 Edward Adrian-Vallance - EdVallance | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 10th November 2009 EdVallance | - From: Metro Zombies thanks for the kind words guys! |
| 9th November 2009 Paul-and-Emma | - From: Metro Zombies The best story I have read on travelblog by far. thank you. |
| 9th November 2009 liliram | Incredible..... - From: Metro Zombies Ed, you never fail to amaze me. For such a simple plot such as a metro station, you surely can write!!!! I certainly enjoy "simple experiences" loaded with all the interesting details such as this blog. Reminds me too of some of Jonathan C's blogs on simple plots, loaded with details. Sorry for the comparison. But you, Jon and Jason (aspiring nomad) surely top my list of fav bloggers. |
| 9th November 2009 Vinovat Sudarynya | Отличный блог! - From: Metro Zombies Yep, sounds about right! Moscow is a fascinating city but every day there made my head hurt. Your 'angle' on the commute is spot on: you describe the unappealing parts without whinging and throw in the beautiful bits at just the right moments. |
| 9th November 2009 travel addicted female | Time is the best healer, always. - From: The bizareness of home after 2 years away I know how it feels...I can relate to you....Each time I come back from a trip, short or long I think I will be productive and work hard, but the only think I think about is my next trip and how dull is to be back! Life is unfair for travellers, it's like we are not part of the real world even though we are the ones who really see it . Time is the best healer, always. X Milena |
| 8th November 2009 EdVallance | hi! - From: The Bicycle Diaries - from Lithuania across Belarus into Russia hey Ria! thanks for the comments. Actually I found Belarussians to be very friendly and interested in foreigners in general. However, in some of these ex-Soviet countries there's a tradition of people who work in shops and restaurants being extremely unfriendly to everyone, foreigner or local. It's called "Soviet service". Hope you're well! How have you're plans progressed? |
| 8th November 2009 Ria | - From: The Bicycle Diaries - from Lithuania across Belarus into Russia Guess you're back completely (from the attack). Congratulations. It's an achievement. I'm glad this time you had a good bike, not broken shoes=)! I have one stupid question by the way, why some Belarusian seemed so averse to foreigner? If it's not tourist destination, it usually has more interest in foreigners. Or that's how I thought. It's nice to hear the complete version of your story. Last time I heard was after the Lithuanian immigration asked you, "Where do you live in Lithuania?" and you said,"I don't know, but I remember the bus stop," |
| 8th November 2009 anonymous | Kudos! - From: The Bicycle Diaries - from Lithuania across Belarus into Russia Good for you for succeeding in your ambitious goal... I just completed a 65km bike ride around the Sea of Galilee in Israel, and then got home to read of your amazing cycling feat. My piddly bike ride doesn't seem like so much by comparison :) Much respect! |
| 8th November 2009 Heart | Asking for permission - From: The Bicycle Diaries - from Lithuania across Belarus into Russia Dear EdVallance, I'm Heart, from Vietnam. I'm the admin of Wata website, which offers English learners a place to practise speaking English. You can check it out here: www.watavn.org Besides, I also manage a magazine called Walkie Talkie Magazine (deliver for free). Readers may read it online or download it (for free) to learn the writing styles, as well as to learn others' experience. All is for the mere educational purpose. One of the column I'm about to make use of is: Travelling. I pass by your blog in here, and I love to use your travelling writing to publish. Is it possible if you can allow me to use it? Is there any chance that I can have your email so that we can discuss in details? Thanks for your kind attention. And for further contact, pls drop me a note at: hung.hathe@gmail.com Regards, |
| 6th November 2009 Cinders C | Just..chill! - From: The bizareness of home after 2 years away Hi Ed, sorry to hear (or read even) that you're obviously feeling down at the moment. You've learned a hell of a lot about life being on the road for 2 years, no one's expecting you to immediately be able to adjust back again. As another Berkshire dweller I know what you mean about the complacent way of life here, petty neighbours, everyone having too much money to really care about the outside world, and all that crap. You don't even need to 'adjust' back, you just need time to think. Everything else, like the book, can wait. All the best. |
| 6th November 2009 TinNiE | Cheer Up :) - From: The bizareness of home after 2 years away Nice to see a new entry from you. Ohhhh, I miss England ^^ Whatever you're up to at the moment, hope you're feeling better :) |
| 6th November 2009 NomadAdrift | all too painfully true... - From: The bizareness of home after 2 years away yo bro, fantastic blog! what horrible truths and disappointing realities we come from which few realize... unless they step outside and look in. i return in two weeks after being on the road for 18 months... i wonder how long it'll be before i'm off again. "wandering re-establishes the original harmony which existed between man and the universe." -- anatole france. if wandering re-establishes the harmony, what then maintains it? (i wonder) until before you are off again... welcome home! there's no place like it. |
