Seven days since I've been home and my Canadian rhythm is no where to be seen. So as I sit here at 1:10 am, wide awake (on Valentines day, I might add), it's a good moment to spew out some of the thoughts that have been gathering in my mind since I've returned from my whirlwind trip to South(east) Asia.
It was a trip like no other. And I haven't yet digested all that I have seen. Since I've returned, I've been asked, "How was it?" I try to describe the "how" of three countries in a nice little bow of an answer, but it hasn't been quite right. The answer appears in some pieced together, sentence, sounding something like, "yeah, it was good, and bad. I'm happy to be home, so, how are you?" Perhaps a diversion to give me a little more time to assess my feelings and endless thoughts that keep floating through my mind.
I feel that I have returned with an emptiness and I am struggling to get it back. Somehow, in a months time, my reserve of inspiration, positivity and goodness has been depleted and I am running on empty. I read once that we need to continue to absorb new things to jolt our creativity and so it is important to take yourself on dates, it can be to an art gallery, a walk in a park, a new movie...anything that may give you new ideas. This leads me to the cliche saying that we have all heard, "you are what you see [or do, or read, etc...]. I have observed so much destruction and ugliness this past month, that I feel this is what is pouring from me these past seven days. Don't panic, it's not that obvious. But I feel it. So friends, please send me your inspirational TED talks, Twitter quotes, and remind me to look at my vision board. Too dramatic? Okay, it could just be a bad case of jet lag.
As Pakistan was our last stop, this country is what lingers in my mind the most. In an attempt to spit out the harshness of the City of Karachi that lingers in my being, below is my personal vent session to expel the negativity.
1. Unless you have nerves of steel, don't get in a car, ever.
2. If you do get in a car, take ear plugs, to drown out the relentless honking.
3. Be prepared for the beggars, the professional beggars, the transvestite beggars, and their nasty finger nails dragging along your passenger side car window.
4. If you don't want to be stared at, constantly, dress local.
5. If you have a weak stomach, don't go to the open air, fish market, or just take a mask.
6. Visit the sea, ride a camel there, this will allow you to feel free, for just a moment.
7. Don't expect to go out alone, for a walk, for a coffee, for...anything. It's not safe.
8. Take lots of Pepto Bismol.
9. Have access to lots of bottled water.
10. Perhaps just wear a mask all the time to protect you from the dust, everywhere.
Minor exaggeration above, so I have created a list below of what I am thankful for, in Canada.
1. Freedom
2. Silence while driving.
3. While driving, I don't have, cars, bikes, motorcycles or cows, coming at me.
4. Scary men don't stare.
5. Independence.
6. Coffee shops.
7. Waking up before noon.
8. Eating dinner before 10 pm.
9. Being productive.
Well, that was somewhat therapeutic.
Good night.
It was a trip like no other. And I haven't yet digested all that I have seen. Since I've returned, I've been asked, "How was it?" I try to describe the "how" of three countries in a nice little bow of an answer, but it hasn't been quite right. The answer appears in some pieced together, sentence, sounding something like, "yeah, it was good, and bad. I'm happy to be home, so, how are you?" Perhaps a diversion to give me a little more time to assess my feelings and endless thoughts that keep floating through my mind.
I feel that I have returned with an emptiness and I am struggling to get it back. Somehow, in a months time, my reserve of inspiration, positivity and goodness has been depleted and I am running on empty. I read once that we need to continue to absorb new things to jolt our creativity and so it is important to take yourself on dates, it can be to an art gallery, a walk in a park, a new movie...anything that may give you new ideas. This leads me to the cliche saying that we have all heard, "you are what you see [or do, or read, etc...]. I have observed so much destruction and ugliness this past month, that I feel this is what is pouring from me these past seven days. Don't panic, it's not that obvious. But I feel it. So friends, please send me your inspirational TED talks, Twitter quotes, and remind me to look at my vision board. Too dramatic? Okay, it could just be a bad case of jet lag.
As Pakistan was our last stop, this country is what lingers in my mind the most. In an attempt to spit out the harshness of the City of Karachi that lingers in my being, below is my personal vent session to expel the negativity.
1. Unless you have nerves of steel, don't get in a car, ever.
2. If you do get in a car, take ear plugs, to drown out the relentless honking.
3. Be prepared for the beggars, the professional beggars, the transvestite beggars, and their nasty finger nails dragging along your passenger side car window.
4. If you don't want to be stared at, constantly, dress local.
5. If you have a weak stomach, don't go to the open air, fish market, or just take a mask.
6. Visit the sea, ride a camel there, this will allow you to feel free, for just a moment.
7. Don't expect to go out alone, for a walk, for a coffee, for...anything. It's not safe.
8. Take lots of Pepto Bismol.
9. Have access to lots of bottled water.
10. Perhaps just wear a mask all the time to protect you from the dust, everywhere.
Minor exaggeration above, so I have created a list below of what I am thankful for, in Canada.
1. Freedom
2. Silence while driving.
3. While driving, I don't have, cars, bikes, motorcycles or cows, coming at me.
4. Scary men don't stare.
5. Independence.
6. Coffee shops.
7. Waking up before noon.
8. Eating dinner before 10 pm.
9. Being productive.
Well, that was somewhat therapeutic.
Good night.
No comments:
Post a Comment