There was no theme song for the news stories. You just knew it wouldn’t last in the public eye as something of interest. Once we tallied up the number of Americans lost and heard their stories we moved on to other excitement the media had to offer. The actual clean up is so tedious and unsexy.
But they are still out there; cattle, sheep, goats, dogs, cats and people. Relief workers are struggling in shifts to offer the basic requirements to keep those who survived alive. I was struck by a story, written in his unique style, by fellow blogger, Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge whose niece was sent to Kathmandu with a relief organization. Phil also brought to light the canine workers being deployed to search and recover humans and animals. We rarely think of what happens to the domesticated and wild neighbors who share in the acts of God.
I searched out information. The rescue missions are covered in passing.
It is hard to imagine the faces in my photos from over thirty years ago being alive today. They are frozen in time, in my memory, but life didn’t stop when I left. I look at the relics I have dragged through my life from there and wonder at their survival for this long, so far from home. I think back to a sun-kissed American couple, renting a motorcycle and driving high into the clouds, encountering villages and orderly rice paddies carved into the mountain-sides. Faces swim before me; the woman who traded her intricately carved ivory necklace for two t-shirts, the tiny goat herder who posed for me along the side of the dirt road. Such a magical place so far removed from the Western world now shattered.
I am blessed to have such memories and cursed by my inability to help beyond the monetary donations. Those who drop everything, who put a hold on their lives to respond to the need are the heroes today. Once upon a time I went there and found the strength to change my life. Perhaps I should do that again…
Journal Entry, 9/13/82 Kathmandu—Monday
Kathmandu is not for the country club set. Narrow, unpaved streets are lined with low shop fronts. The many-tiered dwellings above all boast open windows for viewing the hustling pace of life below. Luckily, a Swiss guy who is a frequent traveler to Nepal sat next to Rog on the plane. He filled us in a bit and offered good advice on customs, airport procedures, and such. We arrived just after dark last night in the incessant rain. The airport was dreary and dank. A confusing shuffle ensued as we emerged and looked for a taxi. Our first night here was something I will never forget. We checked into the Hotel Woodlands, which both the Swiss guy, Joe, and Lolo had recommended. It was a bit expensive (forty US dollars per night) and not very luxurious, but I suppose anything would have been a come-down after the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.
The recommended restaurant was closed, so we picked a small café in the back of a carpet shop/hotel/antique store. The food was abominable, but what could one expect? A quick walk around, and we located another recommended hotel. We liked the neighborhood and arranged for a room for today. The rain turned the narrow streets into sloppy mud-holes, but luckily traffic of any sort other than becak, bicycle, or pedestrians was light. On our walk back to the hotel, we came upon a cow resting in the gutter contentedly chewing her cud. It appears they roam quite freely here and frequently congregate in the small squares. These crowded little plazas appear where bunches of crooked streets converge and then dart off again in every direction. The cows, however, don’t “dart” anywhere, but they do seem particularly attracted to my rented yellow rain poncho. Back to last night. We hired a becak/trishaw driver and his son to take us on a mysterious ride to Bhaktapur Durbar Square and the famous “Freak Street.” Due to the monsoon downpour, it was pretty quiet, but this is the congregating spot for all the foreign tourists who have sold their passports (and no doubt their souls) for a life of hash and who knows what here in Kathmandu. We parked, and while the son of maybe ten years old and I shared a cigarette, Rog and the driver disappeared down a dark alleyway. It seemed to take forever, but after an actual fifteen to twenty minutes, I heard Rog disgustedly denouncing the driver, the rain, and everything else that came to mind. He said it was a terrifying and frustrating effort, but for twice the going price, he’d acquired a chunk of something smokeable. The smell of hash and incense snuck through your laden senses on every street corner and alley here. We arrived back at the hotel exhausted by our emotional and physical efforts of the day and soaked. First thing this morning, we started walking around. It would be impossible to get the true lay of the land in this city, but at least we explored our immediate area. We also moved into the Kathmandu Guest House, cheaper with a much more relaxed atmosphere. The location seems more in tune with restaurants and shopping of the younger clientele. It is populated with Europeans of our age, and the music of many languages is pervasive. The hotel is a four-story boardinghouse affair with ells, wings, jigs, jogs, and corridors running in every direction much like the city itself. I fear without Rog I would never find my way back to our room. The rain kept up most of the day and made it tough for shooting photos. I find I can stand on a street corner and just keep slowly turning and shooting the life around me for almost 360 degrees. It is fascinating! The people are not Asian, nor are they Indian … rather, a lovely race whose skin is smooth and warm brown. The poverty doesn’t strain the dignity with which they carry themselves.
