<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: RE: Hello morm! Date: Tue 01/06/2004 08:25 PM Attachments Name Type Save View Message text/plain Save

Well it�s nice living the life of luxury here! I finally figured out how to work Lokesh�s broadband - though I dunno if there is another way of doing it than unplugging the phone. He doesnt seem to get many phone calls here during the day anyway, or any at all that aren�t on his mobile, so I guess it won�t matter???

Now, I have written you a postcard but I might as well write some of the stuff in here too since you won�tget that for a while! I got to Singapore at about 6 am and it was still pitch black! It stayed that way for the little while after my arrival when I was walking around trying to decide whether ot get a taxi or try the buses. It is pretty humid but probably about as humid as it would get in Perth on a really humid day. Lokesh said, "You�re lucky you haven�t been here when it is actually HUMID," so I guess this is nothing compared to what they sometimes have!

Lokesh�s apartment is very nice, and airconditioned. You can always find somewhere that has aircon - be it an apartment like this, a movie theatre (I got really cold when I went to see"The Day after Tomorrow"!! It is not THAT great a movie by the way), or just any shopping place. Though I think some of the less up market places probably have no aircon.

Anyway, I decided at the airport that I�d at least try and get the bus, as dad recommended, so I went downstairs to the underground bus stop and had to ask someone (a guy working there) which bus to get to get to Kim Seng Road. HE said I had to get 2 buses,a 36 (I think) and then a 16. I would get off the 36 at Mandarin Park.Only problem is I don�tthink there is any Mandarin park�I must have misunderstood the guy. I was on that bus for like an hour, seeing the sights of Singapore (some of it anyway) and always looking out for Mandarin Park, and not finding it. I kept thinking that the next stop would be the one I wanted. I did see several stops that the 16 also stopped at, but foolishly didn�t get off there as I kept thinking, "One more, just one more".

SO when I realised I was now heading back towards the airport,I rang the bell and intended to get off at the next stop. There are sorto f two cities here almost�there is a stretch of highway or freeway or whatever it is that connects the two. And the second city is the one I should have stayed in I think. But I was heading bak into the first one and towards the airport.

So I got off and it was really frickin?humid (I was thinking, "Throw me a frickin?bone here!") and I got reaaaaaaaaaaally sore walking around with my pack on. I was always half torn between finding another bus stop and getting a taxi. THe bus fare only cost $1.40 even if I did miss my stop (I�m pretty sureI did..maybe Mandarin park would have been the next stop after the one I got off at?) which is a lot cheaper than $15, even if I had to get 2 fares and bring it up to around $3. But in the end I did get a taxi, as I couldn�t be bothered walking around with my pack anymore. My back was very sore from it already (my shoulders and shoulderblade areas that is).

So I got a taxi and with this guy we got stuck on the freeway and I ended up havingto pay him $17 to get me to Kim Seng Rd. But at least I got here in the end, right?

Lokesh had left the door open as he said he would, and when I got inside there was a note from him telling me to call him when I got in. I did and he was on a call and said he�d call me back. So he did, and I told him about my adventures in Singapore so far. I honestly felt like the day had lasted forever already. But I had only really been here a few hours!

He made a few suggestions for things I could do, and there is a brownish building nearby called "Great World Plaza" or something and I went there at his suggestion. He said there is a free bus from there to Orchard Road which is a very big shopping area. I haven�t done that yet, but I Have been on Orchard Rd (several of them in fact). I did go to Great World thingo and look around - that is where I got my film developed. There are some great shots of you and I in our gi, striking karate poses. Have you gone back to karate yet!?

Anyway, another thingI have told you in the postcard is that the movie only cost $7.50! And sure that�s SD but it would be even less in AUD!

Last night when Lokesh got home we went out to dinner (in his $100,000 dollar Lexus) and met some of his friends. They are all Indian but living here in Singapore. They are all pretty rich, too.

Sooo anyway, how�s it going? Stuff?Things? More stuff?

Oh yeah, about the passport, maybe all we need to do is get it and then photocopy it or fax it to an airport or embassy or something? Or else if it arrived in time you could send it to Canada or even Japan whereI could pick it up from an embassy I guess? I�m not sure what you�d be able to do from there as I won�t be there to sign anything�but umm, I will try and find out what I can do anyway.

Lokesh just came in and said I didn�t have to unplug the phone, so I guess we�ll see how to do this when I have sent this email and he demonsrates. :)

There is a big-ass pool outside that I might swim in later. Yesterday I had a shower when I got here, and then had another shower later in the day. I could have SWORN I packed those black short/pants of mine, but I don�t see them anywhere.I am wearing my Docs for the first time right now, as my heels need a bit of a rest from the other ones (they are fine with socks but last night I didn�t wear socks to dinner and they got a bit sore).

I have already bought some stuff, like the Lion King dvd and some postcards which aren�t sent yet. I am tempted to buy some shorts but I think I might be Mrs X X L if I tried to do that here, too :P

Guess what?! Lokesh said he might know someone in Dubai for me to stay with!! I hope that works out�it would be nice to not have to worry so much there ;p And I am aware that if I call this place hot, I might have a nasty surprise in Dubai. I am looking forward to being in "cold" places where summer gets no hotter than 26 degrees or so most times - such as Holland. I know it gets hotter in England, but not as hot as these places!

I will say that Singapore is an attractive place - it�s very lush and green and,well, tropical I guess :) ANd it has some interesting buildings. THe buses are usually very brightly coloured - painted with murals that cover all of them, e.g. companies?adverts and stuff - and same with a lot of the taxis. The drivers are pretty crazy here, some of them not caring all that much about using indicators, and taxis and bus drivers both swerve into different lanes without much warning. The first bus driver I went with (from the airport) got a bit mad with stupid drivers, and muttered away in possibly Indonesian, or some language anyway (this place is quite multicultural,which surprised me - there are Indians, Chinese and whites and others too).

Anyway, I better cut this short and make sure it sends. First I will copy it, then paste it back in, so if it doesn�t work I will be able to just paste it in again (since the computer remembers the thing I last copied).

