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Stranger in a Strange Land Newsletter: May 2009

Dear Readers,
I am back in Boston. You'd figure that since I said I'd be back on the 5th of May but I actually returned two weeks early. After the last newsletter I snorkelled on around a small cay, or island near Utila. You can read about it and see photos from Utila on my blog: http://eligerzon.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/snorkeling-around-utila-honduras/

Then I made it to Costa Rica, by way of Nicaragua, and saw monkeys, sloths, iguanas, raccoons, and colorful crabs in Manuel Antonio National Park. Check out photos of all that here: http://www.eligerzon.com/album.php?id=14

But after that I just wasn't excited about travelling anymore.

I travelled too quickly during this trip, I was anxious about a lot of things in the countries I was visiting, and a lot of things back home. I enjoyed travelling with some great people, but I spent too much time with people who drank and smoked so much and weren't very adventurous about local food. I didn't spend enough time with local people or just being alone, recharging my batteries.

Granted I was there during the least peaceful time of year: Semana Santa is party time and buses, beaches, and hotels are packed. So it was hard to find a quiet moment. In some ways it's given me a chance to remember why and how I travel: I try to really experience the beauty and richness of the local culture and reflect on what it means to me personally and in relation to the rest of the world. That takes time. And I didn't really give myself that time during the trip.

But I'm having that time now while also loving working outside with my landscaping business again. I'm so thankful I have work I enjoy, provides visible results my customers really value, and makes me enough money to live, travel, and buy the things I want.

Meanwhile, I'm still working on the Worldschool Japan trip(s). I have a few people ready to go on the November and the August trip. I was thinking of canceling the August trip and asking everyone to go on the November one because there didn't seem to be enough people, but people are slowly streaming in and I might have enough for both after all. You never know until you get the deposits but if I just get one or two more people I should be able to lead both an August and a November trip.

So if you've been thinking about going on the Worldschool trip to Japan contact me!

E-mail me at: eli@eligerzon.com.

I posted tips for how to prepare for travelling in Japan on my blog (specifically for the people on the Worldschool trips but I think others will enjoy them too): http://eligerzon.wordpress.com/2009/05/09/preparing_for_travelling_japan/

I've added a bunch of new photos from when I lived in Japan in 2004 on the site: http://www.eligerzon.com/album.php?id=1

You can read more about the Japan trips in the February, 2009 Stranger in a Strange Land Newsletter: http://www.eligerzon.com/news.php?id=58

I hope you're all enjoying the sping time and taking the time to reflect on and appreciate the beauty around you. The sprouting leaves and proud flowers have been wonderful around Boston.

Take care,
Eli