LIFE...As we know it.

It was meant to be a travel blog. Adventures of far away lands.  Stories of people and places. My travels were motivated by the injustice of human trafficking and the  promotion of equality. I needed to immerse myself a world unlike any I'd ever experienced. I didn't really have any clue what I was walking into, but a few years ago I set out on a grand adventure; A one way ticket and my backpack. It was an adventure, and it was grand, but it was also heartbreaking, soul-shattering, empowering, inspiring..... Somehow I dove into the depths of this life, with an open heart to all of the messy, wonderful, beautiful and heartbreaking truths of this wonderful life. I never looked back. So this blog is now about life. Love. People. Unexplained truths. Questions with no answers. Success.  Failings. This blog is life as I know it...

[enchanted-drifter]

8months, 5 counties and countless new friends - It's safe to say I'm in love. I'm in love with culture and religion . I'm in love with snow capped mountains and 58 beautiful little children. I'm in love with long bus rides and nightmare boarder crossings. I'm in love with strangers that turn into the best of friends. I'm in love with midnight swimming and glowing plankton. I'm in love with language barriers and being lost. I'm in love with rooftop yoga and uncontrollable laughter. I'm in love with endless adventure and riding a motor bike. I'm in love with drinking tea and evening sing-a-longs . I'm in love with music, and dancing and inside jokes. I'm in love with food and fruit shakes. I'm in love with sunsets and fireflies. I'm in love with crazy ideas and terrible timing. I'm in love with this feeling of gratitude and excitement that wakes me up in the mornings. I'm in love with new perspectives and healthy banter. I'm in love with creating, being, experiencing and giving. I'm in love with this big ol' beautiful, vibrant world in which we are blessed to live in. I'm in love with life. I'm absolutely, just in love....

[enchanted-drifter]

A fish may love a bird, but where would they live?.....

-unknown

[enchanted-drifter]

Spent the day riding through the hillsides of Vietnam. It was one of those rare days, the kind that overwhelm you with gratitude and excitement. The kind of days where you can almost physically feel it all building in your stomach. -I actually thought I was going to explode into a cloud of glitter at one stage…

Delat, Vietnam….

[enchanted-drifter]

Be where your feet are..

Unknown

[enchanted-drifter]

Cambodia has been emotional. It’s been sky high and rock bottom lows - there was no grey. Angkor wat saw us buzzing. Marvelling at its beauty and in awe of mother nature’s power and resilience. Walking the ruins you can just lose yourself in the sheer size and detail hidden in every corner. Blessed with a magical sunrise at Angkor wat and perfect weather for our picnic in the park, we were on top of the world. Siem reap was magic and we were all smiles for the journey to sihnoukville…

To cut a long story short our 12 hour journey turned into 21hours. Our single bus turned into multiple busses, and to top if off, exhausted and wrestless we woak to find my phone and all of my money had been stolen. Blessed was I to be travelling with a group of people who radiate nothing but beauty. - I decided quickly that all that was lost were material goods, replaceable, and it wasn’t worth the emotional turmoil for attaching negative emotions to an already undesirable situation. Finally arriving in shianoukville we had high hopes, only to be greeted with 4days of rain and nightlife like we hadn’t experienced before. Middle aged and old men were two to one on the tourists. Accompanied by Cambodian girls at least half their age. There was no escaping the sad reality of the illegal sex trade here. Every bar, restaurant and hotel was overflowing with uncomfortable looking Cambodian girls and overconfident,older white men.

It’s the most bizarre contrast to be a part of. Young, carefree backpackers, drinking and dancing the night away, completely oblivious to what’s happening right in front of them. I commented on how disturbing I found the situation to be ‘assured’ -“drink more and you won’t notice “. It’s a shame how we will do that. Look the other way, become more intoxicated, make excuses for why things are the way they are. If only we realised that by making these excuses we are enabling this. We are saying that it’s acceptable. I left because I couldn’t have a good time knowing and seeing what was happening around me. But what does one do? My leaving does not, and didn’t change what’s happening, just as my staying, My drinking, My dancing wouldn’t have changed anything. We all sat, and watched, and drank, and danced, and said, and did nothing. As a society We are silently accepting this behavior. Weather it’s hard, or awkward , or confronting or “too big” of a problem, what if we all, said something, acted diffently…. I can’t help but feel for every one of us who chooses to have another drink, look the other way that we are adding to, and enabling an already out - of - control problem. We think it’s the lasts generations fault and we are prepared to leave it for the next generation to fix. We mindlessly go about our travels, avoiding a problem that is so in your face, ignoring it is an active choice…

