‘OH, deer,” I muttered to myself as I sensed how these lovely creatures seem to almost outnumber us two-legged humans, who are all trying to corner them into taking selfies in the park that day. An estimated 1,200 sika deer romp the grounds of Nara Park every day in paramount freedom enjoying an almost rock-star status, brought about by their historical designation as messenger of the Gods for many centuries. According to a story handed down from more than a thousand years ago, Takemikazuchi, a Shinto God from Kasuga Shrine, descended from his world and appeared at Mount Mikasa riding a white deer. In the aftermath of World War II, the deer’s ‘divine’ distinction was replaced by a ‘national treasure’ designation, to ensure their protection while at the same time, tapering down their religious significance.

Holding a pack of ‘deer crackers’ seem to signal an invitation for them to approach me. Typifying the polite nature of this country, the deer appear to imitate the bowing-like gesture widely practiced by the Japanese people. Mere seconds into opening the pack, a trio of deer had already bent their heads beside my hips before raising it to expose their wide open mouths – in a final plea for me to feed them the crackers.

The Culturally and Historically-Rich Grounds of Nara

As the lawn covered gardens of Nara Park lead us to narrow pathways surrounded by bamboo and pine trees, we tramped and come across a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites clustered together inside this historic grounds. A total of eight landmarks encompasses the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara – most are within walking distance of each other.

As the morning dew mist over the grass, I smell the fresh leaves from the high rising trees. Rambling gingerly under the canopy of swaying greens, I realized how the current season is a month away from the onset of the autumn. I looked around at the teeming garden around me and wondered at the changes of the colors the impending fall season will bring. Walking further, we passed by a group of park buskers performing a catchy Japanese song that has a few onlookers banging their heads sideways and swinging their hips.

I stood and listened long enough to feel my head pounding up and down in slow unison to the song’s melody. Situated at the foot of Mount Wakakusa and established in the early 1300s, Nara Park is one of the oldest parks in Japan. Designated as one of the “Places of Scenic Beauty” by the country’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, a day’s meander over a large part of its 660 hectare property, provides you a combination of visual and historical incursion deep into the rich and fascinating culture of Japan.

Kōfuku-ji

Built in the 7th Century, this Buddhist Temple features a ‘five-storied pagoda’ that quickly attract your eyes upon approaching it. We arrived here by foot under gloomy skies and few patches of rain drops. The mood couldn’t be more muted but as I stare at this small marvel of Buddhist Architecture, I can’t help but notice the striking patterns and lines – while almost similar to other of its own kind, I feel a certain sacred vibe emitting from the all corners of its wall. Kimono-clad women passes by me and as a local family took a group portrait in front of the towering Pagoda, I noticed a hint of pride at the faces of the elders, suggesting a sense of opulence as they enjoy their own preserved culture persisting in this park.

Kasuga-taisha

At the doorsteps of this Shinto Shrine I briefly chatted with an English speaking Japanese man traveling with his family. I accidentally stepped on his foot and when I apologized, he asked me where I’m from. “I am living in the states but I do come home with my family as much as we can” he told me. “You enjoying your trip here so far?” he asked me. I said “Very much”.

“We have fascinating culture, even myself who is pure Japanese I am still amazed. What more for you from the Philippines?” I nodded in agreement and before I could expound at my own marveling at their rich culture, he excused himself to buy tickets to enter the shrine.

Built in 768 by the powerful regent Fujiwara family, it is highlighted by the many bronze lanterns that surrounds the path leading to the main shrine. While I sat at the one of the corridors and let myself get lost in my thoughts, a lone deer approached me as if trying to relay a message. Being a mile away from being superstitious, I found myself wanting to believe how the deer sensed that something was bothering my mind that moment.

After it sniffed my hands, I figured the female deer was just on a lookout for more crackers. I remember being clouded with uncertainties that morning, but as we walked towards another UNESCO World Heritage Site; the Kasugayama Primeval Forest, a burst of Zen-shot through my mind and in an instant, I just let the environment carry my consciousness and off it went with the flow of our surroundings. It seems like, the beautiful mesh-up of modernity and the olden past that still flourishes in Nara Park worked wonders into clearing my mind that day.

