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One final look back
North America » United States » California » San Francisco
March 19th 2007 by SailAwayWithMe
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Figuring it all out
Mornings like these gave me time to reflect on years gone by and the world as I saw it.
South America (Jan 12-April 26)/ Africa (April 26-May 25)/ Turkey (May 26-June 10)/ Europe (June 10-Sept 15)/ Asia (Sept 15-Jan 15)/ Australia (Jan 15-Feb 23)
As I look into the rear view mirror on the 406 days on the road during the past year, it’s an amazing kaleidoscope of memories, dramas, feelings and experiences that blur past my thoughts as I put it all in perspective some days after arriving back home. In some senses, it seems like yesterday when I boarded the SFO flight to Buenos Aires to meet Amy and hunker down into our apartment in Pallermo Soho; at other times, there are so many tales and rich days as I traversed over 50 countries on 6 continents. In this final blog, I want to share some final thoughts on it.
What is your favorite place?
• Buenos Aires, Argentina- the chic capital of South America where I got to live the porteno lifestyle
• Namibia (Southern Africa)- skydiving, quad biking and climbing the amber dunes in the world’s oldest dessert was more interesting than words can describe
• Mykonos, Greece- European stylish summer haven bathed in the
On the road.. again
Another one of those days schlepping my bags on a train, plane, bus, tuk-tuk, border crossing, or other mode of transport.
• Istanbul, Turkey- the crossroads of the world, rich with history, culture and religious symbolism
• Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia- this hippy enclave, lined with pristine beaches, has a bit of everything and more than enough to lure the passerby for months
• Thailand- southern beaches, northern mountains, and the capital city of Southeast Asia has plenty of everything for a negotiated price
When were you most scared?
• Running after dusk in Africa, seeing animal droppings and realizing I may be eaten alive by a lion unless I found the right path back
• Favela party in Rio- more than a little intimidating to go into the urban ghetto of south America with 50 gringos who all stand out like sore thumbs
• Okavango Delta, Botswana- hippos, the world’s most dangerous animal (who can run 30 k/hr), greeted us on their territory and watched at our campground the way wolves watch lambs
• Seeing 6 tall lady-boys blocking the entrance to my hotel in Phuket, Thailand. Imagine how embarrassed I would be to tell my brothers I had my ass kicked by a couple chics!
Most exciting/ adrenaline-filled
European summer at Mykonos
The enchanting island of Mykonos was one of the many highlights of Europe in the summer.
• Mountain biking down the world’s most dangerous road in La Paz, Bolivia.. awesome and scary all at the same time
• Jumping out of an airplane over the dessert in Namibia. They say the most exciting thing you can do with your clothes on.
• The Brazil v Australia soccer match during the World Cup. Think hot brazilian women samba dancing and Australian partying! (Too bad the US couldn’t come up big here)
• Hiking Wynapichu from Machu Pichu, feeling like you are standing on top of the world looking down upon it
• Bungee- jumping off the world’s highest bungee in Victoria Falls, Mozambique
• Scuba diving in Cairns, North Queensland, Australia
Amazing sights
• Angkor Wat, Cambodia
• Machu Pichu/ Waynapichu
• Vertigo Bar, top of the highest building in Bangkok
• Dune 45, Namibia
• Rolling Stones on Copacabana Beach, Rio
• Don Phi Phi Island, Thailand
• Lausanne, Switzerland
• Hagia Sophia, Istanbul
• Philosophers Walk, Kyoto
• Boracay Beach, Philippines
• Roppongi Hills Tower, Tokyo
• Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia
Spiritual moments
• Dawn at Angkor Wat, Cambodia
• Following the footsteps of my dad in Calinog, provincial Philippines,
The splendor of Kyoto
Walking through such places as Philosophers Walk in Kyoto in fall was a measure of beauty in raw form.
• Staring at the Sistine Chapel, Rome
• The Inca Trail, Machu Pichu, Peru
• A true life Vietnamese story in Saigon
• Listening to the guy next to me in Bangkok on Skype talk about his undying belief in Jesus Chris and how he is spreading the gospel (ugh).. in Thailand, home of Buddhism?
