So I seem to be quickly progressing through every type of sickness known to man. The treatment for one ailment is the cause for the next, but I am surviving at the moment. Good thing these issues are all easily identifiable thus far- I can just flip to the appropriate page in my Merck manual for the medicine required to treat it, waltz down to the pharmacy and grab precicely what I need. No unnecessary doctor visits, pen, or paper required. Antibiotics, oral meds, and many other concentrated topical creams and ointments available only by prescription back home are all at your fingertips. I like it. Though it sounds potentially dangerous, it makes life so much easier as a traveller. And besides, I work alongside a Scottish Family Practitioner, who I can run things by just ... read more

Yesterday I woke up at 5:30am on my own accord, looked out the hotel window after sunrise and saw a huge furry monkey hanging out on a nearby rooftop in the middle of this big, dirty, congested city... a monkey the size of a 5 year old child. Definitely made my day. So in Thamel (the tourist district of Kathmandu) if you stick out, every 5 feet you are solicted by shopkeepers, needy/disabled people, scams and street children. I am white. I stick out. Well at least I used to moreso. When you first get here the culture shock is apparently written all over your face and everyone knows you are a new potential customer and thus a walking bullseye. I got the hang of refusing eye contact and continuing to walk on and apparently it ... read more

I am in India. I probably should have gone for this whole visa thing. I'm sitting here waiting and have no idea what they plan on doing with me. But regardless, I am happy and excited, finally excited, it certainly took long enough! Hmm, slightly worried about my luggage, just need to scoop it up and check into another airline. Wish I wouldn't have run out of time at home, this would have been much easier. Some woman came by and (very mysteriously) took my passport and escorted me up to the 'transit lounge'. She has my passport and tickets, I feel naked without them! Sof rot the first time in the history of his life, my dad was wrong. Took the NE route from Chicago, over Canada, Greenland, Russia, Kazakstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and finally India. ... read more