State of mind
A passport filled with stamps. A backpack filled with precious memories. A heart filled with gifts of life. Fulfilled, that is how I feel.

And now, almost time to go back to Rotterdam, just one week left. Letting go this wonderful travel time. Ready for it?
Part of me is scared - Part of me is curious.
Part of me is crying - Part of me is excited.
Part of me wants to stay - Part of me I looking forward to see my beloved family and friends.

Tension of opposites. I wonder how it will be - trying not to create pictures in my head, being open to whatever comes next.

It’s about who you travel with
I would like to share the joy and life lessons given to me by special people, that created the framework of this trip. Without all of you my time would not have been the same. In chronological order:

Judith from Holland: what an unforgettable introduction to India. Observing your spontaneous way of making contact with the people we have met. With me. Being just as curious as the Indian people. Experienced so much together, three weeks felt like three months.

Kuralay from Kazakhstan: sweet roommate with an always positive attitude. Kept my feet on the ground during ashram times in India. What good laughs and conversations we had, especially during the official silent times. Looking forward to my first Kazakhstan wedding.

Martin from Germany: intense friendship from the first moment in the ashram. India. Sri Lanka. We really explored many different landscapes together, never boring. Shared cultural and spiritual perspectives and lived them. And let’s not forget all the food we shared. Always in my heart.

Jacob from Denmark: even without any form of contact during the Vipassana meditation in Myanmar, knowing that you were there got me trough is somehow. Helping each other towards enlightment.

Chris from Germany: also playing cast away on Koh Mak, Thailand. First neighbors, two days later food friends. Really enjoyed the insides in each other lives. Inspiring me to think about a new adventure, working and living in a foreign country. Who knows… Good luck with yours.

Jasemin and Lisa from Germany: my teachers and my students during our yoga TTC course in India. This made teachings so much easier and enjoyable. 108 Om namah shivayas for you sweet ladies.

Juta, a little bit from everywhere: neighbors during our TTC asana classes and later in Rishikesh. Chanting together. If it was not for my expiring visa and limited time I probably would still be in Rishikesh with you, loved all our little moments together. See you in Berlin (or was it Being?)!

Anne from France: Sparkling surf docter who Wouter and I met in Indonesia. Every activity with you was fun and entertaining. Will never forget our karaoke night and scootering through Yogya. Have fun in Thailand. Au revoir.

Karen and Karen from Australia: Watch out, these two ladies will maybe be the coolest Ozzies you’ll ever meet! Bit awkward in the beginning with 50 other people on one boat for five days, but luckily we’ve met you. We’re still enjoying your gift, slowly turning into yatzee addicts.

Wouter: My beloved and so called husband during our time in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Encouraging me to make the big decision to go. Helping me out with all the practical stuff. Supporting me at difficult moments. Making sure I kept realizing how special this travel time was. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, but we are working on every one of them. Facing what is there. Finding each other on new dimensions, how sweet love is. Lucky I am to have someone who makes coming home much easier.

Every one back home: travelling with me. Sending me supporting messages. It was so nice reading them again on difficult days. Without speaking or hearing, I felt your love.

And thanks to myself: being brave. Being fully present in the moment. Opening my heart. Finding myself.

Trust in life
From here…..
Letting go my travel pictures - slowly coming home.
Keeping on to my mind pictures - knowing life will never be the same.
Cherishing and nursing my heart pictures - precious gifts for always with me.

Some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.

One day I red, you only get one life. It is your duty to live it as fully as possible. In India I learned about reincarnation and working on good karma for the next life, until you break the circle of dead and rebirth. The truth? I have not cracked this puzzle (maybe in the next life), but in either ways we have to make the most of it in this life. Living in the here and now. Pursue our dreams. Stepping outside our comfort zone. Choose for adventure. Surround ourselves with people who believe in our dreams. Explore the world.

Morrie Schwartz wrote: “If you have found meaning in your life, you do not want to go back. You want to go forward. You want to see more, do more.”
Yes travelling in Asia has come to an end, luckily life doesn’t.
So many places to go where I have never been. To be continued…..

With love and an open heart,
Marjolein