Tōdai-ji

Once a part of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, this Buddhist Temple appear to be the biggest in Nara Park. Housed inside is the world’s biggest bronze statue of the Buddha, the Daibutsu or otherwise known as Vairocana. The vast grounds fronting the main temple are dotted with smaller shrines, belfries, towering gates and a lush garden that surrounds a snaking lake where glass-like waters remains tranquil still.

Inside the temple, I noticed a thick wooden post that has a hole near the bottom. I saw a line of visitors trying to crawl up through the tiny passageway that could barely fit a medium built body. I overheard an English speaking guide telling her guests that “anyone who passes through it shall be enlightened up until their succeeding life”. I thought about lining up and entering the hole myself but decided against it at the last minute.

Immersing at the Overwhelming History and Culture of Nara Park I always associate my traveling to freeing my mind of a bordered mentality. Discovering and learning new philosophies, while on the road has become a life-long journey for myself. A big part of it stems from educating myself of the worlds’ many culture, religion and history. Just by stringing my way from end to end of Nara Park’s significant grounds, I felt like I have covered a lot of grounds into attaining a decent amount of new knowledge.

As our legs starts to show signs of weariness, we persevered with more long walks at casual pace – while ogling at the passing sights and festivity occurring at the park. A couple of train rides afforded us to cover additional places included in the historic monuments list of Nara. Other than ticking off these places, the experience left me with more than a visual banquet.

Seeing with my own set of eyes, these old and sacred structures that stood almost similar to the originals that sprung up many centuries ago, elevates my continuing cultural discovery of the country of Japan into greater heights.

Nara is an hour away from Osaka by train. Travelers can avail of a single ticket day pass for trains and buses to explore Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara for a day or two.

Cebu Pacific, the largest airline in the Philippines, flies between Manila and Osaka five times weekly, with lowest year-round fares starting from PHP 6,399. Cebu Pacific also flies from Manila to Tokyo (Narita), Nagoya and Fukuoka, as well as from Cebu to Tokyo (Narita). Book its trademark lowest fares now through http://bit.ly/CEBOsakaflights or follow its Facebook or Twitter pages for the latest seat sales.

As the old saying goes; there’s always a first time. On this trip, it’s my turn to fly on a business class. When I started traveling, I told myself I will be fine even If I stand inside a plane, as long as I get to travel. Flying on a business class wasn’t in any realm of possibilities as I know I could not afford it. Good karma indeed comes knocking when I get invited to a media trip to Thailand. A bonus: we get to fly on a business class of Thai Airways. So yeah, I did took advantage of the unlimited wine.

It was almost to the year when I capped my first trip to Japan by spending days walking aimlessly around Tokyo—getting lost while discovering the character of its gigantic city spread over towering skyscrapers and spacious sidewalks filled with hastening crowd. A total of 12 days constituted my first foray into the Land of the Rising Sun, and yet, I still desire for more. Only India had me yearning for a return trip to the same country too soon—and in Japan I felt that same attraction quite hard to resist.

Present day and I found myself again being on the receiving end of the courteous greetings of “ohayou gozaimasu” from, probably, the most polite people on Earth. Whatever I learned from my first trip to Japan barely scratched the surface of the wondrous personality and culture of this country.

Aside from looking forward to downing more bowls of ramen—my curiosity grew threefold and is directed at the number of heritage sites situated in the cities of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. Several hours of Shinkansen train ride away from Nagoya and Tokyo; two cities I had the chance to familiarize myself last year; these triumvirate of cities appear like a cultural triangle waiting for my curious and wandering soul to explore.

Counting Orange Torii Gates at Fushimi Inari-taisha

Depending on the pace of your strides, a few minutes of walking could lead you underneath dozens, or even hundreds, of Orange torii gates already. These mother of all shrines dedicated to Inari, the Shinto God of Rice, Foxes and Sake, spreads to an uphill trail leading to a mountain where pockets of shrines and temples situates.

Caught between trying to weed out the crowd from the frame of my camera, and staring in awe at the women adorned in kimono dresses, my interest was drawn to the messages scribbled in Japanese characters on each of the Torii gates. Setting aside my camera, I walked in a slower pace and just marveled at the lingering air brought upon by the presence of these vibrant Orange torii gates, which appears to stretch endlessly.

Circling my back into the main temple, the Honden near the entrance, where I earlier performed the ritual of washing my hands and rinsing my mouth with the water from the purification fountain, I looked back at the centuries of history glowing beside me. The countless Orange torii gates, which gleams under the small speck of sunlight seeping through the cloudy skies, echoes an understanding to myself; that Japan’s history and its fascinating religious practices are all abundant and waiting for me to unearth.

