Log:
I met Barbara Peterson in the morning. She’s on the CCAT steering committee. She was very sweet and did a great job welcoming me. While on campus, I also met Noel who will be a CCAT co-director soon. After spending some time on campus I went to CCAT to see if I could lend a hand with anything. I found it empty so I spent the afternoon in the community redwood forest. It’s such a powerful place to spend time. Really amazing!
Later in the day I went for a tour of Arcata via Carlita’s motor scooter. I went down to the coffee shop to check my e-mail and when I got there someone was already online. I took a small detour to a thrift shop down the street. I went in looking for a towel and book bag. I quickly found the items and was ready to check out when I noticed a man in front of me in line was buying a bike helmet. I asked him if he had seen any more. He said he hadn’t. As he began to count his money he realized he didn’t have enough money for everything so he let me get the helmet. For his generosity I bought him a $2 CD he was planning on putting back as well. It worked out quite well. Getting a bike from the bike library worked out well also. I found a lime green 10 speed with a rack on the back and knew it was the perfect bike.
The day was going quite well when I was riding my bike back from the coffee shop and I was stopped by a boy on a skate board. He offered me a foot massage, not knowing if this is a regional thing or what, I tried to be polite by accepting the offer. Amusingly enough, he complimented my foot in spite of its black toenail and bleeding little toe that had recently been violently stubbed. It turned out that this kid, “former massage therapist”, was one strange cookie. In all honesty he was looking for phone numbers and a prom date. I declined on both of the above and returned home only to be titled “Arcata’s newest freak magnet”. We concluded the day with a few rounds of Kings in the corner, which I know how to play courtesy of Jessa Turner.

Questions:
-Is it a problem that I’m going to start out behind on hours?
-What steps should I take to get my computer’s wireless internet working?
-Obviously foot massages are not really a normal regional thing, what will I find to actually be regional traditions?

Quote of the day:
“Are you even interested in massage therapy?” –Massage kid

Log:
Today was a well needed gradual adjustment to the Arcata area. Three of my new housemates, Carlita, Noah, and Brian, took me to a nearby park to play baseball. The bright California sun set the mood to joyful. The mountains behind the park were absolutely stunning! I haven’t seen much of this town, but it is all so beautiful.
I spent the afternoon getting groceries and trying to find a place to get online. I was able to get groceries, despite the steep California prices, but getting online was less than successful. Noah and I took a bike ride up to CCAT. WOW! I had no idea that CCAT was so much more than a house. Next to the house there’s a bamboo railing on a path leading to terraced gardens. Also, CCAT is next door to the community forest, which is made up of redwoods. I can’t wait to spend time there.
I concluded the evening with a nice dinner with Carlita, Noah, and Brian. It felt like home to eat with housemates. I think I will grow into this place.

Questions:
-When will I actually start working at CCAT?
-I don’t doubt that I’ll learn much from CCAT, but what will I offer them?
-Where can I get a map of Arcata and HSU campus?
* At the university information center

Perceptions:
I’ve noticed that most people here either hold very intense eye contact while conversing or none at all. I haven’t talked with many people who I haven’t been distracted by the intensity or lack of eye contact.

Feelings:
Today I felt included and alone. I had almost forgotten what it’s like to be this new in a place. I did appreciate the effort my housemates have made to welcome me (bluegrass music, yummy food, and lending me things I forgot to pack).

Log:
I woke up early this morning according to these fast California clocks, yet felt refreshed. Not knowing my way around the city and being alone, I decided to spend the time between my hotel checkout and Greyhound ride at the airport. I found a small area to stay at near the food court and an art exhibit. The exhibit was composed of over 5,000 3x3 inch tiles decorated with paint and a wide assortment of 3D objects. It reminded me of the work Gabe (from Oberlin) did in New York. If this artist had been spying the audience, he may have noticed that adults seemed to find short amusement with it while children were absolutely mesmerized and would investigate every tile.
When it was time to get to the Greyhound station I waited anxiously on the curb for a taxi. Some time passed and I still hadn’t spotted one, but I did see people get out of a car and pay the driver. Wanting to keep on schedule, I knocked on the driver’s window and asked if it was a taxi. It turned out to be a shuttle service car, but the driver, Milt, was willing to take me to the station. I told him where I was headed and where I came from and he gave me tips about the city. After a short but informational ride, Milt helped me with my luggage, wished me luck, and refused to take any payment.
At the Greyhound station I met Jamie, who was going from San Francisco to Arcata as well. She was very friendly and helpful. Running into her really made me so much more comfortable about the final leg of my journey to Arcata. She goes to school at HSU, but is actually from Michigan so we had a lot in common. On the ride to Arcata I saw a few redwoods, they were incredible! Really breathtaking! It was also very coincidental that I happened to be listening to David Wilcox’s “Out of the Question”, a song about the mysteries of nature when I first saw the trees.
Saw the place I’ll be staying this summer, it’s certainly eclectic. With a few solar panels, goats in the front yard, a large garden, gallons of biodiesel, and about 10 bikes strewn about in front of a small garage, it is interesting at the least. It’s a friendly reminder that sustainability comes in all packages. I really have faith that things will work out and I should for all of the good fortune I’ve had up to this point.

Questions:
-What will my housemates be like?
-How do the people in this house live together?
-Where can I get groceries?
* The Arcata CO-OP, Wildberries, Murphy’s, the farmer’s market on Tuesdays and Saturdays

Log:
California… it sure looks a lot like Costa Rica, with the huge Spanish population, Mexican architecture, and warm weather. Flying here was fine, it was the part of my trip that had no itinerary that was frustrating. When few airport employees speak English well, the information desk is empty, and you need a hotel for the night things aren’t looking good. With a little perseverance I did get to a safe hotel, affordably priced for this town. In spite of our early arrival at “Airport Rd” on the wrong side of Columbus only to find out there were multiple Columbus airports and we weren’t near any of them, the day has straightened itself out. Pangs of panic and adrenaline kept me chugging today, and now that it’s afternoon and I’m comfy in a San Francisco hotel, I can finally get some sleep.

Questions:
-How can I make this San Francisco stay easier on my way home?
-What will the place I stay in Arcata be like?
-If I were repeating today, what would I change?
*I would have gotten directions that actually went to the airport I was looking for!
-Who could I contact the next time I’m in San Francisco to stay with?

Feelings:
Traveling alone is a bit of a roller coaster, there are comfortable times and frightened ones.