 Johnny Moretti - johnnymoretti | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 17th October 2008 Pam | gospel music in Nairobi - From: Getting to Nairobi, Kenya I enjoyed your story very much. It brought back wonderful memories of my two weeks in Nairobi in 2000. My favorite experience was going to the Nairobi Chapel. The joy that the people exuded and the beautiful music brought tears to my eyes. I bought a tape of the music at a local store but unfortunately, I left it in my hot car one day and it got ruined. I am now searching for the same music on-line... by any chance have you found anything that sounds like the music you heard? |
| 12th August 2008 Jon | Andaman Club-The easy way for a Visa ! - From: Step-by-Step Visa Run: Ranong to Burma Forget about Victoria Point. Just go to the Andaman Club pier in Ranong. Take the air conditioned Jetcat over to the Casino, pay 850 Baht all up, get duty free shopping, a first class meal, in a 5 star hotel, and if you need to stay in Ranong, check out mistymountainsresort.com |
| 1st May 2008 Sharon from NJ (Mai Pen Rai, Inc.) | WOW - From: Dust Devils and Dangerous Curves Keep following your heart! It will alwasy lead you where you'r meant to be!!! Great trip and happy trails wherever you go- see you in Thailand soon I hope!! |
| 1st April 2008 Diane Pasqualino | Remarkable! - From: Road To Samburu, Kenya It was great to meet you and I hope you had an enjoyable time with us in Florida for a couple of days. It was very precious to find the what great outreach you are doing for these poor little children, Travis. It is very wonderful what you are trying to accomplish and my prayers and thoughts are with you in your future trips to Kenya. |
| 17th January 2008 Jamie Martin | Johnny - From: Dust Devils and Dangerous Curves You look like Neil Pert on that motorcycle. I can't believe you were comping at fallen leaf and didn't come by for some spirits. Next time you better make it happen. The mailman must of lost the invitaion to your wedding. |
| 5th December 2007 Jaycey | Our friend, Terry Snipe - From: Death Brings New Life I very much enjoyed reading about your experiences in Thailand, especially since they included remembrances of Terry. As you know, Terry was such an extraordinary man. It's almost ironic that he died of an enlarged heart when his heart and his capacity to help others was indeed quite large. Terry and I were together for over 2 years. In those 2 years I saw the most AMAZING person that I've ever been privileged to witness in my entire life. His selflessness and generosity were totally incalculable. It was I who first told Terry of the tsunami that hit his beloved Thailand.......and his reaction was totally predictable. "I've got to go," was his first thought and "of course you do" was my response. He had around 10 days off to be there and when he was due back for work in New York he said to me, "I'm not ready to come back yet.....there's still soooo much for me to do here!" I told him, "Call in sick. Make up SOMETHING! ANYTHING! There's nothing at Delta Air Lines that is more important than what you are doing there." He then came up with a lie that confused people after his death.........he told Delta that he had been hit by a board during rebuilding homes and that he had a concusion. (erroneously, some people thought that this may have caused his death 5 months later....) Terry and I were in love and were making plans to live together. A few weeks before he died, and while we were solidifying all of our plans, he took me out to dinner and told me that he had something very important to tell me. I had absolutely NO idea where he was going with this so.......I went with much trepidation. Finally the time came that he had to tell me and he said, "You know how much it meant to me to go to Thailand and help out with the tsunami relief, right? and I have to say, I feel that I'm not here in this world to just take but rather to give back.........I feel a really calling for that. So...........there are going to months that I am going to fly as much as possible so that the next month I can go and help out wherever I am needed. I just wanted you to know that before we moved in together because I thought it would be unfair to you if I didn't tell you that upfront." and my response? "Oh my God, Terry..........that only makes me love you more! and hopefully I'll be able to do the exact same thing and be able to go with you and help out too!" And ironically, the city where we were first together, where "Terry and Jaycey" took root, was in New Orleans. I know, without a doubt, that he would have been the first one there helping out after hurricane Katrina. And THAT is.........was...........Terry Snipe. The most incredible man that I have ever known..........and in all likelihood, WILL ever know. Nothing can prepare you for what happened. If anyone cares to know, this is how his last days went............ I was at a relative's on Saturday, May 14th. I called him at midnight and he told me that he didn't feel well..........that he thought he had the flu. I knew that I had woken him up so I told him to go back to sleep and I would call him the next day. That was followed by a "barrage" of "I love you's" (as was our "custom"..........and let me just say.........THANK GOD FOR THAT!.........I know that the last words Terry ever said to me was "I love you"..........). Around noon the next day I called and got no response. He had a trip (to Paris) that day so I just assumed that he felt better and was on his way to the airport. I left a message saying that I guess he felt better and was on his way to JFK......and for him to call me and leave the Paris layover phone number so that I could call him on his layover (which we always.....ALWAYS......did for each other). Well, on Monday morning I was dropped off at the airport and I turned on my phone, TOTALLY expecting a message from Terry yet...........there was none. Oh my God, I STILL remember that feeling because he had NEVER gone more than 2 days without him leaving me some kind of a message.................ever!! But..........as upset as I was, in my mind I was totally making excuses for him. When I got home to Dallas I thought, I'll call him a little before his pick-up time in Paris..........which will be around midnight here. I got on the computer and looked at his schedule to get the phone number in Paris and...........I saw that he had called in sick! I IMMEDIATELY called him but...........no answer. I said, "Terry...........I see that you called in sick for your trip today so..........wow.............you're not there so...........I guess you've gone out with your friends so............CALL ME!.............I don't care WHAT time it is! I just need to know that you're okay............" and then I went to bed. The next morning, when I woke up and he hadn't called, I went into a panic. I waited until noon and then started calling him. No answer. I was friggin' OUT OF MY MIND but............of course I started making excuses for him. His mom had died in May (and, ironically, in the very same apartment!!) and he made a "pilgrimage" each year to her gravesite in upstate New York.............and I told myself, "Okay...........he's gone to see his mom............he forgot his cell phone and he doesn't have my numbers memorized so he can't call.........." I must have left over 200 voicemails on his answering machine over the next 3 days and then on Thursday, May 19th, I knew that he had reserve days. I had a Paris trip and went up to NY. I checked his schedule throughout the morning but they hadn't given him anything. By the time I got to NY, I went in to talk to one of the supervisors and he pulled up Terry's schedule. In the time that I had last checked his schedule and now, they had assigned him a trip and had no response. That was it. I got on the computer and found the closest police station and asked them to check it. Less than an hour later a NY dectective called me back and said that they had gone to the apartment and, yes, they found a body. !!!!! TRULY I never expected there to be a body there............I only called NYPD to rule OUT that possibility. and at first, I tried to fool myself by saying "It could be somebody else...........it may not be him!............" yet..............I knew otherwise. There is just NO WAY that he would have gone that long (4 days!) without contacting me............no way. The detective called me throughout the evening requesting "identifying marks" and such. It just KILLED ME when he would respond with, "Well yeah, we really can't tell............." And then there really wasn't any "next of kin". Terry's mom had died 5 years earlier, one of his brothers had been killed over 10 years prior, his other brother was in prison, his dad, well, had never been a dad to him and so.............his only "blood" relative was his brother's daughter. So............I had to go to the morgue and identify the body. I have to say that this was something that I TOTALLY wanted to do............ I never understood what "closure" meant until I truly TRULY needed it............wanted it...............NEEDED it. But..............my girlfriends wouldn't let me see him............ they felt that that would have been much too much for me. and then the girl from the coroner's said that she didn't think that ANYONE should see him...........that he was in "really bad shape"............ !!!!! my two girlfriends went and looked at pictures that were taken of him in his apartment and came back and said, yes, that was him. I KNEW it was him but at the same time, it just seemed so impossible. He was only 30!!!! As we went to leave the coroner's, I found that my feet just couldn't move. I "knew" that that wasn't "Terry" in there but yet, I found that I just couldn't walk out that door and leave him all alone........ my heart was shattered into a million pieces and I just couldn't leave him all alone. So, in conclusion, thank you everyone who has beautiful memories of Terry. I can say from my personal experiences that I am SO MUCH MORE better of a person now because of him! I love Terry Snipe. in both life and in death. I am SUCH a better person for having had him in my life. without ANY doubt. Jaycey |
| 6th October 2007 Anna Hedstrom | - From: Dust Devils and Dangerous Curves Amazing!!!Congratulations to the both of you.Hope to see you sometime soon. Besos |
| 17th September 2007 Ian and Sue Aashwood | 17thSeptember2007 - From: KHAO LAK, THAILAND December 2006 just read your blog. A good insight, just booked 17 days in khaolak and looking forward to it. Passed thru patong beach area some years ago whilst staying at the Pearl village resort, and was glad to be just passing Thru. hoping weather will be fine. Lastin Koh Samui 2 years ago in November had caught monsoon rain for 10days of our visit, lots of flooding and very depressing, but glad to be going back to Thailand, love the country and people. |
| 26th July 2007 Peter Gleichmann | Gorgeous!!! - From: Dust Devils and Dangerous Curves Hi everyone, What's nice Pictures! I took almost this same Trip few Years ago .But with 4 Wheels... My dream was this to do again with a Bike! Concratulations for You nice Wife! Your Report is something verry special, i couldt'nt stop to read... Hello from Germany, Peter and Angelika ! |
| 26th July 2007 Stephanie | - From: Dust Devils and Dangerous Curves Looks like some serious good times, John! Fabulous photos too! |
| 23rd May 2007 Christyne Whitney | Terry Snipe-always in my heart - From: Death Brings New Life I think I was the one who advised most, including Christine Creel of what had happened to Terry....He died May 15, 2005, not found until May 19 alone on 2 W 120 in Manhattan. Terry was truly my soulmate...the one true love of my life...I was with him in Atlanta just 7 days before he died...he was fine..but he was always on the go, always tired, working with Delta and the jet lag, and always thinking of others, never really of himself, a truly selfless man...Yes, Terry was born Feb 4, 1975...the good die young....his mother died young, his youngest brother died before him, then God took him home and that same July 2005, his oldest brother died, supposedly a drowning, but the coroner in Manhattan, Dr. Hayes and myself had become closely in contact with eachother...he said it probably was a heart defect and just happened that he was in a public swimming pool, not likely that a grown man truly just "drowned"....I put a blog out on the Tsunami guestbook, and I was getting so many emails from people who had been touched by Terry and his kindness, his concern for welfare of others...not a bad word was ever said...in all of it, I got some photos from the UK, then got some closure that I needed so badly in my time of being alone with just his memories...like so many other people who he had touched and they never forgot what a wonderfully kind, respectful, decent human being he was...then a girl in Thailand that he had a relationship with in the past contacted me...we have remaind email friends...she also sent me two pictures that I cherish, and Terry spoke to her of me, and she said to me, remember he loved you...I believe he did. I think of Terry almost daily still, his photo in a frame by my headboard before I go to sleep. Terry loved the Thai people, and said it was like his second home. Terry loved people, and loved life, and loved helping others.....always in my heart, the last man I will ever love....He would have continued to go back to help rebuild, but he was not given more time on this earth. Rest in peace, a big man with a big beautiful heart and soul. My email is lexseec@hotmail.....if anyone still cares to share a story of the goodness of this man. Thank you John for never forgetting him. |
| 16th April 2007 EvAnders | Nice report from Khao Lak - From: KHAO LAK, THAILAND December 2006 It is still one of our favorite places and we revisited Khao Lak and stayed there 12 days in September last year. Search for sundstromtravel in Google and you find our travel stories from our Around The World in 365 Days which we ended in Khao Lak and the tsunami was one of the reasons why we decided to make a career break and travel for one year. Life is too short, you know!!! Best regards EvAnders |
