My Final Thank You To Asia...

...or should that be dhanyabhad, Nepal. Xiexie, China. Khawp jai, Laos. Khop kun ka, Thailand. Ar kun, Cambodia. Carm on, Vietnam. I have a few words to say to you all...

Ode To The Forgotten People

India’s slum-dwellers,

The porters of Nepal,

Vietnam’s hammock-sellers,

Here’s an ode to you all.

Every cyclo-driver,

Landmine victims of Laos,

Khmer Rouge survivors,

All stand up, take a bow.

China’s handless artist,

Prostitutes of Thailand,

Now I try to assist,

Now I’m making a stand.

Asia’s forgotten souls-

Not forgotten by me,

I hope you hear these calls

For I can hear your plea.

I know you are not weak,

Those who think so are wrong,

Your future may look bleak,

But I know that you’re strong,

You do not need to speak

Your eyes sing your sad song.

An Education

India taught me

To see with my heart,

To wear bright clothes,

To make life an art.

Nepal revealed

What I can achieve-

I can reach new heights

If I just believe.

China made me think

For English was rare,

And riding their roads

Gave me a bike scare!

But then, friendly Laos

Taught me to just chill,

And that confidence

Makes bike rides a thrill!

Thailand proved to me

Fear is in the mind,

After ocean dives

I can leave fear behind!

Cambodia showed me

How cruel life can be,

Never forgetting

And strength sets souls free.

Vietnam’s lesson-

Don’t let wars break you,

Stay true to yourself,

Then they will make you.

Strength in poverty,

Sweeping aside fear,

Kindness though desperate:
Identity's dear.

Asia, you’ve grabbed me

And shaken me hard,

You’ve scratched away truth

And left me here scarred.

.

I’ve learned, loved and laughed

Much more than before,

Your lands have enriched me-

I’ll be back for more.

One final beer in Seoul before heading on the plane to Vancouver. Bye bye Asia...