Hungry Little Fellow - Photo of the Week

Instead of planning ahead by making worksheets for school as I should be doing, I'm going to post Photo of the Week instead.  I'll probably be kicking myself for that later - you know what I always say "Procrastination is like masturbation, you're only fucking yourself!"  I'll never learn.

This week's photo comes to you from Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.



Photo of the Week: Hungry Little Fellow, Angkor Wat, Cambodia

 As we arrived at Angkor Wat and taking our first steps around this extraordinary temple, I saw this little guy sitting alone on the wall, eating some sticky rice.  I saw children like this more often than not around the grounds of Angkor (there are many temples on these grounds, flooded with begging children).  This little guy just seemed so content with his rice and wasn't bothered by the throngs of tourists grabbing quick snapshots of him. 

The children of Angkor are taught early on how to make the best of sympathetic tourists.  It really is like you see in the movies - children running up alongside your tuk tuk, laughing and giggling, trying to keep up as you speed on down the road, hell bent on getting to the next temple.  They come up with their basket of souveneirs - postcards, bracelets, key chains and try to squeeze as much as they can out of you.  If you refuse to buy something for the upteenth time, they have no problem turning on the water works and burst into tears - surely this will get you to buy something, right?  Almost.  Al. Most.  But I have a heart made of stone.  Not really.

They ask you where your from, then proceed to spout out information of that country..."Oh, America?  Capital: Washington DC.  President: Barack Obama.  Population..."  At first, you think it's pretty impressive, until the 10th kiddo tells you the same thing. 

The children that don't sell anything just beg.  There were a pair of 4 year olds that just kept looking at my friend and I with those big, sad eyes saying "Candy.  Candy.  Candy..."  I'm sorry little one, I don't have any candy for you. 

As much as you want to support them and help them, it's difficult to know how much of it is fake.  I've recently heard of "Rent-a-baby" that goes on all over Southeast Asia.  People actually rent babies and sit on the roads to beg.  I could never tell if what I was giving to the children was going to them, or to someone who uses them to get to the tourists. 

If you visit Cambodia, beware of the big, sad, adorable-eyed children begging/selling.  They won't leave you alone, and when one walks off, another one is not so far behind.  I would like to find out more about their situations, and what actually goes on behind the scenes.  I'll keep you updated if I ever do!

Happy Trails!

Travel Etiquette - Part 1 (of probably a million)

For the most part, I believe that about 90% of travellers are assholes.  It may be more than that, but when I meet a traveller that is kind, it has a tendency to over compensate my feelings towards other travellers as I’m pretty stoked to meet someone who is actually kind and respectful.  If that makes any sense at all…

I have a lot to say about travel etiquette.  This travel etiquette blog is dedicated to the douche bag travellers out there.  My advice: Before you act, ask yourself “Is this something a douchy person would do?”  If the answer is “yes”, don’t do it.  Here are a few tips on how not to be a douche bag while travelling.

Tip #1 – You are not the only tourist here, so be aware of the people around you. 
Avoid walking in front of someone taking a picture.  Wait your turn and don’t push others out of the way – your group is NOT going to leave without you so chill the hell out.  I can’ tell you how many times I’ve been the next person in line and someone pushes me out of the way as not to get parted from their group.  It’s rude and tends to induce verbal diarrhoea.

Tip #2 – Respect the place you’re visiting. 
In my mind as I’m writing this, I’m thinking of my visit to Angkor Wat last week – the biggest expanse of a religious locale in the world – someone left an empty Coke can sitting on the wall.  A Coke can.  On Angkor Wat.  Seriously?!  I’m pretty sure if I would have seen the person committing this appalling act, I would have beat him/her with my crutch.  Littering at an ancient temple (littering anywhere, really), is rude and disrespectful and anyone who does it should be slapped.  Hold on to whatever rubbish you have until you find the nearest trash receptacle.  Chances are it won’t take long to find one.  Millions of people flock to ancient landmarks, museums, monuments every day, I’m sure the last thing they want is to find your trash ruining it.

Tip #3 – Respect the people around you. 



D'Bag 1 and D'Bag 2. 
Oh, and their crippled, elderly, pregnant, Monk,
needing a wheelchair bags.  And their rubbish.



Because of my ankle injury, I’m still walking around on a crutch, it’s annoying, frustrating, and a hindrance so I was accepting all the help I could get.  This included using the Priority Boarding when flying (which was awesome!).  Before my last flight from Phuket back to Chiang Mai, I went to sit down in the priority seating at my gate.  The airport was very crowded so there wasn’t much room to sit.  When I got to the priority seating, there was a young girl sitting there with her parents sitting across from her (in regular seats) and their bags taking up the other 3 priority seats.  It was quite obvious that there was nothing about the girl that suggested she need the priority seating.  When I walked by on my crutch, I stopped and looked at the seats, the parents looked me up and down and didn’t tell their daughter to offer me her seat or bother to move their bags taking up the other chairs.  I find it sad that people can be so selfish.  Even if I didn’t need a crutch and these people did the same thing to someone else that needed a priority seat I would still classify them as douche bags.  Be kind to people.  It really doesn’t take much. 

