The WELL: inkwell.vue.295: Marie Javins, "Stalking the Wild Dik-Dik"

#161: paralyzed by a question like that (debunix) Mon 9 Apr 07 12:31

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:31:00 PDT

Keep those little horns razor sharp, eh? [Read entire topic]

#160: Marie Javins (mariejavins) Mon 9 Apr 07 12:23

Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:23:00 PDT

Careful, they look cute but are vicious killers. [Read entire topic]

#159: mother of my eyelid (frako) Fri 6 Apr 07 13:25

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 13:25:00 PDT

I'm hoping for something that repels only at close range . . . since I'd love for those adorable little guys to come up to me first! [Read entire topic]

#158: Marie Javins (mariejavins) Fri 6 Apr 07 12:19

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 12:19:00 PDT

Frako, I hear that Avon makes a product that is intended to be used as a nail polish remover, but many swear that they have anecdotal evidence that it wards off rabid dik-diks. Scientific trials have proven it to have no effect whatsoever on small animals but have conclusively determined Nails-So-Tough to be an effective enamel deterrent. [Read entire topic]

#157: Jane Hirshfield (jh) Thu 5 Apr 07 23:09

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 23:09:00 PDT

In case Marie's still here--thank you for the answer--and, for being an Inkwell guest as well... [Read entire topic]

#156: mother of my eyelid (frako) Thu 5 Apr 07 17:56

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 17:56:00 PDT

What's the best brand for that? [Read entire topic]

#155: Marie Javins (mariejavins) Thu 5 Apr 07 03:13

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:13:00 PDT

Thank you to everyone for participating and for thoughtful dialogue. And especially to Frako for keeping things moving along.

It's been great fun and I'm happy to check in frequently to see if anyone has any more questions. Of course, I can also be emailed directly through my sites or blog <http://www.mariejavins.com> I am happy to try to answer questions about things, sometimes even when I don't have a clue (so proceed with caution).

Finally, my whole point is that anyone can follow their traveling dreams--it's not so hard and not so expensive, and remember to stop at the travel clinic for dik-dik repellent before you go. [Read entire topic]

#154: Marie Javins (mariejavins) Thu 5 Apr 07 03:07

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:07:00 PDT

A quick answer for Jane: I haven't been to Syria since 1998, but I'd be *very* surprised if wi-fi was a standard inclusion at most hotels. A quick google of "wifi Damascus" did turn up some places. But by no means expect it there. Amman, Istanbul, and Jerusalem--it's far more likely. And I hope you are going to Jerusalem AFTER Syria and have no evidence of any visits to Israel in your passport. (Economic boycott, you know, same idea as Americans can't officially go to Cuba!)

If you were going to the Gulf, you could expect wi-fi or ethernet access almost everywhere. But you're not, so the only way to find out is to find out the names of the hotels and google them.

If you don't want the hassle of carrying a laptop, just use internet cafes. If you want your laptop, carry a USB stick so that you can download your mail and read it in your room later even without a direct connection. [Read entire topic]

#153: mother of my eyelid (frako) Wed 4 Apr 07 13:57

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:57:00 PDT

As long as people have questions about Africa travel and living, I'll be here. And Marie will have the option of answering those questions at her leisure.

But at the end of the 2-week mark I'd like to say Marie, it's been a great pleasure getting answers from you. I thoroughly enjoyed your book--thought it was a fun balance of humor, seasoned observation and emotional barometer of the smart traveler. I'm looking forward to the day *I* can compare all my eastern and western routes with yours! [Read entire topic]

#152: David Adam Edelstein (davadam) Wed 4 Apr 07 13:36

Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:36:00 PDT

Marie, Frako, thanks for a wonderful conversation. It's been big fun reading along.

Our Official Eye Of Inkwell is turning to Scott MacFarlane's book and conversation now, but we'd love for you to stick around as long as you like to keep this conversation going. [Read entire topic]