Entering a parallel world into Ancient Kyoto

Sixteen of the 17 places listed under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site categorization of “Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto” are all found within Kyoto and, for my wandering cultural junky self, this fact screams of visual and learning orgasm.

Disregarding the heavy downpour and the threat of typhoon coming within hours, we trudged along the snaking bamboo forest path that leads to the Buddhist temple of Tenryū-ji and the same grounds that once served as the playground of ancient Japan’s noble class. Separating myself from my two friends, I wound up in a spot where the towering branches of bamboos stood, and thick enough to almost shelter me from the rain. In that instant, I felt entering a chasm taking me back to ancient Kyoto.

A glimpse of the centuries-old Kyoto would continue with our bus-hopping incursion into the other Zen-like places of importance within the city. Most of the time, we’d find ourselves walking through the foot of high-rise buildings into a busy stretch of sidewalk lined up with a fusion of modern and old establishments, and into the interior of a vast walled complex that hides lavish gardens and centuries-old temples and shrines.

Immediately after stepping inside, you feel transported back in time. As I amass a list of Kyoto’s other historic monuments under my belt, namely, the Jishō-ji (Temple of the Silver Pavilion), Nijo Castle, Rokuon-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), Kiyomizu-dera (Pure Water Temple), Kyoto Imperial Palace, my cultural experience in Kyoto left me with longer list of sites to be explored. I felt the days we spent are still lacking to fully engross myself to the rich culture, history and traditions that prevails in the city. Once again, I find myself barely grazing on the cultural wealth this part of Japan has to offer.

And a Japanese song plays in the background

During our last night, while I was having dinner with my friend Gael in a small joint fit enough for a dozen diners and a small acoustic setup, a Japanese singer belted a string of haunting melodies. After our meal, I excused myself for a walk around the city that night. As I took medium hops over the pavement, I can still hear the Japanese ballad playing in my ears while the Kyoto city lights flicker with lively signage. As I continue my stroll with the cool air breezes through me, chased by endless thumping of footsteps, I once again feel the atmosphere that pulls me and leaves me emitting strong emotions. A thought came into my mind.

“I’m open to spending a long time here,” I muttered to myself. Teeming with culture, history, food and modernity that are all present in a fast-paced life surrounded by a Zen environment, the contrasts are presented in a myriad of beautiful ways.

I passed by a row of cabs parked on the sidewalk. I peeked inside and saw those seated behind the wheels are men of old age with gray hairs. A couple of them nodded with smiles as their gazed met mine. A life lived well in the Land of the Rising Sun, and even in their advancing age, their own society still finds good use of their skills—much like everything else is put to better use in this country. Much like what the tradition and culture that dates back many centuries ago are continued and preserved up to this day.

Travel Tip: Kyoto is an hour away from Osaka by train. Travelers can avail themselves of a single-ticket day pass for trains and buses to explore all of Kyoto’s Ancient Heritage Sites for a day or two.

Cebu Pacific, the largest airline in the Philippines, flies between Manila and Osaka five times weekly, with lowest year-round fares starting from PHP6,399. Cebu Pacific also flies from Manila to Tokyo (Narita), Nagoya and Fukuoka, as well as from Cebu to Tokyo (Narita). Book its trademark lowest fares now through Cebu Pacific's website or (+632)7020888, or follow its Facebook or Twitter pages for the latest seat sales.

The landscape of Wadi Rum almost empties your soul of worldly worries. Looking at the immense rolling hills entwined with chiseled canyons and sand dunes blemished by camel footprints, one is reminded of the words of British archaeologist, military officer, and diplomat Thomas Edward Lawrence more famously known as Lawrence of Arabia, when he described Wadi Rum as “vast, echoing, and God-like.”

I find it a fitting side trip to our spiritual tour of the Holy Land. How else could I describe the colossal grandness of it all? Even in its barren environment almost devoid of plants and trees, the way Mother Nature sculpted a dramatic expanse of landscape that stretched as far as the eyes could see—it honors the fact that only God could fashion such magnificent creation.

Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, Wadi Rum is referred by many as the “quintessential desert” because of its extreme weather conditions, scorching during summer and violently cold every winter, the unforgiving elements and the peaceful exquisiteness of Wadi Rum makes it a testing but gratifying home to the Bedouins.

