Monday, December 14, 2009
a moment with neurosis...
calm, still, and unsettling. chaos, an unbreakable sound. diseased and disturbed skin, ripple like the polluted waters. swim, still inside of me behind this glass where I can see you. they stare at nothing. lost and left alone. a stone in the soil. an island has survived the tide. creeping further along as the movement is documented so terribly wrong. silence underneath the water. fill me to death so the stone can float to the island it knows as home.
pray...
in this great forgetfulness
words lost in words
world lost withing
individual self a personal truth alone
so far removed
defines some hell
I pray in silence for us
blinded by reactions
this distraction stripped
away all our hope of freedom from ourselves
turned us to slaves
digging us, the hopeless, separate graves
shovel the earth away
I pray in silence for us
that our mother saves
I come to you humbly
with naked truth
that I be shown a new way
on the hands and knees of the bruised
on the ground that we abused
words lost in words
world lost withing
individual self a personal truth alone
so far removed
defines some hell
I pray in silence for us
blinded by reactions
this distraction stripped
away all our hope of freedom from ourselves
turned us to slaves
digging us, the hopeless, separate graves
shovel the earth away
I pray in silence for us
that our mother saves
I come to you humbly
with naked truth
that I be shown a new way
on the hands and knees of the bruised
on the ground that we abused
Friday, December 11, 2009
our conscious minds...
...seem to be neverending wells that we are privileged enough to fill with whatever we want. Some believe that it is when these wells are at an empty, or maybe open is a better word, place that information is better received because there is less preconceived thoughts or beliefs abound to dismiss the new or rather the alternative ideas. Much like the way that children are said to be better learners than adults because their minds are coming from much more empty beginnings. Honesty and truth at that point seem to be much more of a feeling, raw and full of instinct, from the heart instead of a structured manifestation of what one thinks to be true or false in the mind, allowing a much more broad spectrum of information to be obtained without cancellation based on what one considers fact due to previous conscious commitments. How often we find ourselves not really listening to what someone is saying because in our minds we are telling ourselves "yeah, whatever", "I already know that", "that's not the way I learned it", or in some cases "that's bullshit, you're crazy", therefore cutting ourselves off from the possibility of learning something different than what we think we know, occurs more and more often the older we get. The notion of right and wrong is very consuming and is often jumped to for conclusion when in reality we could, and in most cases should, realize that thoughts and ideas are merely just different from person to person. Right and wrong are two things that I believe come more from the heart than the mind. Like good and evil. It would seem that the distraction of our minds and what we personally think to be true is the source of one person (person A) doing something that they think is right while another witnesses that person doing something wrong because of their (person B) personal thought structure. This is what keeps us separated as humans, this ultimate distraction that we use as a catalyst to push ourselves further and further away from loving ourselves and each other. This distraction that keeps us moving so far away from the good in our hearts. The amount of struggle and suffering that we put on ourselves and others because we think we know what's what is really quite astounding if one ponders it for a moment.
Why?
Could it be that we heard something that someone said once and liked the way it sounded? Did we read the way we think out of a book or a number of books that were put into our hands at some point? Are we without motivation to question and investigate our own thoughts as to why they are the way they are? Did we also forget to do that when the information was placed in front of us? Have you ever thought what one person or a group of people have to gain if the information they are giving to you is being believed as it is being received? Do you ever find yourself disliking people and ideas that you don't know for no other reason than what you think you know about them? Are you afraid of what you don't know because of what you think you do know?
This distraction is a repetitive cycle. To me it is plain, clear, and obvious why I am struggling and suffering when I am caught in it. To be in fear to me is painful and I am aware that my fears are, although maybe coming from outer sources, forced on by my inner self. It is truly sad when I find myself in such a righteous state of mind that my pain transforms itself into being something that I actually trick myself into thinking feels good and right. I am quick to realize more and more that these are just my feelings spinning out of control and know better and better all the time now how to bring my feelings closer to my source. In my heart I know that it is painful to feel alone and separated from other people. In my heart I know that it is painful to feel that others are out to harm me. In my heart I know that it feels good to love and evil to hate. In my heart I know when my mind is interfering.
Most of us in the world are faced with countless venues that we receive information through in our daily lives from a very, very young age. We are taught so many things. We have the conscious ability, the resources, and in my opinion responsibility, to ponder many different possibilities with every piece of information we receive. We get caught up in our thoughts and lose awareness of our hearts. Our current state of affairs the world over should be enough proof that this is a global human trait. Maybe some event will trigger a reaction in our consciousness to become more aware of the good and love in our hearts. Maybe not. In any case, I feel that we need to establish new ways of learning that abolish our will to judge others and strike each other down. Being more mindful and open to what we believe and how we can better work together with those that might believe different things is becoming more and more important as our population continually grows. We need to realize that right now the reality of the situation is us vs. us, instead of believing what we are told, that it's us vs. them.
I do believe that our conscious minds are neverending wells that we are privileged enough to fill with whatever we want. We just have to make sure that we are the ones filling them. With our hearts in the right places.
I do believe that our conscious minds are neverending wells that we are privileged enough to fill with whatever we want. We just have to make sure that we are the ones filling them. With our hearts in the right places.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
missing...
...people is a difficult place to be sometimes. Sitting with these emotions and memories with inklings to just get up and go to them. Realizations that memories are not tangible places that are possible to get back to. So just sitting with them. Wanting to see how people have changed since the last time. Moving around so much in my life I feel like home is spread out so vastly because there are so many people that I care about in so many different places. Some say that it's just part of growing up, but I am at times stubborn to let go. Life sure is busy and people live it, that's for sure. To put it all on hold would be very difficult for a whole lot of us, but it would be really nice to be able to see everyone that I miss right now. Selfish because it would be extra nice if everyone just came to me. When I first got back from the orient I was planning on just taking a big trip to all the places where people I care about are. Three months later I am still in the same spot that the plane from India took me to. Life started happening and then it picked up the pace a bit. I am playing music in one project, auditioning for another either today or tomorrow, and just got offered a teaching job that actually pays really well in the cities. First meeting is tomorrow at four. None of this is negative in any way at all. I am very happy to be involved with everything that is going on right now and feel very lucky. But it's hard to adjust to commitments after spending so long without them. Especially when I want to pick up and go to all the people I love and care for that are not in the twin cities area. It sure is a blessing that life is long and filled with so many moments. That is the key element to be aware of. Patience. Not to be confused with apathy. Just the awareness and ability to take it easy, slow, and relaxed.
Calling those in my heart right now and telling them how much they mean to me is how this is gonna go down. Gotta go
Calling those in my heart right now and telling them how much they mean to me is how this is gonna go down. Gotta go
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
all good things...
