‘Primos’

Got a very awesome surprise last week when my boy Matt, whom I’ve affectionately referred to as ‘Primo’ since our days in the ‘Corps’ (we shared an extended host family), told me he’d be coming to visit me in Tucson, AZ on way to Washington, D.C.  The Primo nickname started as something silly, but over the years, he has earned that title and then some.  I could ramble on about what a great human being Matt is, but I’ll just say that it was a pleasure catching up and I look forward to our next meeting.  Also, if you see this, Primo, good luck with the new gig…Hoo-RA!!!

*Below are some of the photos from the weekend.  The ones with a caption of ‘MBN’ are photos Primo took.

MBN

‘Cozy’

‘Doorway to…?’

‘Saguaro fruit picker’

‘Leo and the Cross’

Who, me!?

Sunset is near.

MBN

‘Hardcore’

MBN

Reach for the sky!

Keep walking, boy.

MBN

‘Little Moon’

High in the sky!

‘Catch me if you can’

‘Honest mistake’

Night is coming.

MBN

MBN

‘Dinner for four’

In AZ, nothing but steers and…

‘Water, please…water!’

MBN

‘Standing Tall’

Who doesn’t like a little kiss on the earlobe?

‘Teamwork’

MBN

MBN

MBN

MBN

‘Brown nose!’

MBN

Yep, you read that right!

Me and Michelle

‘Deep thoughts, by Matt Borden’

MBN

‘Surprise!’

MBN

Justin, Michelle and Primo

MBN

MBN

MBN

MBN

MBN

MBN

‘Dimensions’

Justin’s desert compound.

MBN

This man doesn’t miss a trick.

‘White Cross in the Sky’

MBN

‘Annnnnd ACTION!’ MBN

MBN

MBN

‘Desert on Fire’

MBN

MBN

This is what happens when you try to talk on the phone in Tucson during the summer.

‘Free at last!’

‘Desert Rats’

MBN

‘The Mission’

‘Bye Bye, Sun’

MBN

MBN

‘Yum Yum’

 

‘Go Ducks: Holidays with the Hansens’

‘First Os Gringos’ CD sale!’

‘Nice form!’

‘Steve Prefontaine?’

‘Goodnight, Oregon.’

‘Not a real tree.’

‘ The Hansen Clan.’

‘Last day in the city by the Bay.’

‘From the Hansen porch.’

‘Doing it for Peace.’

‘Corps Reunion: NYE 2015/2016.’

‘Keep those pancakes coming, Pearl!’

‘Another scene.’

‘A scene’

‘Breakfast for one (Hummingbird).’

‘Outside Powell’s book store in Portland’

‘My little ponies’

‘Grand John and Grandma Jean’s Christmas bash.’

‘Coach Bo’

‘Mt. Hood’

‘Don’t mind me.’

‘Another vision.’

‘Quant Christmas Truck’

‘(Very) cold face.’

‘Brad, complete with do-rag’

‘Coach Bo and I hug it out.’

‘Gather around.’

‘Thrifty makes one helluva donut.’

‘Many a river Oregon has.’

‘The Christmas Glow.’

‘Freeze, scumbag!!’

‘Go Cougars!’

‘Justin’s little brother (who happens to be bigger than both of us).’

It wasn’t until I was sitting at the airport in Portland awaiting the arrival of my friend Justin that I realized just how strange it was to be in Oregon on Christmas Eve.  Justin has been living in a small college town a few hours drive from San Paolo, Brazil since we left the ‘Corps.’  That his family hadn’t seen him in a year, and probably wanted some alone time with him, was completely lost on me until that very moment.  I’d just been so preoccupied with my own thoughts since all the craziness started and knew the last thing I wanted to do was hang around in Oakland for the holidays and sulk.  So, there I was, sitting at PDX feeling the wrong side of guilty and questioning whether or not I should’ve been there.  That all changed the moment ‘J-Hawk’ stepped off the tarmac and for the next 10 days, it was one laugh after another.

Oregon was more beautiful than I’d imagined, even during the middle of winter.  It’s filled with trees, rivers and mountains and was far greener than anything I’d seen in California.  It was also cold…very cold at times.  I saw snow, stars and humming birds and ate my weight sweets and Mr. Hansen’s famed smoked salmon (already missing this).  As an unexpected bonus, I was even able to meet up with some folks from my Peace Corps days!