Journal Entry, 9/14/82 Kathmandu
Day #2 dawned sunny if not totally clear. We rented bikes and set out for breakfast at the Annappurna Hotel. Not bad, but my egg tasted a little funny. From there, we sought out the post office to send cards and onward to check out the Oberoi Hotel. That was not overly impressive, so we headed off on an alternate route back to town. I must say, Rog’s sense of direction and map-reading skills are very impressive. We followed winding dirt trails through the outskirts of the city that were little more than a footpath in places. These paths opened into larger spaces of tiny rice paddies and garden plots. The houses were still the tall, brick, solid construction of the city, but the air was clear, and the sun, combined with the physical exertion, soon had us sweating. Over a bridge, we started to climb into the sharp, narrow streets of the city again, dumping us in a crowded bazaar/square. After a rest and refreshment of tea, we headed back out for Dumar Square and “Freak Street.” I was having a wonderful time finding abundant shots of the local color, but Rog became bored, so we pedaled back out through another section of town until we came upon the Woodlands Hotel street. An Indian restaurant looked promising for dinner but didn’t open until 7:00 p.m., so we headed back to the room for a shower first. Dinner was surprisingly excellent! It’s only 10:00 p.m., but I can’t keep my eyes open tonight.
Journal Entry, 9/15/82 Kathmandu
Because of the tourist/hiking/climbing economy here, you can rent/buy anything you might need for the environment from tents and Sherpa guides to rainwear. We have outfitted ourselves with an odd assortment of gear, including my oh-so-necessary rain poncho. But the sun was out when we arose this morning, so we rented a motorcycle and flooded our senses with the incredible scenery on a long ride to Kakani. I said, “Oh my God! Look at that!” so many times that the words became useless to describe what my eyes told me. Tried with the camera to capture and create the awesomeness of it all, but failed to even scratch the surface, as Rog most aptly put it. I feel my spirit slowly mending, warmed by the sun, and swirling gently upward like the hawk I saw today. He flew so close I could see his talons and yellow-spotted breast. I really think I got some great people shots today. Can’t wait to develop this film.
Journal Entry, 9/16/82 Kathmandu
Started the day off sniffling and achy. Terrible cold brewing. We walked over to Dumar Mary to buy some of the colorful boxes I had so admired and to look for a yak-wool jacket for Rog. Also picked up a coffee table book and stopped off at the post office. I traded a Lacoste polo shirt and two t-shirts for an amazing ivory collar/necklace. Th e shopkeeper smiled broadly, showing red, betel-nut-stained teeth. We both got a bargain. She so pleased with her Western clothes, and my necklace is a beautiful wide collar of carved beads. By the time we’d made our way back to the room, I was really dragging. Fell into bed and slept the rest of the day away. It’s raining again, and Rog has gone in search of dinner. I feel lousy.
Journal Entry, 9/17/82 Kathmandu
Oh, to have a typewriter to be able to catch the fleeting impressions my senses absorb. It’s about 6:00 p.m. The bicycle bells jangle, and the pigeons are cooing and squabbling in the niches where they struggle to roost. Voices ebb and soar in so many foreign tongues that are no more intelligible than the pigeons’ throaty mumblings. Shopping and shipping filled the major part of today. We bought six netsuke figures (small ivory carvings), a pair of Nepalese mukluk-style boots, and woven slippers. The rain has cooled the afternoon and laid the dust temporarily. The alligator fell off Roger’s Lacoste shirt; it won’t be worth anything in trade now.
These boots were made for walking…
Therapeutic Misadventures 
You’re lucky to have been able to go there. It’s a place I’ve always wanted to see and still do. I hope they’ll be able to recover from the devastation they’ve suffered.
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There are so many places I would still like to visit. Travel is really the best education. I know you would be enthralled with the plants, Allen.
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Travel is the best education. Its Turner the soul and open the eyes to something completely new. Check out my post about how traveling has changed my life.
https://jotraveller.wordpress.com/2015/05/29/my-place-in-time/
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It is sad how quickly headlines fade. What is front and center in the world’s eye is replaced as casually as we change our shirts. Easy for the media to go from misery to misery without a care as the struggles unfold.
