 Austin Scharf - stinny | All Comments |
Comments | |
| 11th January 2009 DAD | 5pm sun 1-11 - From: General Boston Life neat update!! good photos. I'm real glad that you made time to bring us up to speed. Hope you can keep it up. love dad |
| 28th August 2008 Jill | - From: Adventures, adventures, adventures Hi Austin, I helped your mom at school yesterday and she told me about your travelblog. I loved reading all about your travels! I cried about the crap that you went through but absolutely loved all of the joys. Be thrilled that you can journal with a computer these days instead of having to handwrite everything out like we did in "the good old days". Your photos have been incredible! Great job! Be safe! Jill P.S. I agree that The Whale Rider was a wonderful movie! |
| 27th August 2008 stinny | - From: Things I miss... it says THINGS, not PEOPLE, dear ;) |
| 26th August 2008 your boyfriend | this is a good read - From: Things I miss... You covered alot of ground however, you left one very important thing out :) |
| 25th August 2008 Adam | LA - de - LA - From: Adventures, adventures, adventures Hey Austin...way to keep up the pace right through the finish...there are quite a few Olympic athletes that could take a cue from you! I think I'm glad I wasn't at that bar the other night with you, cuz my nose-busting instinct kicked in hard when I read about it. I'm getting excited about our rendezvous in LA in just a week! |
| 24th August 2008 Mom | skydiving - From: Adventures, adventures, adventures OH MY WORD!!! Your phone call came in the middle of my reading the blog and I hadn't gotten to the skydiving part yet!! Just as well because as I read it then I knew for sure that you made it safely though it looks and sounds incredibly scary to me. I just read recently about a skydiver from this area who got tangled in his parachute cord and died! So glad all went well. I wondered if the kind of hairy bunny you mentioned ever lives in the wild. Are they just a "cultivated" variety? Love, Mom |
| 24th August 2008 jareb | - From: First in a while.... I forget sometimes that homophobia still exists in a small population of ignorant people because I live where I do, but on the bright side, love eclipses ignorance every time, you dont even realize it's there. you're too bright to even think about those idiots for a second. i wish DonL would have been there too... hee hee |
| 24th August 2008 jareb | my oh my - From: Adventures, adventures, adventures i am sooo jealous, i read giant glow worm caves and the rest is history. i've heard so many wonderful things about NZ i cant wait to visit! the skydiving sounded amazing, my first jump is steadily approaching, i'm so excited for you my backpacking friend! butterfulies :) |
| 24th August 2008 dad | 8pm sat 8-23 - From: Adventures, adventures, adventures wow: lots of fun stuff! Meeting the hoosier chemist! wow! sky-diving! wow! great report. love dad 0 |
| 23rd August 2008 Joal | confirmation - From: First in a while.... Everytime I think I'm finally being accepted for who I am, I always have experiences like this as well. It brings you back to the place where you realize that we can never really be the same. Friends always tell me that gay people and straight people are all people and all the same and it seems that if they've never faced this rejection, they can't really speak to that. I'm sorry this happened. But I'm sure you handled it well. |
| 23rd August 2008 Joalby | Whoa - From: The Geothermal Capital of New Zealand Dide you went ot the Shire!!! That's awesome. Capsizing, hmm. I'm not down. I know I'm Mexican and I should be used to cold water what with swimming the canals to get into the USA but still not down.. haha, besides I took the alternate route. Harriet Tubmas ain't got nothing on the Underground Railroad from Tijuana o San Ysidro. haha.. Gotta jet, I'm drunk. But the rafting excursion looks like it was top notch |
| 22nd August 2008 KeeKee | - From: Last few hours in Dubai Hey ..I got some chuckles of your last moments in dubai..I was in dubai for 2months I could not get enough of it ..I think you werent goin to the rights places..If u go again check out Mina Salam located after burj al Arab hotel and That wave hotel(Jumeriah beach) is this awesome place full of 42 resturants and bars..The food was Amazing...The people of Dubai are very hospitable and helpful , I was especially happy that USA citezens didnt need a visa..Please check out Sweetgal_Chicago1 (flickr) ..especially the Chillout Cafe in TimeSquare Mall... ciao KeeKee (Chicago) |
