Distance meme (just because)

With thanks to Hiking Viking for this meme...

Farthest North? - Stockholm, Sweden.  It was on June 21, no less, a gorgeous light-filled night.  The Swedes were out and about and quite joyful.  I remember visiting several homes and offices, and thinking that Ikea *really* is Swedish.  There were lots of Volvo's and Saab's on the road.

Farthest South? - Cape of Good Hope, South Africa.  A lovely national park extends along the point; the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans meet and mix.  That day, I saw two whales breaching in one of the bays/coves along the coast. 

Farthest East? - Beijing, China.  What can I say?  It blew my mind.  It was quite the cosmopolitan city.  I was not quite prepared for it to be another New York or London (tho' far less charming).  I expected more of a Mumbai, and it most certainly was not.  G, in all her profundity, made the best observation of all, "Mama, it doesn't look like China, it looks like New York, except for the people.  The people look like China."

Farthest West? - Honolulu, HI.  Even though I was a teenager, I barely remember it.  I was struck by how far away it is.  That, and the price of Corn Flakes.  Everyone goes to work early, to be in touch with the mainland - but beachbound by afternoon.  It was so long ago, that working my more recent memory, my first inclination was to put Portland, OR

Highest Mountain -  Seen - Mt. Kilimanjaro (and will climb in 2020! - my 50th b-day; and G's 16th); Climbed?  Not sure, but I'm quite sure it wasn't a name-brand peak. 

Hottest Place - I'm sure I've been in triple digits somewhere in the Sahel - Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso - but dry heat is fine by me.  Absolutely most god-awful hot was in Dar Es Salaam, TZ - dreadful, hot, humidity, a drippy face. No doubt though, and no exaggeration, I've been equally hot in DC

Coldest Place - Probably South Hadley, MA where I went to college - I recall biting, bone-chilling New England winters, and my first frozen lake.

Personal Notes: I've been to 42 countries on 4 continents; never to South America, Australia, or Antarctica :-)  I've lived (more than a month in one place) in France, Switzerland, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Guatemala, and the US.  I've been to 23 states, I think.  I'm tired of traveling - not done with it - just a bit weary; I'd never complain about it and I'd be miserable if forced to stop traveling.  Airline travel has become a punishment.

25 Random Things About Me

1. I’m confident and comfortable in who I am and what I think (except when I’m not).
2. Everyday I realize how much I don’t know.
3. I went to a fancy college, but I learned just as much from street life and my urban public high school in Philadelphia.
4. My high school nickname was Cool Vic D.
5. I went to a fancy graduate school in public health, but I learned just as much about malnutrition, maternal mortality, and HIV/AIDS in Peace Corps in Africa.
6. My Peace Corps nickname was Vixen.
7. In my 20’s I was a family planning and HIV prevention counselor. I’m not weirded out by too much.
8. I was nomadic for 15 years (living in Philadelphia; Western Mass; Dakar; Cote d’Ivoire; NYC; LA; Dar es Salaam; and DC); now living in the same house for 7 years.
9. I love to travel, but don’t like to pay for it. Hence, I’ve been to 40-ish countries – like Senegal and Nicaragua to study and work, but never Bermuda or Greece. (Actually, the Shenandoah Valley and Annapolis, MD sound pretty good right now)
10. I can get around in French, Spanish, Swahili and Wolof.
11. When traveling, I maintain my homebody tendencies - unpacking even for one night, book on the nightstand, toothbrush in the water cup.
12. I did not get married to get divorced, but things happen. Two good people aren’t always good together.
13. I am profoundly humbled by my daughter.
14. We share the same birthday.
15. I’m an introvert, but most people guess otherwise.
16. My alter ego is an indie, neo soul/jazz singer – like Cassandra Wilson or Norah Jones.
17. I am at my happiest and most inspired when I am planning, shopping for, or cooking a good meal. (Hmmmm....maybe my alter ego is Nigella Lawson)
18. My favorite food groups are pizza, arugula, chocolate, burger/beer, coffee and red wine.
19. I am an eternal optimist.
20. I am also realistic and practical, so I don’t like my things sugar-coated or bubble wrapped.
21. Some of my favorite movies are Lost in Translation, Little Miss Sunshine, Slumdog Millionaire and Murderball.
22. I'm a city girl. I have lots of friends and family beyond the beltway - good people, great times - but my natural habitat seems to be cityscape.
23. I value logic and science, but appreciate the Divine.
24. I am a pragmatic romantic.
25. I believe in Love.