Tuesday, September 06, 2005
CHRISTMAS, VIKINGS & MARLBOROS: 2 DAYS UNTIL SENDOFF
In preparation for this trip I went downtown to buy gifts for my homestay family. In my travels I've found that the best gifts are books about my hometown for the families and little tchochkes for the kids. What would normally be an easy task was complicated by the fact that almost everything in the store was made in China. After finally settling on a book and a "Philadelphia" Christmas tree ornament (made in China) - while they won't celebrate Christmas, and nor do I - will be a nice decoration somewhere.
As I thought about what America is known best for, I decided to add 2 more items: A few pairs of Levi jeans and a carton of Marlboro Reds. In a country where 400 million people smoke, these will come in handy and make a great gift.
I've been having a lot of dreams of death lately. Some people say death in one's dreams signifies upcoming change in one's life. My leaving for 6 months is a significant change. However, if in fact the dream actually predicts my own death, here is what I want to happen.
Ben's funeral arrangements:
The Vikings often cremated their dead leaders inside their own warships, as a tribute. I want a variation on the Viking funeral. Place me in a boat on a body of water with some posessions for the afterlife. The Boat is to be pushed into the water and while someone reads from the Tibetan Book of the Dead, everyone present is invited to launch flaming arrows at my funeral pyre (only until it's lit) and watch the smoke rise to Valhölla.
In preparation for this trip I went downtown to buy gifts for my homestay family. In my travels I've found that the best gifts are books about my hometown for the families and little tchochkes for the kids. What would normally be an easy task was complicated by the fact that almost everything in the store was made in China. After finally settling on a book and a "Philadelphia" Christmas tree ornament (made in China) - while they won't celebrate Christmas, and nor do I - will be a nice decoration somewhere.
As I thought about what America is known best for, I decided to add 2 more items: A few pairs of Levi jeans and a carton of Marlboro Reds. In a country where 400 million people smoke, these will come in handy and make a great gift.
I've been having a lot of dreams of death lately. Some people say death in one's dreams signifies upcoming change in one's life. My leaving for 6 months is a significant change. However, if in fact the dream actually predicts my own death, here is what I want to happen.
Ben's funeral arrangements:
The Vikings often cremated their dead leaders inside their own warships, as a tribute. I want a variation on the Viking funeral. Place me in a boat on a body of water with some posessions for the afterlife. The Boat is to be pushed into the water and while someone reads from the Tibetan Book of the Dead, everyone present is invited to launch flaming arrows at my funeral pyre (only until it's lit) and watch the smoke rise to Valhölla.
Comments:
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You can't catch or hunt giant pandas there, as you for sure know it, too! :-)
Thank you for making your trip public. Unfortunately I couldn't attend at your juniors' concerts during their visit to Japan, but I knew Keystone State BC's visit through comparing our notes with one of their managers Donna Anderson.
Now we are being hit by another major typhoon...
Best wishes from
Ryuichi, Japan, VoA member.
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Thank you for making your trip public. Unfortunately I couldn't attend at your juniors' concerts during their visit to Japan, but I knew Keystone State BC's visit through comparing our notes with one of their managers Donna Anderson.
Now we are being hit by another major typhoon...
Best wishes from
Ryuichi, Japan, VoA member.
# posted by 
: 9/06/2005 11:41 AM
: 9/06/2005 11:41 AM << Home