Talk to ya later morm - and thanks for the 5 pairs of socks, I have worn 2 pairs already?

xoxoxox Twisha

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: Nga dugu dugu dugu! Date: Sun 13/06/2004 04:04 AM Attachments Name Type Save View Part 1 text/plain Save Part 2.1 text/html Save

Hello morm! Yes, ?did chase after the guy but ?wasn't the first off the mark - the New Zealander ?was with got up and ran off first, before ?could even think to. Then ?thought, Oh, well ?guess ?should run off after her now. But we had no chance of catching him. He knew just where to go in the markets and they are like a dazzling maze to we pathetic Australasians.

Very disappointed to hear that the Dockers are sucking butt! ? must be because ?am not there! ?hope they don't lose tomorra. Do keep me informed!

?have left Matt and Kitty (?think her real name is Chiquetta or something; no, wait, ?think it is Jaquetta.....) behind. Yesterday ? came back to Sel?k (Selcuk but with a squiggly c) after visiting Pamukkale. That is the place my dentist told me she had visited. ?think that must also have been the place where she went skydiving.

Oh lordy - there is some kind of parade going on outside. Drums, horn type things (the type you think of when you think of ?dia), people marching along, and a mule with an interesting costume. The people don't have interesting costumes!

Anyway, Pamukkale was very nice but ?think part of it might be fake. ? just doesn't look natural to me. The edges of it look a bit too jagged. You will see photos eventually. ?gave that girl Kitty my email address so ?hope to hear from her at some stage so ?can arrange to get some photos of the times ?captured on that stolen film (irritation is emanating from me in putrid waves!). Today ?went to Ephesus, and to be honest, that girl ?heard saying she wasn't too impressed with it was a dick 'ead! Majorly dick-headish! She dunno nuffin!

?was a little disturbed to see that my bank account balance is slightly smaller than ?might have hoped. Maybe it's because of the camera ? bought.... But ?have only been away for 12 days or something!! ?can't be working my way through my funds TH? quickly!?

Anyway, about Ephesus - it is pretty much an entire city preserved. Not perfectly preserved - there are bits and pieces everywhere, and the main things that are in almost the form they were in the olden days, are only that way because they have been glued back together. Ooh, ?like it when a long bit of a sentence has no i in it! ? means ?can type fast again! But ?know you would love it. ?don't really feel the need to look at more ruins in Turkey now. Ephesus is meant to be their best after all. ?think that girl was saying that compared to Egypt's pyramids, Ephesus isn't really that awe-inspiring! But ?think it is pretty bloody great. You would love it!

?am trying to decide whether or not to go for this tour of 4 Greek ?lands, in spite of its price. ? includes accomodation. Which is good for one who is lazy like me. But ?could also go to a camping ground. ?don't have a tent but how depressing could it be? Oh yeah. Very!

But things are expensive in Greece! ? will be a bit of a shock going from what ?have been living in to a place with the Euro. But alas, it must be done. ? will cost me 215 US dollars for just getting to Athens. Not including the bus ticket to ?tanbul. ?look forward to the times when ?have no accomodation to concern myself with... ?need to recalculate my budget on my current savings (including credit card), what with buying the new camera and so on. Things have changed somewhat!

Must borrow these people's calculator, dude!

At least when you go to Turkey and other places in the future, ?will be able to tell you where to stay - assuming those places are still there! ?think that the Lonely Planet is generally pretty good, though this amuzing Canadian woman ?met told me it is better to call it Lying Planet, at least when it comes to their book about China.

When ?finally got to see some news, most of what ?saw was the funeral of Ronald Regan. We were saying, "Nancy's thinking, 'who are you?' as she greets each new guest," considering she has Alzheimer's or something. But a while back ?did see that David Hicks had finally been charged with some things by the US govt. ?guess now his family will go about trying to deny those charges. Good luck David, you terroris' you!

When ?first met those Canadians ?wasn't sure if they were American or Canadian so ?kept quiet about it until they revealed their nationality themselves. Then we got to happily bitching about George Bush (though ? know that some Americans are happy to do that too!). ? was a mother and daughter travelling team - we planned to do that didn't we?! Next time, ?say!

?am still reading My Place and ?may leave it here in this hostel - if they want it in its condition anyway. ?am really enjoying it and ?love the character of Daisy/Nanna. ?guess after ?have read it ?will need to find a new book!

The Temple of Artemis (Goddess of the Hunt) is in Ephesus ?think, but ? didn't see it, or at least didn't recognise it when ?did. Maybe ?will see it in a book sometime and go, "Hey, ?saw that!" ?want to get one film from my new camera developed just to make sure the pics are turning out all right. Maybe ?will do that today or tomorrow.

?have rambled on enough so next time ?may have news about what ?am doing regarding Greece - ?think ?will avoid getting a plane to ?tanbul since ?am on a tighter budget now. But anyway, we'll see! Give my hugs to the kihdons! Say hi to Biw and co next time ya see 'em (including Jubeth - should email her again actually!).

?guess now ?may start to lose weight if ?really am on a budget again...

Talk to ya later morma!

Love Trisha

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: did you get my email that said 'inga dugu dugu'? Date: Wed 16/06/2004 01:13 AM Attachments Name Type Save View Part 1 text/plain Save Part 2.1 text/html Save

Hi Morm! There is almost always somewhere to get online but I am increasingly conscious of my budget, especially after doing stupid things like getting a hotel that I thought was 13 Euros but it was actually 30... No wonder it was so nice!! And it had a TV so I watched "Rush Hour" (Jackie Chan and Chris Rock - funny, silly, etc.) last night, even if the reception wasn't that good.

I am really starting to wonder how I will get through this trip on my budget if I am going through it so quickly. But I need to just be more careful from now on not to rush into things, and to be sure of prices before accepting. I am gonna try and keep this internet session to only 15 mins so that I only have to pay 1.5 Euros. I booked a flight from Athens to Istanbul very early on the 18th, which means I will have to stay there the 18th and hang around for half of the 19th. I really wish I didn't have to but the other tickets were more expensive by 100 Euros. The one I bought was 150 Euros and I weep to think of how much that is in AUD.

