Igor The Troll

Mexican Senorita

I met this sexy beautiful girl in Oaxaca, Mexico, and together we went down to Zipolite, Mexicoo. I really liked her. She smiled a lot, and she would help me with my Spanish. She made my heart throb.

We got onto a bus, which was a school bus from America being used for public transportation. The seats were vinyl and hard, and it smelled of Chickens because the locals brought young chickens to their villages to lay eggs. The bus ride was really tiring, but my new love kept me busy.

My girl was really beautiful. She had tan skin, black hair, and green eyes. When she smiled through her plump lips, you can see a beautiful row of teeth radiant from her mouth. The whole trip I kept saying sweet nothings into her ears and kissing her on her lips.

After 6 hours of winding mountain roads, we got into Zipolity. Well not actually Zipolite, but the village next to it. Right away we popped into a van, and in 30 minutes we were on Zipolite beach. At the beach we rented a hammock from a Mamasita – lady owner, and we crashed out watching the waves cares the beach.

The lady owner’s husband was a fisherman, and he brought in a fresh bunch of Bonita tuna. She barbequed the tuna fish for us over the fire. It was delicious.. We set around in our hammocks playing with the small puppies that were running around wild. The puppies were sharpening their teeth and biting everything in site, including my toes.

When night came around we were able to see Orion Belt. The sky was really clear. We hugged and held each other lying in a hammock. The hammock was really strong and did not break. Their came that moment, and we made love under the stars.

The next day we took a swim. The currents were really dangerous and pulled us in all different directions with a whirlpool motion. Zipolite means death in the Mayan language.

After a quick shower we were on a bus to Acapulco. It was a first class air-condition bus, and the ride was pretty easy. We slept most of the way, tired from love making the night before. After about 10 hours we arrived to an Acapulco bus depot. We checked into a cheap hotel by the beach.

We we really hungry and I ordered a pepperoni pizza. My friend was not too happy. She wanted to eat tacos, but she relented. At that time her smile disappeared and she stopped being friendly to me.

The next day I decided to try to make a little money by bringing my new bought Mexican artisania - handicrafts to a 5 stars hotel to sell to the tourist. My girlfriend came with me. I offered the Oaxacan rugs to some American tourists. They told me they were not interested. After a few tries I gave up. I guess I was not Mexican enough to peddle the goods.

My girlfriend got really angry with me, saying that she hates Gringos, she hates stupid Americans! I said to her that they are not stupid. They are just not interested in buying Mexican stuff. Then she said she hates foreigners. I said, “I am a foreigner!” She grew a blank stare! I got really angry and I slapped her.

I knew I should have not hit her, but I did. And she was going to have my life turned miserable. She called police on me and got me arrested. I thought I was definitely going to jail for a long time.

The jefe of the small jail came to talk to me. He said that the girl does not want to press charges but just wants you to buy her a bus ticket back home to Oaxaca. I was relieved that I was not in trouble anymore, but it was sad to lose my new Mexican love.

Mexican senoritas are sweet, but they are very hot tempered!

My Heart Attack - Defibrillator

I recently had the pleasure of experiencing a heart attack. I am not trying to brag about it, but just to tell you a bit of how things developed.

As you know, I live in Japan. I never went to a doctor with anything serous, and I hardly took any aspirins or medication at all. One day I started getting chest pains, particularly in my lungs. It felt like a burning sensation. It lasted for about 30 minutes, and then it was gone. I casually forgot about it, until the next day when the pain came back. This time the pain was more acute and would not cease. I felt really uncomfortable and decided to go to a hospital to check it out. I really thought it was just a nasty cold.

I went downstairs of my building and hailed a taxi. I speak fluent Japanese, so I was not worried about communicating with the driver. I told him I had chest pains and asked him to take me to a hospital emergency room. The guy told me that because it was Saturday most hospital emergency rooms in my neighborhood are closed. I found it incredible to believe, but it is Japan. Who knows? I implored the driver that I am in a lot of pain and to please find a hospital emergency room that is open. He agreed to take me to one, which he said is not far way.

The driver started driving and driving, going around one block and another. I said to him that I am in a lot of pain, and asked him how long it will take to get there. He said it is not far away. But he kept going around side streets and sort of going in circles. I was in agonizing pain and asked him if he really knew where the hospital is. He said that if I really need help he could call an ambulance to come get me. The thing is that in Japan when an ambulance comes for you they need to get an approval from a hospital before they can take you there. Some hospitals do not want to attend to certain cases, so they just say they are busy or have no beds. In extreme cases, people have died. So I insisted that he should take me, but I implored him to ask someone for directions. He did not really want to ask people. I guess he did not want to admit he was lost. At my beckoning, he finally asked some lady where this hospital is. She told him that the hospital that he was looking for has moved to one street down from where it use to be. A few more minutes we arrived at the hospital. Actually it was not a hospital but a small clinic, and it was closed. I tried knocking on the door and rang the bell, but no one answered.

I came back into the taxi. I was in a lot of pain, and it was hard to breath. I cursed the guy and screamed at him, “You asshole. You bring me to a clinic that is closed. I am in pain.” He said he will take me to a hospital, but it is a bit far away. I agreed and said please hurry up. He started driving, and then he stopped. I asked him what is wrong. Again he said he would call an emergency ambulance for me. At that point I just jumped out of the car, without paying him, and ran towards a main road to find another taxi. I did not see a taxi, but I saw a couple of policemen. I told them I have chest pains, and I need to go to an emergency room. I asked them where is there a hospital close by that is open. They offered to call an ambulance, but I insisted they just tell me the name of the hospital, and I will take a taxi there myself. They flagged a taxi for me and told the taxi driver to take me to Police Hospital, which was not far way. I thanked them very much and got into the cab.

