For Patrick-Yangguizi (page 5 of 19)

I’ve just learned this very sad news myself. Yangguizi, we’re going to miss your stories and your joy for life. The forum has lost one of its icons, but you lived your passion to the fullest. Sincere condolences to your family and loved ones.

Good evening,

I didn’t have the honor of knowing Yangguizi either, but I know what it’s like to lose someone dear... All your messages of affection for him, all the tributes I’ve just read are so moving and made me want to discover his travel journals... his writings... He seemed like a really good person—you can feel it in every one of your tributes and the few photos I came across show a man who was truly happy to be alive...

Safe travels, Yangguizi... another great and beautiful journey from which, unfortunately, there’s no return...

My condolences to his family, friends, and acquaintances.

Everything has already been said—what a void for VF. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.

Patoune

Like many others, I’m shocked by the news of his passing. His Iran journal had me in stitches—I really appreciated the attention to detail he brought up. He’ll be greatly missed.

Condolences to his family. JB

Om mani padme hum. I think the only thing that would make him happy is if we keep traveling the way we do... In two weeks, I’m moving to northwestern Argentina. I dedicate this trip to you, Patrick.

Tony

I’m learning this terrible news from Alaska—thank you, my friend, for those pages of your story that were full of the humor I so appreciated.

😕 It’s when you least expect it that it hits you....... So sad!!!! Sincere condolences to his family.

I just found out the terrible news a bit late... I often thought of Patrick during my last trip and his "questions he didn’t dare ask." He helped fuel my desire to visit that country. And to think your second-to-last message was for me... I’d be ready to go back there and devour the entire Imam Mosque if it could bring you back, Patrick...! So for you, in your honor, I’m putting an image to your piercing Persian words...

"After a few fresh orange juices, I took a taxi to Hafez’s tomb, which is farther from the city center. Hafez is one of Iran’s most famous and beloved poets. His works have been extensively analyzed and sparked many scholarly debates. The man cheerfully celebrated alcohol and earthly pleasures, making him quite likable in the eyes of ordinary folks. Yes, alcohol—the famous Shiraz wine, whose grape varieties no longer exist but whose name lives on elsewhere—was the true essence of his talent. His deep connection to Persian culture is such that even the most conservative clerics couldn’t attack his works, despite their far-from-devout themes. Yet some sharp analysts see in his praise of debauchery and rogues allegories from the Quran and a much more pious message than it appears. One thing is certain: the man is adored, centuries after his death. His tomb is located in a beautiful floral park where people spend the afternoon strolling. His sung poems play over loudspeakers, creating a magical atmosphere. Around the marble tomb itself, people crowd to run their hands over the raised calligraphy, getting as close as possible to the national hero. To make the most of the place, I went to the small tourist shop and bought a collection of his works, translated into French, with Persian calligraphy on each facing page. The book is called the *Divan of Hafez* (nothing to do with a couch, since *Divan* is a Persian word), and the translator is a Great Man himself, having pulled off the feat of creating real poetry in French—with rhyme and rhythm—from the original Persian work. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would’ve thought such a result impossible. So I spent an hour or two reading in the park, watching people wander and reflect to the sound of the sung poetry." (excerpt from Laughter and Smiles in Iran —Yangguizy’s Iran travel journal)

Sending strength to his partner and loved ones.

VF lost its most BEAUTIFUL SOUL...😕😕😕

But he’ll remain in our hearts forever...

With all my condolences to his family and loved ones.

I’m also finding out about this news late. What a shock! We’d never spoken personally—I read the forum a lot but rarely post. He was the forum member I appreciated the most, and I truly mean that, not just saying it for effect.

At the risk of repeating what others have said, his travel journal on North Korea is and will remain a true anthology piece. I’d shared the link with several people in my circle, telling them they absolutely had to read it, that it was simply delightful. His other stories (especially the one on Iran) were also of unmatched quality. I’d also learned to see China differently through his writing.

A fascinating person with an interest in military topics, among other things. Immensely curious, open-minded, and with a refined writing style and humor that we could only envy.

I’m really very sad. What a loss.

Safe travels, dear sir.

François

With great sadness for the huge loss we’ve suffered, I wish you safe travels on your journey.

Sincere condolences to your partner, your family, and your friends here on VF.

Maya

Goodbye Patick and thanks again for your travel journals!

claude

""" MY HEART IS BROKEN """

My condolences to his loved ones.

OLMI

Even though Patrick has left for another long journey, he won’t leave our minds or our hearts. His talented, mischievous stories, full of wisdom, which I’ve read and reread, remain etched on VF and in our memories. After savoring his travel journals, like all of us, I was looking forward to his journal about Uganda. All my thoughts go out to his parents and to everyone who loved him.

How awful, what a tragedy. Damn, what a cruel joke, Yangguizi—you really could’ve spared us that. So sad.

You wish to know the secret of death, but how will you find it if not by seeking it in the heart of life? The owl, whose eyes made for the night are blind to the day, cannot reveal the mystery of light. If you truly want to contemplate the spirit of death, open your heart wide to the body of life. For life and death are one, just as the river and the ocean are one. What is dying if not standing naked in the wind and melting into the sun? What is ceasing to breathe if not freeing the breath from its restless tides, so it can rise and expand and seek the absolute without hindrance? Only when you drink from the river of silence will you truly sing. And when you reach the mountain’s summit, you will finally begin to climb. And when the earth claims your limbs, then you will truly dance.....

(author unknown)

there we go! I was trying to remember which discussion it was where I first met him... and I recall the different portraits to discover each day... so funny... seeing him in that military motto left me really puzzled!!! ... so I went and read it over and over, still wondering who he really was! so today I learn he’s taken another path...

I only knew Patrick through his contributions here. After reading so many of his travel memories and stories on this forum, I can tell he must have been an incredibly generous person. Thank you for all those writings that will stay in our memories. Thank you, Yangguizi, for sharing so much with this community. Wishing you fair winds on this final journey. I’m thinking of his loved ones and friends, and sending all my sympathy during this sad time.

It’s been a long time since I last logged into VF.... So sad....

Have a great trip, Yangguizi! !

he made his life a journey, an example for many.

thoughts to his family and loved ones