The last two weeks have manifested the largest shift in my “life” plans in more than two years. In June 2008 I made the decision to sell everything I own buy a one-way ticket to Australia with only vague plans of traveling around the world for a year – that plan worked out really well for me (if I do say so myself!) and I have been traveling on-and-off for the past two years.

The plan for the coming months was to live and work out of Bali. Those plans have changed.

Massively changed.

I accepted a job with a newly forming non-profit out of the US, Geeks Without Borders (GWOBorg on Twitter) and the job starts in three days!

I actually had a “holy crap” moment when they asked me to come back from Bali to work on the launch – I have the financial means to continue working from Asia so this truly came down to a matter of choice. I love traveling. I really love Asia. This new project with Geeks Without Borders though gives me the rare opportunity to work on the ground floor level of a new project, and for a non-profit with such a clear mission where I know can offer up some fun and unique skills (I’m not a coder, but I do know a bit about the world!), and at the end of the day, I get to work with good friends too.

Those three reasons combined really formed the basis of my decision to come home – Bali is going to be here but this is a such a neat (and limited time) opportunity that I could only take a deep breath, accept, and then take a walk around Ubud, this sweet little Balinese city that I thought would be my new home. Funny how fast life can just pull a fast one on you!

+) Geeks Without Borders – GWOBorg

So what does Geeks Without Borders do…besides have an awesomely geeky name?

“Geeks Without Borders (GWOB.org) is an international coalition of passionate problem solvers working together to assist people whose survival is threatened by lack of access to technology or communications due to violence, neglect, or catastrophe.”

Continually cracking me up is founder Johnny Diggz’s so basic but concise reason for why Geeks Without Borders is launching: “Because doctors need to look shit up.” The core efforts will center on providing technology and geek skills to other organizations (like Doctors Without Borders) and to actual people wherever and however is needed, all over the world. There’s a bit more about how and why on the site – but the site is still in development so I’ll keep you posted with more information as it comes!

So, how to help GWOBorg launch?!

We’re still figuring that out! There’s a coder challenge for the launch – a GWOBorg hackathon competition with stellar prizes (thanks Tropo!) for coders  who develop the best application. If you’re a travel blogger with coding skills – check it out! Otherwise later this week I will announce how I need your help with ideas for the apps and specific situations you’ve noticed on your travels. Also, there’s a photo campaign (in which I really expect you guys to excel!) and, and… more to come…  :-)

As a start though, if you’re interested in keeping up with the launch and future support efforts right now give Geeks Without Borders a “like” on Facebook and follow on Twitter - that’s the easiest you can stay updated and get involved!

What does this mean for my travels?

Well, all of this is to say I am still in Bali, but not for long. There are still Bali stories planned for the blog in the coming weeks in addition to Geeks Without Borders information. I head back stateside on Tuesday to help GWOB.org launch over the next three months – a formal launch is planned for 10.10.10 at 10:10 (geeky enough for you?!) and I’m heading back to the US on this newest journey to help the newly forming team organize and plan everything it’s going to take to get this non-profit officially and formally launched and helping people!

So what do you think?!

Travel Memories:
Traditional Irish Thatched House

The thatch roofed houses peppering the sea of emerald grass fields seems so oddly reminiscent of another era but yet are actually still found in areas all Ireland. Landing on the Aran Islands off of the west coast of Ireland is like taking a full leap into a small and traditional pocket of intensely Irish culture; Irish is their first language and the traditional Irish céilidh on the weekends counts among the best Irish music jam sessions I have ever heard…although some of it is done for tourists, the small community of locals on the island were still genuinely having a great time as they yanked me onto the dance floor for some rapid swirling turns to the pulsing fiddle music.

It takes an eternally long hour hour boat ride across the rough Atlantic waters to visit the Aran Islands but is so worth the trip. In fact, my traveling friend for those couple of weeks so fully fell in love with Inishmór, the largest island, that she headed home, rented out her house in the US and has now been living on the island for more than five months!

Quick Travel Tips: Aran Islands

How to get there: Ferries leave from both Doolin (near the Cliffs of Moher) and Galway and take between 40 mintues and an hour. Ample free parking to leave your rental car if leaving from Doolin!
Where to go: Kilronan on Inishmór is the largest town and has two hostels and an amazing local nightlife
Where to stay: Kilronan Hostel – a mere one minute walk from the dock and central to all of the local pubs and music.
Aran Island Sights: Day tours to see the ancient Dun Aengus Fort and local cemeteries…renting a bike didn’t work out too well for me but can be good fun if you are up for some strenuous exercise on relatively unpaved roads!

About time I posted an update from Bali! I actually broke my laptop my first day in here- and by first day I mean within hours of landing in Bali after 36 hours flying from US my laptop simply would not turn on – so with some initial tears and “holy crap, I’m screwed” thoughts rolling through my head I was forced to hunt down a local computer repair center recommended by the locals (details at the bottom).

