tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8497384800829620582024-03-13T13:24:03.002-07:00Trip to nowhereRyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-84838253628256306502009-08-13T11:42:00.000-07:002009-08-13T12:27:52.821-07:00Vietnam<span style="font-weight: bold;">Vietnam</span><br /><br />I was super stoaked for Vietnam because one of my good work friends from NY, Thuyha, was living in Ho Chi Min city in Vietnam.<br /><br /><br />I arrived late as normal and took a cab to Thuyha´s place which was downtown and awesome. It was so good to see here. I was late so we shot the shit for a bit then slept. I woke up the next day to an email from here asking if I wanted to get a 2 hour hot rock massage for $10, HECK YA! Vietnam is SUPER cheap, i mean its crazy. I spent the day getting a massage, shopping and just got lost in the city.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRkK5clxgI/AAAAAAAAAcg/flc4wgQgZOg/s1600-h/hochi+lady.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRkK5clxgI/AAAAAAAAAcg/flc4wgQgZOg/s320/hochi+lady.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369526794114680322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next day I was flying up north so Thuyha wanted us to have a proper night out so we headed to teh ben than market for dinner on the street. We meet a few of her friends and have a great time.<br /><br /><br /><h1 id="profile_name"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRioCWepJI/AAAAAAAAAcI/H2cA0lIqIPk/s1600-h/pham.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRioCWepJI/AAAAAAAAAcI/H2cA0lIqIPk/s320/pham.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369525095697917074" border="0" /></a></h1><br />We went after smoked some hookah then headed to Apo for a night of clubbin, was so much fun.<br /><br /><br />The next day I woke up tied up some last min delays and flew up north to Hanoi. Hanoi is a big city but not like HCMC. It feels more authentic. I arrived and got picked up by the hostel which was amazing by the way. It was like a hotel but for nothing. I went around to the night markets for dinner.<br /><br />The next day i got my trip set go Halong bay and Sapa which are the two main reason people come to Hanoi. I spent the rest of the day with an irish guy i met bumming around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRkKBVPrcI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/E1E6rb3B_cM/s1600-h/hanoi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRkKBVPrcI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/E1E6rb3B_cM/s320/hanoi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369526779051486658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRkKfUokRI/AAAAAAAAAcY/UbJumMWfKv4/s1600-h/hanoi2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRkKfUokRI/AAAAAAAAAcY/UbJumMWfKv4/s320/hanoi2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369526787101987090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />That night I went to a water puppet show which the area is well known for<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRkr0l76uI/AAAAAAAAAco/gGXH76oNfS0/s1600-h/waterpupet.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRkr0l76uI/AAAAAAAAAco/gGXH76oNfS0/s320/waterpupet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369527359747386082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The next day I woke up and headed over to the hostel to go to Halong bay. It was a 3 hour drive north from the city but well worth it. I was on a boat with an awesome group. This can give you some Idea of it<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRljPeSxHI/AAAAAAAAAdg/QTxcT4bIH7g/s1600-h/bay.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRljPeSxHI/AAAAAAAAAdg/QTxcT4bIH7g/s320/bay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369528311855891570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlWMIg57I/AAAAAAAAAdI/591O9QkXRVI/s1600-h/boat.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlWMIg57I/AAAAAAAAAdI/591O9QkXRVI/s320/boat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369528087620937650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlVObGeiI/AAAAAAAAAc4/wVIrp636Gy8/s1600-h/jump.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlVObGeiI/AAAAAAAAAc4/wVIrp636Gy8/s320/jump.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369528071055899170" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlWtrgswI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ZOojHJTgqy4/s1600-h/vietflag.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlWtrgswI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/ZOojHJTgqy4/s320/vietflag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369528096626094850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlV0pZuEI/AAAAAAAAAdA/lQY1v040ugE/s1600-h/team+usa.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlV0pZuEI/AAAAAAAAAdA/lQY1v040ugE/s320/team+usa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369528081316427842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlcanZrgI/AAAAAAAAAdY/sE2XDQovai4/s1600-h/boat2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRlcanZrgI/AAAAAAAAAdY/sE2XDQovai4/s320/boat2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369528194587799042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />I met a ton of great people and go figure some people from westchester which always makes me happy :o) Chilled, saw the area, kayaked hd a blast. After 2 days I headed backto Hanoi to go to Sapa which is far north.<br /><br /><br />I arrived back had a few hours to kill then my group headed to the train station for an overnight train to the Sapa. This place is sick! The have crazy looking locals and the hills are unreal.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRmfvmxC3I/AAAAAAAAAdo/sRe5sg2ZW0w/s1600-h/sapa+ladies.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRmfvmxC3I/AAAAAAAAAdo/sRe5sg2ZW0w/s320/sapa+ladies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369529351273515890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRmgBxd6wI/AAAAAAAAAdw/x-u5NQ6-P-c/s1600-h/sapa.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRmgBxd6wI/AAAAAAAAAdw/x-u5NQ6-P-c/s320/sapa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369529356150237954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We had to trek down a steep valley where we were doin a local home stay. The pictures speak for themseleves<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnFIwafyI/AAAAAAAAAd4/bU_uKZ3s6GI/s1600-h/sapa2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnFIwafyI/AAAAAAAAAd4/bU_uKZ3s6GI/s320/sapa2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369529993680027426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnFSDwFmI/AAAAAAAAAeA/vLYLuVwlkfY/s1600-h/sapa3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnFSDwFmI/AAAAAAAAAeA/vLYLuVwlkfY/s320/sapa3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369529996177053282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnGHwlrnI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/9q_U3eVHKoc/s1600-h/mesapa+ladies.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnGHwlrnI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/9q_U3eVHKoc/s320/mesapa+ladies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369530010592194162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnF6Ds2JI/AAAAAAAAAeI/I51XfGUHj7A/s1600-h/sapa4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnF6Ds2JI/AAAAAAAAAeI/I51XfGUHj7A/s320/sapa4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369530006914259090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We got to the homestay that night which was alot of fun. You stay with a local family and get a real culture experience. The next day we finished our trek and then headed back to Hanoi<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnqjYbxlI/AAAAAAAAAeg/ScZ-Z5XdJ84/s1600-h/guyssap2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnqjYbxlI/AAAAAAAAAeg/ScZ-Z5XdJ84/s320/guyssap2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369530636482365010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnqedviBI/AAAAAAAAAeY/vf9hnkVu8sY/s1600-h/guyssap.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRnqedviBI/AAAAAAAAAeY/vf9hnkVu8sY/s320/guyssap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369530635162454034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After another overnight train back to Hanoi I flew back to HCMC for 2 nights before Palau!<br /><br /><br />The next day I went to the cu chi tunnels which is where all the tunnels from the war are. I was very scured about going in them caause I dont like tight places but could not be more glad that I did. And for all those who want to see how long my hair is here ya go :o)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRovY9dYmI/AAAAAAAAAeo/rA8eckorxFc/s1600-h/cocuhi+tunnels.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRovY9dYmI/AAAAAAAAAeo/rA8eckorxFc/s320/cocuhi+tunnels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369531819095843426" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRowKYkT4I/AAAAAAAAAew/gQVYexK2pQk/s1600-h/tunnels+2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRowKYkT4I/AAAAAAAAAew/gQVYexK2pQk/s320/tunnels+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369531832362880898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I went back to HCMC hung out with Thuyha and some of her friends for the day, I loved Vietnam and want to come back for sure butnow its time for Guam and Palau!Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-48486376968172102562009-08-13T10:56:00.000-07:002009-08-13T12:32:13.096-07:00Guam and Palau!So the adventure to Palau started around 2 years ago. I had picked up a national geopragic and saw this island that was amazing!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRXNEohS5I/AAAAAAAAAaI/zQpbHXsdeRM/s1600-h/palau+map.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 182px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRXNEohS5I/AAAAAAAAAaI/zQpbHXsdeRM/s320/palau+map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369512537826085778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRXNjNQqmI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/kQpvmLkd6yw/s1600-h/70islands.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRXNjNQqmI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/kQpvmLkd6yw/s320/70islands.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369512546033248866" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />To my amazment I found out that place could be done CHEAP, I was sold. The only issue was how to get there. Palau is a big divers paradise and hence expensive as hell to get to but with my around the world ticket it all of a sudden became doable.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Guam</span><br /><br />I flew from Korea to Guam which is a US territory and have to say it felt great to be back in the US even for a day. I arrived late and figured whats the best way to see the island and save on a hotel, rent a car and sleep in it. So I picked up my fly ride and headed to the massive Kmart on the island and sleep the night away.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRYgPVFZ2I/AAAAAAAAAaY/visS4lVC2lQ/s1600-h/guamkmart.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRYgPVFZ2I/AAAAAAAAAaY/visS4lVC2lQ/s320/guamkmart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369513966626498402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I woke in the morning and drove around the whole island which was very cool to see. I stoked up on some food and basic things that I needed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRYgWO-QDI/AAAAAAAAAag/Ow6DOwGLFK0/s1600-h/guamwall.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRYgWO-QDI/AAAAAAAAAag/Ow6DOwGLFK0/s320/guamwall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369513968479911986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRp68zZU-I/AAAAAAAAAe4/ZXaBRIxyxGM/s1600-h/guammike.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRp68zZU-I/AAAAAAAAAe4/ZXaBRIxyxGM/s320/guammike.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369533117207499746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRp7YCm84I/AAAAAAAAAfA/ZHCt5sfYpyk/s1600-h/guammike2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRp7YCm84I/AAAAAAAAAfA/ZHCt5sfYpyk/s320/guammike2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369533124519064450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The thing I was most happy about was some dryer sheets, odd as it may sound they are GREAT if you are backpacking cause they keep your clothes smelling half way decent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRY5A5A3qI/AAAAAAAAAao/8_9ZNhn-kUg/s1600-h/bounce.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRY5A5A3qI/AAAAAAAAAao/8_9ZNhn-kUg/s320/bounce.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369514392247393954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I finished up my 24 hours in Guam then headed to the airport to see the place I had dremt about for years, i coudlnot be more excited!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Palau</span><br /><br /><br />I arrived a lil bit late and was met by the place I was staying, the Marine Club which was a bargain. Finding a cheap place in Palau was a challanege but I really lucked out. For $25 a night a got a ocean view room which had amazing staff and was a big step up from what I had been staying in, it had hot water!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbx2G056I/AAAAAAAAAbg/Podles7ZwaA/s1600-h/roomview.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbx2G056I/AAAAAAAAAbg/Podles7ZwaA/s320/roomview.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369517567628339106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The next day I headed over to the Kayaking dive shop I was gonna rent my gear from. I planned on kayaking between the different islands and camping on them. I got all set for the next day then headed back to chill and enjoy the island<br /><br />The first day I went with a tour to see the Milky way which is a famious mud place on the island, go swimming with sharks and do jelly fish lake. It was SICK! Here are some pictures from the day to help give you an idea just how amazing this place is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbBAY_9uI/AAAAAAAAAa4/mhP_R6AC-bU/s1600-h/from+boat+water.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbBAY_9uI/AAAAAAAAAa4/mhP_R6AC-bU/s320/from+boat+water.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369516728575325922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbAVdwCjI/AAAAAAAAAaw/qtVGHqxRDQw/s1600-h/milkyway.