The Equine Still Has a Pulse...

Not to keep beating a dead horse, but a new issue on the country count thing has arisen. Arrived in Cyprus the other day. Flew direct from Istanbul. That is important to the story. As you may or may not know, Cyprus is an island in the Med divided into a predominently ethnic Greek part and a predominently ethnic Turkish part. They had a pretty good pissing contest going on back in the 70's. A lot of tension since. It was in all the papers.

The Greek part is it's own country recognized around the world. They have a seat in the UN.

The Turkish part, which they call the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is basically a rogue government, recognized by themselves and Turkey. And me. The thing is, I cleared passport control when I entered the Turkish part. Here's the stamp:



Since my business was on the Greek (southern) side of the island, I had to do some negotiation with the cabbies to get a ride to the border. After being delivered to the border I had to hump all my stuff through the UN Buffer Zone to the Greek side, wherein I got another cab to deliver me to the wrong hotel.

But, here is the sign greeting arrivals to the Turkish side as they come from the Greek side. I understand the tensions have eased considerably in the last year or so. It probably has to do with Turkey AND Greece are both US allies AND Turkey wants in the EU.



So far as I'm concerned, it counts. #24

On to Greece.

Ramadan (or as they spell it Ramazan) in Istanbul

After the University Fair headed up to Taksim Square to try the local cuisine. Just in time to compete with thousands of starving Muslims coming off the daily Ramadan fast. It was a beautiful evening with more dining opportunities than one could count. Music (recorded and live) flowed throughout the streets.

Now I understand why my Muslim friends wax ecstatic about their holy month of Ramadan.







Funny thing was I had been invited to a local counselor's home (along with 90 other recruiters) for drinks after the fair. The lamb Doner Kabab I ate on the street far outweighed any possible networking value of the soiree.

I AM retired after all.

I hear they have a drawing every night...shi-boom boom

Seen along the Road from Sofia to Sozopol

Jeder denkt sonst, daß Sie ein Arschloch sind!

Anyone from the US Education group read Deutch?

Travel Update...

I'm in Istanbul now. Beautiful place with much to Blog about. But, first I must finish the Bulgarian Commentaries. The Hilton here in Istanbul is very nice, but the dial up internet in the room is over $20 PER HOUR! The wireless in the lobby is "only" $25 per day. It's functional, but S L O W... So pictures may be limited.

Anyway,...Bulgaria. I love these post-Soviet countries. Sixteen years after the Fall and they're still working their way through. Western money is pouring in. Bulgaria joins the EU in 2007. Foreigners (not Americans, but Eastern Euros and Brits) are buying property. Mostly for investment I think. Huge construction projects. Has "overbuilt" written all over it.

But, the little side streets at night are so peaceful. The only things open are small shops and little restaurants. Just locals engaging in life. I think we've lost most of that in the States. Example: Futboll (soccer) is the cultural obsession, but you NEVER see Soccer moms and dads rushing around getting the young'uns to practice and games, etc.

Fashions here are wild. Every fourth store is a lingerie shop. I might have commented on that earlier this year. The preferred female hair color is RED. Any shade of red but natural.

I saw this gal in the bus station while on my way to Sozopol. Not red, but as Mrs. Russell used to say in High School Latin, "It's the exception that makes the rule."

I have previously mentioned the famed topless beach in Sozopol. Here's proof:



Wellllllllll...There's Good topless and there's Bad topless. OK, so that's enough for now. I'll try to post this and add more later.

Puerto Rico comes to Bulgaria

From our "This Makes Absolutely No Sense Department": I've been hearing the Reggaeton hit Gasolina by Daddy Yankee throughout my stay here. On the bus from Sofia to Sozopol (They also played "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie with Bulgarian subtitles), in the restaurants and all over.

I can't understand what the heck he's saying outside of "Bump de de GasoliiiiNA." They certainly can't have much of an idea either.

Rolling along through the Bulgarian countryside...

