Bike Touring Packing List
When preparing for my first bike tour, the packing lists I found on the Internet really helped me. Now that I have a bit of experience, my own bicycle touring packing list is good enough to share.
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Travel
These are my more lengthy articles on the nomadic life. My everyday travelogue is on Instagram, replicated on Facebook.
Verify Their Identity Before Sending Money
A relative recently fell victim to the virtual kidnapping scam, where criminals demand ransom for a loved one whom they only claim to have kidnapped. To make their claim more convincing, the perpetrators make their ransom demand when the purported kidnapping victim cannot be contacted. They might simply know when the person is isolated and unavailable, or they might force them to go incommunicado by stealing their mobile phone.
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My Encounter with Libyan Agents
It was 1986 and the US had recently attacked Libya in retaliation for the Berlin discotheque bombing and other mischief. I was living In Tokyo, and at a social function for foreigners, I met two young men who worked at the Libyan Embassy. We had an interesting conversation as I was more willing than most Americans to hear the Libyan side of the story. Besides, I fancied myself an international man of intrigue whose associates included real live Libyan agents. More
The Reef Lounge
When I was about four, we vacationed at the Handerly Hotel & Resort in San Diego (formerly the Stardust Motor Hotel). That place was heaven on earth as far as I was concerned. I loved the pool. Next to the pool there was a bar, and behind the bar was an underwater theater. It was here that I saw one of the most outlandish scenes I have ever witnessed.
How I Got to Japan
The PA system at work announced that I had a call. It was from Dr. Steve Butner, my graduate advisor at UC Santa Barbara. He was very excited. “John, I got some information here about this program that was just made for you.”More
I’m So Glamorous
I was profiled in the cover story for Japanese magazine Engineer Type.