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbAVdwCjI/AAAAAAAAAaw/qtVGHqxRDQw/s320/milkyway.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369516717052529202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Swimming with Black tip sharks<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbxrbtYpI/AAAAAAAAAbY/WrPXbrRknYM/s1600-h/shark.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbxrbtYpI/AAAAAAAAAbY/WrPXbrRknYM/s320/shark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369517564763136658" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Jelly Fish lake<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbB8gZk3I/AAAAAAAAAbI/93F0XuNR9Oo/s1600-h/jellyfish+lake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 195px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbB8gZk3I/AAAAAAAAAbI/93F0XuNR9Oo/s320/jellyfish+lake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369516744712491890" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbCW9-QiI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/vq8uK-6tOBM/s1600-h/jelly+fish+me.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbCW9-QiI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/vq8uK-6tOBM/s320/jelly+fish+me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369516751815852578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbBkKigMI/AAAAAAAAAbA/25HFOYnYhs8/s1600-h/jelly+big.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRbBkKigMI/AAAAAAAAAbA/25HFOYnYhs8/s320/jelly+big.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369516738178351298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />After a great day I was dropped off at the beach that I planned on camping at that night. I met some super nice Palau Americans who were very generious with food and over all super nice people. They departed the island and I set up camp for the night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRctgnAbsI/AAAAAAAAAbo/7V7rmffusvM/s1600-h/camp1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRctgnAbsI/AAAAAAAAAbo/7V7rmffusvM/s320/camp1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369518592649883330" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The next day my kayak was dropped off and I went on a day tour with TJ and Todd. Tj was a local guide who was great and todd an american livingin guam for work. We snorkled and went around different rock islands for the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRdPQAeClI/AAAAAAAAAbw/CeHVWzd4vp4/s1600-h/toad+kayack.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRdPQAeClI/AAAAAAAAAbw/CeHVWzd4vp4/s320/toad+kayack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369519172308830802" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />That night i camped on a different island, opened coconuts by hand and had a great night. The one thing ill never forget was the massive amounts of hermit crabs on theisland. The next day I was headed back to main land.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRdpSTBkDI/AAAAAAAAAb4/gQ68EgHmPkU/s1600-h/beach+kayack.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRdpSTBkDI/AAAAAAAAAb4/gQ68EgHmPkU/s320/beach+kayack.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369519619600126002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRdp-L9alI/AAAAAAAAAcA/H3Xjr2OnVqY/s1600-h/beach1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoRdp-L9alI/AAAAAAAAAcA/H3Xjr2OnVqY/s320/beach1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369519631381654098" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Once I arrived back I hung out at the Marine club, did laundry which was a BIG deal for me to not have to use a sink in a hostel, read and hung out.<br /><br />Palau was unreal and now Im headed to Japan! :o)Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-40183935948992045482009-08-11T14:41:00.000-07:002009-08-11T14:51:27.539-07:00South KoreaSo ive been WAY behind in the blog front so time for some catch up! :o)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">South Korea</span><br /><br />I flew out of Mongolia for a short week in South Korea. I arrived and was VERY sick still from whatever I had picked up along the way. I got in early and found a hostel downtown which was central to everything. I went to explore the markets but didnt make it far before I headed to the Hospital. They think I have a parasite of some sort so I took some meds and went on my way.<br /><br /><br />The next day I was feeling MUCH better thankfully. I have met some great people at the hostal and one was Dave from LA. We headed downstairs and took a bus to the DMZ which is the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea. It was pretty cool. You arrive and see the area which is covered in barb wire and fences. The North Koreas tried to dig into South korea to attack it so you got to go down these amazing tunnels they built.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmkau7AJI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJHsriNW1Jk/s1600-h/tunnel.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmkau7AJI/AAAAAAAAAZo/yJHsriNW1Jk/s320/tunnel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368825744128147602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After that we saw the guarded boarded and a lot of history to the area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmaC6PzDI/AAAAAAAAAZY/g517eHvYHJU/s1600-h/guards+real.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmaC6PzDI/AAAAAAAAAZY/g517eHvYHJU/s320/guards+real.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368825565934505010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmZxwva6I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/P0EKd8ymS90/s1600-h/guardfake.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmZxwva6I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/P0EKd8ymS90/s320/guardfake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368825561331231650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmkrdSbfI/AAAAAAAAAZw/q-fgdijXwOA/s1600-h/wall+stuff.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmkrdSbfI/AAAAAAAAAZw/q-fgdijXwOA/s320/wall+stuff.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368825748617588210" border="0" /></a><br />We got back to Seoul and spent the day with some flight attendants we had met bumming around the city, going to tea houses, eating street food, was a cool day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHnYfrAhtI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/rpGkofvdRdM/s1600-h/dave1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHnYfrAhtI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/rpGkofvdRdM/s320/dave1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368826638807107282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHnYkZFWnI/AAAAAAAAAaA/9aBTz0X-zbk/s1600-h/dave2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHnYkZFWnI/AAAAAAAAAaA/9aBTz0X-zbk/s320/dave2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368826640074103410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The next morning Dave and I went out for some grub and came back and meet our new travel buddies form the US Blake and Alan were chefs from the states. We hung out all day then went and god some swish swish or something like that for dinner.<br /><br />The night proceeded to end in going out to a Korean club which was a blast!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmaigzYtI/AAAAAAAAAZg/04QUw1Ybgok/s1600-h/lights.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmaigzYtI/AAAAAAAAAZg/04QUw1Ybgok/s320/lights.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368825574417720018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next day I spent getting lost in the city and then headed to the airport to head to Vietnam!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmZgaeABI/AAAAAAAAAZI/1_2uGR5awe8/s1600-h/daysigns.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmZgaeABI/AAAAAAAAAZI/1_2uGR5awe8/s320/daysigns.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368825556674412562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmZHTpnTI/AAAAAAAAAZA/sDPAfHn-bq0/s1600-h/building.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SoHmZHTpnTI/AAAAAAAAAZA/sDPAfHn-bq0/s320/building.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368825549934927154" border="0" /></a>Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-9475268831982539632009-07-07T04:17:00.000-07:002009-07-09T17:52:44.369-07:00Building homes in MongoliaAfter good ol' India Mongolia was a welcoming change. I flew in late and met one of my other Habitat for Humanity team members and we headed back to the Hostel. There was a group of us who had arrived a day early so we decided to go explore Mongolia on our own a bit.<br /><br /><br />It was very fun. We headed out to see Turtle rock where Ghangas Chan had been and saw eagles, horse and the sprawling hills. It was amazing.<br /><br />The next day the rest of our team arrived and we headed 3 hours outside of the main city to the town we were gonna build in. I got pretty sick here and ended up in the hospital after a few days. It was something, either Malaria or an ameba. Long story but I got better at least for now.<br /><br />Instead of recapping the whole trip I'm gonna use pictures to show the progress we made helping build THREE home for deserving families in Need. Its not a hand out but a hand up. Its a great program.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN1YufWfI/AAAAAAAAAYY/D-gFHPRItew/s1600-h/mon1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN1YufWfI/AAAAAAAAAYY/D-gFHPRItew/s320/mon1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356624755113810418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMw0lA1slI/AAAAAAAAAWw/cUGqDK2Hp2M/s1600-h/4773_98580056541_710246541_2523525_6702769_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMw0lA1slI/AAAAAAAAAWw/cUGqDK2Hp2M/s320/4773_98580056541_710246541_2523525_6702769_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355678061720613458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMwz3YLeBI/AAAAAAAAAWY/BWVKBTs_h7Y/s1600-h/4773_98580001541_710246541_2523521_2990869_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMwz3YLeBI/AAAAAAAAAWY/BWVKBTs_h7Y/s320/4773_98580001541_710246541_2523521_2990869_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355678049470478354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMwz2yRutI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/PyP-NhfkI_M/s1600-h/4773_98579981541_710246541_2523520_1501007_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMwz2yRutI/AAAAAAAAAWQ/PyP-NhfkI_M/s320/4773_98579981541_710246541_2523520_1501007_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355678049311505106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMw0d-HaGI/AAAAAAAAAWo/wRqvrShOxJk/s1600-h/4773_98580041541_710246541_2523523_5400219_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMw0d-HaGI/AAAAAAAAAWo/wRqvrShOxJk/s320/4773_98580041541_710246541_2523523_5400219_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355678059830143074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN1o5Zi1I/AAAAAAAAAYg/uIg5uX-W3nI/s1600-h/MON2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN1o5Zi1I/AAAAAAAAAYg/uIg5uX-W3nI/s320/MON2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356624759454534482" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyV0kyDXI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/CAgIWd-eSLM/s1600-h/5007_1172966677156_1017703267_561633_7668285_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyV0kyDXI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/CAgIWd-eSLM/s320/5007_1172966677156_1017703267_561633_7668285_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355679732345212274" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN2d_saVI/AAAAAAAAAYw/me3OBFsNJTU/s1600-h/MON4.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN2d_saVI/AAAAAAAAAYw/me3OBFsNJTU/s320/MON4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356624773708015954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After we finished the build we went on a little R and R to live in Gers<br /><br /><br /><br />Ride horse<br /><br /><br />and just chill. It was very much so needed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN2vKRMpI/AAAAAAAAAY4/Ifen1Qmg3d0/s1600-h/MON5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN2vKRMpI/AAAAAAAAAY4/Ifen1Qmg3d0/s320/MON5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356624778315772562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMxR-1k6RI/AAAAAAAAAXA/Rd4-M0KsuaE/s1600-h/4773_98580241541_710246541_2523545_1249726_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMxR-1k6RI/AAAAAAAAAXA/Rd4-M0KsuaE/s320/4773_98580241541_710246541_2523545_1249726_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355678566868904210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMxSBqFRkI/AAAAAAAAAXI/HVUlymlmFU8/s1600-h/4773_98580436541_710246541_2523576_3609921_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMxSBqFRkI/AAAAAAAAAXI/HVUlymlmFU8/s320/4773_98580436541_710246541_2523576_3609921_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355678567625999938" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN2LLP6UI/AAAAAAAAAYo/g7sJNd5Y62s/s1600-h/MON3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlaN2LLP6UI/AAAAAAAAAYo/g7sJNd5Y62s/s320/MON3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356624768656206146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyVTkLr2I/AAAAAAAAAYI/ReY4RNaDdCo/s1600-h/4773_98582576541_710246541_2523834_8155880_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyVTkLr2I/AAAAAAAAAYI/ReY4RNaDdCo/s320/4773_98582576541_710246541_2523834_8155880_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355679723484327778" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyGhfPdeI/AAAAAAAAAYA/0vmVZi9ANkQ/s1600-h/4773_98582511541_710246541_2523827_7079695_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyGhfPdeI/AAAAAAAAAYA/0vmVZi9ANkQ/s320/4773_98582511541_710246541_2523827_7079695_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355679469523662306" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyEl2gdoI/AAAAAAAAAXo/1u7moj92nH8/s1600-h/4773_98581196541_710246541_2523706_3125764_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyEl2gdoI/AAAAAAAAAXo/1u7moj92nH8/s320/4773_98581196541_710246541_2523706_3125764_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355679436335249026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyDcwx8MI/AAAAAAAAAXg/WyBIzmfUPPw/s1600-h/4773_98580716541_710246541_2523626_1842495_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyDcwx8MI/AAAAAAAAAXg/WyBIzmfUPPw/s320/4773_98580716541_710246541_2523626_1842495_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355679416715440322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMxSaW2cyI/AAAAAAAAAXY/0U_H_o6NpCo/s1600-h/4773_98580486541_710246541_2523586_661674_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMxSaW2cyI/AAAAAAAAAXY/0U_H_o6NpCo/s320/4773_98580486541_710246541_2523586_661674_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355678574256223010" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMxSYWh0fI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/PEXzFUkzuL8/s1600-h/4773_98580666541_710246541_2523616_2493124_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMxSYWh0fI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/PEXzFUkzuL8/s320/4773_98580666541_710246541_2523616_2493124_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355678573718000114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyGKuE6DI/AAAAAAAAAX4/3d7Yr5QXyD4/s1600-h/4773_98582151541_710246541_2523796_8225249_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyGKuE6DI/AAAAAAAAAX4/3d7Yr5QXyD4/s320/4773_98582151541_710246541_2523796_8225249_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355679463411869746" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyFb1DzMI/AAAAAAAAAXw/n4qlSApIPc8/s1600-h/4773_98582056541_710246541_2523788_99032_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SlMyFb1DzMI/AAAAAAAAAXw/n4qlSApIPc8/s320/4773_98582056541_710246541_2523788_99032_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355679450824690882" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Mongolia