Blog

I wouldn't necessarily consider myself "impulsive," but there's no doubt that my decision to do this trip was just that. With the help and support of my parents, I found Pacific Discovery on Google, read the program itinerary, and was registered for this session about an hour later. Granted, this might not seem that impulsive on its own, but it also occurred just 3 days before I was supposed to return for my second semester sophomore year at college and 22 days before my… Read more

As February quickly comes to an end, so does the first half of our adventure through Southeast Asia. After 28 days, six cities, very slow "slow-boat" journeys, nauseating bus rides, three isolated villages, and two different countries, we've experienced enough to last a lifetime, but we're not stopping anytime soon. Looking back, Bangkok seems like forever ago. Thirteen strangers meeting in a park, awkward and excited as hell. It's mind-blowing to see how much we've all… Read more

After a rigorous day ascending a mountain we found ourselves in the most isolated and serene village I've ever seen. I was in complete awe when we first arrived, having to take a moment of silence so I could simply absorb the peaceful atmosphere. The sounds of the jungle reverberating throughout the village like a symphony without conductor. I listened intently to the sound of water splashing upon river rocks, as it fell from the bamboo shoot that disappeared into the th… Read more

Dreams constantly affect our decisions and even mold who we become. More often than not, dreams remain just that, lingering ideas that replay in our heads. They keep us entertained through long bus rides or through college lectures, and they are also an escape and a time to ponder. However, today was a day where a dream intertwined with reality. Today became the day Jenna, a kind, humorous, and determined woman, learned that she could meet her biological family whom she … Read more

We stocked up on extra water and took a deep breath, acknowledging that this may be one of the more physically demanding things we do on this trip. It was the day we started our four day trek through the Laotian jungle. After a rather bumpy three-hour van ride, we split up into two groups, setting off on opposite paths and planning to meet in the middle on the second day. The group I was in started off slow and easy, first making our way through the stretches of rice pa… Read more

Our first border crossing and we're on to new lands! We drive through Laos and I watch the terrain roughen, thick groves of bamboo trees and dense mountain shrubbery dot our sinuous pathway as we cruise towards the Mekong. When we finally reach it, it is just as I expected: speckled with rocks, thick and brown and churning. Our cruising boat is decked out with refurbished car seats and ruffled curtains, the epitome of shabby chic. Border crossing is a lot of hurry-up-an… Read more

To say the trek was challenging for us would be a gross understatement. But nothing can grow without pain, no one can learn without frustration, and people cannot explore without leaving their comforts at home. After four days and three nights of trekking through the mountainous regions near Nong Kyiaw, I believe it's safe to say that we all have a new appreciation and understanding of what we have and where we come from. After a long, hot and arduous trek straight up a… Read more

(Part 1 of 2, see my co-blogger Rowan's post for yoga and meditation fun!) Although we were sad to leave our ele-friends behind, heading back to Chiang Mai wasn't a bad recovery! This city has so much to offer and our group really took advantage. We had a city wide "amazing race" competition, attended a ladyboy cabaret show, went to the awesome night markets, took a Muay Thai boxing class, hung out at the pool, and my personal favorite - took a Thai cooking course!! Th… Read more

To learn to live without. Is there value in being okay with nothing? For a while I thought so, but only out of blind faith. After believing in minimalist theory for a few years, my hometown became boring, I got tired of the people I would regularly see, and I longed for something new. But then I started experimenting with meditation. Meditation: the art of getting good at being bored. Once I started meditating, I stopped taking things for granted as frequently. Colors g… Read more

It's been a crazy week here in Thailand with Southeast Asia Group B since the moment we arrived in Bangkok on our first day. Bangkok is an interesting city, full of contrast. In the shadows of skyscrapers sit small shacks and broken down concrete structures. Giant billboards (probably 4 times the size of the ones I'm used to in the US) sit next to large tollways, full of traffic, and beautiful, ornate temples dot the horizon. None of us really knew what we expected comin… Read more