My interests, like my life, are subject to change, and peaked by my curiosity. By training, I am an historian, but because I am curious, VERY CURIOUS, and passionate about people and life, I act upon that curiosity, and travel. Therefore I am, by nature, an ethnographer. For me, ethnography means trying to understand different cultures by going out and talking to people wherever they are, wherever they live, and writing about the experience. It means entering their world for a period of time, albeit a day, week, months or years, and sharing in their world, their experiences. I have traveled with and spent time with unique cultures worldwide: sleeping where they sleep, eating what they eat, traveling with them, attending their celebrations, and observing them at work or working with them. The depth and intimacy of my experiences have provided me with a meaningful understanding people's daily lives. I have watched them living in their worlds, listened to them talk, and taken their photographs. In the process I have lived and learned in the places where societies and cultures truly express themselves: in their homes, at their work, and in their communities.
What I'm Reading
Carl Sagan, "The Varieties of Scientific Experience"
Subjects I'd Like to Learn More About
Photovoltaics, string theory, "green" construction, how to make butter, how to....
Marcos, from Punta Laurel, has been here daily, cutting lumber for my bodega/water catchment/guest house on top of the hill. I have been filled with awe daily as I watch the entire process of trees transforming into building lumber. Marcos carefully fells each tree making certain it doesn't hit the good trees, then cuts it into sections either 6 or 10 foot in length. With an unfathomable Read Full Story
I think I am a living oxymoron. All the luxuries and none of the comforts? Hmmmm... Home is where the heart is, isn't it? Even without upholstered furniture?
I am sitting on my deck in Loma Partida, sipping on a glass of 2006 Ventisquero Reserve chardonnay, watching the stillness of the cayucos dotting the vast waters of Laguna Chiriqui which melt into a horizon spanned by seemingly endless Read Full Story
Back in March of this year, uncertain as to what to do with myself as I was recovering from my trip through thyroid hades, I decided to 'throw myself out to the universe' and see if anything came to me. I hoped to be able to return to Panama with my dogs, Cleo and Harley, and resume my life on Loma Partida. I like living there, it fits me. However, as the fates would have it, Delta Airlines has a ban on flying pets between May 15 and September 15, so either I travel without my dogs, or I... Read Full Story
I worked today as a mime for a wonderful, warm-hearted couple, Casey and Casey Townsend, making their first independent film under the name of Gimcrackery Video Productions. The young couple posted a notice on Craigslist looking for background actors to volunteer to work as mimes for an afternoon. This was a non-paying job, with a copy of the film as the only compensation. I signed up to check Read Full Story
I worked today as a mime for a wonderful, warm-hearted couple, Casey and Casey Townsend, making their first independent film under the name of Gimcrackery Video Productions. The young couple posted a notice on Craigslist looking for background actors to volunteer to work as mimes for an afternoon. This was a non-paying job, with a copy of the film as the only compensation. I signed up to check it out, and was rewarded with a heart-warming experience, one I am glad I did not miss. The filming... Read Full Story
I am planning on embarking on a bohemian journey this summer, living with my two dogs in my pick up truck, using Craigslist as the source for everything I need as I travel about the US. Yep, I love Craigslist, what they do, what they stand for, and an admirer of Jim Buckmaster who led Craigslist to be one of the world's most popular websites while maintaining its public service mission.
I Read Full Story
My name is Michelle Moore, and I am a 52 year old woman from coastal NC, with an adventurous streak in my nature. I am planning on embarking on a bohemian journey this summer, living with my two dogs in my pick up truck, using Craigslist as the source for everything I need as I travel about the US. Yep, I love Craigslist, what they do, what they stand for, and an admirer of Jim Buckmaster who led Craigslist to be one of the world's most popular websites while maintaining its public... Read Full Story
I can't believe I am writing this, putting myself out there for the whole world to read. As if anyone would really be interested? But I am appalled, so why not. After all, if I am going to blog daily, and want to develop a readership, I am going to have to take some risks. I remember as a small child, my father, Bob Welty, often referred to men whom received their walking papers. I am not certain if he was referring to a man dismissed from a job or finishing up a tour of duty in the... Read Full Story
Well, tomorrow is my 52nd birthday. That sounds really old, but I don't feel old - at least I don't feel as wise as I always thought I might be when I grew up...oh well.
I have been at my home on Loma Partida for the last month, moving at the pace of a slug, and, to my surprise, loving it. I didn't have any major objectives when I came back this time, no emergency squatters, no visa problems for Read Full Story
One of the most multi-sensory experiences on this journey was a visit to the Maasai markets. Wow! Between the sights, sounds, smells and heat, every sense was challenged. This particular market was a days travel, and held monthly, so needless to say, I stayed in less than comfortable accommodations which I would just as soon forget about. There are a plethora of different markets in Read Full Story
