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India - Memorable Moments
THE CHALLENGE OF ARRIVING AT 3AM INTO MUMBAI, INDIA AND THEN SUCCESSFULLY EXPLORING THE CITY FOR TWO DAYS ON MY OWN.
MUMBAI: THE POVERTY , THE FILTH, THE BUSTLE, THE ENERGY, THE CROWDS, THE VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE, THE CINEMA, THE FOOD, THE BEGGARS, THE BODIES SLEEPING ON THE SIDEWALKS AND STREETS, THE COWS LOUNGING ON SIDEWALKS AND STREETS OR EATING FROM RUBBISH PILES, THE TRAFFIC - A CONSTANTLY MOVING MINGLE OF TRUCKS, VEHICLES, RICKSHAWS, BICYCLES, OXEN-PULLED CARTS, AND PEDESTRIANS, THE CONSTANT HORN-TOOTING, THE FUMES, THE HACKING AND SPITTING, AND EATING IN MCDONALDS (BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO TRY THE FOOD YET) BESIDE MANY YOUNG INDIAN FAMILIES.
SPENDING A WEEK POOLSIDE IN GOA ON THE WEST COAST. MAKING FRIENDS AND CONVERSATION THERE WITH HOLIDAYERS FROM ENGLAND, SWEDEN, AND HOLLAND.
EXPLORING THE PALACE IN MYSORE, KARNATAKA.
MEETING A FELLOW SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER IN MY HOTEL - CATHERINE FROM SWITZERLAND; TRAVELING TOGETHER, SHARING "WAR STORIES", FORMING A LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIP.
THE OVERNIGHT TRAINS; SLEEPING IN COMPARTMENTS WITH SEVEN OTHER PEOPLE
THE TOUTS
EVERY RICKSHAW RIDE; EVERY TAXI RIDE (because it was always possible you might die)
SEEING A POPULAR HIT INDIAN MOVIE - "MONSOON WEDDING" IN AN INDIAN CINEMA IN CHENNAI.
EXPLORING THE SHOPPING AREA OF BANGALORE - THE "UP-AND-COMING", MODERN, INDIA-OF-THE-FUTURE ENERGY OF IT.
FLOATING ALONG THE BACKWATERS OF KERALA
CONVERSING WITH VARIOUS FRIENDLY INDIANS - BUSINESS MEN ON TRAINS, FAMILIES AT GUESTHOUSES, COUPLES AT MY HOTEL
ENJOYING THE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY OF HAVING A BAY-SIDE DRINK AT A FIVE STAR HOTEL WITH MY FRIEND CATHERINE (FORT COCHIN, KERALA. THANKS CATHERINE!)
THE INTRICATE AND AMAZING TEMPLE COMPLEX IN THANJAVUR, TAMIL NADU. PERHAPS MORE IMPRESSIVE TO ME THAN THE PYRAMIDS.
THE "OLD FRENCH COLONIAL" AREAS OF PONDICHERRY, A FORMER FRENCH ENCLAVE. STAYING IN AN OLD WORLD COLONIAL HOTEL.
VISITING AURAVILLE - A "NEW-AGISH" FEELING, SELF-SUFFICIENT COMMUNITY REPRESENTING 80 DIFFERENT NATIONS. THEIR GOAL IS TO LIVE TOGETHER WITH NO RELIGIONS, NO NATIONALITIES, ETC., AND AN AIM TO ACHIEVE "HUMAN PERFECTION".
ADMIRING INDIAN JEWELRY
HAGGLING WITH TAXI DRIVERS AND SHOPKEEPERS
LEAVING INDIA AFTER 37 DAYS
African Continent - Memorable Moments
Climbing and sand boarding the giant red dunes of Namibia
Quad biking through endless white sand dunes (Namibia)
Driving through a plethora of diverse landscapes all in one day: yellow plains; rocky escarpments; red dunes; gravel desert; "moonscapes"; white sand dunes against blue ocean. (namibia)
Wilderness camping in the Okavanga Delta - hearing lions roar at night from our tents and listening in the dark to elephants pass through the branches beyond the campsite. (Botswana)
Quickly crossing a plains area (with much fear) to make plenty of way for a running herd of elephants (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
Speedboating through the channels of the Delta disturbing storks and kingfishers from the tall reeds as we rounded corners. (Botswana)
White water rafting the Zambezi River and "surviving" two boat flips (Zimbabwe/Zambia)
The experience of camping for 20 nights in Africa and enjoying dinners around the campfire. Particularly, the night when each nationality had to sing their national anthem. I was the only American - I couldn't remember all the words so the Canadians had to help me. :)
Seeing lionesses with their cubs, ostriches mating, and bucks locking horns in battle (Etosha National Park, Botswana)
The late night flood-lit waterholes of Etosha National Park, Botswana: -Witnessing a stand-off between an elephant and a rhino -My stare down with a giraffe
Watching CNN at a bar "shack" on the beach in Mozambique to learn the US had begun its bombing in Afghanistan
Eating prawns and watching the moon rise over the Indian Ocean (Mozambique)
The police roadblocks in Mozambique - mere opportunities to extort bribes
Being growled at by an unseen lion in the bush while wilderness camping(Okavango Delta, Botswana)
Sleeping out in the open, away from the tents, when I was very ill, feeling protected by the campsite dog who slept next to me. (Overland Expedition)
Exploring Matopos National Park, rich in rock formations, caves, ancient San rock painting and wildlife. (Zimbabwe)
The friendly people of Zimbabwe
Kayaking the crystal clear waters of Lake Malawi to reach a remote island, and staying in tented aaccommodationsthere.
