Sleepless in Dallas

AAhhhh. I am unable to sleep. Can't stop thinking about Istanbul...about all of the Turks enjoying Victory Day, running the Nike Human Race over the Bosphorus Bridge, singing and drinking and dancing to the best music ever (Turkish). I really can't stop thinking about the Fragrance (as I will now call her). I got home at midnight last night (Aug 30th), went to bed at 1am, and woke up at 4am...just tossing and turning. Asking myself why I left...why didn't I just stay. I know reality though. It isn't that easy. It takes time for these things to work themselves out as it takes time for everyone to adjust. I shed tears when I think about what I left behind. I am soooo excited about the future, but that's just it...it is the future. I guess I am a bit greedy at the moment. It's as though I need to smell, hear and see her to sleep now..to function really. I put a little of the perfume she gave me around my neck and on my pillow to see if it would help and, actually, it did. Everytime I took a whiff of that intoxicating Fragrance, I felt much more relaxed. Some things I am doing to help me relax: sending emails, uploading pictures of the trip to facebook, listening to some songs that remind me of our relationship, replacing the wallpaper of my computer to a picture of her with these beautiful flowers we picked up at the Polat Renaissance Hotel in Istanbul (after we got bumped off our flight), and writing about it every second I get! (like now :)

I feel so lost at the moment. As though the engine of my boat is elsewhere. The fuel is missing. I'm pretty sure all of this will change once I hear from her, see her..the most special Fragrance. Maybe then, I'll get some sleep, drink some apple tea, have some Turkish Delights (the ones she bought me at the airport) and, finally, be boosted by all of this.

I'm still so confused as to how I am here in Texas though...everything that has happened over the last 36 hrs is lost on me. It feels like an absolute blur. My bags packed, little sleep, very very sorrowful goodbyes, being bumped, then another last night, then more sorrow, then the actual departure to jfk...then movies, music, food, a few hours of sleep, crazy man next to me always complaining about blah blah blah, then jfk, wait wait and wait, and finally a tiny plane to dfw and then wait an hour on the ground with my bags and finally the family picks me up..then trying to not sound as though I'm disappointed, explaining my stories to deaf ears (how terrible a thing when no one really cares...)..then I see the emails and am excited for a few hours..then off to bed but not really and no real sleep..now it is the 3oth..the human race is today..I want to run it, but I have no energy...no one is running around here.. bummer...ok, eat some food, get some sleep... got woken up by a phone call...now I'm here. Uploading pics, again, to facebook and writing this post on my blog. Still in a state of confusion...aahhhhhhhh. Help?

Keep it a secret then. The future is bright. We have been blessed by God, our relationship can't be described..how beautiful it is. That's it. Just don't dilute it. Keep it within ourselves and our best friends, if that, and continue to work on growing and establishing a better way to communicate across the world. Eventually we will meet again and dance through the streets again and embrace each other again...feel that existential high. Que rico siento! Hold onto the things we have so tight. Keep the memories we have so close. Keep our eyes even closer. Mi amor, yo veniendo! muah. - to my Fragrance and my inner self; to anyone who has someone so very special across the world.

We Made It!

Well, after these 4 weeks, it looks as though both Jb and I have avoided the Greek and Turkish jail systems, all of our limbs are fully functioning, and we still have a little (very little!) cash in our pockets. From the bustling city of Istanbul to the fairy chimneys and caves of Goreme to the magical waters and ruins of Olympus and on to the Blue Cruise from Olympus to Fethiye with 13 crazy French/Aussie/Portuguese/American passengers to Saklikent and Pammukale and then to Selcuk and Ephesus and off to the Greek (Party) islands of Samos, Mykonos, Ios, and Santorini and finally back to the enormous, cultural capital of Turkey, Istanbul, we have survived and even picked up some souvenirs for you guys!

Besides the motorbike accident, the hospital visit, the refugee situation and my slugfest with the motorbike owners (along with the police ride), we made it alright. That isn't to say we weren't depressed after running 7k with our bags across Mykonos only to be shutdown at the port and watch our ferry release its ropes 30 seconds before we got there or not ever getting picked up at our hotel or ferry in Greece or paying out of our rears for ever disco, club, ruin and toilet? (yes, toilet) out there. But we counterbalanced those pay-me-now situations with our own lawless instincts developed in the backwaters of Texas (i.e. walking through a swamp literally in the Roman ruins of Olympus to avoid going through a tollbooth or walking into other hostels and having breakfast or evening acting like a local by cartwheeling or dancing in the street to make some extra cash, etc.).

