tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1077182024-03-12T19:04:39.100-05:00Ra's LifeBlogs of an Ex-Cairo Hash RA
<center><a href="http://www.ringsurf.com/ring/hhhbloggers/">RingSurf: HHH Bloggers</a></center>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-77588722404638895572022-08-04T14:09:00.003-05:002022-08-04T14:09:20.733-05:00Return to blogging 2022new project involving Toastmasters and Ukrainian emmigrants .... comingmatthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-17802607895963180652011-09-27T17:28:00.002-05:002011-09-27T17:30:04.488-05:00250 movies in ayearI bid on a charity silent auction VIP movie pass so now I can see free movies for a year at 2 theaters (more in the chain, but 2 nearby). I'll also see some movies on planes and maybe even at home
I'll write about every single one.matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-62199317676544980542011-02-12T17:54:00.001-05:002011-02-12T17:55:36.458-05:00Interactive map of Tahrir Square protestsA nice map of Tahrir square at the height of the protests
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12434787" target="_blank">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-12434787</a>
clickable map
I spent many days of my life in that square, now it earned it's name for this generation.matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-33499174908176096042010-06-10T11:58:00.000-05:002010-06-10T11:59:13.152-05:00Think you know Geography (better than me)?<embed src="http://www.lufthansa-usa.com/useugame2007/html/LH-144-07_myspacescore.swf?score_id=901673" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300" height="250" name="LH-144-07_myspacescore" align="middle" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-2040547992997623512009-03-30T14:04:00.000-05:002022-08-04T14:09:49.212-05:00$17 cerealJet lagged in Juba, Sudan. I went to the grocery store and bought a 10 ounce box of cereal for $17 - new record!matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-89156936562450947482009-03-29T23:29:00.002-05:002009-03-29T23:33:42.453-05:00Into AfricaI started a 2 weeks work project in Southern Sudan by traveling 24 hours door to door from Toronto to the Holiday Inn Nairobi. That is a nice hotel with beautiful gardens and pools and the best breakfast buffet I've had outside of a casino!
<p>
A smaller plan took me 90 minutes - and perhaps back 100 - or more - years - into Juba, the capital of Southern Sudan. A world capital with maybe 3 paved roads and the lowest life expectancy and literacy rate of any national capital (checking that for accuracy)matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-14515289189003390442008-11-02T08:40:00.020-05:002008-11-02T17:45:34.945-05:00Egypt trip 2008 - The bucket list<table><tr><td style="vertical-align: top">click on photos to enlarge<br>
<b>Cool Camels:</b><br><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqnTS2VVCv9EGAga3mEAkt_-YL8BiFMF-7ugwdBsh6oUbEcyjGYeOTuG7A4j4aCYrhFeKLCWRkBi8QkbQ2HffK536E0E_o4Z8Nexng6H7i9QgkMuQblLtsSAaePQfLqMA7o8/s1600-h/camelglasses1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqnTS2VVCv9EGAga3mEAkt_-YL8BiFMF-7ugwdBsh6oUbEcyjGYeOTuG7A4j4aCYrhFeKLCWRkBi8QkbQ2HffK536E0E_o4Z8Nexng6H7i9QgkMuQblLtsSAaePQfLqMA7o8/s320/camelglasses1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264056696214697170" /></a><br>
<b>Camel Jockey Melanie:</b><br>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG66_iADnrmbhZuNs_DXQCcouSMmV64f6DJdNYJsB11aM3rXG-mktPneuF78MR2fquE7sIpDvxaxlWo2JJmM4DFIY8NISkNXLg172WrcAb9bPCyM58gjqNyjA255XGMwHLuOo/s1600-h/melcamel1.jpg"><img style=" margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG66_iADnrmbhZuNs_DXQCcouSMmV64f6DJdNYJsB11aM3rXG-mktPneuF78MR2fquE7sIpDvxaxlWo2JJmM4DFIY8NISkNXLg172WrcAb9bPCyM58gjqNyjA255XGMwHLuOo/s320/melcamel1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264055815648272546" /></a>
