Travel Journal All Reader Comments

To Ed, I assume that you "were" a brown Filipino. I've never known such a man who would comment this bad to my dear country. I felt sorry for you if you had a very traumatic experience while you were in the Philippines. Since you are a Canadian citizen now doesn't mean you can belittle your former homeland. Does becoming a Canadian citizen changed the color of your skin? If you think being stripped off of your Filipino citizenship by becoming a naturalized Canadian citizen is your highest achievement, then you are not different to those whom you called "cheap". For a true-blooded Filipino like you, you are a SHAME to my dear homeland. Fortunately, you left the Philippines to look for your own destiny. You were wrong to say that you dumped your Filipino citizenship. Truth is, you were dumped by the Filipino people because you are a shame to us.

When was the last time you proved yourself a part of the solution of your former homeland? When was the last time you contacted your pig mother, your pig brother or pig sister, pig friends or pig relatives? I said pig, because no matter how you deny, you once had been a Filipino and the blood that runs through your veins IS NOT A CANADIAN. Since you called Filipinos pigs, you, therefore, WERE ONCE A PIG. I could only better describe you with the famous Philippine e that goes, "You are riding on top of the buffalo but it doesn't mean you are taller than it". Based on this saying, it's just so clear that you are just another social climber.

Each country has its own pros and cons and The Philippines is no exception to that. I don't believe you were a Proud Filipino but a Philippine Shame probably. Poor you, you never understand your own identity and your own culture. When did you know that a duck will become a chicken when you're going with their group?

I am already an American but my heart and mind still long for the Philippines. I love the Philippines. Peace.

Comment About Thailand versus Philippines Culture

researching the gumbs name i was born in what is now guyana 16 july 1944. i now reside in the
united kingdom, when my grand mother was alive i asked her (where my grand father came from? ) she replied, from one of the islands,i believe that connection could be anguilla.

Comment About Gumbs in Anguilla

As long as your passport has not expired, Cambodian visa can be obtained at Arrival in Siem Reap Airport, Phnom Penh Airport and border crossing checkpoint with Thailand, Vietnam and Loas. The price of a Cambodian Visa is US$ 20 can use 30 days in Cambodia. It is easy for entering the Cambodian country. More Info. www.cambodianguide.com on Introduction To Cambodia Page

Comment About HAVE MY VISA TO CAMBODIA

Wow, my sister's family is in Peru right now working with these kids and this organization. They were just approached with paying for a new center for about ten thousand dollars and have pretty much agreed to do it. They are excited to do this and make a lasting difference for many for a long time. Now I'm concerned that they might be suckered into a scam and loose a ton of money. It seemed odd to me as well that it would cost their family almost $1600/month to live when food is so cheap there. The living conditions are pretty minimal for that kind of fee. They just want to do a good thing for less fortunate, but I have concerns now about the organization. I wanted to donate to that project which is why I'm researching the organization. I'm glad I did! I will continue to look for other blogs on this group.

Comment About VOLUNTEER PERU

You make it quite obvious that one" can't go home again' It is far removed from Capote's "House Of Flowers"
In my time I met an old lady in the market who would slice one wooden matchstick into quarters and sell them in small bundles .Being a smoker ,back then , I used to patronize her and always held out a palm full of small coins for her to chose .Even after I learnt the currency she never took more than her asking price for her matches
"Hotel Mon Reve" in Port au Prince ,run by an American and his Swedish wife ,had their lobby furnished with paintings one could take and try out in your room before buying . The maids would bring breakfast bearing fruit etc on their heads out to the garden of the Hotel. The staff were all trained with the intention of getting the guests to give them employment in the States .
I lived in Jacmel 'the village of the poets'for almost a year until I ran out of the money I had earned working as a waiter for two months one winter in Miami. One could rent a convict for $2.00 a day , usualy somebody who had pinched a chicken ,or kissed another man's wife .This was basically rescue money as once in jail they were not even fed .
If you carry onto Cuba I am afraid it will not be the same as in the pre Castro days when I went there
As the song says "I'm glad I'm not young anymore Regrets , Robin

Comment About Haiti Airport Orphanage Transportation

Thanks...........This site is really useful to plan the trip in a BUDGET!!!!! Great gift
for this Christmas,so hurry up!!!!

Comment About Christmas Gift to Travel Blog Readers

Thanks...........This site is really useful to plan the trip in a BUDGET!!!!! Great gift for this Christmas,so hurry up!!!!

