After five years working in London, I decided it was time to move back to Los Angeles, but not before taking a year off to see the world. I gave up my great job with Lehman Brothers in Administration and a fantastic flat (and roommate) I’d lived in for over three years, packed up all my belongings into some 60 cubic feet of boxes and said farewell to the wonderful friends I made in London. Before setting off for Asia, I spent seven weeks in the States including a weekend getaway in Chicago with my best friends from high school, corrective eye surgery in Philadelphia, Aud and Rob’s wedding in Bermuda, 13 days in Israel on Birthright (with a side trip to Petra) and time in quiet Oak Park with my parents and sister. Then, on July 18, 2010 at 1am, with only 13 kilograms in my 50L backpack and a small shoulder bag, I boarded a flight to Singapore. The goal of my adventure is not one of self-discovery or mending a broken heart but a journey of true desire to explore the world, experience new cultures, taste various cuisines, explore beautiful wildernesses, meet local people, and maybe learn some Spanish along the way. What lies below are my stories (or more of a daily recount of events) from the road.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Delayed again

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Sitting at the Lijiang airport with dad.  Our flight was supposed to leave at 4:45pm but we are delayed almost two hours.  Means we won't be landing in Beijing until 10pm, not the most convenient, but at least we're taking a taxi to the hotel.  Today was a relaxing morning.  Our guide wasn’t picking us up until noon, so we ended up sleeping until 9:30am before finally getting ready.  A very simple breakfast again, since most of the options at the Wang Fu hotel are Asian, before a short stroll to the new town. 

On our itinerary for today was the Dragon Pool Park, but we stopped first at a coffee shop opened by a Norwegian and met some fellow Americans, including Bill who retired to Lijiang one year ago.  The beautiful park with small pagodas and a multi-arched bridge looked much prettier when the sun came out.  The weather today was like London, raining, cloudy, sunny, raining, sunny, raining.  With the sun shining, the temperature was warm but when the clouds came in it cooled down significantly. 

Dad insisted on having dumplings for lunch, instead of going to the restaurant suggested by our tour operators, so Steven took us to a very local dumpling place.  The wood stools, maybe a foot high, were perfectly fitted for the low tables but not very comfortable.  We ordered 10 of each of the four different types of dumplings and a pile of tofu skin with vegetables (which was cold, so I advised dad not to eat it).  The dumplings were delicious and well worth having my knees in my chest for 30 minutes to enjoy.  Then it was off to the airport where we are now.  Sounds like we might be boarding soon.

(After arriving in Beijing)

The three hour flight turned out ok even though we were stuck at the window and middle of the row in front of the emergency exit where the seats wouldn’t move back.  We landed in Beijing just after 10pm and arrived at the hotel around 11:30pm.  The hotel is amazing – a stylish boutique hotel with a busy restaurant and large rooms.  A fabulous setting to end the trip.  To bed.
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