Posts in : Tourists

• Jul

  20

  Time Abroad

  
  
  by Stinky
  posted in News
  No comments yet
  
  

  Hey guys. It has been exactly one week since departing from Sydney so let us recap on some of the places I have been so far. First stop was Singapore. I know what you’re all thinking. You must be saying ‘again?’ so my answer in response to your question (that I made up) is ‘why not?’ Answering a question with a question is probably the most distasteful thing to do but it’s the best I have so please excuse my lack of creativity. It was hot as usual but not as hot as it was when I was there in April. I didn’t really do much other than walk around. When I travel I like to immerse myself into the local culture so I try my utmost to blend in. I don’t carry around a camera, I don’t walk around with a bag and most importantly I do not do what 90% of the other tourists do. I only spent a couple of days there because I tried my best to squeeze in a shop stopover in Hong Kong prior returning to my home away from home (well that’s what it feels like anyway).

  Hong Kong was humid and hot and rainy. It was a good excuse to go around town shopping. But much to my dismay, I didn’t find a single thing I wanted to buy. It was kind of disappointing given that fact that my sole purpose in HK was to shop. But nonetheless, I still had a good time going head to head with the local rudeness, shooing away the salespeople trying to tailor make me a suit and making the most of my Octopus Card. So after a quick 2 days I was on my way to my favourite place in the universe. It was only a short 1.5 hour flight but as we ascended into the storm ridden clouds, I experienced the worst turbulence of my life. I literally held onto my seat and tightened my usually loose seatbelt. Fifteen minutes later, the turbulence subsided and I continued to live life without fearing death (lol).

  I’m in Taipei at the moment but I did get the opportunity the other day to go down south and visit a couple of friends of mine. This time I did not give them any warning and surprised them at their shop. But the spontaneity of this sort of died when I arrived and they were out to lunch. I sat like a homeless man (albeit with good shoes) in front of their shop on one of the main roads and waited. They eventually arrived and we had a good time catching up. Coming back to this country really makes me realise how much I connect with everything here. I keep telling myself that one time during my life, I need to move here and live here and learn more about this place I have fell in love with. I know it’s not Sydney – some streets smell, the weather is terrible, no blue skies, traffic is chaotic but there is a unique beauty in all of these aspects. I don’t want to go home…

  I will leave it here for now and will write more about my time in Taiwan next week. For now, please take care.

   

  

   

   

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• Jul

  13

  Bon voyage

  
  
  by Stinky
  posted in News
  No comments yet
  
  

  I stand at the edge looking out at a sky stained with spots of white and blue and a mixture of the two. The land is vast and flocks of birds grace the grounds in orderly beauty. People crowd nearby to accompany me to gaze at the horizon – the kids pointing and shouting ‘look look’ whilst the adults succumb to their wishes and simply look. Everyone standing and waiting for their turn to go out amongst the birds and… board them?

  Yes I’m at the airport again. And yes I’m referring to planes. I apologise for my poor attempt at trickery. But it is fun nonetheless. So I’ve calmed down after my moment of joy. You guys know what I’m talking about right? The moment you pass customs and the thorough security check, the sight before you opens up into a fluorescent wonderland of duty free shopping. Elation.

  It’s a privilege I am not yet sick of and an experience I am happy to play on endless repeat. Sitting at the gate gives you a good opportunity to spot your fellow travelers. I eagerly look out for crying babies and the hordes of tourists with their passports hung around their necks.

  They just made an announcement to say that they will commence boarding in ten minutes. They also said not to stand or line up. So what does everyone do? They stand and line up much to the dismay of the airline staff. I live for this because I sit and watch and laugh to no one in particular. So I’ll leave it here for now since I will be boarding soon. I wish myself a safe flight and will let you know when I meet up with Stinky.

  Take care and Bon voyage.

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