Ct Bob's Comments

CT_Bob commented about , On Friday March 20th, 2009 01:35:00 PM

"What would you do it your pants zipper broke, and you did not have an extra pair of pants?"

Use the safety pins I brought. One of the best damned inventions ever.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Coffee Ceremony Awasa Ethiopia, On Friday March 20th, 2009 01:34:00 PM

Great post. You should get one of them actually brewing the coffee. There are so many different ways to do it and this is often part of the ceremony.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Beware of Loose Hotel Electrical Outlets, On Thursday March 19th, 2009 07:49:00 PM

The Mystery Man revealed.

Good video.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Video of Large Birds in Awasa Ethiopia, On Sunday March 15th, 2009 08:19:00 AM

Hard for me to resist a challenge.

From my search, looks like they are Marabou Storks.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marabou_Stork

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=marabou+stork&btnG=Search

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CT_Bob commented about Beware of Airline Baggage Scales, On Monday March 9th, 2009 06:09:00 AM

You could always carry a gallon of water. ~8.35 pounds. Carry it, check the scale, then dump the water. Of course, the scales could be set so that they are only a little off at the low end, and get progressively worse as the wieght goes up.

But then, what do you do when you "prove" that a scale is off?

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about RSS Real Sucky System, On Saturday March 7th, 2009 03:00:00 PM

RSS Feeds suck. I would rather have the E-Mail. Actually, just an e-mail with a link to new or edited posts would be even better.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Pay Toilets on Airplanes, On Saturday March 7th, 2009 02:56:00 PM

Are Air Sickness bags still free? Maybe we can use those to pee etc. in and just hand them to the stewardess.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Does Snow Cause Development of Nations, On Friday February 27th, 2009 08:44:00 AM

Ya don't work, ya freeze to death. Pretty good motivator. Then, once you are working hard, it is hard to stop.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Ignore Image of USA Overseas Travel Tip, On Sunday February 22nd, 2009 04:27:00 PM

Reality TV?

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CT_Bob commented about Ignore Image of USA Overseas Travel Tip, On Sunday February 22nd, 2009 09:05:00 AM

In some ways, I am most proud of the USA when the world press tells us how much the rest of the world hates us. It means we are seen as being different. I like that, true or not. I know that at ground level, when talking to regular people, the view is different from what the world press shows us.

It is one of the reasons I REALLY don't trust Barrack Hussein Obama. Too much of the world is seen as loving him. I don't trust the opinions of crowds.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Obama is a Black USA President, On Friday February 20th, 2009 10:55:00 AM

In with the new boss, same as the old boss.

Glad you wrote this post, very funny. The only thing that REALLY bothers me about BHO is not him, but the fact that one party now completely controls the upper levels of Government. Like kids going off to college, and binge drinking or whatever due to no parental supervision.

A black man at my work said something I thought was funny, but I think he got it from someone else (TV?). He said that BHO was our first Half Honkey president. Hmmm, doesn't seem so funny in print. Guess you had to be there.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Is a Photo of Andy Needed, On Sunday February 8th, 2009 11:05:00 AM

Maybe one photo on the opening page. One that doesn't really show you clearly, but will still lend that personal touch. Kinda like Wilson, the neighbor in the TV show Home Improvement. Never saw his whole face, only the eyes.

Actually, maybe that's a good idea. Have occasional pictures of you that don't really show who you are. Kinda' the mystery hobo. I think it's been done, but what the hell.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Is a Photo of Andy Needed, On Saturday February 7th, 2009 07:13:00 PM

I don't think you need your photo on the site. The mystery is a nice touch and sets you apart some. BUT if it helps you for other reasons, your call. Once anything gets on the web, there is no guarantee that it can ever be removed completely. Anonymity is tough to maintain.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Another try for a Plane to Breu Today, On Wednesday January 28th, 2009 08:07:00 AM

Sounds like you would get there quicker with a row boat.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Water Purification with 3 Pitchers, On Thursday January 22nd, 2009 07:23:00 AM

Although it is not something I have done, or probably would do, one thing to think about is an electric kettle. I think you mentioned these once on your site. Not as small or packable as your little heater, but if you need a vessel of some kind anyway, the additional room taken up might not be much. You can store things in it when moving and you can get these everywhere fairly cheap. The ones in the US are pretty high wattage though, 750 to 1,000 for the ones I have looked at.

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CT_Bob commented about Water Purification with 3 Pitchers, On Thursday January 22nd, 2009 07:18:00 AM

Most of the ones that I see are 300 watts. But that is at 240 Volts. At 120 they will put out one quarter the watts, or 75 watts. I have yet to find a 120 V heater that puts out enough to quickly boil water. 75 watts takes a LOOOONG time. Plus, if it taken out of the water for more than a second or so, it will die. The one you have looks great, a much better design, as long as OSHA is not around and might be more abuse tolerant. If it is indeed 500 watts at 240V, then it would still be 125 watts at 120V, enough to get the job done. The only thing is it looks like you would want to be careful of getting shocked. If those coils are live as they look to be, and you lost the ground wire, your liquid could become electrically hot. In most cases it would just be annoying and/or painful, but create a good electrical path, such as holding onto the faucet while touching the liquid and ZAP.

Would love to get one of the ones like you have. Maybe you could set up a business selling them. Probably couldn't get them in the US though.

As far as making them, the coils in a hair drier would probably work, but would be difficult to make small enough and without excessive watts.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about No Tipping in Developing World Countries, On Tuesday January 20th, 2009 04:13:00 PM

I have gotten what I consider excellent service many times. In places that seldom see tourists this excellent service can be free. In places that are used to tourists, it comes at a price, either in tips or high prices, usually both.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about No Tipping in Developing World Countries, On Tuesday January 20th, 2009 08:46:00 AM

I sometimes go to "resort" type places to SCUBA when time is tight and money is not. I have run into situations where the "bellhop" insists on carrying my bag and gets mad when I do not let him. I am told that it is his job to carry my bag, he works for tips. If I let him take my bag, I am supposed to tip him. If I do not let him take my bag, I am somehow "cheating" him. F* that.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Propane Motorcycle in Peru, On Thursday January 15th, 2009 07:37:00 PM

There are LPG powered cars in the USA and many people have modified all kinds of vehicles to run on all kinds of things. There are people running cars and bikes on woodgas, propane, alcohol, hydrogen, etc.

Better? Hard to say. A hybrid car's specialty is sitting in traffic. When comparing identical cars, the hybrids do a little better than their gasoline cousins, not enough to justify the cost/complexity. At least not at today's gas prices. If you have tons of cheap LPG, then that is better. If you have tons of oil, diesel or gasoline may be better. LPG is better as far as point of source pollutants, which is why they are used inside buildings in forklifts. There are other advantages as well, but not enough to tip the scales across the board. A lot of it depends on which is cheaper. Like it or not, we currently live in an oil based economy. If you save money, you save oil. If you pay extra for a hybrid, but don't end up saving money in the long run because of the additional cost, you did not actually save oil. The extra money went into: Producing the car (oil). The pockets of engineers, production people, managers, who will spend it on things that use oil. Put up a photovoltaic system that costs $20,000. If it takes you 50 years to save that much money, then you don't break even oil wise until then, except you could have invested that money in insulation for your house that may have saved you more than that, or just invested it in a car company that is trying to make more fuel efficient vehicles or something. Not an exact science of course, as there is more to it than just what you pay at the pump. For example, I don't know off hand how much pollution is created in the process of creating and delivering the LPG.

Basically, this is not a simple better or worse question.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Why is HoboTraveler.com in Peru, On Sunday January 11th, 2009 09:24:00 AM

It is the true nature of man to sit in a comfortable chair while being waited on.

It is the true nature of woman to make sure this does not happen.

Yin and Yang.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Global Warming Needed in Indiana USA, On Saturday January 10th, 2009 02:58:00 PM

The Fourth Estate does not rule all of us.