Overall, it was one of my better trips with all of the adventure, partying, cultural exchanges and excursions, and, of course, the donner kebap! (lots and lots and lots of donner and souvlaki..many times a day or night if you catch my drift) That isn't to say that I didn't spend the most money I've ever spent on a trip or regretted using an overpriced travel agent help us poor backpackers to stay at equally overpriced hotels (budget: $3000, reality: $6000, ouch!) Lesson learned here folks. Do NOT use a travel agent if you have half a brain. The mistakes are a part of the joy of traveling. At least when you make mistakes, you can blame yourself, and if you do something great or see something unique and fabulous, you can thank yourself and adjust your travel plans accordingly.

So let's see...adventure, partying, cultural yoohoos, and, oh yes, the most important event on the trip...the women! Turkish women are amazing. They have this exotic flare to them, belly dance and cook a great meal to start. Of course, I am speaking from my experience here with my "fragrance"...your results may differ, that is if you have results. ha.

Ok, so, yes, if you need any guidance, Mr. Amor is here for ya. I got the lay of the land backwards and forwards from Istanbul to Constantinople..wait a sec...Istanbul is Constantinople! right right. Yeah, but regards, I'm your man.

Mama loves you babies! t r a v e l b e a u t i f u l , prem

Live from Istanbul

I can feel the end coming closer, by the second, as the wind brushes through the blades of grass in the park close to the Aya Sophia. Four weeks of bliss. Four weeks of pain. Four weeks of discovery. Four weeks of sickness. Four weeks of love. I have lived all of those at one point or another. Luckily, this time around 'luck' is now on my side (most of the time). Love is now the word in the air. Full-fledged, passionate, can't-stop-thinking-about-you, I'll-do-anything-to make-you-smile, you-are-my-only-one, dancing-in-the-streets, sleepless, exhausting, energizing, fulfilling, sweet sweet L-O-V-E love. I won't mention a name. Simply a fragrance.

Paolo Nutini's Musical Journey

New Shoes...
Jenny Don't Be Hasty...
Last Request...

:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kg_KCsi6aw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogepRpymMT4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFrKBrlZYPY


this guy is really the best.

Feist - 1234... tell me that you love me more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3vIv1EwO5A

how can anyone not like this song? it makes me smile :)

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini

Just finished reading the novel on the plight of two women in Afghanistan; really, I am shocked, profoundly moved by the material. Really puts into perspective the meaning of equality. How twisted it may get when placed infront of different looking glasses; how interpretations of ancient doctrines dictate every inch of a woman's freedom and force it deep into the soul, unexpressed and deeply repressed. The inherit right of a male to beat his woman as if another animal in his herd. Any machismo thoughts in my head quickly dissipated when I saw how soon the ideas of reputation and honor are pushed into a girl's life (and how they are not in a boy's). She gets married at 15? to an oaf who basically pays for her? pays to beat her? because her real father does not want to see his bastard child, harami, wow. mother hangs herself b/c she has been outkast to the woods. finally, she is executed because she killed the man that beat her everyday and was in the act of murdering his other wife? wowee.

Hosseini's writing style, the way the plot leaves you at a loss for words, and the notion that this is reality in many locales around the globe leave me speechless, confused as to what i can do... if anything.

I really do hate this feeling, but see the brick wall that we all see; this is a culture, a religion, a LARGE part of the world. can you change all of that simply for the sake of some Afghani women?

i really hope so.

Significant videos...

The Journey Home to Texas

Culture shock in the greatest... back in big D in front of a television watching/listening to some Police and U2 dvds that I bought in Arequipa, Peru. On my VIAO uploading pictures from the trip on to Picasa, checking my Gmail, and updating my profile on Facebook...ha. The life of connection has begun again. My cellphone is to the left side of the computer along with a glass of red wine, Malbec from Argentina. Such is the life we lead in the US of A eh?

Just a thought on why the world's other inhabitants tend to abhor Americans and America. Passing through the airports of this country is a nightmare. I was basically strip-searched twice this trip at the same airport, for the same flight! It was an embarrassing experience, especially since I had to hurry up and catch a flight that was leaving in 15 min. The hassles one has to endure to enjoy the American experience are starting to outweigh our messages of freedom and personal choice. The American dream/product is becoming tainted and appropriate reactions and emotions can be seen in anyone that encounters it.

Safety is one thing, but our core message should not suffer. We are the beacon of light and direction this world has come to look up to; let's not lose that position, as I see we are on the road to that end currently.

