Running down the trail, sulphur fumes permeate my nostrils. Steaming gases rise in the distance. Blackened craters spew acidic steam. Just down the road, a traditional Maori village welcomes foreigners to watch–and learn, for men–the Haka war ritual. Sacred Maori lands are home to Middle Earth, where I ran as close to Mount Doom as…
Tag: photography
New Zealand Adventure!
I have to use the ! when writing about this place. There’s a reason it’s become the place to be. Here are annotated photos from my first full day in Auckland and running on Waiheke Island. ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜Her visa application was rejected. So, my beautiful girlfriend is in the Philippines right now. 我是一个人。 This tree is…
A Year In China, Dammit!
9/10: Well, thought computer saved my last week’s worth of entries. Maybe not. No time to check now. If not, I’ll have to recap later. “You’re face looks weird,” sixth grade Brian just told me bluntly. I think he meant well, maybe. I think he meant younger now than I shaved (??). Middle schoolers. Tonight’s…
What if I Fall?
I could fall straight down Through to oblivion Crumpled, broken at the bottom Fuck that! I’m moving up! This thing is bigger than each of us Trashed, abandoned, hopeless (?) Never Catch yourself Allow yourself to be caught Never lose sight of the One… There is a passage ahead Get back into it Hold each…
7 Things About Seoul
7 Noticings about Seoul… 1. Korean women are gorgeous 2. Subway stations are tightly knit, with narrow corridors, low ceilings, brick archways and have a special endearing character. News stands sell a unique assortment of goods including infant outfits & house slippers. The trumpeting announcement of incoming trains is a wholly unique element of the…
Back In Time in Burma
Dead flat, white beaches Sun soaked goldenrods Hillside Buddhist temples Temples everywhere; all shapes, sizes, colors… Red, white, real gold plating many Women with waist length hair, traditional yellowish-white face paint make up adorning Sound of small waves rippling out from beneath countless boats traversing the 1,350 mile long Irrawaddy River–the Aye Yarwaddy here A…
Suzhou, China
Great running course
What’s the Dead Sea Really Like?
How salty is it, really? Ever drunk vodka straight? The saltiness is so extreme, it’s like that in your mouth. I felt like, one accidental gulp of water would OD me with salt. Know how in most oceans-seas-lakes, you run your hand along the bottom and come up with sand, or plants, or mud? Here’s…
It’s A Day in China
Looks like I’ve been run over by a truck, but I’m okay. It’s just my first traditional Chinese massage. After wearing my paper diaper for a second week in a row (but not thong-like or pink this time),I made the mistake of asking the masseuse to go deeper this time. Well, I’ve had tight hamstrings….
Asia Summary I
6.5 months since I landed in Asia (leaving once for two weeks in USA). It’s time to provide an executive summary of what I’ve experienced thus far, in parts. Here’s the first installment. Reflections & Miscellany (only in a stream of consciousness order)… 1. Harshest land in which to survive: Mongolia 2. Most stunningly gorgeous…
I Ran Into the Sea
I ran out into the Andaman Sea. The beach ran out and as I met a series of giant boulders, I curved out into the warm sea. I literally kept running through water. Behind me, lavender clouds. Before me, expansive sky streaked with yellow, orange. A setting sun. Stopping, I threw my arms to the…
Before Myanmar…
…I had never: Been able to step outside–at Heho Airport–and stand directly next to the runway while waiting for my plane to board. Especially with all the rules in China & U.S., this would never fly, no pun intended. No boarding pass was shown before I stood out there. When our passes were checked it…
Don't Let My Parents Read This 