T.I.A.

This Is Africa (TIA)--a term learned by many from the outrageously terrible South Africa accent of Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie Blood Diamond. A mountainous continent filled with constantly rising cities, pushing all the way out to village compounds deep in the bush.

Balcony at the house

Being in Thailand several years ago prepared me for the smells, sights and feelings of a third world country. Houses built from tin roofs and fragile sticks, the streets littered with dirt, garbage and people begging for you to give money or buy fruit. Constant traffic with no regard for the drivers around you and the air thick with fumes. All the while a lavish Sheridan Hotel is built of marble, and towers over the faint city below casting a long, dark shadow.

The difference--Africa is known as my homeland. A small town mutt of a kid with blood flowing from more countries than I even know; but, my smile, my energetic personality and my laid back free spirit comes from this place. Having only been here for hours after an excruciating plane ride, I couldn't be more happy to be here. The days that will follow are unknown to me, but I have an extreme faith and desire to experience Africa the way God has for me. To be filled with tears while I spend the day at an orphanage, filled with joy as I watch the US play Belgium while surrounded by Africans and everything in between. It matters not to me.

With the rainy season closing in, and power and internet being hit or miss, I hope to keep you updated as much as possible. I will not promise anything, but I will say, if you get an email from me saying I'm stranded in Africa and to please wire me money to get free; even though I am here, it probably still isn't true.

Check out a short timeline video from DC to Africa on my Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ7x6AShyxw

World Cup

There’s nothing better than sitting in a crowded room, white knuckled to the edge of a couch or chair, eyes glued to a television screen watching your country play for pride and a chance to secure there spot in the round-of-sixteen. It’s almost like you can see the air in the room hovering mere inches from each person’s head as the ball gets knocked around just beyond the eighteen yard line. Tempers are already boiling because of a middle school-esque clear in the fifth minute leading to a Nani goal as well as the almost heartbreaking goal late in the first half—but since we have a keeper that has superpowers, we ended the half only one goal down.

But, as the air thickens because no one has inhaled in four minutes; the sound, feeling and atmosphere changes completely when that miraculous right footed bending shot by Jones from twenty-five yards out hits the side netting. Now those are moments to live for. With momentum and crazed American fans shouting from the stands, we manage to squeak another goal in by non-other than our crooked nosed, fifth-fasted goal scoring, don’t know where they got his face for the Fifa-Futbal game, American soccer hero, Clint Dempsey.

I spent most of the game talking with those around me and texting a friend—who I might add knows more about US soccer than anyone else I know—about changes we thought would were necessary going into the second half. And being a coach myself, it’s hard not to think you know the smart move, but the one person we all agreed on, was what led to a room filled with downcast faces. Please understand this is simply my opinion on a page, there’s more to life than winning the World Cup and he’s not the only one who made mistakes; but there’s a time for playing a ball off to a teammate and there’s a time for kicking it as hard as you can away from your goal when there’s forty-five seconds left on the clock and you’re up by one.

Now I have to admit, I’m a Chelsea fan at heart so I already have a loathing for anything Real Madrid or Christiano Rinaldo, so seeing him with his perfectly swooping hair and lightning bolt lines in the side of his head; I had no pity about him being unsuccessful during most of the game. But I’m one to give respect where respect is deserved. That cross and header with time literally dripping from the clock, was absolute perfection.  I guess it’s similar to Messi scoring against Iran in stoppage, or the young Belgian team “deciding” not to score until late in the second half. There are superstars that have that sixth gear and when it’s turned on there is nothing that can stop them.

That is one reason why I and most people around the world love the game of Fùtbol. Although some games lead to devastating heartbreak and a sick feeling being tossed around in our stomachs, the excitement of the game is enough for us to keep coming back for more.

This, my friends, is the World Cup of late goals. 

Those In Need As I Travel

I've always hated when overhearing a conversation and someone is talking about helping those in need in other countries, and then there's that one person who chimes in and says, "There are people in our own country that are in need, why would you go somewhere else?" I'm not saying they need it more, or they deserve it more than those in America because I've done my fair share of helping here myself. 
But, to be completely honest, some people were made, built, or have the personality that fits directly with helping those in other places. 

As you read in my previous post, I will be traveling in the near future and while I'm away I would really love to help as many people in need as I possibly can. A great and easier way of doing that is with your help. Please head to this site where you can donate--http://www.gofundme.com/ahr9t4
This is a fund that will go directly to those in need as I travel. The goal amount is only there because it's required, not because I need that amount, I simply have a desire to help. Donate as you see fit and share with others. If you know a hundred people that are willing to donate a dollar instead of buying that snickers bar, that means dozens of people will eat, have clothing and shoes or even a place to sleep at night.

When my first two trips are over, I do not want to stop there, but buying plane tickets are also difficult. If you would like to donate and help me get from country to country, please contact me directly because the gofundme money is only for those in need; that means if there is money left over when I return, I will use it here in the US. 

I'm really excited about my upcoming trips, I hope you are too!!

Who I Is?

My name is Gabe Fowler, I am twenty-five years old and I am an aspiring writer, chef and connoisseur of travel. I grew up in the Village of Earlville in Up-State New York; yes I said village, a place too small to even be called a town. A place where there are more people than cars, more tractors than people, more cows than tractors, more trees than cows and where hunting and fishing are the most desired forms of communication.

I traveled to Thailand for three months after graduating high school. I studied Journalism and Psychology at Liberty University. I've mowed lawns, worked at Subway and Walmart, co-edited the college Editorial section of the newspaper, worked as a lab-tech for a veterinary business, substitute taught and been a basketball coach. I was on the television show MasterChef--yes I'm famous and yes I will sign your babies forehead. With all that, I am eager to experience more.

The explanation for the title of this blog is that no matter where I am, or what I am doing; I want to bring you into my world and taste what I am tasting, see what I am seeing and most of all, I want this blog to make you think; and maybe for some of you, alter the way you live your lives. I will be talking about anything and everything you could think of, and I am absolutely up for suggestions. I also love sports, WORLD CUP!!!

I will be traveling to Addis Ababa Ethiopia from 29-June-12 July to spend some time with my parents and help them with some of the projects they are working on. As I go through the week and a half, I will update and share with you what I am experiencing. When I return, I will be back home for about a week, and then I am back on a plane to Ireland, where I will be spending three months in the UK area. I've always been one for spontaneity, so I do not have much of a plan except to taste-see-think as much as I possibly can. I also plan on finishing the rough draft of a fantasy novel I started, so if you love reading, be sure to buy the book when it's published!

Throughout the weeks, you will learn more about what makes me, me. Read, share and experience this blog right along with me. I hope to keep your mind attentive, your mouth watering and your eyes jealous.