Also, why are we so loud, ignorant, and cocky as a population?? Learn languages (and accents) my friends, treat other cultures with respect, and take the time to interact with other world citizens...we are the ambassadors for our country, our message. Take the time to learn the world; it can only benefit us all.

I've got more to say, but I'm going to leave those messages for a different post.

Lastly, borrowing a quote from my friend, Gil which I just happen to like...

DREAM -> CREATE -> ACHIEVE

Night / White Water Rafting

Note: writing after 2.5 hrs of sleep, realistically I´ve done that this entire trip...

Last nite, a group of four backpackers, Prem, Danielle, Gemma, and Trace, all staying at The Point embarked on a nighttime adventure on the Chili River about 20 min from Arequipa; a simple rafting trip turned complex. The great thing about the trip was saying to your friends that you hit the rapids at night...something quite unique.. especially during a full moon. Clear sky, big bright moon, snow capped mountains in the background, and the roar of the rapids through the serene nighttime setting...very good combination for a very good story; that indeed was the case.

Two of the girls, funny Irish, on the expedition, as I will call it, had actually been on the river during the day...they had so much fun that they signed up again for the night assuming the only difference would be the lack of light and telling their friends, as I said before, that they hit the rapids at night. I initially assumed the same thing, as did the rest of the crew.

Well, one look at the river and opinions changed quickly. The river had swelled considerably more than during the day due to the gravitational pull of the full moon and the effects of the hot sun on the snow-cappers mountains all day. This baby was intense.

Frigid waters, freezing nighttime temperature... luckily we had wetsuits, helmets, and a small ¨waterproof¨coat, joy. The expedition began with class two rapids, then class three, and finally class four. We fell over two times in total... the first time being the worst. The raft slammed into a large rock going down a class three and tossed both Gemma and I off into the water. She lost her shoes and was getting sucked under the water and away from the raft. I instantaneously felt the frigid waters put immense pressure on my lungs and the pull of the water dragging me down the river. Thank God for quick reactions, I pulled my breathing together and caught a rope attached to the side of the boat. Even with that good luck, the water was so cold, the situation seemingly dire, I was terrified in a lot of senses.

It´s experiences like that which pull people together and make men out of mice. Our group of four clung together, screaming ¨Full Moon baby!¨and ¨Special!¨every chance we could (mimmicking our guide, Marco). We ended up finishing quite a bit faster than anticipated, roughly 1.5 hrs instead of 1.75 hrs. All of us shaking uncontrollably, hands and feet numb, mentally jaded...still working out what just happened and what could have happened. Hot chocolate served...trying to button my pants for 5 minutes with no luck, put on my tights for more than that.

Looking back at the awesome sight of 6000 plus meter snow-capped mountains staring down at the river through the bright moonlight...glad I pushed myself even further that night, leaving more fears behind and gathering more confidence in the human spirit... It was a great trip...definitely unique and most importantly, ¨Special!¨

Observations Abroad

Still in the same internet cafe in La Paz...I´ve decided to note some of the observations I´ve made along my journey through these impoverished lands, Peru y Bolivia.

The sights, smells while traveling... people in the countryside are used to harsh weather, sun up to sun down work, and terrible odors stemming from feces in the streets and around homes. I´ve found it is much more natural for an individual to pull their pants down and relieve himself-herself in the streets, whether for urination or hard feces, without toilet paper or any cleanup process, than to wait it out and find a public baño. This leads to long bus rides sitting next to women and men that smell like poop, literally. The most noziating (sp?) smell on the plant!

The cocaine... the nightlife around both of these countries gets very tangled up in hard drugs, mainly cocaine. The upper classes that go out to discotecas (only they can afford them) will find bathrooms, backrooms, or the bar to sniff up a line or more of coke, halla as it is referred to here. It is very out in the open. Conversations at lunch might be centered around where to find the best halla. In Bolivia, halla is thought to be the most pure in the world besides in Colombia. Regardless, it just needed to be noted considering this would definitely not fly in the states or in most western countries. Maybe we have a jaded view of halla or maybe they do, who is to say.

The food... I´ve found that the national food of both Peru and Bolivia has to be rotissarie (sp?) chicken with fries; ok, it might not be the national food, but the stuff is eaten everywhere!

In La Paz

Currently, I´m sitting in an internet cafe, Dungeons, on the main avenida here in La Paz, the capital city of Bolivia. It has been a wild few days here already. Marches and protests were all over the streets yesterday pushing for education reform in favor of the maestros or teachers. Thousands of students along with the teachers participated in the marches, culminating in a large showing around the congressional / presidential square in full view from Pres. Evo Morales window.

