Posts about Destinations
Landing in Argentina
We landed in Buenos Aires, checked in, and looked for the first thing we could eat. Just so happened we found a Parilla, or steak house. Brigette and I are more than rusty with our Spanish, so we pointed to the menu and what came out was by far the best meal of the trip.
With confusion caused from the language barrier, a glass of wine turned into a bottle of wine. So we drank.
Men in jerseys were glued to the TV cheering for their futbol team, families were laughing, and I couldn’t be more happy to be in South America.
The waiter brought out my steak, a juicy rare cut that filled the plate. He set down another plate with fried potatoes. I could practically cut the meat with my fork and the potatoes had just the right amount outer crunch and inner mush.
I took my time with each tender bite, sipped the wine and enjoyed the atmosphere. I couldn’t think of a better way to start our trip through Argentina and Brazil.
Finding Good Tribal Tattoos
I hate tribal tattoos.
Well, I hated them for about 23 years, 7 months, and 8 days. But then I spent the night on a Māori Marae and everything changed.
The Māori are the indigenous people of New Zealand. A few days ago, we were welcomed onto the grounds of one of their community centers. We underwent a true welcoming ceremony, whereby women proceed onto the grounds first, surrounded by men as protection. The group then pauses to allow their ancestors to greet Māori ancestors, and continues on to exchange songs.
We sang a verse or two of “Brown Eyed Girl,” which probably sounded more like a group of lambs lost in a haunted house, but I think our efforts were appreciated nonetheless.
Once welcomed onto a Marae, you’re expected to treat it as your own home. You can help yourself to food and drinks, and you just as well may be handed a paintbrush or shovel to do some work around the house.
Our host, Shaun, was such a cool guy. He’s a tattoo artist, though not your average one. Each of his designs tells a story of the person for whom it’s designed.
Each one is meant to answer the question “Who are you?” And that’s exactly what Shaun asks each of his clients as soon as they sit down beside him. It’s not that his clients are meant to be able to answer the question in one sentence. It’s even totally acceptable to say “I don’t know yet” - this unsureness can say something about who that person is, that he or she is still searching and learning.
Shaun’s designs are absolutely gorgeous and incredibly intricate.
Each tiny shape represents a different person, thing, or idea, and they’re beautifully and strategically placed as pieces that make up a larger shape, which also holds meaning. Shaun stayed up until 2 in the morning designing for us!
What I like most is that, because each is created specifically for a particular person, each design is unique and meaningful. When I was first exposed to one of his creations, I was literally amazed – cue my newfound appreciation for tribal tattoos. Well, for true tribals. I still hate the other kind.
Getting to Know Australia
Australia’s been rad and we had the chance to finish our trip in Cairns.
“Cans” if you hear it from a local.
We went to the Great Barrier Reef, barbecued on the esplanade, hung out with some koalas, fed some wallabies, and petted some kangaroos, heck, we even ate some kangaroo! We’ve been ramping it up, to say the least.
Looking back, our time in “Oz” has really been a vacation more than anything else.
No museums or monuments, just a drive up the coast with good people to share it with. Hanging out on the beach or napping on a boat became a part everyday life. I couldn’t help but think life is good.
Other travelers that we met shared the same stoke for the Aussie way of life.
The people are friendly, the food is amazing, and the views are unreal.There’s something special about this place that will definitely keep me coming back.
Going to the Great Barrier Reef
It was dead silent.
The only voice I could hear was my own.
I looked around, I was in another world. No cars, no buildings, no electronics. I moved in slow motion. My ears were popping. A huge dome surrounded my head. I felt like I was on the moon,but it was the exact opposite.
I was roaming the floor of the Great Barrier Reef.“Seawalker” is the name of the game, and it’s one of the coolest things I’ve ever experienced.
You’re submerged in water with no equipment other than an astronaut-like helmet. You breathe freely while you walk the floor of the ocean.
You’re literally surrounded by giant fish and the most unbelievable coral known to man. You can reach out and touch the fish, which was such a cool feeling – almost as cool as the fact that when you speak, absolutely no one can hear you.
I talked to myself the entire time.
Getting Local in Australia!
Setting foot in Brisbane we almost immediately get a proper Aussie welcome from Stewart at X Base Travel and Taz at the Down Under Bar. Thanks fellas. After a few drinks, Stewart grabbed us a map and sent us in the direction of some places in the city. So, Brigette and I hit the ground walking and found a neighborhood bursting out the seams with organic restaurants, natural grocers, and countless coffee shops. I’m not much on cities, but if I must, I could totally live here.
Store fronts are covered with “Buy local, shop independent” signs and there’s an overall vibe of consumer responsibility. It got me thinking how we as travelers are being green. Travel isn’t exactly the most sustainable activity, but there are a few things I’ve been doing to lessen the blow.
To start, I walk everywhere within a city. Even If I have to drag Brigette by her pack, I walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll look for a metro or some other form of public transit. Sometimes it’s worth the extra walk to the hostel, you never know what you might find along the way. Next, I try to buy at farmers markets as much as possible and support any local shops and restaurants. You’re supporting the community and giving these places a chance to compete with larger brands. On top of that, I reuse plastic bags and refill my water bottle every chance I get. Oh yeah, I can’t forget second hand stores. Reduce, reuse, recycle.
I’m not saying this because it’s trendy, but because I love travel and I want to the next generation to have the same experience, don’t you?
Learning to Live Like a Local
If you’re being rude, you hear “Watch your mouth.” If you have an enemy, it’s “Watch your back.” But have you ever been told to watch your feet? Well, you’re about to be, because in Southeast Asia, you better watch your feet. In this neck of the woods, while the head is considered sacred, the feet are considered filthy. You should never touch the head of a local. Okay, that’s easy enough – how often do you usually touch a stranger’s head? But following cultural norms regarding feet is not as simple a task.
