Not Too Busy For The Blues

If someone were to walk up to me right now and say, "Hey, I haven't seen you in awhile". My immediate response would be, "Neither have I". It's amazing how the demon of busyness can consume ones time. It's been exactly 37 days since I've lounged amidst the environs of Antidote coffee house and I myself wonder where I've been. Well, I've been all over Houston. Driving and digging through the pasts of individuals whose estates have cleared the hurdles of probate and odd balls like myself relish in the sifting through of this and that. One mans trash is another's treasure and/or fuel for freedom in my case. Freedom comes in the form of a rare Rockabilly record on the Hurricane label out of Galveston. A scarce Rolex booklet. An old Pepsi Cola clock. Etc. Etc... I guess when You get down to the characteristics of my core being, I'm a dreamer and treasure hunter at heart. Sometimes dreams come true and sometimes treasures appear.

The downside as of late is that all I've been doing is working. Except for the limited time I've allowed myself to enjoy some Blues, I've been unnaturally busy.

One of the best things a woman has ever given me is the Blues and in doing so I've gained a deeper appreciation of Blues music. My last girlfriend set off on a separate path about 2 1/2 years ago. Around that time I began to relate to and understanding the Blues better than ever. The Lord works in mysterious ways and I'm blessed to be living in a good blues town. When you hear good quality real deal blues, by people who have been instrumental in the development of blues music, it really is a religious experience. It beats any Sunday at church, or, Wednesday night bible study. There is wisdom in the Blues if one listens carefully. It's all plain, simple, and profound. Plus, it sounds so good...

I've included a few photos from some of my latest Blues outings. Top to bottom. 1-Don Lee, An old time bluesman, who dresses really sharp, works the stage at the Continental Club in Houston. 2-Myself with "Little Joe Washington" on his 70th Birthday. He's a lifelong Houstonian and 3rd ward bluesman who plays the guitar in ways I've never seen before with the agility of a teenager. 3-Myself with "Guitar Shorty", One heck of a rocking bluesman! He was very close to Jimmi Hendrix and was married to his sister! Guitar Shorty is an amazing guitar player who loves everyone. To hear him play is truly a transcendental experience!

Fortunately, I haven't been too busy for the Blues.

Ho Hum....

Ho Hum isn't bad. It's just regular, routine, day to day living. Not particularly interesting but nothing to complain about. Time in the Ho Hum passes quickly when combined with narrow focused busyness. Ever since returning from Asia I've been chasing the all elusive fuel for freedom otherwise known as the Yankee Dollar. In my experience the only sure fire way of making money is by working for it. Praying and wishing are fairly useless without actually doing something. The heavens may rain manna and water might be turned to wine but you still got to pick up the bread and fetch a goblet or something.

I'm still a little uncertain as to what my next journey will be but I figure I'll have the resources to roll sometime this Spring. I frequently get asked where my next adventure will take me but I have no answer as of yet. In a way I feel like I'm waiting on word for my next assignment. I'll see where the spirit moves me. It always takes me somewhere.

In the meantime I feel a bit like the guys in the photo attached to this post. I took this picture of a painted stairway and door while in Valparaiso, Chile a couple of years ago. In life I'm always curious as to what's behind the door, around the next corner, or just over the the mountain. For me, life becomes a little too ho hum without that kind of curiosity.

A not Q - Questions From A Young Traveler

On Occasion people read my blog. Not only do they read my blog they email me with a question or two. Not long ago I got an email from a 19 year old college student contemplating the road ahead with an interest in travel and hiking the Appalachian Trail. He had a number of questions. I felt obliged to answer and was happy to do so.

For me 19 seems like yesterday but in reality it was 25 years ago and in someways feels like a lifetime away. In a sense I don't feel like I'm all that different from the questioner so perhaps I was able to give him a glimpse of where he may be in 25 years if he chooses a similar path. Needless to say, you never really know.

Anyway, after replying to his inquiries I felt like they were questions many others might be curios about so I've decided to post my response on this blog. I'm posting exactly as sent including typos etc.... I am not posting his email so some of the answers may not be all that clear but I still think you will get the idea. So, Here goes.....

