Another night filled with unstoppable dreams that flow from one to the next in an epic adventure.
First I remember, it was something like 3 or 4 in the morning and I really needed to get to sleep. I was on my way to settle in when Adam showed up. He was just getting out of a show and dropped by to give me some things. He had lost a ton of weight and was much more like when I met him, but with an appropriately sized man's body. He gave me some posters and art and even a book and I thanked him profusely. It was a sweet gesture that he still felt well enough toward me to bring me gifts. He hugged me before he left and his hug was just like I remember - feels like home. I liked how soft and warm he felt - like hugging Dan in his softest cotton tee. There was a sadness and a longing in Adam that reminded me that he will forever desire to be back with me. In the embrace, I almost caved, it felt so good. Plus, he was so much healthier and cuter. But I knew better. I knew hugs and closeness aren't all there is to a relationship and I know our personalities are doomed. I stepped back and was able to radiate my ever-lasting love for him, without falling back into him. He left to go home and sleep and I happily let him in his way. By then I recognized the house I was in - Molly's old house.
Next, I was with Adair and I'm not totally positive, but I believe we were in Thailand? Possibly Malaysia. I remember a mention of Kho-phi-phi. We were taking a touristy jaunt, which started out as a tram ride - almost like a ski lift. We were one-to-a-pod, but we could still talk to one another. We were also being narrated to by a voice that was present and interactive, yet seemed to come out of nowhere.
As we burst through the jungle, we flew over a massive river which was something I had only ever seen in travel magazines and tour books. It was wide and very fast flowing, although relatively calm - no rapids. The current swirled in these fractalling delicate spirals and I pointed it out to Adair, to make sure she wouldn't miss it. I was blown away to be seeing this river in person. The announcer tried to tell us the name but we both shouted it out in unison. I can't remember now what it was called but I felt that I knew it so well in the dream - though now in waking, I know I've never seen nor heard of such a place.
Once over the river, we emerged out onto a high plateau of golden wheat fields. There was a pleasant, warm, sweet wind blowing across the grain and I threw my arms wide, singing praise to the gods for letting me make such a journey. I almost felt sad because I wanted my mom to be able to experience this with me. But I was thankful that Adair was with me. It's always nicer to have a co-witness to life.
In the distance, I could see glaciers and ski runs. Quickly, we arrived at the foot of a mountain and changed from the tram to a "sno-mobile". A friendly and diminutive asian lady ushered us onto the contraption that was bizarre but fun. It was, essentially, a powerful vehicle, capable of climbing snowdrifts, etc. But then it had two cage-like compartments dangling from a high arm, that we were to stand in and hold on for dear life. Because the cages were swinging free, bumps, turns and unexpected movements would send us bouncing and bungling around, trying to stay still or at least not crash into one another or others. It was kind of a ride, but clearly not well suited for this type of touring.
The vehicle climbed up through a snowy forest, and I got excited thinking about being able to ski very soon. We fell into cue with several other touring friends and eventually we were all let off and ushered into a palace that very much reminded me of the high school in St. Petersburg where I was stationed during my visit so many years ago. It was clearly a communist country - wherever we were.
A man who looked like Kim-Jong Il came into the room and welcomed us. He was also slightly Hispanic. He informed us that this is where we would be staying the night and that food and provisions, as well as tents had been set up for us in an adjoining room. We were then allowed to go into the room. There were about 20 of us and we all crowded around the table, excited for a good meal after a long day of weary travel. There wasn't much in the way of good nutritious edibles on the table. There were several cakes, which excited people, but I knew better. Also, for as many of us as there were, there was nowhere near enough food.
I realized we were in North Korea and didn't know when we were going to be allowed to leave. We were being treated well right now, but I wasn't sure what our fate had in store. So I immediately started gravitating toward the items that would keep the longest and also provide the most sugar-free energy possible. There were nuts and chips. I think I grabbed a whole avocado. There were sandwiches and crackers and under the tablecloth, I found a stash of canned fruit and little jars of applesauce. I had a rucksack that I was packing full of food - every person for themselves. I also went sneaking around some of the other rooms. This palace was enormous and entirely empty. In another room, I found another spread of food that I helped myself to greedily before letting the others know that it was there.
Finally, it was late enough. I really wanted to get some sleep, so I lumbered over to the sleeping grounds and found that I had smartly set up a little camping area for myself, under a pop-up tent, and next to my friend Seth. Seth was an experienced camper and traveler and I felt even better knowing he was on this adventure as well. I also thought about the smartness of teaming up with someone like him. He was carefully lining up his rations in a cardboard box that sat next to his sleeping area. That way, if anyone tried to take anything, they'd wake him up for sure.
I started to do the same, but had a bowl of pasta salad that was loose in my bag and spilled everywhere when I tried to take it out. I scooped the pasta back into the bowl, but now it had grass and dirt in it and I rued making such a silly mistake when food was so precious.
I know I dreamed quite a lot after all that, but I'm desperately trying to remember in the haste of waking and getting about my day.
Epic Travels in Foreign Lands...