It is all a bit depressing but I am trying to comfort myself by thinking there was no other alternative. The bus would have got me there about 4 hrs after my flight. I realised I could have tried to reschedule my flights (Istanbul - Vienna, and Vienna - Prague) but I am trying to believe that wasn't possible, just to make myself feel a bit better. It isn't working much :)

Glad to hear Sophe isn't leaking. Where on earth would James have been leaking!? On the toilet? Or do I not want to know? Sophe is an old girl isn't she? I love hooa!

How's Polps? Fluffy as ever? Et what about Koshikaka? Weak-clawed as ever?

It's almost 10 past 11 and my ferry leaves at 12. I met this woman in a local store and bought a pillow case off her (which is the sort of thing I have to stop doing from here on in), and she is really nice. She gave me advice about what to do in Athens while I was there, for a few hours. Sadly now I won't be able to use that advice, as I will be going straight to the airport from my ferry basically. But anyway, one other thing you should know - I am now batherless. I left them on the last island by accident, on the washing line at my hotel. Fuckin' hell! I looked at buying some here but they were expensive and way too bikini-ish for me. So as a result I have been beside a beautiful beach yesterday and today and haven't been swimming. Just the icing on the cake, that is!

Hope you have fun at book club - and say hi to Bijudie for me. And hi to Biw too, even if you don't see him. And Benny (sigh) I guess.

One part of my new budget will be to get one bottle of water a day (big bottle) and have one other drink each day if I want to. So a can of Diet Coke here and there. Everybody has called it Coca Light so far. Actually, I can't remember if they did in Singapore but they do in all the European places.

Hmm, I guess if I have some time in Istanbul I can try again to find the Glass Elephant or something Elephant Em told me to look for. But I'm not sure I have the heart for it!

I better go now and send this email so that it gets...well...sent. Yeah. ANd then I might pop to Dragonmount and check a board here and there, but I only have 4 mins!!

Love Trisha

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: Nga dugu dugu (repeated) Date: Wed 16/06/2004 11:56 PM Attachments Name Type Save View Message text/plain Save

This is the email I sent you before but you didn't get:

Nga dugu dugu dugu!

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: groovy chickens Date: Thu 17/06/2004 12:18 AM Attachments Name Type Save View Part 1 text/plain Save Part 2.1 text/html Save

That's a good idea - at least shorten my time in Chicago. I wouldn't mind spending a day or two there though. Maybe 3 days, like most of my other 'minor' stops are. I will have some time in the middle of the England time where I won't be in England - I'll be in Holland - but at least maybe I could get some work before and after that.

Marina told me about some temp agency she had found, and sent me a link, but I think I've lost it. I will have to get her to email it to me again.

I sent you the nga dugu dugu email again, just in case you get it this time. Don't delete it!!! It's pretty long and has lots of stuff in it. Yeah. Also, did you get my postcard from Singapore? I asked another girl if she'd got mine from there and she said she hadn't yet. I thought that was a rather long time to wait, so I am hoping I didn't put them in the wrong box or something. Anyway, yesterday I sent a bunch of postcards so you should get at least 2 in the future. One of them was from Turkey and one from Greece, I think.

I ate way too much last night. I wasn't even hungry to begin with but I still had dinner, and the appetiser was huge, so when the main course came I was definitely not hungry. Still, I couldn't be rude so I ate as much of it as I could. then I realised when it came time for paying the bill that I didn't have enough money because I had had to pay for the bread at the start too - I didn't realise that was part of hte bill.

It's 10 am and about 7 hrs till I get my ferry. And 1.5 hrs before I have to check out of my hotel. I think I will try and get a bus or two around different parts of the island. I'm glad I didn't get a taxi from the port to my hotel as the bus was only 1.30 or something. Euros that is. But still, the taxi would have been more expensive. It was a pretty amazing road we drove up on - right on the cliff basically, and zig-zagging back and forth a lot. Much of the time I wondered if we wouldn't just topple over hte edge. THe bus was very full. This isn't quite high season yet but still, the island is pretty busy.

Santorini is a very nice place. I think when you and I travel we should come back here! The hotel I'm in is very nice but I don't want to even think about the price - I saw a pricelist on the door and it made me realise why it had cost me about 300 AUD to do all this island stuff. We could find something cheaper I'm sure. I could have too if I hadn't been a scaredy cat!

I saw a dead kitty at the side of the road yesterday. It was pretty young, maybe 6 months old or less. Yeah, probably less. Poor wittle bunny!

There were these weird bugs on Naxos that I haven't seen anywhere else so far. Big fat things that flipped onto their backs and then back onto their tummies. But they weren't as gross as cockroaches. So I assume you've given Aharen my email address? I could always email her too I guess.

I emailed Lokesh's housekeeper, Grace/Hazel/thingo, and got a response pretty swiftly. So I am glad I did that - it just took me a while to get around to remembering.

I have 8 minutes to go on my internet time. The next time I email you might be from Athens airport assuming I have any time. Or else it might be in Istanbul. I don't wanna go back there but at least I know it won't be horrible. I just have no interest in going back there. And it isn't for htat long so I can't complain much really. Wish I had more time in Athina!

I bought these earrings that really aren't me, but I like them. They're little paintings on cuttle shells. I think they are cuttle anyway. I also bought an anklet that I have on.

I saw a bit of the YOung and the Restless last night. I wished it was Days but at least it was something i guess ;) I hadn't really thought much about Days of our Lives till I saw that Y&R was on.

Anyway, if you get some bathers for me you can send them to:

Nicola & Maxine
35 Broomfield Rd
Earlsdon
Coventry, CV5 6JY
United Kingdom

I guess that will do. Or you could send them to Fiona & Marcel? I will be with Nicola when I first get to England, until something like July 12th. Hmm, maybe it'd be better to send them to Fiona & Marcel.

Ok, I better go now - oh, and you could send me the bathers that are in my room still; the black ones that aren't shiny lycra.

Talk to ya later!!!

Love Trisha

<< top | From: "Leigh Wilson" To: [email protected] Subject: RE: groovy chickens Date: Thu 17/06/2004 05:27 AM Attachments Name Type Save View Message text/html Save

Hello again. Nice to hear from you again so soon. I went to karate again tonight. I spend all day trying to decide that I won't go, then decide to bloody go!! We did this thng where you had to do front kicks, first one, then two kicks without putting your foot down, then three, foiur, five, up to 10. It FUCKING hurt. Try it. Go on, try it.

