Tourist Traipsings

Ever notice that some things seem better in concept than in reality?  All native Washingtonians raves about the little Bavarian town of Leavenworth and persists, "You just HAVE to experience the tree lighting festival during Christmas.”  People have visions of taking a scenic train ride through the woods and landscape while sipping hot cocoa and being entertained.  Then wandering through pastel frosted storefronts and boutiques filled with quaint souvenirs, memorable artwork, specialty food  and wine to mark the time they spent oohing and ahhing at the mesmerizing light display like a snow globe frieze.

The ideal way to experience this adventure would be to arrive in Leavenworth via Amtrak’s earliest no frills train on a Friday and explore the town at your leisure.  On Saturday, wander through town before the tour buses arrive at 11am, have a leisurely brunch, nap in your room, swim, take a sauna or spa trip, and find a nice window seat overlooking the square and a good book or board game and state your spot until 4:30, when the 30-minute light display takes place culminating in a twinkling forest and town square.  Then adjourn to your prearranged room (reserved a year in advance), for a cozy sleep and meander back home by train.

Our first venture into the experience was to realize that bus tour is the only way to go unless you plan in March to take the train.  Buses leave by 8 am for a 3 hour drive to the Bavarian berg of Leavenworth.  Swag is a plastic wrapped pastry, a map and program of performers for the day, a 1/2 pint bottle of water, because there is only one potty on the bus.  Unless there is snow and traction tires required, and traffic, which extends your trip TO the town; but keeps you on the same return schedule… thus cutting 1.5 hours off your town time.  THEN, realize that along with your own charter bus, there are 150+ other tour buses with double the amount of private vehicles – all trying to get to the same 5 mile wide town… and parking areas.  The quaint stores and restaurants have a capacity of 50-100 maximum, so lines to ingress and egress take up more of your excursion time. The "festival special" prices for fine imported European goods – which you can easily find online… coupled with trying to shop while herded like cattle makes retail therapy more like shock treatment.  

Deciding to feast on some genuine Bavarian wurst, baked goods, beer or pretzels also brings with it a line time commitment.  Finding an indoor espresso stand that not only served food, but also WARM alcoholic drinks was a godsend – and we hit it just before it was discovered by the masses sharing a small table with a couple with two service dogs who were very interested in our sandwiches. Lunch for $33 for 2 seems a bargain when you factor in a window seat and opportunity to be warm and out of the elements.

It should also be mentioned that even though Santa Claus makes an appearance, this is not a CHILD-FRIENDLY event.  There are places to sled and for snow play, but nowhere indoors to dry out easily.  AND public bathrooms are few and far between, with lines.  There are very few places to get out of the weather with children and the only children I saw who were not melting down, uncomfortably wet and cold were those worn in front packs or stacked like firewood into toboggans – the middle kids were smiley and waving.  Not the ones on either end keeping the middle one warm.  Even the tasting rooms, do not extend their warmth to children unless babes in arms. 

The cruel irony of seeing Santa and Ms. Claus swarmed with a two block line for a meeting while St. Nicholas wandered the streets virtually unnoticed was not lost on this observer.  The world culture beyond the Coca Cola icon doesn’t exist for most children.  The advent calendars, pink and purple candle wreaths and nativity creches are far in the back of most stores catering to sports fans and trinket searchers.  And the beauty of the artwork in these creations is lost on those searching for the perfect Disney princess ornament.

The decision to attend with a pal was motivated by a partner who hates crowds, cold and excessive cost.  The holiday feeling had yet to arrive and I thought just being in the proximity of seasonal decor might do the trick. While we had a grand old time in fleeting moments, we devised a better way to enjoy it in the future and realized that our desire to travel together requires significant research and more snacks  We also realized that if one invests in resources to keep warm, almost anything is enjoyable.  Bucket list checked, rechecked and our next trip will be richer for the reconnaissance.

Favorite landmark of the day...

Under Cover for Peace and Unity

Recently ugly, racist and unkind behaviors have become the norm. Not in my America. I am contemplating how to show solidarity for women of other cultures.  Women who wear scarves are being targeted due to their clothing that reflects their modesty, religious or cultural orientation.  My first thought was to learn more about head scarves - the hijab - worn by Muslim women.  Anyone who knows me, knows that my hair is a bit of a source of vanity and I spend a good deal of time and cash on its color and style maintenance.  I thought the exercise might be a good spiritual journey as well as showing solidarity for others.  

Finding products and videos that illustrate effective ways to tie and assemble the hijab was easy.  Putting that knowledge into practice towards some form of fashion that wouldn’t insult the culture I was trying to honor was quite another thing altogether. 

Scarf would slip one way, the knot another and I looked like I was being attacked by a silky monster. Found a nylon balaclava from some go-karting that we did with the boys in the past.  A second try included wearing that underneath the scarf to prevent fabric slippage.  That was going to cause overheating – a concept I hadn’t considered when looking at this option. It wasn’t going to be a tribute, it was going to be “Look at that poor lady who has had chemo with no fashion sense.”

Next issue is, what to say if someone asks if I wear the scarf for religious reasons. I would need inspiration and time to perfect the delivery of the question, “Why do you want to know?”  Any response other than something that shares culture, educates or spreads goodwill would not serve my purpose where my usual tendency towards a snappy comeback would suffice.   

How will I handle hostility directed at a Muslim when I do not identify as Muslim, but am wearing head gear to protest hostility aimed at their group?

How far am I willing to go to redirect that attention from a negative experience to make people reconsider that their insults and hatred might just show their own ignorance and racist tendencies?

What caused this shift?  Last week while driving to work a young family was walking on Pacific Highway near my home to a bus stop – parents and three young girls, all respectably dressed, mom was VERY pregnant.  Dad was wearing a prayer cap, mom was wearing a full length long sleeved gown and head scarf.  Girls were all wearing pants under their dresses and jackets as it was cold.  As they stood on a corner preparing to cross the street, a driver threw garbage out of his car window at them as he turned right sharply right in front of them.  I did not hear his verbal barrage.  I was so shocked, I did not act.  That won’t happen again.

How far am I willing to step outside of white privilege to make a point that racism, xenophobia and religious persecution exist right on the streets where I live and work?   

Will it be safe to do so?    

Will it achieve the desired outcome of confronting those who think this behavior is condoned and now the norm in America? 

Going undercover to find out may be a bigger commitment than I am ready for, but if I do it just once, it will require courage, strength, wisdom and gain new perspective.