Robyn's Wanderings

From Bermuda to......

We have to say: “Welcome Back!” to our wanderer Emily Ross. She’s been busy getting back into school so….we can cut her slack! 

I’m so glad she touched this topic….Bermudians around the world. For such a small island, we manage to get around…..the world. Emily we’re happy to have you back!

I am a disgrace. Apologies, bloggers. I should stop get off of http://kimjongillookingatthings.tumblr.com/ and type my blog that I’ve been planning for weeks.

Wherever you go, you will find a Bermudian. Or someone who knows a Bermudian. Or someone who’s been to Bermuda. Used to work in Bermuda. Their brother married a Bermudian. They like the rum.

We are everywhere. Bristol (where I’m studying at the moment) is overrun with Bermudians. I’ll never forget that day in first year where I ran into three Bermudians in the space of 20 minutes – one in the library, one outside the library and one in the gym (which is next to the library). We all have stories like that – you’re on holiday, escaping the rock…and BAM. Bermudian.

For an island filled with 64,000 Bermudians, we can be found all around the world

Even studying in Hong Kong, another Bermudian (a very good friend from high school) also was on exchange there at the same time!

In the middle of Times Square in New York, we ran into my mother’s violin student.

In a mall in Hong Kong, a friend’s parents (who used to live in Bermuda) happened to stroll past and spot us in line for the movie theatre.

In Johannesburg airport, of all places!

In the middle of Waterloo Station in London I ran into a family from home who were going to see Rebecca Faulkenberry (another Bermudian, of course!) in a West End show! The friend I was with was not only amazed that out of all the people in London we ran into some Bermudians I knew, but also that we were name-dropping other Bermudians!

Bermuda's beautiful hibiscus!

So I asked my readers: Where have you unexpectedly run into a Bermudian whilst travelling?

Jenny 

- In London, outside of the Palladium

- In malls in Toronto

- ‘Sitting on Primrose Hill last summer, a man came up to me with a cassava assuming my friends and I wouldn’t know what it was and I was all like “that’s a cassava.” And it turns out after some chat and bafflement that he was Bermudian’

- ‘On my birthday in New Zealand I ran into this guy who’d spent like four summers in Bermuda and knew all of the people who I hang out with…And he was like really close with my brother back in the day.’

Sarah

- On the stairs at South Kensington tube station

- When a Bermudian friend visited ‘we went to a nightclub near my house and when she was holding out her ID some guy behind us in the queue shouted “BERMUDA BERMUUUUUDAAAA”. Turns out he used to work over there.’

- ‘My brother James was running the Chicago marathon in his Bermuda vest and some girl screamed “WOOOOOOO BERMUDA! I’M A BERMUDIAN!” and they high fived as he ran past.’

- ‘My mum ran into some Bermudians in a Pyramid in Egypt.’

Bermuda's sunset!

Chelsea P

-  In a hospital room in Baltimore

Paige

                – ‘I was serving a woman in the cafe in Highgate woods, and at the end of her meal she saw my surname on the bill and asked me if I knew Paige Hallett, to which I replied, “quite well, actually” [She is Paige Hallett] and we had a nice little chat; apparently she spends half her year in Bermuda and the other in London, and she knows my sister quite well.’

                – ‘Have had quite a few Bermudian kids in the cafe. One little boy even dared to tell me that MSA was better than BHS! Needless to say he got a very pathetic scoop of ice cream that day.’

                – ‘In accent and dialect classes in LIPA [The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts] I found a Bermudian accent recording on IDEA (an accent database) and played it for the class…Imagine my surprise when I actually listened to the recording. Halfway through the recording I yelled, “THAT’S DEVAUNE!”

Adrienne

                - In a market in Florence – ‘Turned out she lived right by the villa we were renting!’

Nicholas L

                – ‘In La Paz, Bolivia whilst mountain biking down death road.’

Euan

                - Llunenberg, Canada in a shopping mall. ‘He may have been the only other living person in that town, it was empty.’

Miriam

                -‘One of my favourite customers in the underground, and some random Bermudians I didn’t actually know but got talking to on a bus in New York…’

Nadia

                – ‘Coming out of a chocolate shop in Berne, Switzerland and bumped into one of my sister’s former classmates. It’s the timing that astounds me. We had only stopped to have lunch and to keep on travelling to Beaune in France.’

                – ‘Another time was in that venerated establishment, Mickey-D’s, in the wee hours of the morning in Leicester Square, London – when the guy in front of me ordered his meal there was no mistaking the accent. I hadn’t been home in ages at that point and it was music to my ears. We chatted briefly. It was very amusing because he was gobsmacked I recognised the accent as I sounded English to him.’

Fishing in Bermuda, but they could be in.......

Robyn

                – ‘In a bar on the side of a mountain in Zermatt, Switzerland! And, to top it off, she was a colleague!’

Chelsea M

                – ‘In the Vatican!’

                – ‘Tube stations in London, of course.’

Jack

                - In JJB Sports in Manchester

                -Disneyland!

