This message was not planned, but today I felt the desire to share the last facts on my life in Asia.
Something weird has happened since I left. Travelers are generally full of heroic stories about how they learned fantastic lessons on themselves during their travels. Almost all discovered that they were much more organized, in control and proud to see how they improved.
Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I am rather the opposite! When I lived in London (and in Rome), I was well known to be a super organized / obsessed girl. I had catalogs and lists for everything. I have never forgotten payment or delay. I always had 10 minutes earlier at the appointments.
Well, forget this girl, as Asia mysteriously transformed me into Miss Messy!
Incidents:
1) An illegal month in Thailand!
Today, I discovered that I am officially an illegal immigrant in Thailand since early August.
WHAT??…. YES.
I went to get a visa in Malaysia 2 months ago, and looking at the stamp that I just read “September 6”, I did not check it twice (or 3/4/5 times as I would have done in Europe). Today, I just realized that the expiration date was August 4 instead. How nice is it?
It was a shock. And a huge disappointment. I am quite strict with myself with regard to important tasks, and it is certainly one of them. It can seriously get me in trouble. If for any reason, a police officer stops now, I would finish in prison, no jokes.
I panic honestly at the moment, because (even if the possibility is distant), Thai prisons are the worst place where a human beginning would like to stay even for a few days. For this reason, it is even more surprising than I took everything if lightly. It is beyond my understanding.
But this is not the first time that something totally inappropriate has happened to me and because of my lack of attention.
2) I was stolen in my sleep
This guy was wiser than me!
Source: blog.sleepinginAirports.net
In Siem Reap, Cambodia, we obtained a thief. Not yet the worst. Someone entered our room because I totally forgot to lock the interior door before going to bed. If I think about it, I always shiver with horror for what could have happened.
We were lucky, really lucky, because none of us woke up and they simply stole our 2 mobiles (and we had our photographic equipment in display, money and other precious objects).
Fortunately for me, I broke my mobile the day before (it was already old, so not a big problem for that), the worst was to start responsible for what happened, and for my friend’s mobile too, so I bought 2 new ones in Bangkok.
It cost me money of almost a month, but you must be responsible for your actions, and I was very lucky, because I am more than happy to pay money, instead of having something worse on my conscience.
The ugly truth
These are the main episodes, and they are quite heavy, because the consequences may have been much worse (well, I want lucky for my visa to run tomorrow, because I really don’t want to end up in prison!).
Apart from these episodes, there is also something else that has bored me since the start of my trip. I am messy. Incredibly disorderly. I broadcast my things everywhere, I lose objects quite easily and I never know where my things are.
I’m ashamed a lot for that. Ok, it’s not a capital sin. But I am no longer a teenager, and I was very used to my super organized life in London. So what happens to me? After 2 hours that lead and beat me on my last accident, I think I finally found my answer.
I have always been messy, but I am a control monster and organize my life perfectly was just an alibi for whom I am really.
And this is not the answer that I like. Believe me, it took me a while to be able to write it. But here is: the ugly truth. I need to accept it first, then try to do something.
They tell you that travel help you discover not only the world but also a little better. Quite true. When I found this quote, I obviously thought of the wonderful things that I would discover on myself: how strong, attentive and incredibly beautiful.
(Oh shit. Didn’t work exactly as I expected …)
It fears to admit that I am completely disorganized if I have the freedom to be 100%myself. This is the point. As I know how anal I can be if I have to do it. But During my trips, I completely relaxed my standards.
What is good in a way is my trip and I cannot pretend to be organized all the time. But there are important things that I should never take for granted and lightly.
I really hope I learned my lesson, I need more structure in my life from now on. Especially now that I will restart again by myself. Maybe this last incident was a good reminder of the universe to start revising my life RIGHT AWAY.
This lesson costs me about £ 450. 15 days of my precious budget burned because of my distraction.
But What costs me most is admitting my faultsto me and to you. I thought it would not be fair if I told you how proud I am doing what I do and not sharing the dark, messy side. I hope you appreciate my efforts!
Have you discovered something unpleasant by traveling? And above all, am I the only person to be completely disorganized during a trip?
Share your opinions or just wish me good luck for tomorrow 🙂