Hilton Garden Inn Ft. Collins Fort Collins

... nicely after the AC was on for a little. The hotel was the built for the archaeologists excavating the ancient Mayan city Chichen so it is very near to the site and tastefully littered with artifacts. We couldn't see anything when we first got to the hotel because the sun had set.

So, the next morning I was up early checking out the surroundings, and OH MY GOD, I have never stayed at a more beautful place. After breakfast, we ...

We pulled out of Hart Ranch in South Dakota a couple of days early because of an anticipated cold front. We also changed the route we had planned on taking. Rather than going to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska we headed to Colorado. Strange as it may seem the weather promised to be better in the Denver area....

After about 400 miles, which is a ...

... to get out of the cab and in to my nice, airconditioned hotel room. Oops.. they couldnt actually turn on the air until my official check in time of 11:00, but they felt sorry for me and let me go lay down. A couple hours of sleep, some Pepto, and I'm good as new, and I venture out to Pratunam market. Now, this area is not for amateur shoppers...this is as hard core, pushing, shoving, bargaining as it gets. Pratunam Wholesale ...

Welcome to the first in a long series of travel blog entries! I recommend you first click on the "about this travel blog" tab above to get a synopsis of what's going on here, and then continue...

I've been in Estes Park in the beautiful Rocky Mountains for the last week preparing for the trip, and more recently, trying to get our 14 students ready to roll as well. We're set up for an amazing program that covers 3 countries ...

This morning we woke up at 6:30. We packed up our stuff and hoped to get a coffee at the general store and a shower in Grant Village, but unfortunately, nothing opened until 8. So, we decided to drive out the east entrance of Yellowstone and take our chances there. We found showers with unlimited hot water for $3.25/person. We also got coffee at the general store to have with our bagels. Then we were off yet again! This ...

... this structure represented and the detailed craftmenship it took to construct the numerous stone figures. One of parts that made this journey to Angkorwat so fascinating was our enthusiastic local guide Chhay (pronounced Chai). He spoke very good English, was extremely educated about all of Cambodia's local tourist sites, and had a great sense of humor. He was ...

... I bet that was such a good show. You were able to get on the internet? What else did they play?" "'Airplane', and...oh yeah, 'Party at Your Mama's House'." "Oooh, no way!" "Is the Hippie Brotherhood ever going forgive you guys for missing a show at Red Rocks?" I asked. "Hey, I came HERE to welcome YOU back," Neil replied. I couldn't argue that one. Once we'd met Hiraldo (on our side of the halfway point) the five of us walked back towards our hotel. It was time for Neil and I to ...

... the average Thai person. All of these thoughts sharply bring into focus the impact we have on the environment we are in - we always have an impact. What we say, how we act, and the way we shop - all of this shapes the landscape. This goes much further when traveling in a 2nd or 3rd world country. My mere presence westernizes and maybe even whit washes as I go. The third would will always accommodate for western travelers, sacrificing their own ...

... enjoy these activities. But I now understand that I only enjoy them when I choose to do in them. When I have to I don't like it anymore.

Anyway, since graduating I've been suffering from a sort of intellectual hangover. Towards the end of school, I was thinking so hard that it actually hurt sometimes. They made me read and write a lot. So the idea of writing in my travel blog seemed more chore, less happy hobby. And that's why I'm starting the stupid thing four months late ...

3/17/07 Well, the weather the last week has been great for running and biking here on the Front Range but things are melting quick in the mountains. Last Monday skied Breck with a short sleeve shirt most of the day and things have actually warmed up since then. But looks like a chance of snow starting mid-next week so hoping for some fresh snow ...