Summary – tl;dr: Reduce how much news you consume and pick your news sources thoughtfully.
Bad News On The Rise
The news offers a seemingly never-ending cavalcade of dumpster fire stories. This is nothing new. How rarely do we see an uplifting and inspiring story — except on shows that specifically cater to providing such news?
The news media leans toward and emphasizes bad news.
For example, studies regularly show how even though crime rates have fallen dramatically, the amount of news coverage, especially for more violent crimes, has increased.
Unsurprisingly, Americans often complain that there is too much emphasis devoted to violent crime in the news. Americans also typically overestimate how bad crime is based on the perception they build watching local news.
Choosing Your News Sources
Personally, I avoid broadcast news. I find the stories reported often to be sensational, and the short time allotted each item prevents the in-depth analysis I prefer. Also, I am annoyed by the interruptions by loud and too frequent advertisements.
I prefer written news. That way I can choose the stories I wish to read, select the news sources, skip the loud advertisements, and limit the news I consume if I start to feel overwhelmed.
It is human nature to gravitate towards people and things we find familiar and comfortable and the same goes for the news. I recommend you examine the news sources you prefer.
All news sources have some form of bias. Being aware of that bias gives you information not only about the potential coloring of each shared story, but also the behind-the-scenes editorial decisions about which stories to investigate and share.
AllSides.com publishes The Media Bias Chart showing Left/Center/Right bias. However, it doesn’t rate factuality, and you have to be a paid subscriber to access the latest version of their chart.
Harvard posted a report with a recent version of the Media Bias Chart including rates for factuality. Unfortunately, it isn’t the easiest site to navigate:
Look for your favorite news sources on the chart. How do they rate?
News Sources I Follow
My most frequently visited news site is DemocracyNow.org. It leans decidedly to the left but consistently rates very high on factuality. DemocracyNow.org is highly rated, award winning, independent, and audience-supported — it receives no corporate funding and is not beholden to corporate or billionaire overlords.
The other site I follow and subscribe to is Ground.News. Subscriptions start at less than US$1 per month, and you are provided with news headlines linking to multiple news sources. Each source is rated Left/Center/Right as well as for factuality.
It also provides The Blindspot, which highlights stories that are disproportionally covered by media sources on one side of the political spectrum. This helps the reader become aware of stories beyond their comfortable bubble.
I have subscribed for to Ground.News for several months now and can recommend it. I receive no compensation for promoting them.
It is currently a bimonthly print newspaper that can be purchased for a donation as little as US$5. It was founded in 2022 by Ralph Nader and contains no advertising. Here is the Wikipedia page on it — which incorrectly states it is a monthly periodical.
Consume some good news!
Just a little good news can really lift your spirits. When I find myself doom-scrolling or just feeling overburdened, I seek out news that is inspiring and uplifting. It’s amazing how big an impact that can have!
You will find stories about heroic actions, scientific breakthroughs, amazing accomplishments by kids and teens, and more. I am confident you will feel better after reading even just a couple stories on this site.
On the Road with Steve Hartman is a regular feature of the CBS Evening News. These are wonderful, heartwarming stories reporter Steve Hartman collects from all around the country.
Conclusion
I try to stay informed with events around the country and the world, but I try to strike the balance between staying engaged and becoming overwhelmed. I recommend you try to find the right balance for you and cut back on the bad news if you find yourself withdrawing and feeling helpless.
Many people I know are dealing with confusion, frustration, sadness, and anger over current events. Social media is awash with people outraged by the latest news. Many express feeling overwhelmed and helpless. People are asking what can be done.
I have studied history but am no historian. I earned my degree in psychology but am no therapist. I follow the news and try to remain engaged, but I am no policy wonk, politician, or activist.
If we believe in America, if we believe in equality and democracy, if we believe in law and justice, then each of us, when we see or believe that errors are being made, has an obligation to make every effort to correct them – Minoru Yasui
I am a U.S. citizen, and I believe we all have a responsibility to do what we can to maintain and improve our society and country. Exercising our right to vote is one action, but I would argue our power and responsibility goes much further than the ballot box.
