The Future

Although this is the final post of this blog for my English Class, it is definitely not the end of my travels. There are 195 countries in the world, and I have only visited 21. There's a lot to explore out there and not enough time to do so. My foolish dream is to visit every country in the world at least once. Yes, even North Korea, because who doesn't want to say: "I totally went to North Korea."

As Christmas season is coming up, my family and I have made plans to go to India. We also discussed the next couple of countries that we would like to visit (or visit again): England, Spain, and France. My family always seems to be thinking about the next place to go and when we do plan a trip, we are eagerly waiting for the date of our plane out to come. Travel has become one of our obsessions, even with all the mishaps we may have experienced.

I would like to encourage everyone to visit a foreign country someday. It is a truly life-changing experience and, like I mentioned in a previous post, it's a great way to learn explore other places, relax, and enjoy some great food with great views and great people. What more could we want? So in the great words of Dr. Seuss "Oh the places you'll go, today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!"

Why Do We Travel?

I have often mentioned that I am greatful for the ability to travel, but I have never explained why. When you think about it, travelling is a tedious, stressful, and expensive process. From packing heavy suitcases to purchasing airplane tickets at absurd prices to getting lost in a foreign country, it seems safer and easier to stay at home, in our comfort zone. However the rewards you get from travelling far outwiegh the burdens of it. Here are the two main reasons for why I love travelling:

1. The idea of getting out of my comfort zone is exciting to me. It makes me nervous, stressed out, and a little scared, but it also exposes me to wonders I didn't even know existed. Whether that be parasailing in Thailand with a  questionable parachute, or having to use a sock as a wallet, travel teaches us about many an odd thing.

2. Experiencing other cultures first-hand is nothing like reading about them in your history books. I think that it's amazing to be able to actually meet natives and just talk to them about what they dow and what their daily lives are like, something that reading travel guides can't quite capture. In the modern era, we talk about how globalization is ending the establishment of unique cultures as we know it and how commercialism contributes to the degradation of rich culutral traditions, but I respectufully disagree: globalization is what allows us to learn about different cultures, and help improve our own. The idea of being a global citizen, concerned with the welfare of one's own country and the rest of the world, is bolstered when you experience other places and culutres first hand. In a sense, experiencing other cultures helps us (cliché alert) improve ourselves. There are certain traditions and values that we can learn from cultures to make ourselves better people.

Simply put, I travel to discover new places, and in a sense, discover myself.

P.S. I apologize for the lack of pictures in this post.

Don't Take National Parks for Granite

This year marks the 100th-anniversary of the National Park Service and in honour of that, I thought I'd talk a little bit about my experiences with various National Parks around the country. I only recently became enamoured with National Parks and nature in general, preferring the sights, sounds, and smells of a hustling bustling city. In fact, on my first trip to the Grand Canyon, I was impressed for five minutes and then I fell asleep in the car.

 However, when I received my first smartphone two years ago, I found myself seeing nature through a different lens, the one of my phone camera. All of a sudden, evening drives to the Lake of the Woods weren't so bad, nor were my pictures. So when we planned our trip to Yellowstone National Park, my parents were surprised that I was excited for a 21-hour drive without wifi. Yes, the drive was boring, but when we got there, the sights, sounds, and smells were breathtaking. Not only did I enjoy taking pictures, I genuinely enjoyed learning about the history and science of the park that stood above a 640,000 year-old still-active volcano. Apart from the intriguing geographical features of Yellowstone, the diversity of wildlife was amazing as well. Towards the end of our stay there, a herd of bison became more of a nuisance than a sight to behold, although the two wolves we saw at 3 in the morning were a pleasant if not disturbing surprise.

The only way to describe Bryce Canyon in Utah is bizarrely beautiful. Sharp rock spires that shoot up more than 100 feet into the air are all clustered together, looking like an awkward family photo. It is definitely worth the walk to the top of the canyon if you ever decide to go, by the way.

Yosemite for my family was more interesting in the dead of night than in the light of day. This is because as pretty as the mountains were, there aren't words to describe the sublime sight of the Milky Way 7,214 feet above sea level, away from the light pollution. Although my smartphone camera was not advanced enough to capture that sight, it has been permanently etched into my mind. My dream is to go back to the spot where I first saw those celestial bodies with a camera that will be able to capture the vastness of the heavens.

These are just a couple of National Parks that I went to, but each one was unique. Every park had something to learn, something that takes your breath away. I consider myself lucky to be able to enjoy these natural wonders, and I hope that everyone has the opportunity to visit a one in their lifetime. Of course, great pictures are a bonus!

