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Tag: vacation

  • The Musings of a Girl for a Far-Away Place

    Once upon a time there was a little Chinese girl who ate dinner at a big table surrounded by red plastic chairs and many pairs of chopsticks. She played with her cousins and then got scared by a really big dog. And, she danced in the square with the older ladies and the taller pieces of grass tickled her feet in her little white sandals. She gets a happy meal toy from McDonald’s, but loses it on a paddle boat ride. And just like that in ShenZhen, China, in her grandmother’s house, she spends her Summers until the weather gives way to Fall and she gets brought back to the West, even though she wishes she could have stayed.

    Regular Summer Days

    All of this sounds like regular days of ordinary Summers with nothing special in particular. There’s no hotels or rushing here and there. There’s no tour groups or time limits. It was just a girl living her life in a different part of the world. Odd thing was, she belonged there better than she does where she was born. 

    The Smells of Airconditioning and Durian

    The stores are freezing cold, the air conditioner blasting. The smell of durian mixed with AC smell suddenly got associated with home and in the West, when the first time I smelled that exact same smell, I ached for Summer to come again and for my Grandmother’s house. 

    Recommendations

    This is my far-off place. And maybe you could take this as a recommendation for a place to go during vacation. Or, maybe not. There’s a whole ton of other places you could travel to if you’ve got the means to do so. ShenZhen is a great little place to be for just a short while, y’know, if you want to and can do so.

    In Conclusion

    Go out there, find a place in the world out there that will bring you an absurd amount of joy. Of course, not all of us can afford to go on a trip, or have the means to drop whatever they are doing just to go on vacation, but we can still dream. For all we know, it might come true. Persistence and hard work are key. It sounds really optimistic, but a bit of optimism just might make life feel easier. 

         Remember, work hard, persist, dream of a better future, and just try your best.

  • A Travel Destination for Your Bucket List

    Traveling can be as elaborate as you wish it to be. It doesn’t always have to be overseas or miles and miles away from home. I would keep activities, food and culture that you enjoy or are interested in experiencing in mind when deciding where you’d like to travel to. This would help you make the most of your trip. As someone who has yet to travel many places on my own personal bucket list, I would recommend starting with a nearby option. There are many things to prepare for and plan when traveling. My personal recommendation would be visiting El Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    Why Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico?

    When considering flight time, traveling to Puerto Rico is only about a three hour plane ride. This would be roughly the equivalent to driving from New York City to the beginning of Pennsylvania! Something to keep in mind is that Viejo San Juan is a residential district so as a tourist, one must respect those who reside there. I was able to stay at an air bnb that had a view of the ocean and one of San Juan’s historic sights. The San Cristobal fortresses were walking distance from where I was staying and I suggest wearing comfortable footwear. There’s a lot of steep hills and walking to be done! The beaches in Puerto Rico are beautiful. They are kept clean and depending on which beach you visit, it can offer calm waters or wild waves. It is always very hot and it rains unexpectedly almost every day.

    Although Viejo San Juan is a residential district, it still offers a lively environment. Music like salsa and merengue are always playing. Some food I’d recommend is mofongo, coconut pudding, flan and arroz con guandules (rice with pigeon peas) and meat of your choice. Traveling is a great way to escape everyday stressors. It is a great way to let your mind and body relax, get exercise through walking, dancing, swimming, sight-seeing and a great way to learn about history and culture outside of your own. What are some places you wish to travel to? I would like to visit the Grand Canyon next!