Ode to the Little Guy

I've been to a lot of monuments recently. Monuments to gods and kings, scholars, heroes and martyrs. Their deeds are often inscribed on plaques and stelae, or depicted in vivid murals, glasswork and carving. What I haven't seen (though I'm sure there is one somewhere) is a monument to a little guy who has done so much, still does so much, and hasn't really gotten the thanks he so richly deserves.

Without him the world might be a very different place. He was responsible in large part for the development of early trade routes, and therefore the spread of skills, knowledge, ancient religions and the accrual of wealth that led to advanced civilisations. He has helped to build farms that sustain communities and the monuments of other, more celebrated heroes. He has worked in the fields of search and rescue and medicine. He has saved lives.

Slaughter and Side Arms

Yesterday when we exited our hotel there were a dozen people crowding the steps at the front of the restaurant next door. I didn't pay much attention until an anguished cry rose above the usual sounds of the street. A backward glance revealed that the circle of onlookers was watching a crouching man swabbing the throat of Pig, who was lying at his feet. Surely he's not going to...? Yes he is!

As we sat to breakfast across the road at the Champa, Pig's final squeal resounded down the canyon of the street. I watched as Pig's lifeblood cascaded down the glossy tiles of the steps. When Pig was still, he was moved to the cobbles of the street for depilation and butchery. It was a sensational start to a day with more in store.

It's not every day you have a gun drawn on you, but yesterday turned out to be one of 'em.

Down the Track

I didn't explain much about our upcoming silk road adventure, did I? Just listed a bunch of countries we'll be visiting. Not very informative. Especially since it's going to be a very different experience from what we've been doing so far.

Nothing much about travel here. Just sayin'...

On the surface, Doug and I are a pretty unlikely couple.

There's a big age difference between us. In August I'll be 29, Doug will turn 50. Yet I'm becoming a grumpy old man and he's getting younger every day :p