Poland is in Louisiana???

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Yes, Virginia, there is a Poland,  Louisiana..and it looks a lot like this:

Polish Cow,  2012

But before I get to the Polish Cows, let me explain as to how I came to know about Poland in the first place.  I'm chatting with a friend a few months back who begins telling a story of someone she once knew - from Poland, Louisiana.  Her mannerisms and laughter indicate that the story is a humorous one, but I am unaware of the particulars, as I've stopped listening and my mouth is hanging open in disbelief.  All I could think to say was..."There's a POLAND in Louisiana????"  After all, I had been on tour since July and even passed near Poland, unaware of its existence.

It was a dark and stormy day, when I set out to see Poland for myself.  Not quite Mid-March, yet the ides were near.

The Ides of March photos were taken at a cemetary in (or near) Effie, Louisiana.  Stopped to take photos and get directions.  

Poland proved itself to be very hard to find - like it didn't want to be found at all.  The only acknowledgement of its actuality on Google Maps was the location of Poland Jr High School.

 I had, as usual, gotten off track, thank you Google, and ended up on the wrong side of the Red River.  I was told by the nice gentleman I met at the cemetary in Effie to "Get back on 1, pass through Echo, and you will see the sign to Poland."  When I found the sign, I turned right, just as the arrow pointed, and drove.  

I saw no other sign for the infamous school, but I did start to doubt my geography...

Finally, I saw signs of life. 

Yes, cows.  Cows are a plenty in Poland, Louisiana. I ran into quite a few.  

Just when I was content with the cows being my only sign of Poland - the Fire Station appeared. 

And then the Baptist Church.

And there, hidden amongst the trees, so often noted when Poland is mentioned, was the school.

Pleased that I had found evidence of civilization (outside of the cows, of course), I left the rural countryside and headed up back up the road towards Highway 1, where I would make my way to whereever the world leads next. 

I really enjoyed the landscape as I cruised about, and I can appreciate, and relate, to a town not wanting to be found. Sometimes we need to just get away...

all content (c) Natasha Sanchez

www.nattie-concepts.com

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Tiggers Never Get Lost - in Copenhagen, Louisiana

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Tis True.  A Tigger never gets lost.

But I do.

It was bound to happen.  After all, I am an admitted hypocrite.  Just call me "Rabbit".   I knock technological advances all the time. I've written enough songs about it to produce an entire show. Yet when I go on my World Tour adventures  I am armed with only Google Map directions and my hotshot phone.   Yes, the Once-Upon-A-Time Wanna-Be Geographer doesn't even bring a map with her...It never dawned on me that I might want a broader view of the landscape, but then again, isn't that what this whole World Tour shenanigan is about?

But first - Copenhagen.

When I think of the Copenhagen countryside, I am going to think of tall trees and log cabins.  How appropo..

 I will also think of these Horse Bff's I encountered on my drive:

I should have suspected something was amiss in Copenhagen Proper, when the signs just didn't add up. Clearly, this shoe shop was closed.  And it was Saturday.

It took me awhile, driving through the winding wooded roads to realize that I didn't know where in the heck I was, that I had missed the signs for the roads I was supposed to turn on.   Since I didn't realize I was lost, I had no problem stopping off now and then for a photo shoot in the lovely forest.

Soon after the forest shoot was when I realized - 'Oh. I'm not supposed to be here anymore'.  Woops.  GPS and fancy phones work GREAT when you have a car charger or at least keep your phone charged. And when you are capable of reading a map the size your thumb.  (okay, palm..)

After a while of driving and guessing where I need to be, all the roads started to look the same, and I began to feel like I was in some sort of Truman Show type of reality.

Open Road...Curve...Woods...

Open Road...Curve and Woods...(again)

Open Road..Curve..and Woods...(again..)

Then finally --- I found my way out of the Forest.  I was so happy to see this sign:

And I knew which way I was headed - South.  So off I went.. Carefree, happy, and at peace with the lovely images I had captured in and near Copenhagen, Louisiana. Getting off track actually helped me to stay on my path.  So I was content.

And then.  The unthinkable happened.   I hit a squirrel.  I maimed it I think.   It happened so fast yet so clearly in my mind. I saw it flip and scamper off...WWTD?  (What Would Tigger Do?)  Well, I'm not Tigger, so instead of bouncing back to the injured Squirrel, I kept driving. With my hand over my mouth, shocked at what I had done.

 I didn't want to write about The Squirrel.  I didn't want to admit it is part of my journey. But it is.  I can accept that.  And hold out on the hope that 'yeah, maybe I made that Squirrel even stronger!'...sigh...

In conclusion, my trip to Copenhagen was beautiful, but also yielded many adventures.   I got lost like Rabbit, bounced back like Tigger, and then I maimed Twiggy.

I think a nice jar of honey would be good right about now.

All content (c) Natasha Sanchez

www.nattie-concepts.com

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On My Way to China La., Ended Up in (the) - Vatican, Louisiana

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That sounds about right....Just when I had a plan, everything changed.  Sounds a lot like 6 years ago..in fact,  I think I will use that  from now on  in describing my Katrina experience.  Its an inevitable question -  "What was Katrina like for you?"  From now on I will say, "Well, it was a lot like planning a trip to China, only to find yourself in (the) Vatican..."  I would go on to say it was, and is,  about finding the balance between the two polar opposites.  So it's appropriate that I would find myself in (the) Vatican on the weekend of the Katrina anniversary.

My journey took a different direction when I headed towards (the) Vatican.  But I put my faith into believing that whatever path I chose was the right one for me.

Vatican Trinity

There were signs along the way to let me know I was on course, such as the house with the Jesus and Mary statues...

Jesus and Mary

And the street signs.  If I ever started to doubt myself, I just had to look no further than the street signs to regroup and get my bearings.

Pope Drive and Vatican Road

It's a different world out there in Vatican, Louisiana, but I soon got accustomed to my surroundings, and though things seemed strange, I began to recognize how much is really the same, wherever ya are.

The Digital World

Vatican Dwelling

Vatican Mail

The Vatican area is blessed with a beautiful and scenic countryside...

Cows

Hay and Fence

Vatican wasn't originally part of my trip, but I appreciate that it has become part of my experience.  I don't know where I'm headed next, but lines get crossed and plans get changed, so I know that wherever I end up is where I need to be...

Vatican Lanes

See you somewhere in the world!  - Natasha

All content (c) Natasha Sanchez

www.nattie-concepts.com

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