End of the Line: Mai Châu, Vietnam

End of the Line:

I’ve had a raging depression lately. Actually, a long time. It’s not a cry in the corner type of thing, it’s a feeling where you can feel the walls closing in. I’ve thought many different things could be causing this suffering, but now I can tell, this is the end of the line.

Just like the end of this valley, I can feel there’s nowhere to go. I’m racing towards a cliff edge in Hanoi. My bike is my vehicle racing me to this destination. Not only the end of this journey, but the end of the greater journey.

I started traveling June 3, 2023. That was 11 months ago. I had a head full of dreams and a pocket full of cash. I could go wherever and be whoever I wanted. What true freedom.

Back then, I was all hope. Why wouldn’t I be? The whole journey was right before me. I breathed potential. I knew there were things on the road for me to discover and the road was waiting to deliver.

On that road, I learned, and I grew. So fucking much. I’ve even grew into something I’ve always wanted to be: the truest version of myself, and I’ve never been more proud.

But now, I’m at looking at the other side of that potential. I’ve gained a million memories. A thousand beautiful moments drift across my vision whenever I close my eyes. So many places, so many friends, so many things that happened and yet, I am still at the end. And I’ve been feeling sad about that.

Even though it’s sad, I’ve been allowing myself to feel those feelings. No justification, no answering them, just feel.

The end isn’t the really the end anyway. It’s the beginning of something new. I accomplished what I came here to do. I’ve done so many amazing things. The stories I’ll share with my kids will be full of smiles and adventure. I can’t wait to tell them.

That feeling of loss is just the closing of the chapter. But don’t worry, your book’s journey is for your whole life, and there are thousands of more chapters waiting to be written.

You must ask yourself one thing though, what is it that you want next, Keegan?

When you know that, the next chapter will have already begun.

Shine on.

Coconut coffee! Or milkshake? For breakfast? Fuggit.

Animals loving me in this country.

Signs 🪧 for your life.

Remember that palm leaf I talked about to warn traffic? This one tops that one. 🌹

I thought these were peanuts. I drove half a km to verify. It’s corn 🌽 lol

Free bananas is the start of paradise.

One side was this, dark and moody, a little chill.

Le autre. 🌞

Homestay feels 🫰🏼

My Banh Mi I carried with. Still delicious. Don’t judge the book.

Wow. This valley. Incroyable. 😻

Even caught a 🐉 fly! Did you see it?!

When riding my motorcycle, I’ve been speaking to myself in French the whole time. At family meal, I sat next to this French couple who barely spoke English. I decided I wouldn’t be scared or nervous to keep up a conversation and talked to them for an hour! It’s the longest conversation I’ve ever had entirely in another language! Je suis très heureux ☺️. I guess the journey is really paying off 😉😉

What’s next?