One-year anniversary of kissing the old life goodbye
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under notes
I still don't know the name of that fruit
It’s been a year to the day since I officially started My Backpacking Life and hopped an international flight from Chicago. I’ve been on five different continents since then, produced a small amount of reporting, bummed about working when I could, volunteered as a teacher in rural India and a conservationist in rural Ecuador and smiled too much for my own good.
I encountered the limits of freelance journalism and discovered that I don’t have the hustle necessary to pay the bills that way. I also learned that I want to play a more active role in helping the planet and its huddled poor. I’m ready to take off the neutral observer hat and put the gloves of a fighter (even if it means going graduate school).
I became what amounts to a dual citizen of both the U.S. and India. I’m moving back to Delhi for another extended (indefinite?) stay in a few weeks.
I learned to dive, fell in love with the sport and became obsessed with the oceans. I can’t now foresee a future where I’m not diving regularly. I learned how much I love sea turtles.
I’ve taken more than 16,000 photos.
I lost more than 52 kilograms (about 115 pounds). I had become incredibly overweight and was eating and drinking myself to death. Now, I’m vegetarian and rarely go near alcohol. I jog and am seriously contemplating running a half-marathon yet this year.
That’s not to say I don’t miss people and places and things from my old life. I have many fond memories and no real regrets.
But in the photo above, I am tired, sweaty, muddy, smelly and sucking on the remainder of a strange jungle fruit in the Ecuadoran Amazon. I’m also immensely happy with that new me.
Tags: ecuador, india, photography, shenanigans, tourism, volunteering
Quito’s monumental basilica
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
A fun climb
On my first full day in Quito, I went for a walk around part of the old historic district and made my way to the Basilica del Voto Nacional, also known as the Basilica de San Juan.
It’s a huge church with twin fore-spires and a single rear tower with some of the best views over Quito. The stoic grey stone with subtle ornamentation outside, stained glass windows, and towering ceilings: it’s gothic beauty.
I spent most of an afternoon exploring where I could, taking pictures and hiding out from a hail storm. Enjoy the photos below. Continue reading this entry » » »
Tags: architecture, art, basilica, church, ecuador, history, photography, quito, religion, tourism, voto nacional
Clouds over Quito
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
A view to the south
A view from Quito’s basilica. On the hill stands the Virgin of El Panecillo. The city is truly wonderful, a jumble of history and culture and modernism all at once. Beautiful and clean with a dangerous side.
I could spend more than few days here.
Tags: ecuador, el panecillo, history, landscape, photography, quito, tourism
White cliffs of Brighton
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
Sea wall stroll
The Brighton sea wall. Perfect for a breezy, afternoon stroll. All it needs is a lighthouse.
Thanks to Russ for putting me up for the night.
Tags: brighton, england, photography, sea, sea wall, tourism
U.K. train stations know what’s what
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
I do like a good train
Glasgow Central, full of metal and light and people going and waiting and going some more. I love it. Far better than any station I’ve traveled through in the states.
Tags: glasgow, photography, scotland, tourism, train, train station
Good Scottish weather
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
I spent an afternoon at the botanical gardens in Glasgow during a fine, fine mist and light drizzle. Lots of pleasant macro photography. Rain drops aplenty. See several photos below.
Continue reading this entry » » »
Tags: botanical garden, environment, flowers, garden, glasgow, photography, rain, scotland, tourism
Covent Garden games
Posted by Adam Jadhav | Filed under photography
Man makes fool of himself
Russ and I stopped off for an afternoon pint in Covent Garden, one of London’s popular and touristy hangout neighborhoods. It’s loaded with pubs and restaurants and human statues and mimes and other kinds of street theater.
From the balcony at the Punch and Judy, we watched a street comedian and juggler make an ass of himself and along with various spectators. It was thoroughly entertaining.
I also had my first pint of proper beer since leaving the U.S. It was a tasty, wonderful Guinness, evidenced by my mustache below. Continue reading this entry » » »
Tags: beer, covent garden, guinness, london, photography, punch and judy, shenanigans, theater, tourism
