This is part 2 of a 2 part series called Tales For A Farang. All the stories documented here were taken during my travels in South East Asia during 2019. Click here for the introduction and my definition on what the term ‘Farang’ means.
Tap here for part 1
Patience
I’m hitchhiking my way around the world. Asia is the last continent before I can say I’ve been to all the livable ones!
This world has all sorts of people – it’s way better if you try and maintain a good understanding with your hitch.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is holding your tongue and being patient. Your ride is sort of your lifeline especially if you’ve been walking all day.
There’s a mantra that I use, and it has helped me stay tactical in my approach to interacting with people:
Does it need to be said?
Does it need to be said right now?
Does it need to be said right now by me?
Sartorialist
It has been ten years now since I met my teacher in Japan. He had taught me how to buy fabric, design, and make my own clothing. I followed him on business trips where we would search for fabric. Those journeys took me to places like Nepal, North Africa, and Thailand, to name a few.
Four years ago I had the vision to create Nanairo in Chiang Mai. It’s home to me now. Local friends had come to me pitching the idea of opening up their shops in my space.
What started as a place for me to sell my clothes has now morphed into a place for tattoos, coffee, and an outdoor garden and work space. This has been quite beneficial for me, as most of my creative inspiration comes from the people I meet as well as the meditation practice I observe.
The vision for my style and aesthetics find its way into my mind’s eye and heart, and I take that into the lab.
Climate Change
I’ve been coming to visit this mountain for four years now. This year is the first year it has been this cool. Most of the insects are gone and subsequently the birds are absent as well.
People speak about climate change as if it is just specific to Earth. It goes beyond that. There’s a shift going on universe wide. Take for example the recent unprecedented storm on Mars, making it hard for the Rover to do its job, or the ongoing one on Jupiter. I believe what can be observed here is a pattern that ripples throughout the universe.
Nomad
The government had no idea what the fuck they were doing — it was just complete chaos where I was from in West Papua. I’ve been on the go for the last forty years now. I travel and make hammocks for a living these days.
This morning I was just in Bangkok dropping off some of my products at a local shop on Khao San Road, and then I made my way up here to set up at the Shambala festival. That was way too much distance travelled in one day. I’m too old for this shit. I need somebody younger to help out with all of the logistics.
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