<br><b>Village friends in Luxor:</b><br>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1mZ7rkLgW5byZrs0PBzX2UTe_GMyVc_KHTa7x9psNsJt5XambrB9XtmekCTLe_wTnTEKEpHwJAWn8FvU1EJ4dBu_xoRpRFBWCO0Mm6CEyvUiT4dKR3bJi5ZSA_9y7ADxfR4/s1600-h/luxorvillage1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1mZ7rkLgW5byZrs0PBzX2UTe_GMyVc_KHTa7x9psNsJt5XambrB9XtmekCTLe_wTnTEKEpHwJAWn8FvU1EJ4dBu_xoRpRFBWCO0Mm6CEyvUiT4dKR3bJi5ZSA_9y7ADxfR4/s320/luxorvillage1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264194549684181762" /></a>
<br>
<b>NO CAMELS!!!</b>:<br>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayA-yH6qW6BdsVBvDwRWFPj1ay8KD1fBnOvKKEr4J63thSCslhffsEWAlcYnan0GZ9dnBO9qs9nc2qZu2WEyKnzzc9HdSfccLFE1Ez1xNlR9ovglF3eWzi_Xaa46uIRkOUDU/s1600-h/nocamels1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayA-yH6qW6BdsVBvDwRWFPj1ay8KD1fBnOvKKEr4J63thSCslhffsEWAlcYnan0GZ9dnBO9qs9nc2qZu2WEyKnzzc9HdSfccLFE1Ez1xNlR9ovglF3eWzi_Xaa46uIRkOUDU/s320/nocamels1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264069618433329490" /></a>
<br>
<B>Dahab - RELAX!!</b>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhacuPnjwnQLidlXHmnvlXYxjZ_cqEA_2ykcn2CR1hByf4E4iZD0tpn2z8TtUUtkfQqoaHqh7W64WXQZIGdF8PNy_Kg1w5dbUZ2P6vLYsCby04RKgwC2Y9INL3lGc35Y0Fuo/s1600-h/dahabbeach1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhacuPnjwnQLidlXHmnvlXYxjZ_cqEA_2ykcn2CR1hByf4E4iZD0tpn2z8TtUUtkfQqoaHqh7W64WXQZIGdF8PNy_Kg1w5dbUZ2P6vLYsCby04RKgwC2Y9INL3lGc35Y0Fuo/s320/dahabbeach1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264192831135667378" /></a>
</td>
<td>
<h1>What we did</h1>
LUXOR
<Ul>
<li>Luxor Temple day visit</li>
<li> Colossi at Memnon</li>
<li>Tombs of the Nobles</li>
<li>Valley of The Kings, 3 tombs</li>
<li>Queen Hatshepsut Temple</li>
<li>Lunch at "Mohamed's Cafe" on West bank</li>
<li>Karnak Sound and Light Show</li>
<li>(many) 20 cent Ferry crossings</li>
<li>Met British expat who moved to Luxor</li>
<li>Village visit with women and their kids, drinking tea in their home</li>
<li>Koshary dinner in Luxor</li>
<li>Felucca sunset sail</li>
<li>Just missed president Mubarak visit
</Ul>
DAHAB<ul>
<li>Dahab beachfront breakfasts (with cats)</li>
<li>Dahab beachfront dinners (with cats)</li>
<li>Rented car, drove to St. Catherines</li>
<li>Saw Moses's burning bush and 1400 year old Greek Monastery</li>
<li>Stayed in beautiful, stylish 8 room hotel / all rooms different</li>
<li>Melanie had one day vomiting</li>
<li>Matthew had one day fever
<li>watching goats "collect garbage" (eat paper in the street)
</ul>
ALEXANDRIA TRIP - day trip on fast train<uL>
<li>Alexandria Library</li>
<li>Eating fish overlooking Mediterranean</li>
<li>Roman catacombs</li>
<li>Roman amphitheater</li>
<li>Pompey's pillar</li>
<li>Jumping on to moving train</li>
<li>walking through the markets</li>
<li>long funeral processions
</uL>
CAIRO<UL>
<li>Giza Pyramids with 90 minute camel ride</li>
<li>Sphinx</li>
<li>Egyptian Museum</li>
<li>Citadel - Mohamed Aly Mosque</li>
<li>Prison where Sadat held</li>
<li>National Police Museum</li>
<li>National Folkloric dance troupe show - Sufi dancers</li>
<li>Garbage city</li>
<li>The church in the Cave in Moqattam</li>
<li>Coptic Cairo/ Mar Girgis</li>
<li>Hanging Church</li>
<li>Crypt of the Holy Family</li>
<li>New/world class Coptic Museum</li>
<li>Felucca night sail</li>
<li>Many, many coffees, teas and Karkaday</li>
<li>Many trip to Khan Al Khalili Bazaar</li>
<li>Tentmakers area</li>
<li>Spice Market</li>
<li>Graffiti Festival
</ul>