So, what can one do, especially if one feels overwhelmed, defeated, and/or helpless?
I’ve been thinking a lot about this and am going to share what I am doing in a series of posts. They may or not work for you, and you may have better suggestions — which I welcome!
In no particular order, here are the titles of posts in this series outlining my suggestions for navigating and acting during these times of turmoil.
A friend taught me a cure for hiccups of which I’d never heard. It has worked for me every time I’ve tried it since learning about it.
All the common cures I’ve known (holding your breath, swallowing a spoonful of sugar, drinking upside-down, drinking from the wrong side of the glass, etc., etc.) have never worked for me and I’ve had to patiently wait for the hiccups to go away on their own.
I once had a chronic case of hiccups that lasted for a few weeks. I even went to urgent care. Although I was assured there was little danger, they were unable to offer me a satisfactory cure. My hiccups eventually went away, but they lasted way longer than they should have, were bothersome, and interrupted my sleep.
So what was the amazing and effective hiccup cure I learned recently?
Insert fingers into both ears and slowly drink a glass of water. If you are alone, you can use a straw to drink the water. Alternatively, you can fill your mouth with water and hold it, insert your fingers into your ears, then slowly swallow the water. You might have to repeat the process.
I was very skeptical when I was told of this solution — especially since I had never heard of it before. But I tried it, and it worked and has cured my hiccups every time since for me!
How and why does it work?
Multiple sources indicate the stimulating and overloading the vagus nerve will cure hiccups. The vagus nerve interfaces with the heart, lungs, and digestive tract and happens to be the longest nerve in the autonomic nervous system.
Many hiccup remedies stimulate the vagus nerve in some way, and I read a couple scientific studies of extreme methods of vagus nerve stimulation (example 1, example 2) that are supposed to work as well — but neither is convenient or would socially acceptable in public.
Researching this fingers-in-ear-drinking-water solution, I did find a few references to it, but most lists of cures I found did not include it.
Next time or someone you know starts hiccuping, try this solution and let me know if works for you!
Summary: The parallels between video poker and Facebook, how they manipulate engagement and perception, which is why I avoid both
I recently was in Las Vegas to celebrate a family member’s birthday.
I’ve never been lured to gamble, especially by any video poker machine.
If I’m with someone who really wants me to take part, I might insert a bill and play it until it is spent. I don’t expect to win anything and consider it just an expensive video arcade game. On the extremely rare moment where I win something more than my initial investment, I immediately cash out, even if it’s just a few bucks.
Tripoli game mate
When I was a kid, our family enjoyed playing Tripoli, and in the past I’ve enjoyed playing Texas Hold-em with friends (for chips, never for real money). I remember my parents playing Backgammon for years, getting a bit bored with the predictability of their games, but then being reenergized when they discovered the doubling cube (used for betting) and playing for pennies, nickels, and dimes.
I’ve imagined getting into Blackjack. The odds, if you are skilled, are less tilted against the gambler, and there is the human interaction with the dealer and other players. But I’ve never taken the time to really study the game. Furthermore, I’m intimidated to do anything beyond playing for chips with friends since I’m unlikely to find Blackjack games with a nickel or dime ante.
When I see video poker machines, the psychology major in me sees devices designed and programmed to play on the flaws in our brain and perceptions. Whether they are bugs, or evolutionary features that served us in prehistory (but not today), we are primed to be fooled.
For example, if you were to flip a coin, and by chance it landed heads 7 times in a row (a 1 in 128 chance; unlikely, but possible), many people would strongly expect the eighth coin toss to come up tails. But the chances of that individual toss would still be 50-50.
Magicians, too, utilize our perceptions and logic to amaze us with slight of hand and logic that confuses and confounds us.
