I don't think it came across as overly negative. Every country has problems, and ours is no exception. I totally agree with the strip mall/suburbia part though. How many juice bars and retail shops do we need?? And I loathe cell phones.
Don't You Forget About Me... I would like you to whistle the Colonel Bogey March while crossing (or standing next to, because I'm not sure you can cross it) The Bridge on the River Kwai.
For those 80's children, this is the song the Breakfast Club detainees whistled during their Saturday detention (hence the title of this post...) It has a little more historical significance which you can read about here...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bridge_on_the_River_Kwai.
Video proof would be most excellent, but I will take a photo of lips pursed, or I'll even the honor system.
Have fun, and stay safe!
The American Dream or Life Behind Rose Colored Glasses While I also believe that the USA is a great place to live and have devoted a career to government service as well, I have also had the opportunity to see that our way of life is certainly not the only way of life. We have become so used to our bounty and our privileges we tend to forget that this is not the norm around the world. Sometimes our arrogance is apalling.
With priviledge should come some sort of modesty and gratitude. Unfortunatly, many Americans who claim to love their country do not have an ounce of modesty or gratitude. The are so focused on living behind their white picket fences and viewing the world through their rose colored glasses, that it is difficult or perhaps impossible to recognize or admit that while a great country, the USA is certainly not perfect. I don't think that life in the suburbs, while comfortable, provides most Americans with the openmindedness to see problems in this country that need to be fixed.
I believe that we all have a responsibility to be critical of ourselves and our country as often and as vocally as possible. Hopefully this will generate discussion and debate and eventually a better understanding of what is needed to make this great country even better. Without some admission that this is not utopia, there is little hope that our country can get back to the basics that made it so strong in the beginning.
So I say to you, you do not have to defend your concerns about the USA or do not have to apologize for voicing those concerns. Someone has to tell the emperor that he is wearning no clothes!!!
Truth Sucks, Doesn't It I realize that this may come across as a bit down on the US of A. Let me qualify by saying that I still love my country (I served it for almost 10 years, which is more than most people can say). One of the GREAT things about the US is freedom of speech, and the freedom to say what you think is wrong with things and then try to change them. I am exercising that freedom on my blog, by telling you frankly that I wish things were a little more people-oriented, a little slower in pace, and a little less impersonal. None of that takes away from all the things that I LOVE about the US, and how excited I am to move back in about a year.
I'm packing I'ma packing for a trip too and want to get everything into a 40ltr pack. Thanks for your list. I've read many like it online but it's nice to finally see one written by a female! :D (I've got that tripod too, bought it after my trip to NZ when I realised there were more poles than anything else near what I wanted to photograph. Love it!)
Why can't you be more like your sister... That's awesome...now when we are packing for a three day weekend, and Jill has any bag larger than a change purse, I'm playing the "but Becky and her Asian trip" card.
I fully intend to see my one hundredth birthday as well. I'll send you a card, if I can remember my own name by then, that is...Trained cats oughta be fun to see. Maybe they'll give you some pointers?
Glad you acknowledge that bad things happen EVERYWHERE. It really gets to me when I hear people talk about how a certain place or culture is so dangerous. I think to myself, "Do you walk around with your eyes shut? Haven't you heard about all the baloney committed by citizens in our own country/state/community?" I do admit that the horny monk part made me chuckle though...
Mother's Dark of the Night I can certainly understand how those fears come up in the dark of the night. I actually see something positive that comes from these worries. First, is the acceptance that you are not always in control of your circumstances. Governments, airlines, bus companies, restaurants, hotels, locals, and even other travelers can all make your trip a wonderful experience or a nightmare that can haunt you for a long time. The secret is being cautious and not taking any unnecessary chances. When you were in the Middle East you had the advantage of speaking French and Arabic and unless you have been holding out on me, I don't think you speak any Mandrian, Cambodian, Thai, or Tibetian. Without the language advantage, even simple mishaps can become disasters. Traveling to some of the more out of the way spots that you want to visit, might best be done as a part of a group of some sort, tour or group of other backpackers. At least there is some safety in numbers. The other important thing is to be sensible and know when to "hold" and when to "fold" as to locations, activities, and transportation. If it doen't feel right, "take the next bus" or "get out of Dodge". While I believe somewhat in predestination, I also believe in common sense.
While you can always have disasters wherever you go, having a problem on the other side of the world in these third world countries, is what keeps me awake at night. How could I get to you? How could I get you home? How could I ever live if anything happened to you? I am generally able to wrestle these fears to the ground and focus on the positive aspects of this wonderful experience and wish you the very best. Love Mom
Isn't it strange how the worry monsters always come at night, and seem so much scarier than in daylight? I think you're going to have an amazing time. (Just steer clear of Romanian pedophile pageants). You're such a savvy, unflappable traveler. Your gut instincts will help guide you away from the bad people and as for the other stuff, well, like you said, those things can happen anywhere. I bet your mom would be happy if you wore a helmet on all motorized conveyances though, buses included :) And I don't believe for one second that you'll be traveling all alone for long - you'll meet up with some cool world travelers in no time. I'm excited to see how your adventure turns out! I'm learning so much from your travels already - like the dangers of horny monk rapists. Who knew?
Impressive Wow. You're like Mary Poppins with her magic carpet bag! I can't believe the backpack only weighs 23 pounds. As for advice, I've never done anything like this before, but being from Montana am definitely used to planning for all kinds of weather. I'm thinking monsoons = lots of mud. Boots would be good, but if they're constantly wet aren't you in danger of them getting REALLY stinky, plus that foot rot thing soldiers in Vietnam always got? If your boots are nice and waterproof, maybe leave them here and buy some cheap rubber waders or something once you get there. I dunno. Thanks for sharing the fun! Love your blogs, chica.
Looks good! I'm a serious overpacker so I'm probably not the best person to be dishing out advice here, but sunscreen and a water bottle are always a priority for me.
thanks! It was great to see someone else trial packing and what works and doesn't. I'm taking off in October and I've done a couple test runs myself. Thanks for putting this out there.
say WHAT?!?!? All of that stuff fit in that bag? I bow to you oh amazing packer of this world. I have no idea how you're going to cut that down - good luck on that! Woohoo!
DANG!!!! Say wha?!?!??!?!?!!? You put all of that stuff in that tiny bag???? I was prepared for you to show up with a huge suitcase that was going to take up my entire apt. OMG!!!! That's amazing!!! Girl, you have skills. Congrats and good luck on dwindling it down. No help here on how to cut it out. Looks like you're already light. OOOOh, but make sure to keep your photo necklace! :)
My name is Becky, and I'm a travelin' Texan who has been living in Europe for the past seven years working for the US Air Force. I've spent a lot of time in Africa & the Middle East (sorry, that was a long time ago, so no blogs), recently traveled to Southeast Asia, and have a ton more trips planned in the future.
Please enjoy reading my blog.
You'll find out very quickly that I am a bit of a smart-as*, but I am also very straight-forward, honest (no sugar-coating here), adventurous, and I can offer you good practical travel advice from time to time.
I'll be hosting competitions, and... full info
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I don't think it came across as overly negative. Every country has problems, and ours is no exception. I totally agree with the strip mall/suburbia part though. How many juice bars and retail shops do we need?? And I loathe cell phones.