anchor chains, plane motors, and train whistles

Epilogue

2011-04-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

Though this trip was conceived in the winter of 2008, I was still trying to figure out where i would go in the fall of 2009. I was entertaining the idea of just touring SE Asia to soak up the sun that was nonexistent in Bellingham. As i interacted with people in Bellingham and reflected on my own goals for this trip, i abandoned that idea for a round-the-world trip. The final push came from my desire to see the middle east and the fact that my brother would be in Greece around the same time. I couldn't really grasp the idea of traveling all the way around the world but from what i read about it sounded amazing. I can remember buying the tickets that would take me from home all the way to Luxor Egypt. If you talk to people who are going to travel, it is after these purchases that they quite often shriek when they realize "this is really happening!" I had this feeling, but with it came the fear of the unknown. I can remember fluctuating between joy and despair about my choice to travel. I had budgeted plenty of money for this trip and had plenty of research and good advice from more experienced world travelers. However there was this lingering fear, much like gear fear for climbers, that the support structures i was trusting would fail and i would fall. There was also a feeling of frailty since the long term effects of cancer had left me devoid of the fibrous strength of my youth. Feeling unprepared for the journey ahead showed me how important it would be for me to bring the Lord with me. More specifically, it became paramount for me to meet and interact with Christians so my faith could be continually nourished as i traveled. Through this i would also be able to see Christianity in its many different forms. As I left on this spirit quest of sorts, I prayed that He would put people in my path that would be able to share in my faith so that we could both be encouraged. All through my trip i was amazed at how, on a weekly basis, i was in the company of believers; even in such places as southern Egypt. Beyond that, i was blown away by the sheer number of wonderful people i met in the world. Besides meeting believers in different parts of the world, a central goal of this trip was to meet people wherever i went to learn from them and enjoy life with them. They are the crown jewels of my trip. To all of you who spoke to me, invited me in, clothed me, fed me, housed me, laughed with me, mourned with me, shared in the wonders of this world with me and encouraged me i thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are more precious to me than the bays of Cat Ba, the temples of Angkor, the canyons of Petra, the fields of Galilee, the hills of Meteora, the skyline of Prague, the canals of Venice, the harbors of Corsica, the markets of Paris, and the party at Hyde Park. I will eagerly look forward to the next time we can enjoy life together once again.

Below is my Epilogue. It is an hour long movie of clips from my trip. There are 16 minute clips below that cover the four main regions i visited so you can take them in chunks. I purposefully left it as is so you could hear the sounds of the places i was at, even if that means extreme wind. Not all of my trip is represented here, but enough to give some indication of the places i visited. When i watch it, i am filled with a deep sense of both sadness and joy. I hope that it bears some relevancy in your life and inspires you. If you want to know about a certain clip, i have my entire trip blogged out in almost day by day accounts. The dates on the right of this page under Blog Archive will get you back to January 2010 when i started the journey. Though this will be my last entry, i will relive these moments for the rest of my life.

South East Asia

The Middle East

Eastern and Central Europe

Western Europe

The Soundtrack of Western Europe part 2

2011-04-02T16:27:00.000-07:00

As i entered Paris, i realized that i was traversing the opposite path that my granddad took in WWII. I let my imagination go to the tune of Gymnopedie No. 1 by Erik Satie

Paris brought to lie for me through the music of my childhood. As a young boy i watched the modern version of Sabrina. I desperately wanted to see this place of beauty.

I spent a few nights on this balcony listening to this and of course Debussy

i did get a chance to see some street performers

and even visit the cafe from Amelie

They would do very well in any major city. Simple affordable menu, great music, and a very happy atmosphere.

I was also able to find some spots where the folks at Concerts a Emporter shot some of my favorite bands.

Here is Place du Trocadero where Pheonix played 1901

Here is a small square in Montmarte where Bon Iver plays For Emma

On a visit to Versailles, i listened to a bit of Bach

and Arcade Fire

On one of my last days in Paris i explored the Montmarte area. I did so to some tracks from an old mix my brother made for me 5 years earlier.

and

to name a couple. I wasn't sure where Amelie was shot until i ran into the entry way of Sacre Coure

I remembered the game she played with her lover here, and got the idea to find some other places from the movie. Though i didn't have it with me, here is La Valse D'Amelie

After Paris, I got a chance to visit some of of the Loubriat family in Bayeux. While walking around the city i enjoyed a mix that a friend had made long ago.

and

to name a few. While i was in Normandy, i got to visit the US cemetery at Omaha beach. I marveled at the names and graves to some classical music.

I also got to visit Mont St Michel. Here is a small sample of the sounds of bells there

Back in Bayeux with i visited a church that had some amazing music in the back ground

and got a chance to ride out to the beaches with Theirry while listening to stories and Led Zep

later that night we discussed art spiegelman and his comics over some portishead and fine wine.

With that it was off to the UK where i sat on the beach listening to Page France

My first day trip with Aaron and Shannon was to the Isle of wight. We visited a castle that made me think of Robin Hood.

and we also got to see the and England match in a neighborhood pub.

Exploring the old port i listened to more of the master and commander soundtrack

In London, the first major event i went to was Hyde Park Calling of which there were too many videos to post here. It was amazing; go read about it.

I spent one of my last days walking around the east side looking at places from Guy Ritchie movies to some tunes from LSTSB

I vaguely remember some of the music that played in the bar. Though i was in the birthplace of dubstep, i was not aware of it. However, once i was home i did find a remix of a song by Sia that had been playing in the hostel bar.

I also remember roaming through the city at night and in the metro listening to the Gorillaz

As i prepared to go home via Madrid and Chicago, i listened to a lot of wilco.

I was quite exhausted and the thought of being home for a summer of fun with my Friends in someplace that was easy and comfortable sounded amazing. So it was that i disembarked from my last plane in seatac airport to a little Josh Ritter.

That night after celebrating at the Up and Up, i walked home stunned at the beauty of the last 6 months. It was to No Cars Go that i walked down my street and kissed the lawn of my home.

The Soundtrack of Western Europe part 1

2011-04-02T15:55:00.001-07:00

As i left Italy for Corsica, i had this song stuck in my head, so i figured i would make a video of my departure.

here's a full version of Reservations by Wilco

On my way to Corsica, there was only one choice for music, and that was Andre Segovia. I fell in love with the Mediterranean sea to his rendition of Granada.

In Bastia, i got a chance to have dinner in the old city and listen to some traditional Corsican songs.

Back on the boat the next day, i began to realize that i had entered a world of luxury and extravagance. Feeling a little rich myself, i baked in the sun to Jay-Z

and a little Gorillaz

As we were pulling into port, I had Andres back on

In Nice i met another guy that mentioned Booka Shade. Here's one of theirs that i really like.

In Monaco I found out i had some JT on my ipod.

In Marseilles, I got a chance to see some street hip hop group perform a few times. here's one of them in an alleyway.

There was also a night of clubbing where i am sure i heard these songs.

As i walked around Rue de this and Rue de that, I recognized some streets from the book i was reading, The Count of Monte Christo. It inspired an epic feel for Marseilles as i spent some time on the Ile De Frioul which over looks le Chateu D'If.

On the island i wandered into a hillside that had seagull nests in them. Though i kept thinking of Finding nemo, they weren't saying "mine" as much as they were yelling at me to leave.

At an area of supreme luxury and outdoor beauty, Les Calanque, i reverted back to JT - This Love, for some rich music.

Before i left Marseilles I got a chance to see the sunset from Notre Dame de la Guard, the highest spot around Marseilles.

The track here is Fantasia from the master and commander soundtrack

On my way back from this i caught a glimpse of a party on the roof of a building.

In Lyon, i ran across a very organized group of kids playing impromptu band music

In Alsace, I got a few videos of the area around Villur Sur Thur.

animal sounds on a hill where hangliders take off

the sounds of a farmhouse. This is where we ate dinner one night. Far in the distance is the black forest of western Germany. I deeply love this video for the sounds of children, nighttime, and animals.

on one outing we stopped by a village that had recently renewed their age old tradition of decorating the town with flower petals in celebration of Jesus' return from the wilderness. There was also a parade.

and a church service

later in Thann Michel and i stopped into a very old Gothic church.

In one village we were followed by a giant storm!

As we walked through these old villages, I was struck with the same feeling i had in Eastern Europe. FF9 called to me through these pictures.

On my way out of Alsace, Michel took me to the Train Station in Mulhouse and we listened to some accordion techno, and some blues.

The Soundtrack of Central Europe

2011-04-02T13:51:00.000-07:00

On my way in to the main station in Munich, I was listening to a little Boys Noize. It fit the industrial surroundings and besides, Alexander Ridha is German.

As i have mentioned through other blog posts, this city was the beginning of a whirlwind month of traveling through central Europe. It felt at times like the knob on life got broken off on party mode. But i was able to escape that at times. My first night in Munich say me dancing to lots of great 80's music. Though i had a lot of my stuff with me (i usually just go out only with cash, id, a key, and my clothes) i couldn't resist the sound of Blue Monday by New Order

Also notable were the following

and i was all smiles when i heard this one. I used to dance and do dishes with the family as a kid to Paul Simon.

Between Mackenzie and I, we started the dance party that night. I was miles away from home in a German club i had never been to before, but i was king for one night. Of course while i was in Munich my time wouldn't have been complete with out some polka.

On a trip outside of Munich to Dachau, i was overwhelmed by the beauty of the sounds of life in what was once such a dark place that rank of death.

After the party life had calmed down, i spent some good time with the D'Oliviera's in Dagmersellen. While i was there we watched variety shows in the evenings that were either in Italian or French. Either way they knew what was happening.

I did a bit of hiking while i was here through some of the surrounding woods. I was still listening to Coldplay, but also a lot of thunder!

The thunder clap here was like an explosion. In Salzburg i didn't hear much music on my own, but ran into a Donur bar filled with Greek dancers

and an Irish bar

At a swanky roof top bar i did get a chance to sample some of Germanic techno

In Venice, I got back to my classical music with this Nocturne from Debussy as i watched the sunset

It was also here that i met Frida Andersson. She has a band called Sister Fay that has really taken off in Paris.

Here is a brief video of the common room and the sounds of different languages floating around.

In Rome i got to see the changing of the guard

but even better, was my hike up Monte Mario (Mario Mountain) to see the view

on my way up i was pushed on by Daft Punk

at the top i went back to a good view spot track Claire De Lune. Since Rome was another very social place, I spent a lot of time chatting with new friends. If i did put in the ear buds i was listening to music i have already mentioned.

The next auditory shock i got was on out first night in Florence. Mackenzie and I stopped into a church that was just finishing an Ascension service.

and a fantastic rendition of Vivaldi's Summer

I also got do a little dancing at a hostel on the other side of town. Electric Feel has a power over me.

Over a tour of Tuscany, i got a listened to some classic opera that i later shared with Quentin in our hostel room.

as well as Che Gelida Menina

and some Offenbach in honor of the amazing Italian movie Life is Beautiful

On the night before i left Florence, we were celebrating a friends birthday. Patricia Ouellet, the birthday girl, showed me this sweet remix of everything in its right place

Western Europe - The Countries and the People

2011-03-31T16:17:00.000-07:00

Germany

Bavaria

185. Bryce, Gowan, and Elliot - None of the guys in the photo above are these three, but i put it there to reflect the mood with which i entered western Europe. Over a mixup i got to meet these three Canadians from Vancouver. Out of this meeting i met countless other people that forever changed the feel of my trip.

186. Josh Lloyd - After going to the bar with the Canadians only to find that there were teenagers there, we headed to another hostel where i met Josh. We went out dancing that night, and spent time chatting in the bar over the next two days.

187. Mackenzie Strong - I had already met a few people in the world that were strangely related to my home, like josh in Jordan, but this was another wild one. After establishing a similar pacific NW connection, I found out that she went to the same church as a friend of mine Justin Emerick. After Munich we met up in Luzern, Rome and Florence.

188. Dan Lytwyn - Another guy i met at the Wombat hostel we talked about art and life on the road. He was part of the crew for those few days in Munich.

(center)

189. Quentin Reiniets - Though we met briefly in Munich i really got to know him in Rome. He is my brother and dear friend. Besides being a true gentleman, we had some great laughs together in Rome waling the streets and singing oldies.

190. Jessica Blomfield - She's kinda in this picture, it just serves to show that she was with us on the tour of Munich. We had a great time that day as we went out to Dachau as well. Here's to schwandorf! We kept in touch from time to time as i continued to travel through Europe.

191. Zach Lee and Ian Wong - This was our fake band pose. Zach is quite the world traveler having been all through south America, and now roaming through Europe. He makes his living doing the voice overs for movie trailers which affords him the opportunity to save and then leave. Such a great combo. We spent a day exploring Neuschwanstein. Ian is a camera wizard. He was able to get some great shots of us throughout the whole trip.

