SeeingTheWorld
Adam R. Smith Joined: July 24th 2006
Logged in: January 17th 2009
Logged in: January 17th 2009
It feels strange to think that it's been nearly 14 months since I left home in California. Over the course of that time I've had some truly incredible experiences that have touched my life in the most rewarding of ways. It's those special moments when I've witnessed such unabashed warmth and generosity from complete strangers, spent time with other delightful travelers, or when I've just stopped to appreciate how beautiful this world really is. In light of the recent passing away of a good friend from back home, I am once again reminded how lucky we all are to have our lives to live. A million "thank you's" and hugs wouldn't do justice to how deeply appreciative I am as to have this opportunity. Taking this trip would absolutely not be possible without the love and support of my parents, my sister, my aunt & uncle, my grandparents, and my great friends who have all been a great source of motivation and friendship as I try and explore some of this great big world on my own. To better get to know myself, my hopes, fears, desires, and what it is in life that makes me the most happy. This journey has been more educational than anything else, helping to remind me that no matter of religion, country, ethnicity, political system, or culture, the human family is very much one in the same. I'm always amazed when I visit new countries how remarkably similar children are to one another. Their manners of behavior and approach to the world is nearly identical in every place I've been, including back home in America. After we're born we're all almost completely identical animals. It's only after years of experiencing and learning within our different cultures and societies that we come to see the planet as fragmented and dangerous. We are socialized, regardless of our country, to have a certain skepticism and fear of the outside world, that people over there in "that country" are so much different than you are. It makes it easier to accept wars, disasters, and human tragedies when we think this way. But this is wrong, right from the very start we're nearly all the same, and that's what I think I didn't notice while growing up back in Moraga. When you realize and care about other people being happy, your own happiness can increase limitlessly. And that works on a global as well as a local scale. What people want most in life is a human trait, not a cultural or political one. It is with this understanding that my view of the world has become one so much warmer and accepting than when I first started my trip. I say this not to make some sort of political statement but rather as an attempt to express a feeling that has become such a great source of joy in my life. It is important that I be reminded of those who have made this trip possible (the family) and to convey that I will always be eternally grateful. You have given me a great chance to open myself up to so many new experiences and to teach me how to really love and enjoy life. I will forever be in your debt.
Below is a quote of mine on why traveling can be so wonderful.
“Traveling through the world produces a marvelous clarity in the judgment of men. We are all of us confined and enclosed within ourselves, and see no farther than the end of our nose. This great world is a mirror where we must see ourselves in order to know ourselves. There are so many different tempers, so many different points of view, judgments, opinions, laws and customs to teach us to judge wisely on our own, and to teach our judgment to recognize its imperfection and natural weakness.”
Check out the new map below of countries I've been to.
Visited Countries Map
Travel Blog Posts
Oasis in Marrakesh
On February 3rd Dad and I flew the entire width of North Africa departing from Cairo and touching down in Casablanca, Morocco. To say that Morocco is an upgrade from Egypt would be a gross understatement. Smoothly paved highways led us from the airport into the heart of Casa and further onward to the doorstep of our hotel. From our window we could see the Atlantic Ocean and the unbelievably beautiful King Hassan II Mosque that towers over the city skyline. It’s the 3rd largest mosque in the world and given that it was in 1993, the detail and artistry of the tilework and architecture is fresh, clean, and really quite amazing. Two days later we boarded what was once famously referred to as the Marrakesh Express, the 3-hour train journey from Casablanca to our next ... read more
Gordon of Arabia
First impressions and hasty generalizations often lead a person to form misguided opinions with regards to a country and its people. As has been the case with so many people I have met throughout my travels, people I meet are often shocked that I don’t fit their general stereotype of the “average American”. My usually response to such comments is that I happen to be 1 of nearly 300,000,000 people, the US is a nation of immigrants with practically every nationality on earth living in some part of the country or another, with hundreds of languages, cultures, opinions, and ideas all smashed into one place. My point being is that whatever pre-conceived notions people may have of Americans, or any other nationality for that matter, they usually tend to be wrong. And such has been my ... read more
Egypt to Me
Imagine Cancun, Mexico….replace the smiling Mexicans with often rude, occasionally polite, and always devious Egyptians….and what you get is Sharm El Sheikh. Sharm is located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and is the convergent point for the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. Bonus points for nearly all-year-round sunshine, extra bonus points for bargain rates at fancy hotels, and major point deductions for there not being all that much to do. The Red Sea does in fact some great scuba diving locations, however…during this time of the year the dive companies offer less than regular service to the best spots. So basically we relaxed at the hotel, read books, and enjoyed the sun. One day we did hit the ocean for a dive, which was actually quite nice, but most of ... read more
Camels Can Smile?
