 Jason - aspiringnomad | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 23rd December 2009 aspiringnomad | - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Gnarly! |
| 23rd December 2009 surfer | Waves - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist I was reading with great anticipation to hear you talk about how the waves were. Forget about the other stuff, how was the surf???? |
| 18th October 2009 Lisa | Local Tour Guides and Sex Workers - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Would you kindly explain the distinction between the eal local tour guides and sex workers posing as tour guides/interpreters as it is blurred to me. Will a real Filipino local tour guide who got slept off her feet by a western tourist still fall under your notion of Romance Tourism ? |
| 30th September 2009 pulak majumder | info - From: Is the 'People's War' safe? hi i m really impressed about nepal. i was in nepal since 2005/2006 & viewed many stunned places. after that i back my own country due to some unacceptable reason. i want to know further more about nepal. |
| 23rd September 2009 marc | great article - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist First this wasn't a blog post. This was a full-blown, well thought out and executed article. Great job. I'm an American living in the PI and I see the subject of your article almost daily. While only 34 I just married a Filipina. Had NO plans to do so when I moved here 5 years ago (moved my company here from Atlanta for inexpensive programmers/designers). Unlike the norm, my wife has a college education and a steady job in outdoor advertising (billboards and the like). Still the "pinay's take great care of their men" thing is dead on accurate. I'm a fiercely independent bloke but I must admit it's damn nice to have someone who really likes to take care of me. |
| 6th September 2009 eorge martens | too true - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist every thing you say is true more or less, haveing maried 1 filipina and 2 thais over the years, the first marriage we were both 20, the second i was 10 years older, and the third 20 yuears older, and I say so what, mt aussie mates all who married aussie woman ,all got divorced to, and my wives were at least resonaby to quite attractive, compared to the over weight and dominating aussie wives , also I alway felt that I was the man , in our relationships, not a hen pecked wimp, on top of the bull shit my mates had to go through to (win) their brides, practally made to jump through hoops, for the privalage of liveing in missery,,, they asian girls have been with at least played the role of the femminine and sexy woman, better many failed marriages to lovely asian woman ,then 1 (succsesfull) but miserable relationship with a white political correct contrlling and sexless mistresss,,,,,,,,,,,,, |
| 30th August 2009 maheshsahu | g689-00 - From: Rajasthan; on the road again mohan sahu kapashan hi j ju iuj; ;l,nvbfvy i love you |
| 1st August 2009 SUANA | Rajasthan - From: Rajasthan; on the road again dear sir |
| 26th July 2009 mike | hi - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami hi could you tell me the prison what the british built there was kala panni and any history regards mike |
| 10th July 2009 Adele | No! - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) Such a shame you've decided to quit blogging; I've really enjoyed following your travels! Travelblog will be a poorer place without you. You are a great writer and a highly talented photographer; may you have lots of success in your new adventure. AJ |
| 7th July 2009 aspiringnomad | crossing into Burma - From: Myanmar Musings in The Mergui Archipelago Wasn´t sure it was possible to cross at Mae Sot, back when I was down there, things may have changed though? |
| 7th July 2009 dineh | - From: Rajasthan; on the road again i love my lovely |
| 21st June 2009 harry mcfadden | can you get there from Mae Sot - From: Myanmar Musings in The Mergui Archipelago the paper work to get to burma is confusing and i go to thailand sometimes so can you get there from Mae Sot on a transit visa on arival |
| 15th June 2009 René | Hi Jason, - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) Well, I wish you well with your studies then. And, of course, your new status as what is most likely to be the first stationary nomad on earth. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your blogs (and felt a wee jealous of your travel writing skills…). Good luck! René |
| 6th June 2009 Soleil Kadyralieva | - From: Heatstroke to hypothermia - and back again Hi Jason, I am very pleased to read your blog about Kyrgyzstan. You are a wonderful storyteller and photographer. Thank you very much. Sincerely |
| 25th May 2009 Cassie | wow - From: Every Harlot was a Virgin Once these pictures are absolutly amazingly beautiful. |
| 19th May 2009 aspiringnomad | - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) Hi ZT, Kiva was born in Korea, which may not be apparent at first glance. Megan, we are currently in Sucre, Bolivia; planning to to stay in Bolivia until our visas expire in mid July, before ducking into northern Chile (Lauca and Arica) on our way to Lima, Peru, where we fly to Miami via Mexico City (we got a real bargain with Aeromexico for some reason?). If you´d like me to give an exact address Ali (so you can send that gold retirement watch) PM me! P.S. As for enjoying my retirement; I've acquired a little experience in that department over the years;-) |
| 18th May 2009 around_the_world | thank you! - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) Thank you for all those amazing blogs...been following your adventures since I first read your blog about Guizhou & I am truly amazed by what you have accomplished traveling with Kiva on your back! Please keep writting...and all the best for your upcoming stay in Canada! Laetitia still in China (for now...) |
| 18th May 2009 Ali | Good luck to you, Jen and little Kiva - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) with the study and the new non-nomadic lifestyle in Canada - I'll miss your blogs with or without bloglag! - enjoy your deserved retirement blogger number 90. |
| 17th May 2009 Megan Crozier | WOW - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) you two just never stop!! nice work on keepin it real with Kiva by you side (or on you back)!I´m in Chile right now but it´s not the time to explore Patagonia! Where are you three now? |
| 17th May 2009 ZT | Chile&Argentina - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) Your photo are very impressive and stunning. Actually I like to go to these places and your photo make me to visit these places even more. Anyway, Kiva is very cute, one of the cutest kid I ever seen. Where was he born? Travel save! |
| 17th May 2009 Jo Trouble | Hasta luego - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) Hope it's not too long before you're back :-) |
| 17th May 2009 Andy Vos | Thanks my friend - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) Thanks for all the fantastic stories. Its been a true pleasure to follow your travels thrue the world. And oboy ship o hoy your son looks just like you hehehe All the best to you and your family Andy the captain Vos Digging away in Sweden |
| 17th May 2009 liliram | You'd be missed....... - From: The Carretera Austral (The end of the road...) Hi Jason and Jennifer......oops hi to Kiva too. I have been reading up on your blogs (including the earlier ones) and now feel like I have met you, played with Kiva, and traveled with you. Just want to let you know that I wish you good luck on your new academic endeavor, but also wish you wouldn't quit blogging altogether. Your stories have made us all better-informed, even amused, and overall wanting to follow your path! |
| 23rd April 2009 aspiringnomad | Hi Travis - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist I think I know what you are trying to say, but having lived and travelled in Asia for many years seeing Asian women as "fetish" is a little ethnocentric. Are Turkish women the same as Japanese women; Indians, Chinese, Saudi, Thai, Sri Lankan, Korean...? Asia makes up 60% of the worlds population - as such would it be fair to say a "fetish" for Asian women is a fetish for women? And would me calling white North American women a "fetish" be painting the world in black and white? |
| 23rd April 2009 aspiringnomad | Thanks for the comment 50% - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist You´ve really made me think; perhaps I should write a blog about suspiciously defensive homophobes who leave sad anonymous little comments on travel blog websites (they inadvertently stumble across whilst googling their favourite pastime)...you don´t happen to know anyone like that do you? Anyway, you seem like a pretty deep philosophical kinda guy, so I´ll cut you a deal; you send me a valid email address and when I get a boyfriend, I´ll send you a picture of his ass! |
| 21st April 2009 travis | asia - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Hmmm good post but don't forget that the Philippines is still a part of Asia with the exception that they have been a lot more exposed to Western culture and people compared to most areas. From my experience, there is the economical element of finding a Western partner, but there's also a fetish for Western guys just like there is a fetish for Asian women in the US. Ignoring all filipinas is pretty much saying that they are all the same. It's ridiculous to assume all of them want to use you for money or that all foreigners in a relationship are exploiting somehow. It's just another attempt to paint the world white and black, good and evil. Sex is only one aspect of a relationship. |
| 21st April 2009 bla | 50% - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Dear broke-back backpacker, I admire your "hands off my penis" approach to the Philippines, it's important to have standards. Prostitution is common in SE Asia and places in Europe so why not just write about that problem? You know, many Asian women marry older rich guys even from their own race. Why is it necessary to target outmarriages in the Philippines involving Caucasians in particular? Why do you want to stick your nose where it doesn't belong? Does it make you feel like a bigger person to take pity on the Philippines or to blame white guys who marry Filipinas (a.k.a "sexpats")? Go back to broke-back mountain and go back to talking about your boyfriend's ass. |
| 13th April 2009 Max Shaw Lee | Sounds like paradise... - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Just wanted to thank you, for taking the time to write your thoughts and I am pleased with your intelligent verbosity. I have recently met a young woman from Bdesh (by accident online) and am seriously thinking of visiting her there and maybe even moving there for a short time or more. But no matter what, I am definitely going to go visit as soon as possible, after reading your blog on it's people, government and conditions. What was the reason you told them you needed the special passes, if I may ask? (why did you tell them you were there?) Just wondering? Again, a special thanks for the commentary. Max in Lake Havasu, AZ. USA |
| 3rd April 2009 Warren | Excellent - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Nicely written, mate. Echoes a lot of my thoughts on the Philippines...and your attitude to the STs mirrors my own. I'll read a bit more when I get a minute. Good stuff, mate. http://highseasdrifter.blogspot.com/2009/04/looking-for-love-in-all-wrong-places.html Warren |
| 24th March 2009 Billy | Romance and Sex - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist This is a good topic, Romance and sex is so important these days, I'm a more kick back guy. When it comes to sex I travel to the caribbean at this place called Charlisangels Exotic Resort. A paradise with babes all around, great sex vacation. When it comes to romance I go to Venice with my wife and enjoy this lovely culture full of good vibes. |
| 7th March 2009 Pankaj | the anthropolgist's wonderful contribution - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami in reviving the probably lost tourism in this God's great land of water. Thanks to all who have given this blog site its worth seeing facettes and unveiled the very object of concern "The Andamans" post Tzunami. |
| 23rd February 2009 Joanna | Another comment regarding the cross-island-highway - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist Hi, Jason, I was very impressed by your comments. I got the feeling you DID enjoy Taiwan very much and I'm very glad. I was born in Taiwan but emigrated to the US with my family at 8 years of age, have been here for over 35 years! so you can say I am American. However, we return to Taiwan on a regular basis and my husband and I just adopted a little boy from Taiwan in November, 2008. Just to add a slight detail to who actually built the cross-island-highway. Yes. the trail was initiated by the Japanese, and yes, the paved highway was built during the reign of the KMT (Nationalist Chinese). But it was the Taiwanese who actually BUILT it. Many Taiwanese died building that road (twice). Happy traveling and hope you will return to Taiwan for a longer visit! Blessings, Joanna |
| 23rd February 2009 anna | - From: Culture shock in The Garden of Eden strange comments about Georgia. When did they travel? You dont call girl there Natasha. I think you met with some local Russian living there and calling girls like that. I dont have any problems on this name, but The Georgian girls name there Nato, but not Natasha. And secong: if you are a gusts, especially from other countries teh Georgians are always hospitable. I dont know what kind of chacha-vodka they gave you to taste,but indeed they will offer you the wine. And finally,some 'tourists' try to see in other countires most demaged things and make photos, but I beleive you also have some trouble alcoholics in your own countyr. Respect the country you travel and then use your opinions. |
| 3rd February 2009 Chris | - From: Paganism in vodka valley You found one of the most wonderful place's on the planet. I've been to Tusheti in both 2007 and 2008. Have a peep at my blog Cheers Chris http://travelsintusheti.blogspot.com/ |
| 25th January 2009 alfra dai | hei thanx for the great photos! - From: Tourism to The Rescue? hi jason my friends and me r going to this paradise-like place next month.im even more excited after i saw these posts.i will read what u wrote and get equipped!thank u so much! |
| 16th January 2009 aspiringnomad | "Timeshifter" - From: Streets of Hate If you write back to me with a valid email then I can reply to your request...I was under the impression I had released the rights to this photo? |
| 30th December 2008 aspiringnomad | Grumpy bear - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week Thanks for your concern - those 'toys' are traditional handmade keepsakes the Dong sell to Chinese tourists in Chengyang. Par for the course, the tourists kept giving them to Kiva, despite our refusals. He didn't really take to them as you can see, and we thought it merited a grumpy photo. But don’t worry; there won’t be any pictures of him drinking bleach or playing with knives. Though a few blogs back you may be shocked to find him chuggin on a beer! |
| 29th December 2008 J. | Kiva - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week Kiva is such a cutie ! As a parent, I wouldn't contemplate of taking my children on the road at an early age for countless reasons. You really are gutsy first-time parents for doing so. Just a friendly advice, I wouldn't hang toys around Grumpy Bear's neck if I were you as it can get caught onto something and.... (let's say freak accidents happen.)....knock on wood. Anyway, impressive photos you got there ! |
| 28th December 2008 bertN | - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week Kiva is exposed to a lot of dangers on the road but if I were Kiva, I would not have it any other way. You are one gutsy couple and I admire you and your adventures. Stay safe and keep us up to date with your travel. |
| 24th December 2008 on the road | Enjoy your travel - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week Alike every girl wish to find a sugary daddy but not everyone succeed. There is nothing wrong to expect the greenlight, however approval or not should in line with the regulaiton. In your case, it has nothing to do with bureaucratic at all. Should you prepared in advance,the extra 3 days loging cost will save and bitter ticket buying experience will vapored accordingly. Traveling is finding something different, wherever you are, whatever it is. The less your complaint about, the more easier your journey will be and of course more happiness you will find. Nice shooting and cute baby. |
| 24th December 2008 qian | - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week I am a Chinese native. Really nice photos better than the calendar pictures I saw growing up. Got visit Guilin on my next trip to China. |
| 23rd December 2008 aspiringnomad | There is a clue cleverly hidden in the title! - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week The "National Day Golden Week" begins on October 1st...and if you look closely some of the rice terraces are not only green but golden;-) |
| 23rd December 2008 Mark | Longji.... - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week Are this really your pictures? We were there last week as well... and it was not green at all, the were filling the rice terraces with water and it was all dry... Mmmmm... Very strange isn't it?.. Enjoy travelling.. |
| 21st December 2008 aspiringnomad | benevolence? - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week I like to believe there's a long lost human being behind every pair of bureaucratic eyebrows! |
| 21st December 2008 AnnaAdventuring | - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week Stunning photos as always! That is one adventurous kid you have - nice to see someone starting on their travels so early in life!! |
| 21st December 2008 jt | Bureaucrats are Universal - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week Hey, Jason, Jennifer & Kiva! Just reading the Chinese adventures... and it dawns on me that it's oddly universal, the way that there will be kind individuals to help us through the madness of a consistently dysfunctional bureaucracy. I'm left wondering, awed, really, at how unlikely it is that all of these bureaucracies, the world over, can be so incredibly FUBAR, and how anything ever gets done anywhere. It's true in the States as well, once you start dealing with local or less commonly visited variations on the theme. US Fish & Wildlife service, for example, has been no end of grief for my work in West Africa, taking 6 months (by intention, I seriously believe) to perform the same task done in under an hour in Guinea (Conakry). Yet try getting similar accomplishments from Dakar, and you're talking weeks if you're persistent. One day, we'll figure out what makes them not work.:) The images are breathtaking. I know your skill with a camera, but still, the subject landscapes and people! So unfortunate that they're the bad guys in the global scheme of things. Do you encounter the dirty ugly side of it as well, and choose to only publish the beautiful? I'm in Taos, NM, for a bit... taking some time off to recharge the kitty and the emotional batteries. The decision to return to Aikido practice left me with a screwed up shoulder as of this morning. All over the world and the worst I got was curable disease, I come home, land badly one time, and have to consider repairing by surgery. Maybe the bureaucrats weren't so bad after all. Any clue why the Angry Eyebrows supervisor decided to be benevolent? |
| 21st December 2008 Alanna | ^_^ - From: Golden Sh-tstorm Week Nice pictures taken !!! Keep up all the good work |
| 20th December 2008 AnnaAdventuring | - From: Leaving the shadow of Lenin's prick Stunning photographs!! It's nice to hear your account of travelling through Kyrgyzstan - it's not a country that appears on travelblog so often! |
| 13th December 2008 doran | great photography! - From: Tourism to The Rescue? You've got some fantastic photos here! |
| 11th December 2008 around_the_world | - From: Tourism to The Rescue? One more great entry! Love your series of portraits and insights on this part of the Guizhou province! Kiva seems like he is having lots of fun surrounded by all those ayis! Let me know if you stop by Shanghai :-) |
| 10th December 2008 Josh Sher | - From: Tourism to The Rescue? Great colorful writing (and photos) as always. Keep up the good work, even though it makes travel blog hacks such as myself feel bad... |
| 10th December 2008 Peter | Truly impressive - From: Tourism to The Rescue? Jason,truly impressive in terms of your observation and insight on cultural elements associated with local tourism development in the rural areas, in particular west china. Nice shot as well. BTW, Kiva is so cute. Look forward your next posting. |
| 10th December 2008 Stephen Paul | Tourists - From: Tourism to The Rescue? Great post! Some really good shots here. Favorites: Wind and Rain Bridge Zhaoxing, harvest time Zhaoxing, early morning Zhaoxing, Bridge and Drum Tower Zhaoxing, Wind and Rain Bridge Zhaoxing, Kiva Zhaoxing |
| 22nd November 2008 Yasin khan gudha | FOR RAJASTHAN - From: Rajasthan; on the road again Hi, i am yasin from rajasthan. Dosto rajasthan meri jaan hai . |
| 19th November 2008 natanoja | aaaaawww - From: Getting Maui'ed this is like reading a fairy tale! |
| 21st October 2008 joerine | :) - From: Going Live in China nice pics you guys,China is indeed one of the most beautiful places in the world, can't wait for my turn to see it. oh and Kiva is one hell of a cute baby! |
| 18th October 2008 Bob | Refreshing - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast Hello Jason thank you for articulating what a 'traveler' sees and feels when coming to a land that nobody quite calls home (at least out loud). Although you might feel it at first, you are not so different from most the locals. They listen to Rush. They make fun of the other culture. They have a sense of humor if you know what joke to tell. It is all about knowing what joke to tell - and that isn't that hard when it comes down to it. |
| 13th October 2008 aspiringnomad | Blame Jen... - From: Adventures of the incredible little peanut! I like the idea! Yep he's 9 months now, a big boy just like his daddy - but still a little peanut. Back when we were in the The Ppines he was only 9 weeks... I'll have to get Lyon's to edit your comments;-) hope ur gearing up for Pakistan! |
| 12th October 2008 bmore | Shots - From: Robbed in the Safest City in Africa! Your photography is beautiful. You really captured the spirit of the country. |
| 10th October 2008 Kris | mistake - From: Adventures of the incredible little peanut! thought little Kiva was 9 months old now.....9 weeks??? wow he's big! haha think jennifer needs to edit your blog a little closer! |
| 9th October 2008 bobbie | what a cutie - From: Adventures of the incredible little peanut! cant believe your baby is here already??? wow how time flies.. and what a cutie he is!! |
| 9th October 2008 EASTWEST | what a view - From: Adventures of the incredible little peanut! it's so so enviable to get there with the hut on top of that humonguous rock! what an incredible adventure! wow! |
