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September 22: Hot Tub, Food, and Kittens - A Zero Day Tale

2024-12-01

Last night at The Sterling Inn was quite an experience. I found myself going to bed hungry despite having had a shared appetizer, an entree, and half a frozen pizza and half a bag of chips. To quell my hunger before bed, I indulged in some fruit roll-ups, Fruit by the Foot, and Gushers. But that only lasted until around 6 am when I woke up ravenous and had to seek out breakfast.

Morning Routine and Connections

I was the first one down at 6:30 am when the breakfast area opened and quickly attacked an English muffin, two bowls of cereal, and two cups of hot apple cider. Along with Firebird and one of the ladies from the previous night, I had breakfast. Later, Flamethrower joined us and we basically switched places. I returned to lying in bed and playing with my phone while Flamethrower ate. She also connected with Firebird and they discussed their plans for the next few days.

Zeroing and Food Packages

By this point, most of the folks in the hostel were leaving. We were zeroing, which meant we could put off our chores. I started going through my food bag and remembered that Flamethrower and I had received some packages. I headed down to pick them up. Flamethrower's box was full of food and very heavy, while mine only had new socks, a cell phone screen protector, 3 backpacker meals, and some snacks.

Washing and Laundry

I put the screen protector on my phone with excitement. Then, looking at the new socks made me feel guilty, so I washed the pair I wore that day in the sink. It took over 20 minutes for the water to stop running dark brown and turn light brown. I declared "mission accomplished" and threw the socks in the laundry bag with other items. Around this time, Smoke, the darker-colored kitten, came in for attention and playtime. I used the string from the laundry bag to play with her, and soon her sister Snow joined. They then had a major wrestling match on the third floor.

Lunch and the Hot Tub

We decided to go to lunch at 11:30 and ordered nachos. At first, I wasn't too interested, but then I joined Flamethrower in the appetizer. We were told the small nachos were enough for two, but we ordered the large as we're thru-hikers and were told it was enough for 4. The nachos came in a large plate, and we quickly devoured them. After that, we got our burgers and fries (or onion rings for Flamethrower) and finished those too. We paid the bill almost exactly an hour after arriving. Then we spent an hour in the 20-person hot tub, enjoying the warmth. We debated coming back for dinner just for another soak.

Air Mattress and Toiletries

I took my air mattress, a towel, and a water bottle to the bathroom to wash it. It was dirty from dirt and I had been sleeping on it since my last one went kaput. After washing it, I realized I forgot my razor. Flamethrower helped me by bringing my toiletry bag. I was in the shower for a long time, and by the time I got back, Flamethrower had finished our laundry and was bringing it back.

Chores and Conversations

I dressed and sorted the laundry. Flamethrower noticed two things were missing and found one unwashed in her pack and the other in the laundry room. I smelled some of my laundry and decided it needed another cycle. I also debated taking my tent and pack outside and spraying them down with the hose but was afraid they wouldn't dry. Instead, I took our wet shoes outside and sat them in the sun to dry.

Meeting Boomboom and More

Around 5 pm, I ran into Boomboom and had a chat. They had encountered the injured man, George, and helped by staying with him and even carrying him to the helicopter. We compared notes and I asked about the whistle. Boomboom was impressed that the whistle could carry so far. I also wondered why Inchworm didn't have a whistle. Boomboom, Crash, and two others were going to dinner, while Flamethrower and I were still doing chores and not hungry yet. I later bought a pint of spicy strawberry habanero pretzel ice cream and a frozen hamburger for dinner.

End of the Day

As I continued to pack and repack my things, the kitties joined us and we gave them all the cuddles. The rest of the night passed uneventfully, and soon we were off to bed, planning to be up by 7 and out by 8. There was more logging traffic on the road, and I slept a bit fitfully, dreaming about hiking the 100-mile wilderness. Flamethrower also reported not sleeping well.

Dave Faries here, inviting you to embark on the grand finale of the holiday season shopping spree. I firmly believe in shopping local, adhering to a food writer's definition that means sourcing goods from Monterey County. My cellar is brimming with local wines, encompassing both Central Coast AVAs and labels from my previous sojourn in Lake County. When it comes to grocery counters, I have a preference for The Meatery in Seaside over chain stores. If I spot a jar of jam or a bottle of olive oil from a local producer, it immediately finds its way into my cart. Currently, the beer in my fridge hails from Alvarado Street.