Global Warming is the perfect religion. Nay-sayers get ridiculed and unfunded. Global warming is the cause of storms, cold, hot, waves, just about every bad thing is caused by it, and we are the cause of all of it. And as with any good religion, you can not disprove it but believers will point to just about anything as "proof" that they are right.

Living in New Hampshire, I am begging for Global Warming.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about How to Change Travel Blog Design Easily, On Tuesday January 6th, 2009 03:35:00 PM

Craig, Anytime I write a comment, or do any decent amount of typing where I cannot be sure it will be saved (some e-mail programs),I either write it in note pad and copy over OR I do a copy before sending. In the comment area do a Ctrl+A to mark all. Ctrl+C to copy, then send it. If there is a problem, open up the comment area again, put your cursor in it and hit Ctrl+V to paste. If there is a longer term problem, just paste it into notepad or whatever and save for later.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Habitat for Humanity Solola Guatemala, On Tuesday January 6th, 2009 03:27:00 PM

http://www.habitat.org/
QUOTE
How does it work?
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit and financed with affordable loans. The homeowners’ monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly mortgage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor—sweat equity—into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
END QUOTE

Of course, if they really wanted to make housing affordable, they would build apartments and offer them cheap to the poor. Oh, wait, that is already being done here in the US and I am being held at gunpoint to help pay for it. It's called Low Income Housing.

At least Habitat for Humanity makes the people pay for the house and work on others and learn the value of responsibility. The families are also chosen using some decnet criteria. And by doing it with donations, people are choosing to help, rather than being forced to.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Guatemala Boy with Heavy Load, On Sunday January 4th, 2009 01:15:00 PM

Offering to help the boy out in his job would be insulting. It is his job. I would think he is proud to accomplish it himself. I was at his age and I would have been insulted if someone asked me if I needed help.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Guatemala Homemade Incense, On Saturday January 3rd, 2009 09:59:00 AM

I wish you would have gotten a picture of this woman laughing. She strikes me as the type that would have a very expressive laugh and smile. My old Polish grandmother was like that. Most of the time she looked stern and serious, but get her laughing, and you wanted to laugh with her no matter what.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Habitat for Humanity Solola Guatemala, On Saturday January 3rd, 2009 09:50:00 AM

In New Orleans they were building houses so that the Blues Players could come back and live there, bringing music back to the town. These houses were surrounded with abandoned houses that only needed a little work to be "habitable" but were abandoned due the constraints that the city put on the owners.

It is not only tax dollars that are wasted, charity dollars are also. Maybe more so since Governments at least have a tiny bit of accountability.

But at least charity $ are not taken at gun point.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Does a Blog Need Comments, On Sunday December 28th, 2008 02:33:00 PM

A BLOG can be a BLOG without comments. But us readers like to hear ourselves talk, so it encourages people to read the blogs. For me, the comments draw me in almost as much as the articles.

I would like to see an easier way to see what new comments there have been, say in the last month.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Guatemala Handicap Help Needed, On Sunday December 28th, 2008 08:27:00 AM

This won't be much help, but since I travel by motorcycle a bunch, I look for such things to some extent also. In Antigua (and other places) I looked at a few hotels that had ramps to get into the first floor, which had rooms with big showers and doors. NOT specifically wheelchair designed, but would do the trick. Could not tell you which ones though. I think they used to be horse liveries or something. Or maybe the rich would just ride their carriages into their homes.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Guatemala Paperboy, On Monday December 22nd, 2008 04:41:00 PM

For what it's worth, when some people say they get their news from the internet they mean they read the electronic versions of their local paper. I read the local paper on the internet. I spend too much time on other stuff, so don't have much time to read the paper, and find almost everything i would spend my time reading in the paper version is on-line.

Of course, I spend too much of my life wandering around the Mis-Information Net as well.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Why Catholics Need Big Guns, On Wednesday December 10th, 2008 12:06:00 PM

People are not flocking to buy Automatic Weapons. Buying an automatic weapon in the US is a long involved and expensive proposition. No automatic weapons can be purchased that were manufactured after 1986. (except police, military and certain other official purposes) People, are buying semi-automatic weapons. And the new trend that the owners of these shops are seeing is Obama stickers on the bumpers of new buyers. Intersting.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Prices of USA versus Planet Earth, On Saturday December 6th, 2008 09:11:00 AM

I agree with you on the Starbucks mentality... It would be better for the US to go back to the "Diner Mentality" I guess. BUT, think about this. People in the US work a lot of hours. OK, they GO to work for a lot of hours. They make a LOT more money than the average person in a third world country. How much of a percentage of this persons take home income is that Vanilla Latte with Soy Mold Milk compared to say a cup of a milk/rice drink to the average Guatemalan? How about comparing it as a persons "disposable" income, using disposable as whatever is left after their actual costs for housing, transportation and other so-called necessities?

I really don't know, but would bet that it is similar. The US does pay too much for things, but they make too much also. It seems to me that a country or a people will settle into some sort of rhythm with their economy.

The real sad part to me is how much of a US person's income goes to loans. And how much of those loans are for things that they feel they NEED, not just want. Big screen TV's etc.

Yesterday I was watching a politician talk about the need for credit for the average person so they can afford to replace their TV etc... The politician felt that getting a high interest LOAN for a TV is somehow a necessity?

The US at all levels still thinks it should be easy for anyone (or the US Government) to borrow money, and that loans are a good thing.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Sciatic Nerve, On Friday December 5th, 2008 01:09:00 PM

What are your symptoms? How severe?

I have a very minor problem with my sciatic nerve where it goes through the hip from some dumb thing or another that I did many years ago. If I sit too long or wrong, I get minor pain in the butt and some issues with numbness of the skin on the leg and other minor discomforts. I find that properly stretching it and massaging it fixes the issues. The single best stretch for my problem is to bring the knee up to the chest, stretching the Glutes I guess it would be called. Good luck.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Travel Readers Want Packing Video, On Thursday November 27th, 2008 09:59:00 AM

I can't imagine wanting a packing video. A few pictures maybe, and some good words, but you have already done that. As for the video, I don't know what kind of editing software you have, but you could either fuzz out your face, or just edit out the parts that show your face. I would think something equivalent to a slide show with narrative would be fine, but then, I don't understand the need anyway.

I would think some simple advice on what and how to pack, with a couple pictures would get people going, then once they are on the road, they can find out what actually works for them. Everyone is different.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Work is Like a Second Child, On Thursday November 20th, 2008 07:59:00 AM

OK, you just hit on something I was going to suggest,

but had assumed you were already doing it.

This is something I now call "letters for the fire"

after watching a sci-fi show called Jerimiah. Way

back when, during emotionally turbulent times, a

traveler suggested I record my emotions and my travels

etc in a diary. I ended up recording my travels,

something like a blog, long before the internet.

First on paper, then electronically. I found though,

that keeping a more personal diary was stifled by the

fact that I was afraid that these random thoughts might

be found by someone and some might be embarassing, and

if taken out of context, dangerous to my so-called

reputation.


I did not want to stop because they really helped me

both with ideas I had and dealing with "life events".

So I started keeping a diary, either electronically, or

on paper, then destroying them as soon as I wrote them.

I found that sometimes, by keeping them a few days

before destroying them, I would sometimes go back and

look at them. Sometimes improving on ideas I had.

Sometimes realizing that my "problems" were really

nothing at all.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Travel Book Shopping at Amazon.com, On Thursday November 20th, 2008 07:44:00 AM

OK then. of the books you have read, what are your favorites or what ones have had the most impact on you or your opinions?

Maybe seperate out by category: Travel, fiction, non-fiction, philosopy, whatever.

I know I could not do this myself, but you are a much deaper thinker than I am.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Why Air Conditioning in Hotels is Unhealthy, On Saturday November 1st, 2008 08:28:00 AM

Excellent post. One comment, although most window air conditioners CAN blow fresh air in, many times this is not how they are set, and often, you can't set them that way when you want to. And of course, sometimes you really want as little of the outside air as possible. Maybe you have had better luck than me.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about I Wished to Live Deliberately, On Monday October 20th, 2008 10:37:00 AM

Ash,
Go here:

http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/205

bob l

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CT_Bob commented about Are the Koh Larn Thailand Monks Violent, On Monday October 20th, 2008 09:20:00 AM

Modern day dragons to protect the monestary from evil spirits?

