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Quick backstory: I'd been walking home for an hour when I stopped at the park to call my boyfriend. "You're not ready." I heard him say down the phone. "Excuse me?" "You're not ready to travel with me," Ultimately the conversation was longer than that, but I hung up in tears and suddenly the sunny day didn't seem to shine so bright. I had never travelled on my own but he was going away for 2 months, all I wanted to do was meet him in China for a week or two. My next phone call was to my parents. "I want to go to Thailand. This summer. On my own." And next thing I knew we were booking tickets; they whole heartedly supported me - unlike my (as you'd probably expect) now ex boyfriend. Once I arrived, the first local I met was, naturally, the taxi driver. In an attempt to not abuse the fact everyone spoke English, I pestered him to teach me some Thai. My first Thai words: Kob kun ka - meaning a polite thank you. Firstly, I wondered the streets of Bangkok, (when you first arrive it's like a firework display; colours everywhere in the markets) I passed a jeweller who spoke exceptional English - turns out he'd been travelling the world for years and settled in Bangkok a few years for business. He was double my age, with a dark beard and a gentle face. He assumed I was on my gap year since I was a 19 year old girl vlogging my experiences on instagram. I learnt he was Indian and spoke many languages fluently, we bonded over spirituality, religion, zodiac signs and all things mystical. We agreed that everything happens for a reason, and that this "stranger danger" culture is a real shame since you can miss out on life changing encounters. He asked me to meet him the next day, and since I didn't have a solid itinerary - I agreed. After spending around six hours with the gentleman, he eventually introduced me to one of his colleagues. The magic man everyone called him. He didn't speak much and was very Zen, he invited me to his temple which sat above their jewellery store. We walked up barefoot and I was aware anyone at home would have told me I was crazy and that this is how every murder story starts, but in my heart I knew I could trust these human beings. We spoke about chakras and I knew next to nothing on the topic, however, I sat open mindly, repeating the information back to him; he drew intricate diagrams to help; whilst pronouncing words I'd never heard of. In the end, he pulled out a blanket and asked me to sit and meditate. I believe he sat and watched the whole half an hour - it was a surreal experience because I had only done it in my own home for 5 to 15 minutes. There was definitely a bond created that wasn't physical, or mental or emotional, it surpassed our physical beings and went straight to our soul. I've always believed in soulmates but now the meaning wasn't just romantic, there was something about these men that was kind and peaceful that projected safety and adventure. Once the gentleman pulled me up out of my trance he lit a candle. He spoke words foreign to my ear with his palms touching and raised to his chest, bowing towards the candle light. When he finished he grabbed a piece of string and tied it around my wrist. He had blessed me, with safe travels I believe, maybe something more. When I left Bangkok to travel towards Khao Sok, Koh Phangan, Phi Phi Islands and Chaing Mai I felt as though I was always being guided by these two men I'd left in Bangkok. It wasn't until 6 months later the string unravelled itself and fell off in my kitchen. They stood by my side every moment I spent abroad, and when I go again, despite not having that piece of string attached to my wrist, I know they'll be guiding me safely across oceans.