Left or Right? You Decide.
Ok, so you did well on our last vote “Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow” and the overwhelming response seems to be that I shouldn’t cut my hair just yet. Against my better judgment and in appreciation of your comments, I’ve decided to believe you. The hair stays…for now.
As I am sure it has become quite clear to the regular reader (thanks mom), I am clearly writing about things that happened a few months back, while presently traveling much farther ahead of where the posts on this website seem to put me. That is true, and as you may have guessed, the lagtime between when I visit a place and when I write about it is typically due to the amount of time it takes me to process the photos and videos and write up the stories and how often I can find a reliable internet connection (Although the Map Section of this travelogue typically is a good representation of where I physically am at the moment).
So, now for example, as I post about Cambodia, I’m actually half-way around-the-globe in Africa. In fact, last night I reached Cape Town, South Africa after extensive overland travel by way of every conceivable form of transportation through eight African countries—starting when I landed in Nairobi, Kenya in December.
Fear not, I’ll continue to share my stories and photos in chronological order with Vietnam, SE Asia, Western China, and Tibet up next, and then soon onto India. But before I do that, I thought I’d ask once again for your input.
I’ve made it to the Southern tip of Africa and am now at the point I must decide to go LEFT or RIGHT.
I’d always planned on assessing my health and wits after I finished my overland route through Africa and then deciding whether to head A) LEFT/East up to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and then down to Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific before heading back towards home (think pristine beaches, thai curries, the world’s tallest twin towers, volcanos, witch doctors, coral reefs, kangaroos, surfing, palm trees, Fijian Islands and Lord of the Rings), or I could go B) RIGHT/West to South America starting in Brazil and then over to Argentina, Peru, and up through Columbia, Venezula and Central America back towards home (think samba, Rio, salsa, Caipirinhas, Andes mountains, Patagonia, Che Gueverra, Machu Picchu, cloud rain forests, tortillas and hot peppers.)
So I turn to you dear reader: If you were here with me, dangling your feet off The Cape of Good Hope—-20 months into a trip around-the-world—which way would you go? Leave your comments below.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Stoll- You my friend are in a tough spot. I don’t think you can make a bad decision. My gut says go with A. You will pretty much have that side of the world covered then. I think you can handle South America at another time- it’s closer to home base. I continue to enjoy keeping up with you and seeing the trip through your view finder. Can’t wait to see where you head. Nice hair doo!
How is South Africa doing with the world cup 2010 preparation?
Best-
AM
April 7th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
left. that’s all i’m going to advise – you can take it from there. thoughts and prayers as always, tb.
April 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Go RIGHT, young man!
April 8th, 2008 at 6:52 am
Ditto. I vote for route A! That way you have a better chance of running into Kate and I on our mini-adventure:) We still haven’t decided were to rendezvous, but I know that it will be fabulous and we won’t mind bumping into you along the way. Happy Trails!
April 8th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Andy,
I vote right. If you’re truly doing a round-the-world trip, you need to see Central and South America. Just my two cents.
Take care, friend!
McKinze
April 8th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Andy: Australia/New Zealand, bud. NZ is supposed to be one of the most naturally diverse and scenic countries in the world. I love checking into your BLOG. The hair looks good.
Be safe – Josh
PS: Get me a Peter Jackson autograph to go along with my Powers Boothe baseball.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
Go LEFT!
(You’d be schizophrenic by the time you get 20 comments of ‘lefts’ and ‘rights’)
April 9th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
i pick c: both. oh, that wasn’t an option. darn! can’t go from austrailia to south america on your way home?
April 9th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
A la derecha!
April 10th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Just come home, Andy! My eyes cannot cry any more!
April 10th, 2008 at 11:24 pm
I’d vote for a route having one more ocean, the other continent on western hemisphere, more local local people, and a nice/closed trail (literally AROUND & NOBOUNDARY).
It’s funny: you see Thailand route as to the left, and south America right. While I see that totally opposite. Are you having yourself up side down when you look at the screen?
April 11th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I vote LEFT. If I can’t make it to AU/NZ this summer, at least I can relive it through you.
April 12th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Left! So I can experience the majesty that is Australia, Fiji, New Zealand vicariously through you : ) Although…a South America trip would put you at a strategic spot for a stop through Austin…
April 14th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Hi Andy,
Definitely left. You’re going to need the Australians and New Zealanders to get you excited about going on. I mean, do you really think you’re going to be ready to go home?
April 21st, 2008 at 11:55 am
That’s easy. Definitely Left. Thailand has the world’s best pineapples on a stick. Enjoy!!
April 29th, 2008 at 10:22 am
And the votes are in…….looks like I’m going left.
I’ve landed in Hong Kong and will spend a few weeks here restocking on stuff and resting a bit before I’m off to Thailand and Indonesia. Thanks for the votes!
August 18th, 2008 at 7:33 pm
I am glad you went left:)