The driver did not waste any time and took me straight to the hospital emergency room. In the hospital, I went over to the registration desk. I explained to the staff I have chest pains. I said that I have Japanese national insurance, but I did not bring my card with me. The clerk asked me for my name, address, and other registration information. I provided them to her. The lady told me to have a seat in the waiting room. By that time I was in excruciating pain, gasping for air. I could not seat still and came back to the registration desk. I cried to her, “I cannot take the pain!” A security guard came by and placed his hands on my shoulders, pushing me away from the registration desk window. I freaked out and slammed the security guard in the chest with my palms, yelling, “Help me please!” The registration clerk lady told me to please sit down and the doctor will come see me right away. A few minutes later an attending nurse came to get me and whisked me to an examination room.

She told me to lay down on an examination bed, which I did. She hooked up some oscilloscope to me and in a minute she told me I am having a heart attack. I said, “What, a heart attack?” I told her that I think I have a bad cold. She said no, it is a heart attack, and that I must get treatment right away. At that time I was really worried. I exercise a lot and drink very little liquor. But I do smoke cigarettes. I am forty-seven years old. I hardly get a cold. Was I going to die? This thought was crossing my mind! She brought me to an operating room. There a doctor came to see me. The doctor said to me that I needed to have an operation on my heart right away. He said some of my heart vessels have collapsed. The surgery is to clear my heart vessels with a wire through a small hole in my arm or leg, to insert small balloons in them, and to place stents in vessels to prevent them from collapsing. I asked him when do I need to have the operation. Do I have time to think about it? He replied, “If you do not do it now, your heart will stop working and you will die!”

I was really scared. Here I am in a strange country. Yes, I have lived here for a while, but I still have trouble understanding Japanese society and culture. I had to make life or death decision. The doctor explained, the longer I wait the more the heart gets damaged and the damage is irreparable. He said, because some heart vessels have collapsed, no blood is going to some parts of the heart, destroying those parts. He said, usually this surgical procedure has to be done within 5 hours of the heart attack. It was 4 hours since the chest pain started. The doctor said the chest pain from the other day does not count, because the pain stopped. Today the pain would not stop. The clock was ticking. I had to decide now!

I told the doctor I need to smoke a cigarette and think about this. His eyes rolled in disbelieve. By that time, there were many doctors and nurses around me. He advised against smoking, but I insisted. I told him I am having nicotine withdrawal and I must smoke. My hands were shaking. He put me in a wheelchair, in my gown, and had a nurse and another doctor wheel me out of the hospital, so I could smoke. It was cold outside, and they brought me a blanket so I can cover myself. I pondered what to do. I wanted to speak to my wife before deciding on the operation, but she was at work and could not be reached until an hour later. I prayed to God and asked what to do! I finished my cigarette, and they brought me back to the operating room. I started gasping for air. The doctor sprayed nitroglycerin in my mouth and put an oxygen mask on me. After a few minutes I was ok. I said I need to smoke another cigarette, but I ran out. I said I want to go buy cigarettes. He was laughing a bit, thinking I was crazy. Here is a guy almost dieing, but he wants to smoke. He assigned a doctor and a nurse to accompany me to a store near by. They were worried I could collapse and brought a portable oxygen tank and a defibrillator – the electric shock machine with them. I bought the cigarettes, light up, and was walking back to the hospital. I asked God again, “what should I do?” There was no answer. I had to decide by myself. I decided to do the operation.

Back at the hospital the doctor tried calling my wife, but there was no answer. I laid down on the operating table. The doctor said there might be complications if the heart is extensively damaged and the stent surgery cannot be done. He said they will explore the heart with a wire camera and will decide if they will do a stent surgery or worst case scenario a bypass. He asked me to sign consent for the surgery. I did. Right before the surgery the doctor reached my wife. She was really surprised when a doctor said I am having a heart operation I said hello to her and told her that everything is alright and not to worry. She cried a bit! I was ready.

They shaved my groin area, but decided to go in via my arm. The doctor said, my legs were shaking too much. They gave me a mild sedative shot in my body and a local anesthesia shot for the arm which they are going to go in from. The doctor said that a full body anesthesia is dangerous, because I may not wake up from the sleep. I few minutes later I felt numbness in my arm and was fully relaxed and dazed. I was hooked up to a bunch of monitors, kept hearing a light beeping sound, and in faintness observed my heart on a monitor. A few hours later the operation was finished. The doctor told me that he put two stents in my heart vessels. I was brought out of the operating room into ICU. My wife and my sister in law were waiting in the room. I was feeble, wearing an oxygen mask, but happy to see them. I think I cried a bit. We all cried a bit.

I was on a road to recovery. I was told that I would need to stay a week to two weeks in ICU. Nurses checked my blood once a day and my heart rhythm via oscilloscope, which was connected to me all the time. The electrical wires to the oscilloscope kept falling off my body, because they where attached by tape. Nurses rushed in to see if I was ok. Later, they shaved my chest and stuck the tape so it would not fall off. One time, I had a really stupid nurse try to draw my blood. She could not find the vein. I complained, and she was gone. I never saw her again. The first few days I had to piss in a bottle but latter I was able to walk to the bathroom. The food was really lousy but I had no choice. I was given a nicotine patch so I would not crave for cigarettes. After four days I really needed a smoke, so I went outside with a nurse. The next few days I would go out for a smoke a few times a day. At first, a nurse would come with me, but then it was just I. I started walking outside a little bit, maybe 500 meters every day. Being that I would go out for walks and smoke cigarettes, after eight days the doctor told me I can check out. They were not happy that I was smoking, especially right after heart surgery. But I was feeling much better and went home.

