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Chris’ Twin

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

All of us supposedly have a twin. I actually saw my look-alike once in Sacramento in a parking lot outside of Raley’s grocery store. It freaked me out. I did not approach the other guy. On the Madagascar kayak trip that I completed recently, one of the other customers, Wendy from Colorado, turned out to be Chris’ twin. As soon as I saw Wendy, I saw Chris in her and it soon became apparent that her personality was almost identical to Chris. After a day of having my head spinning over this, I finally told her. I told her that it was 90% great and 10% difficult, a ratio that was probably true through the aproximately three weeks that we were around each other. Most of the time she kept me laughing with crazy stuff just like Chris. Once in a while, Wendy would say or do something that would send chills though me and make me just wish Chris was still around. These were always things that Chris would have said and I had assumed no one else. We had a great time with it and our friendship was strong from the start. I told the whole group about it yet I don’t think anyone could ever understand what I was going through. When I post pictures of Madagascar, you’ll be able to figure out who this twin is because they even look similar except for blonde hair versus red. Wendy, of course, has her own personality, but considering I lived with Chris for sixteen years Wendy must have been a pretty damn close copy. I thought they broke the mold after Chris was born, but apparently that was a false belief. Also, I kept thinking about what Chris’ family, friends and acquaintances will think if they meet Wendy. I am sure there will be a mix of astonishment, joy, sadness, laughter and head-shaking. Basically, everything I went through during the trip. I kept thinking that life could not get any stranger than this, but my travels make me think that it sure can. I bet Chris and Wendy have a triplet out there, too. Of the six billion people on the planet, I wonder how many unique molds were used! So, I will enjoy the next time I meet Chris’ twin. Hope we all get to meet a twin in our lifetime even if it is just to get a bit freaked out by life in general.

Madagascar Paddle

Thursday, November 29th, 2007

The paddling in Madagascar was probably secondary to seeing the people, landscapes and lemurs, but overall it was a joy. The paddling part of the trip did not start until I had been on the island for a week so I was ready to go. The group first met in the capital, Tana. I ate dinner with Sandra and two other customers. I was immediately suspect of one of them when after hearing what I am doing travel/life-wise that I will be good for the other guy because he is a little lost in life. Of course, the other person was not present. I told her that I didn’t think my situation would help anyone else and I wondered where she came off talking about someone else who she had known for less than a day. She also talked on and on almost all about herself and her glorious kayaking historywhich also did not endear her to me. Another member refered to her as the monologue lady. She reminded me in almost all details to a woman on the Morocco trip that drove me nuts so being only three in the future from that adventure I was disturbed. We spent the first 2-3 days in Tana, driving to Perinet NP where we stayed and saw lemurs, driving on to the coast and flying to the small town of Maronsetra where Pierre met us with the kayaks.

[read on]

The Best People

Wednesday, November 14th, 2007
The best part of the Madagascar trip was meeting Pierre and Sandra who were our guides and owners of Masoala Forest Lodge and Kayak Masoala. Sandra is Swiss and Pierre is South African (English descent). Together with their Malagasy ... [Continue reading this entry]

The Good People

Monday, October 29th, 2007
I was pretty concerned about myself when I left Egypt because I had such a low opinion of the Egyptian people and society. It is very difficult for me to find fault with a whole group of people, but I ... [Continue reading this entry]

Madagascar Photos

Saturday, October 13th, 2007
Here's some early photos from Madagascar - ostrich, hammerkop, tortoise, lemurs, oxen.  A bit disappointed with the dancing lemur photos - wish the exposure had been at a higher speed, but the memory is quite clear... http://www.flickr.com/photos/7411983@N06/sets/72157602397651597/  

The Lexus and the Lack of Tree

Friday, October 12th, 2007
Yesterday was spent comatose in Tana.  This could be the most boring sub-Sahara Africa city.  Nothing bad, just a bit of a snoozer.  I suppose anywhere is a bit slow compared to Egypt.  I did solve a mystery about why ... [Continue reading this entry]

Fatty Duck

Friday, October 12th, 2007
Foie Gras - I love it.  I avoid it because it is not good for one's health, but I also rarely see it beyond the door of Mirepoix.  Government regulations inspired by PETA and other food police will soon ... [Continue reading this entry]

A Different World

Wednesday, October 10th, 2007
Well I basically just went from Middle East to East Africa to somewhere closer to Far East in a day!  What a blur.  Absolutely loved being in East Africa even if it was just the airport.  I loved seeing the ... [Continue reading this entry]