And I'm Waiting...

Current location: Seoul, South Korea


Well, I'm actually in the airport. I'm just on a layover. I can't believe how quickly 5 days went. I probably slept on average 5 hours per night. That is probably one reason why I'm feeling like crap right now.

I have a 5 hour layover in Seoul before my 10+ hour flight back to Los Angeles. I can't believe I'm no longer in Japan. It's a bit surreal. The last time I was home was 735 days ago (a little over 2 years... I was trying to be a little more dramatic than I need to be.) Truthfully, I'm a bit scared. I'm not sure what to expect when I get there. I'll probably be taking pictures of everything like a tourist fresh off the plane.

Back to my layover... The first hour, I made a box. There's a Korean cultural center where you can make Korean art and crafts. I felt like I was in grade school again playing with glue. The second hour, I went around duty-free. I'm still contemplating whether or not to buy the chocolate covered seaweed and the chocolate kimchi for the family. I already got them chocolate squid, mayonnaise jello, and beef flavored caramel candy. Hour #3... the internet. I'm thinking for the 4th hour of finding some kimchi. But after that, I have absolutely no idea.

Oh well...

And I'm Back...

Current location: Nagoya, Japan


After 3 weeks of perfect weather, great food (and endless trips to the toilet... the curry didn't sit too well but it was so good), lots of time on airplanes (last count:10), a funny smell in my backpack (it was the sand and spilled sunscreen... not me), a big hole in my wallet (why did everything have to be so cheap) and a wonderful sense of freedom (professional bum at its best), I've returned to Japan. I can't even compare the two. I had so many great adventures on this trip. I really wish I could keep going. And in theory, I could, but then that's just not responsible, right?

We touched down at Chubu at 9p, a little weary and very cold. Immigration let me through which was really exciting for me considering my particular circumstance. (I also told a little white lie. In my defense, the guy never looked at the back of my passport.) And even better, customs didn't make me open my bag. (First time ever after 5 searches.) On the way to Nagoya station, I stared outside the buildings and streets that passed by. I listened to the Meitetsu employee blurt out the next stop with endless instructions on how to get off the train. I saw the big Nagoya hair and the mini-skirts with high-heel boots in the middle of winter. I really didn't miss it. None of it. It's definitely time to go. I just need to get through the next few days, then off to my next adventure... the States... scary.

Ode To The Monks

Current location: Luang Prabang, Laos


After another brief stint on another island in Thailand, I decided enough was enough. So, after a 2 hour boat ride back to the mainland, a 6 hour bus ride back to Bangkok, a 4 hour wait at the airport, and a 2 hour ride on the plane, I found myself in Laos not sure what to do with myself.

Luang Prabang is a little sleepy town located in northern Laos. Life moves slowly here but I don't really mind. Monks walk the streets with the locals. Little kids try to push their merchandise. This one Laotian girl sat by me yesterday while I was reading by the Mekong River. I let her draw in my notebook even after I refused to buy her bracelets. Then, she tried reading my book. Funny girl. I eventually gave in and bought one. I already lost the bracelet.

Today, I went mountain biking. Yup, you heard right, mountain biking... bum leg and all. I rode for roughly 65km. It was great going through some remote villiages with the kids waving and saying "hi" or "sawadee". We even went through a school. Everyone just stopped and stared at me and the 2 Canadian girls I rode with but in a good way. My ass has never been in so much pain before but it was worth it.

(Now, must get off this chair, but how???)

The Return of Turtle Island

Current location: Ko Tao, Thailand


After meeting up with Glenn, Voan, and Brandon, we heading to Bangkok for some food with Glenn's friend from university. (It was actually a massive Thai feast. I thought I was going to die because of a stomach explosion.) The next day, we did some touristy stuff around Bangkok (and went to Boots... yay!!!) then in the evening, we all jumped in a bus and headed for Turtle Island, aka Ko Tao. (Oddly enough, back in Nagoya, I lived in Kamejima, which translates out to Turtle Island.) It was a pretty rough ride. I do not recommend the overnight bus. We ended up in Chumphon at 4a, tired and a little frustrated that we still had a 3 hour wait before the boat leaves. We finally arrived in Ko Tao around 9a. All I can say is that I wasn't pleasant to be around. (Sorry guys!)

Ko Tao is a lot less noisy than Phi-Phi and Ao Nang but a little to on the resort side for me. Glenn found a nice bungalow complete with an outdoor shower, complementary fruit, and crabs roaming the porch. I'm still hesitant to stay here the entire time. I'm a little beached out. I should see some culture. Or at least not see drunk falangs (foreigners). We'll see.

More and More Beaches... I Just Can't Get Enough!

Current location: Ao Nang, Thailand


We're still in southern Thailand enjoying the last bits of sand and sun before heading back to Bangkok tomorrow. And yes, I'm still bumming around with Rob. It's been almost an entire week and I didn't even think about hurting him once or using my "brilliant" exit plan. I'm so proud of me. I'm going to give myself a gold star.
Done.

Yesterday, we decided a little change in activities would do us some good so we went to cooking school. Our teacher was great although I can't remember his name for the life of me. He started out as a monk many years ago so he could go to school. After 5 years, he decided he wanted improve his English so he opened up a cooking school. He picked us up in his leather interior Toyota Camry and drove us to his home/school. Since we were the only students there, we got personal attention (which I needed.) We made Thai dishes that most people are familiar with: Pai Thai, Papaya Salad, green curry, and Tom Yun Kun (It's spicy and sweet. There's lime, fish sauce, and shrimp in it. Nova-ians... C39... and yes, I have tried it. Have you?). The guy kept asking us who did the cooking at home or who was responsible for what in the relationship. Tired of explaining to everyone that we're not together, we just nodded our heads and smiled.

Today, we island-hopped. After some misunderstand with the boat driver (an angry Rob can be scary to be around), we spent the day basking in the sun, snorkeling (I saw Nemo!), sitting, me lying down thinking I'm going to upchuck an organ, and people watching. There was "hairy back man", "grandma who really shouldn't be wearing that bikini", and "black Speedo man". One particular favorite... "thong man". And he wasn't just any "thong man". He was "thong man" with a mullet. (Gotta love the Europeans!) Everywhere we went, "thong man" was right there with us.

(Now, I would like to apologize for all of those who just suffered permanent eye damage viewing the pictures above. I wanted to prove that I wasn't making stuff up. Again, I'm sorry.)