Five years ago today, I boarded a flight to Reykjavik with far too much stuff and a computer. From there, I went to London and then on to Thailand, Macau, Singapore, China, Cambodia, India, Dubai, Spain, France, and Italy. Later my travels would take me back to Asia and Europe, onwards to South America and Central America, and of course, to many destinations in the United States and Canada—sometimes with my computer, sometimes without.
So, I’ve gone back to Thailand. I’m going to be a beach bum. I’m 10 years late on that score (and admittedly, I will be supported by a steady freelance income). But for the next two fiscal quarters, my social life will consist of hanging out at a beach bar with mostly twenty-something English teachers, ex-pats, and their Thai friends. And I’ll probably get a decent tan.
There’s a lot of talk about safety and the solo traveller out there—but few people consider the fact that just getting on the road is one of the most dangerous things you’ll ever do when you travel, whether you’re a man or a woman, on your own or in a group. And sometimes the safest thing to do on any road is to go with the flow—even if the flow makes your head spin!
It’s been one week since I left India. While travelling in India was difficult, my last few weeks were great, with pleasant stays in Darjeeling and Udaipur, and the wonderful Jaipur Literature Festival. As my time ran out I started to lament my departure. I even started scheming about coming back next year. And so, while most of my draft blog posts have to wait until I’m finished my Spanish course, I thought I would share the “just look, no buy” version of my India experience:
When the Jet Airways flight to Bagdogra was cancelled, and my own Air India flight was delayed, I didn’t have high hopes that I’d be enjoying dinner in the charming colonial dining room of the Windamere Hotel in Darjeeling. No big deal, I’m not in a rush, I can adapt.
Of course, what I didn’t anticipate (which, thinking back, I really should have) was what a disaster a flight cancellation might be for the uninitiated and linguistically impaired in an Indian airport.
