R U FCKN kidding me.

A visa run or a midlife crisis?

I get stuck in these weird bubbles sometimes. We all do, right? The “tourist” phase of my travels feels like it’s wrapping up. I could keep bouncing around, sipping pho and ca phe sua da in cafés and ticking off must see lists. But that’s not why I’m here. Or is it?

Right now, I’m staring down a little visa dilemma. I need to leave the country soon do a “visa run” as they call it. I’ve got to be out for at least five days, maybe longer, unless I do the Cambodian option and then come back in with a fresh stamp.

So… do I go big and fly to Japan? Reconnect with old friends, wander through the countryside, feel a bit of that old magic? Or do I keep it simple, do a quick one day visa run to Cambodia, and use the time (and money) to bop around Vietnam, finding a place to plant my flag for a while?

I figured I’d write this out. Maybe you’ll have some thoughts. Maybe you’ll just enjoy the ramble. Maybe you’ll be bored to FCKN tears. Either way feel free to chime in.

The Facts on the Table

Here’s what’s driving this whole decision:

• My tourist visa expires June 20.

• My Airbnb ends June 20. (Not extending it. Four construction projects going on around me. Fun!)

• I’ll start looking for part time English teaching work in Mid July to get a year long visa.

• I need a place where I can reliably charge my laptop and, you know, exist.

That’s it. Those are the hard facts. I know, I know life’s pretty goddamn rough.

Option 1: The Bangkok Bounce

My first thought was to head back to BKK (Bangkok). I’ve got good friends there. I could shoot some footage of a Thai artist friend, hit the art museum, catch up with my buddy Jim we always seem to inspire each other creatively and maybe even see Vernon, an old friend from my Art Center days who now lives down in Khanom. Haven’t seen him in decades.

Khanom, by the way, is where I went for a full download of my western baggage. You know drop the expectations, the grind, the “shoulds.” Tempting to go back for another mental cleanse.

But… there’s been a rise in a new COVID strain there. Some folks think it’s legit; others say it’s a scare tactic and maybe a scheme to unload a warehouse full of unsold masks. Who knows? I’m leaning cautious. I’ve had enough medical adventures for one lifetime.

The overall cost would be around $600 USD travel, accommodation, food, and fun. Not bad. Plus it buys me some time out of Vietnam and keeps my Airbnb expenses low for a few weeks.

Option 2: The Quickie Cambodia Run + Da Lat Detour

Next option: the classic one day visa run to Cambodia. You get up at some ungodly hour, hop on a bus, cross the border, wait in a café while your paperwork gets processed, hop back on the bus, and you’re home for dinner.

There’s a company that runs this operation like clockwork for expats. It’s pretty painless except for the part where I work myself into an ulcer worrying my visa won’t get renewed. (It always does. But I’m a nervous Nelly, what can I say.)

There are a few visa options, single or multiple entry and after all is said and done, this trip would run about $200 USD.

If I go this route, I was thinking of heading up to Da Lat afterward. Supposed to be absolutely gorgeous. Fresh air. Quiet. New perspective. And lord knows I could use some quiet. Add on another $200-$300 USD.

HCMC (Ho Chi Minh City) is insanely alive, buzzing, growing, loud. My current Airbnb is surrounded by four separate construction sites, not to mention a café below that’s being converted into a juice bar. Add in the scooters, the traffic, the hum of constant life… well, you get the idea.

In fact, I’m writing this from a café where I tried to escape the noise only to have a lovely family sit down next to me with their adorable kids. Cute as hell. But kids.

Option 3: The Japan Dream

And then there’s Japan.

I haven’t been back in over 15 years. The idea of visiting a place where rules and regulations actually work sounds... nice.

I could pop into Tokyo for three days to see my friend Mo, then head down to the beach to visit TO (we hung out this February in Santa Barbara), and then maybe just get gloriously lost in the countryside. One of my fellow pirates from my TEFL program, JM, is there now, sending me photos that are seriously tempting me to book a flight.

Romantic, right? The reality check: this trip would cost around $2,000 USD.

