Welcome

This is the inaugural post for my journey.

A warm welcome—and thank you for choosing to travel along with me.

I find myself imagining you as part of a small, nomadic tribe: fellow travelers drawn not just to movement, but to waking up more fully to the sweep of existence. For years I’ve carried an image inspired by Hermann Hesse’s Journey to the East—a gathering of souls listening for what is alive, meaningful, and quietly calling. In that spirit, I’m glad you’re here.

Knowing that you’re bearing witness to what unfolds for me on the road is a real support. It helps me stay honest, present, and connected to what I’m actually experiencing as I share. Thank you in advance for holding that space with me.

As with any journey, a bit of orientation helps—so here’s a simple overview of where I’ll be traveling, and how this path emerged.

I’ll begin in the Philippines, where my girlfriend will be reuniting with classmates and spending time with family. We’ll also take a short pause in Coron, part of Palawan Island, for rest, water, and island time.

From there, I’ll travel to Thailand, joining my Tai Chi teacher, Alex Dong, for training in Rayong, followed by a ten-day journey through China, ending in Hong Kong for an international Tai Chi competition.

Next comes Nepal—a place that holds deep personal meaning for me. I’ll be visiting friends, spending time in Chitwan National Park and Pokhara, and returning to the Kathmandu Valley to celebrate Newari and Nepali New Years. Nepal was one of the first places I traveled internationally back in 1980, and returning now feels like a kind of homecoming—meeting myself again, but from a very different place in life.

The journey will conclude in Okinawa, Japan, where I’ll spend time with a dear friend, enjoy the ocean, reflect, and let things settle.

This itinerary didn’t arrive fully formed. It emerged through a series of hunches, invitations, and simple “why not?” moments. One step revealed the next. What felt right was less about efficiency or ambition, and more about listening for what wanted to happen.

Along the way, something familiar began to show itself—a way of moving through life that feels more immediate, responsive, and alive. Travel has always made this visible for me, but I’m increasingly aware that this quality isn’t dependent on being on the road. It’s available anywhere, anytime, when we’re willing to meet experience as it arrives.

That’s the deeper inquiry I’m stepping into—and the one I’ll be sharing with you as this journey unfolds.

I’m glad you’re here. Let’s see what reveals itself along the way.

With appreciation,
Jeff