I still like the idea of a cruise between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Although right now I'm getting more interested in a train ride from Beijing to St. Petersburg. 18 days for $1100.
Introduction
|
|
|
I still like the idea of a cruise between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Although right now I'm getting more interested in a train ride from Beijing to St. Petersburg. 18 days for $1100. |
I first wanted to go on a cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow (or was it vice-versa?). Then I decided I couldn't afford that. Then I decided to do something. My stomach was giving me problems and I wanted to get away. Preferably somewhere without phones where no one could call me. Somewhere cheap. Somewhere interesting.
Central America seemed like a good place to start. I read about a few destinations in the Sunday travel pages. Checked out the round-trip costs. Then bought a book on Central America, one on Honduras, one on Costa Rico/Guatemala, and one on Mexico. I rapidly focused on Honduras because of the prices.
The books all warn about pickpockets, robbers, bandits, crooked taxi drivers, corrupt officials, and so on. They warn about endless red tape and paperwork required to change money in banks. Then they warn about the dangers of being ripped off by the moneychangers in the streets. They warn about the food and the water, about malaria, yellow fever, cholera, and the plague.
|
|
|
This map was ripped off from Lonely Planet. They publish travel guides for people who prefer not to stay in Holiday Inns around the world. |
I arrived fully prepared to be robbed, raped and pillaged. I had two passports (one of them was out of date but I figured that they might not know that), two sets of medical records (likewise), two secret places to keep my valuables (in addition to my pockets and bags). I was ready to be taken advantage of by taxi drivers, immigration officials, customs officials and the public in general. I had left my good camera at home because I didn't want it stolen. I bought a $1.97 watch for the trip watch because I didn't want to lose my good one, it died during my first shower. I bought another one for $4.97, it lasted throughout the trip and the backlight feature was especially appreciated. I left my rings at home. I had money in travelers checks hidden in one place, I had cash hidden somewhere else, I had my credit cards hidden elsewhere. I had water purification tablets, a compass, two maps, an electronic translator and quinine tablets for malaria. I had ragged jeans so I'd look poor.
I was ready to rumble.
