Just about a week out from my next journey. I'll be flying through Moscow on my way to Bangkok. I can definately think of better ways to visit Russia but the 16 hr layover in SVO is simply a result of my parsimony with a greater chance that I will be sleeping on the terminal floor than actually making it out of the airport to experience the cultures of this great city. Last week's failed attempt to make it to the Russian Embassy in NYC has set the tone for an uncomfortable stay in what is known to be a less than desirable location for extravagent overnight accomodations. I figured I'd have the time to get a visa before I left and as of yet have been unable to achieve this but hey, I saved $400 on the flight at least. When I eventually land in Bangkok I will have some time to actch up with some old friends and get some Yoga in before I obtain my visa to Myanmar. I intend to connect with a new buddy who will introduce me to a woman who is overseeing a new transformation of the building landscape in Yangon. Our hope is that I will be able assist her and her group in the process of using many of the existing demolition materials, such as teak, in a reclaimed manner to bring a much needed new life and cost effective upgrade to the city's architecture and infrastructure systems. These are things I do in my other life on my home planet. I expect that these guys have it pretty together already and im sure I will learn more from them than I could ever contribute albeit an experience never the less. Anyway, I expect to really Love Myanmar. From all that I have heard the culture and the people are beautiful and being a part of anything positive while I travel is a serious thrill to me. Buddhism is another reason for my interest in this region of the world and Myanmar has some amazing temples and shrines that I intend to take in while im there.
After my time in Myanmar I will be returning to Bangkok and then pretty immediately embarking on a northward trip to Cambodia. Once there I will be hooking up with a group of engineering students from a US university & through the "Engineers w/o Borders" program. Along with a couple of the university's professors I'll be joining them as an advisor on two of there projects:
http://www.caramanicofoundation.org/
http://www.goldenwesthf.org/en/
A few years ago I was lucky enough to be chosen as an advisor within the same program to accompany a group to the Phillipines where we designed and installed a hydroelectric generator system using river water in order to provide electricity to a remote village named Magook It's located in the northern mountains well above the bussling city of Manilla. One of the most beautiful Avataresk places I have ever witnessed in my life to date. I expect the projects in Cambodia to be no less amazing and will be sharing photos and progress reports as I get into it.