| 7th October 2008 Marco | Man, you made it back! - From: Adventures of the incredible little peanut! I read your fantastic blog on Mindanao and Palawan when you were single...now you're maui'ed and a proud father. Congratulations! As always, what a great blog! And you still have the travel bug. |
| 7th October 2008 Anonymous | Nice advanture - From: Adventures of the incredible little peanut! Enjoy your trip. and nice photos. |
| 20th September 2008 around_the_world | - From: In Transit... Waouh !! amazing shoots you got there !! and well...border crossing definitely sounds like an adventure in itself! |
| 19th September 2008 Trish | - From: In Transit... I'm not really sure how or why I get your blogs sent to my email, maybe it has something to do with the fact that I used to have a travelblog account, but I ocassionally do read yours and they always inspire me and I end up with an even longer list of new countries I want to visit! Hope you're having an amazing trip! |
| 19th September 2008 Maddywv | Great! - From: In Transit... Awesome photos!!!!! THanks for sharing |
| 6th September 2008 Andy | Fantastic pictures hehe - From: Getting Maui'ed All the best to the lovely pair Blessings from north Yorkshire Andy Vos in the dirt |
| 5th September 2008 Tyra | Nice! - From: Getting Maui'ed great pictures! so romantic! |
| 5th September 2008 anonymous | - From: Getting Maui'ed Wow! Great Pictures...ahh..so romantic! Congratulations! |
| 4th September 2008 steffen | Great pictures! - From: Getting Maui'ed Simply stunning, the photos you took - the rocky coastline and the lush green. I nearly booked a flight to Hawaii straight away. |
| 4th September 2008 The Kings Adventure | - From: Getting Maui'ed Beautiful pictures!!! They really capture the moment. Congrats!!! |
| 29th August 2008 Rachamim Ben Ami | Tanduay - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Just one minor point, Tanduay is a brandy, not a rum but I do not blame the author for the mistake, as it more resembles whiskey in colour and odor than any brandy I have ever seen. |
| 20th August 2008 nicholas | 5 steep steps to remember when they stand before you. - From: Robbed in the Safest City in Africa! explaining not complaining, tell us about the last time you made a mistake and let us judge you Mr Anonymous. Senor Nomad I respect you for trying to understand another culture so deligently. I think we could all try a little harder to ask WHY a person may act so emotionally before being judgemental and retaliating. thanks for the reminder. |
| 20th August 2008 Joe Roark | Cool travel - From: A Birthday Trip to North Korea Very neat trip and pictures of the area! |
| 19th August 2008 Ali | Really interesting... - From: A Birthday Trip to North Korea Couldn't help being struck that the only place I've ever had to delete a photo due to "official rules" was outside the US Embassy in Brunei - plain-clothed US agent approaches after taking an innocent street shot to demand that I delete the photo... strange that the policies of the bastion of freedom and the axis of evil should be so similar. Good luck with the bloglag :) |
| 18th August 2008 aspiringnomad | A confession of my own I think... - From: A Birthday Trip to North Korea There are no flies on you Marco, and I’m embarrassed to say you have missed a lot. But that’s entirely down to my record breaking blog lag. Within the next fortnight I have lofty plans to rectify the concertina of time, by which time It’ll be bedlam, whether you’re paying attention or not;-) |
| 18th August 2008 Marcoelitaliano | North Korea??? - From: A Birthday Trip to North Korea Jason, I must confess that, having being myself on the road in the past month or so, I haven´t carefully read your entries about East Africa, but, North Korea 7 days after Uganda? Did I miss something important? Marco |
| 17th August 2008 barrygahan | Fascinating - From: A Birthday Trip to North Korea I´ll bring a spare memory card if i ever have the chance or luck to visit! |
| 13th August 2008 aspiringnomad | - From: Robbed in the Safest City in Africa! You don't by chance work in insurance do you anonymous? "Compassion is the radicalism of our time" Dalai Lama |
| 13th August 2008 anonymous | - From: Robbed in the Safest City in Africa! I thought you were experienced travellers... leaving all your valuables out of eyesight in an african bus... how can you even complain? |
| 12th August 2008 anonymous | - From: Robbed in the Safest City in Africa! Great blog! :) |
| 11th August 2008 erictjie | - From: Robbed in the Safest City in Africa! thanks God, you all are safe. I always take my bags with me in the bus and i would rather pay double than leave my bags to them. |
| 10th August 2008 bmore | thoughts - From: Robbed in the Safest City in Africa! Sorry your Uganda experience has been so full of challanges. I just returned from three weeks in Kampala and Gulu. The people were so friendly and energizing. The heavy foot traffic and street people always kept me on guard and in physical contact with my personal belongings, a good practice to follow. The continuing rebel activity in the north and recent developments in the Sudan create a sense of uneasiness in Gulu, but my experience there was also very rewarding. I hope the rest of your journey filled with more of the joys of Uganda and its resilient and beautiful people. |
| 10th August 2008 Johanna | Very Insightful... - From: Robbed in the Safest City in Africa! Really enjoyed that...well done ! |
| 10th August 2008 travellingmum | congrats - From: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Carbon Foot Prints I cant believe there arent any coments about the MINI ME.... congrats.. we all cant wait to see the adventures with baby in tow... maybe it can have its own travel blog too... |
| 9th August 2008 Tiffu | - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh These pics are deep and really inspiring. I only went not that long ago, but seeing these pics just makes me feel like hopping onto pane and just going again. Cheers bud for the classy pics |
| 30th July 2008 nancy | My Golden Bengal - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Ahmar shonar Bangla... the national anthem written by Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali Poet. I lived there four fifteen years and I feel like I've gone back home, beautiful.. THANK YOU for all the memories. |
| 26th July 2008 Kabir Alam | I 4 n I - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast I do realy appritiate yr natural photography. Inever seen such images. |
| 24th July 2008 Marc | Who writes those stuff from LP? - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Obviously, people who just sit in front of their computer and research everything on the internet...unlike someone like you experiencing things firsthand. Let's buy LP a few round of drinks and help them have the balls to go to such places. Bravo to you...keep on blogging. And keep on traveling. Great shots! |
| 20th July 2008 SirMarjAlot | - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist First I would like to congratulate the author on a good story and a good read. I can relate alot to what you are saying as in my heart I have come up against the same conflicting issues relative to our westen society and theirs. I know many 20 something backpackers later return in middle age and become what they once pretended to despise. A well trodden path. Lets face its not just the exotic locations you find attractive but also their women. But you dont need to feel ashamed. But like I said alot of what you say is true and overlaps with things I have also felt. I confess to falling in love with one of these girls a few years back and some would call me a sex tourist. If you would like to get into the mind of a monger, you can... http://SirMarjAlot.blogspot.com. |
| 18th July 2008 Coffeecat | Jambo - From: Kilimanjaro; The Other Side of the Mountain Brilliant as always and perfect timing for added inspiration....I arrive in Kampala on Monday. what are you guys planning on seeing? |
| 17th July 2008 Marie | Picture - From: The Ripening I absolutely love your picture of the canal in Venice. I subscribed to your blog page so that I can come back and read some about where you have gone and how you are doing it..... |
| 17th July 2008 Graciela | Amazing - From: Kilimanjaro; The Other Side of the Mountain Lovely picture, lovely faces, amazing landscape, wonderful adventure. I have never been to Africa, it´s in my plans. |
| 17th July 2008 Stuart Lee | good stuff - From: Kilimanjaro; The Other Side of the Mountain Hey mate, enjoyed that. Good timing as I head to kenya next week! (then onto South Sudan) |
| 3rd July 2008 Tubs | Excellent blog - From: Streets of Hate Good work Aspiringnomad. Not at all biased, just an account of the events as you saw them. I hope more people follow your honest example in the west bank. Only then can we really know what is going on. |
| 27th June 2008 aspiringnomad | Thanks Kimch - From: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Carbon Foot Prints It's comments like yours that really brighten my day and make it all worthwhile. Of course I'll happily answer a couple of your questions; In my experience the ladies prefer primordial man scent, and the hairs down my sofa tend to clump. Hope that helps, your inspiration is my pleasure! |
| 27th June 2008 kimch | amazing - From: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Carbon Foot Prints You are truly an inspiring person. I love all of your pics and all your thoughtful words. What camera do you use? What is your favorite aftershave? How many nose hairs have floated down the back of your sofa? Keep up the good work nomad! |
| 26th June 2008 aspiringnomad | Fuji s5600 - From: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Carbon Foot Prints Yours for a snip under $200! Incidentally, I thought travelblog had a cool new feature which captures and catalogues the culprit camera for every shot - Perhaps mine is too old to leave a trail? |
| 26th June 2008 PJ | photies - From: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Carbon Foot Prints Hi Mate, just reading your amsterdam blog and the photos are excellent.. can I ask what camera you are using dude?? |
| 26th June 2008 aspiringnomad | Socratic irony? - From: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Carbon Foot Prints priceless... |
| 25th June 2008 d | nobody's talking about carbon anymore? - From: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Carbon Foot Prints perhaps you've become deaf in the past year or so, but it's more of a concern now than it ever has been. I love travelling as well, but do so with an awareness of it's VERY REAL cost to the environment. Ryanair's 20p flights are just a marketing gimmick, and in no way whatsoever are an indication of falling oil prices (how much have petrol prices gone up in the past 6 months?) |
| 23rd June 2008 Tim Johnson | - From: The Ripening Pertinent points. I read a quote recently 'In the Western world we have freedom of choice, just nothing to choose from'. Intellectual freedom may be partially achieved, but glimpses of 'freedom to' are scary and lead us to grasp onto something concrete, which is lack of economic freedom. Just realised you say this in your post and this contradicts my first comment! But perhaps this awareness of economic constraints and the choices it presents is in itself a freedom, even if we choose security? |
| 22nd June 2008 aspiringnomad | A different kind of freedom? - From: The Ripening Freedom from political and economic ties is negative freedom - a ‘freedom from’ the restrictions placed on humanity by other people or institutions. Whereas Intellectual freedom, leads to a positive freedom, and the real challenge is knowing what to do with this ‘freedom to’… “People hardly ever make use of the freedom they have. For example, the freedom of thought. Instead they demand freedom of speech as compensation”. Søren Kierkegaard…Which I think is borne out in this quote by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn "It is easier to have freedom of thought in a concentration camp than in America today." |
| 20th June 2008 Tim Johnson | - From: The Ripening You don't know me, but just happenned across your Blog. Some really beautiful camerawork and words. I can really associate with your feelings about freedom at the start. My only contribution to this would be, if we can achieve intellectual freedom inside, then would the other two forms of freedom mentioned (political and economic) necessarily follow? |
| 12th June 2008 Ali | - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Well Done Mr |
| 12th June 2008 Cumberland Sausage | Ouch - From: The Making of a Cruise Addict I've just fallen off my chair. |
| 9th June 2008 Stephen Paul | Congratulations - From: The Making of a Cruise Addict I could see how cruises could become attractive- maybe! Looks as if the Aspiring Nomad is now unmasked! Formal Wear? yeah right, you know that you showed up at the Yurt in Kyrgyzstan in your Tuxedo! ok maybe not. Great Post! |
| 18th April 2008 theRedRiver | - From: Escape to another world Just a little correction of the name of a place in your Vietnam blog. It should be "MUI NE", not "Me Nui" like you wrote. |
| 8th April 2008 Karen | From the Belly of the Beast. - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast All nations of the world have the media. Ours are just more free than most to say what they think. Its the "hooked" people that keep them in business. Personally, they don't speak for me and there is a lot like me here. Certainly, there are a lot of people in this world eager to judge people they really know nothing about. Do you have to have travel visa's to enter into yours or any other country. Its only right and our country is no different than any other in that respect. I love my country and I admit (like the world over) theres a lot wrong with it but theres also a whole lotta right. Great pictures, by-the-way. |
| 13th March 2008 tanaz | racism - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami hi, am a local here. i just wanted to thank you for this wonderful piece and am a journalist here so we get lots of complaints too about ship schedules and announcements etc, but one point i really wanted to point out was that not everyone here indulges in racism. We comprise of people of everywhere in India. To give a very brief idea, the prisoners brought here as punishment were largely an Urdu speaking lot, and others brought in during that time learned to speak urdu and a derived hindi. For many years, in fact just up untill a few years ago, urdu remained our main language spoken here. While Urdu is largely a north Indian language, my boss, who is a south indian settler here since birth, is an Urdu scholar. so you see, here we come from everywhere but mingle in and adapt happily. The tribes, though, have not been handled or dealt with very well by the government. They have suffered a great deal at the hands of people who did not know how to go about 'breaking the ice' with them. Anyway, all in all, the beaches are worth it...but please don't judge the entire lot of us as racial just because of one charlie ;) keep coming and keep writing |
| 11th March 2008 prem | great - From: Rajasthan; on the road again wonderful rajasthan photos! |
| 29th February 2008 Adnan | Well Done! - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh It is a very refreshing story to read. actually this was the first blog entry on my country I've ever read, and booom!!! it is a master piece. I guess I'll have to search for more blog entries. Only thing I can say is: whenever u come to our little princess, be my guest. |
| 25th February 2008 tamam | - From: Rajasthan; on the road again Great stories. Great pictures. |
| 25th February 2008 Ask My Days | Listen to my advice, man - From: Streets of Hate Dear Aspiringnomad, I am very pleased to hear that there is a brave man like you in the world who feel the grievances of the Palestinian people who suffer so much since Belfor Promise Palestinian have been suffering so much since 1948 of bloodshed, pushing them out of their homes and siege of all kinds till today where settlements are increasing upon bulldozing Palestinian's homes and homeless people and the barrier wall which suffocate the Palestinians people and make him isolated out of the world, and after all this, we hear from a lot of media in the world that the reluctance of the Palestinians against the racist occupation is a crime (which is so mistakenly so called terrorism). Undoubtedly, this conflict in Palestine is a part of the many other conflicts in the world which a solution should be found for and a peace and justice should be widespread among people whether they are Muslims, Christians or Jewish or other religions in the world so that the whole world live as one family born from Adam and Hawaa (Eve). But please advise me, friend, is there ever in the world a power, dogma or a humanitarian organization that can solve this problem in the world fairly and unbiased to any party? Undoubtedly, the only way to solve this problem is first to know who we are. We all believe that we are the creatures of God, who created us, whether be Muslims, Christians or Jewish, and that the sky above us is a creature of God and that the land is created by God in order we all live on it through the system that the Creator wanted, and this system the Creator wanted exists in the Books of Heavens that He sent down to his Messengers, and which the latest and the seal if them was the Holy Quran, which is a complete and comprehensive course and comprise all what relates to the cosmos, mankind and life and show the relations between them, and it is also a great gate to pass to all kinds of right knowledge that relate to this cosmos. I am going to give an example of our real life to simplify the idea: if one buy a device from a famous industrial company, no doubt that he will get a Usage Documents together with the device, this documents includes general information about the device and the most right ways of using this device and the trouble shootings, and where you are recommended to make reference to the manufacturer company in case of incurable errors, and where you are also warned of maintaining the device by other than the manufacturing company or its agents. In this concern, God says in the Verse no.10 in AL-Anbiaa (The Prophets) soura of the Holy Quran, and as I convey the translation of its explanation: ((Indeed, We have sent down for you (O mankind) a Book, (the Qur'ân) in which there is Dhikrukum, (your Reminder or an honor for you i.e. honor for the one who follows the teaching of the Qur'ân and acts on its orders). Will you not then understand?) At last, let us friend, to look in this Quran and brows it, and you will find it from the first to the end to be the miracle of God's speech where no one, whatever of eloquence he is at, to bring out any one similar "verse" of it. Then, if we found one verse of this Holy Quran are a human's, or found that one verse has been distorted, then, we refuse the whole Book. And this Quran, as we mentioned, is a general definition of each of cosmos, mankind and life, and an exposure to the relations within them, and it also comprise all what mankind needs of systems that make him on the topmost level. So, after we brows and accurately understand it, if we found otherwise than what have been mentioned, then we refuse it. Also this Quran was sent down concerning the people in general whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims to live fairly and peacefully within them on this earth. So, if we also find it bound to or one-sided to Muslims, then we refuse it too completely. Moreover, the wonderful thing in the Holy Quran is that It is quite corresponding to science, and there is no contradiction, in it, with the science that come out of a right base, because sciences that come out of right base, it would certainly reach to a right result. Information that come out of wrong or astray base would certainly reach to a wrong or astray result. Wish you all the welfare. |
| 20th February 2008 aspiringnomad | To Ziggy - From: Streets of Hate I'm glad you've taken the time to leave this comment Ziggy, because despite your air of self righteous wisdom your pathetically ignorant and frankly racist diatribe is actually that of the average tabloid reading FOX News viewing masses. Thank you for judging "Everybody's" opinion here as 'not interesting' enough for you to argue about, or taking time to judge the "irrelevance" of the reasons the inhabitants of Israel or Palestine are fighting. If you did however do just a little reading for yourself you would discover there is no congenital historical enmity between Arabs and Jews, despite your belief that the issues "go so far back in time that they become irrelevant". And instead of seeing peoples behavior and thinking maybe this is a result of their treatment, you see it as a "barbarianism and blood lust which governs this part of the world" again you have almost verbatim toed the racist neocon line that violence is something inherent in their culture. Then with almost embarrassing predictably you claim that nothing can stop the killing so you "seize[sic] to care" and that's "the way it goes"..."leave them to it". Again, the tabloid party line; that this is an ancient problem with little hope of a solution...Do yourself a favor today Ziggy: Start thinking for yourself. "The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance it is the illusion of knowledge" Stephen Hawking |
| 20th February 2008 IREN | THANKS LOT FOR THIS STORY - From: Streets of Hate THANKS LOT FOR THIS STORY ..ITS REAL I CAN FEEL IT . |
| 19th February 2008 wineman | The grounds of morality - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Interesting, in this blog you push the moral superiority of single Western males who are not involved in the sex trade. There are a couple of points though. 1. Tourism, including your jaunts to exotic locations helps make commodities out of local people and places (where they live). 2. The exchange of sex, or romance, or marraige as a socioeconomic transaction is a part of Western culture just as much as the places you visited. I will not argue the point but will point out that expensive flashy cars are supposssed to get the gal in western countries ahahahhaha..sure |
| 18th February 2008 Tim S. | Interesting - From: California Dreaming without The Hippies Another well-written, thought-provoking entry. Look forward to the next entry and hope that the time-gap between the entries won't be as long. |
| 12th February 2008 pac1n | Great deal - From: California Dreaming without The Hippies Click Here! |
| 12th February 2008 aspiringnomad | Is Hampshire a place near Havant? - From: California Dreaming without The Hippies For the record, Chomsky's take on the American Dream is this "It's nothing but propaganda. Even in North-Korea you could talk about a North-Korean Dream. It too would consist of freedom and justice and equality and so on. But that is not North-Korean reality." (The policeman in my head thinks he deserves the taser treatment for such a subversive comment; you think I should Just Do it!?) |
| 12th February 2008 Martin | - From: California Dreaming without The Hippies You have been reading to much Chomsky mate. Good informative piece and I particularly liked the photos. I reckon your a closet copper though. All this 'policemen in my head' malarkey. I can't wait for your next blog, ever fancied going to Hampshire? Remember impossible is nothing, so bring it on. |
