In an effort to answer the question: “why did you hang up your backpack,” it’s time for a wrap up.

Even though I never really mentioned it here, I had always planned to stop partway through my trek to search for work. From reading so many travelogues, I figured I would get burnt out at some point. I originally thought I would look in Singapore. But when I reached the city-state, I had just gotten to Asia, and wanted to see what awaited me. Plus, Singapore was boring. When I reached KL, I found I liked that city very much. But, it was still too soon to stop for a year.

After hanging out on Thailand’s islands, I was ready for one of my most anticipated destinations: Burma. I traveled hard in Burma, and saw more than most. It was in Burma that I realized I would always be a tourist unless I stopped to learn some of the local language and meet some of the local people.

Perhaps I worked too hard in Burma, because I didn’t really enjoy my next stop, Nepal. Strangely, all I could think about while trekking in the stunning Himalayas was stopping to study a language and get a job. I think I was frustrated because I couldn’t really connect with anyone in Burma since I couldn’t speak Burmese. So what was the point of even trying in Nepal? Not even Mountain Dog could lift my spirits.

I briefly rallied at the end of the trek, as my companions and I drew up plans to visit another one of my most anticipated destinations: the forbidden and foreboding plateau of Tibet, now under the iron fist of the People’s Republic of China. From here I could pass into mainland China, and realize my long-held dream of traveling through that mysterious and increasingly important country.

Unfortunately, at the last minute, the three of us learned that, for reasons unexplained, the PRC sealed the borders of Tibet, citing SARS. Never mind the fact that there were no SARS cases in Tibet, Nepal, or India. The Fellowship had to be broken, and my companions went off to alternate locals. Mike to Egypt, and Jamie to India.

But where would I go? Even though I was free to travel to mainland China, and indeed even had a Chinese visa in my passport, I deemed China off-limits due to SARS. I wasn’t afraid of catching it, but I was afraid that China would be closed-down due to their emergency measures. I was also afraid of being viewed with suspicion upon leaving the People’s Republic.

Eliminating China cut off a major link in my overland saga through Asia, effectively ending it. Since I wasn’t enthusiastic or knowledgeable about India, now looked like the time to fulfill the goal I’d had since Burma. Instead of just passing through a place as a tourist in a hurry, stop, learn the language, get a job, and make some friends. But where?

I briefly considered Japan, another place I’ve always wanted to visit. But I was tired of being a tourist, which I would have to be in Japan first, since I’d never been there. So it had to be a place I’d been. It also had to be a big, modern city. That pretty much left KL and Bangkok. KL’s a great city, but too many people speak English there. Also, outside of KL, Malaysia’s modern and boring.

Due to the lack of English, I figured it would be easier to get a teaching job in the Big Mango. Bangkok also had the advantage of being full of Thai people, whom I find fascinating and mysterious. They’ve got some decent grub, and, prices are cheap.

So, the decision made, I bought a one way ticket to the City of Angels. But now what?

To be continued…