Well, Indi and I did what needed to be done and did some number crunching. And plans are going to have to change. Here is the rough breakdown of how our daily expenses have gone per country: New Zealand: $100/day (we went a little nuts with an unexpected Fidelity deposit) Indonesia: $66/day Malaysia: $81/day Thailand: … Continue reading The Times, They Are A-Changin’
Month: October 2009
1 + 1 + 1 does not always equal 3
Have I mentioned that I love Japan? It feels like this weird Sliders-esque universe where, from a distance, things look fine and normal but once I get closer, things are different, sometimes to the point of insanity. Some of it is expected, some of it is not. First of all, everything is cute. I expected … Continue reading 1 + 1 + 1 does not always equal 3
Kansai Rainbow Parade 2009 – LGBT Issues in Japan
Because of it's heavy Western influence but unique cultural stylings, Japan often acts as a slightly warped circus mirror for issues in America. Depending on where you stand, the reflection might be spot on, or it might be nearly unidentifiable. Kansai Rainbow Parade 2009 LGBT (Lesbian/Gay/Bi/Transsexual) rights are a flashpoint topic back in the States, … Continue reading Kansai Rainbow Parade 2009 – LGBT Issues in Japan
Ohayou Gozaimasu from Osaka
That means good morning ^-^ Yesterday we arrived at Kansai Int'l Airport at WAY too early in the morning from our red-eye flight. When we stepped out of the airport (which floats, by the way) we were instantly in an entirely different world. For one, it was about 60F, which felt GREAT. For another, everything … Continue reading Ohayou Gozaimasu from Osaka
Thoughts on Cambodia and Thailand
Since I still owe ya'll my impressions on Thailand, I figured for once I'd wrap up two countries in one post. We're spending the night in Bangkok with an amazing Couchsurf lady and looking forward to our trip to Japan tomorrow! Thailand Thailand was probably the most built-up country I've been to thusfar. Everyone who … Continue reading Thoughts on Cambodia and Thailand
Tuol Sleng & The Killing Fields – Ghosts, Graves, Genocide
(**WARNING: Graphic, Long**) Yesterday was an incredibly full day, with a trip to the Royal Palace, the Russian market, and a great deal of drinking in the evening. I wish to cover none of that, though the reason for drinking may become clear anyway. Yesterday, all of our emotional time was invested in two places … Continue reading Tuol Sleng & The Killing Fields – Ghosts, Graves, Genocide
Six Months Out
It has been six months since we packed our belongings into Nikki and Brad's Chevrolet Express van and waved goodbye to Tulsa, Oklahoma.Rhys stared in absolute wonder at the awesomeness that is the Grand Canyon. Indi dangled her legs over the edge with Brad and exchanged awed curse words, since nothing else seemed to dignify … Continue reading Six Months Out
Last Days at New Futures
Spending time with the children here has been a favorite experience of my life. (Boy, that sentence is clunky...) They are eager to spend time with anyone and eager to share what they know and what they do. Many people here are excited to see a foreigner. For the last two days, I've ridden a … Continue reading Last Days at New Futures
Further Adventures in Takeo
The local festival was great! Centered around a Buddhist temple in a rural Cambodian field, the festival was a mixture of cultural celebration and old-fashioned carnival. On one side, you had a group of monks and praying villagers, and on the other you had a midway of darts, balloons, and busy food stalls. There were … Continue reading Further Adventures in Takeo
New Futures Orphanage
Saturday morning, Indi and I awoke and waited. We were both excited (I was a bit nervous, too) about heading to the orphanage to meet the kids. This was unlike anything I'd ever done before. After some uncertain waiting around, we left for the orphanage at about 1:00. It isn't a long walk, takes about … Continue reading New Futures Orphanage
Rhys' Pieces 