| 6th November 2009 Krista Lundgren | I feel ya... - From: The bizareness of home after 2 years away I returned home in June after only a year of travel and I feel exactly the same way. It's nice to know I'm not the only one... Broke and unemployed after my extended trip really doesn't help with the transition. Good luck adjusting and welcome home! |
| 6th November 2009 anonymous | - From: The bizareness of home after 2 years away Ah, those post-travel blues! Know the feeling! In time things return to some semblance of normality, and you just have to except that while you've changed, the place where you live and everyone else you know has not! Ultimately there's only one cure available... get a job, save like buggery and hit the road again! Travelling can be tough at times, but ironically nowhere near as tough as settling in back home! Fourteen years on, I'm still loving it, and not looking forward at all to going home (again!) next month, even if the home I'm going back to is on the other side of the world from the one I left all those years ago. But at the end of the day, you've got to remember It's All Good. Enjoy! |
| 5th November 2009 Daniel | what is "home"? - From: The bizareness of home after 2 years away Hey Eddy, I've also come home recently after 2 years in China. And alone, since I can't bring my wife with me to Canada. So far I can't find a job doing what I like. . and living in my parent's basement. It doesn't do much for the self-esteem. I guess I do have the motivation to find work since I know it's the only way I can hope to sponsor and bring my girl over here. .but yeah coming home is tough! Sorry to hear about the breakup. She was a great travel companion and probably saved your life by being there for you when you were sick. But I'm guessing she wanted to settle down..all girls do at some point. Don't start writing a book until you feel the time is right. I think your adventures are not over yet because you still feel restless! Keep up the journals, that alone will make up most of a book if you do write one. keep on keeping on! Daniel |
| 30th October 2009 reu | mindanao - From: Wars, weddings and horse fights in Mindanao there are a lot of beautiful places n mindanao.....only that only few were able to witness them |
| 29th October 2009 Mell | - From: Through Mindoro's interior with tribes and rebels Check this out. :) http://www.travelblog.org/Topics/21112-1.html |
| 28th October 2009 Mell | - From: Through Mindoro's interior with tribes and rebels Great blog! :) |
| 22nd October 2009 Dymphna | Close call - From: Through Mindoro's interior with tribes and rebels Wow - do you always work your guardian angels so hard? |
| 22nd October 2009 Dymphna | Close - From: Through Mindoro's interior with tribes and rebels Wow - do you always work your guardian angels so hard? |
| 15th October 2009 tr3x | hoax - From: Psychic surgery and healing with a double-edged sword dont be inclined to think that the actual psychic surgery is real. like WHAT TINNIE had said it is probably the belief that you are healed of an illness you dont even have (lol) through faith that you are going to be cured thru this ridiculous practice. |
| 11th October 2009 key | - From: Wars, weddings and horse fights in Mindanao nice work.. thank you for visiting Mindanao.. |
| 11th October 2009 key | on war - From: Wars, weddings and horse fights in Mindanao I'd like to tell the world that the existing war in Mindanao is not a matter of Christian-Muslim rival. its is the result of the greediness of "SOME" previous and reigning leaders, and of course the lack of respect in individual differences. it is not that Muslims are bad, Christians are good or vice versa issue. I keep hearing from the media that Mindanao is in trouble, is a dangerous place because of the bombing and kidnapping issue. Let me tell you guys, there are only few PLACES in Mindanao that are affected by war not the whole Mindanao. if you guys would only see the real an hidden beauty of Mindanao, you would say its a living yet suffering paradise in the Southern Philippines. |
| 28th September 2009 Ria | - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" It's a nice piece of writing, Eddy. I want to hear more about your travel, so please keep writing. I still wonder a bit why the diagnosis came passably late. Your symptoms were very typical of conventional malaria. You were very good example for case-report lol (sorry, it's not very tactful of me). In Indonesia, Papua in particular, you would be sent directly for RDT - test for malaria. But even if the test isn't available, in here with your symptoms we are allowed to treat patients with quinine and antibiotics. The decision relies on clinical signs and symptoms. I'm pretty sure there was hardly any malaria in Mongolia, so it doesn't come as the first differential diagnosis. Anyway, your near-death experience must make you be more aware of being alive. Reading yours, I can empathise with patients' agony through attacks. We saw too many severe malaria patients that it just becomes mere job. Thank you for sharing. |
| 14th September 2009 jean-Louis LAVIGNE | hotel in Jinhong - From: Fire breathing, dragon boat racing and, er, splashing water: the Dai New Year festival in Xishuangbanna Thank you for the text and beautiful photos. I expect to go to jJinghong next april. Do you know a hotel and restaurant where I could go and if I can make a reservation from France. Do you know the dates of next water festival in April? Thank you for the answer Jean-Louis Lavigne |