Tip #4 – Remember, you are not only representing yourself, but also your country when you travel. 
People around the world, I have found, generally don’t like Americans too much.  This has been changing in recent years, but I can’t tell you how many times I have met people that tell me "they don’t like Americans, but I’m cool because I don’t act like a 'typical' American".  There are countries I have no desire to go to strictly based on travellers from those countries I have seen across the world.  These include China, Japan, and Australia (I have been to Oz, only to see a dear British friend that lives there, I have no other desire to go back).  Trying not to stereotype, I have found travellers from these nations as pushy, rude, disrespectful and obnoxious.  I urge you not to be like this when you are travelling.  Give America – or wherever you come from – a good name when your exploring the great corners of the world!

I realize this blog is a bit “rant-ish”, but the actions of fellow travellers have a tendency to piss me the hell off, and even more so - they make me sad.  The fact that the majority of the human race doesn’t have enough sense to be respectful of people and places is heart breaking.  

If you, like me, want to avoid most of the douche bag travellers out there, here’s my tip: Travel during the low seasons.  It’s cheaper to get to and from, accommodation is cheaper, places will be less crowded, and you’re sure to get some good shopping deals (if that’s what your into) as merchants don’t sell much in the low season, so will give you the best prices possible.

Don't be a douche!
Happy Trails :)
LG

A delicious slice of Pai (Photo of the Week)

Since my arrival in Thailand, I've been told by every backpacker I've met that I must go to Pai.  It's an amazing place and somewhere you have to see.  If you know anything about me, you know I hate taking the road travelled.  Especially by backpackers.  The fact that everyone was saying I just had to go to Pai was the one reason I didn't want to go.  It wasn't until I made a new friend this past spring that I was convinced.  She said Pai was a sleepy little village where you don't do anything but chill out in a hammock and eat.  Two of my favourite things.

With my friend coming from the States for 3 weeks, I thought this would be the perfect beginning to our adventure.  I had been cooped up in Chiang Mai because of my ankle injury for the past 3 months, surrounded by hustle and bustle, noise, and dirty smells...I really needed some fresh air and a chilled out atmosphere.  I was right in coming here.



Pai Walking Street



Pai is completely lovely.  The journey to get there, however, is not.  On the bus ride though the mountains, I began to understand why backpackers come for a couple of days and stay for a couple of weeks.  762 mountainous jungle curves with a bus driver who doesn't slow down...I'm pretty sure there's at least 1 person who vomits on every trip (lucky it wasn't me).  I was beginning to think this trip to Pai would be my only trip to Pai because of that drive...

...Then we arrived.  THIS is why I came to Thailand.  Pai is completely gorgeous and full of laid back Thai charm.  The air is filled with the delicate scent of jasmine and I fell asleep each night to the sound of sweet little frogs chirping in the pond outside my cozy bungalow.  There is a walking street market on the main road in Pai where locals sell their handmade fare and you can taste delicious street food under a canopy of fairy lights. 

During the day, you can rent a motorbike for dirt cheap, about 140 baht per day (less than $5) and you can get around to see some of the beautiful waterfalls, hot springs, caves and countryside.

This week's Photo of the Week comes from the Mor Paeng waterfall about 7km outside of Pai.  This is facing away from the waterfall.  I was a bit bummed out that I couldn't climb up the waterfall and swim in its pools (due to said bum ankle), but the area is gorgeous none-the-less, surrounded by jungles, and the drive is spectacular.


Photo of the Week: Mor Paeng Waterfall




New friends
From left, me, Diana, Fluke and Johnny - who taught me how to play a C chord on the guitar.  I'll be forming my own band within the month.





Elephant trekking with a guy called Enjoy.



Other things to do in Pai: Elephant trekking.  My friend was able to ride on the back of an elephant and bathe with it in the river.  Again, I chose to sit out on this because of the bum ankle, but that shit looked like fun and something I will definitely do once I'm back in tip top shape!

Pai is about a 3 hour bus ride northwest of Chiang Mai, halfway to Mae Hong Son.  A popular circuit for adventuresome travellers.

If you want to avoid the bus trip, you can also fly.

Happy Trails!

LG

Pic of the Week - Oct 8

I'm lying here in bed trying to sleep as I've had a long day of exploring Chiang Mai with my friend who is visiting from the States, when much to my dismay the dreadful Soccer Cinema is making it's weekendly appearance outside my window.  With the fucking Manchester United game blaring through my window at 11:15pm on a Sunday night, it is impossible to get any shut eye...regardless of how tired I am or how early I have to get up in the morning (my friend and I are on our way to Pai and Mae Hong Son).  Obviously not tired enough (no seriously, I'm freaking exhausted....with a swollen ankle to boot), I've resigned to update my Pic of the Week as I will have no other time this week to share the joys and wonders of my travels (as I'm off on a few new adventures!).

