3 Months Away
This year, I took a three-month sabbatical to travel through Southeast Asia. I hit 28 cities throughout 4 countries (Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam). I had a rough outline of the countries I wanted to visit, a one-way ticket to Bangkok and a backpack.
Now, after a few months of settling back into New York City, I wanted to reflect on that trip.
I had no ultimate goal or desired end result for what would come from those three months away. I wasn’t burnt out from work or rethinking anything in my life.
The year prior, I had taken a short two-week trip to Asia and decided that if I didn’t spend some sort of real amount of time over there that I would regret it.
I traveled alone with no real agenda and these are some of my takeaways.
Monkeys
Monkeys are fucking terrifying. I am not joking - if you are traveling and plan to go to anywhere where there are monkeys just out in the open, don’t.
They are small, hairy, aggressive and disease carrying demon creatures that will strip you of any possessions you thought a good idea to bring along when visiting these modern day tiny satans.
I saw a monkey bite a woman, grab her can of Pringles (her fault for bringing food), open it up with their little thumbs and pour chips all over itself. It is seared into my mind.
Avoid monkeys that are out in the open - I think this is probably my most important point.
“My Friend” or “We are friends”
If anyone calls you “My friend” or says “We are friends” within an hour of meeting you, they are scamming you. I don’t know how or when, but they are.
Solo Travel
Solo travel can be lonely and uncomfortable. It was for me, at least initially. I only got used to it after about 5+ weeks. I made friends in my travels but backpacking is very fluid. People are either on their way in or way out and most only stay in a place for a few days.
Eventually, I adjusted and towards the end preferred being alone. I read all the time. I took way too long to decide where I was going to eat dinner. I spent days just writing. I would get tired of one place and book a bus to leave the next morning without consulting anyone besides myself.
For those 3 months I had complete control of my day and more broadly, my life.
Travel kept my mind quiet
This is one of the fundamental reasons why I enjoyed it so much. My mind tends to run and swirl with thoughts for most of the day. I am most at peace when this internal dialogue is quiet.
While I traveled my days were simple and the scenery was new. Taking the time to focus on what was happening around me was enough. I had no guilt about sitting outside a cafe, drinking a Thai iced tea and watching scooter traffic for the better part of an hour or two. I had nowhere else to be besides right there. My mind was quiet and I was content. For me, that was hard to beat.
To be Rich
There is something to be said for how cheap things are in Southeast Asia. It is a part of the entire experience. Hostel costs were anywhere from $5-8, most meals (drinks, food, dessert etc.) were around $5-7 total. Something strange or unique on the menu? Yes, I’ll have one of those. Dessert afterwards? Yes, I’ll have one of each.
I took a hot air balloon ride over 200+ temples at 5am in Bagan, Myanmar. I drove up to mountain viewpoints in a rented Humvee ($35 for 5 hours) in Vang Vieng, Laos, and through the jungles of Vietnam on a rented scooter ($5 for 24 hours). I went scuba diving in the Thai Islands.
As costs were less of concern, I got to see, taste and experience more of each country. It was a bit of an experiment in what I would be like to be rich, although there were no 5-star hotels or fine dining restaurants, just shared bedrooms/bathrooms and extra orders of duck noodles.
A Reading Habit
While away, I developed a particular reading habit. I would (and now still do) read two books at a time. Something non-fiction or educational during the day and science fiction/fantasy right before bed.
This is one my favorite things I’ve taken away from the trip. It’s very nice to end my day with some absolute fantasy story as opposed to scrolling through Instagram, which, in itself is a bit of a fantasy story…just a little more depressing.
Lucky
It has taken me a very long time to publish this. I thought I would have more to say, but I don’t.
I think it can be boiled down to this.
I spent 90 days eating, drinking, reading, writing and experiencing what another part of the world had to offer. I did not have to uproot my entire life to do so. I was supported by family, friends and colleagues. It is an understatement to say that I am lucky.
I know a little bit more about myself (and the world) than when I left, and as a takeaway that’s enough for me.
I originally posted this on another blog where I write more, not going to promote it here but feel free to PM me.
Submitted August 22, 2019 at 09:50PM by jac5978 https://ift.tt/2zjJxil
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