The road more or less traveled

Around the end of the nineteenth century, a tourist from the United States visited the famous Polish rabbi Hafez Hayyim. He was astonished to see that the rabbi's home was just a simple room filled with books. The only furniture was a table and a bench.
"Rabbi, where is your furniture?" asked the tourist.
"Where is yours?" replied Hafez.
"Mine? But I'm only a visitor here."
"So am I," said the rabbi.

This entry is dedicated to my fellow-travelers, whether your mode of transport is plane, boat or mind. I consider 'traveler' to be an inclusive category, for we all share the same mortal journey from cradle to grave. And we are all on board what Bucky Fuller called, 'The Great Spaceship Earth.'

This will be my last writing from Thailand, at least for the immediate future. Fickle finger of fate not withstanding, I fly out of Bangkok International in four days.
In a previous entry I covered the topic of teaching English in Thailand. Now, as my pending departure looms, I would like to address this Country as a travel destination. Well, actually, that's really just a segway into the topic of travel in general. And, o.k. I admit it, that in turn is a segway to more philospophical meanderings.
This particular sojourn has lasted just over one year, although I have been here several times for shorter journeys. I find myself drawn by the land, the people, and the travel-friendly mix of adventure, (relative) comfort, and economic feasibility.
The land is varied, which suits the unpredictable range of my inclinations. Basically, in the north there are jungles and mountains. In the south there are islands and tropical paradises. If I wish to trek through lush folilage, past waterfalls, among elephants and hill tribe villages; I opt for the former. If I wish to lay in the sun, swim in turquoise waters, and just generally chill out; then I land in Bangkok and head south. The bordering Countries are also a lure. Within a day and for under 15 dollars, you can be at the border of Cambodia, Laos, or Myanmar.
The people are an even greater attraction for me. I find the Thais to be a beautiful race, both physically and tempermentally. Thailand is known as the land of smiles, and it's a well-deserved moniker. Among their cultural values are friendliness, politeness, and an ever-present to desire to have a fun time.
Asia, in general, has a different cultural zeitgeist than Western countries. I know that's kind of stating the obvious, but it's not something that I can actually put a verbal finger on. It's more of a pervading sensation on the tip of my cognitive tongue. Wow, what a metaphysical mouthful!
Anyway.
Let's say that you've bought my plug and wish to come here for yourself. What should you bring?
First of all (and last of all): Light is good. Less is better. Etcetera.
Having said that, let me mention a few of my favorite items. I won't insult your travel intelligence by listing the obvious, so if you arrive here without your underwear it's not on my head (ugh, I hope not).
Although there is something to be said for traveling blind, I like to carry a guide book. I can look up basic phrases, get a sense of travel options, and it's nice to have a heads-up as regards cultural customs and expectations. Personally, I usually pick up a Lonely Planet guide.
A headlamp ranks high on my desirability list, and Oral B makes a disposable toothbrush that you can slip on your finger. In tropical areas an umbrella is convenient, and small token gifts don't go amiss. In my first aid kit I usually pack a clean syringe, needle and suturing thread.
All right. piddley material stuff aside, do you really need to bring?
A flexible time-frame, and the patience to utilize it.
The ability to live with uncertainty.
The inner strength to gracefully accept the loss of external control.
A sense of perspective. Again, light is better.
In Hesse's book 'Siddhartha,' the main character has no belongings but he lists the three things he does have: The ability to wait, to think, and to fast. These are good qualities for a traveller.
Some bonus extras? A strong stomach. A good bladder, and its equivalent in bowels (it's a blessing to pick and choose elimination times). A sense of (geographical) direction can save you some grief.
In conclusion, I refer back to the dedication and the concept of everyone being a traveler. People can circle the globe, seeing much and perceiving little. Conversely, people can remain geographically stable and still be great mental wanderers.
Perhaps the most important thing to bring on the journey (both inner and outer), is an open
window of possibility. Be prepared to carpe diem with abandon, and allow your plans to be appropriately blown by the winds of change. Construct your expectations of foam, not cement.
The most powerful wanderings keep their horizons hidden, and that is both their mystery and their greatest gift.

Meandering leads to perfection. -Lao Tzu

Way leads to way. -Gandalph

Strange travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God. -Kurt Vonnegut