It’s been 2 months now and finally Singapore feels like home. The phones, passports, wallets, and even friends that we have all become accustomed to losing during our weekend travels has become a normal part of life. Roaches, dirty restaurants, sketchy trains, and unclean “toilets” (no “bathrooms” here!) have now become a normal part of my traveling experience. My small room in Singapore is now an air-conditioned and clean-toilet commodity, and being back in Prince George’s Park Residences has never felt so wonderful. Not to mention, the friends that I have made here and the people that I have met are the bravest, most generous, smartest, and most amazing people I know. This has been the most amazing experience of my life!
After hitting the midway point of my journey and doing absolutely awful on my midterm examinations (I really cannot study so much while on vacation), I now have 2 months left to go. I cannot even bear the thought! Thinking back on my trips and feeling such nostalgia has given me an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I cannot believe how lucky I am. These friends I have were just strangers a week before our “Malaysia Fail” trip last month. Despite barely knowing each other, we put complete trust and loyalty into each other. Two stolen passports, 2 stolen wallets, and 1 stolen blackberry later, we were still laughing and having the time of our lives. The comfort of being with each other left us with the best memories, strongest friendships, and funniest inside jokes imaginable (as well as a long, detailed account of borrowed money going in all different directions).
Sometimes I think Asia just isn’t what I thought it would be. Many cities I have been to look as if they have been raped by modernism and destroyed by tourism. In any city, I can find a 7-11, McDonald’s, Burger King, Krispy Kreme, or Dunkin’ Donuts around any corner. These huge American corporations are expanding into developing nations, charging high prices for fast food and paying their employees extremely low, while the entire city remains in poverty. In Chiang Mai, Thailand, many people cannot speak English, yet every bar and restaurant sign on the main road is in English! What are these cities coming to?
But despite these “developments,” Southeast Asia is full of culture and beauty. I will never forget walking throughout Thailand and seeing thousands of Buddhist devotees in the streets, or watching a movie and feeling completely awkward when everyone stood up to give respect to the Thai King and Queen before the movie. These experiences are what I am here for. And then again I remind myself… this is Southeast Asia. And oh my… what an adventure it has been!