So do video poker machines. They are programmed to play on our flawed logic and perception. Lose several games in a row, and many expect, “oh, the next game has to be a winner!” Every so often, the game may give you a win, giving you that spurt of adrenaline and dopamine. Win big, and lights flash and sounds blare, catching the attention of those around you, adding to their excitement (and anticipation of their own potential good fortune).
I remember Neil deGrasse Tyson telling a story about a large convention for physicists or some similar scientific discipline that took place in Las Vegas. He alleged that that week was one of Las Vegas’ worst weeks and that the convention was prohibited from coming to Las Vegas again. Apocryphal or not, the message was that people who understand math or human psychology are less likely to be lured by the siren call of video poker machines.
Okay, so what the heck does this have to do with Facebook?!?
For decades, Facebook (now Meta) has been one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide. One recent report claims there are 2.11 billion users who actively use it daily, and over 3 billion who use it monthly.
I remember holding out joining Facebook, but finally caving in late 2008. I became an active user for many years, but in 2019, decided to quit. I wrote my reasons why here. But I kept lurking, and I remained active in some private Facebook groups (for family, classmates, and my karaoke group).
Yes, but what has this to do with video poker?
Facebook/Meta needs people to engage, and has found the best way to grab and hold eyeballs and get people to engage is to provoke them. Its algorithms promote the posts most likely to arouse anger and frustration. That will get people to punch the like/anger reaction buttons, post comments in favor or against, and engage in back-and-forth debates. And Facebook has made the conscious decision to remove the last semblance of fact-checking.
So, video poker machines manipulate us, luring us with flashing lights, animated videos, and sound effects, ensnaring us into engaging with the enticement of possible winnings, whereas Facebook manipulates us into engaging by provoking our righteous anger and indignation, our desire to passionately defend our views and beliefs, and attack those who disagree with us.
I choose not to engage in either. I’ve long avoided video poker gambling, and am now completely removing myself from Facebook Meta. I believe there are better ways to communicate my views and to connect with friends and family, without my posts being manipulated and curated by a for-profit data-collecting entity.
Here is what I posted on 2-20-2025, my last public post on Facebook Meta:
In October 2019, I decided to quit Facebook. I stopped posting, commenting, and reacting publicly. I explained my reasons in a Facebook post (Oct 30, 2019) and in a linked blog post.
I broke my social media fast in 2020 for a couple months at the beginning of the pandemic, posting videos of music and hope during the start of that dark time. It was my valiant attempt to spread hope and light. That lasted only a few months and I went publicly silent again in June, 2020.
This is my first public post since June, 2020, and it will be my last on Meta.
I didn’t completely quit Facebook, however. I continued to host and post in private groups (family, classmate, my karaoke circle). And I continued to use FB Messenger, also used by so many of my friends all over the world.
I silently watched FB, sometimes reaching out privately to friends and family in response to something they posted. And of course I appreciated reminders of friends’ birthdays and other events. I also joined Instagram, enjoying sharing and viewing beautiful and funny images.
But now I am going to completely give up Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram. All the reasons that pushed me to go silent publicly five and a half years ago have only gotten worse — by a lot.
Meta algorithms continue to foment anger, division, and hatred by pushing and spreading posts that provoke. The previous systems to fact-check, as weak and imperfect as they were, have completely been removed. Posts by family and friends are buried amid advertisements and “promoted” posts, despite my regular hours-long efforts to block and reject unwanted advertisers and unrequested media outlets.
I cannot contribute to this system, which at best, shows my tacit acceptance and support, and at worse, contributes to, promotes, and legitimizes this system.
Socrates is supposed to have instructed us to ask ourselves these questions before speaking: “Is it true; is it kind; or is it necessary?” I try (and frequently fail) to follow this directive. But Facebook Meta, by design, promotes and pushes the exact opposite. This is why I am finally, completely quitting Facebook, FB Messenger, and Instagram.