Having an island to ourselves along with four service staff (Lake Malawi, Malawi)
Watching fish eagles catch fish (Lake Malawi)
Watching sunset from a kayak, the moon rise over the water, and lightning storms approach on Lake Malawi
South Africa - Memorable Moments
Watching a flock of carrier pigeons circle and circle in figure eights as their trainer conducted "flight practice".
The fields of color as wildflowers bloomed on the west coast.
The glorious sunset over the rolling farmlands of South Africa's west coast.
Enjoying a night of Afrikaans music and comedy while enjoying succulent lobster.
Seeing perfect, FULLY arched, half-circle rainbows in the mountains of "Little Karoo"
Enjoying wine tasting in Stellenbosch on the South African wine route.
The entire experience of camping in Kruger National Park: Lions, leopard spotting, cheetahs, black rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and more. (see also peak experiences)
Coming across an exhausted male lion laying on the side of the road with his buffalo kill (Kruger National Park)
Camping along the fence line as hyenas paced on the other side (Kruger National Park)
Tonight we arrived at the game park in the darkness. As we stepped out of the car to open the gate, I glanced up to get a look at the amphitheater of stars. I was startled at an illuminated milky strip that stretched across the sky above me, and I realized I was looking at the Milky Way. I suppose I only know it from books, because I can never recall gazing upon it at any other time in my life. It was glorious and mysterious...it made you want to lie on your back and just gaze at this starry blanket, that was so bright and stretched from both horizons. It struck me as I looked at the Milky Way that I was in the Southern Hemisphere. And I thought how far from home I was.
I find myself holding a heavy rifle, my finger around the trigger, the butt of this gun held tight into my shoulder as instructed, and my head cocked looking through the scope at my target a fair amount of meters away. I was a bit nervous with my head behind the gun and I kept imagining it backfiring. Boy did I get a jar when I pulled that trigger! It jammed the rifle back into my shoulder and gave me quite a charley-horse. Ouch! And my surprise amused my companions, as I did not expect such a huge BANG! (Ouch, my poor ears.).
Going hunting in the African bush.
Seeing Southern Right Whales right off the boat and watching a pair mate.
Watching a herd of 19 elephants, with babies and all, feed beside the road and then cross behind our car.
Watching a big rugby game at the pub and being educated on the rules of this interesting game. South Africa vs. Australia. Go Springboks! (sorry to all Aussie friends)
The unbelievable warm and welcoming hospitality I am getting from the South Africans I meet.
The education I am receiving through lively discussions with the locals on the many complicated problems and issues in SA. I am learning more everyday.
Helping an ostrich chick break out of its shell.
Hungary - Memorable Moments
Talking with David, a gentleman on the tour from Northern Ireland. He had worked as a policeman in Belfast (not a very fun job I would imagine), and is now a policeman for the United Nations in Kosovo. He told me about the United Nations in Kosovo . What an education!
Czech Republic - Memorable Moments updated 7/14/01
The 8 day summer camp in which I worked with German children aged 8 - 14:
- Sitting on our porch in the evenings watching the kids sneak around after curfew...we'd see shadows running between the bungalows and into the trees. Sometimes we would hear the clanking of bottles. Many of the kids had hickeys the next day. HoHoHo. VERY amusing.
- The food that consisted of pasta mixed with hotdog/bologne like meat...and the option to add ketchup as the "sauce".
- Watching the kids play Red Rover/Red Rover, Catch the Flag, and Red Light/Green Light (American Games).
- Trying to teach the kids how to play Kickball. They just didn't get it...they would throw the ball to third base when there was noone on the bases...at one point we had three people on first base. Finally, we just let them play however they wanted. We were limited by the language barrier thing, you see.
- Sending them on "scavenger hunts" where they had to find English definitions to words such as flatulence.
"Band Dum" - our makeshift band of TEFL students. We had a jam session one night outside our hotel. Pume - from Zimbabwe - on his drum, Jimmy and Andrew on their guitars, me on a tambourine, Jane, Peter, and Cain on sticks and morroccas. Some drunk Czech people came out from the nearby bar and starting watching and dancing. We played our little hearts out until the police arrived.
Enjoying a week-end of fun, drinks and dancing with a group of vacationing Irishmen.
Giving my first English lesson to Czech students. Successful and fun.
When fellow student Amanda tried to sneak across the classroom, while the teacher was writing on the board to view a funny picture we had of her...and her foot got caught on someone's purse strap and she flew across the room into our desks. Needless to say, the room broke out laughing and the teacher confiscated the picture. Aaahh! To feel like young high school students again!
