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GowithFlo |
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GowithFlo |
Vietnam - Observations updated 1/14/02
People really wear those cone-shaped sun hats.
The first Catholic misson came to Hanoi, Vietnam in the 1670's.
It seems EVERYONE transports themselves on motorbikes. In fact, this is motivation to have no more than two children...a family of four can fit on a motorbike, a larger family requires buying a car. But I have seen families of five on motorbikes.
The national folk art of water puppetry goes back thousands of years. Created by the farmers during the flood seasons, it is a very creative and entertaining form of marionnettes on water, accompanied by traditional music and sing-song narrative.
African Continent - Observations updated 11/26/01
I have never been sick so often as I have been while traveling over the last six months. But, I still maintain....IT'S WORTH IT! When traveling in third world and tropical areas, one has to expect to get sick sometimes.
The African continent is beautiful. Mountains, valleys, plains, deserts, lakes, and amazing wildlife.
Africa is a world of dichotomies: Clashing civilizations; First world and third world; Poverty and wealth; Immense beauty and dangerous wilderness; tyranny and crime; Hospitality and ethnic hatred; A wealth of natural resources along side human poverty; a history of slavery and colonization.
The biggest problems facing Africa are AIDS and poverty. In many countries I traveled in, 1 in 4 people have AIDS. And, to make things worse, it seems that it is not part of their culture to either abstain OR to practice safe sex. Despite the lowered life expectancy (down to an average of 36 in some countries) and the rise in numbers every year of people with this disease, AIDS education seems to be totally insufficient. It also seems that people refuse to believe what they hear. African rumor has it that if one has sex with a virgin, it will cure AIDS. Obviously, this is another great tragedy since the HIV virus is passed on to young women.
Police roadblocks are a commonality when travelling through Mozambique. When stopped, supposed speeding or other false claims are used to extort bribes. Therefore having cash, liquor or other goods handy for such payments is a necessity for the African traveler.
The Okavango Delta, the largest inland estuary in the world, is the GEM of Botswana.
Zimbabwe - Observations updated 11/10/01
I found the Zimbabweans to be the friendliest and most outgoing of the African peoples I have been exposed to.
Matobo National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. The huge granite boulders and hills give it a spiritual feel. It also boasts caves and rock paintings left by the ancient San people.
Malawi - Observations updated 11/10/01
For tourists, the big draw is Lake Malawi, which stretches approx. 500km along the eastern border. This lake has serene palm-tree beaches and crystal clear water. And also a parasite that gives you a nice little disease called bilharzia for which I will have to get tested in three months.
I found the Malawi people friendly and hospitable.
Namibia - Observations updated 11/10/01
Some of the local Namib women can be seen wearing a Victorian style of long dress, which their ancestors adopted from the prudish missionaries. The dresses are beautiful and quite colorful.
Namibia is a land of beautiful and diverse landscapes. I traveled from canyons into red sand dunes into desert into moon-like landscapes into gravel plains into yellow grass plains into coastal white sand-scapes into granite mountains into estuarine lagoons.
Cairo, Egypt - Observations updated 8/22/01
Some of the men here stare, some try to talk to you ("Hello, hello....where are you from....you and me be friends?.."), and some make this "tsss....tss...tss" noise at you which I am still not sure what that means.
The Pyramids are overrated. Now perhaps I wasn't in the right mood at the time. I was hot and tired and the heat was giving me a headache, but its so dirty and over-commercialized that its a bit of a let-down. I found it a tourist trap.
The Sphinx was fairly cool.
All in all, it was an interesting stop-over. But I am glad it was for only one day. I would like to return to Egypt when the weather is cooler.
South Africa - Observations updated 8/22/01
Unfortunately, as a woman traveling solo and because of measures taken for my own safety, I have only been able to experience the "white South Africa", as other areas are poverty stricken and ridden with crime.
South Africa is a world of dichotomies. A clash of two civilizations. A first world and a third world. Several cultures completely add odds with one another. I can't even begin to explain the depth of the issues that the rest of the world does not seem to understand completely. I have learnt so much.
Given that they certainly have scars on their history, and I'm still learning...it seems to me that the media has given the white South African community a bad rap to the rest of the world, without delving into both sides of the many issues here.