192. Shani Moffat - We met at the wombat hostel and explored Neuschwanstein together. I recall that she had an epic story as well. She was on her way home from a job in London back to her home in Australia. She had a few months and figured she would just see some sights along the way.

193. Gregor Efes - At the Augustiner Haufbrau i met Gregor and his friend. We had a great chat about the differences between north and south Germany. After an hour of talking over some great German brews, i promised to stay in touch.

194. Everyone else i cant remember - Munich was the first place where i truly experienced the party life of Europe. I met and forgot so many people in a night, that I'm sure i have missed some that remember me. It was fun while it lasted, but i was ready to take some time off and relax in Switzerland with The D'Oliviera's

Switzerland

195. Herta Ament - I helped hold the ferry for her and I as we raced from the station to the ferry terminal in Freidrichsafen. In silence we sat together on the ferry across lake Constanz, but on the train from Romanshorn to Zurich, i sat with her and learned of her story as a German in a Serbian colony. She was on the way to Zurich to see an old friend and was full of good stories of her life in Europe.

Though i met Filomena earlier in my trip, here is a picture of us in Switzerland. I stayed with her family for a week.

196. Luca D'Oliviera - I met Luca on my first day in Dagmersellen at Filomena's home. We got to know each other over the week that i was there, and he shared his super fast computer with me so that i could maintain my blog and pictures. He is a very industrious young man; a quality he has inherited from his father

197. Mario D'Oliviera - Mario has an amazing story. At the age of 17 he left Portugal to work with his uncle in England. There he learned English as he waited tables. He spent time in Spain before marrying Filomena and moving to Switzerland to work for a trucking company. He owns his own house there now and has learned the major languages of each region. While in his home, hearing him tell funny stories as we tried to find translations, he spoke in German, Swiss dutch, English, french, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. I was in awe of the man he had become. We shared many great meals together, made by the hand of Filomena. He even drove me around the lakes and hills of central Switzerland so i could get a taste of the Swiss alps.

198. Francois - This could have been a great interaction. On my train ride to Luzern to meet some friends, i had this feeling that i should say hi to the guy across the seat from me. I only did so as we were pulling into Luzern station and just in that 10 minute interaction i found a friend i wished i had met earlier. A fellow teacher, he was on his way to an art conference and shared about teaching in Switzerland.

199. David Booth - I met David in Luzern through a prearranged meeting with Mackenzie. We spent the day walking around the city.

Austria

200. Robin - I met robin after i had checked into my hostel in Salzburg. He was also dealing with a bed confusion. We had a rousing argument in the bar later about Israel. Unfortunately, i think it was one of those things that happens too soon. Wherever you are Robin, i hope were cool.

201. Mike Kolton - I met mike that first night in the bar. We went to Hallstatt together the net day.

202. Erik Larson - Mike and him had been traveling together so i met Erik also. We three went to Hallstatt and the next day Erik and I walked around Salzburg.

203. The Klass sisters - I met Meg, Emily and Lizzie that same first night in Salzburg. They were playing skip bo so i figured we would be friends. I spent a night with them visiting some of the breweries .

204. The dancing Greeks - At the end of my first night in Salzburg as Mike and Erik and I were looking for food, we stopped into a doner (like a gyro) shop that was rockin with a Greek dance troupe. They taught us how to dance as we tried to eat out meals.

Italy

205. Vicky and company - On the night train from Salzburg to Venice i met Vicky and a Bulgarian man from Spain. Vicky is a Punjab living in Milan to make money so he can go home and get a wife. The Bulgarian moved to Spain to find work. Vicky spoke English but not Spanish or Bulgarian, the Bulgarian also spoke a little Spanish. So i spoke Spanish with the Bulgarian (or tried to) and then translated it to English for Vicky. We spoke about WWE wrestling which was hilarious to try and communicate about. Both had some epic stories, and as they frantically left, i bid them good luck.

206. Stella Medina - (right)

207. Frida Andersen - (middle)

208. Bethany Ridenour - We met in the lounge on my first day in Venice and spent a couple days walking around Venice and visiting the islands. It was such a wonderful start to one of my favorite places i traveled to.

209. Adamuh - We got some pizza on our walk around Venice from this Iraqi immigrant. He told us his story of leaving Iraq and of the many different tribes in that area. It was enlightening to hear him speak about the middle east.

210. Sara Lind - I was informed by her that she lived very near to Santa clause and that i looked very much like the Finnish idol for 2010 Koop Arponen. We got a chance to talk that first night back in the hostel before she left.

211. Frederico and Pablo - My bunk mates that first night were my first Argentinians. Since that time i have not met an Argentinian i was put off by. They were two doctors traveling to study medicine. They reminded me of the two in "motorcycle diaries"

212. Gen melito

213. Liz melito - Over a family dinner i met these two Maltese sisters and continued our conversations over a pub crawl that night. We spent the next day making a similar loop through the city and the islands. Just before i left we tried to see st marks square one last time. It led to a race to get back on time. Here's to picnicking!

214. Matias Ferrero - I met Matias also before the pub crawl. Also from Argentina, i listened in awe as he told his story of saving for 3 years to afford this trip. Because of the poor exchange rate he had to save that long. He also told some great stories of his travels especially his time in the mountains in Spain. His experience was a little like The Shining. He was such a kind soul that i felt once again that i would love to travel to Argentina.

215. Claire O'Brian - Another person that i met at the hostel, we shared some laughs on the pub crawl and met up again in Florence.

216. Marianne Defosses - She and her brother were in the hostel after my second long day out and we had some good chats about Quebec and their travels.

217. Shani McKenzie - Her and her friends were also at the hostel in Venice, and we shared about our math degrees and jobs.

This was the common room at the hostel in Venice. As you can see it had a very family atmosphere with the large table. I met so many people here after days out and in the mornings for breakfast.

218. Ayse Ekinci - When i arrived in Rome i realized i was miles from my hostel. I saw some other girls also looking lost, and we grouped together to find some hostels. On the way we talked about their home of turkey and their time in Europe. Before they left Rome, they gave me their metro pass that still had a day on it.

Another strange encounter came when i saw Andrew Imhoff in the lounge of my hostel in Rome. He was on a Europe trip as well after finishing college and we just happened to run into each other.

Another fortunate encounter was finding Quentin Rieniets at the same hostel. It was here in Rome that we really got to know one another.

219. Heather Maxwell - One of quentin's childhood friends, we got a chance to hang out as we walked around Rome on her birthday.

220. Nicholas Penny - This kid barely out of high school is the most well setup young adult i know. Miles beyond his peers in maturity and life experience, he reminded me of my travel hero Edmond Dantes. Where ever he is he is winning.

221. Breanne Aesie - Also from the states, we shared a meal together with the crew that had formed thus far in Rome.

222. Jay Kang - I met him and his wife in my hostel room my last night in the Yellow Inn. We talked about life in Korea and life on the road. It was one of those interactions that sticks with you. We still keep in touch from time to time.

223. Amansaf - Our first night in Florence, Mackenzie and i walked around the city. In the Uffizi gallery breezeway i was serenaded by his fantastic violin playing. He lived in one of the surrounding towns and brought his music to Florence to play and to make a little extra cash. Though he wasn't a peddler, i gave him some money anyway for such a wonderful performance.

224. Lisa O'Fiach - Our first full day in Florence had rejoined Mackenzie and I with Quentin. it ended on the roof of a hostel on the other side of town where we drank during the sunset and talked of many deep things. Over one such conversation and some dancing i met Lisa.

225. Catherine Anderson

226. Amy Adams

227. Daniel Burwell

228. Lesley Anne-Reed

229. Patricia Ouellet

230. Matthew Phillips

231. Kevin Drolet - These were the crew at the Emerald Fields in Florence. We spent a lot of time at the hostel eating and talking. we got out to a restaurant and even caught a sunset together. It was a great mix because there were some that had been travel weary who i could commiserate with, and others who kicked my butt into gear helping me get over some fears that were just silly.

Corsica

232. Louis and Christina Tinti - I stayed in their spare room in Basia for a meager 40 euros. I was expecting to pay 80 euros for a room. They were so kind to me on my day of departure. The ferry was late and i needed a place to chill for the meantime. When i got back to their house to ask for Internet, they fed me coffee and homemade bread. Though there was a significant language barrier we had a great chat about Corsican politics and history.

Monaco

Though i didn't meet anyone significant in Monaco, i did visit the worlds smallest country. Monaco is a country of pure luxury. A friend of mine Sean O'Connor, mentioned that i should check out the gardens around the aquarium.

I had no idea where this was, but i eventually found it and realized i had found the best viewing spot in all of monaco. I will always remember Monaco for its delicious fish and permeating luxury and beauty.

France

233. Michael Holder

234. Claire Wager

235. Abby Brown - these three pulled me in literally off the street on my first day in Nice. I was a little on edge from the sketchiness of the area and the reports of muggings and knifing i had heard of since arriving at the hostel. We spent a couple days together seeing the beaches and the city. Here's to squatchin out with the sheffers!

236. Elizbeth Fox - Given the the hostel had champagne parties almost every night, you were bound to meet people. Fox and I became friends at one such party. With her i also met some guys from Argentina that further convinced me i would like to travel there.

237. Lisa Wadell

238. Sarah Ashley-Jones - Also at the champagne party i met these two. We got a chance to hang out later in Marseilles since we all shared a dorm room.

239. Jennifer Lengares

240. Jurgen Grssr

241. Colton Stickney

242. Sarah Haber

243. Georgie Kimlin

244. Diego Alvarez - These were all the people that i met at the Vertigo hostel in Marseilles. Jennifer and i shared a hostel room with Lisa and Sarah for a night, and debriefed at night about our days around the area. Jurgen was the same, we shared us three a killer Moroccan meal where i got cous cous royal. Sarah and Colton were a couple that i met and had some great laughs with over some wine at night. Diego, another awesome Argentinian, shared some of his travel stories with me, and Georgie and I had some nice chats in the lounge in the evenings and in the mornings over breakfast.

245. Michel Lavergne

246. Agnes Lavergne - though i had met them way back at the beginning of my trip in northern Vietnam, i got a chance to spend 5 days with them in the hills of Alsace. They were so kind to me as they were in Vietnam. I greatly enjoyed staying with them, learning of french life and food, and hearing their stories. I dearly love them and look forward to the day that i can see them again.

247. Patricia Fisher - On one of our excursions through the valleys, we were joined by Patricia. She spent time in Atlanta as i recall, teaching at a school. She brought the revolution of the food to her coworkers!

248. Thibault Montalant

249. Olivier Montalant

250. Paul-Eduard Montalant

251. Berenice Montalant - Thibault had come to stay with my aunt in the summer of 2008. Since then our family has been connected to the Montalant and Loubrait families in Paris. Olivier warmly opened his home to me for my first week in Paris. We had great chats over food and in the evenings after the children were in bed. I will not forget a great compliment he paid me in stating that, "You are not like other Americans. you are truly a Frenchman." I had been waiting to come to France since i was 12 and it was so affirming to not only feel like this is where i belonged, but have that validated by a bystander in my journey. Though i didn't get much time ti chat with Paul-Eduard, i did spend some time with Thibault and Berenice. Thank you all for welcoming me into your home.

252. Geraldine Loubriat

253. M. et Mme Loubrait - Geraldine is the mother of Thibault, Paul-Eduard and Berenice. She is the contact i had through my aunt for a place to stay in Paris. She graciously organized some dinners for me to be apart of and allowed me to stay in her flat in Trocadero just up from the Eiffel Tower. M. et Mme Loubriat are the parents of Geraldine, and over a moving party break, and a visit to their flat just below montmarte i got to know their lavish generosity.

254. Francois - I got to know Francois, Geraldine's husband, through a few dinners and a moving party. His work as a doctor shown through every aspect of his life.

255. Jean-Francois - A friend of Geraldine's that also helped them move, he reminded me so much of my father. It was great to hear about his life, and though we couldn't communicate, see his genuine concern as i described my battle with cancer. Such a tender and generous man.

256. Victoria Loubrait

257. Andre Loubriat and children - When i stayed in the flat in Trocadero, i was introduced to Geraldines Brother. A world traveler of sorts, he educated me on fine dining customs, life in the Caribbean, and phrases his friends would call him. Victoria was also around for the few times i had dinner with them. Her work with mathematics bonded us together and as a whole family, i felt like an older brother to the little ones martin and john. Given the exhaustion that i was experiencing these were some of the most wonderful times i can remember in Paris.

258. Michel - At Versailles I decided to join this elderly man on his bench for some lunch. We spoke about his life and his current challenges. It was a refreshing return to being able to say hello to people i didn't know.

259. Magdellena Del mar

260. Anna

261. Oikena - I met these three girls while roaming around the grounds of Versailles. All from Mexico City, it was amazing to hear of their travels so early in life. They were another blessing to me in meeting people again.

