Today I moved out of my Hoboken apartment and back in with my Mother in Old Bridge. Leaving Hoboken has been an odd experience. While I really enjoyed my time living there, I'm not sad to go. No bouts of nostalgia as I packed my stuff, no montage of "the good times" set to some crappy Celine Dion song running in my head. Nothing. Previous moves were different. Both my move away from New York to Texas and from Texas back were sad or bittersweet or something. Leaving Hoboken is matter of fact. Not sure what to make of it.
So I play this game in my head I call, The Tao of iPod. I turn on my iPod, set it to shuffle then play the first song listed alphabetically, in my case A.D.I.D.A.S. by Korn. As soon as the song starts, I forward to the next song. The idea is to see if the random song that plays, jives with the flow of what I'm experiencing (the setting, situation, my mood, etc). As I drove out of Hoboken tonight playing The Tao of iPod, Freebird by Skynard came up and I thought, " Yo iPod, you feelin' me man, you feelin' me"
Now for an update. So, we are just 58 days away; I moved out of my apartment, booked the flights, got some gear, got my shots, read my guide books and I am feeling...everything at the same time. I play the trip through my mind and imagine Rajastan, Indonesia and Africa and I want to go now. I also realize that I am going to the other side of the world; for 7 months by myself, away from my family and friends, to experience places where I am separated from the simple comforts I take for granted and where my language is not the native tongue (sans Australia) and with only a 50 L backpack and what ever fits in it. That's some scary shit, but exciting as hell too!
I've got to get in gear on a few items. I need to apply for visas, book the "Cage dive with Great Whites" trip in South Africa. and I need to resolve the hem-haw fest I'm having over buying a digital camera. Lastly I need to figure out Skype (Iris, hang tight I swear I'll sign up and learn how to use it this week. I look forward to our trans-Atlantic VOIP convo.)
That's all for now. I leave you with a felicitous quote (today's word of the day calender word):
"I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it is the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain." Morgan Freeman, The Shawshank Redemption.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
The mountains win again...
So I spent last week in Denver and for the third time altitude proved to be my kryptonite. At 5,200 feet I felt light-headed, my breathing was labored and my lips blew up like Angelina Jolie's then peeled off. Last year I passed out in the airport the morning after my pal Buck took me to a Nuggets game then out for a drink or 8. A few years ago in Ecuador, I thought someone drugged me and that I was dying (Those of you who were present...Shhh!!!!) I am beginning to rethink the idea of Nepal. If Denver kicks my ass, Kathmandu might destroy it. Someone in Denver told me there are pills you can take before you leave. I think I may look into that when I go back in June for my anti-malarials.
Aside from the whole altitude sickness Colorado was really nice. I drove up to Ft. Collins to see an old friend from college. The view and the feeling were awesome, they pulled my mind 6 months forward onto my trip. If that wasn't enough to psych me up, I watched "Into the Wild" on the flight home.
I figure if Nepal is anything like I've read, I'll have to get there. Perhaps I'll win this one. T minus 2 months and counting... Next up I'm moving back home with my mother!!!!
Aside from the whole altitude sickness Colorado was really nice. I drove up to Ft. Collins to see an old friend from college. The view and the feeling were awesome, they pulled my mind 6 months forward onto my trip. If that wasn't enough to psych me up, I watched "Into the Wild" on the flight home.
I figure if Nepal is anything like I've read, I'll have to get there. Perhaps I'll win this one. T minus 2 months and counting... Next up I'm moving back home with my mother!!!!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
More prep for my trip blah, blah, blah
Hello imaginary friends (remember I haven't published this blog yet so I am talking to nobody right now) For historical reference, I went to Kampy's wedding last night, awesome.
