Thoughts of a Nomadic One

The realization hit me like lightening; fast, furious and powerful. The Iron Ring that I wore on my little finger of my working hand was not there. In its place, i could see my pale ring tan, a ring of skin smoothed by months of friction due to everyday life and my continuous fidgeting/playing with it. Fear and pani washed over me like a tsunami (was going to use "the flooding of New Orleans" but might still be too soon).

After a moment, my mind started to work hesitantly and confusedly. I tried thniknig about my timeline and scenarios.

• I am sitting on platform 2 of the Brunswick station waiting for the train to the airport which requries 20 minutes.

• The train comes every 10-20 minutes.

• I have 2 hours until takeoff and my path to the hostel can be retraced in 10 minutes. 5 more minutes if i need to get access to my room and search it.

• Summary: By the tmie I get back on train and get to airport, I could have less than 1 hour left. After experiences in Tokyo and Taipei, I didn't really want to cut it that close again. However, of all my possessions on my trip, nothing was more valuable to me than that Ring. Sure it was stainless steel and could be replaced for $20 (it was really intrinsically worth $2) but the sentimental value is immense. Not only was it a representation of 4 years of studies in Mathematics and Engineering, $60 000 CND in tuition, room and board, it reminded me of the Oath I took to my fellow classmates, my profession and society to act honourably and righteous.
  Heck, I'd miss my flight looking for it.

I picked up my bags and started walking back, retracing my steps and scouring the floor for a stainless steel ring with a unique pattern. Of course, that whole thought process was plagued by emotions such as panic and fear of the loss. It wasn't nutil 10 minutes after my realization, 1/4 of the way back that my mind switched to the proper worknig mode.

Thought Process:
Q: What is the chance of losing it while I was asleep in bed?
A: Didn't check in morning. But should be low. Approx 0.5%, very low. Even though I've been away for 82 days, it was still a miniscule chance.
Q: Was there any actions that might've pulled it off?
A: Retracing actions:
1) Woke up
2) Grabbed sheets and bags
3) Checked out
4) Walked through Chniatown to Brunswick Food Court
5) Bought seafood sub of the day and ate it
6) Tried to look for a beverage that cost under $0.75 at the supermarket since that was all that I had
7) Went to station and platform
8) Stuffed S. America Lonely Planet guidebook to front pocket of backpack

Summary: Action #8 has high probability of moving or removing the Ring from my hand.

Recommended Action: Look in bag.
1) Search small bag.
Result: Nothing. Damn.
2) Open front pocket of big backpack, take out book, put hand in and search.
Result: Nothing, Damnit!
3) Take book and search.
Result: *Clink* The Ring falls out and I grab it and put it back on where it belongs, stroking it like Gollum on his Precioussss
4) Go back to station and wait for next train
5) Relax and decrease heart beat

I spent 2 days in Cairns and 2 days in Brisbane. Cairns is sort of a resort/vacation town in the N.E. Australia, the top of the Gold Coast. It's the launching point for diving the Great barrier Reef. It was significantly warmer than Sydney and full of tourists, especially the Japanese variety. In fact, there was so many signs in Japanese and numerous Japanese employees were hired in shops and restaurants to cater to the huge number of Japanese tourists.

I had planned on diving the reef but after consideration, decided to do that in the future and save money for New Zealand. I ended up just chilling and backing up photos on DVD. Lived cheap by eating 2 meat pies and a sausage roll for $3 AUD and 1L of Ginger beer for lunch.

I met a girl in my room from Montreal who had just stidued in Auckland for 7 months. She was on exchange from McGill and gave me some tips on travelling New Zealand. I swear she must've been the sister of this girl i know at Queen's named Maia.

I then went to BrisVegas (aka Brisbane) and I arrived on a party day, a random public holiday on August 15. While the weather was cooler, it was still agreable to me even with a light drizzle. I explored the downtown CBD area on my first day and had $2.25 dinner composed of 2 discount sushi rolls! Since it was a party day, I saw numerous drunk people by 2 pm and by 7 pm, many groups of partiers were streaming to the bars. Another Canadian traveller and I noticed that most of the women partying in BrisVegas loved to wear these dresses that were essentially silk short bathrobes with low necklines. This was quite a change from Singapore and Zanzibar!

