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| 2013 Summer at Jimbaran Beach, Bali, Indonesia |
I
remember writing an essay titled “I want to be… when I grow up” when I was in
elementary school. My second grade fantasy was to become an air hostess because
they looked so beautiful and elegant. Most importantly, air hostesses get to
travel the world for free. Whether it’s international or domestic, I’ve always
loved traveling. I’ve been to China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia,
Singapore, Indonesia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria and many cities
within America. I enjoy spending time in a foreign country and exploring their
cultures. I had the privilege to travel to these countries over the past years
because I believe that traveling can open my eyes to the world. I am lucky that
my parents agree with me too. Indeed, I’ve learned so much from traveling. I am
more open-minded to a different culture and custom than my own. I’ve learn that
one’s ethnic background and experiences shape one’s characteristics.
Over
the past few years, I fell in love with the Travel Channel show called “Bizarre
Foods with Andrew Zimmern”. The host of
the show, Andrew Zimmern, travels around the world to eat things that most
American would not dare to touch. Some of the “bizarre” foods that he had
included bats, worms, all types of fermented fish, and the list go on. His
motto is “If it looks good, eat it.” Zimmern inspired me because he was willing
to step out of comfort zone to try foods that he would not eat normally. I’ve
learn that eating is a “universal language” and it is a great way to learn
about other cultures. For example, Indonesians use their hands to eat but
Chinese people use chopsticks to eat. After watching this show, I’ve become
more adventurous when it comes to eating. When I went to Korea with the mindset
of “Eat everything and no regrets,” I sampled some moving octopus tentacles. Surprisingly,
it was so bad after all. I don’t want to “judge the book by its cover” anymore
because I want to try eating something that I would never eat in America. My
stomach has become nearly invincible from traveling. I rarely get sick from
unsanitary food now. I can practically eat anything and everything anywhere I
want.
I’ve
always shared photos of my trips via social media but I’ve never thought about
starting a blog. I never knew that I can start writing my own blog until I was
assigned with blog writing in my second year English class at San Francisco
State University. Finally, I have a place to share my thoughts and experiences.
I plan to share traveling tips, shopping guides, sight-seeing guides, food
adventures, and airline reviews. I have
made so many wonderful memories traveling with friends and/or family. I am
super excited to share these memories with the world.
As
French novelist Marcel Proust once said “the real voyage of discovery consists
not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” Are you ready to embark
on this journey with me?