A not Q

Sounds like your going through a bit of soul searching right now and in my opinion that's a good thing. Life has so much to offer and your at the perfect age to seek out options. In my opinion the under grad years are the best time for it. Your exposed to so many new things in college with classes, activities, and the people you meet etc. that it's not uncommon to change majors or question if the path your on is really what you want. That's perfectly normal and healthy. At some point you figure it out and if academia is really necessary then you move on to a graduate program and sharpen your focus.. Be it music, English, or whatever..... The fun thing for you is that your just getting started!

I completed college in 5 1/2 years (time off in between) and received a B.A. from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. My degree is very eclectic and general with no real major but it's a legitimate degree that I am happy to have. Evergreen is a very liberal college whose claim to fame is that fact that the creator of the Simpson's Matt Groening, graduated from there. Some Universities boast Presidents but at Evergreen we boast the Simpson's....LOL!....

-Now to answer your questions.. I'll address them one by one.... If you feel drawn to hike the A.T. I highly recommend it. To this day it's still what I consider to be the greatest experience of my life thus far. I'm so happy I did it when I did. It's definitely something you want to do when you have the fire and passion to do so because it it's very physical and at times mentally demanding. However, looking back, I loved every minute of it. What I found most powerful about hiking on a trail through the woods up and over mountains for 2,000+ miles is that you think about almost everything and experience just about every emotion in it's purist form. You really learn a lot about yourself and grow as a person. For me I basically stepped on as one person and stepped off as another. I mentally and emotionally grew a great deal.

-When I say that I never really left the trail I am referring to a sort of insatiable need I have to see new places and experience new things. Life feels so rich when I travel. Everyday and every moment feels lived and not stagnant. I credit the A.T. with setting that tone in my life...

-I decided to hike the trail shortly after High School mainly because I was never really all that crazy about school and simply wanted a break. Also, I was anxious for an adventure and really had the motivation to go for it. So I did.. All said, I think School is very important and I'm very happy that I followed through with getting a B.A after the trail....

-The big advantage to doing the trail in one full go is that you really do get into a rhythm. It's not only with yourself but the people you meet on the trail. You become an active part of a very special moving community and forge some really good friendships along the way. I think it would be difficult and ashame to part ways in the middle... Many people do the trail in sections but the ultimate is to go all the way. I'd recommend starting in late March which would allow you the time to thru hike it. If it's not your thing then you can always get off but if it is your thing you will be really glad you started in March. Give yourself the option..

-The upside to thru hiking is that your on the trail for 5 months. The downside is that your on the trail for 5 months. For me it wasn't a problem but for many being away from family, loved ones, and home for 5 months was a bit much. Those hikers are usually the ones that drop out within the first month or two... It's an individual thing as far as downside goes.. For me the positives so far outweighed the negatives. I struggled with the expected break in period during the first couple of weeks and doubted myself quite a bit during that time. However, after 2 weeks I began to get fit and really took to the lifestyle of hiking all day and everyday... I did not have a girlfriend at the time so I can't really advise you in that arena. That's something you kind of have to sort out for yourself. However, I will say at 19 you have plenty of time in the realm of girlfriends. I'd be tempted to say if a girlfriend was the only thing keeping you from doing the hike, you might regret it later in life. The reason I say this is because of your age but then again I don't know anything about your relationship. For all I know she's the one but that's your business and you will have to sort it out on your own...

-My parents were quite supportive when I told them I was going to do the trail. When I finished they were impressed and proud... I don't know you personally nor do I know your parents but judging by the way you write you seem perfectly sensible and capable to take care of yourself on the trail. Maybe your parents might worry? There's really no need to. They might be concerned that you will abandon your studies and take up the life of Riley afterwards? Well, that's your decision..... Again, you seem like a sensible person so there's no need for them to worry....

-Looking back the A.T. was the perfect adventure for me at that time of my life...