Contrasted again by the white sandy beaches of koh rong, reunions with friends in the masses, amazing reef life and swimming with glowing plankton till the early hours of the morning- Cambodia had me in whirlwind of emotions. Cambodia was like an abusive relationship, hitting you with curveballs that made you want to run. Challenging every part of your being, then forcing you to fall in love with its history, its beauty and its people.. I just couldn’t keep up. This country holds both some of my fondest and darkest travel days. Till next time…

[enchanted-drifter]

Waterfall - Laos! So impressed... Mother nature you've done it again!

[enchanted-drifter]

Sunset in Laos...

[enchanted-drifter]

Laos welcomed us with beauty and radiance as for as the eye could see. Mother nature was at her finest. Blessed with stunning Sunsets and waterfalls that took our breath away- we were in constant awe of her!

Taking the slow boat across the boarder from Thailand was a highlight and meant we literally knew everyone in Laos! (well almost). So many encounters with beautiful people, from all walks of life set the scene for group activities of mass proportions! Our days were spent exploring and nights were spent with beer in hand and guitar Sing-a-longs . 

Mini vans were the definition of mini! Packed like sardines, with chairs that needed the help of books for stability- internal travel was an adventure of its own!

So many WOW moments, an abundance of new friends. Too many caves, never enough waterfall swimming. Rolling hills, wide open spaces. This bucket list is getting shorter - ticking boxes, kicking goals!

Laos, you were incredible. You’ve left a lasting impression… Until next time!

Xx

[enchanted-drifter]

Cafe encounters....

I sit in a cafe across from 2 men. One, Thai appearance,late teens and the other, white, mid to late 40s.This is the second day Iv sat across from them and today the Thai boy grabs my attention. He has hollow eyes, like he’s holding back tears. He dutifully smiles when the white man makes a joke.  His eyes dart across the room. His hands, fidgety. He doesn’t know where to put them. His body language is confusing, like a glimpse into his inner workings. His inner voice . As if his soul is rejecting the situation while his body tries to take control. We made eye contact. He won’t look back at me now, as if it’s taking all he has to avoid making eye contact again. He didn’t smile back. This situation reads wrong, or am I tainted? Am I biased, a cynic? Am I so tainted that I’ll see the worst in people, a situation, jump the gun, assume.? … If I’m not, if I’m right about what I see, what can I do?  And, If all I can do is watch and write my best friend, the only person in the world  I feel I can write at this moment-then what?  is it all a bit ridiculous? All a bit pointless? Because from where I sit it seems all of these things.

[enchanted-drifter]

The arrival!

Arriving in Bangkok was insane - partly because I was meant to be in Sri Lanka, but mostly because the cultural change just smacks you right in the face. On the train, I smell perfume, and mc Donald's and all I can see is bare shoulders and short shorts. Sitting, mentally deciding that everyone could use a scarf over their shoulders I begin to realise that perhaps I'm not ready for Thailand, the Western world, or a city just yet. 

My bed has Springs, the room, air conditioning. The streets have little green men to tell you when to cross the road and there is a 7/11 every 100mtrs for as far as the eye can see....        Tall buildings tower over me and  bright lights are selling everything from flick knives to rip off havianas.... Sensory overload is an understatement!

I genuinely think I have culture shock - absolutely could not be further away from Nepal if I tried.

Walking the night market I'm offered everything from a ping pong show, to a monkey blow job? - I'm Still uncertain of the finer details of what this might entail but I'm pretty sure it's illegal in most countries. Nepal is sexually repressed. No doubt there is a night life and sex industry but it's so well hidden - if your not looking for it, chances are you won't stumble upon it... Thailand couldn't be more in your face if it tried..  Strip club, after ping pong show, after happy massage in every direction... It's pretty confronting. I guess, if you just saw it for that, were uneducated and/or unaware of the workings of the illegal sex trade in Thailand then it might seem normal, or like "just a bit of fun", but, it's far from it.