262. Thierry Leverrier and family - In Paris i was set up by Geraldine to visit her cousin in Bayeux. I spent a wonderful three days in this small town near the English channel going on tours and eating at their house. It was astounding yet again to meet people that would be good friends if it weren't for the thousands of miles between us.

263. Lutz - The last people i met in France before leaving for England. It was stressful just listening to his story, but we commiserated over a pint in the morning sun.

England

264. Aaron Bosch

265. Shannon Jupp - On my first night in Portsmouth i met Aaron and Shannon. Both from New Zealand, their accents brought me a lot of joy. We spent the next day roaming the isle of wight and watching the England match in a small pub. If i ever get to NZ i will look them up.

266. Rafael Foloni - Just before he was to leave for London we talked about meeting up to see Paul McCartney. He had come to Portsmouth to see a classic punk band and ended up in my hostel room. We ended up seeing Paul and many others in Hyde Park for an amazing end of my trip.

267. Timothy Foster

268. Nicola Etter - We all met on the bus ride to London from Portsmouth. Tim is a fellow lecturer so we had some great chats about our teaching experiences. Nicola turned out to be a fellow believer and was able to inform me of her families work in Mozambique. Tim helped both of us get through the train station to our destinations.

269. Emma - After having my ears blasted out on the hostel dance floor, i stepped out for some fresh air. Emma quickly pulled me into conversation thinking i was a lost little boy in a big city. I got to hear about her life in west London and of the wildness of the hammersmith area.

I got a chance to visit Neal Bushaw, a friend from graduate school who was studying at Cambridge for a semester. We spent the day chilling at a bar along the canal after walking around the campus.

270. Djoeke Van Netten - During the USA Ghana match, Neal and I got a chance to meet this dutch lady. She was working on her PhD in literature with her thesis concentrating on the effect of prefaces. Interestingly enough this was a subject that i had been recently introduced to through my brother Marcus and some of the classes that he was taking at WWU in my hometown.

271. Barry the Baptist - or that's what ill remember him by cause he talked just like him. After my meal at the Ye Old Cheshire Cheese i joined this old cockney geezer at the bar and got a chance to hear about his story, life as a new retiree, and the rationing that extended into the 50's in London after WWII.

272. Bridget Finn - One of the last people that i met on my trip, we struck up a great conversation on our way from Madrid to Chicago. I got to hear about her time building trails with teens around Mt Rainer, her faith, and her recent travels in Europe. It was so kind of the Lord to give me a few last people to meet as that was a central part of my trip. We have stayed in contact through an agreement to learn to paint (for me) and (for her) to learn to knit.

273. The Frenchman - though i didn't get his name, I Spent an hour in a bar in O'Hare airport, hearing his story of love and adventure as a diver in San Francisco. I remember thinking about just how much i missed France already as i picked up on all the very french mannerisms he displayed. This was the last person i met before i saw my family and friends again.

Though i know there were others that i interacted with in passing, these are the many that i found in the world whose lives or stories stuck with me. Through my journal and facebook, i have pulled these faces back into my mind. They are all very dear to me in that during a time of adventure and solitude, they are manifestations of a central goal of my trip: to meet people around the world and gain insight and understanding from their lives, thoughts, and stories. Thank you all for welcoming me into your presence no matter how brief it was.

The Soundtrack of Eastern Europe

2011-03-31T16:06:00.000-07:00

As soon as I got to Athens, i entered a very different world. It was Europe, but not like i had thought. Greece though part of Europe still had a heavy eastern block feel.

To contrast this though was the speech of modern Greek. Like a combination between Italian and something else here's something benign but makes my point.

I had heard a Greek speak in Thailand and wondered what language it was since it sounded so much like Italian but i couldn't pick up any familiar words.

Our exposure to this was very limited since many places just spoke English and many hostels played American music. On the buses though, we got a good taste of Grecian music both folk and pop.

Given the fluctuations of control in this region, you will notice in some music a distinctly middle eastern voice reflected. On many of the buses that we traveled on, i heard music like this.

here are some other clips of music

on the party bus

which is actually Day n Nite by Kid Cudi and Crookers

and more partying

at this point our bus driver had come upon a lady who had blocked his way and was now backing up. He was right on her front bumper the whole time honking with his huge trucker air horn.

As soon as i saw the hills around Delphi i thought of Fleet Foxes. We spent a lot of time listening to this music.

Your Protector

Meadowlarks

but surprisingly there was a little Extreme - More than words mixed in there

In Galaxidi, we spent some time on the sea of Corinth. In the NW we don't believe in having man made structures so close to water, it ruins the natural coastline and destroys the habitats of many little creatures. However, stone that ends into clear Grecian waters looks so beautiful!

Something about it reminded me of Castlevania SOTN with the moon reflecting off the teal waters.

I think Greece just reminded me a lot of the kind of landscape that countless games had tried to capture. Either way it got me listening to piano music which led to this video of Chopin's Berceuse Op. 57 in D flat

here is a full version.

Because i was missing the sound of Hebrew i downloaded Eviatar Banai's album Standing on Paper. This track is called Tipa Shel Or

My brother was also listening to a few bands one of which was Mumford and Sons. the track he shared with me was their new single The Cave.

Our next stop was Kalambaka to hike the hills of Meteora. To give you a taste, here is a montage you can drool over.

As we hiked i also though of Final Fantasy IX and the intro song.

Its kind of sad that i first thought of some video games when i saw this landscape, but its a manifestation of what i am sure is a very common psychological response; to connect what you have experienced with what you see. I guess in some sense the sad part is that we have modernized so far that reality is now a reflection of our modern life; i.e. moss looks like carpet and places like movies we have seen.

A recurring song that i sampled for dramatic effect, was Pook - Blow the Wind Pie Jesu

Given the presence of the monasteries, we got to hear some great bells

In Volos along the waterfront, there was the usual music makers

And of course, as i emerged back into city life, my taste of music returned to the more electronic. This is Volos by night to Vanished by Crystal Castles.

here is a full version

On my way out from Volos, i was a little homesick, knowing that i wouldn't see my bro for another 3 months. Using some of my older brothers mixes, i picked myself up and over the track Lillian Egypt by josh Ritter i took a video of the passing fields on my train to Thessaloniki.

Here is a full version

In Thessaloniki i got a good look at Greek Orthodox churches and the sounds that came out of them.

this bell is very eerie

I was in Thessaloniki for good Friday and was able to see the grand processions that happen in honor of Christ's death

after a few days of being alone though one of my favorite sounds, was the voice of my old friend Ryan Smith saying "Seth! We're a long way from home brother."

In Macedonia, it was not long before i heard the difference the short 3 hour drive north had made. This is some of the worship at the bible club that i attended.

There was also basketball.

As i walked through the park, i seemed to focus on listening to Digitalism's track, The Pulse

and Face to Face by Daft Punk

John Chappell and I shared a common love for the piano, and it was over this that we shared the songs of Scott Joplin's The Entertainer,

and Edward Grieg's Nocturne

It was also here that i was introduced to Justin Beiber.

There was also a few clubs that i visited while i was there. I wished i had taken a few photos, but i felt out of place anyway. Most of it was Serbian pop music so here's a sample.

My next jump came in going to the Czech Republic. I was sad to find out that their language is one of the hardest to learn because it is so great to listen to.

Part of what makes it so hard is that they conjugate their nouns as well as their verbs. There are 7 conjugations that vary from word to word, i.e. some words don't change in the conjugation, while others follow some structure.

While i was in Prague, i lived with the Denk family. Walking around the city, i got a chance to see some of the things that i had been longing to see since i was a child.

here is Claire de lune on the Vltava.

here is a full version

the old clocks and a medieval trumpeter

Bach in the back yard

and some good old timey jazz on Charles Bridge

Walking around the city a few pop songs came to our minds.

and

Over a Seder dinner, I got a chance to hear some of Pavel's singing. He was playing a show while i was there, but i missed it so this is a treasure of mine.

this is us reminiscing about the shabbat dinners we attended in Jerusalem

and one last song. though i don't know what they are saying it has a feel good vibe to it.

After leaving Prague, i was blessed to happen upon a celebration of spring in Cesky Krumlov.

they had quite the youth band there but the real party was out back on the other side of the brewery. This is what i found. Amazing Czech Folk music that i would love to buy!

and my favorite

and some covers

Teach you children

and i think this is Folsom Prison Blues.

Cesky Krumlov was a solitary place for me, but i was befriended by some ducks.

As i exited Eastern Europe, i was listening to a lot of Coldplay. On a hike up A hill outside Cesky Krumlov I listened to a lot of Coldplay's album Viva la Vida and Fleet Foxes. Life in Technicolor and Lost became the inspirational soundtrack to the last sprint of my journey. It was to these tunes that i walked my last steps through the majestic forests of Bohemia.

Eastern Europe - The Countries and the People

2011-03-28T15:44:00.000-07:00

Greece

155. Michael - I met Michael just as we were touching down in Athens. We spoke about travel philosophies and his wild romantic life. I remember him being involved with a woman in Tel Aviv, but because he wasn't Jewish and wasn't yet married, he had to travel there to see his son and girlfriend. I thought of Joseph the banjo toting refugee dating world traveler and wondered at how many people in the world have such an epic romantic story as this.

When i was preparing for this trip back in my hometown of Bellingham, i found out that my brother would be going to Greece to work on a sail boat. This was a definite clincher in deciding to travel around the world. I had though about just going through SE Asia since it was winter when i left, but i had wanted to see Israel and the middle east. With this anchor in my trip landing in Europe, many other opportunities came out like visiting friends in Macedonia. The week that my brother and I spent in Athens, Delphi, Galaxidi, Kalambaka, and Volos will be very dear to my heart. I have not written about it yet and may just do that as i wrap up this blog. It was so relaxing and exciting to have someone so close and dear around to share the adventure.

156. Nikolas - This was the first Greek that i met. Our exuberant server for breakfast on our first day in Athens, he gave us lots of great advice of places to see and things to do in Athens and Greece.

My brother also had a strange around the world experience when he saw Leah Strand who was in Athens just before going on her DTS for ywam.

157. Lydia Kaltsi - My brother and I had a wonderful chat with her on our way to Delphi. She gave us a lot of insight into Greek life and culture, places to see, and of course some good laughs. I still keep up with Lydia from time to time.

158. Party Bus Driver - From one bus driver to another, i respected his style and control. This guy blasted the tunes, gave us an exuberant welcome, and drove like a madman through the hills below Delphi to get us back on time.

159. Crabby Bus Lady - In Amfissa, we had to wait for an hour. The language barrier didn't help, but this was probably the most crabby personnel i had met thus far on my trip. We all have our bad days though.

160. Dimitrios - The owner of Hotel Meteora in Kalambaka was so kind to us. Upon arrival, we pulled out some Jameson we had with us and asked where the roof garden was. Because it was under construction, we were brothers, and a bottle of good whiskey was in my hand, he say with a deep sigh, "Boys.....ah! It is closed." It was one of the most endearing faces i can remember on my trip.

161. Cristopholos - Though not in the picture, this is his restaurant, To Paramithi. I had some of the most delicious fish here, made solely in a small wood fire. We ate here every night we were in Kalambaka and got a chance to talk to him about the produce of the valleys and the state that Greece was in.

162. Michelle and Don - We met these two on the trail our second day and took their advice on a trail. It proved to be quite epic since the last part was not really a trail but a bushwhack. We met them around town a few more times and swapped hiking stories.

163. Wojceich and Michael - We met these two guys on the road in Kalambaka and then drank with them in To Paramithi. These were the second group of polish travelers i had met, and their exuberance for life and meeting new people and their wodka was consistent with those i met in Wadi Musa.

164. Classic Gyros bar guy - My brother and I spent a meal in a Gyro bar in Volos watching 1970's Greek drama movies and making light chit chat with this smiley wholesome 1950's styled shop owner. We saw him later on when he was walking with his wife. He had that kind of neighborly vibe that made us both think that had we lived here we would have been friends with him. This may seem like a stretch to say i "met" him, but some interactions though short and limited by language are still significant.

165. Torben - My first day in Thessaloniki was saved by this man. Off the train i had been laughed at almost all the way to my hostel. My travel fashion was not up to the Greek standard and a couple groups of teens and young adults let me know. When i saw a bum peeing on some ancient ruins i began to wish i hadn't come to this place. In my hostel room though, i met Torben and some of his youth group kids. They were on a trip from Denmark to see the places where Paul visited in his ministry. We had many good chats over the few days i was in Thessaloniki.

166. Andy - we spent a day walking around the southern half of a suggested walk sharing stories of our travels and the sights of the city.

167. Hannah - I met her in the back area of the hostel over a beer. As an Greek orthodox christian, she had come to interact with the epicenter of her faith. We had some great chats about religion and her focus in this country.

