Live Like the River and the Wind

Spent a lovely few days here in Seoul, which I have come to much enjoy. As with Tim in London or Nick in Greece, it is quite a special thing in the travels to meet up with good people where they live, and so bypass the customary life of the tourist. Great catching up and sharing old and new stories with Monsieur Bears, as always. Watching Rooney, Berbatov, and co. on their pre-season Asian tour was also truly magnificent and a stand-out highlight. The quality goals from the game here and photos of the antics here. And, like the caligraphy cited in the title, a new quote: "If she sees it but once, what matters if it melts away."

Korea is quite a change from China - welcome in the sense that it has that much more familiar sense about it, though I am eager to return tomorrow to the madness and scenery of the south for one more week. Had the chance to update the itinerary on the right and map out the trajectory of the next month too, hopefully through Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia to Singapore, although I have not ruled out a jaunt to Indonesia at this stage either. Ah, movement, the ever-constant remedy. What is the point? Picked up a few more classics to see me through, including the monumental War and Peace, so should be fun.

Just about at the end of month 4 of 6, which will be marked by arrival in Guilin after a ridiculous 25 hour train ride. As things start winding down, there is a sense of the magnitude and variety seen and accomplished thus far - could not have hoped for more. Having this week to recharge was welcome, but I have come to realize as well that, come the end of September, I will no doubt be ready to shift back to the regularity of life in Halifax. At least for a few months. And that is a pretty comforting thought, heading into this grand homestretch of elephants and wats.

More later from Phuket at the start of the month upon the final escape from China. Stay well.