If I trace back through my facebook (oh my god, I'm starting my blog with a reference to facebook), I can see when the decision was made... Hum...OK...somewhere around April 17 I started to really consider it. By April 20, I had the idea solidified, and on April 23 the ticket was purchased. Round trip to Bangkok with plans to head straight to Siem Reap, Cambodia and eventually to Luang Prabang, Laos.
After a successful interview with NOAA, I figured it was about time to start thinking about my first vacation as a doctor. I promised multiple people I would be going to the mainland...it was, afterall, my original plan. But, seeing that plans don't always work out the way they are planned, I began to wonder why I should, in fact, stick with any sembalance of the original game play. I love my people, don't get me wrong. But in the end, I felt like I needed something big to close this chapter of my life...I needed somewhere to go for a rebirth (of sorts) into the next phase. There have been many so far...this one seems bigger than any. After the second successful interview with NOAA, I was ready to make it a reality.
I have been wanting to go to Cambodia for quite a while...probably since my old roommate in SF went back in 2000. The temples of Angkor Wat seemed like a place I could just hang and look and be for days on end. I told myself that I would go there before leaving Hawaii. I told myself I could go on vacation when I got a job. And although I landed a job in Hawaii (and therefore will not be leaving anytime soon), I figured now is the time. I have freedom to travel, I have money saved that was intended to use for moving expenses, and I am a doctor! I need to celebrate.
I added in Laos after hearing about its laid back atmosphere and beauty from many people. And after doing some research, I think I will be staying there longer than in Cambodia. I only have two destinations in mind...this is not a traveling trip. This is a vacation where I hope to sit, relax, dig in (as much as one can do in two weeks), and go with the flow.
For me...for the hyperachiever planner in me, this is a vacation From myself, With myself. This is a trip to dig into my heart and soul. What comes out at the end...who knows. At minimum, it will be an adventure of a lifetime.
I hope you enjoy reading about it...I'll do my best to update, but I can't promise anything, because I haven't planned anything.