Approached by a lady selling wrist bands I was horrified to read what was written on them "I love thai pussy " " I love rape " were two that stood out for me. After digesting these for a few days I asked one of the ladies selling them if she knew what they meant, laughing she yells -" I love thai pussy! " and tries to Hi five me... It was just the Saddest thing to see. A country that has learnt to sell dignity no matter the cost. A country that has been conditioned to make money out of degrading and cheapening their women. And how sad the women accept, or must accept this as a way of life. The sad thing is, we discussed why they are selling these wrist bands and the unfortunate truth is that people will buy them. People find them humorous and in that, they can justify it. We have become too numb to the words we use. We speak so often without actually understanding what we are really saying that we will buy a wrist band, that says "I love rape"  and can be totally immune to what it is we have just invested in... It's absolutely the craziest thing. Thailand is just one big contradiction... It's beautiful and friendly and lively with so much to offer while on the other hand it's backwards and confronting and lacking forward thinking in a big way... Time to head north... Get out of the city and this madness.

[enchanted-drifter]

Falling waters of Thailand!

[enchanted-drifter]

After coming to terms with leaving Nepal I was excited for a new adventure. It’s been a while since I was moving and I’m long overdue for a change in scenery… Sri Lanka, here it come!

-or so I thought.

Arriving in Delhi airport I knew I had missed my connecting flight. Pretty unfased by this I took a seat under staff instructions and waited for someone to be with me shortly… I mean I’m in an airport, another flight leaves soon, why would I stress, right? I’ll be back on my way in no time…. right?

-wrong!!

A long night awaited me. Sitting in the airport with no access to phone, food or money I was ignored and told to wait - a few hours later, after constant questions on my behalf I finally spoke to a man who assured me I was headed to Sri Lanka the following evening and that I would be fed and watered until then… 9am rolled around and while I slept in my cold,squeaky, noisy airport chair there had been a change in shifts. Explaining the situation to the new members of staff I was told they didn’t have to, and, they had no intention of feeding me and that I was to rebook the flight myself… Ok how do it do it? … -Go to Delhi and see the Sri Lanka office there. -I don’t have an Indian visa. -well call them.. -I don’t have an Indian sim -rebook online -I don’t have WiFi, I don’t have a sim… -please wait for some time someone will come at 10 am.

11am,12pm,1pm,2pm… No one came… In this time staff have walked away mid discussion to eat, staff have laughed at me, told me to wait and ignored my growing frustration and anxiety. 3 pm and I’m not so polite, the man askes me to calm down and assures me I’m booked on tonight’s flight.

After giving staff my credit card to go and pay for the change of date fee, that I can’t pay for, because I don’t have an Indian visa, I am left to.... Wait!

6pm rolls around, my flight leaves at 6 .40, nooone will tell me where my credit card is or Give me a boarding pass, but they assure me. “your on tonight’s flight, you have our word”….

6.40pm,7pm… I see the 3                    ‘managers’ in charge of my ‘situation’ looking awfully nervous and avoiding eye contact as they walk my way… approaching them I have no reservations left, all politically correct niceties are gone as I’m informed Sri Lanka air won’t accept money from the airport, I can’t rebook my ticket for this flight… Wow - let’s just say I apologise to anyone who was in Delhi airport at this moment. The thought of night 2,stuck in the airport without answers, options or the promise of a new flight created A ranting, crying, finger pointing mess of a person that erupted in full force with little regard for anyone who crossed my path. -you would have known this last night if you had bothered to check. -no I will not wait, iv waited and this is bullshit. -Iv sat here for 25 hours and you will not help me. -this is an airport, put me of a  flight… -Don’t give me your word, your word means shit to me….

Now again I’m sitting, waiting. Not exactly sure what I’m waiting for, but it’s clear that crying isn’t helping, yelling isn’t helping and being rational and waiting didn't help. 27 hours in, I’m exhausted, hungry and anyone who knows me knows this is not a good mix. I can not understand this madness. I had a flight, I missed a flight, I’m in an airport but you have no system in which I can rebook a new flight and you can’t do it for me..

