Post Archive


Here you can find every post from Jack's Journal, even the ones I've hidden! 

Few things are more daunting than packing for an open-ended trip around the world. When you pack for vacation, you pack with a theme, like beaches, camping, or exploring cities, but on an open-ended trip to destinations unknown, the packing list can get confusing.

Therein lies the element of faith. Did Jesus really feed 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish? Did John really preach and die in Ephesus? Is Christianity truly superior to Hellenism? The truth is, we don’t really know and likely never will. Archaeology and history are soft sciences, and without a time machine, we can only make an assessment of what actually happened. But I answered those questions with some of my own.

It is my morning ritual during the fiesta: awake early, drink a double espresso around the corner from the hostel, and read the morning paper. I'm specifically reading the section related to the bulls and bullfights for the day. The Diario de Navarra publishes the pictures, ranches, and weights of the six bulls that will run through the streets in less than two hours.

Our hike started on dirt farm roads where local villagers tilled their fields and built their homes. That part of the hike was hot under the Cambodian sun. The French couples burned quickly under its oppressive rays. They hadn't heeded the warning to cover their shoulders, wear long pants, and wear proper shoes instead of sandals. I, on the other hand, was roasting by the time we reached the jungle. Hot and sweaty, but fortunately not burned.

It has been a slow week. That's been the case since I finished writing and editing my book. I've spent a lot of time sitting around watching Hulu and YouTube. I hate being lazy like that, but I'm also keeping an eye on my daily budget. I have plans for the future that require some extra money. That's not a complaint; it is just the reality of the situation.