The Bedouins are descendants of these nomadic Arabs who inhabited the Syrian and Arabian deserts for many centuries. The name “Bedouins” originated from the Arabic term for “dessert dwellers.” Divided into various tribes, they thrive in the most challenging conditions of the deserts of the Middle East to North Africa and are known to live a low-key lifestyle herding goats and camels while owning a few set of possessions. Our guide Mohanned told us while still on the bus “These Bedouins have very few belongings, aside from few set of clothes, you can only see them with a tent, a 4x4 truck and a generator set – that’s it, all they ever need to exist in these sterile land”

During a tea session with a small group of Bedouins I learned from one of them about a Filipino who settled in Wadi Rum. “He lives here and married here, but too bad he went somewhere, you should have met him,” one of the Bedouins told us.

After our brief interaction with some of the Bedouins we clambered over a small rocky hill to wait for the sunset. Mohannad gave us slices of watermelons swearing at its sweetness while we sat idly, with myself getting lost to my own thoughts again. As the sky slowly faded into crisp golden hues, a strong wind started blowing. I looked down below me and I saw the sands forming a mini tornado as it circled past to cover the lined footprints of camels. The otherworldly scenery reminded me of the movie The Martian, which was filmed against the very same backdrop I am staring in awe at.

For the first time I was able to mingle with everyone from the group. All 17 of us, being the only non-travel operator I instantly felt as one of them. Over a lighted bonfire, I listened attentively as they enthusiastically shared interesting and inspiration tidbits about the travel industry. On our second night, I felt a tint of joy knowing that apart from in the midst of creating a wonderful memory of Wadi Rum, a budding camaraderie among all of us has been brewing as well.

Exhausted from the long trip to Wadi Rum but with spirits filled to the brim with delight, we feasted at our luxurious Sun City Camp over a traditional Jordanian meal of Zarbs—a Bedouin barbecue of chicken and lamb marinated with various herbs and spices pre-heated in an underground oven for three to four hours. That night, as I walked toward our luxurious tent I caught a sight of the blanket of stars above me. Overwhelmingly countless and beautiful, I have never seen such sheer number appear so clearly in the nighttime skies before.

Day 2 of our 12-day Holy Land trip couldn’t have ended more wonderfully – ticking off Wadi Rum from my personal ‘bucket list’ was just one of the many highlights forming and a truly is, welcome gift handed to me by sheer good karma. I can’t acknowledge the travel Gods enough.

When I was a kid, I’ve gotten used to completing mosaic puzzles my parents love to buy for me. I guess, that’s where I started visualizing places as most of the pictures I solved where of mountains, oceans, cityscape and even world maps. This is the reason why upon learning that our first stop would be in a church featuring an ancient mosaic map of Jerusalem and its surrounding biblical places, my enthusiasm was further buoyed. 

According to its description, the Mosaic Map of Madaba dates back to the 6th century. It charts a total of 157 Biblical sites in the Holy Land including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. After it was completed, the mosaic is believed to have comprised of over 2 million tile pieces and was embedded to the floor of a Byzantine Church.

However, the years of Madaba being a highly populated city came to an abrupt halt following a devastating earthquake in 746. Soon, the citizens abandoned the city and much of the Byzantine-era structures was buried under a pile of rubble and Earth.

The mosaic map was unearthed in 1884—still attached to the original floor—after a Greek Orthodox Church was constructed on top of a ruins of a pre-6^th century Byzantine Church.  Illustrated from a bird’s eye view, the Madaba Map clearly charts ancient Jerusalem even mapping out the main streets and churches in the city. 

The mosaic map guided archaeologists in digging and discovering more ancient ruins particularly the remains of the Cardo Maximus and the New Church of Theotokos—also referred to as The Nea—, a church built in Jerusalem by Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in 1543 and was later destroyed by the invading Persians in 614.

Today, what's left of the Madaba Mosaic Map can be seen on the apse—a crescent recess roofed by a hemispherical arch—of the modern-day Church of Saint George. Other than the aforementioned Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Nea Church, other notable places that can still be viewed on the map are: the place of John the Baptist's Baptism, the old city of Jerusalem, Zion Gate, the Tower of David, Damascus Gate, the Golden Gate and the Cardo Maximus.