About working. You can work in any European country. Are they pickiing fruit? Ask at a back packers. Even a day's work would be good fun. Remember they use back packers at Seastruct. It will use a day up.

I got your postcard, about three days ago. Why did the funny bird remind you of me? Am I a funny bird?

A Helen has your email. I'll try and do you some bathers this weekend.

I'm off to fill bean bags. 1000 ordered. I still haven't finished the orders I got while I was doing the Seastruct work. We're getting there though.

Thank you for your lovely emails

Morm

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: RE: groovy chickens Date: Fri 18/06/2004 03:59 AM Attachments Name Type Save View Part 1 text/plain Save Part 2.1 text/html Save

The funny bird reminded me of you because it was a funny-looking animal and I just KNOW if you had been with me, you would have got a kick out of it. I would have called it a Little Wahn, or you would. It's inevitable!

I got my period already, so that means (and for once I know, because I remember I had just begun it when I left home) that it has arrived after only 3 weeks. Less than 3 weeks, actually. It's bad enough having it every month!! Anyway, I got the plane from Athens to Istanbul today. I was surprised the flight only took 50 mins. I expected at least a bit more of a flight. What also surprised me was that we got breakfast on the plane. I was glad as I had been banking on at least getting some form of food. Did I tell you I finally finished those Dubai crackers a few days ago? It was on some ferry...the first one I think. They lasted, alright!

I am staying at the same place we stayed when we first got here - the Mavi Guesthouse. Did I mention that Mavi means blue? That is the only Turkish word I know off by heart. Hehe. Whenever I see 'mavi' around I go, "ooh! I know what that means! It means blue!"

As for that funky karate move...nah. Think I'll skip it! I dunno what it was about Santorini but it REALLY worked my legs walking around. And I did quite a bit of walking back and forth, because I got my film developed and so had to to back for it, and also went back to post postcards (well that was when I handed in the film...) and went out to get that enormous dinner that was way too much but was worth it 'cause it was yum! And interesting, of course. That is a bonus.

Speaking of taking off weight - as we were just now, of course - no, I don't think I am doing too well there yet. I haven't been eating junk everyday but I don't feel like I am slimmer. Maybe I just don't see it, but you'd at least think I'd see something.

I will ask about work when I get to Prague. I have 5 days there and I'm sure I will have some idle hours that could be wittled away doing menial tasks like scrubbing toilets... Just kidding! I still am positive I'll never do that - well, maybe if it's my own toilet...but not if it's a communal one or anything! Ew!

My fingers (the two index ones) have been peeling, which is rather odd. I also got a bit sunburned on my calves...but not evenly, of course. I can never do anything like that evenly. It just isn't me. I like to make my own tattoos by getting burnt in interesting, original ways. Or my subconscious does anyway. One leg has a very visible strip of sunburn and the other seems to have cleared up already. I tell ya, there's no explanation for it! It just is!

I finished "My Place" and I left it at the Artemis Guest House in Selcuk, Turkey. I wrote a little note in the cover saying, "If you guys want this you are welcome.." and how I didn't really like to part with a book, especially a good one, but that I had my mum's blessing to (don't tell dad! ;). I bought a crappy book on Samos, a Jonathan Kellerman thriller thingo, but I am nearly finished. I need to find a 2nd hand store and buy a couple of books. Or maybe just one, for now. I also need to try and get rid of the Kellerman one without being wasteful. Maybe I can sell it to a 2nd hand book store? I did see one of those on one of the islands.

Marina has warned me to be careful in Prague on the trams - her dad got his video camera stolen on them, and in Marina's words, "the child gangs are really well organised, so much so that you don't even know you've been robbed until you have been," or something. So I will indeed beware of that. I was wary getting back to Istanbul, watching especially in crowds for people attempting to steal my bag or something. Nobody stole anything, which was a nice change!

Last night on the ferry I was coughing, coughing, coughing myself to an early grave. I tell ya, we are lucky in Australia, that it's very rare to see people smoking in a public venue. It's very rare to have someone sit down right beside you and lite up a fag, and let the smoke waft right into your face. It's rare, isn't it? And I love that! Turkey and Greece are really bad for smoking. I wonder what the rest of Europa will be like. I guess I will make reports as I go along! I am just siiiick of cigarette smoke irritating my throat and making my cough start again. SICK of it I say!

It sorta feels like it's late afternoon or even evening here, but it's only 2 pm. I haven't had lunch yet and I just put my laundry in. It will cost me 6 million lira. It's funny talking in millions. When I was with those NZers Matt and Kitty (or Kat and Mitty we could call 'em), Matt was saying, "Ahhh, just spent 235 million today...not a bad day..." as a joke, and I said, "I bet George Bush says that everyday!" This was right after my camera had been stolen, so they were quite pleased I was able to crack a joke at that time. Speaking of being robbed, a girl at DM said she got her computer stolen (amongst other things) the other day! Now if that doesn't suck, I dunno what does!

Anyway, I think I'm gonna end this email here so that it doesn't get too long (too late eh?). So did ya get the resent email I sent? The nga dugu one? The re-send of it, that is. :) Just wanna make sure!

And that is all from this neck o' the woods. I think I have a bit of emailing to do of people other than you. I've been a bit slack! Lurve Twisha

<< top | From: "Leigh Wilson" To: [email protected] Subject: RE: groovy chickens Date: Fri 18/06/2004 07:12 PM Attachments Name Type Save View Message text/html Save

I still haven't had the 'n'ga dugu' email. Are you keeping all your emails, or shall I do hard copies for you? I went to tap this morning. Kethy rang me to tell me she was starting a new routine, so I thought I should go as she had taken the trouble to do that.

James is here as they are taking all the boys to the footy this arvo, then staying in a hostel in Northbridge the night. I hope it all goes well. Carlos said he fully expects someone to run away.

I have to send A helen some recipes. She is at the lake with Bob and Mark.

