tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-233242702024-03-07T04:25:09.193-05:00Paku Paku Panda Puppetsa magical travelog of the comings and goings of our pakusChttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261809871004788294noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-71411979846020582992010-05-01T14:11:00.007-04:002010-05-01T14:31:11.057-04:00Paku circumnavigates globe.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDpaNtJMgcfdhJqlsxbtlnZeCFdmWCH-CAzYfi2Xcx1PGAJXw8jbCJSqi-aV7PK4bElEwtLOPV54JEl6HddIlcqsMqOVG-2VcCnR_6LAFb5-h6wPKF99VHK4N5Adc4AjrD84Npg/s1600/IMG_0624.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 371px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDpaNtJMgcfdhJqlsxbtlnZeCFdmWCH-CAzYfi2Xcx1PGAJXw8jbCJSqi-aV7PK4bElEwtLOPV54JEl6HddIlcqsMqOVG-2VcCnR_6LAFb5-h6wPKF99VHK4N5Adc4AjrD84Npg/s320/IMG_0624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466367668788548674" border="0" /></a><br />Having abandoned his search for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northwest_Passage">Northwest Passage</a>, Paku circumnavigates globe via the conventional route around the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_of_Good_Hope">Cape of Good Hope</a>.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-64150713208159257442009-11-22T13:32:00.007-05:002010-05-01T14:31:42.658-04:00Paku in Swazi<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVNLl3cFmtr4IZ2vk0FhfHa0-Agsm7UrlwSzZM050MG7za00PY4Oe6fqiHmkky6p4xcg1xtnjZhuuuexqwjm8RTA4sA5EEdtt0TYS9W8SEQ33qn5d_ASlpN31Y3vAw2GgPmQ2UA/s1600/beehive_paku.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVNLl3cFmtr4IZ2vk0FhfHa0-Agsm7UrlwSzZM050MG7za00PY4Oe6fqiHmkky6p4xcg1xtnjZhuuuexqwjm8RTA4sA5EEdtt0TYS9W8SEQ33qn5d_ASlpN31Y3vAw2GgPmQ2UA/s320/beehive_paku.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407005946717309474" border="0" /></a>Paku recently had the opportunity to travel to the Kingdom of Swaziland. After a harrowing drive through the South African province of Mpumalanga, where a dense fog settled across the road and Paku could barely distinguish his mitten-covered paw in front of his face, he arrived at <a href="http://www.biggameparks.org/3parks_mlilwane.html">Mlilwane</a> lodge under the cover of nightfall.<br />The kind ranger toting a gun meant for stunning any wandering Hippos led Paku to his accommodations for the evening. Exhausted from the drive, he dropped off to sleep almost immediately. Only the next morning did Paku discover he was staying in a traditional Swazi beehive hut!!! Although his night had been spent pleasantly in this woven shelter, Paku dreaded discovering the giant sized bee that must also share his temporary lodgings with him! Frightened, he fled for the markets of the Malkerns and Ezulwini valley. There Paku found no shortage of woven goods, handblown glass and unique candles for purchase. After lightening his wallet of a few <a href="http://www.exchange-rates.org/history/SZL/USD/G">Lilangeni</a>, Paku attempted an innocuous quick trip through the South<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSdt99jQPY1e5LrqsqxOdtSfd3Sz-p6kdufE-LrdB3nWFIx0Mp7Arr6VlSTN5oIKblRHYl95yHdDCCbQAdSv2IgHavhJQD6IBYM6LGhEEOkDKoHH-b548nQOO6bKChx9EJfG_cw/s320/border_paku.jpg" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407006671526800162" border="0" /> African/Swazi border. Unfortunately, due to Paku's extensive purchases, he was detained at the border until his various tariffs and bribes could be sorted out.<br /><br />All in all, Paku recommends Swazi for a long weekend from Joburg, but warns to bring an EpiPen in order to guard against a fatal sting from the giant though reclusive Swazi bee.Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261809871004788294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-41989979847649795932009-10-12T18:54:00.004-04:002009-10-12T19:24:34.950-04:00Paku encounters previously believed to be extinct dinosaur speciesPaku had been under the impression that dinosaurs have been extinct for quite some time, however, it turns out that they all just moved to Canada.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-E1F0Oi0CnYgR9ARMzpmkkFJtJKcXEMERqQwFbGk-9mu7Twcfi_FH-ANG6sJx2H35DM2-0IM2chsceViVP1n8bNTYvVj_J7fWFqYZYgKnE4gF5u-vtBGIM2tTIarZjBU7ajjtMg/s1600-h/Picture+120.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 422px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-E1F0Oi0CnYgR9ARMzpmkkFJtJKcXEMERqQwFbGk-9mu7Twcfi_FH-ANG6sJx2H35DM2-0IM2chsceViVP1n8bNTYvVj_J7fWFqYZYgKnE4gF5u-vtBGIM2tTIarZjBU7ajjtMg/s320/Picture+120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391856366701456194" border="0" /></a><br />As you can see, Paku had a rather unfortunate encounter with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parasaurolophus">this fellow</a>, formerly thought to have been extinct since the Cretaceous Period.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-64831562411844214122009-10-06T20:00:00.009-04:002009-10-12T13:08:50.033-04:00Long lost Paku resurfaces in The Great White North!As has probably become apparent, sometimes Paku does not make the very best travel decisions. Quite <a href="http://pakupandas.blogspot.com/2007_07_01_archive.html">some time ago</a>, Paku was observed wandering the streets of Ottawa...