Perfect Strangers...on a train, a post by Alfred Hitchcock

and that's just me trying to get you to read my new blog post...i mean let's be honest, who would turn down the opportunity to read a post by Alfred Hitchcock?...yep...that's what I thought.

(Disclaimer: Kyle may write a lot about trains, but he does use other modes of transportation.)

Okay so my latest adventure just so happens to take place on yet another Jersey Transit train and thanks to me, they still have business because for 25.00 round trip from Philly, they better be. This story is much different from my others though, and you'll see why.

It was an early Monday morning, and when I say early, we're talking 7am...my least favorite time of day. I hate the morning time, you know...when the sun sears it's way over the horizon and hits you right in the face and you want to shoot someone...but alas, I digress, I fumbled for my glasses in a fatal attempt to see, because God blessed me with bad eye site. I threw on some clothes, hopped in the car and it was off to NYC...again...a process I was all too familiar with. As I rushed to get my train ticket, accidentally knocking down an old lady, but graciously helping her up, I finally fell into the nice uncomfortable, maroon seat on my way to the city.

I must pause here to tell you a bad habit I have. I like sitting alone...that's right...two seats all to my greedy, American self. But the train always gets packed and I get mad. I use a variety of tactics to avoid people. I 1. put a coat on the seat next to me as if to non verbally imply "Someone is already here, they're just peeing all over themselves in the rocky bathroom" (see post 2) 2. I avoid friendly eye contact as much as possible. 3. I pretend like I'm sleeping from stop to stop so that when a new wave of people get on, they think "oh, he's sleeping...I wouldn't wanna wake him just to sit in an uncomfortable maroon seat on my way to NYC." But on this particular occasion options 1,2, and three were not available. (Note: I even wore my Phillies hat in an attempt to repel any Mets fans)

so I began to read a book called "Changing Perspectives: The Semester at Sea Experience." I was paging through happily smiling until some attractive 30 something says in a gruff morning voice, "Excuse me." I glared up and my smile faded...I began to move my stuff from the seat next to me, to the racks above...angrily grunting under my breath. so she sits down next to me and I continue to read my attractive coffee table book, and I thought it would be nice to look out the window to my left. Just as I did that, the light of heaven had shone through the window.

She was like an angel, and my eyes caught hers. There was this moment between us, and she smiled at me.
"Wait, did you do Semester at Sea," she sang.
"Yes," I smiled bashfully..."did you?"
"Spring 04 and I miss it everyday," she responded as her jet black hair bounced slightly in her face.
"Yeah, spring 07 and I'm still depressed." We both laughed a little.

This conversation carried on for about an hour. We talked about how she was from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and how she stumbled upon the program and it, like my voyage, changed her life. We talked about world policy, the UN National convention being in town, and on and on. We got to know each other so well in that hour and a half, and just like the way she appeared, she was soon swept up in the crowd of people heading for the nearest stairwell. We exchanged phone numbers and that was it...in a puff of angelic smoke, she was engulfed by the people around her, "I'll see you around," she shouted through the crowd.

The moral of this story is that through one tiny interaction on an otherwise routine part of my daily life, I met someone else with an interesting story. Always be aware of that...wherever you are, the people around you are probably really interesting, fun....or crazy....or homeless. Regardless, They may have some cool stories to share with you... so Be on the look out and reach out and touch someone....but not literally, because that would be assault and you all are too young for a federal offense. In the mean time, traveling on a train can be a lot more fun than you think...

The Traffic Dodger

Circumnavigating the globe

Hey Guys,
I wanted to start by thanking all of you about the well received share. I hope this short post gives you a bit of an idea of just exactly what Semester at Sea is all about. 26,900 miles around the globe, I can confidently say I'm changed by what I've seen in the world and am a firm believer that the true quest for knowledge manifests itself when a person sees, then learns. It isn't in a book though, it's a deeper feeling that can only be sought out by being a traveler, rather than a tourist. Y'all know what I'm talking about.

Left: El Yunque Rain forest-the only US rain forest, protected under national rain forest act.














To the right is Bahia...A state of Brazil, specifically in the city of Salvador. You're viewing the upper city or the pelourino district. Salvador is separated into two parts, the upper and lower cities. Salvador is also where Capoeira originated. It was our second port on the voyage and took 9 days to sail to.































