A Year of Being Homeless

Koh Mak, Thailand (Wed. 12.21.06)

Maybe even more momentous than our last day at work was this day, 2005. It was late morning by the time we turned off the lights and locked the door of 199 Valmar for the last time. It was not without some sadness that we pulled out of the driveway and headed South, though the larger sentiment was one of relief at finally GETTING out, and still greater, the exhilaration of all the countries + adventures that lay ahead.

I sit and write this now, toes in the sand, gazing out at the clear, turquoise Gulf of Thailand. We dragged ourselves out of bed this morning while it was still dark, palms silhouetted against a backdrop of stars that were quickly fading to light. We headed to the island monastery overlooking the eastern shore and watched the brilliant red orb of the sun ascend, casting it's rose-tinted blush on the face of a walking Buddha. That serene smile is now not too dissimilar from my own. A year on the road, and certainly a week at a little-developed beach have worked their magic to de-stress me. Do we look relaxed or what?! We've got several viable scenarios for work here now bouncing around in our heads and the weather is fine.

But what about this past year? What are the things that have impressed themselves upon me?

Most certainly our winter drive across the American Southwest - Crawling out of our frost-sealed truck to make hot Peet's coffee while we watched the sun rise over Monument Valley; Parking in the middle of nowhere off a two-lane highway and making a tasty dinner on a two-burner stove while snow fell down and we alternately warmed ourselves in the cab with heater cranking + a tasty glass of zin; Warm welcomes into the homes of friends + family... Then there was Europe - Mind blowing architectural masterpieces of Gaudi, Calatrava + the Moors; The MUST experience it to believe it "Las Fallas" festival in Valencia; Biking through tulip fields in Holland; Parisian breads, cheeses, croissants + wine; Home-cooked dinners + chatting for hours with good friends now living abroad + others that came to visit. India - The colors; The chaos; The evening puja in Haridwar; The awe I felt in such an ancient + holy place as Tabo Monastery; Gazing down a river valley from my precarious perch at Dangkar Monastery by the light of the full moon; My solo sojourn in Ladakh, gazing at the fantastic Buddhas in Likir, Alchi + Basgo; Cruising around Nageen Lake in a shikara past floating gardens; Burningman in Varanasi. Getting my eyes fixed! Nepal's gift of the Annapurna Circuit will forever remain one of the most amazing experiences of my life. And that's not even it!

There are so many moments I would neither change nor relinquish, so I find it impossible to distill the year down to a "Top 5". This coming year will certainly feel like a different chapter with the inevitability of work. We're ready and excited for it though. It's going to be a whole new kind of adventure... May I hope to face it still with this serenity.

As the calendar New Year is approaching too, I'm wishing you all the best in the coming year and a little serenity of your own. Keep sending your updates from the home front as well. It means so much to stay connected halfway 'round the globe :)

Here's a "link" to current photos