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWqpu_FllXBO4AHURZGmAMGPIGInatKHNqZBN5sIau39EqkxrNxx_oXLohDRE02WbVuQV53ycPiC3Z4TSmcQzBu2Iam8kBhchYIgK-sIvrw2b3fznQmncxgwEffpWZy-VrTMQYQ/s1600-h/Picture+113.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWqpu_FllXBO4AHURZGmAMGPIGInatKHNqZBN5sIau39EqkxrNxx_oXLohDRE02WbVuQV53ycPiC3Z4TSmcQzBu2Iam8kBhchYIgK-sIvrw2b3fznQmncxgwEffpWZy-VrTMQYQ/s320/Picture+113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389644794797784018" border="0" /></a><br />...what became of Paku in the Great White North was one of the great mysteries of our time.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUC4ZwaR9Jwi3A3d-TW-MghSlnjsLGsAyWJ6J_5mxV9WC0XgReLX1sL9jOGZacS1FE54pP75DGEuutZG5YPXSYhny-5bI8lmmOYwZucVNWplgyrVIuvZQ1m_dpnB2zoUCEgwTBQ/s1600-h/Picture+026.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUC4ZwaR9Jwi3A3d-TW-MghSlnjsLGsAyWJ6J_5mxV9WC0XgReLX1sL9jOGZacS1FE54pP75DGEuutZG5YPXSYhny-5bI8lmmOYwZucVNWplgyrVIuvZQ1m_dpnB2zoUCEgwTBQ/s320/Picture+026.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390638510297869890" border="0" /></a>Until now!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Paku has finally resurfaced, with a wild tale about an encounter with dinosaurs, a monster truck, a waterfall that is higher than Niagara Falls and a long lost French speaking relation (pictured with Paku above) who helped him find his way back to civilization.<br /></div></div>Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-89322190810211495352009-08-10T11:38:00.006-04:002009-08-10T12:17:57.323-04:00Paku enjoys another Icelandic delicacy.... hot dogs!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxjF1T3dyxB768lf-WZOw0bxLVmARXfjbnTrKD9FIsBQXyNjy4ZQIVrKQKFZzRB-deAqG707Vly9Jq-4ITwsB4pxeC4sM7fZBkbPmIQLzRhWhWvFMCNb_9B7AtCx1nX4l2MBGNQ/s1600-h/IMG_1869.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 344px; height: 316px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxjF1T3dyxB768lf-WZOw0bxLVmARXfjbnTrKD9FIsBQXyNjy4ZQIVrKQKFZzRB-deAqG707Vly9Jq-4ITwsB4pxeC4sM7fZBkbPmIQLzRhWhWvFMCNb_9B7AtCx1nX4l2MBGNQ/s320/IMG_1869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368360163189544546" border="0" /></a>Paku's final task in Iceland was to taste a traditional Icelandic hot dog from <a href="http://www.seriouseats.com/2009/04/snapshots-from-iceland-hot-dog-from-baejarins-beztu-pylsur.html">Bæjarins beztu pylsur</a>. Paku is pleased to report that it lives up to its reputation as the best hot dog in town.<br /><br />This hot dog contributed to Paku's overall impression of the Icelandic cullinary experience as unexpectedly pleasing and unique.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRldKrwjYOC2nl9zchv4NlSdrH9OQdocxTMbYo2wp5c9OCjX1n6ZLtqppmh9bMf35SUCSmBd78Hbu-ZVMq4V5bz056KerwFtVxvB-fNThWfpY9B0vmU4aCALB5mbmQSZjSlQCmog/s1600-h/COPY.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 499px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRldKrwjYOC2nl9zchv4NlSdrH9OQdocxTMbYo2wp5c9OCjX1n6ZLtqppmh9bMf35SUCSmBd78Hbu-ZVMq4V5bz056KerwFtVxvB-fNThWfpY9B0vmU4aCALB5mbmQSZjSlQCmog/s320/COPY.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368367538591520530" border="0" /></a>Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-28715668878411208452009-08-08T16:26:00.013-04:002009-08-08T17:17:06.167-04:00Pauk finds hidden people<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKGnAefVj3FxKArzsmn4I4LJ2aPjx6hIdhKbRmIpOmVJm6yEN4oMFRK0FwwbfLTOq46A3HN1wC403nMuyzeq66wEeZn4T34UPzsPg9CRGS5DjDh1_qxapP49qPEzn-Faijrxmng/s1600-h/IMG_1903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGKGnAefVj3FxKArzsmn4I4LJ2aPjx6hIdhKbRmIpOmVJm6yEN4oMFRK0FwwbfLTOq46A3HN1wC403nMuyzeq66wEeZn4T34UPzsPg9CRGS5DjDh1_qxapP49qPEzn-Faijrxmng/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367699873890195874" border="0" /></a>The elusiveness of Iceland's hidden people became a source of extreme annoyance to Paku. Paku reasoned that given that the people of Iceland make decisions about the placement of roads and aluminum factories based on the location of the hidden people, someone must be able to see them to ensure they are avoiding them!<br /><br />An increasingly agitated Paku was assured that there are hidden people in evidence at all times in the tiny town of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%ADk_%C3%AD_M%C3%BDrdal">Vík í </a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%C3%ADk_%C3%AD_M%C3%BDrdal">Mýrdal</a> on Iceland's southern coast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS3bLHTcevS4yDoDRCK4heZ-5ZWxiS64JX63VqBkBDM1LV-5XZkg4XwXQ5n57BYiZP90SGsypHKwgIOTiL5TgutNZ-XCDR50vTDn2WwkG1zQghPthq7FJGNp49V-PM31LmzPytQ/s1600-h/IMG_1798.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 304px; height: 226px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS3bLHTcevS4yDoDRCK4heZ-5ZWxiS64JX63VqBkBDM1LV-5XZkg4XwXQ5n57BYiZP90SGsypHKwgIOTiL5TgutNZ-XCDR50vTDn2WwkG1zQghPthq7FJGNp49V-PM31LmzPytQ/s320/IMG_1798.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367700166576412978" border="0" /></a><br />A skeptical Paku embarked on the long, scenic drive from Reykjavik to Vik in the wee hours of the morning, though who could even tell since it is never dark in Iceland this time of year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzByD3kg6l5wDTVOy8RBrMTi25ItMn9qkJ4jKWjBdvzUGIptwjMaocxLtil7QVbZ3s_nob8vx1SiFaxRZOwmZwI4Ur4gvcfpq-shZ-X_wAK7eyrYee0ttqPCh5OAvhFhP_XEXmQ/s1600-h/IMG_1836.