..more about Eastern culture. Now, I know there isnt just some magical book that you can pick up, that will "tell" me everything I want to know about it, and that you cant simply just "learn" culture. Ive read of course lots of Buddhist and Hindu philosophy, and Ive learned in school bits about Asia and the Middle East and all...but Im just really into learning lots more. Its more of a follow-up to my feelings about wanting to somehow bridge a gap between West and East. I was thinking more about it, and decided that definitley the first step to that would be me learning a lot about these other ideas, philosophies, and the history of these lands. I really want to cut past all the basic information and go in-depth. I want to cut past the bullshit too. Ive always wanted to travel to India and Asia and even the idea of going to the Middle East intrigues me. But before that I feel like I need to learn more, I feel stupid and nearly clueless when it comes to these other cutlures. Sure, I know little facts and shit, but I dont think that adds up to much. My question is: Do any of you happen to have good links to essays/websites about such information, or titles of books you think Id enjoy and find useful, or any sources of information??? Thanks! Cheers and Much Love, Dylan p.s. I know I posted this in the hippies forum, but I also wanted to do it here too since this forum is split from the other right now.
If you want Asia, Europe, and the Middle East at its best, just go to Indonesia. You have Islam that was forced onto a majority, the Dutch (who enslaved the islanders), the hindus in bali, and the Christian population is a minority there so you get to see it from a different (my) perspective... etc. That and the only large-scale bombing you've heard of was at the club on Kuta Beach. If you do go there, look up The Blue Ocean for lodging/food, be sure to buy bananas if you take the train from Surabaya, wash your hands before and after eating, refuse ice, get your malaria/dysentary meds, and don't look back. It'll take about a week to get to Bali, from your first flight, if you want to do it the long way with trains/ferry... probably with a layover in Taipei, Kuala Lampur, or Hong Kong... I'd worry more about the Brits that'll hassle you in Hong Kong than Islamic Militants. But you better not buy any ganj from any of the paid-off/undercover artisans, because you'll be eating roaches and rice for twenty years. (I guess the reason why I'm so indiferrent and apathetic, most of the time, is because my mom is from there) Shadow-scared folks won't be going there anytime soon, but at least if you ever do go there and you're in dire trouble my uncle would probably be the only person I know able to help, but he's been flooded lately. (works for a large company in Jakarta... and... no pun intended) And yes, the tsunami was a bitch, so is the monsoon right now... but what better than lending a hand to their economy and aid efforts, where other people aren't. Strangely enough, I'm supposedly descended from the Khan dynasty because of all the uh... snafu, there. So... Pocahontas.. Khan.. wtf next. Personally, I'd wait till you got back to the states and go when you're 18, then take a layover in Amsterdam.
Edward Said's Orientalism. Probably not exactly the kinda book you're looking for, but very informative and educational nonetheless.
Of pizza because they're too busy smoking that dope in marrakesh they've all got the munchies cause they're high on pot and want to eat our economy...my god.
life after death the burden of proof by deepak chopra was a really good book, i just recently read the art of war by sun tzu the art of happiness by the dali lama http://www.southasiabooks.com/ http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=books+on+asia+and+india&hl=en&sa=X&oi=froogle&ct=title
