Jon
How funny was it that you suspected me, upon arrival, that I would be a party person? How surprising was it that I was in fact not, but instead someone who really wanted to experience the world and not through beer goggles? See, you cannot really label a person by their appearance (even though most people claimed I was a hippy which is also not true) until you get to know them. It was so much fun to hang out with you on the helipad – thank you so much for the invite! It made for a wonderful experience! You were also too kind to accompany me to the airport. Yes, goodbyes are hard, but nothing is ever really goodbye – it is just “until next time” for me. I have met up with people in multiple locations and will continue to do so. Who knows, I may just venture back your way eventually! Enjoy the painting I made you – as there will be many more. I recall I still owe a few people some so be happy that you were lucky enough to grab one while available! Take care my friend!
Mike
Sentosa, Universal Studios, with the rest of the crew. I didn’t include you because we have had a lot more time to bounce around Singapore together. It was great to just take some relaxing days, riding the train to nowhere, looking for Sushi and talking at length about the world. It is a small world indeed and getting smaller I think. The more we come to know the places we travel, the more we look to discover something new. I don’t think we will ever stop traveling – although you may come from Canada and we have had a sort of rivalry the entire time, you my upstairs neighbor, were the best. It was fun to tease Rikki about being the only Scottish Indian we know and I loved how you two were pretty much married while hanging out. It made for great fun and lots of laughs. I will be sure to look you up in Australia when I return. Keep in touch dude and if you ever return to the states, or your land of Canadia, we should meet up again!
Rikki, Natasha, Jackie & Melissa
It was great fun to meet you all – visiting Universal Studios and Sentosa was an awesome adventure. I loved the luge and just bouncing around. Oh yeah, my slip and fall as well! Seems like I’m always the one getting hurt! I love nothing more than to meet a whole group of people who can share some interests for a short time, like we have known each other for years. Too sad that we never get to spend a whole lot of time, but I believe in the time we do share, we create memories that will always last. Take care everyone and I hope to meet or at least speak in the future. You all have many miles to travel yet and so do I.
Nikoli
Although we didn’t have too much time to hang out, the “walk” to the parks during the day was exceptionally fun. I told you it was quite a journey, winding through the streets you laughed at me as to just how exactly I managed to figure out how to get there, and in the dark the first time too! But wasn’t it worth it? Even though we were both terribly hot and sweating before we finally made it to the lake. You are right – apparently every married couple in Kuala Lumpur has a picture of them with the small bridge and ugly boat in the background. I for one thought the ugly boat definitely made the picture! I like that we made it back just in time for the afternoon thunderstorm that you can set your watch by. It was nice to have someone to chat with while I sat for long stretches to work at night. Not too many people are up that late! I always seem to outlast everyone. Have fun on your travels and enjoy your journey home to Germany.
Hannah
If I waited around longer we would never have had the awesome day we did. Traveling by train to the caves outside of Kuala Lumpur, only to be attacked by monkeys at the gate! It was a ton of fun trying to figure out the train schedule, seems like we got on and off quite a few times before actually making it there. No matter though, it was well worth it! The temples inside I did not expect but you are right, it adds a nice touch to the place. The pictures of monkeys were worth the few lychees that we lost – especially the baby monkeys clinging to their mothers! It was a rather uneventful ride back but I enjoyed people watching with you along the way and chatting about all the other places we are going and have been in the world. I hope to meet up with you again in Singapore if we both manage to be there at the same time! Enjoy your travels!
Nick
How excellent to meet another fellow American at one of the most popular American chain restaurants – Subway, and the second American from Subway who lives in San Diego (actually being the 3rd American from San Diego I have met and had the pleasure to hang out with on this trip). If you hadn’t spoken to me about where I was going that day, I probably would have just relaxed after the flight. Instead we had an excellent day of seeing the towers in Kuala Lumpur, eating at the markets (which got me sick later on) and sneaking into the parks at night to watch the bats fly overhead, only to be locked in and scale fences and walls to get out. See that is what life is all about. You had told me that you thought at some point you would find a “New Nick” and I had told you not to think about it just yet, wait until you get back home and then you will see that indeed there is a new Nick. The only constant in life is change and this trip you are taking throughout south-east Asia will indeed change you. Change for the better or worse is up to you, but you won’t find that out until you get home and reflect on it all. In my long journey, I wonder how significantly I will change, but just like my advice, I put it out of my mind until I get home. Enjoy your travels! There is never enough time!
Matt & Chris
I can’t begin to explain what a great time I had with you guys! Of course we met at Subway, where apparently all the Americans congregate. From there we went to see a free movie where I almost missed you guys and out for drinks right after. Thank you so much for inviting me along on the tour you booked that night, it was simply magnificent! Crawling through the tunnels left over from the Vietnam war truly made it come alive for me and taught me more of this history subject I lack in my life (though not much anymore since I have covered quite a bit of ground). Although next time, Matt doesn’t go first! The markets were hilarious, not only because of the brain freezes but from haggling for the ‘friend’ price. Our fun time came to an end way too soon but I will never forget how much fun we had. Enjoy the rest of your teaching experience in China and don’t forget to reach out when you return to the states. I look forward to meeting you both again real soon!
Fabio
Craig and I had a really fun time with you on our tour! We totally thought you were the one who made the tour late but I guess the driver just wanted to cover himself… but no matter, we all still had an excellent time! It was so funny that everyone wanted to take pictures of all of us, like we were actually the ones on display and not the Taj Mahal. Somewhere in India, we are being displayed on people’s walls – and they don’t even know who we are! How funny is that? Safe travels back to Brazil! It was so nice to meet you!
Mohit
You were the best pool attendant ever! Craig and I laughed so much with you and thoroughly enjoyed your joke when Craig came over to ask for another glass of wine, in which you proceeded to firmly tell him that the kitchen is closed, but since we are so in love you will get the glass of wine! No, we are but wonderful friends who laugh endlessly at life and are grateful to have you be a part of it! Although you will not see this post, I was sure to leave a compliment for you at the front desk of the hotel. You deserve it and the tips we pretty much only gave to you. Take care our Indian friend, it was lovely meeting you!
Marvin
I don’t understand what happened to you but you appeared next to the pool looking like you were hurt. I scooped you up with a towel and held you for awhile, checking out your wings to make sure you were OK. I made you a little bed beside me and gave you food and water. After some time it seemed like you couldn’t stand being called ‘Marvin’ anymore – hearing your friends you shuddered and flew away into the wind. Good luck my dear friend and safe travels always.