It's Bohemian

Beware of Egypt. It's full of tasty swaramas and delicious scams, fruity aromas of street-side hookahs, and a nose clogging combination of sand and smog. The streets are busy and the subways crowded. Pedestrians side step, dodge, and hurdle food stands, electronic shops, and sweater peddlers as they weave and waltz with each other. We were lost in Egypt, but there was never anything that needed to be found. Everything was everywhere only in greater concentrations as the bizarres that though plentiful, seemed non-existent compared to the many ancient and modern mosques that called out to prayer 5 times a day over the city. You could see everything in the blink of an eye and nothing half a mile ahead of you as it disappeared into the smog.

We were now more then just travelers, we were merchants. With every meal, bed, or street crossing- we had to negotiate our way. And though we were now quite experienced at the art of bargaining, the Egyptians always had the better of us. We sometimes paid more for a glass of tea, than an entire chicken meal. A complimentary bottle of water on a train from Cairo to Luxor could cost you as much as your ticket. Any stranger may offer a friendly handshake, or an unfriendly grope.

In Egypt trusting the nicest people more often than not, ensured you to get ripped off. After 2 weeks in this country, we didn't even want to leave our hotel to scavenge for food, because the Egyptians hustling efforts bombarded you at every corner. I always complied with the custom dress of a woman in Islam, but somehow the men could tell from my blue eyes and out of ordinary height, that I was a western women. Therefore, I constantly had 10 pairs of eyes on me at all times, no matter where in the city I was...It was tiring, exhausting, and suffocating. 

Egypt is a land that has overthrown many ancient pharaohs, and modern Kings. It is the cradle of civilization and the mother of the McAbabia.

Amman, Jordan's capitol, is known as the white city. It showed layers upon layers of white limestone boxed houses, clustered together atop rolling hills. Centuries upon centuries of civilizations revealed some mesmerizing views of history.  The people greeted us with warmth and sincerity while the children welcomed us by yelling "Welcome To Jordan!!" from the rooftops as we passed by. Invitations to sip tea with strangers was plentiful. The Bedouins Village of Petra preferred their sugar with a little tea, and their salt with a little dinner. We felt weightless floating in the Dead Sea, and as tiny as ants surrounded by infinite stars and mountains of the Arabian desert. Dipping our hands in the Jordan River in Bethany at the location of Jesus' baptism site, which is now a natural 6 foot border separating Israel from Jordan, was found ourselves standing between so much past, and so much history, and so much future conflict. 

The pace of life is different in Laos. Swinging in a hammock on the porch with the mighty Mekong River flowing beneath us, one feels everything slowing it's pace to the harmony of the meandering river - your heartbeat slows, your mind clears, your blood flows smoothly to the pace set by nature - you find clariety and tranquility, finding yourself day dreaming; waking up to the sound of rain drops tapping on the tin roof above; somehow you had fallen asleep.

It rains often in this season; the rain both cooling and hypnotizing. Riding bikes around the 4,000 islands along rice fields, through mud and minor floods from the rain, winding our way through paths around the water buffalo - it's easy to fall in love with the simple life, the slower pace, the smiles and the greetings of "Sabai dee."

Life is peaceful here, but not without its hardships. Walking along the dirt paths around the islands, you come upon the ruins of a colonial building behind which children sit being instructed by a teacher- you would never have recognized it as being a school. Food is plentiful for us, but it's easy to see that's not how it is for everyone. It's a common sight to see dogs battling over a scrap of food, roosters pecking on the floor around the restaurant, and cats jumping onto your table in hopes of a hand out. But the people here have transcended many decades of hardships - We read somewhere that American planes dropped many tons of bombs on Laos every 8 minutes around the clock for 9 years straight. The people are still warm, welcoming, sincere, and seemingly happy with their lives. Maybe it the form of Buddhism that is practiced here, where any individual regardless of birth or caste can reach a state of nirvana or enlightenment...Whatever it is, there is still so much to learn from Laos and it's people.

