Holiday Greetings 2013 part two

PART II

Akara by bus

  

Flew to ISTANBUL, just two hours away,
And then flew to IZMIR where we planned to stay.         
Lots of "Polis", hanging out, drinking tea.                             
Ready for revolution, didn’t seem like to me.
Walked to the harbor.  Then in the heat,
Archaeological, Ethnographic - both a treat.
The bazaar known in Turkish as “kemeralti”
tons of people shopping; then immersed were we.
Saw the Agora across the street,
Dawdling for the moment was the reason to meet
an old toothless fellow approached and asked me
if Spanish I spoke and would like to see
some old synagogues, he would show us, just follow.
Suspicious but adventurous we took a big swallow.
His pictures were postcards of the inside.
He led us, to the outsides, acting as a guide.
Strange how we’d given up finding those sites
when out of the blue, darkness changed into lights.

Bergama

To BERGAMA, a day trip, we went by bus.

Ephesus

Ancient artifacts, mostly known to us
from Berlin, the Museum of Pergamon.
We walked up the hill to the Asklepion.
The first hospital, theater and health center.
An extra charge just to enter.
But it was fun to walk around and explore
until thunder ‘n lightening ‘n a huge downpour
made us wait, for a taxi made it easier to take
to the Akropolis.  Then we could make
the other site.  It rained, I must note.
I covered in a scarf.  Feri got a raincoat.

Hierapolis amphitheater

Very near to Basmane Gar,
this train station was not very far.
One and a half hours, our trip to SELÇUK.
Storks and babies on nests, picts I took.
Perched high above cistern-like pillars
Fascinating birds - quite natural thrillers.
From here to EPHESUS - world heritage city.
Founded by Greeks BC 10th Century. 
In Goths and Romans and Byzantine hands.
Today it’s where, the Turkish tourist lands.
Four hours spent looking at all the ruins,
the excavations, and reconstructions.


Caught a “dolmus” to the beach at PAMUÇAK.
Swam, relaxed, lounged, and took a nice walk.               

Saw the Sunday farmers’ market, filled the streets

Pamukkale sunset

With mountains of fruit and veggies to eat.
Last look at this city’s old Roman baths,
Looms and carpets, found down the back paths.
                                                                                        
Mini-Metro to our next stop PAMUKKALE.
Shoes off at the travertines, and you’re on your way.
White mud made in the warm running waters.
Walking, dunking, posing -
     moms, dads, sons, and daughters.
All language groups seem to love the place dearly.
A naturally beautiful spot that so clearly

in Konya

deserves the superlatives and not to miss
the bath museum and HIERAPOLIS.
That 8 o’clock sunset, a photographer’s high
Topped off by a crescent moon in the sky.
At a wedding reception, with a Turkish DJ
Live dance ‘n drum music, we ended the day.
                       
                                                                                                           


From Pamukkale, we bussed it to KONYA.   
Met 14-year-old Hatusha and Fatma.
Really nice encounter, helped us find our way

Göreme Fairy Chimneys

So friendly and helpful, the mom and they.
Rumi’s museum, Turkish pilgrims in droves,
The Mevlana’s body, a sarcophagus holds.
Mosques - the Sahip and Alaadin,
Two museums, the park, with a city scene.
Spoke in English, to Yuksel, young carpet salesman.
Bought a pillow and talked about everything we can.
Helped with our next stop, his friend’s name he gave
for our destination  - GÖREME’s Cove Cave.
CAPPADOCIAn church, walked to at sundown,
Picked apricots and scouted out the town.
Open Air Museum, deservedly praised.
Walked to those “churches”, painted frescos in caves.

Fairy Chimneys, natural area, by bus, there.
Then walked in the heat to Zelva Open Air.                      
Monastic types lived there till 1952                                                                   
when erosion and the government said they were through.
Now just for tourists to see their life ways.
To God they gave all and they lived in these caves.

ANKARA, capital, in a hostel stayed.
Met Mike and Yasmina, to a club, music played.

