tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8915394630425038686.post3242402899972075410..comments2023-07-28T07:56:10.710-04:00Comments on Will goes to China: Will goes to KazakhstanWill Penmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10327238178333265768noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8915394630425038686.post-35307237860964939312008-06-05T14:36:00.000-04:002008-06-05T14:36:00.000-04:00dude will. you're freakin awesome. i love how nonc...dude will. you're freakin awesome. i love how nonchalant you are in random countries. <BR/>i think, despite being discouraged about your lack of knowledge about the languages, you're in your prime. adventure is at your fingertips. and you're always in a situation of challenge. <BR/>i really miss you brotheer :) post some more pictures. i love the pictures!Melanie Penmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13357644835545448184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8915394630425038686.post-3680757860782448732008-06-05T13:48:00.000-04:002008-06-05T13:48:00.000-04:00Hey Will,Your last two entries reminded me of some...Hey Will,<BR/>Your last two entries reminded me of some times during my travel when I had HAD IT with travel!!<BR/><BR/>So here is another mindset for you. Back home we are just experiencing the first black nominee to the presidency of USA!! Dave and I have been in tears reading stories of blacks and whites who grew up in serious racial discrimination and never believed such a day was possible in their lifetime. People who are for Obama, Clinton or McCain are stopping for a minute and marveling at the historic event. We are so LUCKY to have been born in America at this time. <BR/><BR/>So celebrate your luck, appreciate your Mom's incredible words, and suck it up with a grin. (Isn't this some of the experience you were seeking to be an even more amazing writer??)<BR/><BR/>Aloha, Ardeth (Virginga's friend)<BR/><BR/>P.S. You are an amazing writer!!!!!!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8915394630425038686.post-11584454371272266202008-06-05T09:42:00.000-04:002008-06-05T09:42:00.000-04:00Here is the link to a map that shows his upcoming ...Here is the link to a map that shows his upcoming travel route...<BR/>http://www.centralasiatravel.com/central_asia_map.htmlAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02420504893673379190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8915394630425038686.post-24396022759229714202008-06-05T06:36:00.000-04:002008-06-05T06:36:00.000-04:00On one hand, the situation does look pretty bleak....On one hand, the situation does look pretty bleak. You're lonely and isolated in a country that you don't understand, don't have info about, and can't speak the language. You feel stuck there and you're tired of being in unfamiliar places. You're alone and unhappy; perhaps you would even say you're miserable? <BR/>On the other hand, just turning the situation to a different angle, when I read your blog, I see a young man having an amazing adventure. I see you you are using your common sense and haven't resorted to extreme measures to escape your suffering (randomly getting drunk to forget your unhappiness, sleeping with any warm body to forget your loneliness, or spending money for a fancy hotel room to temporarily escape the uncomfortableness). <BR/>You could have just gone to the airport and charged a flight to somewhere, anywhere out of there- but you didn't because you have the strength of character to endure a few days of difficulty.<BR/>You are wealthy in love by your family and friends, just not in a place right now to experience it. You are wealthy right now in intelligence, but not in a place where it is very useful. You are wealthy in money compared to most people around the world but you are choosing to be uncomfortable now for a short while because you have some long-term goals that you want to pursue later. <BR/>Can you somehow twist your thinking to try to get a fresh perspective? And it may be impossible, but you could try to say to yourself "This may be my only time in Almaty in my life. Fifteen years from now when I'm talking with my son, what will I wish I had done today?" <BR/>You are a strong and brave man. You can endure hardship. Knowing these qualities about yourself is perhaps the best souvenir of Kazahkstan that a person can get.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com