Happy Birthday Hey Greg, Glad you had some fun and went out to enjoy your birthday. We believe things happen for a reason. I remember you were ready to leave Vietnam but maybe you will view it differently this time. Anyway, you are back there for a reason. Glad you were given the opportunity. Glad Latin America is in your future. Keep up the good work.
I guess you won't be needing your warm clothing any time soon... You made the right decision leaving the situation with a terrible boss. Enjoy Vietnam...again!
Thanks Bob! Hi there thanks for reading and the comment, yea that warm clothing got left in Turkey which I lost an additional $200 because of that, but it worked out in the end as I am back in the tropics and have a job lined up for next month after the holiday and got the 6 month contract I wanted. This will be my last hooorah in Asia as I have decided to go back to my beloved Latin America in October which I'm VERY VERY excited about!!
LOL Water butt! I can just imagine the difference between the reception in Russia compared to Turkey! Glad you have settled into your next assignment in Turkey well. Plus your accommodations look great, it would be so cool to explore like you have the little hole-in-walls and spice markets. Have fun!
Thanks Andrea Yea the water butt was nooooo joke lol it drained me...literally lol. Yes Turkey is amazing so far I love it and I haven't even explored yet, just the small city I'm in and the school work for here along with the people and food has just been amazing compared to moscow. My little apt is quite nice as well and best of all its a 5 min walk to the center I work at so more 8 hour metro days on top of teaching!! How's everything with you? Still in Africa exploring?
Simply awesome... Hi guys, first let me say thsnks do much for always keeping in touch and leaving comments! Second, the food here is superb I mean honestly it's in my top 3 food countries I've been to so far and sooooo much more food to explore. I really had no clue how good Turkish food was until I came here it's just amazing and count on me always posting pics of food here because I'm a true foodie wherever I go! Thanks do much again!!!
Clinching adventure There are times when a flight delay is a good thing as it gives your body some time it needs. Congratulations on the new job. We are eager to hear your impressions of Turkey. Looks like you are off to a wonderful start. Please write often as your fans will be waiting.!
Thanks guys! Yes turkey is so far really good! I like it here the new gig, the food and being in a smaller city has all been amazing. I am really looking forward to reading your India blogs for some info as I'm still debating my options, but in case I choose India the info would be very helpful! Enjoy!!!! ???
Still in Peru! Hey Greg, yes, I'm still enjoying South America, and have found a little home here in Arequipa, Peru. Hoping to catch up on my blogs sometime and head home up north, but no rush. So glad you found a good school--it really makes all the difference. Hope you make it to all the regular, famous places in Turkey as well as the wonderful, backpacker Olympos with its treehouses, ancient ruins and fabulous beaches. Best wishes!
Awesome! Settling in there in South America is pretty awesome! I actually miss it a lot, it's the best part of the world I've traveled in to this point and debating going back this summer. Thanks for the comments :)
Congrats! How great that you found a job in Turkey! I loved the country--wonderful people, food, sites, history--the whole nine yards. Best wishes for a great stay and trips all around the country!
Hi tara Hey there! Thanks so much for the comment! How's everything with u? I love it here in turkey the food is just amazing and the people are very cool! I'll get to a few places in the spring that are on my top 15 sites to see list so I'm excited about that! Most of all finding a good school to work at is a total score! :) still in South America?
Keep the blogs coming Always enjoy your thoughts and stories.Ah the joys of youth and drinking. We have a friend who has a list of countries he wants to return to because when he was younger and traveled all he did was drink until the wee hours. Now he can't remember much about the countries. As in most interviews they never really tell you "the complete" truth about what you will be doing. Glad you are enjoying the 5th graders.
Range of ideas You have an amazing list ahead of you. My personal opinion is that I would prefer to go to Mexico different months because of the heat but we love Mexico. If you are truly considering all of them and don't have any real preference you might do what we did recently. We put the names of countries that were on our short list on a piece of paper and tossed them in a bowl. We had a party with a group of friends and let them draw out of the bowl. The last country was where we are going in 2017. Look out Chile...here we come.
Thanks so much... Hi Dave and Merry..thanks again for taking the time to comment and giving some insight!! That sounds like a great plan, puting all the ideas on pieces of paper and letting others choose it for me. I just may do that actually if I cannot choose on my own. As I've said before in my blogs Latin America for me has always been the bees knees lol, so I would like to get back over there and finish up what I've missed (which there are plenty of countries and things I could easily make a long trip out of), but we will see. Anyway thanks again for taking time to share your thoughts and ideas I really appreciate it! Chile will be great, it's still a country I haven't been to yet so I may be down there when you guys go if I choose to finish up South America. Have a great weekend!!! --Greg
Travel ideas... Since you are starting in Turkey, you might try the Silk Road all the way across Central Asia to Xian, China. You could then head south to Southeast Asia or east to Korea and Japan before heading south. Then you could fly to Kenya (or Cairo) where you overland to Cape Town. From Cape Town you can fly to Rio and begin your South America trip. There are organized overland tours (http://www.dragoman.com/ being just one of many) that make the Silk Road, African, and South American logistics easier and affordable. You can find many TBers who have chosen to travel this way, including "sarahwalker" and "Weir travels."
While you are in Turkey you should spend a holiday in the Balkans. I will be in Croatia and Slovenia the second half of April and my research reveals great history and scenery. I hope this helps!
Hi bob! Thanks so much for the great advice and tips I really appreciate your thoughts and ideas! I have been to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan and along the Silk Road as well as parts of Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand) already. I'm still in the planning stages at the moment as I have quite a while before I will take the next adventure on. I'm definitely looking forward to it though it's been a while since I've just hit the road and got out of the classroom for a few months. Right now back to Latin America is leading the race, but things change and ideas also,but those are the options for adventures that I will have to choose from :) thanks again Bob!!
Turkey it is! Lucky. I do believe your lifestyle is the best way to experience the world...can't wait to do the same someday. In the meantime I will plan/daydream my next trip....canoeing the Brazilian Amazon! and hiking the northeastern sand dunes. Oh and Thanks for the blog feedback!
Sweet!!! Yup that's my next adventure for me canoeing from Ecuador down the amazon to Manaus and up the back way into Venezuela to Angel Falls....either that or crossing the Darien by foot and boat :) still debating
Thanks so much! Hi there, actually your blogs and adventures are greater than mine! Mine are mostly travel and work, I'm still waiting to get away and do some REAL traveling for a few months instead of always working in these countries :). I enjoy reading yours as well! Thanks so much for stopping in and reading and
commenting as well I do appreciate it! As I said I am planning a few months adventure after my contract in Turkey is finished and I have some money saved. Definitely looking forward to that! Thanks again and keep up those awesome blogs!
I'm a wanderer of this amazing earth discovering the bounties it holds. I've been around the world, not as many as some, but more than others and enjoying my life. Well, it's been quite a journey this past year it started going from Vietnam to LA for a week August 2015 to visit a friend to the greatest city in Mexico, Oaxaca where I got the opportunity to see Monte Albon and the AMAZING (let me say again) AMAZING food then a bus ride from Tapachula, Mexico to Panama City (3days) to stay with one of my great friends for a week, then from Carti a multi day trip through the islands of San Blas on... full info
D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
Happy Birthday
Hey Greg, Glad you had some fun and went out to enjoy your birthday. We believe things happen for a reason. I remember you were ready to leave Vietnam but maybe you will view it differently this time. Anyway, you are back there for a reason. Glad you were given the opportunity. Glad Latin America is in your future. Keep up the good work.