it very difficult to choose.  So I decided to go with the winner and had to change horses in mid-stream but I don't think anyone noticed.

Later I went to a different spot to watch Greece v Costa Rica.  Again, I was torn by who to support.  Both colors look good on me and I have been to Greece and I want to go to Costa Rica.  Very difficult to choose with such strong affiliations.   Ultimately, I went with Costa Rica as there was a very good looking Costa Rican* on the other side of the bar and I thought I might get points with him.  Sadly, he did not notice my mildly vocal support.  

I think it's very important to drink the drink of the teams that are playing as a sign of support.  At 9:30am I was really wishing England was playing as I fancied a nice cup of tea but settled for a Corona.  I was a bit afraid to ask for a Heineken, the Mexican fans were considerable in number  and due to the large number of tequila shots I saw consumed, did not seem in the mood to be reasoned with.

Imperial is the only Costa Rican beer I know and my second bar had a selection of Budweiser and Miller which was a bit limiting.  I'll be honest, I wasn't about to drink Retsina or Ouzo so settled for Cider.  If you're wondering about the connection to both countries?  Well, I like apples.

I can't wait to see who I'll be supporting next weekend and what I'll be drinking.  Oh, and who wins of course. 

*Probably. 

My Animal Encounters Over The Years And Around The World

I like to think I am an animal whisperer. Although last night I yelled at Albert for looking at me wrong. Which wasn't really fair. There's probably only one way of looking when you just have the one eye.

I've done a fair bit of traveling over the years and recently going through my photos I noticed how much interaction I've had with animals. And how much I have not as you'll see below.

I don't know this chicks story. We shared a sprite and then both moved on with our lives. He wasn't much for talking.  Also I don't understand Thai.

I don't know this pig's story but I think it ended badly. Suspect is not there of his own free will. Probably would have preferred to ride on the handlebars.

Log cabin bear. Rescued him. Originally he was on his back with a glass table top resting on his paws. I liberated a bear. That's right, PETA.

Go to Alaska they said. You won't be able to move for all the wildlife. Looks like I have plenty of room. That dot in the middle was allegedly a moose. On inspection it turned out to be more of a log moose. Luckily we timed our Alaska trip when all the beluga whales were out in force. Right up until I came over. Then they made a pact and headed for the bottom of the ocean, laughing hysterically at me snapping shots of empty water.

Diving in Greece. Look at all the sea animals I am not surrounded by. There is a world wide pact with all water creatures to avoid me. Except for jellyfish, sea lice and freshwater crayfish (or Koura in NZ). If it can sting or bite, it will find me. Go all the way to Greece they said. Learn how to dive they said. Look at all the nothing you will see.

Monkeys in India. This is a gang. When you try and pass, they will cut you. You can't see their knives. They're in their pockets. The little ones will just hiss at you. They're too busy getting tattoos to chase you.

Monkey at Taj Mahal. Talk about monkey on your back. This one has a huge chip on his shoulder. He didn't even take the time to get to know me before deciding I was worthless. Hence the arse in the air..

Yep - on a camel. The one I've previously posted about - Raju. He's right up there with angry monkeys. How's my riding style though? As long as he doesn't move. Three days galloping(ish) through a desert in India..well, lets just say there was chafing.

This thing landed near my friend - just fell out of the Cambodian sky. Was almost the size of his hand.  Waitress laughed hysterically at our fright. It bit her and drew blood. We laughed hysterically at her pain.

Iguana in Thailand. Yes, he was alive. When he breathed, I almost dropped him. Then we went to happy hour.

Thai cockroaches - quite hard to tell from American or New Zealand cockroaches as they don't have much of an accent. Let that be a lesson to you, cockroaches. You will not wander through my packet of peanuts without consequences. Actually you will since I ran screaming from the room and left my boyfriend to dose them with a can of fly spray.

Pronounced Hairy Coo in Scotland. Way up north we had a face-off with this cow type bull thing. By mutual agreement we reversed. Well, he stayed where he was...

Snake skin. Turns out I do not know how to cure snake skins and make them into shoes. After two days it will stink and rot. Yes, I know you all hate me but in rural China, it was the equivalent of a chicken.

Snake blood wine. Snake tastes like nothing and the most disappointing part about this was they handed me the snake to hold onto and while I was holding him, cut off his head with a pair of scissors. That's why there are no photos of me and actual live snake. I got the aftermath.

Mmm, bag of scorpions to go, thanks. China, you have the best snacks. So easy to travel with.

Elephant Island - New Delhi, India. I know what you're thinking. Dangerous incident with elephant where I was either nearly trampled to death or picked up in it's trunk so it could do trunk curls. Before eating me. Makes a good story but no. Monkeys...lots of monkeys attacking you. Which is why there is no photo...