| 12th February 2008 Jo | Mohandas Gandhi - From: California Dreaming without The Hippies As what Gandhi preached, "Be the Change that you want to see in the world". If we could make that simple change within ourself, the way we think and act, then hopefully that change will radiate to the people around us and create the domino effect towards peace, love and harmony throughout the world.....cheers ! JC....P.S. Great Blog by the way ;> |
| 12th February 2008 mae | - From: California Dreaming without The Hippies Come visit me in LA! |
| 11th February 2008 Kim Cheese Ramran | Kamsamneedarma - From: California Dreaming without The Hippies i enjoyed that matey. Very tidy and interesting piece. I can't wait for the next blog to find out what you needed that tux for, ohh the excitement! All the best.. |
| 11th February 2008 Angie | quite interesting - From: California Dreaming without The Hippies this was interesting... it amazes me how there are people who enjoy travelling this much...and have the will to share it afterwards... bon voyage! greetings from croatia :) angie |
| 11th February 2008 Ziggy | To Everybody: The way it goes - From: Streets of Hate I've read more or less everything here, blogs and comments, and here is what I think. I don't really find it interesting to argue whose side is right and wrong, and who has done this that and the other. These rights and wrongs go so far back in time that they become irrelevant and people commit terrible acts every day: palestinians bomb cafe's and Israelis bulldoze a few schools. The guilt is evenly distributed on each side and there are no winners and losers. What we have here are people hating and killing and this has made Israel and Palestine pretty rotten places. If people really wanted this violence to stop it would, but barbarianism and bloodlust continues to govern this part of the world. Nothing can fix this and that is, I regret to say, the way it goes. Should I save a palestinian boy today he'll blow up a cafe tomorrow, protect an israeli and she'll be getting a bulldozer drivers licence. So this is where I seize to care. These people will never work this out and I think we better leave them to it and care about things we can actually do something about. |
| 15th January 2008 Peter Neu | Ah, the Mergui - From: Myanmar Musings in The Mergui Archipelago I enjoyed your writing about Mergui. I also went but didn't post it under Mergui as it wasn't offered at the time. Feel free to read it over. (Peter Neu/ Father Neu) I saw lots of Moken folks and traded for fresh fish once. But I have to say, after diving many spots I was surprised how unpristine places were due to rampant uncontrolled overfishing (80s or 90s?) Continue to explore the unexplored! |
| 24th December 2007 dan eire | some good reading - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast Hi Jason, Your blog reminded me of my summer trip to the States this August. I went to Burning Man but besides that serene interlude I also felt (again) the problems you discussed. I study Russian in Dublin and I just finished an essay comparing aspects of the totalitarian reality portrayed in the Russian classic Dystopian novel 'WE' to modern America. I recommend reading the German Psycologist Erich Fromm's 1942 novel "Fear of Freedom". It was a real eye opener for me and I can even claim to have gotten a bit high from reading it...if this is even possible. He goes beyond the norm also by offering solutions to society's problems. Essential reading for anyone interested in sociology in the context of modern issues of genuine personal freedom. |
| 2nd December 2007 JT | I often wonder - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast Though I was born and raised in the U.S., I've the fortune of having become a citizen of the world, so we share the same perspective... but I know this landscape far more intimately. Often these past several years, I've wondered what else and better might have become of this nation, with its incomprehensibly vast natural resources, under a different people and governance. Would it have been stripped of those resources, mountains torn down all the faster, or might it have given birth to a people able to be harmonious with the rest of the globe around them? Today it's impossible to separate the two; The people and the land share a seemingly inseparable bond, and so I can't say what it might have become... only that I mourn the loss of more positive and promising potentials. Thank you for sharing your perspective. As I gather myself for a one-way trip across the Pond at the end of this month, the reminder helps steady my resolve.:) Peace & Creation, JT |
| 27th November 2007 Cesar | Eddie, - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast I am this old fart from Southern California who writes poorly. However, I am one who knows what good writing looks like, and your essay is the best I've read so far. I love reading and re-reading your essay and also have read it to my wife. Thanks Brit for sharing your experiences. |
| 27th November 2007 Jim Morrison | Great read... - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist You aren't a moral hair splitter, others make reductionist arguments about this issue. I've never understood why these unions are any different from a western woman improve her station through marriage. Filipinas aren't as desperate as we often believe. |
| 21st November 2007 Jungle_Gal | Life After Love At First Sight - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist To the author..I wish you know whats going on with the life of Derek and his "wife" now so does what happened to properties he invested millions of pesos with...poor derek...sighh |
| 20th November 2007 ConMel | from Mika - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast Hello Jason, thanks for your response to my post, clarifying your position on Tibet. It was interesting to read your views on media in America. I would agree with you on many of the problems you've pointed out, but I'm wondering, do you have any solutions or better alternatives to try and prevent these problems? Is this as good as it gets? Mika in Finland. |
| 20th November 2007 Stephen Paul | Disneyland and Sandstone - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast The belly of beast isnt so bad huh? Everything west of the Rockies allows us to conveniently forget about political bullshit and focus on whats most important- seeing the gemstones that the natural world has to offer! The Goering quote is haunting, if only George W. had the balls to eat a cyanide containing glass ampule we would all save ourselves the trouble of an impeachment! |
| 20th November 2007 aspiringnomad | Don't believe the truth? - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast I agree with your philosophical stance Marco. "We Know the truth not only by reason, but also by the heart" Blaise Pascal, who also said "There are truths on this side of the Pyrenees, which are falsehoods on the other"...Still "Chase after the truth like all hell and you'll free yourself, even though you never touch its coattails" Clarence Darrow. |
| 20th November 2007 Kate's mom | Heartbreaking, but true. - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast Well said, aspiring nomad...great name, btw. America the paradox. Your photos capture the beauty, your words, the pain. When you have time, check out the Redwoods and the Oregon coast.... Happy adventuring! |
| 20th November 2007 Marcoelitaliano | Welcome back! - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast So, you were in the US. Nice to read something yours again. As for your point of view on the media (strictly in philosophical terms) you might just apply the same principle infinitely and never know where the truth lies. i.g. one could claim that those who claim that those who are favourable to a war have been manipulated are actually those who have been manipulated. And so on infinetely. Best bet: pay attention to Jennifer and keep the damn political show turned off :-) |
| 19th November 2007 Ali | Fantastic... - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast So true, so well written and so beautifully illustrated. |
| 19th November 2007 Kate Hildebrand | Dodge City what a pity - From: Beauty in The Belly of The Beast Best blog ever, I love those National Parks! Y'all come to Oklahoma next time, our politicians are the craziest :3 |
| 7th November 2007 henry | sad but true - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Long time ago before tourism, the ideal habitation was when filipino girls were only for filipino boys. In that way the pinoys retain their stock and all. In the advent of world interaction, of which tourism is one, the eyes of most of filipino women have been diverted to these white visitors..big stature, tall, handsome, different and most especially with bulging pockets. No longer do pinoy fathers willingly give their daughters' hands to locals but prefer to yield them to some white foreigner who promises them freedom from poverty. The old pinoy culture is somewhat chipped away slowly and lost forever. If the culture of poverty persists in this island republic, more and more pinoy moral and cultural values would be lost. |
| 27th October 2007 lidia markovski | bravo - From: MAKEDONIJA you hit the nail on the head, i am australian born to macedonian parents, and i could not agree with you more.yes its a wonderful place, beautiful in fact but the people...... where do i start lazy and dumb so and so who like to free load off more fortune people (relative in particular that have come from overseas that have saved there pennies for years to make the pligrimage back to the home land only to have everyone of the relatives use them)yes very lazy.had the opportunity to spend 5 weeks there not so long ago did not see one relative go to work during that time(apparently it was not worth it, the monthly wage was very low) but was happy to free load off a relative that they had never met before. and the women yes slut material. im amazed that there isnt many known reports of rape (but most of them are so masculine the men would not be game to attack) thank you for your blog had a wonderful giggle |
| 1st October 2007 aspiringnomad | - mika - From: Karma police, arrest this man It is a little bizarre to receive a comment on this particular blog after so long Mika, as when I’d initially posted it, I expected a flood of protest which never actually materialized. I was apprehensive about including some of the negative experiences, since I believed their inclusion may somehow have undermined people’s solidarity toward the plight of the Tibetan people, and anger the many proponents of their cause. However I felt if I were to dismiss the ‘one off’ behavior of a group of Tibetans, and refuse to comment on it in my blog because the perpetrators are victims of Chinese imperialism, then I would be a hypocrite. Firstly let me address your concern and any misunderstanding over the Tibetan truck driver who transported us from Darchen to Saga. He was in no way whatsoever in danger of getting in hot water as what he is doing is not illegal. If tourists are discovered without permits it is them that have to answer questions/pay fines, not the driver. My experiences in Tibet were often an antithesis of what I had expected to find, as is often the case when travelling to lesser known corners of the world. I would love to write as an apologist for the behavior I witnessed firsthand in Tibet, and list the mitigating social factors that I personally believe created it, but that is beside the point. I make no excuse for Chinese imperialism. The principle of self determination should be granted to all peoples of the world whether we agree with the actions or customs of a particular nation, or ethnic group, or not. A universal right which should be upheld regardless, in the same vain as political freedom, freedom of religion and freedom of speech. |
| 21st September 2007 Johnny | - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist He's been too busy preparing for his wedding! But I'm sure that we'll soon get a long blog from that, with lot's of pictures and details. And maybe even some shots of the new baby? You can only hope!:) |
| 19th September 2007 Tina | What are you waiting for? - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist HI! What are you waiting for to add blogs? I miss them terribly! You were born to write... |
| 18th September 2007 mika | - From: Karma police, arrest this man Much as I enjoyed your blogs Eddie, I have to say you come across as a bit of a hypocrite, mainly through this one. You're obviously a supporter of the Palestinian cause, and rightly so IMO, yet you're quite ready to dismiss the sufferings of the Tibetans, and make excuses for Chinese imperialism, simply due to one bad experience on a bus with the natives. Later in Myanmar, you decide not to travel unauthorised by truck, for the very good reason that your presence could get the driver in hot water. Yet this is exactly what you did in Tibet, with no thought whatsoever for the drivers well-being. |
| 12th September 2007 james | other side!!!!!!!!? - From: Streets of Hate for who say u dont show the other side, i think this artile is spoken about something happened, the guy said only what happend, no other side in that, so i want tell to who disliked show this truth, israel is the only democracy in the mid east (as all the world say) , this means that the leader in this state are elected , that means they present the majority of people there, that means that the majority of israelis are agree with this barbarian way which their govt use it against an unarmed pp, so if there is a scullar israelis reallly who like and orefer peace, how much they are one ,two, one thousand? they have no influence this is the other fact and truth which those people who claim " the other side view" ingnore, try to be real, israel own tanks , planes, missiles , nukes, , and palsitinians own what, kassam misslies? some RPGs, so who present really a threat to the other, if really the good israelis are who govt we would never had this shameful situation there, but like u see your pp reflect the image of your govt cause it allow them to behave like that,? hope so one from who claim the "other side" idea can comment what i said or answer me |
| 31st August 2007 rob | land unvailed - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. just happened on this blog as im going to visit mindanao at christmas time. since reading this you have given me the best insight i could have to life in this beautifull and (to me) mysterious country i must have that sense of adventure like yourself as from reading this i just cant wait to get over there now |
| 31st August 2007 chel | Thank you :-) - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Thank you joe.. i can use your blogs pic on our presentation exam... |
| 28th August 2007 lisa | - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist I miss you blogs!!!! |
| 19th July 2007 Derik | irony - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Isn't it Ironic how guys from Eastern Europe go elsewhere to find love, and Americans go on romance tours to Eastern Europe to do the same thing? Everybody has their hand in someone else's pot. I spent 3 years in west africa, where I had a few relationships. I didn't marry because none of the women had enough education, and I am not financially stable enough to support two. In the US in takes two incomes to make it today. I think a woman is attractive not only physically but in the way she needs you. You really would be saving her life by marrying her. That is an attractive prospect to any male. Even other animals operate in that way. American women give you the impression they don't need anyone. Their independence has cut them off emotionally from their men. |
| 3rd July 2007 Marcoelitaliano | Reference - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Ehi mate, in my last journal ([diary=176201]) I make reference to this one of you, I thought it was correct to let you know. Marco |
| 29th May 2007 Rohan | what the heck ! - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami good blog mate.... but what the heck you mean by " ‘I’m British pal, these are MY islands’" You maybe British dude.... but these Islands arent yours.... Bloody good ridannce to you SNOBS |
| 21st May 2007 snooky | Basilan - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. the next time you go there let me know, I was born and raised in Basilan but residing long time in U.S. I was there last year, we have some rubber trees and still planting now for the future generation. There are muslims living in our land but they never hurt us, in fact they are the one who protects us, more than the Christians. I will be traveling this year there to take a look at our agricultural lands (rubber trees) wanna come.. It is not really scary as you may think if you know the culture. Basilenos do not like arrogant people. Wasalam. |
| 23rd April 2007 Mallika | Very interesting - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami Hey.. i am planning a trip to Andamans this year and that's how i got to read your blog. I must say that its very interesting and now i am really looking forward for my trip (got 6 months to pass!) Although i am still doing my research on where to stay it would help if you could let me know on the commute time from one island to the other. I intend on staying at Havelock but also want to check out Long Island, Ross & Smith Island (esp the beachy strip that connects the two) Plus i would like to camp one night as well - i believe some islands are open for camping now. Do let me know if you have any suggestions for me.. |
| 14th April 2007 Falc | $20k Passports - From: MAKEDONIJA Heck, I'd marry him for free! Bright, traveled, articulate... unfortunately also apparently straight. When you guys get done ranting over perceived attacks that don't exist, recognize that he didn't make it up, so one of your own people told him that "truth" and don't kid yourself. There ARE people who would pay for a Western passport. Macedonia has a proud long heritage that begins with Alexander who did, indeed, try to get the world to see each other as all one people. So let's follow that wise example and see each other as brothers and sisters, and enough of all of this hostility. Peace & Creation, JT |
| 14th April 2007 Falc | Thanks for showing this truth. - From: Streets of Hate It's pathetic that amongst this audience there are still hateful people who would attack you or your friend. The blood isn't sensationalizing ANYTHING, It's actually understating the realities. That was nowhere near as graphic as much of the violence that goes on. If people don't like that reality, then work towards creating solutions, but the camera wasn't lying. Covering up the truth would be to lie. Palestinians are being occupied, have been for many decades, by Israel. They protest, rise up, are promised autonomy (the same autonomy which was promised to BOTH countries, but only ever given to Israel) and then they wait patiently again for another decade for the world to not deliver what they have promised. We would ALL fight back any way we could or had to, if we were so put upon, repressed and occupied. Think about it: How much abuse do you have to swollow before you're willing to pick up a rock against an Israeli with a machine gun in his hand? As for the Suicide Bomber who blew up some Zionist, let's ask that suicide bomber's family about how he lost his father to a piece of shrapnel that says "Made in USA" on it. When the West stops backing Israel and helping them to have such a great advantage over Palestine, perhaps then they will have to learn to live together. A good start on creating peace would be for Palestine to have a shipping harbor of their own, so they could bring their goods to market without going through Israel's BS checkpoints. I am neither Jew nor Arab... just observing the situation objectively, as a camera might. |
| 4th April 2007 anonymous | Racism - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Having been raised in the Philippines a Protesant, I know that the predominantly Catholic people can say some baseless things about people of other religions. I know it's even worse for those who believe in Islam than for non-Catholic Christians. But I don't think that the warnings they gave you about going to Basilan were "racist" against Muslims. That's because I think they were trying to warn you about Abu Sayyaf, not about Muslims. Perhaps they should have been more specific when warning you, but it may also have been their reluctance to delve into details. And tourists do need to be informed -- it may be riskier for them to actually go to tourist areas (because of Abu Sayyaf) than to go to Basilan and learn about the rich Islamic heritage of the Philippines. I think you had a great experience -- I would hope that you would see the warnings you got from non-Muslims in the north as a genuine attempt to look out for your well-being and a warning about Abu Sayyaf (they really do kill and kidnap tourists, though not as frequently as the media would make it seem) and not as racist comments against Muslims. |
| 29th March 2007 asra | - From: A snip of southern India You are a man of many faces! Interesting, how u got the "'El salat hairun min ul naum'! (prayer is better than sleep!) " phrase right! Your blogs are always an interesting read. Way to go! |
| 22nd March 2007 Jason | If the shoe fits - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist _Any_ woman is better than an American woman. |
| 18th March 2007 Igor BG | LONG LIVE SERBIA&MACEDONIA - From: MAKEDONIJA Neka smo mi nama zivi i zdravi, svi oni na zapadu bi hteli da znaju da uzivaju kao mi. Za Goriana: Pozdravi mi Iris. |
| 14th March 2007 Tim S. | Great Blog - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Another thoughtful, meaningful, and well-written entry that is very informative |
| 8th March 2007 Paddybradford | Cut the crap - From: Death and taxes in southern Laos What's all this waffly, flowery prose stuff? Much more important is are you going to make it to Pai for the 40th? Get some uncultured hedonism and catch up on some Irish songs. Patrick |
| 3rd March 2007 Robin | Sunset on the Mekong - From: Death and taxes in southern Laos I thought back in November, I had had taken the perfect picture of the Mekong at sunset, from DonDet, however, your picture makes me want to go back and try again, good work, enjoy your travels! |
| 1st March 2007 Tim S. | Wow!!! - From: Death and taxes in southern Laos You write so descriptively that by reading the intro one can almost be deceived into thinking that they're reading a novel, whereas the reality is that this is your experience. This journey of yours seems more inwards than outwards, unlike alot of blogs I read that seem to talk more about what someone did, rather than what they thought and felt about what they just did...and as I heard someone say, if you haven't reflected, then you haven't lived. Keep writing!! |
| 23rd February 2007 honeybunch8 | Mindanao is not that dangerous - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Thanks for the courage and for proving to the world that Mindanao is not that dangerous...I am from Mindanao, I grew up here and though I will be studying in Singapore for the next 3 years, I will still go back to the Philippines especially in Mindanao to share what I will learn...My reason: Mindanao is rich...rich in culture and the arts...anybody's travel to my wonderful place is worth it...not only because of the warm smiles...but the whole experience itself;-) NAMASTE! |