Underrated and really cool places
• Krakow, Poland- huge town square, lots of neat cafes and tons of nightlife.. and fun Polish people
• Chiang Mai, Thailand- the northern mountainous region is filled with authentic Thai culture
• Gili Trawangan, Indonesia- this small island is the perfect retreat for diving and relaxing
• Bogota, Colombia- very welcoming, great nightlife and not nearly as dangerous as advertised
• Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic- small medieval town is quaint and authentic, great getaway from Prague
• Mendoza, Argentina- wine country and mountain region, this large college town has a bit of everything
• Kyoto, Japan- I was blown away by the beauty of this old cultural capital of Japan
• Byron Bay, Australia- now don’t let the secret out, but this may be the highlight of
Exhilarating moments
I tried things I never had before this year, like bungee-jumping in Victoria Falls, mountain biking the world's most dangerous road and trekking with elephants.
• Manila, Philippines- great live music, grinning Filipinos, adobo, what more could you want?
Just plain funny
• The road trip of a lifetime with my college bud, Chris- watching him hit an emu, try to figure out driving over there and explaining $%)()$%*)
• 8 gringos singing to African tribal members in the delta. Thank god none of that made it to Youtube
• Chinese opera in Beijing, listening to these guys sing Chinese and make animal noises
•
Tense:
• Worrying about being robbed at the gas station in Rio
• Immigration in Moscow, from where they had deported me the first time
•
The best times
• 5 guys in an RV over 14 days through Germany for the World Cup. How did I survive?
• Breaking the train curfew in Tokyo (12 midnight) and staying the night out in Roppongi
• Mykonos: dinner at 11 and drinks until dawn
• Digging my toes in the sand during dinner, Boracay Beach, Philippines, bantering with my Tita Guia, mom and brothers.. and then hitting the town with my brothers
• The days of fear of hippos, nights of drinking with
Incredible sights only dreamt of
Going to places like the Great Wall of China are places I that fascinated me in textbooks as a child, but where I thought I would never be able to go.
• The final night of our Machu Pichu tour was spent bar hopping with our troop of 12 in Cusco, Peru.. what a night!
• Hanging with Chris and Beth in Byron Bay
• Living the porteno life in Bueons Aires with Amy, testing my liver, trying to learn tango and speaking Spanglish
• Laughing about our cultural gaffes with Frank in Russia and China
• Getting together with old friends and new, in bars, cafes, apartments, sidewalks, boats, beaches, houses, park benches, camp fires, trucks, restaurants in places from Vinha Del Mar (Chile) to Capetown to Dubai, Slovenia and Moscow to Hong Kong and Boracay, and Pingyao to
Coming 'home' halfway around the world
Getting back to the Philipines was a spiritual, emotional trip for our families.
Turning 24 and watching the Stones in Copacabana
One of the world's largest concerts saw one of the greatest bands of all time perform in the Samba capital down south.
Paradise found?
Beaches like this one in Don Phi Phi make Southeast Asian beaches (along with the unbeatable food) some of the best in the world.
The heart of Africa
The 21 day safari through southern Africa allowed me to see animals like these giraffe at dusk.. a continent I will not soon forget.
Take me back to Byron Bay
One of my favorite destinations, filled with scuba, beach and hippie therapy.
The struggles of their lives
Going through places like Africa and Southeast Asia, you come face to face with the unbelieveable poverty and struggles these people live through daily to survive.
The crossroads of the world
Modern Istanbul: historic yet filled with culture, where Asia connects to Europe, rich with history and an exotic appeal to it all.
Buenos Aires in my heart
My first day, living in the heart of Pallermo, are still some of my favorite and Buenos Aires will always be among my top destinations.
Great wine in Mendoza
Mendoza was one of the great surprises in South America and we got to go to some of the top vineyards there.
Road trip for the World Cup
My liver hurt but 2 weeks following the world's greatest sporting event with my US friends was well worth it.
Political learnings
Throughout the world, it was an evolving education to get some perspective on other countries' political beliefs and histories.
Moscow day in Russia
Staying in the heart of Moscow, I was witness to one of their biggest celebrations in a city that puzzled and impressed me.
A little help from my friends
It's an invaluable experience to have friends come overseas to spend some time.
