THE TOP TEN THINGS I LEARNED IN ASIA

10) A smile translates in any language. Silly translates too.

9) Eating local food from street vendors is like playing Russian roulette. It can be thrilling AND deadly.

8) You really don’t need a lot of stuff. The lighter the load, the easier the journey.

7) There are more western toilets around than you’d expect, but ALWAYS carry a package of tissues with you. You never know.

6) Technology has made the world a lot smaller and more homogenized. Truly exotic is harder and harder to find, particularly when you see traditional Balinese dancers texting backstage.

5) When your mother said to never cross the street in on-coming traffic, she clearly meant to add, “except in Hanoi.”

4) It appears if you are a cab driver in Hanoi, you can actually watch TV, talk on two phones at once, and still manage to steer with your elbows.

3) Yes, one can visit too many temples in Siem Reap.

2) Pictures are great, but better to remember the moment by being part of it.

1) Life is full of surprises if you’re willing to be surprised .