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Name: Bruno Hughes City, Country: Paris, France Sent: 11.42 AM - 10/18 2001 Congratulations for your idea! Can you talk a little more about Ireland, Dublin and irish people... It's very interesting for me. Many thanks... and good luck! Name: True City, Country: America Sent: 4.18 AM - 10/18 2001 Editorial from a Romanian newspaper: Why are Americans so united? They don't resemble one another even if you paint them! They speak all the languages of the world and form an astonishing mixture of civilizations. Some of them are nearly extinct, others are incompatible with one another, and in matters of religious beliefs, not even God can count how many they are. Still, the American tragedy turned three hundred million people into a hand put on the heart. Nobody rushed to accuse the White House, the army, the secret services that they are only a bunch of losers. Nobody rushed to empty their bank accounts. Nobody rushed on the streets nearby to gape about. The Americans volunteered to donate blood and to give a helping hand. After the first moments of panic, they raised the flag on the smoking ruins, putting on T-shirts, caps and ties in the colors of the national flag. They placed flags on buildings and cars as if in every place and on every car a minister or the president was passing. On every occasion they started singing their traditional song: "God Bless America!". Silent as a rock, I watched the charity concert broadcast on Saturday once, twice, three times, on different TV channels. There were Clint Eastwood, Willie Nelson, Robert de Niro, Julia Roberts, Cassius Clay, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Sylvester Stalone, James Wood, and many others whom no film or producers could ever bring together. The American's solidarity spirit turned them into a choir. Actually, choir is not the word. What you could hear was the heavy artillery of the American soul. What neither George W. Bush, nor Bill Clinton, nor Colin Powell could say without facing the risk of stumbling over words and sounds, was being heard in a great and unmistakable way in this charity concert. I don't know how it happened that all this obsessive singing of America didn't sound croaky, nationalist, or ostentatious! It made you green with envy because you weren't able to sing for your country without running the risk of being considered chauvinist, ridiculous, or suspected of who-knows-what mean interests. I watched the live broadcast and the rerun of its rerun for hours listening to the story of the guy who went down one hundred floors with a woman in a wheelchair without knowing who she was, or of the Californian hockey player, who fought with the terrorists and prevented the plane from hitting a target that would have killed other hundreds or thousands of people. How on earth were they able to bow before a fellow human? Imperceptibly, with every word and musical note, the memory of some turned into a modern myth of tragic heroes. And with every phone call, millions and millions of dollars were put in a collection aimed at rewarding not a man or a family, but a spirit which nothing can buy. What on earth can unite the Americans in such a way? Their land? Their galloping history? Their economic power? Money? I tried for hours to find an answer, humming songs and murmuring phrases which risk of sounding like commonplaces. I thought things over, but I reached only one conclusion. Only freedom can work such miracles!
Hi all. I just found this site today and i am quite impressed. Fantastic. I just read the reports for the last week or so. Intrigueing. Has Ramon found any romance in his travels yet? I realixe he is only in each place for a day or 2.. but you never know. So..? RAMON: Well, Joey, you won't find that information online, it's too private as you might understand. But it might give you a good reason to read The Book whenever I have written it... :-) Name: Melvin Kale City, Country: Wolverhampton, UK Sent: 12.02 PM - 10/17 2001 Hello Ramon, your attempt has stimulated my adventurist spirit. Congratulations! I'd invite you if I had my own house. But as an au pair I live with my host family. Maybe I can do this when I come back to Turkey, can't I? Name: Brian City, Country: Durban, South Africa Sent: 6.35 AM - 10/17 2001 Hi Ramon
I've just read your 13 October report. A great big huge THANK YOU for saying all that good stuff about SA. Your words should be immortalised in the international media. It is so rare when someone actually realises that, although some people are financially poor, they still have a happy life. I have been showing some Belgians around, and they too were surprised when I told them some things. Electricity in the squatters' shacks, for example, is unexpected. I get the impression that the international media portray white South Africans as being a group of extremists that force black South Africans to live in squalor without basic amentities. Thanks to you, all those who read your reports will be more enlightened. Yes, there is a history behind this, but the fact remains that this country is improving. People are getting running water, electricity, tar roads, telephones, etc. Although financially poor, the squatters in this country have, in some respects, a better life. They have a freedom that cannot be understood or appreciated by most "non-squatters". As for the act of offering transport to domestic workers, someone fed you wrong information. Many South Africans of all colours offer transport to their domestic workers, either to their homes, or to the train station or bus terminal. It has been like that for years, and will probably continue to be like that for many more years. Once again, a huge big THANK YOU for showing the world what is going on here. Yes, there is crime, and yes, we do live behind locked gates and high walls, but it is only a very small pecentage of the population that is criminal. The vast majority of us are peaceful, respectful, and honest people, trying to have less month remaining at the end of the money. Hamba kahle, Ramon, and we'll meet in Durbs! Brian