Eventually after relentless hounding on my behalf I’m presented with an option, call home to Australia, at 11. 30 pm their time and get my parents to rebook me a flight, cancel my existing one and get them to send me, via email the itinerary so I can have a boarding pass to officially enter the airport.. Sorry, what?!

I'm so lucky I have beautiful parents who will wake at midnight to a frantic, blubbering mess of a phone call and Rebook me a whole new flight.

34 hours later and I'm finally boarding a flight bound for Bangkok. It's no Sri Lanka, but, it's a start!

Guess I can cross major airport disaster off my list of things to experience this year - TICK!

[enchanted-drifter]

"Even if you know what’s coming, you're never prepared for how it feels"- unknown

These words have never rang so true. I always knew I would struggle with leaving Nepal, and even more so with leaving the children, but nothing could have prepared me for how those last days felt. It’s a strange feeling being in a ‘foreign’ place that feels like home.A place where inconsiderate tourists make you angry, like their cultural inappropriateness Is a  personal attack, an insult on yourself and this beautiful place you’ve made a home.

We know the kids in the street, the shop owners, who does the best veg burgers and where to get the best Dhal bhat. We are well versed on the local dog culture. We know the names of the dogs, what their territory is and who they do and don’t get along with in the dog world of pokhara - they follow us home and they sleep on our floors. As far as a home away from home goes - Nepal is that place!

Countless times today the children asked “miss, your last day, yaar ?” -they like to be certain of farewells. leaving them was the hardest thing iv ever done, iv never been hugged so tight or offered so many alternatives to leaving. Iv never made so many promises or been asked to make such promises. It broke my heart to see their faces, and realise how many people said they would return and how many just never did…. I absolutely adore them for this, for loving without promise of love in return, for opening up their lives to countless people who will just walk away, often with out looking back, for asking me to promise to return, for trying to believe me when I say I will. They are so full of life and hope. They are strong and resilient and funny and genuine and they deserve the world. They deserve every little glimmer of magic this life has to offer and so much more…

I never thought I could love so many little people as much as Iv fallen in love with each of them. We have our inside jokes and  I know their individual quirks.. The assure me they will be waiting at the gate for my return.. And I promise I’ll be at that gate again.

[enchanted-drifter]

Proposal - it's finished!

Finally, after 5 weeks of Cafe hopping for power and internet connections, time spent gathering information in chitwan and hours of mental blocks and self doubt it’s complete! Weighing in at 38 pages, my proposal -“elevation of poverty to eliminate human trafficking” is complete. What a crazy ride…  It’s amazing the things you think you understand. The statistics you read and can regurgitate without hesitation; a false understanding of a reality, and then all of a sudden your looking at an issue square in the face and you don’t know where to start. As if everything you thought you knew doesn’t apply, or does apply but on such a small level that it seems hopeless, but it’s not hopeless , but some days it feels like it is… This has been my past month. Fighting with myself over what is a priority, what will work, what is achievable. It’s been a pretty emotional, thought provoking, enriching time here in Nepal and I’m so blessed to Have had the opportunity to immerse myself in this project.

This proposal enabled me the opportunity to look  into human trafficking as a process, experience first hand how cyclical it is and understand prevention, and it’s importance on a whole new level. This meant that I was no longer only aware of prevention methods, but that I now understand a little more about the process, scale and depth of what must be done in order for each element of prevention to work effectively.

It’s been a long time since I’ve studied or worked long term on a project, and in the last month I realised just how much Iv missed it; My motivational fire is burning, now more than ever. My time in Nepal is temporarily over, however, plans for my return are already in the woodwork with promises of further work with 3 angels. I’ll keep you posted on weather or not the proposal gets approval..

-Imagine that!

[awkwardsituationist]

[awkwardsituationist]

from girl rising …to consider on international women’s day (and every day thereafter)

[enchanted-drifter]

Today is the UN world day against trafficking In persons. Human trafficking is a 32 billion dollar a year industry and effects someone every 30 seconds. Two hands to create a heart. Let's make trafficking conversational and work together towards a free world. Show your support by sharing your picture #igivehope

[enchanted-drifter]

Sunrise view from Sarangkot. Beautiful way to greet the day....