| 22nd August 2008 Andrew | Boo - From: First in a while.... Damn. That sucks. I hate those kinds of experiences. It really brings you back down to earth about the realities of the world we still live in. Love and miss you! |
| 21st August 2008 Don L. | Blech! - From: First in a while.... I'm sorry baby! I wish I was there with you so we could have made out in front of them and made them all REALLY uncomfortable! lol That would have been delightful! |
| 21st August 2008 Mom | unpleasant experience - From: First in a while.... Oh, Austin, I am so sorry people responded to you that way! Such ignorant people make me sad. Hugs. Mom |
| 21st August 2008 DAD | 9am thurs - From: First in a while.... that's neat about the mennonites; but ECCH! , pretty sad about the rejection. keep the news flowing. love, dad |
| 21st August 2008 dad | 7am thurs - From: The Geothermal Capital of New Zealand wo! quite a raft ride! That geothermal emphasis sounds pretty interesting. A pretty different culture. love, dad |
| 21st August 2008 Joalby | Dorm...hmm - From: The Kiwi Experience Yeah, that's the easiest way to piss me off. Interfering with my sleep, since I'm lucky to get 3 hours a night. Sorry about the lack of sleep. I woulda probably cried. I like the hot tub DIY approach. You know you're always the first one to lie in it. Loves it. |
| 19th August 2008 dad | 9am tues, 8-19 - From: The Kiwi Experience hi: dorm-style: yuk! neat photos!! fun reading. I'm glad you'll soon be back to USA. (tho' adam says you'll then have a pretty hectic/hurried re-location trip?) please be careful. love dad |
| 19th August 2008 Mom | vacation at last - From: The Kiwi Experience So sorry about the sleepless night. They are miserable! But the hot springs and other sights you described sound like a vacation where you could relax and enjoy yourself. Thank goodness! Your guide reminded me of Chuck, the tax guy. Remember him? Well since he has gotten married he doesn't say that phrase (whatever it was) over and over any more. :-) Love you, Mom |
| 18th August 2008 dad | 6am mon,8/18 - From: Second-to-last stop hi; another good update. I love your FUNNY descriptions of the wine tastes! I'm glad that things are now going smoothly. love dad |
| 15th August 2008 dad | from dad, 7am fri, 8/15 - From: Finally de-stressing hi; Yes, I noted the long interval in your blog entries. I'm glad to read that you are comfortable and "de-stressing." and it seems that a familiar place like melbourne is a pretty good place to catch up. keep the news coming. love, dad |
| 10th August 2008 stinny | - From: Home at last (kind of)! Honestly, I see these misadventures as being a bit of a fluke - and they certainly make for quite a story. Yes, they're stressful and frustrating, and they're making it a bit more difficult to do all the sightseeing that I'd like to do, but they haven't even come close to discouraging me from future travels. I certainly won't have enough time in the upcoming years to anything on this scale, but I would love to continue seeing the world. |
| 9th August 2008 ellen | glad you're more comfortable - From: Home at last (kind of)! So happy you've made it to Australia! If you could have the rest of your journey go smoothly we'd all rest easier, and you could enjoy your travels. You're going to have many stories to tell and hopefully one day will laugh at the misadventures, but we just want you back home safely. Ellen |
| 9th August 2008 dad | 9am sat, 8-9 - From: Home at last (kind of)! Wow; those travel woes sound like more than enuff to discourage you from much future travel for a good while. Sounds like you are glad to be on the "homeward bound" part of the trip? I'm glad you are comfortable for now. love, dad |
| 9th August 2008 Don L. | Great picures - From: Update: Good News! These are some of the most beautiful pictures of you... Laurens....yes, what a great man! |
| 9th August 2008 Jareb | glad to be down under? - From: Sweating to death oh, i hope you're excited to be down under and away from the horrid heat. did you enjoy the architecture and surroundings at least?? :) now i know where to go when i need a new cell phone, and a spritzer for my byoom hole. |
| 7th August 2008 dad | 230pm thurs 8/7 - From: Last few hours in Dubai hi; ecch, Dubai sounds like a low point on your tour. I'm glad to get your "safe in melbourne." whew!! love, dad |
