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Tidbits & Thoughts
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Travel Stories & Journal Writing - Annotated Index
This is an outline of my thinking for near future development After the photo logs are complete. (summer 2004)
Fear at the Kathmandu Nepal Airport
It is a month or so after 9/11 and I'm landing at the Nepal International Airport. Irrational fear consumes mes.
I know where there is water to help you get that bird sh...t off your shoulder.
We were walking across from the Cathedral around the plaza in Guadelajara Mexico. A young, neatly dressed man came up and pointed out what appeared to be bird sh...t on Chuck's shoulder. He most kindly offerred, in spanish, to show us where there was some water. Chuck followed him and I followed Chuck toward the corner of the plaza. As we approached the public bathrooms several people came into my focus and my minds eye told me that we were being taken to be robbed. I yelled, NO! and told everyone, including Chuck that we had water back at our room. Two lessons, Trust your intuition and Never get so distracted by an event that you lose your personal awareness.
Great Adventure In the Back Alley Street Market Thailand
I was not seeing exotic fruit or anything else unknown to me in the street markets. I went in search of where the local Thai people went to the 'street market'. When I found it I realized that I did not know what the fruits were....how to eat them... or how much they cost....and I also did not know how to ask about any of this.
Missing One Passenger
The driver on any bus crossing the border is supposed to wait for all passengers to clear the border control for both countries. This driver didn't count until numerous miles down the road. He then discovered that he was missing one passenger. He did not go back to pick up the passenger.
So when are you going to have enough energy to trek the Annapurna Circuit?
On traveling with a companion and having different energy drains.
Being An Explorer...
Being an explorer is not simply going to a new destination to gather facts but rather being vulnerable enough to permit the spirit of the destination to enter your soul.
A Friend in Hard Times
While on the bus to the Kali Gahndaki River we passed a billboard displaying a bottle of hard liquor with the words: A Friend in Hard Times
Next Tuesday 7:30am
- My local guide and I are going to meet next Tuesday, November 7th at 7:30am to start a 3 day trek in the highlands around Pokara, Nepal. The conversation between us reflects the differences in calendars and attitudes about time.
A Safety Pin
It is such a simple thing...taken for granted, until you need one in a foreign land. This is the story of looking for a safety pin in Yangshou China to fix a broken zipper.
If One Wears the Local Attire...I try to understand the customs and attitudes of local people in countries that I visit, especially in third world countries that are more traditional and have less exposure to western customs and attitudes. Before I went to Nepal I read something that lead me to believe that I would fit in better and be more accepted if I wore the traditional clothes. I encountered an unexpected response when I wore the local attire
But He Is Telling Me That It Is 'No Problem'
This is the story of trying to use Indian Rupees to pay for something priced in Nepal Rupees.
I Do Not Need a Local Guide... I Have a Map
Arrogance, pride and other walls.
Everyone Does It, But Where (is the toilet)?
stories about locating toilets.
Now That I've Found the Toilet, How Do I Use It?
stories about figuring out how to use the toilet once it is found.
And Now That We Have All That Taken Care Of, Where Are We Going To Sleep?
stories finding places to sleep on the fly and unusual places I've slept.
Trading Time For Money
But It's Raining (sleeting snowing etc.) Today
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