1 Year Down

I’ve been on the road for over a year now(actually, at the time of writing this it has been 13 months). I had wanted to write a post for my 1 year anniversary and my thoughts at that time but a combination of laziness and writers block stopped me. That is something that has yet to change on this trip, the writers block. For the most part, I know there aren’t too many people outside my family and friends that are reading this, but I still feel compelled to write something of at least some semblance.

I guess that is still the perfectionist in me. I’m rarely, if ever, satisfied with my own writing. But, nonetheless, here I am. At the tail end of my trip, having been on the road, living out of my backpack, for 13 months. And what a year it has been.

Acknowledging the Sleazy Side of Bangkok

Days 292-298, September 15-21, 2011

Bangkok tends to get a bad rap nowadays. At least with a lot of people. It’s a huge city, comprising its own province in Thailand. Its sheer size has the unfortunate consequence of creating a ton of pollution, thus giving it the nickname “The Big Smoke.” But by far the worst reputation Bangkok has is for it being Prime Central for the sex tourism industry in Thailand.

Before I even got to Thailand I had many people who had been there before exclaiming that they hated the city. It was “dirty,” the people were “rude” and “crooks,” and the city as a whole was “sleazy.” But having had the unfortunate opportunity to spend a few hours in Bucharest with an Englishman that goes there often for business(and could not say enough bad things about the gypsy’s and Roma), I listened to these opinions and promptly threw them out the window.

It is a bit funny to think that I’m now telling you to be wary of other peoples opinions as no one can be completely unbiased. Even myself. But I’d like to think you readers are of the smart bunch that can understand that everything opinion on here is my own. It’s best to just take it with a shaker of salt and come here yourself.

When Travel Gets You Down

Day 272-275, August 26-29, 2011

There’s a sickness that can strike even the most hardy of travellers. Most that are afflicted with it are unaware that they have contracted it until it has manifested itself fully. Many will be too ashamed to admit to having caught this particular sickness. Admitting to non-travelers that you have this particular affliction is an embarrassment that can lead to scorn and false pity masking a slight resentment. This disease can be avoided, but, like a common cold, it has a way of sneaking up on you.

I am shedding the stigma and admitting right here, right now, that I suffered from this sickness. As is normal, it did not make itself aware to me until it was too late and I was fully engulfed with it. It being “Traveler’s Fatigue”

A Week in Berlin

Days 255-262, August 9-16, 2011

Ok, let’s just admit that my previous attempt at a post about Berlin sucked. Like, really sucked. Hence why I’m redoing it.

With Pride in Amsterdam officially behind us, Jaime and I hopped aboard a train out to Germany. His destination: Hamburg. My destination: Berlin. An accident somewhere ahead of us on the track forced a major delay and had us saying our goodbye much earlier than expected. It was like tearing off a bandaid. It didn’t really have the whole sadness to it as I thought because it happened so fast(literally a “Jaime! You need to catch this train beside us that’s leaving in ten minutes!” moment). And with that, I was alone once again.

For another four hours at least. Waiting for me at the Berlin HBF train station were Jordi and Esteban, my boys from Barcelona, and who I would be staying with for my time in the German capital.

Queering the Backpackers Trail

It’s the first full week of June and back home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, Pride Week is in full swing. Perhaps it’s because of this, or because of a couple recent posts by fellow queer backpackers Jaime and Dani & Jessica of GlobetrotterGirls, that I’m feeling like I need to do a post outside the norm of what I’ve been doing.

For the most part, this blog has not been a normal “travel blog” full of tips and amazing articles of great insight. No. This blog is more of my journal of what I’ve done each day of this massive trip. Gay issues have certainly come up as this is just part of who I am and I don’t feel like I should completely censure myself. If I go to a gay bar, I’m going to write about it.

Both Jaime and Dani & Jessica have written amazing posts on their perspectives of being gay while traveling. They’re insights are amazing and are given with such honesty. I highly suggest you check them both out. Now it’s my turn.