| 19th February 2007 LAZAROS | EIMAI œ‘š•”Ÿ‘£ •£•™£ - From: MAKEDONIJA ¤Ÿ ‘ •™£‘™ •››— •™‘™ Ä™œ— ¤Ÿ ‘ •™£‘™ œ‘š•”Ÿ •™‘™ ¤™¤›Ÿ£ im from THESSALONIKI as yoy now all from MACEDONIA THE REAL ONE dude im try to find why yoy want to take our name???yoyr history ? yoyr language? what ? yoy are serbian not macedonians ~•™£ Ÿ™©Ÿ£ ‘¡™£¤Ÿ£ ‘œ¥•£˜‘™ •¡™ ‘¤¡™£~ ı »µ¼µ ±À¿ º¿½Ä± À±¹´¹± ñ ±³±À±¼µ º±¹ µ»À¹¶¿Å¼µ ½± ²Áµ¹Äµ µ½± ÃÉÃÄ¿ ¿½¿¼± ³¹± Ä·½ ¿¼¿ÁÆ· ÇÉÁ± ñ ÃÄ·½ µ»»±´± ³µ»±½µ º±¹ ¿¹ ÀµÄÁµÂ ¼µ ı DZ»¹± ñ ¼±Äõ½Ä¿½ ú¹ Ĺ ¼±Äõ½Ä¿½Ãº¹ ?? Ĺ µ¹½±¹ ±ÅÄ¿ º±¹½¿ÅÁ¹¿ ±½±¹º´¿Ä¿? œ‘š•”Ÿ‘£ œ‘š•”Ÿ DZ¹²±½¹± • §‘™’‘™‘ |
| 18th February 2007 Srilanka | Sirlankan army never ever do such things like LTTE does. - From: War and relief in serendipity You have included some wrong details about our army specially STF. Please never try to insult our Great Forcers! Srilanka Army’s only Target is LTTE Terrorists Not Tamils or non violent people. Srilanka Army will never ever let LTTE to take our Sinhales or Tamils or any ones Lands in our mother Srilanka. Please DO NOT Insult our great forces or our STF!! thankyou. |
| 8th February 2007 Doug | bloke - From: The smell of burning flesh on Christmas morning. I recently read Sarah MacDonald's "Holy Cow" in which she says the spot on the planet opposite Bodh Gaya is somewhere in America. And I see in your journal that it's in Texas. Seems to me, however, that it can't be in the northern hemisphere since Bodh Gaya is in the northern hemisphere. In fact, if you you figure it, the opposite spot is in the south Pacific, west of S. Amer, well east of Easter Island. It's smack dab on a a sea mount chain near an old plate tectonic boundary. |
| 6th February 2007 Dheeraj | Thanks for the info - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami Great entry. lots of info I wanted but could not find elsewhere. I will spend time learning of the tribes in the andamans apart from lazing around in havelock. |
| 29th January 2007 **** | - From: Sunny Zurich to singing in the rain. Sup switzerland peps |
| 20th January 2007 Ben | I heard about your accident - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Hi. I met Pete and Derek. Derek did by the cheaper house and Pete went on to travel to Indonesia. I arrived on Siargao on New Years Eve and heard about your motorcycle accident. It didn´t put me off to go on a ride myself and thoroughly enjoy it. Anyway, I loved your report, mainly because i have had a great time in Siargao (even without romance) and it briefly put me back into that atmosphere. |
| 19th January 2007 Valon | South of albania - From: selling my soul en route to the Wild West. i think Albania in the next 10 years is going to be THE turstic atraction having in mind the nice coast that they have, it is very very preaty. |
| 19th January 2007 Tim S. | Wow - From: Macabre and the Magnificent Amazing photos, great blog...keep writing |
| 19th January 2007 Tim S. | Very touching - From: Streets of Hate I agree with Jonny up above...I believe that you were just relating some events that had happened, and that alot of the comments I just read have been looking at this as being in support of the reader's own political/religious/ideological beliefs, instead of looking at it in terms of your friend who got hurt, and it shouldn't matter who did it, but if a third party gets attacked, the authorities should have intervened, and even better, should have stopped that from happening, regardless of which side. I just think that the readers should not fault you for writing the blog, but it should be obvious to many that there are both sides of the story, and just because the violence came from one party, it doesn't mean that you are in any way saying that one is right and the other completely wrong....I hope that Tove's doing fine |
| 11th January 2007 Yathi | Nice work in Hebron. - From: Streets of Hate Good Job Eddie! If every one of just walks away from an ugly scene like this it never will come out in the open. U stood your ground and helped those lads out. Bravo. |
| 4th January 2007 Bareback Billy | loved ur travel blog - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist You are a fantastic writer. Enjoyed your article alot. I married a filipina back in 88 after graduating from the US Navy and having my heart broken by my Thai gf in Pattaya! After 12 long years, i finally divorced her, but it cost me half of all my assets - word to the wise fellows! However, since my divorce in 2000, I have been to thailand and the Phils at least twice a year for sex and romance - which i cannot find in the USA. Several folks commented on the reason poor girls want middle aged and old foreigners as husbands - to escape poverty. But no one has mentioned the reason western men flock AWAY FROM their own country women. How unattractive, both looks and attitude wise, do the women in American and Europe and Australia have to be for us elible bachelors to fly clear around the world and put up with noise, pollution and poverty in order to try and find that feeling of being desired again? Answer: Very unattractive. The result of feminism, I believe. Westerm women love to put men down. Third world women treasure a good man in their life, as they should. It is really that simple. Hey, I am continuing to search for my dream girl. I am aware that there is more to living joyfully with someone than good sex and good chemistry. To be a good match, the couple needs common interests, common goals and values. Yet age and culture differences are no barrier to matching on these levels. otherwise, children and grandparents could never love or live with one another - and yet they do. I am making close friends along the way, friends meet my need for belonging and love. Even if we never go all the way to marriage, what we build is good and worth the effort. Blessings to all my fellow travellers out there. Ingat ka, mga gwapa...hahaha |
| 3rd January 2007 naum | abouth love......... - From: MAKEDONIJA you may love women or man maybe...may love food or drink ...but from macedonia u come ``drug addict``.da zivee makedonija |
| 1st January 2007 ChrisinLA | Thank you - From: Streets of Hate Like Erik wrote below, thank you for both putting this on the net and for doing what you could in that horrible situation. You each have my respect. |
| 27th December 2006 Naseem | Thank you - From: Streets of Hate I commend you on your courage and sense of justice. The occupation of Palestine has been ignored for far too long. It is time for world to stop listening to Western government propeganda and realize that Palestinians are not terrorists, but victims of occupation and unbelievable oppression. Thank you for your courage and telling us what is really going on in Palestine. |
| 17th December 2006 Jiyab | Woah - From: Rajasthan; on the road again Your pictures take my breath away |
| 11th December 2006 E.A. | - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Great photos and description. I hope you won't mind if I download the photos in my album. |
| 9th December 2006 barefootcontessa | Hi - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. You my dear, are inspiring! I can't believe you went to Basilan. I'm actually ashamed of myself for never ever thinking of going there because of all the terrorist hype... but what the hell... I'l put that on my to go list. I also found your commentaries about my country's predicaments interesting and painfully true. |
| 9th December 2006 Jonny Dollars | Tell it how you see it... - From: Streets of Hate I can't quite understand why some comments have suggested that you've been too one-sided in this journal. As I understand it, it's an article about an event witnessed and experienced by yourself first-hand, and I can find nothing driven by any kind of bias in your description of the events of that day. If anything I'm impressed at how unbiased the article is, especially given the nature of the hostilities witnessed and encountered. Regardless of your readers' political opinions with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one would hope that they can understand that you are not taking sides by publishing your account of what happened on the day in question. I would argue that anyone who has had such an experience has not only a right but an obligation to share their findings with the rest of the world, and I commend you for doing so. I also think that to put yourself in real physical danger out of a genuine concern for other peoples well-being and safety takes great courage and respect for humanity. How easy it is to stay out of what "doesn't concern you" in favour of a nice safe life - and how many attrocities go unnoticed everyday all over the world because most people do? Keep up the good work and keep telling it how you see it. In the meantime, look after yourselves and give Tove my wishes for a speedy recovery. Best regards, $J |
| 8th December 2006 The Open Road | - From: Macabre and the Magnificent Thats the happiest monk Ive ever seen! Keep inspiring. |
| 8th December 2006 dez | great photos - From: Macabre and the Magnificent i like how you took your photos. you seem to know more than just writing :) |
| 8th December 2006 antoniele | - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. this, by far, is my favorite travel blog EVER. as a filipino growing up in suburban manila, even we've been brainwashed by the media to avoid stepping foot in southern mindanao, what more someone who looks completely foreign? i recently did a documentary in the depths of compostella valley and my father was trying to talk me out of it until i got on the plane to depart manila... i met the most incredible people in mindanao, who did not have 1/16th of what i consider comfort yet they had a certain sparkle in their eyes i've never seen from anyone living in the city, an unspoken contentment. |
| 8th December 2006 anonymous | thank you and good luck - From: Streets of Hate thanks for sharing your blogs, your recent one about palestine really struck a chord with me im going travelling and intend to volunteer. i hope i can do a little good too. |
| 8th December 2006 eoin from Ireland | - From: Macabre and the Magnificent Your blog is very interesting! Keep up the good work |
| 7th December 2006 Cessna152 | - From: Macabre and the Magnificent Amazing photos. |
| 7th December 2006 Stu | - From: Macabre and the Magnificent quality. remember that dutch couple in the shared taxi!, haha |
| 4th December 2006 Darshni | In tears!!! - From: Streets of Hate Hey Jason. You're entry moved me to tears. I don't have hate towards the men who did this, I just feel pity for their ignorance and their fanatical behavior. NO religion provokes hate or violence. It is only mankind that destroys the virtues of religion. I thank you for moving me to tears, because it shows that you can possess a reader's emotion, that you have made the story memorable in every way. That after reading this, many will enthuse to make a constructive difference to this beautiful world. You’ve made me cry more because of the young boy. Your life, Tove's life have lived perhaps an innocent childhood fill of beautiful memories, this boy has had to become resilient to a living hell. God help him and many a like to find strength and have faith that living angels such as you do exist! Sometimes it is history that binds us to failure, and these men are a classic example. Your story triggered my suppressed feelings of despondency that I felt when I watched the movie Osama. PLEASE watch it if you haven’t already. I have never cried so much in a film. I would feel as much sorrow if you were to be on the other side of the conflict and a young Jewish boy was involved. We all have our inner child, and no child has genuine hate for anybody or anything. Darshni |
| 3rd December 2006 contreras_alejandro | Curious... - From: Culture shock in The Garden of Eden Hi, your pic got into travelblog's home page and I read your entry. Beautfiful pics and very interesting experience the one you got in Georgia. I have a question: how were you transporting yourselves in this country (bus, rented a car, what)? Do you speak the language? Tks for posting your trips. The newest entries have great pics, too. |
| 29th November 2006 joan | nothing new - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist I don't see anything new. Realistically speaking, isn't that what's happening around ages ago? Have you read Pride and Prejudice? English sisters are on a mad-dash to look for an eligible mate (read: wealthy). It's been happening in your country. The difference here is that the girls are of different race. Which could be the reason for leaving a bad taste in the mouth. This is just my perspective. Anyways, great blog though. Happy traveling and keep writing! |
| 28th November 2006 Laura | Did it touch your heart? - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Just read your journal at the airport in Hong Kong on my way home from Mindanao. I have just visited the Manobo tribes and many other places in Bukidnon for the last few weeks. Next year I will go there as a full time missionary. I always have wondered how Westerners that come to these places feel if they are 'not' missionaries but rather tourists. Do they also feel overwelmed with the poverty and exploitation of the people there or do they just see it as an amazing place? How I wish you could had meet some of the tribal people that has now changed their traditional spiritual lifestlyes full of fear of what the spirits may do to them to a life full of love and joy. As these people recieve Jesus into their lives they start to care for their families and fellow villagers in a new way -naturally without any outside promting. No longer do they continue to kill each others animals in revenge or even family members. Their lives actually do become so much better in so many aspects. Did you know that their sicknesses leaves and their healths improves? The Christians that take the trouble to reach them allows them to continue to keep their culture but they themselves change some things for a better life. Oh, I really hope that you one day will get the chance to see with your own eyes they amazing changes that Jesus has done for so many in Mindanao!! May you have many more great travel experiences in the future! |
| 25th November 2006 hansfred | The Boat in Mergui Archipelago - From: Myanmar Musings in The Mergui Archipelago I used the boat called Mergui Princess for our trip. Contact them mergui@mail4u.com.mm |
| 23rd November 2006 Rosa | Hebron Street of Hate/blood - From: Streets of Hate Very sad attitude of some extremist jews. They surely are blind and are sure to "miss the Boat" another time for their lacck of "Knoweledge". Even if they thing they are knowlegeable on the "Book" but they can not see for it is God's given underestanding of the "Knoweledge": "For the sins of her (the gates of Jerusalem) and the iniquities of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just(inocent children) in the midst of her, they have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood..." Lamentations 4:13-14 |
| 23rd November 2006 Outraged!! | No Sides!! - From: Streets of Hate I don't believe what happened to your friend (I wish her well) has anything to do with taking sides! I am reading comments left by travelers, trying to explain the situation with history, talking about one side or the other or the holocaust!! What do all these have to do with a beast attacking an innocent foreigner who is not from Palestine or Israel, most probably is not muslim and slashing her face into blood?? How do you justify religous men devout to their religon shouting "Jesus is gay" or "we killed jesus, we'll kill you too"?? How are those words justifiable?? Is this hatred towards Palestinians?? And how could military stand around doing nothing?? To lend a hand to help someone bleeding has to do with taking sides?? So please, spare me your comments and admit the brutality and beasteality of this man in devotion to what he thinks is superior religon. It's sickening!! Take no sides but analyze the situation put before you.. How would you feel if it was your face in blood and all you intended to do was good.. |
| 22nd November 2006 asra | observation - From: Streets of Hate I think that people on travelblog are generally more aware of the real problem in the area than the general public in the western world( where one only hears about ruthless palestinians and suicidal muslim martys) and its good that the author has given a lot of food for thought by narrating the other usually untold side of the story |
| 22nd November 2006 Judith | She should stick to wearing bikinis - From: Streets of Hate and keep her nose out of what doesn't concern her. |
| 22nd November 2006 sase | live us alone - From: MAKEDONIJA if our neighbours left us alone we would have the best country in the world it may be small but we have everything we have sand we have snow we have very good natural resources considering our size but i dought they will ever live us alone the albanians claim that this is their land as do the greecks as well as bulgarians |
| 22nd November 2006 Muna | thanks for the news - From: Streets of Hate hey man, i feel shocked and disgusted speacially at some of the comments that you received. yes a story always has two sides, what did tvi do to deserve that. she isnt palestinian. and even if she was, nobody deserves that. what about the children who haave to be guarded. how can an adult man throw stones at a child no matter where that child comes from. we need to step up and help these people. |
| 22nd November 2006 aspiringnomad | Update... - From: Streets of Hate For an update on Tove's current condition visit http://www.palsolidarity.org/main/2006/11/18/hebron-day-06/ This is an alarming story; the Swedish Government and Amnesty International, both agree. And yes I have met many secular and religious Israelis over the years that are against the occupation, and personally work with many Israelis here who are extremely passionate about the cause. I expect most people who read this story will not have a thorough understanding of the issue and I would implore anyone reading this to do as much research as possible to find out what is actually happening on a daily basis in the occupied territories. If people are inflamed by this article and require a peaceful, healthy outlet for their rage I suggest they join one of the many organizations currently working here in Israel and Palestine. |
| 22nd November 2006 Cumberland Sausage | Take Care - From: Streets of Hate People don't half like to make assumptions about one don't they? I hope your friend gets better soon. |
| 22nd November 2006 Kroatien | Not surpised - From: Streets of Hate holocaust (if happened that way they told us) is not an excuse for israeli goverment commiting genocide in palestine from 1947. I know that many jews don't agree with zionists, but majority does... I suppose that guy in france is behaving like a angel.. |
| 22nd November 2006 Marco | Real travellers travel should use the slow-lane at all time :-) - From: Streets of Hate Dear Aspiringnomad, Your last entry will be -most probably- the most read due to its very same nature but, let me say, it's also the first in your beautiful blog I personally found heavy one-sided. I understand you wrote it and post it "hot", as soon as things happened and still in rage for what had happened to your friend (to whom I wish a full and quick recover). Still, I believe, beein the theme so delicate you should have waited and in the meantimes, talking to (many) people form both sides you would have developed a less black or white idea. Well, that is, at least what happened to me two years ago when I spent the whole summer travelling in the area. These few fanatic ultrahortodox jews who dedicate their lives making other's lives miserables represent a tiny porcentage of the israelian people. The very same "sane" israelians consider these people as a big problem, as the reason why -in many cases- a friend or family member got killed in the West Bank or Gaza in order to keep them apart from the equally insensate muslim integralists. Last but not least, you and your fellow helpers are very brave, keep up with the good job. Marco |
| 21st November 2006 James | - From: Streets of Hate Both Zionists and islamists are fascists. its simple but its true. |
| 21st November 2006 Eran | For Tammy - From: Streets of Hate The IDF is aggressive against the Palestinians ONLY because the IDF are reacting to threats from militants. Unfortunately, some are caught in the crossfire. Tammy, do you think that Israel can negotiate for peace with people who want them wiped off the map? Is it possible to negotiate with people who don't even recognize you exist? With people who flatly deny that 6 million people were executed simply for being born Jewish? Tammy, please help me out because you seem to have all the answers for peace. |
| 21st November 2006 Daniel Karasik | Stay a few more months - From: Streets of Hate I was there too. This year. As an "international observer" too. I find this article alarming; it's sensationalistic without really understanding what it sensationalizes. And lots of people are going to read this and think it's the whole picture. I urge you to reconsider posting images of your bloodied friend on the Internet. You were correct to be concerned about inciting hate with the other photo you mention; but what you've posted has the same effect, especially now that your journal's on the TravelBlog front page. There are millions of images you could post, to serve whichever side you choose - and much more brutal images, sadly. Have you met many secular Israelis? Have you spent much time in Israel proper? Have you met Israeli young people, many of whom are politically way to the left and deeply resentful of their (mandatory) military service? If you really do fancy yourself an international observer, the responsible action is to reserve comment until you have a more thorough understanding of the issue, and not share violent, provocative anecdotes in isolation. You'll only inflame the hundreds of people who will read this. And do you really think those people have a peaceful, healthy outlet for the rage you will create? |
| 21st November 2006 Tammy | Both Sides? - From: Streets of Hate I appreciate the passion in Mark's comment. This is a one-sided issue. I'm sick and tired of Palestinians who fight occupation being labeled as "terrorists" and that Israel's brutal AGGRESSION against these people is labeled as "retaliation in self-defense." In their minds, a misguided Qassam missile into the Negev warrants a full-fledged attack on Gaza where children and women are murdered in cold blood. Did you bother to ask yourself why they are firing Qassams? Because they want JUSTICE for all Palestine. When Israeis stop letting pregnant women die at checkpoints, when they stop stealing even more land to build their ghetto wall, when Muslims and Christians are allowed to worship freely THEN they will have a ceasefire. I'm an American who's been to Palestine and seen this ruthless occupation first-hand. My best wishes and regards to Tove, speedy recovery dear and I admire you so much. |
| 21st November 2006 Eran | Mark - From: Streets of Hate Mark, you sound like a sociopath. Are you writing us from jail at the moment? Good luck! |
