For Patrick-Yangguizi (page 19 of 19)

It's crazy to see how Patrick left his mark on this forum! Even 10 years later, he's still in our hearts—his writing is timeless, and his kindness and humor still touch us. ...

Hi Michel, Thank you for your such heartfelt message. No one at VF has forgotten Patrick. I still have the photo you took of Patrick with Ding in Istanbul as my computer’s wallpaper. Warm regards, Nicole

Sending you warm thoughts, Nicole, on this anniversary of Patrick’s passing—he was unforgettable on this forum.

We’ll never forget you. Time flies so fast.😢

11 years already! 😕 Thinking of his family and the VF family! francia

Damn, you’re all doing great, but it’s tough coming back here and thinking about Patrick, Patricia, Tatra, and the others! It’s cool to think about him and talk about it on the forum. But I get notifications and it bums me out! Man, you’re gone and you’ve left a huge void, in Shanghai and in my heart. I feel stupid for writing this, but I don’t care—and neither do you. I’ve never believed in God or anything, but I hope you can read this if you can’t see me. To see how happy I am in California with my love (not the Chinese grandma, but life has its reasons). I’ve talked to her about you; I don’t think she understood how much you impacted my life. Damn, Patrick, what the hell were you doing in Angola or Uganda—I don’t even remember—we don’t care about that summit. You were one of my summits, one of the guys I respected for helping me in Shanghai and helping me understand life there. For 10 years, my mom and dad have joined you; I hope you’ve met them and had a laugh with them, explaining that their crazy travel- and adventure-loving son is “normal” compared to you :) Tonight, I miss you. Yeah, I think about you often, and I’m sure I’m not the only one! Thank you, a thousand times thank you, for teaching me so much, directly or indirectly! Your body may be decomposing in Nice, but your thoughts, your kindness, your craziness, your advice, and your jokes—they stay in my memory and my thoughts! I love you with a Stalinist or Kim Jong-un-level love ;D Peace wherever you are!!!

Also, a thought for Le Piaf, another one of my guides to happiness!

Peace, Ced

Hello everyone, and thank you to Philobate for reassuring me in this feeling of loss that Patrick left us with. Eleven years later, we still talk about him almost in the present tense. Other friends have passed away more recently, and their memory has faded. Not Patrick’s—because we can always connect with his experiences, his passions, his wit, and his unforgettable travel journals. Keep watching over us, Patrick.

A thousand apologies for the notifications. But Patrick, we haven’t forgotten him. He’s still here on the forum. Thanks for reminding us!

I loved reading it so much... it's true, we miss him so much!

Already 12 years. I’ll never forget you.

I was thinking of him just yesterday, while reading Cambrousse’s beautiful travel journal about Niger (12 years ago, I had put down *Water Music* because I wanted to avoid, for a little longer, reading about a death in Africa that I didn’t feel like facing. Then I went down to the hotel’s computer room in Sofia and received a PM from Kars announcing Patrick’s death in Africa. That sequence is frozen in my mind with incredible clarity.)

Sometimes I stop in Nice, a silent city. Every time, I think about how I’d gladly bring him a flower, listening closely for one of his anecdotes told with that elegant humor of his. I don’t know where he is.

Catherine

Hey yangguizi.

It’s been 18 years since you left us. Many have joined since, few remember you and your amazing travel journals... but from wherever you are, know this: if you ever pass by the travel forum, I’ll read them to my kids when the time comes, and as long as the breath of life moves me, I’ll always come back to enjoy your admirable writing.

One day, I’ll wander around Nice where I lived, and soon in China, with a heavy heart as I try to explain to my wife why I’ve wanted to visit North Korea for 20 years...

Farewell, you foreign devil!