I saw Rick's latest on the best seller lists today, bought it, and listened to it in its entirety. Thanks to Rick for reminding us who we were then.
NYC to Scotland, France, Italy, and Greece; then to Israel, and Turkey, overland to India, Nepal, Thailand and home.
Bussing through Turkey, passing Ararat, playing backgammon in tea house rest stops, bathing in community baths.
Being uptight in Iran, though the pomegranate juice was great. Buying turquoise in Masshad, for earrings for my girlfriend back home and for girlfriends yet to come.
Reading Michener's Caravans while on the move from Herat to Kandahar to Kabul.
And just as Rick's prose loosens up and relaxes as he became acquainted with hashish, my trip also mellowed and softened.
I was given a "chunk" of hash by a stranger at the bus station as I entered Afghanistan in Herat, and I handed it off to another stranger in Kabul as I was leaving.
I have a vivid memory of jumping into the Ganges in Varanasi, from my small boat, and quickly out again.
Having my palms read by a professional, in Varanasi, only to be asked, with a shake of the head, if I would please wash my hands.
Hiking from Pokhara into the mountains, sleeping on the floor next to the fire in tea houses, meeting locals on narrow trails.
Rick describes pig alley as it was, with chai and pie as a highlight, and the quality of my room there much further down the list.
Traveling alone allowed me to meet other travelers, and locals, if and when I wanted to. Like today, it's easy to travel in a bubble, but as Rick describes for this trip (and many others he's described over the years), it's up to us to step outside of our bubble.
Thanks again for reviving the memories...