Ataturk’s Mausoleum, the Antikabir
Thousands of pilgrims from Turkey come here.
Impressive museum, his personal things,
Speeches, accomplishments, his belongings.
Changed the Turkish language to the Roman alphabet,              
Promoted equality of women, as a major asset,
Established a bank, coop farms for his nation,
Surnames for all, and good transportation.
Replaced the old Ottoman Sultanate
for a modern cultural secular state,
Under him, reform couldn’t wait.
A naval war hero, to the Turks, he is great.
Anatolian Civilization Museum
is a place in Ankara, well worth seeing.
7,000 - 10,000 years before Christ
especially fine exhibits, on the Hittites.                

Then we headed up the very steep hill
to the old Turkish houses and the citadel.                          
The views of Ankara, “Angora” of old.
Bought from a lady, necklaces she sold.

Our last night in Ankara, we had some fun.
In Guvenpark, people sit, walk, and run.
A wedding reception with music and song.
Got a closer look ‘n listen as we watched the goings-on.
A small outdoor café, a place to rollerskate,
A track for runners, a place for a date,
Trampolines, soccer fields, fountains, a lake,
sunflower seed sellers, you can then take
advantage of the outdoor equipment there
and get in shape, exercise and prepare
your arms, your legs, both if you like,
weights and treadmills, some work like a bike.
Children’s slides, climbing bars and kiddie swings.
For all sorts of people, all free, these great things.
I made a friend on one walking machine.
Language a barrier, but this is what I mean:
We laughed together; she shared food so we
should call it “playground diplomacy”.

Bussed it to ISTANBUL, 6-hour, no-stress ride,
Comfortable seats, snacks, drinks - they provide.
Watched a French film - Shackleton’s Antarctic trip
adventure with seals, whales, and all the hardship.
Back to the Hotel Siphai, good for us.
Then realized our IPAD was still on the bus.
Luckily they found it; got it back the next day.
But we were a bit anxious, if I might say.
One last outing, to Taksim Square,
A visible police presence was everywhere. 
Gezi Park was cordoned off by tape.
No one allowed in; we just sat outside and gaped.
They had cleared the space, now with no place to hide.
There were only a few signs for those who had died.

Flew from Istanbul, stopped over in FRANKFURT.
Slept on chairs, it was hell, that night in the airport.
Our flight was scheduled to leave the next day,
After five weeks, back to our home by the Bay.

In the new red Mercedes with SUE OGLOVE alone,           

Angel's Flight

One week FRANK and TED had to fare on their own.
An LA adventure for MOM in July,
the light rail downtown went DAVE, DAN, ‘n I
On the Expo Line to ANGEL’S FLIGHT.
Childhood memories - a real delight.
GRAND CENTRAL MARKET across the street
A Mexican lunch, we went to eat.
As we looked up to Bunker Hill,
the past came forward, so it’s with us still.                              



SUE and I stopped in Thousand Oaks,    

Sue Merin Oglove, Sally, Su Part Kavesh

a Beverly-type reunion for nostalgic folks.
We saw SU PART KAVESH at her nice home.
So that’s why she now appears in this poem.
Jon passed away, so she's now all alone.
Her long-time life partner, good mem'ries she's known.

Marvin Kaplan

Andrea & Mark

Mary & Len

Steve & Debbie

Suzie & Mike

Karen & Steven

 For five days in August, we went to LA, August 25th was a special day.
The occasion, MOM’s birthday, she turned 93.
The family prepared a birthday party. 
I made two shorts, with her reading on screen.
Now the stories she’d written could be heard and seen.
What was missing were images, on the web then I found.
I added some Mexican music for sound.                       

