Well, been busy still. Tours, festivals and sleeping takes up time.
Tours are picking up greatly here and going one. I'm glad I got the company setup.
A local history festival I'm working here has been tough, but it'll be done soon.
The girl I was going out with, well that fell through. She Liked George W Bush.... Enough said!
Not sure on jobs, but I'm busy till mid November.
The winter might be boring, though this will pick up once my friend Philip is over.
One step at a time, then go from there. I do want to travel again however. Got the itchy feet.
Oh well! One day again, I'll get to Europe again.
Anyway, this is just a quick update.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Update to my life
Hello all! Sorry been bad about posts, but I've been either way busy, or un-excitingly slow. I have the tour company I started still going, but limited calls. I applied for a local museum job as "Co-director of Education and events". Still not heard back however.
Now I do have LOADS of tours booked in October and I'm going out with a great girl now too.
Course the exciting things are that I'm getting in the local paper very often now, my photo from the CorinthCivilWar.com will be used by Mississippi tourism for adverts and I'm the education coordinator for the Corinth Heritage festival.
Ahhh, but the best is the filming I was in recently!
Well, on the 22nd through the 25th of September I did some filming geared up as a Civil War soldier. Chickamauga battlefield has what is really a rather horrible film, course Shiloh has THE worst one. But this year they are shooting new videos for both battlefields. I was very disappointed I missed out on the new Shiloh filming in March, but just over 2 weeks ago I heard of the other filming and got registered just a week before.
On the 22nd of September on the Thursday I started the long drive to the Chattanooga area about 4 hours away. I was able to setup camp at Dyer field on the battlefield and get a quick bite to eat. I found out I'd have to do Rebel Saturday morning, but otherwise I could be Federal the whole time.
After talking with some people I retired to my tent and woke up at 5:45 AM got kited up and then got breakfast, which gladly all the meals were provided by the film people.
We the boarded a bus to Snodgrass hill and sat around for many hours. Then we did 30 minutes of filming and got lunch, then sat longer. The Rebels got loads of film time, though for all I know that could have been related to them drilling poorly!
Near the end of the day I got to fire a Spencer and got a close up, on my good side of course.
Other than that, the Friday was boring. But $50 was in my pocket.
Saturday I.... was forced to dress as a Rebel for the first half! Now gladly the uniform was very nice, but the Cornfeds drilled VERY horribly. Thank god for my good training in the 18th Missouri! Drill is much easier if you know what you are doing.
Anyway, did loads of filming again and switched to Federal for the afternoon. Though we had to sit around loads again before being filmed as the 10th Wisconsin who ran away during the battle after being placed in FRONT of Federal cannon. We recreated that... the running bit.
After that we sat around longer and nothing happened. Can you see a theme yet?
Though I made yet another $50.
Sunday was the last day and it went pretty much like the others. Wake up early, eat, test weapons, then get fake blood, black powder and dirt put on. Fake blood does NOT come out easy by the way from wool. We got filmed quick, then sat around for 5 hours, filmed quick and that was a wrap! Not a bad filming and had some great guys there. I collected my money, broke up camp and had a nice long drive back to Shiloh Tennessee.
So if any of you are thinking of a film career, the big thing you'll here "Hurry up and wait!"... which it'll switch to "HURRY UP!" at any point too.
Now I do have LOADS of tours booked in October and I'm going out with a great girl now too.
Course the exciting things are that I'm getting in the local paper very often now, my photo from the CorinthCivilWar.com will be used by Mississippi tourism for adverts and I'm the education coordinator for the Corinth Heritage festival.
Ahhh, but the best is the filming I was in recently!
Well, on the 22nd through the 25th of September I did some filming geared up as a Civil War soldier. Chickamauga battlefield has what is really a rather horrible film, course Shiloh has THE worst one. But this year they are shooting new videos for both battlefields. I was very disappointed I missed out on the new Shiloh filming in March, but just over 2 weeks ago I heard of the other filming and got registered just a week before.
On the 22nd of September on the Thursday I started the long drive to the Chattanooga area about 4 hours away. I was able to setup camp at Dyer field on the battlefield and get a quick bite to eat. I found out I'd have to do Rebel Saturday morning, but otherwise I could be Federal the whole time.
After talking with some people I retired to my tent and woke up at 5:45 AM got kited up and then got breakfast, which gladly all the meals were provided by the film people.
We the boarded a bus to Snodgrass hill and sat around for many hours. Then we did 30 minutes of filming and got lunch, then sat longer. The Rebels got loads of film time, though for all I know that could have been related to them drilling poorly!
Near the end of the day I got to fire a Spencer and got a close up, on my good side of course.
Other than that, the Friday was boring. But $50 was in my pocket.
Saturday I.... was forced to dress as a Rebel for the first half! Now gladly the uniform was very nice, but the Cornfeds drilled VERY horribly. Thank god for my good training in the 18th Missouri! Drill is much easier if you know what you are doing.
Anyway, did loads of filming again and switched to Federal for the afternoon. Though we had to sit around loads again before being filmed as the 10th Wisconsin who ran away during the battle after being placed in FRONT of Federal cannon. We recreated that... the running bit.
After that we sat around longer and nothing happened. Can you see a theme yet?
Though I made yet another $50.
Sunday was the last day and it went pretty much like the others. Wake up early, eat, test weapons, then get fake blood, black powder and dirt put on. Fake blood does NOT come out easy by the way from wool. We got filmed quick, then sat around for 5 hours, filmed quick and that was a wrap! Not a bad filming and had some great guys there. I collected my money, broke up camp and had a nice long drive back to Shiloh Tennessee.
So if any of you are thinking of a film career, the big thing you'll here "Hurry up and wait!"... which it'll switch to "HURRY UP!" at any point too.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A new start! ....oh and sorry for lack of posts
Well! I'm back again writing. At least a little bit.
Things been interesting. I'm now back in Tennessee. Fort Bridger Wyoming, hmmm, well it was great having Philip, Andrew and Andre out for a visit in late June. Other than that, I'm very happy I left that place. I'll miss some people, but I'm just very glad to be home. Not glad that some things came up, or what had me leave, though, whatever. Whats done is done and I am happy enough with it. Sometimes you must stand and other times.... run away! Run away to Dixieland!
So I got to spend some time in Salt Lake City with my sister and niece before I bolted back to Michie here. Was really wonderful to see them and really, get to know my sister at an older age. I'm so happy I had the chance. Amazing what a few years will do.
Anyhow, I got back to Tennessee just about a week ago and got started right away on making my crap situation into a good one. So I'm starting a new company called "Shiloh-Corinth Battlefield Tours". With the grand help from Corinth tourism so far and me being on CorinthCivilWar.com AND being featured in the new local visitors guide, I should do rather well for myself in the near future. My budget is balanced for the next several months and I've more or less already launched the tour service to boot.
Now with luck, perhaps I'll get to college this year, but if I can't get grants, then it'll be next year I hope. Knowing me, I have no idea where I might end up though in just 12 months! My life is amazing fluid and I'm rather lucky even at dark or low points.
Anyway, keep an eye out for more updates. I'll try and be better bout them!
Things been interesting. I'm now back in Tennessee. Fort Bridger Wyoming, hmmm, well it was great having Philip, Andrew and Andre out for a visit in late June. Other than that, I'm very happy I left that place. I'll miss some people, but I'm just very glad to be home. Not glad that some things came up, or what had me leave, though, whatever. Whats done is done and I am happy enough with it. Sometimes you must stand and other times.... run away! Run away to Dixieland!
So I got to spend some time in Salt Lake City with my sister and niece before I bolted back to Michie here. Was really wonderful to see them and really, get to know my sister at an older age. I'm so happy I had the chance. Amazing what a few years will do.
Anyhow, I got back to Tennessee just about a week ago and got started right away on making my crap situation into a good one. So I'm starting a new company called "Shiloh-Corinth Battlefield Tours". With the grand help from Corinth tourism so far and me being on CorinthCivilWar.com AND being featured in the new local visitors guide, I should do rather well for myself in the near future. My budget is balanced for the next several months and I've more or less already launched the tour service to boot.
Now with luck, perhaps I'll get to college this year, but if I can't get grants, then it'll be next year I hope. Knowing me, I have no idea where I might end up though in just 12 months! My life is amazing fluid and I'm rather lucky even at dark or low points.
Anyway, keep an eye out for more updates. I'll try and be better bout them!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Of death
Death. What a scary thing, yet is something everything must have happen to it. From the one celled germ to the mightiest of trees or whales. Even rocks, though not really alive even can crumple to dust. The whole earth will die in time too.
How should death be seen by those not dead or dying? Some celebrate it as in New Orleans with a jazz band, though most are somber affairs. What is beyond? Are we just out of existence, like that? Is there a heaven? Is there hell? One or both? Are near death experiences real, or the mind working in strange ways?
I think of these things now because my Uncle Tom, AKA in the family "Crazy Uncle Tom", has taken a turn for the worst with a quick acting cancer. He has between 1 day and 2 months. Most likely it will be sooner then later.
I spoke to him just tonight.
I said thank you for the good times, that I'd see him again one day and also asked him 2 things. First was "How do you react to death?", simply he said "You just accept it and deal with it". The second was, what advice he could give, sadly he faded out but said cryptically almost "You'll figure it out and put it together". He faded badly as he is in great pain at that point and we said our goodbyes, quite literally.
Though I have had some friends die, most were older and it was expected almost. Plus I wasn't super close to them either, but close enough. 2 of my Grandparents (One from each side at different times) died, but I was to young really to know them really, let alone remotely understand death. Reading of death in Wars does not really prepare you, even more since mostly they are very quick.
So this is the first serious death I've had to deal with in the family. It is strange. Doesn't feel real. I'm so far away from it. Almost expecting it to be some crazy prank and since he is still alive to just stay living.
Well, I guess the best thing is to think of the person alive and happy, the good times, Etc.
Though pain will happen surely, if the memory of the person is kept alive and well, will they really truly die? And when the time comes for us, how will we deal with it? Though, Uncle Tom seemed rather accepting of death and quite simple it seemed on the subject. Just deal with it and accept it. That seems like good advice. When the time comes, I hope I can be brave like him and not fearful of the next great journey, the greatest journey I'll ever have.
Now, for Shakespeare-
“Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
How should death be seen by those not dead or dying? Some celebrate it as in New Orleans with a jazz band, though most are somber affairs. What is beyond? Are we just out of existence, like that? Is there a heaven? Is there hell? One or both? Are near death experiences real, or the mind working in strange ways?
I think of these things now because my Uncle Tom, AKA in the family "Crazy Uncle Tom", has taken a turn for the worst with a quick acting cancer. He has between 1 day and 2 months. Most likely it will be sooner then later.
I spoke to him just tonight.
