I Lost Myself in Passion

I Lost Myself in Passion

The truth about traveling alone is that you are never truly alone at all. Several people on planes and in passing have asked me "Are you traveling by yourself?" I have to stop and hesitate for a second because I forget that I am out here as a solo traveler. I have met so many genuine and strong people traveling that so quickly turn into my people. People who look after one another and go to the police department when a person from your group goes missing after a crazy night out. You endure so much greatness, face challenges and once in a lifetime experiences with these people that friendships are instant. Within 24 hours of traveling to a new location you blink your eyes and realize you've just made a whole new group of friends. Friends that understand the new you and the level of greatness you are experiencing. I've been traveling by myself for three months now. Not one day went by out here where I ever felt by myself--besides my trip from Cambodia to Loas. I lost myself in passion over these past three months in Asia. A passion to travel, teach, see, explore, and conquer the world. If you have been keeping up with me traveling is not all fun and games. I've faced a lot of challenges that really tested my ultimate strengths as an individual. As soon as I think I have had enough I create new goals and challenges for myself. These past three days I decided that I would like to take classes to get scuba dive certified. A little island off the coast of southern Thailand, Koh Tao offers the cheapest and greatest  scuba diving certification in the world. 3.5 full days of training. You start off learning the skills in the pool on the first day and then you are trained directly in the water 40-60 feet down under. Scuba diving wasn’t anything like I would expect it to be. Being a great swimmer and a previous lifeguard I thought it would be cake. Little did I know I was about to endure a snapshot of military training. Many safety procedure measures are tested directly on the bottom of the sea. Filling up my mask with water, taking out my breathing regulator, and setting up my scuba equipment where the current is so rough you can barely stand, were some to name a few. My first day, I had a panic attack when I got to the bottom. I don’t know why but the feeling of not being able to go up when I wanted to really freaked me out. I started breathing very heavily through basically a straw. I wanted to go up so desperately but my diving master would not let me. Scuba diving is all in the mind and staying calm is key. Once I told myself that my panic attack was not going to help me I was able to talk myself out of it, calm down, and breathe normally. I was really close to giving up on this one as scuba diving made me feel so uncomfortable and stressed. I’m not a quitter though and everything is in the mind. Having friends around experiencing the same training was very helpful. We all were in this together and quitting was not an option. Scuba diving is an amazing experience. Being in one with nature in their natural habitat is something not everyone gets to do. Ascending and descending into the water so far under makes you feel like you are literally flying though space. I can  now say I am officially a certified scuba diver.

The friends that I have made through out my journey are more then just people who you meet and have conversations with. Friends you meet traveling experience extremeness together. Extremeness that makes the bonds with people you meet so strong. As I lost myself in passion for traveling I also lost myself within friendships. I will forever be grateful for the time and experience that I got to share with these extraordinary human beings. Ill never be able to explain in words or pictures everything that happened in my 3 month journey in Asia. What I do have is memories and friends of the world that will constantly understand the high of traveling. I am so grateful for every person whom I met, that shared my joy, challenges, and extreme thrill with. Six hour bike rides to monkey island, swimming in the Phi Phi islands, scuba diving in Koh Tao and watching the sun rise over Angkor Wat would not have been the same without you. Whether a day, week or months the time we captured together will always stay with me. Friends, stay strong and keep traveling. Until we cross paths again, Namaste with me my friends and SO MUCH LOVE!!<3 nbsp="" p="">

