Central America - P. A. N. A. M. A

Yup, so that's where I spent my last days of the year 2010. Walking through tropical dense ever green forest with howler monkeys and the rain, was possibly the best way I could have thanked the year 2010. We (Me and Divya) pretty much forgot about this trip until 20th Dec, a week before the departure when we realized that traveling to a country where English is not the first language is going to be challenging. But the excitement of meeting Maya, Cata and Samraat after 10 years overthrew the concern in the back ground. So, 28th Dec we took off from two sides of the continent to meet way south in the Isthmus - Panama.

Unlike Div who took the more interesting path from Airport to Gamboa by herself in bus, taxi and bi-pedal, I just took a cab to Super 99. Cata and Div picked me up from Albrook as my flight came in at mid-night.

"Donde esta puedo Taxi Albrook?"

- was my first and last Spanish line read from my Panama guide book! First for obvious reasons. Last because I left it in the cab itself! Thanks to my excitement of speaking Spanish by myself :)

Cata, I met for the first time, Samraat - it was reunion after a decade, and Div - after a year. The next 7 days just disappeared some where. Its only on the return flight to Atlanata, I was reminded of my blog, the snow and work at 8 AM :) the next day. It was a wonderful trip packed with diversity of experiences from Nature to People. A brief summary of my trip follows next, as seen through my eyes:

The Forest - the invaders and the residents!

"Old Panama City - Cathedral Plaza and The Rain"

"The People - Embera and the Kuuna Indians displaying their art to a Native Indian" :)

"The History"

And its ruins....

The Pacific and The Caribbean !

"The Canal and the ride along the Canal"

The Committed Worker & The Committed Traveler as noticed by Div ;)

A cup of Panamanian Coffee in the train

And company of my beautiful friends at home...

Happy New Year Life. Thanks for all the wonderful journeys so far...

Just Keep Walking ...

As L.I.F.E got narrower

Walking became difficult !

Seemed like a 'Dead End'.

With only a crack as wide as you are willing to try..

Try it hard !

Explore all possible options.........

Soon you'll notice many around you doing the same.

'ahh... so am not the only one squabbling, nice :) !!!"

Might end up having the best journey, you could have dream about...

So, "Just keep (swimming) walking; Just keep (swimming) walking

"Enjoy the ride"

From one of the best trips of 2010.
Slot Canyons, Capitol Reef National Park, UT

Missed You !

I gave my laptop to a friend for few weeks, as hers was stolen. Got it back tonight. Feels so good to have it(him) back. Felt like years I have not seen these snaps.. and may more.. so nice to have you back... muuuuuuuuuuuuaaaa

When work is fun!

As October brings a reminder to the end of year 2010, I realized I haven't kept a track of some of the most beautiful moments from this year. I apologize for not updating those moments here, a space that has been a constant companion for all these years in US; that stood by silently during my highs and lows of a 6 years relationship with "my" PhiD.

I feel guilty, as if I forgot a friend! I am sincerely sorry, and I think I am going to make up for it before 31st Dec hits the clock!

Thanks to a friend of mine who during a conversation reminded me, that I have a blog too!

So, here is my first post since this realization.. "When work in fun!"

Yes, I finally did get a job that lets me travel and work in some of the most beautiful places on earth. In this case it is Custer National Forest, Montana visited in August.





The Team Members

We went there for developing a methodology to map and monitor rare landscape elements : "woody draw and deciduous component". This include various deciduous tree species like Aspen, Cottonwood, Birch etc. found along the valley bottoms or mountain slopes.


A typical woody draw and deciduous component within this landscape




"Discussion, Planning and Decision Making" - rule sets to successful complete the project (or progress in life)!


"Remotely sensing" stuff in sometimes helps in getting an insight ahead of time. Here where they (deciduous component) occur and why?

While it was a trip for business, I must it was a beautiful business ! And here are the memories of it...




"Stars on the ground!"


"Sego Lily"


"Who is here?"


'Oh no! some humans again!!! '


"Time for some grub"


"The Beartooth mountain range"


"My first stay in a small US town with 300 people - Tipperary"


"Native Red Cows like Red Indians!"


Me and the Frog (my real "Ginkobiloba")


"Lets get that fella (frog)!"


"When 1 + 1 is more than 2 it's called beautiful "

"Drag queen! "


"What's beautiful stays beautiful : from top or below"


" A real Oil drill in Montana" we saw lots of them..

"Wondering whether to or not to cross the boundary !"


Slims Butte - the landscape

Slims Butte - the history


The ski town called 'Red Lodge' - very colorful and bright but made up of really old buildings.


The Beginning of a travelogue

I think this is the end, of all single post shots on this blog. I had started my photoblog many years back under the DP Challenge of "One Picture a day". I think its time to move on to something new, and enjoying the joy of sharing. Thanks to life and some of my blog friends, if they are still around, for being a witness to my journey so far. I hope you enjoy the rest as well.

Truly
yours 'bakwaas'