Funny enough, I decided to participate myself after doing some alpaca shopping in the witches markets. Met two boys that were protesting and asked them loads of questions regarding their positions on certain topics brewing in the countries newspapers. As we were marching, a news reporter for Canal 4 news stopped us and asked each of us individually why we were marching. When the mic arrived, I paused and noticed that the group of students / teachers around me had stopped marching and wanted to hear what the gringo had to say. Here it is:

¨Soy de Estados Unidos. Marcho con mis amigos y creo en sus resons para marchando¨

The reporter just smiled, shook my hand, and said, ¨mirar canal cuatro para las noticias¨. I never got to turn on the tv, but as the story goes, I was definitely all over the news!

Quite an interesting start to La Paz indeed. Oh and this morning I woke up and there was snow all over the ground! Like 3 or 4 inches worth! Coming from Dallas, the summer to be specific, seeing loads of snow on the ground invigorated me...prepared me for another day of craziness.

It Pays to be Slim

Who pays the added costs associated with high rates of obesity? Most health insurance in America is purchased by employers, who negotiate a single rate to cover all of their employees. That might imply the employers (along with their slimmer workers) subsidize health expenditures on the obese. But Bundorf found otherwise. In the working paper “Incidence of the Healthcare Costs of Obesity,” published last year by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Bundorf and co-author Jay Bhattacharya, also a health economist at Stanford, compared the wages of obese and non-obese workers, taking into account whether or not the subjects had employer-sponsored health insurance.



They found that non-obese workers earn higher cash wages than their obese colleagues—but only in workplaces that offer health coverage. They concluded that employers are likely to be offering lower cash wages to obese workers to compensate for the higher cost of insuring them. In other words, the cost of being overweight is borne by the employee rather than the employer.



American.com

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Interesting Quote

"Studying life through a camera’s lens turns us into detached observers
reluctant to tear ourselves away from the role of clinical voyeur to
take action against the very inhumanity we witness and record."  New York Times



I take this to mean that because we surround ourselves with mere copies of life, the real thing, we are reluctant to act on the emotions drawn from those copies and lack the strength to change what we wish to see changed in life.



The quote comes from an interesting article on the film "Passio" which is debuting at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

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Green Tea - Slate Mag

Can green tea save your soul?

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Tax Revenues could Decrease Substantially...

But there's a more alarming explanation for the surge in tax revenues.

It could be that the orgy of speculation in recent years—in housing,

stocks, investment instruments—has generated an unexpected gusher of the types of tax revenues derived from flipping assets and trading

securities. And that suggests that with the housing boom over and the

stock market moving sideways, tax-revenue growth could be slowing down, and soon. Slate Mag

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Perusing the net...

"You never really get the smell of burning flesh out of your nose entirely. No matter how long you live." - Slate Mag

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quote from the enquirer (cincinnati)

"life... is not about winning and losing. It is not, edifying as it sounds, even about how you play the game. It is simply that you play - that you live until you die, wake until you sleep, move until you're stilled, try until you can't." for dada -- because he did try until he couldn't

A sobering quote, but one that caught my eye this morning. pnp

Interesting Article...

http://www.slate.com/id/2161901/

Producing coinage for collectors is lucrative. Since the Treasury spends about 12 cents to make a dollar coin, it makes 88 cents' profit whenever one is pulled from a pocket and stashed away...The Mint has raked in $4.6 billion thus far on its similar state-quarters program. Making money, it seems, is a decent way to make money.

Life and the Pursuit of Happiness

What is life, happiness? it means not one thing to everyone, but everything to each one of us.

whether it be an emotion, a social status, an abstract idea that no one attains, or something that each of us has at all times, it is all of these ends and more, or not.

one cannot fathom the extent of joy, suffering, discovery, and failure that occurs each second of everyday... but to try to in one life, that is something.

let us all dedicate ourselves to the pursuit of ourselves in the hope that this brings us all up from the bottom

let us understand ourselves and, in turn, understand each other.

buon?

Create, Discover, Live
pnp--travel = good

Movies to Watch...

Beerfest -- Really funny! Good if you like to drink quality beers, especially from Germany.
Frida -- Very touching story of the famous Mexican artist.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon -- Good story, great action, intertwined w/ a love story.
Pan's Labyrinth -- Incredible fairy tale of a girl during the Spanish Revolution; great picture.
23 -- It's an interesting movie; worth your money, but nothing more...I really expected more tho.