Tag: Travel
Australian Culture
by Sean on Jun.06, 2010, under Australia
My first experience with Aussies came when I moved to China a year and a half ago. I was so used to American culture that the way they acted was at first a bit of a turn off, and after a few weeks I got used to it. I thought it was just how these two guys acted, so I adapted to the way they behaved. It seemed like they were always “taking the piss” with me and putting me down, but I grew to realize that it was them trying to help guide me towards the right path and make quality decisions with my life.
Typical Aussie
Overall I found that customer service was quite terrible, yet sadly still better than China’s. In some sense, they want to make you happy like in the States, but at the same time they don’t really care either way. Americans ask, “What would you like,” while Australians ask “What are you after?” like it’s a desire.
The country seems to be run by unions, and as a result things get done much slower, and it takes a lot more money to get it done. The minimum wage is about $18 and they get mandatory breaks (which even in the eyes of some Australians are far too often). I guess it’s a product of our generation who only cares about mucking around and not having any ambitions in life, and I think that’s something you’ll find in every country within our generation.
Another thing was that many people have tattoos and piercings and show them in public without hesitation, whereas in America one would do well to conceal these things from their workmates and bosses. I found many people to be either particularly overweight, or way too skinny. Most young people had their hair dyed and walked around with an attitude, but I doubt that’s who they really are (unless they’re just white trash like I believe them to be).
I hate to generalize or speculate, but this post is based on my experience in Queensland, Australia. Your experience may differ, so don’t hold my words to be true to the T.
Popularity: 14% [?]
I’m Going Home!!!
by Sean on Jun.03, 2010, under Miscellaneous, USA
I know I haven’t been updating this website lately, but if you go to my personal blog you’ll know why. Just as a side note before I continue, today is the 701st day I’ve been in China. Since I’ve been so busy since March working my butt off to save money for this trip (so far I have $7000 saved), I’ll give you a preliminary budget and outline for my USA trip:
- July 1: Fly from Wuhan to Shanghai, Shanghai to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Miami
- August 6-9: Fly from Fort Lauderdale to Chicago to see my friend Ish
- August 14: Fly from Fort Lauderdale to Seattle to see the Twins and Maddy
- August 15: Skydive in Seattle
- August 17: Fly to San Francisco
- August 21: Rent a car and hit the road south to Monterrey
- August 22: Drive to LA
- August 26: Fly from Los Angeles to Shanghai
- August 26: Fly from Shanghai to Wuhan
As I mentioned above, I’ll be coming home with $7000, $2200 of which will be going to pay back my credit card bills (flights and pre-existing charges), thus leaving me with about $4800. My roundtrip tickets (WH-SH,SH-LAX,LAX-FLL,LAX-SH,SH-WH) cost $1800, which I know is a lot, but considering I used only one website to book them all in a row without any hassles, it’s a good deal.
My intent is to spend no more than $2000, and I should be able to stick to that budget since my friend Ish generously offered to cover my expenses (need to look for a cheapppppp flight, anyone?). During the times not specified, I’m free to do whatever I want, and will be seeing as many people in Florida (Miami, Pines, Weston, Davie, Coral Springs, Orlando, Gainesville) as I can. It’s already proving to be a crazy trip.
It’s been 2 very long, trying years that have also been very fruitful and educational. 1 more year to go!
Popularity: 17% [?]
The Future of Tourism
by Sean on Apr.23, 2010, under Miscellaneous
There are many kinds of people who we can define as “tourists,” no matter how hard people like me strive to be called travelers instead. The truth of the matter is that we’re all tourists, but each of us has different goals, and it’s our goals that set us apart from one another. Up until now, I’ve experienced travel in different ways: I’ve taken the short cruise with only hours of exposure to the host country, I’ve studied abroad and lived in a house with a local family, I’ve taken a guided tour with almost no freedom to explore on my own, and I’ve backpacked alone with complete freedom. Of all these experiences, I feel the most valuable ones are those in which I’m completely free to choose my destinations, when and how I get there, and what to do when I arrive. But what if you could be completely free while still living with a host?