Its really difficult to write a message when Ramon is looking over your shoulder. Ok hes gone now, i can write what i feel, by the time he reads this he will far away where he cant hurt me. Jokes, Ramon, good luck with your travels and I wish you well. Name: Sabadoobee City, Country: USA Sent: 8.36 PM - 10/16 2001 Adventurous Dutchman Peaceful open hearted people There is hope Name: Patrick & Karin Seeton (Gordon's Bay) City, Country: Western Cape Sent: 5.36 AM - 10/16 2001 Got your telephone message, Ramon. Sunday is open. Just pitch or call for a lift from Stellenbosch if you need one. Cheers Patrick Name: Arjan City, Country: Houtbay, Cape Town Sent: 12.07 PM - 10/15 2001 Hi Denise, sorry, I forgot to thank you for your gift. Thanks so much for your flowers and the seeds - they will take some time but we did sow them yesterday. regards
bee, arjan and thomas Name: Brian City, Country: Cape Town, South Africa Sent: 9.56 AM - 10/15 2001 Hi there Denise! Well I'm so glad you, and especially Ryan, enjoyed the gift! I hope that his boiled eggs never falls out of his wired hen! I would also like to thank Di and Jon for the chameleon - its really super and looks great on my window sill. And Ramon, have you found your recharger? afraid it's not at my place... Well, the pics look fantasic and really captured a part of Cape Town that I love. as for the rest of your journey - enjoy! Name: Denise Eysele Sent: 8.05 AM - 10/15 2001 Dear Ramon It was lovely having you as our guest and I learned a lot from you even though you are much younger. I was amazed at how you remember everything (as I do talk a lot as you have mentioned) you never wrote anything down during conversations but still managed to capture the essence of what was said. We want to invite you to feel free to call us anytime you are in the vicinity again. Ryan keeps asking wher Ramon is and why Ramon went to stay with other people. I hope you have a wonderful time in the Western Cape and that you will love it so much you would not want to leave for a long time. God bless.
Dear Brian Thank you so much for the lovely gift you sent with Ramon for us. My son was thrilled as he loves boiled eggs and could not wait to use it. It now officially belongs to Ryan. Thank you once again you could not have chosen a more perfect gift.
Hi Ramon, Good to meet you and have you over in Cape Town. Hope you will have a wonderful stay in South Africa and that the invites will continue to poor in. Was great to show you around Houtbay and Mandela Park. Keep up the good work! Arjan
Name: Chiara Furiani City, Country: Terni, Italy Sent: 12.00 AM - 10/15 2001 I would advise as many people as possible all over the world, to do exactly what you are doing. Maybe then many more persons would learn to tolerate and respect other cultures, they would see what is in common and not what is different between human beeings. Maybe then there would be a real chance for peace. Just imagine if each American person had an Afghan friend.... Maybe all the mighty and rich "politicians" in the world and all the people who think they're right...would have thought it over... before sending planes against the towers... but also before dropping bombs on people.... Name: Snoopy City, Country: Taipei, Taiwan Sent: 1.41 PM - 10/14 2001 My boyfriend recommend your website for me. I do admire and like your fascinating traveling ideas. Just wanna say HELLO and wish you good luck. Hope you have chance to visit my country, Taiwan. There will be so many great things to see and to enjoy in Taipei. Name: Di Cooper City, Country: Rondebosch East, Cape Town, South Africa Sent: 1.10 PM - 10/14 2001 Hi Ramon
Hope you are doing well and having a good time in C.Town. We looked up your website and it was good to see what you had written about us on October 9+10 and the pictures are lovely. Enjoy the rest of your stay! Name: Tom Huntington City, Country: USA Sent: 9.34 AM - 10/13 2001 Just read your post from Oct. 8th where you give us a taste of Cape Town, including your "communication challenge" with Ludo. I really love your writing, and I love the sincerity and honesty about life that comes through in your sharing of yourself and your adventures. I have a very full life, and I don't read most of the email newsletters I often get, but I am enriched by taking the time to read of you and your adventures. Keep it up. Name: angela bray City, Country: south africa Sent: 2.16 PM - 10/12 2001 Have invited you to THE KRAAL, you have to come. Am not sure if I sent the invitation correctly, hope so. Look forward to seeing you Name: Brian City, Country: Cape Town, South Africa Sent: 1.53 PM - 10/12 2001 Hi Ramon, I hope you had fun while you stayed with me and that you are not as burnt as I am now!! and yes, I still have my job - joy!
