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Where to go? That was the question, or at least it was after Eric interjected that he wanted to explore central america. Having seen some islands for sale at a somewhat reasonable price, Eric wanted to visit them. Thus, I found myself looking at grainy satellite photos of Belize and elsewhere. He liked the idea of visiting South America, Central America, and India. Sparking some interest with me, I looked into Macchu Piccu. Unfortunately we couldn't visit any of those locations plus europe without at least doubling the airfare cost. So either we visited europe, or some other region. Doing both really wasn't in our budget. But then again, going to europe was really not in our budget anyhow, but we were going to do it, weren't we?

We dropped by Down to Earth for food later. I faxed in my verification form at the Fedex/Kinkos at the corner. Additionally, I printed our passport applications, hoping we'd be able to submit them soon. UH Manoa had a passport application option at the campus center. As soon as I'd prepared Eric's supporting documents, I wanted him to go ahead an apply, which we could use to gauge the time to receive our passports. Squinting at Eric's driver's license, the woman at the campus center clucked her tongue. Eric's license had delaminated.

And so, my mantra was born. I kept saying to myself, "I'm going to Paris, I'm going to Paris." Still, I feared going to the highest peaks right away and proclaiming my decision. I knew all too well that I've made grand decisions before that didn't pan out. I didn't want this trip to be one of those.

Our little adventure all started innocently enough while I sat in yet another interminable meeting for my job as a research assistant. Don't get me wrong, the work I do is interesting. We have a large research group targeted with designing a multi-agent simulation to predict ethnically motivated violence or cooperation. At least I think that's what we do. Anyhow, as a subgroup in the room continued their discussion with little direct relevance to my tasks, I nodded periodically whilst checking my email online.

What happens when the dynamic vegan duo decide to tackle Europe by storm with little more than a rail pass, a bag of fizzy multivitamins, and a taste for adventure? Hilarity ensues, unfortunately! Meet interesting people, such as 'random French guy' who pushes us onto a metro ride toward the Sexporium. Or how about the train stalkers who corral passengers into their flats for rent at competitive rates. Evade the ubiquitous gypsies asking for money in creative new ways. Follow our sprawling, and madcap adventure through the sites and scenes of Europe. From Big Ben to the Acropolis, the Vatican to the Reichstag--we literally don't know what city we'll be in by the end of the day. By plane, ferry, tram, the odd bus, and an in-terminal-able amount of trains, we criss-cross the continent. In Amsterdam, the wild city, we're configuring routers instead of getting high making me doubt my sanity. Persisting rumors kept us asking, "Will bands of robbers invade our night train?" Can we trust this guy who is leading us to a great deal on a hostel? Or, why is that man walking away with our passports? I'm not sure but I think I even bribed a conductor in Bulgaria. Why on earth did I go on this trip, and why can't I ever find a place to sleep? Will I ever see home again? Will my recurring nightmares of being stuck in a train station ever cease?!?

In the past semester, the bus installed an automated message system (as well as some hidden cameras, but that's a whole 'nother blog). The first time I encountered the message system came as a bit of a surprise. I had just concluded a short phone call and the bus PA system said to refrain from calls or loud conversations on the bus. I wondered, "Had the bus driver pushed a special button to tell me to shut up?" But a few minutes later I heard another random announcement and felt a bit less targeted. One such announcement goes like, "If you see something, say something. Immediately alert the bus driver or call 911 if you witness any suspicious behavior on buses, bus stops, and transit centers."

I first enjoyed this soup at Tiparo's, a thai restaurant in Pasadena, CA. Since then I've enjoyed this soup at several Thai restaurants, and have been trying to make the soup at home with varied success. I love this soup and am happy to be able to share the recipe.

Ah the bus stop. Bane of my existence. I think hell is just one large bus stop with all the bad people crammed around the last bit of shade. Flies crawl on your leg from the overflowing trashcans. People smoke with reckless abandon next to the "no smoking" signs. The wait for the bus seems to never end. Every possible bus except yours passes by in quick procession. And of course, its the perfect place for people to beg, or in this case, demand money.

I've overheard all manner of conversations on the bus. People talk and talk and talk. You'll hear people going about their daily mundane lives. You'll hear people talking about shoplifting, or admitting to all manner of crimes. For the most part you're better off just staring ahead blankly and pretending you didn't see or hear anything. Such is the case when you hear a mad scientist talking about his old lab being shut down.

I'm used to climbing on crowded buses with tourists laden with heavy luggage. I can cope with buses crowded and packed so tightly that people are standing well beyond the yellow line which "federal law mandates that no one may stand beyond the yellow line while the bus is in motion." And, somehow, I cope with the homeless on the bus. Now I'm a very compassionate person. I empathize with these people who have ended up as society's outcasts, shuffling around vacantly from place to place. But while I'm glad they are able to use public transportation, I'm still not entirely pleased to be in close proximity.