danielbaylis.ca

Each month it’s been my pleasure to snuggle up with you and respond to your questions about the current country I am visiting, my travel experiences and life in general. I make it my personal mission to ensure that everyone gets a response.

This month in Laos there was an overwhelming set of inquiries, so I thought I’d devote an entire extra blog post to responding. That way, you might get answers to questions that you didn’t even know you had!

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Slepin Beuti (Oklahoma, USA) – Are you single?

Yes. In fact most people don’t know this, but Single Ladies by Beyoncé was actually based on my life. True story.

Kelly Fremmerlid (Prince George, Canada)- Is your enthusiasm for travel dwindling? Are you focused more on the end now, than the journey? Also, does the beard have a name? I suggest Trevor.

At the moment, being in Laos has been really great. The lovely experiences are drastically outweighing the challenges, and this makes me content to be traveling. But I also know that the end is very close, and I would have access to ‘exotic’ locations, so I’m inspired to maintain my focus on the journey.

For logistical sake, I’ve always had to have one eye on the horizon, it’s necessary to be thinking a couple months in advance. Now I’m at stage where I don’t have to worry about researching host organizations or flight costs or other travel-related stuff. But I am starting to think about what my life will look like upon returning.

So, as per usual, I’m both in the present and in the future.

I haven’t named the beard. Although I have noted some strong characteristics surfacing – full bodied, slightly disruptive, soft and, at times, quite cheeky. And if you have a penchant for Trevor, then Trevor it shall be.

MadameTerri d’Marigny (New Orleans, USA) – How awesome is it to be living your life to the fullest this past year, Daniel? The amazing places you have seen? How have the many people you have met on this journey have impacted your life?

It is ttttttttthhhhhhhhhhhiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssss awesome!

And I’m going to need a couple of months of letting the dust settle to really wrap my head around the journey, and the beautiful people that I met along the way. But I can say that I have friends now from around the world, and this will inevitably influence my future travel plans. I feel truly blessed to have connected with so many wonderful people.

Jossann Drolet (Calgary, Canada) – Did you float down the river?

I’m not sure to which river you are referring, but the other day I did have a lovely boat ride down the Nom Ou River in the north (Nong Khiaw).

One of the most popular activities in Laos is to tubing in Vang Vieng. I’ve heard stories, however, that the place has become a haven for western drug tourists, and the idea of being surround by that type of traveler is enough to make me stay far, far away.

Travis Robertson (Calgary Canada) -  Hmmmm… a combination of:

1) When did you KNOW you were doing this?
2) When did you start to consider this more seriously, and when did you decide-decide?
3) What book/movie/poem/song/person/yogaposture inspired this adventure most directly?
4) Who was your council between deciding and doing?
5) Did you take seeing your teacher in Laos as a nudge from the universe?

Woah. That’s a lot of Baylis inquiry. But I love to share, so here it goes…

*takes a deep breath*

1) There wasn’t a single moment. Each month has sort of provided beautiful ‘ah-ha’ experiences that have helped to confirm my current reality: sitting beside a waterfall in the jungle in Costa Rica, standing atop of Table Mountain in Cape Town, sipping wine in the south of France, walking with baby goats in Israel, floating down a milk chocolate colored river in Laos. There are constant reminders where the general sentiment is, ‘Holy Shit. I am doing this.’

2) I envisioned this trip back in 2008, and the route that I am following now is the basic trajectory that I had dreamed. There was a point back in September of 2010 when I knew I had to commit or not. All my ducks were in a row – good personal health, relatively good family health, adequate financial savings, the ending of a work contract – so I new that it could be now or never. So I began telling family and friends, and wrote a letter to my employer. The overwhelming response was of support.

3) Wow. I’ve definitely been inspired by songs, films and quotes about travel and living. When I really think about my situation, in some ways it’s not about the travel at all. It’s about chasing a dream. I think The Alchemist is perhaps one of the greatest texts that has supported my process and quelled my fears. After nearly eleven months on the road, I have a sneaking suspicion that the universe has conspired to help me achieve this dream.

4) I am my own council.

5) Indeed, I ran into my seventh grade teacher on the streets of Luang Prabang. I’m not sure if it was a nudge from the universe so much as a simple high-five. I try not to attribute too much meaning to ‘signs from the divine’ because, as humans, we are quick to attribute meaning where we want to see it. I simply loved the happenstance element of it all.