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Iraq War Was Not a Mistake, On Thursday October 16th, 2008 05:54:00 AM

Good post. People were all behind both wars when things were giong well. When mismanagement caused each war to drag on, public support was lost, increasing the power of our enemy.

The next 4 years will be interesting, unfortunately. Lets just hope that 4 years from now someone who would be good for this country will run for pres.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about I Need a Video How to Test Hotel Electricity, On Tuesday October 14th, 2008 10:40:00 AM

A ground fault detector is more to protect people than equipment. A surge protector will protect you from some spikes etc. Don't think it would work if the power was just weird (out of sync, etc.) and would probably do nothing if for some strange reason the power was from a square wave inverter or other strange power source.

A multimeter will tell you little, and will tell you only an instantaineous state. There are devices out there that would show you the wave form and all, but they are big and very expensive and hard to find. Stick with protection. If you are going to cary a multimeter anyway, there are a few things you can check, such as voltage, DC voltage (sometimes happens on ac lines) and quality of ground. Won't help much.

A UPS would probably be the only way to go. Since you say that that is not possible, an awkward solution would be to use 12v cords for your computer and phone, get a small 12v battery, and hook it up to a small 12v charger. This is sort of a home made UPS. Stay away from inverters since that would add complications, bulk, unavailability, expense and you would have to get a true sine wave inverter (big $)

It is my opinion that ALL devices that run on batteries should also be able to run on straight 10 to 16 VDC input. Heck, all lower power devices should run on this.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about The Art of Global Business, On Wednesday October 1st, 2008 06:10:00 AM

The real money makers create a market where there never was one. Especially if it is a useless piece of crap that no one should actually want. Kinda like Dr. Suess "Everyone needs a Thneed. A Thneed is a fine-something-that-all people need.” " in "The Lorax".

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about The State of the Union Message, On Wednesday October 1st, 2008 05:44:00 AM

Most likely the next president will do what presidents have always done. If things go well, they will take credit for it. If things go poorly, they will blame their predecessor.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about MEI Voyageur a Great Travel Bag, On Sunday September 28th, 2008 08:44:00 PM

I am not especially interested in seeing the bag myself, as I am not currently in the market for one. For any travel that I currently do, a duffel bag works fine (and a big drybag if I am on a bike). I am more interested in your take on it since you have a very critical eye for a bag's usefulness. I would not be able to look at it and see all the potential flaws for serious travel.

If you need someone to ship it to you, I would not mind. I would need some guidance on how to do it though. Let me know.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about MEI Voyageur a Great Travel Bag, On Friday September 26th, 2008 11:55:00 AM

This looks just like what I would have thought would be ideal for your kind of travel (if I were doing it). I would love it if you could get a hold of one of these and look at it closely. It looks a little weak in the seams in a few places, but it is just a picture after all.

Personally, I would rather not have the complication of a stow pocket for the straps, I would want a simpler bag with removable shoulder straps that I would just put in the bag.

Personally, if this were to be my only bag (no small under seat bag) I would sew a pocket on the outside for a book, water or other clumsy things. Even if I had a second bag, I would want a pocket like that, 6"x9"x3" or so for whatever.

But then, I have never done that kind of travel so my preferences would be expected to be different.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about National Geographic Earth Explorer Backpack, On Thursday September 25th, 2008 06:37:00 AM

Looks like the kinda thing that is given away free with a subscription or donation. The reciever would then give it to a child so that they can play explorer.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Age 52 My Best Compliment, On Monday September 22nd, 2008 07:57:00 AM

I was all set to mention "fortune cookies" and how generic the post was when I read I was not the first. I have been "psychoanalyzed" a number of times by people who think they learned something in psyc class. Alwayts different, always generic and no opening to refute. What they claim you are is an absolute and any arguing just reinforces the diagnosis.

Yes, I am guilty of being male.
The Man's Prayer:
"I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess....."
--Red Green

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about A Reluctance to Enter Developed Countries, On Monday September 8th, 2008 06:02:00 AM

"...the majority of people refuse to accept they are a envious and competitive person."

Because they are not introspective. If you are introspective you will see your faults as well as your strengths. Most do not want to see their own faults so they do not look inward.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about When Street Level Sucks buy a Condo, On Sunday September 7th, 2008 08:20:00 AM

A city is where us country people wish all the excess people of the world would go (and stay) to stay out of our way.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Wireless Landline Telephone, On Tuesday August 26th, 2008 02:14:00 PM

While researching cell phone rates I found this:

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/plans/cell-phone-plans-detail.aspx?tp=tb1&rateplan=T-Mobile-@Home

T-Mobile at home. $10/ month, unlimited calling. Seams like a deal for "some" users.

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CT_Bob commented about Nomad My Pet Peeve Word, On Tuesday August 26th, 2008 07:24:00 AM

I really don't think you would like being a nomad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nomad

Nomads don't piick up and leave because they don't like a place, they do it because it is something they have to do to live, or to continue living they way they want to. You are a Hobo. Dead Heads were nomads, traveling as the band traveled. Snow birds are nomads, in a way, traveling to the south when it gets too cold in the north (OK, maybe they are more like migratory birds). There are nomads that follow along the Motorcycle Rallies selling trinkets. Lots of Nomads in teh world. Not too many hobos, not long term ones anyway.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about My Five True Friends in Life, On Friday August 22nd, 2008 07:25:00 PM

One of the main reasons I read your blog is because of your point blank honesty. Keep it up.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Thomas Edison and His Backpack, On Sunday August 17th, 2008 07:20:00 PM

Don't worry about annoying us with your backpack project. It is most interesting.

As far as sewing it yourself, not necessarily a great idea. You may sew it in a way that cannot be duplicated in any producible manner. I suggest you find a person who owns and know how to use a commercial type sewing machine, that can also understand English well. (this could be done in the US even). Sit with them and sew with them. Pay them a decent hourly wage to work with you, explaining to you what works and what does not. Way back when I saw this process done in the US. A man sat with a women who did sewing out of her home and she helped him create product that was producible. After that, she did piece work on the stuff they came up with.

Take someone who works out of their home and let them help you.

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CT_Bob commented about Wireless Landline Telephone, On Thursday August 14th, 2008 06:28:00 AM

Wireless landlines were talked about in the US a long time ago as well as wireless internet and TV. So far, as far as I know, it is not being done as things are different in this country. This may change in the future.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Asking For Travel Directions, On Monday August 11th, 2008 08:02:00 AM

Ask 50 different people in 50 different ways and go the way the least number of people tell you to.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about How Many Fruits or Vegetables on Earth, On Monday July 21st, 2008 11:44:00 AM

There are many trees that have seed pods kind of like these. One that I am aware of is the Carob or Locust Bean tree. I was once told that these were planted in a lot of towns in the US during the depression with the thinking being that when they matured, the seed pods could be eaten by poor school children. That's what I call thinking ahead.

http://books.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11763&page=207&utm_source=PGA&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=PGA%2B-Wikipedia

http://www.edenfoods.com/articles/view.php?articles_id=111

This site has a good description of a lot of Asian foods.
http://asiafood.org/

Maybe someone should start a site for travelers where they could go and find out about all the different foods, fruits and vegatables that are common in any area. Heck, I'd settle to know what to do with some of the things in my local Shaws food store.

Bob L

Comment About How Many Fruits or Vegetables on Earth

CT_Bob commented about Hotel Reviews, On Thursday July 10th, 2008 07:27:00 PM

Good news is told by one person, if at all. Bad news is told by 1,000. Content people stay quiet. Upset (or naturally miserable people) are never quiet.

Bob L

Comment About Hotel Reviews

CT_Bob commented about Airplane E-Tickets Need a Printer, On Thursday July 10th, 2008 06:39:00 AM

I usually just use the fax printer and print to file. Then you can just use windows picture and fax viewer to print. Simple and on almost every computer.