Highlighting Local Products

The original concept for my contribution to this week's cover stories on shopping small was to shine a light on the plethora of local products available. Carmel Honey Company is widely recognized, but there are numerous other honey varieties on the market. Monterey County labels encompass everything from cider to spirits, tea and coffee, bacon and cheese, jams and jellies – the options are truly abundant. For instance, I have never managed to compile a comprehensive list of olive oils.

One of the challenges, however, is that the marketing presence of some small local kitchens is quite minimal. It's as if they exist only in the shadows until you chance upon them, perhaps at a place like Windmill Market in Salinas or Elroy's Fine Foods in Monterey, or by pure luck at a farmers market.

Thankfully, neighborhood markets are stepping up and making space for these small local producers. This leads us to the story of how the folks at Nielsen Brothers, Grove Market, Jerome's, Star Market, Bruno's, and others source these items and bring them to the shelves. You can discover all about it in this week's edition of the Weekly or online.

Benefits of Shopping Local

Shopping local not only supports the local economy but also ensures the freshness and quality of the products. By choosing local honey, for example, you are getting a product that is likely to be harvested and processed close by, resulting in a more authentic taste. Local wines offer a unique flavor profile that reflects the terroir of the region. And when it comes to groceries, supporting local producers means having access to a wider variety of products that may not be found in chain stores.

Moreover, shopping local helps to preserve the cultural heritage of an area. These small producers often have a deep connection to the land and the community, and their products tell a story. By purchasing their goods, we are helping to sustain these traditions and keep them alive.

In addition to the economic and cultural benefits, shopping local also has a positive impact on the environment. By reducing the distance that products need to travel, we are reducing carbon emissions and helping to create a more sustainable future.

How to Support Small Producers

While it may not be possible for everyone to spend hours picking through farmers markets on weekdays, there are still ways to support small producers. One way is to make a conscious effort to purchase local products whenever possible. This could mean choosing local honey instead of imported varieties or opting for local coffee over a national brand.

Another way to support small producers is to spread the word about them. Share your experiences with local products on social media or with friends and family. By doing so, you are helping to increase the visibility and popularity of these small businesses.

Finally, consider becoming a member of a local food cooperative or subscribing to a local produce box. These initiatives allow you to support small producers on a regular basis and ensure a steady supply of fresh, local products.

The search for small producers continues, and with your support, we can help to make Monterey County a hub of local goodness. Plus, don't forget your Sunday Paper for more shopping inspiration!

Indian passengers flying from Mumbai to Manchester faced a harrowing ordeal when their flight made an emergency landing at Kuwait airport due to an engine fire. For over 13 hours, these passengers have been left without essential provisions like food and proper assistance. A chaotic scene unfolded on social media as Gulf Air passengers argued with airport authorities. Allegations of bias and harassment against Indian, Pakistani, and other Southeast Asian passport holders have surfaced.

Passenger Testimony and Demands

Arzoo Singh, a passenger, recounted her experience to NDTV. She stated that they initially asked for lounge access at the very least, but the airport authorities failed to respond. "I am saying this on live television. They said 'if you’re entitled passport holders, and Indians and Pakistanis are not entitled passport holders', they literally told us if you’re entitled for a transit visa, only then we can put you in a hotel outside," Ms Singh said. She further added, "We asked them what about us, people who are not 'entitled' as you say? They said we will get back to you. We ran behind them for nearly two hours, only after that we got lounge access. We asked for blankets, we asked for food. They didn’t give. No one even gave us water for the first four hours."The passengers also mentioned that their flight took a U-turn before landing in Kuwait and that the announcement of the flight diversion came 20 minutes before landing. Gulf Air has not yet issued a statement regarding this matter.Ms Singh continued, "It has been more than 13 hours. There are some 60 passengers… They have been telling us since morning, every three hours, that we would be going home." She expressed her concern, saying, "All of us have work tomorrow, people waiting in the UK. We have been trying to reach the embassy."According to the passenger, the flight was on its way from Bahrain to Manchester after departing from Mumbai. It was flying for nearly two hours when the emergency landing was announced. "I saw the engine was on fire. There was smoke. After landing, we asked them so many times to at least give us a place to sit. Everyone was sitting on the floor," Ms Singh said.These passengers' plight highlights the need for better coordination and support during such critical situations. It also raises questions about the treatment of passengers based on their nationality. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of ensuring the well-being and comfort of travelers in such challenging circumstances.