Happy 93rd, Shirley

Voilá - ANGEL’S FLIGHT and OUR METRO TRIP,
PANCHO & PEDRO and their FRIENDSHIP.
I also made a mock-up of the first story book
to see how 15-page picture-books look.
Fun for DAVE, DAN, LEN, MARY, STEVE, DEBBIE
KAREN, and STEVEN, MOM, FRANK, and ME
champaign brunch, cake, coffee, and tea.
Also moved files and boxed books to Dave’s place.
To make more leg-room in Mom’s 2-room space.
Short was the visit but nice to spend time
with DAVE, after work; helped him save a dime.
                                                                                              
On Saturday night, August 24th,                                   
at the HOLLYWOOD BOWL, KRISTIN CHENOWETH,

Frank, Dave, Shirl, Sally at the Hollywood Bowl

accompanied by the whole LA Phil,
sat in the cheapest seats, top of the hill.             
People movers, elevators, escalators, stairs.
DAVE, FRANK, MOM ‘n I, went up in pairs.
Show was fun, with fireworks and lights.
Was one of our most memorable nights. 

From the 19th to the 24th of September,
To SEDONA, ARIZONA, a trip to remember.
Ten hours to LAUGHLIN, NEVADA, we made.
Harrah’s Hotel, $17 we paid.
Desert landscape, green carpet - the surprise.
O’er the Colorado River, watched the full moon rise.
Towering red and cream-colored rocks,
Along windy mountain roads, big boulder blocks.
In SEDONA, we lucked out, paid very little, too.
for our 1 bedroom apartment, kitchen, living room, view.
Came for a wedding but took on a dare
Got a $100 “gift” to attend a time-share.

Margot Lessard & David Tan

MARGOT married our friend DAVID TAN             
A beautiful bride and a very happy man
An outdoor ceremony near the creek and trees,
With cicadas chattering and a welcome breeze.
An Episcopal service, colored sand, the Eucharist,
Wooden flute music, all sealed with a kiss.
Hors d’oeuvres and a terrific buffet meal
Cake, sax, and slideshow, their love we could feel.


                                                                                        

Frank at Bell Rock

As a “vortex” place, SEDONA is known       
you can be enriched by a healing stone.                           
We went to BELL ROCK, there energy and power,                      
Walked to a high place, spent about an hour.                            
For us, remembrance, it thus sustains
as the wind took some of ZOLI’s remains.


With such sandstone beauty all around,
One more “spiritual spot” we found.
BOYNTON CANYON, 2.8 miles one way
a bit too long, we walked the whole day
until the shadows of the sun began to set                                                   
Took lots of pictures; other hikers we met.
OAK CREEK CANYON we saw by car
A vista point was not too far.
Close enough, GRAND CANYON was there.
41 years ago, that was where
we rafted down the River Colorado
in September where we spent our honeymoon, so. . .
We’d brought our tent and our camping gear,
In Mather Campground, ‘twas $9 here,
Took the shuttle bus to the South Rim Trail,
Memories of this place will never fail.
Walked UP from Phanton Ranch, in 1972.
After eight hours of walking, we thought we were through.

Bright Angel Trail

The BRIGHT ANGEL TRAIL still the Canyon’s landmark.
Took our picture at the top and walked the rim of this park.
From Mohave to Hopi Point on the rim.
Saw condors above and got close-ups of them.
Spied the river below, watched the sun as it set,
Talked about memories, we’ll never forget.
5:30 a.m., we left, about to freeze.
The weather report was 28 degrees.
Crossed the new Bay Bridge after 14 hours straight.                           
We shared the driving.  Our short trip was great.                     

S.F.‘s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass    

Sally & Pat at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass

with all the musical groups that it has,
Base, banjos, guitars, mandolin,
Old and new songs, hits that might have been.
Keyboards and dobros electrified,
Singers who really can harmonize.
Went there with my good friend PAT.
That old-timey music is where it’s at.
Our city has opera, symphony, plays,
movies of all kinds, 365 days.
Museums, parks, - beaches and bridges
Seaside sites and high hill ridges.
We even have winning sports teams, spring and fall.
Baseball Giants, 49ers football.
No need to go elsewhere when everything’s near.
Like being on vacation while living here.                                                     

at LAX

FRANK and I drove to LA.
Spent a few days with MOM, then away                             
with DAVE - the three of us flew
on the red-eye Avianca, business class, too.
Very nice treatment, seats comfy, good food.
Excitement trumps sleep, but all else was good.
GUATEMALA CITY, Pan Americano,
Close to where the tourists all go. 
Walked ourselves silly to the UFM -
three museums, where we saw them:
Museo Ixchel, textiles on show;
the Conquistador story of Pedro de Alvarado;

in Quiriguá

Pre-Columbian exhibit at the Popul Vuh,
Hardly enough time for it all to view.
                                                                                             
