Travel & Adventure Archives - Page 6 of 26 - Sonia Marsh

My First Experience Having Google Banned

August 6, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 7 Comments

I experienced first-hand what it’s like to have Google and FaceBook banned. I was not able to logon to either at the airport in Shanghai, and asked a young Chinese woman working at the airport lounge why I couldn’t access to Google or g-mail. She blushed and in a hushed voice said, “No Google.” It felt like my freedom had been taken away, and apparently Twitter and social media aren’t allowed at all. I’d heard about this on the news in the U.S. several months ago, but thought it was temporary.

I sat next to a German man who lives in Shanghai, and asked him what expats do in China in order to get e-mail. Apparently they open a yahoo account. Yahoo is allowed.

While at Shanghai airport, I noticed that I didn’t have access to several websites and blogs that belong to my author friends in the U.S., as well as bloggers around the world. It was a really strange sensation, especially when one of these websites from a close memoir friend stated, “Access Denied.”

All I could think about was, “How does an expat indie author promote his/her work?” and then, my second thought was, “How nice not to have to compete and constantly promote your books, when you have no choice.”

I realize that we are fortunate to have access to social media, something we take for granted. Here in Bangkok, I have the best Internet. I’m staying in a small, basic hotel, about ten-minutes from Bangkok airport, and the Internet speed is phenomenal.

I’m glad I got to experience seven hours without Google at Shanghai airport, as this will be training for me when I move to Lesotho with the Peace Corps. There, I shall probably only have Internet access a few days a month.

Has this happened to you? If so, how did you feel about it? How would you feel about it, if you didn’t have social media access?

What’s Happened to Me? Let The Adventure Begin

August 4, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 9 Comments

What’s happened to me? I used to shop at Nordstrom and Brighton Collectibles, and all of a sudden, I find myself spending hours at REI, Patagonia and other outdoor/camping retailers, looking at fast-drying, microfiber towels that fit in my pocket, and waterproof hiking shoes (for the Peace Corps).

This is the first time in my life that I’ve tried to pack almost three-weeks worth of clothes into one 45L backpack.

I’ve spent hours online, and at REI researching backpacks that pack like a suitcase. I also watched YouTube videos on how to use packing cubes; something I’ve never heard of before.

Yes we have the same name, isn’t that something!

IMG_20150804_121748663 — I took one of the three packing cubes out, for you to see

It’s time for me to start thinking like a student again, especially as I’m off to Thailand, where I shall be sharing an apartment with 3-4 other volunteers. I have no idea what to expect, and keep my fingers crossed that I shall succeed in getting Baht, from the airport ATM, as well as a Thai SIM card.

I’m supposed to meet a rep at the airport who is driving me to the hotel. It’s all done through the Bamboo-Project organizers, and I trust all will go smoothly, although I have been warned about “Thai-time” which sounds similar to “Belize-time.”

I’m flying on China Eastern airlines to Shanghai, in business, thanks to a free ticket with my miles. Sadly, I read that due to our departure time at 1 a.m., no meals are served, and I was looking forward to a glass of champagne and some “gourmet” dinner. (Not sure if I would pick Chinese or Western food) but this may no longer be an option. Oh well, at least I should have a comfortable seat, and be able to sleep. The flight lasts fourteen hours and then I have a six-hour layover in Shanghai, before leaving for Bangkok.

I checked reviews on China Eastern, and they were not that promising, as far as service and quality, but I’m lucky to be in Business class, and try this for the first time.

I hope you follow me on my journey to Koh Samui, Thailand.

I Got My Medical Clearance From the Peace Corps

July 30, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 7 Comments

Extracting Influenza Virus Vaccine — Vaccinations-Photo credit-click on photo

I GOT MY MEDICAL CLEARANCE FROM THE PEACE CORPS

After numerous shots, blood tests, x-rays and doctor visits, I finally got my medical clearance from the Peace Corps.

It’s only been a year since I first applied to serve, but somehow, it feels like forever. As some of you may have read,my first application was rejected, and then on January 14th, 2015, I rewrote my resume and received my invitation to serve on May 14th.

On July 29th, 2015, I finally received my medical clearance, which means, I’m good to go to Lesotho, on October 5^th. This may not seem like a long time to you, but so much has happened in my life in the past year, including my divorce, finding a place to live, and passing the TESOL certificate in London.

Now I admit that patience is not one of my strengths, and I realize that I shall need to slow down in Lesotho as this is an important part of our Peace Corps training, while learning to adapt to a totally new and unfamiliar country.

When I look back at how much stuff I had to go through, it seems like it was a full-time job to get my medical and dental paperwork in order.

It’s not like I have any illnesses, or take medication of any kind, but nevertheless, I had to fix certain “problems.”

Dental Exams:

A full set of x-rays in digital format.
A detailed dental exam with measurements of the distance between the gum line and each tooth, (not sure of what the dental terminology is for this.)

Results:

I had to have one crown, which then resulted in an unexpected root canal. I was worried sick about the root canal, because of stories I’d heard of how painful it can be, and surprisingly, I didn’t feel a thing. The crown actually hurt more than the root canal.

