Goodbye for now India - You have taught me so much....

Returning to Delhi, after my restful time in Rishikesh, I realized after one month in India I felt relatively comfortable here. Delhi served as sort of a home base for making trips around Northern India. The chaotic city is best described to the senses as some of the most wonderful and worst smells of your life, alive to the eyes with accidents waiting to happen as motorists play chicken with each other in the over crowded streets shared with walking crowds of pedestrians. Upon first arrival, once again, I was overtaken by the yellow haze of smog and pollution, inescapable in this city, at the same time amazed at the beauty of these foreign exotic women sitting side saddle effortlessly on the back of motorbikes; their bright sari’s flying in the breeze and their golden bangles and jewels from head to toe glittering.

I was told when I came to India not to try to understand everything about the culture here. As many of you know me, this was hard because my thirst for knowledge is great in this respect. I took this advice and just tried to experience everything as it came. There is just so much unwestern-like behavior here; so foreign and what some may even call strange. For example many children have black eyeliner around their eyes. I could not understand this when I came here; it definitely looked strange to me. But now after having a bit more of an understanding of the Hindu culture and religion this is perfectly understandable and even normal. In case you are wondering, the Hindu’s paint the eyes of their children because they believe in doing so evil spirits will be scared away from the child; to keep the child safe. Hindus are very auspicious in nature; they do believe that this earthly life is cyclical and invoked through reincarnation. The Hindu social structure is based on Castes and it is believed that by living a life of good karma and fore filling positive moral obligations that one will be reborn into a higher Caste in the next life. Interesting right? Thought provoking….

There are some things that I will never understand and those of you whom have been to India will have a chuckle at these. Why are there so many electric switches in one room that do absolutely nothing? It is almost as if one was not working so they left it there, rather than fix it and installed new ones. Speaking of electricity I have seen some really unsafe electric wires; no wonder why the power is out so often here!! Another one is the mysterious Indian head bobble; does it mean yes or no…. I guess we’ll never know!! Maybe it means both!! Another one - Why is it that Holy cows in the street like to feast on cardboard? I have seen them eating cardboard over vegetables sitting next to them as an option…. strange. One more: why do Indians that go sight seeing always ask me to be in their pictures? Then they all take turns having their pictures taken with this blonde curly haired westerner…funny.

Well, this blog must come to end, as I am now back in Holland and I must admit am feeling quite cozy with all my missed western amenities like cappuccinos, clean toilets and hot water minus a bucket. Everything is so easily available here and I realize that we are so quick to take it for all for granted. This trip has made me appreciate it more that ever - I am so gratefully thankful for everything that I have and will do everything in my power to remain in this mind frame!!

Through this trip I have released so much about the world around me, the people living and traveling in it and about myself. I discovered newfound passions in my life that I never knew I had within me; valuable pieces that my life lacked before that are now alive. One is teaching others, especially children, it’s rewarding and fun!! Another is practicing yoga, meditation and living a life of spirituality. One last found treasure is my new love for writing and being able to share these experiences with others whom have not made the trip physically…. and better yet inspire them to travel because regardless of career, university education and material positions these experiences are the most valuable and life changing in one’s life journey.

Being able to experience these adventures ignites my life and the writing feeds the fire to keep these dreams alive forever. I hope you have enjoyed living my dream with me!!

I will leave you with an instruction from Buddha to inspire you: ‘Do not believe anything because it has always been believed or because the majority believe it. What you have fully comprehended and experienced yourself; only that believe. You do not have to become a monk to accomplish self-realization. Let the world be your monastery.’

So, let the world be your monastery and may your travels bless you with the wisdom of experiencing miracles of life first hand with an open heart and mind.

Last days in Rishikesh - Serious yoga and meditation practice

I am spending my last days in Rishikesh studying Yoga and Meditation at an Ashram.

Here I am attending both morning and evening sessions of asanas (focus on yoga poses and mediation) as well as lectures on both the health and spiritual aspects of the practice and the poses.

I am starting to fit in around here with my head shawl and bindi accessories!!

PS. Did I metion that I have fallen in love with this place?!!

Chandrabaga Rishikesh - My Shanti Palace

Many people are drawn to Rishikesh in hopes of finding transcendence in their lives spiritually. Some come seeking enlightenment through the practice of Yoga and or Meditation. Hindu Pilgrims come from all over India to take a sin cleaning 'good karma' dip into the Ganga River whilst offering punja prayers into the holy sacred waters.

Why then did I come here? Was I searching for something from the outside in hopes of curing some ailment from within me?