(both on the right)

168. Ryan Smith

170 Jyl Smith - Though i had known Ryan from my childhood, i hadn't seen him for years. When i made plans to meet my brother in Greece, i contacted Ryan to see if they had any need for me to stop by and help out. I spent three weeks, probably the longest anywhere on my trip, in Strumica (Stroomitza) Macedonia with them and others. It was an amazing time to interact with life in ministry on the front lines of the battle between the kingdom of light and darkness.

Macedonia

171. John Chappell - Part of the work in Strumica is a pro league basketball team. John dominates his position with supreme authoritah! I lived with John in his apartment that he so graciously shared. Macedonia was a place where i did a lot of thinking and he was a great counselor. We also shared some interesting meals together at some of the dodgy restaurants in town, cheap pirated DVDs, and wonderful church services.

172. Pance Brasilev - One of the young men who were helping rebuild and fix the sports center in Strumica, i spent some good times with Pance. Most notably, we went back to Thessaloniki together with Ryan and Jyl and John. It was amazing to see him react to the first place he had ever been outside of Strumica. I envied his awe.

173. Atse - A leader in the Bible club and local hardware shop owner he is very involved in the community. On my first full day in Stumica i went out to his ranch to have a lamb feast for Easter. I was able to talk with him and see him in action through the three weeks i was in Stumica.

174. Slave (Slah vey) - The pastor of the bible club, he had lots of amazing stories to tell about the beginnings of their ministry. He also is one amazing preacher!

175. Tomo - One of the workers around the sports center. I got a chance to hear about his amazing story of faith, and the provisions the Lord had made for him through the ministry.

176. My Macedonian Mothers - these two ladies took care of me as i worked around the sports hall, helping me get stuff and showing me what i could do. They also were some of the cooks at the Lamb feast on Easter. Though i didn't speak a lick of Makedonski and they not a lick of English. We had a tearful goodbye when i finally left.

177. Tony

178. Coach - I met these two guys through the ministries as well. Tony is in the middle and worked in the worship team. The ping pong coach on the left, has the most epic eyebrows i have ever seen and is quite the jokester. While i was painting, i had mane funny interactions with him and some of his kids. They were just some of the many workers that i interacted with on a daily basis at the sports hall.

179. Alexander Kocev - The head chef at dal Fufu's i got a chance to know him over the many meals he made for John and I. he pulled me out of a slump once after getting a little too wrapped up in the negative possibilities of the Icelandic volcano.

180. Victor - One of John's teammates, i got a chance to hang with victor at the games and on occasion he would stay with John as well.

The Czech Republic

181. Barbara Denkova - The mother of Stephan and Veronika. I had a chance to get to know her much better at their home in Prague. We had many encouraging and shaping conversations over breakfast and relaxing times in their garden. She truly became another mother to me during this time, and I look forward to the next time i can share some of life with her.

182. Pavel Denk - The father of Stephan and Veronika. Over my time in Prague i also got to know him better. He will always be a very shaping person in my life. I had been reading a lot of the old testament and the kindness and patience of the patriarchs stood out to me as some that he had as well. My father is also this way, and i was glad to make that connection both philosophically and relationally. He too became like a father to me and i look forward to talking with him over some delicious Czech lagers once more.

183. The dancing outlaw of SW Czech - Though i didn't meet this guy, i met others at this spring celebration in Cesky Krumlov. With one couple, i had a good chat about life in the Czech republic since the fall of communism. We also had some good laughs over the liquor induced dancing that was going on.

184. Clint and crew - On my way to Linz to catch a train to Munich, i met some guys from Dallas that were taking a trip through central Europe. It was welcome company after a very solitary three days in Cesky Krumlov.

The Soundtrack of The Middle East

2011-03-26T16:23:00.000-07:00

On my way from Kuwait to Luxor, Egypt I was greeted by this message.

Over the coming weeks i would be immersed in the essence of the desert. Because the Middle East developed their own sense of musical taste completely separate from the Renaissance in Europe i entered a world completely different from anything i had seen or heard before. I can remember passing over the hills of eastern Egypt

marveling at the harsh dryness. Off the plane, i felt as though the air had less moisture in it than the air conditioned plane i had just left. All these things combined to form my first impressions of the middle east. The cherry on top, was my first call to prayer.

For a better taste, here is a longer clip.

its not a coordinated effort so you will hear various mosques calling over top of each other.

There have always been street musicians, but here was a stereo just set up outside

However, here is some more traditional Egyptian music in the genre of Saidi (northern)

now hear the contrast of the Nubian music (southern) where the rhythmic influence is very pronounced.

Had i traveled to Aswan i may have heard things like this. Make sure you listen to the first 3 minutes or so to get the whole flavor.

Here are the sounds from the rooftop where i stayed.

Given our limited exposure to this area of the world its not unexpected that i thought alladin would be running by any second with the sultans guards chasing after him.

After my first night of adventures i was so agitated that i needed the soothing voice of Fred Rogers to calm me down. I was so glad that i had put this on my iPod before i left.

Egypt was another place that i didn't listen to my ipod much. This was partly cause i didn't want to draw attention to the fact that i had one, but also because there was so many sounds around that i preferred to hear.

When i got to Cairo, i visited the Coptic area on my first day there. I got a small shot of a Coptic service in action. This is considered a third style of Egyptian music.

The Coptic church is a very early branch of the christian church made up of those that fled to Egypt after the diaspora.

Of course there were the roads. Just as loud as SE Asia, the mode was honk now ask questions later. This is shot in the square just down from my hostel.

I wish i could find a video that would properly portray this next sound. I didn't sleep at all on my way to Dahab on the eastern tip of the Sinai peninsula. This was partly due to the snotty french ladies behind me that wouldn't let me put my seat back even an inch, but also due to the music that was playing. Even so, i wish i could find it. A deep rough voice sung out wizened Arabic in near acapella. It was stunningly beautiful.

My time in Dahab was very short and since i stayed in an international hostel, the music selection was much like that of Thailand. My musical journey continued in Jordan when i was driven up to Petra by Hussein. He had quite the selection of Arabic hip hop, Jordanian music and Bedouin pop music. Here are some samples.

Wish i knew what this song was!

here is something kinda like it though.

at the hostel, i began my journey into arabic pop music that played on dubai one and other arabic channels.

Back in Israel, i was in Eilat for a brief about of time. Since this is a tourist area they too had some pop music blaring in buses, malls, and boardwalks.

Notice the blend of both "middle eastern" sound and a very American sound. Since many Jews came back from Europe and the US, they brought with them the west's musical styles.

In Ein Gedi, I marveled at the connection that i had been able to make with the Erickson's while i listened to some Debussy.

In Jerusalem my first night, i got my first brush with the many pilgrims that come to visit. From my bead i could hear them walking and singing as they went by. When i was at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre later i got a chance to hear some again.

With Dave and Linda and others we were able to sing some hymns

I also got a chance to hear prayers being sung and spoken at the wailing wall.

see some girls groups sing and dance in a circle

go to an open shabbat and sing with a whole host of Jewish people at Rabbi Mordecai's. Here is a video of him.

here is some music there.

I also was able to catch some singing at Jerusalem Assembly

Here is another call to prayer. It is very simple. This was taken facing the old city at the southern end of the mount of olives.

I was also introduced to a couple bands in Jerusalem. From the Grambos i learned of Eviatar banai - By Tomorrow

while doing puzzles with Joshua and Emily we would listen to Eviatar and Phil Keaggy

and i downloaded Neon Indian's debut album.

When i hear this i am instantly walking around northern Jerusalem.

In northern Israel, i kept up with Neon Indian. On a bike ride around the Sea of Galilee I listened to

Jack Johnson

Animal Collective

Anathallo

Fleet Foxes

and Midlake

The last place i was before leaving the middle east was Tel Aviv.

As in most places i found wonderful street musicians

On this first night i also got a glimpse of the beach to the tune of Psychic Chasms by neon Indian

out on this beach the next night, i met a couple guys i have mentioned before and this is some of their music.

On my way out of the middle east i looked forward to what i would encounter in eastern Europe with my brother Marcus!

The Middle East - The Countries and the People

2011-03-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

Egypt

86. Laurent Camard - We met in the lobby of the Nubian Oasis hotel and spent some time chatting. I had just come in off of a 20 hour flight from Chiang Mai and was glad to have a friend and someone to beat the heat with for a while.

87. Ali

88. Mohammed

89. Rambo the Horse - If you have read my post, Arabian Nights then you know how i met these characters. I also met Hanine

but really i just held him with my greasy felafel hands as his father yelled his name triumphantly.

90. All the people that wanted to sell me something along the Nile - nuff said. They get one spot no more no less. After saying no that many times you know them but you would rather not.

91. Fahreed - This tender man was up early the morning after my little adventure, and helped me work through what had happened. It was clear that there were many good Egyptians that despised thieves like Mohamed and Ali.

92. Johan

93. Hanzie - Two guys from south Africa traveling around North Africa had decided on a whim to come on our tour of the valley of the kings. I met them in line to get our tickets once in the valley and we hit it off right away. Blessings upon blessings i had experienced and would yet experience. These guys were passionate believers and we were able to share our time together with a good spirit.

94. Monsour Mostafa - The manager of The Nubian Oasis, i got a chance to retell my stories, talk about life in Egypt on the curb outside, and see him go after people who tried to cheat him. This was one bad mama jama. But i took comfort in that since i knew that he had our backs.

95. Buk - One of the staff at the hotel, he would bring me my breakfast in the morning, and when i was in the lounge would talk with me. We shared some good laughs in that lounge that i will fondly remember.

96. Gary Cannard

97. Elaine Cannard - I met this couple on the roof of our hostel over breakfast. I was able to help them plan out some routes and tours, and even swap some supplies with them. We had a lovely chat that morning and really hit it off. It was a surprise and a wonderful pleasure to see them later that week all the way around the red sea in Dahab on the Sinai Peninsula.

98. Saieed - He was at the time the ticket man for Medina Habu, the economic center of ancient Thebes. To beat the heat i sat next to him and exchanged some Egyptian money for American coin. We had a good chat even though he went off about how bad America is (partially true, but just awkward to sit and listen to). For my time and kindness to him he gave me a tour of the front of the temple. When i left i got his cell number so that tells you what kind of friends we were....

99. The man who made my day - Don't recall his name cause he didn't speak any English, but he showed me Ramses III private toilet and let me hold his AK-47

100. Baohaitao Bao - From China, him and his wife were on the same night train as I. We spoke about our jobs, finances, and life in our respective countries. I was reminded of my time in college as i spoke with him on his bunk and me above him on mine. I think we talked like that for a solid hour before going to sleep.

101. Lucas Uhl - My first day in Cairo was nuts. I walked quite a long way to get a bus ticket to Dahab, check into my place, saw the Egyptian Museum, and then met Lucas in Coptic Cairo. I could tell he was from central Europe, Austria as it turned out, and so i figured we were both out of place and struck up a conversation. We spent his remaining hours in Cairo together talking about our lives, adventures thus far, Lutheranism and other things. We spent this time in a relaxing bar filled with dark wood paneling

102. Seiichi Feuke - After just making the bus out to the Pyramids, I hopped on and found a friend in Seiichi. We kept each other from getting scammed and found some of the less trafficked areas around the Pyramids.

103. Father Moses - On our way back from the pyramids, you can catch a bus. Most people will tell you that you cant, but the same bus that dropped us off on the corner, took us back into Cairo. Father Moses, a Coptic monk, helped us get on board, and saved us from the harassing taxi drivers out front. Interested in his calling i talked with him in hushed tones about what it was like being a christian in a predominantly Islamic culture. When we got to talking about Israel, he mentioned that i probably should not talk about that.

104. Lauren and Allison - Hearing American English spoken for the first time in a long while, i jumped at the chance to see where they were from. We met by me introducing myself after I had just finished my meal in a fast food spot, and was close to leaving for the peninsula. Strangely, I said my last name as well as my first. Allison had a roommate at New Cairo University that had the same last name as me, almost. My last name is Nuckolls and hers was Nuckols. From my granddad's research we have found out that we are related to the Nuckols as well since the name changed out of some family conflict back in the 19th century. I wished i could have hung out with them longer, and that i had at least gotten an email to see if we are at all related.

105. Peter Smit - I dove with Peter and his son Eric in the Red sea within 2 hours of arriving in Dahab. He was very kind to me and even made me a DVD of photos from our session and some of his others.

As i mentioned before i ran into Gary and Elaine Cannard here as well which was such a nice surprise.

106. Reuben Galindo and Atilla - I met this couple over dinner chatting about our travels and was able to exchange some good advice.

Jordan

107. Hussien - Through fog, storm, hail and washed out roads my taxi driver took me from Aqaba to Wadi Musa. He played awesome Arabic hip hop, and Bedouin music.