...take time and patience. Often times I get struck with an idea of something I could be doing that would make me happy and satisfied. A project or endeavor that requires a certain process of execution and with that process comes a series of events that will not always get me what I desire at day's end but instead may take weeks or even months to accomplish. Through this time the process can seem mundane and a waste of time and energy because it's not always easy to keep the big picture in sight. I find it easy to lose patience and get frustrated by this. It might be that life is often in a state of go, go ,go, and it feels like it's moving so fast that parts of it are passing me by while I am trying to put in time and energy towards a goal. I get distracted by other things that are going on around me and by things that other's are doing. Then, before I know what happened, the idea or goal is lost and I've moved on to another endeavor thinking, what ever happened to what I was doing two months ago. Spontaneity can be a beautiful thing, but the ability to focus is just as important to me.
Ideas must be nurtured in the way that one might nurture an existing entity that has been taken under the wing. Proper attention and awareness is necessary for nourishment and growth, much like a plant. The growing process can be very slow going much of the time but that does not allow the nurturing to stop. I am very good at becoming bored, planting a bunch of seeds all at once, and then later find myself overwhelmed because too many things are going on at once and I am at a loss of the energy necessary to keep everything in a state of forward motion. Most of the time that is when certain things are given up and that never feels good.
I find it very important that breathing is always happening. If it's important for me, then I must allow it to be important for every one and everything else, no matter how slow it seems to be going on.
Ideas must be nurtured in the way that one might nurture an existing entity that has been taken under the wing. Proper attention and awareness is necessary for nourishment and growth, much like a plant. The growing process can be very slow going much of the time but that does not allow the nurturing to stop. I am very good at becoming bored, planting a bunch of seeds all at once, and then later find myself overwhelmed because too many things are going on at once and I am at a loss of the energy necessary to keep everything in a state of forward motion. Most of the time that is when certain things are given up and that never feels good.
I find it very important that breathing is always happening. If it's important for me, then I must allow it to be important for every one and everything else, no matter how slow it seems to be going on.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
choices
Ah, the curse of consciousness. The choices that I make are pretty consistently made in a very spontaneous manner. I am able to do this because of the choices that I have made when the structure of my lifestyle comes to mind. I am pretty much a single man with nothing holding me in any particular place. Sometimes the choices that are made in a matter of very short passing moments have the ability, in a consequence reaction, to follow me for a very long period of time. Those that I have hurt in my past without even bearing much thought on what I am choosing and how that is affecting other people is a very real situation.
I had a discussion with my sister the other day about the subject. She was confiding in me things that have happened to her and her inability to forgive and forget some of them. People need to break down within themselves choices they have made and come to a place where they are able to forgive themselves. Maybe not necessarily forget, but forgive so that acceptance and the will to move on is attainable. Our point of forgiveness is very personal and can be very difficult to reach sometimes but the acceptance in being responsible for the suffering our choice may have introduced others to cannot be dictated by our own forgiveness in self. I do believe that accepting that responsibility cannot be met until we are at a place of self awareness through self acceptance and forgiveness, but the path to make something right only gets more difficult when we are ready to confront those we have hurt.
Our defenses always want to run to claims that the hurt person is to occupied with living in the past. We are so quick to grant ourselves the right of forgiveness and aren't capable of granting others the same. It's very hypocritical to take the necessary steps in forgiving ourselves without the will to listen to others, who want to forgive us as well, and grant them the right to take the steps necessary to reach their own personal point of forgiveness. Giving only ourselves closure does not erase the action. This is something that I am becoming more aware of getting back in touch with people that are close to my heart. I feel that being aware of this is a step in the right direction when it comes to being more mind full of choices that I make in the future. I am thankful for moments of realization like this.
I let someone down who I cherish very much once. It was a death in the family situation and I was not there how I should have been. This introduced the demise of a relationship. I was not aware that sometimes just a physical presence, one without the answers or solutions, is all that another needs sometimes. My ego felt like I wasn't helping because nothing I was saying seemed to be doing any good. So I distanced myself. This choice, which at the time was made without much thought as if it was common sense, and the way that someone who put their trust in me has suffered because of it, has brought itself back in the fold as communication has been reopened. I find that in communicating about this has made me realize just how much that choice and my forgiveness in self with the matter has subconsciously taught me that I owe it to the other person the right to be still angered and hurt with me. Because it took me a very long time to accept it withing myself and now I understand that I need to provide closure for the other person. It is not always the most comfortable conversation, but I feel that I have learned a little better how to listen to others and accept responsibility for my actions without being defensive. This to me is a step forward and I appreciate the person wanting to forgive me, allowing me to go through the experience.
The way that I effect others is something that through time I am becoming more aware of. The importance that I treat people with the integrity, heart, and respect that I give myself is very valued to me. It is fascinating just how difficult it can be sometimes but always very much so indeed worth it. What is a life without these fascinations and difficulties? A walk through the motions in a park of illusion. At least that's what I think.
I had a discussion with my sister the other day about the subject. She was confiding in me things that have happened to her and her inability to forgive and forget some of them. People need to break down within themselves choices they have made and come to a place where they are able to forgive themselves. Maybe not necessarily forget, but forgive so that acceptance and the will to move on is attainable. Our point of forgiveness is very personal and can be very difficult to reach sometimes but the acceptance in being responsible for the suffering our choice may have introduced others to cannot be dictated by our own forgiveness in self. I do believe that accepting that responsibility cannot be met until we are at a place of self awareness through self acceptance and forgiveness, but the path to make something right only gets more difficult when we are ready to confront those we have hurt.
Our defenses always want to run to claims that the hurt person is to occupied with living in the past. We are so quick to grant ourselves the right of forgiveness and aren't capable of granting others the same. It's very hypocritical to take the necessary steps in forgiving ourselves without the will to listen to others, who want to forgive us as well, and grant them the right to take the steps necessary to reach their own personal point of forgiveness. Giving only ourselves closure does not erase the action. This is something that I am becoming more aware of getting back in touch with people that are close to my heart. I feel that being aware of this is a step in the right direction when it comes to being more mind full of choices that I make in the future. I am thankful for moments of realization like this.
I let someone down who I cherish very much once. It was a death in the family situation and I was not there how I should have been. This introduced the demise of a relationship. I was not aware that sometimes just a physical presence, one without the answers or solutions, is all that another needs sometimes. My ego felt like I wasn't helping because nothing I was saying seemed to be doing any good. So I distanced myself. This choice, which at the time was made without much thought as if it was common sense, and the way that someone who put their trust in me has suffered because of it, has brought itself back in the fold as communication has been reopened. I find that in communicating about this has made me realize just how much that choice and my forgiveness in self with the matter has subconsciously taught me that I owe it to the other person the right to be still angered and hurt with me. Because it took me a very long time to accept it withing myself and now I understand that I need to provide closure for the other person. It is not always the most comfortable conversation, but I feel that I have learned a little better how to listen to others and accept responsibility for my actions without being defensive. This to me is a step forward and I appreciate the person wanting to forgive me, allowing me to go through the experience.