Latter I found out the taxi driver was wrong, and there are many hospital emergency rooms that are open on Saturdays in my neighborhood. Maybe the guy was scared that I will die in his car, and he did not want to take any responsibility for it. But he did drive me around for 30 minutes looking for a small clinic. He could have brought me to any major hospital. We were in a big city. Getting sick in a foreign country is certainly dangerous. There are problems with communication, even if you speak the peoples’ language. But the doctors were really good to me and did a very fine job on the surgery. The nurses were kind and attentive. I am not an easy person to get a long with, besides care for. It was a crazy experience. I feel like I escaped death. I am glad everything turned out all right. I could have died!

Bamboo Rafting

I have been coming to Thailand for many years, but the best time I had there was when I went jungle trekking with my lady. I love trekking through the woods and have done it a number of times already; so I had no inhibition to do it without a guide.

We started out in Pai. It is a small town in the North of Thailand around Chang Mai. We asked a few locals how to get to the trek, but they did not provide us the information. They were keen on selling us a trek program, which was done in a group with a guide. After some perseverance we found one guy who just said, “Get on the bus at the market going towards Pitichai and get off at marker 19 kilometers. Once you on the trek keep walking to Camp Chang – The Elephant Camp!”

Harnessed with the rudimental directions, we got confidence to do the trek. We picked up some basic provisions like cheese and bread at the market, and set out to the trek early in the morning. We got on the bus and get off at marker 19 kilometers, as was recommended. A few minutes late we disappeared into the jungle. Walking the small path we were alone. The path weaved around small hills crossing brooks and streams. At times, we waded through the water or other a bamboo made bridges following the trek.

We must have walked for 3 hours or so before we came across some indigenous people. They were Lisu girls doing their laundry in a small pool of water. I asked, “Camp Chang?” One of the girls just pointed up the trail. We continued to walk. We walked for 2 more hours. Getting anxious that there was no villages around, all of the sudden, we saw a couple on a moped bopping up and down on the trail ahead. That was when we knew we were close to a village.

We continued up the trail and in no time we were upon a small village with maybe 30 houses sprawled out a small valley. We must have walked for 7 hours straight and were too tired to look around. We stopped at the first house. There was a gentleman smiling at the entrance of the house. I motioned to him if we can sleep on his property. I put my two palms together sort of in a praying position and placed them under my head. Then I took my tent bag off my shoulder and pointed to his compound. He understood us, and beckoned us to come on to his ground.

We were really tired but we had to set up our tent. I was very hungry and tried to explain to our host, who spoke no English that we wanted to eat. I brought my fingers to my mouth and then to my stomach. He did not understand me. Then I saw a chicken running around the grounds. I pointed to the chicken and then to my mouth. The old gentleman went into the house and came out with a rifle. He pointed to the chicken and then drew a diagonal line with his finger across his cheek. I smiled and showed him some money. The rifle was a flint type that he loaded up with buckshot. Bang, the chicken was dead!

The lady of the house picked up the chicken and took it in the house to prepare. Half an hour latter we were called into the house to eat. We walked to the table that was set up just for two people, and the fried chicken was laid in front of us. I felt bad to eat the chicken by ourselves and motioned our host family to join us, which they gladly did. The chicken was really delicious, and the old gentleman brought out some rice wine. Wow, that stuff was really strong. It was home made moonshine. We ate our dinner and went to sleep. We were exusted!

The next day we got up early in the morning. In front of us we saw a sprawling field that looked like puppy flowers. I pointed to the field, looking at our host. He waved his hand pointing to another direction. I realized they were growing drugs there and that we should not go there. We thanked our host and paid him 3 usd for the chicken and sleeping on his grounds. He smiled and waved us goodbye.

We walked through the village, passing a few houses while the natives looked at us with curiosity. A few minutes later we were out of the village, back on the trail to Camp Chang. After a few hours on the trail we came upon a Mong village. Mong people wear colorful embroidered clothes with silver coins hanging on them. The village was really rustic and old. A few children were running around naked playing around. It was really primitive. We did not want to bother the serenity of the village, asked for Camp Chang, and continued up the trail.

Four hours latter we crossed a river and were at Camp Chang. There were a bunch of elephants feeding on grass. The people there spoke some English and told us it cost 10 usd a person to ride an elephant. We explained we want to go to the place were you can take a bamboo raft back to Pai. They said no problems. We slept under a bamboo awning, and in the morning we were ready to ride.

I always wanted to ride and elephant, but was a bit scared to get on a 3 to 5 tons beast. We were brought to a raised platform from which I climbed onto the beast. The elephant slumbered slowly down the path wading through the river. In the river other elephants were taking a bath. They seemed to enjoy the frolicking, spraying water on themselves. The ride took 2 hours and was really boring. I had no driver guide, my lady did. The stupid elephants were really slow. I almost fell asleep.

We arrived at the bamboo rafting area, paid the elephant guide, and were met by the bamboo raft guide. He told us it is 10 usd for the raft to go back to Pai. We said ok. We got on a bamboo raft that was made of bamboo trees tied together. The raft was about 6 feet wide and 18 feet long. The river started out calmly but turned violent down the road. There were small waterfalls that we drooped down on. It was really fun and exhilarating. The guide was in front with a bamboo rode guiding the raft. I was in the back stabilizing the raft. My lady was in the middle enjoying the ride. At one point we were moving really fast and jumped a waterfall. I fall off the raft! The guide slowed the raft down, and I climbed back on board.

