tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post2057580496495015356..comments2024-03-23T14:04:57.635-05:00Comments on Father Hollywood: My Siberian Adventure - Day 24 - July 20, 2011Rev. Larry Beanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-78769940242314242972012-01-30T16:39:20.109-06:002012-01-30T16:39:20.109-06:00Larry,
Thank you for the ideas. I am looking for...Larry,<br /><br />Thank you for the ideas. I am looking forward to my trip, and will employ many of your suggestions. <br /><br />And yes, I will blog an account of my trip to Tanzania. Look for it early this summer on "Lutheran Habitus": http://revsollberger.blogspot.com/<br /><br />Thanks again, my friend. Hope to talk with you soon. Peace be with you.Pastor J. Sollbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06019691464132357506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-75766735332625572722012-01-20T18:37:53.715-06:002012-01-20T18:37:53.715-06:00Thanks, y'all, for your encouragement and kind...Thanks, y'all, for your encouragement and kind words!<br /><br />And Jon, enjoy your trip! I hope it is a life-changing experience for you and as much a blessing as my adventure was.<br /><br />Okay, not that I'm an expert or anything, but I will offer some advice while my trip is fresh in my mind...<br /><br />I kept a small pocket-sized Moleskine notebook with me at all times. I also had my small digital camera (and a small video camera, though I found that I took a lot more stills than video).<br /><br />I had a great idea, but it flopped in my case: I brought a small pocket digital recorder to do some interviews, record my own voice notes, and to catch more details - but I lost it soon after arriving (my cargo pants had a small pocket that didn't have a flap, and it fell out somewhere). I hope someone in Siberia is enjoying it! <br /><br />I also had a larger journal to write in, but found that I was behind a good bit of the time (I was diligent with the Moleskine, however, in getting raw notes - especially details to jog the memory later on). Journaling from the Moleskine to the larger journal was a good exercise that kept memories fresh in my mind. <br /><br />Also, if you can learn some of the local language(s) (Swahili?) before you go - especially please, thank you, hello, good bye - etc. If you have time to do a beginner's Pimsleur language course, all the better!<br /><br />I found it handy to keep a small backpack wherever I went (I stupidly did not bring a sweater, hat or umbrella to deal with rain, and sunglasses...). My HP Mini computer worked out really well - especially for storing pictures and video. I had purchased Carbonite so that I would not lose my files even in the event of a crash or loss of my computer. It also enabled me to do SnapYap video conferences and IM with my family.<br /><br />Write a lot! Record anything that pops into your mind - you can edit later. Talk to as many people that you can and immerse yourself in the culture (I am naturally an introvert, so this was not easy for me, but really worth the effort!).<br /><br />I brought small gifts to give away to people - especially to children. I also had a list of doctors that would accept my health insurance (and thankfully didn't need to use it).<br /><br />Please do a blog of your trip! It has been a great joy to share my experiences with my family, parishioners, colleagues, and everyone else who might read it. I still plan on writing an epilogue, and I'm also thinking of breaking out the Siberia posts into a separate blog in chronological order.<br /><br />May the Lord bless your travels and watch over you as you sojourn!Rev. Larry Beanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06705910892752648940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-23695982742783980522012-01-18T00:28:21.302-06:002012-01-18T00:28:21.302-06:00It was great reading about your trip! Thanks for ...It was great reading about your trip! Thanks for such an inspiring story and supporting the church in Russia!mollohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02899024514499000340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-61500643045695827872012-01-17T14:42:59.457-06:002012-01-17T14:42:59.457-06:00How extraordinarily interesting your accounts have...How extraordinarily interesting your accounts have been - all the way through, Larry. How do you recall the details so well? Consistent journaling, I suppose? <br /><br />In May, I will be traveling to Tanzania, and hope to give an account of my travels, as well. <br /><br />Your Siberian Adventure has been as compelling and as fulfulling a page-turner as any good novel out there. <br /><br />Thanks again, and travel soon - it makes for some very good reading.Pastor J. Sollbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06019691464132357506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-16830116452189755682012-01-16T05:45:54.169-06:002012-01-16T05:45:54.169-06:00My thanks, too, for sharing. Very educational, Pa...My thanks, too, for sharing. Very educational, Pastor.Okiebudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08374497445374589039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-64837975453421001212012-01-15T23:55:20.249-06:002012-01-15T23:55:20.249-06:00So how bad does that train trip you were carping a...So how bad does that train trip you were carping about from Milwaukee or some such a place seem now?Terry Maherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122266461403246084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22781533.post-68259670066841964972012-01-15T12:37:26.820-06:002012-01-15T12:37:26.820-06:00I have thoroughly enjoyed every entry of your trip...I have thoroughly enjoyed every entry of your trip to Russia. Especially revealing was the observations you make on your return to the US. I am so embarrassed for us, as Americans, every time I return from overseas and go through customs in ATL. If foreigners don't understand the loud, southern accented barkings of the TSA or CBP (don't know who they work for) agent the agents just scream louder...sigh.<br /><br />And I can confirm the drink preferences...Europeans go for iceless juices. Americans want ice and soda. (To be honest, that is my secret pleasure...to hop on a US bound airplane after being in Europe for a while and get ice in my sparkling water!)<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your travel stories with us.Dixiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08511317203353075644noreply@blogger.com