A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

Right at the moment, there's an event occurring in Sri Lanka. It's happening in Kandy, a city in the hill country. The celebration has roots dating back at least 2,300 years. The modern Esala Perahera is from about the middle of the 1700's. At the time, a Kandian king was in charge of the ancient Tooth Relic of the Buddha. He deemed that it be brought out for public viewing in a procession. Since the kingdom came under British control in 1815, the relics are cared for by Buddhist clergy. The public viewing is still tradition.

The parade or procession or starts things off on the full-moon night this month. Human dancers participate but the elephants are decorated in fine trimmings and even electric lights.

Of course it is already tonight in Sri Lanka as they're twelve and a half hours ahead of Vancouver time. We're watching now via Rupavahini television. They stream their broadcasts over the Internet. I'm streaming from my computer through the PS3. The picture is quite blurry and movement sometimes jerky, but this wasn't even possible until recently. Imagine, because of IP, I'm able to watch live TV from so far away. Although I've visited and taken pictures in Kandy on several occasions, this is my first opportunity to see the Perahera.

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Since this blog began, we've twice visited the island. Check out the entries from the 2004 and 2006 journeys. Remember, they're arranged in reverse-chronological order.

Labels: Internet, Q3_2008, Sri Lanka, television

It's a bit too hot today but you're not going to hear any complaints from me. At nearly 80F, Vancouverites get sweaty. It gets much cooler at night though.



Yesterday, I couldn't resist the warm breezes and blue skies. I got out even if only on a local walk. The first part of the trip going east along Front Street was scary as there's no place for pedestrians. I had to fight for the right to walk with big trucks and a kilometer-long train. Once down to Sapperton Park, it was pleasant. I walked back, trying to go through Fraserview. The roads in that residential area are deliberately designed to keep out all but residents. By coming back up through the Woodlands site, I now understand how the bicycle route will meet up with the path which is being created through downtown New Westminster's Columbia Street.

It was hot and my face got a little sunburned.

Labels: Columbia Street, Fraser River, New Westminster, Q3_2008, weather

I'm never one to follow my own advice; I only expect that from others! Although just yesterday I was saying how it'd be too easy to over-plan travels now due to the Internet, I suppose if it helps to promote independent travel, it's all right. We actually begin flying east one month from today.

Thanks, Rick. You've undoubtedly been helpful. We've seen every high-definition show you've ever made ... many twice or more! In fact, it is time for a few new ones, wouldn't you say?

Still, these little mp3 audio guides may, indeed, come in handy. I can pack 'em all on my Creative Zen at zero additional weight. Putting up with the American Airlines adverts is relatively painless considering it's their sponsorship which makes these files free.

Download Italy Audio Tours mp3 Files

Labels: Creative Zen, Italy 2008, Q3_2008, travel planning

I am sure I've hit on this topic before. Yet, when I found myself trying to find the location and photographs of specific hostels near the Roma Termini, I became acutely aware that I needed to create a reminder to myself.



Here goes.

I sort of wear the ability to travel without reservations as a badge of honour. I generally consider most Americans as travelling babies because they must plan out an itinerary down to the very last dot. Whereas, I have always assumed that all cities have people who are willing to feed and shelter me even if I show up unexpectly. If one travels in most of the old-world, it's easy to get to a main rail station. Generally, they're close to the centre of the cities. Around them, it's always possible to find the type of accommodation we prefer; namely, we're looking for cheap!

I'm beginning to realize my bravado has probably only come as a result of necessity. I first tasted international travel in the 1980's. Right out of college, I worked in Kuwait and began jetting about that decade. I don't think it was possible to plan out exact details even at a travel agent in those days. Some people joined tours when visiting. Yet, if one were on one's own there may not have been any other way to travel than by simply doing it.

Now that I've got the Internet at my disposal, I have to remember not to plan the spontaneity out of the travel. It's simply too easy to pre-book hostels and transportation reservations online. Then, one simply has no option but to follow the ill-conceived arrangements which were created prior to arrival.