The way that I effect others is something that through time I am becoming more aware of. The importance that I treat people with the integrity, heart, and respect that I give myself is very valued to me. It is fascinating just how difficult it can be sometimes but always very much so indeed worth it. What is a life without these fascinations and difficulties? A walk through the motions in a park of illusion. At least that's what I think.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
it's hard to believe...
...that my time wandering the east is about up. To think that in three weeks I will be back in the United States after eight months of traveling is like a mix drink made up of anticipation, shock, happiness, and sadness. Lot's of emotions to make me drunk on life.
Speaking of being drunk on life, India is by far the most intoxicating for the senses place I have ever been to. I have been here for four weeks as of today and have made the journey through these cities by part train and bus. Trichy, Pondicherry, Mammalappuram, Chennai, Trivandrum, Varkala, Cochin, and am now in the hill station of Ooty. All those cities are in the deep south of the country in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. India is intoxicating because of the vast differences from city to city that this amazing country has too offer. Everyday hits with the unexpected. Like where I am right now, Ooty. Resting pleasantly in the hills of what is known as the Western Ghats between the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is summer in India and it has been extremely hot. Wether in the very crowded cities or in the coastal beach towns the sun is a golden ball of merciless heat making it quite a sweat drenched experience just going outside. But here in Ooty, it is shivering cold and uncomfortable unless I am wearing a beanie and layered up. The hill city is quite amazing. The walks that are taken here are surrounded by beautiful landscape views of the hills with fog gently rolling along the tips of the pines that give the city a marvelous smell. Only adding to the already amazing smells of India. The arousing essence of the best food in the world and incense one step, and then the next the nauseous smell of feces (of every entity) and pollution only adds to the perplexity of this place.
The traffic is absolutely insane. Part of the everyday soundtrack of life is a constant sound of car horns. Different melodies and pitches from every direction will make your neck hurt trying to find the annoying source until it's eventually blocked out. The food is literally different from restaurant to restaurant. What parrota is to one place will be what I thought was chippati from the night before. And every single dish is a mystery even when I think I have what Veg Korma tastes like figured out. One hundred percent guaranteed is that at the next place Veg Korma will taste nothing like what I thought it did. But India being almost entirely vegetarian means that I don't have too worry about what I am getting. The chai stands that are everywhere is enough too keep me here alone. So delicious.
Another aspect of the India charm is that religious views are a way of life and culture as a whole rather than being something that is practised only when convenient. The people in India are truly another part of the duelist character of the country. One second I am being pointed at and feeling very alien while getting stared at in a most unwelcoming way to find the next moment having met a person who is more hospitable and kind than anything I have ever been accustom to. Offering me tea, food, a ride somewhere, and anything else that the person can think of too make me satisfied and comfortable. With the biggest, happiest smile I have ever put eyes on. It (the way I have been treated here and other places while abroad) is more than enough for the conscious to ponder the way that I have treated strangers. Especially strangers who are more than obviously in strange places. All I can think to come out with is too be kind, open, and full of heart with every moment that passes from here on out.
Then there is the transportation. A small bit of opinionated advice...if you are ever planning on coming to India and want to ride the train (which hosts 14,000,000 passengers daily), you will want to plan very far ahead. Many times Brent and I have gone to the train station with a destination in mind only to be told that all trains are sold out for the month. Sold out for an entire month in advance. There is no middle ground. Either be totally planned out or be very, very flexible and patient when traveling here. Nothing is as it seems on a daily basis. Time is of no value and neither is personal space. At all. I am grateful that I will have many precious memories of public transportation alone during my time here.
The concept of middle ground is what is of no relevance here in India. The extremes (which reach to incredible highs and lows in both directions) are devastating and wonderful all at once. Making it an extraordinary place to spend time in. Each moment is unforeseen, unexpected, and can be life changing in the most horrific and splendid of ways. It is all a big, fat lesson and insight as to what kind of person I truly am. Is there a better reason to be anywhere at anytime other than that? I don't know if there lies an answer to that question but I know that I feel very charmed and blessed for my life. And to be going through all of this with my best friend right now. At this moment in my life I have everything that I have ever wanted. It is probably plain and simple that I could ramble on and on about all this but I will save it for when I see you. It only gets better the more personal it is.
Now I just gotta get my ass home to see everyone that I cherish and love in my heart and soul.
only three weeks left!
nate
Speaking of being drunk on life, India is by far the most intoxicating for the senses place I have ever been to. I have been here for four weeks as of today and have made the journey through these cities by part train and bus. Trichy, Pondicherry, Mammalappuram, Chennai, Trivandrum, Varkala, Cochin, and am now in the hill station of Ooty. All those cities are in the deep south of the country in the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. India is intoxicating because of the vast differences from city to city that this amazing country has too offer. Everyday hits with the unexpected. Like where I am right now, Ooty. Resting pleasantly in the hills of what is known as the Western Ghats between the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is summer in India and it has been extremely hot. Wether in the very crowded cities or in the coastal beach towns the sun is a golden ball of merciless heat making it quite a sweat drenched experience just going outside. But here in Ooty, it is shivering cold and uncomfortable unless I am wearing a beanie and layered up. The hill city is quite amazing. The walks that are taken here are surrounded by beautiful landscape views of the hills with fog gently rolling along the tips of the pines that give the city a marvelous smell. Only adding to the already amazing smells of India. The arousing essence of the best food in the world and incense one step, and then the next the nauseous smell of feces (of every entity) and pollution only adds to the perplexity of this place.
The traffic is absolutely insane. Part of the everyday soundtrack of life is a constant sound of car horns. Different melodies and pitches from every direction will make your neck hurt trying to find the annoying source until it's eventually blocked out. The food is literally different from restaurant to restaurant. What parrota is to one place will be what I thought was chippati from the night before. And every single dish is a mystery even when I think I have what Veg Korma tastes like figured out. One hundred percent guaranteed is that at the next place Veg Korma will taste nothing like what I thought it did. But India being almost entirely vegetarian means that I don't have too worry about what I am getting. The chai stands that are everywhere is enough too keep me here alone. So delicious.
Another aspect of the India charm is that religious views are a way of life and culture as a whole rather than being something that is practised only when convenient. The people in India are truly another part of the duelist character of the country. One second I am being pointed at and feeling very alien while getting stared at in a most unwelcoming way to find the next moment having met a person who is more hospitable and kind than anything I have ever been accustom to. Offering me tea, food, a ride somewhere, and anything else that the person can think of too make me satisfied and comfortable. With the biggest, happiest smile I have ever put eyes on. It (the way I have been treated here and other places while abroad) is more than enough for the conscious to ponder the way that I have treated strangers. Especially strangers who are more than obviously in strange places. All I can think to come out with is too be kind, open, and full of heart with every moment that passes from here on out.
