As I write this, two things are happening.
First I am finally actually getting clean off Tramadol, not just tapering down to a "safe" dose. I am now on 50mg/day and can stop any time suffering only minimal withdrawal, having been in almost continuous mild withdrawal for the past month as I tapered down from a sustained dose of 800mg/day. I am very happy to say that I managed to counter the withdrawal's bad effects with either studying (everything), or taking inspiration from the teachings of The Buddha.
The second thing happening is that I am finishing up things in Thailand. Thanks to my new phone getting lost, I don't even need to say goodbye to anyone... not that I have anyone besides Vegan to say goodbye to... which is ironic, since I had at least 30 contacts in my phone, most of which were Thai. Tells you just how fruitful are relationships with the Thai...
That said though, the combination of the above two have granted me a brand new, shiny lense through which to view Thailand: that of Compassion. Irony strikes again. As I started preparing to leave a month ago, I have become MUCH more tolerant to Thailand in general. It seems I have coincidentally reached the final phase of culture-shock at the very end of my stay. I still did not forget any of the mistreatments I have received, and will continue to warn fellow travellers about the nasties of Thailand - but all the bitterness has gone away. There is no hatefulness left - just memories of a cynical outlook. Now I go through the days with a smile, perhaps content with the knowledge that I am leaving soon - and for once, leaving off to realize one of my lifelong dreams: visiting India.
I do not remember the last time I've ever been so happy (naturally). I feel a glowing joy surrounding me all the time now. I am really looking forward to my India trip, and shall start a new blog just for it
I leave on the morning of the 10th, landing in Kolkata (Calcutta). From there, assuming all paperwork and permits gets done, I leave east to Bangladesh. Going through Bangladesh is just an alternative to going north through West Bengal. I won't be spending any significant time in the country (in fact, I'm going to try for a transit visa). The idea is just to experience a less familiar side of the subcontinent. Besides, it's for bragging rights
.
From Northwest Bangladesh, I exit and head to Darjeeling. Assuming I got a Sikkim Permit back in Kolkatta, I head to Sikkim for a few days. From there I head west to Nepal. (Note that, basically, I have not been to India by then).
After exploring Nepal, I head back down to Varanasi. That will be my first true taste of India, as I plan to spend some time there. From Varanasi, I somehow make it to Srinagar or Ladakh or McLeod Ganj or Amritsar. One of those will be my base, and from it I'd likely visit the other. The point is that the majority of my time in India will be spent in the far northwest.
There are also two prospects that depend entirely on money, time, weather, and - most importantly - politics. These are Kerala and Sri Lanka in the south, and Pakistan to the east.
I'd DIE (literally - I don't care about security threats) to see Northern Pakistan. However, visiting there is very contingent on the above factors. Such a shame, as I would have actually made Pakistan my base for this trip in a better world...
Stay put for a new blog, published by "A Large Barge with a Radio Antenna Tower on it." as my blogs are collectively titled.*
* A cookie for whoever catches the reference!
First I am finally actually getting clean off Tramadol, not just tapering down to a "safe" dose. I am now on 50mg/day and can stop any time suffering only minimal withdrawal, having been in almost continuous mild withdrawal for the past month as I tapered down from a sustained dose of 800mg/day. I am very happy to say that I managed to counter the withdrawal's bad effects with either studying (everything), or taking inspiration from the teachings of The Buddha.
The second thing happening is that I am finishing up things in Thailand. Thanks to my new phone getting lost, I don't even need to say goodbye to anyone... not that I have anyone besides Vegan to say goodbye to... which is ironic, since I had at least 30 contacts in my phone, most of which were Thai. Tells you just how fruitful are relationships with the Thai...
That said though, the combination of the above two have granted me a brand new, shiny lense through which to view Thailand: that of Compassion. Irony strikes again. As I started preparing to leave a month ago, I have become MUCH more tolerant to Thailand in general. It seems I have coincidentally reached the final phase of culture-shock at the very end of my stay. I still did not forget any of the mistreatments I have received, and will continue to warn fellow travellers about the nasties of Thailand - but all the bitterness has gone away. There is no hatefulness left - just memories of a cynical outlook. Now I go through the days with a smile, perhaps content with the knowledge that I am leaving soon - and for once, leaving off to realize one of my lifelong dreams: visiting India.
I do not remember the last time I've ever been so happy (naturally). I feel a glowing joy surrounding me all the time now. I am really looking forward to my India trip, and shall start a new blog just for it
I leave on the morning of the 10th, landing in Kolkata (Calcutta). From there, assuming all paperwork and permits gets done, I leave east to Bangladesh. Going through Bangladesh is just an alternative to going north through West Bengal. I won't be spending any significant time in the country (in fact, I'm going to try for a transit visa). The idea is just to experience a less familiar side of the subcontinent. Besides, it's for bragging rights
. From Northwest Bangladesh, I exit and head to Darjeeling. Assuming I got a Sikkim Permit back in Kolkatta, I head to Sikkim for a few days. From there I head west to Nepal. (Note that, basically, I have not been to India by then
). After exploring Nepal, I head back down to Varanasi. That will be my first true taste of India, as I plan to spend some time there. From Varanasi, I somehow make it to Srinagar or Ladakh or McLeod Ganj or Amritsar. One of those will be my base, and from it I'd likely visit the other. The point is that the majority of my time in India will be spent in the far northwest.
There are also two prospects that depend entirely on money, time, weather, and - most importantly - politics. These are Kerala and Sri Lanka in the south, and Pakistan to the east.
I'd DIE (literally - I don't care about security threats) to see Northern Pakistan. However, visiting there is very contingent on the above factors. Such a shame, as I would have actually made Pakistan my base for this trip in a better world...
Stay put for a new blog, published by "A Large Barge with a Radio Antenna Tower on it." as my blogs are collectively titled
.** A cookie for whoever catches the reference!