| 11th February 2007 Michelle | Khao Lak - From: KHAO LAK, THAILAND December 2006 Thanks for the great photos. We will be in Khao Lak at Ayara Villas for the first time 8th May cannot wait really looks good. We also do not like Patong and estaying first at Kamala and then Krabi before Khao Lak |
| 11th February 2007 Emily | Great - From: Road To Samburu, Kenya Hi, that was a good thing u guys did and its nice u had fun as well, hope u continue with the great work. |
| 16th January 2007 lorraine and james | about to embark khao lak - From: KHAO LAK, THAILAND December 2006 Just booked to go for 2 weeks in feb and would love to hear more about this village. love from two keen scots |
| 14th January 2007 anonymous | - From: KHAO LAK, THAILAND December 2006 It is really nice to read your weblog. I am going in March for half a year to Khao Lak and looking forward to it. |
| 6th January 2007 Roong | - From: Khao Lak: Geckos Sports Bar & Grill I Love you!!!! |
| 5th January 2007 Alan | Greetings from MyKhaoLak - From: Khao Lak: Geckos Sports Bar & Grill Hi Johnny, I'm Arandora, the token Brit from the MyKhaoLak,de Forum. Look forward to meeting you in Gecko's when we return to Khao Lak in March. Still looking for memorabilia for the bar? I'll try and bring some Manchester United stuff with us! Regards, Alan |
| 1st January 2007 johnnymoretti | First Thailand Visit - From: Khao Lak: Geckos Sports Bar & Grill Actually, the first visit was just weeks after the tsunami. I arrived, with my friend, Christine, in January 2005. I now make this my second home...or third..or fourth....uh...home, anyway. Not sure! Good to hear from you Cindi. Thought you were lost in a snowstorm or got eaten by a polor bear! _johnny |
| 27th December 2006 Cindi Pannone | Congratulations on your new venture! - From: Khao Lak: Geckos Sports Bar & Grill Congrats! Was your first trip to Thiland in fact in 2006 or did you mean February 2005? A little confused. Looks like it suits you well. Take Care and Happy New Year. |
| 27th December 2006 Terri Houlis | Happy Holidays! - From: Khao Lak: Geckos Sports Bar & Grill Hey Johnny..hope you enjoyed the holidays & that the restaurant is doing well. Love, Terri & Chris |
| 15th December 2006 Seb | Wow - From: Step-by-Step Visa Run: Ranong to Burma Yeah, i've done this many times(phuket-ranong) by mini-bus, I've been there for a long period of time, and all this story is true. If you want to experience that, join an organize tour, this is my suggestion. ;-) Have fun, and hope you have a good back because the ride is ruff. |
| 8th December 2006 Stuart | Khao lak - From: KHAO LAK, THAILAND December 2006 Great page and yes Khao Lak is a truly stunning destination. |
| 27th November 2006 lailasamburu | J'ai aime.... - From: Road To Samburu, Kenya Surprised to discover your blog today. I am living among the Samburu community since march 1996, speaking the language, sharing their daily lives and knowing all their traditions. I wish I could meet you the day you was in Maralal, where I'm living. Welcome to my blog http://lailasamburu.blogcenter.net Thanks for your blog. |
| 6th November 2006 Andy Chaggar | Tap Tawan - From: More Ice Cream...Please Hey Johnny, Don't think we've ever met but my name is Andy and I was TVC project manager for Tap Tawan for 9 months from August 05 until project completion in April 06. If you're interested there are heaps of photos on www.chaggar.org |
| 3rd November 2006 johnnymoretti | Cost to ride a camel... - From: Camels, Sand and Pyramids It depends on for how long, where to and how many in your party. Expect to pay about 300 Egyptian Pounds. Haggle hard as they will likely accept your reasonable offer before you walk away. |
| 3rd November 2006 johnnymoretti | You Can Help... - From: When Two Worlds Collide I am the in-country coordinator for Airline Ambassadors here in Thailand. You can make a tax-deductible donation via their website at www.airlineamb.org and direct your donation to "Thailand Missions". AAI is a United Nations affiliated NGO. Every little bit helps and no amount is too small. Your dollar goes a long way here in Thailand and most of SE Asia. Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind remarks. |
| 30th October 2006 JO | EXPENSES - From: Camels, Sand and Pyramids how much waz the camel riding? |
| 19th October 2006 Sascha | OMGG - From: When Two Worlds Collide i cant belive that they have to live thro this!!This is soo sad i hope they get help and ill try my best to help them and make a change in thiere life!!!! |
| 14th September 2006 Anna Hedstrom | - From: Road To Samburu, Kenya John,you are the best..I dont know you Travis,but you are awesome.Actually I heard a lot about you in Thailand:)I had the pleasure to meet and work with Jonh in Thailand.It was the best thing i have done in my life..you guys are a true inspiration.Hope to see you and do a project with you some time in the future again.Lots of love Anna |
