It has been great being here in Vang Vieng Laos hanging out
with all of the expats and not having any worries. I have been going through a
rough patch in Asia which is still continuing and I am learning to cope with
things as they are. Right now I would love to feel the crispness of cool on my
face, a hot shower, no bugs, and a nice fresh salad among many other things. I
often think and talk about the beginning of my trip and how I felt during that
time. For a few days here I didn’t really want to tell my traveling story
anymore but two nights ago I was telling my story to a girl from Boston and I
loved the expression on her face as I told her some of the places I have been
and my potential plan not to mention how many times she said things like "wow", "wait backup". Yesterday I was telling my story to a girl from Austria
and it was the first time I really told it in such depth it brought a smile to
my face. As I was talking to her I started thinking and talking about the ride
from the airport to my hostel in Antigua Guatemala. I remember the excitement
of being back in Guatemala and the fact that I was beginning my journey and the
smile on my face and thinking about it my face lit up with a smile. I thought
that every day on my journey would be amazing and I would have a permanent
smile on my face but that is not the way life works. I am paying for mistakes I
made over the years and am just learning from them. The lessons I am learning
today will make New Zealand that much better.
As me and the Austrian girl were chatting we talked about
peoples ages that we see traveling and just how young some of them are. Both of
us were clearly looking for a tamer night and just then a few of the louder
partiers came abound and they pull out a little bag of weed and I think to a
week ago when people get arrested and had to pay 10,000,000 kip (about 1,200
US). I look at the girl and ask if she would like to go to my friends bar and
see some live music. It was funny as I am giving some of the ins and outs from
a “local perspective” I introduce her to some of the local expats and show her
some of the bars around. The musician playing at my friends bar is from Mexico
and makes a living playing a guitar in small bars – lucky bugger if you can
play an instrument you can have it made. A lot of the tourists see me and treat
me as an expat which is a nice feeling.
I look at pictures and thoughts come in my mind about just
how much I have seen and done.
For now I have to be a bit of a tour guide.
Tuna Tom
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