-Ok, onto another subject. How do I pay for the lifestyle I live?. First let me say that in America there are a million and one ways to make money if you use a little creativity....I buy and sell stuff. Mainly antiques and collectibles. I use to be a big collector and started by selling items I collected years ago. I no longer desire accumulating things but I still like old stuff. I therefore go out and find collectibles at a desirable price, enjoy them a bit, then sell for a profit. Lately I've been very much into old Blues records which are quite collectible. I'm able to have fun and make a simple living. I'm not independently wealthy nor do I have a trust fund or anything like that. I live on a very modest income and have little desire to spend my money on things I don't really need. I have no debt and only spend money I have. A big mistake a lot of people make is living beyond their means. I'm not saying acquiring a mortgage or a certain amount of debt is bad just as long as ones income fits the bill. More often than not people are burdened and more or less imprisoned by the material items they own.... Anyway, I've had many jobs through the years but for awhile I worked seasonal jobs in resort towns. I spent several years living in Aspen, Co driving limos, bell hopping etc...I'd work 4 hard months in the winter and 4 months in the summer and have about 4 months off a year and still keep the same job. The seasons between summer and winter are always slow so many employers encourage their staff to take an extended leave so many do.... I've tried the standard career track but it was never for me. For some its great. It's really quite simple. Just pick a career, work hard, play the game and move up the ladder. It's relatively stable, fairly easy, and good money but not my thing. I have many friends who have climbed the corporate ladder quite successfully and own big homes, fancy cars etc. and are really quite happy. At the same time though they envy my freedom and couldn't imagine just taking off for three months to travel through India and S.E. Asia... However, I'm quite impressed by what they have accomplished even though its never really been my aspiration.... We are all wired differently and I think its important to know how your wired. I once dated a top shelf tax attorney. She loved the rush of working through large mergers and acquisitions of some of the nations largest corporations. Me? I could never do what she did and simply wouldn't be able to handle the pressure. We were exact opposites. Ultimately we were too different for one another but it's just an example of how different people can be when it comes to choosing our path in life. Just try not to get too caught up in other peoples game and you should be fine... All said, there are trade offs, pros and cons to most everything...

-Ok, so I live on a low income. If you combine that with no debt I'm actually doing better than most I'd say. I'm able to pay for everything I need. Insurance, bills etc. and the rest goes into savings for necessities, trips etc. I also put back a little each year so I have a modest safety net if anything goes wrong. When I travel I go low budget to low midranmid range and pay attention to exchange rates and trip goals when going to Europe or more expensive countries. I budget and adjust the budget accordingly. You would be amazed how many people are traveling the world on what is considered a poverty wage in America. I call it the backpacker trail. In S.E. Asia I was staying in nice hotels for $10 a night and eating a good meal for $2 - $4.... Just an example...

-When it comes to relationships and girlfriends all I can say is there is someone for everyone. I have yet to find that someone and at this point in my life I'd admit I'm a bit dissapointed in that department. Finding the right compatible mate isn't easy for anyone. I will tell you though it really makes no difference who you are or what you do, there is always someone else out there that likes the same thing. Be whatever it is. I have a friend who met a German woman while traveling in Thailand. They are now married and live with their adopted Thai child in Colorado. They also appear to be very happy. I know super nice highly successful people in their 40's who have never been married and struggle with finding the right one as much as I do. There really is no rhyme or reason when you get right down to it. Some find their mate early in life. Some find it later. Some get divorced numerous times. Some only marry once. However, at my age it seems like almost everyone has been divorced at least once. I don't consider that to be good. A big mistake I have seen many people make is that they put their life plan to paper and expect it to all go as planned. Some women really can't help it because of an uncontrollable desire to have kids and all. The problem is that sometimes the plan takes priority over reality and the next thing you know they're married with kids and their partner is someone they really don't know because they were so busy focusing on the plan with house job and all instead of who they were really getting involved with... I do think it's very good to have a plan in life but often times you can't really put things to paper and expect it work out perfectly. Everything looks good on paper. Does that make sense? For me? I'd certainly like to marry some day but kids have never been a strong desire.