How NOT to travel

How NOT  to travel

“Mom, it’s okay these two Cambodian men have me in great hands.” After a flight cancelation from Siem Reip, Cambodia to Laos my only next option was to bus it. The Cambodian airport was a newly established airport. When your flight is cancelled, there is just no one at the gates. No one to help me or speak English well enough to inform me on what was going on. I resorted to tears to get me some help around the airport… yes, of course it worked.  The next thing I know I am in some back room where they are trying to find me a new flight by pen and paper and use of cell phones..It was the most bizarre airport encounter I have ever experienced.  Still, after a restless search there were no flights. I was informed at the bus company that there was  a sleeper bus from 8am to what I thought 8 pm.. looking back at my ticket it did say 8AM- 8AM if you can do that simple calculation.  Not being the smartest traveler I didn’t realize this bus was going to be a 24 hour journey. I’m picked up from Siem Reip and enter on a van where you are arm to arm, leg to leg squeezed in. About 45 minutes later I say “excuse me, when are we switching to the sleeper bus?” “Maybe in about 7 hours,” someone replies. “WHAT?? I was supposed to be on a sleeper bus with meals and accommodations.” Laos being an unplanned adventure, I did zero research on this country. I didn’t have a book or a map and had no idea on the names or pronunciations of any of the towns. I thought okay, I will wake up and let my friends whom I am meeting from camp handle the rest. After the 7 hour journey on a squeezed in van where it was so bumpy you couldn’t even read I am dropped off in the middle of Cambodia where everyone is talking in every other language except English.. Literally it was like I was being kidnapped. If I could afford to have Obama come down in a helicopter and rescue me, it wouldn't even be possible because I there were no coordinates to even find me.  As I am sitting at this drop off point, an intelligent and kind Cambodian man informs me that only myself and another man, both in their early 30s are the only three people going to Vientiene, Laos. Most people were being dropped off more south where the ride wasn’t as far. But, Vientiene/Vang Viang was where my friends were. The Cambodian man,  Sorn Roatha, explains to me  that the bus company misinformed me that the bus would be direct from Siem Reip to Vientiene Laos. As, I am sitting in the middle of Cambodia, my two choices were to stay there for the night or to go with Sorn Roatha in a car that he arranged. “I’m calling my friend now I need to be in Vientiene by tomorrow morning so I don’t have time to stay over night here, do you want to come with my friend and I, says Roatha?” So, what do I say? "Ummm, Yes, I guess I'll go."   Wanting  to get out of my awful situation as fast a possible, I trusted this man. It’s truly amazing how when you are traveling abroad how much of your life you trust in the hands of transportation and strangers. The next thing I know I am in another van with at least 5 more Cambodian men. I continue on and we make a quick stop. As I see the faces of 6 westerners (France) my heart feels a little better. Thank gosh- white people!! Five hours later on this van, we stop. I get out with the other westerners and we are crossing boarder control on foot from Cambodia into Laos to get our visa’s—it was pretty cool. Next, back on the van and about three hours away from this 10 hour sleeper bus. Finally we arrive to REAL big busses, that I imagined from the beginning, traveling directly to my destination. Sorn Roatha, my fellow friend and I grab dinner and he helps me receive a sim card to call my mom. “Mom, I have no idea where I am and I’m scared but don’t worry these two Cambodian men are taking great  care of me.”—soothing statement for any parent, right?  “Katie, stop crying! You are going to look vulnerable and get taken advantage of if you are in tears.” My mother, so brilliant was absolutely right. As I needed the comfort, telling me to stop crying was the smartest thing she could have done in that moment. But, I was so scared. I literally laid my life  in the hands  of strangers whom I am so lucky were truly true gentlemen whom did take excellent care of me. Next thing is next and I am finally on the sleeper bus in the right direction. I take a sleeping pill as passing out was my only option after this day. I hear the bus stop and people talking in Cambodian or Lao language, I don’t know.. “The bus is broken down,” I hear. “NO, NO, NO, NO, this is not happening.” An hour later the bus is fixed as I pass out from pure exhaustion. I wake up the next morning at my destination and I get to my hostel to finally rejoice with my friends. I never got to say goodbye to Sorn Roatha for being my hero that day but I hope to find him on facebook one day to thank him.  27 hours later—I finally made it safe and sound. Laos is a hidden secret and a beautiful country completely tourist free!!!  I went tubing and motorbike riding through the Valley’s. There are hidden caves and blue lagoon’s all throughout the valley that you can only get to by bike.  I even extended my stay here as I am loving it so much. My long trek and journey was 100% worth it. I met a boy and we ran around this beautiful country on our bikes for days and tubed down the rivers all night. Laos is so chill, everywhere you eat, you lay. Tables are set up with pillows and mats so that you can lie down while waiting for your meal and after. I don’t know how I am ever going to eat in a chair again.. “Happy” shakes and eatables are in all of the restaurants and literally everyone just chills and goes tubing down the river. I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!  Moving forward, I am now on my way to South Thailand where I am going to get my scuba diving certification. Word of advice.. Never get on busses without throughly checking times and asking questions about the route. Know your country even if it’s  basic town names so that you know where you are and what is going on. Always have a map as you can not count on the internet out here. I know it sounds basic but this was a blog about how NOT to travel.
NAMaste I’m blessed to be alive and MOM I LOVE YOU!!!

