Why we should remember Gettysburg and the Union cause.

*Little something I bashed out one evening recently. Not sure if all the spelling is correct and bit more of a rant against people who think the south had just cause. 

Many of you have most likely heard of Gettysburg, and the Civil War. But how many know the real causes of the war, or how it affected our modern world? Why is Gettysburg such a pivotal event/battle in American, if not world history? 

The American Civil War of course, has many causes and many men fought for different reasons. The root of the war, and the majority of the tension is of course, African slavery. *Note to Philip, there were of course Indian Slaves (And 50 or so black slaves) in Utah territory numbering several hundred, but no Mormon was fighting to keep them!* 

Though Slavery had been common in Europe in Medieval times and slaves had been widely imported into American until the trade was banned in the early 1800's. By the mid 1800's most the civilized world had gradually done away with human chattel and switched to wage labour. Except, in the American South. While almost all other nations (And Norther States) had done away with this institution, it had grown and created an even stronger aristocratic system than previous generations. 

By the time of Lincoln's election in 1860, more than 4 million human beings were held in slavery in the many southern states. Though the North was by no means fans of Slavery, it had no real intention on the whole to change it where it was, but rather keep it where it was and not let it expand into any new lands where it could compete with "free" labour. 

Southerners however, especially ones in areas with high amounts of slavery, had no belief that Northerners and the "Radical" Lincoln wouldn't try to ban slavery in all of the United States. Shortly after the election, South Carolina seceded from the Federal Government in 1860. Within the next few months, several more states in "Dixie" would secede from the Union. 

The goal of secession? Mainly, states and an individuals rights... the rights to own human beings, to go wherever they like with slaves and even to rip supposed runaway slaves away from free states without even so much as due process. There would be no "Men are created equal" in this "new" nation. There would be no thought to Blacks except as "property". No thought to poor whites and their hardships and even less if they were from mountain regions. No, this new "nation" was to be ruled by an Aristocracy that cared little except to maintain their own personal wealth and power. The notion that they could be told what to do by merchants and farmers and mechanics and emigrants from free states, voting in free elections disgusted these "Gentleman". As if these common men, were there equals!

No, they would form a new nation, that would be based on slavery and dominance and the power of wealth.  

By 1861 the American Civil War had started with the shelling of Fort Sumpter by Southern soldiers in April. The War began and the Confederacy had gained more states. 

2 years later the war had dragged on seemingly with no end. Though the Confederacy had done well in Virginia, it was having major reverses in Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. 

War had been waging on Southern soil almost the whole time, but after the extremely successful battle of Chancellorsville in Virginia the Confederate army commanded by Robert E. Lee decided to take the offensive to the North. 

The Union army in Virginia had had very few successful battles and as a result had developed very low morale. 

But after hearing of Confederate movements toward Pennsylvania it took action and went on many forced marches to catch up to the Rebel army. But could the Union army win after losing so much in this theater of war? 

The war was almost lost for the Union. Politically the peace party in the North was growing strong. War wariness had taken a large toll. Thousands had died to no effect it seemed. If a large battle was lost on north soil, and its army defeated again, it is no exaggeration that the war would be lost at that point for the Federal Government and the  

In late June, the Union army received a new commander, George Meade only days before the largest battle of the War, a cross roads town in South Pennsylvania called Gettysburg. 

The battle began almost by mistake, with Confederate troops converging on the town and suddenly being confronted by Federal Cavalry under General John Buford on the out skirts of town. Not to be out done by a small force confederates poured troops toward the town on the morning of July 1st. 

The battle had begun and would last to the 3rd of July. 

This was a battle that should have been easily won by the Confederates and at several points they almost did. They had better generals, the troops had higher morale, had been feed better for the past few weeks and they knew they were winning the war. The Northern troops didn't have those advantages. However, although these troops hadn't won very often, they knew if they had lost this time, the war was lost. Their way of life, the unity of The United States of America, would have vanished. How many more wars have had happened? Would the USA soon look like Europe? With petty states having endless warfare? Could democracy have survived? 