Took a six hour bus ride from Sofia to the Black Sea coastal town of Sozopol. First settled by the ancient Greeks, then the Romans, the Bulgars, the German Army, the Russian Army, then armies of German, Slovak, Brit, Russky and Belorussian tourists. And now finally THE AMERICAN TOURIST! Haven't seen another Amerikansky since arriving. Lot's of condo/apartment development. Beautiful area and very affordable. I could see buying a place here. The winters are quite mild I'm told. Stalin knew what he was doing when he BS'ed Churchill and Roosevelt out of the Black Sea at Yalta in '45. Warm water ports.

Laid out on a nice beach yesterday (topless, no less!) But, alas, it's 4 October. The Summer season is over. Thus the pickings were slim.

Got some great pix, but can't get them on at this internet cafe. Will have to wait a couple days 'til Istanbul.

I'm very relaxed. My friend, Miro, sold his condo here so I'm staying at a nice little B & B & D(inner). Ate and drank (Slivovitz and Bulgarian Merlot) late with my hosts last night. Among us we could understand about 20 words.

Had a great time. Ran 6 this morning.

Hey, It's Bulgaria....

What's not to like?

I still have a pulse, don't you know.

Been Trying to Add this Photo for a Week now

Finally have a decent ISP here in Bulgaria. When we stopped on our ride to the Abu Dhabi desert to let the air out of the tires of our 4 X 4 (enabling us to have a ride among the dunes Disney could NEVER match!) I jumped out to get a closer look. Peter Kirkpatrick of Virginia Commonwealth University snapped this pic. Some people have the artist's eye for composition. I just take pictures.

This is the Frickin' Life!

Murali and I share a quiet moment in the desert outside Abu Dhabi. What a great evening.

After we ate they turned all the lights out. We all relaxed and gazed at the stars. It was such a relaxing evening.

Tonight we dined with my friend Miro and his wife, Silma, in Sofia. This too was a wonderful night with great food, wine and song.

I tell you I'm almost jealous of myself. As they say in Costa Rica, La Pura Vida. Here's to the Pure Life!

The (I hope) last word on country counts

Had an interesting moment in Milan's airport this morning. Was transfering from Saudi Airlines to Alitalia for the final hop to Sofia. They had multiple arriving planeloads dumping into one line to pass security onto the transfer lounge while another huge group had to cross through our line to get to baggage claim. Mark Schroeder, I could hear the circus music in full swing.

For a moment I thought I could save time and hassle if I slid down to baggage claim, cleared customs, swung BACK to the departure desk and got my boarding pass there. My bags were already checked to Sofia. I would be halfway to claiming an Italy visit. All I would have to do is score a canolli and I'm in. But, I realized then and there the shallowness of that idea. It just wouldn't sell.

So Jason, Hani and everyone else in the debate, I acquiesce. I won't stand by getting drunk, but you gotta at least spend a night and have some kind of cultural experience.

Random Rants: The Sunburnt German Tourist

Among the various nationalities observed in my travels I deem the German to have the least fashion sense. Sure, we have our own American turistos complete with Bermuda shorts, flowered shirt and that damnable fanny pack. But, I'd say as a rule the Deutcher basically has no clue. It seems they have run completely out of ideas here. The last cool looking clothing style they had was the Wehrmacht uniform with the pre-Darth Vadar helmet.

But, they sort of wore out their welcome with that one.

Anyway, hello from Sofia, Bulgaria.

Counting Countries...

Someone on Jason's Blog suggested you must get drunk in a country to count it. If that's the case, Jason just lost Saudi Arabia. The REALLY Islamic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is as dry as...well, Saudi Arabia. Nice try though, Mojumbo.

Good luck Jason as you leave our group for Mumbai. The Middle East group is starting to split off as we all go our separate ways. See you in South America, either this year or next, Jason.

Visited the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Morning...

Our group had an appointment to meet some of the folks at our embassy. Turns out they only had a skeleton crew available because Karen Hughs, the Under Secretary for Stumbling Around Trying to Improve Our Image in the Islamic World, was in Jeddah putting her journalism skills to work whooping it up for the US of A. A version of the famous, "I'm from the government. You can trust us."

