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Jason
It started as a way just to let family and friends know that I was still alive, but kind of morphed from there. Seeing the world first hand and not through the regurgitated storyline of the living room television was only one of the reasons I have chose to put myself in some of the situations I have. Each has provided its own breadth and perspective affecting how I (and others) see the world. A less philosophical version of "why" is simply that I enjoy it. Living a simple existence that is more "in the moment" than one could ever hope for at home, offers a purity that makes life crisp and dare I say interesting. Sure, there are times that you get tired and frustrated, but having this kind of freedom is something that few others know and cannot be bought. The Skinny
I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.
~Robert Louis Stevenson
Travel Blog Posts
May 2nd 2011
Namaste, (Friends & Family) Hospitable: It must have been nine or ten o’clock in the morning before I pulled myself from the bed that lay flush with the cool tile floor. Most of the night had been spent riling in discomfort from the japati that had been rolled with old flour. Only a fool would keep putting himself through such unnecessary steps. Then again, I never was the sharpest tool in the shed. As cold water flowed from the showerhead and down my body, I learned into the wall. The heat of the day had already begun to build and the chills down my spine only served to relax my still sour stomach. I wondered to myself how long it was going to take before my body finally adjusted to its new surroundings. Two weeks? Three ... read more
April 11th 2011
Namaste, (Friends & Family) The Wheels on the Bus: It was midnight. I stood on the dusty edge of Pushkar sweating like a hooker in church awaiting what was to be my fate for the next nine hours. The street mutts asleep adjacent to my luggage did not even make mention of the sputtering engine from the infamous Indian sleeper bus that was to be my mode of transportation into the far west reaches of Rajahstan. Anyone who has read any of my previous posts knows how much I love riding the bus (not really). I actually try to avoid them like the plague, but more often than not you have no choice. After many failed attempts to bring the iron beast to life, some of the locals piled out of the cab and began to ... read more
April 7th 2011
Namaste, (Friends & Family) The First 24: Thirty-three. The exact number of perpendicular lines on the ivory ceiling of my simple, but cheap Indian hotel room. How do I know this? When fighting a losing battle with the infamous Delhi Belly (food poisoning) you have little else to do than lie on your back and stare at the blood reds, forest greens, and baby blues of the painted utopia glaring back at you. The only break in this seemingly endless 24-48 hour cycle of hell is the frequent mad dash to the water closet for gut wrenching relief. If I had a gun I would shoot myself (and the street vendor who made the damning falafel and/or tea that put me in this predicament). Considered a right of passage by many travelers, it is not as ... read more
May 28th 2010
家庭和朋友 (Family & Friends), Traveling by Train: Cigarette smoke plumes in the thin air as we cruise across the high Tibetan plateau. A bag of potato chips balloons on the table in front of me as we reach altitudes upwards of 5,000 meters (17,000 feet). Still, a dining car filled with arrogant Chinese officials, only strengthens my malice towards communist rule. I am torn on how to label such an eclectic and expansive nation. However, I am doing my best to keep an open mind. Nevertheless, what we will see in the near future will only paint a clearer picture of what has already began to form. Twenty-four hours on a train coupled with scenery of this magnitude offers a breeding ground for contemplation. From snow covered peaks to desert dunes to rolling plains, such landscapes ... read more
May 20th 2010
家庭和朋友 (Family & Friends), Buddhist Buddies: Winding through the streets of Xining, we weaved in and out of traffic. Our morning run seemed to be a novelty among the locals as stares and an occasional thumbs up came from passing cabbies, which reminded me of the marathon. Along its route, the village kids had either lined the streets, with hands outstretched, awaiting a high five or had taken it upon themselves to race along side the contestants before returning to their friends. However, today we headed away from the city streets and into the surrounding hills for some fresh air. We meandered; skirting fences lined with razor wire, until we had happened upon someplace that I am sure was off limits to us. Following the contour of the hills, we searched for the best view of ... read more
May 18th 2010
家庭和朋友 (Family & Friends), Miles Ahead: As my pack hit the bunk at the Chinese Sports Complex in Jixian, I realized that this was not going to be a therapeutic mattress. Rather, a box spring that had seen better days. Simplicity was the theme of the room, with no flash to spare, which suited my taste just fine because my mind was preoccupied with the reason that had brought me here. The Great Wall Marathon (26.2 miles, 42 kilometers) was only days away and I had unfinished business to tend to. Many racers had come from countries around the world for many different reasons. Whether it be to run their first marathon, write a book, raise money for a cause, or just experience something outwardly different from mundane life, they all gathered. I had reluctantly purchased ... read more
May 12th 2010
家庭和朋友 (Family & Friends), Ultra-Marathon Madness: The visible skyline on the transfer from the airport made for a welcoming sight. No pollution! Apparently the 2008 Olympic games had transformed Beijing form a typical Chinese city into a city that was more in tune with the west. It was a relief to see what could have been any major city in North America or Europe. Still, with only a few days before my first race (The North Face 100k), I had to hit the ground running. I needed to pick up race packets, find transfer, buy food, etc. After dropping off baggage at my temporary residence, I took the subway down to The North Face’s flagship store to retrieve my race packet. While it was faster than a taxi, it was anything but tranquil. I have never ... read more
May 6th 2010
家庭和朋友 (Family & Friends), Booze Before Dinner: After spending roughly a week in Chongqing, while limited, I feel that my experiences gave me a taste of the city and its people. As a traveler you can only skim the surface, as opposed to a resident, whom can dive deeper into the surrounding culture. Still, the theme of my understanding was three fold: people, pollution, and hot pot. Each holding its own place within the city, for better or worse. Regardless of which, each is true to the experience and what separates modern China from the stereotype. Everywhere I have been in China the people have been largely, accepting and genuine. Whether it be asking for help with the menu or having dinner with local families, for the most part everyone has been accommodating. Point in case, ... read more
May 2nd 2010
家庭和朋友 (Family & Friends), Chongqing at a Glance: While my first few days here have been limited to recovering to from the 30 sum odd hours of travel and tying up loose ends at school, I have been out and about soaking up the Chinese culture. The 13-hour time difference between the U.S. and Chongqing China has finally started to release its grip from my body and I am starting to feel a bit normal. Chongqing, located in the central Sichuan province of China, is known mainly for its hot pot cuisine and its exploding growth. The theme so far has been pollution and people. While most do not speak English and stare at the white man walking down the street, they seem to be genuine in there sincerity to help you. I have even been ... read more
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