Merry Chrismas to the GC

I spent my Christmas Eve swimming in the Mekong River, jumping off cliffs, and mountain biking around Don Det Island, followed by a beautiful sunset Lao dinner and party on the beach lit by the full moon.

I got to say the G.C. gathering looks off the hook, and you all look smashing. Everytime I check the blog I grab the attetion of who every is siting next to me at the internet cafe and brag about my friends.

I Love and Miss the whole Bend crew,

Brent

No Snow Here

Ahhhh, It's quite pleasant in the North. I jumped on a bus and came all the way up to a town called Pai. Upon arrival I decided to get outside of the town and look for some where I could pitch my tent. As I was walking past a house next to a rice field an english women (Sara) came out and started a conversation with me. Eventually she offered her yard to me and later gave me access to her home as well. Turns out there is quite and large community of foriegners who have taken residence in this area. Through Sara and other people I have met many of the guest house owners, hotspring managers and various other people involved in the

community.

I've gotten some pretty sweet tips on hidden water falls, villages, and hotsprings in the area. Sara is also hosting a meditation group that I have been invovled in. There is even a posibility of house sitting for someone else for a while.

I'm stoked for the upcoming GC event I hope to hear all the deets and see the photos.

Allan you are a stud I can't wait to be reunited with you to share stories.

Trav make sure and give my love to the guest of honor.

Love Always,

Brent

Thai Or No Thai?

So I made it to Thailand, it is certainly a change of scenery over here. I have been in Thailand for nearly a week now and I'm now thinking that I would like to try something else, perhaps a different country. From what I am observing so far, I'm not so sure Thailand is the place for me right now. Don't get me wrong it is quite beautiful here, and there are alot of amazing things to do. But I'm not really feeling comfortable here, I think maybe the very strong preasure seeking vibe put off by the mass quantities of tourists is throwing me off a bit. Don't get me wrong the splunking, sea kyaking, deep water soloing, cliff jumping, frisbee on the beach, Thai food, island hoping, hiking, and snorkeling had been incredible.

But I'll keep you posted.

Steve thank you so much for teh GC update, it appears that things are better then ever over there. Much Love to all for the GC, I miss you all.

This weeks adventures of Egyptian Pyramids/Jordanian Rock Cities/ Sinian Snorkeling/ Bedouin Villages/ Red Sea Camels/ Israel Fortress Goodness

I have had very busy conclusion to my time in the Middle East. Now I am prepare to get on a flight to Thailand to chill out for a while I need a bit of a vacation so my plane is leaving tommorrow morning. I am in a bit of conflict right now I have been in contact with so many great people travelers and locals and I feel like there are still many beautiful places to see in Israel, it would be very easy for me to stay here a while longer, but then again Thailand is sounding pretty good to me as well I hear the beaches are great along with some sweet islands, cliffs and jungles ( not to mention the other surrounding countries). But you know these are the kind of struggles that a person faces when traveling. I want you all to know that despite me being in this very difficult situation (trying to decide which incredible place I should spend my time) I'm going to work it out and it is going to be ok. Its not an easy job but somebodies got to do it. I don't want anyone to feel bad for me because after I was the one that put myself in this situation. Just keep me in your thoughts, and if anyone feels the need to come over here and help me out in my efforts I would gladly welcome the support.

Much Love,
Brent

I have returned from the desert

It has been a whirlwind of festivals, camping in the desert, rainbow gathering, and hitchhiking, in the southern part of Israel over the last three weeks. Life is good I have been learning and growing a lot here. The picture to the left is where I spent many hours over looking the desert in prayer and meditation while at the rainbow gathering. I feel like I have been coming to some amazing relizations during my time in Israel. Right now I have less then two weeks before I will be getting on a flight to Thailand. I am leaving today for Egypt and if I have time I will also go to Jordan. The following posts are from my adventures over the last few weeks.

Much Love thanks for reading, and I apprieciate your comments,
Brent

Rainbow Gathering

The Rainbow Gathering lasted for about 4 weeks, I was there for two weeks of it. There were 100-200 people camping out during the week and then on the weekends the numbers grew to 400-500 people. It was an amazing experience it won't be the last rainbow gathering that I spend time at.

Weightless

At the lowest point in the world its like the Dead Sea is saying that you've gone to low and if you try to go lower beneath the surface of the water it says no.

Dead Sea Mud Meditation

After a nice mud lathering I meditated on the shore of the Dad sea until the mud was completely dry before rinsing of in the salty water

Sunset Trance Party

This is the most recent festiva that I was at located near the Dead Sea. It was a music and dance festival.

Oasis in The Desert

I'm still rock'n it in the desert. I'm currently at an Ashrum in the desert and will be going to a dancing festival on the Dead Sea soon. More stories and pictures to come soon.

Much Love
Brent

Networking

So I was headed to Jerusalem and I found a girl through couch surfing who was studying Hebrew at the University. I went to her apartment and met a few of her roommates. After some short conversation I mentioned a was from Bend Oregon and a guy from the other room comes in and says my sister is from Bend. Turns out this guy Brett is the brother of my friend Beth in Bend(Beth Marino and her husband Chris Wolsko, I have spun fire with Beth). Just before I left Bend I was talking with Beth and Chris at Mikes block party, they were telling me that I needed to hook up with Beths Brother while I was in Isreal,I never got his contact info, but turns out it was meant to happen anyway. Ive been hanging out with Brett the last few days, and we went up to the Sea of Galilee over the weekend for a Couchsurfing Party on a private beach. I met about 60 travelers and people from all over Israel. Now have connection with people and couches to sleep on just about anywhere I want to go in Israel. It was a great gatehring there were all different kinds of languages happening the whole weekend and people trying to walk on the water. Now you might not here from me for a little while I will be going into the Negev Desert to a Rainbow gathering over the next week or two.

Blessings from The Land,
Brent

Dome of the Rock

The Things You Learn in Jerusalem

Turns out Jesus had a son? I got a tour from a Jewish dude, who happens to believe in Jesus, I got blessed by a guy with some sweet locks of hair coming out only the sides of his head, oh yeah and I got searched and yelled at by a a Arab Palestinian, then I stayed up until 7:00am and got pizza and beer for breakfast with some cool Israeli students who are "traditional" not religious. On top of all that I think this Israeli solider with a huge automatic rifle strapped to her back was hitting on me yesterday, a little intimidating yet, still pretty hot.

Tel Aviv Night life on the Beach

Tel-Aviv Nightlife

So I had a change of plans I think that I am going to go to Jerusalem instead of going North. I am going to meet up with some folks that my friend Chinua hooked me up with, then I am going with them to an Israeli Rainbow Gathering in the Negev area.

Thanks for the Comments its great to hear back from you guys.

Shalom

I'm In

ahlan wa sahlan( I think that means hello)

I'm in the country. I was pretty nervous when I was leaving New York because they took me to a private room and questioned me several times and put me through extra searches and questioning because my passport doesn't look like me and its a bit moldy, and I have a one way ticket leavin the country with a different airline. So I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to get past customs when I got to Israel. My friend Zohar was going to pick me up from the airport and it turns out I was pleasantly greeted at the gate before I even got to customs by one of the head security workers at the airport Yehude who also happens to be Zohar's father, he escorted me through a special gate flashing people his I.D. card right past customs no questioned asked. All I had to do was show my paaspot to one women who hardly even looked at it and gave me a stamp.

Anyway all is well and I'll be heading up north prpbaly tommorrow to the Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee,

Love,
Brent

Sunshine upon your face...

Brent as you know you are loved and will be missed.