Hi Ramon - Yo Dude! Hope you are enjoying your visit to Sunny South Africa. But, may I ask if you will be staying with just white people? I think that because 90% of the population of South Africa is not white, you will not experience the real South Africa if you only stay with white people!! Sorry to criticize, but I think it is an important point... Will you be meeting Nelson Mandela? Maybe that would be possible, indeed it would be amazing! And finally, will you be going to any other countries in Africa? Maybe you can portray a more positive image of Africa and her people than the negative image of this great continent we often have here in the West. Peace dude! Bapa. P.S. Be sure and try the 'malawi cob', I think you will enjoy this experience very much dude! :) RAMON: Firstly: I don't know anything about the people I stay with when I contact them by telephone. A name in my database doesn't really give skin colours and I am quite happy with that. It's absolutely untrue that I would only go for 'white' people, it just happened to be like that until now. Yes, I'd love to meet Nelson Mandela. But I don't think I'd be that priviledged. I am just a world-web wanderer. To visit other countries in Africa I do depend on invitations from those countries. Until now: 1 invite from Ghana, Egypt, Namibi and Mozambique... That doesn't really make it possible to travel to these countries the way I do, I must say...
Hi Ramon, Thanks for replying with such alacrity! I hear you and, as I wrote previously, as you gained the gentleman's permission I withdraw my criticism. Good luck! Name: Denver City, Country: USA Sent: 9.42 AM - 10/12 2001 Read your latest report of Oct8, LOVED IT. It was fantastic how you described your disagreement with Ludo and how you resolved it together. Excellent, RS.
Dear Wendy, I write about things that happen during my every day journey. The incident with Ludo is not written to be rude to him or to affront his way of communicating. It's written as a situation and how it occured. After all, there is no anger between Ludo and me anymore, be both learned from the situation. That's why I wrote it too. I won't write about the good things only, as there are no bad things. Any person who invites me, gets me how I am and I write about all that. Yes, I obtained Ludo's full permission to write the report like this. Please don't feel offended that I don't write with the sugar-coating. Name: Wendy Jervis City, Country: Sheffield, UK Sent: 8.58 AM - 10/12 2001 Dear Ramon, Of course it is just my opinion but I think you have been quite rude to write in such detail about the intense personal discussions you had with Ludo Van Oostende. I would feel different if you had been discussing world hunger for example, and you wrote about both point of views and the culmination of the discussion. That would be of interest to everyone. In this case however, you were affronted by this man's poor communication skills and although you had every right to let him know that you were unhappy about it on a personel level I'm shocked that you have published the details on your website for all the world to see. If I was a future host I might have second thoughts about speaking candidly to you. I feel you have taken an unfair advantage of your position and I'd be interested to know whether Will Ludo Van Oostende will get an equal and prominent space to reply if he feels he needs to respond to your report? To clarify, I am not defending Ludo Van Oostende's actions but I am standing up to his right for a certain amount of privacy. Please Ramon, as an ex-host, I implore you not to abuse your position. If you obtained his permission to write with such candour then I withdraw this criticism instantly. Best wishes and good luck on your travels,
For those opting me to become a politician: I don't know what to say. I don't really understand either how my writing, my views, advices and opinions could mean anything to anybody. I just like to share it, because there are so many people around the world that just don't know the interesting little facts of the world we live in. Why shouldn't I share the things I learn during this entire world-experience as much as I can? I will just continue this and my journey. I still have the feeling I have just started and I still have a long way to go. Name: Elanor City, Country: Germany Sent: 11.38 PM - 10/11 2001 Ramon I have been following your journey from the beginning and I admire your way of traveling. What I like most of it all is that you share so much with us readers. It is a joy for me and you sometimes follow my favorite author Bill Bryson in his footsteps - hey, you are young! I liked what this 'GI Joe' from the US posted below, why don't you become a politician. You do already understand a lot of people and differences and if you have been around the world you'll know lots more than any president! Ramon, would you see yourself become a world politician?