But, again, I digress...

The embassy is in a compound of several foreign embassies and, as always, there was a huge crush of traffic going to them. But, we were delayed about an hour, because OUR folks weren't expecting us to come in a bus (There were 19 of us) and they couldn't figure how to accomodate the bus in a parking lot the size of Iowa. After much scurrying around and multiple cell phone conversations and, "you should haves...", blah, blah, blah, we were allowed onto our own turf.

It just seemed they couldn't quite get their act together. Sort of like their boss.

But, naturally many great photo ops were provided. Except we weren't allowed to take cameras, cell phones or any electronic gear in. If I had a pacemaker I wonder how that would have worked.

I said I would post these thoughts here and some said the FBI would probably start a file on me.

Well, Jimmy Crack Corn and I DON'T CARE!!

Counting Countries...

Jason Combs and I are having a running discussion re: What constitutes being able to claim you have visited a country? I have waxed philosphic on these pages previously.

Now Jason is saying you have to stay at least one night in a particular country and drink the local beer. I have stated all you must do is clear customs and eat something. Hani concurs.

I was going to concede Jason's youth to my longevity, but he already nailed me on that aspect in his blog. I won't deny the obvious. Jason is a young whippersnapper, not even twenty-ten years old. I have significantly more mileage. Also, he's out there flirting, sucking down suds, and putzing around in general. I don't have the luxury of that much time. I'm old. I've got miles (and continents) to go before I sleep. I'm not much of a drinker and although I would like to flirt as much as the next three guys, let's face it, once you hit 40 a man basically becomes invisible. Like when you're trying to get a table at a nice restaurant.

But, I digress.

I'm sticking to my original thesis. Clear customs, eat something. Remember I originally wanted to claim it if you landed in the country, changed currency and bought something. But, I'M flexible. I can adapt. I can accept an opposing viewpoint.

Jason's like a Bush apologist on the Iraq War. Always shifting criterion on how we were able to count that country.

Sometimes the Voices in my Head just won't Shut Up...

So, I'm sitting in the lobby of the Abu Dhabi Hilton waiting for my friends and the thought occurred, "What do you figure would be the response if a Hassidic Jew happened to stroll in?"

Of course, the odds of that GOTTA be pretty slim.

The Emirates Palace Hotel, Abu Dhabi

You get the principle. I boosted a pen from the bar. Really, this place should be on that list of 10,000 places to see before you die. BUT, since it isn't I figure it's a freebie. I was there and it brought me no closer to death.

"Which Car Should We Take Tonight, Honey, the White Rolls or the White Rolls?"

After the University Fair last night we strolled across the way to the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi. By acreage the largest hotel property in the world, the place gives new meaning to the word "opulence." It was originally built to house meetings of the heads of the Gulf Coast Countries, but was then turned into this resort. Rooms start at $700 a night, suites at $12,000 per (probably out behind the barn). I haven't captured a photo that does it justice (what photo does justice to the real thing?), but I'll try to nail one before heading to the Sand and Oil Kingdom of Saudi Arabia tomorrow.

No offense to the people of India, but this place makes the Taj Mahal look like the tool shed in your back yard.

Our group wandered around a bit, then treated ourselves. I had the Argentinian Merlot and a Montecristo #2. After a convivial evening we returned to our humble digs at 2 AM. Plenty of time to make the bus ride to our next school visit at 9.

September 23rd

One year ago, almost to this minute, Jan died in my arms. Her death has been heavy on my mind these past few days. As you can see, I'm doing well and enjoying The Best of What's Left. But, that day and that moment is never far from my mind.

For all my travels, all my experiences and all my friends my only wish is that she could have been along for the ride. Everything I experience has a certain emptiness, because my first thought is always, "Wait 'til Jan hears this!"

Allow me this instance to say, Jan, I'm OK. But, it still feels like you're only away at a conference and will be back soon. I love you.

The Haves and the Have Nots

The Haves and the Have Nots
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

This was taken at a BEAUTIFUL private school just outside Amman, Jordan. the facilities were, by any standards, top shelf. If you look very carefully on the hillside beyond you can see the tents of Bedouin nomads. I don't think many of them can pony up the tuition for this school.

