The Orange Hat

Success is only what you make of it- no one can grant you it, it's your construct

I am writing this for me. I need to write this, and I need to find out where it is going.

The last time I felt like this was in a Coffee shop in Nairobi almost nine months ago- and the outcome was euphoric – in a mind blowing, expanding, linking way. I don’t care what you think of this. This is for me. So write.

I haven’t been a good person to the people who have helped me along my travels. I should be writing letters to those who met up with me in Lesotho (Glen and Ray) and showed me the most amazing time in their small country. I should have sent Steve his Twizlers, I should have responded to Boneys email, he had such hopes and dreams. Yet I am not, I’m writing this, else I will never do what I just committed myself into doing- words have power, thoughts are easily forgotten.

This is a to-do list. There are no check offs. There are only paths. I am choosing to turn around and follow up places I have been. Write to them.

I have guilt about certain things I’ve done, and people I have acted towards in a way I would not like to be treated. At the same time I did what I thought best in a situation that was in the end: about me. I don’t blame you Sylvia- I just don’t care anymore, and leaving was the best and most enjoyable choice I’ve ever made in my life- in some respects I pity you. Kizzy, I will write, Asha, I will write- Danny you are amazing.

I enjoy being active. Facebook is a tool, Email is a tool, and books are tools. Caffeine, alcohol, is just means to whatever ends you choose. I have been more projective High than spending hours on FB – it has wasted more of my time than I wish- but is useful enough that I will keep it. Choices.

I am watching myself, and going a path I choose. This is for those who aren’t. I am tired of telling people who don’t care how Africa was- go find out, it’s the only real way to know and for anyone who wants to know the full story:

I was walking outside of a bar to go home, which was about 5 km away from down town Nairobi, at 1am. I walked through a park and woke up in the hospital. I don’t remember how I got there. The nurses told me I was mugged by no less than 4 men, who then proceeded to take my passport, id, and a few other important Items. I was probably strangled then hit on the head. The result of this was 70% hearing loss in my right ear which (70%! No all, so I can hear some thing you whisper in my ear) I will probably not recover from (nerve damage)- and skull fracture which has healed. I had balanced problems; they are now not an issue. This was the 2nd week I was in Kenya. My mother did not ask me to come home. I was in a nice hospital for about a week. I know I am stupid, do not do what I did.

I am somewhat angry at my lack of productivity- I feel the urge- it pounds at my head. I’m going. GO

I'm in Jo-Burg, it's a big city, and I don't feel like I'm in Africa anymore! AHhhh There is KFC and Mcy D's! crazyiness!

!!!

Book wise, I'm leaving them with fellow travelers since they're so scarce in central africa (transport and lack of english speaking people) BUT!!!
I found a used bookstore in Blantyre Malawi which I could get 5 books for $3! so now i have A tale of two cities, 20,0000 LUTS, grapes of Wrath, Homer, and The Three Musketeers ! (which is alot of extra weight I might add) - so I'll see Peacher ;)

after my last post I flew down to Nkhata Bay which is a lovely little backpakers paradise, met up with a people from all oer the world, and really just hung out for three days. A friend I met three then drove me about 400 km south where I caught a mini bus to Blantyre and stayed over at Doogles, which I camped at (sleeping bag under a tree- cold though which is good because misquotes suck and I need to be in my bag) looked around town the day after then took off to Tete the next day, which is a large city in Moz-

Slept for maybe 4 hours then got on a bus at 4 am to Onchope (it was about 120*f there) then off to Maxixe (on the cost) - I had been up for about 20 hours, but I got lots of reading and found a leatherman micro for next to nothing)

I'm now in Inbane which is a sleeping and peaceful costal town about 4 hours from Maputo - which is my next stop

I plan on going from there to Swaziland, followed by Joe-burg (then we see)
Either way I fly out of Cape town on the 28th of October to Paris :)

cheers

I like Eggs, They are good.

Malawi is amazing - at least Nkhata bay :)
But alsas it didn't have an internet connection :p

Spent three nights there with other backpackers, (did some rowing, snorkeling, which I'm not sure why I havn't done before! and tried the locla brew [yuck]- met... Brits, Israeies, Germans, Dutchmen, and lots of Malawisna) then hitched a ride down with Ben, who I met at Mayorka VIllage (awesome like side campside/bar) who has been driving from Cape town for about two months- Just arrived in Blantyre last night, and am taking a little break for today, then I'll bus it down to Mozanbique and then to Swaziland.

I'm realizing I'm very pressed for time, and there are far to many things to do in the world, but I'll try for as many as I can.

I finished "Small Gods" which was an amazing read, and I recomend it to anybody who's looking at a alternative view of religion of the self verses teh masses (also read SIlas Marner by George Elliot, which is kinda the same thing but without Prattchets WIt) - and I finnally found a book store in Blantyre (not relaly any since Nairobi)

I'm going back and forth between travel buddies, which is fun, and I don't know who I'll find next on my way to Mozambique, but I think that's the fun part.

Just got to... Supowanga(sp?) about 10 hour from Malawi

the Boat left on... Friday, two days late, so I spent a week in Northern TZ, learning more about the local beer and meeting some UN ppls (and now traveling with other backpackers)

umm... Learning new card games, lots of talking, and not too much internet time

New plan is to go down to Malawi then Mozambique, follow through to Swaziland, SA, Lesotho, then Fly from Cape Town to Paris on October 28th!

then fly back to the US for thanksgiving...

I know this is a really bad post, but I'm on a time limit,


Cheers!

Crossed the boarder yesterday with a bus full of lovely Burundian ladies who laughed at me every chance they got:) It was quite fun.

now I'm in Kigoma till Wed. as the Boat comes then- I float to Zambia- I'm safe other than an Eye infection which I'm treating

Life is cheep again ($1 for my hotel last night) which makes me happy, and I'm going to search for fishermen to take me out one the lake on my 3 day stop over- barely anyone speaks English, so it'll be fun ! :D

-Pole Pole