Donald Lee's Comments

Donald Lee commented about Danger in Kisoro Uganda, On Tuesday May 19th, 2009 01:37:16 PM

The plan ,read and figure it out.

In case of special or dire emergency, traveling to very remote areas, etc. Not pretty...but it works...have you ever read Papillon by Henri Charrierre?


From
http://www.donrearic.com/charriere.html


We all undressed. I assumed we were going to be searched. I put my lancet under my bare right foot and bore my weight on my left. The steel cut into me, but the weapon was well hidden...

...The search turned up three knives, two sharpened nails, a corkscrew and a gold plan.

Papillon, Page 39

That plan, made out of gold, contained three hundred English pounds, two hundred dollars and two five-carat diamonds.

Plan devasion

This is sure to get some stomachs churning in disgust. It was apparently common to retrieve your victims Plan from his gut after you or someone else killed him.

That is because the Plan was a small, smooth, metal cylinder that either had a screw-on lid or screwed/unscrewed in the middle and this is where you kept your money and other valuables.

I got my plan. It was a highly polished aluminum tube, that unscrewed right in the middle. It had a male half and a female half. It contained 5600 francs in new bills. When I got it, I kissed it. Yes, I kissed that little tube, two and a half inches long and as thick as your thumb, before shoving it into my anus. I took a deep breath so that it would lodge in the colon. It was my strongbox. They could make me take off all my clothes, spread my legs apart, make me cough or bend over double, for all the good it would do them. The plan was high up in the large intestine. It was a part of me. Inside me I carried my life, my freedom...

Papillon, Page 7

If a man (or men) thought you had a Plan in your gut, it might mean your Death Warrant because they would assassinate you at first opportunity and then gut you like a deer to get your Plan.

Nice huh?

So, you never wanted to let on that you had a Plan because you could get killed for it. Many did.

Rene Belbenoit writes in his excellent book, Dry Guillotine:

Hespels story was discussed and repeated in the blockhouse. I heard it time and again before the day arrived on which he was scheduled to die. He had been the executioner at Saint Laurent for several years. In 1923 he, a libere, had escaped into the bush with the intention of making good his escape and it was then he had gained for himself a dreaded nickname: The Vampire of The Maroni!

For, at this time, he owned a dugout, and he made a business of taking escaping convicts over to the Dutch side of the [Maroni] river for 25 francs. But many of these evades had been found dead by the edge of the river: they had been murdered and, in every case, their abdomens had been cut open. These crimes had all been pinned on Hespel, who was suspected of having killed them, and then cut them open to grope in their bowels for their suppositories which, without doubt, contained money.

Dry Guillotine, Page 106

In the movie Papillon, Steve McQueen played Henri Charriere. Sitting on a hammock and speaking with another prisoner on the (ship) voyage on the way to French Guiana, he sums it up succinctly:

Were really something, arent we? The only animals in the world that will shove things up their ass for survival.

The picture below is McQueen stuffing the (movie prop) Plan with money.



Henri carried two Plans at one time, one belonging to another man who was terrified of being killed for it, here is an exchange between this man and Charriere:

\I cant carry my plan anymore. Ive got dysentery. I dont know who to trust and Im scared someone will steal it or the guards will find it. Please, Papillon, carry it for me for a few days. And he showed me a plan much bigger than mine. I was afraid it was a trap, that he was asking me this to find out if I had one. If I told him I wasnt sure I could carry two, hed know. So I asked him coldly, How much is in it?

Twenty-five thousand francs.

Without another word I took his plan. Very clean it was, too, and right there in front of him I pushed it up my anus, wondering if it was possible for a man to carry two. I had no idea. I stood up, put my pants back on...it was all right. It didnt bother me.

My name is Ignace Galgani, he said before leaving. Thanks, Papillon.\

Papillon, Page 29

In the movie Papillon, Henris friend, Louis Dega, being handicapped without prescription eyeglasses, found a pair small enough to be disassembled and placed in his own Plan.