Bob L

Comment About Airplane E-Tickets Need a Printer

CT_Bob commented about Androgenous Thailand Photo the Future of the World, On Wednesday July 9th, 2008 06:34:00 AM

As long as there are people like you (and me) who will open doors for women and help them do heavy tasks then the world is not lost.

In the USA there has been a lot of effort to water down the manliness of males, as if being a male is a bad thing. At the same time, women have been encouraged to be more like men. Women have always been stronget than men (child birth and raising, dealing with men...) but they do tend to have less upper body strength. This watering down of the difference of the two sexes is doing neither one any good. It would be better if we celebrated the differences and worked with them.

And I thought Metrosexual was a modification of the term Homesexual. Nothing against them, but if a man spends more time getting ready for a date than your average women, there is something wrong.

Bob L

Comment About Androgenous Thailand Photo the Future of the World

CT_Bob commented about Ultralight Backpacking, On Tuesday July 1st, 2008 11:36:00 AM

*But think about cost, does a 20 dollar water bottle make sense?*

Never. Water bottles are free.

*I think a Water Purifier that cost 10 dollars and is very small would be a great idea. When it goes over 10 dollars, I think it becomes a bad idea.*

Cost is not the only consideration. Cost to benefit is better. A $15 water purifier may be a great idea if it is small, light and you are particularly susceptable to waterborne illness (elderly etc). But if that $15 purifier also also requires frequent replacement of expensive, unobtainable filters, it stops being such a good idea. Things are seldom black and white for everyone. What would never make sense for one, may make a lot of sense for another.

But it is always better to go with free, cheap or homemade if possible. And using/consuming what the residents do is usually the best way. The exception might be in modern western cities where everyone is drinking bottled water and Starbucks coffee.

Bob L

Comment About Ultralight Backpacking

CT_Bob commented about Best Backpack Design and Quality, On Tuesday July 1st, 2008 07:53:00 AM

Being an engineer, I always have opinions on technical subjects, whether I know anything about the subject or not. AND I have always looked at different kinds of bags or storage (motorcycle saddle bags etc) for my purposes. SO......

From my experience, seam tape is glued on, sometimes with heat. The best seem tape I have seen is on high quality motorcycle gear and it lasts as long as the garment. With cheaper equipment the seam tape tends to come off and just be a nuisance.

Good stuff has the ends of the fabric heat sealed, usually as it is cut.

More important than just how durable the zipper (or any part) of the bag is, is how repairable it is. A zipper needs to be easily replaced many times, and with just hand sewing you should be able to open the ends so that if the zipper does mis-feed you can slide the runners off and re-attach. If your zipper breaks and you do not have a good replacement, you want to be able to just put any cheapie on temporarily. From jackets I have had, if you have plenty of material where the zipper attaches it will work. The best I had seen on a leather jacket had a strip of leather attached to the jacket. The zipper attached to this piece. You could replace the zipper a number of times before the leather was too worn to use. At that point, you could replace the leather strip and start again. The garment would be completely worn out long before you could no longer easily replace the zipper. I always did it by hand, and like metal zippers that did not last long. Usually it was the cloth at the end that would wear to the point that it was hard to start the zipper. Not a problem with bags.

Frayed ends are sometimes sealed by sewing a piece of plastic or cloth over the seams so ends are less likely to fray and will be hidden even if they do. Other techniques I have seen are folded seams. There are dozens of ways to do this, one is shown here (first one I found in a search):

http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife/Nongame/Nongame_PDFs/bat_holding_bags.pdf

OK, I am not a traveler like you, more like a tourist (but not completely I hope). But For me, I hate the fact that most bags/backpacks hold their shape. Sometimes it is good but when trying to stuff a bag into an overhead compartment or into a small space (MC Saddlebag) it sucks. Backpack metal supports are even worse. One of my pet peeves is the carryon bag that has rigid or almost rigid sides so that it can't quite fit in the compartment in the way intended and has to go in sideways and take up twice the room. So... what I was thinking is make the back pad and any other rigidizing? elements self inflating, like a self inflating mattress. When hiking or whatever, these elements would be inflated, giving a rigidness to the bag. When stuffing in a plane or whatever, the valves would be left open and the bags would be very crushable. Keeping a plastic bucket in the bottom like you do would lend some protection to critical items even when crushed. If these pads and things can not be made deflatable, then they should at least be able to be detached so they can be stowed some other way if necessary. (both of these ideas reduce reliability however).

There should be no metal that might look suspicious to x-ray security. Back Stays in many back packs fit this category. Frankly, outside of d-rings, I have seen few metal hardware items on backpacks that would not have been better made out of a good plastic.

Your water bottle pockets are a great idea, super big to fit a liter bottle at least. When empty they would not take any room and therefore not a problem in carry-on. An addition to the pack would be a water bottle holder that goes on your hip-belt. I have a couple of these. A liter bottle fits in them, you cinch down the elastic strap and the bottle stays in them pretty well. These put the weight of the water up front or anywhere you want, but not in the pack and gives you a little extra room in your pack.. The ones I have take too much room for what they are, but simple mesh bags could probably be made that would do the job. I could not find an example of the one that I have, but something like this is along the same concept:

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___80740

One of my complaints on all kinds of things (cars, bikes, packs etc.) is that, the cheap stuff tends to be simple and practical, but junk. Once you get to a higher level of quality, you get feature creep. All of a sudden, instead of a nice practical item, you get whistles and bells that lower the usefulness of it. Making it heavier, more expensive, etc etc. For me, for a bag, I would not want *expandable*. No extra zippers. I would rather have a bag that was bigger than carryon, and just not fill it. Every strap or buckle is something else to get caught in the machines or have someone grab and throw the bag, potentially ripping the bag.

A bag does need a secure way of strapping down on a vehicle. Something that a brainless person can run a strap through to tie it down. This would be good for tying things to the bag also. I have a Kelty Redwing that has these goofy tiedown points under the bag, I guess for your sleeping bag. These are so wimpy, that they would tear if anything was attached to them. The pockets are sewn to the bag on two sides, not four. Supposedly for running skis or something through. A good place to grab and rip the bag. There are no strong tiedown points at the top of the bag to lash anything securely. There are all kinds of extra *organizer* pockets etc that just add weight and complexity.

Wheels are an issue. For them to be useful, they need to be big and/or extended away from bag. The handles need to be long. All of this eats up space and weight. Since this bag is for travelers, you could make it a little more complicated or manual to use than the typical tourist bag. Maybe make it so the wheels could be removed and put on a different edge. Have them attached to the wide side most of the time, but put in the narrow side for tight areas like planes. Big wheels that you can quickly remove before stowing in a plane might work, although anything removable is also losable.

Hey, how about this for a crazy idea, not doable with current material, as far as I know, but would be good. Make a semi-rigid bag out of a rubber-like material. Fully watertight, waterproof to 50 feet or something. Compressible enough to crush into a tight spot, but rigid enough to maintain shape when carrying or dragging. Make the material cut-proof, non-flammable, etc. Wheels that could be extended for when in rough areas. Heck, make the whole thing expandable to double size. And make it lighter than typical cloth materials. Pipe dream, I know. I have my windmills also.

Bob L

Comment About Best Backpack Design and Quality

CT_Bob commented about Ultralight Backpacking, On Monday June 30th, 2008 07:57:00 AM

Some things you did not mention.....

Ultralight, in whatever fashion it is done, is a great idea. But for a traveler, weight is not the only issue. Size is almost as important. For example, your hairbrush is about 4 times the size and weight of what I brought back when I had long hair. At a dollar store I bought a folding hairbrush with a mirror. Throw away the mirror portion and you have an ultralight, ultrapackable flexible brush that you use in the palm of your hand. Like this:

http://www.promopeddler.com/08-37/folding-hair-brush-mirror-combination-qqp426170.htm

You could cut the majority of the rest of the handle off your brush and cut it's size and weight in half.