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzByD3kg6l5wDTVOy8RBrMTi25ItMn9qkJ4jKWjBdvzUGIptwjMaocxLtil7QVbZ3s_nob8vx1SiFaxRZOwmZwI4Ur4gvcfpq-shZ-X_wAK7eyrYee0ttqPCh5OAvhFhP_XEXmQ/s320/IMG_1836.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367702381835747346" border="0" /></a>Fortunately, Paku was not disappointed. There area always hidden people visible in Vik because they have been turned into stone!! Quite some time ago, two trolls were tugging a three masted ship toward shore when the sun came up and they have been frozen in place ever since.<br /><br />Having finally found some hidden people, Paku had only one remaining Icelandic quest to pursue.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-56107740042428101342009-08-07T10:45:00.006-04:002009-08-07T11:02:01.476-04:00Paku enjoys best lobster soup in the history of time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEdBeX-1pkLjsXzZYDs0bqsAyTLEQH_Cai7WRqeRjzO6y9W41_FXbiWOFV_cPn_tf1LKI593onsV_kVwHt-lBygBQMzY3hylMvwlkTu72SXyUpiSM7grKD1IHhyphenhyphenfyQFSul3gZRQ/s1600-h/IMG_1962.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEdBeX-1pkLjsXzZYDs0bqsAyTLEQH_Cai7WRqeRjzO6y9W41_FXbiWOFV_cPn_tf1LKI593onsV_kVwHt-lBygBQMzY3hylMvwlkTu72SXyUpiSM7grKD1IHhyphenhyphenfyQFSul3gZRQ/s320/IMG_1962.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367233490079811874" border="0" /></a>There are few foods Paku loves nearly as much as bamboo, but lobster and things made with lobster comprise the vast majority of them. Paku's encounter with the lobster soup at <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/11/12/travel/12bite.html">Saegreifinn</a> in Reykjavik was a life altering experience. Paku has enjoyed many delicious bowls of lobster soup in his lifetime but this bowl of lobster soup is so delicious he believes it defines the category. This is the lobster soup against which all lobster soups should be compared.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2BPJ79Yd77wEJ_zpDnS9Hf7Izu-qSCvI_hlrFLjwur4iCBBnHmVUhkQGwScoGzFfPNCmEPIsWoCG3Jdt6EKuStKYRpKoAHhdhf18iqxGW31On1HhJUATrwBMHZuQp125CGBoQw/s1600-h/IMG_1891.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 445px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2BPJ79Yd77wEJ_zpDnS9Hf7Izu-qSCvI_hlrFLjwur4iCBBnHmVUhkQGwScoGzFfPNCmEPIsWoCG3Jdt6EKuStKYRpKoAHhdhf18iqxGW31On1HhJUATrwBMHZuQp125CGBoQw/s320/IMG_1891.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367236313817180562" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-67518868522714349082009-05-15T17:43:00.008-04:002009-05-18T15:41:15.035-04:00Paku's search for Iceland's "hidden people" leads him to the southern most point of the northern most place he has ever been<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp83tkn5fvz-Cj3qY3StyhFztAr9BuXo9mJF9eXqbdGSEIY2jYtFawXHmw3hKHMtnntrNjFR788RNbUvlbqupwZfES2l0sYrFAVoCQSC4-Cc4uEUzLBp955378WrqM8FIjlsSBbQ/s1600-h/IMG_1861.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 185px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp83tkn5fvz-Cj3qY3StyhFztAr9BuXo9mJF9eXqbdGSEIY2jYtFawXHmw3hKHMtnntrNjFR788RNbUvlbqupwZfES2l0sYrFAVoCQSC4-Cc4uEUzLBp955378WrqM8FIjlsSBbQ/s320/IMG_1861.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337250436191686338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEmZ58g9d3LAWjMNlivnPCAuYjhuHp2kF0ngWbetWDUFFyBVAsCz4ZRxrg7xfBBWXyhNBFTsotFX_A5wA8Ggndlpon6yCbyQ5ZA8zY-dV3HnwrcW7s1_SJ5RZGRJ8I-kbvgMocQ/s1600-h/IMG_1864.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 138px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEmZ58g9d3LAWjMNlivnPCAuYjhuHp2kF0ngWbetWDUFFyBVAsCz4ZRxrg7xfBBWXyhNBFTsotFX_A5wA8Ggndlpon6yCbyQ5ZA8zY-dV3HnwrcW7s1_SJ5RZGRJ8I-kbvgMocQ/s320/IMG_1864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336170016489598466" border="0" /></a>Paku's quest to find Iceland's famous "hidden people" led him to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyrh%C3%B3laey">Dyrhólaey</a>, the island's southern most point. It was Paku's strong preference that any hidden person encounter be with elves rather than trolls but he was resigned to the fact that it ultimately would not be up to him and he would consider himself fortunate to find any evidence of hidden people at all.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-2017594846847953692009-05-08T19:48:00.004-04:002009-05-09T10:41:30.972-04:00Pauk warms up in a new hatAfter a luxurious soak at the Blue Lagoon, Paku's first order of business was to get himself climate appropriate attire and a nice place to stay. Paku selected the <a href="http://www.101hotel.is/">101 Hotel</a> in Reykjavik based largely on its aesthetic which was very much in keeping with Paku's own personal style.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbgnnOrmfVBSqoMmEcfltiv2qvA8A2r7FrJCYlxys5foZdTyB01adk0UVnia5g_nMuhMjB66-BC7K0hPWR98OYq9cEAyAxP82z6CmLc0NJ6TP_jMqfOWfDkkqO_B1s4hOIIO3rg/s1600-h/IMG_1897.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 459px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbgnnOrmfVBSqoMmEcfltiv2qvA8A2r7FrJCYlxys5foZdTyB01adk0UVnia5g_nMuhMjB66-BC7K0hPWR98OYq9cEAyAxP82z6CmLc0NJ6TP_jMqfOWfDkkqO_B1s4hOIIO3rg/s320/IMG_1897.