A Monkey and Her Backpack: a year in review (Part 1)

It's hard to believe I left the United States 1 year ago. And 13 months ago I left my home for the great unknown. I've met so many new people, experienced so much, and continue to be in awe of this adventure I call my life. I wanted to do a review of my travels so far as much of my blog as holes in it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did experiencing it.

On August 15th 2014, I left Rochester, NY with the boxes containing all that remained of my belongings, my Burning Man bag, and my backpack that would be traveling with me for the foreseeable future.  It was terrifying, thrilling, and daring.  I was literally leaving everything I knew behind to discover answers to questions I didn’t even realize I wanted to ask.  

bonfire at my going away party

I stopped for a night in Ohio with my good friend Grafton and we danced the night away. In Wisconsin, I spent my few remaining days with my parents, nephews, and one of my brothers, not knowing when next we'd see each other. I also made it in time for my high school friend's wedding, fulfilling a promise I'd made one year ago.

friends for more than a decade!!

From there, I traveled to Reno for Burning Man. How could I miss the chance to go Home one last time (until I come back for a visit of course!)? This burn was filled with as many hellos as it was with goodbyes. I expanded my family, fell in love, and learned to release from my Martha-Monkey tendencies and be present in the moment.

night the Man burned

 

this is why they call me Dome Monkey

Next stop was San Francisco and staying with two fantastic friends, Poppy and Maurice.  I couldn't have spent my decompression days and getting ready for Thailand with two better people.  Playing music under a bridge, sake tastings, beaches and kayaking with porpoises, seeing the Golden Gate bridge at night, quarter machines, and good beer.  Thank you for giving me crash space and such loving company.  I love you two!!!  Lovelovelovelovelove!!!!

Golden Gate bridge

the Trio!!!

brief detour to OR

my last sunset in the US

I flew into Bangkok on September 16th with no clear idea of where I was headed.  I spent a few days just taking it all in.  I ate food so spicy I cried, but so tasty I couldn't stop until I'd finished it.  I ate bugs, drank my first bucket (and then maybe a few more), and experienced a pingpong show.  ::shakes head with a smile::  Those were some talents I didn't even know existed.

our very first bucket (gone in about 10 seconds)

I couldn't bringing a tent and sleeping bag with me all the way to Thailand and not go camping.  Therefore, Khao Yai National Park and I had a date together.  It involved a lot of walking and the occasional waterfall when I wandered far enough.  My first time in an open jungle and I certainly had a few different moments when I wondered just what the hell I'd been thinking camping where there were free roaming elephants, boars, crocodiles, monkeys, and the occasional tiger.  And here I though my biggest fear was going to be leeches.  ::chuckle::

taking in the scenery

my first wild elephant!!  I saw him on a night safari

Continuing up the Northeastern portion of Thailand (also called Isaan), I made it to Phimai, a small little town boasting an ancient Angkor temple Prasat Hin and Sai Ngam, Thailand's oldest and largest banyan tree.  I was fascinated by how so many of the doorways lined up at Prasat Hin and this was my first experience with the ancient temples I'd only read about in books.  Sai Ngam was a quiet place (I had it all to myself as I wandered) except for the evil geese who chased me up a path.  ::grin::  My inner monkey wanted to swing among the natural walkways on the top level but I could sense the peace and sacredness of this place.

Sai Ngam

Sai Ngam, outer view

Phimai Historical Park

Next stop was Surin although I was given a bit of a surprise when the hotel listed in my backpacker's guide had closed.  ::chuckle::  I still managed to find a decent crash space.  Note to the wise, they will often charge an extra 50b to have a tv in your room.  Who honestly needs it when there's things like Prasat Hin Phanom Rung to see?  Another Angkor temple, but this one rivaled Phimai in size alone.  The walkway up the temple was perhaps the best part; it represented the bridge from the mortal realm up to the spiritual realm.

walkway to the heavens

  

During this time, I was searching on helpx.com for a volunteer opportunity to stay in Isaan; however, I wasn't having much luck.  I liked Northeastern Thailand as it wasn't a particularly popular backpacker's area and oftentimes I was the only farang around.  I had women call up their daughters for the sole reason being so I could talk to them in English.  My first train ride ended in my entire car waving and taking pictures of me as I exited the train.  I liked being off the beaten track but it didn't seem like it was meant to be.

I recieved an invitation from a friend of a friend to visit her down south if I ended up that way.  I had made tentative plans with some friends I'd made in Bangkok to meet up in Southern Thailand so I decided to head down a little early and meet this mutual friend.  Who knew it'd have such a lasting impact?

Wat Pho, housing the Reclining Buddha

Wat Pra Kaew, housing the Emerald Buddha

First I had to head back down through Bangkok and stopped at Wat Pho, a collection of Buddhist temples housing the largest reclining Buddha and also the largest collection of Buddha images in Thailand.  It also contains Wat Pra Kaew, the Emerald Buddha.  There was a Buddhist ceremony going on while I was there and I sat for some time just letting the chanting wash over me.  It felt inappropriate to take a picture with the monks and so I just took a photo to remind me of that moment.

From there, I took first overnight train down to Surat Thani and a ferry to the island of Koh Phangan.  Check out my time there on "A year in review Part 2."

**PLEASE NOTE ALL PHOTOS ARE PROPERTY OF KIRA ZEBROSKI**

OR CREDITED TO OWNER