Comment About Christmas Gift to Travel Blog Readers

The pictures of info of this spot looks AMAZING, I would really like to go there. How long should I plan my travel in order to see more or less all the touristy spots there?

Comment About Sneaky Ways to get Comments on Blog

The pictures of info of this spot looks AMAZING, I would really like to go there. How long should I plan my travel in order to see more or less all the touristy spots there?

Comment About Sneaky Ways to get Comments on Blog

Your votes for next country ended up in my TRASH/Spam folder so your readers would want to check the SPAM folder to confirm votes.

Comment About Map to Léogane Haiti and a Hobo

# AlexK said on Thursday November 5th, 2009 02:07:55 PM

You are brave Andy. ......
.
Yes holing up in a orphanage is so Brave my pretty and the 35 children will not protect you and the NGO's that you so despise that took you in.. I will get you and your boy wonder from India too.......

Wicked Witch of Haiti ........

Comment About Map to Léogane Haiti and a Hobo

I recently was in the Philippines and met a girl in a club on Fields Avenue. I know she is a call girl but she spent about a week with me and at first she asked me for money. But for the last 6 days she didnt want any money from me because she really liked me. Now I am feeling really attached to her and she is also. I dont know if it would be a good idea to pursue a relationship although we both seem to be really attached. What are your thoughts out there?

Comment About USA Man Wants Wife or Girlfriend

i just picked up Genesee and Wyoming railroad stock for my trust for National Hobo Foundation and 1 share of BNSF.---Should we invite Warren Buffet to the Hobo Convention?

Comment About Hobo Predicts Monday Stock Market Drop

You are brave Andy. I voted for Cuba, didn't want to see you get hurt in Haiti. I hope to see some videos. Be careful!

Comment About Map to Léogane Haiti and a Hobo

I need to enter Burkina Faso for two week duration for a private visit.

1. Can I get my visa for the above purpose on arrival at the airport in Burkina Faso.

2. How much will it cost.

3. Please explain any other easy access from Ghana. ( I am not a Ghanian but working
in Ghana.)


Thanks and regards, Prasanna

Comment About Got a Burkina Faso Visa in Accra Ghana

Some statements imply that you are LIKELY to be atleast arrogant(not to say more).I come from Munich Germany and have worked in Africa with Medecins Sans Frontieres and while I find much of what you is true,generalisations such as "I am tired of the smell of people" may not convey the right picture for some readers who have not yet been to Rwanda/Uganda/Africa.

Comment About 2009 May 23 Enter Rwanda leave Uganda

Hi Nan... i'm interested in bags and the option to customize bags as well... do send me catalogues with prices and minimun purchase to my email at aarongohz@gmail.com.
Thank you!

Comment About Bangkok Wholesale Shopping

Hit the ground running, eh? Happy trails.

Comment About Haiti Day One as HoboTraveler.com

Hi Andy I just wanted to let you know that I have been enjoying your travel blog for a couple week now. I havent traveled abroad for may years now. Your pictures and post from the Phillipines were great.

Thank You
Bill C

Comment About American Flag Patches Sewn on Backpack

I envy you going to my favourite spot in the world . I knew it well in the fifties when I stayed at Hotel Mon Reve in Port au Prince ( Probably no longer there ) Hotel Olaffson , where Liz Taylor shot a movie , is probably still a tourist trap . In my time the Haitians were the friendliest people and honest beyond belief considering their poverty . In Jacmel , where there was a beautiful unspoiled beach , the locals would laugh at me and tell me I would get my swim suit wet ! Their French is pre- the US invasion in the 20's , consiquently a touch flowery.
Try taking the local bus up to Cap Hatian , you may have to push it if it gets stuck in a stream , but you will also get to bathe with the local fellow travelers . At the Cap you will get a donkey to climb to the Fort on the top , My guide was a ten year old and I slept alone ther that night trying to conjour the sprit of it builder.Talking of spirits , Barbarancourt is the best Rum in the world ! take a factory tour .
Obviously my time there was before Papa Doc and it was completely safe . The Voodoo drums would sound all over the Island but everybody was in church the next morning ! Back then I even took my new wife to see the worship of the Hougon and witness the sacrificial frenzied dance .
My last visit to Haiti things were trying to get more touristy , I believe the dancer Kathrine Dunham started an enterprise . You might invest in a few local Paintings , they were charging a fortune for them in Puerto Rico last year !
Being now in my eighties it is the one place in the world I am anxious to revisit , and if you make it ,I Will !!
Bon Chance , Robin

