This is why.

Today this girl saw a computer for the first time in her life and is now learning how to type.  I'm pretty sure in 20 years, she will find a cure for cancer.

Arrived and there is no Mercury in Pepto…

After months of preparation for our work in Vietnam, the time finally came to head out.  I met up with fellow US teammates in San Francisco for the long flight...  From SFO we flew to Hong Kong (after an hour delay due to lightening) and then on to Ho Chi Minh City.  Total door to door time came out to be about 32 hours.

I’m not sure why, but there is apparently a big fear of being chased by trees in Hong Kong.  What do to if chased by a tree was clearly identified so I felt safe.

After a brief rest post travel, we met up with our VNAT team mates and our hosts with Orphan Impact.  In 2009 Orphan Impact was founded by Tad Kincaid and currently has a staff of three instructors.  Using Intel’s classmate PC, Tad and his instructors work with the students in after school programs to “increase the likelihood that a genuine impact will be made in the lives of the orphan children using these computers”.  More information about the Orphan Impact concept can be found here.

(L-R): Orphan Impact founder Tad Kincaid with Intel VNAT IESC team member Tri Tin Le

(L-R): Orphan Impact instructors Long Pham, Bang Bui, My Nguyen with Intel VNAT IESC Aikido Nguyen.

Our activities so far have been focused on generating Instructional material for future teachers and setting up the classmate PCs destined for the new orphanages.  Since my technical knowledge of computers is limited to “buy Intel”,  I’m working primarily with the Orphan Impact instructors on the Instructional material.  A particularly interesting challenge that we are working through are shifts in how to instruct children (Teacher centered vs. Student centered)… coupled with cultural and language barriers.

It is absolutely amazing how many people are packed into Ho Chi Minh City.  We are currently working in a pocket of the City called “District 1”.  “District 1” is known as the tourist district so there is no shortage of shops and other retailers… and scooters.  Because of the cost of cars, the primary mode of transportation is the scooter.  The most riders we have seen on a scooter at once is 4, but I’m betting we will see a 6-pack at some point.

The food has been terrific…

… shocking picture aside – it has been very good!

-Erin

Vietnam - we're ready to go!

In case you missed it (I’ve made several passive Facebook posts already), Intel has a wonderful philanthropic effort to help non-profit organizations in under developed countries.   The program is called IESC and rather than go through the details, there is a short youtube video found here.  I simply say “I work for an amazing company that has an amazing program that allows some very lucky employees an opportunity to help”.

The team I am on will be going to Viet Nam, visiting orphanages in Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho province.  For those who are too lazy to look up the locations online – we will be working in the Mekong Delta area around Southern Vietnam.  Except for 2 VN based members of the team, I have met the 3 other State side members and am proud to work with such intelligent and dedicated individuals.  I have no doubt our team will do a terrific job.

And what “job” might that be?  We have been tasked to help the NGO “Orphan Impact” perform three distinct activities:

1)      Set up and establish network functionality for new classmate PCs in 2 additional orphanages.

2)      Repair damaged classmates PCs already in use.

3)      Conduct a series of Train the trainer sessions for the Teachers which will work in additional orphanages.

In preparation for the trip, we have had several preparatory meetings to ensure that our time is maximized, we are set up for success to achieve our goals, and (in true Intel fashion), exceed our customer’s needs.  We have also played with Legos and received too many shots to count.  Read as 2 nurses giving simultaneous shots in each of my arms.

We all get on airplanes and head West to the far East (that’s just weird to think about) early WW19; more to come…

Author’s note: I admit, this blog entry is probably not the most entertaining.  But trust me: as we start to work in country, we will have an abundance of opportunities to provide you all with entertaining stories with plenty of pictures of really cool people, places, and things.

-Erin

Home.

This is it - road trip over!  After a quick ride home from Ft. Stockton, Tx (top speed of the GS is now known but that will be my little secret ), I have arrived safe and sound in Albuquerque.

For those of you who have had the pleasure (another loosely used term) of traveling through West Texas and SouthEast New Mexico, you know there is not much for me to report about this last leg of the journey.  The purpose of this entry will be to summarize the trip statistics, highs/lows/favorites/etc..., thank yous,  and next steps.

First though is my entering New Mexico road sign shot - I like this photo a lot.  I guess after 6 weeks, thousands of miles, and hundreds of photos, I finally got one right.  You all can feel free to use it as your desktop image.

Note: I didn't get a shot of all the states I travelled through due to safety concerns.  There were several state crossings where my route was via the Interstate and me standing on the side of the road with cars and trucks passing at 70+ MPH didn't seem like a good idea.

Now the boring statistics:

• Total distance covered = 7871Miles
• Total fuel used = 199.5 Gallons
• Average fuel consumption = 39.4 MPG

I didn't keep track of average MPH or total hours ridden.  I should have though.  For what it's worth, Mapquest says the duration should be around 130 hours.

