Dave signs off....

Hello All,

It has been a long time since I have last taken the time to write about the places we have been seeing and the people we have been meeting, but I guess that is what happens when you are truly enjoying the moment. This will be the last post I write from my travels so I would like to thank you all for putting up with my ranting. It feels great to share my experiences and get these thoughts down in writing. Once again, thanks for listening.

I am writing you from Chang Mai in the North of Thai Land. It is a beautiful city with great people in it, and I am very happy to have left Bangkok in order to see this 'real' Thai city. I have traveled this way via Bangkok which we arrived in about 6 days ago from Laos. I have left Amar in Bangkok and am travelling for a few days with good old BennyT. We were fortunate enough to meet up with him and Derek while in Bangkok and Ben and I decided it would be a good idea to see what the north had to offer. Unfortunately our good friend Derek had to head back to Canada to prepare for his schooling in Toronto. He will be missed and we wish him good luck with his preparation. Wish I could have had more time to chill with you Rock, but who knows what the future holds.

Laos was a very interesting country with very interesting people in it. Personally, I found Vang Vieng difficult to enjoy as the masses found themselves caught up in a lounge fest that consisted of partaking in 'the other tobacco' while watching the same 10 episodes of friends on large TV screens located in the numerous lounge cafes. I understand that relaxing is important but to waste such valuable time in such a mysterious country is hard for me to fathom. Luang Prabang was the highlight of Laos for me. The traditional 'on foot city explore' that Amar and myself enjoy each time we get into a new city was educational and exciting. We found ourselves in the midst of a beautiful ancient temple, atop a Buddhist monumental mountain overlooking both the city and the powerful Mekong river, and enjoying the riverside French cuisine. It was a beautiful place, but as the time flies by, we are forced to move on.

Our arrival in Bangkok was highly anticipated as we knew we would be running into our great friends Ben and Derek. It was a ecstatic reunion and the excitement in sharing stories and pictures over the day can be likened to that of a kid in a candy shop. The next day was spend seeing the beautiful Bangkok palace (round two for myself after seeing it earlier with Amar) and visiting the market with Derek and Ben. It was great to further catch up and allow some of the excitement to fade in order to allow a more rational being to immerge and discuss some of the more insightful experiences we each encountered on our journeys. The night was also amazing as we get in touch with a friend from earlier travels who showed us the real Bangkok nightclubs. It was great to let loose a little and share in a real party atmosphere for the first time in a long while.

Ben and I spend the day here in Chang Mai exploring the city, especially the local markets. This city is known for these markets and it is all I can do to resist the local trinkets and fake western clothing. We also spend a day learning to cook Thai food today which was a blast and should come in real use upon return to Canada. All I need now is a Wok, a shovel like spatula, and a Thai market at my disposal.

Although it is unrealistic and probably stupid to try, I want to somehow rap up what this leg of the trip has meant to me thus far. So here goes...

This experience has been amazing really. How can you not appreciate constant inspiration, education and beauty. You can never really imagine what this whole experience is like and when you actually do get a chance to get into it, it becomes amazing in a totally unplanned way. I am spending so much time thinking about serious issues in my life which although can be quite stressful, feels really good. Serious issues need serious thought. Also, seeing the world and the people in it for what they really are is priceless, and its impact will influence my own decisions and actions for the rest of my life. There is so much that I thought I understood, or that I believed to which I now understand I know very little of. The friendships that I have made are invaluable in terms of their genuine insight into another completely different person's life from a completely different place. The beauty and enjoyment in truly sharing a moment, whether it be profound thought or pure childlike fun is also invaluable. I have really enjoyed learning to further appreciate just how great such simple moments can be. I have also made a decision that when I head back to India in a few days to travel the north alone for three weeks that I will cut myself off from all communication (phone, internet, even meeting other people). I feel the need to find complete solitude and a total lack of any tie to anything. I am hoping to enjoy the beautiful Himalayan scenery, write music and think. It should be a great experience although possibly lonely. I just hope I don't return to Canada too lost to get reacquainted with the country. Although, I am not really that worried, Canada is one of the best places on Earth, I am sure of it.

I would also like to thank my traveling partner Amar for sharing is such a great experience. His attitude, friendship, planning and character made the trip a better experience then I could have imagined. You are the man Beej.

I guess that is it for me, I am heading back to Canada on the 25th of August to enjoy the last few weeks of summer on Canadian soil. Thanks again for listening and I really look forward to sharing some of my stories when ever our paths may cross again. Take care and enjoy the moments as they come, there is really nothing like appreciating what we have. As one of my idols would say...

"Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds."

-Bob Marley

Peace,

Dave