and the people are amazing! Im off to explore S. Korea and Vietnam now, let the adventure continue :o)Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-63356248607490944752009-06-19T02:50:00.001-07:002009-06-21T04:31:39.207-07:00India and Nepal<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><strong>India </strong></div></div><div> </div><div><div><br /></div><div><strong><br />Mumbai</strong><br /><br />AI arrived into Mumbai at 4 am and had NO CLUE where I was gonna stay. So I jumped into a cab and headed to the Salvation Army downtown. I heard they had dorms that you could stay in for cheap. I arrived around 5am and got a bed for a few hours. The one thing I thought was so strange was how driving in everyone is sleeping on top of there cars or just on the street.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4Rqexv4wI/AAAAAAAAAVg/7BrkxL6Pk_8/s1600-h/2963927538_099d37fb24[1].JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349732828876628738" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4Rqexv4wI/AAAAAAAAAVg/7BrkxL6Pk_8/s320/2963927538_099d37fb24%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4VS_-CqKI/AAAAAAAAAV4/c51BuEE6XU4/s1600-h/blind.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349736823516211362" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4VS_-CqKI/AAAAAAAAAV4/c51BuEE6XU4/s320/blind.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br />I woke up around 8:30 grabbed some grub then headed to see the gate of India and take a boat to elephant Island. </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4MHFJm2GI/AAAAAAAAAVI/6kzyyWUAS00/s1600-h/mumbai_the_gate_way_of_india.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349726723143817314" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4MHFJm2GI/AAAAAAAAAVI/6kzyyWUAS00/s320/mumbai_the_gate_way_of_india.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4MG8WB0-I/AAAAAAAAAVA/qjFQdDcspV4/s1600-h/elephant+island.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349726720779998178" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4MG8WB0-I/AAAAAAAAAVA/qjFQdDcspV4/s320/elephant+island.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />Both were cool but India got condensed because of the Visa issues in Uganda so I didn't have much time. I went back grabbed my pack and jumped on a 20 hour overnight train to Agra to See the Taj!<br /><br /><strong>Agra</strong><br /><br />Agra is a cool condensed town that's really main sign in the Taj. I took a moto rickshaw to the east gate and walked till I found a place I heard was good. Took a nice shower and went out to dinner and to see the Taj at sunset. I ended up eating at a great place, met some cool people. Also go to see for the first time kids flying Kites like in the kite runner. They were EVERYWHERE at sunset. It was pretty cool. </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SjzFCL1Ij7I/AAAAAAAAAUo/moIWXq2hcA0/s1600-h/kites.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349367098735366066" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SjzFCL1Ij7I/AAAAAAAAAUo/moIWXq2hcA0/s320/kites.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I woke up before sunrise and headed to the East gate to see the Taj at sunrise. Definitely worth the lack of sleep. Its very impressive and massive. </div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy9eZTNoVI/AAAAAAAAAUg/sjkwZke6vNk/s1600-h/TAJ.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349358787294503250" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy9eZTNoVI/AAAAAAAAAUg/sjkwZke6vNk/s320/TAJ.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After that I left and met up with some Americans I had met the night before and we went out to get some food and book our train tickets. I was off to the holy city of Varanasi.<br /><br />I took a 5 hr bus and became friends with a sikh high priest. By the end he was calling me his grandson, was pretty cool.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4ZTCcWGYI/AAAAAAAAAWI/bYassVvHpQU/s1600-h/Gurbax%20Singh.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349741222226696578" style="WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4ZTCcWGYI/AAAAAAAAAWI/bYassVvHpQU/s320/Gurbax%2520Singh.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br />I got to the train and ran across the tracks to barley make my train. It was a 15 hour overnight train that long story short I got a ton of my stuff stolen on. Lesson learned and to others, watch your stuff on Indian trains!<br /><br /><strong>Varanasi</strong><br /><br />Varanasi is a crazy place. Its where the Ganges river is which is one of the holiest rivers in India. Its is where bodies are burned and or floated down the river. It is very all the sewage from the city is dumped and also were all the locals bath. They also drink the water. Its pretty crazy.<br /><br />I find my hostel and grab a room. Its a backpackers place so I meet a lot of cool people. </div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4ROR8NEgI/AAAAAAAAAVY/Ra_XMx4S7Es/s1600-h/gandhi_graffiti-300x219.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349732344394486274" style="WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 219px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4ROR8NEgI/AAAAAAAAAVY/Ra_XMx4S7Es/s320/gandhi_graffiti-300x219.jpg" border="0" /></a>I</div><div><br /> </div><div>got to talk to my mom finally on Skype and she got to see how long my hair and beard have gotten :o)<br /><br /></div><div><br />I also got to talk to one of my best best friends Karen which was great.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4W0oDUZyI/AAAAAAAAAWA/OWCE9BSMkTE/s1600-h/karen.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349738500723074850" style="WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4W0oDUZyI/AAAAAAAAAWA/OWCE9BSMkTE/s320/karen.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br />We then took a sunset boat out and saw some of the ceremonies. Bodies are burned 24 hours a day here. Its a crazy site. Better if you see from the pictures.<br /><br /><br />The people who are burned are only those that die or old age. Anyone else is floated or sunk. When they are sunk the bodies sometimes get stuck on the sides. When that happens to the populated sides they are put back in the water. When it happens on the other side they are just left for the animals. We took the boat to that side and saw some nutty things. Skulls and bones scattered along the beach with kids playing. A dog eating a human body that was a few days old. It was intense.<br /><br />We got back in the boat then went to watch the nigh time closing ceremonies that happen every night , 365 days a year.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SjzFCh8jdpI/AAAAAAAAAU4/6NDBsrwuxZE/s1600-h/var+night.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349367104672069266" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SjzFCh8jdpI/AAAAAAAAAU4/6NDBsrwuxZE/s320/var+night.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SjthZzek2QI/AAAAAAAAATQ/QYVawfEL1Sw/s1600-h/var+fire+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348976078375672066" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SjthZzek2QI/AAAAAAAAATQ/QYVawfEL1Sw/s320/var+fire+2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjtf84IjhHI/AAAAAAAAATI/zVU5YoVS3KU/s1600-h/var+fire+dance.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348974481897653362" style="WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjtf84IjhHI/AAAAAAAAATI/zVU5YoVS3KU/s320/var+fire+dance.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We headed back after the ceremonies and hung out. Tomorrow I am attempting to cross into Nepal!<br /><br /><br /><strong>India to Nepal</strong><br /><br /><br />Get up and get ready for one of the things I am MOST excited about, seeing if I can make it to Nepal. I start off on a train which is around 8 or so hours which gets me to a town that I have to take a bus from to the India Nepal boarder which is around 3 to 4 hours. The rides isn't bad except I arrive at the boarder at 1am. I walk to the boarder and have to wake up the immigration officer who was not happy. I walked across to the Nepal side and see the Army everywhere. There is a lot of issues going on in Nepal at the moment. I wake up the immigrant people and get my Visa and stamped in.<br /><br />Its now around 1:30 am so I walked up to the army guys and started chatting with them. All SO nice. They tell me a bus doesn't leave for Kathmandu till 4 am. I end up chilling with them and sleeping in the Nepal army Barracks till 4 am, was awesome!<br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy9eGe25SI/AAAAAAAAAUY/nDduP8e5fVQ/s1600-h/nepal+bparder.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349358782243071266" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy9eGe25SI/AAAAAAAAAUY/nDduP8e5fVQ/s320/nepal+bparder.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Nepal continued.....</strong></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div>The ride was unreal. The landscape is so different from India. India was flat and Nepal has mountains reaching to the sky covered in green with deep valleys dotted with Temples. The people are so nice. Its an a surreal place. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SjzFCYXHDBI/AAAAAAAAAUw/pFCy0Pe-_m4/s1600-h/nepalscen.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349367102099098642" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SjzFCYXHDBI/AAAAAAAAAUw/pFCy0Pe-_m4/s320/nepalscen.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br />I get into Kathmandu and find my bed for the night. Kathmandu is marked by busy and narrow streets much like Zanzibar but with Rickshaws and motorbikes all over the place. I headed to the "Monkey Temple". The place in massive and there are monkeys of course all over the place and prayer flags. Seeing it at sunset was pretty cool.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4UgOCLA2I/AAAAAAAAAVo/LnBNndvfAbE/s1600-h/nepal.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349735951118304098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4UgOCLA2I/AAAAAAAAAVo/LnBNndvfAbE/s320/nepal.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4VSqIibkI/AAAAAAAAAVw/q2YS9gXJhQw/s1600-h/monkey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349736817654656578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4VSqIibkI/AAAAAAAAAVw/q2YS9gXJhQw/s320/monkey.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br />I ended up meeting Justin from Canada after that and we paled around that night. We grabbed some food and then meet these awesome 20 something locals and went to a club that played live music. It was so much fun.<br /><br /><br />The next day we headed to Pashupatinath to see a famous temple that also did the body cremations and see some spiritual leaders called baba's. Very trippy! </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjthl-jufuI/AAAAAAAAATY/V4PvJf2otwI/s1600-h/pashupatinath-cremation09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348976287508496098" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjthl-jufuI/AAAAAAAAATY/V4PvJf2otwI/s320/pashupatinath-cremation09.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjtj3OR_bTI/AAAAAAAAATw/418i_ymtqko/s1600-h/nepal+burn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348978782810107186" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjtj3OR_bTI/AAAAAAAAATw/418i_ymtqko/s320/nepal+burn.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjtf8xWzs1I/AAAAAAAAATA/vaQfLUHoKos/s1600-h/baba.jpg"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjtf8xWzs1I/AAAAAAAAATA/vaQfLUHoKos/s1600-h/baba.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348974480078386002" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjtf8xWzs1I/AAAAAAAAATA/vaQfLUHoKos/s320/baba.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Justin and I said our good byes as I headed back to Mumbai. I had to fly back to Mumbai because of the time crunch. The plane flys out as I get to see Everest peeking through the clouds.</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4PdmBF9eI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/n38BhsxKICY/s1600-h/everst.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349730408458483170" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sj4PdmBF9eI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/n38BhsxKICY/s320/everst.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>I make a quick overnight stop in Delhi which was fun the Mumbai to Mongolia. Its been a crazy trip so far! I am off to Mongolia to build homes with Habitat for Humanity for the rest of the Month which I am really looking forward to :o) </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-19858648775731357902009-06-19T02:39:00.000-07:002009-06-20T03:35:29.727-07:00Kenya<div><br /><div><div><div><strong>Kenya<br /></strong><br /><br /><br />After Uganda I caught a 14 hour bus to Nairobi which is the Capital of Kenya. The ride was long but good. I got off the bus and walked to the Africa Hotel which was defiantly in the rougher part but for a few bucks a night I couldn't complain. It had hot water and I felt safe. I woke up early and headed to Karen. I took a local bus and a few mini buses later I arrived at the Sheldrake elephant and rhino orphanage.