05/09/2019
My boyfriend taught me to love myself unconditionally. My best friend showed me that good people exist. My professor inspired me to see the world from another angle. My dad sparked my curiosity at a young age. Tony makes me laugh. Sometimes it's intentional. These are people that made an impact on my life.
We travel in different ways and for different reasons.
I am traveling to conduct preliminary fieldwork in preparation for my PhD thesis on China's One Belt, One Road project.
This Summer I have traveled to Southeast China, Northern Laos, Thailand and now in Singapore. Iβve stayed in people's homes. From growing tea, learning how to pick the different types of tea leaves to be undercover as a real estate investor. Made some friends over some interesting drinks in Laos too. I've met so many kind and interesting people along the way unexpectedly. I guess I was lucky.
The most unusual hostel I've stayed was on top of a mountain in Colombia with the world's largest hammock. It's one of the nicest things when you are in your youth. And how everything is communal. You won't feel lonely with a hostel full of lively people. Staying together overlooking the mountains of Sierra Nevada.
I have witnessed the weirdest event. A wedding between people who had just met. And the officiant was wearing a chicken suit. One of the owners shot a storming bow from the roof into the campfire. Iβve traveled to 16 countries. US, Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Denmark, Iceland, Greece, Republic of China, Mongolia, Laos, Thailand, and Singapore.
"Plan well but be open to spontaneity. The places that you will remember mostly found in a guide book. Take the time to meet local people. Be open to new people and new experiences and new foods."
-Natalie, USA