I said thank you for the good times, that I'd see him again one day and also asked him 2 things. First was "How do you react to death?", simply he said "You just accept it and deal with it". The second was, what advice he could give, sadly he faded out but said cryptically almost "You'll figure it out and put it together". He faded badly as he is in great pain at that point and we said our goodbyes, quite literally.
Though I have had some friends die, most were older and it was expected almost. Plus I wasn't super close to them either, but close enough. 2 of my Grandparents (One from each side at different times) died, but I was to young really to know them really, let alone remotely understand death. Reading of death in Wars does not really prepare you, even more since mostly they are very quick.
So this is the first serious death I've had to deal with in the family. It is strange. Doesn't feel real. I'm so far away from it. Almost expecting it to be some crazy prank and since he is still alive to just stay living.
Well, I guess the best thing is to think of the person alive and happy, the good times, Etc.
Though pain will happen surely, if the memory of the person is kept alive and well, will they really truly die? And when the time comes for us, how will we deal with it? Though, Uncle Tom seemed rather accepting of death and quite simple it seemed on the subject. Just deal with it and accept it. That seems like good advice. When the time comes, I hope I can be brave like him and not fearful of the next great journey, the greatest journey I'll ever have.
Now, for Shakespeare-
“Of all the wonders that I yet have heard,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.”
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
This strange strange land called Bridger valley....
Welcome to a world, which is like ours, but different. A place where weather and things make no sense. You are now entering the Twilight zone..... I mean Bridger Valley! This is my 4th season here working at Fort Bridger state historic site.
Within 30 miles about 4000-5000 people live all year round in the LEAST densely populated state in the lower 48 states. It is 7000 feet high "Or in metric about 2300 meters up." about round abouts. Somehow, it can snow all year round, even in the summer. It snows more in May then all year round in other places, like Tennessee or Western Oregon. Why just a few hours before writing there was a goodly amount of snow, then sun, then sleet then sun again.
Along with the horrible weather, is however some of the most wonderful landscape around. Out to the north is bleak for mile around, though just that is beautiful in its own way. Then while out there you can look to the south and see the great Uinta Mountains, covered in snow, even as late as June.
Not many trees grow in the area, but the Pines, Cottonwood and Aspens are such a blessing right on the fort grounds where I live.
Animals love the fort grounds such as at Shiloh NPS in Tennessee. The animals are far more relaxed and don't mind people as much, seeing as they know no one will try to shoot them.
So nice to stroll around the grounds, seeing the trees, birds and other animals. It really makes it worth being here.
So, weather, land, plants, animals and now the best for last, the people!
Well........ that I shall save for another day in more detail. Mostly its sad stories or stories that'd shock many. The youth here are not very open minded and are more regularly much more conservative than the "New South" kids. Racism is even more shocking here then in the parts of Dixieland I'm in. Lets say.... apart from the few forward thinking people "who are almost always 30+", it is more backwards then Tennessee "minus Crump and the creepy roads out of Shiloh!".
This is still the "Wild West", and never think otherwise. It can be brutal here and people can have zero manners or get angry easily quite often. They aren't used to people pretty much! Sometimes I wonder if I'm still in American or some independent nation claiming they, and are more patriotic then the rest. Of course, this isn't true for everyone, plenty of normals here, but these are trends I've noticed.
Huh, well, October isn't to far away till I'm back home anyhow and strange I'm only 100 miles to one of the largest cities in the west.... what the hell am I here for? Oh yeah! I like my managers and enough co-workers and the air is clean! ...Plus money and free lodging. Gotta love that!
Within 30 miles about 4000-5000 people live all year round in the LEAST densely populated state in the lower 48 states. It is 7000 feet high "Or in metric about 2300 meters up." about round abouts. Somehow, it can snow all year round, even in the summer. It snows more in May then all year round in other places, like Tennessee or Western Oregon. Why just a few hours before writing there was a goodly amount of snow, then sun, then sleet then sun again.
Along with the horrible weather, is however some of the most wonderful landscape around. Out to the north is bleak for mile around, though just that is beautiful in its own way. Then while out there you can look to the south and see the great Uinta Mountains, covered in snow, even as late as June.
Not many trees grow in the area, but the Pines, Cottonwood and Aspens are such a blessing right on the fort grounds where I live.
Animals love the fort grounds such as at Shiloh NPS in Tennessee. The animals are far more relaxed and don't mind people as much, seeing as they know no one will try to shoot them.
So nice to stroll around the grounds, seeing the trees, birds and other animals. It really makes it worth being here.
So, weather, land, plants, animals and now the best for last, the people!
Well........ that I shall save for another day in more detail. Mostly its sad stories or stories that'd shock many. The youth here are not very open minded and are more regularly much more conservative than the "New South" kids. Racism is even more shocking here then in the parts of Dixieland I'm in. Lets say.... apart from the few forward thinking people "who are almost always 30+", it is more backwards then Tennessee "minus Crump and the creepy roads out of Shiloh!".
This is still the "Wild West", and never think otherwise. It can be brutal here and people can have zero manners or get angry easily quite often. They aren't used to people pretty much! Sometimes I wonder if I'm still in American or some independent nation claiming they, and are more patriotic then the rest. Of course, this isn't true for everyone, plenty of normals here, but these are trends I've noticed.
Huh, well, October isn't to far away till I'm back home anyhow and strange I'm only 100 miles to one of the largest cities in the west.... what the hell am I here for? Oh yeah! I like my managers and enough co-workers and the air is clean! ...Plus money and free lodging. Gotta love that!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Of acting and the "new South"
Well, yet another good day past! Yesterday on Monday I was able to be part of a short film for Corinth's new Civil War webpage, with me as the face and intro to it. The crew was great to work with "Anne, Jason, Wes, Derrek and Kristy the Tourism director". Pretty simple shoots, but well done. Everyone knew what they wanted rather quickly.
Though it took 3 hours and I forgot many lines, it was great to be doing something I love. I've made the point earlier in other posts that you should do what you love if you can.
Afterward we went to a Philly cheese sandwich place and I was asked by the very cute waitress "Are you one of those Civil War reenactor guys?" Though stuck with sounding like a nerd I said "Well, yes I am, BUT I have found a way to make money with it, I just got back from filming."
So she got a photo of me in my uniform uttering the words "Oh that is Hot". Ha Yes! Women love a man in uniform..... even if it is 140 years out of style.... Of course I also had to make the joke of how hoop skirts drove guys wild and how they liked big bums! Ahh, the 19th century, so many funny little facts and great pickup lines.
Another interesting thing the waitress said is when I mentioned that most people don't like my blue Federal uniform, She then said "What, because Union troops didn't fight for Slavery?" Although the subject VERY simplified here, she, well, was pretty correct. Everyone had many reasons for fighting, but yeah, the South pretty much fought for it and the North LATER fought to end it AND bring the states into a peaceful Union again...
Also everyone on the film crew had no issue with my Blue uniform. I really think there is a new south that is appearing and that people are waking up and figuring out the past better than they ever have before. Hopefully I can be part of the Civil War education in the future and helping people discover the past, with a moderate modern view.
Anyways, until then, out to the Wild West once more in Fort Bridger, Wyoming. 4th Season there.... I totally need to get more creative with how I do things out there. Well, Hopefully I'll have plenty of company this year!
Though it took 3 hours and I forgot many lines, it was great to be doing something I love. I've made the point earlier in other posts that you should do what you love if you can.
Afterward we went to a Philly cheese sandwich place and I was asked by the very cute waitress "Are you one of those Civil War reenactor guys?" Though stuck with sounding like a nerd I said "Well, yes I am, BUT I have found a way to make money with it, I just got back from filming."
So she got a photo of me in my uniform uttering the words "Oh that is Hot". Ha Yes! Women love a man in uniform..... even if it is 140 years out of style.... Of course I also had to make the joke of how hoop skirts drove guys wild and how they liked big bums! Ahh, the 19th century, so many funny little facts and great pickup lines.
Another interesting thing the waitress said is when I mentioned that most people don't like my blue Federal uniform, She then said "What, because Union troops didn't fight for Slavery?" Although the subject VERY simplified here, she, well, was pretty correct. Everyone had many reasons for fighting, but yeah, the South pretty much fought for it and the North LATER fought to end it AND bring the states into a peaceful Union again...
Also everyone on the film crew had no issue with my Blue uniform. I really think there is a new south that is appearing and that people are waking up and figuring out the past better than they ever have before. Hopefully I can be part of the Civil War education in the future and helping people discover the past, with a moderate modern view.
Anyways, until then, out to the Wild West once more in Fort Bridger, Wyoming. 4th Season there.... I totally need to get more creative with how I do things out there. Well, Hopefully I'll have plenty of company this year!
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Of tours and war...
Well yet another great tour over with. Only 1 left now.
First one was pitifully small, only 5 people, 3 from a family of a head of the welcome center, a reporter from the local paper who was truly fantastic to have along, and another great fellow from Long Island NYC. Much different to have a small tour. Easier to judge the crowd, but being the first one, lots of kinks to work out and get my feet. Also, having a flash light to disarm the house is VERY helpful.... Thank god I got it off in time.
So, maybe not big, BUT with the article written, it has lead to bigger tours and better ones seeing as I could do a good test run with people I didn't know. Easier for some reason. Had a good chat with the 2 guys afterward.
Second one was important, being as it was 150 years, to THE day, that Fort Sumter was fired on, April 12th. I felt honored to give a Civil War tour on that day.
Though quite a few rednecks were on the tours, had many out of towners. They usually appreciate things more, but plenty of Corinthians enjoy the tours. I try to put little facts of the town in, stories of the buildings and draw people back in time. Make them see Corinth in another light, another era. So at the end I got a good tipping and after a good chat with some people from Michigan.
Now, tonight's tour, I thought I wasn't on my game as much as I was the last one. I forgot a few details, I stumbled and I didn't feel confident. However, having done the tour enough I could go along easy enough in the end. Usual people would interject, some groans of the Federal Blue Uniform I wear would occur, even disinterest or scowls of sorts. Course on the tour before that had happened, I AM down south and ALL of this group was local. But all that was limited and soon would go away once the tour started going.
So explain bout every, ruffle a few feathers and speak of the Saloons and houses of "ill repute", AKA Whore houses and the lack of sanitation.
But at the end of the tour I talk about the Battle that raged on that very ground. How men died where we are walking. Speaking of the fight and reminding them this was the worst of the war. This might seem like a nice town, but in fact, it is just like Shiloh, except its not a field that has signs. I make the point that Confederates after were welcoming of former enemies, and would help them if they were touring. Giving modern number comparison of deaths and wounding. Be the modern equivalent of 20 million, Killed, Wounded "in body and mind" and captured and sent to POW camps. And that War is a sad thing and we should think about the human toll. Not just ideas, but that real people died.
Also added that there was a mass grave at Davis Bridge battle for Rebel troops and 3 lonely tomb stones for 3 troopers from Ohio and that, they died young, never lived life and died in some godforsaken place and are most likely not visited.
