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gypsy_teacher - Nathan D. Bryant

Hello and welcome. My name is Nathan Bryant and I was born and raised in Denver Colorado, USA. While Denver is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the world, it's hard to be certain unless you see everything else. Thus, the quest begins to find a place on this planet in which its beauty has no comparison. To fund this quest, which has started back in August of 2007, I will highlight as an international teacher of history, political science, geography and philosophy. This job will not only put me overseas and pay me a salary, but also give me around 3 months off a year to travel. Ha, beat that Dr. Jones! Since starting this journal I have been living in Dubai. However, as of August 2009 I will be relocating from the Middle East to the far East. More specifically, Taiwan. Feel free to say hello or ask a question, I may even get the right answer. Enjoy.

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Joined on: July 8th 2007
Last Login: November 25th 2009

Blog Entries: 44
Photos: 1080
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Blogs & Travel Journals

by gypsy_teacher, order by Date newest first.

By gypsy_teacher
June 22nd 2009

Crusade for Enlightenment in Petra Middle East » Jordan » South » Petra

Now....where is that enlightenment at?

How long have I been living in the Middle East? Have I slowly and unbeknown acclimated to the region, setting myself up for a culture-shocking return? Ha, what naivety! This is the talk of an overly alarmed and paranoid person I told myself. Little did I suspect, that my Western background and time in the Middle East would induce a magical spell, miraculously changing me into Indiana Jones (well, at least to some degree). I woke up in Petra and prepared myself for a long day of walking in a desert region, and of course one important task was selection of [View Full Entry]

By gypsy_teacher
June 15th 2009

A day for Amman Middle East » Jordan » North » Amman

Welcome to Jordan

Amman, Jordan. Often, I contemplate to find one word that helps me to frame and remember the places I have been. Amman, well, the word Amman suffices. I was told by many travelers that I would be able to see the major sites of Amman within one day. To be fair, while I did indeed see the major sites in one day and spent the night packing in preparation for the next destination, Amman did offer some very good culture. I was lucky to visit a few restaurants and shops that provided a good example of what could be enjoyed if [View Full Entry]

By gypsy_teacher
June 14th 2009

Goodbye Dubai! Middle East » United Arab Emirates » Dubai

Burj Al Arab at late dusk

The day has come, in which two years has seemed like a lifetime, as well as a blink of an eye. I say goodbye to Dubai! While the process of leaving was simply too much of a whirlwind to recount on the day of, I think it is best I have had a few months to reflect and to finally write down what this moment entails. As much of life, this period has brought both its good and bad experiences. What a person decides to do with this, of course makes all the difference. To represent parts of my life here, [View Full Entry]

Never again will I find a sign with such wisdom!

By gypsy_teacher
March 26th 2009

Ancient Rome still alive in Baalbek Lebanon! Middle East » Lebanon » Baalbek

The aura of Baalbek

Lebanon has been a country with many surprises, of course, the majority of these being enjoyable. Perhaps the best surprise of this trip though was getting the opportunity to feel Roman. Or when I say Roman, in this case I mean walking through the well preserved ancient Roman sites (and when you have the temple all to yourself, who's going to stop you from pretending?). Even though I traveled to Rome in Italy after my time in Lebanon, at this time of writing, I would still have to argue, Baalbek Lebanon has been the best Roman historical site I have visited. [View Full Entry]

By gypsy_teacher
March 25th 2009

Lebanon's ancient historical legacy Middle East » Lebanon

Impressive architecture
The Romans could build things to last!

When you sit in an ancient throne of a four thousand year old Phoenician kingdom, what sort of thoughts should you contemplate? What about when you cross the drawbridge that leads into a Crusader castle that is nearly seven hundred years old, what emotions should be elicited? Most especially, when you walk along the ring of a Roman racetrack that is two thousand years old, what sort of sights and sounds should you be able to imagine? All of these questions I asked myself in less than 24 hours, and it lead me to get the sense of how timeless the [View Full Entry]

The temple site is now slowly being reclaimed by nature

By gypsy_teacher
March 23rd 2009

Palestinian camp visited: Gaining the full picture in Lebanon Middle East » Lebanon

Life in the camp for one pair of sisters
These girls provided a more human and individual perspective for me of this camp.

Grime. Grime is something that is greasy, dark and no matter how many times you wash yourself, it seems like it will only take time before it completely goes away. As I walked through this Palestinian camp in Lebanon that was defined as temporary during its creation, one should keep in mind that was fifty years ago. Over these fifty years, I have the sense that the grime has settled here and now permeates this area. No matter how much one could try to keep themselves clean, by the very nature of this camp, the grime sticks. This entry, unlike many [View Full Entry]

By gypsy_teacher
March 18th 2009

Lebanon's Beirut, the Paris of the Middle East Middle East » Lebanon » Beirut

The full night time splendor

I have just finished writing a very long paper for my master’s pertaining to the expansion of human rights. Work while on vacation, I have reached the level of being a true profession in making my life sometimes truly annoying. While it was pleasant the day before to read and research the ideas for the paper on the rocky and colorful coast of the Mediterranean on the Corniche in Beirut, I have decided that after e-mailing this paper to my professor, it is time to have a day that only Beirut can offer. With this request I ask of Beirut, it [View Full Entry]

By gypsy_teacher
January 2nd 2009

Being exposed to traditional Thai land Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Ayuthaya

A powerful presence
While I can't describe the feeling, it is undeniable something exists here.

The sun's light is constant, giving a warm feel and glow to all that is open. While the ancient stone statues that have watched over this holy site for a long time will probably not ask me to be quiet, their aura still seems to expect it. Walking through this courtyard, listening to the breeze interact with the trees and the numerous robes placed on the Buddha’s, I am compelled to follow their example of peace. Wondering within these courtyards and temples of Ayuthuya, I wonder how the atmosphere of this place was in its very beginning. While some aspects of [View Full Entry]

By gypsy_teacher
December 29th 2008

Getting beyond the Thai introduction Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Bangkok

Stairway to Thai heaven
Going up Wat Arun

There are many things that are plentiful in Bangkok. Cheap stalls of great food, pirated dvd’s, smiles from local people and spectacular Wats (temples) are a few worth mentioning. As I spend time walking through the streets of Bangkok, or sometimes simply clutching on to the Tuk Tuk as it zips and dodges cars through traffic, the culture of Thailand begins to reveal itself. From my Western perspective, it is an exotic charm. While the buildings, food and customs are all so different and intriguing, the city is always open to sharing about itself. The result is the makings for anothe [View Full Entry]

By gypsy_teacher
December 22nd 2008

Thailand, land of smiles Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Bangkok

Welcome to Thailand
My first trip out East! A great introuction to Asia.

Bangkok. How does one describe a place so foreign from what they may be used to? Different does not necessarily mean bad. By this I mean it will be just as difficult to explain how beautiful Bangkok is as well as how different it is. I suppose that’s a main part of its charm, its exotic uniqueness that is never ending. As I consider Bangkok and Thailand overall after my time there, perhaps it is unfair to describe it as foreign. When one thinks of foreign, the word home does not come to mind. In Thailand, there is no doubt that [View Full Entry]

Buddha looking upon Buddha looking upon the world

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