When we moved to China almost 3 years years ago we decided to sell all our vehicles but keep our house. We did not rent it out but kept it unoccupied and full of our stuff. We hired someone to clean for an hour once a month. Others were hired to clean the gutters and cut the grass, and 2 sets of terrific neighbors periodically checked on things.
The house is 25 years old and beginning to show its age. Some of the appliances and systems are also 25 years old. Since we came back to the USA, the work on it has been almost constant.
It's been quite an adjustment for me. In China, I hardly did anything that could be called house work or yard work or home maintenance. We lived in apartments in a city with very cheap labor. I guess I did hang a picture or two but nothing else.
Now Sun-Ling and I are tackling a 5-year - we lived in Florida for two years before going to China - backlog of home maintenance projects on an aging house. I won't bore you with the list, but the amount of work is significant both in time and in money. I began to thing that it was a bad decision to leave the house unattended for so long.
However, after a few days of stewing on this thought, I've moved on. Lots of work means lots of accomplishments; lots of items crossed off the to-do list; and the physical nature of many of the jobs is good for the body and mind.
After a few more months the house will be ready for another 5 years of minimal maintenance. :-)
Borax.
Sun-Ling and John have been traveling the earth since 2008 while blogging, eating vegetarian and vegan, and riding public transportation. We love uphill day hikes, 20th-century architecture, Roman ruins, all bodies of water, local markets, shopping for groceries, aqueducts, miradors, trip planning, blablacar, and more.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Trishaw Ride - Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma)
Trishaw Ride - Mandalay, Myanmar (Burma), originally uploaded by meckleychina.
Sun-Ling and I hired a couple of trishaws to take us from our hotel to Mandalay Hill. Take a look.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
It Pays to Travel?
Yes it can! Culture+Travel magazine paid me $100 for a one time use of this photo I took in Tenganan, Bali.
Which issue? I have no idea.
Here's the happy traveler with his check.
Which issue? I have no idea.
Here's the happy traveler with his check.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Sounds Of Mandalay
Sounds Of Mandalay, originally uploaded by meckleychina.
Some video from our 2nd or 3rd day in Mandalay as seen and heard from the rooftop of the Royal City Hotel. Sit back, put on the headphones, and enjoy.
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