I realize that you can not seek from the outside the answers that you must seek from within you. You can use tools to help you unlock these truths by learning and more importantly practicing Yoga and Mediation.

For the past 5 days I have focused on this practice by surrounding myself with beautiful knowledgeable people in a truly 'Shanti' or peaceful place. I wake every morning at 6am and practice yoga from my rooftop of my 'Shanti Palace' guided by my private teacher. I spend the day talking with those around me to learn about Hinduism, Yoga and Mediation. At sundown, I return to my rooftop alone to practice what I learned in the morning. I sit on my rooftop amongst the pink sky as the sun contemplates it's slumber. I hear the wind in the trees and the children flying their kites below me. I surrender to my sun salutations and be thankful for my life and the people around me; I am so lucky.... if there is a God she or he is inside me and all around me in these moments.

Yesterday I took my first dip in the Ganga....I will never forget this...I can not write the words to describe it either.

India is a magical place and Rishikesh is the beating heart for spirituality seekers. This place is peaceful and here my mind is restful.

Pushcar Camel Festival - Rajasthan

I have spent the last 4 days witnessing one of India's largest and most colorful livestock and religious festivals in Pushcar. Thousands of people from rural India flock here for the fair where around 50,000 camels are sold, decorated, shaved and raced.

It is definitely a rare sight when the Indians spruce up their camels with fur, bright flowers, earrings, bells and mirrored adornments hoping to get the best sale or at least attract a tourist into having a camel ride in the dunes. Yes, of course I had a ride a top of the camel!

The religious activities consist of devotees that take a dip in the holy lake in the city center. It is quite the sight to see all the people in their colorful clothing wading into the lake to take a little religious dip into the waters.

India - First impressions in the land of blessings and curses

I arrived in Delhi 10 days ago and have since visited Agra, Jaipur and Udaipur. My first impression was the immediate impact of the endless energy constantly around me due to the sheer amount of people.....In Delhi alone the population is 13 million which you can seriously feel as you attempt to walk down the streets. By far, this place is the most chaotic that I have ever encountered....madness!! Just walking across the street you are met with all or some of the following combinations in mass quantities: hagglers, touts, poverty stricken men women and children, people of all castes adorning strikingly colorful clothing from all walks of life, tractors, horses and buggies, pigs, goats, loads of holy cows, tractors, rickshaws, elephants, dogs.....India is shocking, in your face, loud, drastic and just indescribably different. Traveling here is a great challenge but definitely comes with it's rewards.

Being a traveler here you are both blessed and cursed. In my experience thus far the learning curve is steep and not as easy as the other countries in which I have visited. Everything seems to have a complex process not easily understood by the foreign traveler yet; making perfectly good sense to an Indian native!! For example, buying a train ticket is a huge undertaking and the first time I tried I was running back and forth between different windows, getting sent here and there, being told different directions by various people. Indian time seems to be on a different clock; majority of trains are delayed more than an hour, you feel like you are always rushing to go somewhere to wait again. Some times the train you are on just halts for more than an hour unplanned leaving you to wonder when you will finally actually reach your destination. As a traveler you are cursed in being a tourist which leaves you victim to a spider web of scams and rip offs. This makes you consciously always on your guard and a bit skeptical. Most of the time the things you go to buy cost a fraction of the price you are quoted making bargaining essential!! Sometimes you are looking for a guest house and someone will tell you it burned down or is full just so they can receive commission if you go to their chosen guest house.

On the other hand, traveling in India is a blessing; one of the most rewarding experience in my life thus far. India has so much to offer to those willing to receive it. You learn so much about yourself and about a culture so drastically un western like and different from your own by being submerged in it. It is not an easy task; you are tired, frustrated and seem to always be fighting the process in which you don't understand yet you just go with it. You get past all the people staring at you all the time by understanding they are just as curious about you as you are about them - everywhere I go I feel, no joke, all eyes staring at me....it is such a strange feeling. You build a wall around yourself after the 20th child is following you barefoot down the street begging you for money (tugging at your shirt. You learn how to laugh when once again you are brought somewhere you did not ask to go to.... I have had many bizarre experiences making me chuckle; Indians coming up to me in places like the Taj Mahal and other tourist sites asking for a picture with me. It is so funny that they would like to have a picture with some Western tourist!!

I think this is even the most challenging blog entry I have had to write due to that fact that India is just indescribable. You have to experience it yourself; see it, smell it, feel it all around you in order to understand what it's all about. India is the ultimate challenge with great rewards.....what a colorful country...submerge yourself in India!!....Next stop Pushkar to see a camel festival!!