We landed in Phnom Penh, the capitol of Cambodia. It was not that long ago that the city was completely evacuated, the reason given that a American air strike was imminent. The Khmer Rouge leadership boasted over the state-controlled radio that only one or two million people were needed to build the new agrarian communist utopia. As for the others, as their proverb put it, "To keep you is no benefit, to destroy you is no loss." It's difficult to see the smiles on the faces of a people struggling to survive, but it's there. We saw it on the faces of the two naked kids playing in a dirt pile, jumping in as if it were a pile of snow. We see it on the faces of desperate tuk tuk drivers, that we often get annoyed by, who are more than happy to take us anywhere for a dollar. 

Being a tourist in Cambodia isn't easy. As we stroll amongst the ruins of 2,000 year old Temples, you are bombarded by little children trying to sell you bracelets, postcards, and books. They try to hustle you in English with their best game face on, and if that fails, they will happily try in Spanish, French, German, and Japanese. They'll try to sell you something with a smile, then they'll try to tug at your emotions by putting on the teary, hungry, puppy faces, and if that doesn't work, they will ask you for a dollar, just to go to school.

You emotions are tugged in every direction while your in awe of the Angkorian Temples, torn by Cambodia's turbulent history, and the constant question, 'Are these kids all slave of some mafia?'

We are still new to this country, still trying to figure things out. We've seen the 8th Wonder of the World, and try not to worry too much about the warnings that military weapons and explosives are easy to come by....we laugh to ourselves as we say "no, thank you" to one offer for massage after another for an entire city block, only to frown at the sight of men with fish-eyed lenses and opium stained eyes.

Cambodia can be exhausting, and no amount of happy herb pizza can compensate. But as we write this we're sitting in a posh coffee lounge on white linen cushions, surrounded by plush white pillows, candles, and white lilies. once again, confronted by being a tourist, turning anothers war riddled countryside into our Disneyland. It's time to step back and take in Cambodia for what it is...another country waiting to be discovered once again. 

Locals call it a 'fine' country. Littering- $500. Protesting- 1 year in Jail. Go to 7 Eleven to buy chewing gum, you can't! Chewing gum is illegal in this country. But we haven't seen cigarette butts on the ground, littler in the streets, or stains on the sidewalks. This country is spotless, and not only one of the richest countries in the world, but also one of the most modern and magical. 

Singapore architecture already lives in the future, with giant movie screen billboards, sculptural light facades, and art on every corner. This city never sleeps, forget food stalls, here you'll find restaurants serving Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Malay, Arabic, Indian, and Japanese food 24 hours a day, and the locals seem to socialize through the night. 

We've strolled through Markets for cheap trinkets and clothes, and then turned the corner to walk into a Prada boutique. The shopping is diverse, where backpackers and sultans rub shoulders. 

It's hard not to fall in love with Singapore!...

Check out our travel photos on our Facebook accounts. Why not on this site? It's just very slow to upload. The "Photos and Videos" has many great iMovie creations of the pictures we have taken, which you will also find on our YouTube channels. Enjoy the images :-)

James Watson | Create Your Badge

The country of Vietnam reveals its' beauty to us daily. We will be blogging about it over the next couple of days and uploading more pictures, but in preparation for our return to Thailand in a week, I wanted to add this post.

We will be landing in Phuket, Thailand in one week, and plan on visiting one of our favorite spots on the island - the Big Buddha.

This magnificent structure sits on the top of one of the islands highest peaks and looks over Kata Beach. Big Buddha is still under construction, and the statue is being built by donation. One of the concepts that helps build this monument to the great teacher - The Enlightened One - is the sale of marble tiles with which it is built. You can purchase a marble tile, write anything you like on the back, and the tile will be used later in the building of the sculpture. You can help not only fund this endeavor, but also become a part of this magnificent tribute and place of meditation forever.