Then there is the transportation. A small bit of opinionated advice...if you are ever planning on coming to India and want to ride the train (which hosts 14,000,000 passengers daily), you will want to plan very far ahead. Many times Brent and I have gone to the train station with a destination in mind only to be told that all trains are sold out for the month. Sold out for an entire month in advance. There is no middle ground. Either be totally planned out or be very, very flexible and patient when traveling here. Nothing is as it seems on a daily basis. Time is of no value and neither is personal space. At all. I am grateful that I will have many precious memories of public transportation alone during my time here.
The concept of middle ground is what is of no relevance here in India. The extremes (which reach to incredible highs and lows in both directions) are devastating and wonderful all at once. Making it an extraordinary place to spend time in. Each moment is unforeseen, unexpected, and can be life changing in the most horrific and splendid of ways. It is all a big, fat lesson and insight as to what kind of person I truly am. Is there a better reason to be anywhere at anytime other than that? I don't know if there lies an answer to that question but I know that I feel very charmed and blessed for my life. And to be going through all of this with my best friend right now. At this moment in my life I have everything that I have ever wanted. It is probably plain and simple that I could ramble on and on about all this but I will save it for when I see you. It only gets better the more personal it is.
Now I just gotta get my ass home to see everyone that I cherish and love in my heart and soul.
only three weeks left!
nate
Sunday, May 10, 2009
still going...
...around and around. The last time I wrote on here I was in Dalat, Vietnam. A city that is held with the opinion by the Vietnamese that "If you do not have your honeymoon in Dalat, then your marriage is non existent." It really was a charming city.
Which brings me to a thought. Much of what we in the west hear or think of when we are faced with the idea about places like Southeast Asia and other "third world" countries is that they are dirty, smelly, dangerous, and other assortments of somewhat negativity's. This I have learned is not true. There are so many beautiful places that are full of charms in every tiny corner of the world regardless of where those places stand on the platform of world economy. Parks, manicured dogs, museums, walks around lakes, and adorable people of all ages are in vibrant existence all over the place.
We are now in Macau, China. This developed a couple months back while we were in Kota Baru, Malaysia after stumbling onto Air Asia's website and being faced with a 48 hour 20% off all flights, anywhere and anytime sale. Within twenty minutes we decided to fly to Hong Kong and India. Hong Kong being a short ferry ride from mainland and Macau being the Las Vegas of China, we chose to hop over. Macau is a very strange place. It feels more like being somewhere in Europe rather than China. Except for the fact that English is not spoken here anywhere. Finding vegetarian food has proved to be more difficult than I ever imagined it would be in a place like China. But I tend to find that expectations about anywhere I have never been to are over and over again proven to be silly and untrue. Macau was heavily built as a city by the Portuguese and they definitely left their mark. All the street signs are in both Chinese calligraphy and Portuguese so for us there is absolutely no understanding of anything. And I wonder to myself if the calligraphy and the Portuguese translate out to the same thing, or if the two cultures have their own separate names for all the streets.
There are plenty of ritzy, fancy casinos here. They won't let you in if you're wearing flip flops, so if you ever come here and want to check out the gambling side of the city (which is somewhat unavoidable) don't wear flips or hats. Arghh...dress codes. A good indication for me that I really don't want or need to be in the place that enforces such silliness. The funny thing about the casinos is that they are mostly Chinese games and the minuscule amount of English language here makes it all the more interesting. Some of these games, well most of them, make absolutely no sense so even if I were gambling, I would have no idea what I was doing with the money. But I must admit that the odds seem better when I have no idea what they are. Pure luck and chance makes the hooting and hollering more justified to me that way.
Hong Kong was truly amazing. Such an alive and vibrant city. So many lights with such a retro or eighties (I still don't know what "retro" is so I guess I shouldn't use that word) feel. Or better yet, it feels like the whole city is one giant Nintendo game. The original 8 bit Nintendo. Every single night at 8pm there is a light and music show. The lights are actually on the building structures. You sit on a pier on either Kowloon (the peninsula) or the Hong Kong (the island) side and watch the opposite side. It's like the buildings become transformers and light up in synchronicity with the total Nintendo soundtrack synthesized music. Lasers and neon galore. Totally fantastic.
Tomorrow we go back to Hong Kong to catch a flight to Bangkok where we will sit in the airport from about 11pm until 7am. Then we are off to Kuala Lumpur for one day. We are staying with our friends Pitt and Paulz who we met during our stay in Langkawi. And then it's back to the airport for the flight to India.
Which means that this excursion is in the wrapping up phase. Both Brent and I have purchased tickets home and I feel that it is about time. Emptying the bucket sounds like a great time to me. And I do miss my family, friends, and well my home I guess. I am so grateful that we did this whole thing with absolutely no plan. It is a complete sense of freedom to not have had choices made prior to the experience. Just being able to decide where to go whenever and however I please has been so magnificent. Learning truly that moments exist more than the future does and that what happened yesterday truly is what happened yesterday and does not dictate today. Simplicity is a blessing.
But there is still a whole lot of time in India...big smile on my face right now.
I will see you in the not too distant future.
with love, care, hugs, cute kittens, and pizza (it's been too long)
nate
Which brings me to a thought. Much of what we in the west hear or think of when we are faced with the idea about places like Southeast Asia and other "third world" countries is that they are dirty, smelly, dangerous, and other assortments of somewhat negativity's. This I have learned is not true. There are so many beautiful places that are full of charms in every tiny corner of the world regardless of where those places stand on the platform of world economy. Parks, manicured dogs, museums, walks around lakes, and adorable people of all ages are in vibrant existence all over the place.
We are now in Macau, China. This developed a couple months back while we were in Kota Baru, Malaysia after stumbling onto Air Asia's website and being faced with a 48 hour 20% off all flights, anywhere and anytime sale. Within twenty minutes we decided to fly to Hong Kong and India. Hong Kong being a short ferry ride from mainland and Macau being the Las Vegas of China, we chose to hop over. Macau is a very strange place. It feels more like being somewhere in Europe rather than China. Except for the fact that English is not spoken here anywhere. Finding vegetarian food has proved to be more difficult than I ever imagined it would be in a place like China. But I tend to find that expectations about anywhere I have never been to are over and over again proven to be silly and untrue. Macau was heavily built as a city by the Portuguese and they definitely left their mark. All the street signs are in both Chinese calligraphy and Portuguese so for us there is absolutely no understanding of anything. And I wonder to myself if the calligraphy and the Portuguese translate out to the same thing, or if the two cultures have their own separate names for all the streets.
