6.12.2005
In about 84 hours we are going to end our big journey, in which Ryan and I crossed most major cities and towns in 5 countries, Maynmar (burma), Thailand (tai-laang), Laos (loaw), Cambodia (kambodge), and Vietnam (via-naam), mainly on roads.
My memories of being so scared of people's stares, and the stall smells in downtown Yangon (Rangoon) were so strange and bizzare to me at that time, are still fresh. The culture shock I had in almost every corner of Burma and Cambodia feel like only a week ago. Even now in a comfy coffee shop, 3 days from the end of this trip, I can still smell the nasty smell of the fishing village in Mui Ne, Vietnam and their famous product: fish sauce. I don't remember how many times Ryan and I decided to leave a town and lifted our heavy backpacks on our backs again... how could I? But I still remember the first rainfall with loud thunder as we arrived in Chiang Rai (northen Thailand), and the fresh night air that acompannied the funny frog sounds (or...a mysterious creature) after that heavy rain... and the day after that day... and the day after... day after...
So many times I woke up in the middle of night, sweaty and startled to find that I was in a strange bed in a dark room somewhere in SEA. I couldn't recall and I was frightened. And still, there were more times, even while awake, walking down the streets, I found myself wondering what the hell was I doing in all these weird places, and the next second, an ear-piercing honk from a motorcycle would shock me into forgetting what it was I was thinking or doing one second ago.
I just can't believe that nearly five-months of traveling is over. So much has happened and so much I have seen, so terrified and yet so excited and happy from time to time during all those days. This journey has finally come to the end, even though all the feelings I have for the people I met and the places I've been seem like yesterday...
In 3 day, we are going to be home again. I'd rather not think about anything, ANYTHING yet and just sit back, relax and enjoy the last dyas of sunbathing in our first and last luxurious hotel, in Hanoi!
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