Our exodus from Petra was followed by a short taxi ride to the entrance of the Wadi Rum desert. Officially declared a “National Protected Area” by the Royal Jordanian government in 1997, Wadi Rum offers fantastic landscapes, little-to-no tourists, and interesting adventure activities that only a desert can dish out. We started our journey in a beat-up old Toyota Land Cruiser and buzzed around through the sand visiting incredible rock formations, giant sand dunes, and the remains of old desert residential dwellings. The first day we stopped by the remains of the home of T.E. Lawrence, author, adventurer and inspiration behind the famous film “Lawrence of Arabia”. In fact the entire movie was shot throughout the Wadi Rum desert, very fitting considering it was the same place he called home nearly 100 years ago. For nearly ... read more
Okay…so I’ve been a bit of letdown since my last blog in November. After my adventure-filled tour through the Himalayas I pretty much put the brakes on traveling for a while. So much walking, so many new stories, so many new photos left me a bit exhausted from constantly tending to my precious little travel blog. I returned to India after Bhutan, moved into my friend Angad’s home once again and settled down. His cousin was getting married, I had lots of small things to keep me busy, and I spent a hell of lot of time with his extended family. They made me feel so at home that I almost forgot that I was still on my adventure around the world. November flew by, December came along before I knew it, the wedding came and ... read more
The Treasury: Totally Unreal
Landing in Jordan after a 7-hour flight over a large portion of the Middle East was a bit of shock. I had such a lovely family/home situation going on in India that it left tears in my eyes when I left. I literally left a piece of my heart there but lucky for me I’ll be going back in a few weeks to reunite with what I’ve left behind. On our second day in the first Arab country that Dad and I have ever visited we chose to visit the ancient Roman city of Jerash and the partially demolished Crusader castle of Qala’at ar-Rabad. In its heyday Jerash had more than 15,000 residents and was a fully functional Roman city with beautiful theatre, column-lined promenades and temples dedicated to various gods. Apparently the city rose to ... read more
Oh Where For Art Thou Juliet?
Two days after arriving in the beautifully isolated and majestic Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan, I set out on what would be my final Himalayan trekking adventure of 2007. What I didn’t know when I started the 14-day Laya - Ghasa Hot Springs trek was that it would turn out to be most challenging and difficult journey of all. Not difficult in terms of the distance we covered, passes crossed, or general altitude during the trek, but difficult in terms of one word: cold. Mid-October to early-December offers some of the most stunning views in the Himalayas because the summer monsoon weather is passed and the skies are usually crystal clear. But no cloud cover also equals no earthly insulation from the frigid temperatures that are common in high elevations in these mountains. So while during the ... read more
Baby Steps
After making my way back from Pokhara to Kathamndu, the next few days were filled with general laziness and a plethora of relaxation. I attempted to gain back some of my lost-weight by eating 3 to 4 meals a day, napping in between, and enjoying whatever HBO had an offer by way of mindless entertainment. On the 19th I was unfortunately woken up at the ungodly hour of 4:45am to board my short flight to Lukla, starting point for the 20-day Everest trek. To my delight the start of the trek began at a much higher altitude than Annapurna did, approximately 9,370ft. On day 2 we ascended nearly 2000ft. to the surprisingly large village of Namche. It's pretty cool to be following in the same footsteps as all the climbers who've summited Everest, including those unfortunate ... read more
Crown on Everest
A knock at the door....gradually one eye opens, and then the other. Slowly I slide one arm out of the blissful warmth and comfort of my sleeping bag. Ohh, the eyes need adjusting. I squint and look at my watch, 5:12am. Ohh man that's early. The knock comes again. In that confusing dimension between being asleep and awake a momentary stroke of genius enters my mind, "black coffee! bin!(please)" I spit out in the groggiest of tones. Oooo, that's better. Man it's cold. As I exhale my breath looks as though I'm blowing out a big puff of smoke. Casually I reach my arm out toward the window. Dangling from its latch is my mini-REI thermometer. Let's see how cold it really is...28 degrees, damn....it is cold. There must be 6 inches of fresh snow outside ... read more
Me and the Dhualagiri
I arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal after a quick and easy flight from Delhi. I spent two days in the city wandering its narrow streets, watching Maoist supporters protest for their dubious reasons, and personally investigating the delicious Nepali food at local restaurants. After my two days expired I was taken by taxi, along with my guide and Sherpa to the village of Besisahar, roughly 6 hours west of Nepal's capitol city. Besisahar is the typical starting point for those choosing to complete the full Annapurna Circuit trek, roughly a 17-21 day journey around the mighty Annapurna mountain range, finishing in the larger city of Pokhara. The Annapuran Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is one of the largest protected sanctuaries in Nepal and full of a wide-variety of stunning scenery. The Annapurna range itself is also home to ... read more
