Bon Voyage!

So I know it’s been a while, but I’ve recently gone through a lot of big life changes. After I left my job I became bitter toward Corporate America and decided to shun it and all of its technological advances. During the months of solitude and introspection, I came to realize that one of the most important things in life to me is the daily reading of this blog and all that it discloses. Each word is another reason to breathe and imparts new meaning into my life.

Since you all have nourished my soul during these past dark months, I decided that it’s time for you all to feast on the wealth of my experiences. You may have heard about my recent engagement- scratch that- MARRIAGE! Las Vegas Baby!!!! We really enjoyed having The King perform our nuptials. The chapel was styled in a lovely post modern, deco, colonial, gothic, arts and crafts combo. My sugar daddy, Kevin, was so thoughtful to surprise me by picking out this very chapel because he knows how much I love extreme architectural vomit.

Just had to update the blog before we jump on the plane for our Somali pirate cruise honeymoon getaway! Can’t wait to enjoy some seafood, target practice with our renegade friends, and dining on the full entrée of your delicious posts upon our return!

Shout- out to Wardo: I’ve recently become a foodie!!!

Love ya'll,
Abby

A Big Hike & An Everlasting Promise

I first knew that I really loved Erin when she confessed to me that her greatest joy in life comes from reading the Thirty Travelers blog. I, being the absent minded bloke that I am, knew that if I am going to be faithful to this blog for the rest of my life on earth, I would need a companion who would run fast and hard alongside of me towards the prize of Most Consistent Blog Updater. Ever.

So to get started with that goal we thought we would share the story of our engagement.  I took Erin on a pilgrimage to the top of Mount Sinai. After my time at Beach Project, my red skin was like the flames of the burning bush. Hiking up that mountain was a difficult task, as I was carrying two stone tablets inscribed with the top 10 reasons why I want to spend the rest of my life with this girl. When we reached the top and Erin read these confessions of my heart, a clap of thunder (some would say “The blessing of God”) filled the air. Erin cried with a loud voice, “Alpha Omicron Chi Omega Epsilon Pi!” (Which in Greek, of course, means “With all my heart- YES!”) After descending from the mount, to commemorate the occasion, we immediately melted down all of our jewelry into a small gold slice of key lime pie.

The happy couple just after our descent

We are so excited to extend a wedding invitation to you all!! Please RSVP by posting on the blog!

- Matt

Thanks a Million!

Jamie, Jen, and Kris here.  What a whirlwind these past 2 weeks have been!  We have traveled the country of Ethiopia in its ENTIRETY.  Every nook and cranny has been scouted out by yours truly.  Kris met Jamie and Jen in Addis (after sneaking/ walking real obviously past security approximately 2,976 times to find Jen) and we headed to Finote Selam early the next morning.  The next three days were spent in the Finote, highlights include:  Jamie’s (almost) birthday celebration, an emergency shunting program at 0200 for Jamie, an informational cheeseburger program, and no showering whatsoever. 

On to Addis for the Ethiopian New Year Festivities.  Happy 2002…again…everyone!  Highlights include: dancing to Whitney Houston with Ethiopians, watching hours of Ethiopian music videos, Jen being put in the spotlight by an Amharic-singing Ethiopian entertainer (and Kristen simultaneously being chest-bumped…by the same singer…she was good folks), joining hundreds of Ethiopians at midnight in the cold to watch fireworks- psych! (too expensive this year, but no one thought to tell the entire population of Addis), and New Years day spent with a wonderful Ethiopian family. 

Next we had the great pleasure of meeting the man, the myth, the legend:  Mr. Million (Million is his first name).  We knew he was to quickly become our 4^th partner in crime…literally.  He looked the part, what with his red wind pants and sleek fashion sunglasses.  Mr. Million had entered our lives to escort us on a 6-day tour of southern Ethiopia.  And man, did we tour that junk. 

Day One:  The Dorze tribe (elephant huts, extremely resourceful with the false banana tree)

Day Two: 8-hour car ride to Jinka (numb butts, reading, and sleeping)

Day Three: Mursi tribe (VEEEERY aggressive people, lip cutting to insert disc, goat blood and milk drinking)

Day Four: Hamer tribe (watched women being whipped and naked man run across the backs of bulls approximately 6 times as part of the traditional wedding ceremony…wow.)

Day Five: Abore and Konso tribes (sensory overload, get us out of the car… and out of the south)

Day Six:  Ganja and 9-hour car ride back to Addis (numb butts, reading, sleeping, brief illegal action encouraged and arranged by Million, arrive at destination in Addis: Mr. Martin’s Cozy Place)

Hanging out with a tribal woman, of course

So, overall a good time was had by all…even Papa Mills.  I, Jamie, look forward to welcoming home our little African travelers in a mere 2 months!!  Woohoo! 

One topic of our daily discussion has been the Thirty Travelers Blog.  As the founders, we feel it necessary to encourage the more consistent use of this tool for communication.  Jen was awestruck when she overheard Kristen and Jamie’s discussions of Matt and Erin’s recent engagement.  Kristen was likewise shocked to hear that Pat got new pants from Urban Outfitters 2 weeks ago.   I mean, how are we supposed to know these things unless you post about them? This is a crime and those found guilty of withholding such valuable information must be prepared to face the consequences.  So.  Be forewarned.  And light the fire…in my weary soul.  Fan the flame. Just do it people. On the blog.

Man who dances with bulls.  Bare butt.  Bleh.  Shun. 

There he is - bare butt in the flesh...well, not quite yet in the flesh, but we thought that may be a bit inappropriate for our family-friendly blog