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333604916718107586" border="0" /></a><br />Paku blended into the decor so well he had difficulty finding himself in the mirror. Once he did, he concluded that he looked great in his new hand knit Icelandic wool hat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglQXFFb7OytGHytxuMty1FCymfRoukIVBtmDW28TZF0Ojl5HXmuAsd4gZD_3eBFNiJgpBSzSpMSqoszbh7tzWmCdPg7xSurCPM6uE2snXpEq3ML9qgRh3aVIQySbv9KXUs1tV3w/s1600-h/IMG_1894crop.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglQXFFb7OytGHytxuMty1FCymfRoukIVBtmDW28TZF0Ojl5HXmuAsd4gZD_3eBFNiJgpBSzSpMSqoszbh7tzWmCdPg7xSurCPM6uE2snXpEq3ML9qgRh3aVIQySbv9KXUs1tV3w/s320/IMG_1894crop.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333833745247635650" border="0" /></a>Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-37945664073169704942009-04-23T00:31:00.008-04:002009-05-08T01:56:48.233-04:00Paku seeks relaxing island vacation; finds self in Iceland<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr8PnTOb4CoIXLUyDzskJG1RgpuuNrYem0EteF7M7B8UGsV3umtcm-nSZaS3zuzJE49VHmFdhXFt4SbeDmLw1o2ajJPPeDlLAbhYLz_0MCjsGyj9E4J0ky3HkVeVuJCCIYlIgOw/s1600-h/IMG_1993.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 323px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIr8PnTOb4CoIXLUyDzskJG1RgpuuNrYem0EteF7M7B8UGsV3umtcm-nSZaS3zuzJE49VHmFdhXFt4SbeDmLw1o2ajJPPeDlLAbhYLz_0MCjsGyj9E4J0ky3HkVeVuJCCIYlIgOw/s320/IMG_1993.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333312781644086258" border="0" /></a>Following a long, cold, snowy winter, Paku resolved to take a well deserved vacation at a tropical island paradise. Apparently Paku failed to clearly articulate his precise requirements to his travel agent and as a result found himself in Iceland.<br /><br />While technically within his stated island specifications, Iceland was not exactly what he had in mind. In fact Iceland is more or less exactly the opposite of what he had in mind. However, Paku is all for making lemons into leomonade and made the best of the highly unexpected situation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFz0HnHzExLZW7uynX0Yijchfp38pH6nA3diQSu-7bd5sktdol0ntfZQYn8KLDN2b02HRynOStxEeBoqBVrsa4CgBMa1rCXV-RsMHcwZtfahFHEdsU8j6VonVaXbGj_3hVGB3sQ/s1600-h/IMG_1992.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFz0HnHzExLZW7uynX0Yijchfp38pH6nA3diQSu-7bd5sktdol0ntfZQYn8KLDN2b02HRynOStxEeBoqBVrsa4CgBMa1rCXV-RsMHcwZtfahFHEdsU8j6VonVaXbGj_3hVGB3sQ/s320/IMG_1992.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333326480638142178" border="0" /></a><br />Rather inconveniently, Paku had packed little more than his swimming outfit. Fortunately for him it turns out that the Icelandic landscape is dotted with lava encased geothermically heated pools of hot water. Even more fortunately for Paku, the <a href="http://www.bluelagoon.com/">Blue Lagoon</a> is in close proximity to the airport. After a long soak Paku was prepared to face the new reality of his vacation that unexpectedly included glaciers instead of palm trees.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-66712488724156996352008-11-25T23:59:00.003-05:002008-11-26T00:25:50.177-05:00Happy Evacuation Day!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzhWCTPnaFPSGWoR21qWyw5S7ixnsFydK0OSxpr1Ey_3rBnbIgK2r7AZ6bwQw8dMVuyxiliIZJS5YpPht6is__lQL31SyxG1Fv35_01wiKUD6gIyNC-bxHsXrDzzxjGOq62ZeKA/s1600-h/IMG_1607.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMzhWCTPnaFPSGWoR21qWyw5S7ixnsFydK0OSxpr1Ey_3rBnbIgK2r7AZ6bwQw8dMVuyxiliIZJS5YpPht6is__lQL31SyxG1Fv35_01wiKUD6gIyNC-bxHsXrDzzxjGOq62ZeKA/s320/IMG_1607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5272828300155615810" border="0" /></a>Paku is prepared to admit that he is not as well versed in American history as he should be. As a result, Paku was alarmed by the presence of a small army in 18th century military dress armed with muskets, bayonets fixed, marching on Wall Street this afternoon. As Paku was preparing to seek cover from the onslaught, he was handed an <a href="http://www.nps.gov/feha/upload/Evacuation%20Day%202008.pdf">informative leaflet</a>. As it turns out, today is the 225th anniversary of the evacuation of New York City by the British. <a href="http://gawker.com/5098625/happy-evacuation-day">Happy Evacuation Day</a>!!Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-52438968098636122762008-11-22T18:08:00.006-05:002008-11-23T11:05:32.357-05:00Seasons Greetings!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eduv_kG8ErafmMOqw3uQTXjZQf74UlOCkyrJNsm3JMHb5t_AyYZ2GzDeqPSq1nVm98Gb7Gjym54_DretQ97nAHICYdbY3nFXgPQdA0UUlqPUYS0H9xG6H4USz5nEvcUbjH3l3g/s1600-h/IMG_1580.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 511px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eduv_kG8ErafmMOqw3uQTXjZQf74UlOCkyrJNsm3JMHb5t_AyYZ2GzDeqPSq1nVm98Gb7Gjym54_DretQ97nAHICYdbY3nFXgPQdA0UUlqPUYS0H9xG6H4USz5nEvcUbjH3l3g/s320/IMG_1580.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271624092700655858" border="0" /></a>Nothing says Merry Christmas to Paku quite like a giant Christmas tree erected in the middle of a street that has been closed to traffic to prevent terrorists from destroying the surrounding buildings being decorated by men in hardhats on some kind of crane in the shadow of a giant American flag made of Christmas lights. Paku hopes this moving image gets you in the holiday spirit too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq_CeG-ZllKflbUN4CfyCkc95BVuu8tkMLSmWvx98Djo9pLqMojkF6xh4tnza36gU15tqTfhWYRkAs2rjqnsZUpkmG5KrL_cyodkETwjCH6ym-_0e7jByO4l11tvqsgbyyjILxw/s1600-h/IMG_1583.