BootsnAll Travel Network



US commentary

August 1st, 2006

I’m home from Cali. and my predominant memories are of time spent with my cousins and friends — however, I don’t feel like writing a “play-by play account of the trip” (and then Nikki took me to San Fran and we ate crepes and got my nose pierced and rode the street cars . . .) so instead I’ll do what’s more fun: social commentary . . . Read the rest of this entry »

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California and NYC — international travel

July 25th, 2006

Last night I sat down and wrote lots of whitty comparisons why NYC and California feel like a different country, as well as detailed descriptions of my trip so far to visit relatives and look at graduate schools, but when I went to post it the internet connection went down. Read the rest of this entry »

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Video! “Taulabe, the Sweet Spot of Honduras”

July 19th, 2006

Want to learn about Taulabe, Honduras? Click the following link (that says Download movie) to view a promotional video I made as part of a UVM class in the summer of 2004. Click the link to view it, right click to save it to your computer. I still don’t know how I feel about ecotourism. If it’s done right, I think it could provide a valuable means to help a community conserve its resources, which would otherwise be exploited. I fear for too quick of an influx of tourists in any society, but I really believe in the work that UVM is involved in with some great people in Taulabe. The Sustainable Sugar project is reducing air pollution, and clean water is being implemented. Though the movie is rather glitzy, I tried to focus it towards someone who wants to really get to know the people and landscape of Honduras, and thus would make a respectful visitor. If you want more information on Taulabe, visit (um, not sure yet, will fill in soon)
Download movie

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So . . . you wanna work with kids?

July 9th, 2006

Here’s some more thoughts on refugees in VT, though my experience yesterday made me feel the need to travel more, while at the same time to stay here. Okay, so two friends and I took 3 Somali Bantu kids out for a day of summer fun. You’d think that we’d be fine to handle them right? Read the rest of this entry »

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Starting to film

July 1st, 2006

Here’s excerpts from an early note when I started filming, which was already two years ago, wow. These entries are out of order, oops, once I start travelling again they will be in order.

I’ve filmed only a day at Child Care India and i don’t know how it went. On the one hand neither
microphone works too well and there is tons of construction going on. But this
might not be so bad, as unlike the Honduran ecotourist video I made, it is meant to document the reality.

Read the rest of this entry »

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An article explaining India film project

July 1st, 2006

    Bhaskara’s dusty bare feet, which poked out from oversized pants, shifted until he caught my attention. He didn’t ask me for my south Indian breakfast, but just stared hungrily. I handed him a 2-rupee coupon (about four cents). That would suffice to buy a large scoop of oopama — hot wheat cereal with tomatoes, onions, chilies and spices. Read the rest of this entry »

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Un poco mas perspectiva de Espana

July 1st, 2006

My roomate continues to be great, Vasi and I get along very well and offer each other moral
support. We went on a 4 day vacation (from this vacation) down south to Malaga
with 3 other friends. Vasi and I help each other out: when I started stumbling around lying to two nice and good looking, but
overly interested Spaniards/Moroccons, she came to my rescue to finish my
sentence about how we had a plane to catch.

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burning cold flames

July 1st, 2006

This is an excerpt from an email on some general thoughts from the fall 2005:

Part of what I love about
Third World travel, I guiltily acknowledge is the culture that seems to come at
least partially with poverty — crowds, the smells, kids excited by tiny gifts
and smiles. which disappear with “progress” –when American kids sullenly glare, no one makes eye contact with strangers . . ..

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Espana al principio

July 1st, 2006

Here’s an email shortly after I arrived in Spain, spring, 2005:

We spent the week touring palaces, musuems
etc, took a trip to Toledo and then came to Salamanca. I live in an apartment
15 minutes from the busy town square. I get along very well with my roommate
(well actually i was very luck and have my own room, so she is actually mi
companera de casa, she´s from Washington, and we try to speak mostly Spanish to
each other).

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Mississippi

July 1st, 2006

Here’s an email from Katrina relief trip to Mississippi, Nov, ’05:
The plan was to work at the Waveland Cafe for a few days before heading to a
different area to do deconstruction. I was expecting Southern culture, but
when I saw the giant “Organic Valley” bus and met Rainbow Gatherers named
“Flower” and “Soup” (was that Sue? no, “Soup”) I knew I was in for a surprise. Read the rest of this entry »

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