Tag Archives | transportation mishaps

walking in rain

White Knuckles: Getting Out of Istanbul Alive Part 2

By on April 17, 2012 in Europe, Turkey

Our first taxi driver from the airport to Bahaus Hostel shocked us, but in a good way. His care at every turn along with controlled speed made the trip on Easter Sunday morning — in completely desolate roads — something on par with sightseeing. Perhaps for a minute I thought Turkey had learned to drive in the few months since my departure in October.

April 17, 2012 · Continue Reading · Comments { 13 }
pat and brooke at the airport

Kicking Off the Silk Roadistan Tour with More Travel Lessons

By on April 11, 2012 in Pre-Travel

When you work up until the departure date, have to move out of an apartment, and visit with family and friends — all right before setting off for 3.5 months — it can be a little stressful. It doesn’t help with stuff like this happens, too! Read on to find out more.

April 11, 2012 · Continue Reading · Comments { 9 }

Day 266: Some Thoughts on Driving in Australia and Abroad

By on September 25, 2011 in Australia, Oceania

On Monday I was given a nice little gift: A new Ford Focus was dropped off at my front door with a full tank of gas and the ability to go wherever I want for an entire week!
SWEET!… Read more
So, I’ve been driving around town, going to the shops, picking Pat up from the station, going cruising to places like

September 25, 2011 · Continue Reading · Comments { 15 }

Day 169: Big Computer Glitches Make Me Unhappy

By on June 30, 2011 in North America, USA

You know, before, when I talked about the reading light glitch… Read more on the flight from Sydney to America that caused me to not be able to read for the entire flight, I didn’t want to really call out the airline in the post. Hey, it’s a reading light, and if it’s get the light fixed here and stay grounded longer,

June 30, 2011 · Continue Reading · Comments { 7 }

Day 165: Getting to Vegas, If You Can Get Past the Airport

By on June 26, 2011 in North America, USA

Las Vegas has a reputation. As the city of sin, people from all over the world flock to this desert outpost to gamble or play out their wildest fantasies… both of which don’t really appeal to me. Heck, there was this ad over in Los Angeles that made me second guess our decision to head there saying, “What happens in… Read more

June 26, 2011 · Continue Reading · Comments { 1 }

Australia & Italia Cultural Overlap Part 1: Never Accept a Gift From an Italian Boy

By on March 26, 2010 in Australia, Europe, Italy, Oceania

Italy is, and will always be, my first love. There was actually a period of time that I thought I wanted nothing more than to move to Sicily and eat cannoli and gelato on a daily basis. After getting to spend a semester of my college years in the beautiful city of Verona, I was lucky enough to learn a couple of key life lessons to factor into my life plan…

March 26, 2010 · Continue Reading · Comments { 30 }

Reviewing Carl Hoffman's 'The Lunatic Express'

By on March 22, 2010 in Reviews

Wow.
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.
Carl Hoffman, you must have outdone yourself on this one. Seeking out the world’s most dangerous forms of transportation while traveling to some of the craziest places? Please sir, give me more; this is by far the most outrageous RTW trip… Read more anyone has ever attempted.
Rightfully named The Lunatic Express, Carl basically went on

March 22, 2010 · Continue Reading · Comments { 8 }

Marshrutka Mayhem

By on May 7, 2008 in Asia, Kyrgyzstan, Soviet Travel

The marshrutka is the main mode of public transport here in Bishkek, and like a bad metal concert in Peoria, it’s cheap, hot, overcrowded, and sometimes filled with drunk people. Mentioned in earlier Bishkek posts, I despise these little beasts, and yet often find myself stamping my foot for the next one to come. In that sense, I guess they… Read more

May 7, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 10 }

1 Broken Ipod, a 20 Hour Bus Ride, and 6 Esperanto Speakers

By on April 4, 2008 in Europe, Poland, Soviet Travel, Ukraine

Traveling in 2nd and 3rd world countries the past couple of months made me realize how much I love a good transportation system – you know, where a 20 minute flight doesn’t translate into a 12 hour drive. The few treacherously long journeys in southern Mexico left me feeling hot, tired, and nauseous, and without the help of some pink… Read more

April 4, 2008 · Continue Reading · Comments { 8 }