Did I mention Cultural Imperialism?

Did I mention Cultural Imperialism?
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

Papa John's, English and Arabic, in the airport terminal at Amman, Jordan.

Notice DQ in the background.

Drink Pepsi! Even in the Middle East it's STILL better than Coke!

Drink Pepsi! Even in the Middle East it's STILL better than Coke!
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

Check out the Arabic.

What Say we do Lunch in Baghdad?

What Say we do Lunch in Baghdad?
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

Yeah, it was that close. Actually had a prospective student from Baghdad drive to Amman, Jordan for our university fair there. A great kid. Had an interesting discussion with him about the situation. Baghdad is Hell, but he is hopeful for the future.

But, then, aren't we all?

Back at Baalbeck, Lebanon

Back at Baalbeck, Lebanon
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

I realize these posts will be out of order of my trip. but, what do you care? The astute observer will notice the logo of the institution I recently retired from in this picture.

Correct guesses will win one Jordanian Dinar. (That's dinar, not dinner!)

Middle East meets West

Middle East meets West
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

Can you say "Cultural Imperialism?" The juxtaposition of the Ford billboard with the minarets of a mosque makes it's own statement.

The Three Amigos

Middle East and Med (Sept 12 to Oct 18, 2005) 371
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

At various times I've mentioned Hani and Jason. Their blogs are linked to mine and vice versa. Here we are together in Manama, Bahrain enjoying a bit of down time. Hani is on my left, Jason on my right. A great couple of guys.

The Journey continues

While in Beirut several of our group arranged a side trip over the mountains into the famed Bekaa Valley to see the Roman Ruins of Baalbeck. These were in a word "stunning." How can one describe these? It is impossible to adequately do so. I took over 150 pictures there and they STILL don't do the place justice. So I've thrown in two.

Since Beirut we have BLOWN through Amman, Jordan and have just arrived in Muscat, Oman. It's 1:45 AM, but since I haven't been posting I had to do the needful. We are staying in the Grand Hyatt on the Gulf of Oman. There's a book out named "10,000 places to see before you die." Well, this is one of 'em. Only 9,999 more to go before I kick the bucket. (Actually it might be a few less, but who's counting?)

Apre Dive photo from Beirut

This is Walid Noshie, the dive shop owner, along with Jason Combs, me and a lady from the UK who's name I forget, after our afternoon wreck dive.

If you're ever in the area and want to get a little bottom time in or want to know a good restaurant or whatever, just follow the link and give Walid a call. He's a very nice guy and the staff is great. Thanks to Divemasters Toufiq and Ziyad (I hope I spelled your names right!).

Beirut, Baby! BeeeeiiiiiiiiiRUT!!

Got here and checked into the hotel about 10:30 last night. Immediately hit the streets. The Corniche (along the coast) was busy, lot's of families, etc. enjoying the evening. I love this city! People hear Beirut and they think "War Zone." Well, keep thinking it. Keeps the touristos out. Money is pouring in here. The shopping area downtown is Tres Chic. Too freakin' chic, as a matter of fact. Stopped in on little dinky shop to see how much a pair of swin trunks cost. A hundred and forty bucks!! Are they nuts?! How many pairs of THOSE a day do you have to sell to cover your expenses? I tell you, the place wasn't crowded.

Anyway, went scuba diving, two tanks. Water was warm, but visibility was poor and the reefs were beat up. But still, my 2d and 3rd dives in the last 28 years.

But, Beirut is an absolutely beautiful city. Very western, friendly to us Umerikans.

The group has almost all showed up, so tomorrow we start work.

So, far I've taken 51 pictures. I'll include two here: one show Roman ruins in the foreground, a mosque in the background and a construction crane, a typical Beirut sight. The second is a couple buildings still showing bullet holes from the war. What you don't see is all the new construction around the few buildings from the old days.

One last post before I blow town...