PS. The food is THE BEST here and no I have not been sick from like many warned me that I would. I also took cooking lessons so I can prepare from home!!

Million Star Hotel, Halong Bay, North Vietnam

Upon arrival to the Island of Cat Ba, I found myself part of a very international group of 5 other backpackers representing France, Ireland, Spain, Israel and last but not least the US of A. After spending the first day touring the enchanted island by motorbike we decided to charter a local boat for a few days.

The boat that we chose was called ‘Bien Moi’, owned by a 27 year old named Loung and his beautiful smiling wife whom cooked the best food I experienced in all of Vietnam and all from the tiny nook in the back of the boat.

For two glorious days we took in Halong Bay’s crystal green waters witnessing endless limestone rock protrusions reaching straight for the heavens. Together we explored with Kayaks the pristine waters, caves, deserted beaches with not even a single tourist in sight. The place was magical enabling us embrace all that it had to offer; savoring every moment, taking in the details and knowing we were in paradise.

We camped on ‘Monkey Island’ under the stars; the sand as our bed with nothing but the lullabies of the waves tempting us to slumber. Before sleep we swam in the psychedelic waters with glowing phosphorescent plankton. What they actually are is microscopic plankton, that when disturbed give off a bright greenish glow. Any sort of movement in the water cascades a florescent glowing green trail in its wake; it was almost unreal! As I swam, the neon green glow swirled around me with every stroke flowing around me.

Sleeping on the beach, beneath the million stars sparkling above, some falling, some twinkling was by far the strongest memories captured while in Vietnam. At 5:30 we awoke and watched the sunrise from our kayaks

Travel by night train to Ninh Binh - Vietnam

After sopping up to my knees in the flooded streets of Hue I took the infamous train ride all the way to Ninh Binh. The ride turned out to be an unforgettable experience consisting of one crazy night whilst the train chugs from South to North Vietnam (Hue to Ninh Binh) for 11 hours straight. Nihn Binh is located in the southern gateway of the Red River Delta about 90 Kilometers from Hanoi, North Vietnam.

I shared the train car bunk with 2 Vietnamese men and one other traveler from Ireland. You should have seen the faces on the two Vietnamese guys when the two white westerners showed up with a bottle of red wine and our I Pod speakers; it was priceless....

After checking out the different classes you could chose from I was thankful I went for the more expensive option in 1st class. 3rd class was offering seats jammed packed with lively passengers whom all seemed to be consuming some pretty potent food; leftovers strewn on the floor. 2nd class were six man sleeper cars; passengers packed in like sardines. Ours was perfectly cozy sleeping four. Well, as cozy as it could be I suppose.

After many glasses of Dalat red wine we ended up dancing to the I pod speakers in the train corridor to Fat Boy Slim's 'I have to praise you.' We even had some of the train staff dancing with us. In the morning at 6 am they were still joking and laughing about the night before.

Upon arrival in Ninh Binh I arranged a boat ride lasting for two hours at Tam Coc. It was so peaceful to sit on the boat with the driver rowing rhythmically with her feet. The scenery was blessed with surreal limestone rocks protruding into the sky, lush green forrest; we even went inside caves. Towards the end of the two hours something unexpected happened. The boat driver whispered "shhhh" and we veered away from where all the other tour boats were headed. We docked the boat on a small cove that housed a tiny wooden hut at the waterside.

I was invited here for tea and fresh fruit; gigantic grapefruit and bananas freshly picked from the trees before my eyes. I came to understand that were were at the boat drivers brother's house and that this was not part of the normal tourist route; what a treat.

Sitting there, giggling, lost in translation and completely in awe about how nice it was to be there in this quiet little cozy hut with these more than kind people. After about an hour I was ushered back to the boat...what a memorable time it was even as the rain began to fall sending mirrored pool droplets cascading over the still water......

The East Rider Experience - Dalat Vietnam

I explored Vietnam's countryside and surroundings in cool Bohemian city of Dalat. I found myself with a local guide on a motorbike for 5 hours whom called himself an 'Easy Rider' named Mr. Hong. Mr. Hong and I cruised together for a little more than 5 hours of breath taking mountainous countryside......

Ho Chi Minh City - A city glittering with palpable energy.......

Pictured: a female monk that smiled for her photograph while preparing lunch in one of the Pagodas I visited in HCMC.

