Red Demon King's Last Stand
Trip Start
Jun 02, 2010
1
12
20
Trip End
Jul 31, 2010
Chiang Khong, Thailand
Saturday, July 10, 2010
By forever, of course, I mean the next 18 days until I see him at Turner Field for a businessman's special, but it will undoubtedly feel like a lifetime. It's not just me who is sad, for as I laid awake on my mattress made of straw last night I was almost sure I could hear kids in the streets of Mumbai crying out over my dilemma. Surely, I thought, the favelas of Rio de Janeiro have run wet with tears, as the impending end to what has been a most excellent travel nears. I can take solace, though, in the fact that citizens in the slums of Buckhead, Georgia will soon receive their heralded son into their open, waiting arms. I trust you're wondering, "Sam, how will you hold up? Will you be alright? Do you want me to come see you?" Yes, I do want you to come see me, but with the difficulties in both timing and pricing of modern international air travel it is strikingly illogical. I will reluctantly trudge forward, as I have tentative plans to do some trekking in the province of Luang Nam Tha in Northern Laos. Laos is supposed to have the most beautiful and preserved jungles in S.E. Asia due to its inaccessibility. The area is famous for the rare Black Crested Gibbon Monkey, though I'm sure they will be depressed and hibernating high in the trees out of sight, as today they too feel my pain.
I've got no idea what I'll be doing for the next 3 weeks as I'm now traveling alone. Max left yesterday for his home in Boston. But, winging it has brought excitement the entire time since I've been here and I'm sure the next 18 days will be no exception. Laos is the epitome of a third world developing country, as tourism is even a brand new industry. I'm on the border now, staring across the Mekong River and have heard plenty of talk about broken roads, hill tribe villages, and communism--whatever that means these days. I've spent hard time on the road before, but I'm sure this will put my sanity to the test. For all the trouble of traveling in an extremely undeveloped nation, I have high hopes that the experience of being where few travelers have been will be far, far worth it. There's a two day boat trip to Luang Prabang down the river that is supposed to have some sensational scenery and I'm thinking about taking it in a few days. I have to make it back to Bangkok by the 28th. I've got plenty of time,just don't want to end up with any 20 plus hour bus rides at the last second. The motor bike trip in Thailand was the high point of the last year for me, but I'm excited for the prospect of traveling completely alone and hope to eclipse that experience soon.
As news of Teddy's departure hits the international circuit, we must apologize to Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Lebron James of the Miami Heat for stealing the spotlight of what was formerly the biggest story in news. Something tells me they'll be alright. Seriously, traveling with Teddy has been one of the highlights of my life. We met in ninth grade and I could never have expected doing anything like this together nearly 10 years later. The guy's one of my best friends and no blog can justly explain how fun and fulfilling the last 3 weeks have been. We've been to 4 countries in three weeks, met countless people, made a great new friend in Max Blanter, have seen a wonder of the world (Angkor Wat), and have passed through hundreds of miles of beautiful Northern Thai rain forest and mountain completely on our own without an aid insight. It's been an uninhibited romp through an unknown region of the world and I'd never trade this time for anything.
GO BRAVES, SAFE TRAVELS TO THEODORE, AND LOVE MY FAMILY
- SAM
