Spunkygirl Monologues

I’m tired of the limbo years and the overly dramatic events that stretch over weeks and sometimes months.  I miss, me!  I locked in my holiday time for the spring. 3 weeks. Ahhh, it’ll be s nice.  I just need to make it until then!  My plan?  To return to Asia.  This time I WILL get into Tibet for a few days, and I’ll fly into Siem Reap to spend about 4 days exploring Angkor Wat.  Other than that, I’ll be visiting Chengdu, Hong Kong, Emei Shan and Leshan.  It will be an amazing trip and one that I have been dying to take for years.  But before I can go I need to do some prep work!

1. Emei Shan- I want to walk as much of the mountain as I can.  That means I need to start roaming the hills of Calgary some more to get my knees and legs up to speed.
2. Gear- Christmas is coming!  It’s the perfect time to get my gear list ready and be able to give “suggestions”, plus watching for those holiday sales.
3. Photography-  I’ve owned my Nikon D60 for about 2 months now and I’m still trying to figure stuff out. I need to find some tutorials or maybe a class or two that I can attend before I go.  I know I’ll be taking a gazillion photos on this trip.
4. Visas- Ok, I just need one, China.  Come January I’ll pop over to the embassy and slap down enough cash for a multi-entry visa that’s good for a year (just in case )
5. Money!- Now is the time to buy Travelers Cheque’s in USD.  The rate is low and could climb before my trip.  So I’ll be buying TC’s every payday until go time!  I’ll also buy enough HKD for the first 2 days of my trip.

Aside from travel plans and aspirations, 2010 is the year I’ll transfer to my dream city, Vancouver (this is me doing the whole positive thinking thing).   I’ve wanted to live in Vancouver for years now and 2010 will be my year.  I’ll be emailing HR when I get to work today and letting them know I want to transfer out in the summer.

If I’ve learned anything after my Grandmother’s illness, its that I need to start LIVING my life.  It’s time to do the things I love to do and the things that I enjoy doing.  It’s my life and nobody is going to live it for me.

Have you ever traveled to a place that has captured your heart in a way that makes all other places pale in comparison? I have. China.  I know, you’re asking yourself “China? Really?”.  Yes. China. Really.

When I booked my first trip to China in January of 2008 I had no idea what I was going to experience when I arrived. My job stress was escalating with each passing day and I desperately needed the escape.   Maybe that’s why China had an effect on me? Maybe, maybe not.

The flight from Calgary to Beijing was an easy one. I managed to sleep a little, chat with the seniors tour guide sitting beside me and read.  I was nervous, but excited.  I was blown away by Beijing’s airport. It was huge! I’ve never seen an airport that big before. I’ve certainly never taken a train to collect my baggage.  My hostel was located in a Hutong.  They lost my booking, but found me a bed anyway.  Beijing was dusty. My chest hurt and I struggled to breathe. But I was in China. I became the relaxed happy traveler.

Xi’an was an interesting time. Met new friends. Enjoyed jasmine tea and steamed buns with a few Chinese Muslims at the Great Mosque. I attended a Tang Music and Dance dinner theatre. I was frisked by an old lady who was fascinated with the size of the “twins” and I was miserable during my guided visit of the Terra Cotta Warriors.

Chengdu’s Tibetan quarter was fabulous. I spent hours wandering the grounds of the Wenshu Temple. I tried to get into Tibet, but the boarder was still closed to tourists. I opted for a lovely 4 day cruise down the Yangtze River instead.

China was full of experiences, people and moments of self reflection. I found myself on that trip. I was happy. I was content.  I actually cried the day I had to fly back to Canada.

Every since that trip my mind has often wandered back to those times.  I remember them like they were yesterday.  I still chat with friends I met there.  I think about moving there for a year and embracing it as much as I can.  I look at pictures and my heart longs to return.

It’s no wonder that I’ve chosen to go back in 2010 and visit a couple more cities.  This time my trip will require a multi-entry visa as I’ll be making trips to Tibet and Angkor Wat as well.  The budget is set, as well as my travel dates.  China, I have missed you, but I’m coming back soon!