Greetings from 4,000 feet or so above sea level. Got to the airport at 1 PM or so-time difference is interesting, hours and minutes different. First you get off the plane. Then you wait for a bus as the first buses were filled. Then you go to immigration with all of the forms and they say you must have a photograph to get a visa. Then you get out of line and go to the photo booth. They take your picture but will take neither Euros or $. Then you go to the currency converted and, 18% later, get currency. Then back to immigration and three different people, sitting next to each other inspect, initial and finally paste a visa into your passport. Then off to the luggage and a fifteen minute wait. Then find the hotel driver-easy-but he couldn't find the van. The ride to the hotel was harrowing. Traffic laws are, apparently, a suggestion and the crowds are amazing, mostly people on motorcycles and scooters. Finally arrive at hotel, check in, unpack and prepare for a nap. The phone rings and we are off to do some tourism and, for the five others I was with, power shopping! See some photos.
This is my first real experience with developing world poverty and contrasts. Significant differences, but signs of a middle class. Incredible small entrepreneurship. Stores, shops, stalls and sidewalk vendors everywhere.
A long dinner with discussions about the Inclusion International events of the next three days and the day was over. I met a few self-advocates from New Zealand, Lebanon and Australia. The guy from Australia was accompanied by a graduate of a NLCDD Leadership Institute (see www.nlcdd.org) and we plan to get together to chat after the day's events on Monday.
The photos of the Temple that are posted do not begin to show its size and dominance of a market area. as do street vendors selling everything from food for people to food to feed the pigeons.
Shops of every description circle the Temple, Saw a lot of Monks and made a donation to have them pray for my friends Jim, David and Mary Lou.
Until Monday.
This is my first real experience with developing world poverty and contrasts. Significant differences, but signs of a middle class. Incredible small entrepreneurship. Stores, shops, stalls and sidewalk vendors everywhere.
A long dinner with discussions about the Inclusion International events of the next three days and the day was over. I met a few self-advocates from New Zealand, Lebanon and Australia. The guy from Australia was accompanied by a graduate of a NLCDD Leadership Institute (see www.nlcdd.org) and we plan to get together to chat after the day's events on Monday.
The photos of the Temple that are posted do not begin to show its size and dominance of a market area. as do street vendors selling everything from food for people to food to feed the pigeons.
Shops of every description circle the Temple, Saw a lot of Monks and made a donation to have them pray for my friends Jim, David and Mary Lou.
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