And I know what you’re thinking. Hell, I’m thinking it too: “How are you funding this pirate life, and when’s your next treasure chest / paycheck coming in?”

Great question! After selling everything I owned, I’ve got a small savings cushion enough to live a frugal pirate’s life here in SE Asia for about a year. But after that? Well, then shit gets real.

Hence the plan to start teaching English part time in August. It sounds like a sweet gig on paper. In reality? Who knows. We’ll see.

I’ve also been toying with the idea of trying to get back into production work, but the industry is shrinking and I haven’t been in that world, in SE Asia for ages. Might be a tough ship to reboard.

Creative Life and the Suitcase Philosophy

Meanwhile, I’ve been working on a short film. It started when I began my whole new life adventure in Wisconsin documenting the process of selling, giving away, or burning everything I owned. Walking away from the life I’d built for over a decade.

This project is a small reflection on my time in BKK and how the world has changed. The western world’s hollow hopes and dreams seem to be creeping into every corner even the land of smiles. Maybe this little film will help me connect with some creative folks in the region. Who knows.

Or… I could throw the whole plan out the window.

Right now I’m living out of a suitcase and a backpack. I could go anywhere in the world. That’s the beauty of the age we live in. Life is mobile. Once upon a time, I had a house full of art, vinyl, relics, music gear, and all the things I thought I needed. Now? I can create almost everything on my laptop and iPad. I made this soundscape entirely on my iPad last week.

I think noise-cancelling headphones are in my near future. Do they make wired ones? I’ve got this weird thing about Bluetooth devices on my head two signal emitting things sandwiching my brain feels like a fast track to frying what little gray matter I have left. (If you remember my previous blog about my LSD adventures, you’ll understand why I’m a little protective of those remaining brain cells. Link to post below.) Do you know of any corded noise cancelling headphones?

Current Reality Check

So, where should I go on my visa run?

I do know that I’ll be heading to the North from June 9–12 to get out of HCMC. I want to walk. To see Vietnam. HCMC is great, but it’s a sprawling concrete jungle. You could be in any major city in the world. Sure, there are little hints that you’re not in Jakarta or Manila or BKK but the vibe is basically: GO.

The north, on the other hand, feels like Vietnam. Lakes, old towns, culture. Of course, there’s pollution and wild weather too, but that’s part of the charm. When I was last up there I didn’t get to see the water puppet show and I really want to do that. Ha.

Maybe I should just start playing video games. Numb my brain. I tried it when I first got my iPad lasted about two days before I guilt tripped myself for wasting time I could’ve used to ponder life, work on music, or lament. Ha!

How are you, by the way?

Right now, these little kids in front of me are eating strawberry wafer cookies that smell amazing. I may see if they will share.

It’s rainy season here. Every day we get dumped on. You’ve got to watch the sky, weather apps aren’t much help. The other day I was having lunch with a friend when the sky darkened. I clocked the rustling leaves and knew we had about 20 minutes before the downpour and man, did it pour. I made it back dry and safe with minutes to spare.

I’m staying in District 2, which is prone to flooding. It’s where a lot of wealthy local$ and expat$ live. You’d think they’d sort out the infrastructure, but hey river life and monsoon season win every time.

Just yesterday, I met with a real estate agent to help me find a long-term rental. He told me I should get out of this area because of the flooding.

Hold the FCKN HORSES. Do you see the constant battle here? One minute I’m talking about living out of a suitcase and going anywhere, and the next I’m meeting with a real estate agent. The battle is real. Is there any hope?

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So what do you think? Where should I go on my visa run?

P.S. If you’ve got any ideas, or better yet if you’re somewhere in the region and want to meet up for a few days drop me a message. I’ve got 5–10 days to play with and a backpack. Japan? Cambodia? Back to the beaches of Khanom? Somewhere totally random? I’m open. Let’s crowdsource this adventure.

I want to say thank you to all the new subscribers and those of you that have stuck around for this adventure.

LOVE & LIGHT

MM

Sick of me yet!!

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