Wake up in a splendid fortress overlooking the sea, I must confess I didn’t find myself in much of a hurry to leave the area. I had a leisurely breakfast and coffee (Starbucks VIA, by the way, perfect for camping). Washed some socks, then went and filled up with water. […]
Travel Words
The one with Tbilisi, not Atlanta (R)
I only managed to spend two night in Tiblisi, the capital of the country Georgia. The first, my $5/ night hostel had all-you-can-drink wine. I got my $5 worth hanging out with Jason, an American guy I’d spent the next two weeks hanging out with. The next day was spent […]
Days in Bishkek: What to Do, What to Do? (R)
As part of being back in Bishkek I’m making a point to learn as much about town as I can: things to do and places to eat and awesome daytrips to the many mountain valleys just outside of town. In doing so I thought it would be useful to put […]
Yak Butter Candles: Smells Like Yak (R)
Yak Butter Candles: Smells Like Yak Yak butter remains for me both the smell and taste of Tibet. At every temple, yak butter candles burn endlessly and release this strong (cloying) aroma into the air. At every restaurant, tea mixed with yak butter can be had for a pittance. What […]
Headed for Heurigen (R)
One of my favorite days in Vienna did not, technically speaking, take place in Vienna. The village of Grinzing, though, is where Viennese go to get their rowdy summer on. Grinzing is the wine-growing (and –drinking) rural region of Austria just outside of Vienna. City busses even go there from […]
Afghan Anxiety (R)
“Good Luck!” With that as the send-off, we were beyond the Tajik border in no-mans-land on the way to Afghanistan. I honestly don’t think I’d ever felt true anxiety until that moment. So many thoughts, so quickly. Is this a terrible idea? Are we making a mistake? Should I tell […]