I'm writing this as a blog placeholder for when this trip really starts. I am going to visit my kids in the Czech for the first two weeks, and there is not much of general interest to everybody during that time. Even then (about July 9), I don't know that this will be very exciting a blog for most people. It will, however, be of interest to Judy and Susan (my mother in law), and some other traveler out there planning a trip across Asia while living off the economy.
At any rate, this is me getting into the car before my last trip around the world. I weighed 209 pounds (fifteen less than now), and was a little less arthritic. Otherwise it is pretty much the same as it will be as I go off this time.
I have bought two new pairs of zip off travel pants to replace the two I took on that trip (They were just wearing out after some twenty countries on various trips.) I will be wearing the yellow version of that shirt. The blue shirt will be in the backpack, along with three others like it but of different solid colors, and two t-shirts, a pair of swim trunks, four pairs of full size and two pair of little ankle size white socks, a pair of flip-flops, a waterproof windbreaker, a pancho, and little folding umbrella. In addition, the one rolling bag (which can also be a backpack), will have some camera cords, a charger for the smart phone, about a quart sandwich bag of toiletries and medicines, and some paperwork. The black backpack will hold my DSLR and a couple of extra lenses. And I will have a small point and shoot on my belt. The only jacket on this trip will by my RAS hoodie, as usual.
That's it. I wear the same clothes for the duration, the same shoes. I wash clothes about once a week to ten days. Hopefully I find a machine or a laundromat in the hostel. Otherwise, it is soap and water in the sink, and lots of stuff stretched out. And hope it dries. And it gets really tired after six weeks in the same thing, no matter what the event. The clothes are selected for versatility. The collar and the buttons make them look a bit more formal than all-the-time t-shirts. The zip-off legs mean I can wear long pants or short depending on the weather and custom of the country. The pants are identical so that I can always put my passport in one pocket, money in another, etc. It is so hard remembering where everything is when the pockets are not in the same place on all pants!!! The swim trunks are good for swimming, but also great for sleeping in and going back and forth to the shower in a hostel, etc. All clothes are sufficiently drab that they do not draw too much attention. And did I mention that it is really a drag wearing the same thing for six weeks. Especially if I do not find a laundromat.
At any rate, this post is a placeholder. I will tell a few of my friends that the blog exists since they want to follow it. And I will make entries now and then when I can. Not so much when I am in the Czech with the family because that is just family stuff in general. But once I get going, I will do what I can. I will be on the train for days at a time, so I do not know when I will actually be able to post. I expect to find wireless for the phone to connect now and then, but considering that some of my planned places to stay do not have bathrooms inside, that may not happen as regularly as I hope.