| 21st November 2006 Mark | ...sigh... - From: Streets of Hate Nomad, you should have taken that photograph... people need to see the raw hatred of the so-called "settlers"... That picture would have woken many sleeping people up... but now they'll say your simply lying, or exaggerating... And to the poster above, you need to do some serious study my friend, it doesn't take much to realise that the Israeli occupation of Palestine is oppressive beyond belief. It is wholly one sided, and if it wasn't for the *occupation* their would be no terrorism at all. It is not palestinians shouting "we killed Jesus!" .. and it wasn't Palestinians harming International workers in the region... it's this orthodox group of fanatical Jews! WAKE UP FOR GOD'S SAKE! I am amazed that the Palestinians are as restrained as they are! What an incredible people... |
| 21st November 2006 Eran | Please See Both Sides - From: Streets of Hate What you saw was the truth, but there are also other sides to this very long story. If a Palestinian blew himself up at an Israeli cafe and your mom or dad were victims right before your eyes, perhaps you would feel differently about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. If you would see Israeli children bloodied, screaming and dying on the scene, maybe you would have a different perspective. As depicted in your posted photos, Palestinians celebrate those who die (martyrs) and not those who live. At a very early age in Palestinian primary schools, they teach their children that hating and killing Jews is right and that they must kill their sisters because their having boyfriends shames their family. Hating Jews is common in Palestine, but uncommon in Israel. Jews do not teach children to hate. And Israel does not teach IDF soldiers to hate Palestinians (I was a soldier in a special unit and I know firsthand). The Jews you encountered in Hebron were stupid and offensive but this encounter is also extremely rare. I undertand your point of view and respect that you doing something about it, but I do feel it will not bring the conflict closer to any kind of resolution. Why not try to educate the Palestinians about who Yasser Arafat (their hero until this day) really was and how he robbed his own people of billions while they lived in poverty. Why not begin by teaching children to love and communicate instead killing their own neighbors and sisters? |
| 21st November 2006 Warren | Be well - From: Streets of Hate I just saw your beautiful Vietnam travelblog (I live there myself ) and randomly came across this one. Talk about a difference. You don't need me to tell you how important and dangerous what you are doing is. Just know that many will be sickened by this scene while others will see nothing wrong with the reactions of the settlers. It's a cruel world. Be well. |
| 21st November 2006 Angela McMaster | Wishing you safety - From: Streets of Hate Thank you for sharing this experience - going there is a brave thing to do, but to share this with us is teaching us. |
| 21st November 2006 BlackManx | Goosebumps - From: Streets of Hate A wrenching blog, talk about a dose of reality. Thankyou. |
| 21st November 2006 ellen-around-the-world | Thanks - From: Streets of Hate Thanks for your article - I've been blindly unaware of much of this. Will continue to follow with interest. E |
| 20th November 2006 Franco | - From: Streets of Hate Shocking. |
| 20th November 2006 Ali | Extremism... - From: Streets of Hate Of all types presents problems, and has repercussions through the generations. Excellent article. I hope Tove's operation goes well and she makes a full recovery. Hope you can keep us updated. |
| 20th November 2006 Leahpi | two sides - From: Streets of Hate What you witnessed is one of the many horrific things that happens everyday in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, there are two sides to everything. Do you know what "Hebron Day" is? Israelis and Palestinians have been attacking each other back and forth like this for many many years. Jews have been massacred and kicked out of Hebron many times through out the centuries. I am not trying to justify the actions of the few people you encountered on that day in Hebron, or the people like them. But just remember that there is a second side to everything, and I urge you to learn about the whole conflict, not just the Palestinian side. It doesn't paint any prettier a picture, but you will see, if looking with open eyes and heart, that both sides commit evil, and both sides want peace. It just depends who you talk to. Instead of hating one side or the other, try to bridge the gap. You are a human rights worker, than really work on the human rights, for both sides, and help bring about the peace that we all want and deserve. (sorry for the length of this comment, but its a very important topic) -from someone on the other side of the border |
| 20th November 2006 Wise sage | Stay out of it - From: Streets of Hate Stay out of their squabbles, even humanitarian aid can be seen as siding with the enemy. These sons of shem have been fighting for centuries let them be--I think the Western Media is sick of it too. Even though the Land was wrongfully the UK's to give to the Jews, still stay out of it. |
| 20th November 2006 Erik 2006 | - From: Streets of Hate Thank you very much for posting this story. This aspect of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is too often ignored by the Western media. |
| 20th November 2006 Kate Hildebrand | Dang. - From: Streets of Hate Be careful out there. |
| 19th November 2006 Reazur | - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Very cool pics. Reading your blog entry on bangladesh was fun. I plan to visit some of these places this winter. |
| 15th November 2006 beniblanco | [diary=61006] and [diary=64769] for more nuances! - From: Culture shock in The Garden of Eden Well at least you know how Cha Cha tastes now :P I've sent an email to TB before about the flag but I think a reminder is necessary! |
| 12th November 2006 Cuidado | Fabulous - From: Escape to another world Your photos are wonderful. The smiles on the people assure that you've made them feel relaxed and happy. Good for you. |
| 12th November 2006 luis | madrid - From: Escape to another world jason mate good to hear from you ..send me your email adress...any time you fall in madrid....lumovson@yahoo.es |
| 11th November 2006 aspiringnomad | Teaching English... - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist Thanks for the kind words... Firstly teaching English Asia jobs can be viewed at http://www.daveseslcafe.com/ This is where I found my job in Korea. They have a forum and a whole load of info on the sight, and also list jobs from other parts of the world. As for teaching Italian and Spanish Marco, to be honest I have no idea. I once met a guy who taught German in Korea, so I am sure there is a demand for other languages (obviously Spanish more than Italian). Jobs in Indochina may be easier to find on the ground Leigh. I saw many jobs advertised in hostels in some of the major cities en route. And of course searching for a job this way enables you to check out the school and conditions before signing any contract. A useful website specifically for jobs in Korea which is useful is www.worknplay.co.kr . Hope you both have luck finding something;-) I may even head back over to Korea this winter for a short stint! P.S. Thanks for the info NK and Adam. And you are right 'NK' The central-cross-island was built by the veterans, the trail it replaced was built by the Japanese. |
| 9th November 2006 JC | Truly Inspirational ! - From: Escape to another world I was deeply moved by your blog. One can only aspire to the level of understanding and wisdom you've achieved about the world through your travels........it was a pleasure to know you.....cheers !---JC--- |
| 8th November 2006 ConMel | - From: Escape to another world good man, keep them coming now... |
| 8th November 2006 Kate Hildebrand | Don't believe the hype - From: Escape to another world I miss Vietnam so much! I'm glad you all liked it too. Don't worry about LOST, it used to be crack in TV form but this season sucks. Especially since they killed off my Nigerian drug lord :'( Are you going to make a US blog? |
| 8th November 2006 Adam | Taiwan - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist Hi there-- was just enjoying your photos from Taiwan and in case nobody has chimed in, the puzzling ceremony in which the girl breathes in incense and then gets slapped on the ass is a ritual which is supposed to force the evil spirits outside of your body (specifially they are supposed to come out from the area above your forehead.) Breathing in the good smelling incense is the first step in the exorcism and then the slaps are the jolts to force it out. |
| 8th November 2006 Biljana S. Everette | Hi folks - From: MAKEDONIJA I read all the comments and can't stop wondering why can't we find some common subject that we can discuss about and that is not connected with hate. I am macedonian, and i love all cultures that are peacefull and respectfull. I am married to an American, and i would do anything for him, because he is the smartest motherfucker i have met, plus i love him so much, and we both love to travel (went to Thailand in january 2006). So please people, instead of hating and cursing, can we fucking find a different subject, like traveling... What is your dream destination, why do you love your country, how should a guy treat a girl, anythhing. Love you all. to see my husbends work (he's a photographer) go to www.deverette.com. Love you all, Billy |
| 2nd November 2006 nayeem | glad you enjoyed Bangladesh - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Thanks for posting pictures of Bangladesh. Most people do not even know about this country with 147 million people. Anyways, if ever you go back to the "mystical East" you should go to Sundarbans. Actually, some tourists are beginning to go there now. This mangrove forest is huge and it is a place like no other in the world. Here you will find the Royal Bengal Tiger in its own home. I respect adventurous people like you. I think the people of Bangladesh were specially friendly to you because you have something that appealed to them. |
| 1st November 2006 Marco | Language teaching - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist Hi Jason, Always a pleasure to read your entries on Travelblog: well written and full of interesting first (and second) hand news. Besides, you just blog once in a while which makes it possible for an absent-minded italian like myself to keep up with your journals without excessive effort. I've been myself travelling Asia long time but I've never been in Korea and I was wondering how is the foreign language teaching panorama when it comes to other languages (such as italian or spanish, f.i.). Much appreciated would be useful news about it. Thanx in advance or, anyway, for keepin me on the road without moving from home. Ciao Marco |
| 31st October 2006 anonymous | - From: Rajasthan; on the road again i hate u guys ,i mean i love u |
| 22nd October 2006 Leigh | Question? - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist After starting on your blog when you were in Burma and working my way to the beginning of your trip and now back to the last installment, I have a question. How did you go about securing teaching work in Asia and do you have any advice? In the New Year I am considering teaching english and have loose plans on Laos. Any tips are much appreciated, and if you missed my other comments, want to say you do a mighty fine blog. Hope you are still travelling and have more entries coming... |
| 22nd October 2006 Leigh | At the risk of seeming like a stalker - From: Rajasthan; on the road again Stumbled on your blog tonight and have been reading them in reverse, settled in with a glass of red. (came in at Burma). I know I have posted a few comments, but just can't help myself. Having perused more than a few blog sites I can safely say yours are some of the most beautifully worded and descriptive I can find. Have you considered travel writing as a career move? You defintitely have the gift, along with fab pics (always smiled upon by editors). |
| 22nd October 2006 Leigh | Thy Shall be Done... - From: Me Love You Long Time Did not sow badges, wear orange trousers (or should we say 'pants'), attend a full moon party (of even a quarter - more poor planning than deliberate intention) or berate isreali's. Am guilty, however, of feeling superior (vastly, in fact) to package tourists, purchasing a Beer Laos T-shirt (requisite, really) along with several bracelets (mostly through weakness in the face of little cambodian kids with big smiles, occassionally 'cos I really liked it) and of reading (though with complaining and a respectable degree of loathing) my "Lonely Planet: SE Asia on a Shoestring". Still, think you are pretty much bang on with the 10 commandments except for, perhaps - 'look upon with disdain middle aged, balding supporters of the sex-trade (unless, of course, you are one...) Which obviously you are not. Enjoying your blogs and pics, please keep it up. |
| 22nd October 2006 Leigh | Wish I'd done it like you - From: Huntin the hill tribes Amazing blogs. I like it a lot |
| 22nd October 2006 Leigh | Wonderful words and pictures - From: Magical Mystical Myanmar I stumbled across your blog, in the process of updating my own. I enjoyed your descriptions. I wanted to travel Burma but had time only for the pre-planned Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. You write superbly and your photo's are excellent. Happy travels and I look forward to future installments (and to experiencing Burma myself). |
| 16th October 2006 Viv | - From: A snip of southern India You have great writing skills. Are you a novelist? |
| 15th October 2006 Inga | Amazing pictures - From: Palawan. Christians 'n' Clams, Muslims 'n' Malaria. Hi, I'm travelling to SE Asia shortly, but your pictures made me want to come to the Philippines as well :-) Great job! |
| 13th October 2006 Kate | My hometown - From: Huntin the hill tribes Just searching for the rainy season image.. so I'm here. Actually, I'm Thai girl from the north of Thailand but now working in Bangkok. When I see these pictures, I miss my hometown in Chiang rai-- many thanks, Jason.. now I've made my decision to go back home for my birthday on the 28th of this month! Thanks! (kanchanok.l@hotmail.com) |
| 13th October 2006 judgeDRED | macedonia - From: MAKEDONIJA hello macedonians around the world ,i hope thet you did not forget your roots,we have a big,old and most impressive istory since the time of alexandar makedonski and beffore thet . |
| 5th October 2006 NK | Your questions about the photos - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist Hi, Jason: You happen to have the exactly same name (also the last name is Brown) as my friend JB. I was wondering on TravelBlog site on WMDR (World Most Dangerous Road) and wonder...what to foreigners think about my country - Taiwan. After moving to North America since 1994, Taiwan seems to be more distant. I brought may friends (Americans) to Taiwan, they are more lucky than you are, they can speak fairly good Mandarin. They stayed with me at home for a month. The central-cross-island was built by the veterans (retreat from Mainland after the civil war), not built by Japaneses. I am surprised to see that, where do you quote from then? (no worry, just to verify). I took my friends to Hualien, and they all agree that eastern Taiwan is worth visiting. One of my friend told me, "wow, the whole mountain is marble! Your country is really rich!", I said, "we never felt that we are rich because of this!". Taiwanese are truly more friendly than Koreans. Sometimes I even think we should be more careful because a lot of foreigners are doing smuggling, making fake Passports, dealing with drugs (you can see articles in Lonely Planet) because we are the way too friendly. After September 11th and Iraqi war, Americans have less places to go and more Americans come to Taiwan. Taiwan is perfectly safe for foreigners to stay and travel, and I am surprised to know that you did not meet too many people who can speak English well. All of my American friends are surprised to know that almost everybody knows a little bit of English so they never got lost. Taiwan has the highest density of Ph.Ds in the world. So a monk having a MBA is nothing. According to the statistics, 80% of the college graduates are planning to go to graduate school in order to be more "competitive" (although I don't agree on that). Taiwan is a country which does not exist. R.O.C. is a joke and the new generation does not recognize themselves as Chinese at all. I want to explain the three pictures you took in your photo album. You probably took those pictures in the temple. I am surprised to know that they allowed you to use camera (yes, because we are very friendly)! The "clerk"( usually the mid-age lady) took the incense to expel the fear of the acceptor (or patients) in the temple. This is a very acceptable (or usualy) scene. I had that experience many times when I was a kid. This expels the fear or the ghost (spirit). It is called "Sho-jing" (take your fear away). It works both psychologically and spiritually. Sorry to type so many words. I just wish you have a better experience travelling in Taiwan next time. |
| 1st October 2006 ^(999)^ | SMRT ZA GRCITE - From: MAKEDONIJA fuck greece MAKEDONIJA 4 EVER !!! |
| 21st September 2006 aspiringnomad | sorry Kate... - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist I have been very busy (some might say lazy). And the truth is, your question is very complex. Actual Taiwanese food is a mixture of aboriginal food with vestiges of Taiwans colonial past. Add to that the rich variety of mainland Chinese food and many say you have the best food in North East Asia. In short, it is magnificently varied, but the long answer would probably require a much longer stay and several PhDs;-) |
| 16th September 2006 Emilia S. (Finland) | - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami Thankyou so much for this truly interesting article. It was nice to read it. We will definitely go to Andamans on our next trip to India... which will be in two months! Yeeei! Wish u all he best and happy travels : ) |
| 9th September 2006 educatingfire | Relatives in high places - From: Paganism in vodka valley My mother-in-law's folks hail from Dartlo. Their last name is Darchiaswchili. I didn't manage to get up there in 2004 but I did spend a month at my father in-laws village of Vestmo. Much smaller, without towers but eqaully tranquil. |
| 9th September 2006 Donovan Driver | - From: Paganism in vodka valley My inlaws are the Darchiaschwili's from Dartlo |
| 5th September 2006 tom | wow! - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist your gf certainly wears skimpy shorts! are you guys american tourists? |
| 5th September 2006 Kate Hildebrand | Sounds good! - From: A Naruwan holiday in a country that doesn't exist How's the food? |
| 30th August 2006 aspiringnomad | Strange you should say that Mr Liam... - From: Farting IS allowed, but all in all you're just another brick in the wall ...I've just rolled into Phnom Penh... Anyway, in 1981, President Jimmy Carter's national security adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski, said: "I encouraged the Chinese to support Pol Pot." The US, he added, "winked publicly" as China sent arms to the Khmer Rouge. (And I think you are right; we do see the world differently) |
| 27th August 2006 anonymous | pacifism - From: Farting IS allowed, but all in all you're just another brick in the wall Fair enough, you see the world differently to me. But you forgot to mention what happened with a Chinese backed regime that America didn't interfere with - the Khmer Rouge. Liam. |
| 27th August 2006 ConMel | Nomad on the road again - From: Farting IS allowed, but all in all you're just another brick in the wall Hi, good to see you're back travelling, but where's your video of the England-Portugal match? ;) Look forward to the next one.... |
| 26th August 2006 aspiringnomad | Thanking the ghost of McCarthy? - From: Farting IS allowed, but all in all you're just another brick in the wall Not Likely. But you do raise a very interesting hypothetical question liam. If America hadn't ''interfered'' in Korea to halt ‘the spread of communism in Asia’, the country hadn't been devastated, and the millions hadn't been killed, what kind of country would a unified Korea be today? Would it resemble China, East Germany or the Czech Republic (All these countries, for the record, offer attractive teaching opportunities if you are interested?). Or if the US hadn't dropped 700 million tonnes of bombs on Vietnam (where I’m currently traveling), and killed more than three million civilians there (a vain effort) - what would Vietnam be like Today? Though of course that is also hypothetical, because if the US had allowed the Korea ‘domino’ to fall we'd all be running around in Mao jackets calling each other ‘comrade’ now right? A just cause is not necessarily corrected by the revulsion of war. |
| 25th August 2006 liam | - From: Farting IS allowed, but all in all you're just another brick in the wall Wow, for an intelligent guy, you sure know how to miss the point. Actually, it's funny reading about an English guy working as a teacher and making money in South Korea, while blaming all the North's problems on America, with not one mention of the real villain in this piece - China. Realise this - if America had not interfered in Korea in the 50's, the entire peninsula would currently be under communist control. And you would not have just spent 6 months making money to travel. |
| 25th August 2006 joh | Great Blog ! - From: Farting IS allowed, but all in all you're just another brick in the wall Enjoyed your blog, esp. the photos and the adorable Korean kids on the video....(nice accent by the way). Have you considered freelancing in journalism ? It will be a great addition to your "Slush" fund. Cheers !......JC |
| 24th August 2006 hakira | kimchi land - From: Farting IS allowed, but all in all you're just another brick in the wall hi aspiringnomad. i've been reading some of your blogs and i must say, you are a talented writer. your blog about korea was very informative, 'coz i have been wondering a lot about how much they pay English tutors there. i feel your sentiment about leaving your 'kids'. i once tutored koreans for 2 years in the philippines (man, it's practically kimchi land over there!), and the greatest thing i missed was losing a student heading back to the homeland after a 3 or 6-month english course. i taught students from practically all levels and ages. the kids are quite more westernized than the adults, and yes, speak better English. i became close to many of my students and did see some of them shed a tear or two when our classes had to come to an end. they do appreciate a kind and lenient teacher, although my employer strongly suggested i exercise strict discipline at all times. some koreans can be so rigid when it comes to education (they are obsessed with education!). anyway, i've learned a lot about korean culture from my students but your blog definitely gave me more perspective. looking forward to reading more. cheers! |
| 23rd August 2006 Kate Hildebrand | Hey aspiringnomad! - From: Farting IS allowed, but all in all you're just another brick in the wall I definitely didn't see a Teaching English in South Korea blog coming but it looks like a very cool experience and your chillens are adorable. I miss my Seoul friend (and the resulting kimchi) so I'm thinking about giving this a try myself |