There are plenty of ritzy, fancy casinos here. They won't let you in if you're wearing flip flops, so if you ever come here and want to check out the gambling side of the city (which is somewhat unavoidable) don't wear flips or hats. Arghh...dress codes. A good indication for me that I really don't want or need to be in the place that enforces such silliness. The funny thing about the casinos is that they are mostly Chinese games and the minuscule amount of English language here makes it all the more interesting. Some of these games, well most of them, make absolutely no sense so even if I were gambling, I would have no idea what I was doing with the money. But I must admit that the odds seem better when I have no idea what they are. Pure luck and chance makes the hooting and hollering more justified to me that way.
Hong Kong was truly amazing. Such an alive and vibrant city. So many lights with such a retro or eighties (I still don't know what "retro" is so I guess I shouldn't use that word) feel. Or better yet, it feels like the whole city is one giant Nintendo game. The original 8 bit Nintendo. Every single night at 8pm there is a light and music show. The lights are actually on the building structures. You sit on a pier on either Kowloon (the peninsula) or the Hong Kong (the island) side and watch the opposite side. It's like the buildings become transformers and light up in synchronicity with the total Nintendo soundtrack synthesized music. Lasers and neon galore. Totally fantastic.
Tomorrow we go back to Hong Kong to catch a flight to Bangkok where we will sit in the airport from about 11pm until 7am. Then we are off to Kuala Lumpur for one day. We are staying with our friends Pitt and Paulz who we met during our stay in Langkawi. And then it's back to the airport for the flight to India.
Which means that this excursion is in the wrapping up phase. Both Brent and I have purchased tickets home and I feel that it is about time. Emptying the bucket sounds like a great time to me. And I do miss my family, friends, and well my home I guess. I am so grateful that we did this whole thing with absolutely no plan. It is a complete sense of freedom to not have had choices made prior to the experience. Just being able to decide where to go whenever and however I please has been so magnificent. Learning truly that moments exist more than the future does and that what happened yesterday truly is what happened yesterday and does not dictate today. Simplicity is a blessing.
But there is still a whole lot of time in India...big smile on my face right now.
I will see you in the not too distant future.
with love, care, hugs, cute kittens, and pizza (it's been too long)
nate
Sunday, March 29, 2009
well...
...so yes, it has been quite a while since I have written anything. I suppose that the lot of you are also reading Brent's blog titled We Peregrinate. Supposing this, I trust that the rough idea of what we have been up to is known.
So last I left off, I was surfing in Pangandaran in Java, Indonesia. Surfing is incredible and so is snorkeling. The ocean is a universe in and of itself that I feel a deep connection, respect, and adoration of. In the next life, I want to be a part of that universe.
Travelling has been most incredible for me. The ups, downs, and in betweens which there are all plenty of have been a constant reminder, as well as a hammering of the nail of the truth that at every moment I have the conscious responsibility and ability to make the best choice possible as how I am experiencing that particular moment. At times, being a strange face in a most foreign land can be quite confusing. Especially when it comes down to a matter of trusting your own heart and instinct as well as the heart and motivation of those surrounding you. Throw into that pot the fact that at times there is no way of vocally understanding one another and the concept of trust becomes just that, a concept or idea, while slowly the feeling of trusting yourself and others becomes a reality that endures practice, patience, and acceptance. Of course there are mistakes that come along the way. But isn't that just life?
This is a beautiful world with many assortments of fruits to offer. I feel very lucky to be involved with such an experience as this is turning out to be. Every moment of everyday is something worth everything for each and every one of us. Though this realization doesn't necessarily take venturing to the other side of the world to come to pass, I am happy to be learning the precious gift that life is.
Love to all,
nate
So last I left off, I was surfing in Pangandaran in Java, Indonesia. Surfing is incredible and so is snorkeling. The ocean is a universe in and of itself that I feel a deep connection, respect, and adoration of. In the next life, I want to be a part of that universe.
Travelling has been most incredible for me. The ups, downs, and in betweens which there are all plenty of have been a constant reminder, as well as a hammering of the nail of the truth that at every moment I have the conscious responsibility and ability to make the best choice possible as how I am experiencing that particular moment. At times, being a strange face in a most foreign land can be quite confusing. Especially when it comes down to a matter of trusting your own heart and instinct as well as the heart and motivation of those surrounding you. Throw into that pot the fact that at times there is no way of vocally understanding one another and the concept of trust becomes just that, a concept or idea, while slowly the feeling of trusting yourself and others becomes a reality that endures practice, patience, and acceptance. Of course there are mistakes that come along the way. But isn't that just life?
This is a beautiful world with many assortments of fruits to offer. I feel very lucky to be involved with such an experience as this is turning out to be. Every moment of everyday is something worth everything for each and every one of us. Though this realization doesn't necessarily take venturing to the other side of the world to come to pass, I am happy to be learning the precious gift that life is.
Love to all,
nate
Saturday, January 24, 2009
I surf...
...for real. Ever since I was a youngster and saw Point Break, surfing has been something that I always wanted to do. After being in Jakarta and Bandung for a total of three days, Brent and I hauled it out of those packed, polluted, and totally boring cities. We found ourselves in a small beach village in a bay on the southern coast of Java called Pangandaran. After a very packed six hour bus ride that we literally had to run and jump onto. It took me about a week to be able to pronounce/remember the name of the place. After seeing the beach and the waves the first night we arrived, I said to Brent "Those waves look surfable." To which he replied "Those waves are definitely surfable." Two days later I met a man named Full Moon (for real) at 10:00am for my first ever surf lesson. Full Moon, aside from being a very good teacher and nice guy, is a total and complete surfer bra'. He IS the Indonesian version of Bodhi (Patrick Swayze's character) from Point Break. Minus the bank thievery part of course.
Everyday since then I have been surfing. And getting better all the time. Surfing is very difficult. Gaging when and which wave to catch, predicting when the wave is going to break, getting the feel of when the board is moving sufficiently enough to stop paddling and stand, the rashes and scrapes that come in the first few days, and added on top of that is how incredible of a workout it is. Even just paddling out far enough to where the waves are. I started out on a long board which is a heavier board meaning that it moves slower thus making it easier to stand and maneuver. Then I switched to a short board, which is pretty much like starting from square one. Shorter boards are made of fiber glass, are slippery, and weigh almost nothing. Which makes it possible to catch waves on the slope before the break, turn quick and swiftly, and maneuver yourself easier because you do not want to be stuck underneath the barrel when it comes crashing down on you. Even that though is fun. It is truly an exhilarating experience to be thrown around by a huge wave. You come up out of the water after being flipped and turned every which way without any idea of which direction you're facing, where your board is, or if in the crashing you've lost your shorts. It is a humbling journey to be at the crux of something as large as nature. Of which all control has vanished. But all in all, surfing is something that I have set out to do for a long time now. And I can truly say that I do it. The first wave I caught (which was probably about 12 inches high), I felt like Bill Murray in What About Bob when he is tied to the sail of the sailboat screaming "Iii'mmm Saiiiling". Truly a magnificent experience.