I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam after an 11 hour bus ride from Phom Phenh Cambodia . Sparkled by the urban bustle of city life; the energy and vibrancy of this place are so alive you can almost touch it.

HCMC is the land of the kamikaze motorbikes. The population of the city is 8 million people and home to 6 million motorbikes which makes for madness when it comes to being the tourist pedestrian. I thought things were crazy in Holland with the Dutch and their bicycles but here in Vietnam there are hardly any road rules. These folks seem to ride around effortlessly, fearlessly even, barely just missing the accident waiting to happen by inches. Learning to walk across the road is a learned task in itself; walk very slowly, no matter how busy the road is, and the traffic naturally seems to swerve around you not even reducing speed!!

My favorite memory of HCMC was at a little curbside local bar right outside my guesthouse. To shelter myself from the afternoon rain one day, I stopped there to read my book under a tattered awning to drink a local ' Saigon beer'. As the place started to fill up with mostly local Vietnamese; 2 locals sat at the tables on either side of me. And so the discussion and effort to communicate began. One was a veterinarian named Phoem and the other an architect named Heip; neither of them knew each other prior to sitting down at the little miniature tables where we drank our beer and people watched overlooking the buy street. Huip and Phom did not speak great English however; it was far more advanced than my Vietnamese! Luckily I was armed with my color pencils and paper! We spent over three hours laughing, acting, and drawing under the awning in the rain. From both I had invitations to come and meet their families, to see their homes, and to have their wives cook 'real' Vietnamese food for me. They were actually arguing who's wife was a better cook and were willing to bet drinks on it!! We ended up going out together to a local place near by for a bowl of "Pho" a traditional Vietnamese dish if ride noodles and chicken accompanied by a heaping plate of bean sprouts, fresh mint and other greens that we could not directly translate; all of which tasted delicious. When it was time to say goodbye we exchanged email addresses and promises to see each other again and keep in touch.

So what is my impression of the Vietnamese people? They are the friendliest of cultures that I have come across since the beginning of my trip. I have since met many others that are genuinely interested in me, my country, and always going out of their way to help. Once outside the tourist trail all of the people here have been wonderful!!

Maybe you might wonder about the whole communist thing, as I had before I came here? Well, to the outsider, there is no trace from what I can see here at least not like the textbooks made me think of rice rations, citizens working 18 hour days at command of the government. The truth of the matter is Vietnam communism seems almost dead here and has been overruled by a capitalist world of competition and survival of the fittest.

Setting birds free in Phnom Penh Cambodia

One tradition in Buddhism is setting free a caged bird by releasing it from captivity into the sky - presumably for blessing or good luck. They say that when you set the bird free the freedom comes back to you. Well, here goes....may I be forever be blessed with good luck and forever free!!

Cambodia: a land of paradoxes

After spending a few more days in Bangkok coming back from Laos, I set off by bus for Siem Reap, Cambodia. The journey cost a mere 4 dollars and consisted of a 12 hour bus ride. The venture started out in an air conditioned coach with plush comfy chairs and ended in a bare bones clunker; leaving those along for the bumpy ride of potholes, dusty rust colored roads with an orange face and a sore backside upon arrival.

Siem Reap is famous for it’s Temples of Ankor; one of the wonders of the world and known as the largest religious sanctions to date. The temples themselves are the capital of Cambodians’ ancient Khmer Empire and were dated as early as 8th century. Rising at 5:30am, by rented bicycle, I witnessed for a little over 5 hours what I would describe as an archaeological fantasia. My pictures do no justice to the crumbling Wats aging together with the nature surrounding them; this place is what historical sites are supposed to be like.

Hot, sticky and once gain orange from my daily dosage of Cambodian road dust I retired to my guest house totally knackered.

Although Angkor Wat, in all its majesty, was truly memorable my most impressionable experiences thus far would have to be the interaction with the Cambodian people. At first, I was annoyed by the mere volume of people constantly approaching me, haggling me, following me to try to sell me something. As soon as you step out from where ever you are at least 3 people are coming to you….buy, buy, buy…some saddened me as they were local amputees from land mines. Sadness and frustration getting me nowhere, I turned on the smile and gave humble polite no thank you. When presented with local tuk-tuk and motorbike touts I laughed and started to play some jokes. This mostly ended in smiles and when lucky a conversation showed a glimpse as to what it was really like to live in Cambodia.

