Sprangle - That’s what I’m doing. No, this is not about my uncontrolled waistline, nor does it refer to my admitted expansive ego. It’s about travel - travel in many directions, local and far - and in many modes, formal and informal. BTW - that’s not a rug in this photo, just a lousy haircut.

Click on the photo to expand - click again anywhere in the text to close it.

On Sep 14th, 2006 I’ll be off again on my annual pilgrimage from Jersey City, NJ USA to Manly Beach, NSW, Australia. In addition to those 4 weeks in Oz, I’ll finish up that trip with my usual sprangle (see what a great word it is?).

BTW - in case you haven’t noticed, I’ve tweaked the blogging code so the entries read in true chronological order (not reverse chrono as blogs usually do). If you want to see the most recent entries, go to the last date by using the calendar to your left. Entry dates are underlined and blue. (more…)

Defning an itinerary and buying the air tix are a test of the sincerity of one’s belief that it’s the journey, not the destination, that matters. Every step is an act of faith in someone else’s integrity and competence.
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The Emperor Franz Joseph famously complained that Mozart’s music has “too many notes.” My version of that, probably as lazy and ill-informed as his, says there are too many choices online for buying air tickets. (more…)

In years past, when I’ve taken trips of similar length, I’ve either left my apartment vacant or participated in a home exchange through one of the online services that facilitate them. The home exchanges have been great and satisfying and have expanded the range of friends around the world - but this time I’ve decided to sublet for the 6 weeks I will be traveling. (more…)

For those who may not know, Craig’s List is the Google of the online classified advertisement world. In just a few years, it has become such a powerful free tool that many newspapers around the world are losing serious revenue to its superior and cost-free service. I’ve never used it. I’m looking forward to discovering how well it works - or if it works at all. (more…)

What a ridiculous conceit, to research India, armed with a Google search button, a Barnes and Noble discount membership and a Public Library card. I don’t want the pale lightbulb of vicarious information; I want the fire of experience.

I know that even a few weeks of that will be inadequate. After all, India is the source of the cautionary tale of the blind men invited to describe an elephant after running their hands over the part nearest at the moment. The one at the trunk said it was a firehose; men at the legs said it’s a tree; the man at the tail described a snake, etc. (more…)