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By nature, you are an adventurer
By nature, you are an adventurer
By nature, you are an adventurer, full of amazement and
curiosity about a world bigger than life itself. Learning about
cultures in faraway lands fascinates you, and engaging in new
experiences gives you an...
Enjoying the Best of the Mediterranean
The calm, unspoilt and pure waters of the Mediterranean Sea are actually part of the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean is almost completely enclosed by the continents of Europe, Asia and Africa and the Sea connects some of the most fascinating,...
Out And Around Calpe In Spain
Some called it Calpe meaning steep rugged hill made of rock, the
Phoenicians called it Ifach which meant north. So the whole town
of Calpe was referred to as the north craggy rock, having
Gibraltar as the south reference. Calpe, which is north of...
Three Towns of Mijas
Mijas is more like three towns than one: Mijas Pueblo has the character of one of the Andalucian Pueblos Blancos, high in the mountains and whitewashed. Las Lagunas is the modern and commercial section of the town. And Mijas Costa is really a...
Traveller's Paradise In India, Kullu Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Manali situated at an altitude of 6000ft , is a renowned hill station in India. According to a fabled story, when whole world was drowned in a catastrophic floods, arose a place of unpeiriled natural beauty? It was Manali here the life prospered...
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Siberia Here I Come! - Adventure Travel Part 1
“You must really hate this job.” That’s what my boss said when I told him I was moving from San Diego to Siberia for a year. In reality, I was bored and looking for something that would be completely and utterly new. Whether it was sunstroke or a developing tolerance to margaritas, San Diego just wasn’t cutting it anymore. Heck, I hadn’t even gone to the beach in nine months and it was only a few blocks away. Time to rediscover a zest for life.
As you are doing now, I trolled the Internet looking for that rare opportunity that would renew my vigor and let me brag to my domesticated friends. Pick coffee in the South Pacific? No, I already drink too much of it. Sail around the world on a container ship? No, I wasn’t ready for involuntary self-reflection. Before I knew it, I had agreed to move to a city in Siberia known as Chita. Yes, I was going to be a professor at Chita State Technical University through a program put together by Siberian Intercultural Bridges. Donate - they need the money: http://www.siberian-bridges.org.
So, what does one take for a one-year stay in Siberia? Why, I’ll just go buy a guidebook on Siberia and read the “what to take” section. My search of the local mega bookstore was disappointing. Shockingly, there were no guidebooks for Siberia. I was tempted to write a nasty letter to Lonely Planet and others until the bookstore clerk said, “You’re going WHERE?” When she started giving me the “you must be a criminal on the run” look, it was time to go.
Fortunately, I was able to find experienced travelers that could provide me with
the details and items that were absolutely necessary. My girlfriend gave me the all-important electric blanket, a power converter and intimate details about what would happen to me if I should dare share it with another women. Grandpa gave me a World War II down coat that was about three sizes to big and made me look like a walking gopher. Family, friends and random strangers contributed further items and advice that would be critical to my survival.
Apparently rating my chances of survival at 50-50, friends and family put together a going away/never see him again party the day before I left. Of course, everyone brought Vodka as a humorous going away gift. The tide quickly turned, however, as all were asked/forced to try a “taste of Russia.” Many of the events of that night will remain forever sealed in antiquity, but it should suffice to say that the wife of one friend went into labor which made it a very fun night and subsequent day for him at the hospital. Few got off so easily.
Gigantic backpack, electric blanket, hangover and I headed to the airport the next morning. But that’s a story for part 2 of this nomad adventure travel series…
About the author:
Rick Chapo is with http://www.nomadjournals.com- makers of small, compact travel journals, hiking journals, rock climbing journals, fly fishing journals, bird watching journals and more. Record in detail special moments of your adventures so they don’t fade away with time.
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