Enver Memet
Enver Memet was the cabbie that drove Tony and I from Manhattan's Parker Meridien hotel to JFK airport on saturday afternoon. I'm glad we got in Enver's cab, because it was a journey that ended up bolstering my faith in humanity.
'You guys eaten?' he asked, looking in the rear view mirror and scratching his beard. 'I'm fine, thanks', we replied in unison. 'You mind if I stop at my place and pick up lunch?' he asked. Tony looked at me and raised one eyebrow. 'Er, yeah, cool'.
We pulled up in a quiet Brooklyn street and a young guy ran out to the car with a plastic bag. 'You've gotta try this', said Enver, passing a paper plate through the hatch in the clear perspex panel dividing his car. 'Shubies', he added, 'from Romania'.
I've had no luck Googling, so I'll take Enver's word for it. A shuby ('shoe-bee') is made from a traditional Romanian recipe - a bit like empanadas, but thinner and less greasy. Homemade by Enver's wife, we tried two varieties: beef and potato.
We drove on towards the airport. 'You see' said Enver, dabbing the corner of his mouth with a paper napkin, 'people are good. Governments, they're bad… but people are good'.
I joined the check-in queue with a full stomach, greasy fingers, and a smile on my face. People are good.
{ Filed under Random thoughts and reflection on Monday, November 15th, 2004. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site. }
Ben Saunders is the youngest person to ski solo to the North Pole and holds the record for the longest solo Arctic journey by a Briton.
Paul " DrainBamaged" Christian wrote:
Ben,
That's one of the best 'humanity' stories I've heard in a while. Awesome :) Maybe you should add a section for humanity stories in he forum LOL.
Dude, I am so busted up today. I overworked myself yesterday. I included a new routine in with my sets. Then I checked for a message from you every half hour or so and did bicep/tricep reps in between. Without thinking about it I overdid my bicep/tricep routine. It HURTS to raise my arms LOL.
Over the last few months my abs and chest have moved from totally numb to a pins and needles sensation (the docs say that's good,… I'm not so sure, 'cause it's annoying as hell. LOL) So I'm beginning to add more ab/chest work in my workout. The docs still have me on a HIGH fat/carb/protien diet to try and aid in the myelin sheath repair in and on my spinal cord. It seems to be helping, but man has it added weight and a gut.
With reduced mobility it's very hard to get the cardio type of workout I need to burn excess calories. I've found an indoor pool close by and hope to start swimming soon. I found out this last summer, before I popped my ribs, that the ocean surf really relieved pressure and pain. Even when rolling me off the boogie board and throwing me around like a rag doll. I'm hoping the pool does the same.
Looking forward to an email from you. By the way, as you'll discover soon, I sent you another last night.
I've been thinking about this whole Nicaragua Trek. I think I'm more disabled than they're looking for. I don't know if I'll be physically mobile enough to be selected. The more I think about it the more I think the 'disabled' people they're looking for are amputees with prosthetics. The 'walking wounded', as it were. I can't walk without a heavy brace and a walker or crutches, and then not for near long enough for the distances needed for that trek. Although, I increase my distance weekly. Feet and yards are like kilometers and miles for me.
I'll continue to workout anyway. Whether or not I am selected I'll be stronger and ready for the next challenge down the road.
With that said, I'm considering a 'Trek' for the disabled in the summer of 2006. Maybe along the Appalachian Trail or out in Western America. Unlike the Nicaraguan Trek, I want wheelchair users to be able to do this.
Anyway, LOL, just thinking here.
Wigglin' hard Dude ;)
DB
November 15 2004 · 8:14 pm
Tony wrote:
Paul, I can't think of a better 'humanity' story than yours. Keep up the training and we might see you up in the Arctic for a bit of a yomp in a couple of years!
November 15 2004 · 8:42 pm
Paul " DrainBamaged" Christian wrote:
Tony,
Glad to hear from you. Long time, no type *heh*
Can't, just once, Ben roller-ski across Fiji or Easter Island or something. ;) I'll team up for that *hahaha* You know, somewhere I don't have to worry about frost-biting my rear end just to,… well you get the picture LOL.
Thanks for the confidence though.
DB
November 15 2004 · 9:00 pm
Ed wrote:
Firstly - I LOVE your site and, with your permission, hope to rip it off at every opportuntity! :)
Secondly - I checked with a Romanian buddy of mine, and he says…
"indeed, we have in Romania something like that, but they have more romanian names: merdenele, pateuri; maybe is a very regional term of which i never heared"
http://www.culinar.ro/ might help you!
November 16 2004 · 2:17 pm
Claire wrote:
That was a lovely story. Paul's too.
November 16 2004 · 5:24 pm
Paul " DrainBamaged" Christian wrote:
Claire,
Thanks :)
~DB
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Ben and Tony,
The next expedition, falling in line with my Fiji theme, should be to the WEST or EAST POLE(S). No one ever tries to go to them. We could be the first ever. ;) *hahahaha* I'll sign up for those.
Love the pics that you posted.
Considering that my family line is from the British Isles, I wonder if we have common genes. Because we sure share the same hair line. *hahaha* Although I'm a tad older and losing the hair faster. I also have a tad of the gray at the temples and in my beard (when I don't shave.)
You guys have a great one today,
DB
November 16 2004 · 6:22 pm
Ben wrote:
Paul, it's just a sign of a high testosterone level. That's what I tell myself, anyway…
November 16 2004 · 9:13 pm
Paul " DrainBamaged" Christian wrote:
Check your email when you get a chance. Let me know what you and think.
DB
November 16 2004 · 11:01 pm