After 3 hours on the bamboo raft the river current got slow and we were approaching Pai. The guide said he needs to park the raft by the bridge and we can wade on to the shore. As we approached the concrete bridge we hit a pillar gently to dock. All of the sudden the raft bindings snapped and the raft felt apart. Our bags and all our stuff went sinking into the water. The water was not deep, so we were able to quickly recover our stuff and get onto the dry ground. The guide apologized fro the raft breaking down. We paid him and socking wet limped back to the village.

Back it the guesthouse, in our room we took our stuff out off our bags to dry. Our money, traveler checks, our passports were laid out in the middle of the room to dry. I even took a picture of the wet loot. It was really funny to go down the river for 3 hours with no problems, but for the raft to fall apart upon arrival. Life is strange!

Greedy Chinese Farmers

While traveling in China my friend and I decided to visit the Great Wall of China. We were suppose to start in one place and head left, but we took a little detour and headed to the right for a few hours, because it looked nice. Later we turned back and continued on the proper way towards the second section of the wall, where the exist suppose to be.

Walking up and down the old steps of the wall was very tiring, but the panoramic view was magnificent. I was panting like a wounded dog, because I smoke two packets a day. Nevertheless, we had a great time, but it was getting dark and we could not find the exit. It got so dark we where barely able to see the cobblestone steps.

There was a small path and we decided to take that to see if it would lead us to the exit. The reason that we decided to take the path was because we saw a house in that direction with some lights. So, we walked down a small path that at times seemed to disappear altogether. I even fell down on my ass as we were descending down a small hill

Clearing the bushes, exhausted we came across a small farm. As we came closer a huge dog jumped at us. Not wanting to show that we were scared we continued towards the house screaming, “Excuse me!” A farmer came out to great us. We did not speak any Chinese, but he spoke a bit of English. We explained to him that we got lost walking the wall and we needed help to find the exit.

He was a kind older gentleman. He offered us water to quench our first, which we gladly accepted. He also asked if we were hungry. I did not want to impose on him, so I kindly declined. He let us rest in a room and said he will take us to the exit. All of the sudden we heard him arguing with his younger mate. A few minutes later his mate comes in asking us for 200 RMB to show us to the exit.

He was standing with that big ugly dog barking very loudly. I really did not want to spoil the Chinese farmers, so I adamantly said we have no money. That is when he went into the house. The older gentleman followed him in, and we were left outside the house by ourselves. I talked to my mate for a while and we agreed to find our way to the wall by ourselves and look for the exit.

It was pitch black, and I was using my mobile phone screen as a flashlight. We were sweating and the air was cold. I started worrying about catching a cold. We weaved through the path back up to the wall barrier. At one point I was pushing through the bush. We clearly got off the path. We made it to the wall but there was no entrance to get in. We turned back on the path but again wined up in the thicket. All of the sudden we saw a light from a distance.

I was feeling scared and started to scream, “Help, help us, we are lost!” As I screamed the light got closer to us. I thought the farmers felt sorry and came to find us. Eventually the light was upon us. I heard a voice, “What are you doing here?” I panted out that we are lost and looking to get off the wall. It was not the farmer but a guesthouse owner. He said he saw our flashlight earlier and came to see if he can help us. He had a guesthouse not far way. We implored him if he could take us to the exit of the wall. First he offered to take us to his guesthouse, but with a little pleading he relented.

Climbing up and down the path he brought us back onto the wall. I was barely able to move but I really wanted to get off the wall. I garnished all my strength and walked up and down the wall stairs for about a half an hour. Finally we came to a sign that said, The Exit. We thanked the guesthouse owner and descended down an asphalt walkway toward the parking lot.

It was never about the 200 RMB, but the principle of paying someone money to have them show you were a path is. Traveling through China on number of times, I have met many Chinese people who were very kind and invited me for dinner or gave me a lift in their car. I just did not want to be The Stupid Tourist paying a bribe for something that is free.

I hope not all Chinese farmers want to get rich and move to the big cities in China! But the Chinese economic growth engine is drawing a delusion of what is wealth, and what people should do to get it. I think as bloggers we might be making the same mistake as the Chinese farmers. Our Websites are not going to become Google and Yahoo of the Internet.

Backpacking Thailand

I heard many interesting things about Thailand. That it is very warm, there are many beautiful beaches, lush green tropical jungles, and delicious food. Also, that the people are very friendly. But I guess the main reason why I chose Thailand for my vacation was that I had very little money to spend and I wanted to have fun.

I found me a cheap ticket on Air Thai that ran about 40,000 Yen and I took a train to Kansai airport to board the plane. I was kind of worried that I may not have enough funds to spend a week in Thailand. I only had 20,000 Yen and that would have to carry me over for the week. As the plane was landing I was thinking about how I would manage on such a tight budget. I got off the plane and proceeded through immigration. No questions asked I was given a 30 days visa on arrival.

I am in Thailand I said to myself. I was very happy to start my adventure. I was told that the cheapest and the most interesting place to stay in Bangkok was Khao San road. I decided to go there. I went to the taxi stand to get me a taxi and I was told that it would cost me 1,000 Yen to get there. I waited, if I am to enjoy Thailand with the money that I have I must be economical. So I decided to find ways that I can save money! I looked around and found another fellow traveler who was also looking to get to Khao San road. We got into the taxi and drove through a busy road onto our destination. Arriving on Khao San road we found ourselves surrounded by many people. There were older ladies pushing wagons with chicken kabobs, frying noodles with soybeans, a fruit seller cutting up a pineapple, peddlers with baskets full of things. There were many other travelers all around us. Young Thai people walking by were shopping for clothes from the street shops. The street was alive. It was great! But it was getting late and we needed to find a place to stay.