Next day first class on the Litegua bus.                                 
Four and a half hours eastward, the bus it took us
to QUIRIGUA [Kirigwah] in the small town, we stayed.
Walked around, ate dinner, watched soccer played.
Next day to the Mayan archaeological site.
Stelae, acropolis showed K’ak Tiliw’s might.
He conquered Copan, the hieroglyphs tell
of his wealth and power, and how he did well.

Our tuk-tuk drove us to the main road.

Dave &Polo Martinez

We hailed two local vans, hopped on with our load,
Squeezed in with the others.  Yes we can boast.
Got to Puerto Barrios, on the Caribbean coast.
In a “collectivo” skimmed the water, then side to side.
the only way to LIVINGSTON, this Disneyland boat ride.
Stayed at Casa Nostra, nice people, nice room,
but motor cycles, roosters, and dogs all night croon,              
So Dave had his earplugs, and I had mine, too.
For three nights we drank this sleep-deprived brew.
Met “Polo” Martinez, a Garifuna guy,                              
Drummer for Jerry Garcia, who told why

Caribbean coast

his people, the Black Caribs live in this place,
have kept their traditions, and in this case,
their language and food, music, dance and such
how lucky to see how they’ve kept so much.

Spent one day walking along the Caribbean Sea,
Swam in the warm water - pleasant to be.


 

Siete Altares

Seven Waterfalls, Siete Altares,
Beautiful place, but I slipped in a crevice.

November 26 was GARIFUNA DAY.
The village up early, all dressed in a way
to show pride and meet the boats from the sea -
Belize, Honduras, Guatemala - all three
greeted by singers, drummers, and flags.

Garifuna Day in Livingston, Guatemala

dressed in finery - traditional rags,
colorful, prideful, food, drink, and joy.
the old ‘n young, each girl and boy.                       
The entire village and tourists, though few,
celebrated the whole day, on the street, in church, too
We ate, videoed, were thrilled to be
a part of this once-a-year ceremony.

Early in the morning, down the RIO DULCE,
Saw waterlilies, Spanish fort, Agua Caliente.
Stayed in FRONTERAS at the Backpacker Hotel.

Antigua

No, not the Hilton, but it served us well.
Next morning by bus to Guatemala City,
Transfered to ANTIGUA immediately.
Eleven hours later settled again
in this lovely Spanish colonial gem.
Cobblestones, churches, cafés, volcanos,
Coffee, chocolate, museums, mercados.

Did a hard hike up VOLCAN PECAYA
2.8 kilometers up up in the sky yeah.
Cardinal lighting, orange sunset, black rock,
Views to Antigua, a tough but great walk!
Young boys on horseback
     accompanying Frank and me,                             
kept saying in English, “Want a taxi?”

on Volcano Pacaya

But we were stubborn, slow but seguro;
A“super-effort” - we made it sure-o!

Santo Domingo - church and convent,
Now a high-class hotel, to see it we went.
There also museums, a colonial one,
Present-day glass pieces and Pre-Columbian.                           
                                    
Our last night in Antigua, a ballet school show           
They danced at El Colegio de San Jerónimo.
Then for a really memorable cena

Happy Birthday, Dave!

at Don Rodrigo’s,  had a very nice “dinnah”.
The marimba band played while danced, Los Moros,
The staff sang for David, his cumpleaños.                                                 
One lit candle on a Guatemalan flan,                                          
A picture ‘n piñata he got to take home.
                               
