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November 2004:
It's two days after the presidential election. Like many others, I am fighting not only disappointment about the outcome, but pure disbelief. I can simply not comprehend how anybody could re-elect George W. Bush, after all what has happened in the last 4 years. I hear at the end it wasn't the war and economy that was important to the people, but moral values. I did not know that lies and social injustice count that highly among moral values. The main comfort is that many people here think similarly. In fact, the San Francisco Bay area would be ready to split from the rest of the country: In San Francisco, John Kerry obtained 83% of the votes, Bush a mere 16%. In San Manteo County, where I live, 70% voted for Kerry, 30% for Bush. But you don't have to go much further east to be in Bush country. And then it's a long way until you are finally out of it again, at the east coast.

For so many reasons I prefer to stick to the coast. In September, I went on a long kayaking weekend to the Mendocino coast in Northern California. I love that coastline. It's wild and spectacular. There are lot's of rocky cliffs, arches, tunnels and caves. On a good day (meaning: calm seas) there are so many opportunities to explore and play. Kayaking through a long tunnel, trying to reach the end of a dark cave, going over pourovers and underneath natural arches - there is not much I would rather do. If the seas are big, we stay away from the rocks and go further out on the open ocean - or use the waves for some kayak surfin' fun! In the evenings, there was a lot going on in the campground. After all, there were about 70 kayakers present, and everybody contributed to the good atmosphere through music, dancing, food, drinks, burning kayak(er)s and much more...! For more pictures from this event, look at the Mendocino Photos. In October, I spent a long weekend at the Symposium of the British Canoe Union. It's basically the same kayaking I usually do, but with more British people! They do have somewhat different views than the American kayak school(not only that they call a kayak a canoe), and it was fun learning from them and about their style. And try their whiskey.

Meanwhile, fall is in progress. The air is now fresh, moist and often cool. It is also the time of one of the Californian's (or is it Mexican's?) favorite toy, the motorized leaf blower. This leaf blower basically does what a rake would do, but much noisier, and with more widespread re-distribution of the raised dust. A true highlight of modern technology.

From California - Doerte

Older newsletters: September 2004