108. Hisham Albahra - Had an entertaining time with this guy. Ate some delicious Jordanian food after howling at the raging storm outside. I found out the second day when i came by why he was so eager to be my friend. Turns out lots of people want to marry to get out of their country but i probably wouldn't set him up with anyone i know.

109. Jenni and Josh - Strange things happen when you travel. On my first night in Wadi Musa, I hung out in the lobby and chatted with the people around. It was freezing cold so that was really the only thing to do. It was here that i met this couple and found out that i actually spent a year on high street living right across the street from josh! This meeting in Jordan was our first interaction.

110. Grzegorz Brochocki - This would be my first interaction with exuberant polish people. Over a bottle of whiskey in our hotel lounge, we shared stories and worked on learning Arabic with the staff. He wouldn't be the last Pole to invite me to drink wodka in Poland.

111. Yoni Zadok

112. Ilan Costa - We met over breakfast on my first full day in Jordan. I joined them on their tour of Petra. We had a blast exploring the area and talking of life. I must admit that i am pretty ignorant of some things, and was glad that Yoni corrected my thinking that Israel had areas that used donkeys and carts. I had seen it in Egypt and thought maybe. We traveled back to Israel together and they were kind to wait for me as the border guards gave me a hard time because of my metal hip.

Israel

113. Gili - I met Gili on the ride up from Eilat to Ein Gedi and he informed me about the crisis of the dead sea.

114. Andre Doronin - I met him through the Ein Gedi Youth Hostel since he was staff. He was able to answer all my questions and was very helpful. I had some good chats with him about his home of The Ukraine.

115. Aton - Was at the time the guard at the kibbutz that had the grocery store I got stuff at. My first night in town i was too late, but got a chance to talk with him, and he enlightened me about current Israeli crises and the dead sea.

116. Leah - Self dubbed a "cohim" (descendant of the Pharisees) i found this out over breakfast my first full day in Ein Gedi. It was interesting to hear her perspective on Jesus and see the cohim reflected.

117. Maulung Ho

118. Grace Sun

119. Lydia Marx - I met all these wonderful people just above David's waterfall in the reserve. We hiked around and surprisingly talk a lot about life. After picking up on some things that Lydia and Grace said, I found out that they shared my faith as well. More blessings! Maulung and I floated in the dead sea together after. Lydia and I have kept some light contact over facebook.

I also got to meet up with Dave and Linda Erickson and though i know them how we came to be united in this picture is quite the story. A huge thanks goes out to them as i was treated to a few buffet dinners that were way better than pita bread with nutella and jam. They also hooked me up with a ton of supplies that lasted till i came home.

120. Michael Barnette

121. Adam Mo'kat - Adam helps run the Citadel Youth Hostel and Michael volunteers there. I met Michael on my first full day in Jerusalem while in the lounge. We had many good conversations here and I gained a lot of insight from his knowledge of the people in this dynamic city. He even shared his food with me on my first day there. He was also the one to tell me about Rabbi Mordecai's open Shabbat dinner.

Adam and I also had similar chats but above all he helped me understand more about Arabic culture; something that i had gotten both good and bad tastes of.

122. Ala - A friend of Adams, i met Ala on my first day in Jerusalem. I was uploading pictures when he came in, and entranced by what he saw, we had a great chat about my travels. I remember his exuberance, positivity, and friendly nature. I had met many people in the middle east, but had found a majority to be incompatible with our more passive pacific northwest mentality. Ala shattered any notions i had about people in this region. I still hold onto this as a good counterexample when people generalize the middle east.

123. Stephan Denk - We first met in the lounge in the hostel, shared the shabbat dinner together, and explored the old city of Jerusalem. In this picture we used this huge pine cone to try to get almonds off a tree.

124. Veronica Denkova - The younger sister of Stephan, i also met her in the lounge of the hostel, shared shabbat dinner with her, explored the old city of Jerusalem.

Though i met the rest of the Denk Family, i will write about them in Prague.

125. Paul Hurley - Paul and I rode to Capernaum on my first day in Tiberius on the the Sea of Galilee. We also spent a day hiking the Jesus trail through some of the most beautiful fields i have ever seen.

126. Tony Su

127. Ciny Su - I met this couple in the hostel lounge in Tiberius. They saved my trip to this area! I had spent a day researching ways to see the sights around the Sea of Galilee but the bus schedules weren't timed well. They needed help deciding where to go and i needed a car to get around. They had a car and i had the knowledge of what to see. In one day we saw what would have taken me hundreds of dollars and a week to accomplish. Thanks again for your generosity Tony and Cindy!

128. Thomas Voskuhl - I met him after my ride with the Su's and had an interesting discussion about Israel and Palestine. I would definitely say that it was an argument, but his gracious nature showed his wisdom and maturity. I have often reflected on what we talked about. As i continued to interact with people from both sides, I thought about what he said and found myself agreeing more and more.

129. Ruth Viera

130. Filomena D'Oliviera - I met these two in the lounge of my hostel after helping them with their upcoming trip to Egypt. Since i had just come from there, I was able to help them plan and in exchange they fed me dinner! I hardly spent any time with them, but the next day i rode with them to Tel Aviv and had a blast chatting. I was invited to stay with Filomena and her family in Switzerland.

131. Sharon - Not sure if this is his name, but that's what i can remember. The manager of the hostel, i gained some insight on the Israeli perspective in this region. We also had some good laughs and in some ways he became like a father to me. When I left i could tell he was disappointed i was leaving. If i ever need a place to stay in northern Israel i know where I'm going back to.

132. Gillian Grambo

133. Mark Grambo

134. Isaiah Grambo

135. Sophie Grambo

136. Emily Grambo

137. Joshua Grambo - I met the Grambo's on my second visit to Jerusalem. They were so kind to open their home and put me up for a week. I had wonderful conversations with Gill and Mark, played settlers of catan with Isaiah and Joshua, and spent some hours listening to Phil Keaggy and putting together a ridiculously hard puzzle with Emily and Joshua. I cant thank you all enough for your hospitality to me. It was such a pleasure to spend time in a family environment again even though i was so far from home.

138. Will Ondricek

139. Tina Ondricek - I spent my first shabbat dinner with the Grambos also with this couple. They later had me over for lunch and i got to hear about their practices of the feasts.

140. Shinae Kim - From Korea, she was studying in Jerusalem and attended Jerusalem assembly. She gave me a ride to the church both weeks and we had some good chats.

141. Mane and company - At Jerusalem Assembly, I met the pastor Mena and John and Marcus. Since there are people from all over the world there, a new face is a very welcome sight. I found out later that my friend Charlie Trimm also went to this church when he was studying at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

142. Roy - I met Roy in a restaurant around the south side of the Makhane Yahuda market. We talked about Jewish mentalities at the time and in the past. It was a surprisingly informative conversation that opened my eyes to the complexities of living as a Jew in Israel.

143. Leon - I met him on the road that runs between the kidron valley and the mount of olives. As bus driver from Russia, we talked about driving large vehicles and his work in Israel. Like Irena (lantau island HK) he had come to Israel to work since he was also a Jew.

144. Tony Campollo - Yep that's right. I met Tony Campollo at the wailing wall. I figured he got a lot of attention so i just briefly thanked him for his words at FPC in Bellingham in the spring of 09'.

Though i knew her from before, i ran into Brie Norens just inside the Jaffa Gate in one of the many markets that line the walkway. It was such a nice surprise to randomly run into an old friend from college on the other side of the world!

145. Joseph - Outside the old city just to the south east, I met this banjo toting world traveler. His epic story pulled me in. His girlfriend is a refugee that has lived in many places trying to survive. From Belgium he splits his time between a few countries that will afford him the creative space for his music and the opportunity to see his lover. I'm sure a more detailed account would make a great movie.

146. Kariel - I was blessed to be able to come back to the Citadel Youth hostel for one last night. I spent that time chatting with my spiritual friend Kariel and drinking hibiscus tea that was as red as a rose. I greatly appreciate Kariel and look forward to being around him more. He is probably the most spiritual man i know. He focuses on the light and life of God so much that you can feel the warmth exuding from him. He also has a broad knowledge of ethnic music which i hope to tap to be able to find some of the wonderful music of the middle east.

147. Richard - I met Richard through in the hostel lounge areas. We also spent a shabbat dinner together and rabbi Mordecai's and celebrated his birthday. He has no family at all and as an orphan has no ancestry. It was shocking for me, who has come from such a large family, to imagine a lineage as a dot in a vast space instead of a broad line. His fiery spirit ensured him company from all walks of life so though he didn't have "family" his friends were just that for him.

148. Sherry Cole - I also met Sherry when i met Richard. She was organizing Richards birthday. We talked about life in Jerusalem and the album she was making. I even got to see her apartment and the view from the balcony.

Palestine

149. Barbara - On our way out of Bethlehem, i met Barbara and got to talk about her work at NGO's in Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza. She worked as an educator so we talked about these places great need.

The Soundtrack of S.E. Asia

2011-03-22T11:04:00.000-07:00

Nothing accompanies a stunning visual sight like that of a well selected song. Because there were so many songs that befriended me in this way I'm sure i wont be able to give all of them to you. However, here are some of the more significant ones that blessed me as i made my way around the world.

Just before leaving there was a song that still to this day puts the smell of snow in my nose, and the ambition of adventure in my heart. Hoping to bring the joy of dance to the world, i was inspired by U.S.E.'s We The People off there newest album. I couldn't find it online except on their myspace page. Click here and then select "We the People" to listen.

As i was leaving Incheon Airport on a small bus, I watched through the foggy windows as the towering supports of the famous Incheon Bridge pass. As i took in the first of the many foreign lands i would visit, i enjoyed the fuzzy but bright lights of the cities and towns that passed to the sound of Digitalism's track Echoes:

Not sure of how wise it was to walk around with ipod headphones sticking out of my head, it was a long time till i pulled it back out again. despite that there were plenty of songs that got stuck into my head from the bars of the hostels i stayed in. Since that area of the world is obsessed with mellow bands it was only a matter of time before i heard Bob Marley, Jack Johnson, or Jason Mraz's atrocious song "I'm Yours

and even worse, absolutely everywhere was Owl City's Fireflies

And now to heal your soul, here is a SNL clip called The Mellow Show.

The next track that i can remember listening to on my ipod came on the boat ride up the Mekong delta. In my post on the Mekong Delta trip i spoke of this experience, describing the victory of adventure on the water. The song was Nimrod from Elger's Enigma Variations

Although this next song is not one i know of it was the soundtrack to my time in Angkor. Along the paths in various places in this vast ancient city, are small bands of begging musicians. They beg for those who have been maimed or killed by mines. Cambodia's recent troubles and grossly poor leadership during the Khmer Rouge left the country riddled with minefields. There are even warnings at Angkor not to leave the path in the more remote areas. These bands play heavenly Cambodian music worthy of much more than just a brief mention.

Thailand was another place where i really didn't listen to much music. In the south there was your classic reggae so of course I heard some Bob Marley

however, in the north, after a full day of working with the adorable kids at the day care, the very well behaved high school kids, and those who were home schooled, i celebrated the fulfillment of a dream by riding my killer bike home through the warm and sweet summer night to Phoenix's 1901

The next day i had to ride all along a very busy road during the morning commute on my killer bike oh here it is,

and the choice was Queen, in particular, Don't Stop Me Now

Probably the most amazing song i heard though was by a group called SOUR. Shown to me by Seth Williams, i found that they are a Japanese band with brilliant creativity. Here is their video for Hibi no Neiro

Like i said there were many more songs that i heard, but these were the highlights. The middle east would provide more local and ethnic music that although was still quite different, was not as harsh on the ears as say Vietnamese music.

S.E. Asia - The Countries and the People

2011-03-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

South Korea

1. Amy Huysman

2. Alex Holodak - I had really wanted to see Amy and Alex and due to a 18 hour layover in Seoul that was possible. Though it was brief, they really helped me out by giving me a place to sleep and some very necessary supplies. Besides, they are wonderful people and fun to be around! Thanks again you two.

3. Shon In Young (Tom) - I met Tom on our way to Hong Kong. We shared music and talked about travel. Although he was only 17, he was on his way to backpack through India!

Hong Kong

4. Yuki Tam

5. Terry Ko - I met this couple just after arriving to Hong Kong. They were my couchsurfing hosts for a few nights and we had a fantastic time. I will always remember hiking up the hill through the college with Yuky "who, who, who" Thanks for the amazing hospitality, food, friendship and warm bed!

6. Marcus

7. Josie - I met these two in a park in Hong Kong. We had a nice short chat, and i was able to share with them some maps. About 5 months later Josie contacted me about researching couchsurfing.

8. Darren - I met Darren, a youth pastor, at a church just a cross the street from Kowloon Park. I visited their church on my first Sunday abroad and was greatly blessed by the sermon and the diversity of people who were there.

9. Yunqian Zhang - My other couchsurfing host in Hong Kong treated me to a nice dinner in Kowloon, and also accompanied me to Macau the following day. Thanks again Yuki you were so gracious and fun to be around!

