Wondering and Wandering

I graduated. Now what? Do I live the life I never wanted to live? The one where I move to the city, get a job in a corporate cubicle, and slave away 60 hours a week for $40,000 a year? No thanks. How about 5 years down the road when I settle on a girl I don't truly love, buy the car I don't need, have the marriage that won't last, buy the home I can't afford? No thanks. I want to see things, I want to experience life in every way. This is the only life I've got, I might as well make the most of it and do something I won't foget. So here I am, travelling the world one step at a time. Where I'm going is yet to be decided, how long I'm there is up in the air, but one thing's for sure. Whatever I do, where ever I go, I'm going to be living. You can count on that.

Kathmandu!

NEPAL | Saturday, 29 September 2007 | Views [312] | Comments [7]

Wow, it's been 3 days and I'm already in love with the people here. This is one of the 10 poorest countries in the world, and yet the people still smile constantly. They are fans of my beard and Colbys muscles (aren't we all). The food is great, the living expenses are cheap, and the landscape is amazing. I look out our window to clouds lying on the mountains like a blanket on a resting body. The poverty, however, is breaking my heart. Seeing a boy, no older than 12, sitting on tattered rags with no hands or feet begging would bring anyone to tears. As I passed him the equivilent of 2 dollars US his lifeless eyes lit up for an instant before falling back onto the nubs he used to grasp it with. This was 10 minutes before we passed the nearly naked homeless man who was either sleeping, unconcious, or dead on the sidewalk with a black eye and scars on his face. How can society let this happen, what kind of people are we, why dont we care. These were questions I kept asking myself as the day wore on. While the squalor was all around me there were still little sparks of light, children smiling at the bearded white man as he passed them on the street, pitching in for a 7 dollar barrell of milk for a starving baby and his mother, being welcomed with "Namaste" everytime I entered a shop, and the overall gracious and purely happy attitudes of people we talked to. This is going to be a time in my life I will never forget and that will, without a doubt, help shape me towards a lifestyle of being a better world citizen and a better person. Thanks again to all who support me,

Alex

Tags: Philosophy of travel

Comments

1

Alex reading your post was like walking with with you. Thank you for sharing this fabulous experience.
You are seeing life as a majority of the world lives, very sobering I'm sure.
Please take lots of pictures. We are all anxiously awaiting every one.
London was wonderful I am told. That beard is AWESOME!!!
You will probably trip on it before you get home.
Much love and prayers. GM

Grandmother Sep 29, 2007 11:06 PM

2

"How can society let this happen, what kind of people are we, why dont we care."

A great question - I think that everyone cares, but the pain of what we see trips an emotional circuit breaker, we are overwhelmed by the need, we rationalize our response. And it it easier the next time. Just think of the Christian Children fund commercials, or the homeless guy under the overpass - we learn to look away, assess the reason that they are in that predicament, find a way not to be moved.

Just wait until you encounter tribal hatred.

Old Wizend Goat

Old Wizend Goat Sep 30, 2007 10:07 PM

3

Old Wizend Goat Oct 1, 2007 1:46 AM

4

It does not surprise me in the least that you have already found ways to help people. I am so proud of you, and although I am awaiting your return with bated breath, I know that while you're gone, you're making a change in your world. Thank you.
Jess

Jessica Oct 1, 2007 5:29 AM

5

It's good to read about your latest travels, Nepal sounds amazing. Yeh, it's a real tribute to you that the harsher side to life there is moving you to help people and become a better person! Was great meeting you in little old England too man! Be in touch,
Ed

Ed Picnic-In-My-Brain Oct 2, 2007 4:53 AM

6

I hope others will read this and pass on the info that you are leaving for the Annapurna Circuit and will be out of touch for the next 30 days or so and that you MAY have intermittent email access. Enjoyed time with you in London. Know you are getting an education so few ever receive. Hugs to Colby.
Mom

Diana Oct 2, 2007 7:06 AM