How Vietnam stole my heart

“Home is where the heart is.” A quote I’ve only seen on a cheesy gift around my grandmothers house. Never in my life did I  think Vietnam would become my home. A place I want to move to and stay forever. I went from being afraid of leaving my hostel alone to flying off of a motorbike in the middle of Saigon, picking it right back up and driving  home like it was no big deal. I could not be more grateful for the experience Vietnam Australia International School has given me. My co-workers transformed into best friends. For seven weeks this small, smelly, sports equipment room where we met for meetings and breaks became my home. I already miss laying on the floor being kicked with soccer balls while completely hungover from the night before… Did I mention my friends were great? Each of us were paired with a Vietnamese co-counselor whom we worked with for the duration of camp. It gives me the chills on the international bond we formed between cultures. I was informed that the directors of the camp were hesitant on how Westerners and vietnamese were going to work together. Little did they know it was the best thing they could have done. We learned so much about each other and the teaching balance worked out perfectly. As I take off today to travel on, I am failing for words to express my experience and growth. I had  high expectations for my journey  but they were completely surpassed. I want to thank Danial Hogg, the director of the VAS summer program. Without him accepting me none of this would have been possible. Danial, you have opened my eyes into a new beginning and I think you should run for President. The bonds that have been made at summer camp between the Vietnamese and Western staff are remarkable. If only the rest of the world could catch on maybe we could stop wars, because at the end of the day we all wear Purple. As I left my mates in tears last night it is now time for my Journey to continue on. I will be spending the next five weeks traveling Asia. As I stand on the other side of the world, my heart, family, and love will always be in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. It doesn’t matter where you live it’s the people that make home. As I sit on the airplane writing, I already feel like a different person. It’s so hard to believe it is all over. The only thing getting me through it is that I know I will be back.
Tom Biet

Black teeth in the Air!

Do you remember that scene from the Titanic when Leonardo was teaching Kate Winselt how to hock up a loogie of spit? Well, basically that is what everyone in Saigon sounds like. I always wondered what was up with that until recently when I wanted to spit up my lungs too. My voice sounds like I am going through puberty and it’s constantly hurting like I am sick. For a while I thought it was from yelling at my children all day until I did some research. Vietnam has the one of the highest rates of pollution in the world.  With motor bikes being the only way of transportation and the remnants from Agent orange following the Vietnam war pollution is a major problem. Also, the whole “Go Green” phenomenon is the least of their problems right now. Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) has an accounted population of 8 million (It’s said to be closer to 10-12) and 7.8 million motorbikes on the streets,  if that puts things into perspective. Friends of mine who have been living here for a year talk about their hair falling out in clumps from the pollution. Millions of fish are wiping iup on the shore dead. Due to the Vietnam war and the effects of agent orange farmers can no longer grow anything organic. The soil is permanently ruined , forest degradation, water pollution and air pollution are a major issue. You can literally feel the pollution in your throat, skin and inside of your body. I come home and use the saying “I have to go shower Saigon off of me!” People and myself carry around baby wipes to keep their skin moderately feeling clean and to avoid breaking out. I should also mention the rate of Diabetes  in this country is on an increasing and dangerous high. Sugar here is equivalent to being ignorant to the dangers of smoking in the previous decades. The people, do not realize how much sugar they are using nor how bad it is for them.  Condensed milk, about 5 Tablespoons of it is used in an individual cup of coffee. It was good for a while until I literally felt it clogging my arteries. They pour sugar into their drinks, foods, and everything you possibly consume here. I would die for some Kale right about now. My children’s teeth are black. Mainly from the sugar, possibly the pollution in the water but also because the superstition they believe. I was told by the Vietnamese that they let the baby teeth rot otherwise they will not fall out and therefor the children will never grow adult teeth. I know,  yes it’s true. Even some of the educated and wealthy population still believes in this.  You will also see families of 4-5 on the motorbikes. The adults will be wearing helmets but never the children.. I asked multiple sources why the children, even infants, I am talking about, are never wearing helmets? I  found that it is a superstition that if they put helmets on the children it will stop their skulls from growing!! I know, this culture! The things you can only learn by living here!! The learning just never stop!! AHHH VIETNAM I LOVE YOU--- BUT PUT HELMETS ON YOUR CHILDREN!!!!

