The Same Sky: A Traveler's Quest for Redemption and Peace

by Debbie Yee Lan Wong

After a painful breakup, a young Chinese Canadian packed her bag, a journal and a camera and went on a solo journey through Southeast Asia. Brokenhearted and needing to escape, she embarked on a three-month trip that took her from the ancient Buddhist temples of Tibet, to the heights of the Mt. Everest base camp, through the bustling markets of Laos, and to the peaceful hallways of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Along the way, as she navigated the difficulties of traveling alone, she encountered locals who have lived through war, poverty and political repression. Their moving stories of loss and resilience inspired her to reclaim her independence and rediscover peace and strength after a traumatic event.
A deeply personal story with universal resonance, The Same Sky will appeal to anyone with an interest in Southeast Asia, and particularly to women who have experienced the exhilaration and vulnerability of solo travel. It is the inspiring story of how a young woman at the lowest point of her life began to heal by facing the challenges of traveling alone and opening her heart to people across cultures.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

404 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2013

About the author

I am Chinese Canadian and I have been a writer all my life, starting with a pocket size journal I kept as a child to writing stories as an adult about my overseas travels. Recently, I published my travel memoir THE SAME SKY about my solo journey through Tibet, Laos and Cambodia. It is about how after my relationship crumbled and I was at the lowest point of my life, I left for Asia with just a journal, camera and clothes. My three-month journey revealed the painful human histories of these countries through personal encounters with locals who have lived through war, poverty and political repression. Their stories and small acts of love helped me heal and find the courage to believe in myself again.

THE SAME SKY is an emotional journey of rediscovering peace and strength after a traumatic event, and I hope that my story will inspire any reader who has struggled to move on from betrayal and loss. Even if you’ve never been to Asia, The Same Sky is for anyone who has experienced heartbreak, grief and betrayal. It’s a story with universal themes of love, independence, and re-discovery of the human spirit.
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Reviews

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Same Sky, a gracefully written travel memoir through South-East Asia and Tibet, Debbie relates her long quest for self-discovery and healing after a tumultuous relationship which left her heartbroken and at a loss. What I particularly liked about this book, compared to similar travel writings, is that the author constantly juxtaposes the present moment with her past, bringing us into the pain and suffering she went through with her ex while living in Beijing, and out into the breathtaking alien landscapes of the Tibetan plateau as well as other exotic locations and then back again into her misery, over and over...as if we were also gyrating along the perpetual cycle of the Samsara with her. Throughout this journey she interacts with various locals and other fellow travelers that give her hope, restore her broken confidence, and make her realize that a relationship's end is only the beginning of something better. Whether it's the frustrating Chinese bureaucracy in Lhasa or the benevolent Buddhist monks of Luang Prabang, or a complete stranger in Phnom Penh who rescues her from a torrential downpour, Debbie reflects upon each incident with the gained wisdom of a Western traveler who has finally reached her destination, attained inner equilibrium and is now contemplating her footsteps though a nostalgic lens. Debbie's words are carefully chosen and her style never ceases to evoke in us vivid images of her life and her first-hand experiences. Highly recommended, especially for those who never cease to explore.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I received this book through goodreads First Reads. I don't quite know how to describe this book, other than it was perfect for me. I am absolutely addicted to travel memoirs, and Debbie's story is exactly what I look for in those reads. She completely captures the places and people, whisking the reader away with her. I loved it from start to finish.

[Kelly Boylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to learn that I had won a copy of this book from Goodreads and the author (thank you!). This was such an emotional book, a travel memoir describing Debbie's journey through Southeast Asia and Tibet. Not only describing her physical journey, but her emotional journey as well. I kept having to remind myself that this was not the work of an incredible, imaginative fiction writer, but a real-life story. I envy her courage to embark on this journey, even though it might have started out as not so much an act of courage, but running away. It ended up being the way she came to terms with her feelings and emotions and was quite healing for her. The descriptions of the places she visited were so well written, I have images of them in mind that I can see perfectly! I highly recommend this book to everyone!

[Kristina k · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been putting off this review now for a few days, just so I may truly collect my thoughts. When I saw that I won this book in a giveaway contest, I was elated. Upon receiving it, I was even more excited. The other reviewer uses the word "gracefully" and that is truly the most accurate description that comes to mind. This book is written with such grace and elegance. I was amazed at the intimacy that. It was such an emotional, personal journey, and that sincerity was truly refreshing.

[Jill Dobbe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author's descriptions, analogies, and insights of the countries she traveled to were very well done. I was interested in her accounts because they were all places I hope to travel to. She captured the people and their kindnesses to strangers, the peacefulness of the monasteries and monks who live in them, and the sad histories of Tibet and Laos. I also found it interesting how foreigners reacted to and were confused by the author's Canadian-Chinese looks.

I couldn't put this book down, at first. But somewhere past the middle I lost interest, however it picked up again when the author traveled back to China, then on to Cambodia. I'm not sure if I got tired of reading about all the monasteries she visited, or all the men she met. Her story about her failed relationship with Chris and the lout he turned out to be was more than enough.

The Same Sky was one of those books that resonated with me after I finished. I looked up the author on her website to read where and how she ended up. So glad to see that she found herself, a new family, and a happy life.

[Kimberly Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This travel journal stays authentic from beginning to end. While Debbie's unique heritage gives us reflection on country's differing perceptions of race, her personal stories create a connection for the reader that makes her feel like a close friend. If you love travel stories, you should try this book!

[Wendy's Wanderings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book because I felt like I could relate to the author's story. The love of travel. The pain of a broken relationship. It was as though I was traveling with my close friend throughout Asia as she tells her most intimate thoughts on her previous relationship. The book leave me wanting more from the author. This was a book received for free through Goodreads First Reads.