Our backpacks began as mixed bags of color and white clothes. As time passed, we fazed out the light colors in favor of the dark clothes. This video shows why… We were (are?) seriously dirty. We’ve had our clothes laundered, but more often than not it’s been washed in a local river or using [...]
We flew in from Delhi – dirty and travel worn. In five days, you fed us more pork than we’ve had in the last ten months You reminded us what good beer tastes like. You were kind when I embarrassed the hell out of myself. You helped me figure out where my family came from. And you [...]
Things got a little hot and heavy with Bacon and a lady friend a few night ago. I can’t help but be reminded of when Martin and I first met. Just sayin’.
We were recently asked to participate in a study on how new technology has impacted the backpacking culture. Here are the questions and our answers. If you’re a backpacker and would like to add your input, the researcher (Mr. Cody Paris at Arizona State University) would be grateful for your contribution. Just send your answers [...]
You know you’ve been on the road too long when you’ve checked into a five star hotel and the following conversation takes place: Jaime: “Is it embarrassing that we’ve just checked into this hotel carrying our own toilet paper?” Martin: “Not any less embarrassing than checking out with the two from our bathroom. Did you [...]
The man pictured on the left in this picture literally pulled us over to his vending table so we could pose for a photo together. He then ran to the nearby store to grab a card, insisting we send a copy of the photo to the address on the card. I tell you this story, [...]
Traveling in India throws unexpected things your way more often than not. Flying, I’ve come to learn, is no exception. Take for example the security lines. Since men and women have the right to be frisked by members of their own gender, the lines are segregated by sex. Fair enough, but what about the fact [...]
It was ten days ago that I reveled in Martin’s encounter with a cuddly Indian man. I laughed. I thoroughly enjoyed his awkward half-smile, half-grimace when it was happening. I made fun of him for days. Well, karma is a b-tch. I just spent our two hours of our bus ride from Miao in Arunachal [...]
Much to our disappointment, we didn’t make it to the Lake of No Return. Here’s Jaime explaining why. (Above: the check point where we were turned back by the Assam Rifles).
The lights had been out for three hours when a pop woke me from a deep sleep. Not yet awake but no longer sleeping, I lay on my side with my back to our window, drifting back toward sleep. A cool draft slid over my exposed shoulder. Funny, I thought, the window was closed when [...]
I’m a girl and girls sometimes cry. We can’t help it. Well, I can’t help it at least, especially when I’m tired. One wrong word or move and I become a fountain. Combine exhaustion, near constant bus rides and a new hotel every night. The result: a recipe for Jaime Disaster. This week’s trigger was, [...]
Personal space means one thing to us and something all together different to Indians. When I board a bus at home (San Francisco), I hope that the empty seat next to me stays empty. It’s not because I’m antisocial (no, no – of course not). It’s because I like my space, especially on public transportation. [...]
When your backpack has space enough for exactly three outfits, you learn to mix and match with abandon. Martin’s pair of coral-colored pants (a laundry accident in KL months ago) and a blue striped shirt work perfectly together. Of course they work! When you have only one black shirt, which everyone knows goes with [...]
Today, we yet again failed to secure a permit for Arunachal Pradesh (they’d moved the office to another part of town). We did, however, have a lengthy conversation with the Commissioner at the Manipur office. I’m posting this here for the benefit of travelers interested in visiting Manipur, because there is so much misinformation out [...]
This is why travelers should not drink the local’s “drinking water” in India. We ran across this truck after walking along the Brahmaputra river in Guwahati. The water you see being dumped into the tank is pumped directly from – you guessed it – the river. The same river that I was happy to [...]
You know the saying, “to fly by the seat of your pants?” Well, that's been our philosophy for most of our adult lives – before and after meeting, falling in love and marrying. We're now taking that idea on an extended round-the-world trip. Follow us as we share the good, the bad and the downright nasty of life on the road.
