Guess what time it is? You got it! Your favorite traveler is off again! Off for an adventure as grand and surprising and wonderful as any I’ve yet written. But first, a slight introduction, a greeting, a rock-solid, super-sensitive, treasure-trove of recapitulated robbery of memories once written. Some of you are new to my nonsense, from high school or college, from Chicago, employers, co-workers, chance encounters at the restaurant and bars! Moments of glimpses of glories once told, nearly forgotten. Thank you, all you fine folks, who’ve asked to be on the travel list. Lord only knows what you’ll be getting yourselves into, but God willing, it will be a good time.
Carl Beien, your friend, is embarking on the Peace Corps, the Kennedian brain-child of American ambassadorship and development. I will be living in the mountain state of Kyrgyzstan for the next 27 months. They’ve told me that once there, I will learn the language, live with families, and try to help the people develop in their own, sustainable way. They’ll train me to appreciate their culture, and try to figure them out before I go sticking my Big American Nose into their business. So yes, that’s the story! 27 months gone from this country which I love! But fear not, in my darkest moments of sadness, I will have your responses to kindle my spirits, and if worst comes to worst, I have a signed letter from President George W. Bush, thanking me for my service.
Now folks, who could forget? My adventures lurking around the Olympic construction site in Beijing! The Famished Four, PBR Water, and trading cigarettes for turquoise in Lhasa? Oh, and there was the time in Guatemala, when my naive charity nearly ended my days. For those of you who’ve been here since the beginning, when, 5 years ago, in the prime of my dreadlocks, I embarked for 3 1/2 months in S.E. Asia, this trip must seem like its all coming full circle. I’m not a tourist anymore – I’m a traveler. I’m leaving this country to live, and learn, not just to see.
So here we go folks! Please read my letters, embrace them, like a field of radiant sunshine. My humble goal, in the words of Dr. King, is to, “heal the jangling discord of our” world. Friends, I will try, and with your support, maybe at least in a small way, we’ll succeed.
Originally Written March 25th, 2009
