I have met some really nice people doing a massage course and I have very willingly agreed to go to the school to get a few free massages so they can practice.
At this point in my trip, I have realised I have learnt quite a lot about myself. Things I like and don't like, what I want to achieve and what is important to me. I was hoping for some kind of epiphany telling me what I want to do in the future but I have figured out it doesn't work like that. Meeting new people and spending time in different countries and cultures encourages you to think about life and all of it's wonderful opportunities, almost making it harder to know what you want to do after travelling.
When you meet other travellers, you generally ask each other questions to try and find out some information about them. I have realised I enjoy asking the questions but don't enjoy answering them and talking about myself. However, it makes you learn more about yourself and appreciate your talents a lot more. A good example of this happened in Pai. The hostel in which I stayed was full of musicians and artists and most evenings a guy called john played live music at a bar in town. We were chatting as a group a few days into my stay and I was asked what I studied, 'German and Music' I replied and he clocked on immediately. 'What instrument?', 'Piano'. He was impressed and the next day he found a keyboard and set it up outside. He wanted me to play but I was too shy, not confident enough in my ability and I was worried I wouldn't live up to whatever expectation the group had. Another day passed and I kept eyeing up the keyboard. I ended up waiting until nobody was around and then I started playing. It felt great, partly because I had really missed playing and partly because no one was there. Or so I thought. 'So you can play!' I heard from the room next door. John came out and I instantly went red but felt pretty good. This gave me a confidence boost and the next night we had a jam session. Everyone played or sang and I was asked to play the piano. I messed up a few times but when I looked up everyone was smiling and I got lots of hugs and people actually thanking me for playing, they had all really enjoyed it and i felt on cloud nine. I may not be the worlds best pianist but that experience has given me such a confidence boast. Many people say to me they wish they played an instrument so I shouldn't be so shy about it.
Similiarly, when I say I speak German or that I do yoga or that I did a triathlon once or that I love singing or even that I have a degree, it makes you recount these achievements and hardwork that went into them and really appreciate what you can do.
Great story flick, it really make you put these things in perspective. I guess It makes you really appreciate how lucky we all were to have had the opportunity to do things like learn music and study at uni. Hope the rest of the travelling is as rewarding as it has been so far and look forward to catching up when you get back. It made me smile on the dull commute home from work ;-) xx
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