Telephone Conversation with my Computer Technicians

I’m going to jump right into my side of a telephone conversation I had on day two with the technicians fixing my broken laptop – I thought it was an absolute hoot – it’s only my side of the conversation because the other half was in Indonesian…and I don’t speak Indonesian…yet.

- Yes, hello? Hi, English please?

- Do you speak English?

- Um, the person who speaks English please. (side note: I left my computer with a technician fluent in English)

- Could you please get the person who speaks English?

Tons of animated voices and at least six people laughing really hard on the other line.

- Oh ok. No one English?

- My computer, you have, broken yes?

- Laptop fix, yes?

- Yesterday-there-were several-people-who-spoke-English-and-they-told-me-to-call-today-so-I-was-really-hoping-that-you-could-let-me-know-if-my-computer-was-broken-or-if-you-were-able-to-fix-it?

Guffaws. Flat out belly laughing and the same amount of rapid Indonesian spit right back at me. In fact, they were laughing so hard I could all but hear the droplets of tears forming at the edges of their eyes.

- Hmm…Dell yesterday. English person. You fix?

- Ok Yes! DELL! Me Dell! Yay, you remember. Fix, yes?

- Fix? Good? All better?

- Turns on?

- Works now?

- Good or Bad?

- I come and pick up?

- Um, ok, thanks, guess I’ll see you tomorrow!

So why is this so funny…because I hung up not knowing anything knew about my laptop but man were they cracking up on the other side of the phone. I guess it would be like picking up the phone and only hearing someone jabbering gibberish on the other side of the line!

My Takeaways from Fixing My Laptop in Bali

Relax Sans Technology: With my laptop in the shop for at least two days I truly had no choice but to sit back and relax with my book and a cold beer. It was actually an entirely different experience to not process my day through technology by sorting pictures, writing a blog, and working.

Perspective: Best piece of advice I got was “hey, at least you still have pen and paper!” Simplistic, but you know, it hadn’t even occurred to me. Because 75 percent of what I do is internet based, I just plum forgot that I could still jot down ideas and be a bit productive without my IV-line of technology pumping into my system.

Flexibility: Time is elastic in Bali…and pretty much most places outside of the West. This is one of those patience building lessons – if they say to come pick it up in two days…that really meant three.

Negotiate, It’s a Fact of Life:  The price I paid was seven times what we agreed. What to do? Negotiate. Since I don’t know what they added to the computer I just paid, but I went into this knowing that as a foreigner I was never going to get the cheapest price.

Learn Some Language!: Maybe the most important was learning just five phrases in Indonesian. In Bali, a smile goes a long way and an attempt at the language can only help, so by the third day, when I went to pick up my laptop I went in knowing just a few words that made all the difference: “good,” “bad” and “thank you very much.”  From just those three phrases I pieced together that one of my boards was jelek, or rather bad.

Just Accept and Move On: I really have barely any idea what they did to fix my laptop. And I probably never will. They couldn’t tell me and the English speaking technician never showed back up on the scene. But it works now. Yes, I want to know. It’s frustrating that I don’t know what beyond my “board” was jelek but oh well. What can I do but accept and move on?

I got my computer back completely working yesterday so expect a more some more regular updates as I explore Ubud, Bali…my home for the next few months!

Quick Tips: Computer Repair in Denpasar, Bali

Where: Cyberlink Computer on the fourth floor of the Rimo Computer Center in Denpasar, Bali
How to Get There: Tell your driver Rimo in front of the Ramayana shopping mall.
Tips: Check your receipt and make sure each piece/part you hand them is itemized out and labeled so that you get it back!

Travel Memories:
Biking Pit-Stop for Mulberry Foraging

Spotting a huge mulberry tree on the side of the road after hours (ok, barely two hours really) of biking uphill read like salvation – like a thirsty man in the desert spotting a mirage this seemed too good to be true. It was hot, I was sick and forced to pull over frequently during the bike ride and the last steep hike to the top of the Bribirska Glavica archeological ruins outside of Krka National Park in Croatia were just no longer worth the exertion. At least not when the alternative was foraging for perfectly ripened berries on a towering mulberry tree offering sweet treats, shade, and more importantly an excuse to stay behind while my two traveling companions hiked the last 20 minutes.

I can’t begin to tell you about the archeological site but I can share that mulberries are softer than a blackberry (though that’s what they most closely resemble) and about ten times as naturally sweet. No tart puckering no matter how under-ripe and just picking a berry softly from the tree sends the sticky purple stains running down your fingers!

Quick Travel Tips: Picking Berries (and other fruit from the side of the road)

Is it safe?: Depends on what you’re eating! But it can be great fun on a bike ride or hike to forage for berries as a break if you spot some on the side of the road…just beware of other people’s property, pesticides, and that they’re edible!
How do you know? Ask a local. Our guide hiking in the Himalayas pointed out a delightfully mild orange berry – once I knew they were edible I stopped to pick them whenever I needed a break.
When in doubt: Don’t eat it. The mulberries were pretty obvious but err on the side of caution if you can’t actually idenitify the food.

