How are things? Hope you are still enjoying your trip!!! :) We're continually praying for your safety! :) Can't wait for the next blog entry! :)
The Umberger Clan :)
Lay off the Catweasle recruitment Didn't they realise that they were attacking the most influential fantasy footie manager from Cas.
Good to know you are ok and that you are trying to now navigate by the stars.
Travel safely Chief and sort your team out before Phil gives you a battering on Saturday !!( hes getting a bit to cocky with his messages)
demonspawn sounds like you came out of a potentially damaging situation without too much lost (except for a bit of cash and a bit of pride at the time). glad to hear not too much was taken mate, don't let it cast a cloud on your adventure - a simple shrug and a rueful mutter of "E Amena", and back to the experience of a lifetime.
Scrubbers I remember a similar incident when I was in Florence with Raffi. We were walking along a street near the main train station (which, as you know, is where scrubbers usually hang out the world over) when a group of kids jumped Raffi (note, they left me well alone as, like all good predators, they go for the slow moving defenceless prey). It was a bit like a group of little sharks taking a nip at a blue whale. Raffi did a lot of shouting and gesticulating wildly with his sweat flying everywhere and the kids pegged it. I eventually got over there to find him no the worse for his experience. I forgot to mention that I was, as you can imagine, quite a few paces ahead of him when it happened - what can I say, he was being slow. Anyway, keep your chin up and don't let it change any of your plans. 5 of them? Where is Hong Kong Phooey when you need him?
4 or 5 teeneagers eh? I'm sure by the time we see you it'll be 9 or 10 karate experts. Seriously though, glad you're okay and didn't lose too much.
I thought you were going to say that you'd woken up to discover your hotel surrounded by boiling hot magma and you were trapped and had to make an amazing escape. But alas, it was yet again, a tale of the speccy kid getting beaten up.
All the best
Tim
So sorry! :( Gosh, that's terrible! :( We're really glad that you are alright though!!!
We have been thinking about you a lot this past week, continually praying for your safety throughout your journey. And we will keep doing so! Hope this sad incident doesn't damper your spirits...
Just so you know, we love reading your blogs! :) And please stay safe!!!!! :)
nice one! Hey Joff, Anna and I were just wondering where you were these days! Sounds like you've been having some great adventures, albeit some bad luck with your choice of deodorant... Swedish and Canadian girls apparently know nothing about british manly musk. Glad to hear you've run into so many more cool folks on your journey. Keep up the fun,
Tom
Joff, the most popular gringo in honduras Joff, i believe your exploits will become legendary, with people telling their grandchildren about the day the strange gringo turned up in their market to watch the football and claimed to support their local team.
Just like the littlest hobo, every stop you make, you make a new friend.
Big Brother Its worth mentioning that you are probably missing the most controversial Celebrity Big Brother ever (so I've heard). The contestants include Jermaine "I want you back" Jackson, Dirk "the fac man" Benedict , Jade "horse's arse" Goodie, Teddy Sheringham's bird and a bollywood actress. Claims of rasicm against said bollywood actress by Jade and Teddy's bird have caused an uproar resulting in Carphone Warehouse withdrawing their sponsorship, Teddy's bird losing a modelling contract and the Perfume Shop stopping sales of Jade's perfume (relief!). Plus its become a political issue, Inda has even released a statement. You should know that when you get back there may be no more Big Brother, or even Channel 4 for that matter! I'm only watching it for your benefit of course.
Could I ask if you have found the organisation of the railway systems of Central America to your satisfaction? Do you have any ideas for improving their profitability?
Wish you were here? These travellers tales are all very well but stuff's been going on here as well you know. Sarries are still messing up the hallowed turf of Vicarage Rd, Watford have still only won once in the Premiership etc etc.
But seriously, commuting to and from work each day to sit at the same desk and do the same things day in day out isn't all that bad you know and surely you're missing all the emails, phone calls, deadlines etc. Joff, no one will think any less of you if you hold your hands up, admit it was a nice idea but all the new people, new places, the sense of freedom and day-to-day unpredictability was all very well in theory but not quite as good as you thought it would be and come back to work. However, if you do decide to keep going, keep up the blog - it's good stuff and keeping us all amused.
PS. I saw Jacqueline and Michael's baby last night and he's very cute. Just think, a year ago tomorrow we were promising Michael that the night before the wedding he could have a quiet drink and 12 hours undisturbed sleep. Time flies!
Blogmungus Joff
If there were a literary prize for "Best Blog" you'd win it hands down. Mind you, yours is the only blog i'm reading at the mo.
Hope you had a good birthday and all is well, sounds as though it is. Nothing happening in the UK at all. Ever.
Charlie Drake and James Brown are dead. I think they were mates.
Sounds like a "shocking place for hills"
All the best
Tim
Having a Rum Time Joff
Sounds like you are settling into the tropical lifestyle very easily (no surprises there then). Keep up the blogs.
