"I Am The Burj Khalifa" (Dubai, United Arab Emirates)

April 14^th, 2010 - The truth is I could fill volumes with all I do not know about Dubai and UAE. I should have spent a bit more time here as it is an interesting place, albeit a bit expensive (Good luck finding cheap holidays in Dubai). My Couch Surfing experience has been, in the words of Borat, a 'greeeeat success'. Mustafa (my host) has been nothing short of exceptional. As far as I can tell he has no homicidal tendencies at all, which comes as a relief. In fact he is an extremely friendly and considerate guy. He gave me the key to his apartment, showed me around, and even cooked me breakfast. With him friendship is part of the package. I have enjoyed myself thoroughly and am sorry to be departing so soon. 

I also had the privilege of meeting part of the resident Dubai couch surfing community. It turns out that it is also a great way to meet fellow hosts and squatters (like myself). Less than 20% of the people in Dubai are from UAE and the foreign workforce is extremely diverse. Over a couple of gin and tonics I met folks from Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Canada, Mexico, Iran, and the Netherlands. A fascinating experience to say the least.

So what have I been doing? Two words: shopping mall. Anyone who knows me is aware that me and shopping go together like peanut butter and asparagus. I am not big on malls either but I have to say that I was awestruck by the shopping centers in Dubai. They are like nowhere else on the planet and far surpass anything I've seen previously. Although I normally shun such places I could not help enjoying (in a morbid fascination sort of way) a walk through a few of these commercial behemoths. As I have spent the vast majority of time in the developing world stepping off the plane in Dubai felt a little like beaming 100 years into the future. I found the photos below on Google.

Telc: A Great Place to Shroom (Telc, Czech Republic)

Sept 5^th, 2010 - Telc is a small town in the southern part of the Czech Republic. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered to be one of Czech's  most beautiful villages . With a population of around six thousand it is not terribly difficult to distinguish between locals and interloping tourists. In fact, most visitors cascade out of a bus and run around furiously snapping photos before piling back aboard and moving on. 

I should think this situation could be rather annoying after a spell. If I lived there and did not have a business related to the tourist industry I would probably be naked in the clock tower with a high-powered rifle. But that's just me. 

Why was I there? Well, I met a Czech woman named Radka (via Couchsurfing.com) that grew up there. She actually lives in Prague but was headed back home to visit her family. I had only intended to meet her for a bit of intel on the city of Prague but she invited me to come to Telc to visit her family. I found this to be a most gracious gesture and gladly accepted her invitation. It was a good call. Getting a chance to stay at someone's home and get an authentic slice of everyday life is any visitor's goal. It was a real privilege. 

I spent the weekend with Radka at her brother's house. There I met the brother, his wife, their adorable son, and Radka's mother and father. It may not have been a shot of adrenaline but it was lovely none the less. On Friday night I was handed multiple Czech beers and some local plum liquors whose name I do not recall and could not pronounce if I could. Let's just say that by the end of the evening Richie was more than just a few sheets into the wind.

Not Feeling So Prague-ish (Prague, Czech Republic)

September 8^th, 2010 - Adventure? I think folks pruning their roses are more adventurous than I have been lately. Ever since I hit Europe I've been a bit sluggish. I think it is all the civilization and convenience I've been bombarded with. I've become soft. And just like Southeast Asia started to run together so it is with Europe. I don't have to carry around my own poop paper. People generally understand what I'm saying. I am only bewildered and confused 30% of the time. F*** that.

After Telc I returned to Prague and spent a few more nights couchsurfing with Radka, after which I booked a room at the Czech Inn. Get it? I'm checked in to the Czech Inn. F^%#ing brilliant. Not a bad place but a bit overpriced. Welcome to Prague. I was here 14 years ago. Things have changed. Want to like Prague? Stand on St. Charles Bridge at 6:30 am on a clear cool morning. Want to hate Prague? Stand on St. Charles Bridge on a warm sunny day around noon. I almost felt like I was at a rock concert except the band never showed up. This is true of all the sites in central Prague. After 10 am you'll pretty much be dry humping the person next to you as you try to savor the view. 

Zionist Plots, Saddam Hussein, & Ashraf (Tunis, Tunisia)

[Author's Note: I arrived in Tunis on September 10^th, 2010 and left two months later. The Arab Spring began in Tunisia on December 18^th, 2010. I missed the festivities by about a month or so. Some would say I dodged a bullet but I cannot help feeling like I missed the boat. How often do you have the chance to watch history unfold from the front row? It is interesting for me to go back and read about my experiences at the time. Yes, I could almost taste repression in the air but if you told me the powder keg was about to ignite I would have been incredulous in the extreme. Yet, there it was boiling just beneath the surface. Keep this in mind when reading my Tunisia posts. It makes for a fascinating subtext.]

Sept 22^nd, 2010 - I decided to mix it up. Why confine myself to meeting strangers on the street when I have the internet at my disposal. Enter Ashraf. Ashraf contacted me via Couchsurfing to say hello. Seeing as I am always interested in gaining local perspective I suggested we meet up. As I waited in front of the theater on Habib Bourgiba Street I had two more random encounters. While I was enjoying some of the Tunis' youth engaging in a break dancing sideshow a young gentleman approached and inquired as to whether or not I was awaiting a performance at the theater. I answered in the negative and told him I was waiting for a friend. He seemed to want to know exactly when my friend would be arriving. I said he was on his way. A strange conversation about Facebook ensued whereby my new friend wanted to know if in my 'Profile' section I indicate that I am interested in meeting men, women, or both. Riiiight. I am not really sure if this was a covert way of asking me what team(s) I play for or what the hell was going on. Could the area in front of the theater be a sub rosa cruising range? Dunno. When I replied that my profile indicates 'women' he seemed to be a bit disappointed and departed.

The gentleman standing to my left then asked me if I liked watching the break dancing, to which I responded in the affirmative. He mentioned something about having a marketing job and then submitted his resume for approval….to me. Wasn't really sure what to do with that. Luckily, Ashraf showed up just in time to save me from having to give some sort of critique or interview. Obviously, unemployment is a big problem in Tunisia.

Wandering the 'Bul (Istanbul, Turkey)

March/April, 2011 – After my medical adventure I pretty much went into hiding. The weather was abysmal (i.e. cold and rainy) so I forced myself to catch up on the blog. With two months of pictures and journal notes to sift through there was a lot to do. Luckily, the weather was my enabler. So I hunkered down in a rented apartment and let the updating begin.

I mostly cooked my own food and, at least in the beginning, barely left my lair. In all I rented three apartments all within walking distance of Taksim Square, the heart of Istanbul and a great place to feel the city's pulse. Of course, I was not a complete misanthrope. I made a few friends via Couchsurfing.org and spent a fair amount of time with them and wandering the city all by my lonesome.

I defy you to visit Istanbul and not drink a shit ton of tea or smoke an ass load of hooka. It almost feels like a requirement. Not only that it can be an extremely pleasant undertaking....until you make yourself nauseous from all the tobacco. And frankly, I am surprised I have any teeth remaining after guzzling tea that was equal parts sugar and water. Damn yummy.

If Taksim Square is the heart of Istanbul then Istiklal Avenue is its main artery. Millions of people traverse this pedestrian walkway on any given day. Anything and everything can be found of this street. Shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, theaters, galleries, etc. Chances are you will find that which you seek. I probably patrolled this thoroughfare no less than 1.32 million times. With Istanbul being the cosmopolitan East meets West nexus that it is anonymity is remarkably easy to attain. No simple task when you stand 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm).