Category Archives: Characters and Friends

Fellow Fauxbos Update (The Steve Edition)

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Michael Roy

Good fortune has brought two new Fauxbos into my life!  Both of the Steve variety.  I’m please to introduce you to:   1) Dr. Stephen Fabes Shared Exploits: 160km off-road bikepacking, 30km trekking, and not inconsiderable amounts of beer and … Continue reading →

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These Are (not?) Indians: Western Arunachal Pradesh

Posted on September 2, 2014 by Michael Roy

See a string of prayer flags, billowing and wind-tattered, hanging over the street and you know: you’re back in Tibet.   Or at least, as close as you (I guess that means “I”) can get.  The “real” Tibet, sitting up there … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters and Friends, India | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

These Are (not?) Indians: Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Michael Roy

I grew up believing that America was the most diverse place in the world.  My high school had whites, blacks, Latinos, Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Indians, Iranians, Turks, and almost certainly more that I didn’t know about, and I was just … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters and Friends, India | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Fellow Fauxbos

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Michael Roy

Cycling the world might seem like a lonely task, but in fact there are thousands of people with feet just as itchy as mine pedaling around the globe at any given moment.  Sign up for www.couchsurfing.com or www.warmshowers.org and one … Continue reading →

Posted in Characters and Friends | 4 Comments

Mee Fa Ben Baan , Mee Yung Ben Puan

Posted on May 1, 2014 by Michael Roy

A Thai proverb relating to the fauxbo mindset: “Have sky for house, have mosquito for friend.” That pretty nicely sums up life as a cyclist in Southeast Asia. By the time this post goes up, my squad and I will … Continue reading →

Posted in "Spirituality", Characters and Friends, Costs, Southeast Asia | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Venerable Louis

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Michael Roy

It’s only natural that during my time as an English teacher here in Asia, I have made an interesting assortment of friends.  Many of them have done the same thing as me: teach for a few years before moving on … Continue reading →

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Ten Days with Sustainable Cambodia

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Michael Roy

Just a note: on the original post, I wrote that SC students paid tuition on a sliding scale, based on ability to pay.  I was wrong – that was the case at another school in the area, but I’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambodia, Characters and Friends, Southeast Asia | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Cambodia: The Monk Post

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Michael Roy

A look back at my records indicates that I only slept at temples three times this month.  That’s more than in northern and central Vietnam, where I don’t think I saw a single Buddhist temple, but far less than in … Continue reading →

Posted in "Spirituality", Cambodia, Characters and Friends, Southeast Asia | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

You’ve Been Virtually Invited to: A Khmer Wedding!

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Michael Roy

My friends and family in Wisconsin are fond of saying that there are two seasons there: winter and construction. It’s hard to imagine a climate more different from Wisconsin’s than Cambodia’s, but there’s still a similar state of affairs going … Continue reading →

Posted in Cambodia, Characters and Friends, Southeast Asia | Tagged | 3 Comments

Over the River and Through the Woods (The Christmas Post)

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Michael Roy

First there were four. Then two. Then four. Then three. Then five. Then seven. Then nine, for a few hours. Then seven. The once more five. Perhaps soon eight and then down to six. (Left to right: Chris’, mine, Mark’s, … Continue reading →

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