<br /><br /><br />This place was awesome. The have elephants who have lost there parents due to accidents in the wild or hunting. They work to rehab them so they can be brought back into the wild.<br /></div><div> </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4pldH6UI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/04jbF5lVbiw/s1600-h/sheldrakes+ele.jpg"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4pldH6UI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/04jbF5lVbiw/s1600-h/sheldrakes+ele.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4pldH6UI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/04jbF5lVbiw/s1600-h/sheldrakes+ele.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349353481977719106" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4pldH6UI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/04jbF5lVbiw/s320/sheldrakes+ele.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><div><br />They do the same for Rhinos. They brought one out and we go to pet in and see them up close. Very cool. </div><div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4paMPCQI/AAAAAAAAAUI/0suDJnG3H10/s1600-h/rhino.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349353478954092802" style="WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4paMPCQI/AAAAAAAAAUI/0suDJnG3H10/s320/rhino.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />From there I met a guy on the bus and we walked over to the giraffe park. This place was also awesome! Got to feed giraffes , pet them. Lot of fun.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4o6r23TI/AAAAAAAAAT4/K-pQ_uKw4Ww/s1600-h/gir+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349353470496791858" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4o6r23TI/AAAAAAAAAT4/K-pQ_uKw4Ww/s320/gir+1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4pKNS1NI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HE869jDeASs/s1600-h/kenya_giraffe_center.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349353474663568594" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 204px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sjy4pKNS1NI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HE869jDeASs/s320/kenya_giraffe_center.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>I headed back to town and explored from there. I was read to bid Africa goodbye for now and head to India.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-30644400501425925892009-06-01T08:25:00.000-07:002009-06-04T02:53:35.157-07:00Uganda!We arrive in Kampla which is the capital and main city of Uganda. The<br />traffic is supposed to be insane and it is. Its like nothing I have<br />seen in Africa yet, picture NYC in rush hour without traffic lights.<br />CRAZY!<br /><br />We became friends with Stephen, a 19 year old crazy Canadian who has<br />done a ton of travel. We all jump in a cab and head to the Red Chilli.<br />It’s a hippie backpackers place and grab dorms for a few bucks and<br />just chill after a long travel day<br /><br />Day 2<br /><br />I wake up and head to the India Embassy to get my visa with Sarah. We<br />grab some mot bikes and head off.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0s6Cn75I/AAAAAAAAAPo/9Ag3XlR1p_k/s1600-h/IMG_2995.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0s6Cn75I/AAAAAAAAAPo/9Ag3XlR1p_k/s320/IMG_2995.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342382635323223954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Looks like I’ll be chillin in Uganda for a bit cause I have to wait a week which is A O K with me.<br />I’m stoaked to see Uganda. We head back to the chilli, grab some food. While we were gone the group heard about this island in the sessi island in lake Victoria called Banda island. You have to take a small local boat 3 hours so we jump in a cab and head to some island we hope is there, ADVENTURE TIME!<br /><br />We arrive after an hour drive and find ourselves being lifted up my men on there shoulders and put into the boat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7ULJ8PEI/AAAAAAAAAR4/rS8Ml-g_fl0/s1600-h/IMG_3070.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7ULJ8PEI/AAAAAAAAAR4/rS8Ml-g_fl0/s320/IMG_3070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342389907001982018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The water is extremely polluted so they carry you for about 40 cents.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0tX9ha_I/AAAAAAAAAP4/IG1eQXpYHvg/s1600-h/IMG_2999.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0tX9ha_I/AAAAAAAAAP4/IG1eQXpYHvg/s320/IMG_2999.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342382643354889202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0tPfUX8I/AAAAAAAAAPw/iKrymDWTBdk/s1600-h/IMG_2998.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0tPfUX8I/AAAAAAAAAPw/iKrymDWTBdk/s320/IMG_2998.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342382641080721346" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0tq7xXqI/AAAAAAAAAQA/VvwJEVhHPu0/s1600-h/IMG_3001.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0tq7xXqI/AAAAAAAAAQA/VvwJEVhHPu0/s320/IMG_3001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342382648447819426" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Off we go as day turns to night and the sunsets over lake Victoria.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0tslkz4I/AAAAAAAAAQI/YRWGX-n1Oqs/s1600-h/IMG_3009.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP0tslkz4I/AAAAAAAAAQI/YRWGX-n1Oqs/s320/IMG_3009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342382648891592578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As we arrive all we see is a massive fire on the beach and lanterns. This is nuts! We get off the boat with a home made lantern and are led to the dorms. The island is like lost.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-dS8oXI/AAAAAAAAARA/G9s7gZVyeDI/s1600-h/IMG_3043.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-dS8oXI/AAAAAAAAARA/G9s7gZVyeDI/s320/IMG_3043.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342387334891217266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We put our stuff down and are led to the “Castle”. It’s a crazy home made church like building. We have food waiting and drinks. This place is awesome.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-HGlhZI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/mJGgWNnARfc/s1600-h/IMG_3041.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-HGlhZI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/mJGgWNnARfc/s320/IMG_3041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342387328933791122" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The castle has electric but not our dorms so we are led back and hit the hay. I cant<br />wait to see what this place looks like in the light.<br /><br /><br /><br />I wake up and feel like a kid on Xmas. I peek out and see this crazy place we heard about the day before and now are in. Random massive abandoned boats, homemade buildings, randoms dogs roaming, hammocks, this is what its about. We go get breakfast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP2vIU1Y6I/AAAAAAAAAQY/NCrkPMI1zUo/s1600-h/IMG_3029.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP2vIU1Y6I/AAAAAAAAAQY/NCrkPMI1zUo/s320/IMG_3029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342384872540693410" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP2vMzASZI/AAAAAAAAAQg/aoaXbuw6gf0/s1600-h/IMG_3030.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP2vMzASZI/AAAAAAAAAQg/aoaXbuw6gf0/s320/IMG_3030.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342384873740978578" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP2uyNqPfI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/f4hrZ_xmAb8/s1600-h/IMG_3016.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP2uyNqPfI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/f4hrZ_xmAb8/s320/IMG_3016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342384866605022706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-s4gujI/AAAAAAAAARQ/P96Ep9TkC-0/s1600-h/IMG_3049.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-s4gujI/AAAAAAAAARQ/P96Ep9TkC-0/s320/IMG_3049.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342387339075303986" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-lVdPAI/AAAAAAAAARI/Ov23PD7XqR8/s1600-h/IMG_3047.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-lVdPAI/AAAAAAAAARI/Ov23PD7XqR8/s320/IMG_3047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342387337049226242" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-9dkEuI/AAAAAAAAARY/fze4GcSpA7Q/s1600-h/IMG_3050.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP4-9dkEuI/AAAAAAAAARY/fze4GcSpA7Q/s320/IMG_3050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342387343525679842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7T3RA_YI/AAAAAAAAARo/vjUXg6iZWqA/s1600-h/IMG_3060.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7T3RA_YI/AAAAAAAAARo/vjUXg6iZWqA/s320/IMG_3060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342389901662944642" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We spent the next few days kayaking around the island, relaxing, laughing by the fire at night and just chillin in the hammocks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP2vlzASoI/AAAAAAAAAQw/vXRavCGpiL4/s1600-h/IMG_3035.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP2vlzASoI/AAAAAAAAAQw/vXRavCGpiL4/s320/IMG_3035.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342384880451865218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7TdMetNI/AAAAAAAAARg/zOMGL9d7gZQ/s1600-h/IMG_3059.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7TdMetNI/AAAAAAAAARg/zOMGL9d7gZQ/s320/IMG_3059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342389894664598738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The last night there we met Anthony, Tim aka Jesus and Tom who came<br />just for the night. We all hung out came back to the main land together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7T--ajMI/AAAAAAAAARw/Psi7SqK-HIg/s1600-h/IMG_3063.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7T--ajMI/AAAAAAAAARw/Psi7SqK-HIg/s320/IMG_3063.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342389903732411586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We arrive back on a Friday night and all wanted to go out for a night<br />on Kampala and boy did we. We went to a random local club, I had a few<br />dance offs with locals, everyone did there thing and we left around 4<br />am. Its was a solid night.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7UaDGtqI/AAAAAAAAASA/Ppz2di-d5Xs/s1600-h/IMG_3075.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP7UaDGtqI/AAAAAAAAASA/Ppz2di-d5Xs/s320/IMG_3075.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342389910999840418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP8U7d2gnI/AAAAAAAAASI/xslDdycfH6E/s1600-h/IMG_3077.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiP8U7d2gnI/AAAAAAAAASI/xslDdycfH6E/s320/IMG_3077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342391019482022514" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We sleep in, grab some grub then head down to explore the markets and<br />Kampla. Its super busy but fun to see. The markets are PACKED! We<br />walk, buy some stuff then head back after the sky opens up. I’m some<br />how convinced to head to Jinja to go Raft class 5 rapids in the Nile<br />river in the morning, EPP!<br /><br /><br />We get picked up and head to Jinja, A town alogn the Nile river where<br />all the rafting places are. Pulling up you hear the rapids. Its<br />Antony, Tim aka Jesus, Sarah, Alexa and myself. We get the talk, put<br />on our gear and off we go.<br /><br />My Dad and just sent me a NYT article all about the Nile and how crazy<br />the rapids are, the article was correct.<br /><br />This is a picture of the “Bad place” a class 5 ½. The river has class<br />6, yes they do exist.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SieZgV39ZRI/AAAAAAAAASQ/jgwyhKp2VM4/s1600-h/P11009502.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SieZgV39ZRI/AAAAAAAAASQ/jgwyhKp2VM4/s320/P11009502.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343408263805101330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After rafting, flipping, rafting, flipping and some more rafting we<br />came back, showered and had some dinner. Our rooms over looked the<br />nile, not bad for $8. We chilled and had dinner. I could not be<br />happier I am in Uganda now. I had to cut India short but have had a<br />blast and met some really awesome people.<br /><br />I say goodbye to my travel buddies of the last two weeks and head back<br />to Kampala with Tim. I luck out and get my Visa a day early so now its<br />off to Kenya then India :o)Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-528278675445899592009-05-30T01:44:00.000-07:002009-06-04T03:00:16.489-07:00Rwanda, DR Congo and now UgandaWOW what a crazy week its been!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1- Kigali, Rwanda</span><br /><br />I arrive at the airport by the skin of my teeth because if a massive<br />police check point from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro airport. I clear<br />customs, meet an awesome group from UNC going to Rwanda to study<br />genocide and off I go!<br /><br />You arrive over lush rolling volcanic hills, its अमज़िंग.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2CgSum2I/AAAAAAAAALo/jZ9qNf_QSGM/s1600-h/IMG_2688.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2CgSum2I/AAAAAAAAALo/jZ9qNf_QSGM/s320/IMG_2688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341539680950066018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I get to थे airport and no clue where I am staying so I grab my gear and take bus to the center of Kigali for ten cents. I get off and take a motorbike taxi to with my pack and all my gear to hotel Des मिल्ल्सCollines which is what the movie Hotel Rwanda is based on.<br /><br />I decided to stay at hotel Gloria which the guide book says is cheap<br />and good. Two things that are important to me. I arrive and walk<br />through what seem like an abandoned hotel. I unpack in my room with no<br />running water pull out my hostel sheets cause my mattress smells reeks<br />of Urine. Reminds me of Tom Hanks hotel in Big.