No, this could not happen. Union troops knew, that this was it. On many occasions at this battle, seemingly more than others, Union troops charged in at just the right literally minute. 

The most famous and desperate being the 1st Minnesota charging without hesitation 1,500 confederates, while they had but 250. Although 200 would be killed or wounded, those men pushed back the rebel troops for 20 minutes until help could arrive. 

After 3 days of battle the Rebel army was at last defeated on the third day. On each day the rebel army had a very good chance of winning with ease, and destroying the Union army, and with it, the Union cause. 

The Rebel best chance of victory was then gone, but the war still would drag on for another 22 months, but after that, the nation was whole again with the surrender of the last rebel armies. Although racial issues would still divide and not all the problems were of course solved, the Union and the Federal Republic survived. Time would heal the wounds, solve the issue and with steady resolve, we now have the great country which we live in. Though are nation is not without sins and hasn't done its evils, the Evil we have defeated, the ideas we have spread have more than made up. However, none of that would have been possible if the brave men of the Federal Armies had not prevailed against the forces of slavery, ignorance and arrogance. 

The increasingly poor decisions of Sean *Okay not THAT bad!..."

Wow! Okay, August 1st... hmmm, long time since I posted anything! Now its November 4th....
Well, time I give a vague idea to people what I have been doing, or even thinking.

Generally the summer went good. Working at the camp ground was great fun and was nice to be outside.
Can't quite remember all the trips, but got to Slovenia for a few days and had great fun in the capital, Lubeeeonjjjya... whatever. And even had a quick trip to Zagreb too while there. It was quite weird to go back to Zagreb after so long, but the trip turned out to be worth it.

I think if I recall went to a local fest here and donned the Lederhosens once again. Though I did the strongman competition in Garmisch, I didn't do it across town the next time. Speaking of which, I did get to Oktoberfest too! Though I went alone, after an hour of walking around I did find an English speaking German and an Aussie that was talking to him. So, 5 hours later and after getting drunk in some great sunny, even warm weather, I got back to Garmisch.

But back to trips. In late August I got down to Pula Croatia... I think...Or it was early September. But what a great town! So much there history related with the main focus on the Romans. Great to walk around the old town and find my favorite Rajika! Its strong stuff, but I love it!
Met some good people yet again and really loved getting the fresh tasty food from the local market. Was really nice to take a break from everything here.

Everything else inbetween is rather mundane. Might go to the pub or hang with people for an hour or more, but its pretty standard. My group of friends are limited, though of good quality at least. Life is fun and nice, though, I feel stuck. I'm 24 and everyone wants to re-live their college or even high school days. 26 going on 18... that's sad.

So, I work, get back, do a few things, and go off again to do the next thing, or travel. I've really love the last bit. Seeing old friends and re connecting has been wonderful. I feel as Europe, or at least England, seems like home. I'm sad every time I go back. I'm not sure how I'll handle being back in the states. This will put me 3 years overseas in 6 years. 

My love life, well that's been pretty horrible. Americans here, well, safe to say, I've had horrible luck with. Much as I try, I don't know these people and makes dating hard. There will always be a certain distance I'll have. I've done so much in the my, and I have such different view points that are more mature and European, and I lack a certain personality, a certain draw to me. Charisma I think is it. Though I have it around European/Brits and more mature Americans, I utterly lack it with younger people it seems. Ahh, life, I don't understand it. The European with the dating, its been better, but it's been bumpy or confused, either with age gaps or me not having a real work permit for Europe, but still, its been better and gives me hope at the same time it depresses me.

Anyway, now enough of that for now.....

Next post will be all about October and November!

Adventures in Europe and fests!

Wow! Well, I've been up to plenty here lately so need to have a bit of a long write up.
So, I'm basically coming up to 3 months here. Work is going well, but soon I'll get transferred somewhere once the summer ends. So, we'll see where that takes me at the resort.
Now since I last wrote I've been doing many fun things.