If you want to follow me, you can read and bookmark my blogs link here:
If you want to communicate with me, contact me through my blog or LinkedIn (as well as email and SMS text). I have no plans to join an alternative social media platform.
Be safe, stay in touch, and be the change you want to see in the world.
Mom and I standing with Rep. Mari Watanabe on the floor of the Oregon State House of Representatives
Mom and I were invited to the Oregon state capitol yesterday as guests of State Representative Mari Watanabe, who represents the 34th district (Bethany, Cedar Mill, Rockcreek, Tanasbourne, etc.). Watanabe is the first Japanese American to serve in the Oregon Legislature.
Rep. Watanabe gives her speech on the floor of the Oregon State House
Representative Watanabe gave a brief speech on the house floor in acknowledgement of Day of Remembrance, which remembers the day when FDR signed Executive Order 9066, which precipitated the forced removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans from their homes and into concentration camps during WWII.
Watanabe’s parents and family were incarcerated in Manzanar, and she invited my mom as a survivor of the camps to bear witness.
After watching the entire session of the house, many house members and their staff greeted us and thanked us for coming. We then retired to Rep. Watanabe’s office and talked over lunch before the representative had to leave for committee meetings.
Watanabe’s chief of staff is the daughter of a classmate with whom I attended kindergarten through most of high school. I even played music for her wedding! She was a great host and tour guide for us.
My workplace hosted a chili and soup cookoff, and the soup I prepared won the soup category! The recipe is below, and it can easily be prepared gluten-free if desired.
Chicken with Wild Rice Soup
Ingredients: 2 quarts chicken stock (store bought or homemade) 1 head of garlic Olive oil Butter 1 cup wild rice cooked in 2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of salt 2 cups cooked white rice 1 stalk celery 1 carrot 1/2 medium yellow onion 1 parsnip (optional) 1 teaspoon Marjoram (fresh or dry) 1 teaspoon Thyme (fresh or dry) 1 teaspoon Lemon Thyme (optional) 1/4 cup all-purpose or GF flour 1 cup heavy cream 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley chopped finely 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (carefully remove any bits of gristle or small bones) Salt Pepper
Directions: Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into small oven-safe dish. Cut head of garlic across the middle/equator. Place cut side down of garlic halves into oil. Cover with foil. Bake at 325 degrees F for 30 minutes until garlic is soft. Set aside to cool. Remove garlic cloves from husk.
Chopping the veggies in the food processor
While garlic is baking, chop celery, carrot, medium onion, and optional parsnip finely, or process into small pieces in a food processor.
In large, heavy pot over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of oil olive and 2 tablespoons of butter. Once butter is melted, add chopped vegetables and sauté stirring occasionally. Cook for 5-10 minutes until onions appear translucent. Add marjoram, thyme, optional lemon thyme, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper and stir. Add flour and stir until you cannot see the flour anymore.
Add chicken stock. Stir well. Heat to a simmer (small bubbles), stirring occasionally. Add cooked white rice and stir. Bring back up to a simmer.
Blending garlic, cream, and soup in the blender
Ladle a cup of the soup into a blender. Add the roasted garlic cloves and heavy cream. Blend together until smooth. If you want your soup to be thicker, ladle more soup into the blender and blend until smooth. Pour blended mixture back into the pot.
Once desired thickness is achieved, add the cooked wild rice, chicken, and fresh parsley and mix well. Bring back to a simmer. Taste for seasoning and adjust if necessary.
Last weekend was filled joy, connection, and important messages.
We started our weekend with a visit to the PSU Farmers Market, the largest farmers market in Portland. It operates year-round. My 92-year-old mom had flown in from southern Oregon, and we enjoyed admiring, buying, and eating the beautiful fresh produce, baked goods, and savory entrées from multiple cuisines.
Saturday night I was one of four featured storytellers for The Immigrant Story. This non-profit organizes produces beautiful shows featuring live storytellers and musicians with the stated mission to “document, narrate and curate stories about immigrants in order to promote empathy and advance an inclusive community.”
