Thankful for Thailand

By Roem // Travel, blog // No Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you all are enjoying family, or have already enjoyed them (I have no idea what time or day it is, someone just informed me that Thanksgiving was today).

I was officially sunburned today… not my proudest moment. But after yesterday's day in the sun, I thought my "base tan" would hold up.

Needless to say, my Base Tan gave NO defense, and rolled over like a lobster in a pot, which is exactly what I look like right now.

But thankful, I am. This place is so much easier to visit and enjoy with the smallest of effort, I can't believe more Americans do it. But that's the last I'll say about that… it's like Yelping about your favorite new haunt only to find it full of Marina kids with popped collars and their Ugg trodding counterparts within a week. Better left unspoiled. (That's my SF ref for the week.)

More pics, videos, and journal jottings in an attempt to capture this life changing journey.

I'm off to get a Aloe Vera Massage ($5) and join my fellow lobsters at a lounge… probably gonna eat some street food too. Agh… how will I ever return? Couldn't I just find a local gig and move here?

Yes.

I could.

Will I?

After my last show in Koh Phi Phi, I think I may have found my audience… the travelers, the thinkers, the good time opportunists, the believers… and most likely…

You.

I'm especially thankful that you read my notes.

Much more to come.

Thankfully,
Roem

p.s. I'll be home in days… and deep down, I'm ready. I miss you guys.

Nov
22

In Koh Phi Phi unwinding on the beach. Snorkling tomorrow.

By Roem // Travel // No Comments

Just when you think you’re on a pleasure cruise the boat has to go and tip over. Well… almost. Details on that later… My internet time is limited today.

In other news, I spent the day on the beach doing exactly what people should be doing on vacation.

Nothing.

But after last night’s impromptu hour show in Phuket, I think I deserve it. Ha. Kidding, of course. It’s amazing to be asked to play, and it’s always so much fun. Who knew people over here would be so receptive to my music? There might be another gig here in Phi Phi waiting for me (pronounced “pee pee”) tonight… we’ll see. I’ve picked up a Travel Agent/Manager on the plane here who wants me to sing every night.)

Lots of stories and pictures to follow.

But dinner is calling. Apparently there’s a woman down by the dock that cooks a concoction of dinner based on what you point at… I’m gonna point at the most abstract things I can find. Like my own foot. Some bamboo. And a cat.

You’ll here from me here in the next few days,… if I live through dinner.

Best,

Yours,

Sunburned,

Roem

Nov
17

I’m no Rambo.

By Roem // Journal, Travel // No Comments

Traveling throughout Southeast Asia has been such a learning experience. Cliche, I know. But I mean it in more of an internal way.

And quite honestly, my misconceptions about this place from movies and horror stories have kept me from taking one of the most important journeys of my life. A mistake I hope to correct in other areas as well.

A close friend told me that I should watch "Rambo" (2008) so that I know what to expect, and how to deal with problems that I may encounter while in Thailand. I told him he was worse than a backseat driver. At least they were moving. He never left the couch. But as I reveled in my small victory in reparte, I realized that if I was honest, I was a little nervous. An unfounded anxiety about a place and people I knew nothing about. Was it fear of the unknown? Had I already subscribed to my own version of Rambo?

Needless to say, I'm so glad to be wrong in every way, conscious of my fear or not. The people of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia (haven't made it to Vietnam yet, as of this post) are every bit intelligent and kind, sarcastic and self deprecating, passionate and sensitive, apologetic and ruthless, rich and poor, regretful and proud, and like every other person I have ever made a friend in my life.

Not to mention the other backpacking-budget travelers I have met here. From all over the world they hail… Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Canada, Portugal, England, Brazil, Japan, China… all of them open-minded, sharp, encouraging, eager to share, and unselfish. And hardly no Americans. And even more intriguing… no Americans between 35-50 years of age.

I can only assume that we are amassing toys and wealth at this age, not to mention, "raising the kids."

But as a British couple with 2 children ages 4 and 6 trekking 40km over 3 days with hilltribes said, "They've learned."

So, I'm learning.

Sorry, Rambo.