Karriem

- Eaton Centre in Toronto

- In a Guelph nightclub and at a Guelph bus station – ‘That was super random, being that I only went to Guelph once.’

Nicholas H

                – At the Olympics in Greece

                – At the Commonwealth Games in Italy

                – In a variety of pubs in Manchester, Edinburgh

Ben

                – At an optician’s in London

                – At a pub in Euston

                – ‘There’s one in my uni course in the year below me. I didn’t realise until a guy from the course came down to Bermuda and I recognised him…and thus discovered a fellow Bermudian law student at Kings.’

Kyle

                – In the Topman shop at Westfield

Rebecca

                – UB40 concert in Southampton

Matthew

                – Eaton Centre and Yonge Street in Toronto.

                – University of Toronto campus

                – In the crowd at a parade in Toronto

Johnny

                – In the Ramada Hotel in Atlanta. ‘Doorman, slight accent, called him out on it.’

“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson

The Bellavista neighbourhood in Santiago, Chile!

I don’t normally do this.

Honestly, I have tried to stay away.

But when I saw Lonely Planet’s list of 2012‘s top ten cities they published this week, well….I couldn’t resist.

So for this week’s Rock Fever, we are going to break my self-imposed ban on Lonely Planet and examine their choices.

Why, you ask, have I banned guidebooks from this world-renowned publisher? Well, because I was scarred one too many time by prices wildly mis-reported and a focus on guzzling alcohol rather than actually traveling.

So instead of Lonely Planet, when I travel I find my hand lingering over the pages of Rough Guides for Europe and Footprints for South America. By the time I finished my round-the-world trip, I ditched travel guides completely for the wise words of fellow travelers and locals!

Ok, I will now step off my soap box and explain why I have suddenly returned to the Lonely Planet suggestions: because they’re not half bad!

Reason two? More than any travel guide, what you will need to plan interesting travel is variation and a list/friend/guide who can give you those new suggestions.

So here is your ten travel suggestions for next year (with my own comments, thanks to my very own travels in most of the cities).

London for the Olympics this year!

Lonely Planet’s top city? London, England of course. Seemed like a no-brainer, really. What with the capital city hosting the Olympic Games next year. I hear what Lonely Planet is saying: it will be multi-cultural, the red carpet will be rolled-out and the East-End will be featured, but….I worry. I’m not a crowd person and London is not the kind of city where public transportation is reliable on any given weekend let alone during the Olympics. My suggestion? If you have not been, make London a stop in 2012, but don’t bother for the Olympics. London will always provide culture and diversity, so you will also never be let down!

Number two: Muscat, Oman. Huh? My thoughts exactly. The capital of Oman, Muscat has a population of a little more than a million people, it also lies on the Arabian Sea and along the Gulf of Oman with the Western Al Hajar mountains dominating the landscape. Now we have geography, but why visit? According to Lonely Planet, Muscat is revamping with trendy, designer outlets, Old Town souks and “wacky water sports” enlivening the coastline. Apparently the Muscatis are also genuinely interested in visitors! When are you booking your flights?

Next, we head to Asia and Bengaluru (Bangalore) in India, which Lonely Planet calls the Elvis of South Asian megacities. The site of much of India’s information technology development and the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka, Bangalore is also known as the garden city. Accordingly, a lively music and art scene, as well as, a state of the art metro have grown to entertain and save the population from growing traffic, respectively. So why not add a little spice to your itinerary in 2012?

Of course if Europe is closer for you, number four is Cadiz, Spain. A lovely little city in the south of Spain, complete with cobblestoned streets leading to cafe-lined squares, Cadiz is also a destination for surfers! But all of these delights, which I experienced while awaiting to board a tall ship in 2001, are not why Lonely Planet picked it. Nope, instead in February Cadiz transforms to host a 10-day “bender” of drinking, singing and dancing otherwise called carnival. The locals? Well they will be donning lipstick and neon wigs to perform satirical skits! Even better? Unlike Seville or Cordoba (Cadiz’s neighbours), Cadiz is more budget friendly while also offering a “true” Andalucian living!

Take a boat ride in Stockholm, Sweden!

Number five is one of my favourites too: Stockholm. What a stunning city that should attract every Bermudian! An archipelago, Stockholm offers islands to lose yourself and sailing for days! But when you are not water logged, you will have to dodge the perfectly coiffed, beautiful Swedes (it’s not a joke or rumour, they really are all beautiful!) to visit the designer shops, bohemian bars and the extensive parks that dominate this beautiful city. My only addition would be to visit outside of Stockholm! While I was there I went to see Sigtuna, which is the oldest town in Sweden. Read about it on my website: www.robynswanderings.com!

Six takes us to Guimaraes, Portugal. A northern city in Portugal, Guimaraes has a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, yet receives very few visitors. Odd. According to Lonely Planet (LP) we should go because the city is a filled with red-roofed, colonnaded buildings, punctuated by mansions and palaces that centre onto a spiky, crenellated castle. For 2012, this city was also anointed the European Capital of Culture!