Since we alighted from our bus at a parking lot located almost 700 meters from the church of Saint George, we were gifted with an opportunity to explore a small part of Madaba. Doing so, we passed by streets filled with shops selling mosaic artworks, coffee and tea shops and through a small market place before reaching the Church. Madaba, as I learned later, is composed mainly of Christians who comprises a third of its population.  If you are doubting whether religious tolerance is present in Jordan, then Madaba will assure you that it does.

If only I am not part of a tour group—on a travel writing assignment—and have the freedom to exercise any whims of spontaneity, then I would have preferred spending a few days in Madaba, as I learned after my trip, the city keeps several more fascinating archaeological sites and ancient structures.

I guess, the more reasons to dream of another trip to Jordan someday.

THE backpacking culture in the Philippines has grown significantly in the last few years. Coinciding with this development is the emergence of many travel bloggers who have peppered the social media with inspiring travel narratives and images of picturesque destinations.

In this sub-culture of modern-day travelers one man has blazed his own trail and has championed the backpacking style of traveling. I first met James Betia, also known as ‘Journeying James,’ during a traveler’s talk event in Manila and has traveled with him a few times, including a couple of outreach programs such as the library project in Gubat, Sorsogon, and an anti-malnutrition drive in the island of Jomalig in Quezon. While he’s currently on his 100-day European backpacking journey, Betia shares his story:

I was a Prefect of Discipline and Physical Education teacher in a private school in Laguna before I started full-time traveling. Like a Guidance Counselor, I was in-charge of erring students. I tried to reform the office where I didn’t wait for students to err before I invite them for a talk. I also went my way and invited all the graduating class in my office just to chat with them about life, their passion, and dreams.

How did you prepare for your #100DaysPhilippines?

I did the #100DaysPH in 2012. It was just the next thing to do since I already traveled Visayas in 2010 and Mindanao in 2011. I wanted to revisit my friends and, more importantly, set foot in the provinces I haven’t been to. I think my travels from 2009 to 2011 set the stage for me to launch the #100DaysPH challenge. I have learned about staying with locals through CouchSurfing, volunteering to some places to save on expenses, and even hitchhiking.

What were the fascinating discoveries you had while traveling around the country?

That those who doesn’t have that much financially are the ones who help more. Locals opened to travelers like me not only their homes, but their hearts as well. One night I stayed in this farmer’s house in an island in Marinduque where they have to fetch water 30 minutes below the hill, and they don’t even have coffee for breakfast. Since they don’t want to me sleep in my hammock outside, but, they invited me to sleep with them on their “papag.” When I woke up, the housewife was already boiling water for me because they didn’t have anything else to offer. Good thing I had some coffee and biscuits in my bag that I shared with them before I left.

Aside from finding out how diverse the Philippines is, I personally discovered that Tawi-Tawi is one of the safest place to travel, Muslims and Christians have more meeting points than disagreements, and that, even though I don’t understand Bisaya at that time, I can communicate with a smile while doing karaoke or sitting with the locals who kept offering me home-made lambanog.

Was there ever a time during your travel when you asked yourself “What am I doing here?”

It was when there was no space to sleep on during the overnight ferry ride from Jolo, Sulu to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi. I didn’t know anyone, I hardly look like them, much less understand their dialect, and it was quite obvious it was my first time to board that kind of ferry. But then, looking back, it was one of those moments that definitely make traveling worth it and, if given a chance, I will do it again. Because it was on that trip that I got to witness some Badjaos kids dancing in the plaza while wearing colorful dresses in Siasi, Sulu.

During the 100 days of travel, what are the places you consider your favorites?

There’s a lot but I will limit it to three.

I would say Kalinga, the most lush and well-preserved mountains in the whole of Cordillera, with its huge narra trees along the road and pristine rice terraces. Apo Whang-od, the famed mambabatok, offered me to stay at her upper house. Then she sang the Ullalim which is actually performed when someone is about to die. It is like a cry, mantra, or chant that talks about life, victories, struggles, celebrations and pain. I still have it on my hard drive and is just waiting for the perfect time to post online. My guide said it was his first time to listen to Whand-od’s Ullalim.

Dahican Beach in Mati City, Davao Oriental. There I was welcomed like one of the Amihan Boys, a team of skaters, skimmers and surfers who take care of the Dahican beach sanctuary for endangered turtles, dugong, whale-sharks and dolphins. One night, while I was in my hammock, this 90-kilo green sea-turtle decided to lay her eggs right below me. It was a crazy experience watching a huge turtle triple my age dig her nest and lay eggs in the middle of the night. Then, after experiencing my first legitimate wave ride, I became a member of Amihan Boys, a first from Manila.