No, it's much much better to play things by ear. I've got to remember that.

Labels: Google Earth, Internet, Italy 2008, Net apps, Q3_2008, travel planning

I was trying to decide whether I should pick up an Olympus SP-570UZ. I had been of two minds regarding the purchase. It may have been the increased potential of taking more shots like the one in yesterday's entry which tipped the scales.

CONS

Just eight months ago I got a 12-mega pixel, 5X optical zoom Kodak Z1275. It's a good little camera that takes surprisingly sharp photos considering the bargain price.

If a camera is too bulky, I'd be less likely to carry it around with me. The Olympus can't be put in one's pocket as it's substantially larger and heavier.

This Olympus uses expensive xD cards. I'd rather be able to swap between my own equipment which uses ubiquitous, cheap SDHC.

It's a bit pricey. Even on sale, the Olympus is over $430 without the high-speed xD card.

PROS

I was very familiar with the Olympus brand's operation having owned a D-40 and SP-350. The SP-570UZ takes the familiar and adds new features, such as face detection.

Although physically much larger, it's self-contained without the need for carrying around extra dSLR lenses. The Olympus has an internal 20X optical zoom.

I like the freedom of cameras which use standard, re-chargeable AA batteries. This Olympus uses four.

I held the SP-570UZ at London Drugs. It felt very nice in my hands.

We're going to Italy next month and it'd be embarrassing go to the cradle of western civilization with a tiny little, grandmother-type camera. The Olympus looks as well as functions a few steps higher.

I can afford it and, of course, anything I justify, I can buy. The Olympus is equal to just two months of cigarettes if I were still a smoker.

Oh look at that! The total was just four against but six for. With such overwhelming stats, I simply had no choice but to run and buy one yesterday. The new camera is in my hands now. This way I'll have a month to learn its quirks before actually going on vacation.

Labels: digital camera, Q3_2008

The show was a little different this year. In the past, I've blogged about an annual summer spectacle we observe. Since living in this building, we've enjoyed watching seagulls raise their nests of young. You see, from the tenth floor, this apartment affords a view of the roof of the Met Hotel by Columbia Station in New Westminster. Each year we follow the eggs through to the young gulls' eventual flight from the rooftop.

This year has been unlike others. Generally, there are three offspring. This year we noticed the removal of one egg that didn't hatch. It was rolled out of the nest to the center of the roof. It disappeared rather suddenly, perhaps left for scavengers. There was only one baby chick. This seemed much easier for the parent birds as they had much less food to acquire. The chick slowly morphed to resemble the shape of an adult bird. It remained dark but still nagged its parents for food although it'd reached their size. Beginning last week it was getting ready for flight. It would hop around flapping and then stop short at the end of the building and stare longingly at the roof of another building below. One morning this week, we looked out to see him on that other roof.

Today, we haven't spotted the baby. Over the years we've seen considerable variation in behavior. Some young ones stick around for months forcing the parents to continue caring for them. Others seem to pack up and fly away relatively soon. Once the young have been reared, the parent seldom hang around the building. So the process, although having some predictable parts, is a new adventure each year.



As our adopted young bird is ready to venture out on its own, we were surprised when seeing the chicks above. Yesterday, when getting off the SeaBus between Vancouver and North Vancouver, many passengers were stopping to admire these very little ones. The nest was on the corner of the adjacent building. There was glass between but a few feet behind was this scene on public display. Just like most species, humans included, these cute little things will soon grow up to be ugly, demanding adults.

Labels: flora and fauna, Q3_2008

We seldom email frequently. Moreover, I sometimes don't even see my sister for years on end. In fact, the last time Laurie was here was a week before this blog started. That means it's been five years! At her present age and with her copious life experience, I've got to stop thinking of her as my baby sister.



Yet recently, she's become a neighbour of sorts. Well, only out west would one consider 180 miles as neighbourly. Still, she's in Washington State, so that feels close and there are chances we'll be able to meet up more frequently.

Labels: Laurie, New Hampshire, Q3_2008, scanned