This week's Pic actually hails from my home state of Colorado.  This time of year at home is my favourite - Autumn, glorious autumn.  I really love this time of year: the crisp fresh air, the beautiful aroma of roasted green chilis filling the air, pumpkin flavoured EVERYTHING making is annual comeback, football season (not stupid European football...REAL football - NFL - Go Broncos!), and of course, the changing of the aspen leaves which engulfs the Colorado Rockies in mountain of flames (pun intended).

Colorado is one of the most beautiful places on earth to witness the colours of autumn.  With the Rocky Mountains as my backyard, I consider myself a lucky lady to bask in the beauty of this wonder.

This photo was taken in September 2009 on Ohio Creek Pass between Gunnison and Crested Butte.  The rock formation in the back is called The Castles.

I was living in England at the time and unfortunately had to make the long journey home as my Stepfather had passed away.  I needed to get out of the sadness and clear my head for a bit, so ended up heading to Gunnison for the weekend as it was Western's Homecoming weekend (my alma mater....Go Mountaineers).  I love taking drives through the mountains, so decided to take this splendid, dirt road route alternative to get to Crested Butte.  The fresh air and view was just what I needed.  It's what I always need.  Sometimes it's hard to find on my travels, but I know it's always there waiting for me when I go home.  In my beloved Rocky Mountains.  Home sweet home.

If ever your in Gunnison and heading to Crested Butte, take this alternative route.  Even if it's in the summer, it's beautiful and covered in wildflowers.  The turn off for Ohio Creek Pass is about 5 miles outside of Gunnison on the way to CB.

Here are a few more photos from this trip (I know it's called "Pic" of the week, not "pics", but c'mon, they're beautiful, right?  Who wouldn't want to see them?)

Happy Trails,

LG

I have a disease...

No, it's not malaria.  It's the Travel Bug. 

I first caught the travel bug in 1999 when I took a school art trip to Italy after graduating high school.  My Art Club at school had been planning this trip for about 2 years.  I didn't think I was going to make it due to financial reasons, but as we were moving from my childhood home, my mom surprised me by using the equity from our house to help fund the trip.  Happy High School Graduation, Kaycee...now you're diseased!

A watercolor painting I made of Venice

The trip to Italy was amazing.  Our first day took us to Verona for the afternoon (Romeo, Romeo, where fore art thou Romeo?), then to Venice for a few days - which happened to be my favourite :)  From Venice, we bussed it down to the charming city of Florence, which I fell in love with.  Then it was off to the historical Naples and Pompeii with a wee trip to the Island of Sorrento, which I remember smelling like lemons!  From there, it was up to Rome for a few days then back home.

Seeing how this trip was 13 years ago, I only recal a few bits and pieces of it.  It was raining in Venice and when we took the mandatory gondola ride, there was a crazy speed boat taxi that cussed us out in Itailian for blocking the way under a bridge (we were sheltered from the rain). 

In Florence, I experienced my first taste of gellato....something a person will never forget.  I also remember admiring Michelangelo's Statue of David's ass.  It's a mighty fine ass.

Naples was filthy, and Pompeii was a bit creepy, but pretty freaking cool.  Bodies preserved in time of how Pompeiians once lived.  The Island of Sorrento was full of well-to-do rich folk with high class jewelery shops everywhere you turned.  We took a trip to the Blue Grotto, a gorgeous cave under the island where the water was so crystal clear, you could see all the little fishies swimming about. 

In Rome, I threw my three coins in the Trevi Fountain (I've yet to return) and got lost with my group on the search for Michelangelo's Pieta...probaby the most beautiful statue I've ever laid eyes on.  When Michelangelo first completed the Pieta, the sash worn by the Virgin Mary was just a sash.  At a showing of the Pieta, Michelango overheard someone saying he thought the statue was carved by Solari.  Afterwards, ol' Micky signed his sculpture: Michelangelo Buonarroti, Florentine, made this across the sash.  Bit of history for ya!

On the day we visited St. Peter's Basillica, I was completely exhausted.  To get to the Sistine Chapel, you have to walk through what felt like miles of a museum.  But it's worth it.  So worth it.  The Chapel was packed, but there was this stillness in the air of like-minded tourists viewing one of the greatest pieces of work ever created.  I could have sat there for ages just to take in its magnificence.  Amazing.

After Italy, it would be another 5 years before I travelled abroad.  After graduating college I made my first move to a foreign country and ended up in Scotland for 5 months. 

In Josh Gates's book, Memiors of a Monster Hunter, he says that travel is Newtonian.  Once in motion, it tends to stay in motion.  My lust for travel grows every day.  I will never stop wanting to see someplace new, go on a new adventure, head off the beaten track and discover something worth knowing.  I'll probably catch a real disease somewhere along the way, but hey, I'd rather catch some travel disease than while away the years getting cancer, at some office desk job.  I'm livin' the life ya'll.

Happy Trails,
LG