Emily Hanssen Arent (Colorado, USA) · Who is the most memorable local you’ve met in Laos?

Phout at the Luang Probang Wine Bar. He’s flamboyantly sweet. And has threatened to get me really drunk before leaving Laos.

Jen Bhartiya (Brussels, Belgium) – Are you becoming wise? Are you reflecting a lot and learning more about life? Any knowledge please share.

I’m crazy fucking wise now! I shit wisdom and hiccup epiphanies!

But seriously… as mentioned above, I’m going to need a couple of months of letting the dust settle to really wrap my head around the journey. I hope to jam any potential acquired nuggets of wisdom into a travel memoir that I’ll be writing in the early months of 2012. So when it comes out, please get yourself a copy!

Teaser lesson from February in Costa Rica: Don’t bother becoming a ‘raw vegan’ – it’s not worth it!

Alberto Canova (Montreal, Canada) – l thought Laos was a wilder place but, from the videos you posted looks like a pretty modern eastern country, is it as it seems? Have a good day.

Much of my month has been spent in the town of Luang Prabang, which has all the amenities of a modern eastern destination – ATMs, WiFi, international restaurants and men offering to sell marijuana. I can get a latte, but then walk down the street surrounded by orange-robed monks.

I’m just returning, however, from five days in the northern town of Nong Khiaw, and I can attest that the landscape is breathtakingly and deliciously wild. But modern conveniences are creeping into the towns, and the social landscape is most definitely going to evolve. I hope that the Laos government has the intelligence to conserve the geographic splendor.

And you have a good day too!

John A. Estrella (Toronto, Canada) – Did you get your airline tickets ahead of time for the entire trip or are you buying them one at a time? What are you using to take and edit your videos? If you can do another RTW for a year, one country per month, which countries will you visit and why?

Let’s mix things up and use point form.

- For the sake of flexibility and to capitalize on low-cost regional airlines, I am buying my flight tickets one at a time. I tend to book 3 or 4 weeks in advance, if possible.

- I’m using at Nikon D3100 DLSR camera for all of my photo and video content (see my camera review), and I edit all of my videos with iMovie on my MacBook Air (see my laptop review).

If I were to do another RTW trip, I’d consider charting westward. Due to time differences and subsequent jet-lag, traveling west is always more advantageous. Here’s an off-the-cuff list:

1)   Japan (love the food and design sensibilities)
2)   Philippines (heard about great people and stunning beaches)
3)   Nepal (met the loveliest of Nepalese people in India, and want to see the mountains)
4)   Iran (fascinated about the history, love the cuisine)
5)   Romania (want to see more of eastern Europe, plus I have an affinity for gypsies)
6)   Italy (wine, wine, wine… and pasta)
7)   Senegal (French-speaking with a lot of heart, and complex issues)
8)   Botswana (the gentlest of African peoples, and wildlife)
9)   Antarctica (the only continent I have yet to visit!)
10) Chile (wine, wine, wine… and mountains)
11) The Galapagos, Ecuador (it was on my original list, but got bumped due to logistical/financial reasons)
12) Texas (to reconnect with my cowboy roots, obvs)

This would be a drastically different trip, with a much higher budget. But it’s a dream list, and in my dreams I’m insanely rich. So that works well for me.

Terry Kyle (Montreal, Canada) – Why are you growing the beard? Will we get another beard shaving video? Do you still have the red underwear and the rainbow flip-flops?

I’m growing the beard because I can. When in my life will I have such fertile opportunity? I suppose I’m simply experimenting with my beard potential. And if you want a beard-shaving video, I will make sure that happens.

The red bikini-style manbriefs and rainbow flip-flops are still with me. They’ve become priceless artifacts of this journey. I hope to open a museum in the near future where the world can gather to appreciate them.

Kimm Renaud (Montreal, Canada) – If you’re naming the beard: how about “Thusela”? Did you ever find a bed-bug-free zone? Do you carry Tea Tree Oil?

Oh, well since I just named it Trevor, can Thusela be the second name? Or maybe we should just go with Mr. T? Bed-bug-free zones? Those exist? I don’t carry Tea Tree Oil. Why should I? Don’t get me wrong. I’m not racist against Tea Trees. Some of my best friends are Tea Trees. I just can’t use it a lubricant. That was a painful learning experience!

