How 'Bout dem SAINTS!!?

Yesterday we abstained from email, facebook, and the internet in general (except for a blog facelift that you might notice) until 8:30PM when a re-run of the SUPERBOWL was aired at the local sports bar. What a game; what a team; I am so happy for the city of New Orleans - I know how much the big win meant to the people and culture of our dear home (we know that you all are still partying....). GEAUX SAINTS!!!

The superbowl victory followed right on the heels of the recent mayoral election: congratulations Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu, we look forward to the positive changes that you will bring to New Orleans. As New Orleans Carnival season season Mardi Gras moves into full tilt, we wonder...

Could it get any better?

Believe it or not...YES! Tomorrow morning we leave for the beaches of Ko Chang, Ko Mak, and Koh Kood.

Leaving the laptop and packing light for a ten day trip, but our bag still seems overly full (cooking supplies, seasoning, tent, sunscreen, repellent, swimsuits, sleeping bags in lieu of sleeping pads, first aid kit, etc.). Lightweight packing remains a fantasy. This also means another medium length separation from our blog and sharing our stories with you (but we may get crafty a few minutes prior to our departure and attempt to "pre-date" blogs that may publish in our absence? stay tuned...).

Volunteer update: our volunteering concept has always been informal, and continues to evolve organically as our journey unfolds. We knew that by not signing up with a "service organization" and instead, carving our own path of exchange, service, and volunteer-ship, our opportunities would be unique, varied, and probably outside the bounds of the expected or known. So, instead of immersing ourselves in the structure of a (usually) foreign-sponsored organization or group, experiencing "service" within a bubble of comfort and familiar and homogeneity, our service has other forms.

We talk, we listen, we garden, we share, we discuss, we recycle, we plan, we learn, we share ideas of green, we experience, and we always strive to remain rooted in the culture we are visiting, while still sharing pieces of the culture we are from.

Last night, Nathan was up late, discussing business development, green and sustainable construction practices, East  and West relations, and the stewardship of new forms of tourism and development, such as eco-tourism and volunteerism. He and a friend reviewed architectural, engineering, and land use plans for a 500+ acres eco-resort under preliminary development for Koh Kood Island. The concept of service is one which applies daily  in our lives while traveling. Writing and maintaining blogs is one continuity of service which we rely on; so, being away for more than one week will mean returning to pre-blog forms of note keeping, journals, scribbles on napkins, memory.

With just eleven days left in Thailand, we thinking ahead to our next destination: India. Now would be a wonderful time for YOU to give us your ideas, suggestions, contacts, etc. Three days in Calcutta will be followed by nearly one months traveling from Delhi to Mumbai over land. You can check out our itinerary map for specific dates. Thanks for your ideas and tips and thoughts.

Back in a few with sunburned photos and sandy stories.

xo

Read more...

In just over a month....

Sitting here in the verdant yard in New Orleans, it seems hard to believe that our Honey Service Year will begin in just over a month! It's amazing that with every item we cross off of our punch list, 3 more are simultaneously added.

Now that the itinerary is finalized, we can start to truly plan our activities, accommodations, and events! As a lover of all things holiday (minus the commercialism), I am certainly looking forward to international holidays and events. Growing up, my family took several trips (almost always to tropical destinations) for Christmas: the Dominican Republic, Belize, and Puerto Rico. Don't judge...my grandfather was a sailor and loved getting the family together. We were always happy to oblige in his whims....

Last year, our christmas was spent with great friends at the Hotel Oso Perezoso, in Taganga. Perhaps it would be the perfect location for YOU and YOUR family this year?! Nathan's sister and her family are currently managing the hotel and would be happy to set you up with a private room and bath, with a ocean view for a mere $12 a night, breakfast included. Do I need to twist your arm further?! :) Oso (bear) + Perezoso (lazy) + Hotel (with hammocks and parrots and cold beers) = your perfect vacation!

Ok, back to focusing on OUR plans for a less-than-tropical Christmas.

After a week in Tokyo, we will fly to Shanghai and then make our way overland to Hong Kong. Christmas in Shanghai!! Although the chilly december weather will undoubtedly throw us for a loop, the "water villages" around Shanghai are especially intriguing...and to folks from New Orleans, will probably feel vaguely familiar! I am really looking forward to a day trip to Tongli or Zhujiajiao, which sounds vastly more appealing than the (perhaps more elegant and restored) Zhouzhuang.


Plus, Tongli just happens to also boast a Sex Culture Museum. Facinating.

Read more...

Tickets!!

Tickets are purchased!!

New York to Tokyo: December 15th, 2009
Tokyo to Shanghai: December 23rd, 2009
overland from Shanghai to Hong Kong
Hong Kong to Bangkok: February 3rd, 2010
Bangkok to Calcutta: February 20th, 2010
Calcutta to Delhi: February 24th, 2010
overland from Delhi to Mumbai
Mumbai to Addis Ababa: March 25th, 2010
Addis Ababa to Accra: April 21st, 2010
Accra to Cairo: May 13th, 2010
overland (eurorail, etc) from Cairo to Dublin, by way of Turkey, France, Spain, and north Africa
Dublin to New York: September 2nd, 2010

We would truly appreciate any contacts or suggestions you may have for these countries or areas. Also, please figure out where YOU'D like to meet us along the way!

love,
brittany

Read more...

Planning the itinerary

It is very challenging to purchase tickets that include airports AND dates for 10 months from now. We haven't actually purchased tickets yet....but this is what our itinerary will probably look like:

nyc to toyko to shanghai to hongkong to bangkok to calcutta to bombay to delhi to addis ababa to accra to cairo....and railing from there up through turkey and europe to dublin and home.

Do you have recommendations or ideas or contacts or suggestions? Now is a great time to pass them our way. We are seeking volunteer and service service opportunities, as well as a chance to meet up with friends and family abroad. And we would happily welcome any "fun" or "honeymoon" related suggestions as well! :)

Read more...

One month married!

Many thanks to all the fantastic and amazing folks who contributed to our wedding. It was the best. day. ever. honestly.


Now we are in the throes of organizing our lives here in New Orleans and Mississippi, planning our big honeymoon, oh....and enjoying married life a bit too. :)

Our biggest project right now is purchasing our around-the-world flight tickets. Airtreks seems to have the more comprehensive packages, but it is SO difficult to pick destinations and dates! Our current plan is to leave New Orleans during the first week of December, spend a week or so in Washington DC, and then head around the world from there.

check back soon to follow our progress.......

xoxoxo
brittany

Read more...