Tea at 5am on the Inca Trail
On this 4 day trip back through time, we had porters waking us with tea at the crack of dawn before a full day of hiking toward the ancient Inca summit.
Learning the religions of the world
One of the most exotic appeals to these countries was learning about their religions first hand, such as Buddhism.
13 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
April 7th 2007 - Cadillac: Inspiration to the living!
Rick,
It was great keeping up with your trip vicariously, and participating in Argentina (briefly) and fully in Germany...(that damn RV!) Both of those trips, a collective 25 days, had a huge impact on me and expanded my view of the world, so I can only imagine what 400 days must have done to your soul! Congrats on taking a journey most only dream about taking!
April 7th 2007 - John Ngai:
what a trip you had! i can only dream of what you have done. very proud to have met you in argentina. hope to see you again in SF.
April 7th 2007 - Jen and Mike Breheny:
Hey Rick,
We cannot believe you are back in the US, it seems like just yesterday we were sailing in the Whitsundays. We only have about 20 days left until we are headed back to Chicago. Time flies when you are on the road I guess. If your in Chicago anytime send us an email and we could meet up for drinks.
Jen and Mike
April 7th 2007 - Ray Doustdar: My Hero...
Dude...you are seriously my hero. I think I speak for the entire United States though when I say to feel free to go back! Just kidding man, truly an amazing thing you did, and it made me envious every step of the way...except that story you told me about the chick in the Philipines that turned out to be your distant Uncle, that was a little weird...
April 8th 2007 - Melora: Jet Setted
Rick: What a great review of your year abroad! Thanks for the summary - it's so inspiring and also impressive that you got to so many places and you truly made the most of the experience! It was great meeting up with you in Seoul, Korea, in my own 'home' away from home. You rock. Hope to see you in the Rocky Mountains sometime! Ciao! Annyonghaseyo!
April 9th 2007 - Jen Sallis:
Hi Rick, thanks for your consistent updates - much appreciated! Don't stop while the going's good. Your next destination should be the 'top of the world' (Canada's Yukon Territory), specifically you need to bike the Dempster Highway in the summer. Check it out. Love Jen
April 10th 2007 - Reed: Thanks!
Hi Rick! What a great summary of your unbelievable journey. I can't even imagine how this past year has changed your life. I am so happy that you were able to do this! Thank you for sharing this experience with me through your pictures and journals. I look forward to seeing you and hearing more amazing stories. Welcome home!
April 11th 2007 - Chris K.: Nice work man!
Great stories this past year. I am glad that we got to share a few. I am going to miss your updates.
April 14th 2007 - Junior: Thanks
Rick-
It was great to spend time with you in Germany and learn that the Brits really are Hooligans and Cadillac drives a mean RV. (Plus Special K has no idea which direction North is on the map). To live vicariously through your experiences was worth it - especially when I was stuck at O'hare yet again because of the damn weather. I hope you keep writing, because I need something to read on the Throne.
April 15th 2007 - JOLET: KEEP UP!!!
I've tried my best to start writing about you this morning but seems my nerves won't cooperate to do so.Somehow i told myself what i'm gonna write...?I think even all the superlative adjectives that i know are not fairly enough to describe you...Oppssss! don't get me wrong,i'm not exaggerating it.Anyway, i just hope that somehow it make sense to tell something about you...You are such a man of profound wisdom and multifacets talents but still manage to maintain your humble character.Character of integrity-in what you does,yes-but even more what you meant to do.Having the honorable reputation which other don't have.A once in a lifetime encounter with such a multi-talented person...a good friend.Those thoughts you shared along with those precious time...surely will never be forget.It's such a great treasure having a great time with someone like you..."For nothing is impossible with God".No situation is impossible for HIM to work out for you.No promise of God is without power.He is able and willing to perform whatever plans and promises in your life.He will fulfill all His promises.May God bless you more!!! MABUHAY KA RICK!
January 22nd 2008 - AD: World Cup
I was a little disappointed that you weren't wearing any Amherst Arrows gear in the WC photo. But I guess that a Brasil shirt is better than a Lupe Chevrolet or Lagana Fish jersey. Take care, AD.
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