Peace, Party, Phuket

I remember thinking to myself the night before the trip, 

"Well, this should be interesting".

We were welcomed by men in underwear and wings like those of Victoria Secret models. They invited us but we were looking for authentic Pad Thai instead.

We ate Pad Thai that evening, and on the next days that came.

We met people whose genders left us confused and wondering- we never figured out, but it doesn't really matter. 

We also went fishing with fishermen who didn't know how to catch fish. We also suspect they ate the chicken we brought with us. That's alright. We ended up with beer in our hands at the edge of the boat, talking about life and goals on our long ride home anyway.



It was sunset.

In many occasions sunsets let you see the world in pink condition even just for a brief moment.

Before the sun went down, the people I was used to working with, became my friends. And I realized how lucky I was to end up with people who are very passionate with what we do. 

And I wondered, what if I woke up tomorrow with only the things I thanked for today?

I envy those who could stay up the whole night. I was the youngest in the group but I'm a grandma deep inside.
I woke up early everyday and had my time alone to walk around and talk to random strangers. 

For some reason they thought I was Spanish or Russian, but every time people would learn I'm from the Philippines, they'd ask about our condition after Haiyan (Yolanda). They also know how it is to lose so much. They shared stories of the tsunami.


I learned from this trip that though every one of us live our unique tragedies and comedies, it is not for us to carry the weight alone.

It's been a hurricane of a year- a year that made me feel like I'm somewhere between Fight Club (minus the anarchy... almost) and Dora the Explorer (minus... well, Dora).

I never knew rock bottom was a very good place to find yourself in (if your perspective is as twisted as mine). And I'm glad I was able to reach it. It has been one hell of a year (almost literally), but thank the Cosmos I'm still in one piece. "I don't wanna die without any scars"- channeling Tyler Durden.

It all comes together- the places, the experience, the people.

I am humbled.

Thank you, Universe, for 2013, because I learned in every hard way possible. And that made me stronger than any of my past selves combined. It's true... what doesn't kill you will make you stronger (and stranger? haha!).  

Maligayang Bagong Taon sa inyong lahat :) May we find ourselves in greater adventures and may we all grow a little weirder this 2014.  Peace and Light :)