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2C2mOC0I/AAAAAAAAALw/Jz8RxPj2Cy4/s1600-h/IMG_2689.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2C2mOC0I/AAAAAAAAALw/Jz8RxPj2Cy4/s320/IMG_2689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341539686937398082" border="0" /></a><br />walk out and grab another moto bike and head to the<br />genocide memorial.<br /><br />The memorial is insane. When you see what really happened its hard to<br />comprehend how over a million people died in 100 days। I spend a few<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2DPOummI/AAAAAAAAAL4/_mbE_g8SffA/s1600-h/IMG_2710.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2DPOummI/AAAAAAAAAL4/_mbE_g8SffA/s320/IMG_2710.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341539693549754978" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2DU05juI/AAAAAAAAAMA/M-1Jach9-Eo/s1600-h/IMG_2715.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2DU05juI/AAAAAAAAAMA/M-1Jach9-Eo/s320/IMG_2715.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341539695052033762" border="0" /></a><br /><br />hours there they grab a bike back to the “hotel” grab some grub and<br />call it an early night so I can get going early tomorrow.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2- Kigali</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">to Ruhengeri</span><br /><br />I wake up early and make my way to the tourist office where you pay<br />and book your trek to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the north<br />near the Congo. Turns out hey only accept local Rwandan Visa’s or<br />cash. Here the thing, Rwanda does not have ONE international ATM. No<br />joke! You can only do cash advances. So my lovely mom comes to the<br />rescue and wires me money via Western Union where I meet my travel<br />buddy, Alexa!<br /><br />Alexa is awesome, South African girl who just got to Rwanda as well<br />and is looking for cash. I share what I have learned over the last 3<br />hours looking for it and we start talking about Tanzania where I just<br />came and she is going and next thing you know we are on a bus together<br />north to Ruhengeri. Funny how you meet people :o)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2DsJRltI/AAAAAAAAAMI/ofjy9HrLL5M/s1600-h/IMG_2720.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiD2DsJRltI/AAAAAAAAAMI/ofjy9HrLL5M/s320/IMG_2720.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5341539701311510226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The town exists soley to see the Gorilla’s it seems. Its is that of an<br />abandoned upstate NY town that you wonder how or why anyone would live<br />there. We eat and have dinner with a local we met named Stella then<br />head to bed early since we have to be up at 5:45 am<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 3 – Moto bikes, Ted Turner and Gorillas!</span><br /><br />We wake up and walk in the rain to the bus station where we grab moto<br />bikes to take up to the park office. It’s a fun 20 min ride in the<br />morning rain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPl5jZsJqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/KWGGOplvWFQ/s1600-h/IMG_2721.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPl5jZsJqI/AAAAAAAAAM4/KWGGOplvWFQ/s320/IMG_2721.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342366359909836450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We arrive have some tea and hang out. Alexa came and was<br />gonna try and hike but t he weather was to bad so we chatted with<br />people as we waited to go.<br /><br />I started chatting with Mr Ted Turner who started and owns CNN. He was<br />very cool and nice. Asked what we were doing, asked him the same. We<br />talked for like 10 min or so then went with our groups.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPmtIeHm9I/AAAAAAAAANA/OjhQ8ch2VdQ/s1600-h/IMG_2722.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPmtIeHm9I/AAAAAAAAANA/OjhQ8ch2VdQ/s320/IMG_2722.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342367246033853394" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I hitched aride to the base of the trek with two very nice girls which saved me<br />$100 so I was stoked. I was going to see the Sabynyo Group which has<br />the LARGEST silver back on the entire mountain!<br /><br />We trek through the mud and rain for a few hours. The gorillas move<br />every day so they can be close or far.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPoqMOAKdI/AAAAAAAAANI/XvxJptV2P_w/s1600-h/IMG_2724.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPoqMOAKdI/AAAAAAAAANI/XvxJptV2P_w/s320/IMG_2724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342369394523646418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We talk up on them circle infront and WOW! The are massive and we are within a few feet of them.They are eating and playing. They walk towards us as we move and make<br />way. We trek a bit more and follow them to a clearing where we get to<br />see something that was truly amazing:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPoqM_KxEI/AAAAAAAAANQ/sqRPKF2Wcr4/s1600-h/IMG_2750.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPoqM_KxEI/AAAAAAAAANQ/sqRPKF2Wcr4/s320/IMG_2750.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342369394729862210" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs5qesAcI/AAAAAAAAAOI/-mU2OWlHPRM/s1600-h/IMG_2806.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs5qesAcI/AAAAAAAAAOI/-mU2OWlHPRM/s320/IMG_2806.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342374058391241154" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPoqRLEy6I/AAAAAAAAANY/2YTVX27u_ns/s1600-h/IMG_2754.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPoqRLEy6I/AAAAAAAAANY/2YTVX27u_ns/s320/IMG_2754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342369395853544354" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPq7Mis2QI/AAAAAAAAANg/S0HR1GYmC7c/s1600-h/IMG_2820.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPq7Mis2QI/AAAAAAAAANg/S0HR1GYmC7c/s320/IMG_2820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342371885691492610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPq7bTIq5I/AAAAAAAAANo/McpmUurSmd0/s1600-h/IMG_2867.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPq7bTIq5I/AAAAAAAAANo/McpmUurSmd0/s320/IMG_2867.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342371889652738962" border="0" /></a><br />After we hitch a ride back to town Alexa and I pack up and head on a<br />bus to Gisenyl which is on lake Kiva and where you can cross into the<br />DR Congo. Buses in Rwanda are awesome btw. Nice change from Tanzania.<br />We arrive at out lodge which is surprisingly nice and meet Sara. A<br />brit from northern England and hit it off. We chat all night the 3 of<br />us and plan on meeting up in the morning.<br /><br />I decide I am going to the venture into the Congo in the morning. I’m<br />super excited!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 4 – The DR Congo and Kibuye</span><br /><br />We meet Sara at her place. Her and Alexa decide to go to the lake.<br />Sara walks me to the boarder as adrenaline rushes over me. The DR<br />Congo is one of the most dangerous places in the world at the moment.<br />The rebels who left Rwanda fled to the Congo and violence is still<br />very real. I found out from someone after I had left that the day<br />before rebels attacked the boarder and were killed I’m glad I found<br />this out AFTER I had made it back safe.<br /><br />I cross over into Goma , get my visa and grab a bike. I spend some time<br />exploring. Its much like the rest of east Africa but with TONS of UN<br />soldiers and NGO workers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs6OhLn0I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/R5tcq_Pvobk/s1600-h/IMG_2939.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs6OhLn0I/AAAAAAAAAOQ/R5tcq_Pvobk/s320/IMG_2939.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342374068065378114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPq7qZpw5I/AAAAAAAAAN4/HPpSAR0y0fA/s1600-h/IMG_2934.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPq7qZpw5I/AAAAAAAAAN4/HPpSAR0y0fA/s320/IMG_2934.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342371893706605458" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPq78BZ5RI/AAAAAAAAAOA/Cl7XKuuPILg/s1600-h/IMG_2935.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPq78BZ5RI/AAAAAAAAAOA/Cl7XKuuPILg/s320/IMG_2935.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342371898436740370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I only spent a short bit of time there since there is not a ton to see<br />since it is involved in civil war and not very safe. After a bit I<br />grab a bike back to the boarder, cross back to Rwanda then head to<br />find the girls.<br /><br />I find them at the beach on the lake. Sara and Alexa are planning on<br />going to Uganda together later in the week. Alexa and I are going to<br />grab a bus to Kibuye that day so we say a quick goodbye and head to<br />off.<br /><br />The roads are bad and it takes 4 hours or so but its fun. We arrive<br />grab bikes ( Yes we take them a lot) to Hotel St Jean which is a cheap<br />hostel run by the catholic church.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPvNnjU4tI/AAAAAAAAAPY/n_ajP10NNcg/s1600-h/IMG_2960.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPvNnjU4tI/AAAAAAAAAPY/n_ajP10NNcg/s320/IMG_2960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342376600226030290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />It is also the site were a church<br />lies that 11,400 people were murdered in 94’.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuC5qaYBI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ERjpPnlx-ks/s1600-h/IMG_2970.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuC5qaYBI/AAAAAAAAAOw/ERjpPnlx-ks/s320/IMG_2970.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342375316597399570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuDBNNn6I/AAAAAAAAAPA/C25HDYt89Hg/s1600-h/IMG_2976.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuDBNNn6I/AAAAAAAAAPA/C25HDYt89Hg/s320/IMG_2976.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342375318622412706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuCzPvKqI/AAAAAAAAAO4/M4VgMbgNua0/s1600-h/IMG_2974.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuCzPvKqI/AAAAAAAAAO4/M4VgMbgNua0/s320/IMG_2974.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342375314874903202" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We get a bed for $4 andcrash. We are waking up at 5 to watch the sunrise<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 5- Kibuye, our new German friend and Kigali</span><br /><br /><br />We wake up and watch the sunrise which is beautiful.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs6Hns8FI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ArU6hrvJhsk/s1600-h/IMG_2957.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs6Hns8FI/AAAAAAAAAOY/ArU6hrvJhsk/s320/IMG_2957.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342374066213679186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We have a nice breakfast and meet Fillip who works for German government working<br />with NGO’s. ts Sunday so he joins us. He’ll bee in Rwanda for 2 years.<br />We explore and find a great hotel<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs6nOJszI/AAAAAAAAAOo/dOrfiZ2ypvk/s1600-h/IMG_2968.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs6nOJszI/AAAAAAAAAOo/dOrfiZ2ypvk/s320/IMG_2968.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342374074696446770" border="0" /></a><br />gli<br />We grab a soda then go swimming in the lake. Its great! Fillip strips<br />down and jumps in naked. Have to love Europeans. We have food, relax<br />then walk around exploring the town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs6YheEAI/AAAAAAAAAOg/ttT8_mDf3TQ/s1600-h/IMG_2966.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPs6YheEAI/AAAAAAAAAOg/ttT8_mDf3TQ/s320/IMG_2966.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342374070750941186" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fillip has offered to drive us back to Kigali. SWEET!<br /><br />Sara called Alexa and said she wants to go to Uganda the next day. I<br />decided why not! I’m gong to! We ride back to Kigali with Fillip, Sara<br />meets us there we go to our rooms near a mosque and crash. Tomorrow<br />should be exciting!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Day 6- Bye bye Rwanda, Hello Uganda</span><br /><br />We wake up, grab some food, I change my flight and we head to the bus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuDQECtHI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/1cdYF7PrFjI/s1600-h/IMG_2986.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuDQECtHI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/1cdYF7PrFjI/s320/IMG_2986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342375322610480242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The bus takes 8 + hours to go to Kampala, Uganda which is the main<br />city. The bus is long and as we pass the boarder I get my head phones<br />stolen by customs, oh well. Sucks but what can you do?<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuDYuTf9I/AAAAAAAAAPI/ZHQi9A-0w0s/s1600-h/IMG_2985.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPuDYuTf9I/AAAAAAAAAPI/ZHQi9A-0w0s/s320/IMG_2985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342375324935225298" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPvN3JcFzI/AAAAAAAAAPg/vd8QodRLVwI/s1600-h/IMG_2991.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SiPvN3JcFzI/AAAAAAAAAPg/vd8QodRLVwI/s320/IMG_2991.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342376604412417842" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The ride is insane! The roads in Rwanda are amazing and Uganda they<br />are horrible. It was a white Knuckle ride the whole way!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SieazkDyLoI/AAAAAAAAASY/YrrCwplDuSU/s1600-h/08_Uganda_equator.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SieazkDyLoI/AAAAAAAAASY/YrrCwplDuSU/s320/08_Uganda_equator.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343409693541936770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We pass over the equator, arrive and take a ride to the Red Chilli where we stayed<br />the night. It’s a backpacker lodge, very cool and very cheap, good<br />combo.<br /><br /><br />So now I’m off to explore Uganda, raft the Nile then Head to Kenya!Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-89710290479391862232009-05-16T06:58:00.000-07:002009-05-17T23:45:44.670-07:00Off to Rwanda!