I was humbled to share the stage with 3 other amazing storytellers from Laos, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The second half of the program featured the absolutely amazing music group Seffarine, headed by Moroccan Lamiae Naki and Dutch-American Nat Hulskamp. A recording of the event will eventually be posted on the Immigrant Story website and Facebook page.
I tell my story of struggling and finding peace with my identity as a multiracial AmericanWith fellow storytellers Jeanette, Mohsin, and TocMohsin tells about narrowly escaping the Taliban in AfghanistanJeannette describes escaping violence and shattered dreams, finding empowerment in the U.S.Toc tells of challenge and success growing up as an immigrant in CA and AK, SeffarineMulti-instrumentalist Bobak SalehiSeffarine founding members, Lamiae Naki and Nat Hulskamp
I highly recommend attending The Immigrant Story Live events which happen a couple times a year. They also have an excellent website with videos, podcasts, and more.
Sunday afternoon, mom and I gave a book talk at the Tigard Library to promote her recently published memoir, From Thorns To Blossoms. The crowd was large and included my high school librarian, retired musicians friends, and classmates. One attendee was a woman who was born at the Minidoka “Relocation Center.” Another was the son of a man who taught school at the Tule Lake “Relocation Center.”
The enthusiastic crowd lined up to purchase copies of mom’s book and to have them signed, and I quickly ran out of all the copies we had brought to sell.
If you are interested in purchasing mom’s book, we encourage you to inquire at your local independent bookstore. If you want to know about any upcoming book talks or how to order your own copy online, visit my website.
Finally, Saturday evening, I took mom and my fiancé to a dance party celebrating the 34 years my ballroom dance instructor has been teaching. Linda Springstead offers dance classes in both Aloha and Parkrose, and I recommend her highly for both novices and more advanced dance students.
Mom and I danced at least 3 foxtrots. Our height difference didn’t pose a challenge as she was used to it: my late father was 14 inches taller than she. Not bad for 92 years old! May I be as energetic and spry when I reach 70!
Despite the endless parade of racism, violence, and political ugliness in the current news, one can find examples of connection, gratitude, abundance, and love if one looks for it. Even better, even the smallest steps one can take toward peace, connection, justice, and love can start ripples that can lead to profound impacts. I encourage you to do your part.
Usually, we waited until after breakfast before getting underway, but the forecasted northwesterly winds were only supposed to last a while before turning directly westerly. Since we needed to go west to return to Rostock, we had to take advantage of the wind before it basically stopped us in our watery tracks.
So, on our last day, we set sale at 8am before breakfast.
As we neared Warnemünde, we saw the familiar green lighthouse, the tall Hotel Neptun and the distinctive curved roof of the Teepott Warnemünde restaurant.
Motoring up the Warnow river, we passed shipyards with huge pillars mostly likely destined to be giant wind turbine towers. I spoke with the captain and his first mate, who both were against wind turbines located in the seas. I asked them what their objections were.
They explained that these wind turbines have a lifespan of about 10-20 years. When they wear out, the turbines are removed, but the towers are left standing. Since they are often in international waters, no one feels responsible to remove or recycle them, and the remain, becoming useless obstacles and possible dangers to oceangoing traffic.
We passed massive cruise ships, and a sailing ship named the “J.R. Tolkien”
Finally, we found our mooring. When we had departed from Rostock, the docks and river were crowded with yachts and sailing vessels visiting for the “Hansa Fest.” It looked pretty subdued in comparison.
We tied up, unloaded our baggage and the not insubstantial amount of leftover food. And we said our goodbyes.
Postscript: It took at least a week before I didn’t feel the earth rocking and swaying beneath my feet. It was especially bad at night or in enclosed areas. I’d walk and feel like I was crossing a floating dock. One evening I was sitting in a restaurant and looking up, fully expected the lights hanging from the ceiling to start swinging.
