I would like to dedicate this final blog entry to my friends, without whom, I could never discover the inspiration and love for traveling.
It has been a whirlwind five weeks vagabond in Cambodia and Vietnam. I would not trade the experience for all the riches in the world. I would do it again without any reservation. I am elated to have the opportunity to traverse between towns on the other side of the world. Along the way, for better or for worse, I appreciated the delicious dishes and bonded with new friends who taught me new endearing lessons about life and about myself.
I find saying good-bye to my friends is always most disagreeable to me. I dedicate these last few words for the special ones who cared so much for me. I will never be able to repay back the generosities showered upon me. I thank them and I am always yearning about when we will meet again.
Tek is my loyal, childhood friend who is currently living in Phnom Peng, Cambodia. We are enjoying breakfast before I head into the wild for a few days.
David and Dr. Chuong, whose beauty rivals Helen of Troy, have made my travel as close to perfection possible. May you both discover the lifetime bliss in the ‘I do’ you commit to each other this March and may it last longer than time.
Boys attending Buddhist Service. Lads, you are perfect the way you are.
The Babysitter.
The Lottery Ticket Seller.
Hung, the Honda Om operator in Phu Quoc.
Thuy and Van in Da Lat.
Father and Son, band duo on the tour boat in Nha Trang.
Son, the Honda Om operator in Da Nang.
Thao and Chinh, Physician and Samsung Engineer in Ba Na Hills. I had a wonderful dialogue with these two wonderful lovelies. We discussed politics and I was quite politically disagreeable. At the end of the conversation, Thao made a confession that I found profoundly surprising. She is a Communist Party Member AND she agreed with all the factual concerns I had, especially about the point where the riches are indescribably rich and poor are gripping poor. Thao is a Physician and Chinh is a Samsung Engineer,
Dried Shrimp Merchant in Ho Chi Minh City. I bought many kilos to take home.
Dried fish Merchant in Ho Chi Minh City. He speaks beautiful Cambodian and he lost seven siblings due to the Khmer Rouge Holocaust purge. He was so traumatized that he never wanted to return to Cambodia. He never found his siblings remains. I bought so much dried fish from him and brought home to Sacramento.
Korean Family who made my lunch possible.
Verae amicitiae sempiternae sunt – True friendships are eternal.
Wow, Daravuth thanks for sharing all your travels with me! It was great hearing the stories and sharing the pictures. It made my day every morning to see your great and humble adventures. Now, it makes me want to go do those same type of travels one day. Take care bro! Hope to see you back home safe soon!
Jose, I wish you could be there so we can paint the towns red together, bro!
Daravuth…I’m just now reading your blog and realized I must now start at the beginning and not the end. Your goodbye sentiments and pictures are heart warming.
Irma, you missed a great Vagabond Journey!