My fellow TEFL students and I going out on Friday night to blow off some steam after teaching our very first lesson....the stumbling home hand in hand like a group of grade school children....and Keith, who looks like ZZ Top, bellowing opera with a German accent as he led us, a chain of women, down the street.
Partying for two days with 13 colorfully wigged Irishmen in Prague for a bachelor party. 48 hours of drinking games and fun. I must say, they were all gentlemen.....well, for the most part.
Dancing until 5AM at the many Prague night clubs.
Turkey - Memorable Moments updated 8/3/01
It was amazing in Cappadoccia to actually climb amongst the ancient cave houses, churches, and monasteries that were literally built well into the cliffs and mountains. Throughout my tour of Cappadoccia, it was amazing to see, feel, and smell the same things people did who lived almost 2 thousand years ago.
Bellydancing during happy hour at Hotel Sammy's Palace in Kusadasi, Turkey and, consequently, winning a Sammy's t-shirt that says "24 hours hot water" on the back.
The ancient ruins of Ephesus - the best preserved ruins of an ancient city in the entire Mediterranean.
The overnight bus ride to Istanbul.
Walking through Topkapi Palace, home to sultans and their harems for thousands of years.
Greece - Memorable Moments updated 6/20/01
Exploring the stair-stepped alleyways of Naxos Town on my own...getting lost every time I tried to return to my room at the Pension - very spooky at night, but exciting.
Teaching Checkers to a girl from Taiwan on the beach in Paros.
Watching an English language movie - Hamlet 2001 - at an open air theater in Paros, and eating my popcorn.
The ferry trip from the Greek mainland to the islands. Waves are quite heavy and I can't even sit up or I feel nauseous. Three grade school children that got on the boat a couple of islands ago are now puking either over the boat, or on the floor not far from me. Is Santorini going to be worth this?
Disembarking the ferry in stormy seas at Santorini was the funniest thing I have EVER seen: A ramp was lowered onto the cement landing spot, but as the waves threw the ship about, the ramp would rise and fall, and even pull away from the pier. Thus, waves of travelers with their luggage or even children in hand would practically throw themselves down the ramp and jump to the pier before the tossing ship pulled the ramp incline almost to a 45 degree angle! People were laughing and screaming, and the ferry-men were yelling "GO! GO! GO!" and then crying "Go back! Go back! Go back!" I swear to you, it was like a scene from TITANIC.
Watching the cars exit the ferry at Santorini. Every car had its front bumper scraped harshly on the cement as it descended off the ramp. Those drivers must have been CURSING the ferry company. I kept thinking..."This would NEVER fly in the US!"
Waking up on my first day and realizing I was in Greece The car fire right outside my window at an Internet Cafe on a busy Athens street...the firemen, the crowd, the excitement
Arriving at the hostel on Santorini and walking into the dorm to find a fun group of other female travelers, many of whom were also travelling solo: 1 Aussie, 1 Irish, 1 Canadian, 1 Kiwi (New Zealand), 3 U.S., 1 Argentina, 2 French.
The girls at the hostel laughing at all the unnecessary things I was lugging around in my backpack.....particularly the huge roll of duck tape, all the dental floss, and the five bottles of sunscreen. Yes, I laughed with them.
Breakfast on the island of Santorini at 'Mama's Restaurant'....Mama yelling to us as we entered....'Hello pretty girls! Come give Mama a hug!! You sex-bombs! Sex-bombs!' She called us 'Sex-bombs' for the rest of the morning.
Enjoying the black pebble sand and blue Aegean water at Kamari Beach on Santorini with my backpacker friends from the hostel.
Watching the sunset in the picturesque town of Ia on Santorini with my new backpacker friends (Erin - California, Barbara-Italy, Simon - Australia, Carmen-Canada).
Dinner with the above group in the outdoor garden of a Greek restaurant....swapping travel stories, tips, and experiences.
Laughing at the items the Greek salesmen had sold to Carmen including a Barbie pink chapstick.
The youth hostel (dorms) in the town of Fira on Santorini. Worst plumbing so far. Instructions for flushing the toilet at Youth Hostel in Fira:
- Carefully stand on toilet seat using the wall for support to keep weight even on both sides of plastic toilet seat
- Reach up and put hand into cistern which is attached to the ceiling
- Fish around for the lever, and then manually flush toilet by pulling the lever
- Carefully lower yourself down from toilet trying to keep weight evenly distributed on the seat so you don't tumble onto the damp floor (which also happens to be the shower floor since the shower head is to the right of the toilet. No curtains or tub remember....this is Europe)
Walking through the mountain top ruins of the ancient city of Thira (1500BC) on Santorini.
The 'backpackers resort' on the island of Ios: Waterslides, two pools, bar, grill, ping pong, volley ball, beach, English movie shown every night. 6 US dollars a night in a little hut with two beds. Awesome showers with HOT water AND WATER PRESSURE!!!!!
The bittersweet feeling of moving on and having to say goodbye - maybe forever - to new found traveler friends.