I've developed a new appreciation for the term "rainy season".

There is a quote, buried deep within a book (I've failed to remember the title, if in fact, it does exist) that say's "Involuntarily proceeding upon an open path that leads into darkness, is unfortunate, though, voluntarily perusing the path that leads in the same direction, is admirable". The writer, in his own way, was saluting those who willingly face the unknown and smile in its presence; in one lengthy sentence laziness, complaint, fear, adventure, and courage all seem to be addressed.

Collectively, I've always enjoyed this quote. Though, what I am realizing is that sometimes a voluntary can actually turn into a involuntary. Fortunately, during my Central American travels I didn't experience this, but if I were still there, undoubtedly, I would have.

As I follow the current events of Central America, the thing that most enters my mind is, "wow, I now understand why it's imprudent to travel during the rainy season" and "I'm so glad I'm not there". Sure, there is a part of me that woul... Who am I kidding, I'm glad I'm not there.

I hold a sympathetic spot for Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Tropical Storms, Hurricanes, and earthquakes have lashed out throughout the regions. And, much like reading the news about the hurricanes in the states, the situation is truly tragic- no option of obtaining insurance, attempting to survive on pitiful salaries (in this case, making no more then $20 a week); many people are without savings; and their options for medical treatment are limited. I realize I seem to be drifting from my initial heading, but it’s truly amazing how similar, yet different, the situations are around the world, and, how diffent countries rebound from natural disasters.

Strangest question ever received...

While on the way to La Lucha Va Voom (www.luchavavoom.com) - A show that I'll describe as innocently stupid (there are other, more appropriate words for this theatrical hoopla but I'll restrain myself from commenting any further). A man, in a lowrider with tinted windows (circa 1970's vehicle) pulled up to me and asked if I'd be interested in buying a "frozen turkey". Now, I believe my faculties are still in such a shape that I know what month it is, and last I checked, we still have another month till Thanksgiving. So, ignoring the obvious of it being awfully strange that someone would pull up beside me, in the middle of the night, and offer to sell me a turkey, a frozen turkey at that... Why would he be trying to sell them so soon before Thanksgiving?

Hangin with the locals

An aspect of travel I enjoy most is when I’m able to immerse myself with the locals, blend in with those who I find so interesting. Obviously, there are many ways of doing this, and many different types of "locals". The ones I find most intriguing are those who haven't made it in the world, those who live day to day. Mostly, I speak of the populace who aren't extremely well off, who normally don't have much savings, and normally benefit from Government programs or some other form of social assistance. If I were to compare them to a style of painting, I’d choose 'abstract': Although initially, there may not appear to be much meaning in the painting, if you take the time to examine and explore the art, you are gifted with something that contains innuberable amounts of meaningful history and opinions.

Vending my wares -The Dino Cards- on Venice Beach, was an excellent way to assimilate myself with this subset of California. Immediately upon arrival, once the vendors saw my card table and product, they welcomed me into their environment. Silvo, my vending neighbor, took it upon himself to mentor me in the way of selling. "You got-s to get out there and talk-s to the people, these products don't sell themselves BRATHA!"; "Look, what-s you got to do, when you make $25, is go over and get yourself a vending license. It's good for a lifetime and guarantees you a spot e-v-a-ree-DAY. Then, no hillbilly, slack-jawed, local will be able to take your spot. Yep, man(!), that permit’s A DEAL!”. Throughout the remainder of the day, I came to learn that he had moved to California from South Carolina; joined the Navy; was stationed at several ports along the Pacific coast –primarily in the states; left after his four years was up; and has been selling at the boardwalk ever since. While chatting, he also told me about some of the "characters" around Venice. There was 'Alice', who likes to harass different vendors, repeating the same line, day after day, week after week of "I’ll give you $15 if you pleasure me". Then there was 'Aska'. Aska would drop by every couple days and ask for "Big Boned Doctor Shaka". Apparently, this is what Aska says, "he will fix any problem one might have, and I haaaa-VE PROBLEMS!".

