Okay, enough with the mushy sentiments (it does clash with my portrayed personality). While ending that blog 2 years back, I was quite sure that a sequel was just a matter of time, though I didn't expect it to turn out this way. 2 years back, I was all "MARK IS DEFINITELY GOING ON EXCHANGE", but things didn't turn out as expected. On the contrary, I think they turned out better! I guess in some corner of me, there will always be a slight regret that I didn't go for exchange, but at the very least, I'm sure I got compensated many times over, and for that, I'm grateful :)
So where am I going this time...erm...I'm going Cambodia first, followed by Vietnam, take a 1 week break, going over to India, Bangalore, another break for a week or 2, and then to some waterfall in Malaysia (Like who knows where it is exactly). I guess the highlight of these trips is that I'm always alone, or rather, surrounded by unfamiliar faces.
Cambodia/Vietnam would be mine first destination. Hmm...another group actually did asked if I wanted to join them in Taiwan. A tempting offer, but after some serious thought, I've decided to decline the offer. The silent, contemplative, and introverted me has always been the truer side, but given the circumstances and the interaction with people, I've been trying to get used to a more boisterous, vocal, decisive and extroverted me. I think the adjustment has suited me well, but at some point in time, u get the feeling that you might have lose a bit of yourself along the way (There are times when I ask if I liked the way I talk now...and sometimes, the answer is actually no). Which is why I've decided to visit Cambodia/Vietnam alone, to just have 2 weeks to myself, to get more in tune with who I am, and to behave like myself in a land where I'm a stranger to everyone.
But why Cambodia and Vietnam? I've been to the States and UK and those trips were wonderful. But I soon realised that due to the cost of living, I do have to scrimp and save a lot on my trip. It ends up as gobbling as much as possible like a 七月饿鬼 when the hostel provide breakfast, and then munching on expiring bread at the end of the day. It's a different story in Cam/Viet, where I can enjoy local delights here and there and not to be too hard on myself. Cam/Viet can be just as interesting and even more exotic than countries like US and UK, at a much lower cost...so why not? I do foresee myself visit Asian a lot more in the next few years.
The trip to India comes as a complete surprise. It's one of those...in the middle of the night, before u are abt to fall asleep, then out of the blue came a text like..."Eh, u want go India or not?", "erm, ok. Goodnight", and then the next thing I know, I'm going to India.
I've actually been to India before, but it was for a totally different reason (I mean...going there for an army exercise doesn't really constitute being there before). India is one of those places that isn't really accessible or tourist friendly (as much as I like running abt on my own, I dun have the guts to visit india alone, or even in a group). Given that someone is offering the lead this trip, of course I'll jump at this opportunity. Had I known that I'm embarking on this, I wouldn't have plan for Vietnam and Cambodia. Moreover this is a social tourism trip. To be honest, I've never really considered for such trips before. However, i guess my curiosity got the better of me (curiousity kills the Mark, as I like to say it). So here I am, with my India visa and my insatiable thirst to take a look at the inner workings of India.
The odac trip to Malaysia with the Igc people is probably even more random (I think I'm inherently random...an undisciplined mind perhaps). Again, like the India trip, it's just "Eh, still got space leh, want go Malaysia trekking with us"...and apparently I've the only SA who is going with a bunch of people whom I have no idea who they are. But I guess the most interesting things are the unknown, and there are nothing more interesting that unknown people. I did consider joining Odac last year, maybe I'll join this year (assuming they want an old bird like me who's gonna graduate the moment they want to organise something)
With just a few days more to the trip, It's down to the final planning and packing. Looking forward to a very busy and eventful May/June :)
Mark
The boy who simply can't sit still!
PS: I foresee having trouble locating internet access...so I might just do a handwritten diary and transfer them to this blog when I have the chance! CAN'T WAIT!
Some people told me last time that my blog name sound a bit kiddy. I agree now...maybe this is called growing up :/ but I shall retain the name still...for continuity sake...path dependency
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