That is what I want to convey, REALLY think about death in war, that war is really horrible, get people thinking of the toll of war and think that we are now Americans, North and South, are united now and forever.
I thought I did bad on this tour...... but I got double the tips on this tour, asked if I had done acting before and someone mentioned to the effect that at the end of the tour it was like "All quiet on the western front themed".
I hope I made a difference. To sound all kooky too, I had read the part of my "Battle of Corinth and Iuka" that covered the battle IN the town, and driving tonight all seemed extra dark and spooky. As if the tours were bringing the spirits of the dead back... That or I read too much and think on that stuff too much as well.
So, now, few more days and I'm off to boring Fort Bridger. Just keep an eye out for the odd post here though.
*Personal rant, warning!-
I don't usually think about being patriotic, but in the face of pro Confederate people, people who want America in their own twisted view with no compromise and not following the higher ideals of America. I'm proud to be American and I'm unashamed that being, ONE nation, the UNITED States of America and compromise together with the Union, is THE best option. Maybe I don't agree with much nowadays, or what the nation does, but in this little way, the events of 150 years ago, I am proud. So very proud of those Soldiers in Blue that fought and died so that I, and so many others didn't have to fight a Civil War later on.
First one was pitifully small, only 5 people, 3 from a family of a head of the welcome center, a reporter from the local paper who was truly fantastic to have along, and another great fellow from Long Island NYC. Much different to have a small tour. Easier to judge the crowd, but being the first one, lots of kinks to work out and get my feet. Also, having a flash light to disarm the house is VERY helpful.... Thank god I got it off in time.
So, maybe not big, BUT with the article written, it has lead to bigger tours and better ones seeing as I could do a good test run with people I didn't know. Easier for some reason. Had a good chat with the 2 guys afterward.
Second one was important, being as it was 150 years, to THE day, that Fort Sumter was fired on, April 12th. I felt honored to give a Civil War tour on that day.
Though quite a few rednecks were on the tours, had many out of towners. They usually appreciate things more, but plenty of Corinthians enjoy the tours. I try to put little facts of the town in, stories of the buildings and draw people back in time. Make them see Corinth in another light, another era. So at the end I got a good tipping and after a good chat with some people from Michigan.
Now, tonight's tour, I thought I wasn't on my game as much as I was the last one. I forgot a few details, I stumbled and I didn't feel confident. However, having done the tour enough I could go along easy enough in the end. Usual people would interject, some groans of the Federal Blue Uniform I wear would occur, even disinterest or scowls of sorts. Course on the tour before that had happened, I AM down south and ALL of this group was local. But all that was limited and soon would go away once the tour started going.
So explain bout every, ruffle a few feathers and speak of the Saloons and houses of "ill repute", AKA Whore houses and the lack of sanitation.
But at the end of the tour I talk about the Battle that raged on that very ground. How men died where we are walking. Speaking of the fight and reminding them this was the worst of the war. This might seem like a nice town, but in fact, it is just like Shiloh, except its not a field that has signs. I make the point that Confederates after were welcoming of former enemies, and would help them if they were touring. Giving modern number comparison of deaths and wounding. Be the modern equivalent of 20 million, Killed, Wounded "in body and mind" and captured and sent to POW camps. And that War is a sad thing and we should think about the human toll. Not just ideas, but that real people died.
Also added that there was a mass grave at Davis Bridge battle for Rebel troops and 3 lonely tomb stones for 3 troopers from Ohio and that, they died young, never lived life and died in some godforsaken place and are most likely not visited.
That is what I want to convey, REALLY think about death in war, that war is really horrible, get people thinking of the toll of war and think that we are now Americans, North and South, are united now and forever.
I thought I did bad on this tour...... but I got double the tips on this tour, asked if I had done acting before and someone mentioned to the effect that at the end of the tour it was like "All quiet on the western front themed".
I hope I made a difference. To sound all kooky too, I had read the part of my "Battle of Corinth and Iuka" that covered the battle IN the town, and driving tonight all seemed extra dark and spooky. As if the tours were bringing the spirits of the dead back... That or I read too much and think on that stuff too much as well.
So, now, few more days and I'm off to boring Fort Bridger. Just keep an eye out for the odd post here though.
*Personal rant, warning!-
I don't usually think about being patriotic, but in the face of pro Confederate people, people who want America in their own twisted view with no compromise and not following the higher ideals of America. I'm proud to be American and I'm unashamed that being, ONE nation, the UNITED States of America and compromise together with the Union, is THE best option. Maybe I don't agree with much nowadays, or what the nation does, but in this little way, the events of 150 years ago, I am proud. So very proud of those Soldiers in Blue that fought and died so that I, and so many others didn't have to fight a Civil War later on.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Musings of the battle of Shiloh and the Civil War.
Okay, this might be complete crap, or maybe not. Just something I wrote tonight after walking around the Battlefield of Shiloh.
Fields in Shiloh-
The sun sets tonight over the battlefield of Shiloh tonight. The scene of death and destruction and blood. The great Civil War waged through this Tennessee community of Shiloh, the place of peace. This sleepy place most had never heard of, but would affect many. Horrid conflict would touch much of the nation at that time, in one way or the other and this would be one of many sad battles.
But from the ashes of wretched, ugly war, a new nation, a new Union, a new Government, for the people, by the people and a new birth of freedom, would rise.
Now, it is rather powerful, and invigorating, walking the former field of battle with the peach trees in pink bloom, the sun setting with a crisp air about.
To stand quiet among a place of such loud battle and the carnage of war 150 years ago is strange, but now all is sleepy and peaceful. The birds fly happily through the air, ready to roost this cold night. The deer are feeding peacefully, but alert as I walk the green grass. The green and black cannon stay ready for attack, as they have for near a century, but long have they been silent and long they shall remain. How is it that these things happened here? How is it that all can seem so normal again? Ahh, but best not to question the work of nature. Keep the memory alive of the great battle, but enjoy the grand gift that nature gives us.
With the quiet crisp air getting colder and the bountiful life around, I still walk further more along the old fields of battle. Through the soft grass and sod, I think of the deeds of the many there, now long past.
At the end of my stroll, I take with me, profound thanks of the sacrifice of the soldiers holding together the nation, that we have now and enjoy, in those difficult times of century and a half ago. It would seem only fitting to honor them by keeping their memory alive and to make sure that all their work, isn't all for not. I now end my walk and my talk and look at the clock, it is time for me to end right here.
Thanks for reading.
Fields in Shiloh-
The sun sets tonight over the battlefield of Shiloh tonight. The scene of death and destruction and blood. The great Civil War waged through this Tennessee community of Shiloh, the place of peace. This sleepy place most had never heard of, but would affect many. Horrid conflict would touch much of the nation at that time, in one way or the other and this would be one of many sad battles.
But from the ashes of wretched, ugly war, a new nation, a new Union, a new Government, for the people, by the people and a new birth of freedom, would rise.
Now, it is rather powerful, and invigorating, walking the former field of battle with the peach trees in pink bloom, the sun setting with a crisp air about.
To stand quiet among a place of such loud battle and the carnage of war 150 years ago is strange, but now all is sleepy and peaceful. The birds fly happily through the air, ready to roost this cold night. The deer are feeding peacefully, but alert as I walk the green grass. The green and black cannon stay ready for attack, as they have for near a century, but long have they been silent and long they shall remain. How is it that these things happened here? How is it that all can seem so normal again? Ahh, but best not to question the work of nature. Keep the memory alive of the great battle, but enjoy the grand gift that nature gives us.
With the quiet crisp air getting colder and the bountiful life around, I still walk further more along the old fields of battle. Through the soft grass and sod, I think of the deeds of the many there, now long past.
At the end of my stroll, I take with me, profound thanks of the sacrifice of the soldiers holding together the nation, that we have now and enjoy, in those difficult times of century and a half ago. It would seem only fitting to honor them by keeping their memory alive and to make sure that all their work, isn't all for not. I now end my walk and my talk and look at the clock, it is time for me to end right here.
Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Back home...
Well I've been rather busy at the old Tennessee home here and been just plain bad about writing as well!
So been home in Tennessee about, almost 2 weeks now, but only in Michie the past 11 days.
Feels strange to be home. Seems like I never left, but enough things have changed around here, like someone re-doing the layout of the furniture in a house, but this includes roads and buildings!
Though at the same time I feel like I really haven't left, that the past 5 months of work and then 5 months of travel "Total of 10 months gone from here", have just been a blur, something that just happened really quick and then I was just transported back to a slightly different home.
But anyway, apart from that I should be getting local work in till the summer season starts in Fort Bridger Wyoming. I'll be giving Civil War tours of downtown Corinth and conducting Civil War programs with school kids. Always good fun the tours and good money. I'm glad to get money out of this hobby and my interest.
What I love about my life, is doing what I like get paid for it, then use that money to go traveling, another thing I love to do. I'm really pleased with life now. The trip was exactly what I needed. It has really helped on how I see the world and improved my happiness. Good to break up life with a wild trip round the earth!
Thinking about it, seems, the best things to make you happy is simply- Do things for yourself, things that make you happy and don't fully count on other people to make you happy and fulfilled, but let people help you along in life too. Also don't not help people, just think of yourself when you do things.
Least that's some stuff I noticed. I'm sure I could be fully wrong, or this won't work for everyone. Just some idle thoughts on my end.
Though now time to go do a few chores, but thought it'd be good to make a post after my long break.
So been home in Tennessee about, almost 2 weeks now, but only in Michie the past 11 days.
Feels strange to be home. Seems like I never left, but enough things have changed around here, like someone re-doing the layout of the furniture in a house, but this includes roads and buildings!
Though at the same time I feel like I really haven't left, that the past 5 months of work and then 5 months of travel "Total of 10 months gone from here", have just been a blur, something that just happened really quick and then I was just transported back to a slightly different home.
But anyway, apart from that I should be getting local work in till the summer season starts in Fort Bridger Wyoming. I'll be giving Civil War tours of downtown Corinth and conducting Civil War programs with school kids. Always good fun the tours and good money. I'm glad to get money out of this hobby and my interest.
What I love about my life, is doing what I like get paid for it, then use that money to go traveling, another thing I love to do. I'm really pleased with life now. The trip was exactly what I needed. It has really helped on how I see the world and improved my happiness. Good to break up life with a wild trip round the earth!
Thinking about it, seems, the best things to make you happy is simply- Do things for yourself, things that make you happy and don't fully count on other people to make you happy and fulfilled, but let people help you along in life too. Also don't not help people, just think of yourself when you do things.
Least that's some stuff I noticed. I'm sure I could be fully wrong, or this won't work for everyone. Just some idle thoughts on my end.
Though now time to go do a few chores, but thought it'd be good to make a post after my long break.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
End of the line and 40,000 miles.....
Well, it's the 18th of February and the trip which has gone since late September of 2010 is at an end. In a way though the trip started in Mid April 2010 since I started work in Wyoming. I'll have hit I think 40,000 miles by the time I'm back home in Michie, Tennessee. I'm at, I THINK 30,000 or so.
All sorts of crazy ways I've traveled. Car, Plane, Bus, Train, Motorboat, Row boat, Sail boat, Camel, Donkey, Horse, Horse cart, Tuk tuk, ski lift thingy, subway "tube"and of course good old walking!
10 months from home in Tennessee...... but so much has gone on since then and I've grown as a person greatly again. But only possible because I had much much help.
I'd like to try to thank everyone that has helped me along the way in these past months.-
My Parents first and foremost. Without your guys support in so many ways I have no idea where I'd be now. Most likely something not as interesting and most likely unfulfilling.
Thank you Mom and Dad.
Like to thank the staff at Fort Bridger State Historic site. Without you guys re-hiring me again and again I wouldn't have the money to go on these amazing trips. Thank you Linda for hiring me way back in 2006. Thank you Syd for always helping me out in tough times at the fort and your support too. Cecil..... I'll get back to you.
Then everyone else at the fort too that's helped me seeing as there are to many to list!
My Aunt Connie has to rate VERY high here! When I was stuck at the crossroads of staying in the Nile* Valley or going onto the Sinai then Petra Jordan she without missing a beat gave me a nice sum of cash to get me to those place. That would have been very good in itself, BUT then the riots began in the Nile Valley and I would have had a VERY tough time of it in Egypt and getting out of there and then to Thailand here. THANK YOU CONNIE!
"*Or Nail if your an average Egyptian which has a 5 year olds grasp of English"
I'd like to thank Philip Alderton and his great Alderton clan. You made those holiday seasons feel so much better even though I was far far away from home. Plus Philip for all the help on our wacky 3 week Euro road trip and 4 weeks in the UK.
Then like to Thank the Skinner clan of Dublin Ireland. You guys are so kind to let me stay so so so many times in your home these past trips and even more so back in December even in these difficult times.
And of course Kasper & Tomas for enduring my friendship and company!
Like to thank William and Mel and the rest of the gang for putting up with me in the Middle East. You guys were great!
Then a quick thanks to everyone else that helped me out-
Chezaubernard Antoine for being a great guy and letting me stay at his flat in Glasgow on such short notice.
Georgina Pope for letting me crash in the spare room in Edinburgh.
Amanda Stopar for waking up in the morning and getting my butt from the station to the spare couch in her flat in London.
The Bales in California for hosting me at the very start of the 10 month journey and the end of it.
Can't thank you guys enough for that help of a simple bed or couch. It is really nice to have that when you are like 2000-6000 miles from home.
My lodgings are always open to you guys, like all my friends!
Then a shout out to all my great pals from SOSKAN in the UK and then all the travel buds I've had over the past several months.
If I have forgotten anyone, most sorry! But if I have, just in case, THANK YOU!
Apart from the thank you's, not much else going on. Life is easy and I've gotten a little more cash so got some money for fishing off the pier here in Bang bao and drinking cocnuts!
I am shocked it's the end of the trip however.
I leave here on the 20th and just keeping traveling, waiting traveling till I'm back to my home and my room "and dog Ranger" in Tennessee something like a week from now.
All this adventure, missing/avoiding the riots and protests in.... Hmmm, 6 nations. All within no more than 2 weeks. Sometimes 2 days even. I'm a lucky bastard I think. Only thing that slowed me up was snow in December. Delayed me for 12 hours one time and made me re-think a few travel plans. Thats it so far, knock on wood,.... Dang. Good luck there for sure.
Anyway... This will be almost the last post. I think I'll get one more done as a follow up in Tennessee and get photos up on photobucket and post the link to here.
But yeah, thats it.
Thank you if you have kept up with my adventures these past months via my blog.
Now to leave you with a song of Bilbo Baggins! Wow! What a nerd I am.....
(The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.)
It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to.
So for all of you, TRAVEL IF YOU CAN! No matter the age, IF you can, TRAVEL!
All sorts of crazy ways I've traveled. Car, Plane, Bus, Train, Motorboat, Row boat, Sail boat, Camel, Donkey, Horse, Horse cart, Tuk tuk, ski lift thingy, subway "tube"and of course good old walking!
10 months from home in Tennessee...... but so much has gone on since then and I've grown as a person greatly again. But only possible because I had much much help.
I'd like to try to thank everyone that has helped me along the way in these past months.-
My Parents first and foremost. Without your guys support in so many ways I have no idea where I'd be now. Most likely something not as interesting and most likely unfulfilling.
Thank you Mom and Dad.
Like to thank the staff at Fort Bridger State Historic site. Without you guys re-hiring me again and again I wouldn't have the money to go on these amazing trips. Thank you Linda for hiring me way back in 2006. Thank you Syd for always helping me out in tough times at the fort and your support too. Cecil..... I'll get back to you.
Then everyone else at the fort too that's helped me seeing as there are to many to list!
My Aunt Connie has to rate VERY high here! When I was stuck at the crossroads of staying in the Nile* Valley or going onto the Sinai then Petra Jordan she without missing a beat gave me a nice sum of cash to get me to those place. That would have been very good in itself, BUT then the riots began in the Nile Valley and I would have had a VERY tough time of it in Egypt and getting out of there and then to Thailand here. THANK YOU CONNIE!
"*Or Nail if your an average Egyptian which has a 5 year olds grasp of English"
I'd like to thank Philip Alderton and his great Alderton clan. You made those holiday seasons feel so much better even though I was far far away from home. Plus Philip for all the help on our wacky 3 week Euro road trip and 4 weeks in the UK.
Then like to Thank the Skinner clan of Dublin Ireland. You guys are so kind to let me stay so so so many times in your home these past trips and even more so back in December even in these difficult times.
And of course Kasper & Tomas for enduring my friendship and company!
Like to thank William and Mel and the rest of the gang for putting up with me in the Middle East. You guys were great!
Then a quick thanks to everyone else that helped me out-
Chezaubernard Antoine for being a great guy and letting me stay at his flat in Glasgow on such short notice.
Georgina Pope for letting me crash in the spare room in Edinburgh.
Amanda Stopar for waking up in the morning and getting my butt from the station to the spare couch in her flat in London.
The Bales in California for hosting me at the very start of the 10 month journey and the end of it.
Can't thank you guys enough for that help of a simple bed or couch. It is really nice to have that when you are like 2000-6000 miles from home.
My lodgings are always open to you guys, like all my friends!
Then a shout out to all my great pals from SOSKAN in the UK and then all the travel buds I've had over the past several months.
If I have forgotten anyone, most sorry! But if I have, just in case, THANK YOU!
Apart from the thank you's, not much else going on. Life is easy and I've gotten a little more cash so got some money for fishing off the pier here in Bang bao and drinking cocnuts!
I am shocked it's the end of the trip however.
I leave here on the 20th and just keeping traveling, waiting traveling till I'm back to my home and my room "and dog Ranger" in Tennessee something like a week from now.
All this adventure, missing/avoiding the riots and protests in.... Hmmm, 6 nations. All within no more than 2 weeks. Sometimes 2 days even. I'm a lucky bastard I think. Only thing that slowed me up was snow in December. Delayed me for 12 hours one time and made me re-think a few travel plans. Thats it so far, knock on wood,.... Dang. Good luck there for sure.
Anyway... This will be almost the last post. I think I'll get one more done as a follow up in Tennessee and get photos up on photobucket and post the link to here.
But yeah, thats it.
Thank you if you have kept up with my adventures these past months via my blog.
Now to leave you with a song of Bilbo Baggins! Wow! What a nerd I am.....
(The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.)
It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to.
So for all of you, TRAVEL IF YOU CAN! No matter the age, IF you can, TRAVEL!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Elephants
Well, am in Koh Chang here, which in Thai means "Elephant Island".
So, pretty much not much going on here which suits me.
My day is pretty much this. I wake up between 8 or 9 AM. I roll out of bed, do a few hygiene things and then after stretching out on my porch which has a DIRECT view on the sea with NOTHING blocking it. Hehe, yes I am that lucky AND it only costs me 12 dollars a night.
So the weather is usually about 80-90F or 30-35C. Nights are never to bad, and the days you can get through. My hut is very Spartan and the bed is hard, but I like how simple it is too. But it is right on the sea too.
So after leaving the hut I go to the pricey bar which has hammocks, which I then lay in for 2-3 hours till lunch. I sometimes read or talk to other guests while there.
Then I get a tasty Thailand lunch, get a snack and go on the internet for 30 minutes or 60.
After all that hard hard work I go back to the cottages or to the beach and sun, read and lay around more until dinner, which I get around 5-6.
Then I rest more or read more and my day is over around between 9 to 11 PM.
So that is what I do mostly, EXCEPT today.
I saw an Elephant, and then I got on him and rode around for 2 hours.
An elephant at a zoo seems so close but is always so distant too.
When you get up to one they are far more interesting I think. You see there eyes, which look similar to a horses, there skin is VERY thick and has many small hairs and they are a rather plodding creature which I'm amazed that we as people can even control since they can go fast and be mean if they want too.
So as the day went I was driven directly to the Elephant place and was put on what seemed to be THE biggest one. The driver was nice enough but rather harsh to his elephant. Not being an elephant man I have NO clue if he was to harsh or if he needed to be. Seems being lax with a giant elephant may or may not be a good idea.
Anyway we plodded along a well used trail going partly into a rather unexciting jungle. Mostly it was good for getting photos of being on the elephant. Though, to my surprise the driver got off and told me to ride behind the head of this huge elephant while he walked ahead! Though he was nearby I was expected to help with getting this giant to move and to stay on him! That was rather scary at first, but easier as we went along.
After the jungle trek we were taken to a spot to swim with the elephants. Not being aware of this before I did not have swim wear, so I only watched. Though it may surprise some, elephants are very good in water!
Pretty neat to watch them swim around and have fun. Also the elephants were using there trunks rather well and use them like hands! I saw how well they did with the other tourists that gave them bananas.
So after our swim we got back to the pens.... then it dumped rain like crazy while we going back. Gladly the rain was warmish and I had plastic bags for my camera. Also the rain washed the elephant smell off.
Overall, good time had today!
Now for laying around till the 20ths then days of travel till home, in Tennessee! What a trip this has been!
So, pretty much not much going on here which suits me.
My day is pretty much this. I wake up between 8 or 9 AM. I roll out of bed, do a few hygiene things and then after stretching out on my porch which has a DIRECT view on the sea with NOTHING blocking it. Hehe, yes I am that lucky AND it only costs me 12 dollars a night.
So the weather is usually about 80-90F or 30-35C. Nights are never to bad, and the days you can get through. My hut is very Spartan and the bed is hard, but I like how simple it is too. But it is right on the sea too.
