INDOCHINA – “The Merchant, Pauper, Preacher, and Apprentice"

I fantasized about visiting Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos for years. The exotic street food, pristine beaches, ancient temples, and frenetic city centers called to me like an alluring siren. Being a leave-starved American, I’ve pushed this trip back several times because I wanted to spend as much time and see as much as possible after flying 20-hours to get there. However, I eventually had to face the fact that I would rather settle for a whirlwind Indochina sampler than no trip at all. With that said, traveling through 4 countries in 17 days is like riding a slip-n-slide down a buffet table: it’s a barrage of flavors and you’re not quite sure what you’ve consumed until you pick through the mess on laundry day. Despite the compressed timeline and logistical challenges, the unique personalities of Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos left my mouth tingling and my mind satiated with memories.