going where the climate suits my clothes

4000 ISLANDS IN THE MEKONG RIVER, SOUTHERN LAO

    
     As the temperature plummets here in the northwest corner of America, I begin dreaming about the warmer climate in Lao. The Lao climate is tropical monsoonal. The monsoon rains fall from June to October, and this is the time of major crop cultivation. The Annamite mountain range separates Vietnam from Lao, and blocks the direct effect of typhoons that annually hit Vietnam and the Philippine islands. Usually, the monsoon rains fall in the afternoon, then the skies clear until the next day, when the cycle repeats. There are often extended days of sunshine before the rain cycle continues.
     Rivers are the traditional highways and byways of Lao and at the end of the rainy season, rivers are at their highest and are most navigable. November starts the cool and dry season, and this lasts until February. Temperatures during this season are about 30C (90F) during the day and 20C (70F) during the night. Then comes the hot and dry season, March to May. During this time of year, the temperature can be 40C (110F) during the day and 30C (90F) during the night. Being 15 degrees north of the equator, southern Lao will be a welcome change from my native Seattle, at 48 degrees north of the equator.

MEKONG RIVER, LUANG PRABANG, LAO

out of the door and into the street all alone



BERGEN, NORWAY

     This blog is about life as a solo traveler. I consider myself a traveler, not a tourist. When I travel, I want to experience the local people’s way of life. I can do this by staying in hostels, guesthouses, or in homestays. I do not stay in hotels or resorts. Rather than taking package tours or tourist buses, I use local transportation. A much slower way to travel, but this method of transportation gives me the opportunity to interact with the local people. Instead of eating in fancy restaurants, I choose to eat at the food stalls on the street. I find that the authentic local food can be enjoyed where the local people eat. As a traveler, I enjoy living outside my comfort zone. I like to push myself to experience new situations and new people. By exploring the world as a traveler, I can do this quite well.

CAMPECHE, MEXICO

     I travel slowly, visiting fewer places, but for longer stays. When I arrive somewhere new, I first look for a place to sleep. Instead of booking a room at a place I’ve never been, I find a place to stay upon arrival. I enjoy this flexibility, and often find some superb accommodations. I am learning to rely on my instinct and intuition, and when I find a place I like, I stay for a while. If I find a place that feels uncomfortable, I move on. This concerns sleeping places as well as cities, town, or villages. If it feels good, I stay for a while. The longer I stay in one place, the more local people I meet, and the easier it is to experience the local peoples lifestyle. Each day begins with no plans, I like the day to unfold as it will. With little effort, opportunities arise and situations present themselves, and my days are full of pleasant happenings.

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA

     
     Of course, the life of a traveler is not always pleasant. Shit happens, but that is a part of life anywhere. Sometimes it gets lonely, but that can be resolved by finding other travelers or interacting with local people. After all, it is the people that make the place. It is the people I meet along the way that later remind me of a place. Other travelers let me look at their guidebooks so I don’t have to carry a heavy travel book. Other travelers trade me their reading books so I only have to carry one at a time. Other travelers share their experiences so I can learn about new places to visit and places to sleep and eat. It is the people I meet that are forever in my heart and mind. The people, make my travels pleasant.

HANOI, VIETNAM

     It is as a traveler, that I have found a country I want to live in. As a traveler, I have found that I like the southern part of this country. And, as a traveler, I have selected a small town to settle myself. Soon, my real adventure begins. Because I have traveled for years as a solo traveler, I am comfortable moving permanently abroad. Sure, it will be difficult at times, but since I am at ease being a traveler, I know I can deal with anything that comes up. Let the wild rumpus begin . . .