</td></tr></table>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-68945298019525331132008-09-10T13:14:00.003-05:002008-09-10T13:19:38.122-05:00Engage<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWAYWBIBWVcDp98HIakyYwnAqmJ_2RuLoQSgY8ZNMrdHzNFZWzcTTvKYn_skTMUeMTAAY1qFXryGotaqtoHS9lSE4Q2uLSa7SskDU_Z8ezlluXz9tVhVhND-QRxiGC2s8PrY/s1600-h/engage001s1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWAYWBIBWVcDp98HIakyYwnAqmJ_2RuLoQSgY8ZNMrdHzNFZWzcTTvKYn_skTMUeMTAAY1qFXryGotaqtoHS9lSE4Q2uLSa7SskDU_Z8ezlluXz9tVhVhND-QRxiGC2s8PrY/s320/engage001s1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244458972310920306" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfcqqzt81RaWg-lRpWOlNEa6WT4tWTq_q5RYyO_1lC5K1cJSLtW6hHbgU4w3KD8IIoeVy73G6be4idjL2P0IIeUjKe54opZ6JntITUKhaVBZwaQnKz3vxrH7aJ_kmw54g7ok/s1600-h/engagering001.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfcqqzt81RaWg-lRpWOlNEa6WT4tWTq_q5RYyO_1lC5K1cJSLtW6hHbgU4w3KD8IIoeVy73G6be4idjL2P0IIeUjKe54opZ6JntITUKhaVBZwaQnKz3vxrH7aJ_kmw54g7ok/s320/engagering001.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244458661712065218" /></a>
Melanie and I got engaged on August 30 on the shores of Georgian Bay!<p> </p>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-59824745831905629892008-08-16T18:25:00.006-05:002008-08-16T18:37:12.302-05:00Symon Pee Pee Teepee<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaeYbVKWyJbkfj8mh1_78AO2ltWYD716o5a-cZ3IG2RgFMX2MMuj2SCRw53_25HNVyB4OVSjziSPdftuLiL1LtnUARf4Mh_XCzNOA5m6kSxrtHheFjtgLYS5_9XmH-F7WliQ/s1600-h/teepee_1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaeYbVKWyJbkfj8mh1_78AO2ltWYD716o5a-cZ3IG2RgFMX2MMuj2SCRw53_25HNVyB4OVSjziSPdftuLiL1LtnUARf4Mh_XCzNOA5m6kSxrtHheFjtgLYS5_9XmH-F7WliQ/s320/teepee_1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235263701988670626" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ef78wDCHMBtZioddPHtyH3AXJqx9_2uDeUpVQDEm7jXsP_y3-lLELMRTuZfKIPsXSn6ZIUms3G3OIMK6auWooUeK8cugChRfnGsPz_q_meb2IFLe44wAg5k-_Gsnka59Q9Y/s1600-h/teepee_2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Ef78wDCHMBtZioddPHtyH3AXJqx9_2uDeUpVQDEm7jXsP_y3-lLELMRTuZfKIPsXSn6ZIUms3G3OIMK6auWooUeK8cugChRfnGsPz_q_meb2IFLe44wAg5k-_Gsnka59Q9Y/s320/teepee_2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235263707417996306" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHop3oCx0kMzWG7hz-oGub_g_6mKYOC2Gvlw_NChJah1DAON0mhaqECTX_-QIyyHUhsFUoj78rPgDmpK02zNVGTghhgD_qXF84LDZo2yvcddmfBhjzTcZr6mtCI5sX0EHIRM/s1600-h/teepee_3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHop3oCx0kMzWG7hz-oGub_g_6mKYOC2Gvlw_NChJah1DAON0mhaqECTX_-QIyyHUhsFUoj78rPgDmpK02zNVGTghhgD_qXF84LDZo2yvcddmfBhjzTcZr6mtCI5sX0EHIRM/s320/teepee_3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235263704659260642" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBSGj6BY5j6TV2bsM2ydxNtzVkEFQvvvY49mFofRJ-KkcNKjCnGrTJhAvLwahj_4lT82-TmnHkEpUt0yCh1O5xr_jWrNUpc9lurFaG1h7PFIaw78esaPl1y-CnCJLM-S5EHA/s1600-h/teepee_4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBSGj6BY5j6TV2bsM2ydxNtzVkEFQvvvY49mFofRJ-KkcNKjCnGrTJhAvLwahj_4lT82-TmnHkEpUt0yCh1O5xr_jWrNUpc9lurFaG1h7PFIaw78esaPl1y-CnCJLM-S5EHA/s320/teepee_4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235263706396423442" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWXiJKklPT8Rr4PkwA0djpEEwFldlUGEft5ApHsDjkgDu8XLDrgzTX8on05Zgxu21EIq5gX5fnclbd6SWV5OMR7NoGxCQHRIDOuGAAohgpgZv-WcV3oRwBf4iX0isnNWL4Uk/s1600-h/teepee_5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWXiJKklPT8Rr4PkwA0djpEEwFldlUGEft5ApHsDjkgDu8XLDrgzTX8on05Zgxu21EIq5gX5fnclbd6SWV5OMR7NoGxCQHRIDOuGAAohgpgZv-WcV3oRwBf4iX0isnNWL4Uk/s320/teepee_5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235263712785452674" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt-PIIlsxh-ZLN778Gk7TmZ6BllEi8ETcCVFkzQxCs9Fxmw9aQzbfn2g5szbpCgAAeaiEw_lzuol53maTfbQBuFPQMkFyMfNHJ0STwU4MPvxCKL-JEOQ8wJcbsT6O8HPv1MQ/s1600-h/symonnapping1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwt-PIIlsxh-ZLN778Gk7TmZ6BllEi8ETcCVFkzQxCs9Fxmw9aQzbfn2g5szbpCgAAeaiEw_lzuol53maTfbQBuFPQMkFyMfNHJ0STwU4MPvxCKL-JEOQ8wJcbsT6O8HPv1MQ/s320/symonnapping1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5235262178862662738" /></a>
After months of life, it's way overdue to introduce new nephew Symon. (He's not technically my nephew until Melanie and I get married in February). He is, of course, perfect.
