Lessons from Asia

It's Fly Day today. I was prepping for this day by diving into yoga and baked goods, but alas, over a plate of pad thai and streetlights, I kept telling my Adorable American Counterpart how I could not believe I was going home. I cannot believe it's been four months and I'm going back to the Western World. No more misquote nets and shared rooms. No more new cities and old beds, nor exciting international adventures and plundering mishaps; this girl's Canada bound.

For the last few months, I've acquired quite the lessons from Asia. There’s been some amazing connections, life lessons and realizations that have some from this Adventure.

First and foremost, solo backpacking has been fabulous. I’ve gotten to be completely selfish with my travel decisions. This works perfectly well for me, as my most recent mantra in life seems to be that if I can’t get exactly what I want in a partnership, I’d rather go it alone. On a side note, from a small, white-girl perspective, I’ve felt completely safe traveling solo. Sometimes it's hard, too. Sometimes traveling is hard especially backpacking alone. Planning the next city/country takes effort, and country hopping can be an exhausting blur. Homesickness is real. But it's so very worth it. The sunrises, giggles and those moments that you couldn't possibly invent if you tired, they're worth every obstacle. Try it, friend, if only once.

You really are only alone if you want to be and I’ve met so many amazing people on the way. I'm rather unsure about meeting an equal, my partner in crime or my soulmate, but all those girls (and a few boys) I've met while traveling, have they ever made an impact on my soul.  So many memories that cling to me haven’t really been the big moments, but rather the ridiculous little ones.  There was the excitement of laying on the roof of a Fast-Boat for two hours in Cambodia, listening to The Lumineers and then enduring the reality and fear of having to get into the cabin of the boat without toppling overboard while going really, really fast.

I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and despite everything, I still hold true to that. But the Case of the Stolen Blue Backpack was pretty treacherous. It wasn’t just me being stressed out, I was scared. As a Canadian, I’ve been privileged with freedom, and for over two weeks I finally understood what it feels like to not have an identity in a developing, war torn country (heavily inflicted by Americans, which I am one). To not have the right to enter and exit a country on my own terms is a horrible feeling. I’ve always appreciated being Canadian, but this wasn’t something I truly valued until I got my White Temporary Passport. To live in Canada is a privilege, not a right.

In understanding that I wouldn’t be leaving Cambodia anytime soon, I crossed Vietnam and Australia (a sporadic continental desire and yet a quick change of heart) off my list. I was reunited with my Giant Red-Headed babe of a friend: I volunteered in the Peruvian Jungle with Red two years ago and she came and drastically improved my quality of life in Cambodia. Our days were spent seeking out ingredients in often questionable local market and make fresh Kumar food in the Hostel kitchen each night, while diving into Aussie wine and viewing a four dollar film at the movie theater.  I also found a [so very] Canadian, who provided travel envoy, butterflies and some roots to home. It was quite refreshing.

Asia was the continent where I learned about the financial impact I had on developing countries as a white, female, middle-class, traveler. I live in a cabin and Machelmore’s song Thriftshop is essentially one soundtrack to my life, but despite this, when compared to most locals in the countries that I’ve visited, I’m a rather wealthy girl. 

Tourism plays a huge role in exploiting and destroying cultures, so not all tourism is good tourism. There are elephants being mistreated and abused in Cambodian Circuses and elsewhere. Admittedly, I’ve made the mistake of purchasing jewelry made of scrap metal from explosives, which encourages locals to seek out old, and often active, bombs in Laos. Also, I have been warned that visiting Hill Tribes in Thailand made up of Burmese refugees who are left with no other financial option than being forced into playing their part. Essentially, this means that where I, as a traveler, choose to invest my hard earned savings leaves an imprint and impact on this part of the world.

Many people go to South East Asia knowing they economically better than the locals. So many westerns act as though they get a free pass at being a respectable human and are rather acting like a top notch jackass because they’ve got a few extra dollars in their pocket. I’ve witnessed some situations that have made me want to apologize for my fellow North Americans’ behaviors.

It's all about the Friends we Keep, and the connections you make while traveling is amazing.  You don't really have time for the small talk, so typically, once you get the "Where you from, where you headed, how you makin' it happen?" conversation out of the way, you're suddenly talking about your life ambitions what your current career is (and what it really should be), some life blunders and shameless secrets. Most people refer to my sisters by their first names, as they usually name dropped so often. They also know this is one of many adventures and not The Adventure. No rock is left unturned, no moment forgotten. And suddenly this strangers is your Travel Soul Mate, at least for the next twenty-eight hours, to eight days, time restrictions and desired destinations, dependent. It's ridiculous and fabulous and I'm going to miss this terribly.

My sisters and Mum have told me that they miss me and I always respond with "I wish you guys' were here". As the Lovely Amber has promised, Asia has made an impact on my soul. And it's time to go home, I know this, but there is sadness on Fly Day. Asia has been amazing, mind boggling, ridiculous, silly and I've cried some, too; It's been so different than I could have ever imagined, in every way possible.

xxox

Kirstin


I've left pieces of my heart everywhere I've gone.