[diary=61006] and [diary=64769] for more nuances! Well at least you know how Cha Cha tastes now :P
I've sent an email to TB before about the flag but I think a reminder is necessary!
Teaching English... Thanks for the kind words... Firstly teaching English Asia jobs can be viewed at http://www.daveseslcafe.com/ This is where I found my job in Korea. They have a forum and a whole load of info on the sight, and also list jobs from other parts of the world. As for teaching Italian and Spanish Marco, to be honest I have no idea. I once met a guy who taught German in Korea, so I am sure there is a demand for other languages (obviously Spanish more than Italian).
Jobs in Indochina may be easier to find on the ground Leigh. I saw many jobs advertised in hostels in some of the major cities en route. And of course searching for a job this way enables you to check out the school and conditions before signing any contract.
A useful website specifically for jobs in Korea which is useful is www.worknplay.co.kr . Hope you both have luck finding something;-)
I may even head back over to Korea this winter for a short stint!
P.S. Thanks for the info NK and Adam. And you are right 'NK' The central-cross-island was built by the veterans, the trail it replaced was built by the Japanese.
Truly Inspirational ! I was deeply moved by your blog. One can only aspire to the level of understanding and wisdom you've achieved about the world through your travels........it was a pleasure to know you.....cheers !---JC---
Don't believe the hype I miss Vietnam so much! I'm glad you all liked it too. Don't worry about LOST, it used to be crack in TV form but this season sucks. Especially since they killed off my Nigerian drug lord :'( Are you going to make a US blog?
Taiwan Hi there-- was just enjoying your photos from Taiwan and in case nobody has chimed in, the puzzling ceremony in which the girl breathes in incense and then gets slapped on the ass is a ritual which is supposed to force the evil spirits outside of your body (specifially they are supposed to come out from the area above your forehead.) Breathing in the good smelling incense is the first step in the exorcism and then the slaps are the jolts to force it out.
Hi folks I read all the comments and can't stop wondering why can't we find some common subject that we can discuss about and that is not connected with hate. I am macedonian, and i love all cultures that are peacefull and respectfull. I am married to an American, and i would do anything for him, because he is the smartest motherfucker i have met, plus i love him so much, and we both love to travel (went to Thailand in january 2006). So please people, instead of hating and cursing, can we fucking find a different subject, like traveling... What is your dream destination, why do you love your country, how should a guy treat a girl, anythhing. Love you all. to see my husbends work (he's a photographer) go to www.deverette.com. Love you all, Billy
glad you enjoyed Bangladesh
Thanks for posting pictures of Bangladesh. Most people do not even know about this country with 147 million people. Anyways, if ever you go back to the "mystical East" you should go to Sundarbans. Actually, some tourists are beginning to go there now. This mangrove forest is huge and it is a place like no other in the world. Here you will find the Royal Bengal Tiger in its own home.
I respect adventurous people like you. I think the people of Bangladesh were specially friendly to you because you have something that appealed to them.
Language teaching Hi Jason,
Always a pleasure to read your entries on Travelblog: well written and full of interesting first (and second) hand news. Besides, you just blog once in a while which makes it possible for an absent-minded italian like myself to keep up with your journals without excessive effort.
I've been myself travelling Asia long time but I've never been in Korea and I was wondering how is the foreign language teaching panorama when it comes to other languages (such as italian or spanish, f.i.). Much appreciated would be useful news about it. Thanx in advance or, anyway, for keepin me on the road without moving from home. Ciao
Marco
Question? After starting on your blog when you were in Burma and working my way to the beginning of your trip and now back to the last installment, I have a question. How did you go about securing teaching work in Asia and do you have any advice? In the New Year I am considering teaching english and have loose plans on Laos. Any tips are much appreciated, and if you missed my other comments, want to say you do a mighty fine blog. Hope you are still travelling and have more entries coming...
At the risk of seeming like a stalker Stumbled on your blog tonight and have been reading them in reverse, settled in with a glass of red. (came in at Burma). I know I have posted a few comments, but just can't help myself. Having perused more than a few blog sites I can safely say yours are some of the most beautifully worded and descriptive I can find. Have you considered travel writing as a career move? You defintitely have the gift, along with fab pics (always smiled upon by editors).