10. Ian

11. Gerome - These two were my first hostel roommates. In my last post on London, Ian was the kiwi i mentioned who had come in with lots of stories and a seasoned look. We had some good late night chats in our hostel room in Mong Kok.

12. Irena Emilena - I met her on the tram ride down from Lin Po monastery on Lantau island. Its a long ride and since the two of us were the only ones in the car, i figured I'd say hi. To my surprise, i was talking to a Russian mathematician who was working in Spain to pay the bills. Such a nice surprise.

Macau

Yuki and I spent the day in Macau.

Viet Nam

13. Alex - I met him on a random street in Hanoi. I was on my way to catch my train, elated that i had been able to get into town, get my tickets and a delicious meal. He had been going through a rough time so i was able to hear about some of his travel woes.

14. Zhang - Him and his two other friends were my bunk mates from Hanoi to Lao Cai. From Saigon they were dam engineers coming north for work. I remember they were all so friendly and giggly.

15. Boris

16. Manu

17. Michel

18. and Agnes Lavergne - What can i say. The most fantastic meeting of my whole trip. We spent a mere 48 hours together hiking through the villages of Sapa, eating the food, and laughing, lots of laughing. They are dear dear friends to me and i was blessed to stay with Michel and Agnes 5 months later in their home in the Alsace region of France. I still keep in touch with Boris as they have remained on the road to this very day. Thank you is not enough. I will look forward to when i can lavish the love on you all.

19. Mai

20. Lal - These two young girls were as fiery as ever. From the tribes in the valley, they incessantly harassed us as we walked around our second day in Sapa. It was all good natured though, and i actually had some very interesting conversations with them about their lives, and their futures. If i ever get back to Sapa, i will definitely look for them.

21. Guillermo Straub

22. Maria

23. Mary Fillion

24. Stephen - I met these two couples on the bus ride back to Lao Cai to catch our train. I stayed in touch with Guillermo and Mary as i traveled.

25. Benny Ong

26. Shenglin Tan - I met these two in Hanoi at our hotel, from which we traveled out to Cat Ba to tour the islands south of Ha Long bay. So many great times and so much good food was eaten between the three of us.

27. Mr. Tung - If you ever want to see the Ha Long bay check out catbaadventures.com. Mr. Tung runs an amazing junk boat tour for very reasonable prices. The food you can get on some of these things can make it or break it. The food i ate was out of this world!

28. Guankai - Guankai, what can i say. As someone who was traveling to meet fellow believers, I was astounded that way out here i would meet someone who was following Jesus Christ. Thanks for looking after me and for showing us all the wonders of your area!

29. May

30. Jolenna - I met these two on my way back to Hanoi. May runs a yoga dojo in Chiang Mai and Jolenna was going to work in an NGO in Siem Reap. I had planned to meet up with May and take some yoga classes but i never got around to it.

31. John 'Haggis' Rae

32. Rachel

33. Caitriona Murphy - I met all these folks at the Backpackers Hostel in Hue Vietnam as I spent a few days there recovering from my hellish 17 hour bus ride down there from Hanoi. We spent our time together drinking free Hanoi beer and sharing travel stories.

34. Anders Pedersen - This guy is a stud! I met him on the balcony of our hostel in Hue after he was fixing his bike. He biked all the way from china over land through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Malaysia and then across Australia! heres a link to see his 12000 km trek.

35. Thanh Tung - I met him through couchsurfing and he and his two friends taught me a Vietnamese drinking game over some friend frogs legs. They only drink together, and when you drink you need to tell them where you want to go. To Hue = drink half since hue is in the middle, to Sapa = finish your drink since Sapa is at the top of Vietnam.

36. Katie and the girls - My first night in Saigon i met a bevy of Australian beauties that had just come to town. We shared some laughs over dinner at a rooftop lounge that overlooked the backpackers area.

37. and 38. - The two lovely birds that met me in the park in Saigon and spoke to me about the challenges that Christians face under communism. Thank you for your insight and hospitality.

39. Thuy and friends - After walking through the central park in Saigon, i asked if i could join a group of people playing. We spent the rest of that day together playing badminton, Vietnamese hackisack, and then rode on scooters to go to a karaoke bar. Their instantaneous welcome and hospitality was overwhelming.

40. Tam Tam - he was my guide from Saigon up through the Mekong to Phnom Penh. I got a chance to speak to him as well about the oppression he experienced in Saigon, and get some clarity about certain cultural matters. He was an excellent tour guide in my opinion from my experience as one in Alaska.

Cambodia

41. Lee

42. Shoo - I met these two Chinese guys on our trip up the Mekong. We parted ways in Siem Reap, but I greatly enjoyed sharing the sights the trip with these two. It was also very humbling to see them scrimp and save in a country that i felt was pretty cheap. I also ate more than them which was a little embarrassing since i was the "fat American" in contrast with the impoverished Cambodians.

43. Antonia

44. Jaime Femenias - I met this couple at sunrise over the Mekong. We were traveling together on the tour and got a chance to chat about their plans and mine. I found out that they lived on Majorca off the coast of Spain in the Med. and i planned on meeting them there when i got that far west. I didn't make it, but i do plan on going back to see his band play some day.

45. Trixie - it was brief, but totally made my day when i arrived in Siem Reap. I had received a recommendation from a friend about a hostel in Siem Reap, but when i got there they were full up. Trixie piped up and mentioned a place down the way that would have a lively scene and lots of backpackers. This setup my time in Siem Reap to be fantastic.

46. Jana

47. Chante - These two girls i met on my first night in the hostel Trixie sent me to, and they so warmly welcomed me to join them in their visit to Angkor the next day. We spent that whole day together at the temples and even got a chance to have dinner together before i left for Bangkok.

48. Christina Bock - Also a brief interaction, but i remember feeling so relieved that i wasn't the only one stressed out about traveling. We commiserated over a beer in the bar and i left feeling much more OK with the fact that some aspects of traveling really stressed me out. Thanks, wherever you are Christina.

49. Mariselle - This lady is a world traveler extraordinaire! I spent most of the ride from Siem Reap to Bangkok with her chatting about everything but in particular her 19 month trip in her late 20's. I still have her old school web blog but i cant read dutch.

Thailand

50. Lucia

51. Michael Fong - I met the couple over dinner on Koh San Road. They were the only people i met in Bangkok but they were very kind to me and even invited me to visit them in Italy.

52. Irini - fresh on the boat to the Railay peninsula in southern Thailand, I had a great chat with her about Greece her home. I had just found out that my brother would be there in late march and so i got some good tips. I saw her off and on in the week that i was in Ton Sai.

53. Joan

54. Crow - I met this couple on my first night in Ton Sai over a bowl of the most delicious masamune curry i have ever had. I was so encouraged by Joan and her shared faith that night. They helped me settle in and learn about the natural dangers here.

55. Erik Thorsell

56. David Mastalers

57. Therese Hjelmeland - These were my crew for a few days as we all lived right next to one another in the Andaman bungalows. I spent some great time with each of them over the week that i was there, but i will never forget their immediate inclusion upon my arrival.

58. Tuff - he was my dive instructor. Great guy and a very good teacher.

59. Aschraf - We met on the dive trip, and had fun trying to communicate. He is from Morocco and doesn't speak English. Even so, i tried to speak with him and it payed off. later i saw him a few times, shared some food and promised to share my photos. He welcomed me to his home, but i was unable to make it back to north Africa after getting to France.

60. Gerome - another person i met at sow's kitchen. From Germany he gave me lots of tips of breweries to visit and cheap food to eat. I have some notes written in his hand in my journal.

61. Nic Taylor - I met this guy by welcoming him to my table while there was a lightning storm over the water. We had a great chat about traveling in SE Asia including some of his wild adventures in Laos.

(in this photo Hans is across from me and Marco is next to me. Joan and crow are at the end)

61. Hans

62. Marco - My last two dinners in Ton Sai at the wonderful Sow's kitchen was spent with these two and Joan and crow. Both times were so good and uplifting. I learned a lot about Mexican culture and the difficulties it faces today from these two.

63. Emmanuel

64. Moshe - Back in Bangkok i had navigated my way to the train station through the back alleys and waterways. On board the train these were the first two people i met on the train and they were from Israel. I had at this time a bag which if they didn't know better would have offended them. Not aware of what i had bout in northern Vietnam, the bag had the circle of life on it. If you flip this it is the swastika, so at first glance, it just looks like one. To clarify i pointed this out and told them that it wasn't a swastika but an Asian symbol of life. We had a good chat about Israel and i was able to interact with the gruffness that would ensue when i got there.

65. Allison

66. Chris - Just after talking with the Jewish guys, i met this lovely couple and had a great long chat about life in Chaing Mai. I spent part of the next day with them since our train ride was so long.

67. Justin

68. Shawn - These two guys made my night train ride. After still being awake at such a late hour, i headed to the dining car to see what was going on. The inside was something from an Indiana Jones movie. We spent that night playing 20 baht poker and being really loud.

69. Ranier - As the train was a few hours out from Chiang Mai, he and i had a great chat about education, hiking in the Swiss mountains, and our travels. As a fellow teacher i appreciated his matured perspective. We also shared what food we had and enjoyed a nice lunch.

70. Don Williams

71. Kathy Williams

72. Pi'wa - She took care of the Williams house and treated me with such kindness!

73. Michaela Williams

74. Katelyn Williams

75. Seth Williams - I had briefly met with Don in the states in the spring of 09' and mentioned that i may be heading over. Kathy was overjoyed and Don welcomed me to stop by. Thanks to their generosity I spent a couple weeks with their family, the first getting over a nasty cold, and the second actually working. I got to spend such quality time with all of them, i found it hard to leave knowing that i may not be back for some time. Thank you again for your hospitality to me in the midst of already hosting other people. My desire to go to Chaing Mai to help out where i could would not have been possible with out your support and for that i am grateful along with all those who were blessed through me.

I did meet Tommy and Morgan Lingbloom at the Williams household but since i knew them already I'll just give them a shout out. Thanks you two for helping me adjust to N Thailand and showing me the ropes of how to travel well. I cant remember how many emails i sent asking for advice, but a lot of my successes on this trip were due to the fact that you tested the waters and figured things out the hard way for me. Also you have an amazing blog!

76. Leivur Ragnarsson - A friend of Seth Williams, I got a chance to hang out with him a few times and even help him in some classes. Great guy and i look forward to seeing him again.

77. Rugby - I was gonna just stick to people but these next two just have to be mentioned! Such a good dog, so fun, and besides, he has a mohawk!

78. Marsha the kitty - One morning i was woken up by rugby barking and some tiny kitten screeching. So came Marsha (or so i will call her) to the Williams house. Here's a video of her doing her thing.

79. Sarah Bernston - A teacher at the daycare that i met as i ran around with all these cute little kids! For the sake of privacy i cant release their names, but here are the ones i worked with in Sarah's class

80. Allison - I only worked with Allison a couple days but i remember her really helping me integrate with the kids. Here is a better photo of all of them.

We had heaps of fun pretending cooking, fighting off imaginary monsters, and with the little ones just running around pretending i was a dragon. Sarah's kids were younger so our interactions were more like the latter. They would chase me around and then i would put my arms in the air and roar and chase after them.

81. Mailk - one of the younger Thai support staff who worked with the kids also helped me out a lot. We even had a couple good chats as we sat watching the kids play. I remember her as such a tender hearted person.

82. Dan

83. Peter - Two of the teachers that i met at Grace International School besides Leivur. I helped kids review in Dan's class and subbed for a couple of Peter's class. It felt so good to get back into teaching again, and later as i considered what to do i used this experience as an anchor from which to draw some clarity about my future.

84. The Stutzmans

85. The Walkers - Part of what i felt i could help out with, was working with the homeschool community to both tutor the children (Jesse Stutzman and Edwin Walker) and give advice to the parents as to the level of their child and where they should go to. It was a lot of fun to do this one on one tutoring again, and i was blessed by them with good conversations and even a dinner!

Myanmar

I didn't meet anyone here since i just came up for a visa run. However, i vividly remember an old Aussie guy that was so racist it was unbelievable. The stuff that came out of his mouth and his whiny attitude was a stark contrast to the positivity i was experiencing in Chaing Mai. When traveling people forget that they are, in some ways, an ambassador for their country. There's a lot of truth to the saying, "if you don't have something good to say, don't say anything at all."