-I don't really struggle with a low income but sometimes I do wish I had a little more. I'm not comfortable taking on a mortgage alone and see it as something I'd prefer to do with someone like a wife. When you own a property its not just the mortgage but its the up keep and taxes as well. For me I'd rather save the extra for travel right now....

-Do I ever go through rough spots? Financially I always seem to have what I need. Usually not much more, but hey, if my simple needs are met I'm content.... As far as life's rough spots? Well, that's unavoidable. Your going to have rough spots in life no matter what. My philosophy is,"You can't always control what happens to you but you can choose how to react to what happens"......

-Ok, I hope this long winded ramble answers some of your questions or spurs on some new kind of positive thought..... Your just getting started in life so my advice is to go for it. As I always say," As long as your alive, you might as well live"....

Feel free to contact me with anymore thoughts or questions if you wish...

Cheers..... Todd

After a month long hiatus......

Hello, I'm back!...After a month long unplanned hiatus from the Blog I am back.... It took me a good 3 weeks to recover from the worst jet lag ever and to readjust to American culture. Once again, upon my return, I am reminded that Americans are the strangest and oddest people in the world. Oh well, I guess I'm one of them..

For the past month I've been motivated to work so I've been taking advantage of the motivation. When you work for yourself and do what I do you can work 24/7 if you want. It's completely up to me, however, the lower the bank account the greater the motivation generally.

Socially I've been a little out of the loop but found myself one day last week drinking mid day weekday beers with 3 guys I went to high school with. The skies were sunny and temps were in the 70's (gotta love mild Houston winters). I guess we can all thank Facebook for getting us reconnected. The Facebook phenomenon is pretty amazing. Meet back up with friends you haven't seen in 20 years and before you know it it's just like yesterday. For some that may not be such a good thing but for me it's been fun.

Definitely a highlight over the past month was helping out with the Houston marathon and pacing my friend Neeraj from mile 20 to 25.5. I was in no shape to run an entire marathon but perfectly fit enough to comfortably pace Neeraj in. You may remember Neeraj from my first week and an half in India. Anyway, I hopped into the marathon just past mile 20 and joined him. He was going through a tough patch but within a half mile or so he dug deep and got his head together for the toughest part of the race. I ran just a little ahead when he slowed. When he picked it up I would run just behind. Having a pacer during a race can definitely make a difference. It changes the mental dynamic. Some of my best races have been when I was able to work through the final miles with a competitor. A pacer isn't much different in a sense. During the final 10k of a marathon it's incredibly mental. Anyway, it was really interesting running through the final miles fresh. I've run around 10 or 12 marathons and the final 10k has always been a mixed adventure with head tilted aside combined with focused tunnel vision. This time I was actually able to enjoy the run and take in all that was going on. I was also very careful not to interfere with the aid stations or anyone else's race. At one point we passed a band that was really good. Had I been doing the whole marathon I doubt I would have noticed..

At mile 25.5 I veered off course and Neeraj put the hammer down. I was really proud of how Neeraj dug deep and gutted it out. I could tell he was hurting at mile 20 but he was still able to pull it together for a personal record... Hats off.. Well done..

Once I headed off course I backtracked to mile 25 and met up with the zany Hash House Harriers. The ones who were not racing had actually camped overnight next to the course. They had a couple of barbecue grills going and boat full of beer. No joke. They actually had a flat bottom fishing boat filled with ice and cans of beer. They were pouring cups of beer for marathoners and a surprisingly good number of runners were pausing for a chug. Naturally, I stopped for a can. I still had a few miles to run back to my car otherwise I probably would have spent the rest of the day there...

Marathon day weather was absolutely perfect and times were very fast. Six runners ran under 2 hours 10 minutes. Once I got back to my car I returned home for a quick shower then headed over to my friends Chuck and Cheryl's house. It's wonderful Tuscany style home designed for entertaining and complete with hot tub and pool. They were hosting the running club post marathon party and a fantastic one it was. Loads of beer, food, and plenty of cake. We all raised our glass to JP who at 71 had just completed his 100th marathon. JP is Da' man.....