JOCOTENANGO [Hoco] we did the last day,
Walked to this town, there a cemetery,
plaza and church, coffee trees with their beans,
Xmas decor on trucks, nativity scenes.
Followed VINCENTA to the Cross on the Hill
Cerro de la Cruz, for folks with the will.
Ten days that started on the 20th of November,
Tired but fulfilled by the 1st of December.                                     
The three of us had fun, a vacation adventure.
Pictures now help us recall and remember.

Retirement really means your time’s your own,
So of course we spent more time at home.
The basement has been on my list of to-dos
Every New Year it makes it, but other tasks I choose.
So with time on my hands, there was no excuse
Out went the e-waste, trash, rubbish, refuse -
Books and old papers, and so much more.
Cobwebs and dirt and dust off the floor.
It’s hardly finished, but with some junk we’ve parted,
And what a good feeling, at least to have started.
                                                                                
Grass that looks like unkempt weeds.                          
Some say TLC it needs.                                              
But ours was in a hopeless state,
so digging it up was its only fate.
I planted some succulents, put mulch on the ground.
An ordered look it has, with tiles all around.

the Gati Garden

Now we can look our neighbors in the face
‘cause the Gati garden’s no longer a disgrace.

World and U.S. news, disasters and more
To report it all would surely bore
those of you who’ve lived through this year,
so let me summarize a bit of it here.

OBAMA elected for a second term.
Affordable Care Act about it we learn
that health insurance can perhaps be
for all Americans, everybody.
Not so quick. solutions take time
And some folks still saying, “I won’t spend a dime.”
Healthcare, Obama-style, had a tough start.
The website did not work - blamed the tech part.
Adapting as quickly as hoped or as planned
when the website went down, phones had to be manned.
With such a big country - 50 independent states.
No one person’s able - not even Bill Gates
could organize and subsidize our nation’s health care.
Hooray for OBAMA, ‘twas almost like a dare
to convince the skeptics, convert those opposed,
rally those on board, open doors that seemed closed,


Republicans shut down the government “road”
800,000 Fed workers furloughed.
Even National Parks, 16 days, how obscene!
No fiscal funds solution till 2014!
Regarding the budget, politicians want to duck,
Nancy Pelosi's solution:  "Embrace the suck!"

The donkey and the elephant, animal symbols, too
of our two parties political, which one’s good for you?
Maybe you’re disillusioned, want one like the Greens,
A party of your choice - impossible it seems.
But let’s just talk issues; they’re the same every year -
jobs, Social Security, gun violence, terrorist fear.
reducing the deficit, the economy’s a mystery,
the government’s partial shut down - now is history.

Domestically speaking, one step was taken
to relieve some hearts that definitely are achin'.
A partial dream act for children who’ve known
no other country than this one and shown
they speak the language, have gone to school,
pledge to the flag and follow each rule.
We need immigration legislation.
Where are the politicians in this nation
that should take action; it’s about time.
They are the ones committing the crime.
Yee gawds what’s with Guantanemo?
Still held in prison.  It’s not just slow;
It’s nonexistent.  Close the place down!
Send those folks back to their own hometown.
They won’t eat; they want out; we’ve no solution.
Send them somewhere else - a foregone conclusion!

This country has problems, one bad one is guns.
In Newtown, Connecticut, died, 20 little ones
In Aurora, Colorado, 12 moviegoers got shot,
In Sparks, Nevada, school teacher he got
At LAX, the airport shut down
One TSA worker was shot to the ground.
OBAMA pleaded for tighter gun laws
but Congress is stubborn; the system has flaws.

Supreme Court overturned California’s Prop 8
that banned same-sex marriage.  So that is great.
Now it’s up to each state, one by one they’re on board,
and the Defense of Marriage Act has passed “saith the Lord.”
Marriages and mergers are common these days.
Take United Airlines and U.S. Airways.

NSA mass surveillance, government secrecy,
national security, info privacy.
EDWARD SNOWDEN (30) NSA computer contractor
in Russia, took asylum, as a whistleblower.
He disclosed classified documents to the press
We think we know more, but we know even less.

