Flying into a country is one thing, but crossing a border between two countries is another. For me, in was scary.
We arrive at the border in the middle of the night and everybody is sleeping and snoring away. I’m wide awake because I had to pee. I had no way out of the bus and was actually thinking of peeing in my water bottle. Even thinking of peeing out the window. But I kept holding it because there were just so many people cramped all around me.
Finally first light broke and people started getting up. I finally got a chance off the bus. I can’t explain how good it felt to pee. Haha. I left my bags on the bus but luckily had my passport. Nobody spoke English so I had no clue what to do. In walk to the gate that separates Laos and Vietnam. I see a frenzy starting as hundreds of locals trying to get their passport stamped. Then in the corner of my eye, I see my bus cross the border speeding away. OMG! My bags! My camera!
After all the hussle and bussle, I finally get my stamp and they let me by the gate. I look at a dark and lonely road ahead. In the middle of the mountains with a creepy haze. I walk over 2 long hills as I finally see a building. But no sign of my bus. I get closer and it was the Vietnam border gate. A pile of bags lay on the sidewalk and I spot mine. I grab it and proceed to get my passport stamped.
Finally, I’m back into Vietnam. My bus is parked in the distance. I get on for the next 13 hour ride back to Hanoi. Everybody made it except for 2 European backpacker girls that got turned back because they didn’t have visas.
Going through borders is scary because the officers have so much power. Any small mistake, you can get locked up in some of the worst prisons in the world. I think I watched too many movies. Haha.
I learned a lot about getting in and out of these countries and as soon as I have time, I will post everything you will need to know.
But yes indeed, it was an experience I’ll never forget!

during mission 3, we stopped by this place in tohoku that is supposed to be the top 7 most beautiful places in japan. we took a boat ride around these islands and it was pretty magical. this place happened to be one of the only places that didn’t get wiped out by the tsunami. it was a great time to reset, flow with nature, and reflect on everything we seen the day before. i took some photos that can probably be published in a national geographic magazine. super amazing! i wish i remember what that place is called.

when i was a kid, my grandma osaki had these wooden dolls in the house. we use to pop the heads off and play with it. i have no idea what these represent, i have no idea why my grandma had it. but now i know exactly where they come from. they come from Tohoku!

Nov. 14 2011
I love to explore. I love to try new things.
But this time, I think I made a big mistake.
It’s 5 am and I’m squished in back of a local bus packed like a sardine in a can. There are about 50 locals and 5 European backpackers snoring left and right. A baby crying, people coughing, sneezing, and cell phones ringing throughout the night. I’m stuck far in the back wondering what to do.
It all started yesterday evening back in Vienteine when I boarded an old beat up bus for a 24 hour journey back to Hanoi where I’m trying to make my connecting flight back to Japan. I got to the central bus station just after 5 pm. Bought some water and a sandwich, then boarded the so called “Bus to Hell.” the driver pointed me to the far back of the bus. It was tight getting back there as I bumped a lot of people. I take my seat, I get set up, and the bus finally leaves.
After an hour, we make a toilet stop. I think I’d better go now so I make my way off the bus. I get off and see nothing around. What? Then I see 2 old ladies squatting right in front of me and 8-10 men pissing all around. I guess this is the toilet so i go off to the side. I hear the horn, then I run back to the bus and get in just as the door closes. As we drove away, I was wondering if we left someone behind?
An hour later, we stop again for a break at a decent toilet. It was there I bought a large Beerlao beer and sucked it up. Big mistake! I had to pee all night and trapped in the back of this bus with no way out.
My nightmare has only begun as we’re parked here at the Laos-Vietman border waiting for it to open. I hope I can get out soon before I pee in my pants.