Wondering and Wandering

Why I do

mradventure — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 10:52:00 GMT

So I've got some time to kill and decided I would share a few thoughts... There are some of you out there who don't understand why I'm doing what I'm doing, there are some that envy my situation and there are some that just don't care. I'm reaching out to all of you, hoping to tug at some strings to get you moving. Not in the right direction, I don't know what "your" right direction is, but hopefully moving somewhere with your life. I'm not going to sit here and preach by saying I know what life's about, or I have all the answers, because I don't. Actually, I have no clue what life's about, just what makes sense to me, what I justify in my reality. When it comes to the answers, I definitely have more now than when I left. We're all on a journey, some to high power jobs, some to making vast amounts of money, some to living a life helping others, some to teach, some to learn, and all to grow a little. I've learned life's about the journey itself, not where you go. I can thank Mr. Brown for that piece of advice. I've had a few eye opening experiences in the past year that have definitely changed who I'm becoming. Doesn't change who I am or what my core values, morals, or personality is, but changing how I react to things. To some, I would be considered a fool (which I might be), courageous (which we all are), or lucky. Thanks to a great book I've just read called "Getting Back" by Micheal Dietrich, I've got a better definition for luck. Luck is just opportunities presented to you and your reaction to them. Some take advantage of the opportunities, some don't. It's up to you, but we all have them, some more than others, but they exist. (By the way, the book's a novel, it's a great story but you've got to look deeper to what the author is really saying.) Life is what you make it, cliche I know, but so true. We decide what the outcomes are of our lives. Things get thrown at us that either open doors or knock us off our feet, but we keep going, learning, reacting, growing, and constantly changing. Our lives aren't static, no matter how comfortable we are, so we might as well throw ourselves out there and see what happens. Today for example, We spent 7 hours on a bus (total) to bungy jump 160 meters. That's the world's second highest jump and it was my first time. It was an eye opening look at how fast your life can flash before your eyes. I loved it, I'm hooked. Any chance I have to put myself in a position where the adrenaline flows like beer at Octoberfest, count me in. After the bungy I spent an hour and a half on top of the bus on the way back to Kathmandu. It was cold but I got to watch the sun set over the mountains, the Himalayas, in Nepal. It was one of those moments in life where you thank who ever it is you pray to, that you have these opportunities and that you had the guts to take advantage of them. Spending the time I've been able to with the kids at the orphanage is another. I'm not trying to talk myself up here, just explaining to you why I justify my life the way I do. There's no reason, no rhyme, no rules or regulations except what you have to do to live peacefully. Society can't tell you what to do but it does make sense to respect the guidelines put in place by those with the right ideas. It may be Jesus, Buddha, Muhammad, or George W., it's about what works for you, but don't take it too far or too seriously. We all know deep down what the right thing to do is. The answer to all life's questions are inside us. We just have to look for it. I'm thinking of heading to Japan within the next year (if I can pay off my debts and save a few grand), and work as a private tutor. The more I think of it, the more I'm being lured there. Probably by my own hopes and dreams, maybe by some force that guides your heart in the right direction. My goal is to make enough money in one year to travel for one. I love my family and I love my friends but I will always have both, at least the ones that matter. It doesn't matter where you are, your family gave you your roots, and both your friends and family helped shape who you are, but only your own personal experiences can make you who you want to be. I still don't know who I am but I'm definitely getting a better idea of it. I wouldn't trade the ups and downs of the past year for anything, and I'm looking to my future with open eyes and an open heart, I'm ready, or at least becoming much closer to being ready to just take things in, absorb everything, appreciate it all, and enjoy life. I have no idea where my life is going to take me and I know, now, that it doesn't matter where life takes you as long as you enjoy the ride. If you don't, what's the point of living it? This life may be the only one you've got, who knows. It doesn't matter either way, because it's your life. Go out and live it in a way that will make you happy and enrich the ones you love. A big thanks to those of you who have helped me along the way, however you helped. If I met you, you helped me because I learned a bit about myself from each of you. You've all given me something, positive or negative is not the issue, you've helped me learn and grow. My only desire in this life is that I can help others, hopefully positively, but I'm not perfect (close though). I leave to witness the majesty of the highest peak in the world in 3 days and hopefully will come back with a few answers, and even more questions. If I can give one piece of advice from what I've learned it's this. Believe in yourself but know your limits, take risks because it's the only way you'll know how far you can go, and enjoy life because we are living in a world where it's often taken for granted. Don't let that be you. We're all living on this planet together, let's try to have a good time and make it the best we can for all involved. Love and respect, Alex