Overlooking Santiago, Chile

I’m sorry to see my city was only listed at number seven: Santiago, Chile. Yes, my city. I loved Santiago when I visited in 2009. It is one of the most under-appreciated cities in South America and is often overshadowed by Buenos Aires. But you should give this city a chance! It is surrounded by the Andes, giving you a glimpse of these white peaks anywhere in the city. Fancy some wine? Well the vineyards of Concha y Toro are only a hop-skip away from the city and if skiing is also your thing, you will also be in luck! Many tours offer one or two day trips from the city for some of the best skiing. Fancy staying in the city and you will love the bohemian Bellavista neighbourhood which features outdoor bars, gallons of tiny restaurants and a mountain to climb afterwards with stunning views of the city and the Andes. Honestly, I don’t know why you wouldn’t spend a week here!

Next on LP’s list is Hong Kong! Technically part of China, Hong Kong is constantly struggling for further democratization and this year should see rallies infused with theatrics, songs, dance and poetry! With 11,000 restaurants, I cannot believe I haven’t been to Hong Kong! Offering everything from shopping to gallery and bars in Soho, there are also walled villages and hiking easily accessible! Read about some of a fellow wanderer’s travels in Hong Kong, Emily Ross, on www.robynswanderings.com.

LP’s next pick is in the US: Orlando. This choice struck me as odd, but ok, let’s hear it LP. Their first explanation is on February 25 and 26, the city will be hosting the 61st NBA all-star weekend, which “brings much of the basketball and music worlds together.” Of course there are the theme parks (which, honestly I thought of), but apparently Orlando is also getting hip. The boho ‘Milk District’ is a neighbourhood on the rise and is filled with a “motley crew” of eateries, soaked in microbrews and tattoo parlours (perhaps in that order!)

Finally LP visits “down under” for their last pick: Darwin, Australia. According to them this frontier town has a great nightlife filled with markets and restaurants, with a world-class wilderness area nearby. The waterfront precinct even has wave pools, bars and eateries and on the East Coast there are galleries filled with Indigenous art.

Ok, well I think I have found my next stops! Have you? Which city(ies) would you add to the list?

Until next week, stay warm, dry and visit www.robynswanderings.com.

You've got to deserve those beaches!

Our wanderer Emily Ross is coming to the end of her stint living abroad and finds herself flying through Thailand.

What is she going to see? Well that’s why you have to read on:

Apologies. I know it is not Monday. I think my elation at FINALLY finding sun in Thailand has addled my brain and memory somewhat.

Oh, Thailand. I paid you a short visit back in March but oh! How little I did see. Our mission is to rectify that this time around, by moving from the North (for some templing) to the South (for some beaching). Although it wasn’t until our last day in Luang Prabang that we realised…our time in Thailand is preciously short.  We’ve got twenty days to travel cross country before we have to fly back to Hong Kong, collect our belongings and head back home. So, readers, prepare yourselves for Thailand: Express.

Right. So. North of Thailand? We’ve given ourselves a week up here, then we’re flying down to Phuket (because you can’t lounge on a beach unless you DESERVE it. Which means visiting a lot of temples up here).  You can’t (and I mean can’t. There must be an unwritten backpacker law) visit Northern Thailand without stopping by Chiang Mai.

The welcome return of street food

We sampled the Khao Soi (a delicious curried noodle soup) and wandered the weekend markets, taking full advantage of the abundance of street food. That’s one part of Thailand I can’t get enough of – the sheer variety of street snacks. I definitely noticed a shortage of street food in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. Sure, you’d get your occasional skewer of meat or nondescript thing wrapped in a banana leaf, but the Thais LOVE their street food like no other South East Asian country. I’m in foodie heaven. Nom.

Because this is supposed to be the half of the trip where we’re not just enjoying all the hedonistic  pleasures Thailand has to offer, we signed up for a day trip. Yes. I know. We haven’t done anything in a big group since VIETNAM. The Cosmos decided to punish us for this by placing us in a group with five gap yah girls (cue shaking fist at sky). This was gonna be a long day.

Karen girls

We signed up for what you might consider to be the ‘taster platter’ or the ‘ADHD special’ of day trips from Chiang Mai. With a day lasting from 8 to 6, we crammed it with as many different activities you could possibly do. We started in an orchid and butterfly garden, then toured various villages specialising in rice farming, weaving and hemp farming (yes).

I wasn’t sure how I felt about visiting the villages – populated by people of different ethnic minorities (including people of the Karen or ‘long neck’ tribe from Burma, where the women wear heavy neck rings to elongate the neck), it felt a bit like a human zoo. It was slightly uncomfortable. Interesting, but uncomfortable. It reminded me of why we’ve been avoiding tours for so long: it’s awkwardly forced, being pummelled by the constant ‘LOOK AT THIS NOW’ structure of the day.

Hallo you.

