For Patrick-Yangguizi (page 7 of 19)

I had only recently read and enjoyed his travel journal about North Korea.

I join everyone here in expressing my sadness at seeing such a talented traveler, a gift not everyone has, pass away so young.

I'm stunned...

Goodbye Patrick—Shanghaipat—Yangguizi, which you told us we should pronounce "Yand goué dzeu." Your two usernames, both just as unpronounceable as each other, meant I’d think: "I’ll read what Yangui wrote." One day, you also wrote: "I’ve done more than brush with Death—I’ve even crossed her. It was in California. She’d materialized in a valley (Valley in English), but it was definitely her. The proof? She was called Death Valley…"

Today, gathered around you is a crowd of loving people paying tribute to the dynamic, adventurous, tender, and funny young man you were. You said your cult film was "The Man Who Would Be King," which you’d watched in 2004. In a way, you were the king of the forum, giving your readers mischievous, fascinating travel journals packed with anecdotes, well-researched, and so well-written...

You left us long before 2113, when you’d booked your trip to the moon (After all these years of saving up, I finally accumulated enough units to take the plunge and email Moon Travel Corp. to sign up for one of their winter 2113 trips. The first leg of the journey was routine—boarding an orbital shuttle to take us to the Copernicus station, one of the main orbital platforms open to the public. Routine, sure, but a first for me. Yeah, I’d never been to space before. Of course, those lucky enough to have crossed the Earth’s final atmospheric layers still make up a tiny fraction of humanity…)

We humans have two absolute, undeniable certainties: birth and death. We travel between these two shores of undetermined time, filling it with our doubts, dreams, efforts, joys, and walks on Earth. You had a blast on all the soils you trod, stuffed yourself with pissaladière every time you returned to Nice, loved from India to China, and then—bam—you took your final bow.

You were the same age as my son, and I’m thinking of your mother. The void of absence, the grief of losing a child, swells a mother’s heart with a silent scream that never fades.

Goodbye.

Dom.

pfffffffffffff, I wasn't expecting news like this!!!

What sadness! I still remember when I first started talking to him: I thought his name was YANN!!! He immediately told me his name was Patrick and explained what his "nickname" meant. What kindness this man had! He was always available to answer my questions. And above all, his stories! A real joy to read his adventures (travel journals).

I offer my sincere condolences to his family, his sweetheart, and especially to his mom!!! He was someone very intelligent, funny, and I think he really knew how to enjoy life!

Safe travels, Patrick (even though everyone would have preferred you didn’t take this journey so soon!)

Emilie

I join all of you in paying tribute to what seemed like a true traveler. A few months ago, I read his travel journal about North Korea—it must be truly surreal to find yourself there. May he have an excellent final journey.

I saw a beautiful shooting star in the sky over the Nice hills Sunday night (8/17/08)... and I made a wish...

This forum has lost a talented traveler... Ciao Patrick.

Devastated after reading this message...

May this final journey bring you serenity, Yangguizi.

Simba

We’ve just lost someone close to us... Thank you, Patrick, for sharing your passion and discoveries through your such rich stories and...

I feel deeply moved by his passing and send my condolences to his family and his partner.

😕

... damn lungs ... 😕

Tuesday, August 19, 2008, Athaneum of Nice,

Two members of Voyage Forum were present to express the emotion and regret felt by all of us—so many of us—deeply touched by the loss of our friend Patrick-Yangguizi.

hi Fabricia, thanks to them for representing us! it was surely tough but good, for all those who already miss it best regards

Yangguizi,

I had signed up for this forum just to congratulate you on your brilliant North Korean travel journals—so captivating and hilarious that they cost me an entire afternoon of zero productivity at work.

Since I dragged my feet, I’m now reduced to saying goodbye and wishing you the best of luck on the Ultimate Journey!!!!

Penta

I just got back from vacation today—what sad news. His writing brought me so much joy. What a shame to lose such a man!

Really terrible news.

What a shock, I just got back from vacation and discovered this very sad news... What more can I say? VF has lost one of its most talented members...

Safe travels, Patrick.

Hi everyone,

I’m "resurrecting" this thread to join you in remembering Yang. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to do the same. I heard the news yesterday—I barely slept, still finding it hard to believe.

He lives on through his incredible stories.

Rest in peace, Yang.

I’m still stunned by this sudden departure... I also laughed a lot reading his travel journals—I loved his humor, his wit, his culture, his intelligence, and his kindness. I was really looking forward to reading his journal about Uganda when I got back from vacation, a country I don’t know. My thoughts go out to his mom, his partner, his family, and his loved ones. May they find some comfort in these painful moments. One thing’s for sure, we’re gonna miss you. Alright, so long Yang, and safe travels on this great journey. Christine

I can’t imagine that the person behind these posts and words (I’d read his story "I took a group trip!") was just someone who loved Life and travel... may he travel forever. Sincere thoughts to his loved ones and the VF members who knew him personally.

Lilie

After reading your stories, THANK YOU Patrick for being the one who will undoubtedly remain in the memories of VoyageForum and the vast majority of its members...

Goodbye

"You’re the age of my son, and I think of your mother. The gaping void of absence, the grief of a child, swells mothers’ bellies with a silent scream that never fades."

Thanks for this beautiful line, Pondy. One of my friends who lost her son told me she often felt pains in her belly. I took the liberty of quoting your words to her—she was deeply moved and found them so true.

I often think of Yang. I reread his writings, and from beyond, he still makes me laugh...

Thank you, Yang, and thank you, Pondy. Safe travels, francia

I just got back from vacation and learned this terrible news.

I discovered Patrick through his writings about Samarkand. Since then, I’ve been following him, and he always made me laugh out loud. I was planning to reach out to him as soon as school started to confirm that some kindergarteners were going to work on his travel writings. My little girl is going to be heartbroken—Yangi had become a dream for her (she’s 4). Now I’ll have to help her understand this sad reality.

Like so many moms, I feel sick to my stomach over the loss of our joker. My thoughts are with his loved ones. Safe travels, Yangui—you brought us so much joy. Thank you. Chantal

Hey Lilie, Don’t you think your avatar’s a bit out of place here on this post? 😠😠😠