On the last night in Siem Reap I met a tuk-tuk driver named Tee by telling him I wanted a ride to Phnom Phen (12 hours away and totally unrealistically possible by tuk-tuk) when he asked me “Lady you need a ride in tuk-tuk? Where you go?” I declined his ride to take me there for 1 USD and asked if he would rather have a beer which lead into candid conversation about his life and an exchange for information about both how the politics, health care and education systems work in both Cambodia and the US. I found out, as I expected, that Cambodians really have it unfair. The government here, the state and the police are corrupt and can be bribed with money. The current challenge for the local Cambodians trying to make a living lies with the struggle of inflation, too much competition, and a drive to somehow better themselves with minimum means and opportunity to do so.

An education is very expensive and to earn the money to achieve an education is close to mission impossible. Tee had teamed up with a friend whom would attend university while he worked as a tuk-tuk driver to help to pay the tuition. After completion, Tee would attend university with his friends help. I was shocked to also hear that even the teachers could be bribed with money if a student would pay it to pass. Paying the police to ’look the other way’ when a crime was committed was a common occurrence.

After an hour of talking with Tee we ended our conversation around what are dreams were. I felt a pit in my stomach turn when he said that his dream was to have an education and to travel the world. Hairs standing up on the back of my neck as this was also my dream and I was living it right in front of him. I felt sadness and a ping of something I think was named guilt sweep over me. I was thinking maybe that he could never realistically live his dream given the means and opportunity that he had been dealt with. The part that made me want to cry was that he was working so hard and had so much hope and determination in his eyes. In myself I doubted his dreams which made me ashamed my own insatiable wants and lack of realizing how lucky I am.

Cambodia is a country of contradictions; even in the hardest of settings and a history laced with turmoil Cambodians share together a vision and a mindset of success.

They are fighters, survivors and even dreamers....

A glimpse of Laos in just under 2 weeks

Laos is pretty laid back in comparison with the hustle and bustle of chaotic Thailand. The Thai will try any way possible to make a quick buck in order to sell you anything imaginable. The Laotian will have to be pushed, prodded and persuaded to get off his lazy chair to sell you what you want to buy.

Travel Trail of where I have been in Laos starting from the Northeastern Thai border:

Took a train from Surin to Ubon Ratchathani (4 hours) then caught a bus to Pakse (7 hours); spent one night in Pakse, Laos border. Took a minibus and long tail boat to the 4 Thousand islands visiting 2 islands for a total of 5 days; Don Khon and Don Khong. To get there from Pakse it was a 3 hour minibus ride and 40 minute longtail boat. Took off from Don Khong first by boat (40 minutes) then caught a 10 hour bus to Vietianne for 2 days. From Vietianne took a mini bus to Vang Vien costing 3 hours; spent 4 days in Vang Vien. From Vang Vien headed north six hours to Luang Prabang via 6 hours mini bus spending 3 days. Took a flight from Luang Prabang back to Bangkok costing only 1 hour and 40 minutes and a whole lot more than the public transport I have been taking the travel I have described above.

Highlights and memories of the last two weeks:

Feeling the wind on my face whilst passing by the neon green paddy rice fields outside the train window on the way from the Thai to Laos border. Fried crickets being sold on the train by a passing vendor; a friend actually tried some and I almost barfed just watching the crunch, crunch, crunch.....

Sweaty boat rides on the Mekong River , enjoying a frosty ice cream, while taking in the beautiful rustic scenery of mountains and locals along the banks as we coast by.

Swinging in my hammock at the Mekong riverside for endless hours totally absorbed in my book. It's totally great when you have nothing to do.

Laos cooking lessons which included a trip to the local market to buy the ingredients to make one fantastic meal.

Drinking perfect cappuccinos in the Euro French Capital of City of Vietianne. Renting a motorbike to go sight seeing. I definitely feared losing my life amongst the hectic traffic consisting of kamikaze tuk tuks, crazed motorists and animals wandering in the streets.

Brown waterfalls and my effort to see them by renting a bike in which I battled mud pit puddles and razor sharp stones the entire 4 hours (including the walk back due to a flat tire).

Riding down the Mekong River in a giant tube, sipping cold LaoBeer, bar hopping, mud fights in volleyball courts (mud pits with volleyball net hanging over them), plunging rope swings and zip lines sending riders into the Mekong with a drunken splash. I lost my sandals and have the battle scar bruises.

The bumpiest minibus ride from Vang Vien to Luang Prabang that sent my shoulders bobbing, my head rocking; I could even feel my kidneys jiggling. I was ecstatic when we reached the final designation (iron kidney by this time and green faced from nausea).