You sound relaxed. Good. I did 1110 bean bags yesterday. Got paid for them too. Goody.

Now I'm going to work.

Love ya, Leigh

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: RE: groovy chickens Date: Sat 19/06/2004 12:31 AM Attachments Name Type Save View Part 1 text/plain Save Part 2.1 text/html Save

Hmm, well ?will send you the nga dugu one in 2 parts then - when ?have access to a better keyboard. ?am leaving in about 1/2 an hour but had to check email first!!

Will write more later!

<< top | From: "Leigh Wilson" To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Prague - 1st impressions! Date: Sun 20/06/2004 07:59 AM Attachments Name Type Save View Message text/html Save

Hey Trish

I was really pissed off that I missed your phone call. I was at the movies with Judy and Donna. We went to se the Jim Carrey one, and I was completely confused, and a bit too tired and I actually fell asleep in it, but I did want to see it. It was too involved to see when tired. I had had a headache all day long and stuff. I WISH I was with you. All those places I'd love to go to. Hope your throat doesn't get full blown Do you have panadol? Keep it at bay. I have Dave and Ellen's phone no: 84 (guess that's Chermany) 95321 45845 Some of that may be an area code.

I emailed Dave last week and haven't had a reply. Hope they're there!!!

Have you found someone to go around with?

Did you lose many photos on the film that was in the stolen camera?

I have cut out the bathers and will do them tomorrow, and send them off.

It's 11pm. Beter go to bed. Just have to have my turn at scrabble first. I'm winning this one hands down, so Judy is pissed off.

hope I get a call from you again. I'm going to karate tomorrow, and Bob Bird's Tuesday, but not for dinner, then home Weds, karate Thurs etc etc.

Sleep well, love Mummy

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: the city by lake mitchigan Date: Sat 28/08/2004 09:43 AM

Hey Mom. I have Jennifer's mobile phone while I'm here - I talked to her yesterday and she said, "Hey, I didn't give permission for that!" and I said, "Well you'll just have to put up with it." apparently for her it costs about 5 cents per minute to call here to a mobile. Not sure what it'd cost you. But it costs me about 2 US cents a minute to call you, so I will probably do that!

Chicago looked really awesome as I flew in - it is a beautiful city scape right on the edge of the lake. But then you probably know that from memory right? I think I will go up the Sears Tower... I had a look at my account online and it doesn't look TOO bad I guess. Jon was saying that if I was just spending frivolously like, in a store in Perth or something, he wouldn't condone maxing out the card, but since I am travelling the world that's a little different. But don't worry, I am not in any rush to max it out!

I'm gonna go out today and try and find a place to send stuff home. May have to wait till Monday for that. At least I would like to have a walk around. Last night was really humid but I woke at about 2 am to find that there was an enormously loud thunderstorm happening outside. Heaps of lightning, thunder, blah blah. It was exciting and I highly enjoyed it! :) I did have to close some windows though...and the air conditioning (maybe) vent thingo above the bed - thankfully the foot of the bed - leaked, so it is quite damp this morning.

This is a really nice place Jon has - very big, especially for just ONE guy. it's even bigger than Lokesh's place. It has a huge floor where I am sitting now, and then a room upstairs where I am staying. And outdoors from my room is the roof, where there's a set of table and chairs. So it'd be good for dinner partays I imagine!

I talked to Noj and Neleh yesterday from Heathrow, to use up my last 2 pounds 22 pence on my card. Hmm, no wait, I had about 22 pence left, and it lasted about 2 minutes 22. yeah, that was it. :)

I've written you another postcard with a very interesting image on the front. i just realised I should send A. Trisha another postcard...I think i sent them one already. but another can't hurt.

How's the kitties? That is one thing I REALLY look forward to seeing again! Kitties! well, i've seen plenty of kitties while I've been away, but not my OWN kitties. Those are a treat in store!

I accidentally took Marcel & Fiona's spare keyset with me wheN I went. Gonna email them about that now!

Talk to ya later morm

Lurve Trisha

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: atLAYYNta Date: Tue 31/08/2004 02:20 PM

You�ll just have to wait and see won�t ya? About a present, that is! I actually decided not to send the box, because it was so big, and that I�d wait till Atlanta was over, so I could send my Green dress home too. I won�t need it after this, after all. It will definitely fill up the excess space in the box - some of it anyway.

Speaking of Atlanta, I am here now - waiting for Jennifer to come home. She put a key under the mat for me and I let myself in. It was really hard work carrying my pack, my little back pack and the fricking box which was really heavy after a few seconds of transportation. I need a shower, in a big way.

Apparently tonight we�re going out to dinner. Yay yay yay! Maybe I�ll have a glass of wine�or maybe a Kiet Doke. Who knows?

It�s quite nice to be in a land where they call it Kiet Doke too. Well, obviously they don�t call it that�only idiots like us call it that. :)

That is really sad about Juany�s um�second cousin? Is it anyone we�ve heard mentioned before? I know that they went to a funeral maybe 6 months ago didn�t they? Of a "very byouuuutiful gerl!" as Juana called her. It�s so sad when young�uns die, though of course it�s sad when old�uns die too! Death is just sad!

My, aren�t I philosophical?! Mmmm, this keyboard is annoyink me.

So anyway�did you mean that there are ants on the computer desk and did you ask why they might be there? Umm, I dunno why they�re there. The good Lord�s wraith perhaps? At least they�re not don la pantalon right?

I talked to Jennifer umm, maybe 3 times in the last few days. Or maybe just twice. The first time was Friday night when I first got into Chicago, and she told me to get up early because there was so much to do in Chicago. I said, "Yes, okay," because it�s good to have your mother give you advice that way :)

I really loved Chicago! It was so pretty! The parts I saw anyway. Really interesting architecture, and I liked being on the lake and listening to Le Pumpkins du Smashing. Twas very nice!

Sorry to hear about your basil cell carcenomas. How long have you had them and how soon are they meant to dissipate? Wasn�t it 6 weeks? So how long to go then?

I�m not sorry that I�m missing the portaloo. Don�t envy you guys at all!

