Dahab, Egypt - Mr. Magoo goes to Dahab...

Dahab is like living in a soap opera.

Today has been particularly frustrating. While taking a shower this morning someone stole my eyeglasses. I had left them, inadvertently, by the sink. Why would anyone take my glasses? They were unique. I needed them! They were vital to my daily life! This last stunt is like tripping granny while she's crossing the street...then giving her a kick to the head just to make sure she's down for the count...

I got to get outta here soon. Here's the plan. Brekkie with Richard and Sally (Man's gotta eat! Am I right...?). Then a bit of snorkeling off the lighthouse. Afterward, find a SCUBA outfit. Do the dives then get the hell out of this place.

Bumming around is not good. Dahab is NOT Egypt (or is it?). In fact, some of the people around here are pretty nasty. I've seen traveler enclaves like Dahab in places like Bangkok and Kathmandu. But, in those places the stress level between locals and tourists was never this high. The Dahab touts are relentless.

PS. I've played my last game of backgammon.

[Ed. notes: Before I get any hate comments, I must say I had a pretty awful day that day. OK, I snapped. So, give me break...]

Out of Canuckistan: A travel blog, June 19/07
Bigtubofgoo.com
Buy Bubba a Beer Now!

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - the diplomatic run around...

For lack of a photo to post, i give you another in a series of badly written postcards i sent home. this time i wrote from the omo valley.

[ed. note: the primary reason i'm in Addis is to get a visa for sudan. one of requirements is to get a letter of introduction from the Canadian Embassy. that plus a couple of passport photos and hand in the required application forms. simple as that. not. next few postings will illustrate the hoops that the sudanese made me jump though.]

Not much happened today other than I made it to the Embassy [Canadian]. As usual, there's a couple layers of security to get through. But, once on the grounds, I could not help but feel I stepped into the set of Fantasy Island. The main building is palatial. The cost of the letter was 50 dollars (Steve must be laughing all the way to the bank). Canadian dollars not USD. Who the hell carries Canuck bucks? I had a fat 50 USD bill burning in my pocket but it's worth nothing here. Change was not possible. I didn't have enough Ethiopian birr (the alternative). So, I walked a mile to the closest bank.

I forked over the money only to find out they couldn't issue the form letter (it's always a form letter) right away. Makes me want to, well, hurt someone.

Took an expensive cab ride to the embassy. The cabbie swore, on an orthodox christian bible, that it was impossible and "waste of time" trying to get the Sudanese visa. With that ringing assessment I may as well have stayed home under the bed covers wishing the world would go away.

There is hope though. I met a girl tonight who is picking up her Sudanese visa tomorrow. AND, she's one of those evil Americans! It only took her a week of waiting.

Out of Canuckistan: A travel blog, Mar 26/07
Bigtubofgoo.com
Buy Bubba a Beer Now!

Nairobi, Kenya, Days 4-7

One of the few postcards I sent home. There isn't a whole lotta selection. However, I think Kenyans and Africans in general have more important things (like disease and poverty) to worry about...

Yep, that's my lovely prose, eh...
Still alive and kickin'....not much happening other than I've been procuring equipment and books for the last few days. Yes, books! That's one of the best things about Nairobi: it's bookstores. I've bought 3 books since I got here. The latest book? Rich Dad Poor Dad... It's not my kind of read but what the hell. I hope it's not an Oprah book. That makes a total of 6 books (including 3 guidebooks) I'm hauling around. I really can't carry that much.

Good news: I managed to purchase a dense foam sleeping pad. I missed my yellow one so much (the one I sent home with Sal). It would have helped so much earlier on when I was hitching in the back of flat bed trucks.

Bad news: on the visa front, it appears the Sudanese visa won't be possible in Nairobi (unless you're a business person). I'll have to try Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) like I originally planned. It's a little stressful not being able to get it here. I'm not sure if obtainable in AA either.

Good news: I was able to get same day service at the Ethiopian embassy. I'm really excited about getting there.

Out of Canuckistan, Mar 9/07
Bigtubofgoo.com
Buy Bubba a Beer Now!