So after leaving the hut I go to the pricey bar which has hammocks, which I then lay in for 2-3 hours till lunch. I sometimes read or talk to other guests while there.
Then I get a tasty Thailand lunch, get a snack and go on the internet for 30 minutes or 60.
After all that hard hard work I go back to the cottages or to the beach and sun, read and lay around more until dinner, which I get around 5-6.
Then I rest more or read more and my day is over around between 9 to 11 PM.
So that is what I do mostly, EXCEPT today.
I saw an Elephant, and then I got on him and rode around for 2 hours.
An elephant at a zoo seems so close but is always so distant too.
When you get up to one they are far more interesting I think. You see there eyes, which look similar to a horses, there skin is VERY thick and has many small hairs and they are a rather plodding creature which I'm amazed that we as people can even control since they can go fast and be mean if they want too.
So as the day went I was driven directly to the Elephant place and was put on what seemed to be THE biggest one. The driver was nice enough but rather harsh to his elephant. Not being an elephant man I have NO clue if he was to harsh or if he needed to be. Seems being lax with a giant elephant may or may not be a good idea.
Anyway we plodded along a well used trail going partly into a rather unexciting jungle. Mostly it was good for getting photos of being on the elephant. Though, to my surprise the driver got off and told me to ride behind the head of this huge elephant while he walked ahead! Though he was nearby I was expected to help with getting this giant to move and to stay on him! That was rather scary at first, but easier as we went along.
After the jungle trek we were taken to a spot to swim with the elephants. Not being aware of this before I did not have swim wear, so I only watched. Though it may surprise some, elephants are very good in water!
Pretty neat to watch them swim around and have fun. Also the elephants were using there trunks rather well and use them like hands! I saw how well they did with the other tourists that gave them bananas.
So after our swim we got back to the pens.... then it dumped rain like crazy while we going back. Gladly the rain was warmish and I had plastic bags for my camera. Also the rain washed the elephant smell off.
Overall, good time had today!
Now for laying around till the 20ths then days of travel till home, in Tennessee! What a trip this has been!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Bangkok Baby and Beyond!
Well well. I am here now in Bangkok, Las Vegas on speed.
Bleh, took a lot of time, but I got here.
Long flight and time to get from Amman Jordan, to Bahrain airport, then a 10 hour layover there. a 6 or 7 hour flight to get to Bangkok, of which I mostly slept through, and about 3 hours of waiting to get my passport done, getting lost in the airport and getting to my hostel.
Bangkok is a rather interesting city. The smell of raw sewer is sometimes in the air, or gross fish WTF smell too, but, all in all it ain't bad. Thai's are far friendlier than people from Tunisi to Turkey and everything in-between. Prices are fair and set, plus its VERY cheap here. I really love the food here!
Kinda hot here though. Around 90 or 30C. So its a mixed blessing of warm weather, but I'm missing the cold at times.
Not doing all that much here. Asia has no real draw to me, except the food, cheap stuff and laying on a beach. Saw some temples here and having fun with hostel mates.
The days here are very long it seems and this isn't the most relaxing of places. Busy busy!
Now, I'm sure many of you have heard of Thai Massages and "Happy endings".... Well, most seem to be legit and I can tell you, being beat up like a piece of dough is rather interesting. How a Thai girl, who is very small have so much muscle... god only knows! It feels good after, but I'm rather sore now. Sure its good in the long term though.
Oh, now the other things with Bangkok. Asians DO drive well here, Middle Eastern people can't drive, except the Tuk-tuk drivers are a bit crazy! In Bangkok they STOP at the light, which was rare in Egypt. Yes there are PLENTY of the "lady boys" and shows of an illict nature about on the streets in certian areas. But the hassle is low for so much of the city. Makes it easy to get around and feel more relaxed. I've hardly felt like I've been ripped off.
Anyway, not many posts after this. Going to the island of Ko Chang tomorrow for and elephant ride and mostly laying about doing NOTHING. Sitting on a beach sunds good for the next 10 days. so idea when the next blog post will be, but I'm back to the USA on the 21st I think and back in Tennessee on the 24th. Gosh, just 2 weeks left, really less since there will be several long travel days.
Sure has been SOME trip......
Bleh, took a lot of time, but I got here.
Long flight and time to get from Amman Jordan, to Bahrain airport, then a 10 hour layover there. a 6 or 7 hour flight to get to Bangkok, of which I mostly slept through, and about 3 hours of waiting to get my passport done, getting lost in the airport and getting to my hostel.
Bangkok is a rather interesting city. The smell of raw sewer is sometimes in the air, or gross fish WTF smell too, but, all in all it ain't bad. Thai's are far friendlier than people from Tunisi to Turkey and everything in-between. Prices are fair and set, plus its VERY cheap here. I really love the food here!
Kinda hot here though. Around 90 or 30C. So its a mixed blessing of warm weather, but I'm missing the cold at times.
Not doing all that much here. Asia has no real draw to me, except the food, cheap stuff and laying on a beach. Saw some temples here and having fun with hostel mates.
The days here are very long it seems and this isn't the most relaxing of places. Busy busy!
Now, I'm sure many of you have heard of Thai Massages and "Happy endings".... Well, most seem to be legit and I can tell you, being beat up like a piece of dough is rather interesting. How a Thai girl, who is very small have so much muscle... god only knows! It feels good after, but I'm rather sore now. Sure its good in the long term though.
Oh, now the other things with Bangkok. Asians DO drive well here, Middle Eastern people can't drive, except the Tuk-tuk drivers are a bit crazy! In Bangkok they STOP at the light, which was rare in Egypt. Yes there are PLENTY of the "lady boys" and shows of an illict nature about on the streets in certian areas. But the hassle is low for so much of the city. Makes it easy to get around and feel more relaxed. I've hardly felt like I've been ripped off.
Anyway, not many posts after this. Going to the island of Ko Chang tomorrow for and elephant ride and mostly laying about doing NOTHING. Sitting on a beach sunds good for the next 10 days. so idea when the next blog post will be, but I'm back to the USA on the 21st I think and back in Tennessee on the 24th. Gosh, just 2 weeks left, really less since there will be several long travel days.
Sure has been SOME trip......
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Out of Egypt....
Well, long time since I've written, been WAY busy making the Exodus out of Egypt via the Red Sea and the Sinai.
As all of you know there have been many troubles in Egypt and I was glad to get out. Though when this has all been going on, I was near Dahab in the Sinai.
Not much went on there. Our internet got shut down and we didn't get it again till Jordan. Had barely a clue as what was going on, except the guy at the front desk kept saying "Oh don't worry, Cairo is safe. The Government has quelled the riot." BULLSHIT....
Now, I HAD a flight out of Cairo, but decided that would NOT work, so I after getting to Jordan I decided to fly from Jordan to Bahrain to get my flight there to Bangkok. Hoping that'll work seeing as my flight is tomorrow.
Anyway, as a day trip in Egypt on our last day I think, we "Me, Bill, Mel and our friends from the Nile boat trip, Dan and Claire" went to Mt. Sinai where God was supposed to have given Moses, THE yes THE Fifteen.... I mean TEN commandments. After getting their we went to the nice monastery setup at the foot of the Mountain, but it was rather crowded and not marked out.
Though, there was a corner with a couple bushes and a fence taking photos. thinking they were taking photos of a building I took little notice. However after a few minutes I was told by Bill, that he just found out that the bush "Which really wasn't bush like at all" was THE, yes THE burning bush, or it was at least related. Some less famous burning bush or son of.
But... what was next to it! "LO! And I beheld that next to the most holy plant on earth, and most famous for burning too, had, what... A fire extinguisher." Yes you heard me right folks! I swear to god, right next to the famed burning bush was in FACT, a fire extinguisher in plain sight.... Oh boy! Safe to say, many a joke and pun was cracked about that.
The walk up and down were far less exciting and the route was littered with rubbish on the foot of the most holy Mt. Sinai. The views from up top were amazing however. Took about 3 hours up and 2 down, partly in the dark.
After a rest, we made our planned trip to Jordan, which gladly was planned at just the right time.
If it wasn't for my friends Bill and Mel heading to Petra Jordan and my Aunt Connie for adding funds to my bank, I would have been in the Nile valley as I speak, and trying to get the hell out of Egypt in a stressful way! Instead we took a quick bus trip to the ferry, went over and took a mini bus to Petra and booked a night.
Petra is just... well just amazing! You have to have been there or seen photos. It was very magical and would put you in awe if you saw it. Though it is hard to describe the true beauty of it. So I'll let Wikipedia handle the most of it! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra
Petra, though very pricey to get in, is kept up FAR FAR FAR better than anything in Egypt and people clean up the rubbish. This I think adds to it greatly. Something Egypt could take a lesson from.
So after Petra I sadly parted ways with Mel who'd be around since my first day in Egypt. Dan and Claire since the Nile boat trip. So now the gang went down to, Me, Bill and a Croatian girl called Jasna who'd been around since we first got to the Sinai.
The bus trip to Amman here went smooth enough and we checked out the city yesterday and today some old castles. The People of Jordan are so different then the Egyptians. FAR more honest, FAR more truly nice. They will get you tea or let you go to the bathroom without money. Not been asked for "Backsheesh" ONCE... Backsheesh meaning Tips, Alms, money for nothing.
I really like the people here, though it does cost more here, it is more what I'm used to in nations from Ireland to Bulgaria. Though, admittedly the city streets aren't as full as much life and don't seem out of National Geographic or the 1800's like Egypt. But at this point I want to meet nice non creepy people and walk on level streets!
Now however is the end of the Middle east for me, and just in time since the problems in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen could spread. Hopefully not to Jordan since they got their shit together here pretty much compared to the other nations close by.
But now I'm off to Bangkok starting tomorrow and I'm on my own again till I get back to the states. Kinda sad really. Going to miss all my pals.... Oh well, for future trips!
Next post, BANGKOK BABY!
P.S. I have ridden on or in a camel, donkey, horse, horse cart, row boat, motor boat, sail boat in Egypt and in Thailand I shall have an elephant ride and go in a tuk-tuk too. That way I'll cover most of the strange and exotic transport of the world! Also by the end of the trip I will have added 16 nations and Asia to places I've been. Wow, 29 Nations... North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. What a trip!
As all of you know there have been many troubles in Egypt and I was glad to get out. Though when this has all been going on, I was near Dahab in the Sinai.
Not much went on there. Our internet got shut down and we didn't get it again till Jordan. Had barely a clue as what was going on, except the guy at the front desk kept saying "Oh don't worry, Cairo is safe. The Government has quelled the riot." BULLSHIT....
Now, I HAD a flight out of Cairo, but decided that would NOT work, so I after getting to Jordan I decided to fly from Jordan to Bahrain to get my flight there to Bangkok. Hoping that'll work seeing as my flight is tomorrow.
