The extremely interesting Buddhist stupa at Samangan is known locally as Takht-i-Rustam (Rustam’s Throne). Rustam, the hero of Firdausi’s great epic the Shahnama (Book of Kings), written in Ghazni c. 1010 A.D., married the beauteous daughter of the King of Samangan, Tahmina. He celebrated the event, so says local legend, by drinking wine from the … Continue reading »
Posted in June 2008 …
Flaming Car Wreck
Mr. Downing and I were driving back to Atlanta at the conclusion of Day 3 on our adventure and exploration phase when we saw black smoke billowing up in the distance. Frankly, it was difficult to imagine our day encompassing another element of excitement given what we had already experienced, but hope springs eternal. Mr. … Continue reading »
Quote of the Day
“Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.” – Benjamin Franklin
Atlanta (or Kick This Pig)…
Following my exploration of South Florida, I headed to the north again and after spending another night with newlyweds Gary and Sienna, I headed up Interstate 75 to visit Mr. Downing in Atlanta… Just over the Florida border into Georgia, I realized I was hungry and low on gasoline… I was driving through a rural … Continue reading »
Key West (or Dream of Mirrors)
After a few days in Miami, I decided to head south and check out the Florida Keys… The drive to Key West… I must confess to being a little disappointed in the Keys leading up to Key West. They seemed to consist mostly of trailer parks, gas stations, fast food restaurants and boat parts dealers… … Continue reading »
The Mexico Series…
Interpol reports that drug traffickers are the largest single group of investors on the Mexican stock exchange. The Arellano-Felix or Tijuana Cartel is now one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. Ramon, Benjamin and Javier Arellano-Felix are second-generation narcotraficantes, sophisticated billionaire yuppies with their own jets and state-of-the-art surveillance and communications systems. … Continue reading »
Hmm….. Well, what did you do last weekend?
These gentlemen believe that performing these acts gets them in closer contact with God… And, yes, this is all real…
