So, perhaps I'll plan to end up in the Jolly Ole' UK around this time during my RTW trip. Specifically, I want to end up in Ottery St. Mary, which provides one of the more epic celebrations for Thanksgiving in the UK.
What they're celebrating is not "Thanksgiving" as Americans know it, but rather giving thanks that the king was able to survive an assassination attempt. It all started with King James taking over the British throne. While he was "more tolerant" than his predecessor when it came to Catholic-Protestant relations (he is the King James of the King James Version of the Bible, and Protestant.) The Catholics were peeved that they could submit to the pope for sovereignty, but had to submit to the king. Also, he was a major dick to them, as he exiled all the priests and Jesuits from the country. And, to make things worse, he instituted what I'm calling a "Catholic Tax"--a fine for being Catholic.
Thus, a group of Catholics decided that an attack on Parliament on the day that it opened (November 5, 1605) was the best option. People hoped to use this is a starting point for a popular uprising, that would end with a 9-year-old girl becoming the new, Catholic head-of-state. Oh, the uprising was meant to capture said 9-year-old. Also planned to perish were other high-ranking government officials who may have a claim to the throne.
Well, clearly the king was tipped off by someone in parliament who was tipped off by someone looking out for a relative in the attack. Thus, November 5th became a day for Thanksgiving in the UK, as the king was still alive.
Now, Ottery St. Mary has one of the more intense celebrations. There were to be 30 barrels of gunpowder set off in the attack, so they carry, through town, thirty barrels that are covered in tar and set on fire. Additionally, large-scale city-wide bonfires are common through the country, as is burning and effigy of Guy Fawkes, the main planner of the attack. Fireworks are also set off.
Oh, religious disagreement. Never shall you leave us.
So, do remember, remember the 5th of November.
Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gunpowder_Plot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottery_St_Mary
Friday, November 5, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
What to Read?
Preparing for an around the world trip obviously requires a bit of research. I'm just jumping into this whole thing, so my research is quite limited. I'm sure I'll form a network though.
This site lists the 10 blogs you should've been reading in 2010 (which I'll assume is somewhat applicable for 2011, too). I've subscribed to them in my Google Reader. Share similar things if you know of any.
Likewise, it's helpful to get up to speed on what others are doing. A friend I made in Tel Aviv has a blog outlining a pretty major change he made in his life. I also follow many of my friends from Korea's blogs, though I'm not sure how much they'll be travelling after Korea. Some will be, some won't. Add in some major newspaper travel columnists, and some random gadget websites and I'm acquiring a decent reading list.
Often to be sourced will also be Wikipedia and Wikitravel, which have been immensely helpful in my travels already. I'm going to shy away from the Lonely Planet series because they've made those places not so, um, "lonely". They're a reasonable starting point, and offer nice maps, but there's much more to see in a city than what those books lay out.
History is perhaps the most important thing to culture, so I'll be reading some history books before and during my trip, to fully understand the *moment* I'm in. Some I've read about places I've traveled already include "Korea's Place in the Sun", several books about Egypt, and the Bible. Man, that thing gives a good account of the Middle East.
In this regard, a RTW ticket allows for trips to stranger places, and after reading Jared Diamond's book "Collapse" I'm pumped at the though of going to Easter Island.
Reading suggestions are always welcome--e-mail me or in the comments.
Until tomorrow...
This site lists the 10 blogs you should've been reading in 2010 (which I'll assume is somewhat applicable for 2011, too). I've subscribed to them in my Google Reader. Share similar things if you know of any.
Likewise, it's helpful to get up to speed on what others are doing. A friend I made in Tel Aviv has a blog outlining a pretty major change he made in his life. I also follow many of my friends from Korea's blogs, though I'm not sure how much they'll be travelling after Korea. Some will be, some won't. Add in some major newspaper travel columnists, and some random gadget websites and I'm acquiring a decent reading list.
Often to be sourced will also be Wikipedia and Wikitravel, which have been immensely helpful in my travels already. I'm going to shy away from the Lonely Planet series because they've made those places not so, um, "lonely". They're a reasonable starting point, and offer nice maps, but there's much more to see in a city than what those books lay out.
History is perhaps the most important thing to culture, so I'll be reading some history books before and during my trip, to fully understand the *moment* I'm in. Some I've read about places I've traveled already include "Korea's Place in the Sun", several books about Egypt, and the Bible. Man, that thing gives a good account of the Middle East.
In this regard, a RTW ticket allows for trips to stranger places, and after reading Jared Diamond's book "Collapse" I'm pumped at the though of going to Easter Island.
Reading suggestions are always welcome--e-mail me or in the comments.
Until tomorrow...
RTW - Some more information
My friend Dan Stover had a link to this blog posted by someone else on his Facebook wall. Being the inquisitive young lad I am, I was inclined to click it, especially since I like travel. Needless to say, the excellence of the information provided, along with how well it's presented, excited me for the potential of this trip. However....
I unfortunately can't afford to just, oh, stop life right now and hop around the globe. Hence, I have to put it on hold for a year or so. But, this blog is to keep me entertained and focused on the program at hand. And, also, perhaps to finance. In my first post, I did mention the Google Ads, and I encourage you to click those. But, this process can move quicker with sponsors. Never hesitate to donate or to ask me to pimp your product. E-mail.