We then moved on to an elephant sanctuary, where we rode elephants. Having had a near death experience with charging African elephants back in Botswana, the first thing I noticed was how small Asian elephants are in comparison. A promising start. I managed to get myself on the naughty elephant who kept eating along the road, but hey – I can sympathise. Again, not sure how I felt about this – as someone who dislikes zoos, it’s a bit unnatural to be riding elephants, no? But they were very lively and inquisitive and not displaying symptoms of maltreatment, so I was able to placate my inner discomfort for the time being.

After elephants we got FREE FOOD (tofu fried rice and fruit. Yum!). It was at lunch where another difference between Gap Yahs and University students became apparent. Where we helped ourselves to three (or more) plates of the free bounty, they barely touched their first. Oh, they are so young. One day they too shall be students and respect the glory of free food. Especially if you’re gathering strength for an epic hike through rain and mud. Oh yes we did. Crossed rivers on little logs (I would say they were more akin to branches, myself) too. Felt very Indiana Jones. Or somebody else adventurey.

And then onto…white water rafting. Definitely a feature in my List of Things I Never Planned To Do. After the initial terror…I actually enjoyed it. Enjoyed it enough to have been the highlight of the day. Okay, okay, it probably was not the most challenging stretch of river your average adrenaline junkie may encounter but I was invigorated nonetheless! I may have caught the adrenaline bug…which may potentially change the nature of my daytime excursions. Oh, we shall see. Finish the day lounging on a bamboo raft and then back to town for the Sunday night market. WHEW. Done Chiang Mai.

Now onto Chiang Rai….

Angkor Thom

Today we are traveling to the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat in Cambodia where our Wanderer, Emily Ross, spent six days here. Doing what? And what should you see? Well let Emily lead the way:

Hola, travellers!

I write from Pakse, Laos – yes, the Cambodian chapter of my journey has regrettably come to an end. After Battambang we moved onto Siem Reap and spent an entire SIX nights there (the longest I think we’ll be anywhere on this trip. We have two rather good reasons for slowing the pace, I promise! Firstly, one of our friends from the Hong Kong exchange is based in Siem Reap volunteering with Rachna Satrei, a local NGO aiming to empower disadvantaged groups in Cambodia (visit http://www.rachnasatrei.webs.com/ for information about the organisation and how to help) and secondly, we’d bought a three day pass to see the incredible ruins of Angkor – where one can find the world’s largest religious monument, the impressive Angkor Wat.

The ruins of Angkor are, as expected, gorgeous – and remarkably well preserved, although unfortunately as we’re travelling during off-peak season (ie rainy season. Very rainy season) one needs to be rather creative with the camera angles in order to avoid the ever present scaffolding and tarpaulins necessary for keeping the ruins so well preserved. In fact, the middle and largest tower of the famous Angkor Wat was rather anticlimactically hidden under a gleaming green tarp, glinting mockingly at you in the sunlight as if to say: ‘Well…you’re here! You HAVE to photograph me, sucker! You can’t NOT take a picture of Angkor Wat, bud. ’

Angkor Wat, be-Tarped

Curse you, Green Tarp. I shall never be avenged, reduced to but a rogue and peasant slave.

Grumble.

Of course, if you go to Angkor Wat you’ve got to watch the sunrise. It’s number one on the Lonely Planet’s Greater Mekong Highlights, although as we noted after the fact they may have slightly romanticised the experience.

‘In the steamy pre-dawn hush we waited, yawning. The glowing orange sun appeared, rising slowly between the graceful stone domes of Angkor Wat – its iconic silhouette mirrored perfectly in the still lake in front of us. With the first soft ray of sun to alight on the water it was as though someone flicked the ‘on’ switch. The quiet filled with a cacophony of buzzing, chirping insects and the day’s throbbing heat was all of a sudden there, where it hadn’t been a moment before.’

Sunrise at Angkor Wat

I suggest a slightly more realistic summary:

The alarm was piercing. Blearily we blinked back our disbelief, our incredulity that we were really willingly getting out of bed at 4 o’clock in the morning. We know how Pyrrhus must have felt. We jumped into the tuk-tuk, shivering (yes, shivering) as we raced through the chilly morning air towards the ruins. We found our way to the lake, and amidst the sound of vendors selling ‘Breakfast, Coffee, Best Price Lady!’, we waited, yawning. A great grey cloud appeared, hovering over the five towers, ominously threatening the day’s afternoon rain. The temple was silhouetted by the few rays of light able to pierce through the cloud – this at least hid The Tarp from view.  The cloud dissipated slightly, we were able to spot speckles of pink in the sky, the silhouette of Angkor Wat reflected in the lake in front of us – but distorted by the skittering of insects, the ripples created when their lives are abruptly ended after being snapped up by…something. You itch a bite. A middle aged Japanese man hits you with his tripod. Repeatedly. Pushing through the crowd of backpackers and tourists, you attempt to get a better angle. The angle is not better. You fight once again through the crowd to reclaim your spot on the waterfront. The sun is higher now, you can’t see it, but can tell by the sweat beads on your brow, suddenly there, where they hadn’t been a moment before. All at once you’re blinded by the glint of The Tarp, now illuminated, ready for the day.