• Total number of states (and provinces) traveled through: 24
• List of states/provinces:  New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Ontario, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Texas.
• Total Taco Bells eaten at = abacus math needed for this because it's too high to count.

Here is the map of the journey (A star indicates where I spent the night):

Highs:

• People:
• Attending my Nephew's (Anthony) graduation party.  Congrats again!
• Meeting my new Nephew Bennett.  Never has there been a happier or fun baby - what a gift to his parents and a joy to the world.
• Dinner with Dana and her husband Peter.  They are great people with great stories and doing great things.
• Hanging out with Rob in Ohio and Put-in-bay.  Rob will always be one of my closest friends and it was nice to see him and his family.  Stinky house and all.
• Meeting up with Sherri, Shirli, and Phil for lunch.  It's nice to see meet up with such great people after so many years.
• Meeting up with my Uncle Rick and his family in DC.  So much fun and so much enjoyment from life.
• Sailing with my parents, Lindsey and her fiance (I say that with pride), Damen.  Spending the time on the boat enjoying ourselves will always be memories cherished.
• Jet skiing with Brittany.  I am so blessed to have such wonderful daughters, Brittany is turning into an adventurer and, to be perfectly honest, I was impressed with her attempts to knock me off the back of the ski!  Another memory that will be cherished forever.
• Key West and New Orleans with Tracey.  I'll refrain from expanding on the details...
• Food
• Key Lime pies in Florida.
• I've never had mangos before - they are pretty good!
• I think I might be a Pescetarian - I had the most delicious redfish sandwich while in Texas.
• States/cities:
• It's really tough to narrow this down because America is such a beautiful and diverse country.  There was goodness in everyplace I visited.
• Kentucky is probably the most beautiful state that I travelled through.  The country side is simply stunning with rolling green hills; American beauty at it's best.
• Key West - an absolutely terrific city with fun, laid back people.
• Rockport - a mellow little town that afforded me the time I needed to simply think.

Lows:

• The horrible stench of cow dung through Kansas - my helmet stank for days after that part of the journey.  I also became a vegetarian, but that soon subsided.
• The hotel "Newport Beachside" in Miami - do yourselves a favor and never stay there.
• The drivers in Washington, DC and Albuquerque, NM.  I spend a lot of time on the road and can safely say that these two cities have the absolute worst drivers of any state/city that I travelled through.

Of course I could not have been able to do this without the help and support of a ton of folks along the way.  I want to give a heart felt "Thank you" to everybody, but here are some key folks that really helped me out:

• My wife and children - I could not have done this without their help and support.
• My parents - I would not have a sense for adventure without them.
• My Granddad (Tony Fria)
• My Uncle Rick and Aunt Teri
• Stuart and Julie Smith
• Damen Brezek
• Will Fox
• Andy Luter
• Rob and Leisa Isenberg
• Rhonda and Vayl Oxford
• Monte and Elaine Swetnam
• And all of the other folks who made this possible, made me think, or otherwise provided support.
• The frog shown below.  I was touched by the amount of concern expressed for my safety.  Outside of DC, I saw a tiny little frog watching me pack my bag one morning.  I figured that was the good luck sign I needed.  In Charleston I found this little guy and he helped me get home safely.

What's next?  I'm not really sure, the bike is for sale (please email me if you know anybody interested: efria_2@yahoo.com).  Also, the point of the trip wasn't exclusively to see the US; it was also an exercise in self reflection and an attempt in figuring out what the 2nd half of my life will be like (call it a mid-life crisis).  Erin Fria: The good, the bad, and the ugly.

I don't have to go back to work until Aug.1, so the rest of my time will be spend being domestic, doing some thinking, and goofing around with my guitars.  I also need to get the tattoo of the swallow...

Thanks all!

-Erin

Ears popping, lips chapping and 104...

Hello all from lovely Ft. Stockton, Tx.  Lovely is a relative term and I am using it in the most liberal of interpretations.  This will be my last update from the road - tomorrow I re-enter New Mexico and home.

I spend the last couple of days in Rockport, Tx getting the last bit of rest and relaxation prior to my trip being complete.  As with just about every city I've been in, Rockport was a ton of fun.  I had the opportunity to meet up with several old friends which is always a joy.

Several years back (I think it was 2002), I crossed the Gulf of Mexico with my Dad and a couple of other guys.  I had the good fortune of meeting Shane and Richard again during my stay in Rockport.  3/4 of the folks on that cruise are now retired and living on a yacht.

My parent's sailboat:

Richard's sailboat:

Shane's absolutely amazing +70 foot, 1300 HP cruiser:

And my little run about:

For the record: I don't own a cruise ship.

Part of my dues to stay in their house, I had to start up and ride their Harley around.  It's a fun bike, but a completely different ride then my BMW.

Crossing from Port Aransas to Aransas Pass or vice versa.  I don't remember which city is which or which city I was coming/going to/from:

Once time came to leave Rockport, today, I headed out to West Texas.  There isn't much in West Texas except empty roads (the speed limit is 80 MPH!) and heat.  Knowing there are empty roads and heat, is 104 the high temperature or my top speed from today?  Answer: High temperature.  That should have been simple as most of you know I wouldn't embarrass myself with a 104 top speed.