The Abel Tasman will sail again next year, this time from Poland to Eckernförde, Germany. As tempting as it is to join the crew again, I suspect this will be my last voyage for now.
After a couple days on Hiddensee, the captain recommended we sail part way to Rostock and anchor offshore again. Although we’d had light and favorable winds today, he was doubtful about the winds on our final push back to Rostock. So we sailed 32 nautical miles west and anchored near Prerow Beach, around the corner from Wustrow, where we’d anchored the first night of our voyage.
Dinner was a delicious leg of lamb, potatoes, and sauerkraut.
Although I knew most of the passengers from last year’s voyage, I got to know several of them much more this year.
Annie and I had a really nice discussion with passenger who “sells trains” for his work. Really. A recent contract for a sale of trains in Middle East including building many modern trains, including high-speed trains in the desert. The biggest technical challenges will be for the high-speed trains to contend with desert winds, heat, and sand.
Fellow passengers enjoying one of our last sunsets on board
They do do business in the U.S. There is a large manufacturing plant on the West Coast, which uses all U.S. made parts and materials, which is great. On the other hand, he says that U.S. manufacturing requirements for trains are completely different, requiring unique all-steel construction and heavier-than-necessary gauges of steel. In his opinion, this greatly increases the cost and weight with no improvement in safety or efficiency. But trains are trains, and the more of them in service (instead of cars) will lessen the impact on the environment and increase overall safety.
Our friend told us about another friend of his who works in traffic safety. That guy and his small team can produce mathematical analyses about the safest roads and how to design roads, streets, signage, etc., to reduce risk. When his son asked him what he does for work, he answered, “I help save lives.” He was able to mathematically calculate the hundreds of thousands of lives his work saves every year.
Leg of lamb dinnerAnnie demonstrates how she sharpens a knife
After hearing about Annie’s work preparing meals for cancer patients, our friend wished aloud that he could tell his sons how many lives he saves through his work. He knows trains are safer, more efficient, and produce less pollution – even though he calls trains “19th century technology” – so the calculation is possible. In any case, he both loves and is proud of his work.
For our last dinner together, we were blessed with a beautiful sunset and calm seas and winds, perfect for group photos.
Vitte, Hiddensee Island, Germany Saturday, August 17, 2024, 6:30am
This was the next to last day we were aboard the Abel Tasman. The following day we would be returning to Rostock to disembark from our weeklong voyage around the Baltic. Our fate was literally tied to the weather, taking us up to Denmark and back to the northeastern coast of Germany.
Sunrise anchored off the northern tip of Hiddensee
I love this time of day. Barely anyone was stirring and the only sounds in the harbor were the literal early birds.
We’ve been here at Hiddensee Island for a couple days. Day before last we sailed south from Klintholm, Denmark and anchored off the north tip of this island.
Hiddensee is a narrow strip of an island running north to south and just west of the big German island of Rügen. I visited both during my time here in 1989. It is home to a big natural preserve, and I have vague memories and a couple black and white photos walking on this island and listening to a biologist talk about the avian wildlife here.
Originally, Hiddensee was a summer vacation site for powerful people in the party and government of East Germany, both for its beauty and its location. Any places near the former East German border were usually reserved for the “150% believers” in the former regime since they were less likely to try to escape – and more likely to report any others they saw attempting to do so. I was told there is a graveyard on at least one Danish island dedicated to former East Germans who tried to cross the Baltic to escape and perished.
These days, Germans from all over come to vacation, enjoying the car-free (except for maybe a repairman, fire engines, and a local bus) and protected island. People walk up and down the island, ride rented bikes or enjoy renting horse-drawn carriages. It is so small that finding a berth big enough for our ship. The captain said he’d called the harbormaster at Kloster, the nicest town on the island, and the latter was totally stressed out. Asked when we might find a berth, the beleaguered harbormaster grumbled, “next year!”
