Beginings

It all started this past winter when my grandfather, Bill Turnbull, invited me to join him for a two-week tour of India. It had always been a goal of Bill and my grandmother Margret to go to India, but when she past away a few years ago the plan was put on hold. So unlike my trip to Africa, I'm going to South Asia with more of a plan. The situation with visas is significantly more complicated this time around. For one, the governments of India and Pakistan appear to behave like children, "Oh so you have a visa for a country we don't like, well we might not issue you one." Anyway I have not received my Passport back yet but I'm confidant that all will be taken care of. If not in Washington D.C. I'll take care of it in Delhi.

Now for the plan: my whole purpose of going to China is to meet up with a good friend of mine, Ian Steinmo, who is currently studying in Shanghai. After a quick look at a map, there were a variety of different paths which could take me to China. One by one they were eliminated for a variety of reasons e.g. a special visa is required for Tibet; and I have no desire to attempt to cross the Line of Control between the Indian and Pakistani Armies in Jammu and Kashmir, so Pakistan it is. Once in Pakistan my route is limited by availability and quality of roads. According to my map there is one main road once I get about a 100km north of Islamabad. What would I do without Wikipedia, according to the site starting in 2006 there is a bus line running from a town further north all the way to Kashgar where I am to meet Ian. The Northern Areas of Pakistan contain 50-60 peaks higher than 22,900 ft so I will definitely need warm clothes. This blog is how I will maintain contact with all of you. Feel free to pass this address on to anyone you think would be interested in reading.

<Disclaimer: all I write is the truth; Truth to me is what I see, hear, experience. If you think I am wrong on anything post a comment or email me.>


P.S. Feel free to post comments questions etc. or email me. I will do my best to email people back but more often than not the questions asked are good for all to read so I will answer them here.