Hi Andy! Hi Andy, I'm loving reading your blog! I just went back and started from the beginning. It sounds like you are having the most incredible time and I'm insanely jealous! :) Do you have a map of everywhere you are going?? Would love to see your entire journey. Travel safe and have fun! -Jaimee
I miss you guys too! As for Egypt, you'll have to wait a bit for those. I'm not slated to hit the Middle East until April :) I will try to keep the good pics coming for you, though. I actually have another blog post written already, but I'm trying to find a computer where I can upload my pics.
Wow You are totally famous and stuff. I've been looking through the photos and they are friggin spectacular. You have seen so many amazing things already. Nathan is talking right now over my shoulder asking you to post pictures of Egypt. When are those coming? We love and miss u.
Hopefully the stories get even better once I'm finally into the swing of writing again. I'm still a bit rusty.
And regarding the trip, you should definitely book a ticket! Anywhere in southeast Asia should be awesome. And Brian can give you tips!
You are a magnet for funny stories:) Seriously Andy, I only have one other friend who has more weird stuff happen to them! I've been relaying your stories to Brad and Brian here at the Embassy. But the pictures are great, keep them coming. And glad to hear you are taking time just to relax and enjoy your surroundings! I have to say, after reading your previous comment about how cheaply you can travel around in China I'm pretty tempted to book a trip! Stay safe in those crazy dark alleys full of minibuses:-)
Hey Eileen, I am definitely trying to sample the regional fare. The best meal so far was Yak with tomatoes and garlic in far Western Sichuan (considered a Tibetan adjacent region)
where are the pictures of the FOOD?? I really really hope you are finding out about all the different types of food there. Chengdu, Sichuan, wow that is the motherland of some really good food.
Liz - Great to hear from you! How are you doing on sleep and how is the new and enlarged Latimer crew doing? You need to send out some new pics. As for your friends, their plans line up perfectly with mine. I'm planning to get to Phnom Penn right around Christmas and spend the next three weeks there in Cambodia (w/ my girlfriend if she can get the time off). If they are game, I'd love to meet up with them. Who know's, we may even be heading for some of the same sights (abvously Ankor Wat).
Hey Andy----a great entry! Your story about the monkeys was great along with your bus story. Yes, that does sound like the way that you like traveling with the locals. Also, great photos.
Mike - Great to hear from you. It really is quite easy to stand your ground when you have about 60lbs and 6 inches on the guy. So how are things at the Consulate? Hopefully it's not too boring now that I'm gone.
Jackie - Glad you're enjoying the blog. You have to hurry up and finish your thesis so you can do some travelling of your own :) And thanks for the Youtube link! I'll definitely check it out once I'm out of China (it's blocked yere).
Chinese Taxi Drivers Andy - Great story about the taxi driver...good for you for standing your ground. Sounds like a familiar scenario. Glad to read you are keeping a sense of humor...and be careful!
How do you do it? That is really awesome Andy that you are able to travel the world. I will keep you in my prayers for you to have a safe journey to all of these exotic places. How exciting! Take care.
Kate - I'm frightened to know how much one of those pandas costs. To hold one for 2-3 minutes costs $150! I don't know anyone who did it, but I did see some people doing it. As for difficulty, it's actually not too bad. If you stay to most of the main sights, then the people running the desk at the hostels are super helpful. The distances are medium - the longest train ride so far was 16 hours. Most of the long ones I have been able to do overnight. And, as for expenses, it's really not bad. I've budgeted about $50 a day, and I've been under that easily on most days. Most of the hostels have run about $7.50 and long train rides are $20-30.
I want a panda! Andy - you MUST grab one of those cute pandas and ship him back to me! And props for climbing a tower illegally to grab that photo.
And how difficult/expensive is it to travel around China? Are the distances and train travel long, or not bad?
Hi Caroline,
Good to hear from you! What exciting gossip am I missing from the Consulate? And are the ladies actually following my adventures?
I'll be sure to make a trip back after my travels to regale everyone with my stories over some good happy hour drinks :)
Andy
Kate - It's funny, China was not really on my list either before this trip, and I can't for the life of my figure out why. There are some really spectacular places here, and the food and people are awesome!
Keep it up Today, I visited your travel blog for the first time. It's got some fun and entertaining writing. Keep writing and keep having a great time.
Your pics and stories are AMAZING! Andy - this is the first time I've tuned into your blog and I'm astounded. I was never inclined to go to China but after seeing your first three blog posts I'm totally adding it to my list. Your pics are fantastic, and your stories are pretty entertaining:) My friend told me white people in non-touristy areas are usually looked upon like circus clowns so I think you can expect more photos:) Keep up the entries!
I'm about to go wandering through China, Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East and Southern Africa for the next 10 months. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't get into too much trouble!... full info
Jaimee
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Hi Andy!
Hi Andy, I'm loving reading your blog! I just went back and started from the beginning. It sounds like you are having the most incredible time and I'm insanely jealous! :) Do you have a map of everywhere you are going?? Would love to see your entire journey. Travel safe and have fun! -Jaimee