Map of the USA.

Contribute to Vagabond Journey and I will send you a postcard from some far corner of the world! Thank you!

Site Navigation Travelogue Site Map - All of the post on this blog in one easy to browse location. Home - The homepage to this blog and Vagabond Journey.com Travel Photos - Thousands of photographs from around the world. Travel Questions and Answers - Ask a travel related question or browse the answers in this database. Travel Tips- This is a collection of Travel Tips that I have collected and would like to share with other travelers. Vagabond Field Notes- Traveler tracks left for other travelers. Information on the cheap places to stay and eat that I have found in my journeys. Travel Information Directory - Travel information separated by topic. Travelogue Navigation Travel Blog Directory Travelogue Home Travelogue Archives Travelogue Entries by Region East Asia Southeast Asia Indian Subcontinent North Africa Europe North America Central America Traveler Links Hobotraveler.com - Website of Andy the Hobo Traveler Ubertramp.com - Great travel community site Lady the Tramp - The name says it all: travel site for women on the tramp Advertise on Vagabond Journey.com - Click on the above link for more information   Wade from www.VagabondJourney.com has been continuously traveling around the world for more than 9 years through over 45 countries on 5 continents. He is open to answer all questions -  email Vagabondsong@gmail.com. Walk Slow.

I needed a Christmas at home. My travel gear was in shambles. This year, more than most others, I needed some gifts. I got some.

My Sanyo Xacti weatherproof digital movie camera was strained to the point of being shot. It's LCD screen showed only flashing, blurry lines of lights and I could no longer see what I was trying to take a photo of. So taking a picture of something became a real hit and miss challenge. Though even when I did somehow manage to center the camera on a subject the photos often times came out garfunkeled anyway. This camera that I picked up in Shanghai in the summer of 2007 was shot by the autumn of 2008. Perhaps cameras are only meant to take the rigors of travel for a single year.
--------------
Wade from Vagabond Journey.com
in Albion, New York State, USA- December 29, 2008
Travelogue -- Travel Photos -- Travel Guide
--------------

I have also lost or broke other elements of my travel equipment over the past couple of years. My digital voice recorder that I use to record interviews met a watery death as I forded the James River in Virginia a couple of months ago. I have also lost a stainless steel thermos somewhere and my traveling hat met its demise in a washing machine. The fabric of the two Indian flannel shirts that I have been alternating daily since 2006 was also shot: there comes a point in every garment's life where mending becomes futile – the holes eventually occur with a higher frequency of my ability to patch them. In point, it was time for me to resupply my travel gear. It only worked out perfectly that I happened to be in the USA for Christmas.

Travelers giving gifts at Christmas and restocking their supplies.

I can remember from my childhood that purchasing items for oneself was almost taboo: my family members would receive what they needed and wanted only on Christmas and birthdays. It was also better in my household to have something given to you as a gift than buying it for yourself. Gift lists were always compiled throughout the year.

So I returned to the USA to finish up my university degree and just happened to be home for Christmas. My travel gear has been restocked. I received an Olympus waterproof, shockproof, dust proof digital camera from my parents as well as a new traveling shirt and hat. Chaya got me a new digital voice recorder. My sister gifted me a small and light water clock. My aunt gave me a stainless steel bottle. I was also given a new headlamp and a thermal undershirt. All of these items will be packed out on the Open Road in the next year.

Christmas restocked my travel gear.

Comment on this travelogue entry


Sanyo Xacti Weatherproof digital video camera was my main photo taking device for the past year of travel.
 


The Olympus Stylus 850 SW is my new camera. It seems to be virtually destruction proof.

Related Pages:
Christmas Shopping in USA
Western NY Christmas with family
Western NY Christmas
Travel Gear
Travel Photos - Photographs from Around the World

Sources:
Stylus 850 SW
Olympus Stylus 850 SW Review - Facts, Camera Profile & Owner Feedback

Links to previous travelogue entries:
How Lesbians Pick Up Women
Changing Chinese Culture and Society
Affirmative Action Not Equal Opportunity
Blogger Problem Fixed
Blogger or Wordpress Blog