The character in the movie Papillon who asks Henri for his knife so he can cut his own leg and then fakes a hard fall so he can get to the hospital actually had his own small folding pocketknife in his own Plan in the book Papillon.

[Julot] He also had a very small, very sharp knife, really a penknife, in his plan. As we docked, he planned to cut his knee open. Then, as he was leaving the boat, he would fall off the ladder in front of everybody. He hoped hed be carried from the wharf directly to the hospital. And he was.

Papillon, Page 42-43

Rene Belbenoit, survivor and escapee from French Guiana and author of Dry Guillotine, wrote extensively about the Plan and Plan devasion

Also when I was driving in Mexico to Central America in 1986, had the bulk of my cash (I had no credit card) in false heels of my shoes, false heels can be be made by any decent shoemaker in any developing country, the Mexican Federales gave up trying to find my cash and took a few things like Walkmans and such. I had all my savings in those false heels, before my trip, my Aunt, a Canadian citizen resident in Mexico City, had taken me to the market, and as well had provided me with constancias letters of reference, from high Mexican official, she was more proactive than I, one of teh cops had a gun to my head and felt he really wanted to kill me.

Thieves, who today cell phone ahead to cronies or corrupt police, hit hard and fast and when one is out in a remote corner of Earth, well always put SOME of your cash where they cannot find it in a hurry.

Comment About Danger in Kisoro Uganda

Donald Lee commented about How many other things are we missing, On Saturday August 29th, 2009 12:06:52 PM

Andy, you have been right on in your personal posts since arriving in Phillipines. I am over 60, grew up in the library and my folks bought Reader's Digest every month, I learned all about how dangerous Saddam would become from a 1981 article in the Digest. As for your hate mail, expect it, your website is YOUR virtual home, delete or store em if you wish, tell a far left hatemonger you 'love' him or her for being so concerned about you!!! As for meeting those of other nationalities on the road (like the young Swede) who despise "America" so be it. I counter them with a sense of humor, when worse comes to worse I act really stupid (as y mentor used to alugh, easy for me, acting crazy in tight situations even easier) and let them feel superior for a few minutes, if I become triggered (angry) I do my best to get away pronto from such persons, they are at best mediocre egomaniacs with an inferiority complex , as well, such persons,, for me, are toxic people. Alcohol was toxic enough. I have as well over years learned to associate with 'sober' people, not just alkies in recovery, but non drinkers and social drinking friends who know I can't imbibe and don't care, mostly locals, I live in El Salvador as you know, Arturo and I in Pana, and my US Citizen mentor in Guate City (I was mainly a Guat City expat, city boy) used to read the La Pura Verdad, The Plain Truth magazine in Spanish, had free mail subscription and we were discussing their articles about events, in Guatemala in the late 1980s and early 1990s, that are coming to pass now. I'm a long term ex pat, you travel constantly, does not matter one damn bit, the both of us have been into Hell and made U turns, I know what really is in my heart and soul, I am just not as gooda writer as you are, nor have your tech savvy, but time to learn, got a lot to say for my own self.
Besides Glenn Beck and others on FOX News, a few opened minded( left or right don't matter to me..right or wrong does!) local, Guatemalan and International on line buddies and friends I am not alone. Thanks. Read you every day, like I used to read the Digest every month without fail.

Sober and free today
saludos de Donald Lee
San Salvador, El Salvador

'politically incorrect to the max, dude!'

'I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed person.'

Comment About How many other things are we missing

Donald Lee commented about Is there Value in Calling a Professional Traveler, On Monday August 31st, 2009 05:35:50 PM

Re: Is there Value in Calling a Professional Traveler
I have been toying around with an idea now for two years.

Are you planning an expensive trip?