With my flights out of the way I've spent the last 2 weeks concentrating on gearing up. If you read 10 different guidebooks, you'll get 10 different opinions on how to outfit a backpacking trip around the planet. I'm taking a 4 day weekend to shop around, visit various camping and outdoor sports stores, and to jump start my fat toochas back into a good exercise regimen. I want to be in shape for potentially grueling conditions or just look good for the sexy traveling ladies that exist in my imagination (If reality is anything close, this blog is going to get much better in a few months : )
Shopping has been an experience the folks that are on shift at outdoors stores are interesting. I went to EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) The woman working there had crazy eyes, kind of like that runaway bride who was in the news last year, you can see the whites all around her irises. She saw me coming from a mile away. It's amazing, my specific trip calls for the most expensive pair of boots and backpack they sell. What a coincidence! The she tried selling me her water purifier at a bargain price before she put it on ebay. I got her number, we are going out next weekend (just kidding)
So I've decided to go bare bones and travel very light. One of the main reasons for this trip is liberation, plus I think the Buddha said something about a truly happy man can fit all of his possessions on his back, or something like that. If I really need something I can likely find it along the way. Last I saw they sell clothes and supplies in Africa. I intend on using a climber's back pack, they are small and light, if I don't have the space, I can't over pack. It will keep my load light as well.
So here's the trip as it stands:
I will be in Africa until September 7th when I will fly out to Delhi India (stop over in Abu Dhabi,cool!) . I intend on spending a month in Rajastan/Golden Triangle area then going overland to Nepal. I'll fly from Nepal on October 15th to Bangkok Thailand then my next flight is booked for January 16th from Sydney to Newark. So what to do with 3 months between Thailand and Australia? Here are some thoughts. 1) Obviously the Great Barrier Reef is a lock. 2) I'm reading up on diving Indonesia, I think I may be interested in making my way by water through Indonesia and Malaysia to Australia diving some awesome places on the way. 3) I think I may also be interested in staying for a while and honing my surfing skills. I tore it up in Costa Rica on the breaks of Playa Hermosa, but I think I am ready to try waves bigger than 2 feet high : ) 4) Perhaps a home stay at a monastery? 5) Maybe teach English to Buddhist monks? 6) Bali? I'll be doing some more reading and posting on boards to learn more as the weeks go by.
With my flights out of the way I've spent the last 2 weeks concentrating on gearing up. If you read 10 different guidebooks, you'll get 10 different opinions on how to outfit a backpacking trip around the planet. I'm taking a 4 day weekend to shop around, visit various camping and outdoor sports stores, and to jump start my fat toochas back into a good exercise regimen. I want to be in shape for potentially grueling conditions or just look good for the sexy traveling ladies that exist in my imagination (If reality is anything close, this blog is going to get much better in a few months : )
Shopping has been an experience the folks that are on shift at outdoors stores are interesting. I went to EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) The woman working there had crazy eyes, kind of like that runaway bride who was in the news last year, you can see the whites all around her irises. She saw me coming from a mile away. It's amazing, my specific trip calls for the most expensive pair of boots and backpack they sell. What a coincidence! The she tried selling me her water purifier at a bargain price before she put it on ebay. I got her number, we are going out next weekend (just kidding)
So I've decided to go bare bones and travel very light. One of the main reasons for this trip is liberation, plus I think the Buddha said something about a truly happy man can fit all of his possessions on his back, or something like that. If I really need something I can likely find it along the way. Last I saw they sell clothes and supplies in Africa. I intend on using a climber's back pack, they are small and light, if I don't have the space, I can't over pack. It will keep my load light as well.
So here's the trip as it stands:
I will be in Africa until September 7th when I will fly out to Delhi India (stop over in Abu Dhabi,cool!) . I intend on spending a month in Rajastan/Golden Triangle area then going overland to Nepal. I'll fly from Nepal on October 15th to Bangkok Thailand then my next flight is booked for January 16th from Sydney to Newark. So what to do with 3 months between Thailand and Australia? Here are some thoughts. 1) Obviously the Great Barrier Reef is a lock. 2) I'm reading up on diving Indonesia, I think I may be interested in making my way by water through Indonesia and Malaysia to Australia diving some awesome places on the way. 3) I think I may also be interested in staying for a while and honing my surfing skills. I tore it up in Costa Rica on the breaks of Playa Hermosa, but I think I am ready to try waves bigger than 2 feet high : ) 4) Perhaps a home stay at a monastery? 5) Maybe teach English to Buddhist monks? 6) Bali? I'll be doing some more reading and posting on boards to learn more as the weeks go by.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)