Journal
Some people can’t get to their destination quick enough – they hate those long, uncomfortable and bumpy bus rides. Others embrace it and see it as an adventure.
-I am an Other.
I am one of those people that truly enjoy the journey. Sometimes the journey itself is even more fun and exciting than the actual destination is. For me holiday starts much earlier than arriving at the destination. It starts as soon as the first plans are made, and the excitement heightens with the preparations and packing, but the real fun begins, the moment I step into the bus/train/plane. That’s when things get concrete – that’s when the adventure begins.
Argentina is known for its beautiful people and delicious steaks. Thailand is known for it's pristine beaches and top-notch customer service. Thailand and steaks don't fit. And neither do Argentina and top-notch customer service. That's because there is none.
Ok, I'm joking. Of course there's customer service in Argentina. Restauranteurs, shop owners, security guards, teachers and cabbies - we've met some of the sweetest. But in general, it's hard to find quality, feel-good, they've-gone-above-and-beyond customer service here.
I'm back in Montreal now, and people keep asking me if I have culture shock now that I’m not surrounded by Chinese people.
Actually, quite the opposite. I have culture cuddlies.
That's right. I want to get all snuggly with Canada and stay in and watch a video. Seriously. I'm back in my parents' house and unemployed and have no real prospects and I don't even care because I have clean water and air and every day I can go for a bike ride and see the sky. Weird.
Shanghai burned me out so bad, when my contract was up I took off for two months of aimless travel in search of tropical paradise. First stop was Xishuangbanna in the south of China en route to Laos, and the first place I checked for paradise was Ganlanba.
