Author: Sameer

How do you summarize a trip? What makes a good trip? When people ask you about a trip, do they really care and what do they really want to hear? I feel a good starting place for me is the following:

People, experiences and food

There is definitely more nuance and elements that go into a memorable vacation but to keep for the sake of simplicity that is the essence. This trip highlighted the importance of connection and socializing as my first hostel experience was eye opening and made me realize I’m not the only one travelling such a foreign land so far away from home. It kept me grounded and limits the loneliness that accrues over the course of the trip. I met amazing people across the country with shoutouts for Gene and Ya Ling and her husband. Most of all the social aspect brings out the sense of community even though you’re a long ways from comfort.

Experiences… this is what we all live for don’t we? From the breathtaking sights to small inconveniences to large self discovery breakthroughs, every journey is a learning lesson. There is something about the culture in Asia, how can we all be so similar but yet so different at the same time.

Food is a universal language and don’t have to search too far to indulge and feel at home with it. To the copious amounts of beef noodle soup, xiaolongbao’s and dumplings – you have my heart. There is something very refreshing about cleansing your palette with a new cuisine and adapting to a new smorgasbord of flavours. However, the McDonalds, pizza and burgers remain a comfort and grounding in the face of complete change. Who knew McDonalds could taste healthy?

Mind blowing that seven days have already passed since I got here and for my first blog post. I’ve experienced so much in so little time: hostels, strangers, night markets, mountains, beef noodle soup…. more beef noodle soup. This trip has turned out great so far but it is getting to that point in the trip where the loneliness begins to creep in. The missing of family and friends and you’re own bed. It is also the point you begin to question the meaning and purpose of life and what else you could do with the heaps of free time. The social aspect of hostels truly do help fill the void and make you feel you’re not the only one wandering through this world. It adds a small sense of meaning and belonging to the opposite side of the world.

What an absolute spike of adrenaline yesterday. Sun Moon Lake is gorgeous but almost got me killed or rather I almost killed myself. It’s a 32km bike loop around the lake and of course I’m up for the challenge. Starting out you think nothing can stop you and then you hit the first hill where your thigh heat flashes. Next thing you know, the next hill is already here where your thighs are on absolute fire. Pit Stop. Quick break and it’s a nice downhill section. But again, the steepest uphill yet and every ounce of lactic acid has evaporated from your thighs and your clinging on for dear life. Finally comes the reward and an ego boost where it’s a complete downhill section 100-200 meters. Nothing can stop me… literally, nothing is stopping me. The bike slowly starts to pick up speed and gradually more and more until you’re on a full downhill with the electric assist cranked to max (thank god for electric assisted bikes otherwise I wouldn’t have made it past the first quarter of the loop) and the speedometer is clocking 60 km/h! With perfect car control and racing experience, this is a joke but you look up and it’s a double hairpin downhill. Little cause for concern but you start trail braking and you’re not slowing down… I’m carrying to much speed! Full lock on the brakes it is…. to no avail the tires have locked and you’re just a passenger. Luckily flinstones brakes have never failed and use the natural body to stop. My body is still shaking writing this.

It is an absolute privilege to be able to travel for this long and have the experiences I am going through. Everyone deserves the opportunity to explore, learn about the world, culture and about themselves. It is our duty to help out everyone who has drawn the short straws in life.

I was getting lazy to write this as the pre-cursor of this trip was a long adventurous day throughout Seattle. Timezones are messy and going from +13h to +16h makes a bigger difference than you think. Luckily, I’d postponed the suffering until the end of the day.

I like the Pacific North West, the west coast, the chill coast. There’s something about never having to worry about a snowstorm and only torrential rain that is quite calming – settling even. From Pike’s Place to the ferry, to the sphere, to Amazon GO to finally Kerry Park, I couldn’t have asked for a better host. You’d be surprised how much just one person can alter the vibes of the visit and I’m thankful Sarim and Sahifa were on the same page. It’s an eclectic city, probably for the faint of heart but it has that charm, that cool breezer, the warmer than snow nights that captured mine too.

Thought a early life crisis was in order before leaving for Taiwan and the start of a blog was in order. Let’s see how this progresses but it feels weird to put something like this out there even though I doubt it will garner any audience.