What Kind of Trip is This?

No cruising eastern European rivers. No flights to New Zealand or Australia.

I'm very ready for a trip, except for one embarrassing detail; I don't have the money. I guess I could blame 'the economy,' but it is me. It's my fault. It's my own fault. I had put aside a bit for a trip, but just used it to put up $3000 worth of cyclone fencing here at Camp Thunderbird. I made the mistake of thinking I could replace it before I was ready to travel. I haven't replaced it and I am ready.
The meanderer, wanderer, ambler in me is ready for a couple of months of ambling, wandering, and meandering.
So, I've cleaned out the back of my old van and put a futon there with some nice fresh bedding.
That done, I tried making a travel budget. I see that I have just over $46 a day available. Of course that is only for food, lodging, gas, nightclubs, doctors, dentists, mechanics, laundromats, maps, flights, cruises, honey, van parts and so on.

Once I had my budget well I hand I began to consider my other resources. First there is me. I am 71 years old and not as swift as once I was. But I am fully ready to compensate for my decrepitude with my great planning and budgeting capabilities. Then there is my '97 Astro Van; a vehicle of great experience, but 'in van years, not young. So much for resources.

If it wasn't for the fact that I have nearly a full tank of gas, I might have to camp in the driveway.

I still have some details to take care of before I can leave the house for over a month, but I intend to sally forth as soon as they are taken care of.... or forgotten.

In the meantime, I'll use as little of my gas as possible.

I hope to keep you posted!

It Just Doesn't Make Sense

A friend asked me how I expected to vacation on a budget of $1400 a month.

I told him that these days, cash is as good as money.
He knows that what I do can't really be called vacationing.

What's the Deal, Richard?

Just wandered out of the pleasant Posada Verdun to find this Cyber spot just off the main plaza. Stepped into a place to ask where this cyber place was. The place I stepped into turned out to be a sweet shop and fine bakery. It also turned out that this cyber spot didn't open until 3:30 about ten minutes from the time I arrived. So I stayed and ate three marvelous little filled pastries. Had strong coffee from a glass followed by a little chaser of sparkling water. Coffee was not quit as strong as a demitasse of cafe tinto in Colombia, but it was strong good and hot.

I'm in Minas the little capital city of the State of Lavavilleja, Uruguay. The Posada here not only seems quiet, clean, comfortable, and well run, but also of a price more nearly within my budget than any I've experienced so far in Uruguay.

Spoke long with an interesting young woman. She is studying labor law, making an excellent living as a human resources consultant, active in her university affairs, and has just begun tango lessons...... but, had to let her return to her rock and roll drummer husband.

Speaking of ladies, I left Isis at Dayman without saying good-bye. She had invited my to the spa at Arapay. I had the ill grace not to say ýes´ ´no` or anything. She is closer to my age than the young woman above, a widow, and likes to travel. She lives on the Rambla, which suggests that travel is well within her means. So, whats the deal, Richard?

Dear Reader!

Hello, dear reader!
I´m very please that you are here.
Please leave me a comment.
I´ve left the Dayman Thermal baths and am back in a nice little hotel with a big name, Grand Hotel Uruguay, in Salto. Loved the water at Dayman.

My health is a bit better and have enjoyed the companionship of some ladies at Dayman. Left there without saying good-bye and with out accepting some invitations.
I still have some health related business to take care of here.

Speaking of business I note that I am still living well above my budget.

Have been considering some moves. I could head toward southern Argentina and even Antarctica. The weather is warming. From Argentina I could head to South Africa, Australia or New Zealand. Or .... I could head north toward Sao Paolo and Rio in Brazil and from there head to western Europe or North Africa or Arabia.

Expect to gradually have some improvements made to this blog.

Travel Decision

This travel decision has turned out to be a greater challenge than I expected.
Once, when we were children, I informed my sister that I had a headache, she, showing a fine grasp on the situation, responded, "Oh, Richard, it's all in your head." It is all in my head and uncomfortable.

There are some facts to go on:
1. I want to get "on the road" now. Very few preparations remain, if one discounts reservations, tickets, visas, and the like.
2. I can afford to spend only about $60 a day or $1800 a month at home or abroad.
3. I know I can travel and live comfortably enough in most of the world within that price-range.
4. I know that there are parts of the world in which I cannot travel comfortably within that price-range. Those parts include Japan, Western Europe, and the good old U.S. of A.
5. I manage to live well enough here at Camp Thunderbird on my available $1800 and put aside a bit!
6. Keeping to a pre-arranged itinerary is neither easy nor satisfying for me.

Some other points of information are:
1. Kevin, a friend who knows Thailand, would like to meet me there in October. Great!
2. My sister, Gerry, has offered to put me in contact with a relative in Norway who is a historian interested in our family history. Great!
3. Rex, a good friend whose birthday is close to mine has invited me to stay at his place for a week in mid-month ant the time of his birthday. No gift expected and we'd be able to explore a bit of the State of Mississippi. Great!
4. Top travel "destinations" of the moment include: China, Germany, Colombia, Sweden, Uruguay, Switzerland, and Japan.
5. I'm thinking that traveling around Us for a time briefly touching base with family and friends in about 10 locations. I wonder what my brother, Dorian, is doing.
6. I want to travel more restfully, in shorter hops, with more companionship than I have in recent years.

Can I do it all? Can I start?
Yes, it is all about me.