One of the times I felt most alive in the last couple of years was at a Buddhist temple in Cambodia. I used my limited French and Japanese to translate for the temple's caretaker (who spoke Cambodian and some French) and a Japanese tourist (who was interested in Buddhism and in the destructive Khmer Rouge era of Cambodian history). While my brain was trying not to confuse English, French and Japanese, it struck me that if it weren't for this particular Canadian, these two Asians would not be able to communicate with each other.

I've spent a lot of time and money travelling in Asia over the years. I don't have a car or a house. I make less money per year than most of my friends. But I've had some wonderful experiences: on the road, on the stage and on the page.