A day in my life

mradventure — Thu, 8 Nov 2007 17:20:00 GMT

I get up around 8, still a late sleeper, even in Kathmandu. I make my way to the German bakery down the road and have my croissant and cup of coffee, ahh life's little pleasures. From there I walk 10 minutes to the local minibus station. It's always an interesting trip. Imagine crowding 20, literally 20, people in a van no bigger than an Astro Van. I usually get lots of stares, it's uncommon to see a bearded white man taking a local bus. It's a short, but painful, journey. Our driver, usually no older than 18 enjoys speeding down pothole ridden roads. I've learned not to sit in the back if I can help it. We're constantly dodging pedistrians who get an ear shattering honk of the horn if they don't move quickly enough, goats, chickens (who don't get dodged), and the ever sacred cow (who we will slam on the brakes for). By the end of the journey I'm happy to be alive. I take a short walk to the orphanage and walk through the 8 ft. high iron spiked gate that's locked after 8 p.m. It's not the safest neighborhood but the man who owns it (an ex-Gurka who fought for the British and now lives in London), leases it for a fairly cheap amount as long as his mother is allowed to live on the top floor. It's a beautiful building, the architecture here is actually quite stunning, it's got an amazing rooftop garden and is quite large considering where it is. I walk through the screen door and take of my shoes, we don't wear shoes inside. I step into the children's playroom and they all snap to attention with a "Good Morning Uncle Alice (still working on "Alex"), Namaste" (Nuh - mas - tey, is the Nepali greeting meaning "Hello and respect to you"). It's enough to melt your heart. We usually start the day going through English and then Nepali. We will start with facial features, dadi=beard, they love my beard, and move on to nose, eyes, mouth, teeth, hair, forehead, etc. Sometimes we go through the Alphabet, one of the older girls will bring out her school book and we will work on letters, "A is for apple" etc. The we will bring out the big childrens encyclopedia and I will teach them the names of different animals, construction equipment, you name it. They are crowded so close I feel like it's a big hug session. You can hear the excitement in their voices as they repeat, quite well, what I am saying. They still have a long way to go but they are trying and enjoying learning. They don't have many books, I've seen a Thomas the Tank Engine, The Childrens Encyclopedia, and a few coloring books. It's disheartening at the least to see the desire for these children to learn but without the materials to do so. We soon move on to drawing and coloring. I'm not much of an artist but they enjoy my flowers and fish and coloring them in. Luckily a group of Aussies came in yesterday and delivered a large package full of coloring pencils and paper. It's a good start but there is so much more they need that I just can't supply. Think about the supplies a daycare has and take them all away. That's pretty much what these kids have, nothing. A few stuffed animals, a doll or two, a matching game, and one puzzle. All this for 8 children. 2 boys and 6 girls. They go to a private school which is free on a exchange program. They get to go for free as long as there are a few English teachers who volunteer on occasion. I can't start volunteering until the festival is over and that only leaves me 2 days until I leave for Everest. At least I get to spend some one on one time with these kids. They love singing Nepali songs, playing clapping games, and a few "ring around the rosy" type games that I can't figure out. I've taught them "heads down thumbs up" but I can't seem to think of anymore. Their meals consist of Dal Bhat (Dal is Lentil soup, Bhat is rice, and potato curry). It's quite delicious (I get to eat with them). They line up in the hall to the kitchen, with their hands behind their back and walk in slowly and orderly. They sit in a semi circle in the kitchen on the floor and eat quietly after saying thanks to Shiva or Kali or some other Hindu god. There are a few so I tend to get them confused. There are two people working full time at the orphanage, which is set up for 20 children, but they just don't have the funds at the moment. One man, Biswa, who is doing this for free, lives with them and started the orphanage not too long ago. There is a lady who works full time, cooking and cleaning. I told Biswa that I felt this orphanage is what I'm supposed to be doing. Helping, teaching, and fundraising. When I get home I'm going to put my efforts into gathering enough money to set up in some sort of fund to sustain at least 10 children. After enough money is gathered for that we will work on 20 children. At the moment it costs only $800 a month to feed, educate, medicate, house, and protect these children. That's nothing, there are people who can make that in a week, some even in a day, but I'm worried that people either don't care or don't realize the poverty. I know I didn't before I got here. These kids are so happy just to have someone there to give them attention. So far there are 4 of us. Me, a girl from Holland, a guy from Germany who is helping with the website, and Colby who will be doing photography for a pamphlet I hope to put together to help raise money. If you know anyone who can help, please pass this along and let them know pictures are on the way. If you want to link to the website this is it, http://www.happyhomenepal.org. This is proving to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I am enjoying every second of it. All it takes is a little help from a few people. Just a few of us can make a big difference in these childrens lives. Thanks, Love you, Alex

