The thought occurred to me today that I haven't described much in my blog besides the logistics that Jason and I are going through to make this trip happen. My mind has also been mostly focused on those things for the past three weeks or so. I hope to have a bit more time to reflect on the people and places we visit after this next spurt of crazy logistics (see the photo captions for details), but here's a little start...

What is it with the fleece-like blankets and crossing borders? The bus from the border between China and Nepal back to Kathmandu was stuffed to the gills with DVD players and these gaudy-colored blankets. I saw the same thing on the ferry crossing from Italy to Tunisia. Most of the cars on the ship (some with French plates, some with what I have to assume are Tunisian plates) were stuffed and stacked with everything from bedframes to mopeds, and these blankets again! I understand that everyone needs a blanket now and again, but are the ugly, cheap ones from China really so desired that people will cross borders to get them? As far as cost-savings-per-volume, I have to believe there's something of greater value that families could stuff into that last 1/2 square meter of their Ford Escort station wagon. But, then again, that's just me.

Tunisia itself seems to be quite a friendly place. We've been hit by at least three minor scams (only one of them successful), but in all the people here are quite helpful. Tunis itself is quite clean in the new part of town. We'll visit the old town (the "Medina") tomorrow. Women and men in Tunisia are equal on paper (right to vote, etc.), and it seems many in the younger generation are quite westernized. There remains an undertone of traditional conservatism though... one sees it in the way older women dress, but also in the number of women who are out in public, particularly in the evenings. It's quite unfortunate that Jason and I won't get to spend more time here, but our schedule calls. At least we'll get to play tourist for a bit tomorrow.

On to the photos.

Parting shot...

My name is Mark. I was born near Chicago, have lived in the US, Germany and Nepal, and am starting a new job and a new adventure in Ethiopia. This site is a way for me to keep friends and family updated on my progress, share some pictures, and perhaps offer a bit of reflection along the way. Please look around, and enjoy the ride!

Herumwandernder Cavetroll... heisse Mark. Ich habe in den USA, Deutschland und Nepal gewohnt, und jetzt geht es weiter nach Äthiopien. Mit diesem Website halte ich meine Familien- und Freundeskreise informiert über wie es mir in meinen Abenteuern geht. Schau mal 'rum, und viel Spass dabei!

-Mark, September 2008