Your feet should be used for walking and nothing else. Never use your feet to point to something, and perhaps more importantly, never show the soles of your feet to anyone. Lots of meals are eaten on the floor, with a specific sitting style – Indian style for men, and a kneeling/legs-to-one-side combo for women. We’ve had the good fortune of eating meals at locals’ homes in both Cambodia and Laos, which was so awesome. But trust me, when you’re sitting in one position on a bamboo mat for an entire meal, it’s hard not to stretch out your legs for a little break. We found ourselves doing this until – WHOOPS – we realized that our feet were pointing directly at the dinner platters in front of us. People around here are usually pretty tolerant when foreigners perform this kind of faux pas, but if the locals happen to be eating from the dish in question, the food is no longer edible to them – they throw it out!
Another episode happened just yesterday, as Dutch and I were hanging out at an outdoor restaurant. We were chilling on a couch, sipping pineapple shakes, when Dutch caught me with my feet up on the table in front of me. What?! Why would I ever do that? It was a complete accident. But about sixteen and a half minutes later, I caught him doing the exact same thing. We’re adjusting and we’re learning, but we may just have to accept that we might not ever be mistaken for locals.
Currency Confusion in Cambodia
I love pulling money from a foreign ATM.The bills are crisp, the designs are unique, and the colors are vibrant.
So when we arrived in Bangkok we went to the ATM and received the Thai Baht. New country, new currency, new bills. Crossing the boarder into Cambodia, I was ready for a new batch of money.
Turns out, Cambodia accepts the Thai Baht. A bit odd, but we bought our entry visas in Baht anyway. Weird thing is, we received change in U.S. dollars. Later that day I bought some fruit with a dollar and received change in the Cambodian Riel. Whoa, let’s pump the brakes. Cambodia uses three currencies? Yep, but the most common is the U.S. dollar.
It’s pretty interesting using U.S. bills in an other country, especially when everything costs less than half the price at home.
In the market, when a women yells, “Only one dolla” she’s not lying. Most things really are a dollar, usually less. Beer is typically 50 cents, an entire meal is about four dollars, and a tuk tuk ride runs two to three dollars.
Not a bad spot for budget travelers.
More Cultural Experiences in China
We’ve been in China long enough to catch a glimpse of its way of life. Like Brigette mentioned, the first thing to learn is the Asian squat. We’ve got that mastered. But getting used to some of the other cultural differences has taken a bit of time, chopsticks aside.
First off, people spit. Everywhere. In the hotel lobby, the train, the bus, the sidewalk, I mean you name it and it’s free game. It’s no ordinary spit either. It’s a deep hacking that is dug up from the depths of the throat and shot out on the “No Spitting” sign in the subway station.
Next up, the traffic. The hustle and bustle is constant and people love their horns. Scooters and bikes weave through buses and cars like life has no value. Meanwhile, pedestrians play Frogger trying to cross the street.
However, one of the most frustrating Chinese customs happens while waiting in lines. Well, there are no lines, only an open spot waiting to be pounced on. Bathrooms, markets, taxis, it’s a free-for-all. Everything my mom taught me about being polite has been thrown out the window.
As frustrating as these differences can be, I have to remember, this is what makes traveling exciting. Adapting to how people live is part of travel and part of the adventure. Looking past the minor contrasts, I’ve managed to meet amazing people, witness some of history’s best landmarks and taste some of the best fried scorpion I’ve ever eaten. Okay, the only scorpion I’ve ever eaten.
The Unique Bathrooms in China
The squat.
It’s something the Chinese have done since the beginning of time. And if you plan on taking a trip to China, you better be prepared to do it.
I don’t mean squatting around the dinner table or while you play mahjong. I mean bathrooms. Squatter toilets. They’re pretty much all they use here.
What, you’ve never heard of one?
A squatter is, put bluntly, a hole in the ground. Sometimes it has a flusher, sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes it has a door, sometimes it doesn’t.
Once in a while you’ll find yourself a trough instead of a hole. Be prepared to simultaneously share that one with others.
Nose plugs and hand sanatizer are a good idea.
Last night I dropped my favorite ring into a squatter. Guess how I retrieved it?
Yup. A pair of chopsticks.
What To Do in Munich
Hopping off the train, we hit the streets of Munich. With an open itinerary, Brigette and I discussed what we’re going to do for the next few days.
We thought the Deutsches Museum could give us a healthy dose of science and technology. Or perhaps a day trip to the Alps or maybe a visit to the Olympic Park could give way to some amazing photos. But as we walked though the bavarian capital and the rain starting pouring down, the only logical activity that came to mind was beer. Yes, beer is an activity, at least in Germany.
We started our beerfest at the classic Hofbräuhaus in the city center. Immediately upon arriving, two massive liters of beer were slapped down onto our table. It was then that I knew Germany and I were going to get along.
We drank Hofbräu Hell, which goes down like water. We devoured a pretzel dipped in sweet mustard sauce and chased it down with another liter.
Felling a bit hoppy, we wandered over to Augustine Keller, a massive beer garden and hall. Surrounded by trees, the beer garden stretched far and wide. I thought this would be a great spot to grab a beer, but the rain disagreed so we headed inside the vast hall. We smashed down yet another liter with ambitions to visit the Englischer bier garten, but lost steam as more beer came and new friends were made.
We left Munich with a hangover and one piece of advice, “Come back for Oktoberfest!” To that I say “Prost!”