The only notable incident on Day 1 was that I had a convo with a man frmo Taiwan on business. After helping him take a picture, he asked me where I was staying and after I told him I was at a hostel in a room of 8, he offered me a place to sleep since his company had booked a 2 floor loft with 4 rooms. While it might've been good intentions, I thought it sounded sketch and declined the offer politely.

Day 2: Sub of the day, spent half the day trying to reset my Easyweb password, walked about south bank, discount dinner, watched Pulp Fiction, bed.

Well, I am now headed to Christchurch, New Zealand via Auckland!
So long Oz.

The change from Singapore to Sydney is more than just cultural; it's climatic and economical as well. There are no more cheap food stands or kopitiams get cheap filling foods. There are also no more ghetto beds on rooftops (especially since it is winter in Australia!) However, if you're an experienced budget backpacker like me with time and dedication, you find ways.

1. Accomodations: Sure, nothing's going to beat that $11 SD rooftop bed, but you can still get bargains. Of course, if you're like me, it might mean having your hostel be in King's Cross/Darlinghurst in the middle of the red light district. However, the rooms/beds were clean, location was excellent and staff incredibly friendly. Whats a few invitations to see a stripper or peep show? They're just being friendly!

2. Transportation: Bus? Monorail? Forget it. Walk! It's good exercise for you and a great way to immerse yourself into the local culture (especially that of the pimps in your neighbourhood).

3. Attractions: Why pay when you can do it for cheaper or free? With enough patience and dedication, you can see some gerat sights and get great photos for free. Smoe can be taken from the cheap ferry to/from Manly. But you want to get there early to get the good seats and bring warm clothes. The suckas are the ones who aren't prepared and have to go inside due to the cold halfway through.

4. Food: Sure food is expensive in Australia relatively to Singapore. However, if you go to big food courts like Meyers at 5-6 pm when many need to get rid of food, you can get great deals for $3!
I got rice and 2 dishes for $4 but after some sweet talking, $3 it was!

The cool dry weather has been a delight after spending so much time in heat and humidity. The new pants have come in handy and I can imagine myself maknig trips to Singapore in the future for food/shopping!

Spent my first day in Sydney walking about the Kings Cross/Darlinghurst/Victoria/Potts area.

Day 2: Visited the Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge and town centre.

Day 3: Went to Manly and walked about the beach front. The place felt like the toruist beach in Cali/L.A. or Malibu. Too many tourists for my liknig.

Overall, I've found Aussies to be very nice. However, I don't think I could settle here in the Gold Coast for the long term. I'd feel too relaxed. This patch of Oz is the perfect land for the hedonistic and unambitious. We'll see about Cairns and Brisbane!

It's strange thinking about Singapore and the ridiculous living conditions on the roof of the Backpackers Cozy Corner when I'm lying comfortably in a Sydney hostel. Though the hostel (Mates Hostel) is in the middle of the Red Light district, the climate and great enthusiasm of the staff is a welcome change from Backpackers Cozy Corner.

===

I met up with Jill and Robin in the evening after arriving from the airport to Bugis station. We grabbed a chicken schwarma dinner in the Arab quarter and then went to see the Fountain of Wealth. We saw the laser show there and even a marriage proposal! We didn't hear the answer so my guess was that it was a negative! We finished the night by having a Singapore Sling (a type of alcoholic drink that was invented at the hotel we had the drink at) and it was only when the bill came that I realized the drink cost $20 Singapore Dollars ($16 CND) It would be funny later when I bought a pair of jeans for that price.