Day 173 The Long Journey Home

2011-03-21T19:25:00.000-07:00

Because of the limited metro schedule between London and Heathrow Airport, i had to begin this journey on the night before my flight. I was flying out at 6:15 am and the first metro on the Piccadilly line ran at 5 am. I caught the last metro to Heathrow at around 11 p.m. on June 29th only to arrive to this

On the whole there were maybe 11 of us there. I walked around for a while looking for a sleeping room or at least some comfy chairs but found none. So in a small alcove designated for a cafe, i put together 6 chairs to make a bed of sorts and tried to get some sleep. When i woke, it was 4 am and i was beginning to see the light of dawn

We waited in line for an hour so that we could get on. As i stood there i got really nervous that they would not let me keep my bag as carry on only. This may sound silly but the flight I was going to board was to Chicago via Madrid and in Chicago i had 3 hours to go through customs, re check in, go through security and find my terminal. Fortunately i had been to O'Hare before so i kinda knew my way around. The lady at the counter was really nice and gave me no trouble with my stuff. In the waiting area i changed my last pounds and tucked away the few shillings i had left in my coin bag which was now getting large. My gate hadn't been announced which was not uncommon since i was so early, but as i waited and waited, getting more and more hungry for that airplane snack, i got a little nervous that something had happened to our plane. After walking around a bit and talking to some people, we snagged a staff person that looked a little haggard. Sure enough, he was in the know and informed us gate display system had been malfunctioning and that our gate was #26. With 20 minutes till take off we all hustled our way to the gate. Knowing that they would have to delay the take off till all could get there, i figured we may be late, but surprisingly we took off on time.

As the fresh sun of my last day of travel rose in the east, i took off from England getting one last glimpse at it.

Though i was dog tired the shortness of the flight didn't give me time to really settle in and get some rest. It was interesting to see northern Spain from the plane.

I know that a lot of travelers both fresh and seasoned talk about the pilgrimage across northern Spain as something they want to do. From this brief snapshot, that sounded like a dry and hot walk through very homogeneous landscape.

In Madrid, I was hoping for a look at the city, but only got a brief glimpse of something that i hoped wasn't Madrid as i left.

In the waiting area before we left, i got my first large dose of American culture. the air was dominated by American English since the waiting area was filled with families on their way back from their vacations. I had learned to tune out the speech around me that i didn't understand, but this i could not. It was a little unnerving that in returning home, the sheer amount of information that we experience both visually and audibly could become overwhelming to me.

On board the plane, I tried to nap as best i could, but after a few hours when lunch came, i gave up and struck up a conversation with my neighbor. Bridget had was on her way back home to spend some time with family after traveling with her sister through Europe. We had a surprisingly fantastic conversation considering the "single serving" nature of airplane neighbors. Since i have been home i have met a lot of people that also spend a lot of time working with kids in the outdoors, and I'm sure she would fit right in. I really shouldn't be surprised though, since this was not uncommon on my trip. I was so glad that even at the end of my trip i was still meeting wonderful people and having really meaningful conversations. Coming from a very affectionate family, i was glad to get a hug as a goodbye once we landed and parted ways at the luggage claim. That kind of sweetness is not easily forgotten. Neither was the interaction i had with the customs guard. After looking through my very marked up passport she was surprised i had nothing to declare and simply said, "Well Seth, welcome back to America."

Hit play and read the rest.

It was a huge relief. This sounds weird, but nearing the end of my trip i had this looming dread that something wouldn't work out on my way home. I had planned on being at the Up and Up at 9 pm and was so excited to see my friends. The possibility of this not happening was upsetting to me, but down deep i really didn't think that what i was doing was possible. To travel around the world and actually make it, seemed impossible to me. I figured that there was one more hiccup waiting for me like the Icelandic volcano which no one can pronounce. This never came, i was only met with more wonderful people and smooth sailing. A soft hearted, white bearded, salt of the earth kinda guy at the info desk let me use the phone he had there to call my home and let my parents know i would be on time in Seattle.

Coming from a world where fashion was like breathing it was interesting to be surrounded by Americans once again. The language of the voice over the loudspeakers concerning left bags was definitely American but distinctly Midwest in its accent. Faded polos tucked into Kirkland jeans that ended with over sized white new balance shoes that had seen much better days seemed to be the status quo. In some ways it was refreshing to see clothes serving the more primal function of warmth and covering. My last encounter came in a bar where i drank a 9 dollar beer with a Frenchman who was on his way home. He was a dive instructor living in San Francisco and returning home to renew his visa and see family. I remember that he did a lot of the typical french things that i liked such as talking with his hands, using pfft as "i don't know" or "i disapprove" and others. Like someone who has traveled alone, he understood that a simple hello is better than just watching TV. Although i must admit, it was baseball season, and i hadn't seen anything like it in a while so its familiarity was very welcome. With surprisingly little time till my last flight, i briskly walked to my gate and got on board. With great anticipation, the 4 hours it took me to arrive in Seattle ticked by ever so slowly. I get confused when i fly over Montana and Idaho waiting to see the plains of eastern Washington and then the mountains which tell me i am almost home. This time, thinking i still had an hour left, i was surprised to see the Cascades pop up above the cloud cover.

There were some amazing cloud formations as well just before this.

With Rainer in my sights, i knew i was soon going to be home. Though still far away, i can remember getting choked up as i sang in my head, "I'm comin home, I'm comin home, via Chicago..." to all who were waiting.

From being in forests and hills much different than our region for such a long time, i was surprised at just how fuzzy the evergreen trees make out hills look.

The amount of green and its deepness was a contrast to the places i had been, especially the area around Madrid and northern Spain just earlier that day. Off the plane, with this song playing in my ipod

the classic Nuckolls smirk began and stayed with me all through the metro ride and up the stairs to the entry of Sea-Tac Airport. The bittersweet nature of endings transitioning to new beginnings was setting in and I looked forward to what would be a night of great celebrating! At the top of the ramp where i was to exit, i saw my parents; both seated facing the exit like an audience. With tears of joy from my fathers eye, i was anointed and reunited with big hugs. Its a shame i didn't get a picture, but we were all just so excited! Though it had been six months since my parents had jumped up and down behind the security lines just to see me leave, it felt like just yesterday that i had left. Looking back, i laughed at just how green i was. On the way home we had a blast catching up, and i distinctly remember being amazed at just how beautiful everything was, even from the view on I-5. Slightly reeling from the sight of home, i was dropped off at WECU on Holly Street so i could get a feel for the city again before i jumped back into the bar. With still sharpened eyes from the cities i had come from, I felt like i had entered Hobbiton where it would be hard to get into trouble. Stepping in the door, I got a rousing applause and round of shouts. We spent that night sharing stories and laughing; it was heavenly and so relaxing after almost 24 hours of travel. I closed the night with my brother, and got a shot of him and I.

From all the walking i had done, i told myself that i would walk the remaining miles home to give myself a chance to reflect. Going down Chestnut to the water, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude for all that i had experienced. I took one last shot to commemorate this walk

Like so many harbors i had been in, i thought of Livorno, Bastia, Nice, and Marseilles the most and realized just how lucky i was to live in such a beautiful place. Back on Madrona Street again, i got a little weepy and as I stepped onto the front lawn i had left 6 months earlier, i kissed the ground and offered up a prayer of thanks and praise for the journey and all that it had provided me. Inside, i fished through my bag one last time for my toiletries and headed to bed. After 173 days of travel I was home.

When i finally unpacked my bag

this is what i had.

For clothes I used

1 rain jacket
1 black soft shell with chest pocket (very necessary)
3 shirts - one long sleeve capilene, one short-sleve capilene, one cotton with chest pockets (very necessary)
1 pair of pants - Exoficio with side pockets for my camera
1 pair of UnderArmor long underwear courtesy of Alex Holodak!
2 pairs of shorts - one for sleeping one for swimming
4 pairs of socks - 3 black ankle socks, one thick wool pair
3 pairs of underwear - all black boxer briefs from exoficio (easy to wash and dry)
1 pair of light running shoes (Asics)
1 pair of sandals (from middle school)
1 pair of gloves
1 scarf
2 pairs of glasses, one in the case as a backup
1 set of clip on shades (my actual shades had broken somewhere in Europe)
1 money belt
1 satchel that i got from Michaela in Chaing Mai
1 REI backpack

For supplies i had

1 first aid kit
1 power converter with adapters for all regions
1 ipod touch (extremely essential!)
1 pocket digital camera and its case
1 battery recharger
1 8 gb flash drive
1 usb cord for the camera
1 headlamp (now sitting in a fort i helped make on the washington coast
an extention cord
2 sets of headphones, one with a mic for using Skype
a stereo cable to hook up to a receiver in case a dance part was in order
1 tin of mints
1 toothbrush i got from a hotel in Vietnam (for spot cleaning)
1 digital watch
1 beard trimmer with charger and case
1 water bottle i got from the family in Switzerland
1 usb cable and 1 ipod charge adapter
1 arm band to use for running with my ipod
A ski goggle case that held various medicines (NyQuil the most important!)
a few sets of earplugs remaining
A nasal spray bottle with the packets to fend off colds
fingernail clippers and tweezers
a set of bamboo silverware and chopsticks
Usual toiletries - face lotion, soap from some hotel, deodorant i bought in Prague, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, first aid creams, and chapstick
1 plastic sack still filled with goodies i got from the Ericksons in Jerusalem
a few pens
clothes line that could clip on my bed
a cocoon for those nasty beds
a medium sized travel towel
Copies of all my major documents, some photos for visas, and my passport
A Western Europe Lonely planet book
My bible, The count of Monte Christo, and my journal
a small yellow container for foreign coins
some extra Ziploc bags for when my toiletries one wore out
and various maps, tickets and rocks from places i had been since Greece stuffed in the bottom of my bag.

There were some things like a spare camera battery that i had wished i had brought, but honestly this was everything that i needed for the time i was away. Through layering i could weather any cold temperatures, and had, but i also was able to fend off the heat along the Nile with the light clothes i had.

It is shocking when you look at a picture of what i brought just how little one really needs in life. This wont be the last post since i have some appendices that will close this discussion out nicely.

Day 171 - 172 London

2011-03-18T20:51:00.000-07:00

Nearing the end of my trip i was an emotional wreck. Overwhelmed in a big city, exhausted from lack of sleep and freshly alone for the umpteenth time I was ready for friends, family and familiar sights. However, i chose to try and make something of the last two days of travel i had since i really didn't know when i would get another chance to take off and adventure like i had been. On June 28th, I got a few tips that salvaged this day making it something i wouldn't forget. I hadn't seen any of the city yet so i went back to Hyde park and headed towards Buckingham palace.

I got to see the changing of the guard but didn't know that it finishes with a very british parade of sorts. After, i put on some Beatles music and walked through St. James Park

Not sure how this much algae came to live on the ponds, but it was pretty gross as workers were pulling it out. Notice the umbrella.

it was a serene place but like most cities you still couldn't escape the sound of the traffic

I headed to Westminister Cathedral but found that i wouldn't have to pay if i came to mass.

Saving it for later i walked south along the thames so i could get a good look at the parliment building and big ben from the other side of the river.

Seeing as how i walked the decks of the Victory i figured i should go see Nelson in Trafalgar square.

but my real goal was to find the Ye Old Cheshire Cheese; the bar Dickens ate, met friends and spent a lot of time writing in.

with naught but a lantern out front i was guided in

to a 17th century pub rebuilt in 1667 all with original wood.

Like the guy at my hostel said, it smelled like musty old men, tobacco, and sunday roast. I was in heaven.

with a pint o bitta and three huge slabs of roast i sat and soaked up the atmosphere which smarted strongly of alaster sims A Christmas Carol. In some ways i imagine my proximity to this "old london" look through my childhood helped make this place seem more real to me. The temples of Angkor are in some ways to fantastical to even absorb. But meat and beer in a room fit for academics of all kinds was a welcome home to me. Part of my desire to come to this eastern part of London was to find the old caughney that had come out of these tales and more modern ones like Guy Ritchie's Snatch. As my luck would have it, the bar, still posted with "gentlemen only please" held such a character. hoping to get some journaling done i headed in for another pint, but found Mickey, a man much like Barry the Baptist. Thinking i had taken his seat, i offered an apology and began to get up. he silently motioned for me to sit down and plainly said in the roughest accent i have ever heard, "I woulda let ya know if you ad son." I really had a hard time understanding him, but it was a welcome challenge given i couldn't have found a better pub mate. We talked about his life in the shipyards, his retirement and difficulty to settle into it but most interestingly was his tale of rationing after WWII. I had no idea, but since London was "bombed to hell" as he put it, the caughney re was such an extensive rebuilding project that food rationing existed through the early 50's. This is not so unbelievable if you see pictures of london post WWII. However, the War did end in 1945 so think about 8 or so years of rationing. Mickey remembered it, one of many who are not going to be around for much longer who still have a voice about these times. Needless to say i felt priviledged to hear him speak about his time. Unfortunately, he got cut off so i finished up and headed out. I was also given one last opportunity to accomplish a traveling goal of mine. Back at Western in 2009 where this idea to travel sprung from, i dreamed of making music on the streets of foreign cities with new friends. Up to this point that hadn't really happened, save some awesome oldies singing with Quentin in Rome. However, all around London in the late spring and summer, there are pianos in the squares that say "play me." After working up my courage to play the one song i knew, Claire de Lune, I hacked out an acceptable version. I would have liked to have nailed it but it was far from perfect. Despite this fact, i was pleased with myself that i had at least put myself out there and played. It was one of those things that i would have always looked back on and wished i had done. Even though it didn't go swimmingly, i was glad i did it. A little shaky from "playing" for bystanders i walked to London Bridge. Too bad i am not very well educated, because after photographing what i thought was London bridge, cause it looked the oldest, I found out was Tower Bridge.

heres the real london bridge rebuilt in the 70's

I did find some of the spots from Lock Stock and Two smoking Barrels though along with some nice shots of that gritty east london neighborhood.