He has started in the bouncy chair and can be watched for hours providing entertainment ...matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-74142138534026559032008-07-07T14:15:00.003-05:002008-07-07T14:16:28.734-05:00How NOT to run the bulls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix24PNRRyoLts2lh5GDDZIbw9LL-yY34CCH7dAOp5QlKqU0QoaXQqohcri1mJn2v4wxb1xGburxeksztPEBLe1_2jjx6BfTjkIH5O5yVy5PE9Lui9WXQYDCKvx5St2RO2XRBQ/s1600-h/bulls1.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix24PNRRyoLts2lh5GDDZIbw9LL-yY34CCH7dAOp5QlKqU0QoaXQqohcri1mJn2v4wxb1xGburxeksztPEBLe1_2jjx6BfTjkIH5O5yVy5PE9Lui9WXQYDCKvx5St2RO2XRBQ/s320/bulls1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220353108856626882" /></a>
Add your own caption or explain to me what these 2 are doing?matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-83449196478846421292008-06-21T00:03:00.003-05:002008-06-21T00:06:59.417-05:00The good old days: 24 seconds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowtEViWklJTqiw8NsVfJz42cMBOm8txWeWIQjp_C_er9FkARRepoX6XhEkj28KMHlrjGwWMRGGDXHNLi5QVpZAUs28__IZ4eHVDMey15jnnvzMOsUjO0A8BCiBZFj90KX2CM/s1600-h/gate15k06.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhowtEViWklJTqiw8NsVfJz42cMBOm8txWeWIQjp_C_er9FkARRepoX6XhEkj28KMHlrjGwWMRGGDXHNLi5QVpZAUs28__IZ4eHVDMey15jnnvzMOsUjO0A8BCiBZFj90KX2CM/s320/gate15k06.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214196644957385698" /></a>
Apart from doing a "beer mile" I think my competitive racing days are over. I made one last season of it when I returned to the US from Egypt, in 2005. And recently came across this photo showing me making my goal of 15K under 1 hour - with a whole 24 seconds to spare! :-)matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-68886334788623031412008-06-09T09:39:00.010-05:002008-06-09T10:25:06.106-05:00WoofStock 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w7UtjaagihJphwIu6i2Ix3hIFkmnWmatKl6eCtD2gwFVOU8Zb49vqTKHepJb4BHxFixGjXRtCXDSXN4arTxiw-y0-A2tsl6seKury85aoqFZimO5iqLnUhlu1KXzmTKkg4g/s1600-h/pomeranian1.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8w7UtjaagihJphwIu6i2Ix3hIFkmnWmatKl6eCtD2gwFVOU8Zb49vqTKHepJb4BHxFixGjXRtCXDSXN4arTxiw-y0-A2tsl6seKury85aoqFZimO5iqLnUhlu1KXzmTKkg4g/s320/pomeranian1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209894130197955826" /></a>
<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqBoNAn9K8PfJh70NkIXOMK1bZp8ci7CjMGbWEHogasEYE7xsXhzAtOMnXU6DT1HWDO4s473MkiFTA4HMAl4_4ALkLrnA2wiC3IDRWgkQgeo89Mk9tg-r8s8UsfEhM1W-0j8/s1600-h/bulldog1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqBoNAn9K8PfJh70NkIXOMK1bZp8ci7CjMGbWEHogasEYE7xsXhzAtOMnXU6DT1HWDO4s473MkiFTA4HMAl4_4ALkLrnA2wiC3IDRWgkQgeo89Mk9tg-r8s8UsfEhM1W-0j8/s320/bulldog1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209893523292554898" /></a>
The world's largest dog event was fun - no, it was hilarious.
<a href="http://www.woofstock.ca/ini.html" target="_blank">website</a>
They had contests - including the one where they have dogs jump across a pool to catch a tossed "plug". The best jumper we saw didn't even need the motivation of a good toss. The owner just threw the thing across the pool AND THEN took the dog back to the starting line and released the little dog. 22 and a half feet.
<p></p>
Woofstock 2008 was on Saturday and Sunday in downtown Toronto, June 7-8. For a dog lover like me, it was a chance to see,laugh at and pet hundreds of dogs.
For the dogs, it was often almost too much of a good thing (see first photo).
