The Stewart-Colbert Rally

30 Oktober 2010. The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear on the National Mall. As I was with the bike, ; I couldnt crawl on my belly like a reptile through the forest of legs to reach the front. But everyone has already seen what happened up on the stage (except me :-( ). So instead, heres the crowd that made it happen. The musical accompaniment is Love Train by The O'Jays.

Wandering Europa

Back in the early 80s, Europe was still a wild and untamed continent. Intrepid backpackers trailblazed the land armed with rail passes and thumbs powerful enough to stop a speeding vehicle for a lift. This particular journey began in the north of Norway above the Arctic Circle to the outback of Kiruna, Sweden. South to Stockholm, with a ferry excursion over to Suomi, the land of the Flying Finns. In Turku, there was Beatles memorabilia with a bust of Lennon and a flag saluting the song Back in the USSR. Helsinki built a church from an abandoned UFO. Heading west again to Copenhagen, just in time for the Folk og Land Fest, a rain storm and some artsy night shots. The trail went south to the Netherlands. Amsterdam and then the Cool Peoples Congress in Woerden. A meet-up with wild and crazy backpackers at a hostel in Paris. Then on to Switzerland for Basel + Allschwil, Romanshorn and Bulle before crossing the Great St Bernard Pass into Italy. Alas, all roads lead to Rome. The musical accompaniment is Wanderlust King by Golgol Bordello.

Snowmageddon 2010

6 February 2010 Arlington, Virginia - The biggest, bloody snow storm since the last Ice Age (and without hyperbole, mate). Odin must have been angry. Wear appropriate clothing when viewing this video to avoid frost bite. The musical accompaniment is Unstoppable by E. S. Posthumus.

Lycia, Turkey

Lycia in the southwest of Turkey - Start in the ruins of the ancient city of Termessos. Alexander the Great besieged it, finally throwing in the towel and rejoining the hippie trail to India. Then on to Antalya on the Mediterranean. Another big city with a picturesque (pronounced touristy) old town, Kaleiçi. As it was Ramadan, there were festivities at night with a throbbing disco beat to keep a weary traveller awake. Then overland to the Aegean, staying in the village of Faralya, perched atop rugged cliffs. A climb down a goat trail to Butterfly Valley. Daytrippers from the town down the coast, come in the easy way by boat. Then back up for a fiery sunset as Apollo steers his chariot to the horizon. The musical accompaniment is Ölürüm Sana by Tarkan, and Siradan by Hadise.

Cappadocia, Turkey

Turkey - From Istanbul's otogar (thats bus station to English speakers), I boarded an overnight coach, arriving in Cappadocia at the crack of dawn. in the town of Göreme. People have been carving homes into the rocks of this surreal landscape for ages. And what did I do after a night on a bus without sleep, but go hiking for hours. I walked the Rose Valley to Çavusin, catching a dolmus back. The next day, I tramped the Pigeon Valley (devoid of pigeons) to the castle-like Uçhsar. A busy day next. A plunge into the depths of Derinkuyu, the underground city, which once housed thousands. Then a stroll through the Ilhara Gorge, with monasteries carved into the cliff sides. Finally, ascending the heights of Selime Monastery. Back to another otogar to depart as I arrived. On another overnight coach. The musical accompaniment is Menouthis by E. S. Posthumus and Pompeii also by E. S. Posthumus.