Some More Art Inspiration!

Here's a few more pics from my travel art journal curtesy of my craptastic phone. Someday I'll upgrade...

Also it is that time of year again. ROCO held their 6x6 exhibit and I purchased my 8th piece of artwork. If you aren't familiar with this fundraiser/art exhibit check out the following site; http://www.roco6x6.org/6x6x2015_intro.php .  I've created artwork for the exhibit and they've sold each year since it's inception 8 years ago and I've purchased a piece each year.  I purchased another piece from a Rochestarian out of over 5,000 pieces.  Below is a pic of my purchase. In addition, I received notification that so far one out of 2 of my pieces have sold.  Check out the exhibit and purchase some great artwork inexpensively and it supports a great cause. You can purchase from this years artwork or search through previous years artwork and purchase from those.

Travel Sketchbook

I have actually been creating little by little over the past month. Not as much as I'd like but I'm at least doing some art while traveling this much. Below are some of the pieces I've done in my travel sketchbook that I've been carrying around with some colored pens. I'm starting to find the medium limiting but it's easy to travel with.

New Mexico Adventures

After Thailand came New Mexico. I stayed with my friend Libby at her beautiful home which is pretty much at the base of the gorgeous Sandia Mountains for about a week.  She had to work a bit but I got to relax. When she wasn't working we were having a lot of fun.

We went to the Isotopes baseball game with ice cream after. Yum yum! Then the following morning we woke up a little early and headed to the Mountains to hike the La Luz trail from the bottom to the top of a huge mountain. We went from an elevation of 6,500 to 10,500 over the course of the day. This ended up being an all day adventure and the hardest hiking I've ever done.  I wore my running sneakers as that is all I had. I think hiking shoes would have came in handy.  The first 3/4 of the trail wasn't to bad but the last 1/4 was pretty rough going. It was mostly boulders that you had to climb over non stop. There was so many rocks you couldn't see the path. And then when you get to the last mile which is cutting horizontal across it doesn't seem as strenuous but it was touchy because the path was only about a foot wide in most spots and a steep cliff off the bottom on the right side the entire way. The views were absolutely amazing and I'm so proud of us for pushing through and completing the hike. We clocked in at about 9.6 miles by the time we were done.  We took the tram down the mountain and celebrated with a nice cold drink and tacos!

My last full day in ABQ, Libby and I went on a hot air balloon ride. We woke up very early and took the sunrise trip. We got to see how the balloon goes up all the way to helping to tear it down.  There was 12 of us crammed into a 600 lb balloon.  Flying in a balloon is awesome. You don't even feel the elevation or rising and the views are amazing. Especially in ABQ as it was clear and sunny so we could see for about 100 miles in any direction.  The most annoying thing was that you can still hear DOGS barking all the way up in the sky. Arrrrrrr!!!!  Landing was crazy. When they say you bump, drag, bump and may end up being dragged sideways they weren't kidding. We landed on our side!

Thailand Part 4: What I learned

Things I learned on this trip:
1. The currency exchange wasn't to compliment to understand.

2. Everything is cheap in Thailand which means it's either handmade or a knock off- it's up to you to figure out which one it is.

3. Hotel beds are close together like Europe.

4. Let's talk toilets- Some hotels had awesome bidet toilets. I even ventured to testing out most of the buttons but not the one beginning with an "E". However; when not in hotels there was not so good toilets (just like Europe). There was even Eastern toilets which I strongly dislike. I did learn this time that if there's a handle in the stall you can hold it, lean back as far as you can and pee slowly. Less spray back that way. Oh and wearing a skirt or dress is an advantage when Eastern Toilets are involved.

5. If you are a light sleeper then DO NOT I repeat DO NOT share a room with anyone unless you know 100% they are not a snorer.  Even if they are a good friend. Plan on playing a few hundred more to get your own room. While you aren't in your room a ton sleep can be very crucial on trip where you want to enjoy and do everything. So when you do finally get in at night you want to be able to sleep well. Your only other alternative is to embrace getting no sleep and sleep on the bus days if possible. It will help some. Then plan on catching up when you get back.

6. Be prepared to embrace being sweaty 100% of the time. Otherwise you will have a miserable trip.

7. Let's talk undergarments for a moment- When traveling for long periods of time and in a climate where you need to refresh the undergarments frequently DO invest in some travel undergarments. I purchased the following on amazon, washed them daily and they dried within a couple of hours AND most importantly didn't take up nearly as much space as taking 3 weeks worth of undergarments. (Women's 3PK Seamless Padded Bralette with Adjustable Straps(Black White&Nude) and xOfficio Women's Give-N-Go Lacy Lu Low Rise Bikini,Black) Your other alternative is to bring old undies or buy some at Family Dollar and throw them away as you go along. That way you make space for anything you buy and get rid of the dirties.  One last word of wisdom- if traveling to hot and humid climates don't where bras with underwire. Talk about uncomfortable. So glad I purchased wireless!

8. There are a lot of funny signs in Thailand, especially for the bathroom which they refer to as the Happy Room.

9.. And the most important thing you should do: Have a blast, try the food, and try all of the different experiences they have to offer. You will most likely only visit there once in your life time.