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You know you are suffering the syndrome when you wake up in the morning half expecting to hear a rooster crow in the distance but instead wake up to your neighbour’s shouting. You know you’re feeling the symptoms when you open your eyes and look out of the window expecting to see greenery and you see well, the next building.
I should be used to the coming back home and feeling like I never wanted to come back home and feel like crap emotions but I’m still not. Although it is nice being able to drink from the tap, not having to perpetually dust off your feet…..
Things I miss about the trip, yes I use the word miss and it’s only been a day.
1) Waking up to awesome scenery or to the expectation of seeing awesome scenery
2) Stress free day
3) Plodding along the streets without checking the time
4) Waving to random children and playing with them
5) FRUIT SHAKES
Laos was a really good getaway. Their version of cities is even more chilled out than Ho Chi Minh City. Cycling up the roads that snaked around the mountains on our 2 day cycling trip was painful but it was great to see the countryside and to feel the wind that sweeps over your face when freewheeling after a hard climb. Cycling through stony dirt paths to get to a hidden waterfall and having to ask village kids for directions was an adventure. Ramming your kayak into some plants in the river amid rapids, TWICE, and capsizing was super fun (the into plant direction was not planned for….). I miss the children who seemed genuinely happy to see strange asian falang. Strange=dyed hair + short hair on female + wearing glasses so yes, I quite enjoyed being the weird one who screamed hello (Sabaidee) and waved like a lunatic to any kid and getting responses of huge smiles and even louder hellos back.
I used to think I was a city kid, I love the vibe of cities, of the busyness, the bustle, the activities but after the semi road trip in SA last year and now this trip, I’m swaying towards loving the countryside more. Granted waking up at 5 am cos mr rooster was screeching his skinny chicken neck off (neighbouring roosters would respond with extreme screechy vigour) wasn’t always pleasant but the sitting in a hammock, watching the mist/clouds rise and more of the cliffs/ mountains emerge into view whilst doing QT was a fabulous experience.
I thank God for no food poisoning, quite a restful trip, for good travelling companions and for the time to be in awe of God’s creative work in nature.