We looked around us and saw many hotels and guesthouses. There were Sweety guesthouse, Sawasde, Buddy, Khao San palace, and Privacy. They all nearly looked the same. Before coming to Thailand, one of my friends recommended Privacy to me. So I said to the guy who I shared the taxi with let’s go check out Privacy. His name was James and he was from England. He as well as I were traveling on a shoestring budget. So he proposed we share a room. I just met him but I sort of felt comfortable staying with him for the night. The room had an air conditioner, a private bathroom, and two beds and it ran us 500 Yen each. We threw our bags into the room and went outside for some food. We bought some noodles with prawns for 100 Yen and a few bottles of Shingha beer then climbed up to the fourth floor to have our supper in our room. After eating, we went to sleep. We were so tired.

Next day we awoke ready to explore Bangkok the capital of Thailand. I had a Lonely Planet guidebook for Thailand. James and I started browsing though it looking for interesting places to visit. We prepared a schedule for the day: first we will go to the Grand Palace - Wat Prakaew to see the Emerald Buddha, latter Wat Arun on the Chapraya river to see the colorful pagodas, finally head down to China town for dinner. We ran down to the street and hailed a Tuk Tuk and instructed the driver to take us to the Palace. It was magnificent with gold covered stupas and magnolia trees in the courtyard. The palace was covered with a teak wooden roof and sand stone carved pillars. As we entered the main building we were surprised to see wall paintings covering all the four walls of the palace walls telling the story of the Siam history, the different kings, the wars they fought, and the gods they worshiped. As we proceeded to the inner room we saw the Emerald Buddha the size of a small child in a glass cabinet. It was great, pure emerald, respected and prayed to by millions of Thai people and foreigners. We lit some incense and said our prayers. After visiting Wat Prakaew we boarded a ferry not far away from the palace and headed over to the Wat Arun pagodas. The ferry’s price was a bargain of 50 Yen. We got off from the boat and climbed the pagodas to get a look of Bangkok city. After site seeing we were very tired and lied down on bamboo mats for an hour or so. We were getting very hungry and it was time to go to China town.

We took a taxi over Chapraya’s river bridge into China town’s main street Yawarat road. There were many shops and restaurants on both sides of the street. We got out of the cab and walked around trying to find an inexpensive place. We found an outdoor seafood restaurant with crates full of tiger prawns, cattle fish, and blue crabs displayed next to each other. A man in a white apron was putting the stuff on charcoal flamed grill with smoke and barbeque smell feeling the air. The seafood was sold by the weight. We did our calculations and figured out it would be in our budget to eat here. We ordered a dozen of prawns, a bunch of crabs, a large cattle fish all barbequed. The waiter brought us a few beers. The food was excellent and it only cost us 400 Yen each. After dinner we turned in for the night feeling tired but very happy with our first day of exploring Bangkok, Thailand.

The next few days we hung out on Khao San road talking with other travelers and gathering information as to where we should go next. Some people recommended that we go north to Changmai and Chingrai to do some jungle trekking, water rafting, and elephant riding. But I was interested in going south to hang out on the beaches. James wanted to do some jungle trekking so we had trouble agreeing and almost parted; but fortunately, another traveler who has been to the south of Thailand recommended a great place for jungle trekking in the south, the place called Kaosok. Finally we were set. We went to the nearest travel agent and booked the trip to Koh Samui, the main island in the south. We paid 600 Yen per person for an overnight bus ride with a ferry from the mainland to the island. We were off.

We checked out off the hotel and boarded the overnight bus south. The bus ride was easy. We stopped for a food break on the way and in the morning we were in Suratani. From Suratani we took an hour ferry ride over a calm blue bay water to the island Koh Samui. On the boat, young boys, invited us to stay at one place or another. After looking over the different brochures that they showed us we decided we will go to Lamai beach; but we will do it by ourselves without having one of the boys take us. After the ferry arrived at Nathon beach we got off it and caught a shared pickup ride, called Songtem to Lamai beach.

At the beach there were many hotels, bungalows, and resorts. We referred to our handy Lonely Planet Guide for advice, and it gave us a few choices. We checked out the bungalow places that it recommended to us. After a few trials we picked a nice place right on the beach called Marina bungalows. The place was a bit run down, but it was right on the beach. It had the basic needs a hut with two beds, a fan, and a bathroom. No luxuries, but right on the beach for 800 Yen a day. We put our bags in the room, changed into our swimming suits, and ran into the water. The water was warm. It was blue green and calm. It felt really good to be in it. Just laying on my back with my eyes closed I was able to forget about every thing. That evening we came out on the main street and walked around looking for a place to eat. There were many fancy restaurants with seafood displayed in a fancy fashion. We knew it was a bit expensive so we declined. We looked around and found a small market in the side alley. There were many small restaurants. We checked out their menus and found the prices were very reasonable. We went into one of them and set at a table. After looking around and seeing what other people were eating, we decided on a few dishes.`When the waiter came other, we just pointed to those dishes. I said I want what that person, that person, and that person was having. We wound up ordering Tom Yom Kung a spicy prawn soup, clams with chilly sauce, and Pad Thai - fat noodles with seafood. The dinner was excellent and it only cost us 200 Yen each. We agreed that we would come here every night to eat. The next few days we laid under the sun, took swims, and just acted lazy. In the evenings we ate dinner at our usual place and visited different bars for a few drinks. The place was a paradise. We even rented a motorcycle and drove around the island visiting quiet deserted beaches.

