Sor

Sor loved people.

The first time I talked to him, which was during the first day of the academy, we were supposed to find out something about each other and report back to the rest of the class. I remember him telling me about his family and how much he loved them. From that moment on, to me, this became his defining characteristic, his love of people.

He was always concerned for other people, always looking for ways to help out. He also always wanted to be around people, which remained true, even during the last time I saw him.

runaway

I had never ridden a horse before.

Shortly after leaving the compound we stopped the horses for a moment. My horse decided to keep walking down the trail.

“Alto!” I yelled, as I noticed we were starting to venture far from the group.

And she sped up, now walking a little faster down the trail.

Soon the brisk walk turned into a full gallop and before long we had turned down another path in the Ecuadorian jungle.

Despite my repeated pleas to stop, she kept running.

With no remaining options, I pushed myself from the back of that galloping horse. 

Ko Samet

“Are you sure that we’re allowed to go to. . . wherever it is we’re going?” The Ensign asked wearily.

“I’m sure, they never said we couldn’t, besides it’s almost the same distance as Pattaya and they’re cool with that.” I replied, with a smile.

It was warm and the sun was setting, as we continued down the road in the open-air taxi.

“I really don’t think that we were supposed to go down here.” He stated, nervously.

“No really, Ko Samet is like a national park or something, I’m sure we’re fine.” I reassured, knowing better all the while.