Summer Travels: Part 1

I have heard murmurings.

Whispering, Mama et Papa, mention such as: holiday, driving somewhere perhaps to Highlands, NC (where, they say, it's 20-degrees cooler), staying at a Bed & reakfast, driving their 1992 Toyota Corolla (Mama keep saying: "it's the best car in the world"), etc. etc.

The plans, which initially seemed to include me, took a turn for the worse when I overheard the euphemism Bed & Biscuit Suites. We all know what that means: they're going to board me! Me!!!

I've included a picture of Pawtropolis' suite.


To quote their from marketing pamphlet:

"Suites are complete with rugs, a full-size toddler bed and, of course, a flat-screen TV built into the wall. All suites have large windows for seeing what is going on. The suites provide a quieter environment. This is perfect for the ultimate spoiled pooch for the a dog that is very nervous or easily stressed. We are proud to offer a wide variety of movies such as; "Lady and the Tramp", "Air Bud", "The Fox and the Hound", "101 Dalmatians" and much more. Each Bed & Biscuit guest is brought to the outside potty yard four times throughout the day. Food and the potty breaks are included in the price as well as a Kong toy in their room."

Note the language: "very nervous or easily stressed," "toddler bed,"food and potty."

I am hoping that these discussions are merely the ravings of Mama et Papa, their odd response to the unbearable heat we've all been enduring.

In any case, loyal readers, I shall keep you posted.

Manijeh Arrives

The trip began at Tehran's new international airport, Imam Kohomeini, and the 1st leg ended at Charles de Gaulle, Paris. From there to Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson. The flight was booked through Air France, operated by Delta and total air hours, more than I can calculate. [It should be noted, I never did excel at math.]

Manijeh Kalantari is my Papa's Mama, my paternal grandmere. Here is her picture with the beautiful flowers that my maternal grandmere et grandpere sent Manijeh to welcome her to the USA.

Manijeh lives in Ahvaz, Iran as do Papa's brothers, sister, MamaJune, and his neices, nephews, cousins, uncles and aunts. In fact, my paternal family is quite large, a complete constrast to the petite family on Mama's side.

Manijeh likes me very much; she thinks I'm well-behaved and clever. I love Manijeh; when I'm with her I smile and wag. We are fortunate that Manijeh made the long trip to spend some time with us in Athens.

Recreational Travel: a preview

As you may recall, travel occupies a good deal of time-- my active modeling career demands it. However, mama et papa occasionally permit me, as a respite from my chaotic schedule, to visit close family members.

Thus recently, a trip by air to Norfolk, Virginia to hang out with grandpere et grandmere.

Tomorrow I will provide details of our time together along with:

snapshots of each of them

culinary explicaitons

brief editorial about air travel

short review of British humor as represented by 3 books

For today, suffice to say my welcome at home was enthusiastic & high-spirited. [Frankly, mama et papa are at an absolute loss without me.]

Ah, Paris!

As you already know, I trace my origins to France & maintain a close relationship with those of my relatives lucky enough to live in the City of Light.

Every morning as Papa drives to the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center, I shout "au revoir Papa."

I read books about Paris, for example:

Paris to the Moon, by Adam Gopnik, or

Paris: Capital of the World, by Patrice Higonnet

Sometimes I dip into tomes by French authors.

Three of my favorites:

Georges Simenon's Maigret books or the recently published in English, The 13 Culprits or

A Barthes Reader, introduction by Susan Sontag, or

Georges Bataille, Histoire de l'oeil

I urge that at least once before the grim reaper snatches you from terrestrial existence, you too explore the city I call my second home, recoognized as the most beautiful city in the world, with the assurance that you'll return fulfilled & content that you did not miss one of earth's greatest treasures.

A votre sante, M²

[Oh, la la, I can't find the accents on Mama's keyboard]

[Pictures of Paris courtesy of Parler Paris]

Addis Ababa and Me

Today I being a travelogue. I'm recounting stories of my Mama's several visits to a country located at the Horn of Africa called Ethiopia. Discover the wonders of this ancient civilization, the complexities of its current culture, and why Mama travelled 24-hours by air to its capital city Addis Ababa.

Here are two web sites that provide some basic facts about Ethiopia:

http://www.tourethio.com/index.htm

http://www.macalester.edu/courses/GEOG61/kshively/

http://www.selamta.net/index.htm

Mama offered a variety of artifacts, material culture if you will, to help me convey the many contradictions of a visit to Addis Ababa [means Little Flower]. Above you see a piece of Ethiopian cloth showing musicians holding traditional instruments.

So please check back during the next week or so as I share my virtual trip [based on Mama's actual experiences] to this surprising country. And if you have any specific questions, you may ask them by clicking on"comments" located at the end of this entry.