We will be buying a couple tiles of our own, but thought it would be great to extend this opportunity to those we know. If you would like us to purchase a tile for you, you can pay by using the payment button below. We will be going to Big Buddha a couple times in May and early June, and again in July, and will make sure to purchase the tile for you, as well as write whatever you would like on the back.

It can be a prayer, a quote, something that is important to you - it can be a dedication to someone you love, a gift, or simply your name - truly what you want. When you submit the payment below, make sure to add within the details EXACTLY what you would like us to write on the back of the tile. For those of you who know me, yes, it will be in my "special" script similar to the tattoo on Jess' foot. Please be very specific about what you want on the tile. Should you have some trouble with the details, make sure to contact me so we can figure it out together.

If you would like, I can also take a picture of it and send it to you after it is done. Most likely, the picture will be of me holding the tile, with the Big Buddha in the background.

We have now been in Thailand for a little under a month. We have seen Thailand from our prospective and have LOVED every minute of it!!...We started in Bangkok then made our way quickly to Koh Samui, then Koh Phangan, then Koh Lanta, and now Phuket for the Thai New Year! Island hopping has been incredible, and we have a little more to go before Sarah returns to America, and Jess and James continue on to Vietnam for a month.

We are so thankful for all the things people gave us for our trip prior to coming here; our silk sleeping bags to keep us off of the questionable bed sheets; the gift cards that helped us get the backpacks that have allowed us to travel with all the things we need; the wraps and books and....the list just goes on.

While out here, a few people have made donations to help us along the way. We wanted to thank them, so here it is:

*Dai' (uncle) Mohammad, for our tickets to Vietnam.

*Kelly, for our bungalow in Ko Phangan, which enabled us to attend the Full Moon Party. 

*Cowboy EZ, for a weeks worth of Bungalow stay and Paid Internet time which allows us to consistently update our website. 

____________________________ This is a placeholder for the next person who sends us a donation to cover internet costs or Bungalow fees. Thanks for  encouraging our adventures!! A little bit goes a long way here! This line will be updated.

Thank you all!

March 17, 2010 - April 19, 2010 

(about Thailand and our experience)

April 19, 2010 - May 19, 2010

(about Vietnam and our experience)

The vision is in place, the excitement building, and the world awaits.

This site will log the planning leading up to this great adventure.
Once we embark, this site will track our journey, sharing stories and thoughts, pictures, and videos of our travels.

Click Map to View larger version
This map does not indicate every stop - it displays our route

*WASHINGTON DC*
(where we begin)

*NEW YORK CITY*

  *ANCHORAGE, ALASKA*

*TAIPEI, TAIWAN*

*THAILAND*
Bangkok
Koh Samui
Koh Phangan
Koh Lanta
Phuket

*VIETNAM*
Ho Chi Minh City
Mui Ne
DeLat
Hoi An
Hue
Hanoi

*THAILAND 2*
Phuket
Koh Phangan
Koh Toa
Koh Samui
Krabi
Trang
Hat Yai

*MALAYSIA*
Penang
Ipoh
Cameron Highlands
Kota Baru
Perhentian Island (Small)
Kuala Terengganu
Kuantan
Taman Negara
Kuala Lumor
Johor Bahru
Melaka

*SINGAPORE*

*THAILAND 3*
Bangkok
Koh Phangan
Koh Tao
Phuket
Chiang Mai
Chiang Rai

 *CAMBODIA*
Phnom Penh
Siem Reap
Sihanoukville
Kampot
Kampong Cham
Kratie

*LAOS*
Don Khon
Pakse
Vientiane

*MALAYSIA*
Kuala Lumpur
Melaka

*SRI LANKA*
Colombo
Kandi
Ella
Ambalangoda

*DUBAI*

*JORDAN*
Amman
Petra
Aquaba

*EGYPT*
Cairo
Luxor