So, we anchored off the northern tip of the island, enjoying calm waters and almost no wind, and at night we could see Hiddensee’s northernmost lighthouse blink every 8 seconds. Before going to bed, I finally was able to play a game of Skat. After a couple small errors, my memory and skills returned (after years of neglect), and I handily won the game.
The Dornbusch lighthouse by day and at twilight
The previous day’s sail was thankfully smooth. We expected light winds, and after motoring for an hour, favorable winds pushed us to a respectable and consistent 7 knots – but gratefully with only tiny swells, maybe 1-2 feet high. All those people (including myself), who had suffered the previous two days, watched at first with skepticism and trepidation, waiting for the winds and waves to grow. But despite our decent speed, waves never came, and we made great time returning to German waters.
The small Danish flag flown high up next to the main mast was exchanged for a German one – it is customary to fly the flag of the country you are visiting. The large, main flag flown from the stern of the ship remains the flag of The Netherlands, the home of the ship. However, our flag has faded in the elements and the bottom wide blue strip has turned a very dark slate gray which has confused a few onlookers who have asked where we are from.
Enjoying smooth sailing to Hiddensee
Yesterday morning, having found no harbor on Hiddensee that could accommodate us, we motored just a little over an hour to the southern port of Neuendorf (“new village”). We anchored offshore, and one of the deckhands taxied us to the harbor, racing over the water in the dinghy. At times it felt like the only part of the boat that was touching water was the outboard motor’s propeller. I held fast to a rope and to my hat as we made our quick transit to shore.
We were told that Kloster, the northern most town was the nicest to see, 7 km away. Our ship would be mooring in the evening at Vitte, which was just a little closer at 5 km. One could rent a bike, but it would have to be returned to Neuendorf. There was a ferry, and a local bus, which was loading just as we got to land. Our captain had told us about horse-drawn carriages on the island, which sounded great, but we learned those were only available in Vitte and Kloster – and probably needed to be ordered ahead of time.
By the time we figured out a) the bus and ferry schedule, b) where to buy tickets for either (bus tickets bought on board, ferry tickets bought at a small office), both had departed, and we’d have to wait over an hour for the next ride.
Thatched roof houses in Neuendorf
So we walked around Neuendorf, then west over the narrow island, admiring the beautiful, thatched roofs and long green fields, and passed by a regular stream of rented bicycles. Thirsty, we found a little café and purchased some mineral water and a piece of raspberry meringue cake. After leisurely consuming our beverages and cake, we slowly made our way back to Neuendorf for the next ferry.
The nearly silent electric Hiddensee ferry
We purchased tickets (at the correct location) and waited on a bench for the ferry. I glanced at my watch and noted that the ferry was due in a few minutes, but I saw no ferry and heard nothing. I wondered if it was late, and I got up and walked to the pier, only to see the large ferry less than a minute away silently coasting to its destination. Only when it applied a reverse thrust to slow down was there any sound. It clearly has an electric motor because the typical regular rumble and rhythmic thrum of a diesel was completely absent. We boarded and enjoyed a quiet, smooth, 45-minute ride north to Kloster.
Kloster is indeed picturesque. We walked by some beautiful large, thatched buildings.
Minutes from the harbor we saw a gorgeous, large, timbered building, built in 1909, with the troubling-for-English-speakers-name, the Hitthim Hotel and Restaurant. We were getting hungry, so we sat down and enjoyed a big lunch of farfalle pasta with spinach and salmon in a cream sauce, and chicken with mushrooms and cheese with fried potatoes and speck (bacon). The meal cost nearly what we would pay in the U.S., which means it was expensive. Most meals we’ve enjoyed have been a third to half what we pay at home. Although the ice cream dishes looked sizable and delicious, we opted to walk a bit and to maybe pick up some later.