Anyway, as a day trip in Egypt on our last day I think, we "Me, Bill, Mel and our friends from the Nile boat trip, Dan and Claire" went to Mt. Sinai where God was supposed to have given Moses, THE yes THE Fifteen.... I mean TEN commandments. After getting their we went to the nice monastery setup at the foot of the Mountain, but it was rather crowded and not marked out.
Though, there was a corner with a couple bushes and a fence taking photos. thinking they were taking photos of a building I took little notice. However after a few minutes I was told by Bill, that he just found out that the bush "Which really wasn't bush like at all" was THE, yes THE burning bush, or it was at least related. Some less famous burning bush or son of.
But... what was next to it! "LO! And I beheld that next to the most holy plant on earth, and most famous for burning too, had, what... A fire extinguisher." Yes you heard me right folks! I swear to god, right next to the famed burning bush was in FACT, a fire extinguisher in plain sight.... Oh boy! Safe to say, many a joke and pun was cracked about that.
The walk up and down were far less exciting and the route was littered with rubbish on the foot of the most holy Mt. Sinai. The views from up top were amazing however. Took about 3 hours up and 2 down, partly in the dark.
After a rest, we made our planned trip to Jordan, which gladly was planned at just the right time.
If it wasn't for my friends Bill and Mel heading to Petra Jordan and my Aunt Connie for adding funds to my bank, I would have been in the Nile valley as I speak, and trying to get the hell out of Egypt in a stressful way! Instead we took a quick bus trip to the ferry, went over and took a mini bus to Petra and booked a night.
Petra is just... well just amazing! You have to have been there or seen photos. It was very magical and would put you in awe if you saw it. Though it is hard to describe the true beauty of it. So I'll let Wikipedia handle the most of it! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petra
Petra, though very pricey to get in, is kept up FAR FAR FAR better than anything in Egypt and people clean up the rubbish. This I think adds to it greatly. Something Egypt could take a lesson from.
So after Petra I sadly parted ways with Mel who'd be around since my first day in Egypt. Dan and Claire since the Nile boat trip. So now the gang went down to, Me, Bill and a Croatian girl called Jasna who'd been around since we first got to the Sinai.
The bus trip to Amman here went smooth enough and we checked out the city yesterday and today some old castles. The People of Jordan are so different then the Egyptians. FAR more honest, FAR more truly nice. They will get you tea or let you go to the bathroom without money. Not been asked for "Backsheesh" ONCE... Backsheesh meaning Tips, Alms, money for nothing.
I really like the people here, though it does cost more here, it is more what I'm used to in nations from Ireland to Bulgaria. Though, admittedly the city streets aren't as full as much life and don't seem out of National Geographic or the 1800's like Egypt. But at this point I want to meet nice non creepy people and walk on level streets!
Now however is the end of the Middle east for me, and just in time since the problems in Egypt, Tunisia and Yemen could spread. Hopefully not to Jordan since they got their shit together here pretty much compared to the other nations close by.
But now I'm off to Bangkok starting tomorrow and I'm on my own again till I get back to the states. Kinda sad really. Going to miss all my pals.... Oh well, for future trips!
Next post, BANGKOK BABY!
P.S. I have ridden on or in a camel, donkey, horse, horse cart, row boat, motor boat, sail boat in Egypt and in Thailand I shall have an elephant ride and go in a tuk-tuk too. That way I'll cover most of the strange and exotic transport of the world! Also by the end of the trip I will have added 16 nations and Asia to places I've been. Wow, 29 Nations... North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. What a trip!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Egypt, part 2!
..... The morning I awoke groggy and tired but feeling quite well given the night.
The new 5 people we had were still in a foul mood as they woke up, but we knew they would soon depart. The big upside is that the one fellow knew Arabic and when they left the boat, they left their Chocolate! Hurrah!
But before they left, one of the girls found her bag wet and complained and then told the crew member to "carry that bag because its wet!". Safe to say, we were glad to see that they went off.
So it was down to, Me, Bill, Mel in our gang, Then Dan and Claire an English and Kiwi Couple. Then 2 girls that are friends, Zara and Lucia. What a great group of people! They really made the trip. How crew was 2 guys named Ramadan and Allah, both nick or middle names. Course the amount of dope they smoked seemed more like a steam ship then a sail boat! I gave them the name Cheec and Chong. That name seemed to have stuck by the end of the trip!
Anyway after sailing a bit we landed at a place quickly and I got a few neat photos, saw an old watch tower then we headed quickly to a small town. We decided once again to go ashore together, "That is Me, Bill and Mel" with Zara tagging along too. With our captain, leading us to a shop we seemed to have all the kids of the village coming out to greet us. Me and Bill then started playing with the kids by kicking a soccer ball about, trying to ride there kid sized bikes and teaching them the great American "High-five". The kids were so excited and yelling and saying hello. Very few were asking for anything and just seemed plain excited that tourists would come to their village. Not a usual thing it seems!
After that we went across the other side of the Nile and made camp on an island. And make camp I really mean we sleep on the boat and have a fire on the land. The boat is much nicer to sleep on then the sandy ground.
So after getting some firewood I talked William into walking around the island a bit before night, which was soon coming. So we walked around, seeing the amazing trees and farming that is pretty much unchanged in thousands of years. Course right as we might have turned around, there was a man with a donkey and cow, who then insisted that we join him by his fire with his buddies. It seemed only rude not to accept, so we did. Sadly we couldn't talk to each other well, but it seems one was a taxi driver from Dubai who was in Egypt on holiday. That was about as much as we could talk about. After being given a cigarette which I then tried to smoke out of good faith and trying talk more, William then decided it was a good idea to head back to the boat, least they think we were lost or whatever.
Though instead of walking we were then offered donkey taxis. Yes, you heard me right! The hospitality of these guys were amazing, and never really wanting any "Backsheesh" either. In so many of the tourist areas the people are ruined like over feed pigeons in a city square! They are god awful annoying there and always looking for hand outs. But the Egyptians off the main drag are great.
Lets see, oh yes! So after the Egyptian guys talked us into a donkey ride back to the boat we were off. Interesting to be on a donkey at night going back to a boat. The rest of our boat mates were a bit surprised to see 2 donkeys come out of the dark with us riding AND while whistling the "Lawrence of Arabia" tune.
The rest of the night then passed with singing songs that we knew only a few words too, charades and trying to tell a pass it around story involving Flesh eating vampire donkeys and no we were only a little drunk that night!
However in the morning that was the end of our 3 day 2 night boat trip. We were landed and our lazy crew then took us quickly to the landing point. They were alright guys, but they drank our beer, lied to us AND used NILE WATER to clean our dishes. Thankfully none of us got sick.
I guess they could have been worse. Maybe. Then sticking there hands out into our faces for tips was off putting, BUT overall the trip along the Nile was AMAZING! Great times!
We then boarded a mini bus to see some temples before we got to Luxor. Amazing temples and a nice drive, course we were all pretty exhausted.
Getting to Luxor we were accosted by touts saying "Oh that hotel is closed! Come stay at ours!". An old trick. LIARS! we said, and we went to our hotel of choice.......... which we then found out was indeed shut...... So we walked to the next place Lonely planet guide said was good........
"Dear Lonely Planet...
You suck. You lazy bastards don't bother mentioning prices hikes, slimly hotel manager an that the FREAKING mosque BLASTS the call to prayer literally in front of our room.... at 5:30 in the morning. You guys have bad info and just get drunk"
So next day all of us had moved. Luxor is kinda shit, but great things to see around. The temples and tombs are amazing! Seeing the Pharaohs tombs in the valley of the kings was awesome. Just amazing. But the city and people weren't that wonderful.
Most the stuff I saw was well known, and won't bore with details.
Now I'm on the red sea coast, enjoying a great place, great weather. Feasting on fresh Red sea Lobster and Shark. Dahab really is great and relaxing, though the 19 hour bus ride from Luxor sucked. ALL by land too! Oh boy! But relaxed now and I plan to do very little, until PETRA JORDAN! WOOOO!
Kinda sad now though....... on the last 3-4 weeks of the trip. Well on the most exciting stuff now! Hurrah!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Amazing Egypt... Part 1
Wow! I'm gonna say, Egypt is the highlight of the trip I think, as I thought it would be. Might be loud and gross at times, but it really is a rather amazing place to see.
Where was I last? Ah yes, just leaving Aswan....
Anyway, after walking around Aswan, Me and Bill managed to find food and even so far as going to a goverment bakery that was hot and running! For a little "Backsheesh" a word we now love to joke about, we got some more bread. After a couple hours we met our hostel friend Mel at her hotel and waited around to be picked up. Took awhile, but got on the Felluca sail boat. Not a huge boat, but nice and cozy. But seeing as everything is set on Egyptian Standard time, it was around 3:30 before we set off. Sailing around for a couple hours we then picked up more people. Course at 7 people, and 2 crew we couldn't fit much more, but we then picked up 5 more people! Everyone on the boat already just accepted that they were getting on, but those new 5 people were rather pissed off! Anyway, after they accepted their fate they boarded.
We then sailed till about 9 or so, an hour after we should have, we got to a landing spot and moored that night. One of our crew was going on shore to get more supplies and some of us asked to come along. Although he looked somewhat confused by this, he let us come along anyway. Walking to the local town by Full moonlight was very fun. With all the sand and palm trees about and quant farms. Our captian then went and knocked on the door of a house which would fit better in a historic movie about Romans than the 21st century.
An old woman then answered the door dressed in black and invited us in. We were then lead to what I think was the bedroom and sat down. Tea was brought out. Our Captian asked us what we wanted from the store and left us. Forantly for us, someone in our shore party knew Arabic well enough to talk to the Mother, daughter and Son. We asked some questions and generally relaxed. It was just so neat to see such a setup.
All of us spent I'd say almost an hour on shore and I loved it the whole time. Everyone else seemed to feel the same. Later that night we had a nice camp fire party till into the wee morning..........
Stay tunned for part 2!
Where was I last? Ah yes, just leaving Aswan....
Anyway, after walking around Aswan, Me and Bill managed to find food and even so far as going to a goverment bakery that was hot and running! For a little "Backsheesh" a word we now love to joke about, we got some more bread. After a couple hours we met our hostel friend Mel at her hotel and waited around to be picked up. Took awhile, but got on the Felluca sail boat. Not a huge boat, but nice and cozy. But seeing as everything is set on Egyptian Standard time, it was around 3:30 before we set off. Sailing around for a couple hours we then picked up more people. Course at 7 people, and 2 crew we couldn't fit much more, but we then picked up 5 more people! Everyone on the boat already just accepted that they were getting on, but those new 5 people were rather pissed off! Anyway, after they accepted their fate they boarded.
We then sailed till about 9 or so, an hour after we should have, we got to a landing spot and moored that night. One of our crew was going on shore to get more supplies and some of us asked to come along. Although he looked somewhat confused by this, he let us come along anyway. Walking to the local town by Full moonlight was very fun. With all the sand and palm trees about and quant farms. Our captian then went and knocked on the door of a house which would fit better in a historic movie about Romans than the 21st century.