Anyways, if you haven't taken the time to click the link to the blog, here's the gist:
A "RTW" (round-the-world) ticket provides some of the best travel whilst traveling. Throw in miles and the like and it only gets to be a better one. Plus, with the company I have my "loyalty" program through, it's cheapest to leave from Seoul. Consider: The listed fair comes in at about 3,400,000 KRW, or about $300 USD. Round trip from Seoul to Detroit last summer the cost was approximately $1500. It's about twice as expensive for a RTW business class, but......
You get 16 flights. So about $3,000 for up to 16 flight segments. Less than $200 a flight, and that's including trans-Pacific/Atlantic. In fact, the fare REQUIRES that you make one of each of those.
Another thing that I'm going to attempt on this trip is how I'll be staying in cities. This will be tough if I travel in SE Asia, but in Europe, the US, and some other places I ought to be able to make it work. My first choice would be to stay with a friend, or a friend of a friend. Someone I know. I say this not to mooch, per se, but for two other reasons. First, it's always nice to spend time with someone who knows the city (See #2) but second is that I am quite proud of the global network I've created. I have friends in several European countries, a couple African countries, some Asian countries, and all across the US.
If it cannot be with a friend, or a friend of a friend, I'll tap into "social networking" and do my best to Couch Surf. I've attempted to utilize this before, but only once have I been able to. I hope it's more successful this time around.
And, if worse comes to worse, there's always hostels or hotels. (The former over the latter, of course). And if worse comes to worse to worse, airport chairs are comfy?
Anyways, there's the gist of the plan, and a hint of the inspiration. Tomorrow we'll look into a possible first destination.
Cheers!
I unfortunately can't afford to just, oh, stop life right now and hop around the globe. Hence, I have to put it on hold for a year or so. But, this blog is to keep me entertained and focused on the program at hand. And, also, perhaps to finance. In my first post, I did mention the Google Ads, and I encourage you to click those. But, this process can move quicker with sponsors. Never hesitate to donate or to ask me to pimp your product. E-mail.
Anyways, if you haven't taken the time to click the link to the blog, here's the gist:
A "RTW" (round-the-world) ticket provides some of the best travel whilst traveling. Throw in miles and the like and it only gets to be a better one. Plus, with the company I have my "loyalty" program through, it's cheapest to leave from Seoul. Consider: The listed fair comes in at about 3,400,000 KRW, or about $300 USD. Round trip from Seoul to Detroit last summer the cost was approximately $1500. It's about twice as expensive for a RTW business class, but......
You get 16 flights. So about $3,000 for up to 16 flight segments. Less than $200 a flight, and that's including trans-Pacific/Atlantic. In fact, the fare REQUIRES that you make one of each of those.
Another thing that I'm going to attempt on this trip is how I'll be staying in cities. This will be tough if I travel in SE Asia, but in Europe, the US, and some other places I ought to be able to make it work. My first choice would be to stay with a friend, or a friend of a friend. Someone I know. I say this not to mooch, per se, but for two other reasons. First, it's always nice to spend time with someone who knows the city (See #2) but second is that I am quite proud of the global network I've created. I have friends in several European countries, a couple African countries, some Asian countries, and all across the US.
If it cannot be with a friend, or a friend of a friend, I'll tap into "social networking" and do my best to Couch Surf. I've attempted to utilize this before, but only once have I been able to. I hope it's more successful this time around.
And, if worse comes to worse, there's always hostels or hotels. (The former over the latter, of course). And if worse comes to worse to worse, airport chairs are comfy?
Anyways, there's the gist of the plan, and a hint of the inspiration. Tomorrow we'll look into a possible first destination.
Cheers!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Day 1 - Incheon Airport
Said around the trip is planned to start at Incheon International Airport. Now, it seems silly to mention an airport in as a destination for a RTW (round the world) trip, but trust me on this. This airport looks awesome. From idea conception (1992) to opening (2001) this project took 9 years, and is still in the making. In fact, currently it's only in between phases two and three. By the time it is completed in 2020, it will have capacity to serve 100 million passengers a year, and is on pace to become one of the busiest in the world.
In addition to passengers, the airport's cargo terminals can handle 1.7 million metric tons of cargo a year. That's 3,748,500,000 pounds, or roughly enough iPhones for everyone on the planet to have 2.
Regarding location, Incheon has some interesting history and interesting current problems. From the heart of Seoul, it takes about 45 minutes - 1 hour to arrive at the airport. (Set cab fares are about $50 or $80, depending on where in Seoul). A train is now open there, and many airport limousines (read: buses) take people from all over the country. Basically, the airport is on an island just outside of the city, making it slightly inconvenient. But, having been to Rome (40 minute TERRIBLE train ride) and from Columbus, OH (buses go what, 3 times a day?) the public transport is admirable.