After a quick meal back at the Hostel, the karaoke inspired me to leave for something more serene so i got some nice night shots of big ben.

This was to be my last night sleeping in the hammersmith area, however the new room i had checked into had no ac and only a small crack to let air in. it was a sweltering 88 degrees inside on the upper bunk where i was going to be staying. The karaoke and disgusting meat pie i had that night merged with this heat to make the last night of sleep on my trip by far the worst. I may have slept a few hours between occasional fire escape breaks where i tried to cool down for fear of getting heat stoke in my sleep. it was nice to see the lights of the city and feel the cool air. It helped cool my annoyance and growing anxiety about tomorrows beginning of my long journey home.

In the morning, I had planned to meet a friend that i had met in northern Israel, but that didn't pan out. So i just chilled in the hostel recovering from my terrible nights sleep.

This was my last breakfast before coming home. Not very amazing but i had figured out how to make nescafe taste good to me. i wasn't sure what to do on my last day of traveling i headed to the east side again to look at either the tower of London or go to brick lane for some foreign culture. When i got off at Tower station, I figured i didn't want to haggle and went with the Tower of London.

As the old castle of London, i got a look at much of the life during these times.

Notice the interesting contrast. And i learned about the American revolution from the British perspective.

they had a weaponry exhibit on so i got a look at some of the armors of the time. Interestingly, a lot of the kings were tiny! Inbred?

I caught a look at some really old guns as well

Not to mention new ones. You see redcoat and think musket but these guys were packin serious heat.

Besides these i saw the crown jewels (no pictures allowed) and other monarchy stuff. By far the coolest were the Swords. Some were huge and others ornately jeweled and filigreed. It was an interesting time in that i get emotional when i don't sleep. Add that to the kind of thoughts one has at the end of a "quest" and you had one tender Seth. I was very blessed though to finish my time abroad in mass at Westminster Cathedral.

As luck would have it, I arrived on the day when they would be doing a full communion mass with members of parliament and the Westminster choir. It was funny to see those who actually just wanted to see the cathedral for free drop out or leave once they found out it would be 1.5 hours. I was ecstatic. If you've read my entries, you'd know that this was precisely why i was traveling. I have had the privilege to interact with believers all over the world and to be here at a proper service with all the trimmings so to speak tickled me pink. Though i don't have any pictures, picture a surprisingly crowded cathedral with plaques, statues and monuments to almost every British hero but some of the most beautiful woodwork you've every seen. In the portion they use for services it is of course shaped like a cross. the base of the cross is all the seats of dignitaries or parliament members. At the base of the cross is the giant organ at the head the sanctum where the priests sit and read scripture. Now accustomed to the liturgy from attending a Presbyterian church the service was strangely familiar. Though the sermon was a lot of political fluff because the pope was visiting soon and this was an Anglican church, the choir had divine voices that soothed my travel weary soul. As the priests passed by with the incense i reflected on the Coptic churches in south Cairo and longed for more time around these more structured branches of Christendom. By the time i left I was both edified and refreshed.

This was the last photo that i took in London. After it, i headed back to the hostel, took a shower and ate a meal. As i recall i ran into a fresh traveler and remembered my time in Hong Kong. I had met a Kiwi in my hostel in Mong Kok whose journey had pulled him to India for love and then dumped him in the Cantonese capital looking for work and revival. It was clear to me that time on the road works wonders on the soul and body both for good and for bad. I found it rewarding that 6 months prior i looked up at this guy but now i felt that i had some measure of commonality with him. Having seen life in four major regions of the world, in over 18 countries, almost died a few times, escaped a den of thieves, avoided riots and rockets, fell in love time and time again, despaired, elated, commiserated and celebrated, danced, hiked, and drank with locals all over the world, i felt full. Full of life and love, something that if you had asked me weeks prior to me leaving i would say i had none of either.

In preparation for my long road home I readied myself for the transfers and for hopefully more good interactions with fellow world travelers. It would be Hammersmith to Heathrow airport, Heathrow to Madrid, Madrid to Chicago, Chicago to Seattle, Seattle to Bellingham, and holly to state street to the world famous Up and Up. With the chorus of "Via Chicago" ringing in my ears, and a fresh pint of Fullers pride in my belly, i packed up and left Hammersimith at 10:45 pm to catch the last metro to Heathrow.

Day 170 Hyde Park Calling

2011-03-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

My first full day in London had me waiting to see if i would be able to see Paul McCartney. Rafael had mentioned this to me in Portsmouth and with some skepticism i said i would join him. Having only a few emails to go off of, we planned to meet at Hyde park metro station. I remember meeting a guy on the metro who paid an exorbitant amount for his ticket, and i became even more skeptical that we would get in. It was Paul, in London no less. I was glad to see him, counting the success of us meeting up as the least this day could offer. We chatted about life in the last few days and our excitement as we walked through the park. To my surprise, there were no lines, which i first thought was a bad sign, but once at the window, i was shocked to find out there were tickets and they were only 65 quid which is like 89 bucks. We walked past the free speech corners that has long held the sounds of commoners preaching

on our way to get some food. Laden with snacks and water, we joined the crowds in the growing heat of the day.

What i didn't know about this concert was that there were many more stars than just Paul. Over a conversation with some other Brazilians, Rafael told me that the list was Elvis Costello

Crowded House

and my favorite surprise

freaking Crosby Stills and Nash! I had no idea that these guys were all going to be there let alone Paul. When the time came, I was blown away and so was everyone else. Check out the guy in the lower right weep after "All my lovin" is played.

Paul spoke of times he had with Jimmy Hendrix, things that he wished he could have said to John, and the early days of The Beatles. These stories were interspersed with a smattering of some of his greatest hits.

A purple haze jam

I'm looking through you

a very tender rendition of blackbird, a song dedicated to the struggling civil rights moment

lonely people

Ob la di

During this next song, from my fathers stories growing up, i pictured a teen Russ Nuckolls in his bedroom listening to his 45 of Back in the USSR and got chills thinking of just how blessed i was to be seeing this.

paperback writer

a day in the life

let it be

an explosive live and let die

day tripper

yesterday

this song needs no introduction from the driving and strangely heavy riff that starts Helter Skelter

I came unglued on this song since it was one that i really wanted to hear, but from its obscurity thought he wouldn't play it. Like many shows before, they finished with the Sgt Peppers Lonely hearts club reprise

By the end we had seen almost 2 straight hours of Paul not to mention Crosby Stills and Nash, Crowded House, and the legendary Elvis Costello. It was like no other concert i have been to. I was so thankful to be able to see Paul before he retired, to have been able to share this moment with Rafael who had been in just the right place to let me know about this. I had really wanted to see a concert while i was abroad. This however, went far above my expectations; a nice change from travel life after nearly 6 months.

With litter all over the ground, we kicked and shuffled our way out with the masses. I joined Rafael for a bite to eat in Picadilly which gave me a chance to see this famous interchange

but like all my adventures, i had forgotten that the tube closed at 11. Leaving Rafael with the hope of meeting again before i left, i ran back to Piccadilly tube station and just made the last train back. Considering i was a good 2 hour walk away from my hostel, it was a do or possibly die situation. Back at the hostel, there was a crazy party underway, and i planned for a fitful night of sleep. With just two days till my complicated and very long journey home, the end was looming.

Day 168 - 169 Cambridge

2011-03-18T11:24:00.000-07:00

I had not planned on coming to London but due to the cheapness of tickets home out of Heathrow, i figured i would make the trek north. It was a decision i made back in March when i was visiting the Grambo's in Jerusalem and i was about to find out just how much it would pay out. My first night set the tone for my time in the Hammersmith area. After checking into my 16 dorm bed room overlooking the street below, i headed down to the huge bar below that also doubled as a dance floor. i tossed down a couple drinks and hit the floor. It was kinda fun, but since i hadn't met anyone yet, i was followed by cougars. Escaping i headed outside to give my ears a break. I usually plug my ears a few times to make the ringing go away but as i did this while exiting. This is how i met Emma. Seeing me exit the bar plugging my ears, she took me for a softy that got more than he bargained for in the hostel he had booked. With an exuberant hug and lively conversation, i listened to her talk about her life in the area. Even though I'm sure she doesn't remember me, i do remember her hilarious comment when i walked out. to round out my loud night, just as i laid down, a fight broke out in front where i guy hit some girl. As far as i could see he looked like a fellow traveler, but given the kind of crew that hung out in front, he could have been a local. Either way he ended up getting arrested. I thought of two things then, how stupid it would be to get so drunk you hit a girl in a foreign country and go to jail, and second where have i come to stay?

I have been blessed to be in every area of Europe just as the flowers are blooming. This was shot on my way to Cambridge. Getting on that train is a good story. I had loose estimates as to what times trains left for where, and so in the morning i went to Kings Cross station with hopes to get on the 11:15. Due to construction they had one measly ticket office open, and as the time ticked ever closer to its departure, i swayed between thinking i would make it or miss it. Cash in hand, i got a ticket and asked if i could catch it. The old man at the desk, who just had to deal with a snotty lady, smiled at me and said i had better run lad. And run i did. dodging people on the way to the platform, i rounded the corner only to find that my train was all the way at the end of the platform. Only the last few cars were going to Cambridge so i chose to be certain and got on the last. Desperate for air i pushed the button for the door and stepped on. As soon as it shut, the train started to move. These doors wont open for you to run and jump on so if i had been a second later, i would have missed it. Dripping with sweat in the morning heat, i was glad to have windows that brought in the fresh cool air. I was going to Cambridge to visit Neal, a friend of mine who i went through grad school with. All i had was an address and a aerial shot of his neighborhood but once off the train, the bus drivers hooked me up with some free rides, good advice, and directions. Unfortunately there was a festival in the park along the river which had created a massive traffic jam. After 30 minutes of travel, just in Cambridge, i decided to walk the rest. Following the sparse directions i had, i managed to find the culdesac that his house was in. However, the numbers looked different, and i had a moment of panic as i realized i was in a totally foreign place with no way to contact him and no real idea that i was in the right place. Looking again at the aerial photo i had, i guessed on a house and gave it a knock. As luck would have it Neal opened the door! We walked along the canals that run through the city

past some of the most famous crew houses

the festival

and into town

It was a fantastic time to catch up, discuss analysis, and absorb the vibe of this community steeped in academia. Given his position as a visiting PhD student, we got into some closed off places like this courtyard

and this chapel where the Cambridge choir was practicing for a show that night.

We continued through the grounds and past the library which holds the original copy of Isaac Newtons Principa mathematica

and out the back woods

to the math department

whose buildings are specially designed for maximal efficiency. After checking out the residue of finals

we headed to a pub overlooking a canal

to chat and relax before the USA match with Ghana that night.

IN the lower middle of this picture you may see a green tennis ball in the water. A dog had lost its ball in the water, and found the ground in the water too mucky to rescue it. Neal and i watched in awe and laughter, as it tried over and over again to work up the courage to get it. With each failed attempt it would look back at its master and whine and bark. The best part came when we watched the dog back up and the master head out into the muck to rescue the ball. It was the first time i have ever seen a master fetch for his dog. Besides this, it was very amusing to watch people who rented the gondolas learn how to balance while steering them some almost falling in to the cheers of all us onlookers.

Our next stop for the game was none other than The Anchor where the structure of DNA was announced. Turns out every one was there when Watson and Crick made a breakthrough. As i entered i pictured host of friends and colleagues eagerly listening to the results, diagrams being drawn on the dark mahogany with the chalk still tightly clutched in their hands, a gasp, a cheer, and many a pint raised high.

Over another meat pie we watched the game.

We met a woman from Holland that was doing a thesis on preface's and their impact on the reception of the literature. I was fascinated because it was something that my brother was studying in school just before i left. Nearing the end of the game as it became clear that the US would lose, i debated staying since the end would put me too short of time to get to my train. Anxious to catch my train, but remiss to leave Neal and this wonderful bar i stayed till the edge of when i needed to leave. So with a quick goodbye, I ran back through the town getting lost and finding my way again, much like the run i did with the Maltese sisters in Venice. As usual i made it just in time, and within a hour i was back at my hostel and off to bed.