| 18th August 2006 aspiringnomad | Hello Mr Kim Sheen - From: Palawan. Christians 'n' Clams, Muslims 'n' Malaria. Thank you very much for your appreciation of my blogs. But alas, I regret to inform you that sending you even a single strand of nose hair may result in a deluge of similar requests, the likes of which even my hairy nostrils cannot bear and thus could lead to overly smooth nostril syndrome. Though as a compromise. I have just purchased a new camera, complete with tripod, so I may be able to rig them up in such a way as to take a 'macro' picture of one of my nostrils, along with said nose hair to fulfill your very understandable and seemingly insatiable desire. |
| 9th August 2006 Romeo | anthing about badjao - From: Palawan. Christians 'n' Clams, Muslims 'n' Malaria. will you please show the costumes of badjao |
| 7th August 2006 6 months off | I LOVE MALLING - From: Palawan. Christians 'n' Clams, Muslims 'n' Malaria. It's an actual song. I heard it with my own two ears :) If you go watch a movie at one of the malls, you might have the pleasure of hearing it too! It's a great way to escape the oppressive heat and the city smog...and of course, one must experience malling. I've enjoyed your travels! Such fantastic pictures and imagery! Makes me want to chuck it all and go out again! Best wishes to you in Korea. It's a great place for travelers to relax and make good money teaching engerlish :) |
| 6th August 2006 joh | salamat ! - From: Palawan. Christians 'n' Clams, Muslims 'n' Malaria. Despite of the catastrophe that you've experiece in our country, I'm nonetheless pleased to read the nice things you wrote about the Philipppines...so thanks ! I also started reading your other blogs. You saw what was wrong in world. If you envision and hoped human compassion will someday cascade among nations to make the world a beter place.....then Godspeed I'm with you. cheers, JC P.S A friend of mine from work is from Korea. I can't wait to tell her what you have to blog about her country. |
| 4th August 2006 mike | merci! - From: Palawan. Christians 'n' Clams, Muslims 'n' Malaria. really enjoyed your blog entry. been to manille & palawan also. i have to agree that palawan is really a must-see paradise. |
| 4th August 2006 Kim Sheen | Great Pics! - From: Palawan. Christians 'n' Clams, Muslims 'n' Malaria. Mr Nomad, I'm a keen reader of your blogs and this one didn't disappoint, although the first picture is remarkably similar to one of your other "clickches." Anyway I just wanted to send my regards, I think you're really great, so great in fact that if it's possible I would like you to send me a snipping of your nose hairs so as I can place them in my grandmothers locket that I hang around my hairy neck. If your nose hairs are sparse at the moment then one of your golden strands of nip hair would be dreamy. Keep up the good work, Kim |
| 17th July 2006 Rob | Freedom to Macedonia - From: MAKEDONIJA Macedonians from all corners of the world are and always will be proud to be called Macedonians. Many people around the world who aren't macedonian are misguided from the true history of the region (Balkans) by Governments and politicians envoking by propaganda eg. Greeks..why are they claiming that macedonians are greeks or the Bulgurians call us Bulgrians, Why? otherwise if they don't then macedonia will have the rights of there own land back that was taken away from them. It's funny how not too long ago the greeks stated that macedonia didn't exist and now they are saying it differently. Only now slowly the world are listening to the truth and more evidence is coming out. Unfortunately many artifacts have been destroyed by greeks ie, our written language. but the truth will come.. ... DA ZIVI MAKEDONIJA |
| 14th July 2006 makedon | - From: MAKEDONIJA I am macedonian and nobody can change my mind because my grand father told my that everybody shoud be proud to be a MACEDONIAN.AND THAT IS HOLY THING.GOOD BLESS MACEDONIA |
| 13th July 2006 dan | macedonian truth - From: MAKEDONIJA i just wanted to say that macedonia is one damn' lucky country, in the sense that it has such a fantastically massive history. i am macedonian, and i respect all nations world wide, acknowledging their own greatness, such as greece and italy. however, this is where we macedonians differ from the rest. we are not as racist as some other people are. greeks, serbs and other countries for some stupid reason don't acknowledge our greatness at all. but that, my friends, is the greatest downside somebody can have - total ignorance. everybody should thank heavens for macedonia, for it was this small country which first opened the doors between east and west, and it was this small country which God first established his church on european soil. now that, my friends, is greatness. for the smallest among you, is always the greatest... |
| 11th July 2006 Banug | Great Blog - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist My heart bleed in tears. |
| 7th July 2006 Dee | Party Place? - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Interesting and well written blog! BTW, you mentioned about looking for a party island? Have you been to Boracay? That is the best! a long stretch of white sand beach with bars, restos, lounge alongside... During the Philippine Summer MOnths (March-May).. This is the place to be! To be seen and to party! |
| 27th June 2006 Ruth from Wales | Interesting - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Very interesting article - I like being able to read your thought processes so clearly! Take care. |
| 19th June 2006 Laurence Peter Brown | Great Stuff - From: Sunny Zurich to singing in the rain. Just gota say I follow your blog religiosly and I love it |
| 7th June 2006 Mohammad Khan | thanks, - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Thanks for taking nice photograph of my country and people. I love the one, a little boy taking crab for walk. That is soooo sweet picture. Thanks a lot. |
| 6th June 2006 Huja | It was not a much of a surprise - From: Communisms dead! Long live communism? To experience that feeling i would love to be there by myself to see ethnic similar Tajiks with more tradition and culture remained- I love Tajiks and the land they are in. Unfortunately because of power seperation (putting strategic borders) and so called Great Game between British, Russians, Chinese land was ridiculously seperated, bordered for the oldest and original inhabitants of the area, Tajiks. They are in Afghanistan, China and most disturbing in Uzbekistan. Greatly hope there would be a time to change that.... |
| 2nd June 2006 Ben Wiseman | Smith 1999 - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami Great blog ! I camped on Ross island; adjoined to Smith, for a month in 1999 and was gutted when i heard the islands had been destroyed by the Tsunami. So good to hear that wasnt true, although story of tourists destroying part of Smith is enfuriating and typically western. When i was there it was day trippers only but all you had to do was stay out of the way of one drunken park warden, only about a dozen other tourists there.... You've inspired me to return next english winter and support the economy aswell as enjoying the unique beauty... Ben Wiseman (London) |
| 31st May 2006 TRM | Eden - From: Culture shock in The Garden of Eden Nice article, but as far as I know in the OT Eden is in Iraq... |
| 28th May 2006 Marzuk | nice review - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh It's a good review.... the "cough syrup" thing was funny indeed... it's a common problem in Bangladesh.... I was always offered to buy these things by the hawkers in the train stations since I had long hair in my student life (which they consider as cool sign of the drug addicts….).... anyway, despite the fact that people are nice to the foreigners, I think the tourists should choose somebody trustworthy... not just randomly.... Bangladesh can’t attract the tourists because of stupid govt tourism policy… the govt is too ignorant about the tourist places… I spent 6 years of my childhood in Cox’s Bazar, and visited several times afterwards…. It’s such a very nice place to go for holiday… but does not attract the foreigners because of lack of security and maintenance of the spot…. I traveled several countries including five in Europe, I can say, this place is pretty cool compared to many sea beaches I have seen so far…. And “Rangamati”…. If you travel this place my renting a boat in a sunny afternoon till dusk…. It will just blow your mind…. Finally, thanks for the review… it addresses some of the issues I am frequently asked by my European friends here in Germany…. |
| 23rd May 2006 Makedonez | - From: MAKEDONIJA Makedonija da zive |
| 10th May 2006 lettiebautista casimiro | glad for your thrill-seeking visits to basilan n zamboanga - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. firstly, thanks for dropping by, zamboanga city was thoroughly been blacklisted from the foreigners/tourists, due to a series of misbehaviours shall i put it this way..nontheless, we got lots to offer just like any regions of the Philippines...It just saddened me, not to be able to extend personal assistance to your trip herein. Zamboanga City has its own beauty and tuna canning factories too...and the city's backdrop as u would have noticed, are greeneries from hills and mountains and fields of pala(rice), while u could face the sea calm in the evening by the boulevard right in the city....thanks though... |
| 30th April 2006 Robert | You don't want girls!!!!!!!!!!!! - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Nicely written mate, you words are concise and balanced. I just got back from Palawan. The sight of 350 lb men walking around shopping malls with extremely attractive girls is nauseating. I also travelled alone and had no problem other than the poverty I witnessed in Malate which I find (as a Westerner) truly unacceptable). I was approached repeatedly by pimps and girls alike but simply used a friendly smile and a few stern looks to make myself understood. I do find it very embarassing to be tarred with the same brush, as people automatically assume I am here to find girls. I just had a free week and wanted to see a new country. But we have to blame ourseleves for the countries who will sell their souls for a dollar, if we (so called ) first world countries made a more commited attempt to reduce third world debt then perhaps we could save the suffering of both the boys and girls of these countries and 350 lb men would have to stay home with their money and be unable to abuse people who have no real options (I include myself in the problem and am not finger pointing). Good luck with your travels. |
| 30th April 2006 Cumberland Sausage | Thanks, that explains last night. - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist One of the best articles I've read for a long while, anywhere. Also explains the barrage of stares I was getting sitting drinking beer on my own in a Thai nightclub last night, which quite honestly made me feel uncomfortable, not desirable. I knew of the concept of 'romance tourism' but was very surprised at the extent of the 'need' shown by these girls. On a separate note, I've also have shared the feeling of the need for continual motion - something I've experienced and had to fight off when travelling alone. |
| 27th April 2006 Kate Hildebrand | - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist You kick ass. |
| 19th April 2006 aspiringnomad | Pink beaches - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Hi Lorraine, the beach you are looking for is called Santa Cruz (a fifteen minute boat ride from Zamboanga). Apparently the mixture of pulverized red organ-pipe coral it contains causes the pinkish sand colour. Hope your adventure makes it to the blogs;-) |
| 19th April 2006 Lorraine | No surprise here - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Great story. There are quite a number of foreign travellers in and out of the so-called 'problematic' areas in Mindanao but few make it to the blogs so there's nothing really surprising. In reality the locals are the most afraid to venture out in their own country because of what they 'heard'. Anyhow back to Mindanao charms, have you had any luck finding those pink sand beaches? Been searching for them too :) |
| 18th April 2006 travelingbee | I know of what you speak... - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Great blog, but very sad... I saw some of what you describe when I was in Thailand. I didn't do a commentary on it at all, but it was one of those things that has been permanently imprinted in my mind. Glad you wrote this - it's good for those of us in more developed (read: sheltered) and comfortable western cultures to be reminded that it is not like this everywhere... We should all be more thankful and stop taking the little (and big) things for granted. |
| 18th April 2006 St0ne | Great Blog - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Just finished reading your blog from start to finish or at least latest. You have areal talent for writing overall I thought it was very insightful ocassionally arrogant and sometimes ignorant but always leaving me wanting to hear more on more than one level, why did you and your GF break up? etc. Good travelling. |
| 17th April 2006 Shane Johnson | Look at the divorce rate - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist You hit the nail on the head. This is issue should not be viewed from one angle only - as age difference - racial, upbringing, morals and the future of this family. From the few sample - that I am familiar with - most of these middle aged men - once they return home with their newly wed bride in tow - the love starts to deteriorate - by that time he already has a child - the final scenario the old man gets a divorce. It is also the girls expectation in Philippines - going to US is like hitting the jackpot, who would not like that. Sex is a conduit. |
| 17th April 2006 John | Excellent blog - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Superb blog well written. I am 26 and had many experiences in SE Asia with romance tourism. It got to the stage where I became sceptical of local girls being friendly, which is terrible really. Everytime someone is nice it has the opposite effect. |
| 16th April 2006 Ed | Been there, done that!! - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Hi, great story, I spent a lot of time travelling around Mindanao-well off the beaten tourist path- and have never yet had any probs, just came back from Marawi to my Wife's home (near Maranding) and now having a well earned rest before we start off again for a 5 week stay on and around Mount Apo visiting more of my Wife's 'extended' family, hehe. Mindanao is a wonderful; place and it is now my main home, instead of the UK. Take care |
| 11th April 2006 drew | A thinker - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist I am now the middle aged, ex military American you describe, minus the part of being a sextourist. You write well and its evident you think alot when traveling. All I can say, is the world is made up of one person or group of persons trying to manipulate or subjugate another. We all make our choices, some are made for us. Some people will never have the freedom to choose. I found the people of the PI like any other group. Simply trying to get by. Before you write off all Western men over there now, remember a man from the past, my uncle, who died in the Bataan Death march defending the PI. Life,,,its full of choices. stay safe. No ill will intended, just a thought. |
| 11th April 2006 beniblanco | Choice of perspective - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Actually, your last paragraph summs it all up. There is nothing new to the phenomena of people wanting to find a partner who can offer them better living standards (although it could be argued as more common among ladies). This has been happening for many years just in front of our own western eyes. The only difference seems to be that western women invest more in the ways to make themselves attractive to men (lipos, duck-lips, implants, designer bags, brand-clothes etc...). In heart I think these women seek men who can offer them better (material) lives than they are willing to provide for themselves. Maybe they disbelieve their own ability to put efforts in education or advancing jobs in a way to reach what they crave. Maybe GENDER is the issue as society does not provide women the same opportunities as men (Sweden is on a good equal path). The gender issue is especially true in developing countries. There are two things to consider before judging the women in cultures that are exotic for westerners. First and most importantly, what you see as a tourist is just a fraction of the women in these countries. I would even go as far as stating that the proportions (compare to "Gold diggers") are the same, if not less, as in our own 'civilized' society. Secondly, there is a social aspect which is profoundly rooted in culture, economy and legal security. Knowledge of the present, history of the country as well as conversation with the habitants is essential for learning about the social state. At the most, poverty for a westerner means being homeless because of addictions and other social problems. In these countries, poverty is much more severe. Not being able to feed your children, seeing them die (doesn´t happen much in west thanks to social structure), lacking funds for medicine and clothes is just the the starting point for poverty in these countries. Being slaved, killed, sold or have their organs removed is some of the ways poor people are treated in certain places. When you are that poor I think it is hard to share western values of what is right and wrong. I think one sees things differently and grasps any opportunity offered to escape a miserable situation. Ask any of these girls that are 'on the market' what kind of family they come from. Which part of the country. How much does their families own? Or ask them when and who they were sold to as a child or when they were abused for the first time. That way you will find half of the root to the problem. The other half is of course the 'demand' on the market. I am against abuse of women. Personally sex tourism is disgusting to me. BUT, there is a grey-zone as well to note. First, there is the aspect of the choice some women actually make to prosititute themselves (no matter what reasons). Also, some of the couples that meet spend a longer time together than a transactional meeting. Sometimes they even end up marrying each other. I don´t want to pass any judgements here. What I´m interested in is what would happen to these girls if they couldn´t grasp the opportunity a rich visitor can offer them. In contrary to the gold diggers at home - who moslty end up marrying a second-best alternative and get a job at a parfume or make-up store - I´m afraid these girls would be doomed to poverty becuase of the social injustice that exists in their countries. To properly address the problems and solve them we need globalization indeed. We need global awareness, global spread of knowledge and global aid and efforts. We need to solve problems at a grass-root level not only because they disturb us in our vacations or differ from our view on how things can/should be. But because these are the ways people have to live their lives because they don´t have much options. Further we have to accept our role in the imbalance that exist between the rich and the poor. Exploitation, colonisation, wars, missionary campaigns and plagues are just some explanatory factors to the injuries inflicted by west to developing countries. That raises a few questions for me. Would you/we/me be prepared to settle for less in order to give more to the poor? Would you let immigrants come to your country for a chance of better lives? Would you accept lower wages and competition from foreign labor? Would you pay more for your good and services just to help the poor country? For example, would you pay as much for a pair of Prada shoes as for a similar Vietnamese copy? Would you donate half of the money that you in reality don´t need just to help another person get a minimum living standard? Or maybe we are naive enough to think that all 6 billion of us can live the way we do in west using global resources? Would we stop striving up and help others reach our level before continuing? Sorry about this mate. I didn´t mean to write a comment this long. These were just spontaneous thoughts that emerged from my own perspective and experience. Have fun on your travels all of you and spread the love! |
| 10th April 2006 Mansun | - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist It's very interesting perspective that I've never really thought of before. Well done. |
| 10th April 2006 James | - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Fantastic. |
| 10th April 2006 Betol | Good Blog - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Well thought out entry, no less so that it took you about three months to articulate your thoughts and your experiences. I was born and raised in the Philippines and thus, probably carry some of the prejudice of my countrymen about middle aged Westerners who may or may not be on a sex or "Romance Tour" in my country. I noticed with passivity several middle aged Westerners with young Filipina wives on my last visit back to Southern Leyte. |
| 10th April 2006 Johanna | When will the Sufferings Stop ! - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist It deeply saddens me knowing that such human degradation and exploitation is happening in our country. It breaks my heart to know that some Filipino women’s only means of crawling out of poverty is to marry a foreigner. When will the sufferings of the Filipino people stop. Since the Spaniards landed in the Philippines in 1521 and placed a stake on our land, our people have suffered from slavery, been robbed of liberty and natural resources. When the Americans took over Philippines from the hands of Spaniards, Filipinos perceived the Americans as our knight in shining armour as they freed our people from slavery and introduced education to the country. Little we know that Uncle Sam has his own agenda to use the Philippines for his own interest. Then, Japanese invaded our country for 2 years and used Filipino women as sex slaves for their soldiers. Up to this day, Filipinos are at the mercy of people from other land. Kind-hearted and open-minded people will not judge, but will try to understand & have pity/mercy on the current situation of the Filipino people. I’ve read the other comments to Jason’s article and I’m pleased to say that such open-mindedness is very much appreciated…..thanks, Johanna |
| 10th April 2006 bert | your blog - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Just to let you know that this one of the best written blog I've read so far. Nothing to do with the subject of your article but it is very interesting taken from your perspective. Stay safe. |
| 10th April 2006 grantcorp | "This moral decay, weakens our resistence, to the onslaught of the communist masters of deceit." George Putnam (1965) - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist A great read that touches on thoughts that cross my mind from time to time. Disregarding prostitution and abuse, and focusing on what you so eloquently termed "romance tourism", I have not yet managed to decide on what my thoughts are on the subject. Every time I see a young local woman on the back of a motorbike driven by a considerable older westerner, or when I see an ill-matched couple walking hand in hand, there is a part inside of me that immediately expresses displeasure. Interestingly, when my brain is reconnected I realise that it all boils down to my own prejudice. I blame the society in which I grew up. As for travelling solo, fifteen minutes after I first set my foot in Cebu the taxi driver asked me if I wanted girls. It made me feel offended, not necessarily because of his inquiry, but by the prejudice that was being directed towards me the westerner. All I do know is that soon I will be that middle-aged, single, well-off man. We'll see what happens then. |