The spires of Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah

Half Dome of Yosemite National Park in California

Travel Tips

I am extremely grateful for the ability to travel. I feel lucky that my parents love exploring different places all around the globe. They always told me that there is a lot to learn outside of the classroom as well. Indeed, I have experienced different cultures, tasted different types of cuisine, and learned a lot about the history of many countries. However, it seems that every seasoned traveller in addition to learning a lot about Earth also picks up tips and tricks about travelling itself. So I thought I'd give it a go and share some of my (most likely cliché) travelling tips:

1. Smile!

Believe it or not, not all people in the world are rude. In fact, they enjoy it when you greet them and ask them how their day has been. They will be even more impressed when you greet them in their native tongue. I can't keep track of how many free espressos I got roaming Italy just because I walked into the café and said "Buongiorno!" Making personal connections with natives is always fun and they can even become great guides and friends during your trip

2. Wake Up

There is nothing I dislike more than waking up during a trip and seeing that the sun is high in the sky. The earlier you wake up, the more you can do during the day. It's even more enjoyable if your hotel or hostel room has a view. In fact over the weekend, my father and I went to Chicago and stayed in a room with a lovely view of Lake Michigan the Chicago skyline. I woke up at 4 to take pictures from our window of the view, seeing how dramatically the rising sun changed the landscape.

3. Pack Light, but Not Too Light

Heavy suitcases can be cumbersome to carry around and are sure to put a damper on your mood. On the other hand, suitcases that are too small won't have enough space to carry souvenirs and other goodies around. I suggest one check-in suitcase and a backpack as your carry-on. Also, always have a spare change of clothes and toiletries in your carry-on luggage; luggage gets lost easily. Just do it. You'll thank me later.

4. Take Pictures

With smartphones that take jaw-dropping pictures, it has become really simple to preserve memories that you will cherish forever. My dad loves going over photo albums on a Sunday morning. He always cracks a wide smile when he sees a photo that reminds him of a pleasant or funny memory, like the "Limoncello Incident." I'll leave it at that.

5. Keep An Open Mind
You never know what's going to happen. One minute you might be having coffee with a friend and the next thing you know, you're driving a speed boat down a river through the mountains of South Korea. Sometimes, getting lost is the best way to find something new.

The view from our hotel room in Chicago. Sorry for the poor picture quality.

Jazzin' It Up in New Orleans

Although I prefer travelling abroad as opposed to travelling around the United States, my trip to New Orleans definitely changed my view on that. Usually, large towns advertise themselves as having a local "buzz," but it is usually a cheap tactic used to attract tourists to their less-than-breathtaking towns.

However, New Orleans was different. Walking onto Canal Street is like stepping into a never-ending party. Day and night, streets are filled with people singing, eating, dancing, and just enjoying life in general. You can't help but crack a small smile when you pass Cafe du Monde, the smell of freshly cooked beignets topped with powdered sugar filling your nostrils. The people are the same way, with a gaiety that is contagious.

For me, I fell in love with "New Awlins" when I dragged my family to a hole in the wall record store. Ella Fitzgerald's Dream a Little Dream of Me was playing and indeed, the store was like a dream; for rows and rows of shelves were filled with old vinyl records, walls plastered with posters of Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, and many other jazz icons. I spent hours there, gawking at various old vinyl covers. I bonded with the store owners over chickory coffee and they exposed me to tons of other jazz artists.  From that day on, my knowledge and appreciation of jazz had increased exponentially.

But the dream was abruptly broken when I boarded a bus tour. We passed neighbourhoods with houses that were destroyed: entire roofs ripped off, smashed windows, and houses that were just flattened. Cemeteries that continued as far as the eye could see rolled by. It seemed that these places never left 2005, unable to recover from the terror of Hurricane Katrina. I noticed a side of New Orleans that I will never forget. But then I saw a construction crew lifting up the wall of an entire house. Repairs were in process.

As we started heading back, I heard jazz ensembles warming up for the evening crowd. I realized something: New Orleans wasn't stuck in 2005, it moved forward, with a smile on its face, just like its inhabitants. People from New Orleans were so strong that not even a hurricane could diminish their spirits. The jazz kept on playing.

A typical jazz ensemble

Jackson Square in the French Quarter

The backyard of an old plantation estate

Korea: Very Seduc-tea-ve

If you didn't already know, I have a severe inability to talk to girls I like. In fact, when I like someone, I tend to avoid them like the plague. My trip to Korea was the first time I didn't do this, but it didn't help that I was in a foreign land and that the girl I spoke to didn't really speak English. But we had something in common: tea.

For background, I was selected to be on United States Team for the World Martial Arts Festival in Chungju, South Korea. I was excited for a trip abroad and the chance to be exposed to different cultures and martial arts. I would also be able to how off my Kwon Do skills and introduce the world to the "American Martial Art." Contrary to the opinion of the NRA supporters, the first American Martial Art was Tomahawk throwing, not shooting. So I prepared for the festival by practicing my Tae Kwon Do and tomahawk throwing skills. I donned the attire of a Western Cowboy while we were lucky to have had real Native Americans on my team who wore the traditional clothing of Indians. These guys, although they were much older than me, became some of my best friends.

