A Bowl of Stupid

With a promise to write later this week about my recent adventures in the wily wilds of Northern Thailand and Suburban Massachusetts, I am happy to report I've got an agenda (or what reasonably passes for an agenda for me) as for the next couple months.

I am, for now, leaving the mains of Southeast Asia in favor of traveling to the larger areas that, quite honestly, initially prompted me to leave the States in the first place:

The outer Asian Islands, Oceania and eventually … Polynesia.

And I'm giving up the backpack once again for my surfboards. I'm gonna try to get back into the water, folks (congrats on the arrival of the new little monkey, by the way).

I just booked a flight to the Philippines (I leave for Manila this coming Monday), which is a relatively cheap flight from here, and also apparently has some decent surf spots. I still need to determine where they are … and also where I can go that I won't get shot.

At this point, I've still got a few days to figure that out … or buy some Kevlar, whichever comes first.

I'm not sure just how long I'm going to stay in the Philippines, but from there, I'm heading (tentatively, of course) to the Republic of Palau, in the westernmost Micronesian isles (and where they filmed the first Survivor T.V. show), before heading (again, tentatively) to Guam, where there are also supposed to be some really nice surf spots.

This whole area is supposed to house some absolutely spectacular surfing, and in conditions which one typically associates with the Pacific Islands — succulent green forests, iridescent blue waters, and a truly, truly relaxed atmosphere.

(Photo by Tim McKenna)

Don't get me wrong, I could be completely wrong about this. I could walk into some of these places and experience another Kuta, Bali. Regardless, this time, I will try to not let my preconceived notions get in the way of my enjoyment of the areas and experiences.

As an aside, it's funny that, when I was a kid, I never saw myself going out to these places that were so integral to America's victory in World War II (and which were also the canvas upon which the genius of McHales' Navy was oh so vividly painted).

I must admit, I'm excited about not just visiting the area, but I'm also looking forward to seeing how the American prescience of the last 60 years has shaped itself, the people, and the cultures in this part of the world.

At this point, I really have no idea. And not to sound like an even more ungrateful son of a bitch than I already do after having visited some truly nice places in recent months, but I'm really excited about this. For the first time since I left for Boston, I've actually got my nethers into a froth about traveling somewhere new (albeit obviously for a whole new set of reasons).

Don't get me wrong, I love being here in Asia, and the people, the places, and the cultures I've seen since coming here have been both breathtaking and eye-opening. However, I'm also ready to see something a little different (I hope). Similarly, I still miss KB terribly, too — and wish she were coming with me — but regardless, I'm not gonna let that to diminish my excitement too much in heading out towards these places I've dreamed of going for so long.

I believe in the future. And also, at least I'm gonna be a few hours closer to the frozen tundra of Boston. That's gotta count for something too, right?

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