That's all I got right now. Travelling is amazing. The places, the people, the smells, and the life in general. This world is truly remarkable.
Brent and I have parted for a short time. He is travelling east towards Bali (where we will be meeting soon to catch a flight back to Kuala Lumpur), doing awesome things like looking at incredibly old and beautiful temples larger than one could imagine, volcanoes, probably taking some wonderful hikes, and witnessing some outrages landscapes. I decided to stay in Pangandaran to surf as much as possible. I actually went out with the locals today. Sort of felt like a child again being taken along by my older brothers to do something cooler than I ever could have imagined. And I surfed very well...proving myself to the initiation of the surfing brotherhood.
hope you are all well and smiling
nate
Everyday since then I have been surfing. And getting better all the time. Surfing is very difficult. Gaging when and which wave to catch, predicting when the wave is going to break, getting the feel of when the board is moving sufficiently enough to stop paddling and stand, the rashes and scrapes that come in the first few days, and added on top of that is how incredible of a workout it is. Even just paddling out far enough to where the waves are. I started out on a long board which is a heavier board meaning that it moves slower thus making it easier to stand and maneuver. Then I switched to a short board, which is pretty much like starting from square one. Shorter boards are made of fiber glass, are slippery, and weigh almost nothing. Which makes it possible to catch waves on the slope before the break, turn quick and swiftly, and maneuver yourself easier because you do not want to be stuck underneath the barrel when it comes crashing down on you. Even that though is fun. It is truly an exhilarating experience to be thrown around by a huge wave. You come up out of the water after being flipped and turned every which way without any idea of which direction you're facing, where your board is, or if in the crashing you've lost your shorts. It is a humbling journey to be at the crux of something as large as nature. Of which all control has vanished. But all in all, surfing is something that I have set out to do for a long time now. And I can truly say that I do it. The first wave I caught (which was probably about 12 inches high), I felt like Bill Murray in What About Bob when he is tied to the sail of the sailboat screaming "Iii'mmm Saiiiling". Truly a magnificent experience.
That's all I got right now. Travelling is amazing. The places, the people, the smells, and the life in general. This world is truly remarkable.
Brent and I have parted for a short time. He is travelling east towards Bali (where we will be meeting soon to catch a flight back to Kuala Lumpur), doing awesome things like looking at incredibly old and beautiful temples larger than one could imagine, volcanoes, probably taking some wonderful hikes, and witnessing some outrages landscapes. I decided to stay in Pangandaran to surf as much as possible. I actually went out with the locals today. Sort of felt like a child again being taken along by my older brothers to do something cooler than I ever could have imagined. And I surfed very well...proving myself to the initiation of the surfing brotherhood.
hope you are all well and smiling
nate
Friday, January 9, 2009
sex shops...
...are all over the place in Singapore. Literally, it seems as though there was one on every block. Which is kind of odd considering that it is against the law to spit or chew gum in public. Singapore is a land of a booming economy, which renders it the means to be a very expensive place to be in. After traveling for so long in places where money is not such a dominating factor to the atmosphere of the area, it was kind of strange to be in such a place. It was very clean as well which is something that has not too often been the case. After talking to some local friends that we made on our last night there (we only stayed for two days), we learned that the people in Singapore are generally living in oppression. Singapore, in my opinion much like the U.S., is one of those places in which the government of the country wants it to appear to be such a good place to be. Clean, drug and violence free, and with enough shopping malls to give the Mall of America and Times Square a run for their money. While the people who make the interior of the country are repressed and ruled with a very strict hand. It's not that Singapore is without the crime and drugs that are a part of any large city. It's that the government deems it necessary to punish these crimes with outlandishly harsh consequences. Leaving the people in Singapore scared to live, and giving the tourist's who want to spend the money that it cost's to be there the illusion of a place that might not truly be. But all in all, it was a nice place and really, what society exists these days (or any days since the introduction of governments and laws) without oppression?
We hooked up with a guy named Star on the bus from Melaka to Singapore. He is a guy from Holland and pretty cool. Minus the fact that he is a know it all and will argue any point no matter what it is. We were in Chinatown talking to a guy who lived in Cambodia. The man was telling Brent and I that Cambodia was a very nice and cheap place to visit. Being that he lives there, this is something that I would not question, but Star was very quick to disagree with him and tell him that in fact no, Cambodia was quite expensive. "I was there so I know". It was another quite embaressing moment that Brent and I felt when being around Star. The man simply ignored him and continued his conversation with us. Being around a person like Star, who was pretty cool to us and other travellers but truly an arsehole to local people, it made me appreciate travelling with Brent all over again. We are, I guess in our hearts, truly and completely grateful to all the local people that we meet. And interested in them on deeper level than being served and helped. We don't expect to have everything made to be perfect for us. And we are never demanding or full of complaints when things may not be going the way we want or expect them to be. And we are willing to put in effort to work with them as well. Just eating with Star once and hearing him request discounts and complain that the food wasn't spicy enough, then seeing the smiles that usually seem to come so naturally from all the people that I've met so far completely disappear...it was depressing. Mind you, Star has been all over the place, so he has experience in travelling. I felt relieved that Brent and myself don't leave impressions like that on the people we interact with. But, some people who travel are just that way. Meeting them is just as much part of the experience as anything else so I was grateful to make his aquantance.
After Singapore for a couple days, we took a ferry to Batam. Which was our passover to Indonesia. And then a flight to Jakarta. Jakarta is a city with a population of 12 million people. Brent and I walked about ten miles of the city yesterday and concluded that there isn't much going on here except traffic and air that is hard to breathe. We are staying in a room that has too many mosquitoes in it. Probably going to be leaving today to go to Bandung. We came to Indonesia without a travellers guide so we are at the whim of doing more talking with people that live here to find our way. I am pretty sure that we are to find the train station at some point today and head out. Jakarta may not be the city in Indonesia that we are looking for, but holy shit...it cost's next to nothing to be here. One U.S. dollar gets you 10,500 Indonesian Rupees. Food costs about RP12,000-15,000. Our room cost's RP60,000. Apples and oranges cost RP2,500. I am finally a millionare!!!!! It is about 7am here and I have had trouble sleeping the past couple nights due to mosquitoes and bed bugs. But, I hope this finds everyone well and I hope that everyone can find the comfort in petting an animal, or getting a hug from someone soon.