I went for a run this morning in Mill Creek Park. The Closed Side for those who know. It's marked off in quarter miles, fairly accurately except for the last one nearest Rt. 224. It's short. You gotta run to the garbage can on the right for the full 440. ANYWAY, so I was doing six miles. I wanted to average at least 7:30s per. Which I was nicely. On my last leg, a little over a mile to go I was passed by a younger guy. He looked about 22-24, athletic build, but not marathoner lean. Still he was trucking along pretty well there. Now I haven't run in a race in over six years and have no interest in doing so. BUT he was right there in front of me. I couldn't resist. Everytime I pushed my pace a little, he sensed it and picked it up. I really didn't want to push that hard, but once a runner...

By the time we finished he broke. I could just feel it. We were probably running somewhere fairly close to six minute miles. Nothing to brag about, but as much as it made my legs hurt, IT SURE FELT GOOD!

So OK, last run before the Corniche in Beirut. I'll definitely take it easier there. Too much to look at.

I'm gone. Peace, out!

Locked, Cocked and Ready to Rock!

Tomorrow I head out...again! Oh, well, I've been home a whole three weeks. The yard is mowed, the bills are paid. I'm bored with this kind of living.

For anyone who is interested (you must be interested or you wouldn't be reading this) here's my itinerary:
Beirut, Lebanon;
Amman, Jordan;
Muscat, Oman;
Manama, Bahrain;
Abu Dhabi, UAE,
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
Sofia and Sozopol (On the Black Sea), Bulgaria;
Istanbul, Turkey;
Nicosia, Cyprus;
Thessaloniki, Greece;
Cairo and finally Alexandria, Egypt.

Along the way I'll make airport transit stops in London and Milan. While I've never been in the UK or Italy, those countries don't count on my lifetime score. The official, unofficial, rules are that you must clear customs for a country to count. The rules are of course total BS made up by a bunch of my collegues sitting around one day discussing what counts and what doesn't.

For example, twice I've had to change planes in Bangkok, Thailand. I never left the airport, but I did change some currency and make a couple purchases while there. I was on the ground in the country. Seems to me that should suffice. But, my friends say no.

Anyway, I digress. (I had to get a rant in there somewhere.)

So right now I stand at 20 countries. Should I live until October 18th and complete the trip I'll have 25. That's not bad, especially since on this day four years ago I had a grand total of five. All this post-9/11. It's not nearly as scary as people think. I've met a person with 210 and another with 129 countries to their credit. So, I'm just a piker.

No pix this post. Many to follow...

Columbiana Street Fair

Columbiana Street Fair
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

The state fair of street fairs. This is the 119th Annual. Enough calories consumed here to feed Sudan. But, the Elephant Ears are REALLY good!

Also 2005 is the 200th anniversary of the founding of Columbiana.

Comments...

It's 3 AM here in Mike's World and I'm up. Typical. (Hey, it ain't easy being me.) I don't know if it's considered poor etiquette to mention this, but I noticed I had a couple comments on my last two blog entries. And they weren't from people I already know whom I forced to read this at the point of a gun. Wow! I'm stunned. How the heck did they even find this thing?

Anyway, it's a rush. But, of course it puts incredible pressure on me. I guess the thought may have crossed my mind that someone might one day read my drivel. Sure, sometimes I think "That was a pretty good entry." But, it could be like when you were in high school and wrote something for the school paper, thinking you really nailed it. Then ten years later you come back across it and it turns out to be a load of crap.

I don't know if I can stand up to the pressure.

Nah! No problem. (But, thanks guys.)

Mediterranean Sunset

Mediterranean Sunset
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

The view from my hotel. Sometimes I think "This is a pretty good life."

On to Beirut

On to Beirut
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

This is the view of the city as you approach the airport. Below right are the Pigeon Rocks, a beautiful backdrop.

I took this last February 20th on my first visit.

Heading East

MIDDLE East. Monday starts a five week jaunt to the Middle East and Mediterranean area, with a stopover in Bulgaria. (I figure I've spent at least 95 nights in hotels so far this year.)