| 8th June 2006 Ofa | Hope to see you on Jogja - From: KENYAN MERRY-GO-ROUND Errr was trying to compose a reply but wonder how to do it. Hope Jogja wouldn't dissapont you. It's nice to know there's people like you in the World ... Naah I think in some respect you're cuter than Travis ...ehehehee. Best wishes and promising I'm gonna pass forward the way your photos inspire. |
| 6th June 2006 Corrine | Breath Taking - From: Camels, Sand and Pyramids Hi my name is Corrine and I will be traveling to Egypt on the 23rd of this month. I absolutlely loved your description and photos! I plan on traveling abroad for 7 months around the world. If you have any pointers please let me know! Thanks InnocentUWish@Yahoo.com |
| 2nd June 2006 Kel | Soon to Uganda - From: Road To Samburu: Archers Post God bless you Travis and John, what an inspiration you are to others and to me.... I quite by accident found your blog and want you to know what an absolute joy it's been to read and take in. My husband and I will be departing with 7 others within a few days to Uganda - to build a playground at an orphanage. Take good care and God bless you, Kel Bend OR |
| 1st June 2006 Homer | Regular people can move mountains! - From: KENYAN MERRY-GO-ROUND Your photography, especially of the children bring emotions to their faces. You've done a great job capturing. In a world, where we get so caught up with celebrities and their charitable doings, it's good to know a "regular Joe" is able to accomplish so much. As a child, it was always been my dream to travel to Africa, as an adult, seeing your ability to make a difference in people's lives, the focus of my dream African experience has shifted to "What can I do?" if I was to realize that dream. Thanks for a GREAT page and looking forward to more. |
| 8th May 2006 Sara | Can I come along??? - From: KENYAN MERRY-GO-ROUND Hello to my AMAZING, INSPIRING, INCREDIBLE Uncle Johnny! Just wanted to let you know how much I truly admire you for all the things you have been doing lately. I do hope to follow in your footsteps one day! You are like a shining light coming to these places - a living true definition of what humanity is all about, selfless acts of generosity. I have really enjoyed reading about your adventures and the ways you have blessed the lives of so many! I am so proud to be related to you!!! Miss you! - Sara and Maya PS - Athena's right...Travis is a total cutie ;-) |
| 2nd May 2006 Roellyn Armstrong, Adelphi University | Awesome!! - From: KENYAN MERRY-GO-ROUND The photos brought tears to my eyes and a warmth to my heart. Thank you all for caring. |
| 28th April 2006 johnnymoretti | From The Author of this Blog - From: Getting to Nairobi, Kenya I received a comment by a man, Nelson, for whom I don't know. He was 'appalled' at my blog. From what I could gather from his comments, he was likely African, but I could not say from which country or of what ethnicity. I respect his feelings that, he writes "America is to blame for the exploitation of Africans during the slave trade" but I disagree that my blog is racist or in any way disrepectful to the African peoples. Nelson must understand that I was visiting a country that I had only envisioned from textbooks, magazines and television. My blog reflects both my visions of Africa and emotions it stirred. I might also remind Nelson that his comments were ignorant to who I am and why I traveled to Africa to begin with. His harsh language of "stupidity" and "racist" left me puzzled as to what it is that Nelson is feeling. Perhaps if he shared the same kindness, forgiveness and enlightenment I have experienced, he would see the world and those that present themselves humanely to others. I wish him peace and hope he finds his way. -Johnny Moretti |
| 21st April 2006 Your Brother in L.A. | WOW - From: Camels, Sand and Pyramids Hey, man...I'm jealous. As you're well aware, to see the Pyramids is my lifelong dream. My living room wall above my couch has been intentionally left bare, awaiting one of your enlarged framed photos... |
| 21st April 2006 Steve The Big | Nice pics - From: Camels, Sand and Pyramids But are you enjoying yourself? And where is all this money coming from jetting around like James Bond? Take care. Steve |
| 21st April 2006 jamie | sweeeeet!!!! - From: Camels, Sand and Pyramids How sweet is that? |