An old woman then answered the door dressed in black and invited us in. We were then lead to what I think was the bedroom and sat down. Tea was brought out. Our Captian asked us what we wanted from the store and left us. Forantly for us, someone in our shore party knew Arabic well enough to talk to the Mother, daughter and Son. We asked some questions and generally relaxed. It was just so neat to see such a setup.
All of us spent I'd say almost an hour on shore and I loved it the whole time. Everyone else seemed to feel the same. Later that night we had a nice camp fire party till into the wee morning..........
Stay tunned for part 2!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Amazing to see, impossible to tell well!
Wow! What a trip here! Egypt is amazing! Just amazing...
Where was I last post? Ahh yes, Cairo,the smoggy city, the honking horns and other lovely city things. Well after the Egyptian museum and the next day it was decided as the last day in Cairo should be spent around the city. So the citidel was decided as the first place that day. It is pretty much a walled compound and Mosques inside. There is a Military museum in there, whichis...interesting. Lets stay at "The creative team from North Korea in 1990's helped design this". No joke...
Anyway, after poking about there for a couple hours, me, William, and this strange burned out cranky hippy dude who invited himself along from the hostel, went to Islamic Cairo. Wow! Such a cool place! Muddy streets, people and cars everywhere, not a word in anything other than Arabic. It was like a National Geoghapic TV show or Magazine. The few photos I got can't get the smell, sounds, people and feel of it in. All I can tell you is I've never seen a place like it.
The people were very nice and the food and drink different. We got a drink first at a place, which was sugar cane put into a machine then pulped up quick. Tasted creamy AND great! Next we walked ansWilliam got hungary, but the live Catfish and dead Nile perch didn't look all that tasty. Banannas were all over, but even though we had the numbers down, we didn't know what weight it was at that price. So walking along saw a little hole in the wall place and ordered a meal, which later found was Liver, Tripe and god knows what else. Not great when while looking about you see dead parts of animals being sold outside in the sun without cooling.
So after poking about there we took the night train to Aswan, which was plesant enough. Though we found that the windows are very much dirty to the poiunt you can't hardly see out!
Aswan is a wonderful place. More laid back than Cairo of course.
Among the things to see and do down here is the tomb of the nobles, Camel riding which was very fun, local villages, taking a row boat across the Nile, little kids saying hello, meeting great people and eating great food! The amount of ruins and quality is just amazing!
Anyway, one day I'll get photos up again, but right now I need to get ready for a sail boat tour of the Nile tomorrow! Onto Luxor!
Where was I last post? Ahh yes, Cairo,the smoggy city, the honking horns and other lovely city things. Well after the Egyptian museum and the next day it was decided as the last day in Cairo should be spent around the city. So the citidel was decided as the first place that day. It is pretty much a walled compound and Mosques inside. There is a Military museum in there, whichis...interesting. Lets stay at "The creative team from North Korea in 1990's helped design this". No joke...
Anyway, after poking about there for a couple hours, me, William, and this strange burned out cranky hippy dude who invited himself along from the hostel, went to Islamic Cairo. Wow! Such a cool place! Muddy streets, people and cars everywhere, not a word in anything other than Arabic. It was like a National Geoghapic TV show or Magazine. The few photos I got can't get the smell, sounds, people and feel of it in. All I can tell you is I've never seen a place like it.
The people were very nice and the food and drink different. We got a drink first at a place, which was sugar cane put into a machine then pulped up quick. Tasted creamy AND great! Next we walked ansWilliam got hungary, but the live Catfish and dead Nile perch didn't look all that tasty. Banannas were all over, but even though we had the numbers down, we didn't know what weight it was at that price. So walking along saw a little hole in the wall place and ordered a meal, which later found was Liver, Tripe and god knows what else. Not great when while looking about you see dead parts of animals being sold outside in the sun without cooling.
So after poking about there we took the night train to Aswan, which was plesant enough. Though we found that the windows are very much dirty to the poiunt you can't hardly see out!
Aswan is a wonderful place. More laid back than Cairo of course.
Among the things to see and do down here is the tomb of the nobles, Camel riding which was very fun, local villages, taking a row boat across the Nile, little kids saying hello, meeting great people and eating great food! The amount of ruins and quality is just amazing!
Anyway, one day I'll get photos up again, but right now I need to get ready for a sail boat tour of the Nile tomorrow! Onto Luxor!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Another new day in Egypt
Well, yet another good day in Egypt here. I woke up somewhat late here and only when my Wyoming friend William woke me up once he checked in after finding out his hotel was somewhat over priced. The hostel is a good price then!
So we went over to the National Egyptian Museum and it was AMAZING! Really hard to even describe what was there and how much. Think of anything Egyptian, and it was there and lots of it. Think of all the King Tut stuff you've seen and it was there. Plus many Greek and Roman items were in there which was a pleasant surprise as well. Me and William spent many hours in there, we think 6-7 hours to see everything well. Fun for me trying to guess the era of the items too.
Afterwords we went walking around Cairo trying to find food and quickly we got to areas that had no con men and good honest people selling us tasty filling food! A fine day today it was! Really glad to see the real Cairo, though it is noisy as shit here however!
Anyway, for what happened today, you had to be there for the most part and I need more time in Egypt before writing about the feel of the nation and its people on a whole.
So, I shall talk about now.... Why do I travel and why am I doing a world trip?
********** For quick quick quick answers scroll past all the boring crap details! *************
I've been asked this and I shall explain the best I can.
So the big reason I started traveling is I always had a strong interest in history, but I was very much shy and a total home body. Not much guts for traveling. Never did anything exciting and was quite happy reading about things and seeing thing with family members, not alone.
All that changed in 2006 after securing a job at Fort Bridger Wyoming for 3 months in the summer. I was all alone for the most part and well away from family for the first time.
I clumsily started breaking out of my shell and turned 18 all at the same time. I felt like it was all rather hard and that could have been it, until..... I got back to home and went on a family trip to Virginia I think and flipped through a book about Roman Britain. I saw a neat thing with walk through Roman site around the UK and thought it looked fun.
My Dad then said something so simple when I said I would like to go there "Sure Sean, we can get you there, no problem".
That seemed to open up a whole new way of thinking for me.
Though the traveling started out as a one week trip with my Dad helping me out loads, seeing as him and my Mum went to Ireland and the UK, that same summer. So that helped loads with planning.
Then I thought about seeing more places and even staying for historical reenactment events too. My Dad encouraged me every step of the way as well. After a few months of planning, my trip was now to 5 or 6 months! About 1/3rd of the trip other people helped pay for, most of that my parents, but the other 2/3rds was me working hard and saving every dime.... Plus free food and lodging at home too!
Also some English guys coming over to Tennessee for the big Shiloh event encouraged me even more to stay for any events they had. This is also the reason I've done more American Civil War event in England than the USA since 2007.
Time came around, I did that first 5 month trip in 2007 and my life was changed forever. I felt so independent, full of life, adventuress and just plain bold after. All those new sights and smells and people and things! It was amazing! Nobody that I knew back in the states, except somewhat my parents could understand the feelings. It was amazing! All the new nations too. It truly is addictive to have these adventures. I found I could so much more with life and no longer felt like a complete loser homebody, I was starting to be a somebody I guess.
As soon as I could I got a job for 6 months, worked my butt off again and went traveling in 2008 again in the summer. After many adventures and seeing old friends and meeting great new friends, I ended back home 6 months after I started. The trip involving filming in North Africa, British museum filming, going to fun Reenactments and all the usual fun travel bits.
That winter was hard though and I thought that perhaps I could get work and travel AGAIN. But alas, no dice, no job. So I went back to Fort Bridger to work the summer of 2009.
Then I got the stupid idea of trying to get into relationships with some pretty girls and settling down in the states, all the usual stuff, and ect ect. Travel days maybe should be over. HAHAHA! What a stupid idea if I ever had one!
After 2 FAILED relationships in 2009, the last one ending badly in England. I went to a great friend of mines place and one day watched the Telly. Huh, Jeremy Clarkson from TV's Top Gear. Huh, he is flying around the earth. Huh, I have heard of a couple other people doing that. Huh, I'll fly around the earth too. No problem....
Thank you Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear, for doing a TV show on flying around the earth!
So out of the deep depths of being dumped I got back on the horse, worked my ass off big time and saved enough money and put enough on the credit card to do this trip.
Great to get back traveling again. Oh how I missed it!
Now of course this is all generally simplified, but its all pretty much true and skips the boring crap mostly.
**********BUT if you want the SUPER quick answers here they are-
Why I started traveling- My Dad, books and history related media "I.E. TV and movies"
Why I keep traveling- Crazy ass fun and very addictive
Why I'm doing a round the world trip- Jeremy Clarkson and TV
So keep an eye out on here for more random updates of my travels! Keep on reading everyone and passing this around! :) Thanks for all your support too. You know who you ARE and are not. Haha!
So we went over to the National Egyptian Museum and it was AMAZING! Really hard to even describe what was there and how much. Think of anything Egyptian, and it was there and lots of it. Think of all the King Tut stuff you've seen and it was there. Plus many Greek and Roman items were in there which was a pleasant surprise as well. Me and William spent many hours in there, we think 6-7 hours to see everything well. Fun for me trying to guess the era of the items too.
Afterwords we went walking around Cairo trying to find food and quickly we got to areas that had no con men and good honest people selling us tasty filling food! A fine day today it was! Really glad to see the real Cairo, though it is noisy as shit here however!
Anyway, for what happened today, you had to be there for the most part and I need more time in Egypt before writing about the feel of the nation and its people on a whole.
So, I shall talk about now.... Why do I travel and why am I doing a world trip?
********** For quick quick quick answers scroll past all the boring crap details! *************
I've been asked this and I shall explain the best I can.
So the big reason I started traveling is I always had a strong interest in history, but I was very much shy and a total home body. Not much guts for traveling. Never did anything exciting and was quite happy reading about things and seeing thing with family members, not alone.
All that changed in 2006 after securing a job at Fort Bridger Wyoming for 3 months in the summer. I was all alone for the most part and well away from family for the first time.
I clumsily started breaking out of my shell and turned 18 all at the same time. I felt like it was all rather hard and that could have been it, until..... I got back to home and went on a family trip to Virginia I think and flipped through a book about Roman Britain. I saw a neat thing with walk through Roman site around the UK and thought it looked fun.
My Dad then said something so simple when I said I would like to go there "Sure Sean, we can get you there, no problem".
That seemed to open up a whole new way of thinking for me.
Though the traveling started out as a one week trip with my Dad helping me out loads, seeing as him and my Mum went to Ireland and the UK, that same summer. So that helped loads with planning.