Running out of Lao kip after finding out the ATM (only one) on the island Don Khon was out of order. I found myself freaking out in a sketchy place they called a money exchange that would not cash my euro traveler checks but would charge me obscene amounts of money to bring me to a bank off the island that would. After freaking out that I could not pay my guesthouse a few moments later I remembered that I had some Thai baht in my wallet. The exchange made me almost a millionaire in Lao! Woo hoo! Livin' the high life!

Went on a 5 hour trekking in the rain forest north of Luang Prabang; of course it rained and covered me in mud and leaches. However, we saw beautiful waterfalls and majestic scenery that made getting bitten by a leach completely worth it! We also visited 2 hill tribes and were able to take in how it was like to live there and talk with the people through our guide whom translated....one of my favorite days in Laos.

Witnessing one of the most memorable sunrises in my life accompanied by the morning alms offering and monk ceremony in Luang Prabang...check out the picture with this posting!

I learned that taking chances; even in the riskiest situations whilst listening to your heart is the way I want to live. The past few weeks I have taken many chances, made many mistakes, laughed and yes, I even cried. I suppose there is only one way to learn which is through our actions driven by our hearts; if we chose listen to them as irrational as they often seem to be. Everything else we need to know we learn on our journey. As one of my closest friends Lienneke would say: "Make a mistake? Just smile and wave" well this is something I found myself doing often!

Teaching at Sangsup Pracha Wittayakarn Prayttaya school

Last week we taught at Sangsup Pracha Wittayakarn Prayttaya School leading another 4 days of English camp. Positive difference from the previous school was that we met with the same class consecutively; so I saw the same student class all 4 days. This enabled me to teach something and actually review it the next day and link the lesson plans. For example you teach vocab words like doctor then you teach places people would work in those occupations and finally teach the sentence structure around it: ' I am a doctor. I work in a hospital.'

Most of the time, to get them to understand, I utilized my keen acting skills (lol) teamed with my far from artistry skills on an old blackboard. I am sure you can imagine me trying to act out a cowboy; the kids thought it was hilarious!! I actually had a nice hat for a prop so it worked...5 minutes later I had the kids saying 'I am a cowboy! I work on a farm!'

The classes were also much smaller; my class was around 30 kids of grades 7 and 8. They all seemed to be eager to learn but after conversations school because they have no where else to go. Many have been neglected by their families and all are very poor. The school itself is comparable to a barn like structure in the middle to a rice field. However I must say that the education here seems to be very good and the kids seem to absorb it, crave it and appreciate it. I guess that is all that matters.

One particularly mischievous child brought in his pet gecko to class on the second day, as the previous day we asked the students to draw their pets. The gecko sat on his shoulder or in his pocket the entire time....better behaved than some of the kids in the class.... I was really impressed! On the last day the kids thought it was pretty funny to play a joke on the teacher. When I was crouching down during one of our breaks to inspect a crab that a few of the boys had been playing with I found out 5 minutes later that one of them had put a huge beetle in my bag. I heard this churpping and I could not figure out where it was coming from. Seconds later I looked down and 'BBBBBbwaahhhh!!!' I through the bag off and started to run away....again laughter from the kids from the little teach afraid of a harmless beetle.

I was really sad on the last day. I asked for endless autographs, stood in many pictures and had even some hugs from the students. When we went to leave the kids ran along side the bus waving with huge smiles laughing 'GOODBYE TEACHERS!' Thoughts going through my mind: is this really considered work? I actually love being here!!

Hard Times: These things do happen

I have some unfortunate news. Just recently I found out my credit card was stolen and someone went on a shopping spree with it in Bangkok. A total of 1,723 euro was charged on my behalf. I had no idea that the card was even missing until a letter was sent to my home in Haarlem saying the card was canceled due to reaching the maximum amount. Neils sent me an e-mail and then I inquired by phone with VISA as soon as I received the fraud indication.

I am sure you can all imagine how upset I am; this is not an easy time. Of course I have canceled the card but VISA International Card Services are saying that I may be held responsible to pay the money. They are saying a pin code was used when the purchases were made. I have never in my life used a pin with the card and always just had to swipe and sign when I have made any purchases.

I was at the Thai police station for 3 hours with the Starfish ventures translator to make a report so that I can provide it to VISA International Card Services to prove that the charges are not mine. I will have to fight that I will not pay the balance; I am sure it will not be easy. This could have serious potential on my future travel plans..... :(

Being BIG in this world, I will try to keep my chin up and think positive. On a better note the teaching was fantastic this week. I am so happy to be there and the kids are awesome! They keep my spirits high in low points like these.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!!

