Inspiring! Thanks for the add on Twitter! You've got some awesome stories and pictures. I hope to explore other parts of Thailand besides BKK and Phuket. Safe travels!
Inner travel and growth through change Fabulous reflections on the nature of us chosen nomads! Travel without inner exploration is little more than voyeurism, but with an open mind that can look at new ways and question our old ones, we become so much richer and hopefully wiser. How lucky your children are to see that there are so many ways to BE in the world. I so admire your choice not to "settle down" just because you had them--you two are great models for parents. Live your dream and bring the kids along for the ride!
Twist and Turns Your story is interesting and we enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing a nomadic life. You are giving your kids a true gift. As you say reality is flux.
ITS IN YOUR GENES You know you can't help it Jason...you haven't been bitten by anything...you can analyse for years...makes no difference...once a nomad...always a nomad...or are you a gypsy?
In the genes In the genes - Apparently gypsies are characterized by their \"swarthy complexions\". I aspire to be a nomad, just like it says on the tin. I admit, I can psychoanalyze til the cows come home, but ultimately it is something within me. But so then must it be in everyone... How can they suppress it?
Another great blog of self and cultural analysis... I just finished reading John McCabe's (Jabe's) book "Out of Office Male" about his decision to quit his 9-5 IT job with a financial services firm, and hit the road for four years...all of which he blogged on TB. He has chapters of introspection and how travel affected him...changing his life. Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading your next blog about how you arrived in China and found your life there.
cultural analysis There's a blog coming soon but it isn't from where you think. I wouldn't even know where to begin in writing about our experiences in China.
I loved the way you handled the difficulties you faced. I do not know what I would do in similar situations. More power to you and I wish you a more pleasant stay the next time you visit.
RE: Moth to the Flame "Is it better to go down in a blaze of glory pursuing that which makes us feel alive... what would you do if you weren’t afraid ? ". Hmmmm, interesting philosophical question. Fear exists for a reason (mainly for one's survival and well-being). The question is - what is worth risking for, and what is worth living for ....
Moth to the Flame The moth is driven by a primal urge. Is it better to go down in a blaze of glory pursuing that which makes us feel alive... what would you do if you weren’t afraid?
Wow.. so glad you made it out of there Incredible gripping reading these last two blogs and it sounded like your patience was tested to the absoloute limit that any traveller can endure. It was a real shame you had to go through all that, to be honest I think we would have been the same thinking "there's only a few people here it can't hurt to leave things by the pool" but it just goes to show how low some people can go. I was totally gripped to the end to see if you could get out of there, we have been in similar circumstances where I've misjuged our money and we've had to beg, plead and borrow to raise the cash to leave a country (two actually!) but thankfully though our own stupidness rather than theft. Look foward to more blogs soon.
Patience tested to the limit I used to be quite a patient person though through the years this has evolved into an extreme tenacity. Although, as mentioned there at the end, it could have all ended with me in an orange jumpsuit.
Ah well, you live and you learn... And that is more than I can say... I live, but mostly don't learn from my mistakes or other peoples mistakes ;)
For instance my interest in now piqued for San Jose City and this (in)famous water park... Might have to go there one day, just to say I saw it and swam there and (maybe) got away with my money still on me. And the most likely outcome would be me without my money.
On a more serious note, I have often discovered that the times I have been scammed or have had something stolen (luckily it has never been much) invariably have happened in places that see few to no tourists, which says more about me than about those towns/regions/countries. It's got to do with letting my guard down because I don't expect it in a spot where they are not used to tourists, stupidly assuming that somehow thieves or bound by the same chord that keeps the backpackers on the banana trail. In my nicely naive world view, crime doesn't happen off the beaten track, and everybody just wants to hug me and give me food, simply because I am a novelty ;)
Also, what happened to the 1500 word limit for blogs which was I understood was the way forward?
Moth to the flame I’d probably have the same reaction reading this. Where is that place… I wanna go check it out! And as for being scammed in places off the beaten track, I hoped that the message of being lulled into a false sense of security would come across in the blog. Apart from the friendliness and hugs described, I’ve also meet some pretty strange characters who seemed to have heard the myth of ‘tourist’ but never actually met one; which can throw up all sorts of unfamiliar interactions. It would be fascinating to research the opinions of people living out in these tourist peripheries towards us tourists. Btw I actually stuck religiously to the 1500 word limit. This is actually the four-blogs-in-one Philippines season finale!
Cause and Effect If even just one of those boys who had been handcuffed and subjected for questioning and intimidation is innocent, I believe this incident will breed more contempt and hatred against tourists. I felt more admiration towards the employer who is trying to look after his employees. Good for you for making a small profit out of this .
Cause and Effect The curious thing about this whole incident is that tourists never visit San Jose City, and certainly wouldn’t be seen out in the barangay of Palestina. I see it as a mistake perpetuated by a group of naïve individuals understandably unfamiliar with this exotic species of tourist who foolishly leaves his valuables lying around.
Has this incident bred hatred in the “innocent” parties against tourists, animosity towards their colleagues who were guilty, or indeed the police who questioned and intimidated the suspects? I know I don’t hate The Philippines or Filipinos because of this. Hopefully all parties have learned a valuable lesson from this experience.
Thomas
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Inspiring!
Thanks for the add on Twitter! You've got some awesome stories and pictures. I hope to explore other parts of Thailand besides BKK and Phuket. Safe travels!