Only having but a week to spend in Thailand, after three days on the island, we decided to move on. We took the ferry back to Surathani. Arriving there, we went to Kaosok National Park. James wanted to do some hiking and swimming in the waterfalls. I was interested in seeing the Fly Eating Plant. We took a local bus to the park. The bus ride was four hours, and it cost 200 Yen a person. Getting of the bus we were greeted by a group of young people inviting us to stay at their places. Our guidebook did not have much on accommodations at this place so we decided to go with one guy. The place that he took us to was right by the river. There were bungalows all around and a nice restaurant overlooking the river. We said it looks great and decided to stay there. After bringing our bags to our room, we took a break for coffee. The restaurant by the river looked onto the towering cliffs. As we were sitting and drinking our coffee, the sun was coming down and there were playful cheerful monkeys climbing down the cliffs to the river. The next morning we got up early and went to the park. We entered the park, paid our admission fee of 1000 Yen each, and began the track. The track took us around the winding river through the lush jungle. We passed a few water holes where we took a dip. I was not able to see the Fly Eating Plant. Supposedly there is a season for it, but we were there at a different time. Still, tracking through the jungle was fun, but time was running out and we had to return to Bangkok.

In Bangkok we checked in to the same hotel. I was to go back to Japan the next day and James was heading north to continue his travels. We said good night to each other and went to sleep. When I got up I realized James was gone. I packed my stuff and was ready to go out for my last day in Bangkok. Luckily I checked my flight ticket for departure time. When I was checking it, I realized my passport is missing. I panicked! What am I to do? My flight was at 10 p.m. and I could not fly without my passport. I relaxed for a minute and called my embassy. They said they could give me a temporary passport today so I can fly to Japan. I picked up my passport and boarded my flight.

On the plane I started thinking where did my passport go? Did I just lose it or James took it? I had trouble believing that after James and I had spent a week traveling together he could have done such a thing. I started going over in my mind, why did I travel with him? I just met the guy and I trusted him so much. But then I said to myself, look what is done is done. I had a great time and I enjoyed traveling in Thailand. I really liked James’ company and if he really took my passport than I cannot do anything. But maybe I just lost it! In my mind I went over all the good things we did together and I felt at ease. I really had a good time in Thailand. I was ready to come back to Thailand the first chance I could get. There are many islands to be explored, lots of food to try, and many nice people to meet. Thailand is the land of the smiles!

The Chinese girl’s Love

Traveling in China on trains is really fun and you get to meet a lot of nice young Chinese girls. The Chinese girls you meet on a train are very friendly and they want to get to know you. Of course you need time to get to know them, because they are shy.

Once I met a really nice girl on a train from Hang Shang China to Nanchang China.. We were both in a second-class hard sleeper car and got to talk for many hours while getting to our destination. She was really sweet and funny. When the train arrived she helped me with my bags and took me to a business hotel. She was a student in a local university and spoke good English. She came up to my room and we spent a couple of hours joking and talking with me. I showed her my blog and told her what I do. She seemed to like me and wanted to be my friend. We met later that evening and were going to go eat pizza at Pizza Hut.

On the way to the restaurant I put my hand around her, but she jumped away. I found it strange, because she let me put my hand around her in my hotel. She said that I couldn’t touch her in public. I was shocked and said goodnight and left. I figured how am I going to get to know this girl if she is ashamed of me holding her in public? I knew I could get to know her slowly if I would live in Nanchang and spend my time getting to know her, but I was just passing through and was not planning to stay there more than a few days.

The next time I met a sexy looking young Chinese girl we were sleeping in bunks next to each other in second class hard sleeper train to Beijing. Before we went to sleep the girl was smiling at me. She did not speak any English so I could not start a conversation. As it was getting late we both climbed into our bunks, which were opposite of each other. The girl kept smiling at me, and I smiled back. The lights went out, but I felt her presence close to me. I stretched my hand and touched her shoulder. She reciprocated by touching my hand. She kept pulling on my hand’s hair and laughing, calling me a monkey. I turned on my small light so we could see each other. She kept touching my hand, and I kept touching her shoulder. We made small talk, because of here limited English.

I leaned over closer so I could kiss her, but she turned around and said goodnight. When we arrived in Beijing we walked off the train together. She said she was going to see here aunt. We walked to a bus station and waited for a bus. I felt she did not want me to go with her. When the bus arrived I said goodbye to her. I realized as much as she was friendly with me on the train, it was only for a moment of convenience.

Here I was again on a train from Luoyang China to Xi’an China. It was a 6 hour train ride so I took a soft seat. Across from me was a nice young Chinese girl sitting. She was smiling at me, so I came over and set next to her. She did not speak any English so I just set next to her smiling. While I was sitting next to my new friend and saying a few things in English, my friend made me a crane and heart Origami. I felt a bit tired and my friend motioned me to put my head on her shoulder. I did, she did not relent. About 30 minutes later Chinese train conductor came over screaming at me to get up. I questioned why, saying the girl is my friend. He slapped me on my shoulder screaming get up. I had no choice but to get up and go back to my seat. He escorted my new friend to another car.

I though to myself, the Chinese girl made a heart Origami for me, but her society will not let her love a foreigner!

Japan school classroom

After working in Japan for ten years as an importer of fashion goods, I decided to try my luck at something else. I grew up and was educated in United States of America, so I had the right qualifications for a job as an English teacher. Actually, when I first came to Japan my intent was to teach English. But by accident I sidetracked and got involved in running my own import company. Finally my dream of teaching English in Japan was about to come true.