Thoughts on a 10 hour bus ride from Koh Samet

One of the most fore filling yet irritating parts of backpacking is going from place to place. The majority of the time is the hurry up and wait mentality; hurry up to catch the bus and then wait for 3 hours for the train you have to take to get you to your final destination. The people you meet along the way are a breath of fresh air, fresh perspectives from all over the planet.

On a 10 hour bus ride, back to Surin this past weekend, I actually had the time and a clear mind, armed with the bright lights viewed from a rainy bus window and my favorite music engaging my mind to wonder and think about my life, my choices, my future...about me....

I seemed all too easy to let the words come out of my sub conscious; almost like they were already back there waiting to come out hidden beneath the cob webs and the redundancy that I accidentally let my life slip into. When I say I believe in dreams - I mean it and I intend to live them. On this bus ride I started making promises to myself to ensure I do not fail at living my dreams with hopes that I am brave enough to go for them. I promised to stop being sick of waiting in the waiting line with fear of the worst happening to me and ultimately not following my heart fearful of judgment and failure.

I strive to be a woman of Renaissance; talented in many areas. I want to live and learn with an open mind and heart free from judgment and fear of that judgment from others. I want to learn from those around me, through their experiences and perspectives. No matter who you are encountering there is always something to learn from them and use in your life. It really is a gift that I encourage all to embrace.

As far as reflecting on my own faults, well, from this day forward I give up on my addiction of being a perfectionist that has eaten away at me for as long as I remember; my Achilles heel. I accept my faults as part of who I am. All of my parts make me, well...me...a beautiful talented person whom has so much to offer.

One of the reasons why I dreamed to travel was I wanted to see how big I really was in this world. Answers can be found on long bus rides like these staring through a rainy window. The answer is I am very big in this world, I am big in this life and I am just me; naked emotions both bitter and sweet, day dreaming of butterflies, consistently contemplating, desiring to be brave with knees shaking and forever shamelessly restless.

I would never trade me or my life and my choices for anything in this world.

The above was written September 15 at 1:30 am on a blank page in my book after a sudden urge to just write it all down.

Teaching English Camp at Panason Wittaya School

Where is Surin?
Surin is a large province on the Mun River basin in the lower Northeast of Thailand; approximately 450 kilometes nother east of Bangkok.

What am I doing in Surin?
I am currently undergoing a volunteer project for the next 4 weeks, with Starfish ventures, to teach English amongst the multiple schools in the surrounding area. The first assignment for this week is to conduct an English language camp at Panason Wittaya School which is about 30 minutes east of Surin. The camp covers grades 7 to 12 and the various age groups are spread out amongst 4 days of English Camp. There are 4 other English teachers (3 from the UK, one from Australia) on the project and a total of 640 students that are enrolled in the camp. I know what you are thinking, most likely same thing that I did when I arrived; that is a lot of students in regard to teacher ratio! Today between 2 teachers (grades 9 and 10 split in half) we taught a total of 100 students our activities. The activities consisted of basic greetings and where you come from. We also went over numbers, colors, emotions, jobs (occupations) and body parts through various activities and games. The challenge comes when we not only had to put the entire program, timetables, props etc together but crowd management: how do you keep 100 children engaged (hopefully enthusiastically) to get them to learn interactively when they don't speak your language with only 2 teachers? The real challenge was realized when many of the students did not speak or understand basic English...I mean when I ask them what their name is and how old they are they can not tell me and not understand the question! This was not the case for every student but many were struggling with the basics. This we tackled with speaking very slowly and using body language, pictures and a whole lot of animated acting skills!! LEARNING BASIC COMMANDS IN THAI IS A NECESSITY: like "gnaip gnaip" which means be quiet or "Kru" which means teacher.

Of course we get some help from the Thai English teachers who translate some of what we say but in all honesty they are speaking remedial English themselves which we also struggle with.

Overall taking on the challenge to teach English was not as easy as I thought; it takes a lot of time and preparation before the lessons, how the day will run, props, practicing what we want to teach that is very time consuming. We spent 5 hours after school the first day just to plan what and how we wanted to teach the kids. Last night an additional 3 as we tackle a different age group tomorrow in order to tailor the lesson.

On a very positive note, after the second day the kids really loved us; they asked us for autographs, many giving hugs and of course genuine smiles and thanking us for being there. I left for home completely exhausted but happy that today I made a difference; I actually could see the progress and felt so important to these kids.

Surin - Let's get to the teaching!!

