Some Trip Notes

I just thought that it would be interesting to write down my thoughts about
the voyage before and after and to see how I changed.

But first, let me explain the new itinerary. My original voyage was Spain,
Italy, Turkey, Egypt, India, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Hawaii, and
Guatemala. I was very excited because we would go through both the Suez and
Panama Canal. But also because it included my ultimate country: Egypt.
However as you can now see we had to do an overhaul on my journey because of
the threat of pirates. It may sound funny that I had to change course
because of Pirates but I was not amused. But I came to terms with the
changes and now I am going to go with the flow and plus it probably wouldn't
be good for me to achieve my entire life goal at once. I have to have
something to look forward too.

But here are some of my pre-thoughts about the countries that I am visiting.

Spain: I am very excited because I am going to Barcelona with a group of
other SAS kids. So I'm pretty stoked. I am looking forward the most to the
architecture of Gaudi which I have always wanted to seen and the food!
Especially after watching Anthony Bourdain's take on it.

Morocco: I don't know very much about Morocco but I am going to try to do
the camel ride trip which sounds pretty cool. Pretty much no expectations or
ideas except for idealized Saharan life style? Tiles? Arabian nights?

Namibia: I will admit that my parents and me have made fun of Namimbia, but
reading previous voyage's blogs it sounds nice...as well as
random..birthplace of Brangelina baby...

South Africa: I heard its pretty and also I think the Lion King was kind of
set there with the table mountain. I was just planning to poke around cape
town, safari maybe? Great White Shark diving sounds very interesting...like
living in Shark Week.

Mauritius: My dad told me that the island is known for being the last place
a live Dodo bird was seen which is exciting. Otherwise just an island in the
Indian Ocean.

India: Alright I will admit to freaking out a bit (or more) about India
because I have heard such horror stories. But I am doing a trip through the
boat to the Taj Mahal so I should be fine, hopefully I won't die of food
poisoning...or malaria..

Thailand: I am very excited about Thailand because it always looked very
beautiful on the travel channel and Top Model. I am going to try to snorkel,
see the elephants, and hopefully hold baby tigers!

Vietnam: It looks very pretty and I am very excited about how cheap the DVDS
are apparently, also I think it would be fun to make a dress there. But the
majority of the time I am going to be in Cambodia seeing Angkor Wat!! My
history channel fanatsy coming alive...

China: I am very excited about China because I am going to see everything
that I have wanted to see since I was very young and China sparked my
interest in history and Asian art and culture. I am doing a college
sponsered trip so I will see the Great Wall, Forbidden Palace, Summer
Palace, Tiannonmen Square, and an acrobat show! (I would have tried to do
China Indy but my parents were convinced I would get lead or mercury
poisoning by myself)

Japan: SUPER STOKED I have too many things I want to do in Japan and not
enough time! I am going to buy a railpass so I can go wherever I want in
Japan and I am going to eat so much food and buy so much stuff! YAY!

Hawaii: I have been there before on the Big Island, and I was stranded in
Oahu when my airplane was delayed. I think I just might chill on Waikiki and
go to the Bishop Museum.

Guatemala: I don't know a lot about it but it looks very interesting it
would be a lot of fun to see some ruins, lets see how much money I have
left..

So those are my thoughts about my trip and destinations, we will see what
happens on my adventures (or misadventures)