Medical Exams:

The following vaccinations:

MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella.) When I was a child, I had the measles, and there was confusion as to why I wasn’t getting vaccinated against measles. I had several back and forth e-mails with the Peace Corps nurse explaining this.
Polio: Another vaccination
Typhoid: I accidentally got two, and paid $150 for one of these. I then worried that the Peace Corps would tell me that I was not allowed to go, as I’d had two vaccinations. I had to explain my mistake, and this also caused some delays.
Yellow Fever: I had to find a special urgent care that offers yellow fever shots. This also cost $150.
Tetanus: I got a shot, and actually, that’s the one that hurt my upper arm the most, especially during my shoulder press exercises at the gym.
HIV/AIDS blood test. I’m clear.
Tuberculosis: I came out 5mm positive, as I was vaccinated for this in Europe as a child, and they don’t seem to vaccinate n the U.S. I therefore had to get a chest x-ray, to prove that my lungs are clear. Apparently my lungs are long, so the technician had to x-ray them 3 times, and of course I’m worried about all the radiation.
Colonoscopy: I had one six years ago, and thankfully no polyps, so I’m not supposed to have another for 4 more years. Even that required a personal statement explaining the results.

Now, I’m focusing on the type of backpack I need to buy. I was told 65-85 litres, however that’s enormous. So the researching backpacks at REI, online, and other places, and we also have a long list of items to bring to Lesotho, southern Africa. We are not allowed to leave Lesotho during our 3-month pre-service training, nor can we leave (i.e. shop in South Africa–across the border) for another 3 months after that. So we have to pack the stuff we need. The problem is, we’re not sure what we’ll need, and we’re limited to two suitcases.

World___Thailand_Huts_on_stilts_on_the_island_of_Koh_Samui__Thailand_061760_-700x525 — I’m teaching English in Koh Samui, Thailand, with the Bamboo Project.

More about getting ready for the Peace Corps, and my trip to Thailand, next week.

Am I Going to Live on Papa in Lesotho?

July 23, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 13 Comments

I’m getting prepared for my 27 months in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho, in southern Africa, and it looks like I’m going to live on Papa in Lesotho. Papa even has its own special wooden utensil for mixing.

Papa, seems to be the main starch eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It’s bland, so you can add milk for breakfast or vegetables for dinner.

“At the heart of the Basotho diet is a corn-based food called papa. Papa is served almost every lunch and dinner. Papa le moroho (cooked greens), papa le nama (meat), papa le lebese (milk), papa le linaoa (beans), papa le beet root, paper le lihoete (carrots), papa le mahe (eggs); the possibilities are endless. This is because papa is a classic starch. It is a mildly flavored, completely unseasoned base to every meal.” — Beth Spencer.

My author friend Lauri Kubuitsile from Botswana, introduced me to Rethabile from Lesotho, who now lives in Paris. He then informed me about a chef from Lesotho and her cookbook. Here is a BBC video on Chef Ska Mirriam Motteane, and her goal to teach women to become chefs in Lesotho.

The Mountain Kingdom Cover_ — Click on cover to see on Amazon

I’m also reading Greg’s fascinating memoir, The Mountain School, and learning about what to expect as a primary education teacher in Lesotho. I’m so excited to meet him for lunch tomorrow in San Diego. Greg lived in Lesotho as a Peace Corps Volunteer, and as I’ve connected with other Peace Corps Volunteers and shall be asking him to answer all of our questions about his life as a primary education teacher in the Mountain Kingdom. I’m already learning about what to expect.

I hope there is more to eat in Lesotho than Papa, and Moroho.

Moroho consists of greens: spinach, cabbage, collard greens etc. I shall have to bring some seeds to plant my own vegetables.

I wonder where I shall get my protein from? Eggs? They have beef, mutton and chicken, but Papa, seems to form the main part of the dish.

Anyway, I’m getting more and more excited about this life change, and hopefully the Peace Corps won’t turn me down at the last minute for some medical reason. I’ve uploaded all my medical and dental exams to their portal, which is quite time-consuming.

If you have any suggestions as to what to bring or to plant, please let me know.

Less Stuff = Freedom + Happiness

July 14, 2015 by Sonia Marsh 6 Comments

empty-room-with-bed — Click on photo to go to website

I’m a “happy” person so why did I buy a book called, Happier: Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment, by Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D?

Because it explains why I want to go back to Africa, and work with people who have far less than me. Here’s why:

“While levels of material prosperity are on the rise, so are levels of depression. Even though our generation–in most Western countries as well as in an increasing number of places in the East–is wealthier than previous generations, we are not happier for it.” —Tal Ben-Shahar, Ph.D.

I’ve been trying to figure out why I have become happier with less “stuff,” and why I’m attracted to living a simple life.

I don’t have a home, or furniture, except for two armchairs, a Chinese chest, and a tropical painting that inspires me to stay “gutsy.” Nothing within my control can prevent me from following my passion to ‘be free’ and experience new adventures.

Volunteering in a Mayan Village in Belize in 2009, and seeing these beautiful children, full of smiles, made me realize that happiness does not come from having stuff. Look at the small girl on the left; her parents can’t afford a pair of shoes.

Belize kids — The children I met while volunteering in a Mayan village in Red Bank, Belize, 2009.

Here’s what makes me happy.

Click on Photo- credit from malidoma.com

Am I being selfish in wanting to work with children in Africa? Perhaps. I realize that there are going to be many challenges adapting to a new life in Lesotho, in southern Africa, but just to feel the love and enthusiasm of the children, is enough to fuel my own energy.

I became fascinated with photo-journalist Alissa Everett, and what she has done to bring us closer to the positive side of what we don’t see in African countries, such as the DRC-(Democratic Republic of Congo.) She is truly “gutsy” and not only has she served in the Peace Corps, which is what I shall be doing starting in October, 2015, (Read more here) but she shares her stories during my interview with her.