The long way home
In and around Sonoma, United States
“I love the energy here and the feel of the place,” Feridah said “I’ll take it until July”. July 1st? WTF!!! I thought with that all too familiar feeling of the panic beginning to well up in my gut. “Come have a look at the garden and the backyard”, I said mostly trying to stall for time. But before I had even opened the door to lead my new sub-letter outside that terror in the pit of my stomach was already being replaced with a feeling of overwhelming joy and excitement. Maybe MF was right. Maybe I could pull this off after all. Just the morning before I had woken up with the certainty that I should put my house up on Craigslist as a short-term rental. I had tried it a couple of times before over the past several weeks, but most of my efforts were half hearted. I had gotten a couple of hits, but nothing definite. On this unseasonably warm Sunday morning as I loaded up the pictures and composed the text I knew that I was at a decision point. I’d be leaving on for the start of my trip on Thursday and if I hadn’t found a renter, then I’d probably be back in about 6 weeks. I didn’t have much money to spend and I knew I’d have to find a job when I returned. 6 weeks was about all I could afford. But in the flash of an instant, walking through the patio door with Feridah, I knew that the universe had just provided me with an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Route taken and entries by Real Traveler Chuck's Posts
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1
Bangkok, A Study in Contrasts
So you know that calm centered polite 'land of a thousand smiles' wistful look that everyone gets when they speak of Thailand? Well I can guarantee... Continue reading »
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2
Up to Chiang Mai
Up to Chiang Mai
I loved getting out of Bangkok and heading north to Chiang Mai. All of the guide books and several of the people I talked to... Continue reading »
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3
Out to see the Hill Tribes
The morning dawned clear and sunny, Lily and I had breakfast at the hotel and I tried everything I could think of to stall. “You sure you just don’... Continue reading »
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4
Rei Lei, Rock climbing in the South Pacific
Its almost sounding repetitive. More beautiful scenery. More wonderful people. More great weather. Gosh. Its like its almost becoming boring, but n... Continue reading »
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5
Angkor Wat
There is nothing that I can say about Angkor Wat that would even begin to convey its magnitude or the awe and amazement that you will feel when you... Continue reading »
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6
Siem Reap and Village by the Lake.
I wish I had come to Siem Reap years ago. Kelsey and Erick were here 10 years ago and they said there were a couple a guest houses down by the rive... Continue reading »
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7
Pai, A Slice of Heaven
Hard to know what to say about Pai. It’s like a cross between Sonoma and Taos with a healthy dose of Reggae thrown in. Lots of hippies, lots of tru... Continue reading »
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8
Street Football in Luang Prabang
A little bluish green marble came barreling down the street from behind and hit the back of my shoe. Without breaking stride, I turned my head over... Continue reading »
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9
Friends, Happy Pizza & Shakes in Vang Vieng
The bus ride was grueling, but the scenery is spectacular. 8 hours of twisty mountain roads on a bus that should have been put to rest in 1960, but... Continue reading »
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10
Lazy, Hazy & Sliding Towards Oblivion
I woke up this morning and it was raining. As much as I didn’t want to get back on a bus, hanging out in the rain and watching Friends all day with... Continue reading »
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