The Himalays and White Water Rafting

mradventure — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 03:50:00 GMT

Sorry its been so long, I've been a little busy. Colby and I took off on a 18 day trek through the mountains of Nepal. What an experience. We thought we could last carrying our own bags...nope. We had to get porters like everyone else who was doing the trek. It wasn't too expensive and we were able to help a couple of guys out and make more money than they would have normally. Colby lasted to the second day when we met up with this British couple (Gavin and Gail) and their friend (Emma). Colby got his porter through their guide and the next day I used him as well and got a porter for myself. It just wasn't any fun carrying these big bags up 800 meters of steps. We ended up doing the trek and the rafting with the brits who turned out to be awesome people and some quality friends...plus, I have another 2 places to stay in the UK!

The trek was hard, it strained my body and my mind. It was absolutely beautiful at the same time. Elevation is a killer, 5416 meters, thats higher than any mountain in the US with exception of Denali in Alaska. We were way up there, with the clouds. The landscape was so incredibly diverse too. It went from Jungle to barren mountain, to snow covered peaks, to desert, to plains, to river valleys, and back to jungle. Not only was the landscape diverse but so were the flora and fauna. It was an amazing experience and I highly reccommend it to those who are interested.

The 3 day rafting trip was an experience of its own. It was us, the brits, a dutch couple, and 18 isrealis. Now Isreal isn't known for having the best travellers but these guys weren't half bad. There were a few lazy ones but thats to be expected in a group. The company, Swissa, was awesome. Well organized, great guides, fantastic food, and very safe. Plus we got 10 hours of good rafting total, a DVD of us on the river, and a free t shirt. You know how I feel about free t shirts...love em. I only fell out 3 times but at least it was on decent rapids. Class 3,4, and a 5 (didnt fall out on that one). I'm having a hell of a time here in Nepal and truly love every second of it (with the exception of getting my passport, drivers liscense, and credit cards stolen), no worries about that last bit though, all is taken care of. Hope all is well and I look forward to seeing you all soon. Take care,

Alex

Kathmandu!

mradventure — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 05:29:00 GMT

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

London

mradventure — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 07:02:00 GMT

Hey guys, im in London and I absolutely love it. So far I think it's my favorite place. It's amazing, so diverse, so big and busy. Sometims the big and busy sucks but I think a person can control how busy or big a city is, there are places that you can easily get away from the hustle and bustle. The people are great, they speak English, and the women are very attractive. It may be expensive, but thats only when you think about the exchange rate and real estate. You can eat for cheap and if you can find a place to live for cheap, you've got it made. Piece of advice for those wanting to travel to London, get an Oyster Card and ride the double deckers around with a guide book for a cheap view of London. So you get lost, big deal, it's not hard to find your way again. You can ride them for hours and only pay 3 or 4 pounds. Camden High Street is a great place for diverse people and people watching, Hyde Park is huge, the London Eye is expensive just for a view so I reccomend going to Primrose Hill (you can see ALL of London from up there). If you are wondering why the picture album titled Germany and London has no pictures, its because I have too many and it would take hours for them to upload. So sorry, guess you'll have to see them when I get back. Take care friends and family, I will try and update when I get to Nepal. I love you all!

England once again

mradventure — Thu, 6 Sep 2007 19:47:00 GMT

I'm in England, yet again. It's not because I have some sort of love for this place. It happens to be incredibly expensive, yet the closest thing to a home I have in Europe. I leave in 20 days to venture into the wilds of Nepal and Tibet. I just finished reading For Tibet With Love by Isabel Losada, an absolutely amazing book so I emailed her and let her know, now I'm in contact with her and waiting on her schedule to see if she's avaliable for a drink when I'm in London so I can pick her brain. That sentence is too long. Oh yeah, I can build awesome stone footpaths in case anyone ever needs one built, also, I built a BBQ pit. I know, I'm amazing, but just so you know, there are some rocks that explode when they get too hot, just an FYI. Ok, enough. I hope people are still reading this, maybe you will just have to buy my book to catch up. Stay classy.

