Hey Nic, I can't believe your coming back! But I think that everything you've gone through is so cool. I mean, it sounds stressful but I feel like I know you a lot better reading your blogs than I ever did when I went to school with you. Honestly, I think you are making the right decision by coming back to take care of things so that you guys CAN BE together. Just because you're not going to be physically together doesn't mean you're not sticking it out through thick and thin together. In fact, you guys being apart tests your strength and love even more. Being apart means lending more support to each other, you know. Good luck!
ah-hah, the kenyan food. Seems most african diets are grain/starch based nowadays. I'd like to hear about anything the masai (the ones who are still living primitively/old-style) are eating. I'm sure much has changed since Dr. Price checked em out back in the 30's.
How many other americans go to kenya and meet masai warriors anyway?
Its truly inspirational to hear your thoughts and plans. I think you're on to something in striving for renaissance ideals. That's HUGE! haha remember when we were talking before you left san fran about just pausing and taking a step back in your life to check on the status of things...it seems you've expanded on that idea here.
one more thing Nick,
Just so you know, it took about 6 months for a fiance visa before 9-11, so don't mess around...get that thing filed asap, or you may be hanging out in Kenya for a while. (not that that wouldn't be awesome)
I told you so I remember it clear as day. You sitting in the edit suite at envision telling me about your "endless" trip. How you don't know how long you will be gone. I remember telling you that you will be back inside of a year and that you will meet a girl. I suppose that was not really an amazing prediction as much as it was a deduction based on my past experiences, your age, and what i know of you. Well, Congrats!!.....I told you so!! (sorry, i couldn't resist)
are you? by the way are you greek?ive seen all your tattos and stuff you are pretty jolly fellow.n way thanks for appreciating our country and our people.we need more good people like you over here.
thanks
you are sincere i have read your entries nad i think you are sincere.well i have also seen you.dont mind am no stalker.kudos for trhe best thing that happened to your life. may you make her happy as she has.
ill be reading.
"It's basically new-age witchdoctor baloney. "
hmm, depends on what they're made of. If plastic..then ya. but if some sort of natural, round mineral/stone, it could have certain properties. I am inclined to believe that certain things pick up energies from their formation in the course of thousands of years (or millions?).
"Every path has been beaten, and not only that, swarmed with so many people as to pack it down tight--and maybe they even paved it! "
Amazon? Maybe there are a few spots that haven't been totally beaten down there.
"Every one of them thinks they're doing something special, but they're not: they're just imitating someone else and living up to one-another's expectations. "
Freedom from judgement, freedom to be yourself. That's all you need.
"Most of us squares are dabblers and former, present, or future members in many cults and tribes."
When free of potentially restrictive beliefs, such becomes an impossibility methinks.
"I think we'd learn a lot about America that way. We'd meet a lot of people and we'd go a lot of directions and it would all be free-form and wild."
Sounds good to me- get rid of the notion that being open and connecting with your 'neighbor' is dangerous. Sociology(at least my teacher) talks a lot about how the media influences people to think outsiders are dangerous.
You're plan sounds good.
Jambo Hi, just read your Mombasa blog!really interesting, glad to see i'm not the only Mzungu getting overcharged, used to it after 6 weeks though!!
Im on an i to i project in port reitz, an orphanage and i am staying just off Moi av, in a big volunteer house where theres 12 others, plus more dotted across town!Hope you are enjoying, maybe i will see you(probably already have)you around.
all the best
Lloyd
ps, when people shout mzungu, shout M'afreeka back, means african, i find it shuts them up!
What I would do See how hard it would be to get her to Mexico. Or Cuba, then Mexico. Once in the Americas, she would easily be able to claim that she was a US citizen, and just lost her "tourist card", ID, voters card, birth cert. etc. - stuff required to travel to Mex. by land (say the tide took it out while swimming) - passports are not required when crossing the US/Mexican border - yet - only required by air. I've crossed into and traveled all over Mexico with no documents. She could say she was from New Orleans...and hopefully fake a southern accent. Have her pick a common US name, say a non-passport holder (and you too, so they don't figure out where you have been). No documents are best - you would be two lost hippies trying to make it back to Seattle. What would they do? Let you in... And while in Mexico, both of you could mail your ID and evidence of your travels back to the US. Another tip if this sounds reasonable is to say that you both entered mexico on the bus, through SD and TJ, and neglected to get tourist cards on your arrival - were asleep on the bus and missed "that stop" - has happened to me. The Tijuana/San Diego crossing is so hectic, you would have no trouble getting her across there if you had your story down. Odds are they would just ask if you were a US citizen and shuffle you through. Better to not post my comment on your blog! Good luck - I am pissed I won't get to read of your world solo travels, but she sounds like a keeper - Chris in Louisiana
happy for you both Nic and Chelly, let me say it will take courage and conviction to pursue and reach your goal. I have no doubt that you will. I am looking forward to seeing both of you soon. Take care. Karen
Congratulations! I spent the last 2 hours reading your blog and I love it! Congratulations for the engagement!! Good luck with the visa application and all your future plans!! Mona.
congrats! What an amazing journey you have embarked on. Fucking Greek assholes, I'll make sure to boycott all the greek restuarants in seattle as a show of solidarity. Have you considered using that finally toned body to make you some money? I think you know you would make a great male gigolo. Congrats on the engagement!
Congrats!! Congrats on the engagement. Chelly seems to be a wonderfull soul. Keep your head up on the money and visa situations...things will come around. Your writing contiunes to keep me interested in your long journey..
Cheers!
hahahaha Just picturing you in a Motorhead shirt with a sweet Manowar tattoo hanging with a bunch of Kenyans is blowing my mind. Looks like you are having a blast! Hope you guy's make it to Greece ok! Please eat as much Saganaki as humanly possible while in the motherland. xoxox -Cab
"and joining a sail race from the Canary Islands to the Carribean."
I'll email you. I definitely want to go on an adventure this summer, and it will definitely include farming and hopefully sailing.
"I sat in the corner and ate these strange seeds they'd handed me. "
haha, that just sounds hilarious..out of awkwardness I guess.
"The guy put the stuff in my eyes and rubbed them and it was still burning like Hellfire when I got on to the back of the motorcycle."
Mighta had cayenne in there.
I've been using this eyebright formula with some cayenne. Apparently that isn't standard practice. But who knows, there are lots of herbs in the world.
My name is Nic Nakis and I come from Sedro-Woolley, WA. I started this travel blog as "The Mad Greek's Travel Blog" when I left North America for the first time in 2006. I documented that first 6-month, around-the-world trip extensively. Then, I returned for a few updates around 2010. I revived the blog in 2022 in order to record my ongoing travels and fill in some of the gaps.
I am a filmmaker and a fitness coach.
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Aaron Brown
non-member comment
agreed as usual on the business ideals.