So L�Australie came 4th in the �Lymps. Not bad eh? I guess pouring billions of dollars into sports development has paid off after all!? Apparently we are ranked 10th in the overall medal stakes (overall being from all the �Lymps). Guess we have a tradition of spending lotsa cash on sportspeople?!

When I was waiting for a bus that worked, I got talking to two black American guys, who didn�t know each other but were talking to each other too. One of them was a bit of a sleaze and at one point he said, "So have you met lots of interesting people on your travels?" The other guy, later on, said that the first guy must have expected himself to be one such interesting person - perhaps in the top 20 at least.

The sleazy guy hazarded a guess about what my favourite kind of guy would be - he guessed black. And I explained that I don�t have a preference, I like guys from every "group" so to speak. And the other guy said that if you talk to any Australian girl they will say the same. Slight exaggeration there, but he didn�t seem surprised that I said that. He did say that he doesn�t understand it. I said that I didn�t understand when a girl said something like, "I couldn�t ever date a Japanese guy" or something.

Anyway, the non-sleazy guy was getting off at the same place as I was, which was a bit of luck because I�d been asking him where we were and trying to figure out when I had to get off - and so he could show me to the building I had to get to. So he did. He sounded like a really nice guy. Speaks Spanish and English, loves to travel (he hopes to go to South America next time he travels�and his family is from New York and the Dominican Republic I think�he sounds totally American either way) and was good to talk to. He says that Tokyo is really amazing and you haven�t REALLY seen karaoke till you�ve seen a Japanese guy dressed up with a pink mohawk singing "Walk like an Egyptian" (apparently the 80s music is pretty big in karaoke there). So he made me want to go and check out some karaoke when I�m there.

Jon also had stuff to say about Japan - he really enjoyed Tokyo and he�s seen "Lost in Translation", and says that he felt a bit the same in a way when he was there. But he also recommended I go to Kyoto to see the Temples, as that is where the "real" temples are (for e.g. in Turkey ifyou wanted to see ruins but only had one day, you�d probably go to Ephesus I guess). That was the plan anyway, I just have to figure out how to get there. Train probably.

Anywayzzz�think I might go and have a shower now. But no I should wait till Jennifer is back, so she can tell me which towels I can use and so on. Talk to ya later!

Lurve Trisha

PS. Dun worry about the cash - we get by! And I think that having less money you have to make the most of your trip anyway, right? Right!? Well, I�m not saying I�d complain if I won Lotto!

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: Atlanta Date: Mon 06/09/2004 06:51 PM

STAKE YOUR CLAIM ON THE LOUNGE! That is my advice to you!

I just got back from the 4 days at Dragon*Con in Atlanta. I am still in Atlanta but am back with Jenn and Jimmy at their apartment. We returned to find that their Xbox had been stolen - apparently people had "trespassed" (not broken in because the door had been left open by a friend of theirs I think) and stole just the Xbox (video game thingy), video games and maybe a cord. So Jimmy went right out and bought a new Xbox. They were that desperate to watch DVDs.

D*Con was reaaaaally cool. I got to see Jen (as opposed to Jenn) again - Atlanta Jen, who is now Texas Jen - and her hubby Dan too. They are both so cool! They invited me to stay with them in Texas indefinitely whenever I want (as long as I give �em warning, of course). Jen told me a bit about the trial that is going on (or soon to start anyway) about her parents?murder. She said that little things bring her down really easily, like how the police told her the killer (one of them anyway, if there were multiple ones) had gone through her stepdad�s pockets and they were trying to get DNA out of the pockets, �cause they can�t get them out of the car he was found in (the kid, not the stepdad). She said that that shocked her because she just reassured herself beforehand with thoughts that the murders had been an accident�he shot them, but hadn�t really meant to. But this bit of info sorta changed her perception of how things might�ve happened and it hit her really hard. There wasn�t much I could say to all this so I didn�t try. Just listened a bit.

We didn�t really have much time together but it was great to just see her again. She and Dan had awesome costumes - he had this hat with a big feather in it, and a cool jacket, leather (I think) boots and pants, etc. She had a green dress that made her look like a queen. She also had a clip-on blonde pony tail that ended up being her pet - a headless cat that she was patting and cuddling. Her REAL cat is called Whitney, and one of its nicknames is Whitners the Kitners. Jen said she wanted to get another cat and call it Bobby Brown.

I met lots of other people at D*Con as well, and saw Wendy (the Dutch girl) again. It is also really great being with Jenn and Jimmy. Jenn is totally awesome! But then, they all are. There is this woman called Mary, or Karana at Dragonmount, who I have had many run-ins with at DM - and most other people have had at least one with her too - but I met her in person and I REALLY got along with her. I am not forgetting what she�s done/said in the past, but I do now have a more rounded view of her! She�s very sarcastic and a good person to people-watch with. She�s about 33 I think.

There were a few cute Jack Sparrows around (ya know, from "Pirates of the Caribbean"), and some cute elves a la "Lord of the Rings". Other sexy men too!

It was a real freakshow really. Sometimes you just could not believe the things your eyeballs were perceiving. Such as massive boobs laid out on a platter that was a corset?Very odd visual but I sorta mean it literally. These corsets are odd as they curve outward from the tummy in a concave way, and sort of form a shelf on which the boobs are laid out. This is especially true of some of the more "endowed" corset-wearers - namely big chicks with big, saggy boobs. At least they are brave!

There is a really wide range of people at D*Con. Everybody is a geek, really, but apparently (according to some people from Dragonmount) nerds are different from geeks, and in a bad way. Nerds are bad, geeks are cool (because we are geeks). Hmm?Not sure what I think! :) But it�s a comforting theory!

I�ve had dinner bought for me twice and lots of hugs. We had a few raucous evenings at restaurants. At one of them we had these metal dragon chopstick holders that we put on this turntable in the middle of the table, and we then spun this table around and pretended the dragons were in a car race. ONe guy was making dragon roary noises as this happened. The dragons ended up spinning out on the track, sometimes crashing completely. They then did some synchronised swimming, gymnastics and so on. Some of them got disqualified for use of steroids.