First stop: Beirut. A city with stunning views of the Med. Most Americans think only of the civil war which raged there in the 70's and 80s. Well, those days are over (not that there aren't certain tensions.). But, this is a fantastic place. Can't wait.

Went to a new restaurant the other night...

Neighbors invited me out to this new place in the restaurant section of town. Nice place. Italian. So we walk in and the woman at the front asks if we want "Smoking" or "Non-Smoking." "Non-Smoking" of course. OK, it'll be a 15 or 20 minute wait. Fine. This ever happen to you? The place was busy and there were four or five parties waiting patiently to be seated.

Then I noticed how the "Smoking" section was practically deserted. Maybe 25% filled. I could only see one table with an actual smoker. So I asked the manager why a smoker who WASN'T there, who may NEVER be there, was more important to her business than mine. Why did all these smoking customers who weren't there merit reserved tables? I was there willing to wait to spend my money (OK, so the neighbors were treating. Same difference.). But the corporation felt someone who in all likelihood wouldn't even show up was more valuable to them than me. It just didn't make sense. Were they in business to make money or to make a sociological statement.

I realize the time is coming when every place of business and public access will be non-smoking. Remember when they had smoking sections on airplanes? I remember when hospitals sold cigarettes. Crazy.

Total non-smoking in public is a good thing. Hey, they don't have peeing and non-peeing sections in swimming pools. We shouldn't have smoking sections in public.

Kill yourself in private. It's the right thing to do.

Should Lance Armstrong Compete in the Tour De France again?

Apparently Lance Armstrong, angered by reports in French newspapers that he tested positive for EPO in "B" urine samples from his 1999 Tour, has publicly stated he might race in next year's Tour. Just to irk the French media. Brother, I say do it!

But, not to get back at the ink-stained wretches. Screw them. Lance should do it for himself. I say this from personal experience. It's a little hard to explain. But, that never stopped me from trying. So here goes: When you compete at your highest level it's hard. Very hard. You work and train and plan and put a lot of sweat equity into being the best you can be. Those long, seemingly endless training sessions are a burden on you and your family. The emotional and physical tolls on you are immense. When you're young and strong it comes so easily. And the rewards are great. Great to the point where they virtually define you.

At a certain point, a certain age, the body ceases to respond to all that work. It simply can't produce at the level the athlete has come to expect. No matter what training regimen or diet or developments in technology come around, when it's gone, it's gone. Simple as that. It takes a long time (sometimes years) for the mind to comprehend what the body knows. Your peak athletic time has passed. For the athlete, that is a hard thing to accept.

A merchant or professor or hair dresser can continue on in their craft for decades with no apparent loss of skill. For the competitive athlete there is no such cushion. And you miss it. You miss the ability to respond to the challenge. You miss the searing, agonizing, lactic acid filled moments (eternities?) when you throw everything you have left into the fire and watch the other guy break. I could go on and on. Every athlete fantasizes about how good it would feel to NOT have to kill themselves in training. To have more time away from the sport. To sleep in on Saturday morning instead of doing the 23 mile training run at 6 AM, so as not to interfere with everyone else's schedule. To be a normal person.

Time and tide will take care of that soon enough. But, until it does for Lance I wish to add my one small voice. Ride. Train like a demon, marry Sheryl Crow, front for the Discovery Channel. Do what you do. But ride and race until you have nothing left. Win 12 Tours. Do it until someone else comes along and knocks you off that top pedestal.

You WILL regret stopping when there is still something left in the tank. You won't if the tank is empty.

Do it because you can.

I Am Getting Sick and Tired....

Of all these bureaucratic "Talking Heads" saying "This is not the time for finger pointing" when it comes to laying blame for the disaster in New Orleans. That's EXACTLY what the right wants. They know the attention span of the American public is about two nanoseconds. They know as time passes this will fade from our attention-deficit memory. They know the blame lies largely on the Right-Wing controlled Federal government. They know President Sock Puppet is incapable of compassion and understanding. They know if they throw enough photo ops of him faking caring up there we will let him slide. Just like always.

If now now, WHEN???