In the US, I find the best place to get stuff to cut up is at the town dump where they have a room where people put things there for free. Also, people who have tag sales put all their leftover stuff out for free at the end of the day.

Of course, that's about the only thing cheap about living in the US.

I look at your stuff and think about how heavy and large some of it is compared to what is really needed. But then, I am sure you are always modifying your kit as you travel.

Bob L

Comment About Ultralight Backpacking

CT_Bob commented about Cutting Up a Backpack, On Saturday June 28th, 2008 05:30:00 PM

Rather than buy a machine, can you rent one? Or just time on one. Find someone who has a nice one and offer them some cash to let you use it, maybe even get some training from them.

Bob L

Comment About Cutting Up a Backpack

CT_Bob commented about Collapsible Water Bottle, On Thursday June 19th, 2008 06:14:00 AM

Camelbacks for travel seems goofy to me. If set up right, no suction is required, you just bite on the valve and it almost flows out. For some uses, they are invaluable, these would be when you need to keep hydrated but need your hands free (soldiers on point etc). I have used these on motorcycles. For this purposes, a soda bottle attached to the bike, with a hole in the bottle cap and a hose going to it are perfect. No bite valve necessary.

But if possible it is always better to stop. I have seen hikers with these systems and I just don't get it. A soda bottle is lighter, indestructable, and free. A water bottle is even lighter. Some hikers use Nalgene bottles. Why? These are heavy, hard to drink from while moving and expensive.

As for the collapsable bottle, these work great if you want to keep your pack space more empty but occasionally want to have a lot of extra water and don't want to go out finding a larger soda bottle or you want more pack space as you use it. This can be if you are hiking where there is plenty of water for most of the hike, but on occasion you will need to carry more. This is infrequent.

The type you show is pretty good, but if full the edges can wear through some packaging/fabrics as it is a little stiff.

The only real use I have found for these, with the tube, is when I am on a motorcycle that I cannot attach a water bottle to and do not want to stop. I put one of these bottles in my tank bag and drink from the tube. Kept clean it will not change the taste of the water like some of the camelbacks and will not leak.

Bob L

Comment About Collapsible Water Bottle

CT_Bob commented about Captive Eye Carabiner, On Monday June 16th, 2008 09:25:00 AM

Boat shops sell similar 'biners in stainless and brass. But maybe a better choice would be a locking biner.

http://www.ems.com/catalog/subcategory_simple.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302875262&bmUID=1213628555064

There are cheap versions of these that can be gotten at some hardware stores too.

These are not exactly what you want, but an idea generator
http://mauriprosailing.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=WIC2480&Category_Code=WICHOOK

http://www.umei.com/hooks/bolt-snaps-1-10.htm

http://www.onrope1.com/store/index.php?p=product&id=781&parent=33

http://www.onrope1.com/store/index.php?p=catalog&parent=35&pg=1

Although, frankly, I do not see the point in having something so heavy on your pack that could easily be cut off. I would think you would want to keep it light. A thin cable would be better for most purposes.

And, of course, anything made for boating or climbing will be expensive.

Bob L

Comment About Captive Eye Carabiner

CT_Bob commented about Am I Physically Prepared, On Thursday June 5th, 2008 09:34:00 AM

Do you forget that Coca Leaves have been used by the south american indians since long before they were "discovered". Cocaine is a new drug, but coca is used all over. Chewed, with Lime I believe to cut the acidity? I forget, but am sure Wiki has plenty on it.

Bob L

Comment About Am I Physically Prepared

CT_Bob commented about Am I Physically Prepared, On Thursday June 5th, 2008 09:25:00 AM

Yes, losing weight is a great idea for most of us.

And it is amazing how easy it is to gain weight. But when you think about it, it is not so amazing. For my weight and height, I am supposed to require 2,563 calories if I stay sedentary. To lose 2 pounds per week without exercising, I would have to cut 1,000 calories a day. That would mean I would then be eating about 1,600 calories. As my weight went down, I would require less so I would have to eat less. Tough to do for most of us. BUT, to gain 2 pounds per week, all I would have to do is eat a couple of candy bars a day. Many candy bars are around 500 calories. Yeah, they are supposed to be two servings, but who gives away half thier candy?

Add a couple of beers and we are at gaining 3 pounds per week. A couple of sodas we get 4. An 8 ounce glass of orange juice has 112 cal. Better than soda, but a whole orange would be better.

So, it is simple to lose weight. Eat less, exercise more. But it is not easy. But it is both simple AND easy to gain. And the process is more fun too.

Bob L

Comment About Am I Physically Prepared

CT_Bob commented about Extreme Healthy Diet, On Sunday May 25th, 2008 05:00:00 PM

Great job Andy. A slight improvement on my special, secret ELEM diet. Eat Less, Exercise More. You are at the next stage in the program.
The Eat Well (EW) stage. Good foods, variety, fresh, vitamins, minerals, etc. I have always said losing wait and eating healthy is simple. Not necessarily easy, but simple.

Bob L

Comment About Extreme Healthy Diet

CT_Bob commented about Bob Mathias on Easy to be Great, On Thursday May 22nd, 2008 12:51:00 PM

Maybe I used a poor example, but I was trying to follow the whole travelers theme.

What I was trying to say, maybe I did not say it so well, is that putting just a little extra effort in for something seems easy, but for most people it is not. That is why the post is so true and such a great post.

Heck, most people have trouble even getting out of bed in time for work when the alarm rings.

Comment About Bob Mathias on Easy to be Great

CT_Bob commented about Bob Mathias on Easy to be Great, On Thursday May 22nd, 2008 06:28:00 AM

You are using the word easy a little differently than most of us experience it. There is easy as in it does not require much physical effort, and there is easy as in one will not find it difficult to do. For example, it is simple to lose weight, but it is not easy. Travelling long term is easy for you and would be fairly easy to do for many. But 99.9% of the people in this world would find it extremely hard to start. To give up everything we have, or even to just significantly change how we live our lives is near impossible for most people. We find it very hard. I guess we are not great.

Comment About Bob Mathias on Easy to be Great

CT_Bob commented about Stressed Out Tourist, On Wednesday May 21st, 2008 01:35:00 PM

Lately my girlfreind has much more stress in her life than I do (most hers is self created), but less than many tourists. It takes her most of a week to decompress to where she is not creating new stresses for herself. It would take her at least another week to become what I would call in vacation mode. It was not always like this.

You state that it would take people two years to evolve/change. Some would, but some would never change. Their stress levels would actually increase until they went crazy then home. I doubt this would take more than 3 weeks for most. Maybe a couple weeks more if they had an unlimited budget.

Comment About Stressed Out Tourist

CT_Bob commented about Travel Tips are Worthless, On Wednesday May 21st, 2008 06:31:00 AM

*where I want everyone to stay home and not travel.*

Sometimes I feel that way about motorcycling, a sport I am heavily involved in, teach, and participate in competitive events.

Something you might want to think about that might lower your distaste of the occasional traveler or watever: Most of the people you consider good travelers probably started out as idiot travelers. Necesity, natural ability, inteligence, experience, whatever changed them into die hard, decent travelers. Some may never become anything but anoying, but some will become those that you will want to sit and talk all night with.

I see this in motorcycling, and see it in myself. If you took 1,000 people and taught them to ride, 990 of them would be casual riders who consider themselves rough-tough bikers = anoying people. 8 of them would become real enthusiasts, decent people who are not anoying. And 2 of them would become true die-hards who are very interesting and have lots of tips for all the other riders. Although at least 990 of them would ignore the tips.

When I write it is my diary, but I add a little more to it to try to make it interesting or fun for my target audience (freinds and family). Before the internet, I wrote a diary on paper, and it was similar to my on-line, but less entertaining. When you write in a way that suits you, it is always more entertaining. Your writing always keeps me entertained. Thanks.

Bob L

Comment About Travel Tips are Worthless

CT_Bob commented about Travel Tips are Worthless, On Tuesday May 20th, 2008 06:43:00 AM

Don't stop the tips, please!

