This third month has been very intense and full of thoughts. It started in the South of Laos, but I spent most of the month in Cambodia, the country that has left a deeper mark in my trip (and in myself).
These last weeks I have been thinking a lot, specially about the things in our lives that are a matter of luck, and those which are not. I present you my (still ongoing) thoughts, as well as a summary of the places I have visited and the special moments I have had this month.
About luck
Am I on a long term trip because I am lucky?
It happened in Koh Trong. I was staying in a small homestay, having dinner with the other few guests: a Danish couple and their daughter, and a young guy from Austria. The couple were working while traveling, through internet, which allowed them to escape the long north European winter. I explained that I had taken a sabbatical leave to travel around the world for several months.
“You’re really lucky to be able to travel for such a long time”, said the Austrian guy.
To which the Danish man replied:
“Luck has nothing to do with traveling long term, we worked hard to reach to this point”.
I did not immediately reply, and I wondered. Was I on a long term trip because I was lucky? In fact, my choices had let me there.
- I chose to apply for a sabbatical leave when I had a permanent job that – even stressful – was interesting and involved a great team, probably risking my future career.
- I chose to quit my apartment and sell, give or throw away all my stuff so I could afford to travel for several months, losing things that had sentimental value and becoming a kind of “homeless” person.
- I chose to travel with a very low budget, which involves staying in very basic accommodation (no hot water, no AC, hard bed, not always clean), eating always the same cheap food, traveling in unreliable transport, walking a lot in hard weather conditions, so my money lasts longer.
In summary, I renounced to my job, home and commodities in order to travel the world for a long time. Happy? yes. Lucky? it was a choice.
But I am lucky
I realized this in Cambodia. Traveling long term was a choice, but a lot of other things in my life were not. And I got lucky, very lucky.
When I visited the S21 prison museum and the killing fields in Phnom Penh, I understood how lucky I am to have had a peaceful life. It has not always been easy (I had my own share of problems, as anyone else), but in peace. No wars. No terror. No family members missing. I was born at the right place, at the right moment (my grandparents suffered a war, my parents were born during a dictation, I have always lived in a democracy).
I am lucky to have a passport that allows me to travel without many problems. I do not need a visa for a lot of destinations and, even for the others, getting the visa is usually not so hard.
I am lucky to have had a life of freedom. Free to chose my clothes, my religion, my studies, my food. My life. During the Khmer rouge rule, Cambodians could not. Even today, a lot people cannot.
In summary, traveling long term was a choice, but I am very lucky that I did have that choice. And I feel that, since I have the opportunity to chose how I want to live my life, I should chose wisely. I should chose the way of life that fits me best, that makes me happy.
Places visited
South of Laos: Champasak and Don Khon (4000 islands)
Cambodia: Stung Treng, Ban Lung, Kratie and Koh Trong, Phnom Penh, Kep, Kampot and Siem Reap including the Angkor temples.
Favorite places
Laos: Don Khon in the 4000 islands.
Cambodia: Koh Trong, Kampot and Angkor temples (Siem Reap).
Special moments
Koh Trong: discovering the hospitality of Cambodian people.
Phnom Penh: not a good moment but one that left a mark, visiting the S21 prison museum and the killing fields.
Kampot: getting lost in the salt fields and getting help to find my way back.
Angkor temples: visiting the temples by bicycle, being able to discover and admire this wonderful place at my own speed.
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Well done! I am really pleased that you recognise the fact that you are lucky…too many do not. Happy continuing travels 🙂
Thank you! Happy travels 🙂
🙂
So nicely put. There is luck in having opportunities. But as you beautifully explained, what you do with those opportunities involves choices–a weighing of priorities– and a certain amount of guts.
Exactly, you have summarised it very well 🙂 Thanks!
Wonderful travel stories as ever Laia! I’m sorry I haven’t been on here for a little while I’m going to sit down over the weekend and read the posts I’ve missed. Have been finding your adventures fascinating happy travels! 🙂
Hi Rosemary! No problem, I guess you’re busy preparing your trip to Europe 🙂 Are you already there? Happy travels!
Hi Laia no we leave in 2 and a half weeks time just a lot to organise but it’s only for a month so not too long really! Happy travels too 🙂
It’s nice read your text. I like to how you see the world different when you are travel it. I start my my long trip in January, two month. I start Thailand, then I go Lao and Cambodia. I feel same as you we are lucky, we have freedom. I visit killing fields and S21, they make me so low spirits. But is nice to see how happy people are in Cambodia.
Thanks! Yes, I also got the feeling that people in Cambodia are happy. And they’re also so welcoming and friendly, I got very impressed by them 🙂
I really like reading your experiences. Happy safe journey Laia..
Thanks Jayanthi! I’m happy you like it 🙂
Cheers!
I agree with this comment “” Luck has nothing to do With traveling long term, we Worked hard to reach to this point. “Luck is born in a place and a proper season, but to make a long drive time is a matter of attitude and decision, and you have it. Congratulations !!!!!
Thank you!
This was a very good read. For a long time, I held the attitude that I was not lucky but someone who worked hard and made dreams come true. But then I became an expat and realized that the world is full of people who work hard and many of their dreams never come true. I was certainly lucky to be born in America and into a middle class family. My luck and determination were my winning ticket and many people, unfortunately, do not have luck on their side.
Thank you! I think it is good to realise we are lucky (even though that does not mean we are not working hard for our dreams, we are as well).
This was beautifully put. You worked to make your dream come true, but you were lucky enough to be able to do work toward it. I think it would be beautiful if more people saw things this way. Thank you for sharing and for your beautiful photos.
Thanks! Happy you enjoyed it
How could you not love Don Khon? It looks like an idyll 🙂 You seem to have made wise choices and I’m glad you’re happy. Every time I see your beautiful Header it makes me happy too. 🙂
Thanks Jo! It hasn’t been always easy but now I’m happy with my choices. So happy you like my header too 🙂
We spent a yeat travlling. Like you, we too leave, sold things and I was so fed up with people saying ‘how lucky’ we were. Luck ain’t got nothing to do with it!
Exactly 🙂
Happy travels!
I feel lucky to be travelling with you Laia! keep going
Thanks Kaushik!
I love your thoughts. It is not only luck or hard work but also determination. Et courage! I hope one day I’ll have it too.
Thank you!
Thank you! Don’t worry, you will find the courage when it is the right moment. It took me a lot of years! But it is never late 🙂