word to yo muthas
nate
We hooked up with a guy named Star on the bus from Melaka to Singapore. He is a guy from Holland and pretty cool. Minus the fact that he is a know it all and will argue any point no matter what it is. We were in Chinatown talking to a guy who lived in Cambodia. The man was telling Brent and I that Cambodia was a very nice and cheap place to visit. Being that he lives there, this is something that I would not question, but Star was very quick to disagree with him and tell him that in fact no, Cambodia was quite expensive. "I was there so I know". It was another quite embaressing moment that Brent and I felt when being around Star. The man simply ignored him and continued his conversation with us. Being around a person like Star, who was pretty cool to us and other travellers but truly an arsehole to local people, it made me appreciate travelling with Brent all over again. We are, I guess in our hearts, truly and completely grateful to all the local people that we meet. And interested in them on deeper level than being served and helped. We don't expect to have everything made to be perfect for us. And we are never demanding or full of complaints when things may not be going the way we want or expect them to be. And we are willing to put in effort to work with them as well. Just eating with Star once and hearing him request discounts and complain that the food wasn't spicy enough, then seeing the smiles that usually seem to come so naturally from all the people that I've met so far completely disappear...it was depressing. Mind you, Star has been all over the place, so he has experience in travelling. I felt relieved that Brent and myself don't leave impressions like that on the people we interact with. But, some people who travel are just that way. Meeting them is just as much part of the experience as anything else so I was grateful to make his aquantance.
After Singapore for a couple days, we took a ferry to Batam. Which was our passover to Indonesia. And then a flight to Jakarta. Jakarta is a city with a population of 12 million people. Brent and I walked about ten miles of the city yesterday and concluded that there isn't much going on here except traffic and air that is hard to breathe. We are staying in a room that has too many mosquitoes in it. Probably going to be leaving today to go to Bandung. We came to Indonesia without a travellers guide so we are at the whim of doing more talking with people that live here to find our way. I am pretty sure that we are to find the train station at some point today and head out. Jakarta may not be the city in Indonesia that we are looking for, but holy shit...it cost's next to nothing to be here. One U.S. dollar gets you 10,500 Indonesian Rupees. Food costs about RP12,000-15,000. Our room cost's RP60,000. Apples and oranges cost RP2,500. I am finally a millionare!!!!! It is about 7am here and I have had trouble sleeping the past couple nights due to mosquitoes and bed bugs. But, I hope this finds everyone well and I hope that everyone can find the comfort in petting an animal, or getting a hug from someone soon.
word to yo muthas
nate
Friday, January 2, 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!
New Years was absolutely amazing. So after being on the island of Langkawi for far longer than we expected, we eventually started talking about Indonesia and got itchy feet. We decided to leave on the 28th on a ferry to Penang in hopes to catch a ferry the next day to Medan on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Like we have learned, it's never a good idea to get stuck on plans while travelling about.
We got to the ferry terminal in Langkawi and found that all the ferries to Penang were sold out for the next two days. We though quickly and decided to catch a ferry to Kedai which is mainland Malaysia, then catch a bus from the nearest bus station to Penang. We got to Kedai, took a taxi with some English people we met to the bus station and made it to Penang at around 7pm. The ferry to Medan from Penang only runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and since we had already spent a week on Penang we really didn't want to be there for more than one night. As soon as we started checking into getting to Medan we were told that the next day (Mon.) was a national holiday and no ferries would be running.
We weighed out our options and made a huge change in plans. We decided instead to catch a bus the next day to the capitol city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. It was probably the best choice ever. After hustling around Sunday evening into the night in Penang trying to find a bus to Kuala Lumpur that wasn't sold out, we finally found a travel agency that actually decided to run an extra bus the next morning at 9:30. We were set. And very relieved as well.
Kuala Lumpur is incredible. It is the cleanest huge city I have ever seen. The parks there are gorgeous and the people are way nicer than those in most big cities. Being on Langkawi, we met a lot of people from Kuala Lumpur including our friend Pitt who currently lives in Penang and works at a bar called The Social in Bukit Bintang which is sort of a times square type of place. We got to K.L. and got in touch with him after finding a cheap room in Chinatown at a hostel called The Wheelers, which is run by a lady boy. After getting directions to his work, we made our way there and decided during the walk that his bar was probably going to be way to fancy for us. Which it was. But shortly after we got there, Pitt started pouring the beer and let us know that it was on the house. After this went on for a bit, his co-workers started talking with us, playing cards and what not, then his co-workers started pouring us beer too. People in Malaysia are too kind. And I am being completely honest when I say that. Three or four hours later we asked Pitt if we could PLEASE tip him and he just laughed at us and said "no".
We spent the next day walking around the city. In parks, Chinatown, Little India, the busiest parts and the prettiest parts. We realized that Malaysia is a wonderful country and we are completely confused as to why nobody seems to come here when they travel Southeast Asia. I mean really, I had not heard hardly anything about the country other than it was a Muslim country. Which is maybe why a lot of Americans don't feel necessarily safe to travel here. Anyways, it's baffling.
We went up the Petronas Towers the morning of New Years Eve...mind blowing those towers are. A sight to see for sure. They get up to somewhere around 900 meters high. And they are an amazing piece of architecture. And...if you get in line at about 8am (mind you that B and I have been sleeping until around 1 or 2pm for about six weeks now) you get to go up for free.
And now comes New Years Eve. I don't know where to begin since words cannot (at least none that come to my mind) describe. We began at Merdeka Square where there was a giant stage set up. On this stage the first thing that we saw was a symphony doing a medley of "classic rock". With a drum set, bass, keys, and guitar as well in the line-up. They kicked off with Enter Sandman. By the way, if that is classic rock I am turning into an old man quicker than I thought. It was so righteous. Then there was traditional Malay and Hindu dancing, more music, a couple rad Malay hip-hop acts, and about 3000 people gathered around dancing and celebrating. We hung out there until about 10:30pm when we decided to head to The Golden Triangle (which is pretty much the heart of K.L.) to catch the party at the Petronas Towers. There were people as far as the eye could see. Literally an ocean of people gathered. All people. Everyone from the age of 1-100. Every culture and walk of life. There was a beautiful music, light, and water show. And then it happened. The countdown. The fireworks. The people screaming and laughing and jumping for joy. Absolutely, hands down, the best celebration I have ever seen.
After the towers we headed to Bukit Bingtan and that was just crazy. Silly string, closed off streets, and thousands upon thousands of people walking and singing and dancing. We ended the night at about three in the morning dancing in front of a 24 hour convenient store with about twenty other sweaty people. Getting sprayed with silly string and doused with beer. It was the perfect way to start 2009.
The next day we caught a bus to Malaka at 1pm. Which after the walk home and passing out somewhere around four or five in the morning, felt very early. Malaka is my favorite city we've been to so far. That's the thing about Malaysia...it just keeps getting better and better. Malaka is the most charming, adorable, and inviting place...EVER!!!! Chinatown is the most authentic I have seen yet and the guesthouse we are staying in is by far the most righteous as well. It's a place called Tony's right next to the river and it is full of art and awesome people. It has a funky vibe and if we didn't have a flight booked for Jakarta next Thursday I think we would stay here longer. We found this place by trusting what a person with a Rough Guide to Malaysia that we don't know wrote down. Which was nothing but a map written in ink pointing to this place that we followed on foot from the bus station. We were not at all disappointed though.