Naturally, everyone is asking me what my next adventure will be but right now I'm mostly living in the now. I'm not really thinking much ahead but I am getting my resources together to make myself available for the next action packed fun filled chapter. For now, the now in fine....

3 Months - 5 Countries - Bringing It Home

From the craziness of Delhi to the serenity of Hemkunt Sahib in the Himalaya to a placid strong flowing Ghanges amidst the bathing Ghats of Varanasi. From the Taj Mahal to the deserts of Rajasthan where I rode a camel and slept in the desert. From the tea plantations of Munnar to the backwaters of Kerala to a swim in the Arabian Sea along the shores of Goa. From Bombay to Bangkok to skies filled with Chinese lanterns above the city of Chaing Mai. From Thailand to Laos and a trek through jungle forests. From a boat ride up the Mekong to a remote village to a Buddha park outside Vientiane. From a dodgy crossing into Vietnam to vast flourishing rice paddies once known as the DMZ. From the countryside of Hue to the tourist enclave of Hoi Ann to the intriguing city of Saigon. From the Mekong Delta up the river into Cambodia. From the killing fields to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat. Then back to Bangkok. Three months has never passed so fast for me……

I arrived home exhausted with the worst case of jet lag I’ve ever had. I’ve been home now for a week and a half and am finally starting to come around after catching up on more than one rerun of Mr. Ed at 4 am in the morning. I’m now able to sleep in until 6am. As is the case with many mountain top experiences I’m coming down from a high which is leading me into the valley of post trip funk. It’s no wonder considering where I’ve been and the fact that I had ample time to adjust to cultural differences. In a sense, I’m going through a bit of reverse culture shock.

I love to travel and I get a buzz out of experiencing something new all of the time. I feel especially alive when I'm on the road. When I eventually arrive back home it's especially nice because I’m usually quite tired. Once I catch up on rest and settle back in I quickly start thinking about the next journey. For example, a 100 mile walk across the island of Corsica is sounding pretty good for sometime next year. Aside of the usual desire to roam I’m also left with deeper contemplative questions of life and purpose? For the most part, it’s good and positive stuff.

Not all trips are the same. Some leave more of an impression than others. My recent journey has left me with an element of experience I believe to be life changing. I feel different due to what I’ve seen and experienced. Today I was thinking about all of the life stages and phases I’ve gone through. I consider myself a person who is constantly evolving and I’d like to believe for the better. Not just for myself but for others I may know or meet along the way. I’m mostly left with an enthusiasm and excitement for the future. I feel very lucky to have found a path that keeps kindling a passion for life despite whatever bumps in the road I may encounter.

Thougts on Cambodia - Part 2 - The Not So Pretty

A week in Cambodia is not much time at all. It’s just enough time to look around and to see that the country has a lot of potential. Although Cambodia is entrenched with ancient history it’s a very young country in a lot of ways. As I’ve mentioned, everything seems to be run by people in their 20’s and younger but from what I can tell there’s a good work ethic amidst the general population. Also, I didn’t notice any outward signs of impending civil unrest which is good for attracting tourist and investors. I believe the desire of most every Cambodian is to be able to earn a good quality of life and to live in peace.From what I can tell things look good for Cambodia’s future but as a traveler passing through you never really know what’s just below the surface. There are a couple of disturbing issues that do stand out.

The most apparent issue is with the flow of foreign investors money in and out of the country. With so many foreign developers creating businesses in Cambodia and taking profits out of the country I fear that Cambodia may not benefit as much as it could. I’m all for free enterprise and capitalism but a weak government coupled with loose laws and corruption can negate any sense of fairness. I was amazed by all of the Lexus SUVs’ and other expensive vehicles I saw in Phnom Penn. It was really quite strange considering how most everyone in Cambodia is very poor. As with most all 3rd world countries a frighteningly few have msot all the money as everyone else lives in poverty. I wouldn’t be surprised if the few with all of the money in Cambodia aren’t even Cambodians.