Cheers
Trinder
Happy Birthday Joff
Happy Birthday! I think you need to stop watching so much TV - it's not like you and I think you are starting to form very bad habits. I think your trip is going to start getting better and better when you get down to South America - you are bound to meet more people and be forced into group activities - and I don't mean sharing a sofa watching Man U!
Take care
Trinder
Happy New Year Happy New Year Joff. Glad that you are having a good time. I was slightly concerned to read that you didn't know where Belize is. I presume that you haven't gone backpacking around the world for a year without a map! Anyway, looking forward to hearing about Rasta Pasta!!
Red.
You didn't miss the turkey Don't worry, most of this year's turkey went in the freezer as we couldn't manage to eat it all with such a shortage of mouths to feed. We'll have it for Thanksgiving if you tell us when it is! We celebrated your birthday in style with a stuffed roast duck. Mum got all emotional when we sang "Happy Birthday". Pass the parcel was a bit tame this year though.
They interviewed a family from New Zealand holidaying in Fiji on the news the other week and they were saying that it's great that they don't have to queue for sunbeds!!!
Where is the evidence? I think you are sitting in a small flat in downtown Hampstead writing all this stuff. We have not yet seen one scrap of photographic evidence to prove that you have left these shores. Not even a glimpse of an embryo zapata moustache (better known as a "football tache" - 11 a side!). If this is an elaborate plot to surprise us on Christmas Day you'd better let us know or there won't be enough taties and I'll need to go out and get an extra can of Boddies from the off-licence.
hehe keep up the good work....
yes a little trick if you ever get homesick... just think about what you would be doing at home and then realise that it was the same thing you did day after day and it's what you wanted to get away from... it worked for me.
As for the tache exploits...well... you missed the perfect time to come to NZ. for charidee November was renamed MOvember (geddit) and men grew "mo's" to raise awerness of prostrate cancer (you see it worked.... I'm now aware!!!) Auckland was full of dodgy taches. I'm assuming that out in the wilds (i.e. outside auckland) they have renamed the new "Millenium" the "MULLETTENIUM" I'm sure you'll see why when you get here
Christmas Cheer I thought I'd bring you up to date with the ensuing Christmas season - the Phipps-Kunwar household is awaiting the arrival of the Phipps family in a few days time. Still not sure who will be turning up and if they do, who will be talking to who.
In an effort to provide a talking point, we purchased (not stole) our first Christmas tree yesterday and realise now why we have not invested in what is essentially an overgrown pot plant that sheds foilalge the moment you bring it into the house and dies within two weeks before- £34 for a six foot tree! In my day it was a £1 a foot and no messing.
Have had the work Christmas party, home by 3am, no search party required and as Trinder has mentioned DC on Thursday night which will be a big one as I've no work on Friday. Your absence will be noted in the minutes!
You'll probably more up to date on the disastrous Ashes tour than I am and I'm pleased to report that I was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year for my gym attendance. Gloucester continue to cling to a glimmer of hope of qualification for the next stage of the Heineken Cup. And by the way, a cracking result for the dirty reds yesterday.
I should also mention that I'm having another go at Syphon Filter for old times sake.
Good to hear all the traveling tales, keep it coming, we'll be in the pub from 7pm on Thursday night if you fancy it although Shield can't make it. Suprise suprise.
Splendid Nice updates mate. Keep em coming as they brighten up a dull December morning.
I expect you are keeping up to date with the sports news via t'internet but just in case here is a summary from the UK:
- Pardew sacked as West Ham manager by Icelandic owners after poor results. Curbishley to be named as new manager tomorrow.
- Zara Phillips won BBC Sports personality. Beth Tweddle came third. Cracking year for British sport. Team of the Year - St Helens rugby league side. Coach of the Year - Daniel Anderson.
- 3rd Test in The Ashes kicks off tonight with us 2-0 down. Still don't know if Monty will play but if he does, I get the feeling we are expecting far too much from him.
- Bradford have been ordered to pay a fee for Castleford full-back Michael Platt. (Of course I knew this one Joff)
- Also (and it grieves me to write it) Man Utd are bookies faves (slightly) to win the title now. Mind you, rather them than Chelsea!
- Bedford Arms Darts Team fly up to 4th in the league after a crushing 6-2 defeat of The Kings Arms. Skipper Mick O'Neill is reported as being "chuffed".
Hope all is well and you're keeping your pants clean.
Lots of Love
Timaaaaay
Joff - you've found your true vocation in life - a comedy travel writer. You certainly cheered my dull day up with your sea-faring Hawkins!!!!
Keep safe
the Umberger's
non-member comment
How are things?
Hope you are still enjoying your trip!!! :) We're continually praying for your safety! :) Can't wait for the next blog entry! :) The Umberger Clan :)