Thy Shall be Done... Did not sow badges, wear orange trousers (or should we say 'pants'), attend a full moon party (of even a quarter - more poor planning than deliberate intention) or berate isreali's. Am guilty, however, of feeling superior (vastly, in fact) to package tourists, purchasing a Beer Laos T-shirt (requisite, really) along with several bracelets (mostly through weakness in the face of little cambodian kids with big smiles, occassionally 'cos I really liked it) and of reading (though with complaining and a respectable degree of loathing) my "Lonely Planet: SE Asia on a Shoestring". Still, think you are pretty much bang on with the 10 commandments except for, perhaps - 'look upon with disdain middle aged, balding supporters of the sex-trade (unless, of course, you are one...) Which obviously you are not. Enjoying your blogs and pics, please keep it up.
Wonderful words and pictures I stumbled across your blog, in the process of updating my own. I enjoyed your descriptions. I wanted to travel Burma but had time only for the pre-planned Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. You write superbly and your photo's are excellent. Happy travels and I look forward to future installments (and to experiencing Burma myself).
My hometown Just searching for the rainy season image.. so I'm here. Actually, I'm Thai girl from the north of Thailand but now working in Bangkok. When I see these pictures, I miss my hometown in Chiang rai-- many thanks, Jason.. now I've made my decision to go back home for my birthday on the 28th of this month! Thanks! (kanchanok.l@hotmail.com)
macedonia hello macedonians around the world ,i hope thet you did not forget your roots,we have a big,old and most impressive istory since the time of alexandar makedonski and beffore thet .
Your questions about the photos Hi, Jason:
You happen to have the exactly same name (also the last name is Brown) as my friend JB. I was wondering on TravelBlog site on WMDR (World Most Dangerous Road) and wonder...what to foreigners think about my country - Taiwan.
After moving to North America since 1994, Taiwan seems to be more distant. I brought may friends (Americans) to Taiwan, they are more lucky than you are, they can speak fairly good Mandarin. They stayed with me at home for a month.
The central-cross-island was built by the veterans (retreat from Mainland after the civil war), not built by Japaneses. I am surprised to see that, where do you quote from then? (no worry, just to verify).
I took my friends to Hualien, and they all agree that eastern Taiwan is worth visiting. One of my friend told me, "wow, the whole mountain is marble! Your country is really rich!", I said, "we never felt that we are rich because of this!".
Taiwanese are truly more friendly than Koreans. Sometimes I even think we should be more careful because a lot of foreigners are doing smuggling, making fake Passports, dealing with drugs (you can see articles in Lonely Planet) because we are the way too friendly. After September 11th and Iraqi war, Americans have less places to go and more Americans come to Taiwan. Taiwan is perfectly safe for foreigners to stay and travel, and I am surprised to know that you did not meet too many people who can speak English well. All of my American friends are surprised to know that almost everybody knows a little bit of English so they never got lost.
Taiwan has the highest density of Ph.Ds in the world. So a monk having a MBA is nothing. According to the statistics, 80% of the college graduates are planning to go to graduate school in order to be more "competitive" (although I don't agree on that).
Taiwan is a country which does not exist. R.O.C. is a joke and the new generation does not recognize themselves as Chinese at all.
I want to explain the three pictures you took in your photo album. You probably took those pictures in the temple. I am surprised to know that they allowed you to use camera (yes, because we are very friendly)! The "clerk"( usually the mid-age lady) took the incense to expel the fear of the acceptor (or patients) in the temple. This is a very acceptable (or usualy) scene. I had that experience many times when I was a kid. This expels the fear or the ghost (spirit). It is called "Sho-jing" (take your fear away). It works both psychologically and spiritually.
Sorry to type so many words. I just wish you have a better experience travelling in Taiwan next time.
sorry Kate... I have been very busy (some might say lazy). And the truth is, your question is very complex. Actual Taiwanese food is a mixture of aboriginal food with vestiges of Taiwans colonial past. Add to that the rich variety of mainland Chinese food and many say you have the best food in North East Asia. In short, it is magnificently varied, but the long answer would probably require a much longer stay and several PhDs;-)
Thankyou so much for this truly interesting article. It was nice to read it. We will definitely go to Andamans on our next trip to India... which will be in two months! Yeeei! Wish u all he best and happy travels : )
beniblanco
Ben
[diary=61006] and [diary=64769] for more nuances!
Well at least you know how Cha Cha tastes now :P I've sent an email to TB before about the flag but I think a reminder is necessary!