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 507px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBq_CeG-ZllKflbUN4CfyCkc95BVuu8tkMLSmWvx98Djo9pLqMojkF6xh4tnza36gU15tqTfhWYRkAs2rjqnsZUpkmG5KrL_cyodkETwjCH6ym-_0e7jByO4l11tvqsgbyyjILxw/s320/IMG_1583.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271625960451875378" border="0" /></a>Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-33308935954695447182008-09-21T18:00:00.003-04:002008-09-21T18:02:16.207-04:00Paku reflects on the future of American finance over brunch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrJUMWBelu_g69GF1rfLp7XMLiukOPyyMChVNLPfu7G2ZYxaQ9KNG3noyoFFLlJGxJlJFtHY8qqRomQZD_E8UICxam0DKMx6bQuXZIdaCRSgecx2Hh83jGiJfELb5fKfvuDcOJA/s1600-h/Picture+103.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrJUMWBelu_g69GF1rfLp7XMLiukOPyyMChVNLPfu7G2ZYxaQ9KNG3noyoFFLlJGxJlJFtHY8qqRomQZD_E8UICxam0DKMx6bQuXZIdaCRSgecx2Hh83jGiJfELb5fKfvuDcOJA/s320/Picture+103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248598162162329218" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-56368677598366001382008-07-20T19:45:00.008-04:002008-07-20T20:40:45.796-04:00Paku saves $24.95<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDAg0QlcJdgZI7qOtdzCnGIfQy-Avk-Yqk0TljQdPsvZvw3Q_-Jby2Nm38q8ErFVvLZdDT3KDQMYsja6ua8vynuG79krKveXSNCkTDf9zoStGJ7hUABexfpCUqJ5a76ErcG3wnw/s1600-h/IMG_1556.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 308px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDAg0QlcJdgZI7qOtdzCnGIfQy-Avk-Yqk0TljQdPsvZvw3Q_-Jby2Nm38q8ErFVvLZdDT3KDQMYsja6ua8vynuG79krKveXSNCkTDf9zoStGJ7hUABexfpCUqJ5a76ErcG3wnw/s320/IMG_1556.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225257154617989362" border="0" /></a>The <a href="http://www.goldbelttours.com/travel/day_trips/juneau/tram.html#Mount_Roberts_Tramway">Mount Roberts Tramway</a> is one of Juneau's most popular attractions. En route to Alaska, Paku learned that while a round trip ticket on the tram costs nearly $25, hikers who make it up Mount Roberts to the tram can ride down for free. In the current economic environment, Paku made the fiscally responsible decision to walk up and ride down.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-76724827629686069332008-07-12T13:11:00.005-04:002008-07-12T14:44:33.398-04:00Exhausted Paku eagerly awaiting bedtime<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBGAGbe-xhktTuPigKkk1fAjntc0qf-do9kEfJiGEZofB6XtMPti1iTpcqqXHBXLDoHVhVcOpr6nzOdNO61LdfW_bitv6LZNi7we806ncFPWqaMEPBuz0sv5Eqd45SSEqBY3eZg/s1600-h/IMG_1168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeBGAGbe-xhktTuPigKkk1fAjntc0qf-do9kEfJiGEZofB6XtMPti1iTpcqqXHBXLDoHVhVcOpr6nzOdNO61LdfW_bitv6LZNi7we806ncFPWqaMEPBuz0sv5Eqd45SSEqBY3eZg/s320/IMG_1168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222178994216041266" border="0" /></a>Paku arrived in Juneau, Alaska what seems to him like at least a day ago. Paku certainly feels quite tired and in need of some sleep. However, he is convinced that he must just be experiencing some jet lag because it is not night time yet. In fact, the light has changed very little since he arrived. Time must just move slower out here away from the office. In order to acclimate to the time change Paku would prefer to wait until the evening to go to bed but perhaps a short nap is in order...Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-61350440564705410632008-04-06T15:26:00.012-04:002008-04-14T08:47:01.819-04:00Cherry blossoms live up to hype<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVlS-Ierqj2VGGBID0leyFV3ybnQmNm2aqzaAnxodcuq4JlT8wdKHSfsr9fXY7ja_BvRqM2_JyKeaBu3XYKDcKtouun_YdclF-xDVoT5JYtfpIT4HrQPbf1wKajm1QY2ENWDTZw/s1600-h/IMG_1093.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVlS-Ierqj2VGGBID0leyFV3ybnQmNm2aqzaAnxodcuq4JlT8wdKHSfsr9fXY7ja_BvRqM2_JyKeaBu3XYKDcKtouun_YdclF-xDVoT5JYtfpIT4HrQPbf1wKajm1QY2ENWDTZw/s320/IMG_1093.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186217568689050498" border="0" /></a>Since arriving in the United States just over two years ago, Paku has heard a lot of talk about the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C. Paku considers himself an expert in cherry blossoms and was skeptical that any cherry blossoms outside of Japan could meet his exacting standards. In order to give the blossoms their best opportunity to impress him, he timed his visit to the District with peak bloom, which came rather early this<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7NFghxVirfFEiOnHwZHgWmySFd-kcRommItOB-jHj_THDJY6LUtA1wg1CyWUSkg45832sd9LnjMowwiaRdwcsxAmujW6zyT5_2un5Yx7CofaGmAw58pme0PgdziTBOG309bnsQ/s1600-h/IMG_1092_edited.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7NFghxVirfFEiOnHwZHgWmySFd-kcRommItOB-jHj_THDJY6LUtA1wg1CyWUSkg45832sd9LnjMowwiaRdwcsxAmujW6zyT5_2un5Yx7CofaGmAw58pme0PgdziTBOG309bnsQ/s320/IMG_1092_edited.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189078718089670882" border="0" /></a> year.<br /><br />As it turned out, the cool weather and overcast sky were perfect bloom viewing conditions. The blossoms were particularly vivid against the overcast sky and gray water of the tidal basin. By the end of his visit, Paku was telling anyone who would listen that these were the finest cherry blossoms he had ever seen. His declarations were amplified by a few cherry themed drinks at the historic Round Robin Bar.