<hr>
For others, they could only hope for rescue from cruel owners with bad fashion sense ;-):matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-14710850846749346112008-05-28T22:58:00.002-05:002008-05-28T23:02:20.120-05:00Do you?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkhbrZjOeOGSLeqEMlNKbnj89ZKX2eWO8gQZv1afuhrqpspaeq1uIuGAfIl-CRHcG5CwRNQtlWQFWQBwsTRDZUNsAOp-v8viwW6UIefXo_Tvo59JcFH3mGPqhNCLFxKYEg4Q/s1600-h/eatpoop.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHkhbrZjOeOGSLeqEMlNKbnj89ZKX2eWO8gQZv1afuhrqpspaeq1uIuGAfIl-CRHcG5CwRNQtlWQFWQBwsTRDZUNsAOp-v8viwW6UIefXo_Tvo59JcFH3mGPqhNCLFxKYEg4Q/s320/eatpoop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205644514716188482" /></a>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-90995788820135894912008-03-26T22:04:00.006-05:002008-03-26T22:15:49.926-05:00InterHash 2008/ Fiji ( part 1 - Fiji at Matava)Starting with snowstorms in Toronto on Thursday night (March 6) and Saturday morning (March 8) and, Melanie and I snuck out Friday March 7th at lunchtime, up and across the International date line. Our 4th plane of the trip landed on the Fijian island of Kandavu, where we waited for 2 hours for a 5 minute truck ride to take us on the island's only road to the other side of the island. We waded out to a little boat and 45 minutes later, having zigzagged the coast and through the astrolabe reef we arrived at the eco-tourism resort <a target="_blank" href="http://matava.com">Matava</a>. We had 10 days and 9 nights, some as the only guests, staying in a traditional "<a
target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bure_%28Fiji%29">bure</a>" (a traditional Fijian straw hut) facing the ocean.
3 times a day the wooden drums would sound telling us that another meal was ready and we'd go stuff ourselves
(in progress, updates in process)matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-72500007449320614332007-07-17T13:45:00.000-05:002007-07-17T13:49:24.917-05:00Seeing Red Again<img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/b_eurohashrdr1s.jpg" align="right">Back from Morocco and London: EuroHash 2007 - which started with a charity Red Dress Hash run through the street of Kingston. The UK had been having horrid weather for the past month but it mercifully gave us 4 beautiful days starting with this Thursday evening.matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-68358257561445920952007-04-02T12:15:00.000-05:002007-04-02T12:30:22.669-05:00Up, Up and 1700 times upI'm climbing the tallest building in the world, on April 28th to raise a little money for the Canadian Wildlife Fund. If you want to pledge a buck or three <a target="_blank" href= "http://wwfcentral.ca/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=380&srcid=380&tab=3&erid=2322272&frsid=9183">
Do That HERE</a><p> 1774 steps up that needle on the left ....<br>
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/b_cntower1.jpg">matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-48533906211049221692007-03-28T22:17:00.000-05:002007-11-21T11:03:47.372-05:00Let me criticize you ...I'm good at it (or so say the judges).
<p>
OK, it's not American Idol. But I enter speech contests, and in the case this year, speech evaluation contests. And - BRAGGING ALERT! BRAGGING ALERT! I have met with some success.
<p>
In 2005, I managed to win the Club, Area and Division International Speech contests which covered sort of northeast Florida. Unfortunately I was off volunteering in Rwanda and had to let the runner-up take my place at the "District" contest which covered Florida plus Bahamas. But got a nice haul of 5 trophies on the way (I was also in the impromptu "Table Topics" contests).
<p>
This year, I represented my Toronto club and won the Area and Division contests and in 2 weeks compete for the Ontario 'District' championship in the Speech Evaluation contest.
<p>
Those of you who know me may be thinking: well no suprise there, that cranky clod can criticize anyone!
<p>
Anyway, there is a tiny bit more to it than that and I do try to be nice. The speakers we evaluate in the contests are very good speakers so even though evaluations are 75-90% positive feedback, it can be a challenge to find much to suggest for improvement.
<p>
If you have never attended one of these contests before ... you most likely won't attend this one :-) but here's where I'll be competing April 15th:
<a href="http://triontex.com/SpringConference2007/" target="_blank">
http://triontex.com/SpringConference2007/</a>.
<p>
What do you say, "break a leg" isn't really appropriate ... "Split a lip?"
<p>
This year's trophies: <img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/b_toasttrophies1.jpg">
<p>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-25591458931490495622007-03-11T13:40:00.000-05:002007-03-11T13:42:04.126-05:00Zelda on cuteoverload<img src="http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/images/zelda.jpg"> If you don;t look at <a href="http://cuteoverload.com" target="_blnak">http://cuteoverload.com</a> everyday - you need to.matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-65292913695912847682007-02-26T05:58:00.000-05:002007-03-20T12:00:06.953-05:00I'm stranded .... on a jet planeAt least I didn't fly jet blue.
