Thank you David Bonderman!

Because of Mr. Bonderman's generosity, I have been given the opportunity to travel the world and learn about culture. As a Bonderman Travel Fellow I plan on traveling through Western and Eastern Europe, East Africa, Northern India and Southeast Asia. I am excited to experience new and amazing things that will better enable me to empower and inspire the next generation of young students.

ALSO!!! If you are interested in following the nasty development of my beard and hair....you can follow it at

Monday, February 28, 2011

Varanasi

Sunrise from the Ganges



Main Ghat


THE typical Varanasian having a real good time


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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Good day in Mt Abu!!

Rented a motor bike and took it to the highest point in all of Rajasthan: Guru Shikhar





View from the very top of Guru Shikhar





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Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Mt Abu


The fearless hiking guide


Toad rock


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Saturday, February 19, 2011

Italian/German couple





Ripcity







Doin work





Lunch in udaipur





God is good





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Indian Friends

I've been in India for 10 days and I've made lots and lots of friends...wonderful! It is a little discouraging though, that my friends consist of two Brits, two Germans, two Canadians, four Italians and an Australian. It's really hard to accept this immense wall made up of culture, color, money, living expectations, and much much more. Watching a beggar pass up ten Indians on the street and then approach me or a group of white tourists is numbing. Its sad. When children come up to me and ask for money I've started asking them for money also..its been a great solution! A situation that starts out as "White=Give and Indian=Recieve" turns into a funny, laughable situation where i feel a small sense of connection and relationship. I like it when they laugh at me. It breaks down the walls.

I'm starting to really understand and love the fact that Jesus only went as far from home as his feet could carry him. Simply disrupting his own culture had eternal ripples. What he did in his life continues to disrupt cultures all over the world today. He didn't need to travel to Seattle, Washington to grab my heart. I like that.

I just finished a three night stay in Pushkar. SO NICE!!! After a hectic start to India (Delhi and Agra), Pushkar was calm and so relaxing. I'd definitely go back there if I needed a deep breath amidst the craziness of Rajasthan.

I am currently in Udaipur, which is apparently "The Venice of the East" and I can see why. Beautiful buildings that back up onto Lake Picholo (i think??) and a romantic feel...being here with a lucky lady would be nice ;)

Next stop: Mt Abu to do some hiking. I might leave tomorrow, but we'll see.

I need to figure out the picture situation. I'll work on that today.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Inja!!

Solo travel in Delhi is MUCH MUCH MUCH different than Paris with your mommy....

Hard transition, but I'm making it work!

I landed in Delhi on February 10th at around noon and went straight for the Aircel counter to buy an Indian sim card...thank the Lord I did that! Because, right afterwards I bee-lined for the taxis, found one and asked them to take me to Hare Rama Guest House in Paharganj (a pretty well known place in a very touristy part of town...). The taxi driver said sure and we hopped in and made our way into town. However, about fifteen minutes into the ride, he turned to me and said that he did not know where this quest house was and Paharganj is MUCH bigger than you think...as he was saying this he was pulling over to a "tourist information center..." bad news! Basically, they all lied to me and tried to say that EVERY guest house in Delhi was full because it is festival week and there are a lot of tourists. They said that I wouldn't be able to pay less than 60 dollars for a hotel that night. They tried to sign me up for a week long scheduled trip that would ONLY cost $100 per day...they tried to scam all of my money and stress me out... But thanks to my steady and amazing contacts on the ground who walked me through the stress (you know who you are), I didn't bite the hook and pay $60 for a hotel. I escaped the trap and paid $6 at a perfectly suitable guest house in the under crowded Paharganj...I'm learning quickly!!

I was in Delhi for three nights. One of the days I RANDOMLY ran into a British couple that I met while in Mozambique!!! SO STRANGE!! Lucy, Giles and I shared a beer the night before they departed for Bangkok and I departed for Agra.

The following morning I hopped on the train to Agra and immediately met a cute little couple sitting next to me. The guy is Italian and the girl is German...they were also heading to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. Francisco and Sophia are an adorable couple that are learning the ropes of India along with me! It's nice to have other people to learn with. The three of us went to the Taj this morning...

Tomorrow morning I head out on a train to Pushkar! "NOT the Yoga capital of the world! Because Rishikesh is :)" please don't tell Mark Driscoll or he might not let me come back to Seattle

Ooookkkkkaaaaayyyyyy

I've been pressured into updating this thing... So here are some pictures from Paris

PARIS WAS NICE...I'm going back soon, I hope