| 9th April 2006 EuroJules | Great Blog! - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Your blog was very interesting. It is amazing what people will do not to be lonely. I read a story the other day about the Vietnam War, the guy who wrote it fell in love with a Vietnamese woman. His explanation was that war makes you want someone right that second. Many of his war buddies took these women and ended up leaving their wives. Enough rambling on my part! Enjoy your traveling. I miss it! Julie |
| 9th April 2006 wahib | Very nice ! - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist Interesting page. Reminded me of a book I read a while ago: "Travels in the Skin Trade: Tourism and the Sex Industry" by Jeremy Seabrook. This issue is not as clear cut and easy as it seems. Of course there are many horrible cases of exploitation but the "forty something western guy + twenty something asian girlfriend" story has many hidden sides. Happy travels Jason. Stay safe. w. |
| 9th April 2006 YZ | Intelligent Views - From: Interview with the Sex Tourist I apprecıated the blog as ıt was well-wrıtten. I've also seen the romance tourısm you speak of and had my own smaller versıon ın Thaıland. I also thınk some of Western guys seekıng women ın SE Asıa do not have the patıence for many of the females back home, especıally for men who have had faıled marrıages or other relatıonshıps. There ıs also the 'exotıc' element that spıces thıngs up between the two people and provıdes somethıng they may have been mıssıng before. |
| 4th April 2006 bojan | holy crap - From: MAKEDONIJA come on ppl, some of Jasons comments did sound a bit out of line, but it is just the way he viewed these things through his cultural lenses, and if he made a mistake you can try to explain him some of the things better instead of acting like idiots and cursing all around. And than you get angry when the whole world thinks we are not tolerant and that we are backward. Someone here claimed we have better education than the west?! Well, here is your chance, prove your level of education prove your good manners.... |
| 24th March 2006 Farzina | Lovely read :) - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Hi there! I'm Bangladeshi by origin, but grew up abroad. Always love reading other people's blogs on Bangladesh. I hope to start writing more about my home country too next time I go back. Check out my entry on Dhaka: http://elmundofarzina.blogspot.com/2004/12/bangladesh-no-tsunami-here.html |
| 22nd March 2006 Johann_Creer@hotmail.com | Commendation from an inspired reader - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Hi AspiringNomad :> I would like to commend you from your bravery & sheer determination to seek the truth and anything forbidden. I wish there are more people like you who are open-minded, adventurous & kind-hearted. Your story was incredible. I can tell that you are a reader (and a good writer) by your style of writing. You seemed very knowledgeable about the history, culture, economic & political background of the Philippines. I was dumbfounded by the information I just read in your blog 'coz some of the historical/political facts you just said were completely unknown to me. I grew up in the province of Pampanga (South of Luzon, Phils.) until I was 18 and immigrated to Australia over a decade ago. I am planning to go back home on a personal journey & explore my roots. Reading your story has inspired me even more....Thank You ! |
| 21st March 2006 Shari | WOW. - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. This is an incredibly illustrious and well-written blog. Your photographs are beautiful and incredibly inspiring. If you are at all interested, there is an awesome travel writing contest going on that I just heard about, that you can check out [this] here. Fantastic blog, I'll be sure to check back again soon! |
| 20th March 2006 sel | joe! :) - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. hi! i admire ur braveness,. im a Filipino and ive always wanted to go to mindanao. my grandmothers from there and she always tell us great stories about mindanao. they use to own lands there but unfortunately some group took that away from their family. its kinda sad because us filipinos are sometimes so racist because its not an issue here, and we dont care much about our own. anyway thanks for visiting mindanao. i hope you could visit us again. i believe that theres a lot to see in the Philippines. this is a great country, its just that some Filipinos dont notice that. |
| 20th March 2006 :: | why expose your ignorance??? - From: MAKEDONIJA If the country is so poor, how can ppl just afford to pay 20 000G to marry someone just to get out????? if someone has 20 000grand they can live mighty good in Macedonia. Plus Macedonian women are pretty not trashy, I guess you are not use to it, we all know about what an eyesore British women are! Glad you keep your pants on, would not want someone like you polluting Macedonian blood. I would have felt rather ashamed when a little boy from a "not so developed country" was more educated that a man from the West. And a little fun fact: your people were still savages, when we concurred the world! |
| 18th March 2006 neo chakma | your pics reminds me of my ancestral place - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh I have a grainy memory that Bangladesh used to be the ancestral place of our micro-minority CHAKMA tribe. It's a myth I carry inside me .... all those tales about 'haptai goddha' (kaptai dam), 'shadigaang' (chittagong), 'ranga matteh' (rangamati).... Thanks for affording me a walk down the memory lane..... it was an immense pleasure... and I was almost whistling: ama ei jagan (this land of ours) ranga matteh nang (thy name ranga mhadi) dekhe bari dhol, shorgo puri shan (pristine in its beauty, it blissful as heaven and fairy-land) It were as though I was looking to an old childhood photograph where the sun seems to shine less bright.... |
| 9th March 2006 Chris | - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Sounds like you almost got yourself into trouble. Did you ever feel unsafe in your journeys? You are way more ballsy (is that a word) than me. |
| 6th March 2006 Lorenzo | - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. I can feel your genuine interest in the people you meet in your travel in the Phils. I wish you a safe journey. |
| 5th March 2006 T | Amazing Pictures - From: Rajasthan; on the road again Wow... you've really captured the flavor of Rajasthan so well man... I just happened to see a link to your blog on your friend's space on MSN. You wont believe it, I live only 200 miles away from Rajasthan and have never been able to visit this beautiful place... I'll make sure I visit Rajasthan soon :) http://spaces.msn.com/tausiffarooqi/ |
| 3rd March 2006 Quix | Fascinating photographs - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. You must do an exhibition on these. Well done! |
| 3rd March 2006 :) | you've seen the south, see the north... - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. then you should see northern Philippines.... try Babuyan Islands or Pagudpud or even Vigan in Ilocos |
| 2nd March 2006 Matt | Great info - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. I am just about to fly out to Mindanao to work for a couple of years so should get to know the place quite well. This is one of the only places I have found anything useful about this end of the Philippines. Like you say the guidebooks are all full of over the top warnings! |
| 2nd March 2006 singlespeed | Awesome - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. Very cool! I would love to hear tips on how you travel and make your way. Did you stay with the 'mayor'? what other sorts of lodging did you find. Fab pictures! |
| 2nd March 2006 anonymous | - From: Mindanao; Abu Sayyaf the MILF and a bloke called Joe. First of all, let me say you are a brave man. I am a Filipino born and raised in Mindanao, and now lives in the U.S., yet never visited Basilan for the reasons that you now know about :-) The division of Muslim and Christian Filipinos has been an issue for a very long time, and I think will not end. It's just like the Jews and the Palestinians. Mindanao culture is very diverse. You are lucky to see a few tribal people in their ethnic clothes - lonely planet is right actually right :-) |
| 24th February 2006 - | - - From: Culture shock in The Garden of Eden interesting article, but the flag has changed! |
| 20th February 2006 kashish | - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh i love bangladesh it is so nice and i will love to go anytime its the best place to sun bave even though you will burn really quick anyway god bless u all and have the best time of your life xxx |
| 17th February 2006 Stefan SERB | I am a Serb - From: MAKEDONIJA Whatever your name is whoever wrote this thing. You are obviously very arrogant so I don't see the point of you travelling in the Balkans, all you would do is critisize most things and complain. Such things that you may complain about are poor roads and infrastructure, but you must understand that the reason everything is bad is because of YOUR government. If you would have visited when it was Yugoslavia you would have been shocked to see a Communist country ahead of you in some fields. You're ignorance is very dangerous my friend, be careful not to voice such opinions in public as you can slip up one day and pay with your life. Be very careful, obviously this guy Gorian is well educated and knows the truth about everything, I am currently in London and I can see the state that schools are in here. It is actually so appauling I would recommend schools in India better than in the West. People of 15 years of age don't even know where Britain or the US are on the World Map. They are pregnant at 14, go binge drinking in the parks and are a HUGE problem for the Police. But Gorian, do not be a prick, the reason Serbs don't defend Macedonia is because you sacrificed your soul for your former fellow state and gave the US and NATO your aircraft bases to store and load their aircraft to bomb Serbia in 1999. You know very well that in the days of Yugoslavia Serbs were the most naiive, they would have died for a Croat or Muslim or Macedonian. When Skopje was COMPLETELY destroyed by an Earthquake Serbs payed for the reconstruction, at the same time, Tito split Serbia into 3 autonomies (Kosovo, Vojvodina and Central Serbia) and look what shit that has landed us in now. At the time nobody noticed because we had blind faith in the glory of Jugoslavija. Who suffered the heaviest loses in WWII liberating ourselves without the help of the Soviet Red Army, Serbs did. Yet who became President of Yugoslavia? A Croat. I am a nationalist because Serbs have nothing left but nationalism, you Westerners have battered our country to bits and you are still at it (backing Muslim Albania to take our holy land where our first state was founded - Kosovo). But you are getting what you deserved. You backed Muslims in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Kosovo and now they are fucking you up HAHAHAHAHA. Good, more bombs on the tube, more planes into towers, hopefully Canary Wharf will be next. Check out our amazing capital Belgrade and other galleries on my site: http://www.pbase.com/stefan_serb LONG LIVE SERBIA AND GREECE, FUCK THE WEST! |
| 16th February 2006 random | OMG - From: Is the 'People's War' safe? wow...thats nice...im originally from nepal. And havnt been ther in a loooooong time....oh well.. |
| 9th February 2006 hugh_lostandfound | The beauty of perspective - From: MAKEDONIJA you know it's funny: you write a blog, and you insert your personal experiences and inevitably opinions are formed; You think about what you're writing as you write and who your audience is (which most likely is family and friends); regardless, you get lambbasted for writing honestly as you do. Sometimes it just hits too close to home from some people I suppose. But of course you can't know a country in a week or a month or even a year. I only have to say that tolerance, an open mind, and the curiosity to experience another culture are probably some of the most valuable assets that a person can have. I applaud you for writing 'from the hip', noting your ephemeral and insant opbservations. It's evident that you're obviously not a reckless traveler that guzzles beer at every stop. so, keep on writing as you are and who you are, and I'll keep reading... |
| 2nd February 2006 Kate Hildebrand | hi aspiring nomad - From: A tale of two beaches, two cities and some orangutans Post more often!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| 1st February 2006 Fan | - From: BULGARI Love your style and insight :)) Keep on. |
| 1st February 2006 Kate | Thanks - From: A tale of two beaches, two cities and some orangutans Thanks AN, your comments are spot on! If you get a spare moment, a recommendation in terms of cheap but decent (another conundrum perhaps?) accommodation there would be appreciated. I'm being told Ton Sai around the corner...? I might have to "bite the bullet" and for once sit on a highly populated beach with my blowup beach chair and sun tent :) |
| 1st February 2006 aspiringnomad | - From: A tale of two beaches, two cities and some orangutans Ah! The old Thai Beach without the tourists conundrum; wasn't there a book about that, which became a film;-) 12 million tourists will visit Thailand in 2006, so as an 'Anti-Tourist' you'll be terrified! Personally, I would recommend Hat Rai Lai, it is a beautiful place, and besides; the only true paradise to be found is the one in the mind. |
| 1st February 2006 Kate | Would You Recommend Rai Lei? - From: A tale of two beaches, two cities and some orangutans Hiya Nomad, I'm heading to Krabi in 6 weeks. Would you recommend heading to Rai lei? By the sound of it, you werent all that happy about the amount of people. Are there any places instead of Rai Lei (from Krabi) that you would recommend? I'm Anti-Tourist and it scares me. Cheers k! www.kateonthego.blogspot.com |
| 29th January 2006 Linda | You're mad! - From: Myanmar Musings in The Mergui Archipelago Good Luck! |
| 19th January 2006 pecheur | Amazing pictures - From: Culture shock in The Garden of Eden Wow! you have some amazing pictures here!! |
| 15th January 2006 Ravi Ajitsariya | Photogtaphs - From: Rajasthan; on the road again Your photographs were excellent.good work |
| 6th January 2006 frmNepal | pics - From: Is the 'People's War' safe? Hi, I didn't go through your description but I just wanna say that, ur' pics are great.. |
| 2nd January 2006 R.KHATUN | - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh This is great! I love the pictures and the narrative. Im Going there in two weeks! |
| 27th December 2005 Huq | Great!! - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Thanks for such a captivating story!! You kept me going with your fascinating story. I hope you get to spend some more time in the capital Dhaka the next time you visit(hope you do!). Bangladesh, as a country, has a long way to go in terms of attracting tourists and visitors. Thanks for such a captivating blog! |
| 16th December 2005 Tayaba | Awesome - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh great photography, it smells like bangladesh!! thanx for the site... |
| 16th December 2005 d2colt | Beratis real gangsta - From: selling my soul en route to the Wild West. Im a DANGEROUS BERATAS |
| 14th December 2005 Asha | Writing - From: Ngapali Beach, the road to Mandalay...and beyond. Loved the blog. Not only have you inspired me to pay the Burmese a visit someday, but also wanted to ask: are you, or have you considered writing? Your work is fantastic. |
| 9th December 2005 Nikki | - From: A snip of southern India Your pictures are amazing. They remind me of the time I spent in South India almost a year before your trip. Seeing these pictures make me more remeniscent than looking at my own, which contain many of the same images. |
| 7th December 2005 Ali | Great read... - From: Myanmar Musings in The Mergui Archipelago Really enjoyed reading this journal. I agree, Aung San Suu Kyi would be better off raising awarness from the west. I think the impact of China and the masses of cheap chinese goods being imported from the north will have a greater affect than sanctions - there were more DVD players on sale in Yangon than on Tottenham Court Rd. I wonder what affect the Hollywood propaganda machine will be having on the youth of Burma and how that will change tomorrow... |
| 6th December 2005 Kate Hildebrand | - From: MAKEDONIJA Your blog is fantastic and some of these comments ain't bad either. I had a blast during my short stay in East Europe despite (because of?) "The Yugo Is The Best Automobile Ever Made and The United States is The Asshole of The Universe" brigade. |
| 29th November 2005 Adventuregurl | Delhi - From: War and relief in serendipity Totally relate to your comments about Delhi it was hideous...I was two weeks in Nepal and everyone insisted I go to Agra to see the Taj and I'm glad i did but the poverty and stench and pressure from rip-offs was amazing...the best part of the trip was a visit to the Golden Triangle--Jafra (not sure on the spelling) but the poverty and stench was never ending. |
| 29th November 2005 Adventuregurl | great blog and photos! - From: Sunny Zurich to singing in the rain. great blog! i love to travel too! |
| 20th November 2005 grantcorp | Interesting read, if a little bit depressing. - From: Welcome to the cultural holocaust I can understand your points, still I enjoyed myself thoroughly in most places in Uzbekistan. Perhaps the money mining has increased a bit in recent years; the only places I remember being harassed by organized sellers or beggars were around the Kalon mosque in Bukhara and the Registan in Samarkand, and I have yet to get a shakedown form the militsiya. As for touristification I do remember my fellow travellers on the first tour sneering at the quality of the local restoration works and making remarks along the line of "What a shame they make the girls wear those skimpy skirts" (Don't ask...) etc. Of course it is somewhat disheartening to see souvenir trading taking the place of the original customs, yet I take it as a sign of the times and if people can find a better life in selling cute little Timur keychains than asking the gods for favour then so be it. Similarily, a walk down Stockholm old town in summer will greet you with armadas of ugly overpriced troll figures and cheap trinkets decorated with the famous elk from our road signs (Mastercard accepted). From a traveller's perspective, as immersive as a living, breathing Islamic world may be, it is not so sure we would even gain access to the holy places of Bukhara etc. had they been open for business. In Qom for example we were not welcome and had to make do with our telescopic lenses peeking in through the main gates of the Agha Bozorg complex from a nearby hill. I guess if you want the real experience of travelling the Silk Road, you could certainly do worse than a flick on Discovery. These days it seems the trick for finding the authentic experience is to take a new look at your present surroundings. Ever talk to the bored shopkeepers about where they get their trinkets made? The annoying taxi drivers of today may be the sorely missed culture of tomorrow. |
| 16th November 2005 grantcorp | Ha ha ha ha ha! - From: Ngapali Beach, the road to Mandalay...and beyond. Great stuff! And those Bagan pictures just fills me with awe, I didn't have a clue such a place even existed. |
| 15th November 2005 Aleksandar | Something to compare - From: MAKEDONIJA With 200Eur I can suvive in Macedonia for example in Swiss I can't with 2000Eur at least not the live as I am used to. Going out have a beer etc. |
| 15th November 2005 Aleksandar | Another Macedonian - From: MAKEDONIJA I am very glad that you liked Macedonia - Generaly because its nice place with much fun more fun when I compare with other European countries, also people are more frendlier here. However your story contained a lot of crap. Economy is much lower than what it used to be in Socializam/Komunizam much less work but coffie/Bier bars, are full all the time - so people have more money than they say - (money from the past). About girls - they are much more konzervative about sex than in other countries but they look much better. Story about 20K or your passport just sucks. I dont belive that you had any situation like that just stories.Also Education and Culture is on higher level in here. When our student goes to study abroad in 99% of cases he is succesfull. Its very easy to study abroad.Not everyone like to go abroad, I travel a lot but I always think that Macedonia is a best place to leave despite everything that is going on. Soo finally keep to your opinion - you can't see the things in a very short time. Also do come again on longer time to see the things better you might stay to live here:)) |
| 15th November 2005 anonymous | - From: Ngapali Beach, the road to Mandalay...and beyond. The problem is, will you ever want to come back home? |
| 14th November 2005 LAYLA FLETCHER | NICE PICS - From: Ngapali Beach, the road to Mandalay...and beyond. LOVELY PICTURES JAY |
| 13th November 2005 Sambo the predator | - From: Ngapali Beach, the road to Mandalay...and beyond. Loving your work! Nice pics too although didnt enjoy the image of you naked on the beach enjoying the storms "full force." I'm back in India come January so if you're planning to go back at any point let me know, Sam |
| 13th November 2005 deleted_3265 | Nice ! - From: Ngapali Beach, the road to Mandalay...and beyond. Thanks for the pix and the great writing. We'll be following (some of) your tracks soon. |
| 10th November 2005 LAYLA FLETCHER | YO BRO - From: MAKEDONIJA I CAN SEE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE YOU ANNOY, KEEP WRITING JAY I REALLY ENJOY READING YOUR BLOGS AND SO DO LOADS OF OTHERS. |
| 8th November 2005 Mike Clayton | Also in Inle Lake - From: Magical Mystical Myanmar Just thought I would add that I was in Inle Lake for the festival in October '05. It was great fun and the boat races in town were exciting. |
| 31st October 2005 Ali | Fantastic photos - From: Magical Mystical Myanmar Yeah - it's a dilema visiting countries where regiem change is really needed. I face this same issue when visiting my family in the UK. Looking forward to being disappointed by Burma :) Thanks for the great photos and story - again! |
| 15th October 2005 mactaastrup | the enigma of the lost coli will not be found on the far east.... - From: Huntin the hill tribes |
| 14th October 2005 Chris/California | Thanks - From: Huntin the hill tribes Well done. Photos and story interesting and personal. Just right. I, too, hope the Thais will find more of the good than the bad from the West. |
| 11th October 2005 aspiringnomad | Freedon of speech! - From: MAKEDONIJA send me a private message Gorian so I have your email... and I'll tell some good stories - Do you know I read somewhere that NATO was a secret wing of the Albanian mafia:-) cheers! |