<P>
Getting back from Mongolia took a few more hours than the planned 24. I flew Mongolian's MIAT airline from UlaanBator to Beijing and United to O'Hare 5 hours later. I cleared customs and had 75 minutes to connect to my flight to Orlando; the people in line to check in for domestic flights filled the hall.
<p>
I was trying to hop onto an AirCanada flight to Toronto, but the agent was - I regret to say "the usual AirCanada type" - and uninspired to be much help offering only - "I doubt there are any seats left" - How's that for specific, timely, useful information?!
<p>
So I jumped the United line, while listening to the announcement: "We recommend you go home if you can, all flights after 7:00 pm are cancelled". Aha! My flight to Orlando was scheduled for 5:45 pm - still hope! I already had a boarding pass, and bags tagged to Orlando, so just dumped my bags onto the conveyor belt and headed to the gate.
<p>The crew was there, the coming ice storm had not yet arrived, the plane was there and ... no gate agent to let anyone in!
<p>The agent arrived and the crew boarded at 5:15 and we waited, seeing a delay until 6:00 posted, then we boarded ... and waited
<p>
A series of fortunate and unfortunate events then transpired including:<ul>
<li>Bad: ice pellets started to fall, we were informed we could not fly
<li>Good: crew said we could dash off for 10 minutes to buy food - I seized the chance - along with about 5 other people - and got a sub and muffin for later - turned out to be a good decision
<li>Bad: the pilot reported that he wasn't getting a lot of information
<li>Good: ice turned back into snow
<li>Bad: a passenger needed to deplane for an emergency which cost us our spot in line to de-ice
<li>Good: Crew started a film for us to watch
<li>??: Crew handed out granola bars (bars not great but were food so not bad)
<li>Bad: the de-iced plan behind us just sat there for 45 minutes blocking us while our de-icers waited for us
<li>Good: Crew started a second film ("The Prestige") for us to watch
</ul>
Then it was pretty much good. We got de-iced and assured that "safety first" was still the policy in effect, we landed before 4 a.m. in Orlando and I slept at the airport before heading to Toronto on a 7:30 a.m. flight (which took off at 8:30)
<p>
All in all United Airlines crew did a great job of keeping us informed and kept a courteous and cheerful attitude through our 6 hour runway sit, though they seemed to be getting sparse and innacurate info all through the evening.
<p>
check back and I'll post the link to a short video of the de-icing in case you have never seen that ...matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-24335665205738962312007-02-20T04:03:00.000-05:002007-02-20T23:53:41.915-05:00Happy New Year (you pig!)PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR PHOTOS AND VIDEOS SOON!
<p>
I did a getaway weekend in Beijing in what is probably the BEST weekend of the year to visit one of the world's biggest cities. I met up with friends from Mongolia also visiting China and we hiked for 3.5 hours on the Great Wall neat Simatei and saw about 16 people all day. Beijing traffic, known for 5 hour traffic jams flowed smooth all weekend as so many people headed to the countryside to celebrate as families.
<p>
Being 1 in a ... billion. Just to make sure my Great Wall experience was unique - I did one pushup in each of the 32 towers on our walk. Yes, I know there is something wrong with me.
<p>
I managed to visit the Forbidden City, Tia'nenmen Square and watch the fireworks all over Beijing 2 nights. I heard the fireworks in Hong Kong are wilder and featured the first ever in the world Chinese character produced by fireworks, but Beijing is pretty special. EVERY person sets off fireworks. We had about $200 worth at our part. It sounded like a war zone... <a target="_blank" href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=55WbpPAd238">Watch some fireworks here!</a>
<p>
And the highlight of the trip was 2 days with the Beijing Hash House Harriers, we had a great run and party at the Hash 5:19 bar, food and beer all night for about $10. Then the usual suspects met up again the next night and we ate sashimi and sushi and beer at all you can eat/drink Japanese place for another $10. Great Hashers and people in Beijing and China!
<hr>
From "A Word a Day": If you were born in 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923, or 1911, congratulations! This is your year. In Chinese astrology a pig signifies intelligence, honesty, strength, and fortitude.
<p>
It's so unfair that in many cultures pigs symbolize all things uncultured.<br>
In English we have idioms such as to pig out (to overeat), to be pigheaded
(stubborn), to be piggish (greedy or slovenly), to hog (take more than
one's share) -- all reflections of our bias. In truth, pigs are the most
intelligent animals after primates.
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.goveg.com/f-hiddenlivespigs.asp">
See more HERE</a>
<p>
pignus (PIG-nuhs) noun, plural pignora
<pre>
1. A pledge.
2. Something held as security for a debt.
[From Latin pignus (pledge).]
</pre>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-75329981258585309192007-02-15T07:46:00.000-05:002007-03-20T11:57:41.113-05:00He's a Taxi, She's a Taxi ....I'm a taxi, wouldn't you like to be a taxi (pepper) too?
<p>
There are basically 2 types of cars in Ulaan Baator: nice, big 4-wheel drive hulks and ... unofficial taxis. Ok, there 3 types, because there are real taxis too.
