A month of traveling through the South Pacific and Southeast Asia with my family gave me a suitcase full of gratitude, a new vocabulary, an appreciation for ylang ylang and tea time, a sense of warmth and a need to adorn.
American Samoa
preserve simplicity, Samoan Siapo (Paper Mulberry Tree), U'a / Tapa Cloths-
Australia
sweetness, kindness, enthusiasm, jokes, order, rules, nature, wild
Thailand
leave your shoes outside, bow, light incense, use scents/aromatherapy infusions everywhere (Lemongrass, Ylang Ylang, Citronella, Jasmine, Plumeria/Frangipani), create shrines/alters, pray, smile, ceremony, respect, Thai massage
Cambodia
if you can't bring light to the dark, bring color to it, "I'll see you when you see me," gratitude
Vietnam
women complement each other - “you’re so beautiful,” tea, adorn everything, lanterns & glow, Vietnamese hot chocolate
Guam
daok oil = tamanu oil, chill
Micronesia
warmth, welcoming greetings, flower crowns, coconut water