Just a couple weeks after my Croatian trip I was able to squeeze a trip into Hungary before Lilla, a Hungarian friend of mine near Gyor Hungary. The night train wasn't the best, but had a good conversation with an ethnic Hungarian, but who was from Romania. I later learned that this really was pretty common interestingly.

Once I arrived in Gyor I was taken to my friends house and treated to a wonderful breakfast of potatoes and a mix of everything else.... including Palinka, a borderline moonshine related to Rakija and is about 50% too boot. So, yeah, strong! AND it was at 8 AM! Oh boy! Oh and for each meal after for 3 days I have booze. Safe to say I was drunk to some degree the whole time I was there!

A nice trip to Gyor, the local big city, happened after lunch... and more Palinka.
After seeing the local sites and the bizillion war monuments from WW1 and the 1848 revolutions, we went shopping for my niece. Gladly Lilla made a good translator in the store. I went ahead and bought a full traditional Hungarian girls dress along with a few other tid bits. Lilla was quite thrilled that I took the effort to buy something so Hungarian as that.

To finish off the town tour went to have some tasty fisherman soup, saw a church with a statue mask thing from the first King of Hungary. Had a tour through some neat old buildings, but being Gypo part of town was kinda dumpy and foul words in Hungarian being shouted from person to person. Gladly we weren't the brunt of the language, but wasn't going to stick around either!

The rest of my time was spent chatting with Lilla, seeing the local countryside, buying up stuff like crazy and just generally relaxing. It really was nice to be in a house even just for a little time. But, had to go back to work after just a couple days. Twas a fine break though.

Now speed up to the near present, which is only like 2 weeks.

Fest season is starting up here and I had only a hat of Bavarian style. So, went to the first day of fest with just the hat. Oh I stood out so much with just the hat, but the lederhosen aren't cheap either. Hmmm.
The next day I went to the shop to just have a quick look, but not to buy.
Once I went in the shop I knew I'd be buying something more than likely. Someone then helped me try on everything, picking the correct size for me. Once I was all decked out in my clothes, 2 guys from work came in, saying the same thing I had thought before... and that night we all had lederhosens!

That night, I decided that I really wanted to enjoy my new clothes, and, oh! What better way than enter the strong man competition! 300 Kilo /600 pounds of stone. Easy peasy! Well, I knew it'd not be, but I wanted to prove to myself that I COULD do it, even a tiny bit, and do it in front of hundreds. Why, who else could say they've done that? Nae few, that's what! Oh, then I, along with 2 other guys, Managed to accidentally join in with a slap dancing group. Safe to say, all 3 of us were drunk'ish and didn't do well, but all fun as well!
Also got a free beer and won a coffee maker for trying to do lifting too. So, a good deal I think!
But after 3 nights of the fest, which is gladly in walking distance, time to take a break until the last days!

This'n that

Well! Busy here in Germany! Been up to much lately. Always something going on here in town.

Lately I went out with the British Army soldiers staying at the camp ground section I work at. There were a few groups in and I met with the last 2. Although I was unsure about the group, I found them to be very nice once we got to know each other. Most the night involved eating and drinking, but plenty of good talking. We were able to get to the hot tub and the bar at the lodge, though I doubt we were the favorites of the staff as the Limeys got carried away some! Also went to the Karaoke night there, which everyone seemed to join in, which was really pretty fun. Some, myself included, were signed up for some pretty bad songs though! 

It'd been a long while since I'd had good conversations with people and I'd forgotten how I'd missed European and the different people. I really found I'm not sure where I really belong however. Though I got along with the Brits, I still was kinda the "American" but around the Americans here, I feel kinda outa sorts even more.