Just because we do not travel exactly like you do, and may not use the tips exactly like you do, does not mean we do not use them in some manner or that they don't spark ideas for new ways of doing things for ourselves.

Next thing you will stop giving us your opinions and observations because we do not necessarily think like you. ^_^

Thanks,

Bob L

Comment About Travel Tips are Worthless

CT_Bob commented about Food Shortage, On Tuesday May 20th, 2008 06:38:00 AM

Canned beans etc. are healthy, even if there are a lot of sugars. Carbohydrates are pretty much sugars anyway.

Veggies are easy and quick to steam. Veggie stir fry and rice is a personal favorite. Think back to the asian and other countries you have been to. How do they cook food? Or more apropriately, how did their recent ancestors cook their food. Cooking fuel has historically been hard to come by for many cultures. Look at how they did it.

A way I saw a person cook once was with a Wok using a standard plumbing supply type propane torch. I think they used a simple flame spreader, but am not sure. Propane canisters are available most parts of the world and are usually cheap enough to just chuck if you are going to fly. I would not suggest, however, to do any frying inside your room. Do this out on the sidewalk or whatever.

Not to mention raw fruits, nuts, etc.

Comment About Food Shortage

CT_Bob commented about Dwelling on Economics of Square Rooms, On Sunday May 18th, 2008 06:57:00 PM

Great thoughts as usual. But:

*I cannot remember the last time a neighbor offered to help me, I think the idea now is not to love thy neighbor, it is to avoid thy neighbor, he only wants to talk gossip or is jealous.*

The problem is, you are so self sufficient you probably do not look like you need help. You also are usually near cities I think. I have been in situations where I looked like I needed help. In some cases the help *was* needed. This help was generally offered and given with no expectations of reward. In fact, reward was refused. People tend to be cautious about approaching others to help them. Fear of danger etc, but it gives most people a good feeling to help and they like to do it. When you look like bag of money, people try to get money from you. When you look like a person that needs help, people try to help you.

Sometimes anyway.

Bob L

Comment About Dwelling on Economics of Square Rooms

CT_Bob commented about Is the Shuttle Van a Trend in Travel, On Friday May 16th, 2008 07:04:00 AM

Here's another super long post. Sorry, sometimes the words just can't be stopped.

*I think the average person does not want to touch a Guatemala person, and for sure does not want to sit next to one*

If by average tourist, you mean an American/European on a one or two week trip, probably their only vacation of the year then I am not so sure the above statement is 100% accurate. People on a short (read expensive) don't like unknowns. They are often trying to do a lot in that short time. They don't have time to figure out how the buses operate in a country.

As for Americans, public transportation is almost nonexistent for most. For me to get to a plane/train/bus I have to hire a private bus/limo or get a ride from a friend. For us, it just seems easier to throw money at the problem and get on a scheduled tour. There are many times that a person would be better off just getting on a chicken bus. I have met a number of two week travelers that were doing it that way, but from my experiences they are rare.

I know Americans best. What I would call the average American tourist never leaves the country. Those that do almost never travel hobo style. At best, you get 3 weeks vacation a year. Most only get 2 or even 1. There is a good chance that at least one of these will be used to visit your mother in Cincinnati. You work all year to save enough money for a vacation, you fly to the Caribbean or some exotic vacation and stay at a resort. For two people an inexpensive vacation is already at $3,000 to $4,000 possibly a lot more. Add drinks and events and the cost can be huge. You then add excursions. Paying $2 for a chicken bus that is an unknown to them versus paying $50/person for a bus that is definitely going where you want, with like minded people and a guide that speak your language is a no brainer for most of them. $50 is nothing when you look at the total cost of the trip. Imagined peace of mind is worth a lot to them. I have, on occasion, done this type of excursion. I am not a resort type person, but have gone to them for dive trips with my girlfriend.

Now, if Americans were smart, we would be more like Europeans in that we would take longer vacations, move slower and pay less. For most Americans, it is unthinkable to quit a job and just take off. It is even unthinkable to ask the boss for an extra week or two unpaid. Heck, few of those that actually get 3 weeks vacation would ever think of taking 3 weeks off at one time. The American work ethic is like no other. The play ethic is also like no other. Buy an expensive boat that you only use on rare weekends. Get a $100,000 motor home that you only use a week or two a year. Because so many of us work so much, we have little time, and much money. So we equate money with fun.

I am partially immune to this, fortunately. Unfortunately my current girlfriend is not. She is working 60 hours a week or more in two jobs and only gets 2 weeks off a year. She took a second job to save money, but is ending up spending all of it for *fun* in her limited time off. She was not always like this, and I am trying to cure her of it, but it is an American disease. I blame it on our ancestors. immigrants from all over the world came here to work their tails off to make something of themselves. Many succeeded, but created this American disease.

Bob L

Comment About Is the Shuttle Van a Trend in Travel

CT_Bob commented about No Comments on Great Blog Post, On Thursday May 15th, 2008 08:31:00 AM

Hmmmm. Point taken.

No more comments unless I have something of worth to add.

^_^

Bob L

Comment About No Comments on Great Blog Post

CT_Bob commented about Making Bad Travel Decisions, On Thursday May 15th, 2008 08:28:00 AM

To take just one part of your post, Racism. Although, it touches on the 100% vs 70%. And as usual, my post will be much longer than necessary.

My father is racist against blacks (and many others). Much more so now that he is 85 than when he was younger. Yet, he does not hate blacks and others at all (well, OK, he hates lawyers). When he talks about when he was younger and what the black culture that he saw and perceived, you can understand why he may think the way he does. He grew up in a poor neighborhood where there were many ethnic groups. When he was young, many very poor blacks from the south were moving north for the good paying jobs. He saw uneducated people getting their first taste of *big* money and they spent much of it in the liquor store. They behaved more lively than the extremely conservative European immigrants he was used to. His mother used to sit on the back porch watching the blacks for entertainment. At least that is what my dad remembers. He saw blacks etc, to some extent, as a little funny, a little inferior. It's just sad that he never completely let that go and that now that he is getting older it is coming back.

I was sitting with some co-workers having a few beers when I was in my 20's. These were people I consider friends. They were blacks who worked in my office who came from a highly varied background. Some grew up middle class, some in very poor neighborhoods, one was a deacon in his church etc... I mentioned that I thought I was a little racist, partly because of my upbringing. The example I used was that if I was in a less than desirable neighborhood (we worked near Bridgeport, CT) I felt much more nervous if I saw a group of young black men coming towards me than if I saw a bunch of young white men. I thought this was bad of me. My friends explained to me that they felt the same way. That this was not racist, that it was good survival skills. They explained that in the particular area we were in, the biggest problems were caused by the young black men. Most of the crime and danger could be attributed to them. I like to think that that is why I felt that way back then, but I think there was a small amount of racism in there too. But it showed me that many things are not 100%. Not black and white.

I will say though, that I have been in areas that a group of young black men would not have made me nervous at all, but a group of young white men would. I wonder if that makes me racist against whites. ^_^ (I am of Polish heritage)

Bob L

Comment About Making Bad Travel Decisions

CT_Bob commented about Travel Tip on Toilet Paper Management, On Tuesday May 13th, 2008 07:41:00 AM

Oh, another tip, for if you are not going to be able to find toilets at all. (camping etc) Don't remove the tube. Keep it, and run a string through the tube and tie it in a loop. The string needs to be long enough so you can hang the roll over your neck. That way you do not need to put the paper down on the ground while you are squatting. This is also good for some public restrooms wher ethe floor/walls etc are not exactly clean. And don't forget the plastic bag to keep it dry.

Bob L

Comment About Travel Tip on Toilet Paper Management

CT_Bob commented about Travel Tip on Toilet Paper Management, On Tuesday May 13th, 2008 07:37:00 AM

*Why are people so arrogant they think these travel tips do not apply to them?*

Most learn by experience. Some do not even learn from that. But you are missing another thing. You do not *need* to carry toilet paper handy. That is a convenience.

If you don't bring it, you have to adopt. You may be uncomfortable, but you can use your underwear. Newsaper. Water. Whatever. I think, though, once you get caught in this situation once, you will say *Why did I not listen to Andy?*.