Elsewhere, there was a very funny moment when I was in this thing called the WoT Olympics, where there are teams from different Wheel of Time sites (i.e. Dragonmount.com, TarValon.net, etc.) who have to compete in competition. They have to do tasks that they draw out of a cup, for instance sing a battle marching song, or tell a Gleeman�s tale with an Illianer accent (all stuff from WoT).

Well, I was on the DM team, and Jenn and I acted out this confrontation between 3 of the Wheel of Time characters, Perrin, Faile and Berelain. The first two are married in the books, and Berelain is a woman who tries to steal Perrin from Faile. Faile is jealous and is a really weird character but very cool in my opinion. Anyway, basically she is mean to Perrin and he loves it. So Jenn played Faile, I played Perrin (who is also renowned for being kinda big and slow-witted - he�s not dumb, but WoT fans pretend he is), and we had a paper bag puppet who would be Berelain. The first thing Jenn said to me when we started was, "Perrin, I hate you and I want you to die," which really fit with a slightly exaggerated version of the character she was playing. I acted slow-witted (as I had done before approaching Jenn, to let people know that I was playing Perrin) and said, "What???" Then Jenn began to beat up Berelain (the paper bag), I tried to restrain her from killing B., I failed, then Faile said, "Ok, now make mad passionate love to me and spank me, because I want you," so I hit her on the butt a few times and we faked a kiss. It was a pretty wild ending. Apparently this is all on video along with some other things the DM team had to do. :) Jenn had to fight with an Amyrlin from another site (Jenn is DM�s Amyrlin, i.e. leader of the White Tower, of which I am a member), and they really went all out and beat each other up - the other girl always ends up just lying on Jenn �cause she is heavier!

I need to email Mark �n Bob about arriving tomorrow. Haven�t heard back from them. My flight may also be delayed�due to Hurricane Francis heading our way (Possibly anyway). So my future is as yet uncertain?But we�ll see how it turns out!

I�m glad to hear Sophe is hanging in there and that Lolls is ok�he better not die!! Or else! (same goes for the other kittens)

How�re the Dockers Boys doing? Unt the Eagles? Sucking badly?

I�ll try and call ya asap. For now it�s over and out!

(See ya in 1 month!!!)

xxoxoxoxo Trisha

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: Edmonton Date: Sun 19/09/2004 05:47 PM

Hey! We went camping this weekend. We are all really tired and we still smell of woodsmoke. I am waiting my turn in the shower - might as well wait till everyone else has had their go. We don't have any wine for tonight.... I wouldn't be surprised if Tanya went out and got some. Then again, she did say she was ready for bed already (it was about 6 pm when she said that) so she may not bother.

We had Jacob's Creek cabernet shiraz last night at the camp site, and they all really liked it. Tanya said that I had picked it out and I said that I only pointed it out 'cause I knew it from home, and knew I liked it. It was funny ending up drinking an Australian wine when I'm in Canada. But then, I have drunk a bit of Fosters since I've been overseas so I guess it is just following that tradition!

I don't think I will be home for the election. Unless I cut my stay in Japan a bit short. I mean...I could actually only stay in Vancouver 2 days, and then get to Japan on the 1st of OCtober (or maybe the 30th of September even), and then...yeah, get back in time. But as it is planned now I think I was either planning to leave for home on the 8th or 9th... And if I left on the 9th it'd already be the 10th in Aus I think. ANd by the time i got there...well, you get the picture! Sooo I may have to vote while I'm away. In absentia. I think you can do it online.

I wouldn't mind going down to Gnowangerup for the umm, anniversary thingy or whatever it is. I guess it depends what time I get back. But I think it'd be fun. Soooo, what sorta goss did Carlos tell ya? Is it about his girlfriend? And what a psycho she is, and stuff?

I got a bit annoyed by one of the films I just had in my camera. It was meant to be a 24 exp. film but it only went up to 10 pictures!! I am going to write to Kodak and say how disappointed I am in them, because I am travelling and I am on a tight budget. I will say something about how I have enjoyed using Kodak's quality products and do like ot have the best if I can, but now I don't think I'll risk using Kodak anymore in case this happens again. And maybe they'll give me 20 free films or something! :)

I am in touch with one of hte girls in Japan and she says she can't meet me in Tokyo but I am welcome to visit her in Koriyama, which is apparently ~ 1 hour from Tokyo. So I am looking into how much that'd cost - and she did say I could stay at her place a night, so that'd take care of one night's worth of accomodation. Soo maybe in the end it'd work out being the same price... I dunno how much the transport will cost. I would like to visit her in Koriyama though, just to see some more of the country.

How's the famdamily doing? Anything exciting happening? When is Judy leaving with Donna (?) to go to Sydney? How's Snake? How's Biw?

Stuff and things and stuff! Tanya just came in and we are going to get some wine! ;) Talk to ya later!!!

Lurve Trisha!

<< top | From: "Leigh Wilson" To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Edmonton Date: Tue 21/09/2004 06:19 AM

Hi Twidd

Helen and Noj are watching The Bill, so I have some time to email you. We have been watching 6Feet Under which started a couple of weeks ago. I'll catch you up when you get back.

Well, the family. I think you'll notice a big difference in Mathew. He has become a man. he is still as nuitty as ever, but I think he'll be alright. crug and Angela are in China. Craig emails a lot. It sounds bloody wonderful. Helen is enjoying them being away as it means she doesn't have to do her weekly thing. Judy is going to Sydney I think about 5th October, so you'll miss her, but she's only away two weeks. She is working at Myer for the Christmas holidays. Jake is doing his mechanic's apprenticeship. He finds the men a bit boring, but is going every day. Judy says he has really calmed down. He has decided to sell his car as he keeps getting fines. Speeding, I guess. That is very mature, isn't it?

Juana spit the dummy yesterday. It is all about her being boss. There was a woman trying out for sewing, and I came in from Notre Dame as she was there. David was leaving and asked me to make sure she was OK. She looked fine so I went to the lunchroom and started to have my salad. Then after a while I thought, 'That's a bit rude, I should go and say hello'. Well, I shouldn't have. Juana ended up in tears and leaving early, and it is mostly because I take over form her. She still thinks I am a lovely friend, but I talk too much, like a parrot. Nice eh? So, fuck the lot of them. I am not going to offer to do anything. She has to ask me. I said to Nat, 'I am going to ask her to bring my car back tomorrow. ' Samuel has had my car for about a month, as his car died. It just so happens that Helen is using Craig and Angela's car, so hers was free for me. But, I actually want my car back soon. I know I'll feel better about this soon, but I am a bit pissed off at the moment.