Yes, abstract art is so much more intriguing…

My stay in LA

It's surprising how the arrival at one place can just consume you. Interestingly, when I first thought of coming to LA, I was only planning to pass through before heading to South America. Now, three weeks later, I'm still here. Obviously, I have not completed my international travels; on the contrary, they have just been postponed.

Over the past week I've been filling my time making cold calls to museum gift shops. One of my sisters designed a dinosaur card game with my dad. The game is called PairUp with Dinosaurs A-Z and included are 7 different games one can play. The game consists of 55 cards (1 pair each of 26 unique dinosaurs, 2 jokers, and 1 Dino Doom card). All the artwork is original and is drawn by my father. As my sister has been wrapped up with two kids, I’ve offered/have become the de facto sales person.

The cards are quite nice and have so far received a pretty good response from the people I’ve spoken with- Tomorrow I’ll convert to the traveling salesman and begin visiting toy and game stores; this weekend I plan to setup a booth at Venice beach.

Who knows how much longer I’ll be doing this, maybe a week maybe a month. I guess it really depends on how much momentum I’m able to create. There is obviously a part of me, the non destructive viral pest known as the travel bug, that may also begin to takeover. If it does, then I may end up having to appease its wishes and, if nothing else, partake in a short appeasement trip. Either way, it has so far been an interesting, and enjoyable, couple weeks.

Gone!

All throughout Central America -traveling in areas that sane people might think twice before traveling, crazy people might think thrice before traveling, and the average backpacker may start thinking before traveling- never did I experience the misfortunes of losing property. Now, back in the developed world, where streets are continuously patrolled by some of the highest paid police on this planet, the literacy rate is high, who’s administration touts of this country’s high morals… Ok, fleeing from incessant babbling, I will get to my point. Last night, two of my sisters and I went to watch a classical music performance at the Disney Music Center. The music hall was spectacular! High ceilings; an ornate organ that perfectly entwined itself with the wooden armadillo-ish ceilings; and seating that gave the perception of a small music hall all created for an amazing acoustic experience. Sadly, it is not the music hall that has inspired this writing, if it where, I would be a pleased and happy person. What has inspired me, and has now created a bitter hatred for any who steal, is what I found, or didn’t find, when we returned to the car. Two bags had been taken from the trunk of the car. There were no obvious traces of vandalism but two bags were gone! And, with them, some cloths, toiletries, books, and an item that had become dear to me, my Central American travel journal. Some might consider this a true tragedy, while others may think it a treat, never having to be subjected to my true and inner thoughts while traveling. I personally, am not the least bit pleased, but, have gotten over the initial anger that did seethe through my veins.

Well, with each loss comes the birth of something new... At least, I still retain some writings, those on this blog.

Panama and Pictures

Panama City... to my surprise, was incredibly developed. They lay claim for Latin America's largest banking institution; best night clubs in Central America-I personally never investigated this claim, and am therefore unable to back the statement; is known as a great place to purchase designer goods- again, never took advantage of this; and probably the safest capitol in Central America.

Although, the above may sound appealing, after several days of being within the environment, it begins to get a little tiresome, at least for the backpacker. One reason for this was that whenever I found myself in a city, I started to feel the squeeze of money. This wasn't necessarily a squeeze as in "everything is incredibly expensive", but more so a squeeze as in "if I want to experience or do anything, money seems to be more a necessity". Something I found quite enjoyable, while in the less developed regions of Central America, was the spirit of the people. It didn't cost money to walk around and explore small towns, or attempt to have a conversation with someone who didn't speak English. Some of my most enjoyable days in Central America were those when I would find a Cafe or bar and just sit, watching and talking with people.

