Traveling Boy: Traveling Companion

Guest Writers Preview

The Eichhorn Schwyzerorgelfabrik and Musikhaus
by Gary Singh
Someone once said a man’s home is his castle, a safe refuge for all. Everyone knows the phrase. But in Christian Greuter’s case, his accordion-fabrication facility is his castle. Especially now that a ridiculous accordion app exists for the iPad, I crave the real thing, just like a drug.

The Taj Mahal
by Julio Natividad
"Tell the world about your love for me." Legend has it that these were the dying words of Mumtaz Mahal to her husband, the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. The latter had been fighting a campaign in the Deccan Plateau in 1631 when his favorite wife suddenly succumbed after giving birth to their fourteenth child.

An American Student in London (Part 2)
by Stephanie Keats
One of the perks of going to an overpriced institution of higher learning like USC and going abroad is that they organize free trips for you to go on so you can “experience” more of the UK... So Friday I traveled to Stratford-upon-Avon for my all inclusive weekend of fun.

An American Student in Thailand (Part 2)
by Lindsey Koro
Before coming to Thailand, I was feeling guilty about my amazing life (hehe). I thought that coming here would be my chance to be challenged and work hard to give back to the world without having everything handed to me. Working as an English teacher has certainly been a challenge, but this past weekend had me wondering yet again what I've done to be such an incredibly lucky person.

In My Wildest Dreams
by Elyssa Davalos
Vastly dramatic landscapes pour out of the painted sky. To behold this unique voyage makes you feel like an explorer from another era. There is no better way to see Alaska than under the knowledgeable and guiding hands of The Boat Company.

Caramoan, Philippines
by Julio Natividad
A warm breeze softly blew into our faces as our motorized outrigger boat slowly made its way through the shallow, crystal-clear waters. Within minutes the next destination on our second day of island-hopping came into view: a sand bar that stretched several hundred meters from where our boat came to a rest.

An American Student in Thailand (Part 1)
by Lindsey Koro
I've said the word what seems like billions of times, but in 3 days these images in my head of this foreign place will come alive. I'll be living and working in a Muslim community called Ao Luk in the Krabi province of Southern Thailand. I'm joining a volunteer organization--Global Vision International (GVI)--of which I've heard wonderful things, to teach English for ten weeks to little kiddos!

An American Student in London (Part 1)
by Stephanie Keats
What happens when you take a 20 year old sorority girl without any sense of direction and put her in a foreign country? Well we're about to find out. My name is Stephanie and I'm a LA Girl, born and raised, who's about to embark on a 5+month adventure to study abroad in London.

The Parade Has Started
by Tom Joyce
The Parade has started. Grand Marshal Captain Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger waving to my grandstand. But a tour director is informing me that the grandstand is collapsing. The truth of the matter was that someone had left a water spigot running and the corner was settling into the soft earth under the support strut. Happy New Year. What was I to do?

Shouldering Tradition
by Gabriella Gafni
It was on a sweltering day in July, 2000 on the occasion of "The Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel" in Brooklyn, New York (the childhood home of my mother and her family) when I noted the command, "Uaglió, a spal!" (pronounced "Wal-Yo, ah sbahl"--- "young men, on your shoulders!"). These words, signaling the lift of the Giglio, echoed the inflections of my Napolitano ancestors. The imperative mingled with aromas of brasciole (a kind of sausage), opened clams on the half shell, zeppoles, and a host of other Italian delicacies.

Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai
by Nino Mohan
I should be angry at the politicians in India for having failed to provide safety and security that the citizens and tourists expect. I should be angry at the terrorists for subjecting so many families to horror by killings innocents, terrorizing and injuring their loved ones. But this is not the time for finding faults. It is time to celebrate good deeds of the brave souls who saved lives and to stand up against terrorism to let the terrorists know that their cowardly acts are wrong and do not scare us.

What to Do if You Are in an Accident
by Russ Brown and Chuck Koro
Most of us think we know the protocol to follow if we are involved in a traffic accident but when you are actually involved in an accident your adrenaline starts pumping, you may be injured, and your ability to think can be clouded. It is important to understand what needs to be accomplished, not just at the accident scene, but in the following hours and days, including preserving your version of the accident.

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FEEDBACK FOR JULIO

The way I read this article, you stayed at the "Breeze and Waves". Do you have any pictures of the cottages, and would you recommend to some first time visitors to Caramoan?

--- Richard Simons, Stockton, CA

Hi Richard,

Breeze and Waves was still under construction when I stayed there in Feb. 2010. It should be finished by now. You can see pictures of the resort on this page. We got to stay in one of the small cottages in the picture. I'll recommend it to budget travelers but you might want to look at other options. We chose it because of its location right by the beach. You can try other resorts in the Caramoan town proper (you have to get a ride to take you to the beach and the jump-off point to go island-hopping but it's a relatively short distance). There are also two higher end resorts located on a cove and very near the islands: Gota Village Resort (unfortunately there is something wrong with their website right now) and its twin resort Hunongan Cove. Caramoan is a relatively new tourism development so resorts are just now being built.

You can go to this site for a good list of choices for accommodations in Caramoan: http://www.claireraborar.com/travel/caramoan-accommodation/

I should add that it might be good to go to Caramoan (and almost anywhere in the Philippines) during the dry season in December to May. June to November are the typhoon months and sometimes typhoons will still come during early December.

Julio

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Hi, I'm planning to go to Caramoan this coming May. Would you know the number of Breeze and Waves Cottages? Thanks!

--- Ann, Manila, Philippines

Hi Ann,

Breeze and Waves' phone number is 0908-2911072. Look for Freddie. Hope you have a grand time at Caramoan!

Julio

FEEDBACK FOR NINO

I enjoyed Nino's contribution, since we all read about the frightening terrorist attack. Having travelled somewhat through India years ago, I am continually impressed with this country and the gentle spiritual aspects of this nation. Some day I look forward to going back. Nino has encouraged me. Thank you!

--- Yoka Y., Westlake Village, CA

FEEDBACK FOR RUSH & CHUCK

Dear Mr.s/counselors Brown and Koro,

Thank you for a very informed and succinct article on motorcycle accidents and the law. It inspired me to think about getting a motorcycle, but not have an accident. But, if I do I am now well informed with the basics of what to do providing I do not perish in the accident. Any tips about that too?

--- Unnamed

Dear Rush and Chuck,

I wish I had read your article before our camping trip the Friday prior to President's Day.

My wife and I were in a car accident on our way to a camp ground. We were "rear-ended" and the impact caused our car to crash into the car in front of us. The contents of the truck that we were riding scattered onto several lanes. It's a miracle our two dogs decided to stay inside the car. My wife and I were shaken up badly but despite the mess, I was still able to walk out of the car. I got the license plate of the driver in front of me but, to my surprise, after reviewing the little damage on his car, he then sped off. I didn't know you could do that! The driver who hit me from behind gave me his information and then he too left the scene without saying good 'bye. When the police arrived all I had to go by was the little information I had jotted down which I hope was truthful. What if it was bogus? What if I had written the plate number incorrectly? How would that affect my insurance? What if we were unconscious, who would have written down all that information?

I do have one suggestion if you are injured in an accident. The police asked if my wife wanted an ambulance to bring her to the hospital but we declined the offer. I remembered when I rode an ambulance years ago that it was not a comfortable ride. I was strapped to the stretcher and there were all sorts of medical equipment dangling noisily above me. As long as you are able, it is a more relaxful ride inside a car. Besides, isn't there a fee for ambulance service?

--- Dave S. of Pasadena, CA