<p>
Driving is on the right hand side here in Mongolia - like the States - but plenty of cars are left hand drive. And my commute between hotel and work has become one of riding in many types of cars. Like many locals, when I want to go somewhere, I don't bother phoning for a cab, I just stand on the road side with my arm extended down at about 45 degrees and wait for a car to pull over. They often reset their odometer to measure the ride. I only take them around the city so I know there can't be a fare over 1500 Mongolian Tugriks ($US 1.30), and I try to overpay just a bit and leave a little extra money in Mongolia.
<p> Usually it is a man driving around by himself looking for fares and they rarely pick up someone extra once they have a fare, but yesterday I got in a car with another passenger and today, coming 'home' from work, a young woman 'picked me up'.
<p>
I've driven in a lot of places and anyone who has been in Egypt knows about wacko driving, but here is the most aggressive driving towards pedestrians I've ever seen, and last week was the absolute worst taxi ride I ever had in my life - 6 minutes of jerking and screeching in the normally straight road to my hotel. Not a great story but that was the last time I got into a real taxi.
<p> Some others on the bottom of the food chain are the maids in the hotel, so they are very appreciative of their 90 cents tip/day and my room never wants for any supplies.
<p>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-1364982320724986552007-02-14T08:50:00.000-05:002007-11-21T11:06:00.395-05:00Six Men and a Baby<span style="font-size:85%;">(Click on any of the thumbnails here to see large images)</span>
<table><tbody><tr><td>Actually it was 6 men, 2 women, a baby and a teenager: 10 in all in the jeep we drove from Mongolia's largest city, 50 kilomteres into the countryside for the weekend. I had taken the sleeper train Friday night from Mongolia's capital UlaanBaator to the 3rd largest city Erdenet.
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCLFaE-FTso" target="blank">Video of the dining car</a></td><td>
<a href="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/pages/MN_Erdenet_train3_jpg.htm" target="blank"><img src="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/thumbnails/MN_Erdenet_train3_jpg.jpg" align="left/" />
</a> The 4 person compartment with a mini-TV</td></tr></tbody></table>
This was Sarra's family, the wife of Marc, who I met via the aborted effort to put on a play. There were 16 of us in the ger (
<a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yurt"><small>read about gers - the same as a Russian 'yurt' here</small></a>). They are nomadic herders who move 8 times a year. In winter they gather ice where they find it for storage of water
<a target="_blank" href="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/pages/MN_GettingIce1_jpg.htm"><img src="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/thumbnails/MN_GettingIce1_jpg.jpg" align="left" /></a>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a5x1Yu5VQE"> video of collecting ice from frozen stream</a><p>
And they collect water from the bit of a river about a mile away which is no completely frozen these days
<a target="_blank" href="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/pages/MN_River4_jpg.htm"><img src="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/thumbnails/MN_River4_jpg.jpg" align="left" /></a>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqtIWJYpgQ0"> video of collecting ice from frozen stream</a></p><p></p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/pages/MN_family3_jpg.htm">
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/thumbnails/MN_family3_jpg.jpg" />Most of the family</a><p></p>
some views of the ger, where we 16 slept...
<table><tr><td>
<a target="_blank" href="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/pages/MN_GerInside05_jpg.htm">
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/thumbnails/MN_GerInside05_jpg.jpg" /></a></td><td>
<a target="_blank" href="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/pages/MN_Ger01_jpg.htm">
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/thumbnails/MN_Ger01_jpg.jpg" /></a>
</td><td>
<a target="_blank" href="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/pages/MN_firewood_jpg.htm">
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/thumbnails/MN_firewood_jpg.jpg" /></a>
</td></tr></table>
<a target="_blank" href="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/pages/MN_hike08_jpg.htm">
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/photos/gertrip/gallery/thumbnails/MN_hike08_jpg.jpg" />and me on a hike in the mountains, wearing my borrowed herder coat - WARM!</a></p>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-72345853752515277202007-02-06T23:59:00.000-05:002007-11-21T11:08:40.954-05:00SurprisesI guess I should have said those are the best things about travel. Well, not all of them.
<p>
1. It's warmer here than there - maybe. Stuff is melting! So the "World's Coldest National Capital" is NOT, at least for today
<p>
2. Just when you thought the bureaucracy would be horrid: I arrived at the Chinese Embassy 1 minute before the Visa section closed, seeing the hours for the first time (not listed on the website) and figuring I would have to come back in 2 days, and allowing for my total lack of how to say anything in Chinese, I thought this trip would be a waste. The smiling clerk took my application, smiled and said, 30 seconds later, "It'll be ready next Wednesday!"