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-47126339897026332102008-03-24T08:45:00.014-04:002008-03-25T08:37:33.646-04:00Paku's exhaustive search for missing luggage ultimately in vain<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDx_2eJ6Wvm0joqsUVpiR2tj3F4MHEi3e0eZPbYkk1rT-wkxQMS4TELzd3W3D7kyJ54q6KBuvcQeiTLYPSthfIA9GGdbZm6qEP2g6OXbPKXBzgZTWIlV0rxKp7OGxrLwMX0CI8jw/s1600-h/IMG_1089.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDx_2eJ6Wvm0joqsUVpiR2tj3F4MHEi3e0eZPbYkk1rT-wkxQMS4TELzd3W3D7kyJ54q6KBuvcQeiTLYPSthfIA9GGdbZm6qEP2g6OXbPKXBzgZTWIlV0rxKp7OGxrLwMX0CI8jw/s320/IMG_1089.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181288964867871506" border="0" /></a>Paku commemorated the recent long Easter weekend with a return trip to Amsterdam. Despite cold and wet weather conditions throughout the weekend, he had a thoroughly good time. By Sunday he was looking forward to an uneventful and relaxing return journey back to New York.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjB9AWJpaOKjbffFAlhibrB5QUkjh1r_Dt0oLjzHbY7mZoaU0p4UXtilrHszqK62XFQUmNK8WDkdWXU9K2QZLzel1yOiX4DYoCihh18zeUDlajAfbeUglSC-DZWGreby61_wIxw/s1600-h/IMG_1036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 254px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjB9AWJpaOKjbffFAlhibrB5QUkjh1r_Dt0oLjzHbY7mZoaU0p4UXtilrHszqK62XFQUmNK8WDkdWXU9K2QZLzel1yOiX4DYoCihh18zeUDlajAfbeUglSC-DZWGreby61_wIxw/s320/IMG_1036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181511392634196786" border="0" /></a>Unbeknown to Paku, while he was settling into his comfortable seat on KLM, his luggage's stay in the Netherlands was being involuntarily extended.<br /><br />Upon his arrival back in New York, Paku quickly cleared immigration. He then began his vigil at baggage carousel #7. When it became painfully apparent that Paku's bag would never tumble down the carousel #7 conveyor belt, Paku took up the search for his missing bag in earnest. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscQNKqB-A7kIqZGP7jZUjVAT7EKo7Z3-8el1JYl7PCFD7D_jksbH1Wa0yonJRSilH4gXftrbYh7CCan5Dce65vIvT1H8uBRw2A-9Vkb-GfB0Ueuj93EGjp9UoTb8kVIcwQNB0Aw/s1600-h/IMG_1042.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscQNKqB-A7kIqZGP7jZUjVAT7EKo7Z3-8el1JYl7PCFD7D_jksbH1Wa0yonJRSilH4gXftrbYh7CCan5Dce65vIvT1H8uBRw2A-9Vkb-GfB0Ueuj93EGjp9UoTb8kVIcwQNB0Aw/s320/IMG_1042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181511860785632066" border="0" /></a><br />Paku thought that perhaps his bag had fallen out of the plane when they opened up the cargo area to unload it. Despite a thorough inspection of the outside of the plane, Paku's luggage remained unfound.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiJdzrat8F054qinYEvHQVHxSzEKVLDH0L20dDXiN4dY_9gSJ38PtaIn1_D6nho7Tckej9J4KrmDrEX1m5R0SdJsXnJb2x6j_RTmTDYxcrwcBnLcUhWWxATZuv2eb6VZS_0JO9A/s1600-h/IMG_1070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 242px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMiJdzrat8F054qinYEvHQVHxSzEKVLDH0L20dDXiN4dY_9gSJ38PtaIn1_D6nho7Tckej9J4KrmDrEX1m5R0SdJsXnJb2x6j_RTmTDYxcrwcBnLcUhWWxATZuv2eb6VZS_0JO9A/s320/IMG_1070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181513879420261202" border="0" /></a><br />Pointlessly, Paku sought the assistant of a KLM representative. As a result of that encounter, Paku has decided that he will never again seek the assistance of a KLM representative.<br /><br />The exact location of Paku's luggage and the timing of its return to the United States remains a mystery more than 24 hours after Paku's arrival back in New York.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-51699229198678626592008-02-05T13:10:00.001-05:002008-02-10T00:29:19.663-05:00Saving Pandas, Millions at a Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M8K9cwQ1lNyhg3XwjRZE103J_pNb1BivApBnQtgzGMUkYQnfUiYbVWWGAg-c6m7IURJth0uiUSj-TvFXEr7DXd3pT561RNCNk0uY3faLNNAww-rTdXuLhaxodQr5_CncLS-vJg/s1600-h/paku+hopkins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M8K9cwQ1lNyhg3XwjRZE103J_pNb1BivApBnQtgzGMUkYQnfUiYbVWWGAg-c6m7IURJth0uiUSj-TvFXEr7DXd3pT561RNCNk0uY3faLNNAww-rTdXuLhaxodQr5_CncLS-vJg/s400/paku+hopkins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5165218965701430706" border="0" /></a>Instead of ivory towers, <a href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/">Johns Hopkins has a dome</a>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFD1-jNvUmIIgPBJWVNitTkGTlR5m2AqH29JxQsJntf1sRs5pn7NwfYyb3W7SqWCl1zHZM2ptBcLUOO9R0wBLUgRPX09lyltXiznjYWumAmtivDfq0IPI9aoBX55wbpsGVLAafw/s1600-h/paku+hopkins.jpg"><br /></a>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261809871004788294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-22684358819711578762008-02-02T18:12:00.001-05:002008-02-02T18:27:15.319-05:00Paku treats himself to a treat<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2237098339_143866c22d.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 481px; height: 361px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2195/2237098339_143866c22d.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Today Paku stopped by his local Japanese pastry shop for a delicious treat.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/2237888968_b50e0a2860.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 477px; height: 356px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2278/2237888968_b50e0a2860.