Across Continents

Ken's Blog

Phoenix nights

December 13th, 2011

Ken, together with trusty steed Emma, spends the night in a trailer in the grounds of a Phoenix hostel. Not the YMCA of course…

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Wider community

December 12th, 2011

Consider the wider community he’d said. I’d smiled. I had. That’s why I’d contacted him. A little while back I’d stayed with an individual in his small bachelor pad. His conduct at times had been a little odd. Shown a padded envelope filled with intimate apparel. Wandering into the room where I was sleeping in the middle of the night. A bit unnerving, but in each instance, a plausible explanation.

I’d thought him lonely, his behaviour at time close to, but not actually, inappropriate. His actions reflective of poor social skills rather than something more worrying. And, for the most part, he’d been a very welcoming host. Nothing especially untoward. Unconventional isn’t a crime.

Ordinarily I’d have left it at that. A few new after-dinner anecdotes. But a chance conversation with another seasoned traveller indicated mine was not an isolated experience. A pattern of behaviour was emerging. A collection of episodes that individually did not merit action, but collectively might warrant further investigation.

Finding myself suddenly feeling uncomfortable with the idea of single females staying with the host. But, in fairness to the individual, I plainly lacked the grounds for further action. Instead resorting to raising my concerns with the overseeing hosting organisation. Encouraging them to see what sort of pattern was emerging. Its extent.

Trying to strike a balance between the interests of the wider community with those of the individual. Disappointing response. A few platitudes but little substance. Frustrating. But nothing more could be done.

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Nocturnal motorway madness

December 11th, 2011

Ken reflects on riding on the Interstate in the dark…

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Crossing the Colorado

December 11th, 2011

Ken crosses the Colorado river, leaving California for Arizona. Go figure, as the locals would say…

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Cottoning on in California

December 11th, 2011

Ken has a sense of deja vu – cotton in the Yuha desert – just like the Gobi in China..

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Evening glow

December 10th, 2011

Ken enjoys the evening glow in the Yuha desert. Before heading off to a nearby trailer park…

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Proper desert

December 10th, 2011

Ken encounters what he considers to be proper desert.. Mind you, no sign of the rattle snakes or scorpions..

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Glamis

December 10th, 2011

Glamis. Middle of the Yuha desert. Not much there apart from a Country Store with prices that’d even make an Australian blush…

[Yep. Detain me without just cause at your border and you too can be on the receiving end of my alleged wit for – as the US would say – life without parole]

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Dune

December 10th, 2011

Lots of sand but, alas, no dusky maidens serving sugary confectionary..

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Mad Max

December 10th, 2011

Sand buggies in the dunes around Glamis, Southern California. Inspiration for the Mad Max films? Like jet-skis, great for about an hour or so, then boredom would set in…

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