Alex

Scotland and the Lake District

mradventure — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:05:00 GMT

So I dont have long to tell my stories but as soon as I get to Marions I will fill in the gaps. I spent an absolutey awesome week with Doug and Rob touring distilleries, seeing Rosslyn Chapel, a few castles, werewolf woods, Clootie Wells, loch ness, and laughing my ass off constantly. Defintely two of the best travel buddies you could ask for. I got some awesome pics and will upload them within the next 6 months. I just got back to civilization after spending 2 nights camping, I walked too far in the mountains and now I have sexy blisters in the backs of my feet. And my pack is heavy. Ok gotta jet, runnin outta time. Love ya, Alex

Many apologies

mradventure — Sun, 5 Aug 2007 00:44:00 GMT

Ok folks, sorry it's been so long, but I've been a little busy. I've been spending a lot of time at the country house doing man stuff, building fences, cutting down trees, chopping wood etc. There's also a new person thats's been introduced into my life that's been somewhat time consuming, though I'm very happy that's the case. It's no excuse for my lack for writing online but at least I have been keeping up in my journal. So some good news, I leave Germany in less than two weeks and I am VERY excited. Partially because I get to see Doug and Rob, but also because I am leaving Germany. I have had a few revelations recently. These helped me to realize who I am and what is important to me. I love my family and I love my friends, but I know they will be there for me no matter what. What about the people that have no one? I know I am supposed to make a difference in peoples lives. I know teaching is in my future, I know my life will be hard, yet fufilling, I know there is someone out there for me who has the same views I do and values life as much as I do. I know I won't have just one home for a very very long time. I don't plan on stopping this travel bug from infecting me. I've got too many places to see, things to do, and lives to change. I will be the change I want to see in the world. thank you all for your continued support. Much love.

Whoaaaaaaa

mradventure — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 03:24:00 GMT

So the past week I've been in Strubensee at the family's second home. We've been clearing the barn of horse shit, spiders, hay, and ferrets. I'm tired. Not because of the work, but because of the party last night. We did all this cleaning and clearing for their annual summerfest. They have a bunch of their friends get together and have a BBQ and drink and talk and chill to music and try new wines etc etc. It was a good party but holy hell I drank too much. My thought process was this, "If I worked this hard for the past week, I may as well enjoy it". Enjoy it I did. Not only did I hit on a Florians friends mom, but I had a drinking contest with a German guy, drinking shots of this Czech booze. It got to the point where his wife stopped him because I wasn't going to quit. Hell yeah, Texans don't quit. I don't know how I managed to stay up til 4 but I did, and slept til 1. It was one hell of an experience. I talked with Vibekes brother about everything ranging from politics to love. Nik turned 18 last night so we got him Drunkkkkkkk. The format of this post sucks but I'm still a little tipsy. I will post pictures eventually. P.S.- Look for a YouTube post of me lighting a fart on fire. Nik didn't know it actually worked and Florian thought it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen....and to think some people thought I wouldn't be a good aupairman.

NEWS

mradventure — Sat, 7 Jul 2007 01:26:00 GMT

So it seems that things are constantly changing, I guess that's life. I'm having difficulty at the moment (again) deciding which direction my life is going to go (again). I've realized that there are two very distinct halves of me. One half says "Go home, get a job, then travel, live where youve always wanted to live; Colorado, Seattle, Oregon, Canada. Find a job where you will be happy, find a nice woman who will love you and take care of you, live easy". The other half says "Live life to it's fullest, experience everything you can, roll with the punches, let life happen and be free, make life difficult so you an truly enjoy the times when its easy". The first part, the easy road part of me says go to South Korea, make some money and then travel. The adventerous side of me says that I've got one life, one chance to make a difference in this world and that I should join Colby and Jen in South Africa. At this very moment, I want to go home after India, work my ass off for 7 months and go to Africa in September. To me this is what life is about, freedom to make crazy decisions, and then change them when ever you want. I say that's what life's about, but life's really about being happy and doing what makes you happy, as long as it doesn't interfere with the happiness of others. You don't have to make them happy, but let them live their lives. I am still struggling with who I am, what I want out of life, were I want to end up, what I'm good at, what I'm passionate about. I am starting to get an idea but it sure is taking it's time to develop. I want to thank everyone who reads this for their continued support, if it wasn't for your comments, advice, words of wisdom, and wisecracks, I don't think I would have the strength to keep on keepin on. Love you all.