Now is the time!!

Deny everything

Even when caught with a smoking gun.

The Mess in Louisiana/Mississippi...

Don't you wish we could know what the real story is down there? You see all these poor people begging for help. Starving, flooding, dying, looting, fires. Then you have the "officials" saying what a magnificent job they're doing. What the Hell is going on?

You know, Congress re-convened early, on a Sunday(!), to pass some kind of legislation on Terry Schiavo. Yet only yesterday did they get around to showing up to appropriate money for this disaster.

Not our finest hour.

The Latest Cool Thing...

My friend in Cairo, Hani Morsi, put me on to this site (http://earth.google.com/) You'll spend hours spinning the globe around looking for interesting places. If you live in a large enough city you should be able to even zoom in on your own house. Since I live in the sticks all I get is a blob.

But, here is a picture of Tienammen Square in Beijing. I was there in January. The view is from an apparent height of 2,714 feet. Every picture in the globe is taken by satellite or high altitude aircraft within the past three years.

Some of the Autopista Gang.

El Nuevo Dia, (not THE el Nuevo Dia)the big Latin American newspaper, sponsored the HUGE university fair (San Juan Nights)at the Wyndham El San Juan Resort and Casino. They were taking complimentary pix of the attendees. Our gang (Roberto, MArie, Eddie and Moi) posed for this shot.

On a completely different topic, I have confirmed scuba trips in Beirut and Bahrain for next month's trip. Hani Morsi of American University in Cairo will be teaming up again. Hot dog!

Roberto Rampolla at the ready!

Of all the beautiful photos taken in Puerto Rico I could publish I had to use this. Some things simply defy explanation. Roberto, my good friend, is the organizer of our travel throughout the island. Sometimes he needs a nap. 'Nuf said...

Dont cha wish your boyfriend was hot like me?

Dont cha wish your boyfriend was hot like me?
Dont cha wish your boyfriend was a freak like me?
Dont cha, dont cha
Dont cha wish your boyfriend was raw like me?
Dont cha wish your boyfriend was fun like me?
Dont cha, dont cha

"Don’t Cha” With apologies to the Pussycat Dolls.

Sometimes It Rains on the Just and the Unjust Alike

One day, I forget which city and which school, it poured as we off loaded the bus. I looked like a drowned rat. I had to dry my hair on the auditorium curtain.

Just thought you'd appreciate that.

Or not.

Puerto Rican Sun Rise

This was taken at Guajataca on the western side of the island. We stopped at a little hotel for breakfast. Everyone immediately trekked down to the beach to watch the sun rise.

It weren't bad...

It's not all hard work

On Friday, after visiting five schools in Ponce (42 degrees C.) (That's 106 Fahrenheit for you Anglos) We relaxed on the two hour bus ride back to San Juan. There was music, dancing (in the aisle of the bus. Try THAT some time!), and some form of liquid refreshment.

Merriment ensued.

Why I Love Recruiting in Puerto Rico

At almost every school we visited the kids provided music or dance or food or all three. This picture is from Academia Liceo Ponceno in Ponce, my favorite Puertoriccano city. These kids went all out to provide entertainment for our group. They are so sincere and enthusiastic. You just want to take them all home.

School Visits...

We visited 34 high schools in 10 days. My first day in Puerto Rico I arrived at the hotel at 3:30AM. The bus to the first school left at 6:15AM. That was the warm-up. The next morning we left at 4:30AM. Calling it a grind really doesn't do it justice.

But, a couple times or so a day you meet that one special kid who's inquisitive and smart and you think "I have just the program and the fit to give this kid a great start." It's like Crack Cocaine to me. Or Candy Corn. Same thing.

Give me one or two good kids a day and I'm good for another week. By the time we got down to the last couple days though, I was thinking I REALLY would like to bail on a school. But, I never did. I could stop breathing, but I love working with these kids.

Puerto Rico Again. Where to Start?

OK, This is Ed Lavigne. He is the tour organizer of AutopistaAmericas. He works his rear end off to make this happen. It's more work than I would ever want to do. But, he does get to wear some great lids.