| 6th August 2008 Mom | misspellings - From: Last few hours in Dubai I laughed at your description of the misspelling of salon. That reminded me that it happens here too. At the lovely retirement home where Harold and Mildred live, the menu board proudly announced that we would have blueberry pie for "desert"! I think you have had enough desert for a while! I will be so glad when you get to Melbourne! (and home) Love, Mom |
| 6th August 2008 Joalby | Ouch - From: Sweating to death I could only imagine the heat. I thought Palm Springs and San Jacinto was bad. But I love dry heat. Humidity kills me though. Never in my life seen a bidet tube, that's trippy. I thought it was like something to clean the toilet with. Lol... I want those curtains though. |
| 5th August 2008 stinny | - From: Sweating to death And I even straightened up before taking the picture! |
| 4th August 2008 Don L. | Familiar - From: Sweating to death I gotta say, I love the picture of the hotel room. That's my boyfriend....clothes and things strewn about...I so miss that! |
| 3rd August 2008 Joalby | shibby - From: Update: Good News! this is so fricking awesome. It's things like this that reinstate my faith that there are still some good people out there. That all is not lost. Definitely thanks to Lourens. People like this are a blessing |
| 3rd August 2008 Lourens | Our dear old SA - From: A lovely day to counteract the prior nasty ones Well today i had to say goodbye to one of the most wondrefull people i have met in a looooong time. Austin; it was a great pleasure to have met you. I am just sad that you had to experience the bad part of our culture; but i suppose every country has some of those. It was my priviledge and honour to help make your ordeal a little lighter. I am glad that you could end of your trip on a more possitive note. You have become a very dear friend to me in a very short time, i thank you for that. God spead in all your travels ahead of you. Lots of love Lourens |
| 2nd August 2008 Tim | Glad you had a GOOD day! - From: A lovely day to counteract the prior nasty ones Austin, Have been thinking of you these last 24-48 hours, and am really glad that the following day was so much better! Hope things now proceed well. Was South African wine country gently rolling or very different than how we think of wine territories here? We had an interesting afternoon with a personal tour of the McGovern Museum and Library at Dakota Weslyan University with George McGovern himself (now 86 years old!). Take care, Tim |
| 2nd August 2008 Mom | Glad for the good day! - From: A lovely day to counteract the prior nasty ones Your tour description was fantastic! I had to marvel at your knowledge of wine which of course you know some of us have no idea about! (Except that most of it tastes awful to me. :-) Racism is hard to eradicate isn't it? Our country is another example too. I wonder if you could refill your prescriptions somehow. So glad you're healthy and have found kind people along the way. Love, Mom |
| 2nd August 2008 dad | from dad, 4am sat, 8-2 - From: A lovely day to counteract the prior nasty ones hey!! today's report sounds surprisingly 'back to normal.' great. I'm so relieved!! Did you get replacement meds ok? It IS surprising about the lingering racial divide(s). I hope all continues well. love, dad |
| 2nd August 2008 Robert | Sadly you have to be aware in South Africa - From: Update: Good News! As a S. African its SAD to hear of your 'lousy' mishap toward a tourist and I sincerely hope that an important lesson is learnt from it as well. Crime is a BIG factor here in S A since we have a new government and a corrupt rife members of parliament, I mean our chief of police has got some SERIOUS criminal charges pending against him and we have a future president with corruption charges against him as well. my advice is get copies made of ALL your important documents, cards etc. and keep these in an envelope with the reception manager of EVERY hotel, lodge or guest house you stay for safe keeping. Also when travelling in S A to have your wallet in your front pocket or Fanny Pack and your 'Sling-Bag' hung in FRONT of you!!!!!! when travelling in Mini-buses to have all loose ends (Bag etc.) on your lap!! OH, yes the AFRIKAANERS are a VERY sincere group of people and are VERY helpful when a person is in NEED! It sure is a SAD PITY that tourists still see the political side of S. Africa and I think that its going to take many many generations to forget the SEGREGATION attitude which funny enough is actually perpetrated by the Blacks and the Coloured folks themselves. I wish you a SAFE TRAVEL to where ever you go and a Happy 'Fare-ye-Well' - Robert (friend of Leon) |