<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5CCOFFEE%7E1%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Off to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Rwanda</st1:place></st1:country-region>!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Tuesday May 19th is my last day in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tanzania</st1:place></st1:country-region> which is for sure bitter sweet. Moshi is a very special place to me. It’s where the kids at Matumaini are. This is the Orphanage that I have been with here. During my time here I’ve got to work with Kim and Michelle with the building and architecture planning of the new care facility that is being built. Its been awesome to use my building background for something as awesome as this. You can read more about the<a href="http://www.knockfoundation.org/"> Knock foundation here</a>. Its truly awesome.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I’ve had an amazing time here. Time has flown by! Two months seem like two days. I’ve also been really privileged with a lot of amazing experiences.<span style=""> </span>Here are a few pics of some of the people and things that made it that way.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">Lil bit on <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Rwanda</st1:place></st1:country-region></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region st="on">Rwanda</st1:country-region> is west of <st1:country-region st="on">Tanzania</st1:country-region>, North or <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Burundi</st1:place></st1:country-region> and is a I historic country to say the least. Many have seen hotel Rwanda but the quick snap shot is this.<span style=""> </span>There were two groups, the Tutsis and Hutus. It was colonized by <st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">Germany</st1:country-region></st1:place> which gave power to the Tutsis to help them gain power in the country.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sg7Iz45I42I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/yF5RdeRU0Dw/s1600-h/rwanda-400x300.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 333px; height: 250px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sg7Iz45I42I/AAAAAAAAAJ4/yF5RdeRU0Dw/s400/rwanda-400x300.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336423402251543394" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>It was later taken over by Belgian and increased the racial divide. This would explode in <span style=""> </span>civil war in 1994 which would end in the death of over a million people. There is a genocide museum which us supposed to be life changing. Cant wait to see it.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Machete marks from an Rwandan who lived through the Genocide
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sg7IzxZUiHI/AAAAAAAAAJw/2rWlziW2Weo/s1600-h/rwanda1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sg7IzxZUiHI/AAAAAAAAAJw/2rWlziW2Weo/s400/rwanda1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336423400239040626" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The country has made a come back and no longer are there Tutsis and Hutus but Rwandans. It is much safer. One of its biggest attractions are the silver back mountain gorillas. You are able to trek into the mountains with Escorts and armed guards for protection to see them in there natural environment.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sg7IzgO-oZI/AAAAAAAAAJo/uFMldGBVzzk/s1600-h/6a00e398b11420000500fa969c27470003-500pi.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 225px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sg7IzgO-oZI/AAAAAAAAAJo/uFMldGBVzzk/s400/6a00e398b11420000500fa969c27470003-500pi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336423395632259474" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><p class="MsoNormal"> This is one thing I’m<span style=""> </span>SUPER excited to do :o)</p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Stay tuned for details. I’ll be there for one week then I head to <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region>! WOOHOO!</p> Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-38724575288627559582009-05-05T23:14:00.000-07:002009-05-06T01:29:30.090-07:00Top of the world!My Kilimanjaro- 19, 333 ft, the largest free standing moutain in the world and the highest point in Africa I summitted on May 5th 2009 at 6:20 am using the Machame aka Whiskey Route. I could not be happier. Was one of the hardest things I have ever done. Here is a quick 6 day recap of the climb with pictures.<br /><div> </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1:</span> We reach base camp of around 9,350 ft. Climb is through the rain forest. Start to get above the tree line. Camp is cold and I'm feeling sick. The night sky is like nothing I have ever seen. Feel like you are in the stars with being so close and no light pollution.<br /></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2: </span>Managed not to throw up last night. Was freezing cold. Eating was hard. Today is a steep climb day. We break above the tree line and the landscape changes drastically. Feeling much better at night. Reach Shira camp 12,500 ft<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AZEDrII/AAAAAAAAAII/lp5LfL7bi_g/s1600-h/IMG_2379.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 287px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AZEDrII/AAAAAAAAAII/lp5LfL7bi_g/s320/IMG_2379.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332609411208948866" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AUG3SbI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/9z1Utr5o_xA/s1600-h/IMG_2387.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 290px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AUG3SbI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/9z1Utr5o_xA/s320/IMG_2387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332609409878542770" border="0" /></a><div> </div><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 3:</span> We are climatetizing today. We make our way to Lava Rock around 15,000 ft. Air is thin. Hard to breath. It starts to rain as we decent to camp at 13k to help get ready for the day from hell tomorrow. Summit day.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AmO0_AI/AAAAAAAAAIY/0em7L8i8Qdk/s1600-h/IMG_2422.jpg"><br /></a><div> </div><br /><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 4: </span>We are up at 7 am. Mussa (The guide) Tells me we have to climb Barranco wall aka breakfest wall. I think hes joking. Hes not.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Barranco Wall</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AmO0_AI/AAAAAAAAAIY/0em7L8i8Qdk/s1600-h/IMG_2422.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 391px; height: 293px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AmO0_AI/AAAAAAAAAIY/0em7L8i8Qdk/s320/IMG_2422.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332609414743784450" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This looks insaine but we do it. Climb is hard. We get to Summit base camp, Barafu, which is 15, 331 ft up at around 4pm. We set up eat and rest for a few hours. Then we wake up at 11PM, dress and start the hardest climb to make it up to the summit after climbing all day at night with the wind howling. So hard its knocking you over almost. Its now midnight.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day5:</span> Summit continued. Its now around Midnight. We are climbing by headlamps. I stop and I start violently vomiting. The issue here is that altitude sickness can be bad. It can causes swelling of the brain and vomiting is a sign but I think its just food. Mussa asks if I wanna keep going and I say heck yes! I am not stopping. We reach Stella point at 5:30 am which is where Machame and the Marangu meet. Mussa says we have 1 hour more and hugs me. I start ballin. I cant tell you the feeling of pride I felt. I'm pushing to the summit as the sun rises. The glaciers light up as we summit at 6:20 am. We are the first people to reach summit. Its amazing. Words cant descripe so hopefully the pictures below can<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Glaciers </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9U6uO1eI/AAAAAAAAAI4/UootK9Ha21w/s1600-h/IMG_2470.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9U6uO1eI/AAAAAAAAAI4/UootK9Ha21w/s400/IMG_2470.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332610863353222626" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AqyYAHI/AAAAAAAAAIg/u_t9jkzyFvo/s1600-h/IMG_2442.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 295px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AqyYAHI/AAAAAAAAAIg/u_t9jkzyFvo/s320/IMG_2442.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332609415966621810" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AwyqXKI/AAAAAAAAAIo/2urfDdxIV8g/s1600-h/IMG_2445.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 296px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE8AwyqXKI/AAAAAAAAAIo/2urfDdxIV8g/s320/IMG_2445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332609417578437794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9UiTKI5I/AAAAAAAAAIw/zH2ecxCr5EY/s1600-h/IMG_2456.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9UiTKI5I/AAAAAAAAAIw/zH2ecxCr5EY/s400/IMG_2456.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332610856797217682" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Glaciers </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9U45eN4I/AAAAAAAAAJA/JnkZej_wfGM/s1600-h/IMG_2484.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9U45eN4I/AAAAAAAAAJA/JnkZej_wfGM/s400/IMG_2484.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332610862863497090" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Landscape </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9VOSyL3I/AAAAAAAAAJI/-WFql8wbyVE/s1600-h/IMG_2487.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9VOSyL3I/AAAAAAAAAJI/-WFql8wbyVE/s400/IMG_2487.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332610868606807922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">UHURU Peak- 19,333 ft Highest free standing Moutain in the world </span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9p3C0cAI/AAAAAAAAAJY/J1nt3ZvanEQ/s1600-h/IMG_2475.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9p3C0cAI/AAAAAAAAAJY/J1nt3ZvanEQ/s400/IMG_2475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332611223143084034" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We stay at the top for maybe 10 Minitues. Its freezing. I have on more layers then I care to count. We start to desecent and pass other climbers making the final trek. Its around 4 hours back to base camp.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Summit Base Camp</span>- 15,331 ft<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9VOCVnkI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/LDKRiNR48yo/s1600-h/IMG_2508.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgE9VOCVnkI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/LDKRiNR48yo/s400/IMG_2508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332610868537826882" border="0" /></a><br />We get there at 11 am, rest for 1 hours time then have to go another 4 hours to the next camp. So we are going for around 22 hours now on a few hours sleep. We get down and crash! Its around 6 PM to the lower camp, same day as we summited.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 6</span>: Its a quick trek down. We get back and I sign the book that I made it. Happiest and most proud I have felt. Back in Moshi Kimmy takes me out to an awesome Dinner in town . Get home, shower for the first time in a week and crash.<br /><br />It was a good week :o)<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Machame route</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgFBIIKdTlI/AAAAAAAAAJg/zh3G2IARMDY/s1600-h/map8.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 291px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SgFBIIKdTlI/AAAAAAAAAJg/zh3G2IARMDY/s400/map8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332615041669484114" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-376107585929931792009-04-29T04:14:00.000-07:002009-04-29T05:04:56.319-07:00Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro- Off I go!So I'm climbing My Kilimanjaro Thursday! Its a 6 day climb , 19,000 ft up, should be a trip!<br /><br /><br />If you want you can track me above. Check the altitude and when you see 19,333 ft I made it! GPS will update daily. I should reach summit Monday morning Tanzania time.<br /><br />Wish me luck! :o)<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sfg_hOc9BBI/AAAAAAAAAIA/zMdMKr_s5II/s1600-h/mt+kilimanjaro2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sfg_hOc9BBI/AAAAAAAAAIA/zMdMKr_s5II/s320/mt+kilimanjaro2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330079999040750610" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sfg_g3ymWvI/AAAAAAAAAHw/KXtnNfHQrKs/s1600-h/v031108.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Sfg_g3ymWvI/AAAAAAAAAHw/KXtnNfHQrKs/s320/v031108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330079992957524722" border="0" /></a>Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-30849504351217023682009-04-24T03:50:00.001-07:002009-04-24T05:05:31.747-07:00Almost 100% up to date- Moshi, kids, Zanzibar , Elizabeth and MAANDAZI!<span style="font-weight: bold;">April 9th 2009 Moshi, Tanzania</span><br /><br />When I was here two years ago I did volunteer work at Matumaini, which is an orphanage in Ru. The idea of it is if kids have extended family but the families aren’t able to care from them. Matumaini takes in the kids in and works with the family till they can. Hopefully keeping kids and families when possible. The kids don’t have parents mostly who have passed away from AIDS. This is Knock, Kim’s Charity, baby here. She has done SOOOO much its crazy. They are getting ready to build a new compound with a school, barracks for the kids, its nuts! It’s been great being here because with my background in building and real estate I’ve been able to contribute to the planning thankfully.<br /><br />So anyway we got there today and I got to see ALL the kids! It was great! They have grown but all look the same. Wish they had grown more but the poor nutrition many of them have had earlier in their life keeps them small. While we were there some other volunteers from CCS (The program Kim and I came with the first time) were there. We got to talking and next thing I know I agreed to go to Zanzibar tomorrow. We are going to take the Bus to Dar Es Salem which is 8 hours, stay over night then the ferry to Zanzibar which is off the coast. Should be fun! I always thinks this is the great part of life. Random and fun. You meet people you never expect and next thing you know you’re off exploring.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncPLamOI/AAAAAAAAAGA/wgg_kOPEDR8/s1600-h/IMG_2137.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncPLamOI/AAAAAAAAAGA/wgg_kOPEDR8/s320/IMG_2137.