During the aparthied regime, many South African were ignorant of the atrocities going on inside their country because of the state controlled media.
South Africa is rich in resources such as coal, gold, platinum, and diamonds (we all know DeBeers).
Jobs for white South Africans have been diminishing as affirmative action/black empowerment policies are set into place. Many have been laid off and replaced. Many white South Africans emigrate to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the U.K., and the U.S., every year. In Perth, Australia there are now some 40,000 South Africans.
South Africans love their steak. Many steakhouses have a Western theme and are called such names as, "Ohio Spur", "Sante Fe Steakhouse", "Texas Spur", etc. Also popular is jerky (billtong) and sausage (boervosh). As on local said to me, "You have to keep your cholesterol where you can see it."
South Africa has one of the highest rates of heart attack (hmmm, could it be from all the steak?).
South Africa has one of the highest divorce rates. And I am still having lively discussions with locals as to why. As one local said to me, "The women outnumber men here three to one...we have to keep them all happy".
South Africa is beautiful. It encompasses desert, forests, savannas, mountains, rich winelands, and an exciting whale and dolphin rich coastline.
Many South Africans I met loved the United States and the IDEA of the United States. Many said they wished they lived in the U.S. or would love to emigrate if they could.
Many locals I met wanted to know what I expected before coming and what I was finding in regards to their country and its people (I think they are sensitive to the bad press they get).
Hungary - Observations updated 7/14/01
There is so much history in Hungary! I'm almost ashamed at what I seem to have forgotten from school history lessons. Remember the Austrian-Hungarian Empire everyone? Hello!
Czech Republic - Observations updated 6/20/01
My fellow students and I agree that this month here is ..."surreal". We can't explain it... we all feel like we are in college again, staying in dorms, drinking and partying on weekends, not able to think of much else but our studies/"college life"....which is a shame since we are here in Prague, yet we don't really FEEL like we are REALLY in Prague.
It's like we wander through town in a daze, just shuffling back and forth to school and thinking of our lesson plans. It's hard to focus on experiencing Prague itself, because there are so many other things going on in our heads.
It's just goes to show that your experience of any place, is dependent and influenced by the thoughts swirling around in your head minute to minute, day to day. I hope to return to Prague someday as a backpacker, rather then a student.
Czechs are not as quick to smile as Americans. The other day I went jogging and I smiled at every Czech person I passed. Not one person smiled back at me...most just looked away. I read that the Czech people are a very private, reserved people. So I guess this would partially explain the behavior. Or perhaps, too, a girl jogging through the forest preserve with a funky bright yellow sportswalkman is a freak. :)
Czech women are beautiful.
Prague now has topped my list as the most beautiful city in Europe.
Turkey - Observations updated 6/20/01
I've never had better pistachios. The pistachio baklava in Turkey. Aaah! It melts in your mouth!
The Turkish people are very friendly (the men often OVER friendly). And every time I attempted a few words in Turkish, their faces would light up and I'd be rewarded with a huge smile.
Every Turkish person is in or has a relative in the carpet business.
Greece - Observations updated 5/27/01
The yogurt in Greece is absolutely heavenly. I will never be able to eat yogurt in the US again.
After experiencing Greece and their tourism service, I cannot see how they will possibly be able to handle the 2004 Olympics.
I feel great. The Greek Islands are heaven.
There are tons of stray cats all over the Greek Islands (apparently it's too expensive to get them neutered)
Travel agents in Greece are not very reliable for information and never seem to be very sure about ferry schedules
Customer Service is not a priority in Greece. In fact, sometimes you feel like YOU are bothering THEM
You do not put toilet paper in the toilets of Greece
Backpackers do not feel the least bit guilty about sleeping in.
Its amazing how much energy it takes to be a traveler... I find I need lots of nourishment and lots of sleep... more then usual.
Greece has the most beautiful jewelry I have ever seen. Those of you that know me, know I am not a jewelry person...but this jewelry is VERY TEMPTING.
If I keep having a daily coffee on my travels, it will add up to enough money for 21 days in Southeast Asia. Ok, got to get disciplined here with the budget. :)
You need way less stuff than you think you do. (Still dumping things from my backpack).