I do not discredit the fact that many in these countries, who are without money, suffer from higher complications of birthing; they themselves are more likely to have medical problems; there is a higher tendency to abuse the consumption of alcohol; there are probably higher rates of domestic abuse (this is a difficult statement to prove or disprove, as I didn't really do much research into the issue while traveling); normally work absurd hours, for a day's pay that's comparable to a price of one beer in the states; invariably have more children then they can properly support; and seem to have limited to no chance for excelling in their careers because their exposure to education was limited to 3rd grade. But, it does seem, without the stress or worry of money, there was an innocence and happiness that was ever present throughout the trip... Obviously, we could have a long discussion on how genuine this preceived innocene may acutally be; will last; and, is it something that is only emoted to the tourist or guest. There is also the other dreadful issue that I omitted, and that is the Machismo effect and the sexism towards the latin woman.

California

Floating in a marina, I reside within a structure known as a houseboat. My body, left drained from the day’s events, rests peacefully atop a fold-out couch. I am currently at a house of my sisters, in California. The house is parked among many rows of sea ferrying vessels. Some, worthy of year long voyages, while others, if taken out, would undoubtedly be swallowed by the hungry ocean. To my right, I see a large 60’ yacht. The name, midnight owl; appropriately named, in my opinion. Through the yachts tinted windows, I’m able to make out what appears to be several people, all of whom are jiving to some form of Country Funk- think of Shania Twain, Bob Marley, En Vogue, and a pinch of Trance, all blended together. If the hour were not past 12:00, and their senses not tainted by substances that, in some countries are considered legal, the music would be off.

The weather is nice- warmth of day caresses you, while night, encourages the comforts of a sheet and blanket. Hints of fall are becoming more present; generating within me a partial miss for the Northeast. It is difficult to match hiking within a Northeast forest while the trees shed their leaves. The incredible variations of blues, reds, greens, oranges, and purples, are just spectacular. Yes, there is definitely a part of me that shall miss experiencing the New England autumn.

While writing this, the thought of winter has also entered the depths of my mind. But, unlike autumn, the idea of being absent is, exciting.

I abandoned my Central American adventure about a week ago. My sister Gul, was participating in a fundraiser called Jump for the Cause. One hundred sixty one women from 15 countries came together to break the world record of an all women’s way formation skydive (what a long sentence…). The goal, to surpass the former record and generate money and awareness for breast cancer research. The final outcome, a new world record and over $500,000 raised. After 5 tireless days of jumping, one hundred fifty one women came together and managed to beat the previous female formation record of 131.

I am not sure how much longer I shall be here. A sister of mine is moving to LA in a couple days, and I will try to help her settle. At this point, I'll probably stay for 2 more weeks.

Follow-up article regarding the sunken ship

I found this article on the web:


The Panama Maritime Authority (AMP) will sanction administratively with the maximum fine of US $10,000, those responsible for the recent sinking of the vessel Conradora Island.

It will also present a criminal accusation with the Attorney General’s Office for putting at risk the lives of the passengers and crew who were aboard this vessel.

The Second Vice-president of the Panama and administrator of the AMP, Rubén Arosemena Valdés, said that the concesión emitted to the ship in question to carry passengers will be revoked because the vessel set sail without the authorization of the AMP, and carried in excess of its passenger capacity, which is limited to 127 passengers and 3 crew members.

He declared that the vessel already had an arrest warrant against it that was issued by the Department of Merchant Marine of the AMP dated September 2, 2005, and the safety certificate of the vessel expired on July 29, 2005, the date on which it last set sail with authorization. This document is a requirement for all vessels that set sail.

Arosemena Valdés indicated that the AMP carries out constant inspections of vessels on the interior service of Panama to determine their conditions of navigability, that determined that the vessel in question did not have the necessary structural conditions for the safety of its passengers. For this reason, on September 2, 2005 a writen order was issued for the detention of the vessel, which implies the suspension of operations until the deficiencies are corrected. This arrest warrant was communicated to the merchant marine inspectors and to the port, captains and operators of the vessel.

However, on Sunday September 18, 2005, says the AMP press release, the operator appeared personally at the offices of the merchant marine at the Port of Balboa to request permission to set sail, and on being advised of the impediment, he withdrew and without explanation, the vessel set sail without authorization, bound for the Island of Taboga, carrying 160 passengers.