I have been talking for two years with my friend Jeroen my Travel Agent in Thailand. As a team, we could probably answer about any travel question better than anybody on the planet could. I have paid Jeroen cash maybe 3-5 times, I will walk in and give him 1000 Baht. I did this after he helped me buy a plane ticket from Nairobi, Kenya to Bangkok, Thailand.

NOTE: He said, and I agree, he will not sell you a plane ticket for any reason over the telephone because this would skew his opinion and the value. Gee, he helped me save about 150 Dollars, 1000 Baht is nothing, five minutes on the telephone and my life was cheaper. He is like any travel agent he gets annoyed when people call with no intention of buying.

While he is great with Visas and cost of plane fare.

I could answer question like.
“How do I plan a six month trip to South America?”
“Which country is best to retire in?”
“How to make money with a travel site?”
“Should I buy a round trip ticket?”
“Am I getting a good deal on a tour?”
“Is it safe to travel to Iraq, Africa?”

I have traveled perpetually for 11-12 years, I continuously moved, never staying in one place longer than three months. I have visited 85 countries. I speak Spanish and French fluently, I know Visa problems, I can evaluate a tour, give you suggestions.

Would you pay 5 dollars to talk to a professional traveler?
Would you pay 10?
Would you pay 20?

---------------------------------
Bauang - Paringao - San Fernando, Philippines
La Union Province
Southeast Asia
Monday, August 31, 2009
Buy the Same Gear as Andy uses
Bauang, Philippines Hotels
---------------------------------

Well, Jeroen and I have been thinking about this for a couple of years, he is not excited, he believes people want something for nothing. I agree, but I also know there are a few smart people who have made bad travel decisions that cost them hundreds of dollars.

This is a travel insurance policy, it is a way to feel a little safer in your decisions, and we are not going to make the decisions. We are going to help you, and because we do not earn money from giving you bad advice, you win.

By way, I am not as strict and tough in person I can be sensitive to your needs. I used to sell to real estate properties per week I know how to listen as well as type.

HOW?
1. Click on Telephone
2. Pay with Paypal.com
3. After you donate, the result page shows you my telephone number in the Philippines. (When I move countries, this number stops.)

If you want to call Jeroen, I will take longe to arrange with him, he has to purcahse a second SIM card number. He is more cynical about people than me, I understand, he deals with the young and foolish on Khao San Road daily, they want to go live in India and smoke pot... hehehe, the truly cheap travelers of the planet.

I truly enjoy these types of experiments, I know this is valuable, however sometimes it is strange to me how hard it is to convince a person something is a good idea. I called Jeroen up last week, I wanted to hear about the political status in the country, I wanted to know if the place was stable.

Please do not be jaded and cynical, I am essentially retired, I do not work very hard, I play on the computer a few hours per day. It is enjoyable to have projects, this is just another day in my life, not everyone has a secret agenda.



I am planning on writing a small compact pocket guide type E book "Common Sense Relocation, Retirement, Long Term Travel and Volunteering, Working and Doing Business in Central America" plus start giving people that want it, advices, consulting, AFTER they have contacted me by E mail, not through a travel forum list and then have talked to me by voice either Skpe, IM or phone. If I cannot assist them, first 20 minute consulatation by voice will be free, then will refer them to someone else in this region I trust who is able to, also for a fee, figure $7.00 per hour for research, minimum 6 hours.
There is no free lunch, however true friendship is priceless.
Last year I helped a business person relocating from Europe to San Salvador save $2,000 a month on rent..hard to beleive..the local San Salvador "Relocation Agency", utilized by many companies, since managers often not have the time to take new employees around. The "Relocation Specialist" jacks up rents 100-150 in the upscale areas of San Salvador and suburbs. Our Dutch friend was shown houses and condos ranging from $3,500-$5,000 a month. The next day I introduced the man, whom I had met via an Ex Pat forum, to a local Salvadorian friend who showed him 3 similar houses in the same areas..$1,200 to $2,100 a month. My Salvadorian friend and I got propinas of course, however the friendship is still priceless.
To those who will tell you you are "exploiting" travelers, well send them to the 'Cheap Travel' usergroup on Couchsurfing.org, advice is cheap.
By the way, this is a great idea, and works best with Adventure, Independent and Moderate to Upscale budget travelers and those wishing to adopt, retire, relocate, volunteer or work overseas.
Backpackers have their own networks.
Go for it.
This boy is no longer people pleasing anyone for any reason whatsoever, if someone is in trouble locally I'll give em a hand if possible and point in the right direction.
If you ask humbly (humility is being teachable) I'll give you an hour even
If you feel you are entitled in any way, well learn the new playing field, not level at all in many cases for teh foreigners, learn to kick the football (or soccer ball) uphill towards the goal, while locals run downhill by you. sorry dude.
My mistakes and errors in judgement are mine and for me all learning experiences.