Now after the Brits I had a very good trip to Croatia just recently. I had been working very very hard the weeks leading up to it, and barely managed to book the time off. Took the very discount train ticket with beds down to Rijeka to where my good friend Jasna lives. In the city there we did a quick tour and did some shopping. Also learned the city has a saying that is very much there's, "Sta Da?" Which directly translates to What Yes?, but really means "Oh really?", said just when another person is talking.

So after brushing up on my Southern Slavic and trying to learn some new words, we headed down the coast for other little trips, most involving beach time and more shopping. And so on and so forth. Beach time, touring, eating interesting food and drinking some lovely booze!

Though thats over and I'm back to work. Not sure where the next out of country trip is, but hopefully it'll be in Hungary in July. Otherwise saving up for MAYBE the following-

Ukraine in September in the Crimea for an event. 4-8 day trip

Israel, MAYBE if the political climate isn't too bad, do that between October and February. 5-7 day trip

The UK at least once or twice soon enough! Without a doubt, AFTER the Olympics. 4-7 day trips

Greece is on the list and many tours of the local area, but we'll see what else happens. Just wanting to get to new nations, or old nations to see friends.

Keep watching here for new posts as they come in!

Of Germany...

Well! It has been a long while since I posted!

Traveling has been light since the Grande round the world trip of 2010/2011.

I've basically been working, starting a tour company, getting in the news, hosting friends from all over the world. Had health issues for a long time, but gladly over the past few months I'm more or less cured. Makes life far easier and fun! 

Now I'm in Germany however. I work now at Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. A resort designed for the US Armed forces and NATO forces as well. We are right next to the Marshall Center as well, the largest conference center in Europe. Designed to foster relations for different nations, usually military related. Oh and Richard Strauss is buried literally right next door here. 

Anyway, I put in for this around January or sometime round then. Got an interview in February. Made a road trip out of getting there too with my English friend Philip. Louisville is a long ways from Tennessee!
4 days after the interview, found I had the job and here I am.

However, I will try to give everyone an idea of everything around here.
Start with lodging and walk you toward the work areas. 

Lodging here is rather simple, but nice. We are at about 700 meters here and in a valley with the Alps all around us. The housing building is an old Nazi hospital with propaganda paintings all over. There are 2 stories and dorm style housing and bathrooms. Generally everything is clean too.
The area is well secured and safe as we are on government property. Everyone that works here, myself included, is a Department of Defense Civilian worker, under the Army. So fancy title! I rather like it though and I embrace it.

So, as you leave the housing area you'll pass guards and such and head to the south. The local town of Garmisch is very quaint and very German. There is a fine mix of old fashion and modern. On Sundays you'll see the old men in Bavarian folk outfits and sometimes women. Bikes and nicer cars rule the roads, and as usual leaves the person on foot left somewhat out. Right now my bike is in the shop so I must deal with it best I can. There are several ways to get to work. Along the stream in town, the main road or both.
It really is fun to walk or bike to work, enjoying fresh air and listening to chickens clucking and cows mooing.

So once you get closer to the work areas, it becomes modern again. Once at the check point you HAVE to show ID to get in. Security is taken damn serious, so I must end there about all that jazz. Except on base I can get cheap tax free stuff! Woohoo!

Anywhoooo. All my co-workers are good people to work with and I have a room mate who is a top notch guy. Oh and German food and beer is great. And the Alps are awesome! Yup, gonna be fun year here!

Well, keep posted for more of my adventures in Europe!

New posts soon, one day!

Okay, been WAY bad bout posting. Will do soon again. Wrists are screwed up now and can't write much. Things been busy here. Loads of fun. Big Shiloh Reenactment was ACE and the 150th tours at Shiloh were great as well! Anyway, off to Germany in one month for a job at a US armed forces resort,. So should be posting again, as this IS a tour blog, centering on Europe. Anyway, be back before then on here!

Sean

Howdy

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.

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.

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!

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,
It seems to me most strange that men should fear;
Seeing that death, a necessary end,
Will come when it will come.”

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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......

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!

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!