This lion is from South Africa. Specifically the Kariega Game Reserve. What a beauty huh? He's gigantic and even more so in color and up close. Safari was one of the many things I was fortunate enough to do in South Africa. I was also able to hike Table Mountain, travel to Seal Island, which some of you may have seen in the "Planet Earth" series and I was even able to go on a wine tasting tour.


What was even better was being in South Africa with The Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He was actually on our voyage the whole 100 days and was of particular help in South Africa, being that his presence was monumental in ending apartheid. But I learned valuable lessons in Capetown beyond wine tasting. I was able to meet with a Rastafarian community and help them brainstorm ideas for bringing in revenue. It was astounding to see their living conditions but enlightening to see a group of people free from worldly possessions and very willing to smile. They taught me something deeper about my own life. When you see children dance, it brings a smile to your face. It's indescribable.





11 days, 3,375 miles later, we found ourselves in Capetown, South Africa...I'll definitely find my way back before I die...but alas, its off to Mauritius!




Oh Mauritius...its a paradise for sure albeit a not so educational one. More of a fuel stop for the glorious MV Explorer between South Africa and India. We spent 3 days here and it was absolutely beautiful. Great Weather, awesome reefs, nice...palm trees? It was great though...


















Off to India!






Of Course I'd pull the generic picture of the Taj Mahal to brag about how amazing India is, but the Taj isn't the only thing !ncredible about !ndia. There is a lot to learn from such a bold country with such an intriguing history. It is in short, a place that is bound to make you very uncomfortable, and that's where the learning really begins to happen. I can't explain it. In fact, if I were....I'd be here all night. But know that for sure, if you haven't been to !ndia, go before you die. you'll learn a great deal from her.

okay so I could keep uploading pictures, but that would take too long and I'm experiencing some formatting issues. Let me know if y'all want me to post more about Semester at Sea or my voyage and I might think about it....but for now...you've made it half way around the world.

For the amazing slide show go to http://www.jameslissy.com/

Peace...World Peace,
Traffic Dodger

On peeing...on a train!

Quite frankly, peeing on a train may be the hardest thing I've had to do in a while. I guess I should begin my story by letting you know that I was commuting on Jersey Transit this morning when it theurge suddenly struck me to urinate. I ignored said, urge and continued to read the terribly boring book entitled Marie Anoinette. After all, If I were to get up in the middle of that book, I might miss something terribly epic, like Marie Antoinette being frivelous yet again with her money...or her secret supposed lesbian life, and for the romantic age, that's pretty fucking hot...

I thought to myself...boy I could really pee right now!

But Marie Antoinette? It's so engaging...I guess I should pause here...

Some of you may be wondering why the fuck I'm reading Marie Antoinette on the train, or perhaps you may be wondering why I'm even reading it and my guess is as good as yours. Apparently it's for this stupid class I'm taking that I need for graduation...or something. Oh Higher Education, you're so unnecessary at times...so anyhow

The urge was becoming as epic as the thick book wedged between my fingertips. So I decided to venture to the train bathroom. As I walked through the train cars, I felt like a tight rope walker barely able to keep his balance and as I passed people, all they could do was look so uninterested. They were probably thinking things like

Am I in New York yet?

I finally happened upon the trains bathroom. I swung the door open and was bombarded with the smell of day old piss. The bathroom was dimly lit but ce la vie? I unzipped and began doing the intuitive thing all men do. I aimed and began the gentle flow until the train jerked forward and I landed just inches away from being bathed in my own piss. The train conductor must have had a field day with me because he didn't stop at just one jerk.

HE HIT EVERY BUMP HE COULD...I'd punch him in his fucking face If I saw him on the street. All I had to do was pee and he decided to go off the damn track while I was performing my duty.

My conclusion to all you men out there is to wait until the next stop to relieve yourself and do it quickly. The conductor is bound to know when you enter that bathroom and he'll make your casual experience a living nightmare.

Hello World...

...and welcome to the interior of my blog. I'm glad you've wandered to my page and look forward to hearing your comments about my blog. I'm as obliged and excited to write as you are to read...so have a blast and laugh a lot, because if we take life to seriously, we'll become sad....and who wants to be fucking sad all the time? Not me, and probably not you either so turn that frown :( upside down :)!

peace out,
Traffic Dodger