People will surely disagree with me since everyone has their own ideas. These people might be afraid to travel alone, or unsure of what to do or how to get there, or maybe just want to enjoy the privacy afforded by a hotel room. For me, these things are part of the journey. I love meeting locals along the way, and sometimes even spending time with them learning valuable information about the area or even country as a whole. I know what tourism has been in the past, and shy away from it. It’s my hope that the future of tourism will evolve into more of a genuine cultural experience void of trinkets and ridiculous prices. Most people work hard and despite have money to spend, are unable to take long trips like myself to really enjoy themselves.
As a result, some people have turned to vacations closer to home. This is good and bad at the same time, because people aren’t getting the opportunity to learn about other parts of the world, however they’re finally taking an interest in the things surrounding them. I think the future of tourism will be one in which people have more vacation time to go off and dive into the rich cultures not only of areas nearby, but also of far off lands one used to only dream of seeing.
The average tourist today loves to stay in nice hotels to enjoy the luxury associated with these destinations, however this can not be called an experience in the eyes of us travelers. That is why I hope in the future more programs will exist to allow tourists to stay with a local family no matter the amount of money they have to spend. Even if for only a few days, tourists can have a genuine experience where they are fed local foods and see the culture for what it is, and not from a distance (the hotel bedroom window).
My richest experiences have been living with the locals as they not only help you assimilate quickly, but keep you safe from the harms that exist. In addition to that, they can provide access to the language in case people don’t speak your own. These things will allow more people to find that little hut on the secluded beach with the best seafood in the world, or the little bar in the alleyway with home brews.
The best thing about travel is finding what’s hidden from plain view, meant only for the locals. Living amongst the locals allows you to live like the locals, and if that’s not a cultural experience, I don’t know what is. It’s my dream that more people will free themselves from the fear that has handcuffed them to the country they were born in. Diplomacy between governments is a good way to improve relations, but there is so much love in the world that is waiting to be spread, and can only be done one person at a time.
Popularity: 29% [?]
Photo of the Week – 4/23
by Sean on Apr.23, 2010, under Australia, Photos
Home-Cooked Meal
You’ve just come off a very long plane ride to the tune of 12 hours. The time and money spent and lost to get here are completely worth it, and you know it as soon as you step off the plane. The incredibly deep blue sky and lingering clouds open your eyes and remind you of what life was like before China. You’re further reminded of this when you take your luggage from the carousel and are made to wait in line for an hour just to be searched and enter customs.
All the stress of travel leaves you as you are picked up by your mate’s father and enjoy a nice car ride (on the opposite side of the road) and take in the amazing scenery. First stop: a home-cooked meal. After having been away so long, this kind of special meal fully recharges your batteries and you feel great. Time to move on and enjoy the rest of your trip!
Popularity: 16% [?]
Photo of the Week – Malaysian Sunset
by Sean on Mar.18, 2010, under Malaysia, Photos
Malaysian sunset
You’re en route from the center of a beautiful modern city to the outskirts almost 150km outside of town. You’ve spent the entire day running around trying to experience as much as you can, because tomorrow you’ll be on a plane to Australia. As the sun descends in the sky and is replaced by its sister Moon, you feel strangely happy being in this foreign land. You can’t remember the last time you enjoyed the heat coming off the surface of the sun and gently baking your skin at a nice temperature of 88F, just enough to make you a light brown but not enough to bake you all the way. It’s a great introduction to the following month you’ve been waiting to happen for almost a year.
The bus gently rolls along the highway as you pass suburban homes that remind you of your own home so far away. You long to return to the arms of your family and friends, but know it’s just a distant dream. You realize this is the best you have and enjoy it all you can before you return to the monotony of the daily grind. It is with this enjoyment of travel that keeps you going, and with it your eyes close to the gentle hum of the wheels along the road.
Popularity: 18% [?]