I should write one of these for the Great Wall!

In all seriousness, it WAS worth it. Despite The Tarp, the sweat, the fatigue, the cloud….I still managed to get a good shot and a glimpse at the masochistic lengths we travellers will go to (without question) for ‘the experience.’

get out there before you miss it

Good Morning Thursday, you are an evil one standing between me and the last day of the week. I will forgive you, though since you brought me Emily Ross’ latest blog!

Yes our wanderer has completed here wandering through Hong Kong’s daily life and now has the chance to visit South East Asia. Maybe you thought she would be happy to have finished her studies? Nope.

Instead our wanderer wants to stay or at the very least, convince others to take the chance to – STUDY ABROAD! Here she tells us why:

Hello blogoverse!

Sorry I’m late – it’s been quite the whirlwind of a final week in Hong Kong. I can’t believe my CityU experience has come to a close: it seems like only yesterday that I was sitting on a plane bawling my eyes out ,  numbering the weeks in my planner so that I could count down the days til I could get my butt on a plane back home. Don’t judge me! The first week of settling is always the week I show my true, wimpy colours. Seven days after arrival I’m guaranteed to have a whole new (aka a ‘real’) perspective.

Yes, looking through my planner I see written on Monday, January 3^rd the words ‘Hong Kong’ and a sad face. And now on Wednesday, May 18^th we find the words ‘moving out’ accompanied by a similar sad face. Oh, how times doth change.

Yes, studying abroad can be scary. Yes, there is always ‘something’ to persuade you not to – ‘Google says my uni has a higher ranking!’ ‘My significant other will miss me!’ ‘Who will do my laundry?’ ‘They might not have Kraft Dinner!’ ‘Toilets.’ ‘I’ll get homesick.’ ‘It’s easier just to stay put.’

Oh, be quiet.

If you get the opportunity, go for it. You know those former study abroad/gap year kids who keep telling you how rewarding an experience it is? They’re not being a-holes. They’re telling the truth. And you could be one of them. And own legit backpacker pants. Funky colours and all.

There’s more to studying abroad than backpacker pants , however (we’re talking studying, not being a layabout gap year ne’er do well. Which I most definitely…was. Also a lovely experience. But a tangent. FOCUS, ROSS). SO. Here are five reasons to study abroad which cancel out all the boyfriends and Kraft Dinners you’ll ever have.

oh, the people!

1)      The People

You meet amazing people from all over the world. If they’re in your course, they share your interests – and could teach you something as they’re coming from a whole different context of study. If not, you can hear about where they come from, their culture, their political views, their views on anything - You will make friends. Do not worry. Everyone there is just as panicky as you are. If not out of common interests, you’ll make friends out of desperation.

You can learn so much from listening to a new perspective. And your travel buddies are friends you’ll have for life. You’re all in the same boat – and you’re not just learning about the world through your incredible new surroundings, you’re also learning from each other.  Plus, the more friends in more countries you collect (er. Make.), the more couchsurfing opportunities should you happen to be in their home country! They might have a pool. They might live in a palace. You’ll never know until you meet them.

oh, the places!

2)      The Places

Oh! The places you’ll go. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the philosophy of exchange students is to take full advantage of every opportunity thrown at you. That means lots of sightseeing and travelling to places you never thought you’d go. I write this blog from Hanoi in Vietnam. The closest I thought I’d ever get to Vietnam was possibly getting to see Miss Saigon live one day. And today I found myself looking out a bus window at so-green-they-can’t-be-real fields, cows with gorgeous doe-y eyes and countless motorcycles…and had that ’wow’ moment you get when you find yourself somewhere you never imagined you’d be. This will happen to you. Often.

3)      Study

Like I said, this isn’t just a goodfernutthin’ gap yahh (my own was OFF THE CHAIN. But that’s another blog). You actually have to do stuff. Work. Study. Do it well. Pass. This is a whole different experience from just travelling. You’ll get access to great new lecturers, facilities, new perspectives, new course options. This year I studied Social Policy and Social Development in China, International Relations and Governance in Asia. These courses weren’t offered at my home uni. There are a lot of great academic opportunities and the experience will leave you with new angles on your essays, a new academic context and a great addition to the ol’ cv.

oh, the food!

4)      Food

I can’t write a blog without mentioning food. Food is such a huge part of culture and has been such a highlight of my experience here. There are so many flavour combinations you’ll stumble across that you’d never have dreamed up – maybe you’ll be more creative in the kitchen in the future! Or if cooking’s a little too ambitious, maybe you’ll simply be more creative with your everyday food choices. You don’t know if you’ll like it until you’ve tried it – perhaps the same could be said for living abroad?

5)      Yourself

You’ll learn so much about yourself and what you’re capable of. You’ll realise you’re far more adaptable than you think. Many people start an exchange not even considering working or living abroad in their future…and many people leave with whole load of new career opportunities because they’re now willing to consider it. Studying abroad teaches you more than simply about your ability to navigate foreign fields; it teaches you that you can LIVE in such foreign fields. You’ve done it! You’ve already worked and lived abroad. You can do it again. Cue opening of proverbial doors.