Last note - the drying out process has begun.  I've spend at least the last month in nice and humid environments at or near sea level.  Not anymore:  My ears have been popping all day and I can practically feel my lips cracking.  Anybody know where I can get some Chapstick?

Laissez les bons temps rouler

I've been doing a lot of whining about connectivity.  Well in New Orleans, connectivity was not an issue.  The issue for delayed updates?  New Orleans itself - those who have gone know.

New Orleans is such a wonderful city and for those who never leave Bourbon street - you are missing so much!  A block in any direction will lead you to some of the coolest architecture, bars, people, music, etc... Here is my New Orleans advice:  If you like music, leave the French Quarter and East to the Marigny district.  It's walking distance and worth the walk.

Rather then post up a ton of pictures, I will select from the highlights:

Here is Little Freddie King.  He's not related to the real Freddie King, but he did put on an excellent show and did play Hide Away:

New Orleans and Voodoo go hand in hand; part of this is because of Marie Laveau.  Apparently she really liked her porn (I don't know if that's true or not - the "XXX" are from worshippers):

There is a surprisingly sparse police presence in New Orleans, and the only cops present (at least noticeable) are on horseback.  Now let's think about this:

• People drink on Bourbon Street.
• People walk on Bourbon Street.
• People walk drunk on Bourbon Street.
• Horses are used when patrolling Bourbon street.
• Horses poop a lot.
• Horses poop a lot, on Bourbon street.
• Drunk people walk on Bourbon street where horses just pooped on Bourbon Street.
• Erin is a person... holding a beer... and a cup of Hurricane... next to a horse.

Everybody knows I can be a little competitive so when I heard there was a tooth contest:

And a "Jazz Hands" contest (these guys were awesome - very, very good!):

On a more serious note about New Orleans - I really wanted to see the damage that still remained from Katrina and subsequent levee breaks and floods.  It is absolutely amazing to think what happened, what didn't happen and how many people were effected by the flooding.  It's even more amazing to see how much damage remains.  The 9th Ward (where most of the damage occurred) is not a good neighborhood, so I had to rush my picture taking.  Two key items of note are that the "X" on the building was used by search and rescue crews and holes in roofs are a result of people cutting through their roofs to escape the flooding within the house (part of their hurricane readiness is to keep an ax in the attic).

There was house after house, block after block like these.  It was absolutely surreal, thought provoking, and very sad.

Galveston for the night and then a final stop in Rockport prior to returning to NM.

Internet and illicit passion

It has been several days since my last post and I'm sure you all have wondered where I have been.  Why do I think that you have wondered where I have been?  Because of my narcissistic ways.

The number one limiter of my updates is simple: Internet access.  Other then butt soreness, the consistent issue I have had on this trip is connectivity.  The thing that drives me crazy is that internet access has been complimentary in the cheap/ghetto hotels.  However, in a nice hotel - pay up sucker!  I get free internet in a $75/night hotel, but have to pay while staying at a $275/night hotel???  In the words of my daughters: WTF?

Anymore Wi-fi is a utility like heat or light.  Can you imagine a hotel charging extra for air conditioning?  "Mr. Fria, your room is $225 per night.  We do offer Air Conditioning, but that will be an extra $12.95 per day.  Would you like to add Air Conditioning?"

How ubiquitous is Wi-fi?  This Burger King in nowhere Alabama offers free internet.

Rant over.

Since my last update, I have been wondering around Florida chasing Key Lime pies and ultimately migrated West to New Orleans (arrived yesterday).  Below are my wonderful Key Lime pie experiences:

I didn't have any Key Lime pie while in Orlando.  Having travelled all over Florida, I don't think Orlando should be considered part of Florida.   Orlando should probably succeed from the state and create a new state.  The state of Disney.  Side note where I am going to state the obvious: Florida is full of alligators.  Riding from Miami to Tampa I went through the everglades and saw dozens of alligators.  I don't see a lot of alligators in my 9 - 5, so I really enjoyed seeing them.  Sorry no pictures of alligators because I didn't want to stop and become an alligator ate tourist statistic.

This is my first slice of Key Lime pie while in Key West.  She was good, treated me well and provided a warm welcome to Florida.  I will miss her.

This was my second slice while in Key West.  She was sassy, all covered in sauce, topped with a strawberry and Oreo crust.  A real wild ride with this one.  I will miss her.

This is my first experience with a Gulf coast Key Lime pie.  I met her in Bonita Springs and she reflected the culture of the city.  Very relaxed and mellow.  A wonderful Key Lime pie that I will remember fondly.

My last Florida Key Lime pie was perhaps my best.  We met in Panama City, Florida.  It was a wonderful experience with just the right amount of dressing up.  Good bye Florida I will miss you and your Key Lime pies.

Heading West to New Orleans...