Photo of the Week 49

Surprise… I’m back in the USA! Not a total shocker as I did mention that I might be coming home before my scheduled departure at the end of May, but I did end up throwing in the towel about 3 weeks early. I really did try to tough it out and despite it being a very dark time, I am grateful for the six weeks I had back in Asia, days spent bonding with old friends and exploring new places, and proving to myself that I am a little bit stronger than I give myself credit for.

After leaving Koh Tao, about half my time was spent solo and half was spent meeting up with various friends along the way. I realized quickly that I was unquestionably happier when I was wrapped up in the love and distraction of my people. Along this journey I had moments when I felt overwhelmingly grateful to be where I was, moments when I danced till my feet went numb, moments when I threw back my head and really, truly laughed. But in the quiet moments I knew that I was doing it all through a hazy fog of pain, and what I really needed was a little bit of home. I booked a second ticket and a few days later I was watching the Manhattan skyline appear from my airplane window.

The journey is far from over. My previously announced summer plans are still full steam ahead, with some very exciting new additions popping up all the time. It’s going to be a summer of friendship and family, exciting work opportunities, rekindling of old hobbies, and of course, my greatest love of all: travel. As for September, the next big long term adventure is already brewing in my mind. And right here on this blog there is so much to come: a few more recaps of my March visit to New York and coverage of the aforementioned wanderings through Thailand and Laos, along with the usual philosophical musings and fully confessed misadventures.

I hope you’ll stick around.

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Well, things got a little bit deep there for a minute, didn’t they? This Photo of the Week thing is supposed to be a fluff post, really, so my apologies for going serious on you. But in my defense I had to proffer some explanation for how I went from last week’s photo in Vientienne, Laos to this week’s photo in Albany, New York.

These photos were taken at the observation deck of the Corning Towers in downtown Albany, which I shamefully admit I had never visited before this week. The views of my lovely home city are stunning, there’s a little bit of history to absorb and best of all it’s totally free. I only wish I had known about it earlier.

Photo A

Photo B

It’s good to be home.

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Giveaway Winner: Congratulations to reader and commenter number #14 Heather for winning a giftcard to travel bookstore Idlewild! Heather, look out for an email from me today, and to everyone, thanks so much for your great travel book recommendation!