Being that I have tons for business experience, I was able to get a English teaching job with an outsourcing company that sent me to big Japanese corporations. The pay was great, and I only had to work a few hours a week. But I had to spend a lot of time on a train to get to my classrooms, which were at the companies’ facilities. I did not mind the train ride, but what I found difficult to bare was that I had to literally scream at my students to get them to learn. They were not interested in studying English, but did it because their employers required them to. After doing it for about a year, I had enough and quit. I just did not find it motivating enough to do.

I took a bit time off for traveling in South East Asia. After a short break, I tried again. This time I challenged myself to teach young kids. I figured, I might as well instill knowledge to young members of the society that will find the English language useful. Was I wrong, but I did not figure it out until a month into my new job.

I singed up with a temporary agency that sent me to a junior high school. I was to teach classes together with a Japanese English teacher in a classroom. The faculty and the principal treated me really nice, with respect. There were three grades that I had to teach, first, second, and the third grade of junior high school. The kids in the first grade were easy to teach because they were really young and did not know any English. So I taught them alphabet, words, and simple sentences. The kids in the second grade were a bit more demanding, but I had no trouble covering that with practicing to read short paragraph and role-playing. The third grade was really hard. Our job was to prepare them for high school entrance examination. So, I had to teach them to read and write.

I found the job challenging and exciting. The Japanese English teachers who taught with me in classrooms were not really good, but adequate. Their English accent was atrocious but correcting them made them lose confidence. So, I tried not to do it too often. The first grade Japanese English teacher was not bad and handled the kids really good. She was like a mother figure for them. I pretty much served as a bouncing board for her. The second grade Japanese English teacher got involved and we pair worked teaching the kids. The third grade Japanese English teachers were a problem. They could not get the kids to concentrate and left all the teaching to me.

I speak Japanese, and I was able to befriend the kids by talking and joking with them outside the classrooms. They were very much interested in American culture like sports, movies, and music. I shared with them stories about my travels. I also played basketball with them. I might be a bit on a fat side, but I can play mean ball. I practiced in NYC with some black brothers. So the kids and I were copastatic! Until one day!

In Japan there are many cases of kids bullying other kids in school. Sometimes there is a tragedy, like some kid kills another kid. One day there was an announcement on the news that an elementary school kid cut off another kid’s head and hung on a school gate. I was shocked, so were the other teachers in my school. That day a 13 year old boy, who was one of my students, came over to me and said that he will kill another student today. I am like, what is he saying? I knew he could not be serious and was just talking, but I was concerned. The boy was a troubled kid who craved for attention. Recently I saw him, after school, sitting on his bicycle and just banging it into a fence. I was concerned.

I approached our principle and told him what the boy said. He recommended that I talk to a guidance counselor. I told the guidance counselor what transpired and asked him to look into this. I went back to teaching classes and concentrating on my work. At lunchtime I got a message to go to the teachers’ room to see the guidance counselor, When I got there I saw the problem kid and the guidance counselor talking. I came over. The guidance counselor, right in front of me, asked the kid if he told Mr. Berger, that is my name, that he is going to kill another student today. The kid’s face turned red, and he vehemently said, No! The guidance counselor excused the kid, and he left.

I was concerned. Why did the guidance counselor asked the kid such a question, referencing me as the guy who complained about him? I knew there is going to be a problem. I tried talking with the guidance counselor about what to do, but he said nothing could be done. I left the teachers’ room, and went out into the hallway. The problem kid was waiting for me. He spat in my face. I took him by his hand and brought him to the principle’s office. The principle and the guidance counselor talked to him privately.

Before the incident I found it difficult to teach third grade, because the kids were rowdy and where not interested in learning. The Japanese English teachers just gave them a book to read and administrated tests. I tried to get the students involved, and had them answer questions from what they read. While I was interested in teaching the kids how to communicate in English, the Japanese English teachers just wanted them to prepare for the high school entrance examine. They did not really care if the students learned English or not. Students who were motivated to do well were expected to go to after school prep schools to get help with their English. Leveraging on my friendship with the kids, I was able to get them motivated and interested in the lessons. But all this changed after the Nakano incident. Nakano, the boy who I had a problem with started laughing and disturbing the lessons really bad. While he and others did this prior to the incident as well, at that time I was able to calm them down.

The Japanese English teachers never intervened and asked the students to behave themselves. To them it was non-emotional teacher student relationship. While Nakano disturbed the class to the point that the lesson could not be taught, the Japanese English teacher, who I was teaching that class with, just set there and did nothing. I did not know what to do and how to address the problem. I realized the Japanese educational system is not set up to deal with problem kids. The kids who want to learn are bullied into not learning by their classmate. And the only way the kids who want to learn do learn is that they must attend after school high school preparation classes.

Nakano became more and more belligerent. When he saw me at the school grounds he would spit at me and throw a soccer ball really hard at me. All I could do is tolerate the abuse. One day while teaching in his class he freaked out and went over to a wall and started banging his head into the wall. The Japanese English teacher and I tried to come him down, but he grabbed a broom and started threatening me with it.

The principle called me for a talk. He told me that I couldn’t teach the third grade students anymore, that I should only teach the first and second grade students. I protested! Nakano did not only take out his puberty aggression on me, but he had fights with many kids. I said to the principle, “This kid is clearly the problem. Why we cannot do something about him?” He told me there is nothing that could be done. He told me he tried talking to Nakano’s parents but they were not interested. I explained to him that in America we have special schools for problem kids. The principle explained to me that in Japan unless the parents agree to place their kid in a special school the board of education could not enforce it. I had no choice but to comply and teach first and second grade.