José Chacón (Mississauga, Canada)- Hi Daniel! Here are my questions: 1) How would define the idiosyncrasy of Laotians? 2) Laos used to be part of Indochine, how much of the old French remains in society? and 3) In your perception, which social values are commonly shared among Laotians? and of these values which ones are present in a Western society (Europe, Australia, the countries of the Americas)? Many thanks and keep sharing these wonderful experiences.

Great questions.

1)   Laotians, from my limited experience, are slightly shy and slow-to-warm-up. But overall have been very friendly and welcoming. There is, perhaps, a Buddhist influence that affects the national psyche. Everyone seems pretty chill here. And I love the relaxed mentality.

2)   Before arriving, I had heard rumors about an older generation being quite capable in conversing in French, due to the colonial history. I haven’t really experienced this. But there are A LOT of French tourists, so I do hear the language frequently. Also, architecturally, the city of Luang Prabang has a subtle but noticeable French influence.

3)   Again, I hesitate to make sweeping generalizations about an entire nation after only a three-week timeframe and having seen only two towns. From what I understand, Laos is evolving. I imagine that western mind-frames of capitalism are increasing, but then so is value for education. If Laos fascinates you, I urge you to plan a trip and see for yourself. And, as required for any nation, give yourself a minimum of three months to wrap your head around food, culture, language, history and, of course, values.

And you’re very welcome. It’s an honor to have people tuning into the journey!

Cathy Cucca (Montreal, Canada) –1) What do you miss most about Montreal? 2) What’s the first thing you’re going to eat when you get back? What are you craving?

1)   I miss my friends! They are the awesomest! And perhaps I most yearned for Montreal in the months of September and October. I’m such a sucker for autumn, and it’s just so stunning in Montreal.

2)   There is so much great food in Montreal. A couple of the cravings include poutine from La Banquise, Fairmount bagels, coffee at Café Olympico, brunch at Aux Vivres, empanadas from La Chilenita, chai cupcakes from Cocoa Locale, Portuguese rotisserie chicken from Coco Rico, the big sandwiches and chili at Santropol Café, the pies of Rockaberry, affordable maple syrup, Boreal beer and tofu burgers at Patati Patata. Actually making this list makes me miss Montreal more. And, damn, now I’m hungry.

Safiyah Sh (Montreal, Canada) – Now that you have almost completed your journey, how do you feel? Do you see a growth from the Daniel leaving for Nawlins and the Daniel who just left India? Have you ever left a country when in your heart wish you could stay for more time? How do you deal with perpetual change in environments and relationships? What is the most precious moment/lesson you take with you and how will you apply it to your everyday life (aka immortalize it)? One more question! Have your travels changed or re-enforced some thoughts about mtl if so which ones?? Sharin is carin’

I agree. Sharin’ is carin’. And for anyone who has read this far. I salute you!

Do I feel growth? Absolutely. I’m the same ol’ Danny Baylis, but with more experiences and a deeper understanding of the countries that I’ve visited. But don’t expect any immediate wisdom. Give me time to let things settle.

Do I wish I could have stayed longer? Yes and no. The toughest departures were in the places where I built the strongest relationships. But the anticipation of a new adventure always helps to counterbalance the sentiments of sadness about leaving.

How do I deal with the perpetually changing environments/relationship? I’m the sort of person that thrives on change, so I try to harness as much energy from the new destinations as possible. The first three or four days of each nation have generally been energizing and inspiring. And I approach the relationships formed while traveling in the same way I approach relationships at home – cherish the moment. Every single relationship on this planet has a deadline, so whether we’re together for four days, a month or many decades, let’s celebrate and not be trapped in fear of timeframes.

How will I immortalize the big lessons/moments? My biggest lessons and most important moments will be shared in my travel memoir, and I hope that the process of writing will help to synthesize everything that I’ve experiences/learned. I suppose the book will be a form of immortalizing my experience. I don’t know if I’ll consciously be applying the lessons to my everyday life. If they are true lessons, I can’t not live them… if that makes sense. I will try to live my life with bravery and humor and goodwill and honesty and creativity and respect. As always, I’m going to try to be a good person.

And finally, my thoughts of Montreal have not changed. I love the city. It’s where I blossomed. And, most importantly, it is home to my community. However, after seven years of being rooted there during my twenties, I’m anticipating a few years of nomadic-ness, essentially having no permanent address. I hope to be in and out of Montreal and Victoria (where my family lives) on regular intervals – work a few months, travel a few months. We’ll see if I can make this happen.

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Thank you for the questions.

It really is an honor to answer ‘em.

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