| 19th April 2006 Joy Agger, Travis's mom | Thanks for sharing. - From: Road To Samburu: Archers Post I found the story you shared so interesting. My students and families enjoyed contributing to the items that Travis brought. They are enjoying photos too. (I don't think I'll show them the rifle pics though). John, you have had a tremendous impact on Travis in these past months. I know his life has changed because of these experiences. Thank you for looking after him. May your good return to you many times over because of your efforts. The world is a better place today because of what you two and your team have done. Joy Agger/Parker, Colorado |
| 19th April 2006 Eugenia M. | Tears - From: Road To Samburu: Archers Post Knowing what a tremendous adventure this has been for you, emotionally as well as physically, your story of truth brought tears to my own eyes. If I were twenty years younger with two good knees, I would have liked to join you in your kind and giving endeavors. Keep the faith of the ages, and continue the good and beautiful work you are doing, Johnny. Travis, too. |
| 18th April 2006 caleb sohm | doin it right - From: Road To Samburu, Kenya you guys are awesome, i don't know you john, but any friend of travis is a friend of mine, he's a good judge of character, it's good to know there are stellar dudes like you guys who are putting needs of others in front of your own, you don't really appreciate how much you have until you see people that have so little, keep it up guys, me and my family will be prayin for you guys |
| 18th April 2006 Kirsten Mitchell | wow! - From: Road To Samburu, Kenya I am Travis's sister and I am so excited and amazed that my brother got to experience this with you. Your trip thus far sounds absolutely amazing and I can't wait to hear about it more. Your pictures are absolutely amazing. Thank you for your servant hearts in what you are doing...you are an inspiration to many. Good luck and God Bless!!! |
| 17th April 2006 Athena | Amazing - From: Road To Samburu, Kenya I can't believe all the wonderful things you are doing! In case I ever forget to tell you, you're an amazing human being! We miss you here!!!!! Love you, Athena p.s. your friend is a hottie...a comment on behalf of my single friends:) |
| 3rd April 2006 Laura | To Be... - From: To Bee Or Not To Bee No, no, he didn't practice love by having his back turned when the bee stole a sip of coffee. That was just plain ignorance. He still has love to try. |
| 1st April 2006 Silvie | hilarious - From: To Bee Or Not To Bee The bee story is hilarious. There is a similar story going on in our room with 'the early morning fruit fly'. Preferably he/she comes hovering right in front of my eyes that are fixed on the computer screen. I can snap at it as much as I want, like the bee, it will always win. Your brother seems to have the same sense of humor as you have. A great sense of humor fyi but without any doubt you knew that already. |
| 31st March 2006 Silvie and Karel | a big coincidence - From: Bangkok's Hidden Secrets Mister Soprano, what a surprise! Browsing the internet for the opening hours of the immigration in Ranong we bumped into your blog. So apparently you started working on the big new project in Bangkok. We wish you lots of success and if we make it to Bangkok from Phuket Town somewhere in the near future we'll let you know. It would be nice to catch up with you. Take good care of yourself and of all the people that surround you. Silvie and Karel |
| 30th March 2006 johnnymoretti | THANK YOU, Dr. DeBerg for your donation - From: Bangkok's Hidden Secrets Thank you Dr. DeBerg for your comment in this blog. It has been a privilege to be able to travel this globe and connect with those in need. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would venture out in this capacity. Your donation is a welcome gesture and much appreciated. It will go directly to those I encounter in my travels. For those that wish to take your challenge to match your donation, they can do so through a United Nations and US Congress recognized NGO named Airline Ambassadors International (www.airlineamb.org). There is complete accountability for the funds I receive through their organization, as I have a close relationship with them and their projects. Please be sure to include a note that the donation is to be used for the "Operation Playground" fund. It will make its way directly to fund projects in which I oversee. For insight, Airline Ambassadors Int'l has Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and Dr. Patch Adams (Robin Williams made him more famous with his movie of the same name) of the Gezundheit Institute among their Board of Directors. Once again, Curt, thanks and can't wait to see you and the gang again upon my return! - - - Johnny Moretti, blog writer. |
| 29th March 2006 Uncle Jim | Hi Johnny Bones - From: Bangkok's Hidden Secrets You take great pictures! Thank you for sharing them with me. I hope all is well with you. Love - Uncle Jim |