We strolled through Kloster, admiring the old buildings, many with thatched roofs. Along the main path that runs the length of the island you see many little serve-yourself stands selling painted stones and shells, homemade jams, fruit, simple jewelry, cards, and more. They may be no bigger than one to two feet square with a little container into which to drop your coins. We saw a couple of these at Klintholm, Denmark, but we probably spied at least a dozen here on Hiddensee during our afternoon walk.
We found a little shop selling homemade ice cream, which we of course had to buy. Still hoping to maybe find a horse carriage, we began to see piles of horse “exhaust” here and there on the path as well as empty parking spots reserved for the carriages. We saw a few carriages during our walk but no place obviously to reserve one. So we walked the 2 km path to Vitte.
To our right was a strip of land sometimes wide enough for homes, sometimes only a narrow sandy berm. Climbing up the dune, we took a brief glance at the ocean to the west, a rough chop with wind and waves and a long row of large rocks to protect against the seas. To the left, we saw verdant green fields. Here and there you’d see a small collection of horses, sometimes hear a bleating sheep, and birds landing and snatching grub. It is so relaxing to hear no automobiles or other man-made noises!
We avoided grass during our walk as ticks are pretty common. A couple people have had to remove these tiny annoyances. Fortunately, Lyme Disease is still mostly common in southern Germany, though climate change has broadened its dreaded reach in every direction. The captain had a special kit with a tool to remove the buggers and wipes to sterilize the bite, and then someone brought out a cool short wand with a metallic tip. This “Biteaway” device is pressed against the bite after the bug is removed and a brief, intense spot of heat is applied, just less than would burn the skin. The heat neutralizes the proteins injected by mosquitoes and other insects reducing the symptoms and limiting the risk. I suspect these devices are not available in the U.S. and I plan to buy one to bring home.
Note: I was able to find these for sale online in the U.S, which I immediately purchased
As we approached Vitte, we began to see shops, little art galleries, and more self-serve tables. We admired some drawings and paintings, then spied a tiny shop selling amber jewelry. I marveled at the prices, which I estimated to be at least half of what I would expect anywhere else, especially on a small island frequented by summer vacationers. A beautiful necklace was acquired, and after paying, the owner, who I suspect makes the jewelry, handed me a thin, short, leather thong with small amber beads affixed to each end. It was about 10” long. I couldn’t understand what he explained it was for until someone else said “für Bücher!” (“for books”), and then I realized it was a bookmark. He insisted on giving it to me for free, and after inserting it into a small envelope along with his business card, we happily departed.
Our ship was supposed to arrive and dock around 6pm. Although no regular berth was available that would fit the Abel Tasman, we were allowed to dock after the last ferry left so long as we left before the first ferry in the morning.
Sitting on a bench at the harbor, other passengers showed up and sat to wait with us. We watched ferries come and go, and we photographed a little fishing boat named, “Rambo” come in and tie up.
After the last ferry departed, our ship lumbered into the small harbor, and gently brushed up to and secured against the dock. Curious vacationers came up to take a closer look, and a family with small eager children were invited on board for a brief tour.
The Abel Tasman, led by the dinghy, lumbers into the harbor of Vitte
A German lady standing near me was admiring the ship and taking pictures. I smiled and indicated I was a passenger, and she started enthusiastically asking me questions. She complimented me on my German, which I appreciate but always am surprised by, and asked me how I learned to speak it. She was surprised to learn I studied a semester in the former East Germany. She was from Chemnitz, near Leipzig and Dresden, which I visited for a day back in 1989 when it was still called Karl Marx Stadt.
One of my only pictures from Karl Marx Stadt (in 1989), now named Chemnitz
Waiting for dinner, Simon, Ingo, Antje and I sat down and played Doppelkopf (aka “Doko”). I’d only played a couple hands so far on this cruise and was glad to get in several good hands of this very complicated German card game. Through a combination of good partners and excellent cards dealt me, I walked away with by far the most points before we had to break for dinner. No doubt had we played more hands my score would have eventually been eclipsed.
Blatant Calm 