FWIW I have always had my paper handy when travelling. On the bike, by plane, bus whatever. I always bring it into public restrooms if I am a decent walk away from my bag/bike. Keeps me from having to walk all the way back to my bag/bike if there is none in there. When I am moving fast, as I often do in the US, riding 18 to 29 hours a day on the motorcycle I keep toilet paper, toothbrush/paste, soap and a washcloth in my riding suit. Makes this kind of weird travelling faster and easier. You can stop someplace private, clean up, brush teath and sleep on a picnic bench without ever unpacking the bike. I have never been in a situation where I felt I *Needed* toilet paper to be imediately handy. So far, all my *disturbances* have been controllable enough that I could get to a toilet/tree at a relaxed pace. The only times so far in my life I have had less than controllable problems, I was in bed and could quickly get to my own toilet. So far, so good.

Obviously, I am not a Hobo Traveler. But love and use many of your tips. Some were new to me, some I learned on my own.

Bob L

Comment About Travel Tip on Toilet Paper Management

CT_Bob commented about Travelers Need to Break Habits, On Monday May 12th, 2008 07:41:00 AM

This is the truth. And it hurts. Please keep reminding us, maybe we will learn. Eventually.

Bob L

Comment About Travelers Need to Break Habits

CT_Bob commented about Tighten the Belt of get the Noose, On Monday May 12th, 2008 07:36:00 AM

I agree. I know as an American I am a child, but am trying to grow, without growing up. (what fun would there be in that).

As an instructor of Beginner Motorcycle Training, I am now seeing a lot of students that want to get bikes mainly to save gas money. They will buy a $15,000 chromed up bike, plus all the riding gear, and try to convince themselves they are saving money. Some now show up in new Prius's, saying how much money they are saving on gas. They never do the calculations to find out if they actually are saving anything. I try to explain to them that my $1,500 car that gets 30MPG saves more $/gas than their big $ new car/bike. It's like talking to a wall with some of them. That's OK. Eventually they will want a newer car and their old car will become my next new car.

Yes, we are children. And like children, if things go wrong in our lives or country, we will blame someone else. I hope by that time I will have at least grown enough to be considered a 12 year old.

Bob L

Comment About Tighten the Belt of get the Noose

CT_Bob commented about Snopes.com Stopping Nuts From Talking, On Saturday May 10th, 2008 06:31:00 PM

There is a finite amount of intelligence in the world. Always has been. When there were only a few thousand humans, this intelligence was spread to these few, which made each one very intelligent and they discovered fire, created the wheel, etc. Now there are billions of us, and that same finite amount of intelligence is spread out super thin, so many of us get very little. Now we discover reality shows.

I know this is true because I read it on the internet.

Bob L

Comment About Snopes.com Stopping Nuts From Talking

CT_Bob commented about Myanmar the Asian Cruelty, On Friday May 9th, 2008 09:44:00 AM

Andy, as usual you provide a refreshing change from the usual blogosphere. An honest hard look at the world. No flowery, "the world is wonderful, except the US" comments. More of an adult view of the world.

I have only known a few people in my years that seem to have that kind of balanced, honest look at the world. (I am probably not one of them, although I try.)

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Learning Spanish is Not 1 or 0, On Thursday May 8th, 2008 12:39:00 PM

How true. A while back I thought I wanted to learn Spanish and took what I thought was a short cut. I paid a tutor to teach me. This did not work. Granted, I was a poor study, had little time to work on it, but I doubt it would have been much better if I HAD studied. It was so bad, he was the one to recomend I stop wasting my money on classes. In the end, what stuck was the basic rules and some of the time we just sat *conversing*. None of the formal training stuck.

BUT, by the end of the first week of a three week trip in Mexico, my Spanish improved to the point that I could easily function. I have never gotten to the point of being able to converse, but I could get by.

A good example of necesity working was this: I was with a freind on a Motorcycle trip in Newfoundland, Canada. We came upon a biker that only spoke French. He was very excited to tell us about his trip. I spent 60 minutes *talking* with him. I learned a lot about his trip and him, and he did the same about me, yet he used no English words and I knew only a few French words. We got by with gestures, drawing in the sand and such. My freind, who is less than open minded, was shocked that I got anything out of the exchange.

I have found that this works well with young children and older (over 20's) people. The worst are teenagers. But then, I have trouble comunicating with english speaking teenagers.

One day I will spend enough time in one country to learn a second language. Until that time, I will speak Charades.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about USA Can Handles Obama or Hillary, On Tuesday May 6th, 2008 07:13:00 PM

Very well said.

I know there are plenty out there, but I have yet to run into someone who hates them because of their race or sex. Even my dad, who has grown rather racist now that he is in his 80's, kinda liked the idea of him becoming president. At least at first. Of course, the more he hears about him, the less he likes him.

I agree with you, we can survive almost any president, but it sure would be nice to get one that has read the Constitution.

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CT_Bob commented about The Worlds Most Traveled Couple, On Monday May 5th, 2008 08:20:00 AM

I have followed the Forwoods for years. Always good stories. I like their take on traveling and on people. Even for those of you that are not motorcycle riders, it would be worth your time to read the stories.

I also like stories from Greg Frazier www.horizonsunlimited.com/gregfrazier/new.shtml

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CT_Bob commented about Guatemala is a Happy Color, On Sunday May 4th, 2008 05:28:00 PM

Interesting. I like it.

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CT_Bob commented about Guatemala is a Happy Color, On Saturday May 3rd, 2008 05:15:00 PM

A very interesting experiment, but you are missing a control. On the one hand, you are looking at people who are away from their home, and are probably always wary of scams. On the other hand, you are looking at people who are at home, with little likelihood that they would think you are there to scam them. I think you would also have to take the tourists and the Guatemalans, and put them in the opposite situation to see how they would react. Frankly, I don't think there would be much difference, but it would make the experiment more valid.

I am more of a country boy, so I am almost guaranteed to say hello back. But I am from New England, and therefore am less likely to smile on the outside until I get to know you. But, being from New England and being a country boy, I am more likely to help you out, even if I don't like you, than some people that smile. And being a country boy, that grew up not all that far from New York City, I would be a little wary if someone suddenly tried videotaping me on the streets of a city. Would I say hello back? Almost definitely. Would I smile into the camera? Definitely not.

How people react in different scenarios, depends on many things. But I agree, whether a person says hello back, and even to some extent how they say it, says a lot. Both about what kind of a person they are, and where they are from. You are from Indiana, where some of the most honest, outgoingly friendly without being in your face kind of people reside. Some places in the south, the people are almost annoyingly friendly, even if they don't like you. Go up to the Northeast and you could have trouble telling if someone likes you or not.

I look forward to the results of this experiment. I found the Guatemalan people to be wonderful.

FWIW, I don't know if you would like me in person or not. I get the feeling I would like you. I think you are more interesting than I am. Certainly more knowledgeable in travel and most other things dealing with places and people. Would you like me on first meeting? Maybe not. I tend to wear dark cloths, often black and sometimes wear a dark expression. I seldom smile on first meeting. My humor tends to be a little dark. would you like me after getting to know me? Maybe.

Not on subject, but for some reason I was reminded of this incident. I suppose it has to do with how we have opinions on things, and they sometimes change due to a single incident. This was written a while back when I was thinking about beggars and all that. Then this incident, along with others, caused me to begin to think differently about them.

I was in San Cristobol, Mexico around Christmas time. There were a lot of children selling chiclets and all kinds of things as well as a lot of adults looking for what amounted to a handout. Sort of like during the depression people sold pencils from a cup. Technically not begging, but.... So, some seemed to be selling junk to survive, and some seemed like alcoholics trying to get another drink, but some were different.