Incheon, as history buffs will know, was a landing site of a major counter-offensive during the Korean War. General MacArthur arranged an amphibious landing on the island. This came as a shock to the North Koreans, who had pushed American and South Korean forces nearly off of the peninsula. This attack at Incheon, and the retaking of Seoul turned the tides in the war, and allowed the Americans and S. Koreans to push the North nearly to the Chinese border. (My reading indicates that the North retreated faster than usual, and set a trap for the American and S. Korean forces. Their retreat was with strength, and into the mountains.) As the Chinese joined the war, then, the stalemate began resulting in the lines we have drawn now.
The most recent time I travelled to the airport--which requires crossing a large body of water (Incheon is an island) it was interesting to reflect on the importance of the island to the Korean people, and to today's current geo-political landscape. Without the successful attack at Incheon, the US likely would have used an atomic bomb on the north. Use of the bomb after WWII would have set a nasty precedent that could have destroyed the world.
Incheon airport is a star, and one of the best in the world. Despite what I believe is the inconvenience of its location, it does its job, and is comfortable in doing so. Compared to other airports I've been to (read:Cairo) it's incredibly clean, efficient and modern. (I know Cairo has a new terminal, but overall....) Thus, we have our departure point, Incheon Airport.
In addition to passengers, the airport's cargo terminals can handle 1.7 million metric tons of cargo a year. That's 3,748,500,000 pounds, or roughly enough iPhones for everyone on the planet to have 2.
Regarding location, Incheon has some interesting history and interesting current problems. From the heart of Seoul, it takes about 45 minutes - 1 hour to arrive at the airport. (Set cab fares are about $50 or $80, depending on where in Seoul). A train is now open there, and many airport limousines (read: buses) take people from all over the country. Basically, the airport is on an island just outside of the city, making it slightly inconvenient. But, having been to Rome (40 minute TERRIBLE train ride) and from Columbus, OH (buses go what, 3 times a day?) the public transport is admirable.
Incheon, as history buffs will know, was a landing site of a major counter-offensive during the Korean War. General MacArthur arranged an amphibious landing on the island. This came as a shock to the North Koreans, who had pushed American and South Korean forces nearly off of the peninsula. This attack at Incheon, and the retaking of Seoul turned the tides in the war, and allowed the Americans and S. Koreans to push the North nearly to the Chinese border. (My reading indicates that the North retreated faster than usual, and set a trap for the American and S. Korean forces. Their retreat was with strength, and into the mountains.) As the Chinese joined the war, then, the stalemate began resulting in the lines we have drawn now.
The most recent time I travelled to the airport--which requires crossing a large body of water (Incheon is an island) it was interesting to reflect on the importance of the island to the Korean people, and to today's current geo-political landscape. Without the successful attack at Incheon, the US likely would have used an atomic bomb on the north. Use of the bomb after WWII would have set a nasty precedent that could have destroyed the world.
Incheon airport is a star, and one of the best in the world. Despite what I believe is the inconvenience of its location, it does its job, and is comfortable in doing so. Compared to other airports I've been to (read:Cairo) it's incredibly clean, efficient and modern. (I know Cairo has a new terminal, but overall....) Thus, we have our departure point, Incheon Airport.
Welcome
I've done various, non-sensical blogs before. (did you read "The Daily Stick"?) but this is--hopefully--somewhat more informative and worthwhile. So, some quick background:
I currently live in the not-so-but-somewhat-booming metropolis known as Chungju, South Korea. I teach English (or, well, do something with English, I barely call it "teaching) at an all-girls middle school. I specifically teach the 3rd graders (9th grade US) and less frequently the 1st graders (7th US). Middle school girls are accurately described as the "holy grail" of English teaching in Korea. They're interested in learning, don't really misbehave, and on the rare occasions they do, are quick to correct themselves.
I'm here with my girlfriend, Breanna, and we've travelled a reasonable amount in-country. All signs right now point towards us spending next year in South Korea, whilst transferring to Seoul.
At some point in time, though, I want to take an around the world trip. This blog will document what I hope to do. The goal is to get a post a day with something that I may see/indulge in along the way. Also, there should be cute Google Ads around, and you are all encouraged to click.
Feel free to shoot me an e-mail (nathan [dot] stickney [at] gmail [dot] com) with any questions, concerns, wonderings, the like.
I currently live in the not-so-but-somewhat-booming metropolis known as Chungju, South Korea. I teach English (or, well, do something with English, I barely call it "teaching) at an all-girls middle school. I specifically teach the 3rd graders (9th grade US) and less frequently the 1st graders (7th US). Middle school girls are accurately described as the "holy grail" of English teaching in Korea. They're interested in learning, don't really misbehave, and on the rare occasions they do, are quick to correct themselves.
I'm here with my girlfriend, Breanna, and we've travelled a reasonable amount in-country. All signs right now point towards us spending next year in South Korea, whilst transferring to Seoul.
At some point in time, though, I want to take an around the world trip. This blog will document what I hope to do. The goal is to get a post a day with something that I may see/indulge in along the way. Also, there should be cute Google Ads around, and you are all encouraged to click.
Feel free to shoot me an e-mail (nathan [dot] stickney [at] gmail [dot] com) with any questions, concerns, wonderings, the like.
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