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Published: January 6th 2009
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How to use a Western Toilet...
Remember this is new for them... With our five and a half months in Asia over, I thought I would do a bit of reflection on what the past few months was like and include some of the more random photos that you won't get anywhere but there. Asia is a continent of new food, new experiences and definitely new oddities.
I cannot describe the craziness that is Asia. China was a whirlwind looking back at it. There were too many people, everyone was loud, it was smelly and dirty, but I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder and as I have traveled on, I have come to appreciate China for its history and the fact that it prepared us for everything else to come. At times I'm not sure we gave China a fighting chance because we were so culture shocked by it all. China and its Tsingtao, car accidents, great food, celebrity like status, dirty salesmen, peeing children, squat toilets, dumpling parties and little red lanterns will always hold a special place in my heart.
Then there was Tibet- some of the most amazing days of my life. It opened our eyes to an amazing culture filled with happy people and strong
beliefs. It also educated us first hand on the oppression of the Tibetan people. It had big mountains, low valley, colorful prayer flags and even more colorful characters. Tibet brought us picky Americans, humping dogs, Mt. Everest, kids whining "hello, money?", yak butter, the worst toilets in Asia and more smells than I could ever describe. After Tibet, I knew I could conquer my Everest- my year abroad.
Vietnam was just what we needed: New friends and experiences. Busy traffic, beaches, our own bombs and a country so beautiful despite the "American war". Vietnam educated us about ourselves and our own country more than we could have ever learned in school. It brought us our first drunken Aussies, Bia Hoi, tailored clothes, crazy nights out, seafood and the best American BBQ place in all of Asia!
Cambodia, with its smiling faces, despite the struggle they have gone through. Cambodia exposed us to the pain and suffering others have gone through, but it taught us to smile and love and give and help. We had our first tuk tuk ride, our first Asian prostitute experience, our first lady boys, my first Stalone movie in Asia, and my first urge
to adopt ever child that lived there! I left Cambodia a different person. I learned to appreciate my life and its luxuries.
The little country of Laos with its beautiful countryside and amazing people. We tried new food and challenged ourselves physically and mentally. I will never complain about driving in LA traffic after our 15 hour local overnight Laotian bus ride. We met a good group of friends to travel with, begin feeling more comfortable eating foods we couldn't pronounce, drank some lao lao, rode in the smallest plane to get here, swung off giant rope swings, trekking in a cave for hours with a non English speaking guide, and of course BEER LAOS! What more could you want?
Thailand carried such mixed emotions for me. The place I wanted to go to the most also disappointed me the most. The beaches are so beautiful, but with the constant tourism and lack of environmental awareness I'm afraid they will be gone soon. Sex tourism was sad and prominent. It seemed like everywhere you turned there was another brothel/massage parlor or another guy trying to get you to buy a suit or a crappy t-shirt. Thailand brought me
my good friend, surfing, scuba diving and some relaxation., river rafting, tiger, elephants, pad Thai, noodle soup, hippies, Bernie and Lak, political talks with numerous travelers, ping pongs, double cheese pork burger chips, moto accidents, muay Thai, "the beach", buckets, and a new American president.
Malaysia was our big surprise. Going in with no idea and no expectations meant that in the end we were satisfied. It brought us everything from shopping malls to CPK to big clubs, as well as leeches, jungles and bird watching. We saw people smoking crack, Islamic mosques, garlic cheese naan, food with rats, lighting storms, guano, but spending time with and old friend was the best part and he truly made Malaysia unforgettable.
Bali was an amazing little island with beautiful beaches and tons of culture. We met some of the nicest people all in an island that probably has more Rip Curl stores than California. The recent terrorism is really hurting its people and its culture- as they say in Bali, "Osama does not surf," implying that Bali does not breed terrorists. We never felt a threat while there and did nothing but enjoy the surf and sand and do some
solid reflection on the past few months.
We decided through all of this that we are the luckiest trio in the world. I think back to everything it took to get here and I cannot believe we are halfway through our journey. I'm not sure how I can ever return to normal life, but I know that I will come back to it being a better person who is more educated about the world than I ever was before. All I can say is that I'm ready for whatever life throws at me because in a way, I've probably been through worse in these past few months!
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Courtney
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AWESOME
Krista~ This recap was great! Thank you for this blog... your entries are nothing short of amazing and its incredible that we can "share" this experience with you :o) Keep Well and Travel Safe! Court