The Hansen’s family roots run DEEP in their town.  I don’t remember one outing where someone didn’t know someone, some way, some how…  ‘That’s (so and so’s) cousin’s sister in law, who cut my hair from the ages of 4-7.’  A bit of an exaggeration, but not by much.  It was fascinating to see, because I’ve never known anything like that.  My family is mostly from Florida, but even we’ve moved around within the state, so there aren’t those long term connections I witnessed in Justin’s town.

I tried to tell them, but I really don’t believe it will ever fully be known how great, and timely, it was for me to spend Christmas and New Years with such a warm group of people.  I am beyond appreciative and want to thank the Hansen family and their friends and relatives for helping me finish last year, and begin the this one, on a very high note.  Oh, and Happy New Year, everyone!

 

 

‘First Corps Re-union: Brian Mintey’

‘The Most Quotable Man in Peace Corps.’  I hadn’t seen Brian since we left Indonesia, but we’d spoken a number of times via telephone.  I’d known he was in Florida for nearly a month, but logistics were a little tricky and I didn’t know if we’d be able to meet.  Needless to say, I was very pleasantly surprised when he informed me that he and his mother would be in the area; the same town no less!  It wasn’t a long stay, but it was a great one. I was able to introduce Brian to most of the gang, who really took to him incidentally, and it was nice to be able to have face to face conversations with a close friend.  My only regret is that he couldn’t stay longer.  Below are a few photos from his visit.  Thanks again for making the trek, soldier!

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

‘Critters IV: Biawak the Walk’

Can you imagine? Laying bare-arse naked on the foot bridge of a conservative, Islamic community!? This biawak, which is Bahasa Indonesian for Monitor Lizard, didn’t think twice about it. I’d been keeping my eye out for this bold beast for close to a year, after mistakingly identifying him as a small crocodile. This time around, he held still long enough for me to get a better look.

Seeing wild animals is one of the few things that gets me riled up, in a good way. Because most of us are so sheltered from them, I think we tend to forget they are even there, which is a shame. Luckily, my boy was on full display last week, catching what was left of the afternoon rays. We spotted him slithering about for two consecutive days after that, which blew my mind, since I hadn’t come across him for so long. Coincidentally, it just so happened to be the days Martin and Mike – from ID 8 – were visiting. We even saw a snake while they were here!

‘They’re Here: ID 8 Site Visit’

Our new batch of volunteers (ID 8) have been in country since mid April, but until now, they’ve been quarantined in Batu, Malang. Last week they were let loose for a Peace Corps training exercise called ‘site visit.’ During a site visit, current volunteers play host to two or three trainees so that the trainees may develop a clearer idea about what to expect once they are posted at their permanent site, where they will spend the next two years.

When the staff began asking us to host volunteers a few weeks ago, I took an oath of silence. I didn’t think I, nor my site, were suitable. A week later though I learned that my buddy Brian was going to be participating. This shocked me. Brian, like me, is not the hosting type. Brian mentioned that the PC was still short on volunteer hosts, so, on a whim, I reluctantly threw my name in the hat. I regretted that decision instantly, but fortunately, this story has a happy ending…but not that kind.

Before my guests arrived I began contemplating what approach I’d take. Should I give them the true story, sans filter? Sprinkle it with a little sugar, or perhaps, mix it up and give them a little sweet n’ sour? I still hadn’t sorted my strategy until the moment they arrived. In the end, I figured the truth was what they needed to hear. Someone else could blow rainbows up their bums.

Marty and Mike already seemed to be buddies, so that made things a lot easier. I’m not a real ‘ra ra’ guy, and once we all felt the situation out, we knew we could relax and speak freely, which was a huge relief.

We didn’t do anything earth shattering, I think the visit was a nice balance of relaxing (a reality during service), visiting school(s) and information swapping. Here are a couple of photos from their stay. I’m really happy I did this and, while you never really know what you’re going to get, I encourage any current volunteers to take the opportunity to do the same this time next year. You just might enjoy it.

Finally, to Marty and Mark, best of luck boys!

Master Joe’da