No matter what happens, I am grateful to know I live in a world where even if I’m heading to a place like Syria or Iraq, a wonderful group of great people would join me.
Due to the security clearances for USA passport holders taking longer than we had expected, I have made an executive decision at the last minute to move the trip to Iraq on the same dates. Thanks to my friend Rik of Culture Road, who I joined for a beer last time I was in Iraq 5 years ago, we made it happen.
What is life when 12 exceptional, self-actualized, forward thinking, culturally competent, and socially conscious individuals — 8 of whom have traveled with me before — climb onboard for a type of experience where 99% of the world would otherwise look the other way?
. . . And I’m especially grateful to those returning with me for their 2nd, 3rd, 4th or even 7th monsoon:
- Mihaela “Compass”: 13 time monsooner (across at least 25 countries!) to Trans-Mongolian Railway (Mongolia to China), Tibet, Scotland, the Balkans, the Persian Gulf, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Armenia, Egypt, USA, Cyprus, Sardinia, and Saudi Arabia
- Anthony “Liquid Pizza” Lui: previous monsooner to Prague, Extreme Southeast Asia, and The Balkans!
- Amanda “The Aviator” Cheng: previous monsooner to Bulgaria, Unknown UAE, and Afghanistan!
- Chyne “Papa Bear” Tan: previous monsooner to Egypt, Sardinia, and El Salvador!
- Kimmy “Rosemary Marinade” Wu: previous monsooner to Saint Lucia, Martinique, and Guadeloupe, and El Salvador!
- Priscilla “Motherf*cking Chicken” Yoon: previous monsooner to Sardinia!
- Ihita “Clubhouse” Kabir: previous monsooner to Sardinia and Russia!
- LaiYuen “DPRK Spy” Looi: previous monsooner to the Trans-Mongolian Railway
Once again, I introduce the next generation of monsooners:
And where we’re actually monsooning to next week:
Still interested in joining us? More details about the trip can be found here. And space is still available!
Inquire within: calvin[at]monsoondiaries[dot]com.
