Passports and Places

As I sit in the middle of Kuala Lumpur’s airport, I’m watching the many different shades of faces walking past me. I’m halfway through my eleven-hour layover and realizing in this moment that these are my final hours in Asia. For a while…

The differences between the people in this Malaysian airport and those individuals in Thailand are vast and that’s understandable, but I can’t help but feel a longing pain in my heart for those I’ve left behind in Chiang Mai. Not just the people, but the places, the culture and the memories.

The last few months working at Spicythai have made me the happiest that I can ever remember feeling. I know that I’ll be back soon enough, but I can’t help but worry that nothing will ever live up to the amazing experiences that I was able to take part in there. The last week of November was filled with activities and events celebrating Loi Krathong - an annual festival celebrated in Thailand, especially in Chiang Mai. The celebrations have a few different meanings, but the one that I’ve adopted as my most important is that of letting go. Just like the Thai people let go of the fire balloons into the sky and the river lanterns into the water, I am letting go of this phase of my life.

Onwards and upwards to the land of Australia once again. It’s time to find a stable paycheck and become responsible for my actions, behavior and financial well-being.

I guess it’s time to become an adult? Nah. If I’ve learned anything working at a hostel and constantly meeting new characters, it’s that age doesn’t mean anything and just because I’m turning 24 next month doesn’t mean that I have to start to settle. I just have to figure out what I want!

To take from my earlier Facebook status:

Currently en route to Australia on my very long layover in KL… Beyond sad to say goodbye to my favorite city in the world, but so thankful for those who have made the last six months in Chiang Mai my happiest. To everyone involved with Loop Abroad, my fellow travelers and backpackers that I have met along the way and, most of all, my Spicy family: I love you beyond what words can describe. Some of you I know I will see again soon, but I hope that all our of paths cross at some point in the future. Thank you for making my time in Northern Thailand so unbelievably special.

Also thank you to any of you following along with my adventures. I hope that someday you have experiences just as meaningful to you!