Skies over Thailand: fields

Arrived in Bangkok in the darkness of the night. When we landed at around 4.00, the captain said the temperature was already 31 Celsius. Just imagine the temperature during the day! Walking out of the regulated cabin of the plane, the heat hits you, swerves around inside of you, and the dampness slowly soaks through your body, like a warm drizzle on a summer’s eve. You know, when you're in the tropics.

Sitting in the terminal building, waiting for the plane to depart again, this time for the final leg of the flight towards Taiwan. The past eleven hours has been comfortable, didn’t sleep much, maybe just too excited thinking about the things I could do and see, people I would meet and talk to again. Drinks and food kept on coming, again the toll of eating too much, and not having the opportunity to move around. Main course was Chicken with white rice and vegetables for lunch, then mie/hoen (rice noodles), pork and vegetables for dinner. Both meals topped with a light salad, fresh fruits, and desert. To my surprise, my favourite appelkruneltaart (translated ‘ apple crumb cake) was even included. Even when most are asleep, there was instant noodles to be had. I of course did not refuse.

Dusk over Iran

beautiful cloud formation 

Skies over Hungary: eastern hungary 

AMS-BKK lunch 

AMS-BKK: dinner

Hmmmm, lekker!
Notice the appelkrumeltaart! : )

Skies over Holland: lake near Leiden 

Skies over Holland: highway junction 

Skies over Holland: river in fields near Amsterdam 

itsy bitsy spider catching a ride on the plane

As the plan left the terminal building, this little spider climber down my window (outside, thank goodness...). A funny sight. I wondered if it knew this plane was going to sunny Bangkok, or Taipei. But then, it would never survive the -50 Celcius temperatures at 15,000m. Then, as quickly as it slid down the window on its own web, it was blown away by a gush of wind...

Time to go

When I wake up, it will be time to go.
And I'm awake now.

I can feel the excitement as I get dressed, then drag my heavy suitcase slowly towards the airport. I've gone through these moments many times, but everytime, is a special time. Every goodbye is not just a goodbye. They are times when I often think back at what and who I'm saying goodbye to, and what I'm about to greet. For every goodbye is also a first encounter.

My colleagues at work 'celebrated' my leave with drinks and food yesterday afternoon. The whole day I was dreading to be the centre of attention, wondering what people will say about my time at the institute, and looking at the time as I finished the last few bits and pieces, while wondering how many minutes more till the farewell. And the party fared quite well. I received much praise, for my modesty, efficiency and friendliness. As I heard those words, I felt relieved. I was wondering whether I really did all that. And at the same time also wondering why I did not even notice the many things I have accomplished. Those doubts about whether people liked my presence or contributions slid away. My efforts, inputs and time spent, people saw and felt it. It was definitely a boost of confidence, something I desperately need, and long for. I can be proud that I've managed to touch people, to help them, albeit in a small way, but that's all I wanted.

I told everyone (again) of how grateful I am for all that has been given me the past year. I kept it short, because I've said and written to many already about my appreciation. The opportunities, challenges, encouragements, praises, advice and criticisms. Every moment a moment of learning, about myself, and about others. Truly, my first long-term work experience was successfully completed. I left, leaving the card and letter on my desk. Something I enjoy doing I guess...leaving notes for people to discover. To me, that keeps a part of me there, even when I'm actually not. And that's special. Again, 'writing says more', especially for a timid boy like me!

While going home for the from Leiden, I felt as if I have something to be proud of. The end of an 'era' I was thinking. I wondered when the next time will be when I again walk those steps to and from the law faculty. Not sure when, but I know someday soon again.

So now, a long road ahead.
It's a strange feeling that now I'm typing at home here, while in less than twenty-four hours I'll be in a different place, different time, with different people and in a different culture. It's a beautiful day today.

I can't contain my excitement of being in a plane, that rush of adrenaline when the roar of the engines lift us off the ground. I can see it now...little houses, green pasture, rivers and lakes, flower fields, matchbox cars... I will be looking down, imagining where the places all are. I'll be thinking, I've been there! And most of all, I'll imagine the people down there, busy in their daily routines and their activities.

I'll look out, as the world becomes smaller.
I'll be leaving home.

First, eleven hours to Bangkok. One hour stopover, then the final leg of the journey. When I think about that now, I'm have'kriebels in mijn buik' (that ichy feeling in your stomach when you're faced with something new and exciting.) Especially that final hour approaching Taiwan is always filled with anticipation, sometimes my hands even start to tremble slightly. I remember how amazingly beautiful it was as the plane approached from the south of the island last time.... Kenting Peninsular, Kaoshiung harbour, the lush green rice fields, the soaring mountain ranges, the sea of clouds, and the deep blue of the sea. When I see it, now in my mind, and in a dozens hours past the ice-cold little window, I can imagine why the Portuguese explorers called it Ilha Formosa (Beautiful Island). Because it is.

I'll look out, as the world gets bigger.
I'll be home again.

And it is that strange, yet pleasant feeling that drives me.
I'm leaving home to go home.

To end, a wise quote I found sifting through my files

“He who finds his homeland sweet is still voluptuous; he to whom every soil is as his native one is already strong; but he is perfect to whom the entire world is as a foreign land.” (Hughes de Saint-Victor)

Foreign the world is indeed.

It's almost time...

I know there is no point to concentrate now...I've been trying to force myself to sit down and actually read something about the research work I am going to do, but it's not really effective. I want to read something, I want to know more, but somehow the time just flies by , and I'm not even sure what I've done. Everyday I seem to wake up, go to work, and do some little chores, before you know it, i't's time to have Indonesian lessons with a friend. Then it's home time, then dinner, a bit of tv, and it's almost already time for bed! Before you know it, sitting around, surfing the net, listening to music, drinking some warm water, it's already 1am, like now!

(Today we did have a change, and we ate 'firepot': a boiling pot of soup, and you put vegetables, meat, noodles in it, and cook together with others. Quite filling, fun, and something typically done with friends and family.)

Last night I dreamt about laws and legislative theory in my sleep actually. Maybe that's because I was so anxious about reading more and more about the topic, that I actually dreamt it happening. Don't know if it's a good sign, at all. I just hope that I will be 'prepared' for what is to come ahead of me. I feel a bit puzzled whether I should be digging myself in books and articles and thirst knowledge, so I'd be better prepared for dealing, analysing and writing about migrant workers....but then a part of me wants to enjoy the last few days here for a long time to come, to go out with friends, to finish unfinished business (laatste loodjes). A part of me also says that it may be alright to face what is to come with a clear, relaxed mind, and to absorb the practical side, before the academic and heavy stuff. A part of me says I am not a PhD student, this is not a thesis-to-be, just experience, just an exploratory fieldwork, which should be filled with fun and relaxation as well as some work.

Still, sometimes a bit uneasy.

Bags and suitcase are packed.
Not sure what else I could prepare for.

Except, for bed now.