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Paku chose this special lucky New Year's selection to enjoy<br />while he watches the Super Bowl tomorrow.<br /></div>Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-34865729517459895292008-01-27T20:15:00.001-05:002008-01-27T22:34:50.593-05:00Paku (belatedly) commemorates birthday of Edgar Allen Poe with visit to Baltimore<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/396092319_dbe5d98566.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 311px;" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/133/396092319_dbe5d98566.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Sometimes when Paku is feeling excessively cheerful, he reaches for a the collected works of <a href="http://www.poetsgraves.co.uk/poe.htm">Edgar Allen Poe</a>, selects a page at <a href="http://www.eapoe.org/works/POEMS/PARADSM.HTM">random</a>, begins reading, and is instantaneously cured.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2224276823_6d00085cfd.jpg?v=0"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 162px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2304/2224276823_6d00085cfd.jpg?v=0" alt="" border="0" /></a>Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-5900294805718820432008-01-27T19:38:00.003-05:002008-09-21T18:07:28.491-04:00Paku has helpful information for visitors to Lower Manhattan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYkK9BtZh3z5_PvTU1bB3fVcUiMowbM6z6alIeJ0RdDUUE81qcEeQRk1PH90kJiBzKXEeSKFmP6GtplgUw_OXl-FOMJKPfZlZAANW5f67EmY6715an7oaePSk38ijjSd5GolfMQ/s1600-h/IMG_1027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCYkK9BtZh3z5_PvTU1bB3fVcUiMowbM6z6alIeJ0RdDUUE81qcEeQRk1PH90kJiBzKXEeSKFmP6GtplgUw_OXl-FOMJKPfZlZAANW5f67EmY6715an7oaePSk38ijjSd5GolfMQ/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5160320919081776850" border="0" /></a>When Paku moved to Wall Street he was not prepared for the volume of tourists who visit his new neighborhood every day. Paku has discovered that many, if not all of these visitors share the common misconception that the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charging_Bull">Charging Bull</a> statue is actually located on Wall Street. Paku has come across many a tourist wandering aimlessly along Wall Street looking for the bull statute. Many wisely ask Paku where they can find it. Paku wishes for everyone to know that the bull is located at <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=Broadway+%26+Bowling+Green,+New+York,+NY+10004&sll=37.09024,-110.126953&sspn=32.527387,88.59375&ie=UTF8&cd=1&ll=40.709581,-74.013219&spn=0.007596,0.014591&z=16&om=0&layer=c&cbll=40.705686,-74.013414&cbp=1,190.00737226201306,,0,-4.92495665906646">Bowling Green on Broadway</a>, south of Wall Street. Paku is prepared to endorse any candidate for Mayor of New York whose platform includes better signage indicating the location of the bull and / or moving the bull to Wall Street.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-64545140583167932492008-01-05T11:24:00.001-05:002008-01-05T11:43:27.491-05:00Paku a delighted recipient of miniature Dutch house<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWw3Azpb7k7cxbo1FXcNhbQiFU3MKLR6MzwAJ-I7vmJ3_OVRME0hhgmGqMdFN1T-PUpfYQy9BzzopbUxcRYVSJQfULAAPisFT2rb9M_zJiMY1MUszy9Od3yd4n9ob4mpY9RGleA/s1600-h/Picture+235.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWw3Azpb7k7cxbo1FXcNhbQiFU3MKLR6MzwAJ-I7vmJ3_OVRME0hhgmGqMdFN1T-PUpfYQy9BzzopbUxcRYVSJQfULAAPisFT2rb9M_zJiMY1MUszy9Od3yd4n9ob4mpY9RGleA/s400/Picture+235.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152029374397659250" border="0" /></a>In the 6th hour of Paku's flight to Amsterdam earlier this week, Paku was unexpectedly presented with a tiny <a href="http://www.delftsepauw.com/">Delft</a> replica dutch house filled with <a href="http://www.bolscocktails.com/home.asp">gin</a>! Paku has since learned that this is a longstanding <a href="http://www.klm.com/travel/nl_en/travel_information/on_board/entertainment/entertainment_details/index.htm">KLM tradition</a> of which Paku strongly approves. With his first two houses, Paku is happily constructing a tiny Dutch village on his desk at work. Paku is hopeful that he will have the opportunity to make several more trips to The Netherlands in the near future so he can add to his collection.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-52339223308320574312008-01-03T22:02:00.001-05:002008-01-05T12:09:29.396-05:00Paku is of the opinion that January is not the optimal time to visit Amsterdam<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQVNY4Rg2opKchIpUW7r1NQEiEtw4Qk5k3VuaRrp8kA5FDqxpQ6ZnsecLLqTVIzUDDoEd-SIZ-Clb3jBLN1ZhPBsDxWUqA4QtVdEeoBcpoPy9_uesp3-YNrJmp7IryBgHNuX6Jw/s1600-h/Picture+221.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQVNY4Rg2opKchIpUW7r1NQEiEtw4Qk5k3VuaRrp8kA5FDqxpQ6ZnsecLLqTVIzUDDoEd-SIZ-Clb3jBLN1ZhPBsDxWUqA4QtVdEeoBcpoPy9_uesp3-YNrJmp7IryBgHNuX6Jw/s320/Picture+221.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152035894158014610" border="0" /></a>Paku celebrated the new year with a quick and unexpected trip to <a href="http://www.holland.com/amsterdam/">Amsterdam</a>. Paku found Amsterdam to be bitterly cold, dark pretty much all day and surprisingly crowded with tourists given the aforementioned coldness and darkness.