Keith Chronicles
  

Volume 1

First Steps

As threatened, this is the first of a sporadic group of correspondences that will likely be a brain dump of various thoughts, experiences, challenges and perspectives (typed as fast as possible because the cyber-cafe clock is ticking). I apologize for the mass mailing format, but it is the most efficient way to communicate with everyone without re-typing the same information over and over again. The very fact that I can share my thoughts is amazing and threatening at the same time. It is very comforting to be able to share things with you, but unnerving to know that I am on the other side of the world and am still accessible.

After a chaotic get away (I guess 3 months preparation wasn't enough time) I found myself on a plane feeling a mixture of emotions ranging from relief (at finally be off) to excitement (for the unknown adventures ahead) to fear (what am I doing?) to guilt (for leaving Carrie and others behind to clean up the loose ends that can never all be tied up). I arrived in Thailand like so many other travelers, wide-eyed and clutching a Lonely Planet guide book (a priceless asset) that got me to the travelers Mecca of Khoasan road in Bangkok. But don't worry, I won't bore you with all the details. Suffice it to say that I still learning the trade of traveler. I have made my share of mistakes so far and am cautiously looking forward to many more.

No traveler wants to be a tourist. However, as one of my travel companions pointed out, if you avoid seeing something amazing just because it is popular, you are a fool. Some tourist attractions just happen to be there for you (Bridge over the River Kwai) others are Annoyingly closed when foreign dignitaries decide to visit (Bangkok Royal Palace, Red Fort in Old Delhi). However, the ones that you didn't know existed can turn out to be the most rewarding. In the Arawan National Park (Thailand) there was a fantastic string of seven water falls each a little more challenging to get too. By the time we passed the fifth fall, we had lost the trail (which we found on the way down) and climbed up the faces of last two falls. The energy rush was amazing and my friend Keno & I found ourselves laughing uncontrollably as we climbed/swam towards the goal that we had already come too far to give up on. It was an exhilarating experience of freedom and single-focused clarity.

 
Keno climbing Arawan Waterfalls
 
Most of my adventures haven't been quite that rewarding (or as daring). However, it was quite exciting when I realized that the mountain bike I rented on the island of Koh Chang didn't really have any rubber left on the brake pads. Interestingly, the plastic part of the brakes works well enough if you don't get too much speed going down hill. Koh Chang was what I really wanted out of Thailand, a chance to relax and recharge before embarking on more challenging travels. The island is beautiful but isn't as developed as many of the better-known alternatives. I rented a well-worn beachfront bungalow ($3/night) and spent eight days reading, relaxing and partaking in small adventures with newfound friends. Koh Chang had just enough people and facilities to keep me happy not too many to get on your nerves. It was a welcome break from the horns and motorbikes that constantly assault you in the cities of Asia.
 
Keith at sunset on Koh Chang (Thailand)
 
Since then, it has been traveling in fits and spurts to get to the next place that we (Carrie joined me successfully at the end of my stay in Thailand) want to be. It is an interesting new experience to realize that we have more time to spend than money when it comes to getting what we want. When our flight from Dehli to Kathmandu was canceled we could have gotten assured seats in "business class" for an extra $28 each (a no-brainer for the Keith & Carrie of old). Instead, we opted for patience, which at first looked like a poor choice as the last flight left without us. In the end, we were rewarded as we were put up in a "five-star" hotel (who rates these things? and when was the last time they saw The Centaur) and met two new friends (Adriene and Lisa from Australia) that we have been hanging out with since.
 
Carrie at sunset in New Delhi
 

Carrie and I are still getting used to traveling together (because we have different styles of traveling), but agree that it is easier (and better) to travel together. Still, I think that traveling alone in the beginning of the trip was good for me (and I imagine there will be times when we do "seperate vacations" as part of our journey). It feels really good to slow down. Even in "hard" cities like Dehli, I am learning to calm the background noise that has been a constant for as long as I can remember. The traveler lifestyle seems very healthy to me (except for a few bouts of stomach grumbling). We are getting lots of sleep, exercise and personal time for things like thinking and reading. It probably helps that I gave up coffee (which was terrible here anywhere) and have even cut beer consumption (we are working on one vice at a time).

We will be leaving Kathmandu in the morning and heading to Pokhara where we will embark on a three-week trek in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas. Who knows what we will find there or if we will even like trekking at all, but the prospect thrills me.

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