The most disturbing thing about Cambodia is its current ranking as the #1 destination for sex tourists. It’s especially popular for pedophiles. Cambodia’s moral compass is confused. Considering the history of the country it’s not so difficult to understand why. It’s not uncommon for some families to sell or offer their child into the sex industry in order to make a couple of dollars. Yes, just a couple of dollars. In reality, despite a couple of profitable tourist enclaves and Lexus vehicles in Phnom Penn, Cambodia is a very poor country. Real poverty can cause people to do some awfully desperate things.

A nice benefit to traveling with my friend Deb, while in S.E. Asia, was that I never got solicited for sex when I was with her. However, if I walked the streets by myself at night offers were common. I'm totally averse to prostitution and am completely disgusted by the mere thought of pedophilia. The Cambodian authorities have outlawed sex with a child but in some cases police may actually be involved in promoting it. All with the motivation of making a couple of dollars. A prostitute can be bought for the entire night for $5 and the money is split several ways. Sex is sold all over the place for those who are interested. The most blatant I saw was a street just off the Phnom Penn water front. It was lined with clubs suggestively named and you would have to be stupid not to know what goes on in those places. Actually, this is problem in many parts of S.E. Asia but in Cambodia it is especially bad.

Fortunately some offenders are being prosecuted and a number of nongovernmental organizations are involved with combating the issue. For those who are interested in knowing more about the problems and what can be done about it here’s a link to an organization that a friend of mine works for: http://transitionsglobal.org/volunteer.php

Fortunately, for the most part, Cambodia seems to be moving forward towards the better. It’s not like the Cambodian people aren’t aware of the issues I’ve disclosed. The combination of outside investors, NGO’s, and the history of Pol Pots' regime combined with greed and corruption is bound to create an air of uncertainty and distrust amidst the current populations. This could take a lot of time, if not generations, to sort out and overcome. My hope is that Cambodia finds a clear moral compass. Hopefully this will lead to stronger leadership amidst its own people so they can live and prosper freely under a just government. Well, that’s my ideal hope at least…

Siem Reap - Angkor Wat - Cambodia

The bus ride to Siem Reap from Phnom Penn was pretty straight forward and easy. We had arranged for transportation through the hotel and were first picked up by a minivan packed with backpackers before being shuttled to a full sized bus at a nearby station. We departed on time and about halfway we stopped at a roadside station/restaurant for lunch. Deb and I didn’t think anything of sitting down and eating but we were the only westerners to do so. If I were just starting my travels I probably wouldn’t have eaten where we did but perspectives change after awhile in the 3rd world. I greatly enjoyed a large bowl of fresh veggies and noodles served up by a staff of young people with oldest barely 20 something.

Upon arrival in Siem Reap we were deposited at a station on the outskirts of the city. The prepaid fee for a Tuk Tuk was one U.S. dollar per person which seemed reasonable. We told the driver where we wanted to go and he claimed the hotel was no longer open. The closed hotel scenario is a very common scam. The take is when the driver offers his help by delivering you to another hotel where he receives a commission. I figured I was on to it but as it turned out the prepaid Tuk Tuk service was totally legit and the hotel we wanted was indeed closed. I was pleasantly surprised by the honesty. Our driver cheerfully took us to another place of our request. Tuk Tuk and taxi drivers are generally hard to trust in Asia.

Siem Reap first appeared as a noisy and dusty small city. We walked around a bit and found a really nice hotel located down a side alley which was much quieter. We secured a clean large room with 3 beds for $7 a night. Two beds for sleeping and one bed to throw our stuff on. Once we were settled in we headed for the tourist enclaves of Bar Street and The Alley. Siem Reap attracts many tourists from all over the world and there’s a section of the city that caters to all of the tourists needs. Deb and I needed food and beer so we settled on a place that offered dinner for $3 USD and included a beer. Again, everything appeared to be run by people in their 20’s and younger. However, I suspect by the way businesses are set up they are probably mostly owned by westerners.

