Hi

I arrived in Hue yesterday afternoon after four insane nights in Hoi An that I dare not recount on the web. The only thing that I can say to best describe the events, sights and sounds is 'insanity'.

At current I do not feel like telling a story or describing the places where I've been recently. This is merely to serve as an update and the longer I spend in front of the computer, the more I prolong my inevitable lounging at the Bia 33 stands where to my benefit, no 'whitey' goes.

Update: I have 11 days left before my flight to San Francisco where quite a trial awaits me ... readjusting to a life that I once found familiar. Believe me, I am looking forward to more consitency in my life outside of bus rides and alcohol consumption, but as soon as I step on that plane, this chapter of my life is over. Bittersweet.

As for now though, I have one more night in Hue and tomorrow I catch a nightbus to Nim Binh(sp?), a place that has been described to me as Halong Bay with rice paddies. After motorbiking there for the day I'll catch the last local bus to Hanoi and start figuring out my schedule for my last few days in Vietnam before I head back to the BKK on the 3rd for a bit of shopping and luckily, a reunion with the one, the only, Hawaiin Ryan. Lastly, at 1:30 PM (local time) on the 5th I will be leaving on a jet plane to my favorite city by the bay where, as I said earlier, another journey awaits me.

The Vang

Vang Vieng can best be described in one word: unreal. It is, to the best of my knowledge, the town of all towns in Lao (intentionally no 's') in that it is the biggest and has the most tourism. Located right along the Nam Song river lined with those limestone cliffs that I remember seeing on the discovery channel, the main activity is tubing down the chocolate river. Sure it sounds nice and relaxing and I guess it would be should I not have decided to stop off at the numerous bars along the way where buckets and beerlao never stop flowing and makeshift rope swings allow drunken farang to fly ... although despite my flapping while mid-air I still plummeted down into the river below.

Needless to say, insanity ensued 6 nights in a row. Four solid days of tubing shenanigans, motorbiking, a few sleepless nights and kayaking down to Vientiane has left my body bruised and broken and my mind struggling to retain the surreal imagery.

A shoutout to the crew:

I've said it before but I'll say it again, you guys are amazing. Jon, brother, sad to have you gone but we'll be enjoying carne asada in no time back in the states (rosco's even???)

Amy, Emma and mama Tina, good looking out and thanks for the well needed mojo boost ... stoked to be traveling with you guys. 'Shooter' and Lisa, I'm glad I rolled up on my sweet ride in Luang Prabang and that we were able to share the craziness of Vang Vieng together. And lastly, my Swedes, well ... you already know.

Much love to you all, much love.

Happy Birthday Taraneh

I wrote this a while ago but today is your 26th birthday and you're still hurting. So this is for you sister. I love you ... don't ever forget it.

when i take a look back
i remember a lot
though i can never recall
all the reasons we fought
we would just yell
run round and round
especially on our trips
that led us far from this town

and i still can't believe
you went out on your own
we hardly talk
even when you're on the phone
i ask how its going
you say its the same
even when i come visit
you make me feel sorry i came

but i'm sorry for leaving you
i feel like i failed
and i'm building a sign
that reads "brother for sale"
because i know you could use one
someone who knows
when to step in
and when to let things go

i wish i were older
i'd be a little bit better
we could make a stand
if we just stand together
but we were never close
we always did our own thing
we never resembled
a confident team

and now little by little
i'm losing my words
and the more i write
the more my eyes blur
i'm sorry sister
the check's in the mail
while i'm up on a shelf
that reads "brother for sale"