Comment About 2009 November 4 Leave USA Enter Haiti

Mom, Andy, that is person is correct. That is not lettuce. It is a type of flowering plant called cabbage roses. The first time I saw this plant was in Michigan when we visited your brother. It was so beautifull in the fall when it turned to purple. I tried to buy it at the garden shed outside of orland here the next spring with no luck. On fact they acted like they never heard of it. We went to Midland, Michigan to the farmers market and I bought several plants which were pretty all summer at the lake home and lasted to really late in the fall. I was told that Michigan is the big place for them the same as sugar beets is a hefty crop there.

Comment About New York City Photos 2009

Best of luck in Haiti Andy...the plants you pictured in New York City are ornamental kale, cabbage family, also edible when cooked... i'm still here in illinois but probably back to the Philippines in December...regards, Steve PS - I liked your arguments in favor of the US flag...in Europe you see so many (fake) Canadian flags on the young turistas...

Comment About American Flag Patches Sewn on Backpack

Goodbye Andy. It has been nice knowing you.

To all the readers who sent Andy to Haiti. We will be having a memorial breakfast for Andy at Chubby's restaurant in Orland, Indiana sometime this month stay tuned for details.

Comment About 2009 November 4 Leave USA Enter Haiti

I like how the guy advertizing haircuts is wearing a hat, thus we cannot see his own haircut. Too funny!

Comment About New York City Photos 2009

Awesome, I used to work there!

That barber shop was $10 when I lived there.
And they always hassled you about the tip...

Also, the fur looks fake.
The plant looks like cabbage (planted decoratively - not for food)
The building is the Chrysler Building - it's the shiny one.
Pret is overpriced, you were only a couple blocks from the cheap stores near the port authority (but Pret has the best salads!)

And, stupid New Yorkers like me jay walk constantly and get run over by cabs. At least the cab had the decency to take me to the hospital (I was ok)...

Comment About New York City Photos 2009

We went on a honeymoon trip to Bali, we stay in nusa dua. When we booked tour, I was taken aback by the very low price of the hotel, and I was afraid that he would disappoint me, but no, the hotel was amazing ... very cozy, clean, spacious rooms .. beautiful garden with pond, and in it are teeming with "mad" fish, near which were stopped by the tourists to feed them with bread, a green area, and I would not call it a small, all matches hotel.. The people at the pool is not so much, and I will refute the rumors that have to get up at 7 am, to take a lounger on the beach, free lager can be found at any time. Guide services world without limite, we have not used, because had time to get acquainted with a woman who gave us the contacts of the local English speaking driver, he told me many interesting things, very cheerful, a wonderful man and a tour takes twice as cheaper.he give us various gifts and tell details, where to go, where good and reasonable prices. His name putra, since its well known, in case the need to leave his phone number: 081805338662 you will not regret it. In general, Bali is very beautiful and exotic place, there are very friendly people! entertainment very much, enough for all, both for youth and adults. We are pleased to be back there and I advise everyone to go there to fly ... it's unforgettable!

Comment About Bali Airport

Craig this is "cultural blindness."

You are blind, you cannot see that difference in cultures is OK, You want me to become like yours, because only yours is OK, all others are bad, this is not acceptance of cultural diversity.

Comment About American Flag Patches Sewn on Backpack

You are the reason the world gives American travellers grief. You are too full on. You over-engineer everything, try too hard and make a scene everywhere you go. I know not all Americans do this but it seems much more prevalent among them. To highlight my point you have a bright red bag and a padlock that looks like it came off a bank vault. You will no doubt immediately disagree with this but you may appreciate an outside perspective from someone who has travelled a fair bit and met many travelling Americans. I'm not saying I find Americans to be unpleasant, it's just they have a certain character you don't seem to find anywhere else in the world and that a lot of people aren't used to.

Comment About American Flag Patches Sewn on Backpack

I am writing a small report for a college class. Could you tell me a little about the Togo government as you saw it? I have read many pages about it and it seems very crazy. Thank you.

Comment About Togo Children Photo

No, I live in Huaquillas. IT IS PART OF ECUADOR. Aguas Verdes is in Peru. Huaquillas is in Ecuador. I live here. I know.

Comment About Taliban Discovered in Huaquillas Ecuador