today i saw the Olympic Mountains from a plane. they're gorgeous.

anyway big hoohaa up in Johann land.

there i was, sitting in Tianfung's living room checking my mail and stroking his... cat. lo and behold, a simple email comes in saying: "my mate has pulled out....keen to come over and joýn me? ý can waýt 14days for u ýn ýstanbul.....alex, ýstanbul" My friend Alex has been pursuing his dream of cycling from London to NZ, and he started out 2 months ago, roughly the same time that i left for states. After 2 months of roughing it out across Europe, his partner from NZ, Hugh, has decided to call it a day, and Alex asked me to join him.

www.whitewaterT5.com
www.northeast.org.sg/funds.htm

Why didn't i just join him from the start? well Alex and Hugh were already set on going, and as anyone who has worked with any sort of expedition knows, team dynamics is a critically important part of any long-term endeavour. I didn't want to break in and spoil the party, especially since i found out about his plans late. and also i was broke.

now the decision lay before me. i'm a dog's breath away from climbing in the mecca of the climbing world, hiking in the greatest parts of north america and seeing all my old friends again, should i give all that up to go cycle halfway around the world with a friend who i'd rather not be alone going through Iran and Pakistan at this time, and do something i probably won't get the chance to do again? As the song goes: should i stay or should i go?

I met up with Shantini when i was in Seattle, and she said something i was feeling, but couldnt put it simply enough to sum up as a solution: "You may think different, but you'll definitely end up back in these parts again. You'll probably not get another chance to cycle from Turkey with a friend." i think she was more excited for me than i was :) So adios, americanos, ciao, canada - the land i've always wanted to see. you did not dissappoint. i'll be back.

so i'm in Chiang Kai Shek Airport now, free wireless (unlike Seattle, where in the land of the free, wireless isn't) is keeping me online, so i can tell people this: i'm coming back tomo, packing up my stuff, and leaving again in about a week. i'll be gone for 10 months, at least. DUN SAY I NEVER SAY.

will come back another day with updates. as the wise turtle says: "Later, DUUUDEEES!"