After an exhausting 18 hour flight and three-hour drive, we were in Chungju: a beautiful town in the foothills of these beautiful green mountains and a pristine blue river. The next day was our orientation day and it gave us the chance to prepare our area and roam around the grounds of the festival. As we walked, I noticed a tent which seemed to be setup for the performance of a darye, or traditional Korean tea ceremony, manned by a not-unattractive girl. In essence, the tea ceremony a way to enjoy tea in a relaxed manner that almost feels forced, hence the formality. It is still performed to this day, perhaps to encourage Koreans to take time and indulge in something simple in their modern, hectic life. I was interested and asked my master instructor if I could go. His response was: "Only if you get her number."

Now, I have nothing but respect for my master, but all of a sudden, the tea ceremony didn't look quite as appealing. I asked him to come with me, and he reluctantly agreed. As we approached the table, I got that cold and jittery feeling one gets when they have to ask a girl to slow dance in middle school. I felt awkward and I looked ridiculous, dressed in my leather boots, cowboy hat, and belt with a big silver buckle. Needless to say, I was nervous. I sat down, and my master, who is Korean, said a few words to the girl while pointing at me, which apparently made her giggle. Then, out of nowhere, he got up and left Now, I was mortified! She couldn't speak English, I had no knowledge of Korean, so I did the only thing I knew how to do, I started the tea ceremony.

Trying to remember the youtube videos I watched, I mimicked the motions the girl made, and she seemed to be impressed! I enjoyed the tea and thanked her for it, but not before something weird happened: she handed me a slip of paper with her number written on it, in English numerals! Having no idea what to do, I just walked away

For anyone curious, I never spoke to her, but I did meet her a few more times. We just walked around together and on the last day I saw her, I got a little peck on the cheek.  It was nothing much, but it made me realize one thing: people don't need to know a language to make friends. I made friends with people from all seven continents not because I could speak lots of languages, but because we were all interested in the same thing: martial arts. I made friends with this girl because we bonded together over tea. All that's required to make a connection with someone is a common interest.

A typical Tae Kwon Do Dojang

The tallest Buddha statue in Asia

A Buddhist monastery near Chungju, South Korea

My Parisian Predicament

France. The mere mention of the land of Monet, Hugo, and Zinedine Zidane (for all of you soccer lovers out there) brings to mind the smell of buttery croissants, the sounds of Edith Piaf's enchanting melodies, and the sight of the sun shining through the lattice ironwork of the Eiffel Tower.

Yet after stepping outside of Charles de Gaulle International Airport the first thing I felt was cold. I opened my suitcase and pulled out the windbreaker that I had only packed because my mom told me that I might feel cold at night. I thought I had paid for a ticket to Paris, not London. Little did I know that the majority of my time spent in France would be with the companionship of rain and my North Face. But I didn't cast away my hopes. I had faith in Google and it told me that the next two days or so were supposed to be sunny, perfect for those amazing shots of the Eiffel Tower we see on travel websites. 

So there I was, suitcase in hand, looking forward to a relatively short metro ride. However, there were the strikes, which are a series of peaceful protests by disgruntled public transportation workers that has almost become a Parisian tradition. I thought that this would only cause a minor delay, but what was supposed to be a 45-minute subway ride turned out to be a 2 hour bus ride and then a 15-minute subway ride followed by what felt like a ten minute walk hauling a 20 pound suitcase in the pouring rain. Suffice it to say, the bus ride taught me that angry Parisians have a powerful command of French swear words.

We decided to take a walk along the Seine and I immediately noted that the river was flowing really fast. When I asked my teacher why it was like that, I also learned that the banks of the Seine were the highest that they'd been since the Great Flood of 1910. As a result, we found out that the Louvre and the Musee D'Orsay were closed as well as river cruises. So we worked around that. I visited other museums and we did get to see the Eiffel Tower, except without the sunny background I had imagined.

Perhaps this wasn't the ideal Parisian experience I was hoping for, but I was grateful for what I was able to see. I do want to return to Paris and visit the sights I missed, but the experience I had showed me a very different side of Paris. Apart from my vitamin D deficiency, I learned that it's not always "La Vie en Rose" for Parisians. The strikes affected my travel plans and the plans of many others, but perhaps that is the idea. If the workers are not happy with the way their employers treat them, then the workers are making the customers unhappy as well. As a result, the employers are taking notice and agree to listen to the protesters grievances. Will it work?  We'll have to wait and see.

L'Arc du Triomphe

                                            Mandatory (but mediocre) picture of La Tour Eiffel

                                                              Entrance to the Sorbonne

                              Remnants of a flare used during a strike at a Parisian train station