| 10th October 2005 Gorian | Not a Serbian - From: MAKEDONIJA Jason, No I am not a Serbian, actually I am Macedonian (like you mentioned in your comments, about our neighbors, I don't see any Serbians defending Macedonia or its people). May have gotten a bit carried away with my comments (you did not fail to quote my language numerous times) but I think you deserved a little bit of that, and honestly I have met too many similar minded people that have that syndrome and unfair judgement of my people and our culture. Sure, I may have supported your thinking of how big nationalists we are (even though that is much more of a Serb quality than Macedonian) but I bet you didn't see any house flying Macedonian flags for Thanksgiving, or Halloween or was it the 4th of July (oh right, your not American..) Which in itself disappointed me, seeing that this is the culture that is spreading and more and more predominating the world. When I read back, I sound a bit too anti-western-American etc, but I do value freedom of thought (which seams to be affected brilliantly back there) freedom of speech (which is affected not so brilliantly) and freedom of fear (which is obsolete). Fortunalty for us Macedonians, we still have these freedoms and thats probably what keeps the drive. What was the purpose of your visit to the balkans anyway, if you are so stubbornly obssessed with your passport, your salary, and obviously not the historical and beautiful aspect of old monasteries, and beautiful (deep) lakes? And as I have probably traveled far more extensively in the region (if not beyond) I stand by my previous words on prostitution in Macedonia. It's a big issue for UN/NATO/EU "peace" keepers used to cheap woman in other less developed countries (although they do enjoy the cafes, clubs, and lack of war). So unforunate that you didn't score in MK, and tough shit for the rain and your girfriend in BG. |
| 9th October 2005 aspiringnomad | love the rant! - From: MAKEDONIJA Thank You Gorian, No I am not from the US but I assume you are a pure blooded serb...thankyou for your analysis 1) Macedonia women dress provocatively because they "worry much less than your woman about fucked up rapists roaming the streets". 2) The women who wished to marry a westerner "were either prostitutes (even though you state there are very few) or foreigners". 3) "Your country is older than mine"!? no comment;) 4)Thanks for your advice on where to "find the postcommunist whore sindrome" ...maybe you should worry more about finding your own war criminals/heros? ...and sorry, I didn't realise the impact of (my) "fucking embargo on Serbia" P.S. I honestly loved the last paragraph ...totally agree: "And thats your countries smartest policy, keeping the masses dumb as shit, and having the lucky few do as they will, destroying people and nations much wiser and much less luckier than yours". Although after meeting 'Professor bigot' I worry what the youth in Macedonia, let alone Serbia, are being taught. And honestly, I loved your rant, almost as good as mine and I apologise completely for "arrogantly and uninformedly hurting Macedonians". with my opinions. Thanks Jason. P.S. If you wanna know how NATO really screwed up the balkans and the West's destruction of Yugoslavia read the book 'Degraded Capabilty' here is a link: http://www.martinshaw.org/degraded.htm |
| 8th October 2005 Gorian | Wack Ass Westerner - From: MAKEDONIJA Jason, The comment you have made about Macedonia are totally out of line. Im a Macedonian national who has studied and lived in numerous countries, including the US, which is where I presume you come from. A couple of comments on your irritating assumptions, and your troubling egocentric personality: 1. Woman in southern Europe generally dress more provocatively than in the US or other "developed" countries. This is mostly because they are generally more self confident, make smarted decisions about sex, and have to worry much less than your woman about fucked up rapists roaming the streets. (check the annual rape numbers in Macedonia) 2. I have never heard of woman wanting to spend 20,000 USD to marry an idiot like yourself. Sure the economy is crappy, but I'm sure you didnt fail to notice that all cafes, restaurants, and stores were packed (unlike 90% of shithole US small town streets). The woman you may be referring to were etiher prostitutes (you probably realized how rare they are in MK) or of another ethnicity. There are much easier and ways to go abroad and get lucky than marrying a selfish dickweed suck as yourself, whose only possession is a good passport. 3. Macedonia as a region, as a language, and as a people has been around much longer than probably wherever you come from. The fact that countries such as yours chose to ignore this fact and have actively chosen to erase or block our existense from history books is political and has been one of the main reasons the balkans have remained a hotspot throughout history. 4. Macedonia, as part of former Jugoslavia, never suffered the communist regimes that countries such as Poland, Czeckoslovakia, Bulgaria, Greece, Albania, Hungary etc when through. You might find the postcommunist whore sindrome there, if thats what you are after. With Macedonia getting the help in has been from countries such as yours (compare that in $ terms to any country in Europe, especially Greece, which was the least developed country in Europe 20 years ago, excluding Albania)I think however small the progress seams (not to mention the impact of your fucking embargo on Serbia which forced 400,000 refugees to Macedonia, and about 50 to western countries) Macedonia is moving slowly forward due to the peristance of its people and their national pride, which you have arrogantly, uninformedly hurt. You could learn a thing or two from that 8 year old boy. But then again, thats probably not your fault. Your primary and secondary education is at best, rediculous. And thats your countries smartest policy, keeping the masses dumb as shit, and having the lucky few do as they will, destroying people and nations much wiser and much less luckier than yours. |
| 7th October 2005 berni | hey jou - From: Sunny Zurich to singing in the rain. i'm glad that you like switzerland, because i'm from switzerland! i'm staiing now here in an exchange year in nebraske, and i like it here. i'm from bern, but i have alot of friends in zurich. please write me an e-mail, and tell me from your friends in switzerland. adresse patria_krusty@yahoo.com |
| 1st October 2005 Ershad | Thanks.. - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Thanks for your honest and positive comments about Bangladesha and it's common people. More often than not, my country is tainted with negative images for it's poverty and natural disasters. I'm glad you could see a land and it's people beyond the obvious. |
| 30th September 2005 ConMel | Off again...... - From: Me Love You Long Time Burmese visa? I had a hunch this might be the case. Enjoy it! |
| 29th September 2005 sirene | - From: Me Love You Long Time They have Starbucks in Thailand now? Crazy. Of course the last time I was there, it was 2000. ;) I enjoyed reading this, brings back memories of my very first trip abroad. Thanks! |
| 29th September 2005 John Kirikos | Rickshaws - From: The smell of burning flesh on Christmas morning. Hey, I just thought that you should know, for next time you travel to India, it's not neseccary to negotiate with the driver, all you have to do is look at the fare, and pay one less rupee than the fare is for, you'll get along just fine. |
| 29th September 2005 John | Phenidyl - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh That's not cough syrup. It's actually a distilled liquor, I don't know what sort of Pheni you had, but when I was in bombay it was made out of cashews, and that stuff was Rocket Fuel. I've absolutly loved reading your journals, and I'm kind of sad that we're comming to the end of the road. I feel as though I've taken this trip with you. Your photo's and excellent skill with words has kept me on the edge of my seat. |
| 26th September 2005 john | commandments 11 and 12 - From: Me Love You Long Time 11, if female thou shalt braid thy hair.(but only for duration of trip) 12, if male thou shalt wear a sarong and sport a upper arm celtic band tattoo. Made these observations in the Africa House Hotel, Zanzibar 1999. Billed by lonley planet as the friendly hangout.It was cliquey, my face didn't fit,i was over 22, actually 30 at the time. Me and my wife are off again in 2 years. I read the live blogs of about 5 people who are near my own age or who I think are of a similar mindset to me, just so I can get a mental map of places to avoid once Im on the road. Glad your writing again. |
| 19th September 2005 anonymous | - From: selling my soul en route to the Wild West. It aint nothing better then the city of BERAT |
| 12th September 2005 aspiringnomad | Watch this space... - From: Back To The Future ...although charitable donations would help;-) |
| 11th September 2005 Laurence Peter Brown | Please Don't Say This Is It - From: Back To The Future Dude. I have enjoyed your travels oh so much Like a voyeur observing the planet earth from the Hubbell. Please don't say the journeys over. I stumbled onto this site while "Googling" Goa. I book marked your first entry (not the site) and followed you through the "next" button. When are we traveling again? Where are we going? I would give anything for hypothermia and rude Tibetans as "these are a few of my favorite things." |
| 2nd September 2005 Professor | - From: Back To The Future Wow! What fabulous photographs! We were in Germany for 10 days earlier this year--some of the same places you visited. Your beautiful prose and exquisite photos brought back wonderful memories. |
| 2nd September 2005 Cumberland Sausage | You B***** - From: Back To The Future I was in Mongolia. Found the result out on the train into China, but even then I thought it was a wind up. |
| 27th August 2005 Anoushiravan | A question - From: Communisms dead! Long live communism? When you mentioned the Chinese Tajiks were more devoted than the Tajiks in Tajikistan, what exactly did you mean? Were these "Chinese Tajiks" leaning more towards Zoroastrian religion or were they Muslims? The original Tajiks were staunchly Zoroastrians and were related to the ancient Persians. I would appreciate a reply or your impression of it. Kind regards and Thank you. Anoushiravan |
| 21st August 2005 Gerd | Smth about Berat and albanians - From: selling my soul en route to the Wild West. Nice and real article yours about Berat. Well actually I was born in Tirana, but for work reasons I travell a lot up and down Albania. Old Berat is one of the most beautiful cities to visit. But I'm impressed as well when I notice painfully the way albanians "take care" of their country. And as well I can tell you the reason of this. This nightmare started after the 1945..when,what was simply called a new modern revolution was only the way for albanian peasants to destroy values, history and create a nonsense political system, based on murdering, imprisonment and umiliation.. This was called by the regime the road to the "new man".. The new animal that saw the "top" of his success by the end of the 80', was nothing else than a poor violent creature, in posses of nothing, actually empty of human feelings.. a king on his kingdom of nothing..where the arrogance was the real and the only queen of his soul.. Why? Destiny? May be. But still today, after 15 terrible years, this creature has left clear signs on albanian mentality..and is still a significant number in this country. What's the lesson for the others? Exterminate ignorance... |
| 16th August 2005 larisa rubtsova | muy lindo - From: Leaving the shadow of Lenin's prick muy lindo ,yo estuve en arslanbob ,me gusto mucho ,i ahora encuentro estas fotos experiencia muy linda. |
| 18th July 2005 gentian | qyteti im - From: selling my soul en route to the Wild West. the best city, u shine baby |
| 10th July 2005 quintessential | Timely Entry ! - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami Hi there , Thank you for this Blog.. ! I feel it is a timely entry .. that would help prospective tourists by subduing their apprehensions. There is so much more in Andamans especially abunduntant pristine LOcalities and Pristine Islands just a boat ride away .. like Lawerence Island , Light House spot etc on havellock Island.. and the Tiny Neil Island where you can rent a hut few meters away for mere Rs 50 ( just about a $ ).. and sleep to the soothing shallw water sounds. And can walk along the different beach stretches just in a matter of Hour or two.. and can find a secluded place if you have a company wand what to spend. And Havellock Island is no exception with the Great a Beach at #11 with Tents rented by the tourist Dept. And if you want to have a Full moon view the place is #3, #5. Actually on a full moon day here the moon looks so big and near .. brightly litting the whole beach and along side cottages.. Its an awesome scene.. when the moon suddenlyt rises on the horizon and chases awway the darkness. ! though it is a bit far from #11 to #3 .. you can rent a Motor-cycle for rs150 ( about $3 ) a day. and if are looking for best snorkling places.. it is here in Havellock Island. renting a Boatman costs you about Rs 500/- ( may be less if you can contact him directly at the village centre, ask for Boatman "Ranjit" ! very cool guy .. he will attend at your sea side guest house at the time you specify.).. I really cant forget the great experiences I had at Havellock Island.. especially the snorkling spots.. ! OHMY how can I forget the view .. when I saw a Octopuss at Lawrence Island when it came in clear readiant Ice-blue colour .. and vanished in just about 35 seconds before I could call my companiaon. Its all prestine and so natural.. even while sitting at #3.. and looking over the nearest Islands.. its breathtaking different shades of blue waters.. as if someone spilled all the blue shades God has with him... the same thing you can observe while on your way to Lawrence ISland.. mangroves.. so many blue shades of waters... and you wont forget the paradise experience for life.. ! |
| 20th June 2005 anna may | andamans - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami discovered a beautiful place in wandur/wandoor called sanctuary run by a terrific guy called viraj.guy is educated in japan ,australia,NY and france but chooses to live in peace instead.has a gorgeous rotweiler called maya.what a pair and what a place!!check it out.he organises great trips by boat altho his boat seems to be pretty badly ruined by the tsunami.has built cool huts on stilts.owns a nice jeep and may hire out his enfield bike if he's convinced you love bikes. |
| 13th June 2005 anonymous | Aspiring Nomad Blog - From: War and relief in serendipity Hi Jason, writing to you from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Hey just wanted to say that i enjoy your writings peppered with interesting bits of history. There is this Sri Lankin eatery that i visit in Toronto, i love their food. And since i base alot of trips of either food or beer, Sri Lanka seems like it might be a good place to go. Hope the girls are pretty -K - kevin hill |
| 13th June 2005 anonymous | your trip - From: War and relief in serendipity Was (still is?) amazing. Thanks for the fantastic reads... Warren - Warren Shaw |
| 11th June 2005 anonymous | Nice Read - From: MAKEDONIJA Hi I come from Macedonia but live in Sydney and have been here since 1987. I miss home but not enough to move back there. I don't have much to say but I just wanted to let you know that I enjoyed reading your entry and I beleive you have hit the mark. I'm surprised you absorbed so much in such a short time. Regarding Toni, I am willing to bet that had you stayed a bit longer you would have met dozens of little Toni's with 'useless facts' only we don't consider them useless, it is general knowledge. - Goce |
| 12th May 2005 anonymous | - From: selling my soul en route to the Wild West. ALBANIA YOU ROCK BABY!!!!! - Mirela |
| 11th May 2005 anonymous | Great composition - From: Rajasthan; on the road again ..you captured the essence really well. The words and pics exude the uniqueness of Udaipur and Rajasthan in general. - Joydeep |
| 10th May 2005 anonymous | Lovely pictures - From: Rajasthan; on the road again Beautifully depictive and evocative writing. Thanks for the photograph of words. - Carmen |
| 7th May 2005 Cumberland Sausage | Thanks for the comments about the pictures ... - From: A renegade traveller visits Goa. Maybe you could rewrite my journal so it's interesting ;-) Goa looks pretty good - my mouth is watering. |
| 5th May 2005 anonymous | Interesting but not enough info. - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Its interesting to read but you have not visited a lot of gorgeous places like the Sundarbans, Kuakata etc. And hanging around with guys who get high on cough med is very uncool! - W.Khan |
| 4th April 2005 anonymous | Albania is the best - From: selling my soul en route to the Wild West. i do not know what impression you get from Albaniabut i know that Albania ia the best place whwre i have lived. - Albana |
| 1st April 2005 anonymous | - From: A snip of southern India beautiful photos. u are a talented person. - "simon" |
| 18th March 2005 anonymous | Free mountain photo gallery - From: Is the 'People's War' safe? Photo gallery - I found some nice pictures on www.visit-nepal.com/freephotogallery.htm. I hope this gallery is useful for many visitors as well as others who are not able to travel Nepal. - Raj |
| 17th March 2005 anonymous | Well written - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami Great blog. I was supposed to travel to Andaman in Feb, but family persuaded me to choose another place. Went to Agatti in Lakshadweep, which is another beautiful place. Will stubbornly visit Andaman this winter. - vinkash |
| 4th March 2005 aspiringnomad | Beautiful story! - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami cheers for finding this story... (the link you provided was missing a solitary '1' at the end, but I managed to track it down)... "We saw the water and knew that more land would soon become covered with sea, and angry spirits would descend down to hunt us away,"...When the Onge fled, they threw rocks at the evil spirits, so the spirits would look for them where they'd thrown the rocks, instead of pursuing them into the jungle. so here it is: http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/krwashbureau/20050303/ts_krwashbureau/_bc_tsunami_india_tribe_wa_1 |
| 3rd March 2005 anonymous | I heard it here first - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=2270&ncid=2270&e=1&u=/krwashbureau/20050303/ts_krwashbureau/_bc_tsunami_india_tribe_wa - Jason from Istanbul |
| 25th February 2005 anonymous | Thank you - From: The Andamans: paradise post-tsunami This was a terrific blog entry. I just wanted to thank you. I am doing research for a possible trip in September, and you addressed many of the items about which I was curious -- with a pleasant and astute approach. Thanks again. -- DLW - David W. |
| 10th February 2005 anonymous | Uzbekistan - From: Leaving the shadow of Lenin's prick Dear Sir - I have enjoyed reading your stories of jaunting through Centrral Asia. While I certainly disagree with a few of your comments poltically, you strike me as quite the person to sit down with a share a pnit or two....or three. that said, I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions about the logistics of getting into the "'Stans" of Central Asia. I have planned a six week trip, after I drop my son off in Kiev. I'd like your input if OK with you. Keep up the good work, by the way. I relate to a great deal of you lust of travel and its incredible rewards. Cheers, Rich Incorvati, Jr. Manchester, Connecticut, USA sapere18@ - Rich |
| 21st January 2005 anonymous | great pictures - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh great photos ya have taken!it seems that ya have a nice camera! i like them and downloaded them to my pc. - li jing |
| 18th January 2005 TRAVELSAPIEN | Facinating Theory in old BAKU - From: Searching for vikings in the devil's excrement Your journal material is facinating and the theory of the Norse is plausible. Travelsapien is no historian but I have spent time in the Country and fully agree. It is a gem waiting for discovery. Still untraveled by Westerner's and young in the ways of Tourism but it will come. Traveler's such as yourself carry the message and you carry it well. Hey. I love the photographs. I would very much like permission to carry a couple on my own site as I will be making comments about the Country eventually more than likely when I get back from there this Spring. Yes. Going back! So much history. Indeed the whole Silk Road experience is saturated with ancient peoples excretement before us. (lol) Excellent Journal. Kudo's my friend. |
| 13th January 2005 anonymous | - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Sounds great, im going to bdesh in 2 weeks, cant wait. It really hard to find travel stories about bdesh on the net. Thanks for putting this up - Sam |
| 10th January 2005 anonymous | Great photos - From: A short sojourn in untainted Bangladesh Your people photos are great, especially the kids. - Gerry |
| 3rd January 2005 anonymous | brought it all back - From: Is the 'People's War' safe? Hi Jason, Good to read your blog and see the many pictures. Inevitably, it reminded me of my own journeys east from UK in the early and mid 60's. Especially to long trip out to India, hitchhiking all the way. In those days it was Turkey - Iran - Afghanistan - Pakistan of course, and I wondered how road-travellers like you made it thru these days....So it was an education for me. I was in India for a few years - and as well as Burma/Thailand/Malaysia, Indonesia (all the way to Kupang in East Timor where we got a lift from a WW II landing craft that was going acroos the Timor Sea to Darwin... Good days. I did think of you when I heard of the great disaster (and hoped you hadn't decided on Xmas on a beach in Thailand....) Anyway, have fun. For me (aged 22 -27 yrs), those years travelling were the beginning of my education...and have served me for every day since in one way or another. You will find as you live a long life (Inshallah!) that you can talk to almost anyone.... you'll know where they come from! Good luck and safe - but exciting! - journeys. Rogan - Rogan |
| 25th December 2004 anonymous | Gorgeous photos - From: Is the 'People's War' safe? Thanks for the delightfully intimate pictures of places and people in your travels. Hope you have a safe and merry holiday. "Kelly in Korea" - Kelly |
| 14th December 2004 anonymous | Thanx for the usefull information - From: Karma police, arrest this man Hi, I was searching the net to find some information about entering Tibet from Xinjang through Aksai Chin... and I found your blog, which is an excellent source of useful information. We are planing to make the same way next summer. I read you had no problems whit the crossing. Hope that we'll have the same luck. I wish you good luck and many many wonderful adventures. Greetings from Slovenia - Primsi |
| 13th December 2004 anonymous | gifts - From: Leaving the shadow of Lenin's prick you have a beautiful eye for photography...i am inspired and grateful for your images. - cristina |
| 6th October 2004 anonymous | good stories - From: Paganism in vodka valley i was happy to come across a glimps of an area i've been dreaming of seeing. keep the journal coming, and thanks for sharing your experiences. jks san francisco |