Being plunged into such an extreme and unfamiliar environment can be scary – but it also forces you to address your aims, your values and your capabilities. You will know you so much better by the time you’re finished.

So! You have brains in your head, feet in your shoes – stop making excuses and go for it! You won’t regret it. You know why all the former exchange students say that? Because it’s true.

Central-Mid-levels_escalator_(photo not taken by Emily)

Whether on a trip or living abroad at some point your time abroad will come to an end. What are you going to do? Resolve to return? Refuse to leave?

Or reminisce? Our Wanderer Emily has one week left in her study abroad experience in Hong Kong. Sad, she decided to take her last blog post to remember her time and encourage all of us to go. What are we missing? Here she tells us why she will return to Hong Kong and why everyone needs to go:

Oh, Hong Kong. I have so few days left with thee. As of Wednesday it’s only one more week! Gah!

Unfortunately the last week has been mainly occupied with manic revision coupled with watching obscene amounts of Sex and the City. In hindsight, I’m not sure if the two activities are highly compatible. Best to omit the latter from the study schedule, methinks.

Last night I was treated to a sneak preview of my imminent backpacking adventure: somehow a binge-eating mosquito found its way into my room. I live on the 8^th floor. I didn’t think they could get up here. I’m not looking forward to tonight….I even have three bites on my second toe! Somebody call Overeaters Anonymous. Urgh. And this is in the city.

Speaking of the lovely city, I did manage to make my way into it this week, despite being nearly fully booked with Governance in Asia, International Relations and Carrie Bradshaw. The wonderful thing about Hong Kong is that every time you go into the city, there’s always something new to try and unexpected to see! I particularly love the Soho district of Hong Kong (named so because it’s located South of Hollywood Road in the Central District). It’s an odd, eclectic mix of modernity and tradition. Go for the restaurants, bars, art galleries and antique shops. Ride the Central to Mid Levels Escalator (the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world) and hop off when you inevitably see something interesting.

Shrimp dumplings and chiu chow glutinous rice

You could begin our evening as we did – with fiery Szechuan food. Or try some trendy tapas one of Hong Kong’s many hip cocktail bars! You can find Vietnamese, Moroccan and Shanghainese dumplings all on the same street – and all authentic and cheap.

If you study in Hong Kong, you’ll soon get used to the fact that it’s cheaper to go out to eat than it is to cook at home. Don’t despair: once you get over the initial shock of the grocery store, you’ll find a wealth of choice – from cheap-eats hole in the walls to trendy bistros, both your wallet and your stomach will be happy.

If you’re wandering downtown, you may fun into this elusive character:

The Soho Foot

Ah, the Soho Foot. How I’ll miss him.

Our Masterpieces

Feeling creative? After getting lost walking from Soho to the neighbouring Sheung Wan district one night, my friend and I ran into this cool after dinner activity: Oscary Wine and Art. Grab a paintbrush, grab a glass and get painting! We returned this week to release all that energy from our spicy dinner onto the canvas. Masterpieces. I’ll be back. Again, little unexpected finds like this are one of the reasons while I’ll miss this city so much. Get lost down an alley…and well, next thing you know, you’re Van Gogh.

When wine meets art

If you’ve completed your masterpiece and you’re still hankering for something to do, never fear.

You could grab some late night hummus and shisha at one of the many Moroccan/Egyptian/Lebanese/Nepalese/Younameitese restaurants, or grab a fancy cocktail…well, anywhere. You could wander into the neighbouring Lan Kwai Fong clubbing district or run into one of a number of karaoke bars Hong Kong has to offer.

I’ll never forget belting out a stirring rendition of Killing Me Softly – having earlier enjoyed beer in a Belgian beer and frites bar and Nepalese momos and yak cheese salad at one of my favourite Soho restaurants. I’m sure the other patrons of the bar will never forget it either.

The hardest part of karaoke is choosing the song

Hong Kong is full of the quirky and unexpected. You can bet that I’ll be taking full advantage of everything the city has to offer during my last week in this wonderful, wonderful town.

always be prepared!

Poor wanderer Emily Ross! Some chicken far from home, has left her sick: never a fun combination.

But if it’s going to happen to you, don’t you want to know what to do? Well luckily Emily is here (I promise I didn’t make her!) from her sickbed to tell you what to do if you’re sick and traveling:

Apologies for the lateness, blogoverse. I’ve been bedridden with the plague. Some may refer to it as the common cold. They clearly have never truly suffered.

Upon falling ill, one tends to get philosophical. I reflected upon my past experiences of being ill abroad. Salmonella poisoning in Peru, for example (the hospital food was delicious but opinion may have only been based upon low blood sugar).

