Author: oldguybackpacking

I am on a trip for about a year around the world. Well, really just Spain, Portugal, South Africa then Patagonia. The crown jewel. At least until the total Solar Eclipse July 2, 2019. My goals are to write, get better at the guitar, speak spanish better and learn from people. My background is unique.  I have worked in high finance, education, healthcare, economic development, international development, clean energy, and sustainability to a name a few. I come from a pretty simple Midwestern upbringing. But I have lived in many places and countries that gives credence to my ideas. My observations aren’t scientific, but rather intuitive with some experiential leanings. I can safely say it is nice to be out of the US right now.

London stopover

So London was my first big city and my first real out of USA travel stop 23, yes 23 years ago. There was no internet then and strangely I got around better. What has changed? Well me walking around in my white T shirt still had me standing out amongst the goth like garb. Similar to the little girl in the red dress in Schindlers list. No metaphor there. Just obvious. London still is this incredible melting pot like no other. Friendly. Fast. Everyone looks like Conor MacGregor or Jon Snow. Fun to see all skin types with an English accent. Everyone is chasing a life or a nickel or a dream. Shit you need two jobs just to not wear the same outfit everyday it seems. It seems everything is centered around some new way to get fucked up again. Saw a show last night. Portugal. The Man. Great show but bad sound. I think I might have seen three people older than me. Why is Bud Light on tap? Who drinks that shit still? Kids seem bored. Out of touch. Connected to their devices.

I got lost and turned around at least five times today. Using this app and that app. 23 years ago I never got lost as I ASKED people. What a concept. Not a new idea but technology certainly closes people off. It makes you feel unconnected. And I can’t wait to get rid of this phone for a travel book and asking some Indian grandma where the hole in the ground is.

Yesterday I did help a lost Salvadoran find his way to a hotel. Even got to bust out my Spanish.

Lesson learned. Don’t forget to look both ways. They drive on the “wrong” side here.

What am I doing?

I am taking off on a several month adventure back to the Himalayas. A land I love and have visited many times. I will be backpacking and visiting friends along the way. India, Bhutan and Nepal. I was told this is the easiest way to chronicle this and allow folks to see what I see, and, dare I say, how I see it.

The prism with which I will experience these travels is a question I have asked myself for over 25 years. How much is enough? It is a rhetorical question. One that I believe we should all ask ourselves. Constantly. There is only your answer/s. I don’t profess to know them. This chronology is for me, my friends and for thought. Not for money etc.

“How much” relates to money, things, people, resources, hate, love, sex, drugs. Whatever you want to explore. My experience many times is that what we take, own, consume, takes away from others. And what we give, receive, share, gives to each other.

My background is unique.  I have worked in high finance, education, healthcare, economic development, international development, clean energy, and sustainability to a name a few. I come from a pretty simple Midwestern upbringing. But I have lived in many places and countries that gives credence to my ideas. My observations aren’t scientific, but rather intuitive with some experiential leanings.

My opinions may offend some, but don’t take them personally. They are opinions and I will try not to generalize and inject hyberbole. It is my view and other than hate, killing, racism and other negative practices, I think you should make up your own mind and feel free to question me. I don’t have all the answers. Just lots of questions and observations. Read, disregard, question.

I also may just put random shit up here!

Please be patient whilst I figure this out!