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The media has a very short attention span. Thanks Laura!
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It used to be one wasn’t thought educated if one hadn’t traveled – and traveled far from home. Shame that concept fell from popularity. Really enjoyed your journey. I traveled when much younger and content to live on little. I’ll never forget on young shop girl i encountered on the outskirts of Madrid. She was carefully picking her way up a dirt path – dressed for work and wearing these very high heels. We talked a bit as she wanted to practice her English and I my Spanish – and being in Spain, there was no rushing around. She told me where to find the most wonderful shoes: platforms – plaid ones. One of the few things I kept for years.
I’ve been in places where tanks rush down streets, barbed wire circles universities, authorities can shoot a person in the street without any cause, and it is not wise to make eye contact with police.
And where whole towns turn out to stroll and talk in the town squares every evening. And where useful items are not tossed out because they are “old”.
Travel teaches so much. I tend to have so little patience with sullen people here whining how “hard” their lives are.
Perhaps it is time.
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Your travels sound so genuine and life-changing. Too much navel-gazing here in the good old US of A. Travel educates the soul.
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The TV news seems to dictate what we worry about and who we save. It’s something I rarely watch these days because I don’t like being told what to think. My heart goes out to everyone caught up in this terrible disaster though and my admiration to those who help physically rather than just financially. The tales of your travels make me want to pack up and go. I miss the days when I was always flying off somewhere. Of course, my next venture will take me to your part of the world, or nearby anyway. I confess I’ve never had a hankering to visit the USA before, it has never felt exotic enough, but a trip to New York beckons and then Canada.
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Oh I wish I could host you here! New York state or city? Where in Canada? How exciting!!
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We have an apartment overlooking Central Park NY City. It belongs to a cousin who lives there but will be in the UK at the time. Then we are off to Toronto for the marathon. We have family there too so it will be good to catch up. Maybe one of these days I will get to see New Hampshire though. It isn’t until later in the year but lots of planning.
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Oh my! That all sounds so fabulous and fun. Can’t wait to read about your adventures (and Therapeutic Misadventures because we all have them!) New Hampshire doesn’t fit with that tight a schedule but I will be very interested in your observations. Love Toronto!!
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I Love New York City. You are so lucky.
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Come to Canada. It’s incredible so beautiful. But so is the US. New York is one of my all time favorites. But if you really really want to travel somewhere amazing go to Venice. Read my post about it here
https://jotraveller.wordpress.com/2015/05/29/my-place-in-time/
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I’m off to Toronto in October
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Great time to visit. Beautiful autumn trees.
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Reblogged this on xdayschocolate.
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Thank you for the reblog! I am honored you liked it.
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I don’t understand what you mean by writing “unsexy.” Is have no earthquakes sexy!?
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No Eli. I am referring to what the media outlets find interesting enough to follow…
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The media never mentioned that the nepal earthquake was “unsexy.”
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What a touching blog. Where do you travel to next?
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Mostly just down the road these days Segmation! Thanks for dropping by!!
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Beautiful memories and photos. 💙
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Thank you Josie. Appreciate your reading and commenting!
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Reblogged this on mariaelenacalamusa2.
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Thank you!
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Reblogged this on aerychtest’ and commented:
test reblog 2
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Cool travelogue. I’m not sure where Kathmandu is exactly, I’m guessing near to India. Hoping and praying we get better at sharing the wealth with communities in need, at home and away.
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Amazing!! See How This Tiny House Can Help You Live Anywhere On Planet Earth (Photos) – http://wp.me/p68Ppy-3t
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Great post!
Jessie
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Thank you Jessie! I appreciate your taking the time and commenting.
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Your welcome!
Jessie
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Reblogged this on freddydaulay.
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Well-written and beautifully photographed. Excellent post taking us into the day to day lives of the nepalese and telling us a story versus the narrow repetitious news feeds on the disaster relief work. Love your images!
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شاركونا صفحة لجنة المسائل الفقهية لأجوبة الاستفتاءات الفقهية طبقا لفتاوى سماحة المرجع الديني الاعلى اية الله العظمى السيد الصرخي الحسني ( دام ظله )
رابط الصفحة ::
https://goo.gl/mxY8Z1
#اعجبني #مشاركة
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Martha, what an elegant, beautiful piece – and a wonderful view into your life! Your description of your experiences in Nepal in the 80s is so insightful and spot on. We were there a few years after you, and still shake our heads in amazement at what we saw and experienced. I love your description of the people of Nepal, “The poverty doesn’t strain the dignity with which they carry themselves.” You truly captured their spirit. Congratulations on being Freshly Pressed again. All the best, Terri
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Thank you Terri. I didn’t realize I had been Freshly Pressed until you said this. I was wondering if my blog had been hacked!
