Appreciation

Here's a task for you, the next time you go travelling: WALK

I don't mean walk around the mall, the market, the grocery store. I don't mean walking a couple blocks to the bus station. When I say walk - I mean walk. You have no idea how much walking can really increase your appreciation for a country, for a city. I used to complain about Nakhon Phanom; it's small, there's literally nothing to do except eat, everyone stares and there are NO other falangs. Now I love it, I'm proud of Nakhon Phanom, I can't imagine living in a city that's different.

Yesterday I went on an adventure - I walked to the market from my house, and if you knew the distance, you would understand what a mission that was. I went by myself, with my new ipod [thanks to my wonderful family back home] in my ear, walking shoes on my feet, and nothing on my person except my camera memory chip and a couple of bills in my pocket.

It was wonderful.

Thailand always smells like something - it isn't always the best of smells, but it always HAS a smell, it always HAS a noise - there is always something going on; whether it be motorbikes driving past or dogs running across the street. There is always something moving; whether it's the trees blowing in the soft wind or birds flying across the clear blue sky. I never noticed half of this... until I took the time to walk.

"Where the sky is deep and blue, won't you take me there with you"