Post Full Moon Party food poisoning in Thailand (I still stand firmly by my assertion that my illness was due to a poor drunken decision to eat street food noodles rather than a hangover). Recently, going to the City University Health Centre for muscular pain in my foot and receiving pain medication…’for stomach’ (for once it wasn’t actually a stomach problem! Oh, irony).

So! What to do if you’re ill abroad?

1)      If you’re travelling with a friend, this eases the burden significantly. They are now your slave. You can rely upon them to deliver you to the doctor/go out and buy you food so you can stay in bed. If they complain: tough. It’s the invisible contract you sign when you agree to travel together.

2)      If you’re in a foreign country and are less than proficient in the local language, come prepared. Guidebooks tend to have handy ‘in case of medical emergency’ phrases in the language sections (if your guidebook doesn’t have a language section, get a new one. I’m fiercely loyal to Lonely Planet) and you can buy picture flashcards to illustrate what you’re trying to say if your pronunciation is less than stellar.

When words just don't do it justice

3)      GET TRAVEL INSURANCE. The general rule is, if you spend money on the insurance…you don’t fall ill and end up cursing the fact that you spent the money. If you don’t bother getting it however…You. Will. Get. Sick. That is the way the universe works.  Ask Murphy about it. After you get insurance.

4)      If you have any pre-existing medical conditions always carry a card explaining them in multiple languages.

5)      Write down what vaccinations you’ve had. You’ll probably forget when you need to know. Also, when getting your vaccinations, cover all your bases. Another area covered by Murphy’s Law.

6)      If your illness affects your air travel, contact your airline and sort out the necessary logistics.

Salmonella-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh in peru

7)      Dealing with doctors in foreign countries can be intimidating. Don’t feel pressured to consent to treatment you normally wouldn’t back at home.  Different countries have different medical systems – sometimes, this means you get better treatment. Sometimes, this means that the doctors and hospital just get more money the more unnecessary drugs and procedures they prescribe. Be sensible. Don’t be overly paranoid, but blind trust is never advisable, particularly if you’re travelling in a country known for corruption. Research the health policies so you have that ‘just-in-case’ back up knowledge.

8)      If you have major heath complications, seriously consider returning home.

Oh, and just as a preventative measure…

When in doubt, don’t eat the chicken.

The gate to the Forbidden City

We’ve been missing our weekly blogger, Emily Ross and her tales of life in Hong Kong. Have no fear, she has not left Robyn’s Wanderings. Nope.

Where was she? Ahhhh well in a place where there is no Facebook. In a place where gmail is the enemy and communication to the outside world is monitored……China. Imagine trying to find an Easter Egg there?! Yeah, I didn’t think it possible, but intrepid Emily managed. Here are her tales from China:

Hello all!

I write my (very late) blog entry from a funky hostel in Beijing (Lonely Planet recommended, of course). It’s study leave and I’ve been lucky enough to spend part of it in the mainland. I began my journey in Shanghai (advice: visit Yang’s Fried Dumplings. As often as possible) and headed via sleeper train to Beijing for Easter weekend.

I certainly underestimated the cultural differences between Hong Kong locals and ‘Mainlanders’ (as the Mainland Chinese are referred to in HK). I first noticed as soon as I stepped onto the Metro in Shanghai. In Hong Kong, the fashion is outrageous: bows, frills, flowers, sparkles, flashy colours.

Tian'anmen Square

In Mainland China, extreme fashion statements are few and far between. In fact, visiting the two ‘big cities’ of the Mainland has really opened my eyes to the quirks and oddities which really separate Hong Kong from the rest of China. But then again, what was I expecting? China’s HUGE. They speak a different language in Hong Kong! It’s miiiles away from Shanghai and Beijing….and it’s far warmer there right now….let’s just say that my Bermudian blood is not very compatible with chilly Northern China.

Man fishing at the old summer palace

Maybe it’s my revision of ‘Social Policy and Social Development in China’ that’s contributing to this, but I’m only just starting to comprehend how gigantic China really is. How does one govern such a vast expanse of land? How can you combat inequality, manage resources, expand the economy with such a huge population? The more I read, the more daunting it seems.

I’d also underestimated the extent of the government’s efforts to maintain ‘social stability.’ Yes, Facebook is blocked (cue withdrawal symptoms). My Gmail account (a Google email account) sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t. But why use Google when you can use ‘Baidu’, the government-approved (ie, censored) search engine? I was reading this morning on BBC about the intimidation of foreign press and other repressive public security measures still enacted by the CCP. The autonomy of the Hong Kong government is truly evident when comparing press freedom and civil liberties rankings with those in the Mainland. I still feel like I’m feeling my way through the dark in terms of truly understanding the ‘picture’ of China and its SARs (Special Administrative Regions).