<br /><br />With very little time and insufficient cold weather wear, Paku had to make the most of the brief amount of time he was able to spend out of doors in Amsterdam. Paku learned that the most of the collection at the <a href="http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=paginas.talen.ja">Van Gogh Museu</a><a href="http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=paginas.talen.ja">m</a> can never leave <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGBhe24tv3XL3noLslbUYbVe6pDSuO1LEJ8WajievaaBu_7Rn_PHr2auA3hmtDVcq2Orr0AvEehDdnjGX6SZ_BEIvdpI1hFa4Mwf6zp1FCKSe7pl-W4V6pexv1R-eRP5W_3g1Bw/s1600-h/Picture+222.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwGBhe24tv3XL3noLslbUYbVe6pDSuO1LEJ8WajievaaBu_7Rn_PHr2auA3hmtDVcq2Orr0AvEehDdnjGX6SZ_BEIvdpI1hFa4Mwf6zp1FCKSe7pl-W4V6pexv1R-eRP5W_3g1Bw/s320/Picture+222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152035602100238466" border="0" /></a>Holland so this was perhaps Paku's only opportunity to see the Van Gogh <a href="http://www3.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=2122&collection=1300&lang=en">paintings</a>. Paku stood outside in line for what seemed like ever waiting to get in. The wait was made all the more unpleasant by the fact that everyone around him in line was smoking. Paku really doesn't care for smoking.<br /><br />Paku enjoyed the museum very much and recommends it highly to anyone visiting in the area. He also recommends getting their early in the day to avoid the large crowds which make viewing the paintings difficult.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-90717922898418295752007-07-12T20:24:00.000-04:002007-07-15T11:08:01.584-04:00Paku inexplicably under impression that Canada is a good place for a summer vacation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUfmxnTemhDY535t9xzFDkBteYlRGeJOijMnJiGQjZ3b4K1pRrOjb2DZ7_DD0EZIt625xu7H8G0ga2ttpAa2kJMboizeqeWjNDCLwsgY_48LyZokV7vb3pqMURAci7ah5wqfXgw/s1600-h/IMG_0877.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 332px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkUfmxnTemhDY535t9xzFDkBteYlRGeJOijMnJiGQjZ3b4K1pRrOjb2DZ7_DD0EZIt625xu7H8G0ga2ttpAa2kJMboizeqeWjNDCLwsgY_48LyZokV7vb3pqMURAci7ah5wqfXgw/s320/IMG_0877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087041032262099506" border="0" /></a>Paku, having completed the exhausting task of moving to New York City, was very much in need of a relaxing vacation. For reasons perhaps attributable to his continuing unfamiliarity with his recently adopted hemisphere, Paku found himself on holiday in Canada. Paku's first stop, Ottawa, was decidedly lacking the traditional vacation <span class="shw">accoutrements</span> of beaches and sun so Paku was forced to find more creative ways to occupy his time.Ehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13361064346960858172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23324270.post-46038688169089909582007-07-08T12:08:00.000-04:002007-07-09T11:10:57.660-04:00My Goodness, My Guinness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mLA1BGJxj1yTQvgZAwAFg0s5KY1Jf3zdkfumMuaCyB30JddqH91FzidWHuGv8IbFz64SXeKstJ94-58X28p330nwJGz-bDlNkLumUqHE9p7Asf8pjQfUVWLOUyFObsA2RbIsqg/s1600-h/paku++bar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mLA1BGJxj1yTQvgZAwAFg0s5KY1Jf3zdkfumMuaCyB30JddqH91FzidWHuGv8IbFz64SXeKstJ94-58X28p330nwJGz-bDlNkLumUqHE9p7Asf8pjQfUVWLOUyFObsA2RbIsqg/s320/paku++bar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084859808635641058" border="0" /></a>When the temperature soars into the upper 90s*, Paku and friend know to repair to the dark and cool confines of their favorite Irish pub in order to imbibe a few pints of Guinness Stout so as to restore their constitutions as well as overall demeanor.<br />Paku has long attempted to cultivate an appreciation for Scotch, but that quest so far remains unsuccessful. Given his enjoyment of the complexity and variety of flavors that are embodied by his favorite bamboo, its no real surprise that he would be unable to embrace a beverage which is often described as "peaty."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmno6KkBU862Tkwecvht8eV1vLQMcF6ya2KD98XRtwxs4hby4jL9gCftlGYGK7dTe6jIaGMHFXdGDIAaYxRPbw7DLeJgTBYRxNtiFCGgWStGGNXc6eqhAGdPaA-KGHpcGzFcJeRQ/s1600-h/paku+beer.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmno6KkBU862Tkwecvht8eV1vLQMcF6ya2KD98XRtwxs4hby4jL9gCftlGYGK7dTe6jIaGMHFXdGDIAaYxRPbw7DLeJgTBYRxNtiFCGgWStGGNXc6eqhAGdPaA-KGHpcGzFcJeRQ/s320/paku+beer.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5084861329054063858" border="0" /></a><br />Pakus hoisted a few pints in order to congratulate one another on recent academic successes and achievements. The evening wore on and more pints were enjoyed, but Paku noticed that his photos of the later part of the night were strangely out of focus and ill-framed, not to mention difficult to appreciate the next day with a raging headache and queasy tummy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />*<span style="font-size:85%;">Upper 90s Fahrenheit that is. Paku has had to force himself to learn this archaic system of English measurement during his residence in the states. For those who adhere to the more rational metric system, this translates to the upper 30s Celsius</span>Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261809871004788294noreply@blogger.com0