Time for Thai

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” ― Lao Tzu. It seems to be so easy… too easy to be true? Or maybe those are just empty words… and travelling is much more difficult than we think. Well... all depends. 

All is a matter of choices. In most cases our choices. Of course if you have family this decision won’t be easy. However there are couples with children that I met on my way so this doesn’t seem to be a big issue. Another story is of course if you come from, let’s say, North Korea or Haiti. Then leaving your country may be impossible and not much can be done in that case. I still remember that day when I was on Haiti and I was talking with one, random young local guy that I met on my way, somewhere in Pétionville. He was so happy, friendly and open. I would say he was the perfect candidate for a traveller. I remember till now our conversation even though it was maybe for 30 or 40 minutes, more than 2 years ago! He was telling me about his dream. Dream to leave that country even for a minute and see what is on the other side of the border. When I was listening to his words my heart was falling apart cause I knew that probably he will never realize his dream. Such a simple dream, simple for me, simple for all of us.

We are young people, leaving somewhere in Europe, America, Australia or any other rich countries. Yes, if you are reading this post it means you are rich enough. You have a choice to do with your life what you want to do. You have to be brave and headstrong and keep doing what you were always dreaming about. Never give up!

This is how I managed to get a job in AidCom and be able to realize my dreams. Working hard and taking all the chances that fate gives me. Now I am sitting in Mexico and thinking about those first 3 months of my Dream Year. The plan was to not lose any single day of me stay in Malaysia. And I didn’t! 

Just after leaving Norway we got one week off. I decided to use it and instead of coming back home I went to Thailand. I took a flight to Bangkok and spent there 4 days exploring delicious food, walking through endless streets in downtown, riding Tuk-Tuks and sometimes being totally lost in the middle of nowhere. Haha… being lost somewhere seems to be my sign of recognition (Those who heard my stories about sleeping alone in the middle of jungle in Tikal, they know what I am talking about). 

On the first day I was trying to find my hostel wandering around the city for 4 hours with all my luggage. I didn’t want to take a taxi. Firstly I really don’t like taxis, secondly I like to walk, thirdly I always try to save money. Well this time it was not a good idea… actually it was a terrible idea! The roads in Bangkok are definitely not constructed to offer pedestrians better and easier life. Forget about that! Pavements, if you find them, are bumpy and dirty so if you have a wheeled suitcase (of course I had that one) it is a real nightmare. When I was crossing the street the bottom of that suitcase finally broke and all my things started to fall out on the ground. I don’t need to add that it was raining and I didn’t have any clue about my location. Well… rain is not a big issue in Bangkok cause even if the sky is clear you will be definitely wet due to temperature and humidity. So as you see the start was not so easy for me. But somehow I managed to get to my hostel and I went to sleep. I was exhausted and happy in the same time. ‘Now can be only better’ I thought. And it was! 

I went to golden Buddhist temples, shiny palaces and gigantic shopping malls. I tried delicious and unknown street food and met really amazing people on my way. However Bangkok was not for me so I decided to move to the west part of Thailand. I took some local buses and I went to see Tiger Temple, The Bridge on the River Kwai and famous Floating Market. Travelling alone as always and seizing every single day. Life is too short to stay in one place. There is always something more to discover, something delicious to eat and somebody to meet. I have this chance to live my life and I do it! cause I know that I simply can. 

With dedication to young man in Brazilian T-shirt with a big smile on his face living somewhere in Pétionville. I hope one day you will get to those places you were dreaming about.