Our only real objective in Siem Reap was to spend most of our time during a three day period touring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is a large temple complex with a variety of temples spread amidst the country side. The first structures were originally built around the 12th century for a king. At first Angkor Wat was Hindu but it eventually turned Buddhist. Many of the structures are either well preserved or nicely restored. Everything is built with stone blocks and many show various types of religious and non religious carvings.

The best way to visit Angkor Wat is to rent a simple single speed bike for a $1 a day and ride all over the place. We got a little bit of a late start the first day which turned out to be for the better. If you start too early there’s a chance you will be overrun by tour bus groups. Aside of the main temple complex the crowds were not bad unless a tour bus was present.

For three days we cycled all over the place and roamed amidst the temples. Angkor is a huge attraction for people visiting Cambodia and the locals take full advantage of profiting from it. At every temple a visitor is approached by vendors trying to sell books and trinkets. Many places have make shift food stalls and the patrons of such stalls are constantly trying to get you to stop for a drink or food. The touts can definitely get excessive but the good thing is that everyone is friendly and lighthearted about it. While taking a break near a stand selling trinkets a woman tried selling me various souvenirs. I was clear that I didn’t want anything but she persisted. She would show me an item and ask a high price. I’d continually say no until she got down to a really cheap price. When she became convinced that I really didn’t want the item, she would put it down, smile, laugh, then pick up something else and repeat with the same approach. It was actually quite entertaining. After awhile we were both laughing at each other. In the end I didn’t buy anything but I must admit 3 custom Angkor Wat t-shirts for $5 USD is a good deal.

On the third day we got up early and biked in the dark to catch a sunrise over the main temple complex. Needless to say it was beautiful but we reached max wattage by mid morning and just couldn’t bear to look at any more temples. I don’t know what it is but it’s very common to burn out on viewing temples. It’s funny how utter amazement the first day turns into,” I can’t take it anymore”, by the third day. There are only so many temples and museums a traveler can visit in a set amount of time. After that it’s just too much. All said, Angkor Wat is beautiful and amazing place.

Images of Cambodia

Back Home and Craving a Beer at 5 Am

After being on the road for a little over 3 months and passing through the countries of India, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia my journey has come to an end. Deb and I parted ways in Bangkok on the evening of December 14th. I headed to the airport for home and she planned to take a train to Malaysia the following day. After a little while in Malaysia she will travel on to New Zealand for the rest of the winter. We had a good time together and I will miss her company.

It was a 28 hour trip to get back to Texas. I flew Bangkok > Seoul, Korea > Dallas > Houston. I saw the sun rise twice and hardly slept. It was bumpy all the way across the Pacific but the Korean Airlines Stewardesses kept everyone well fed and hydrated. Notice I used the politically incorrect word, "Stewardesses" instead of "flight attendants". We don't have "Stewardesses" anymore in America. Based on observation "Stewardesses" retain an element of elegance, style, and service no longer seen in "flight attendants". I think I prefer a nice foreign "Stewardess" staffed air carrier over American based airlines when flying overseas.

I arrived home crazy jet lagged. This morning I awoke at 3am and was immediately wide awake. I could not get back to sleep. By 5am I was ready for a beer because on the other side of the world it was 5 pm. Maybe a beer would have helped by making me sleepy but I headed to the gym instead. Three months of traveling through 3rd world countries is hard on the health so after my workout I went on a shopping spree at Whole Foods. Holy Cow!!! Things are expensive in America! I stuck to sale items and got a bag of apples for free when I noticed the register rang them up at the wrong price.

So, what's next? Work. Yes, my bank account necessitates a definite need to work. I'll coast through Christmas and put things into high gear after new years. I'll likely be traveling again by late spring but I have no definitive plans. I think next year will be mostly hiking oriented within America and Europe.

For now it's good to be home and I'm ever more grateful for what I have. Especially considering where I've been. I really have no reason to complain about anything. Life is good. As usual I consider myself a VERY lucky man....