A Journey by Night

I have to share just a short story about my adventure home from the Wat. I finished my closing ceremony at 7pm( done by an American monk by the way), then quickly changed into civialian clothes, and grabbed my things and headed back to the outside world. Before I had even made it to the gate I had been warned and given many sour faces...the prospect of me catching a bus after 7pm was not possible. They shook their heads, wished me the best, and assumed I would be back for the night. I was determined however, Lorena was expecting me, and I was not about to let her down. Instantly drentched in sweat, heaving my large backpack...I once again felt like an outsider...but there was an excitement in the air. A sharpely dressed Thai man stopped me and asked "Chiang Mai?" I smiled and said yes, he frowned and said....more buses. Go to police station...something about 8pm. Huh, well, maybe there is a bus that runs at 8pm, so I walked toward the Police station. There is a bus stop there, so I have about an hour to spare. It is dark, but a wonderfully warm evening. There are all the steet vendors out selling foods and such. The one right by the bus stop is selling some sweet dessert, so I deside to give it a try. As I take my first bite into the sweetened pineapple and ice, something in my brain stops me....I am chewing, as the guilt quickly washes past me I enjoy my refreshing snack. One of the women at the stand asks me "Chiang Mai?" I smile, kawpdee. She takes me by the hand and brings me to the police station. The next thing I know the police man is on the street waving down cars driving in the direction of Chiang Mai. Sure enough there is a family of four, packed into a quad cab pickup, travelling to Chiang Mai. So I hop in the back, wave good bye ands say thanks to those that have helped me. Dumb founded by what has just happened, I settle into my seat. I find my ipod...ah, music!! It plays songs at random, first it was Jack Johnson....sigh, yep that is good stuff! The wind blowing through my hair, fragrences teasing my nose, the night sky above my head, everything felt just right. Then I noticed a firework go off. A bright white one, much like a slow moving rocket, headed straight at the stars. I watched, and smiled, it was as if it was my farewell. Just then, Nick Drake came on " One of these things First"...from the movie Garden State. You know, the scene where Andrew and Sam are riding on the motorbike, and Mark is in the side car, and there are just crusing. Everything is kind of in slow motion, calm and at ease....JUST like my moment!! I had goose bumps on my arms, how perfect! They drop me off right in front of the guesthouse, only allowing me to share a smile, a thank you and a goodbye (declining the money I offer). I walk up to the gate of the guesthouse, and Lorena is sitting there. I share my story about the uncertaintly of me being there, and this time she smiled. She said "I worried about that for a short momment, but then thought of all the good Karma you have built up the last two weeks, I knew that you would make it here!"