I continued to teach other classes while trying to avoid Nakano as much as I could. One time Nakano followed me to a bathroom with a mop stick and tried to attack me. I grabbed him and the stick and carried him to the principle’s office. After that he left me alone! He realized that if he kept messing with me, that I would retaliate. A month passed and nothing bad happened. Then one day, Nakano got into a really nasty fight with another student. There was blood all other the place and he cut another student’s eye. The school’s principle blamed me for the fight because I was there and did not stop it. I said to the principle, how could I have stopped the fight? If I had intervened, the kids would have taken their aggression out on me. Because of the fight incident, I was told I couldn’t teach in the school anymore.

I was really angry. The principal called my employment agency that sent me to this school and asked them to come and collect me. When they came I at first refused to talk to them. Finally they got me to sit down with them, they said I was being fired, and they would compensate me for one month. My contract was for one year, and I expected them to honor it. I threatened them with calling the English teachers union and going to the newspapers. I went to the city’s mayor office to launch a complaint against the school and the board of education.. The board of education sent a representative to talk to me. The employment agency started caving in and offered me to work at their office instead of the school. I protested. I was hired to teach not to sit at an employment agency office.

After further negotiation the board of education offered a solution. They said I can teach at a nearby elementary school and a couple of kindergartens. I will be using their building for my office. I knew it was not what I was hired to do, many kids at the junior high school really liked me and wanted me to continue teaching them, but I had to compromise. So, I agreed with the board of education decision. If I were a really bad teacher and the whole Nakano incident was my falt would they have offered me the opportunity to teach at an elementary and kindergarten? Clearly not! I proceeded to teach the little kids with no problems. It was kind of fun, because the kids were adorable.

At the end of my teaching contract, the agency gave me a good letter of recommendation and even a one-month bonus. In Japan it is not important how well you do your job, but how well you fit into their society. In public schools, they do not hire foreigners to teach English but to entertain the kids. If you actually try to teach, you will get resentment and jealousy from the Japanese English teachers. You are hired as an assistant teacher while they are the main teachers. So, your job is to act dumb, entertain, and assist. The kids are not really interested in learning English and only do it because they have to pass a test to enter the next school level. Japanese kids learn English from kindergarten through college, but majority of them cannot speak English.

Even though my English teaching experience in Japan has been convoluted, I still enjoyed it and found it challenging to try to educate people. I may attempt to try teaching English again!

Equality under Barack Obama will not be a panacea that you are expecting. In order for equality to be implemented, there must be no bias towards race, gender, religion, or financial status. You will be seen as a carbon copy of your peers. Whatever genetic traits you have will not be consideration for a job or a relationship. Until now if you are Black you can get certain job, like in a music industry because Black people have soul for music. If you are Jewish you can get job with money, etc. All this will stop!

So if you thought you had certain advantages, you might as well forget about. Having certain intellectual skills will also not be consider as a plus when you apply for a job! This is because all people are created equal. There are no people smarter than others. You will be chosen for the job based on your ability to be part of the community - the social machine!

You cannot question or disagree with the agenda and the mentality of the social machine! You must toe the line!!!

So any benefits you had before based on your age, sex, religion, race, and financial status will be nullified! Welcome to Progressive Socialism!

In capitalism the resources are allocated to where they serve best, under progressive socialism resources are not discriminated. Is this capital optimization?

Stalin Barack Obama

United States of Barack Obama

Communism

From emperors of the Chin dynasty to feudal lords to foreign concessions to dictators China has been undergoing Changes. Sometimes the changes are slow at other times they are turbulent and full of blood! China and its underlaying society is based on Taoism. Everything is centered on the family and the collective. Some think it socialism, but it is not. It is piety for the elders.

We are entering new era and the communist China is not communist anymore but capitalist. It is becoming the only super power in the wold challenging America on global stage. While China turned 360 degrees and went back to capitalism, America is becoming socialist searching for equality and equal class for all its citizens.

American regression from capitalism just empowers China because of its philosophical, social, and economic believes. Family is first no matter what is the cost. So China is the family which all its children the Chinese support fervently. There is no decent from the mantra!

China has a lot of beauty and reverence in its traditionalism, which many feel has been destroyed by industrial revolution. Well not so fast, the traditionalism is hidden within China. Same as the family is protected by its children. These are the underlying principles of Feng Shui. At the same time, the quick industrialization of China is destroying the nation and its people. But China needs to compete with America and the rest of the world for its survival.

China has scarce resources like agriculture and energy. If China does not industrialize itself it will fall prey to demise. If China over industrialize itself and exploits its people, China will fall prey to anarchy and oppression imploding on itself. China, so is the rest of the world, are worried about where China going and how it will get there.

Everyone is watching China! The West, the East, and the Chinese themselves. Recently I visited Temple of Heaven in Beijing where prayers and approvals are given to all emperors’ and now national undertakings. There I saw an elderly gentleman peering through communist China binoculars into a temple of the anointment of a new emperor. Is this gentleman searching for a sign from heaven?

Watching China

To see the American dilemma please read: Anti-Americanism

While traveling China in Dalian I met a beautiful Chinese women and we decided to get married. We had our wedding on Benchui island in Dalian.

Banchui Island Dalain

Banchui Island Dalain Approach

Banchui Island Dalain Beach

Igor The Troll Wife Number Two Chinese

Banchui Island Wedding Roses

Ok guys, I actually did not get married, but I borrowed another man’s wife to take a photo with her!

Well actually they were not married yet but just came to take their wedding photos for their photo album. The actuall marriage is suppose to take place a year for now. Banchui Island Dqalian is very popular for Chinese people who are getting married to come down to get their best photos made up!

My fantasy of having two wives is still unfullfiled.So all you beautiful girls reading this post please leave some nice comments and I will contact you!