California

I sit on a plane lazily looking out the window upon the frozen tundra that is Idaho Falls airport.  It is currently -18 degrees outside.  I know that i will not be missing those temperatures.  I'm terrified though.  This is the start of everything i have worked for.  All the planning and anxiety and working and working and working has led up to me leaving for the great state of California.  I arrive in LAX without a hitch and proceed to pick up my bag.  I find everything fine and then move to the bus that will take me the train station.
I will be staying with my friend Trio for six days while I acquire my Chinese visa and give me some time to relax.  I hop on a train headed for Oceanside and realize that this entire day has gone perfectly.  There was no cool stories or mishaps.  Just one crazy bum in the train station telling everyone how we are all going to die.  I'm amazed that everything has gone so smoothly.  is this how the whole trip is going to be or is this just the beauty of America.
But I did learn this.  This country boy needs to learn a lot about the city and quickly.  From a  mob of old Asian women offering me Korean newspapers to a bum pooping in the park and picking the last bit out with his hand.  I apologize for the graphic details but this is what I was witness too.  I couldn't wrap my hand around being so strung out and low that I would finish the number two with my hand
I also realized the language barrier will be bigger than I thought.  As i sat in line waiting to pick up my passport with visa intact an elderly Asian women was ahead of me.  As they spoke what I could only assume was Chinese, the conversation began to intensify.  Soon a massive screaming bout broke out and lady was put into cuffs and escorted off the premises.  I had no idea why.  Holy crap!!  Was this going to happen to me.  Cautiously I give the lady my receipt and she gave me my passport no biggie.  I couldn't wrap my head around why that had happened and that moment will now have me on edge at every visa office from here on out.
But aside from that I got in some much needed relaxing.  In between  casual beach trips and sleeping in there was various trips around town.  Most notably bumping Tech 9 and going to a Barnes and Noble.  Yeah I'm pretty sure we are the first to ever do that.

From here I get on a 13 HOUR PLANE RIDE to end up in New Zealand.  I am nervous but from the beautiful experience I have had here I am more excited than anything.    

And So It Starts

I take my last look at the beautiful valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming as I wind my way up Teton pass on a brisk -10 degree morning.  It saddens me that I wont get to look upon those beautiful tetons for a long while.  I look back and thank the valley for every moment I have had in it.  From  24 inch powder days with good friends to break ups and everything in between.  That valley has seen it all.  I continue along the gorgeous road remembering places where I slid off the road in my car, to places where I laughed so hard I honestly thought I was going to pass out. I can't thank the valley and everybody inside it for the wonderful times it has given me.

My destination for this drive is the stretch pant wasteland that is Idaho Falls, ID.  Panty lines and muffin tops for miles upon miles.  I am currently writing this to all of you in the lobby of a La Quinta Inn whilst a man at the front desk named Scott stares at me.  I might also add that Scott's fly is down but I just can't bring myself to tell him.  He has currently helped three other families while I've been writing this and no one has said a thing.  But ladies calm down, Scott is wearing whitey-tighties.  Straight fire.

I should probably update you to the fact that the first leg of this trip will now be done on my own.  My travel mates will meet me in Vietnam or China or Europe or whenever I meet those beautiful bastards.  What that means is that New Zealand, Australia, Bali, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand will be completed by myself.  I feel as though this will give me much more opportunity to look into what I want out of my life and make me much more self dependent.  But as I sit in this La Quinta mesmerized by Scott's oblivious demeanor, I find myself incredibly nervous.  I have never traveled anywhere and now I'm just about ready to go 4,000 miles away from anybody that knows my name.  It is a scary thought but at the same time it is invigorating.  This has been a dream of mine for a very long time and I worked my ass off to make it happen.  I guess it is just sort of surreal that it is actually happening. 

I will leave on a plane early tomorrow morning headed to LAX.  From there I will spend six days in LA and San Diego with a good friend while I accumulate my necessary visas.  Plus a Clippers game and the beach isn't going to hurt anyone either.  Oddly enough one of the most dangerous parts of this trip will in fact be me trying to navigate LAX and get into downtown LA by myself.  I find that strange and somewhat comedic but maybe that's just me. 

I will continue to update this when I have stories to tell or time to write to you all.  Pictures will be coming once I get to LA and take some. 

An update on the Scott situation, he is currently sitting in a stool behind the oddly low counter and I can hear what is more than likely Angry Birds coming from his phone.  Due to his position, his pants have now flared open and could not be more obvious.  Dude, your phone is in your lap...you are looking right at.  Just zip it up, you are killing me.

See you guys in about six days with pictures and more stories.