We are very busy, and that is a bit stressful. David's daughter's dress is a winner, thank God. She has been the client from hell, or rather, Janet has been the Mother from hell. All finished tomorrow. They'll be taking it away.I won't be sorry. David came in at the very beginning and said, "now, how do you want to charge for this?" What could I say. I was going to charge dollars, but he obviously doesn't want to do that, so I am going to leave it up to them.A bottle of wine. Who knows?

James has had a bad run with his new computer. The second night the whole tower fell off a table, and stopped working, so he had to take it back, then he discovered there was no modem in it, then last night he dropped a glass of water on the keyboard, and has had to replace it. It should be plain sailing now.

We got your post card from Chicago yesterday. It was great. Di is now up on the noticeboard.

Well, that's it for tonight. I am off to bed, awfullt soon. You sound like you are having a fantastic time there. I am so glad. Canad has been a winner. Lester has brought you round an atlas so you can look at the places you have been while you talk about them

Forgot to tell you about Carlos. He doesn't have a girlfriend. She was a dead loss, as I knew immediately. He has decided to remain single, as it's easier. We got rather drunk and revealed all sorts of things to each other. I told him that I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot barge pole, and he was quite offended! He said, "Women used to find me attractive". So I had to tell him he was still OK. Actually,I might call him just to make sure I didn't say anything too horrible, apart form the barge pole thingy. He is a real macho man, but OK as a friend. NO NO NO, to anyhting else.

On that note, Good night my darling.

Hast Luego.

Leigh

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan Reply-To: [email protected] To: "Leigh Wilson" Subject: Was that your plan? Yes! Date: Wed 22/09/2004 01:21 PM

Hmmm, I understand Juany being upset 'cause she isn't confident in her English and she wants to be the boss. She was upset when David would always go to you instead of to her, just to make sure the message got through properly. But it isn't YOUR problem! Have you asked for your car back from Samuel yet? She should be very grateful that you lent it to him!

As for the payment for the dress, that really kinda sucks. I mean, they are rich! They should pay at least $200. If it's a bottle of wine (which i'm pretty sure you don't need, considering you have what, 60 bottles?:) then it better be an expensive one!

Sounds like you won't be doing a dress for any of David's kids anymore, if Janet is the mother from hell! And also, it's nice to get paid for these things. I know that I won't ever say to Jennifer that you can do a dress for barter again! I know she's generally broke but oh well, these things one has to pay for!

Tonight we are watching the 2nd "Star Wars" movie - "The Empire Strikes Back" - and Lisa (one of the Greens) is probably coming over to watch it with us. It'll probably be hotdogs for dinner. Tanya says that since she started working, her house as gone to shit in terms of keeping things clean. I did some laundry for her the other day and she was amazed. I really only took stuff out of the dryer and folded it, put more stuff from the washing machine into the dryer & turned it on, and then put another load of washing on. It took very little time. I don't like housework as you know, but laundry is the least of my worries!

Tanya's little boy Caleb is really amusing. He's really cute, he comes up and gives me hugs, but half the time I am with Tanya or Dwayne (Tanya's husband) and Caleb, they are going, "CAAAAALEB!" and telling him not to do something. Yesterday they got home and before they got inside I could hear Tanya saying, "Don't do that!" in a sort of, "that's mean!" tone of voice. He was squashing ladybugs outside. Poor little bugs! :)

The cat Lune Noir is so cute, but his breath smells really bad. The dog is annoying but sweet natured. I really just don't like dogs I guess. Though when we stopped by at the acreage (as they call it), where Tanya's parents (I think...or maybe Dwayne's...) live, they have a new puppy and it was REALLY cute. I guess it might be different having a dog from puppyhood onwards. But then again, I did think about what the dog'd be like when it was older, and I wasn't impressed. It is a small doggy and would grow up I think to look a bit like Billy. But I imagined it getting a bit smelly. Oh, but it was so cute when it snuggled into my neck and tickled me. So cute when it was running around too!

My plans for Japan are being slowly rearranged. I have already booked 3 nights in Vancouver but I will have to stay for only 2 I think. I only paid a deposit, not the full accomodation, so it was $7 or something. And I still need 2 nights after all. I aim to get to Tokyo on the 1st of October, and I will head up to a little place called Koriyama on that same day. There I am staying with a girl from DM until Tuesday morning I think. Then I go back to Tokyo for 2 days or something. I leave for Osaka on the 7th, and leave there again on the 11th. So that means I have some time to get up to Kyoto if I can manage it. I need to organise accomodation in those two places. There aren't many options there but I will find something. And they won't be TOO expensive. I think they will generally be cheaper than Oslo was.

I am getting a local highway bus thing to Koriyama, as it is 4000 Yen (I think 8000 Yen is like $100, or $80), which is the cheapest option that we have found. The bullet train would cost $200! I believe it's 20,000 Yen or something. That's in total. So $100 both ways is much better, but still a bit pricey considering Koriyama is only like 1.5 hrs away. oh well... What can ya do?

Apparently on the Monday when I am in Koriyama there is a festival of some kind and so we are gonna go to that. I am really excited about seeing some Japanese life outside of Tokyo and Osaka. I haven't yet checked out how to get to Kyoto but I think I'll do that today.

I've been upstairs watching "Return of the Jedi" 'cause I think that MAY be my favourite one. And I knew we'd be watching #2 this evening so I thought I'd watch #1. I also have seen 2 episodes of Days of our Lives while I've been here. It's far in the future but at least it is still focusing on the characters I know, as well as new ones.

I better go before this email gets ridiculously large and/or I lose it or something! Ew!

Talk to you soon! Probably on the phone at some point too :)

Lurve from daughter Trisha (as opposed to Neice Trisha which I call myself when I email Ahelen)

<< top | From: Trisha Farnan