El Nido, Palawan. To save on expenses, I rented a kayak and solo-paddled my way to the islands with some food and hammock. I wanted to stay for two to three nights, survivor-style. On my second night, I had a bad case of diarrhea because of the contaminated water I drank. I thought I was going to die of dehydration that night. I have to muster all my strength to paddle back to town before sunrise so that the heat won’t slow me down. I felt I was about to faint, but after two hours of paddling, I finally reached the town with lips turned purple. I downed several liters of water and lots of fruit juices before I went back to Puerto Princesa to fully recover. It was Day 96 of my 100 Days journey.

A few years after you went on another 100-day journey, but this time it was around South East Asia. How did you manage your ‘cheapest way possible’ challenge?

I actually find it cheaper to go around Southeast Asia than in the Philippines. In Thailand, Laos, Malaysia and Vietnam, the hostels would charge around P200 to 300 per night. Food in Thailand and Indonesia is cheap. Of all the places I visited, it is only in Bali, Indonesia that I have spent a lot, paying P800 per night in a hostel with free breakfast.

I also stayed in Meditation Centers in Thailand that accept donations. One time, I had to sleep in a temple by the beach in Bali because I ran out of budget. Then I slept in a hammock for a week in Lombok island, where a Muslim family running a small warung (carinderia) took care of me. Fortunately, it was just in front of a beach so I get to surf a lot.

Is it really the ‘same and yet different?’

The skin color and clothing may be similar (in the region), but you would really notice the difference when it comes to food, culture and religion. Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Myanmar are just full of temples. In Malaysia, mosques are everywhere. Indonesia would probably be the closest thing to the Philippines since they also have gorgeous beaches with rich marine life. East Timor was the most bizarre of all since they look like small Africans that speak Portuguese, spend American dollars, but act like Asians. For a Westerner, it is easier to travel in the Philippines because most Filipinos understand and speak English. In other Southeast Asian countries, once you leave the tourist areas, you would find it hard to communicate and eventually resort to sign language.

What are the favorite places you have visited in South East Asia?

I like surfing a lo, so I have to say Bali and Lombok in Indonesia. There I found the most perfect wave I ever surfed in my life. Also, the food is cheap, especially in warungs.

Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. Everything is cheap from accommodation, food, and partying.

Penang island in Malaysia because street art is everywhere. You will find many Filipinos working there so you would feel right at home. Other than the beer, everything is cheap, plus there are a number of Indian restaurants to choose from. I just love Indian food.

Where are you right now?

As of this writing, I’m now doing my #100DaysEurope challenge in the most expensive city in the world: Zurich, Switzerland. Traveling in Europe is special to me since this is my childhood dream. Plus, I get to travel with my beautiful girlfriend, too.

Lastly, how did travel change you as a person?

I would like to quote from the reflections I had during my #100DaysSEA journey in Laos.

Don’t you dare travel on your own. I’m telling you, you will get broke, backaches from carrying heavy backpacks, lost and worse meet an accident, robed and cry by yourself in an unfamiliar place, and wrestle with a language you don’t understand and can’t even pronounce. You will meet nice people only to say goodbye the next day. You will miss your cozy home and your family. When you get sick, there’s no one to take care of you. You would hate hostels because the rowdy youngsters are smoking weed and drink so much Beerlao. You will be forced to walk 2 to 3 kilometers to save a dollar and then wonder, why the heck? You will miss your flight or that single sleeper train and have to settle for the local bus and so on.

But if you insist, go ahead. I wish you good luck. You might find love but learn how to let go as nothing is constant. You will learn to carry only what is essential and see the beauty in the mundane. Take it slow. You would appreciate the little things in life that you take for granted back home. Slowly you will begin to greet people not with the usual hello, but with Bonjour! Como estas! Annyeonghaseyo! Hallo! Sabai dee mai! Guten tag! Shalom! Namaste! Konnichiwa! Ola! You will enjoy the vistas and learn that it is really about the journey not the destination. You will develop friendships in a short period of time over coffee or beer. You will get to know yourself better; your shortcomings as well as your good side. Once you get home, you have become a changed person and can readily redefine ‘home.’