1-Way Ticket

visit to the Russian embassy was worse than a trip to the dentist. At least when

was Saturday, ‘Brides Day.’ Every twenty minutes a wedding party passed through the Opera house gardens and along the cobble stones leading to the steps. It’s high altitude with heavy growth in the backdrop down to the sea. Skilled looking photographers directing and clicking, the guest list normally limited for economic reasons. In the afternoon w

The street hawkers and vendors in Agra are the most aggressive I have encountered in any country, literally in your face selling memorabilia amongst other things. Confrontation is inevitable, as one middle-aged tourist had a boxing stance wanting to retaliate for his daughter been jostled. Before I travelled to India I received immunizations for a

For me, Odessa, on the Black Sea was a welcome change from the masses that flock to the Mediterranean. No contending with the British larger louts, or the punctual Germans who take all the beach umbrellas and get the best spots, the Scandinavians who are so good-looking but too disciplined. With few westerners it was a greater opportunity to

The cutting-saw too old for a museum, similar to a smaller version I seen in my grandfather’s shed twenty years ago. To buy an electric saw, drills or a television with a video recorder would be fruitless, electricity was minimal. Back at Dhading boarding school people were

So what would be my approach? A strict no nonsense disciplinarian, plenty of homework or an easy-going jokester, perhaps somewhere in-between. A normal day began with Kanak, the cook’s

One more day on these mountains……………………………...that changed when I offered to assist a Japanese woman who was feeling the strains of the Himalayas. She slipped and hurt her back, so rested for three days. I carried her bag as she limped alongside. Mimi was quiet and shy, taking great care to protect herself from the sun. My friends had left earlier t

Everything was brown; the arm-chair, table, wardrobe, floor, cabinets, mats. Even the wallpaper, which was probably a nice beige at one time, black and white television.

Sadly one does not have to walk too far to notice a pensioner with their handout. Because of a paltry government salary, some will receive financial assistance from their families. But others have little choice but to take to the streets selling trivial items or singing. Many vantage points are occupied by these seniors, imagine your grandmother ha