NAMaste with some Vietnamese culture for you!

Ride or Die....Literally

Ride or Die
Yesterday was one of the best days and worst days of my life. I can now officially say I have experienced what ‘ride or die’ literally means. For a month I have been afraid of riding a motorbike out on the streets of saigon where motorbikes rule cars about 100 to 1. With no traffic lights, laws or violations it looks really scary coming from an outsiders perspective. For the past two weeks I have been driving  back and forth to work so I started to feel more confident about my riding skills. Yesterday a group of friends and I decided to take a day trip along the country side about an hour away from our residence. With google maps not being that great,  it ended up turning into a six hour trip. During that time I really turned into an excellent driver. I was in such bliss just riding along with my friends with the wind in my hair. I felt like I was in a  real life video game if you could imagine. Dodging trucks, getting 10 points for every idiot crossing the road that I hit, to dust and pollution in your face causing you not to see.  For the first time I didn’t have a care in the world except for the bike and the road. That was until my near death experience. “Hey pretty girl” said a driver next to me. I ignored him as I thought he would go away. “Beautiful, come with me.” I ignored him again, and increased the speed of my bike letting my friends know this man was harassing me. The next thing I know this man whips out a samurai sword that was about two feet long with an old  wooden handle. He had it raised in the air and I thought he was going to stab it right into me on the bike. My body naturally went into a state of panic. The only thing I could think to do was to speed up and get passed him. He kept following me and following me. My friends heard me screaming, realized what was happening and surrounded me with their bikes. I probably almost crashed I was going so fast but my body was in flight or fight mode. Shortly after my friends protection he went away and we stopped. I jumped off the bike, my body numb shaking and instant tears down my face. I couldn’t breath, I was hyperventilating. Never in my life have I been so scared. Of course, the instant I felt safe on that bike I had to experience an unheard off incident. People in Vietnam are so nice and kind but like all countries there are crazy people out there. So, why the best day of my life too? I really became an expert on that bike that day, looking like a natural. I got to explore the countryside of Vietnam with my housemates/brothers. I do not know what I would of done without my roommate Sinaed there to take me out of my state of panic. “At least you have a good story for your blog now, Katie.” Yes, it’s a great story now but that was such a horrible experience. The best part, I am no longer afraid of riding anywhere in this city. Nothing can come worse then that incident. I took myself on a ride today into District 1. I put google maps on in one head phone and let the lady give me directions the whole time. (Thank you Kayleigh for the tip!!) Not to brag but I am pretty proud of my recent riding skills on the motorbike after being afraid for over a month. Never give up!!

1 month mark!!

It’s so amazing what a month of teaching and living in a foreign country can do to you. I remember the first day, I arrived, when I was too scared to even leave my house alone.  I remember getting on the back of a motorbike literally holding on to the old man missing teeth, both hands wrapped around his waist, practically groping him, in fear of my life. Now, I am riding my own bike around Saigon and showing the ropes to my new house mate. (Mate—I know.. you can blame my English and Irish friends for the new lingo). I remember my first week at school  and going home almost in tears  thinking that I was failing at teaching. I have adapted so much to the Vietnamese culture and how to teach them. I never realized that when I was quickly giving my students English names (which is a thing) that that name would remain their English name, for the rest of their school years and forthcoming. Forever there will be about fifty kids in Vietnam running around with names, named after my x-boyfriends and Disney characters. My children have just became so creative. You can see it in their work everyday. They do not just copy off of me anymore and draw American flags to represent themselves. They create their own work and it gives me the chills to see. I really take the time to  dig into their little brains and interests as much as I can. I much rather have a child come up with, turtle’s, for example,  then copy “traveling or teaching”  when teaching the core value—Passion. I can’t say it enough. I think it is so great that this school, VAS, is bringing core values and creativity into their school curriculum after many generation of teaching just  basic education.

