Tops of 2010

Hey yall,
Here are the top things of the year. Now, some of these may not have been created this year, but they entered my life this year and for me that is what counts. Without further ado:

Travelling Techniques and Levels of Understanding Cultures 101

What is your purpose for travelling? Seriously, post a comment with your reasons for travelling. I believe that for many travellers, one of the main reasons you travel is related to understanding another culture (or should be :) ). This post is to walk through the types of travelling and the various contributions of understanding.

Merry Christmas

A little holiday cheer for you from one of my favorite TV shows:


I heard there is no Christmas, 
In the silly Middle East.. 
No Trees, no Snow, no Santa Claus, 
They have Different Religious beliefs.. 
They Believe in Muhammad, 
And not in our Holiday.. 
And so every December, 
I go to the Middle East and say.. 

Hey there Mr. Muslim, Merry Fuckin' Christmas 
Put down that book 'The Koran' 
and hear some holiday wishes. 
In case you haven't noticed, 
It's Jesus' Birthday 
So get off your heathen Muslim Ass 
And fuckin' celebrate. 

There is no holiday season
In India, I've heard.. 
They don't hang up their stockings, 
and that is just absurd.. 
They've never read a Christmas Story, 
They Don't know what Rudolph is about.. 
And that's why in December, 
I'll go to India and shout.. 

Hey there Mr. Hinduist, Merry Fuckin' Christmas 
Drink egg nog, and eat some Beef 
and pass it to the Missus 
In case you haven't noticed, 
It's Jesus's Birthday 
So get off your heathen hindu ass, 
And fuckin' celebrate. 

Now I heard that in Japan, 
Everyone just lives in sin.. 
They pray to several gods, 
And put needles in their skin.. 
On December twenty-fifth, 
all they do is eat a cake.. 
and that is why I'll go to Japan, 
and walk around and say.. 

Hey there Mr. Shintoist, Merry Fuckin' Christmas 
God is gonna kick your ass You infidelic pagan scum. 
Incase you haven't noticed, 
There's festive things to do 
So lets all rejoice for Jesus 
and Merry Fuckin' Christmas to you. 

On Christmas Day, I travel 'round the world and say.. 
Taoists, Krishnas, Buddists 
and all you atheists too.. 
Merry Fuckin' Christmas.. to you
_______________________________

Alter to Rio

After a 1 day layover in Manaus, which isn't much to write about other than it's hot and dirty, I got back on the boat. This boat was a bit nicer, less crowded, and bigger than the last. I boarded for Santerem to continue by bus to Alter do Chao. The trip was only 30 hours and I only met one guy who spoke English. Lots of time to write and be by myself. The dude's name was Daniel, Swiss, and luckily he spoke Portugese too. This allowed me to sleep on the boat for free that night even though it was docked and go into Santerem.
Santerem was also not much to write about. It did have a Santa Claus house up and some nice dock bars. Other than that, eh. I took the morning bus with Dan to Alter and was pleasantly surprised that the Lonely Planet book didn't lie this time. Oh, and funny thing about the bus - they have turnstiles in them that you must (trust me, I tried to go out the back and got yelled at and had to have a guy pass my bag over and stalled the bus a bit) exit through. There are plenty of Pousadas but only one hostel. Thankfully, the place, Amberque do Floresta was bad ass. I hung my hammock for $8 a night. It also had a very social and sharing environment. The owner had to leave a lot and we all kinda shared in greeting people and telling them the prices and showing them around and making sure the place was cool. It is definitely the best hostel I've stayed at yet.

Reflections on Colombia

This is going to be short since the internet here sucks.
Colombia was not as scary as people think it is. In fact, I found it to be almost opposite of what it is made out to be. The thing is, the people saying it's dangerous or this or that happens, are people that habe never been. The people that I've talked to that have been, will pretty much agree with me. Sure some people got mugged at knife or gun point, but they were doing exactly the thing that would get them mugged anywhere in the world. That is, wandering in dark places alone late at night in the big cities in not good neighborhoods, some drunk. And, yes, bribes do eventually occur, but mostly if you have your own car and driving around the highways. But, the only time when I actually felt scarred was on the road cause of how crazy they drive.
Coke is everywhere. No, I didn't do any and I only saw it once. I wasn't seeking to do some, especially after what I learned that they have to do to turn it into cocaine. However, I was around people who had it in their possesion. And, after talking to ex-pats, sometimes they get paid with coke or were telling me just how prevelent it is.

When You See the Southern Cross for the First Time

My first night on one of the Amazon's tributaries was the first time I saw the southern cross. CSN's song (one of my favorite songs) came immediately to mind. Here are the lyrics, a lot of them I feel apply and I'll let you decide which ones you think do:
Got out of town on a boat
Goin' to Southern islands. Sailing a reach
Before a followin' sea.
She was makin' for the trades On the outside,
And the downhill run
To Papeete.
Off the wind on this heading
Lie the Marquesas.
We got eighty feet of the waterline.
Nicely making way.
In a noisy bar in Avalon
I tried to call you.
But on a midnight watch I realized
Why twice you ran away.
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me larger voices callin'.
What heaven brought you and me
Cannot be forgotten.
I have been around the world,
Lookin' for that woman/girl,
Who knows love can endure.
And you know it will.
And you know it will.
When you see the Southern Cross
For the first time
You understand now
Why you came this way
Cause the truth you might be runnin' from
Is so small.
But it's as big as the promise
The promise of a comin' day.
So I'm sailing for tomorrow
My dreams are a dyin'.
And my love is an anchor tied to you
Tied with a silver chain.
I have my ship
And all her flags are a flyin'
She is all that I have left
And music is her name.
Think about how many times I have fallen
Spirits are using me larger voices callin'.
What heaven brought you and me
Cannot be forgotten.
I have been around the world,
Lookin' for that woman/girl,
Who knows love can endure.
And you know it will.
And you know it will.
So we cheated and we lied
And we tested
And we never failed to fail
It was the easiest thing to do.
You will survive being bested. Somebody fine Will come along
Make me forget about loving you.
At the Southern Cross.