I meant to write this post yesterday, but hey I’m not perfect. So today is actually my 101st day since leaving the US. I thought I would do a little post on how it feels to be away for so long.

Reflection #1

My first and probably my biggest reflection is how much more I appreciate my family and friends. I like to think that I was already appreciative of my friends and family before I left, but it’s a tough thing to go through Thanksgiving and Christmas without being around family. There probably isn’t a single day that goes by with out an occasion that makes me think, “Oh hey this friend would laugh at this or find this interesting.”

Also, I feel pretty fortunate to have a family that is cool with me just doing whatever it is I’m doing. I hope I haven’t caused my parents to many grey hairs.

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, or at least that’s what my dad says, and it seems pretty true! So to any friends or family that are reading this (that’s probably the only people who read this) I miss and love ya!

Reflection #2

A culture can seem completely different, the buildings can look different, the climate can be different, but the people are essentially the same. Most people, no matter where you go, are kind, generous, and super caring.

I have a lot of friends who will make small comments in passing about how the people must be or the dangers of being a foreigner in a strange land. Let’s be honest, how much worse can it get then certain parts of Saginaw and Detroit? In reality the people are just as nice and well wishing as people in your hometown. I honestly find them more hospitable. Maybe they enjoy the novelty of meeting a foreigner.

I couldn’t tell you the amount of times I’ve had grinning old men shadowboxing at me as I pass them on my morning run from the gym. They love to see foreigners embracing their culture.

Reflection #3

Visas are hard…

This is the exact picture I used for my Cambodian visa and the Chinese consulate says its to far away. It needs to be more of a close up on my face.

The amount of insignificant paper work they need is frustrating too. I had to put together the “return” flight for my Thailand visa and I have to figure out some type of hotel reservations and return flight for my Chinese visa. Visas work fine if you have an exact itinerary and know exactly what your plans are. That’s not really how backpacking works though. So hopefully with my scrappy paperwork put together I can sneak into China!

After I get my Chinese visa I have to focus on my Russian visa, which is apparently harder for US citizens to get. You are supposed to only be able to get a Russian visa in the country you are citizen of unless you have an affiliate like a work visa with a third country. I don’t have that so we’ll see what will have to be done to get into Russia.

I’ve been really blessed to have over a 100 days of experience out of the US and I look forward to who knows how many more! Thank you to everyone who has supported me while I’m doing this. Just know I miss you more than you think and it’s always a comfort to know people are thinking of and praying for me.

In other news, I did get the job in Bangkok and will be cutting my Muay Thai training a week early to fly to Bangkok on January 22nd. I’ll probably talk about that more later. In the meantime I have some super exciting news that will be popping up next week. Stay tuned! It’s most exciting thing maybe to happen this whole trip!