The Sushi Cowboy

The problem with travel these days is that so many people have already been there before, which in turn ruins all your cool stories of (mis)adventures abroad. Therefore, the idea is to try and do something different, something unique, so you have something to brag about when you get back home. The problem with that is now everyone is trying to do something original. So you might as well stay home and watch TV, right? No! What you're supposed to do is go see all the regular stuff, then make up cool stories about crazy shit that happened when you were away. Or, in our case, just sit back and wait for the events to unfold. Denise and I are blessed with having unusual experiences while we travel and are never short of quirky tales from ... read more

In the spring of 2000 I participated in a University of Calgary overseas field study programme. Under the guidance of Dr. Peter Herrem, one of my favourite professors, we set out to study the physical environment, people and culture...and of course, to drink ourselves stupid. The trip was a huge success, I learned so much with out even realizing I had done so, and it gave me the travel bug that continues to this day. We spent two months traveling 'round the world (literally!) to Japan, China, Thailand, India, Egypt, Jordan and Greece. During one of Dr. Herrem's inspirational on-site lectures, he uttered the wordsDistance. Direction. Connection.as a possible definition of geography. The meaning can be interpreted several ways, but here's my take. It's not distance in the physical sense, but rather a goal or objective, ... read more

From skyscrapers in Pudong, to thriving shopping, eating and nightlife districts in Puxi, to ship-building along the Huangpu river...everywhere you look, Shanghai is bursting with activity. This city is dotted with construction sites, signaling China's desire to become an economic powerhouse with Shanghai firmly at center stage. It's a booming, busy place with far too many cars and people, but it's flashy, fun and focused on money. The roads are jam-packed with aggressive taxi and bus drivers who wouldn't brake for their own mother. Bicycles rule the side streets - sometimes with oversized loads - and they rarely obey traffic signals. Sidewalks are a crush of people, each one with a cel phone, and the touts are relentless. These days it's all about the bottom line, all while keeping a Chinese perspective. Thankfully the two are ... read more

It's been one year since I left and it feels like yesterday - it's amazing how time goes by so quickly. In that year we've done quite a bit of traveling, made plenty of shiny new friends, and have enjoyed a host of unique cultural experiences. It's been quite an adventure to say the least, both good and bad, and I'm very thankful that Denise works so hard so that I can be a lazy mooch. However, life in Japan, in Masuda, has turned out to be vastly different than we expected. Japan can be rather taihen for a foreigner, and getting routine things done, such as going to the bank or the post office, can turn into confusing ordeals that drag on for days because they don't quite understand the concept of travelers cheques or ... read more

Welcome to Bangkok, the ultimate gateway city and #1 destination for sex change operations and first-time backpackers. While the city itself doesn't offer much for the tourist - especially compared to other world capitals - it's a great place to network and sort out details before heading further afield. Travel here is cheap and easy; budget food, accommodation, and transportation are readily available, it's safe and friendly, and you can get a mind-boggling array of sexual favours performed for very little money from very beautiful women. The drawback on that last point being that Thailand is filled with transvestites. Nothing ruins your day like finding out that hot chick on the bus is actually a chain-smoking welder named Eric with a penis. The events of this journal are spread out over four days (21st, 23rd, 30th, ... read more