Chang chang

Over the course of a few days on the island of Koh Chang, I basked in the heat of sun surrounded by beautiful friends and cool ocean breeze. The laid back atmosphere of the island was infectious, causing me drag myself along in a happy lazy state.
Probably one of the best parts about being caught on the island of Koh Chang was all the scooter riding we did. Cheap, speedy scooters were rented for twenty four hours and believe me, almost every hour was spent on the scooters. Koh Chang's natural beauty is breathtaking. From the monkey and elephant inhabited jungle, to the amazing sea cliff scenic views. Pretty cheap accommodations and great specials on drinks, was the perfect way to live for a bunch of college kids. I mean seven dollars a night for a beach front bungalow!! I had a truly wonderful time with new and old friends. Though I won't get Ito too much detail, one night in particular we all had a thrilling time. Dancing to the sounds of an eclectic array of music, howling at the moon and being dressed up in full showgirl costumes by a lady boy...like I said I won't get into too much detail. It amazes me how easy and accessible it is to island hope through Thailand, believe me it's addicting. Though currently I'm writing this as I await my flight to Bali, this should be a nice time.

Only a Hop, Skip & Jump Away

This past weekend I made a spontaneous last minute decision to go visit one of my dearest friends in the quaint, humble yet urban town of Rotterdam, just south of Amsterdam.  I took the fast speed train over thursday evening and arrived in a speedy 2.5 hours.  Sydney met me at the train station and welcomed me with limitless amount of hugs.  It was such a warm and comforting feeling to see such a familiar face.  Being so far away from friends, family and boyfriend can catch up to you at times.  You find yourself realizing that you are constantly seeing and meeting new faces, nothing is familiar any more when your thousands and thousands of miles away from home.  Yes of course I skype my boyfriend on the regular, and have lengthy chats with my parents and friends either on the phone or skype but it's never the same.  It was great to feel myself surrounded by such a familiar presence, that feeling is inimitable.
We began our weekend off immediately.  There was no time for wasting as I only had a couple days, we immediately got home, got ready, cheers'd (probably one too many times!) and hit the town.  I let syd take control of the evening, and that she did indeed.  I met many of her friends she's grown close to since being abroad, celebrated 2 birthdays, and did everything from meet a friend for a drink, dance like crazy girls at one of Rotterdams clubs, to letting loose on the dance floor at an old metro station turned underground music bar.  I couldn't help but wake up and say "fuck that was only night 1?!"
Later the next day we shot off to Amsterdam in a quick 45 minute train ride.  We arrived at night and rode the metro after getting off the train to our accomodations for the weekend.  As we drove through this magical little town, I couldn't help but appreciate my life.  It's crazy to think that the day before I was sitting in class in Paris, and now im riding through a cute little town covered in christmas lights and florescent coffee shop signs.  The hussle and bussle of the city was hard to ignore, everyone making their way from point A to point B on their bicycles.  I instantly gravitated to this city, falling in love with the simplicity of life and laid back vibes.  The picturesque scences of Vondelpark even in the rain, the authentic art covering the sides of buildings, and the simple beauty that surrounds this town and the people in it.
The rest of the weekend was filled with an abundance of beers, great food, and tons of laughter.  It was an amazing feeling to connect with a familiar face again.  Laugh at memories of the past, and create new ones at the same time.

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Welcome to Angkor Wat, the largest Hindu temple in the world. It is the pride and joy of Cambodia, it attracts thousands of tourists. The grounds are so large and spread out a taxi "tuk-tuk" is needed to take you around. Angkor Wat was incredible, the haunting architecture to the incredible size of the trees that interweave themselves around the historic buildings. If you haven't done so yet, place Angkor Wat on your bucket list. Cambodia is a beautiful country, from the people to the setting this place is sure to put a smile on your face.

Siem Reap, Cambodia. Hariharalaya

In a state of pure exhaustion I tried my hardest to stay awake through another half hour long meditation. With a restless mind I tired my hardest to concentrate but once again my mind couldn't help but walk away from me...
Waking into a full day of silence seemed taunting and the lack of sleep took over my whole body. My first day at Hariharalaya yoga and mediation center was somewhat of a haze. Between the five mediations, the constant outdoor naps, the simple vegan foods and the absolute peace and quiet I was experiencing all felt like a lucid dream. Yet as the day came to a close my full day of silence seemed like the most rewarding day there, yes the most difficult but the quiet moments I spent with myself as I walked around through the park and sat through five mediations taught me a beautiful lesson...
During our first breakfast Joel, the creator of this magical place, read us a poem by Oriah titled the Invitaion. The last phrase of the poem became embedded with me and somewhat became the slogan for my stay in Cambodia. "I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty movements"

By the second day we were free to converse with one another and take the day with more ease. Though I still took the time to be with myself, by loosing myself in books, in listening as the world goes on and enjoying the smiles I received as we rode bikes through the countryside. It was this day that I felt the abundance of joy and appreciation for the beauty surrounding me. This day played a very significant role for me due to our last mediation. The day after silence is spent in a very lighthearted mood, with more freedom to explore and a final mediation exercise that exerts all your emotion, passion, fuel, and personality. An exercise titled the five rhythms, in which a set of music is chosen characterizing worlds such as chaos, lyrical, etc. Joel chose to create a playlist from my iPod, seeing that the the categories he was looking for we're embodied in my music. For me this was a very special experience...
What began as a slow dance to Santana's Black Magic woman, soon escalated to deep beats of Bassnecter and other deep house elctro beats until it hit the longing vocals of Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails then concluding with Instrumetals by Empire of the Sun. Being able to see these amazing people I shared the past couple of days with completely let loose to the music I find myself often listening to was truly a wonderful experience.
The few days I spent in Cambodia were some of the most rewarding moments and the perfect way for me to collect my thoughts and metal struggles. The most important lesson I learned from this experience was the meaning of home. Though I wish I could tell you word for word Joel's depiction of the home to you, I will do my best to summarize his insight.

It lays within me, there's isn't a way to miss home for home is within the body, within my soul, it dwells in my skin. The home that we constantly travel back to mentally and physically is a created concrete place, given the name ' home'. My memories are the embodiment of this structure created to fulfill the meaning of home. Though there is a home we constantly overlook, the most important home, a place we will never be without. A home that follows us day in and day out, traveling to the corners of the world. I cannot miss home, my mind, my heart they are my home. Wherever I go in the world if I am there physically or mentally then home comes along with me. For the home that truly exits and will never be replaced, and so for that reason it must be cared for, the home within us. Take care to clean the house, clean the gutters, polish the floors, wash the dishes, pick up the mess, be mindful of who you let in and if they shall cause a disturbance walk then to the door for your house is a place of peace and serenity, without negativity. This is the most sacred place we will ever be. Take care.