Everyone has those signature dishes they’ve tried in a new country – whether it’s a local delicacy or just bizarre street eat. But what about those fun snacks and new flavors on old favorites?

Delicious Snacks and Treats from Around the World

Some of these are sweets, some salty. But all are portable and can make a great treat on a long bus ride…interestingly, most of my favorites from my travels are centered in Asia!

NEPAL: Lapsi

Topping the list is this sweet jellied candy. I don’t even like chewy candies but this one has a mild flavor and it’s deceptively easy to just plough through a package in one sitting. The traditional/plain flavor is my favorite but it was fun to shake things up with the spicy lapsi every few days too!

INDIA: Fennel Seeds

A small bowl of fennel seeds is served at the end of the meal in regions of India as a palate cleanser. These seeds are a mixed medley of plain fennel, sugar coated fennel and small bits of crystallized sugar – once you’re used to ending each meal like this it’s hard to leave the table without craving the strong licorice flavor! I even shipped some home to my dad since he’s a licorice fanatic.

BOSNIA: Turkish Delight

The huge Turkish population in Bosnia means that this sweet treat is authentic (I haven’t yet made it to Turkey!) and different from what you can find in the US and the West. This soft jelly candy greatly differs: rose water with pistachios, sweet lemon, and sticky dates with a softly chewy walnut. Like an ice-cream shop in the states you pick out your selection of Turkish Delight from a selection upwards of 15 flavors in some cases! Though not my favorite candy, fun to when eat in the region.

CAMBODIA: Sesame Seed Squares

The healthiest of the lot this treat packs in protein from the sesame seeds and is incredibly simple – a lacing of honey or sugar syrup binds the sesame seeds together. It’s a great way to tide over dropping blood sugar until you can find some food and is my go-to for a quick bus ride snack! They sell these treats all over South East Asia, India and Nepal had some less than inspired sesame seed sticks.

NEPAL: Dried Figs

We are talking serious addiction and the best dried/pressed figs, hands down, I have ever had. Walk into any of the stores in Thamel, Kathmandu and they sell little baggies of these deliciously fresh dried figs.

ASIA: Mango Flavored Everything!

US and European based companies target the flavors of their products to the region – and outside of the US mango is really a whole lot more well-loved.

The most fun find was mango flavored Corn Flakes in Nepal- bought as an addition a movie night with new friends they were a huge hit…and so addicting the box was consumed in a few hours by just three of us!

Other mango treats found in the region include yogurt (if your in a lactose-accepting region of Asia) sodas, chips, cookies… just about anything that could take a mango flavor is on offer. Also a wealth of freshly dried ones as well!

What are your favorite quick snacks and treats from around the world?

I didn’t know that the Hollywood Walk of Fame concept extended to RockWalk of Fame at the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulevard.

Right there in front of the doors to the Guitar Center are the hand prints of rock legends, icons of the music industry who left an imprint on the world with their music and were asked to leave an imprint in the concrete to solidify their presence for the coming generations. And I never knew it existed.

When I passed through LA in June for a friend’s wedding I found myself casually walking down Los Angeles’ Sunset Blvd in the building afternoon heat, sweating, my hat and sun glasses in place and my eyes scanning building names and architecture. I smiled at strangers and took long looks at all of the characters strutting, hobbling, clicking, and jogging by as I meandered down the sidewalk.

Movie in Bryant Park, NYC

This was the first time that I had ever walked Sunset without an immediate purpose. Though I toiled through two long years in the city, I never walked through Hollywood unless parking was impossible… and then it was an inconvenience so I spent my days rushing past the buildings, ignoring others and using my pre-printed Google with my exact destination.

It took a year an a half for my travel eyes to apply to the US but I discovered on my summer tour from California to New York City, Washington DC, and Florida that I have fresh eyes on my former homes. Fresh eyes on the cities I once thought I knew just because I could drive the roads with familiarity and find my nearest supermarket with ease.

For the first time, I approached Los Angeles, Orlando, St. Pete, and others with a mind toward traveling through them just like I travel foreign cities all over the world.

I walked everywhere.

Or rode a bike.

I stopped and asked for directions rather than printing a map.

I carried my camera and looked around for the visually appealing; the neat; the weird.

I tried new restaurants.

I entered shops and chatted up the sales clerks.

I asked for discounts at inappropriate times and bargained in appropriate places.

I smiled at the actors moonlighting as superheroes on the touristy part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame and wondered about their stories – their goals – why they chose this job.

I traveled through Los Angeles and found a new coffee shop (that isn’t a Starbucks!).

I traveled through Orlando and a friend showed me the best vegan and vegetarian eats I somehow missed in college.

I traveled through St. Petersburg and rented jet skis with my Florida friends for the first time ever, ending the day with lunch at a local fish shop I’d never seen before, even though I lived in St. Pete for more than 18 years.

I simply continued my travels even though I was home.

Give it a try! What are your home touristy experiences? Do any of the above tips and you’re bound to discover something you never knew existed right around the corner from your house :-)