Donald T. Lee
Ex Pat, US Citizen
San Salvador, El Salvador

PS By the way, common sense will save anyone, anywhere a lot of cents!

Don't complicate the idea..don't fitup

"Right thinking does not lead to right actions, right actions lead to right thinking"

And personally Andy avoid the old stinking thinking at all costs

Tell your clients after arrival to "IDENTIFY" with the country/region not to constantly "COMPARE" with US or other developed country, or other countries in the region as well. Get em in a heap of trouble!!!!

Comment About Is there Value in Calling a Professional Traveler

Donald Lee commented about Damn the Pharmaceutical Companies, On Tuesday September 1st, 2009 02:14:03 PM

First of all, join Localyte.com, Locals in 165 countries, some who are just amateur native guides who escort and advise visitors for love of country, city, region. Ask your questions and you'll get intelligent responses and leads on qualifed local doctors not "I'm sorry about your Dad, etc." Recently assisted a good friend of mine to relocate to Panama via the Localytes, they sent lots of insider info with no strings attched... all locals or long term expats. Most travel websites regarding Medical Tourism are tour operations touting in conjuction with Institutions. http://www.localyte.com/

Also the country and regional user groups on Couch Surfing, a Hospex site, often Couch Surfing hosts will allow surfers to spend several days at their home, or at least meet up in their free time and escort your Dad to see Doctors, interpreting if need be....http://www.couchsurfing.org/

Always ask trusted locals and long term expats who have had experience with local doctors to recommend theirs to you, get second and third opinions.

If your Dad is a Veteran, there is a VA Hospital facility in Manila. Ask the old timer Vet Ex Pats there about local docs as well.

When one needs or requires help, ask for it. Seek and ye shall find.

Donald Lee, ExPat
San Salvador, El Salvador

Comment About Damn the Pharmaceutical Companies

Donald Lee commented about Churnalism of Medical Tourism, On Sunday September 6th, 2009 03:05:51 PM

Commenting on the rather cruel (yet getting more common from the younger "entitled" generation in "developed" world) comment from "mary" on 4th of september. If one does not like someplace, nor teh lifestyle of those who live or work there, go someplace else. I have been an ex pat for 23 years, traveled for 3 years off and on before that and have ran into many mary's and joe's who think they are saving teh world by belitting other people tehy do not even know, some of these people are suffering mentally or physically becasuse they chose to serve their country and were ordered to go into harm's way.
When I was ex pat in Guatemala in the 1980s and early 1990s our response to such people, many of "trust fund babies" who had never worked a day in their lives was "When you start paying my bills, HONEY, all of em then I'll jump for you and ask you how high on the way up" till then.....(Then we would put our fingers in our ears and turn our backs to the person and walk away) better to ignore than argue with a "walking wall".
Hope you get some relief there for your Dad, is there anyone who can bring his scrips to Canada and buy meds there, or can you ship meds to him?
I got prostate problems, can't ride teh chicken buses anymore!
Saludos
Don Lee

Comment About Churnalism of Medical Tourism