| 14th September 2009 jean-Louis LAVIGNE | Hotel in Jinghong - From: Fire breathing, dragon boat racing and, er, splashing water: the Dai New Year festival in Xishuangbanna Thank you for this very interesting article. I expect to go to Jinghong next april for that festival, may be you know about a hotel i could go and if I can make a reservation from France. May be you know exactly the dates of next festival. thank you for answer Jean-Louis |
| 8th September 2009 Flowerice | - From: Around and about on the Burmese border hey,i live on ruili city.next time when u come,just call me:)i will show u around |
| 8th September 2009 TinNiE | pain - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" just got to read the second installment today. wow, i can almost feel the pain. great way of writing about the experience. hope you're all good in Moscow! |
| 23rd August 2009 Mell | - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" I wish you would refer to certain individuals as the father of the house or the man of the house, rather than the head of the family, even if they do have old fashioned ideas in those parts or all parts of Mongolia. Great blog as usual though! :) |
| 23rd August 2009 Some Mongolian | - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" It is no wonder the mongolians had no Malaria drug in the state hospital as we have no Malaria here. I, myself contracted Malaria in India and know the trauma. glad that you are ok. |
| 19th August 2009 His Dudeness | A bit late.. - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" Am I the only one here who already knew the outcome :) I saw your previous blogs and knew and was waiting for this horrific climax...I know it is terrible, but hey, I it is human nature, wanting to witness and hear other peoples suffering... There is a psychological explanation to it all, but I can't remember it now… By the way, I distinctly remember a blog stating that you were finished with going to the ends of the world to find exotic tribes? It was after the Philippines as I recall… So what went wrong ;) |
| 18th August 2009 JP: www.conwayconfidential.com | Travel Preparation - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" Hello Ed, Malaria is a common disease among tropical countries. Granting you have traveled (visited) different countries before the signs and symptoms of Malaria, it could be possibly prevented if there's a vaccination that ranges from TB, Flu, etc...including Malaria. The best next option is to carry with you medicines for common diseases based on the country you visit. It's a very challenging point when you travel and at the same time being sick with Malaria. In any case, you are still very lucky......looking forward to read more of your travel blogs. God bless! |
| 18th August 2009 JP: www.conwayconfidential.com | Travel Preparation - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" Hello Ed, Malaria is a common disease among tropical countries. Granting you have traveled (visited) different countries before the signs and symptoms of Malaria, it could be possibly prevented if there's a vaccination that ranges from TB, Flu, etc...including Malaria. The best next option is to carry with you medicines for common diseases based on the country you visit. It's a very challenging point when you travel and at the same time being sick with Malaria. In any case, you are still very lucky......looking forward to read more of your travel blogs. God bless! |
| 18th August 2009 Byron | http://www.roadtraveledless.com - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" Great writing man! These are the kind of travel experiences I enjoy reading about....unusual things in unusual parts of the world where not many people go. |
| 18th August 2009 Byron | http://www.roadtraveledless.com - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" Great writing man! These are the kind of travel experiences I enjoy reading about....unusual things in unusual parts of the world where not many people go. |
| 17th August 2009 Rana | You must be a bit of a nutter - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" Well done on an emotion filled blog that captures the essence of what you went through. |
| 17th August 2009 Vinovat Sudarynya | Thanks. - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" "The cold within me intensified, taking me into new dimensions of pain I had never before experienced" - I felt pretty similar during French lectures at Exeter! I hope Moscow is treating you well. I'll write more when I have more time and a clearer head, but in the meantime, thanks for a well-written and memorable blog. J. |
| 16th August 2009 EdVallance | - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" yeh I flew home after Bangkok and spent 2 months there. Then did some traveling in Lithuanuia, Belarus and Russia which I'm gonna write up when I get a chance. Am now in Moscow about to start work as an English teacher. It definitely hasnt put me off traveling, just made me realise I need to be more cautious and take better care of myself! |
| 16th August 2009 EdVallance | - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" The doctors said I definitely did not pick up the disease in Mongolia as the country does not have the disease. It was most likely to have been in South West China or the Philippines |