I am enjoying your travels around the world. I met up with your website through earthlink.net. It is interesting to read the "outside" world's opinion in eegards to America's war against terrorism. It is especially interesting to read about the globalisation point of view and your explanation of the issue. We don't read much about the rest of the world's opinion - I mean the average non-politician opinion. People here are pretty much into themselves and lots of flags are waving. It would behoof the country if people would be less superficial and would be more interested in what the rest of the world has to say. It is very interesting what the average person's opinion is. Take care and enjoy your trip - please don't try to set a new world record and swim across the ocean! Name: Journo Jim City, Country: Dublin, Ireland Sent: 5.39 PM - 10/11 2001 I have to agree that the Hitler statement is a bit much. Things are very different geopolitically now than they were in the 1930s. No doubt plenty of Americans reading that quote will be upset by it. But more useful might be to try to understand why an intelligent and urbane person might think that way. Plenty of people around the world are unhappy about the United States' involvement in various parts of the globe - apart from the obvious zones, like Korea, Vietnam, and Grenada, there are all the "covert" activities we hear about a decade on. Didn't America once fund Osama bin Laden? Did they create their own beast to bite back at them? Many citizens of the world deplore the acts of terror waged on New York and Washington, but quite rightly deplore the current bombing of the poorest country on earth. Will this defeat terrorism, or merely inspire more terrorists? Many sensible people do not want another war on this planet of ours, and regret the actions taken by the US and Britain. Name: GI Joe City, Country: United States of America Sent: 4.38 AM - 10/11 2001 Ramon, you have such great knowledge of world politics. Why do you waste this great knowledge of yours begging for food and shelter, when you could make the world such a peaceful place. Didn't Hitler occupy The Netherlands? Could history be repeating itself? Time will tell. Name: Darnell City, Country: Long Beach, California Sent: 12.04 AM - 10/11 2001 Ramon,
Congratulations on your journey. To make it as far and as long as you have is nothing short of being remarkable. I have monitored your progress for some time and have continued to check in to see how things are going, and judging from your comments it seems to be going well. Traveling is one way of expanding one's horizon and it allows us to serve as ambassadors for our country. With all that said, I needed to comment on the Hitler comment that was mentioned in your journal; especially in light of the events that have recently been unfolding in the last week. It's amazing that when someone doesn't understand you or doesn't agree with you they are quick to label you with the most negative terms they can find. I don't consider either Osama Bin Laden nor Bush to be in that league. I personally respect Bush and think despite the situation he is, he is doing the best that he can. The world fails to mention that the fact that Bin Laden had no problems with the Americans when he was taking their money and weapons to fight the Russians, and when they are gone was quick to turn and bite the hand that fed him. Now in the words of the American Comedy, Dennis Miller, "I don't want to get into a rant..." but the world is quick to want to express their dislikes for Americans and to glout in its misfortunes. Sorry to break up the tempo but my comments, but that Hitler comment just caught me off guard and I felt something needed to be said. Two quotes come to mind, bad things happend when good people do nothing or say nothing; and in the outdated words of Rodney King (the LA riots guy), "Can't we all just get along!"
Hi
Name: CAti City, Country: TN USA Sent: 3.19 PM - 10/10 2001 Would like you to explain what is meant by the "Hitler" comments in the latest report...it's not as if the US has not sponsored many, many peace talks and is making very humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan. We did not kill 6.000 people in one fell swoop. WE have not ever been party to causing terrorism. I cannot what caused anyone to say that bin Laden and Bush were equal parties in this matter. Name: Preston City, Country: Hood County, Texas, USA Sent: 2.24 PM - 10/10 2001 Hi Ramon: you wrote: "I do want to write you interesting reports (tell me if they are of not), but every so often I have to give in a day in return…" You are doing great, kid. And you are learning about style in our language. And your education in world geology and politics keeps expanding. One of the side benefits of your glorious venture!!! Keep on keeping on! buena suerta, bon chance, Gruss Got! etc.l Preston
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