<p>
3. The play I was directing has been canceled. One highly motivated person can wreck something, unfortunately. I stayed positive and offered to do whatever was necessary, but 2 of the cast gave up and decided to quit. Apparently there have been 3 attempts to do shows in UB in the past 3 years and - including this one - all 3 have been canceled! And there is one person involved in all 3 - Ugggh! If only I had known when I started and cast the thing! If you are interested in the soap behind the play-that-wasn't email me and I'll send you some of the emails that went back and forth - I find them hilarious :-)!
<P> By popular request - here's more photo's:
SMOG - the morning view from my hotel room - Chinggis Khan hotel room 815: Coal burning in the ger's (tents) makes the air truly ghastly - that's NOT through the window - I stuck my camera outside to take the pic<br>
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/blog_mongosmog1.jpg">
<hr>
Countryside 2 hours outside of Ulaan Bator ("Red Hero")<br>
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/blog_mongoouttatown1.jpg">
<hr>
Happy to see tourists!<br>
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/blog_mongoHappy1.jpg">
<hr>
Another camel!<br>
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/blog_mongocamel2.jpg">
<hr>
Don't ask me! There's Dinosaurs in Mongolia!<br>
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/blog_mongodinos1.jpg">
<hr>matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-36114560571685640352007-02-06T02:45:00.000-05:002007-02-06T04:43:33.903-05:00TOP 10 SIGNS YOUR ASTRONAUT MIGHT NEED A CHANGE OF "STATUS"If you haven't heard about the astronaut stalker in diapers, you will...
<p>
<a target="blank" href = "http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070206/ap_on_re_us/astronaut_arrested&printer=1">News story here </a>
<p>
<hr>
Key quotes:
"NASA spokesman James Hartsfield in Houston said that, as of Monday,
<b>Nowak's status with the astronaut corps remained unchanged.</b>"
<br>
<p>
<span style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold;">
<u>TOP 10 SIGNS YOUR ASTRONAUT MIGHT NEED A CHANGE OF "STATUS"</u>:<br>
<p>
10. Non-stop singing to herself, "And I would drive 900 miles, and I would ...."
<p>
9. No pantie lines but diaper pins showing through dress
<p>
8. Overheard at lunch, "please pass the salt and pepper spray"
<p>
7. Nonstop accusing other astronaut of "trying to abort my re-entry"
<p>
6. Wearing wig and trench coat around office claiming overexposure to
solar radiation
<p>
5. Starts trimming nails with 4-inch folding knife
<p>
4. "Yes, I have 3 kids, I need all the diaper sizes you got"
<p>
3. Oh, "a mission to Outer Space", I thought you said, "a mission to
bust her face" ....
<p>
2. Fills in emergency contact form: relationship: "... more than a
working relationship but less than a romantic relationship"
<p>
1. One small step for [MY] man, one giant leap into a life sentence
<p>
online at: http://raslife2.blogspot.com
</span>
<p>
and pardon the graphic nature, but that was also one small stepout in
diapers and a whole shitload of trouble for one astronaut!
<hr>
Note, what I'm making fun of here is ... NASA has not changed her status, what do you gotta do to lose your job a an astronaut????
<p>Would you roll down your car window for
<a target="_blank" href="http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070206/480/wxs12102060221&g=events/us/020607astronautcharg;_ylt=AlRvKjurrSYMdA0zf2beuaZH2ocA;_ylu=X3oDMTA3bGk2OHYzBHNlYwN0bXA-">
THIS WOMAN (photo)</A> ?matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107718.post-76713556101319097952007-01-25T10:07:00.000-05:002007-03-20T11:48:22.708-05:00EyeRags, Ankle Bones and BactrainsAfter meeting people, seeing different customs and cultures is the best thing about travel and visiting new places for me. Mongolia has plenty of 'different' ones. One of them is hard to swallow - literally. I was served a teacup at work and after 2 hours had managed to lower the level about 3/4 of an inch and then gave up - just glad I didn't actually heave.
<p><a href="http://www.ctwm.org/airag.htm" target="_blank">Read about the making of airag here</a></p>
<p>I am not completely clear about the Ankle bone thing, but the Mongol Post reported that: "The Mongolia AnkleBone shooting Federation in Thailand(!) has demonstrated its sport to promote the national sport. Ankle bone shooting is a game played by two opponents in two teams and involves flicking small bullets (!) at ankle-bones arranged in a row." I'll keep you posted ...</p>
<p>Another ankle thingy: It seems the custom here is that if you accidentally kick someone's shoe or foot, you must shake their hand. I got kicked yesterday in a meeting - no harm no foul - but I did get a handshake.</p>
In your face Dept: I was going to brag about riding all the camel breeds, but it turns out there are 6 breeds of camel, counting cross-breeds. Here I am on a bactrain, temp -30C.<br>
<a href="http://camelphotos.com/camel_breeds.html" target="_blank">Read about camel breeds</a>
<img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/blog_bactrain2.jpg" />
<hr />
The horseys are short here: <img src="http://kleinosky.com/blog/blog_horsey1.jpg" />matthewhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16945287834964631499noreply@blogger.com0