The Extortionate Eggs

Another ‘should-have-been-obvious’ difference between the Mainland and Hong Kong was the acknowledgement of Easter. Although ever treading through my hazy agnosticism, I, like many a Westerner, eagerly await the arrival of Mini Eggs and have come to expect the commercial bombardment attached to Easter. Sure, Hong Kong celebrated Easter in its own, Hong Kong-y way (take, for example, an Easter fair held in the local mall where you could buy your loved ones the gifts of baked beans, dried meats and hair dryers to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Hallelujah!) – but still, the grocery stores were filled with Easter chocolate and bunny-related items (I wonder if they used some of the leftover rabbits from the Chinese New Year celebrations) a good month before the actual date. In Beijing for Easter Sunday, my friend and I decided we needed chocolate (or rather, had better justification for our constant need.for.chocolate) and set out to find a chocolate egg.

A greater task than anticipated.

FINALLY after a day of hunting through overwhelmingly massive grocery stores (and after giving up and just buying regular chocolate bars), we found tiny chocolate eggs in a display in a very posh supermarket at around 10pm. Although they cost about USD1.50 per tiny (and I mean, tiny. We’re talking trick-or-treat size here) egg, we had completed our mission and marvelled at the difference between our local Hong Kong grocery store and the Beijing variety.

This had better be good

It was only upon return to the hostel and after reading the news did I see the BBC article telling of how around 20 Chinese Protestants had been arrested in Beijing for attempting to gather to hold an Easter service. Of course it was nigh on impossible to find anything even vaguely Easter related in Beijing. Of course. So yet again I find something else I take for granted – I have the freedom to form my own opinion about religion and act upon that by my own choice, unaffected by any exogenous pressure.

And I was worried about Mini Eggs.

City University in Hong Kong

Studying Abroad. It’s something every student should do in their college career. Why? Well for one: it’s a great way to start living in a country. For two: you can use your university fees towards truly expanding your travel experiences. Need I go on?

The problem with studying abroad, however, is finding a balance. Well, have no fear potential students (and parents) there is a way and our wanderer, Emily Ross who is studying in Hong Kong, will explain how she has managed to find her way:

So, I’m off to Mainland China in a few hours and am hurriedly stuffing my binders and notes into my backpack. This week I officially finished my lectures at City University of Hong Kong, which means time off to travel! Unfortunately, this also means time off for study leave before exams.

When signing up for studying abroad, you hear an abundance of encouragement -‘think how much you’ll be able to travel!’ – and warnings – ‘you are studying abroad!’ – reminding you of your new opportunities and old responsibilities. Further exacerbating the problem is that students studying abroad are on different marking systems –some are on ‘pass-fail,’ which essentially means they only have to pass and the number grade is irrelevant, and some (myself included)…well, everything counts and is directly transferred to your university! It can be difficult to keep on track with your studies whilst travelling if your travel buddies are on pass-fail and you actually need to ace the exams!

So, here are a few tips I think would be helpful in balancing travel with study. A challenge for every exchange student but it can be done without sacrificing experiences!

The Library at City University (what's a library?)

1.) Make a study schedule – outline what you want to cover each day (be realistic) with the aim of having already covered everything at least a week before your exams (you don’t want to be learning new things at that point!). If you set, say, three topics to look at each day and get it into your mind that you ‘have’ to cover at least those three, you’ll be more likely to do it. Giving yourself limits on how much to cover each day will help prevent you from getting overwhelmed.

2.) Make use of ‘down time’ – planes, trains, buses, sun tanning, sleepless hostel nights – it’s all part of backpacking. Switch off the iPod, put away the trashy mag and pull out the books. At this point your friends won’t be doing anything more interesting than you are so you might as well use the time constructively!

3.) Choose your travel buddies wisely – make sure you’re travelling with somebody who understands that you’re going to have to take out a couple hours a day to do some work. If you make use of down time, it shouldn’t affect their plans all that much but if you think they’re likely to persuade you out of getting what you need to get done then maybe you ought to reconsider! It extends even beyond balancing travel with study – whenever you travel you want to be with flexible, understanding people should you encounter the unexpected!

Gardens at City University of Hong Kong

4.) Don’t be away for too long – Use summer for your big trips. Trust me. Do the mega-backpacking adventure when you have nothing to do BUT travel and enjoy. When you’re still in term time, stick to weekend trips and sightseeing or beach holidays. These types of holidays are less taxing and you’ll be more likely to set aside time for work. Plus, let’s be honest, you’ll work better when you’re not seeing super exciting new things every day – so when you’re in uni, keep the trips short and sweet. Discipline can only get you so far.

5.) Make sure you get at least a couple of hours study in a day – When there’s no apparent down time, it may seem difficult to fit in revision. It’s easier than you think, don’t stress! Stick in an hour before breakfast and an hour before/after dinner. You may need more or less than two hours, but enough time to cover your target topics for the day. Again, if you’re travelling with people who know in advance that you’ll need a bit of time to hit the books, you’ll be fine! And studying at these times is unlikely to disrupt your daily travel plans.

So there you go! Be realistic about what you can achieve and you’ll find it easier to keep on track. Don’t go on super taxing trips and most importantly, don’t forget why you’re here in the first place! Studying abroad should in no way disadvantage you but you have to be disciplined. And, like I said, save the big trips for when you have lots of time and few responsibilities.

Until next week!