JUST ME IN THE WORLD

Something is going on with me. I have been on a journey without really even being aware of it. My understanding was that I was travelling to see South East Asia and learn more about different cultures and see this side of the world and though that’s true, until now I did not realize my travels were actually a journey. A journey that is ever so gently shifting my perspective on life. I haven’t met any gurus or mediated endlessly for hours. I haven’t had an epiphany or committed to changing myself or promised to the powers above to be anything different than who I am. I am simply waking up every day and living: Trekking through rice paddy fields; standing on a hilltop in Cambodia looking out to a stunning view; laughing hysterically with a friend over our silly antics; chatting with novice monks in Luang Prabang; learning more about Buddhism and meditation at a temple in Bangkok; learning about the ‘secret war’ in Laos with a cool travelling buddy; discussing ‘men’ with a new friend where the comfort level feels as though we’ve known each other for years; running through pouring rain in Bali sucking on a ring lollipop with said friend and her broken umbrella; flying through the gorgeous country side of Bali on the back of a motorcycle with a stranger who literally holds your life in his hands – surrendering and trusting this man because you see his kind soul with just a look; talking to other ‘travellers’ on an overnight train through Thailand and surprised at their kindness and willingness to offer guidance in anyway if need be; having thousands of discussions with people who cross your path curious about your travels and realizing you have more in common with this stranger you have just met on the other side of the world than you do with your neighbour back home; having your taste buds explode at the bite of an amazing Indonesian meal; keeping your fingers crossed when you walk alone at night down an alley that the street dogs are calm tonight; looking out at the sea and realizing just how small you are; watching the sunset in Kampot with a cocktail and good company; learning about the atrocities committed by the Khmer rouge and understanding a little more about the pain the Cambodian people have had to face; finally getting to see that massive reclining Buddha idol up close, lowering your eyes when a monk walks by out of respect; witnessing the world- renowned Bali smile and friendliness; dancing your butt off on a sand dance floor at an Irish bar with a group of young energetic Balinese men, sharing intimate stories with a young English bloke and realize his wounds are still so fresh and you hope for the little while he’s with you he forgets his pain; watching a group of ‘ladyboys’ dance in the middle of Bangkok’s Humlaphong train station and knowing a drag show in the middle of a busy train station in North America would likely never happen nor be accepted by the city, stopping to stand still in a busy Chiang Mai market when the Thai national anthem blares over the city speakers; finding cotton candy at this market and remembering your childhood; pushing up against a powerful waterfall after being covered in sweat from trekking to get there; feeding a baby elephant bananas; asking the little girl who is trying to sell you a bracelet for 10 Bhat if she goes to school and what her name is; seeing gorgeous children smile and play in the red-dirt unpaved roads, feeling a little blasé after seeing yet another Wat and feeling guilty for feeling that way; taking comfort in knowing your funds are currently inaccessible and having a father pull through and take care of it; meeting an unexpected man on your last night in Chiang Mai and 48 hours laughing at the reality that you are still in Chiang Mai with the same man; terrified of jumping into the unknown and following your gut and heart even though you promised you would do just that on this travelling experience; relying just on your gut instincts and listening to your own voice when other voices around you can be so much louder; reaching out to friends and having a listening ear, receiving non-judgemental advice and pure love and support because they simply care about you; knowing that wherever you go in the world and in life your family and your best friends will always be with you even when they’re not; standing in the ocean with your eyes closed, feeling the energy of the universe and having your faith reignited; knowing life is unfair but beautiful when you see an innocent baby smile at you; taking in the natural beauty surrounding you every day and realizing that one pure moment of happiness is what the whole point is....