Part 1 of my video short documenting my isolated island getaway off Thailand’s eastern coastline.

The experience was nothing short of phenomenal! Hope you enjoy. More to come…

There’s something that’s been going on in this house that no one wants talk about. Even though it’s become painfully obvious to everyone including myself, no one seems to be able to verbalize this very real issue that ultimately has affected us all. Let me preface this first by saying that my intent is not to be a rude or vulgar person. But, in the midst of all that has recently gone on in our group there is something that I now know we are all guilty of.

So here’s the situation. I’m going to lay it all out there for you so no one has to wonder what’s really going on in this house. We ran out of toilet paper a few days back and even though the bathroom has been receiving a steady stream of repeat customers, no one seems to be that concerned about it. Which can only really mean one thing. We’ve all been doing it. We’ve all been using the Ass Hose. We’ve all been using the ass hose no one wants to talk about it! But you probably don’t know what an ass hose is do you? Well let me fill you in…

The ass hose, casually referred to as “The Bum Gun,” is a simple device that southeast Asia invented in an attempt replace toilet paper. While the jury’s still out as to the devices standard level of hygiene and effectiveness, it’s quite popular in Thailand none-the-less. We had joked about the ass hose in the beginning. “Ahahaha…The Thais are out of their minds. They must be crazy if they think I’m ever touching that thing.” Ok, yeah, laugh it up buddy. Little did we know that the ass hose always gets the final laugh.

Like I said, we ran out of toilet paper a few days ago.

This particular day at work, Jean-Pierre and I had a four hour break in between classes. In the past, we’ve gone home and chilled out for a few hours, but today adventure was in the air. Where I thought we were simply headed for a joy ride towards some hot springs, Jean-Pierre was on a personal mission to find the legend, in Chiang Mai, known as Crazy Horse.

Coming from New York, I have a lot of friends that are involved in an array of hobbies. Jean-Pierre is the first ever rock climber in my circle of friends. He’s a beast on these rocks! His excitement, almost immediately, became my excitement. I knew, looking up at that rock, that I’d be witnessing JP climb up it. It was only a matter of time.

So, while riding into the jungle route, on a dirt road, re-remembering “Oh shit, I am in Thailand,” we ran into these three women from Colorado. Of course! We all got to talking and they started spitting out words and rock terminology that only rang a bell in remembering former childhood episodes of “Guts”. It was dope!

I’m very happy for him. I’m happy for all of us to find our outlets, that keep us centered back home, here. It’s just as important as finding new things here that encourage happiness. Jeremiah loves music…karaoke is his thing. As it should be, he has an amazing voice. I happen to be a writer. Sitting somewhere secluded and writing for hours brings me pleasure that many never know. Jean-Pierre is a climber. It’s in his blood. I can only respect and admire that.

So, as we spoke to these women, and as I watched one ascend and descend the rock, I could feel JP’s eyes glaring.

“He wants me to try this,” I said to myself. The weird thing was, watching the women, and JP free climb just to get a “feel” for the rock, sparked my interest as well. What is happening to me? Have I been hanging around this man too much?

Hannah Miranda and Kung Fu Tyler. Word.

A brief history of Halloween:

• Roman Catholics: honor all saints, known or unknown.
• Episcopalians and Lutherans: sacrifies made in honor of the dead
• Druids: fire festival
• Unites States: superheroes and princesses trick or treat
• Jet Set Zero Thailand: All bets off.

Das ist eine tall German!

Michael‘s back!

Once I got back from the island – and linked back in with the digital world – I got a message from Michael, a German traveler that we first met in Bangkok at the hostel we were staying in. For me, he and another friend made there called Nydia, were the best part of our brief stay in that rough city.

It’s brilliant how two people from seemingly disparate backgrounds, contexts, and continents can connect so effortlessly. We’ve only been hanging out a couple of days here in Chiang Mai, but each day is filled with laughter, intelligent and open discussion, and constructive personal insights as we continue to connect with and meet other new friends. I believe that all true friends inspire one another and live with abundant love – Michael is one of those friends.

It all reminds me again how we are really all just one human family, and when it feels right it’s just golden!

I’ve filmed inside a lot of houses of worship this year.  In Vietnam I visited countless Buddhist pagodas.  In Ecuador, it seemed I was in a Catholic church just as often as I wasn’t.  And here in Thailand, there’s a Buddhist wat on every corner.  So it may sound strange when I say that despite the number of hours I’ve spent filming the Christians and Buddhists who use these spaces (see Quito episode 6), it still makes me deeply uncomfortable to do so.  It has little to do with my own beliefs, except maybe this one:  Respect the spirituality of others.

Sadly, I think this makes me a bad fit for my job.  I can’t help but feel that I’m intruding on something deeply personal when I point my camera at a person in prayer.  There’s a great scene in Waking Life when filmmaker Caveh Zahedi tries to summarize the position of the Christian film critic Bazin by saying, “Film is like a record of God or the face of God, or of the ever-changing face of God.”  It’s a beautiful thought, and one that should strike terror into the hearts of any god-fearer with a camera phone.  Still, we don’t have to share Bazin’s beliefs to recognize that the strangers I’m filming DO believe, and that if ever there was a moment when they might fear me capturing their god on camera, this is it.  (For the record, Bazin never called it a “holy moment,” as Caveh claims.)

They don't build 'em like they used to.

So why do I film someone when I’m worried they’ll take offense?  (more…)

My celebration of life continues and this past week it included…

• Circumnavigating an island by kayak
• Making 9 beautiful new friends
• Seeing a shooting star
• Skinny dipping in phosphorescent waters
• Finding just what I’ve been seeking: peace, joy, love, and natural beauty

So pure.

Check out more photos on my Facebook page here.

The first day in Thailand. Looking back is so crazy. We have come a long way!

Yesterday was the hardest day I have had in Thailand so far, and I’ve had some pretty rough days here.  I’ve spent almost 36 hours without food and it still has nothing on yesterday. Last night one of our cast mates loaded on a jet and headed back to her life in New York City. Evita was an awesome travel companion, and what made it so tough to watch her leave was that we had become so close over the last couple of weeks. The night before her departure we lived it up, we stayed out until three in the morning drinking and having a good time bonding. The house has definitely gotten a lot quieter since she has been gone, and NO thats not a good thing, I miss her laugh! She was my sanity here. She was like my mother figure, I could vent to her when I needed to and she would take it all in and give me that extra boost I needed. She is a genuine loyal person and has one of the biggest hearts I have ever encountered. I learned so much from her in such a short period of time, and for that I am thankful. So… Dear Evita, if you read this, I am so honored that I got the chance to meet you. I can honestly say that you have made your mark in my life. I know that I will leave this experience with a true friend. And to be honest with you, I never knew what that was until now. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done. I love you!

Sometimes local noodle dishes just won’t do, and you need KFC to fulfill the urge…

Sometimes walking through a street market won’t suffice, and you end up walking through a five level mall instead…

Sometimes forgetting you’re in Thailand, is exactly what you need to clear your mind to get back to it…

Sometimes bugging out in a photo booth with one of your best friends is what the doctor ordered…

Even Dengue cant front on that!

(Jeremiah one day you will forgive me for posting these photos up on the internet!)

The next (and much anticipated) episode in Quito’s story is finally here. 

Are travelers more spiritually aware? The cast splits as they search for answers to some of life’s most ancient questions. Jenna ventures into the jungles of Ecuador for a taste of hallucinogenic ayahuasca, while Freddie and Laurene embark on personal quests through some of Ecuador’s beautiful Catholic churches. Ryan longs for that other great spiritual center: home.