Alison Vardy - Celtic Harpist
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Nanaimo to Nicaragua - February 2018 travels

2/27/2018

 
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Epistle #1 - Arrival in Managua Feb 8-9
Hi all
I'm about to spend my 2nd night at Managua Backpackers' Hostel and tomorrow leave to take the "chicken" bus to Leon. I had a marathon journey  here with a 19-hr layover in Mexico City airport, alleviated by taking transit into the centre and looking around. On the plane I enjoyed a clear view of Mt St. Helen's crater, Mt. Rainier and all the ridges, canyons and dry plains of the southwestern states and Mexico.
Last time I was in Mexico City was in '72 when it had 12 million people. I think it is up to 20 million now and the infrastructure hasn't improved. Had some tacos and chorros from a safe-looking cafe and 4 hours later a bit of regret in the washroom, but seem OK now. While trying to doze curled around armrests of lightly padded chairs I was adapted by a Japanese woman who lost her flight when she turned up at the gate only 20 minutes before. I tried to help as interpreter but in the end she faced having to buy another ticket to Tokyo for USD$2500+.
Today Brian (Toronto) and I walked a long way from the hostel down to badly polluted Lake Managua. We passed by countless "Trees of Life"; towering curlicue sculptures of metal, the personal project of Nicaragua's Vice-president coincidentally married to the President. A US aid worker on the plane told me they coast USD$30,000 each + ongoing costs of illumination and personal guards (everything is guarded in Nicaragua). Brian and I made a good team; he had a cell phone with gps and I speak Spanish.
At the airport I bought USD$20 of Cordobas @ 20C/1USD (the official govt rate) and then at the hostel another 50USD at 30C/1USD (the unofficial, but still legal rate). Most places will happily accept USD as well as Cordobas, a bad sign for the local economy. It is very poor here, with an unsettling juxtaposition of fast food chains / street vendors, modern supermarkets / hovels, fancy new cars / garbage & broken sidewalks.
Will write again a bit further down the road....
love Alison


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Travels through Yucatan and Quintana Roo, Mexico - Feb 2017

2/18/2017

 
PictureEmbroidered history of the Maya from the Grand Museum of the Maya in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico
Dear "Reader"
Here are "missives" I emailed to family and friends while travelling cheap (hostels and buses) in the two Mexican states of Quintana Roo and Yucatan from Feb 1 - 22, 2017. I tend to be enthralled with the ordinary differences of culture and daily living and don't have the budget nor the interest in more tourist-oriented spectacles (not to put those down - to each his/her own). Hope you enjoy reading and it may even provide you with some useful information for your own travels, though that's not the intention - Alison

Missive #1 - Sent from Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico - Feb 3rd


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Welcome to Cedar, British Columbia - Alison's new home!

11/30/2015

 
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Everything is out of boxes but some items haven't "appeared" yet. Outside my window I can see (and hear) blue jays squabbling, much preferable to traffic sounds of being in the city. As of November 28, 2015 this is my new home and many may be the years before I need to move again!

Fairhaven Farm Stay - Water Buffalo Mozzarella!

11/16/2014

 
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One of my favourite weddings this past summer - an intimate gathering at Fairhaven Farm Stay in the Cowichan Valley. Before changing clothes to play the harp, I joined a tour of the working farm, water buffalo herd and modern dairy facility. Water Buffalo milk is higher fat than regular dairy cow's and makes excellent mozzarella cheese - you can buy it at specialty shops on Vancouver Island.

Wedding at Fireside Grill in Victoria BC

9/30/2014

 
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September 27th, 2014  -  Still warm enough to play outside on the patio.

These four little tykes were dressed their best and were far more interested in the harp than in the wedding proceedings. 



They each got a chance to play the strings (clean hands checked first) and thought it was pretty "cool". The oldest one made great arabesques with his arms as I played.


Dusty Strings Bubinga FH34 harp

Kayaking on the West Coast

9/16/2014

 
It's been a great summer for being outdoors and I've enjoyed kayaking at Hornby Island, Nanaimo and Ladysmith with various borrowed boats. Still need to learn how to re-enter a boat from the water, but I'll wait for a wet suit for that! Here's my niece and I ready to disembark from Whaling Station Bay on Hornby Island. Texada Island is in the background. Note the interesting "potholes" eroded in the sandstone shore.
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YouTube videos are great for learning new pieces.

8/25/2014

 
Ever felt frustrated with trying to learn a new piece from written sheet music? If only you could hear what the piece sounded like first! As part of my August 2014 online Harp Notes newsletter I provide YouTube videos of the written music downloads. Now you can learn by watching and listening as well as reading the notes. Ideal for those who struggle with note-reading or prefer aural or kinesthetic learning styles. Try it out!

Streams of Abernethy #1 for Hammered Dulcimer
Eriskay Love Lilt and Variations for Harp

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