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328223937708595426" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncLGS-7I/AAAAAAAAAGI/-jUtmZB66-c/s1600-h/IMG_2138.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncLGS-7I/AAAAAAAAAGI/-jUtmZB66-c/s320/IMG_2138.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328223936613383090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncQAiWGI/AAAAAAAAAGY/90LxRIkUlRE/s1600-h/IMG_2156.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncQAiWGI/AAAAAAAAAGY/90LxRIkUlRE/s320/IMG_2156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328223937931401314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncRUOnOI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/cZxpA6fJ7RI/s1600-h/IMG_2140.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncRUOnOI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/cZxpA6fJ7RI/s320/IMG_2140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328223938282429666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGoz7Ga0NI/AAAAAAAAAGw/5b2zMguIJo0/s1600-h/IMG_2163.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGoz7Ga0NI/AAAAAAAAAGw/5b2zMguIJo0/s320/IMG_2163.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328225444147417298" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGozmXVj5I/AAAAAAAAAGg/5QR6N_fHfYU/s1600-h/IMG_2165.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGozmXVj5I/AAAAAAAAAGg/5QR6N_fHfYU/s320/IMG_2165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328225438581231506" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 10th 2009 Bus to Dar Es Salem</span><br /><br /><br />I meet Gram, Scott, Aubrey and Ericka at the Bus stop. I had only meet Aubrey and Ericka so wasn’t sure what to expect but everyone is great. The bus is hot, no AC and random movies in Swahili. Countryside is awesome. Very green.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGixw88kxI/AAAAAAAAAEA/dckv4aAykGA/s1600-h/IMG_1834.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 141px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGixw88kxI/AAAAAAAAAEA/dckv4aAykGA/s320/IMG_1834.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328218809993827090" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We are getting into Dar late and staying at a “hotel” for the night then going to take the ferry. Grams girlfriend is East Indian and her uncle lives in Dar. Random but great. He booked us a place to stay called the safari inn. We walk down and ally that looks like your going to get jumped into a building that is what you would expect. Block building that from the 1960’s that will serve its purpose for the nigh<br />t.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGix50e_zI/AAAAAAAAAEI/3bcJZaBpQkY/s1600-h/IMG_1838.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGix50e_zI/AAAAAAAAAEI/3bcJZaBpQkY/s320/IMG_1838.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328218812374253362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGiyFYmiwI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/_Bomk6wV3T4/s1600-h/IMG_1840.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGiyFYmiwI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/_Bomk6wV3T4/s320/IMG_1840.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328218815478532866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gram’s GF uncle meets us and takes us out to an Indian dinner, was great. We get back put on bug spray since we didn’t have nets that night and crash. Have to be up at 5:45am<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">April 11th Adventure to Zanzibar</span><br /><br />So Aubrey, Scott and Ericka get there ferry tickets the night before while Gram and I kept his Uncle company. Bad idea. The 7:30 ferry is sold out cause its Easter Weekend. Which is weird cause Zanzibar is almost 100% Muslim.<br /><br />Through a crazy bunch of events that are to unreal to even tell we end up on the 11:30 ferry. The supposedly one and a half hour ferry, which is really three hours, finally gets us to Zanzibar and we take a cab about an hour to the north point of the Island to Nungwi Beach where we met the rest of the gang at Amann Beach Bungalows. Can’t beat $24 for 2 nights with AC. AWESOME!<br /><br />This place is beautiful. The beach’s are rival even those is the south pacific. We have a great dinner on the beach, swing on swings and hammocks, hang by a bon fire and then walk along the beach. Great night.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGiyK3vU0I/AAAAAAAAAEY/Pzaty3AXBew/s1600-h/IMG_1876.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGiyK3vU0I/AAAAAAAAAEY/Pzaty3AXBew/s320/IMG_1876.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328218816951309122" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGiyeazARI/AAAAAAAAAEg/RjT2YG8pWHs/s1600-h/IMG_1891.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGiyeazARI/AAAAAAAAAEg/RjT2YG8pWHs/s320/IMG_1891.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328218822198624530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlPnIwehI/AAAAAAAAAEo/doXDdBJouvk/s1600-h/IMG_1902.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlPnIwehI/AAAAAAAAAEo/doXDdBJouvk/s320/IMG_1902.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328221521778342418" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next day chilled on the beach. I meet these awesome Canadians who were relaxing after a bike race in South Africa. I got to talk to them and the guy Drew has been all over the place. We got to talk a lot about Nepal and hiking there. He said you can do it CHEAP and stay in these teahouses so I’m thinking about going to Nepal after India now. Time will tell. He was really interesting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlQVBlQZI/AAAAAAAAAFI/XO9WyBWGiV4/s1600-h/IMG_2042.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 192px; height: 144px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlQVBlQZI/AAAAAAAAAFI/XO9WyBWGiV4/s320/IMG_2042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328221534096277906" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlP2NfUwI/AAAAAAAAAEw/LBawz6hNPEQ/s1600-h/IMG_1924.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 290px; height: 217px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlP2NfUwI/AAAAAAAAAEw/LBawz6hNPEQ/s320/IMG_1924.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328221525824721666" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlP8oM8wI/AAAAAAAAAE4/FCGjtsau5dY/s1600-h/IMG_1951.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 291px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlP8oM8wI/AAAAAAAAAE4/FCGjtsau5dY/s320/IMG_1951.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328221527547376386" border="0" /></a><br />Scott had heard about this place you can swim with sea turtles so we walk down the beach and found it. Was so cool. You got to feed them seaweed, see the babies they bread and release back into the wild. You can swim with them for a fee; we decided playing with them was good for us. There were so cool to see and hold them unclose.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmkEJAdeI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/J6xifs7ZwCE/s1600-h/IMG_2000.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmkEJAdeI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/J6xifs7ZwCE/s320/IMG_2000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328222972673029602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlQUvSGpI/AAAAAAAAAFA/coHwYOY4G_I/s1600-h/IMG_2006.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGlQUvSGpI/AAAAAAAAAFA/coHwYOY4G_I/s320/IMG_2006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328221534019525266" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Its now Sunday and we head to Stone town which is the main city in Zanzibar. I had done stone town before so we grabbed a map and off we went. We went to a Hindu temple where last time I got to play with a baby monkey. This time was a little more tame. We wondered, made our way to the spice and open-air market. If you can imagine the most beautiful colors mixed with the rotten smell of raw meat spoiling that’s the open market.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmkWn0nzI/AAAAAAAAAFY/IDstSlxW7dY/s1600-h/IMG_2069.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmkWn0nzI/AAAAAAAAAFY/IDstSlxW7dY/s320/IMG_2069.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328222977634115378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmkmSf0vI/AAAAAAAAAFo/MYCcmDnLydg/s1600-h/IMG_2082.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmkmSf0vI/AAAAAAAAAFo/MYCcmDnLydg/s320/IMG_2082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328222981839639282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmkfapoaI/AAAAAAAAAFg/CLsPXeCcoi0/s1600-h/IMG_2072.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmkfapoaI/AAAAAAAAAFg/CLsPXeCcoi0/s320/IMG_2072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328222979994788258" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmko8VCtI/AAAAAAAAAFw/10wHrfOqRBI/s1600-h/IMG_2098.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGmko8VCtI/AAAAAAAAAFw/10wHrfOqRBI/s320/IMG_2098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328222982551964370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGozythDDI/AAAAAAAAAGo/jFjWw51sDGc/s1600-h/IMG_2103.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGozythDDI/AAAAAAAAAGo/jFjWw51sDGc/s320/IMG_2103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328225441895484466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGo0DehIEI/AAAAAAAAAHA/6N-8LPPSUpY/s1600-h/IMG_2057.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGo0DehIEI/AAAAAAAAAHA/6N-8LPPSUpY/s320/IMG_2057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328225446395977794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We worked our way through the curved maze like streets of Stone town and go buy our night ticket ferry. So the over night ferry is CHEAP and saves you from getting a hotel but you leave stone town at 10 pm and get in to Dar Es Salem at 6 am for an early bus back to Moshi. Well we spurged and spent $4 extra for “VIP”, best thing ever. The boat is insane. We are upstairs and sleep on couches or used mattress’s that are as old as me. The downstairs is packed! Women in full Muslim attire sleep on the floor or sitting up. Men are fighting and hitting women to get a bed. It was intense.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncEZfDYI/AAAAAAAAAF4/-2zNC0usQO0/s1600-h/IMG_2108.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGncEZfDYI/AAAAAAAAAF4/-2zNC0usQO0/s320/IMG_2108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328223934814817666" border="0" /></a><br /><br />All the guys including me are sick. Scott is throwing up as the boat slams back and forth. Gram joins him throwing up. I have to go downstairs. Now here’s the thing. You may have heard never shake a persons hand with your left because it’s disrespectful because they or you use your left hand to clean yourself after the bathroom. Well in Eastern Africa it is very true. They don’t use toilet paper. When you go to the bathroom there are little cups of water to clean your hand and there are not toilets but holes in the floor. This is to set the stage for my experience.<br /><br />I am getting sick on the bathroom on the boat for hours in a little room. Picture the above conditions as the boat violently rocks back and forth, I have to keep your face from slamming into a filth covered wall of a three by three room. It’s was horrible but hey anything after this seems better. Always a silver lining.<br /><br />We get into Dar Es Salem and the bus station at 7am. We ride a retrofitted bus to fit extra people so you can’t sit straight. We make it back home at 5 pm. The trip was amazing. Plus experiencing things like this with awesome people is what this is all about but I couldn’t be happier to be home in Moshi after a kick ass weekend.<br /><br /><br />Time to shower.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meeting Elizabth</span><br /><br />April 16th 2009<br /><br /><br />Today we went over to see Mamaa Grace at CCS. Little did I know what was going to happen this day. So we arrive and there is a small girl, looks no older the 10 or 12 sitting outside. We say Mambo ( hello) and walk past into Mamaa’s office.<br /><br />We get to talking and find out this small in stature girl is named Elizabeth. She had come to CCS to find work. She was not 10 but 18 turning 19 in June. Extreme malnutriation has caused this. She is an orphane whos doesn’t know her mother. Her father is dead and has been shuffled around. She’s living with extended family 2 hours out of town. She has been sneaking into school in Moshi but they now were insisting she paid. School is not free here past elementary.<br /><br />She came to see Mamaa Grace for a job, not a hand out. She was looking to work from Midnight till 5 am cleaning for money for school. Mamaa said when she came she was crying and wanted to be a journalist. Her story was heart breaking, a 18 year old girl with no real family who looked 10 coming to ask for a job so she can go to school.<br /><br />I spoke with Mamaa Grace and Kim about how much school costs. It was a few hundred dollars and if she did well she could go to government school after which was also only a few hundred if she did well this year. So I decided to make an agreement with Elizabeth. I would sponsor her this year and if she did well and got into government school next year I would sponsor her for the next 3 years to put her through school.<br /><br />Its crazy how a few hundred dollars can change someone’s life.<br /><br />The following week we meet Elizabeth at school with the books she’ll need and to pay her dues. She runs up to us with the BIGGEST smile and hugs Kim and I. I cant even express how amazing it felt to see her so happy. Kim, who is fluent is Swahili, takes care of the paper work. Elizabeth is close to fluent in English. Surprised us. We talk and she tells me about how its 4 hours a day of travel just to get to school. After we register her she shows us around the school with such pride. After a bit we depart and chat with Mamaa Grace. She says how you just wanna cry when you see how happy she is to be able to go to school and hopefully have a future. It may seem like giving money is wrong but this girl only wanted a job and now she has a chance to make herself something. Her sponsorship is conditional on strong markets. I have nothing but fate that she will make them.<br /><br />Fingers crossed!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGe1jHYFiI/AAAAAAAAADQ/SQd1mhHkGbE/s1600-h/IMG_2284.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGe1jHYFiI/AAAAAAAAADQ/SQd1mhHkGbE/s320/IMG_2284.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328214476952442402" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Weekend at the hot springs with the Kids</span><br /><br />April 19th 2009<br /><br /><br />Kim and Knock take the kids on outings. Just cause its an Orphanage doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to have the same experiences other kids have if they can. They budget for this trip and it’s a BLAST!. Kim arranges a small buss to take 19 kids and a few adults to the hot springs which is about an hour out of town. Its basically a hot spring with lush vegetation in the middle of the dessert.