We arrived in Surin just this morning after taking the night train from Bangkok. The trains have sleeping compartments; top and bottom beds accompanied by clean sheets and a curtain for each bed to block out any light. I fell asleep quickly to the rocking lull of the train.

Accompanied by our Thai Starfish venture coordinator Gae, we arrived at 5:30 this morning and were taken by tuk tuk to our guest house. After a restful sleep I awoke and wondered around town a bit. Surin is very different from the busselling polluted craziness of Bangkok. The people here are very friendly and are not nice to you because they want you to buy something they sell. The smiles are are genuine but speak very little English!! I think we are the only farang (what Thais call foreigners) around for miles! I have learned a few Thai phrases which are coming in handy. Besides the basic ones like Hello, goodbye, please and thank you I have been picking up ones like 'Kor Tom Yum Gung Ped Ka' which means "I would like Tum Yum soup, spicy please!" and 'Kid car sia hi' which means "What's the damage?" I get a lot of smiles when I use this one - farang knows slang Thai when asking for the bill!

Today we toured the town which is pretty chill, has a good market, free gym facility (woo hoo I am there) and many places to eat all around 25 minutes walking distance from our guest house. I had to guess what I was having for breakfast this morning; it was quite humorous when I showed up to the Thai menu and I had to point at what I was having. I ended up with Chicken soup with noodles which I added a few teas spoons of chill flakes too; I am becoming quite addicted to spicy food because not only does it taste good but it cools you down because it is so hot here.

Tomorrow we start our fist day at school; there are 6 other English teacher whom are volunteering with Starfish. Tomorrow is introduction day and the ages we will teach range from age 13 to 18; about 280 students for two teachers. Don't ask me how I am going to entertain this many kids but I will have to manage. I am excited, nervous yet at the same time feeling happy about the challenge. Most of all I look forward to give it my best shot because I have everything to gain from this experience!

Open Water PADI Diver certification completed!!

I have just spent 5 glorious days on Koh Phi Phi Island (West Coast Thailand) working on my Open Water PADI Diver certification! The certification consists of 4 dives in total with a maximum of 18 meters under the sea. I was also required to complete a final written examination (I passed with a little studying). I was amazed at the whole world that exists below; it was like being in a dream. We also have had the opportunity to see two shark, giant jelly fish, sting ray and blow fishes and of course many nemos (clown fish) and endless coral in all colors!!

Here is the under water proof of Quyet and I posing for our picture in our scuba gear!! Now it is off to Ko Tao (East coat Thailand) for a little more diving as I am working towards the advanced diver certification. I will retun to Bankok to begin teaching English on the 5th; I can't wait!!

SAWADEE KA !!! Hello from Thailand

*************After an after an exhausting 11 hour flight, arrival was safe in Bangkok; still bustling with excitement as I last saw it in July of 2007. Kho San road has not changed a bit; many travelers from all over the world, craziness, smelliness, touts selling anything imaginable and of coursethe best Pad Thai served from the street. I must admit two days there were enough and I was ready to move away from the smog and city heat....make the long trek to the beach.

Before I left for the beach, I did manage to take a day trip to one the the original floating markets outside Bangkok; about 104 kilometers called 'Damnoen Saduak'. According to the guide it was built by the Chinese over 75 years ago and the people whom live in the area only travel by gondola (small boats) amongst the canals. I enjoyed the boat ride and had to smile at the touts in and around the boats; so typical Thai always something to sell try to get me to buy!!

After almost 24 hours of bus and boat rides I am now Kho Phi Phi starting my PADI Scuba courses. The island is beautiful; if you have seen the movie The Beach; I am now sitting on the beach it was filmed.....

BON VOYAGE!! Celebrating with Friends and Family

Bon voyage is a French phrase borrowed into English meaning, literally, "good journey", and usually translated as meaning "have a good trip".

After the Bon voyage festivities with friends in the Netherlands, NYC and family in Rochester I am ready to depart for my trip armed with wishes of good luck and words of wisdom and encouragement.

So, maybe you wonder where I am going the next few months? Well here is a little high level itinerary:

Remaining weeks in August - Thailand: learning how to scuba dive
September - Thailand - volunteer work: teaching English to Thai children
October - Cambodia and Vietnam
November - India

I did not really arrange anything except for the flights and volunteer work. The rest will have to just have to fall at the mercy and fate and the Lonely Planet guide books. Then again, these things are not hard to arrange when you are there.

Stay tuned in for the next update after arrival in Thailand!