Courtyard By Marriott Portland Downtown-Lloyd Center

... true. What a blesing to have this opportunity. We do reap what we sow!<br><br>This blog will document my experiences in India. <br>My next entry will be posted upon arrival in Delhi.<br><br>Stay tuned. <br>Namaste! <br> <br><br><br>

... that I will be able to share my perspectives from India with the public health community here in the states. <br><br>Although the nature of this trip is spiritually influenced, it is my intent to keep this blog secular. <br><br>Stay tuned. <br> Namaste!

Well as time approaches my anxiety is beginning its up climb like an airplane on an ascent to the big blue. I have nailed down the beginning and the end really well, but I am trying to let the wind carry me in the direction it blows (hopefully South). I am staying with my friend Sam's dad down in San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua first. He has generously offered me a place to stay and a helpful hand in getting acquainted. He is going to pick me up from the International Airport in Managua ...

... destinations will be mapped.  You can leave messages, and if you want to be notified when we update the site you can click "Get email updates" under our family picture on the right-hand sidebar.<br><br>Hope this works... and we look forward to sharing our experiences with you.<br><br><br>

... samplers in a full size glass; well, a full size 'snifter.' The next was Rouge Brewery where I got Dead Guy Ale and Some Hazelnut kind that was delicious. I can only drink so many beers, and I had met my limit. I guess it's better to get full before drunk. <br><br>That night I made some guacamole and we watched So You Think You Can Dance and called it a day.<br>

... away from our car. <br>- Had to wait out the downpour, so went into the small Café Bleu in the same building. We got coffees, a triple chocolate cookie, and read our new books for a while, looking out on the street. <br>- Once the rain died down, we walked back to the shop to pick up our car. Christen&#8217;s flip-flop slipped on the slick road while crossing an intersection and she tore up her toe on the curb ...

... an accurate name...it was gigantic. We kept driving for a bit and often had to get off to take a look at something or get a picture of something. This area is so beautiful. A little colder and rainier than the rest of California, but still very beautiful. Before long we were on the coastal drive. We got out at a scenic overlook of the coastline from this bluff. Amazing ...

Well, just when I thought I could throw together a last minute trip to India- which, I can, it turns out- but feeling comfortable about it at the same time? No, no, nononono. Yeah- I knew I was pushing it, and it's true, I leave in two-three hours and I JUST finished packing.. But I was fairly calm, confident, even with less of an itinerary than I thought I'd pull together and little or no time to catch up on the latest with folks I'd met or ...

... number, same everything, just 24 hours later. That simple change cost me $295! Later, I checked the internet again. The going rate was still $120. I could have canceled, or just been a no-show, and I only would have lost $120. I again called the 800 number, still thinking "Customer Service." I'm a slow learner. I've been done wrong. Please correct this. "Well, sir, OUR price is. . . ."--whatever--and going on to explain (well, try to explain) the change fee, the credit back towards the ...

... Mt. Hood and then views far into Washington - Mt. St. Helens, etc. It was really beautiful. We had about a 4 hour layover in Portland - just enough time to use the internet and relax in the World Club and walk around the airport a bit to stretch our legs and get ready for the big Trans-Pacific journey.