Robin's Roaming Rambles http://gadtramp.com 2012-02-07T00:41:29+01:00 http://gadtramp.com http://gadtramp.com/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png text/html 2011-06-10T02:42:33+01:00 http://gadtramp.com http://gadtramp.com/content/view/525/ The “Four Noble Truths” are one of Buddhism's most basic teachings. They go as follows:Life is suffering.The cause of suffering is attachment.The end of suffering is possible.The way to end suffering is the Eight-Fold Path.While I'm not sure about numbers 1, 3 4, have always wholeheartedly agreed with #2: Attachment causes suffering. Should probably mention here that I also believe in the Buddhist theory of impermanence – that all things eventually go away. So, if you're attached to something it must go away, you will eventually have sadness. Which is exactly what I've been feeling.I've now been sedentary for 7 months. Although my feet have never been so itchy, knew I needed to settle for awhile after 3.5yrs of vagabonding. A year before I actually did this, placed it in my long-range plan. As silly as it sounds, wanted to grow a plant. Sure that's some subconscious symbol for rooting myself. Again, knew I needed it.And again, I'm so ready to move on. Not just move – run! Run as fast far away as possible! But I'm also sad. Sad, because I've become attached to people things.Perpetual travel does not allow for attachments. Yes, have been overly attached to some of my gear. And was never happy for a few days after having to say goodbye to a good travel buddy. But the ability to release i.e. detach from them, is in my opinion, a learned, not inherent strength. I'm worried I've lost that ability.Currently contemplating staying longer. My heart tells me that is the worst thing in the world for my soul. However, my rational mind is telling me it is a good option. If I come back for another 9 months, I'll have enough 'follow the winds of my whims' money for 6 straight years.And Kurdistan, Iraq is not bad. While it meets less than half of the items of my ideal city checklist, I have become attached. I'm going to miss my dear friend Amy horribly. I want to see my geraniums blossom. Gonna miss being a walk to the freezer away from the perfect martini and fresh-brewed coffee in the morning. And some other minor things. Ok, after having written my list, it really doesn't seem so bad.But I'm still attached...and getting sad about having to say goodbye. Can feel myself already starting to pull away in order to ease the pain that is to come in 22 more days. But trying to remind myself to live in the moment enjoy the here now. text/html 2011-07-30T11:30:00+01:00 http://gadtramp.com http://gadtramp.com/content/view/534/ Another evening, here I sit inside my hotel, afraid to be out after dark, with the security guard and his 16-caliber rifle, 8 video cameras - one going directly to the police station, and the whole place enclosed behind a 12-foot wall with an electrical fence on top, laughing at my friends who are looking at the idyllic topical beach photos I've been posting on Facebook and saying they're gonna come to Venezuela for their next holiday.When I went to Iraq, everyone said I was crazy. Some even said suicidal. But only a few people said anything about the danger in Venezuela. The fact is, I have a 4 times greater chance of getting killed in Venezuela than I ever had in war-torn Iraq!I'm in one of the safest parts of Venezuela. Yet still, a Brit was shot and killed and his brother stabbed in their hotel two weeks ago. Not to mention all the guests robbed. (And I'd originally planned to stay at that hotel!)With the police solving less than 10% of all homicides, it is often easier for a criminal to just shoot his victim rather than leave a potential witness.(BTW...I've been quoted -out of interest not intent- that a “hired hit” costs as little as $100.)But violent crime is also huge here. Two days ago, a Spanish man staying at my hotel was robbed at gun point -during the day! With cars passing by! That means these thieves have no fear! And then there's corruption...this is a tourist town – most everyone makes their money from tourists. Penalties for crimes against tourists are twice as severe. Yet still, another American staying at my hotel was pulled into the local one-room police station and his $100 bill replaced -by the police- with a counterfeit one!Kidnappings are also huge here...but have no first-hand accounts of any...yet.Venezuela is far from being a super poor nation. Yes, it's economy is shrinking and it's inflation is a crazy 23%. But I think it has more to do with President Hugo Chavez. His weekly rhetoric fuels resentment against the rich and his policies have the educated officials leaving their posts in droves. Then add to that, the fact that the whole country is awash with Russian firearms. Under his last 11 years of rule, crime has increased 134%!Margarita Island is one of the most beautiful places on earth. And Venezuelans are incredibly friendly, with a childlike live for the moment attitude. But still, this is no place to take the kids!