Wednesday, August 20, 1997

Wednesday, August 13, 1997

U.S.A., Illinois




Radigan Neuhalfen
While doing archaeological survey at this oil refinery, we were required to wear this stuff.

Tuesday, July 22, 1997

U.S.A., Illinois, Bureau County


"Five Dollars Fine For Driving More Than Twelve Horses Mules Or Cattle
At One Time Or For Leading Any Beast Faster Than A Walk
On Or Across This Bridge"

Tuesday, May 27, 1997

U.S.A., Wisconsin, Wisconsin Rapids

In a motel – Super 8 – in Wisconsin Rapids, WI. First day of work – IMA [Institute of Minnesota Archaeology].

Wednesday, March 26, 1997

U.S.A., Georgia, Atlanta

As I was walking down the street from the Public Library, which doesn’t open until 10 a.m. and it’s not yet 9 a.m., I saw a Dunkin’ Donuts shop, the second I’d seen here in Atlanta since I got off the Greyhound bus as about 7 this morning, and so I marvelled at how nice it was to be in a city with doughnut shops and not bagel shops. And then as I came to the front door of the Dunkin’ Donuts, I saw the enormous poster proclaiming: “New – Fresh Baked Bagels.”

Monday, March 24, 1997

U.S.A., Tennessee, Nashville

Got up early. Accepted a bowl of oatmeal. Said goodbye. Picked up and went walking down the road. Feet hurt bad. Kendall County peace officer pulled over and talked to me. Asked me where I was going. I said, “This way.” Then asked me where I had come from. Said, “That way.” But was no problem. Got picked up by Danny, the son of the old guy, Ulysses. He gave me a ride to Chattanooga. Very affable guy. Very nice being in a car, on the road. Dropped me off in Chattanooga – he was on his way home to Alabama. It was late. Unsettling neighborhood. Called for a cab from a grocery store to the Greyhound bus station. The bus boarded 5 minutes after I got to the depot. Got to Nashville, took a cab from the depot to Vanderbilt University. Nice cab driver. Immigrated to the U.S. in 1993. Had spent 1990-1993 in Kenya as a refugee from Somalia, his home. Was planning to get an education here, then go back home. At Vandy, tracked down Dan. Slept on the floor.

Sunday, March 23, 1997

U.S.A., Kentucky

Wasted the day. Tried to sleep some, read some. Cold. Shivering a lot. Didn’t leave the tent all day. Late in the afternoon, an old man came by. Talked to him for just a bit. Was wondering if someone was hurt or whatnot. He lived in the house just across the road, the house that I had purposely set up in front of, because it was the most well-kept property in the holler. Not long after he left, a peace officer talked to me. Someone had complained. He was a town cop from a town “not far” away. He told me that, officially, I needed a permit to camp in the park, but that they were just gonna let it go. Later, in the early evening, I went up to the old guy’s house. I pounded on the door several times. Could see people moving in there – no answer. Then a car drove in. Started talking to the guy – he was the son of the old man. So went in with him and chatted until early in the morning. He let me sleep inside. It had gotten down to freezing the night before.

Saturday, March 22, 1997

U.S.A., Kentucky

Slept until 2 in the afternoon, shivering. Mildly cold. Woke up, read some of After the USSR. At about 5, pulled up and went walking again, still south on 177. Was getting dark and cold. Found a park by the river. In a holler. Set up my tent. Tried to sleep the night – really couldn’t. Got real cold – it was bad. Had no sleeping bag or blankets – put on every piece of clothing I had. Was bad.

Friday, March 21, 1997

U.S.A., Kentucky

Hit Cincinnati late at night. Anna dropped me off and I took off walking south. Was a warm night. Feet starting hurting quickly. Finally got out of there on Hwy 177, south into Kentucky. Set up camp in an empty field just as the day was dawning.

Thursday, January 2, 1997

Mexico, Yucatan, Merida

Flew out of Houston Intercontinental Airport with Stephanie. Arrived in Merida. Got taxi to Hotel Ambassador. On television – “Baywatch.” Explored town some. Went to the Square. Lots of people out enjoying the night. Couples, families. Streets are all very narrow and one-way. Sidewalks narrow. Ate in Comida Rapida restaurant. Ordered lemonade, tasted it, then ordered XX beer and drank that instead. Lots of policemen. Saw a pair of policemen on foot – one armed with semi-automatic rifle, other with shotgun. Steph called her parents from a small, 3-phone, back-room business. Cost about US$2.50 for one minute. The woman used a stopwatch to time the call and then Steph paid right there. Can smell and taste the pollution in air. People friendly. Am looking forward to getting out to the ruins. Weather very humid and pleasantly warm.