| 2nd August 2008 Jareb | Hooray - From: Strenuosity! Hooray for the five blessings of youth! And hooray for a 6 course meal, holy shit, but I'm with Joalby on the vegetarian thing, I would hate to offend. I'm so glad things are getting in order after the loss of your belongings, you can finish your trip and have many more amazing stories! Muah! |
| 1st August 2008 Jareb | Oh you boys - From: Amsterdam with Don L. You two make me giddy, it's perfect that you got to spend time together there! We're missin you Austin, lots of love and peace, here to the future!! |
| 1st August 2008 Jareb | Oh wow! - From: A Day at Las Cataratas de Iguazú I can just imagine the sound, surrounded by the falls, I love these pictures and videos. I know you're far from there now, but now Argentine calls to me, someday!! I'm finally subcribed, and can't wait to keep up on your amazing adventures Austin :) Take care hot stuff! |
| 31st July 2008 Adam | looking up - From: Worst day possible. Things are looking up...not to cut in on Austin telling his own story, but just perhaps to ease some worry for folks in the meantime: he now has an emergency passport in hand which should work for the rest of his trip, and after many dead ends we were able to wire him some money today. Hooray! |
| 31st July 2008 ellen | - From: Update: Good News! So glad to hear you're going to be okay, thanks to Lourens. There are some very good people out there!! You could have called us for some money. Let us know if you need anything else. |
| 31st July 2008 DAD | from dad, 10am thurs - From: Update: Good News! Wow! I'm so glad things have stabilized, and you are feeling better!! and WOW!! gonna be able to finish your trip! neat. and WOW!! that Lourens guy is really special! I expect you will find a way to reward him appropriately. were you able to do anything like a police report? (like maybe they could find some of the stuff discarded in a dumpster; and could return something to you?) and wow: you sound like you've recovered to a surprisingly positive attitude. great! keep us posted. love & best wishes. dad |
| 31st July 2008 Ellen | Awful - From: Worst day possible. Oh, Austin, I was so sorry to hear about this! Is there anything we can do to help? Please let us know. This is going to take more strength than climbing Table Mountain. Ellen |
| 30th July 2008 dad | frome dad, 1pm wed, 7/30 - From: Worst day possible. OH NO!!!! HOW AWFUL!! IT'S HARD TO IMAGINE RECOVERING FROM THAT!! WHAT A TRIAL!! wish I could help. keep us posted. love dad |
| 30th July 2008 Joalby | I'd look like such a fool - From: Strenuosity! I can just see myself saying to every single part of the meal. "Oh sorry I can't eat that. Sorry I can't eat that" Damn my California vegetarianism. It looks good though. It's no wonder people hate Americans. We visit their countries and are not willing to try their cultures. I'm cool with everything though except eating meat or eggs or drinking milk or chocolate or cake.. Oh my god my head would be on a stake within a week. haha The view atop the mountain is awesome |
| 30th July 2008 Ellen | jealous - From: Obama in Germany! Okay, I can't even see Obama when he's in Dallas, and you just happen to be in Germany when he gives this record-breaking-crowd speech. That would make all the drawbacks of the trip worthwhile, for me anyway. This is the first time in my life that I've actually been excited about a Presidential candidate. Hope we get to hear in person a recap of all your adventures sometime after you come home. Love, Ellen |
| 29th July 2008 Ellen | I'm starved - From: Strenuosity! Damn! do you have to go all the way to South Africa to get fabulous food like that? Glad you're having a grand time and keeping safe thru all your dangerous adventures. Ellen |
| 29th July 2008 DAD | about 8pm mon 7-28 - From: Strenuosity! hi; we are back ok from a good visit with adam & vicki. re: obama speech, I knew you were in the area, so watched for you in the TV crowd shots. ha! you can guess the results. I too was surprised at the big turnout for B.O. Re: travel misadventures: OUCH!! RE: your nice photos; THANX! Hey! the mountain-climbing implies that your foot must be fully recovered? YAY!! hope so. love dad |