<br /><br />We spent the day before making PB and J sandwiches for the kids and hard boiling 4 dozen eggs while dancing around the house. Was mucho fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdPsgI0II/AAAAAAAAACQ/EtE6HfidgoM/s1600-h/IMG_2183.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 169px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdPsgI0II/AAAAAAAAACQ/EtE6HfidgoM/s320/IMG_2183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328212727125561474" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We pick the kids up Sunday morning and make out way to the hot springs. We arrive and there are baboons all in the tree’s. Its awesome. The water is crystal clear. Most of the kids cant swim but they promised they would try.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdP5NKU9I/AAAAAAAAACY/5kL9gMFhaLA/s1600-h/IMG_2203.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 152px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdP5NKU9I/AAAAAAAAACY/5kL9gMFhaLA/s320/IMG_2203.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328212730535629778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGe1nF-zrI/AAAAAAAAADA/gYx8eyrWpa8/s1600-h/IMG_2264.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 169px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGe1nF-zrI/AAAAAAAAADA/gYx8eyrWpa8/s320/IMG_2264.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328214478020333234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGe1c94H0I/AAAAAAAAAC4/q2PvmkILYFo/s1600-h/IMG_2260.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 172px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGe1c94H0I/AAAAAAAAAC4/q2PvmkILYFo/s320/IMG_2260.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328214475301986114" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What an awesome day! We taught a few kids how to swim and tried to keep them from drowning us the rest of the time. We acted like ferry’s shuttling them back and forth. Edward and Musa came with us. The kids love it when guys are around. We spent all day there. It was SOOOO much fun :o)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdQC7twFI/AAAAAAAAACg/PQhf_KLRhEg/s1600-h/IMG_2224.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 260px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdQC7twFI/AAAAAAAAACg/PQhf_KLRhEg/s320/IMG_2224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328212733146808402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdQGxvqBI/AAAAAAAAACo/hGEbNuK2mvI/s1600-h/IMG_2229.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 259px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdQGxvqBI/AAAAAAAAACo/hGEbNuK2mvI/s320/IMG_2229.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328212734178732050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGe1kRs_RI/AAAAAAAAADI/XiXjhJI79aI/s1600-h/IMG_2267.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 207px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGe1kRs_RI/AAAAAAAAADI/XiXjhJI79aI/s320/IMG_2267.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328214477264190738" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdQJUQZRI/AAAAAAAAACw/GdiDj8kyZ2g/s1600-h/IMG_2243.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGdQJUQZRI/AAAAAAAAACw/GdiDj8kyZ2g/s320/IMG_2243.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328212734860354834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Makin Maandazi April 22nd 2009</span><br /><br /><br />Today we were hanging with Mamaa Chapu who does a lot at Matumaini. She is like Kims 2nd mom here. She rocks! Anyway Maandazi is like a donut but different. Well we learned how to make it and it taste YUM! You use a beer bottle to roll it out then cut it up into small pieces. From there you heat oil over an open flame and the fry it. The pics below are of a pretty standard kitchen. They are separate from the houses. You cook by stoking the fire. You smell like smoke when you cook here but its fun! And yes that’s a goat in the kitchen.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGbg78Og1I/AAAAAAAAACI/4hqNbq7vLxg/s1600-h/IMG_2296.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGbg78Og1I/AAAAAAAAACI/4hqNbq7vLxg/s320/IMG_2296.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328210824304427858" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGbgzvCtQI/AAAAAAAAAB4/5SCGZPy28zg/s1600-h/IMG_2291.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGbgzvCtQI/AAAAAAAAAB4/5SCGZPy28zg/s320/IMG_2291.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328210822101644546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGbglCK1RI/AAAAAAAAABw/2eChDwea3Xc/s1600-h/IMG_2290.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGbglCK1RI/AAAAAAAAABw/2eChDwea3Xc/s320/IMG_2290.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328210818155336978" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGbg_xkY0I/AAAAAAAAACA/nBlRY1Set8k/s1600-h/IMG_2294.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGbg_xkY0I/AAAAAAAAACA/nBlRY1Set8k/s320/IMG_2294.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328210825333465922" border="0" /></a>Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-849738480082962058.post-24286016674442761982009-04-22T01:16:00.001-07:002009-04-24T05:13:45.843-07:00Updates- NYC, London, Amsterdam, Tanzania
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<br /><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 11"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CDOCUME%7E1%5Cuser%5CLOCALS%7E1%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Back Story</span>
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So its time to set up and get this blog up to date! Here are the back stories leading to today. Well most of them anyway. A slight back story. So through twist and turns of fate I ended up moving from <st1:city st="on">Westchester</st1:city>, <st1:state st="on">NY</st1:state> where I was born and raised to <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Tampa</st1:city> <st1:state st="on">FL</st1:state></st1:place> for 9 months then decided to sell pretty much everything I owned and to travel around the world so here we go.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">You can see where I am in the world real time 24/7 at the bottom on the page. Its tied to my cell's GPS.
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">March 29th 2009 NYC, NY</p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Its March<span style=""> </span>2009 and I’m in NYC. I’ve said goodbye to most of my friends in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tampa</st1:place></st1:city> and NYC. I’m on the plane with my whole life packed into one backpack. I’ve gone through the bag a few times seeing if I have enough clothes and not to much weight. I’m off to <st1:city st="on">London</st1:city> to see my parents for about a week before I head to my 1<sup>st</sup> stop in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tanzania</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<span style=""> </span>I’m excited and a lil be scared but I know it will all work out. After all it doesn’t matter where I am somewhere!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">March 30<sup>th</sup>- Detained in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">
<br /></st1:place></st1:city></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What would a trip be without a little spice? So since I am a poor planner to say the least I arrive in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city> and at customs. The agent ask standard questions but since I hadent booked my ticket tout of the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region>. Not smart. So I’m detained. All my bags searched, confiscated my journal and any documents I had the read through. I’m shitting my pants but a few hours later it all worked out. I guess going where the wind takes you has a few draw backs. I’m released, meet mom with a big hug and Ello’ <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I spent the rest of the day booking my around the world ticket. Booking it in the <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">UK</st1:place></st1:country-region> was about $3k cheaper. I’m traveling by plane, road, rail and boat on this journey.<span style=""> </span>First stop is <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tanzania</st1:place></st1:country-region>. I had spent a month living in <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Tanzania</st1:place></st1:country-region> 2 years ago doing volunteer work where I meet Kimmy who I am staying with. She started a charity that she now runs in <st1:country-region st="on">Tanzania</st1:country-region> and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Kenya</st1:place></st1:country-region> called Knock foundation. Now its off to explore <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">London</st1:place></st1:city>, get my visa’s and spend time with the fam before I leave next week!
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<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Today is also the LAST time I shave my head or my face till I get back :o)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGsVi3_SqI/AAAAAAAAAHI/xBvE4HJNjRM/s1600-h/IMG_1740.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGsVi3_SqI/AAAAAAAAAHI/xBvE4HJNjRM/s320/IMG_1740.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328229320294877858" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">April 6<sup>th</sup>- Bye Bye London Hello Amsterdam airport hotel</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I get to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Amsterdam</st1:place></st1:city> LATE. I was gonna rough it but caved and stayed in the hotel in the airport. It was crazy. It was like staying in a space shuttle. It was very futuristic and the room was tiny to say the least. It was maybe 5 by 5 and I slept in a capsule like bed. The room had a shower, TV and everything but I could touch all the walls and I'm short to start with. It killed me to spend the money especially cause I knew where I was going and the cost of living difference but it was an experience. I woke up and off I went downstairs to my gate.
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGsV7zQRkI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Q6zAIb8pzos/s1600-h/IMG_1787.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/SfGsV7zQRkI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/Q6zAIb8pzos/s320/IMG_1787.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328229326985905730" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal">April 8<sup>th</sup><span style=""> </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Moshi</st1:city>, <st1:country-region st="on">Tanzania</st1:country-region></st1:place></p><p style="font-weight: bold;" class="MsoNormal"><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on">
<br /></st1:country-region></st1:place></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I got in late and once again get stopped at customs. I’m on a roll. So after a minor, compared to last time, I get out and see Kim and Edward and could not be happier :o) Kim and I haven’t got to see each other much except NY last year for dinner but shes the best. Her and Edward meet here 2 years ago when we first came and have been together since. He’s a local and his mom, Mamaa Grace, runs the program we came with originally.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We are driven and get stopped. Police checks are really common. You see a guy with an machine gun and forget it’s the norm. The hassle Edward but let us go. We get to Ru which is the village in Moshi I am living in while I am here. Its very very poor compared to US standards.<span style=""> </span>Roads are also crazy! They are dirt off any main road and extremely <span style=""> </span>bumpy.<span style=""> </span>We have cows on our road every morning and evening we walk on to get to Dala Dala which are mini vans with 25+ people in them. Not kidding.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We get to the house Its nice. Very basic but high end by local standards. Most homes here don’t have electricity or running water. We have both. The main thing is we<span style=""> </span>have nets! I’m not takin anti-Malaria meds. One they don’t always work and they cost around $800 for the good ones, its $3 to treat it . I’ll take my chances. We sleep with the house locked with pad locks on every door. Screwed if we have a fire but makes you feel safer. Kim sleeps with a machete next to her bed and I have my knives.<span style=""> </span>Don’t get me wrong it is safe by the old volunteer organization was attacked a few years back so better to be safe then sorry.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Bed calls and I’m answering!</p><p class="MsoNormal">
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<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Kim and Edward</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7JcOx4dFI/AAAAAAAAABI/fJ0zDkeMf98/s1600-h/IMG_2116.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7JcOx4dFI/AAAAAAAAABI/fJ0zDkeMf98/s320/IMG_2116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327416896066712658" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Mt Kilimanjaro</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7KGnm6H6I/AAAAAAAAABQ/ie5frrlD6CM/s1600-h/IMG_1823.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7KGnm6H6I/AAAAAAAAABQ/ie5frrlD6CM/s320/IMG_1823.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327417624286076834" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Road from the house in Ru
<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7KxEbq5AI/AAAAAAAAABY/eGs4S9aQH24/s1600-h/IMG_2114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7KxEbq5AI/AAAAAAAAABY/eGs4S9aQH24/s320/IMG_2114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327418353578075138" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Road from the house in Ru with Cows</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7LyVoGzhI/AAAAAAAAABg/jbfJ3v9-OOA/s1600-h/IMG_2125.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7LyVoGzhI/AAAAAAAAABg/jbfJ3v9-OOA/s320/IMG_2125.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327419474885135890" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Dala Dala we ride to town every day- 25 to 30 people at once
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<br /></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7NBzfA6GI/AAAAAAAAABo/NTjAFIaSLVo/s1600-h/daladala.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ahY3X7F_bMc/Se7NBzfA6GI/AAAAAAAAABo/NTjAFIaSLVo/s320/daladala.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327420840109729890" border="0" /></a><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p>Ryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02767173218934104369noreply@blogger.com0