Then I thought about seeing more places and even staying for historical reenactment events too. My Dad encouraged me every step of the way as well. After a few months of planning, my trip was now to 5 or 6 months! About 1/3rd of the trip other people helped pay for, most of that my parents, but the other 2/3rds was me working hard and saving every dime.... Plus free food and lodging at home too!
Also some English guys coming over to Tennessee for the big Shiloh event encouraged me even more to stay for any events they had. This is also the reason I've done more American Civil War event in England than the USA since 2007.
Time came around, I did that first 5 month trip in 2007 and my life was changed forever. I felt so independent, full of life, adventuress and just plain bold after. All those new sights and smells and people and things! It was amazing! Nobody that I knew back in the states, except somewhat my parents could understand the feelings. It was amazing! All the new nations too. It truly is addictive to have these adventures. I found I could so much more with life and no longer felt like a complete loser homebody, I was starting to be a somebody I guess.
As soon as I could I got a job for 6 months, worked my butt off again and went traveling in 2008 again in the summer. After many adventures and seeing old friends and meeting great new friends, I ended back home 6 months after I started. The trip involving filming in North Africa, British museum filming, going to fun Reenactments and all the usual fun travel bits.
That winter was hard though and I thought that perhaps I could get work and travel AGAIN. But alas, no dice, no job. So I went back to Fort Bridger to work the summer of 2009.
Then I got the stupid idea of trying to get into relationships with some pretty girls and settling down in the states, all the usual stuff, and ect ect. Travel days maybe should be over. HAHAHA! What a stupid idea if I ever had one!
After 2 FAILED relationships in 2009, the last one ending badly in England. I went to a great friend of mines place and one day watched the Telly. Huh, Jeremy Clarkson from TV's Top Gear. Huh, he is flying around the earth. Huh, I have heard of a couple other people doing that. Huh, I'll fly around the earth too. No problem....
Thank you Jeremy Clarkson Top Gear, for doing a TV show on flying around the earth!
So out of the deep depths of being dumped I got back on the horse, worked my ass off big time and saved enough money and put enough on the credit card to do this trip.
Great to get back traveling again. Oh how I missed it!
Now of course this is all generally simplified, but its all pretty much true and skips the boring crap mostly.
**********BUT if you want the SUPER quick answers here they are-
Why I started traveling- My Dad, books and history related media "I.E. TV and movies"
Why I keep traveling- Crazy ass fun and very addictive
Why I'm doing a round the world trip- Jeremy Clarkson and TV
So keep an eye out on here for more random updates of my travels! Keep on reading everyone and passing this around! :) Thanks for all your support too. You know who you ARE and are not. Haha!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
What adventures!
Well, I am here in Egypt. I am exhausted, but I've seen some AMAZING things already.
So this part of my trip starts at Oxford. After a nice last night in England, thinking of times gone by and the future travels, for the next 6 weeks and beyond, I tried to sleep. Course had to wake up at half past 4 in the morning.... so very little sleep!
Anyway got everything and was ready to head out to the bus station so early to Heathrow. Said my goodbyes to Philip, got to the station JUST as the bus was pulling away, so I got there within seconds of it leaving. Lucky me!
So apart from seeing a movie on the flight and some TV shows, the traveling from Oxford to Cairo was, uneventful.
Getting into Cairo was basically like everywhere else. The drive to the hostel here was... interesting! These people should be excellent fighter pilots the way they drive here. DAMN!
Crazy driving. Thought I was gonna die that night, but got here okay.
So after the crazy adventure of the day I settled in and found that a guy I know, "William of Wyoming", was just getting into Cairo. So we met up chatted and had the next day planned out. I met a woman called Mel at the hostel here and we decided to split the cost of a Taxi, and William decided to join in too.
All was set for what would then become today...
So at 9 after we all got up, "which almost didn't happen", we were able to start the tour.
First stop was of course the Pyramids of Giza. AMAZING things to look upon. The great wonders of the world! The 3 of us looked around for 3 hours looking about and even going into the one! Really hot inside and plain, but where else can you do something like that?
We were hassled by the sales and camel guys, who as usual, were assholes. But minor issue.
After that we went to the oldest Pyramid in Egypt.... of what its called, I can't remember but will edit in one day.
That was really neat to see and from there you can gaze upon many other pyramids as well, including the Giza ones. The sands must have moved in far more it seems over time. Hmm, the sands of time! Haha! Bout as good as my "Oh DE Nile is awesome".
So after that place we had one more quick stop to MEMPHIS.... egypt. NOT Tennessee.
Did make sure to get a photo of the sign.
So after the long days of adventures I shall now turn in for a great night of sleep I think!
Next post I think will be, "Why do I travel?"
So this part of my trip starts at Oxford. After a nice last night in England, thinking of times gone by and the future travels, for the next 6 weeks and beyond, I tried to sleep. Course had to wake up at half past 4 in the morning.... so very little sleep!
Anyway got everything and was ready to head out to the bus station so early to Heathrow. Said my goodbyes to Philip, got to the station JUST as the bus was pulling away, so I got there within seconds of it leaving. Lucky me!
So apart from seeing a movie on the flight and some TV shows, the traveling from Oxford to Cairo was, uneventful.
Getting into Cairo was basically like everywhere else. The drive to the hostel here was... interesting! These people should be excellent fighter pilots the way they drive here. DAMN!
Crazy driving. Thought I was gonna die that night, but got here okay.
So after the crazy adventure of the day I settled in and found that a guy I know, "William of Wyoming", was just getting into Cairo. So we met up chatted and had the next day planned out. I met a woman called Mel at the hostel here and we decided to split the cost of a Taxi, and William decided to join in too.
All was set for what would then become today...
So at 9 after we all got up, "which almost didn't happen", we were able to start the tour.
First stop was of course the Pyramids of Giza. AMAZING things to look upon. The great wonders of the world! The 3 of us looked around for 3 hours looking about and even going into the one! Really hot inside and plain, but where else can you do something like that?
We were hassled by the sales and camel guys, who as usual, were assholes. But minor issue.
After that we went to the oldest Pyramid in Egypt.... of what its called, I can't remember but will edit in one day.
That was really neat to see and from there you can gaze upon many other pyramids as well, including the Giza ones. The sands must have moved in far more it seems over time. Hmm, the sands of time! Haha! Bout as good as my "Oh DE Nile is awesome".
So after that place we had one more quick stop to MEMPHIS.... egypt. NOT Tennessee.
Did make sure to get a photo of the sign.
So after the long days of adventures I shall now turn in for a great night of sleep I think!
Next post I think will be, "Why do I travel?"
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Start of the last leg home...
Well... The European part of my trip is over and what I like to call, phase 4 of my trip will soon start. I will greatly miss Europe. I have always seen great things and met some great people. This has been a really good trip for me. Nice to shake all the rust that has built up over to much work and other personal frustrations with no real break or big change. Travel really is a wonderful thing. I am so glad I have had the chance to get out and about.
Though I miss home and can't wait to get back, I'm looking forward to ANOTHER European trip, with hopefully a swing through Bulgaria. ;) Course that depends on how well I save money this summer at Fort Bridger Wyoming and if I should save up for a trip at a later point or buy other things in general. Who knows! I'll wait and see. Much of my gear is wearing out and I'll need to re-fit at the end of the trip.
Anywho, where was I, oh yeah! Well might as well cover what I've been doing the past few days in Oxford England.
Me and Philip got back from winter walking rather worn out, and we mostly did nothing most the week. He had to work and no internet at the flat so I've just been typing away at the Madding Crowd Pub here in Oxford. Its worked well enough for me and I've enjoyed having something to do all day at low cost.
Another neat thing was ringing a bell at St. Giles Church. The bell was I think from the 1850's and there was a bell in there from the 1600's as well! Got to go into the Belfry and see them all in there too. It was bat free too. FYI, this is what my friend Philip does with some of his free time so I was a guest for it.
So another day we had a drink with Philips brother David, who is a real hoot. That guy has some pretty great jokes or remarks about everything. Then another mutual friend of me and Phil showed up, Andrew, and I talked to him about his American trip plans.
For the weekend we slept in at the flat then went to David's house to watch the entire HBO series "The Pacific", then after that watched a very unintentionally funny Animal police show in Miami. Its real, and the "police" who are very fat and just really dog catchers are the biggest bunch of idiots. So it's really just like the American show called "Reno 911", but sadly real.... and funny.
What else? Oh yeah, one day I got to the Pitts River museum/Natural History museum. Saw a DoDo skeleton, the first correct and scientifically recorded Dinosaur fossil and other neat things like that. Pitt River museum is hard to describe, but it is just loaded with items of all sorts. Mostly cultural items or historic items. Stand out things was the first Enfield rifle and a Vest used in the American Civil War, except inside the wool it had metal bullet proof plate in there too.
Anyway, that is a general update of what I've been up to. But the laying about and recovering is over. Now for travel, now for adventure, now for new sights and then home to Tennessee in 6 weeks!
Thanks again for reading my blog, and keep an eye out for "hopefully" more regular updates while I'm in Egypt and Thailand!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Another quick update
Okay, not much going on, but figure should post since people are asking.
Christmas was WONDERFUL! Got all sorts of neat gifts like great books, a Cornish Rugby shirt and great history related T-shirts. It was really nice to relax in Cornwall. Philip my friend was really nice showing me around. Wonderful weather and good food, including the famous Cornish Pastie.
Then on Christmas day after presents had a massive fry up, and then went to the beach 7 miles away for sparkling wine and snacks. Fun thing to do on Xmas. Anyway to kill the rest of the day me and Philip TRIED to watch "Gone with the Wind", but were rather but off by Scarlett being nasty and the HUGE amount of racist stuff. Just not a good movie for good pro Federal Union men!
We did last 2 and a half hours though.
After that we had a LOVELY Turkey dinner with ALL the trimmings. Oh it was so good! Was like an American Thanksgiving meal, but with English extras and taste, including the wonderful breadsauce! So we got the crackers out and pulled them. Our gifts and paper crowns fell out and we went eating again.
Very great holiday season. Although it was at Philips parents house, it felt as close to home as I could get. They were really top notch hosts, Philip too.
So after Cornwall we went up to Wales for a hiking trip based at a scout hut, which was like a hostel. Course upon getting there we found the water was off seeing as the freeze was quite bad and shut the pipes off. After 2 days or so it was back on. The showers didn't work.... soooo I was stinky too.
Course the hiking was great, food was well prepared, booze was plenty, games were fun and of course the crowd was a great one!
Great 6 or so days.
Now I'm in Oxford relaxing. Trying to see as much as I can here and hopefully seeing more UK friends. See what the weekend brings. Going to Egypt on the 11th and that will be the last phase of my trip, phase 4. That'll last 5 weeks, then I'm home to Tennessee.
Shocked that the past 14 weeks have flown by. And how the summer season at Fort Bridger has flown by too now that I think on it.... Wow... Great times.
Well, off for now with my next post from EGYPT! Blog will be more busy then I hope!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
