re: "beggars on horseback" If you want a rosy picture, flip though some travel brochures. Travelogues are about opinions and individual experiences--and our experience was astounding hospitality for which we were incredibly grateful. We actually tried to give money to those who took us into their cars and their homes, but every single person refused. As for ferries and fraudulent IDs, we always prefer to spend our money on local products and services than on government-owned institutions. Thanks for reading the blog, hope this clarifies.
Rany, Jenny, your shots get better every time. You have a very photogenic eye. Lots of Kodak moments. Keep up the good work.
Would like to see more of you guys in the shots.
Dad
Boda boda politics So I read in an article that Museveni recently dropped a 3-pound monthly tax on boda boda drivers. Apparently, the man is a legend with them. A driver was quoted saying "some people say that when Museveni sees boys with nothing to do, he personally gives them 'boda-bodas' to get them started in life." Aww, seriously, any man that is loved by both the boda bodas and the World Bank must be a good man indeed.
I also found amusing that the boda bodas hate Irish superstar Bob Geldof, who apparently said that Museveni should get the fuck out. Responses ranged from "No to drug addicts and rock homos" to ''Geldof - sober up and shut up."
Keep the journals coming I just finished reading your journals getting caught up to the current one. I feel like I am traveling with you as I read your posts getting hot, sweaty, dusty, sweaty and tired! While on the bus with you I was thinking could you pay people not to play their music? I hear Robin will be joining you soon as you continue your travels. Stay safe and have a good time as you continue your adventure.
Catching up on your travels I just finished catching up on your travels since Christmas (I'm behind in everything.) I continue to enjoy your wonderful pictures and delightful tales. I also helps my mood to learn you are, for the most part, staying safe and healthy. Happy trails.
question...are the guys well endowed over there? your wall scaler appears to be sportin' mammaries and short shorts.
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nice pictures...it really provides a taste of what it's like over there.
a rare thing... a rare thing... an interesting blog! Well Done.
I cycled through Ethiopia a few years ago and found it bloody hard work!
Al
www.roundtheworldbybike.com
Thank you! The kids love your post-cards and we read the blogs to them - what an education you are providing for all of us. Thank you, thank you. Even Hideo is pulled away from "Desperate Housewives" to read your blogs.
You should write a book Hi Randy and Jenny,
It's about time I made a comment! Your descriptions about your travels are truly amazing. I feel as though I am traveling along with you on your adventures. I hope you are planning to turn this into a book...it deserves to be shared with everyone. It sounds like you are having an incredible time. You seem to be learning a heck of a lot about the world. Your dad and I look forward to reading each new blog entry. Take care and stay safe, Marta
Dear Jenny and Randy, I've been following your adventures since the start. What an amazing journey. Some of your stories leave me shaking my head in recognition - extreme poverty is similar worldwide. Other stories leave me with my mouth wide open or laughing out loud. A brothel as a cheap hotel is definitely the most creative reframing I've seen recently! Congrats on the rescue of your journal. Best, Carol Metzker
Jenny and Randy, taking others for a ride in Jordan Are you two serious, free rides, meals,hospitality abound and all you do is moan about Amman being "uneventful" and the cost of a boat ride. Your 'beggars on horseback' using fraudulent ID's in a country striving to keep its head above water. Go home and bum in the USA and see how far you get.
Fantastic! Hi Guys, Happy New Year! Your blog is as wonderfully engaging as always. I can't wait to read about Kenya. I have turned Sam and even my Mom onto following your journeys. I have to say, it's very addictive. Thanks for sharing the fun! Take care!
wow Jennys Mom and Dad shared this web site... and now I look forward to your next journal. I think I remember Scott did a Peace Corp tour? Yes... glad you are doing this while you are young so those of us over the hill can sit back and live vicariously... thanks..
Great writing! Have you two visited some of the ancient Orthodox churches that are so much a part of Ehiopia's heritage (ie. its national fasting foods, its language)? Several churches are carved into caves and are among the manmade wonders of the world.
Don't forget the salt... To put on negative comments from people who don't know either of you and don't know what wonderful, caring open-minded souls you are! There's good and bad about every country and place and every travel experience. Thanks for letting us know about the hard parts too.
A Word or Two From Us We received a nasty comment from an Ethiopian who felt that we'd misrepresented the country through insensitivity and pessimism. In fact--as another commenter suggested--we're enjoying Ethiopia more and more the longer we stay. It's an incredibly beautiful country with a wonderful culture, and most people are genuinely friendly. But it is really challenging sometimes, and we want to share our experience accurately. If the negative seems to outweigh the positive, it's only because it makes a more interesting blog. Rest assured, we're having an awesome time, and we'd come back in a heartbeat.
Just when it felt like everyone was getting married and buying a house, we quit our jobs, bought one-way tickets to Africa, and squeezed our lives into the smallest packs known to any Army surplus store. Friends and family offer predictions from "the best time of your lives" to "the beginning of your rapid descent into poverty." Lucky for us, they're not mutually exclusive.
And so, armed only with humility, humor, and a big can of DEET, we're off to the land of goatmilk and honeywine. We hope to meet some friendly faces, learn about the *other* Africa beyond the headlines, and fumble our wa... full info
hellotrain
Jenny and Randy
re: "beggars on horseback"
If you want a rosy picture, flip though some travel brochures. Travelogues are about opinions and individual experiences--and our experience was astounding hospitality for which we were incredibly grateful. We actually tried to give money to those who took us into their cars and their homes, but every single person refused. As for ferries and fraudulent IDs, we always prefer to spend our money on local products and services than on government-owned institutions. Thanks for reading the blog, hope this clarifies.