Tayari's Blog: Getting Ready For The Wild Blue Yonder

Posted by TayariJones on June 18, 2008 09:02 AM
Filed under Travels & Rambles

Well, we are at the end of the countdown to Blue Mountain. I'll be heading out on Friday morning. As you can imagine, I am goodbye-ing like a 19-year old exchange students. Also, I am packing my things. Although I am staying for a full month, it took me only about 35 minutes to pack. (For contrast: I spend a couple of days packing for AWP, which lasts only three days.)

The best thing about the colony life is that I am free of most of the trappings of real life. Fashion is meaningless. Hair? Bring on the bandanna. Shoes? Rubber soles every day.

I am looking forward to the simple life, although Blue Mountain seems to be a bit more rustic than MacDowell, where I spent last summer. I was so psyched to be accepted that I didn't look closely at the welcome materials. Last night, I was sitting up in bed, perusing the literature when I ran across this:
"Shopping here is very limited, and it is difficult to get things like ... printer cartridges and special food items." I almost choked on my Ben and Jerry's. If a place is so remote that you can't get a HP printer cartridge, this is going to be a challenge.

But this is the thing that is going to show me what I am made of: "Cell phones are prohibited." Gulp. There will be Internet and a payphone situation. But still. I luurve my blackberry. Here is an essay saying how great it is to be without your cell phone for a month.

While I am away, I'll be blogging less. I am thinking 2-3 times a week. I will post pictures. (People say the place is gorgeous. And although I am a indoorsy kind of woman, I plan to try my hand at canoeing.)

I have a lot of work to do this summer. I let myself get so sidetracked this year and I kind of lost my way. Maybe it will be good to be out in the middle of nowhere having to confront the page. I go on a retreat every summer but this is the first time where I have felt like I really really need it.

Wish me luck.

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There are 2 comments on "Getting Ready For The Wild Blue Yonder". If you'd like to leave a comment, click here to jump down to the comments entry form.

Comment #1, by Judy [TypeKey Profile Page]

Best of luck, Tayari! Hope you make the kind of writing progress you're hoping for.

June 18, 2008 02:54 PM

Comment #2, by Ladylee [TypeKey Profile Page]

You are taking your trusty IPOD, right?

Riiight??????

Have a safe trip! I know you'll make much, much progress:)


June 18, 2008 05:12 PM

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