Sentenced to 35 years, BRADLEY MANNING(25)
Leaked classified docs - Iraqi, Afghani
Espionage Act “aiding the enemy”
Now called CHELSEA. Says he’s a she.

Acquitted, not guilty GEORGE ZIMMERMAN
for fatally shooting TRAYVON MARTIN
“Stand your ground” his defense. Tragic case
Innocent black boy, whole thing a disgrace.

Some names in the news, here’re just a few
deserving mention, of what they did or do:
WILLIAM THE PRINCE and KATE MIDDLETON
bore third-in-line-to-the-throne, GEORGE, their son.
Note please Federal Reserve Board chair
JANET YELLEN, the 1st woman there.
SERENA WILLIAMS & RAFAEL NADAL
French Open winners, in tennis stand tall.

A list of some who died this past year
the P.M. of Britain, MARGARET THATCHER.
NELSON MANDELA brought an end to Apartheid
South Africa’s 1st elected Pres, 95.
ROGER EBERT, reviewed films he’d seen,
JONATHAN WINTERS, comedian supreme.
HELEN THOMAS, correspondent in D.C.,
HUGO CHAVEZ, Venezuelan jefe.

Protests in Egypt, MORSI forced out,
Police killed protesters, military, no doubt
has ultimate power, not Muslim Brotherhood.
Democracy there is not quite understood.
Israel released 26 prisoners
Peace could come if there were no new settlers.
Iran is a problem on the nuclear front,
Finding sarin in Syria; now’s the UN’s big hunt.

A new POPE  from Argentina he came.
a Jesuit fighting for the poor is his claim.
FRANCIS THE 1ST is a thinker in search
of changing directions for the Catholic church.

Anti-government protests in Turkey
Just at the time there we happened to be.
Raze Gezi Park, make a shopping mall.
Demonstrators said, “NO”.  We’d rather ERDOGAN fall.

In Bangladesh, Rana Plaza, Tragedy!
1027 died in a clothing factory.

The date was in April on Boston’s Patriot Day
The Marathon runners were making their way
across the finish line bystanders stood
cheering their family and friends who ran good
on their 23-mile race.  Then a terrible surprise
a bomb set off by two local guys,
Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsernaeiv brothers
The FBI enlisted the help of others
And they were caught, the older one died
the younger one in a boat tried to hide,
but the country was stunned, no more could be said
people hurt, limbs lost, and 3 were dead.

In Nairobe, Kenya in the Westgate Mall
Al Shabaab killings, terrorists all,
67 people gunned to their deaths
unarmed women, men, children - their last breaths
What religion can do, believers do at will
Is it worth it to believe so strongly to kill?

Disasters were plentiful, never just one
the coldest blizzard Maine, Connecticut, Boston
Hurricane Ingrid - both coasts of Mexico,
Oklahoma & Illinois - huge tornado.
Earthquakes in China, the Philippines, Pakistan,
7-plus shakers; no one’s a fan.
Flash floods in Boulder, Colorado,
Deadly fires, houses burned, firefighters go,
New South Wales, Arizona, Yosemite Park.
These got started with one small spark.
Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines
Wiped out whole villages, imposssible it seems.
Train derailings - Quebec, Paris, Spain,
India and Brooklyn - bad memories remain.
African migrants sink on the high sea
as they hoped to land near Sicily.
Not to mention there's no solution,
Look at China and her air pollution.

Elections, education, energy
We must come up with new policy.
We know that lunch is never free,
and it’s absolutely necessary
to think about change, to help our fellow man,
to come up with a practical plan. 
We’re not alone; thoughts are many.
People can unite; ideas are plenty.

Let’s start with the holidays; we send you good vibes
for strong and healthy and happy lives.
Think of how lucky you are in some ways.
Not everything’s great, but we all have good days.
For 2014; let’s give a cheer,
and then look forward to a very fine year.
We send our love, wrapped with hugs and kisses
and tied in a package with all our good wishes.

Write FRANK on Facebook.  SALLY’s email she’ll get
sallygati@sbcglobal.net