| 16th August 2009 NomadAdrift | wtf?!? - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" jesus! dude, that's a hell of a story - a near LIFE experience i'd say. i just had an unexpected hernia operation myself in mongolia which went fantastically well - a mere trifle compared to the maddening events you survived. well done... may you never have to repeat such an experience ever again! |
| 16th August 2009 Marie | Malaria Attack - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" I read your description of a malaria attack with interest as my husband contracted malaria in Jordan, a country that is supposed to be malaria-free. He too suffered terrible attacks but they came about one every few months after he got over the first one and left him weak for weeks after. He had the ridiculously high fevers, chills and shakes, body aches and also vomiting, etc. After seven years we finally were able to get malaria meds from overseas and after taking them, he has been great. I hope other travellers can read your blog and be saved living with this awful disease. |
| 15th August 2009 Daniel | Wonder where you got it. - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" Hi Eddy, After reading your harrowing experience I looked up malaria on Wikipedia.. says it can take 1 or 2 weeks from time of the mosquito biting you. But this kind of mosquito that can carry it is usually from hotter sub-tropical climates. . I doubt it would be in Mongolia. . . so I wonder where the infected mosquito bit you. . I may have even happened in Beijing given the time range. We definitly had lots of mosquitoes in my apartment until I finally got around to fixing all the window screens. You are more likely to get it in South China. .but that was quite a while before you started showing symptoms. Anyhow I'm glad you had good health travel insurance coverage and are still alive! You know that area looks just like depictions of Native Americans in what is now Canada. . but 700 years or more in the past. . It's really like going back in time.. I wonder if you retired from your travels after the Malaria or plan to do more voyages. D |
| 15th August 2009 Lucinda | Oh my God!! - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" That's absolutely horrific!! My experience with sickness in rural China was nowhere near as bad as yours, thank God!! I sincerely hope your health is back to normal now! Such a shame because it sounds as though your time with the Dukha nomads was amazing.. |
| 15th August 2009 Donna and Neil | Hope you are fully recovered - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" That was one scary experience for you, we hope you are fully recovered now - are you back home? Have you been able to figure out where you caught the malaria or is that a mystery to you? It was a good job you weren't travelling alone and you had Lizz there to help you out with getting doctors etc. All the best to you and for the future...hope it hasn't put you off travelling for good. Take care! |
| 15th August 2009 boristhegreat | Scary stuff! - From: My battle with malaria, part 2: shamanist reindeer-herding nomads, a near-death experience and "the best hospital in Mongolia" It's fascinating to hear you describe the emotions you were going through, as of course we could only look from the outside at the time - only imagining what you were experiencing. Sounds pretty scary and to be honest, I'm amazed that you carried on as long as you did - had it been me, I would have coaxed us back to civilisation long before with the symptoms you describe! Fine writing as always....... take care. Lee & Caroline |
| 4th August 2009 Cinders C | - From: Tribes of Laomang market Hello! Just to say I've enjoyed reading your blog. I've just come back from Yunnan though my trip was sadly cut short, I will definitely be going back in the near future - hopefully to the places you have written about! I think maybe these people here are the Lahu? I only say that because in contrast to other ethnic groups in Yunnan Lahu tend to dress in black. All very interesting stuff! |
| 24th July 2009 TinNiE | correction - From: My battle with malaria, part 1: the beginnings of an illness that nearly killed me ... i meant non-english speaking places ... i'm a sissy! hehe |
| 24th July 2009 TinNiE | part 2 - From: My battle with malaria, part 1: the beginnings of an illness that nearly killed me actually looking forward to a more detailed story about how you dealt with malaria. I really hope you did not get that in PI (which I doubt). love the china blogs too liliram and yours too ed! i'll probably make use of those when i go visit someday ;) non-english places just makes me very hesitant |
| 23rd July 2009 EdVallance | - From: My battle with malaria, part 1: the beginnings of an illness that nearly killed me thanks liliram, am considering writing a book, right now am in england though and finding myself plagued by a bout of writer's block, back on the road in 9 days' time though so hopefully that will put me back in the writing frame of mind! Loving your China blogs by the way! |
| 23rd July 2009 EdVallance | - From: My battle with malaria, part 1: the beginnings of an illness that nearly killed me no, the medical facilities were awful as you'll see in part 2! In the best hospital in the country I was left for 4 days in a filthy little cell, freezing, starving and malarial before my insurance kicked in and i was taken out of the country on an air ambulance. And as Mongolia itself doesnt have malaria they're also unable to treat it properly. |