Short and sweet this week but I have to go bring out America!!
NAMaste Hello 4th of July!!!
Miss you America and Philadelphia especially

The Charades Game

Week three! That’s a wrap! This is the first time in my life where I can say I have experienced the living versus the holiday. Saigon is literally unreal and everyday continues to be a full blown adventure. It’s the little things about this city  that gets me sometimes. Like how the dogs – I kid you not, look both ways before crossing the streets of saigon. Last night I dropped into a quick mart at 2am in the morning to have Vietnamese children congregate around me. Starting with two kids to about fifteen of them. Please just try to picture me sitting on the floor of this 7/11 type store teaching them how to give a high five and  take a selfie. This is literally my everyday.  I walk outside still and it’s I am famous for literally being the only white person in this town.  I went to order a smoothie yesterday and yes, of course, it turned into an hour production. Combining two different fruits is like asking them to make me a cake topped with 100 dollar bills. Everyday life has turned into playing the charades game as the locals do not even know the word “hello” in English. I end up taking so much time to find ways of communicating with these locals. I have to  point to what I want behind their cart, physically put the fruits into the blender and act out blend. When all was said and done my smoothie was amazing and the ladies probably wanted to kill me. There was a little left over, she was about to give it to me but I acted out “you try” to have them  taste my concoction (avocado, apple, banana, and yogurt) and everyone was saying “yum” and rubbing their tummies with smiles and laughs. I am really learning patience and to let go of some of my obsessive behaviors out here (that is besides how I like my smoothies). To be honest the language barrier can be bliss sometimes. I can’t complain about the route the uber driver is taking,  how I like my food prepared, or my nails done, because I do not know the language. You just have to take things how they are which adds a lot of  simplicity to the chaotic town.

Saigon is really starting to become home for me.  My VAS  friends have taken me in like I am one of theirs and they remind me so much of my friends from home. I have these days where I am exerting so much energy I honestly do not know where it ever is ever coming from on  4-5 hours of sleep. I thought I had a lot of energy in general but teaching 50 kids with a language and cultural barrier everyday has taken something else out of me. A dear friend of mine Tim, re-wrote the sports curriculum for me taking it back from  kickball to bounce, catch, throw. During relay races on Friday my kids were physically bouncing a ball for the first time. I know it sounds so silly but these kids did not know those three words (bounce, catch, throw) nor how to physically do it. Two weeks ago if you would of thrown a ball to them they would let it just hit them in the face. So yes, seeing my children properly bouncing a ball was very exciting. In comparison to Philadelphia the learning curve is so different. The major one is street smarts versus academics. In Vietnam, the children are strictly taught to the book. Creative thinking, imagination and again with the physical education is not touched on. Where in Philadelphia these kids come in never been read to a day in their lives but they can survive the rough streets and become the next Allen Iverson. VAS is doing a wonderful job adding this camp program. Team building activities is very difficult for these children. They struggle to be creative and create their own work. We were making journals that are meant for teaching core values. I told them to draw things that represented them. I showed them mine as an example and lets just say I now hold 30  journals with an American Flag, an airplane and a picture of the world. (AKA they just copied mine if you didn’t get it).

 Teaching creativity and critical thinking has truly been an honor these past couple of weeks. In Vietnam, individuality is not as important and valued as it is in Western parts of the world. Anything a Vietnamese does, he does out of consideration for the welfare of the family, rather than for himself alone. They even all hold the same birthday year. They celebrate their birthday on the same day, the Vietnamese new year, despite the day or month one is born.

 I understand how people live here for years and never want to leave. My European (well English now) friends crack me up. There is literally a different word for everything and I love when they mock my American accent.  They think I am such a typical American and everything I do reflects right back onto Americans (sorry guys) haha.

P.S Tim, I hope you are honored that you have been officially mentioned in my blog.

Namaste with me onto week Four!!