I’ve had a bit of time to think about Vietnam, process photos, and recover from the jet lag. I think the key for me was to just force myself back into my normal routine the very next day. It has made for some painful morning rides and some early evenings to bed, but things are mostly fine.

Until next week, anyway. I’ve been firming up my arrangements in Finland. My boat transfer from Helsinki to Stockholm is now done, as is my strait crossing to Estonia. Ticket for metal shows at Tavastia? Purchased. Awww yeah. I’ve started packing. Different set of gear this time. Less survival gear, heh, more electronics. I can leave the water purification equipment at home, but I’ve replaced it with my GPS, some more batteries, and a second speedlight for my camera. It will obviously be a bit chillier so the clothing issue has been examined. Heavier weight merino, maybe a fleece.

And books, of course. Despite being on the move in Vietnam, I managed to finish off three books. I had Rendezvous with Rama (Clarke) with me on the plane there, picked up The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler at a book exchange in Hoi An (great read — that guy puts my neuroses to shame), and grabbed Confessions of a Yakuza by Junichi Saga in Tokyo. It seemed appropriate. That one had been translated from its original Japanese but still fantastic. The book I had originally planned on bringing to Vietnam with me — The Broken Shore, by Peter Temple, has *finally* arrived, so I will have it for Helsinki. Picture this, if you will. Sitting on the deck of a 400 foot cruise ship in the perpetual twilight of late summer in Scandinavia, waiting to arrive in Sweden. Book and coffee in hand. The life I lead.

The title of this post is a line from Imago (Homines Partus), by Pain of Salvation. If there is a better travel song, except for possibly “I’ve been everywhere”, by Johnny Cash, I haven’t found it. The cool intro with the pipe and drums makes me feel as though I’m watching a movie about the Highlands in Scotland, or the green hills of Ireland, or something.

Take me to the forest, take me to the trees
Take me anywhere as long as you take me
Take me to the ocean, take me to the sea
Take me to the Breathe and BE