Melaka is like a Disneyland that you don't have to pay for. I feel like every morning when we wake up the whole city is going to be joined together in the street signing the same song and doing the same dance moves. Seriously. It's a place anyone would love. And the night life is good as well. It's everything that anyone would want in a city. And I am going to come back here at some point. And I am going to come back to Kuala Lumpur as well. And I am going to go back to Langkawi too. I guess that what I am saying is that Malaysia is positively a place that one who is travelling should not skip over. No matter what!
On a more important than anything else I have mentioned side note. My little sister Jessica gave birth to her first baby boy on Monday, December 29th at 10pm. Ian Michael Lee Wright. 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and healthy. My wishes to be there are so strong but I know that my nephew and I will meet soon. And when we do, I am going to teach him the pull my finger trick, how to burp, how to rock out some air guitar, and who knows whatever else my obnoxious childlike side will bring out. All I know is that my heart is with him, my sister, and the rest of my family and friends constantly.
Happy New Year!!!
nate
We got to the ferry terminal in Langkawi and found that all the ferries to Penang were sold out for the next two days. We though quickly and decided to catch a ferry to Kedai which is mainland Malaysia, then catch a bus from the nearest bus station to Penang. We got to Kedai, took a taxi with some English people we met to the bus station and made it to Penang at around 7pm. The ferry to Medan from Penang only runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and since we had already spent a week on Penang we really didn't want to be there for more than one night. As soon as we started checking into getting to Medan we were told that the next day (Mon.) was a national holiday and no ferries would be running.
We weighed out our options and made a huge change in plans. We decided instead to catch a bus the next day to the capitol city of Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. It was probably the best choice ever. After hustling around Sunday evening into the night in Penang trying to find a bus to Kuala Lumpur that wasn't sold out, we finally found a travel agency that actually decided to run an extra bus the next morning at 9:30. We were set. And very relieved as well.
Kuala Lumpur is incredible. It is the cleanest huge city I have ever seen. The parks there are gorgeous and the people are way nicer than those in most big cities. Being on Langkawi, we met a lot of people from Kuala Lumpur including our friend Pitt who currently lives in Penang and works at a bar called The Social in Bukit Bintang which is sort of a times square type of place. We got to K.L. and got in touch with him after finding a cheap room in Chinatown at a hostel called The Wheelers, which is run by a lady boy. After getting directions to his work, we made our way there and decided during the walk that his bar was probably going to be way to fancy for us. Which it was. But shortly after we got there, Pitt started pouring the beer and let us know that it was on the house. After this went on for a bit, his co-workers started talking with us, playing cards and what not, then his co-workers started pouring us beer too. People in Malaysia are too kind. And I am being completely honest when I say that. Three or four hours later we asked Pitt if we could PLEASE tip him and he just laughed at us and said "no".
We spent the next day walking around the city. In parks, Chinatown, Little India, the busiest parts and the prettiest parts. We realized that Malaysia is a wonderful country and we are completely confused as to why nobody seems to come here when they travel Southeast Asia. I mean really, I had not heard hardly anything about the country other than it was a Muslim country. Which is maybe why a lot of Americans don't feel necessarily safe to travel here. Anyways, it's baffling.
We went up the Petronas Towers the morning of New Years Eve...mind blowing those towers are. A sight to see for sure. They get up to somewhere around 900 meters high. And they are an amazing piece of architecture. And...if you get in line at about 8am (mind you that B and I have been sleeping until around 1 or 2pm for about six weeks now) you get to go up for free.
And now comes New Years Eve. I don't know where to begin since words cannot (at least none that come to my mind) describe. We began at Merdeka Square where there was a giant stage set up. On this stage the first thing that we saw was a symphony doing a medley of "classic rock". With a drum set, bass, keys, and guitar as well in the line-up. They kicked off with Enter Sandman. By the way, if that is classic rock I am turning into an old man quicker than I thought. It was so righteous. Then there was traditional Malay and Hindu dancing, more music, a couple rad Malay hip-hop acts, and about 3000 people gathered around dancing and celebrating. We hung out there until about 10:30pm when we decided to head to The Golden Triangle (which is pretty much the heart of K.L.) to catch the party at the Petronas Towers. There were people as far as the eye could see. Literally an ocean of people gathered. All people. Everyone from the age of 1-100. Every culture and walk of life. There was a beautiful music, light, and water show. And then it happened. The countdown. The fireworks. The people screaming and laughing and jumping for joy. Absolutely, hands down, the best celebration I have ever seen.
After the towers we headed to Bukit Bingtan and that was just crazy. Silly string, closed off streets, and thousands upon thousands of people walking and singing and dancing. We ended the night at about three in the morning dancing in front of a 24 hour convenient store with about twenty other sweaty people. Getting sprayed with silly string and doused with beer. It was the perfect way to start 2009.
The next day we caught a bus to Malaka at 1pm. Which after the walk home and passing out somewhere around four or five in the morning, felt very early. Malaka is my favorite city we've been to so far. That's the thing about Malaysia...it just keeps getting better and better. Malaka is the most charming, adorable, and inviting place...EVER!!!! Chinatown is the most authentic I have seen yet and the guesthouse we are staying in is by far the most righteous as well. It's a place called Tony's right next to the river and it is full of art and awesome people. It has a funky vibe and if we didn't have a flight booked for Jakarta next Thursday I think we would stay here longer. We found this place by trusting what a person with a Rough Guide to Malaysia that we don't know wrote down. Which was nothing but a map written in ink pointing to this place that we followed on foot from the bus station. We were not at all disappointed though.
Melaka is like a Disneyland that you don't have to pay for. I feel like every morning when we wake up the whole city is going to be joined together in the street signing the same song and doing the same dance moves. Seriously. It's a place anyone would love. And the night life is good as well. It's everything that anyone would want in a city. And I am going to come back here at some point. And I am going to come back to Kuala Lumpur as well. And I am going to go back to Langkawi too. I guess that what I am saying is that Malaysia is positively a place that one who is travelling should not skip over. No matter what!
On a more important than anything else I have mentioned side note. My little sister Jessica gave birth to her first baby boy on Monday, December 29th at 10pm. Ian Michael Lee Wright. 6 pounds, 10 ounces, and healthy. My wishes to be there are so strong but I know that my nephew and I will meet soon. And when we do, I am going to teach him the pull my finger trick, how to burp, how to rock out some air guitar, and who knows whatever else my obnoxious childlike side will bring out. All I know is that my heart is with him, my sister, and the rest of my family and friends constantly.
Happy New Year!!!
nate
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