The next day, Jill and Robin went to the zoo and night safari so I explored the city on my own. I walked down the commercial centres of Orchard Street where I entered the Takashima and Ngee Ann complex. I had lunch there and bought 2 pair of pants for $50 Singapore Dollars, or $32 Canadian! It was strange being able to conduct my transactions in Mandarin and hearing Hakka and Taiwanese dialect being spoken there! I finished off the day by walking along the river, visited Clarke Quay and then Merlion park. It was at the mall/shop arcade across the street from the hostel that I found a shop with great cheap dark leather briefcases/messenger bags. I had gone there to hit some AC after having chicken Roti Prata at the restaurant beneath the hostel. There were numerous shops and restaurants in the plaza and as soon as I saw the simple designs and cheap prices, I was interested. The cute salesgirl might have helped too. Although, I knew my chances in Singapore were limited since earlier during the day, I'd gone up to a girl holding a cup of Big Gulps and said, "Big Gulps eh? Well, see you later!"

On the last day, I went and bought a nice dark leather messenger bag which I'll send back to Canada from Australia. Went to the airport and ate like a king at the employees food court (Thanks for the tip Jaka!) Then I took a flight to Sydney. I planned on writing this entry on the plane but was too busy talking to the Kiwi who saw next to me.

I really have a feeling I'm going to be "stuck" in New Zealand for a long time.
It's been good Singapore!

To me, Taiwan is like an old shoe. I don't mean it looks like an old shoe (though the island geographically does, with some imagination) or that it smells bad. But like an old shoe that was once comfortable, you realize how much you've outgrown it, non matter how familiar.

I haven't been back in Taiwan since leaving it the summer of 1995. While my parents and sisters have been back to visit, I haven't had the chance with school and summer work. Add to that the complications of my conscription service and 12 years have gone by.

In those 12 years, I've changed a lot. Grown up into the person I am today, graduated from University in Engineering and sprung up to the 6' tall 158 lbs man that I am today (which is almost 4-6" taller than the average Taiwanese man!)
Though I've left Taiwan early at the age of 5, my family and I moved back in 94-95 before the Quebec referendum. We didn't adjust that well and decided to move back to Canada, but this time Toronto instead of Montréal.

In that one year, I gained a lot of memories of my birth country and relatives I barely knew. After leaving and being away for so long, they were just names in a distant land to me. In a way, my embrace of the Canadian identity further increased the divide between my Canadian life and the one I left behind in Taiwan.

While my family and I have had a patchy relationship with our relatives back in Taiwan, people do say that blood is thicker than water. While memories may be suppressed, they cannot be forgotten. The sights, smells and people all brought them back one at a time.

The familiar face of my oldest aunt reminded me of the family gatherings we used to have. The dresser in my cousin's room reminded me of when we played hide-and-seek together 12 years ago. Riding on the moped with my uncle on the wrong side of the road reminded me of Taiwan's insane moped traffic. The smells of the night market reminded me of the endless cheap and diverse snacks that Taiwan is known for and that all Taiwanese people long for when away. Seeing my younger cousins all grown up and tall as well as new ones that I hadn't seen before reminded me of how much older I've become! Visiting the place where I sued to live in Taipei, I suddenly remembered a brown suit with red bow tie I once wore. My uncle laughed and dug out his wedding pictures that showed me and my cousin as ring bearers for my aunt/uncle's wedding 20 years ago. I forgot.

On visiting my great aunt, she remembered the nickname she called me all the time when she took care of me since she lived across the street from us in Taipei.

"Non goo", it means slow, dimwit.
The joke's on her though, I'm the first of this Tseng clan to graduate University and my grandma was pretty happy that I was nearly 1' taller than her grandson my age. My grandma is a simple and competitive woman.

I also visited the old family farm land which used to include a nice old home but it was sold, demolished and a retirement home was built in its place. I had great memories of playing in the creek nearby with my cousins and exploring the right wing of the home which was full of old stuff (including a big artillery shell my dad had brought back from the Army, he was an artillery sergeant) But all that remains of the Tsengs there was pieces of rice paddies, old friends and memories.

We met the old village chief and his wife there. As soon as she saw me, she said, "That's Tseng Pen-Chao's son. He's got his face." I am familiar with that exclamation and not ashamed (apparently, my dad was well sought after by the ladies in his younger days, something I thought was just my mom's exaggeration/boasting however my aunt and grandma did confirm that it was true).

My usual response: "I'd be worried if I didn't look like him!"
That always gets a few laughs.

