2019

Instead of leaving, I chose to stay

 I should have left Cambodia in January, but I ended up staying all year. It took until October for me to finally visit Vietnam, albeit for about three weeks.

I loved Sapa and climbed my mountain there. I fell in love with Hanoi, which will always hold a special place in my heart. I plan to visit again, but I doubt it will have the same impact as my first experience.

My first visit to Myanmar was surprising; I thought it wouldn’t have much appeal. How wrong I was! It’s a place that offers so much, and who knows, it might be somewhere I could spend a year as well.

The pepper farm @BoTree

What can I say that will fit on this page? I will always cherish the memories of the many good people who have been part of my life, both as volunteers and visitors, as well as the farm workers and their families. Next year, I’ll be leaving, and while there are many things that could keep me here forever, it only takes one reason to change my mind.

I have met so many wonderful people and learned a great deal from them. I’ve made good friends who I hope will last a lifetime, even though some may fade over time—that’s just life.

There are a couple of special individuals who have significantly impacted my life, especially one person who helped me learn so much about myself. I hope to carry forward the lessons they taught me into next year.