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Thank you Terri! I had no idea this post was Freshly Pressed until you commented. My stats were going crazy but I thought maybe I had been hacked! So strange that I never know what will catch people’s attention. Indeed, Nepal is/was a magical place.
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You are so right about the magic of Nepal, Martha … and the unpredictability of what will catch people’s attention. As you have obviously discovered, it comes down to writing what you love. Or as James says, “Let’s throw it out and see what sticks!” 🙂
On a separate note, so sorry for our absence from your blog in the past few months. We’ve been in the middle of a big move and it’s made us a bit nuts. 🙂 Looking forward to catching up.
All the Best, Terri
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Reblogged this on pebz74's Blog.
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Thank you! I am humbled by your support!!
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You are so welcome 😊
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Reblogged this on lbonbylhwmedia.
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Thank you for the reblog! I am humbled by your support.
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Absolutely,I love reblogging for others
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Great post,follow me n reblog this on https://konveksijakartass.wordpress.com/2015/04/23/konveksi-tas-murah-di-jakarta-bandung-2015/
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Thank you! My Bahasa Indonesian is a bit rusty after all these years. Looks wonderful!
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https://wordpress.com/stats/day/soumyasoumi.wordpress.com
please checkout my blog I’m new to blogging need suggestions and encourgmnt
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Check the link, but congratulation on starting your blog, it will be challenging at times but you will enjoy every minute of it. I am following your journey to the top of blogosphere.
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Honored to hear from you! It has been a long and wonderful journey!!
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Reblogged this on brandonalexandergriffinhutchins.
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Thank you for the reblog. I am humbled by your support.
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Reblogged this on Music Through Zeus.
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Thank you for the reblog. I am honored you enjoyed it.
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Great post ,follow me n reblog this on https://pabrikjakartaa.wordpress.com/2015/05/07/pembuat-tas-konveksi-tas-pabrik-tas-vendor-tas-jakarta-bekasi-depok/
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Dmps euoe. Gaeos
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Kkk eyos ups rgsuo esska vceosa
Osf
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Wow
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Thank you!!
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Welcome
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Nice picture. Could hear the tune of “Tenement Symphony” ringing in my ears.
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Thank you Wordpixman! So humbled by your comment and support.
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That’s keel
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This is such a touching story/world occurrence that we have no control over. Its sad the loses and I have to completely agree with the fact that important issues seem to fade so quickly. Please continue your travels and educating me.
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Thank you EnviroSolutions for stopping by and commenting.
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This is a very touchy writeup. Its a melancholic and beautiful writeup.
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Thank You onkitabanerjee! Your comment and support is much appreciated.
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Reblogged this on karicushermanc5.
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Thank you for the reblog! I’m honored.
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Thank you so much for sharing. It opens the eyes and the mind.
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Reblogged this on PUQUIN WORLD.
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Thank you Stephen for the reblog. Headed over to check out your site!
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Thank you
Fantastic blog
Good luck
__-__
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Thank You apkfunn! I am honored that you stopped by and commented!
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I’m at a similar stage in life and doing similar wonderful things. I shall keep in touch.
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Thanks Anne. This is a good stage to be at right now and I will be sure to check out your blog!!
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Great photos, great words, great memories. I, too, visited Nepal years ago. Loved it. Still do. And am saddened by what nature can do to a place, to people, to animals, the Earth.
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Thank you badfish. It is sad and nature can be cruel which is why we all need to wake up and not cause any intention damage. I thought the people of Nepal were so respectful of their environment. It must be a terrible blow to them to have nature react so negatively.
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You are right!
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Your memoir is wonderful! Thanks for sharing it!
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Thank you Shellie! So honored you stopped by and commented.
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Reblogged this on chronicallyindecisive01.
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Thank you so much, honored by the reblog!
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Reblogged this on deepakdaiya392454.
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Courage…strength and blessings for us all!
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THUMBS UP!
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Thank you Arul. So honored you stopped by and commented!!
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Great posting, enjoyed it so much! I was there in 1987 and your words took me right back. You have a fine eye for detail.
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Thank you Arul. So honored you stopped by and commented
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