Luang Prabang - What matters?

What do I want? How do I feel? What matters?

Back in Luang Prabang. I'm feeling a bit deflated, we are having another bad experience with the accommodation we've booked for the 3rd time. The information listed on the booking platform about size, view, and amenities dramatically does not match reality. We open the shutters to find large white sheets and towels hanging just an arm's length away from our window, right behind them the wall of the neighboring house. A climbing plant was the so-called 'garden view'.

Why am I writing this? Good question, I asked myself. Why is this so important that it caused me a restless night? The only retreat we have on this trip is the room we are staying in. Of course, the many impressions around us also play a significant role, but with a room where we feel comfortable, we can better withstand dirt, noise, dust, heat, or cold. It doesn't have to be a luxury room; rather, the atmosphere, cleanliness, loving details, and the kindness of the place play a significant role. Everything that invites us to stretch out and unpack personal things. With the missing or even incorrect information, I feel cheated, not taken seriously; I feel mocked. That's what made me restless during the night. In the evening and in the morning, I had conversations with the receptionist - quietly and reservedly, because we communicated via written messages on our phones with Google Translate. In retrospect, it's a very good form of communication; you think carefully about what you write, reflect on staying true to what's important to you, don’t get loud or excited, and everything connects - everyone can think before speaking, and no one loses face. We were able to change our room. A smaller, nicer, cleaner room, with a window overlooking the street. It's that simple to make us happy :-).

How do I feel? Christmas is coming, and I will miss not being home, having my valued family around me - there’s a lot of emotion tied to this holiday. The contemplation, pausing, having time for each other, shaping all those small habits and rituals together. It hurts, it makes me feel homesick. The longing feeling of Christmas.

All of this exhausts my days in Luang Prabang; I retreat, need to come to myself. To what is and what I want.

I intend not to let expectations become too concrete; I want to see, smell, hear, and experience all the beauty a day brings. I want to give a chance to Christmas, which will be different from the last 30 years.

While the big things are impressive, the small things matter.

My visit to the hairdresser, all the wonderful reliefs, the delicious 'Roti with Honey and Lemon' from the friendliest roti seller at the night market, the quirky Christmas decorations, the blown eggs on the tips of plants (after Easter is before Easter?), the friendly faces of Buddhas, the flowers in the door frame, meeting and getting to know nice fellow travelers, the fantastic project of bringing elephants back to their natural habitat, with the help of a lobby among tourists, ... that’s what matters.

I'll be waiting for you! - What awaits me? Without expectation, I will recognize it 🫠. We are now exploring the capital, Vientiane, and we will be in Luang Prabang for Christmas. For the 3rd time, as all good things go. I'll be waiting for you in Luang Prabang!