On my last day in Taiwan, I spent it all in Taipei. I went to the (remarkably good) vegetarian buffet and then Taipei 101 tower. After the visit to great aunt, we went to the night market for me to have authentic Taiwanese food that I wouldn't have for a long time. Finished up with going to the wharf in Danshui and checking out the bridge. I spent the night at my dad's younger brother's place. He runs a bookstore with his wife and didn't get home till after 2 am when I'd already gone to bed. But I finally met the aunt that I'd never seen in the morning.

It's strange. For me, my family has always meant my dad, mom and sisters. The relatives in Taiwan were unknown strange people far far away. But now I realize, they are a link to my past and an integral part of my history and identity. Though I've spoken to them less than to my most disliked professors, there is a connection with them that transcends distances, countries, languages and culture.

Although I had given up on that connection, I would indeed like to renew and reconnect.

Thank you (for all the food) Taiwan!

I feel like an idiot.
Standing there on the platform of Narita train station. As soon as I got off I realized that this was probably not the stop (Narita Airport) that I wanted but the train was already pulling away. Yuki and I had been a little nervous too since we thought the 1:43 pm arrival would be tight for what we thought was my flight. But upon checking my flight details, we were relieved at finding out it was a 3:50 pm departure. However, now that I have to wait 1 hr for the next Narita Rapid Express train, I am back to the same point. I can only hope that my check-in procedures go smoothly and I get to the gate/boarding on time!

===

My last full day in Tokyo was spent in the old and new part of Tokyo. I visited the area of Asakusa where I saw some pretty awesome shrines. I then tried to find some lens and filter for my camera at Akihabara, the Mecca of Electronics, but I was still undecided. I then went to the man made island of Odaiba where the architecture was ultra futuristic. I visited the Fuji TV complex which was confusing and highly entertaining. I then got a panoramic view of Tokyo from the observatory of the World Trade Center. It was a gorgeous view and I was the only one there at the time!

Finished off the day by walking around the wild and seedy part of Tokyo in north eastern Shinjuku. Yuki and I then had an amazing sushi dinner at a restaurant in Meguro. Since it was my last full day in Tokyo, we went to a chain pub nearby for drinks and some snacks (including friend chicken tendons, grilled meats!) The mango callpis was a great drink and I'll be looking for the ingredients back in Canada. As I wait for my next train, I'll try to summarize some thoughts about Japan.

Food: Heavenly. There are diverse options ranging from cheap $3-5 Bento lunches, quick chains that do great cheap combos of rice/noodles, meats, miso soup. There are also sushi bars ranging from cheap to exquisite. Yuki and I went to the Wall Street of Sushi, Tsukiji fish market, and had the freshest sushi possible. There were also various snacks like melon pan, grilled rice crackers and grape ice box to keep your taste buds exploring.

People: Incredibly polite, courteous, proper and civilized. In any other country, the massive amount of people in Tokyo would cause riots and higher levels of insanity. However, for Tokyo, it's just another day. People actually don't jaywalk, they're very respectful to elders and very helpful in any service.

Society/Culture: The work ethic/collectivist attitude of Japan is legendary. Their service is top notch. However, I believe the higher levels of emotional labour required also takes its toll. The high number of hours spent commuting can also be draining. Combined with the constant obsession with work, perhaps this can cause disillusionment to certain people. I believe that perhaps that's why anime, slot machines and adult material sold in many places are so prevalent. They are a form of escapism and desensitizers that stimulate a kind of need to feel. Perhaps that's why so many Japanese people travel, to escape the stability and monotony of their lives, or they just like to travel.

Being in Japan has been an amazing experience. To see how a society manages to cram 30M people in the Tokyo area and not have everyone go insane is an achievement only the Japanese could accomplish. While it may seem like a technological utopia, it isn't perfect. But it may be humanity's closest attempt.

I would definitely love to revisit this country in the future and maybe live/work here for a period of time. Who knows?
I want to thank Yuki A LOT for all the help and hospitality. It would have been much harder for me to do it on my own (and a lot more expensive!) It was also really good to see an old friend from a place I miss so much and talk about old times.

That's all from the Land of the Rising Sun!