Stealin' Gas

So I was driving south on I-77 near Dover, Ohio. Gas has jumped 25 to 30 cents a gallon over the last two weeks. I pull off to reload and here's gas at $2.49.9 a gallon! $2.49! I felt like I was stealing it.

Hard to imagine.

Puerto Rico stuff to follow.

Back to the Island

Next up: a ten day recruiting trip to Puerto Rico. It'll be a hard working trip, what with all the school visits and university fairs and the HEAT. At least I'll have the weekend, my friend Eddie and, of course, Mick. This will be my first employment since I resigned at the end of May.

This photo was taken last year around Christmas. I was on the west end of the island near Crash Boat Beach. I'm sitting on some old Spanish ruins.

It's a good life if you don't weaken...

Sherwani, Pretty Woman in Sari Redux

I am re-posting this picture to compare it with the earlier one this month from Sri Lanka. This pic was taken at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY last March. I think Sameela from Sri Lanka wins hands down. I, of course, still look fabulous.

My friend Priyanthi and me

My friend Priyanthi and me
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

Funny how life works. This woman made what was essentially a cold call e-mail to me when I first started my international student recruitment job in September 2001 (910 to be precise). Through the years we have worked together to help her place qualified Sri Lankan staudents in my college. Through my wife's illness and death she was a rock of support, wisdom and comfort for me. And now, on the other side of the planet, I'm attending her daughter's wedding.

Priyanthi is a very intense, serious, focused, sincere woman and it's like PULLING TEETH to get her to smile. She smiled ALOT on this occasion, though. I think anyone would agree it's a pretty smile...

musicians, family and friends sing-along at party

musicians, family and friends sing-along at party
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

We had the best time at this party two days before I was to leave. It was so much fun we all got together the next night for another one. Sashi, the bride is second from the left in this photo. Dissa, my Dharma brother and Sashi's father, is in the red shirt. I think he had a pretty good time, too.

I have a couple good photos of Priyanthi, the bride's mother and my good friend. She hates having her picture taken, which of course makes me take even more. I'll put them up soon.

Bathing at Millennium Elephant Foundation

Bathing at Millennium Elephant Foundation
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

I think this was Pooja cleaning up at the end of his work day. Pooja was born in captivity here. I hope to return in January to help care for either Pooja or one of his compatriots.

Buddha overlooking Kandy, SL

Buddha overlooking Kandy, SL
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

This statue stands guard overlooking Kandy. Although Buddha did not believe images should be made of him, I guess people can't resist. Just like every other religion. Still, it's a beautiful place to relax and meditate.

Kandy Lake, note the Cormorant in forground drying it's wings

Kandy Lake, note the Cormorant in forground drying it's wings
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

This is a beautiful lake in the central hill country city of Kandy. The famous Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic containing Buddha's tooth is off to the left beyond the building you can see which serves as police headquarters. That building is from the era of the British Raj. If you let your imagination loose you can almost see the old walrus-moustached soldiers of Her Majesty's forces holding forth.

While walking along the shores of this lake I had the thought, "It's good to be alive."

Rajah, his Mahout and Me at his Temple at Belanvilla

Rajah, his Mahout and Me at his Temple at Belanvilla
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

Rajah is a nice older elephant (about 50 years old) who serves at the Bellanvilla (Buddhist) Temple in Colombo. He has a cracked left tusk. The Chief Monk came to feed him some fruit and allowed me to feed Rajah. The Mahout lives with his elephant throughout their lives (both of them). He only takes about one day a week off to visit his family. Otherwise he lives, eats and sleeps within sight of the elephant at all times. There are about 500 domesticated elephants in Sri Lanka and from 3 to 4,000 in the wild.

I can't resist a pretty woman in a Sari

I can't resist a pretty woman in a Sari
Originally uploaded by MikeWigal.

You may think this photo has appeared on this blog before. But, you would be wrong. This is Sameela, an absolute sweetheart, whom I met at the wedding. Her sister will marry the brother of the bride at THIS wedding in December. Did you get all that?