One old lady was great. I had seen her walking down the street carrying her cane over her shoulder along with stuff to sell. She was moving right along. I saw her set up outside a restaurant with her goods spread out on a blanket. Later I was in that restaurant when she came in with a home made stuffed camel with a wise man on it. A stuffed doll. She pushed past the waiters and talked to those at the tables. The waiters kept trying to get her out of the place but she kept skirting around them. She came to my table, hobbling along on her cane, looking to be 150 years old. I looked at her, smiled and shook my head. She could see I saw through her and she smiled back, with very bright, healthy eyes. At this point, I decided I really like the lady. The waiter came to get rid of her, but I shooed him away. I wanted to see her act.

She went to a table with a couple on it. The man told her to leave. The woman hit her boyfriend and bought the camel at the asking price (maybe a little more, she refused her change). I am guessing it was in the range of $10 to $20. WAY more than the old woman was trying to sell this item on the street. After buying the item, the woman put her camel on the table and gave her boyfriend a satisfied look basically saying he is an ass. I saw the old lady outside later taking to another old woman (neither were using their canes). They were counting out their money. The old lady had more cash than I did. They were amazing. For some reason, I thought of my Grandmother.

I used to think these people were beggars, selling crap and serving no useful purpose. Now I realize I was wrong. These people are selling good will. The good ones make you feel like a king, like you helped out some needy person. The ones that are not good and are more like beggars are just selling an inferior product. That woman who bought the camel felt great. She felt like she did the right thing and went home happier than if she had not given that woman any money. An interesting look at it.

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CT_Bob commented about Kill the Cat and Dog in the Hotel, On Monday April 28th, 2008 08:07:00 AM

Someplace in Argentina a dog adopted me. Just started walking along with me. Sat next to me while I ate without even begging ( I did not feed it) and waited outside stores that I wandered in. It had a collar that was currently WAY too big as it must have lost a lot of weight. Then, at some point, it squatted in front of a store and crapped. The owner came out and yelled at me like it was my dog.

I assume this dog was abandoned by some useless owner. Dogs and cats are Huge responsibilities but most owners act like what their pet does is not their responsibility. I meet a lot of people who are away from the house almost all day yet have a dog at home that they keep in a cage or keep outside and let bark all day.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Depulper or Despupador is not in WikiPedia.org, On Thursday April 17th, 2008 06:02:00 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_processing Shows some machinery. Pretty skimpy. maybe you should add this to Wiki

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Homeschooling, On Thursday April 10th, 2008 05:38:00 PM

This post is so true.

When I was in Engineering School, the first two years I expected to be taught. But for a fluke in the way I was enrolled I would have been kicked out. Then I was told the secret. Professors do not teach. Frankly, most do very little. The best ones inspire. In Engineering school at least, the student teaches himself, and they teach each other. In this way, the student does not learn to become an engineer, he learns to become whatever he wants.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Guatemala Fuentes Market Orange Juice, On Monday April 7th, 2008 07:54:00 PM

The mystery tool is called a Brush Hook.

http://www.americantrails.org/resources/info/tools3.html

A common tool throughout the world.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Watching a Real Traveler Eat, On Friday April 4th, 2008 02:43:00 PM

Funny, I have always done that, walk out of a restaurant if it is overpriced. The ability to afford it is not currently an issue, but I cannot bring myself to pay WAY too much for a meal even if I can afford it. As for drinks, I skip the sugar water, but I like beer with my meal, or anytime ^_^ but I check the price first. It is almost always over priced, but I decide how many to have ( if any ) based on the price.

Maybe I am just cheap?

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Fast Travel Photos Pages, On Sunday March 30th, 2008 10:55:00 AM

I like the way you are now presenting the photos. This is also my favorite way to do it, although i find downloading them to smugmug is easier for most of what I do.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Something Human Happened, On Wednesday March 26th, 2008 07:59:00 AM

So what you are saying is:

"Don't look for the good in people, look for the good people."

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CT_Bob commented about Internet Travel Job, On Monday March 24th, 2008 07:28:00 AM

There is a quote I sorta' remember, well, at least what it was trying to say anyway, not an exact quote...... "Everyone is looking for a way to make life easy. I want a way to make life interesting."

This goes well with a similar quote about money, saying something like... "everyone is trying to find a way to make easy money. I would rather a hard interesting job than an easy boring one."

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Saving Money to Escape, On Thursday March 13th, 2008 11:05:00 AM

This post hit home in so many ways. I often get more pissed off at things I see in people that I also see some of in myself. I have become a "good enough" cow at times. As we get older, and continue having similar expriences, we lose our tolerance.

I am also getting back to excersizing. I stopped going home after work and sitting in front of the computer or TV or both. I now go into my workshop and work on my motorcycles, or other projects I have been putting off. I take the time to do the jobs "right" rather than "good enough". I have known many people through the years that are "do it right" types of people. I like being around them. I suppose I bore them after a while. Starting today, I will try to be more like them.

The batteries in the TV remotes might be dead because people staying there take the good ones and leave their bad ones.

Finding that special place may be more finding it within yourself than finding it in a location. I think anyplace that will fit what you seem to be thinking about will not stay that way. It will either deteriorate or become too expensive. Once you find a place that you could really like, develope a way of affording it.

Stopping travel is like growing up. It is a horrible thing to do. Even if you stay in one spot for a long time, you should never stop travelling, or growing.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Testing my Windmill Backpack, On Friday March 7th, 2008 08:12:00 AM

If you are making this for yourself and not trying to make a product to sell, I would think a design that is extremely easy to make and to repair would be the way to go. I have had to repair Motorcycle gear and travel gear myself. Sometimes it is very easy, replacing zippers can be done with a needle or a sewing machine with one quick sweep. Other times, it requires the garment to be practically disassembled before repair can begin.

I have had gear become practically useless because a stress point such as where the straps mount are too difficult to repair and to easy to damage.

For me, the design of the bag (shape, size, etc) is secondary to ease of repair and replace.

Bob L

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CT_Bob commented about Do I walk on Left or Right, On Thursday February 14th, 2008 09:33:00 PM

Something I have noticed when walking in crowds. When you are walking straight towards someone, which way that person goes to get out of the way depends on which side of the road they drive on. Even if they don't drive. If you drive on the right, you tend to move right, etc.

It can be funny to watch Europeans in an American environment, although I would bet Americans are more fun to watch in an European environment.

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CT_Bob commented about Savior of Planet Earth, On Monday February 4th, 2008 12:13:00 PM

My father would kill for one of these. The only problem, besides it being illegal in theUS, is he wants to use it to stop people from talking on cell phones while driving. A commendable goal, but the only thing more dangerous than a person on a phone is one trying to figure out why the call just got dropped.

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CT_Bob commented about How to Meet Nice Girls While Traveling, On Saturday January 19th, 2008 02:26:00 PM

"if you want to meet nice women, you need to be a nice man."

If only that were true. When we are younger, the nice girls tend to go after the "bad boys" that treat them like crap. When we are older, this motto works better, but by then many of the women are "damaged" by the bad boys they dated/married when they were young. Maybe in other cultures the women still go after the nice guy, but not much here in the US.

I guess what you need to be is a nice guy that dresses/acts like a bad boy.

Another quote along these lines is: "Everyone is looking for Mr/Miss Right but no one is trying to BE Mr/Miss Right.

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CT_Bob commented about Watch My Home Movies, On Saturday January 19th, 2008 02:17:00 PM

Hey, what a great idea to make money.

Sell tours. Put people up in cheap hotels, sell them toilet seats if these are not provided, and show them how to live on $10 a day, but charge them $200 a day, EACH, double occupancy.

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CT_Bob commented about Americans on Khao San Road, On Saturday January 12th, 2008 07:56:00 PM

"Amerians make a legal pad list of things to do…"

Guilty as charged, but it is a list of things that I might want to do, not what I WILL do. I use these lists to help me when I get in an area, there are usually only a few things that are high on the list, and I may not do any of them.

"look at tourist attractions every day and are also nuts. And when not looking at them, they drink."

Guilty as charged, at the start of a trip. After that, I calm down and go at what is a comfortable pace for me. Much faster than most and WAY faster than a longterm traveler, but then my trips are usually only 2 to 4 weeks and I am crazy anyway.

Bob L
USA

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