LOCATION: LUANG PRABANG, LAOS

There are certain places in the world that just exude a certain appeal onto our subconscious in a manner so subtle like a thief in the night. Places where you can visit and effortlessly become part of the very thread that brings life into the once still picture that graces postcards. Luang Prabang, the former royal capital in the Kingdom of Laos, is one of those places. This UNESCO World Heritage site, well known for its monasteries, temples and monks, carries a charm hidden within the pockets of its boundaries. It swept me off my feet in an instant before I could do anything about it. This was all exemplified by single moment during a morning stroll I had taken on a long-haul day that would bring my group and I from ankle-shaking jumps off sturdy branches into the crystal waters of Kuang Si Falls, to the late night bowling lanes, where locals flee to escape the grips of the dreaded 10 PM curfew.

The town was on the verge of its awakening as I would do my usual surveying to see if I can spot any unique instances in the humble beginnings of the everyday Laotian grind. My intuition would bring me back to the beginning of the street, where the night markets had flourished about 10 hours prior. I would catch a  quick whiff of freshly-baked muffins that would come in various flavors as they mixed with the sweet-fruity aromas of breakfast shakes and smoothies that were being offered to me at quite the bargain of the Kip (Laotian Currency) before the gust and exhaust from the motorbikes would take over. I would catch sellers setting up their respective shops, hoping to catch the wandering eyes of excitable tourists so that they can purchase the incredibly comfortable elephant pants which are tapestried from Laotian silk. Even in the early rise, I hear offers for ornaments and lanterns that would make for a nice conversation piece back home.

As I hit the corner, I would take a sharp turn as to avoid getting hit by an oncoming local man's wheel cart. That's when I had noticed a mother and child sitting on a woven mat, prepping small floral arrangements. My eyes had latched on to the girl's purple coat, which although faded in various spots, blended in perfectly with the setting of the morning's tone. The golden rays of sunshine would bounce off the dusty pavement and rest warmly on the somewhat fringed cloth that hugged her shoulders.

I went and said "Saibadee" ("Hello" in Laos) to the two, hoping not to be too much of an intruder on what possibly is their daily morning ritual. It's kind of hard to approach these situations, especially when your dialect is limited to a mere "hello" and "thank you'. And as usual, my presence was welcomed by an innocent fear, which is to be expected, especially when dealing with a stranger. I had kneeled down to level eye contact with the little girl and mother who was sitting down, hoping to establish some type of common ground. I had even offered the mother one of my "travel" charms to give to the child, a part of my "What Means The World To You?" project, as a peace offering. And as the attention shifted from myself to the mother, I had noticed a thought enter my head as the process unfolded before me. Seeing the mother attempt to convey to her daughter that I had just given her a gift, hit home with me. That's when I had realized I was watching a mere reflection of the last 1 1/2 years of my existence. Still confused?

Peep Game.

Whenever we deal with the supposed "real world" during our travels, we greet the unfamiliar with inconsistency and anxiety. This is human nature as we tend to fear what we do not understand. And usually, what we do understand can usually be grouped and solidified into categories such as "black" and "white".

But as we give ourselves time for the emotions to settle, the apparent "fear" then subsidizes and we get to process what we're actually dealing with. In turn, we broaden our perspectives and gain more of an open mind, thus allowing the "black & white" way of thinking to take on some color.

Our "fear" then turns into excitement, and transforms into the driving force for us to learn more. The "unknown" now becomes chance and opportunity for us to expand and experience.

And we finally allow ourselves a shot to pursue the happiness that we have all been looking for, learning step by step how to tower over inhibitions and doubt, both internal and external.

Thus making us all travelers of a wide range, from different vantage points of the big blue ball we occupy. Letting us partake in wondrous occasions of wander. And somehow, someway, allowing a simple city-born-small-town raised kid like myself witness the very moment a little girl from Laos would greet the world with a smile wide enough to cover the equator a million times over.

-PASSPORT|kenny