TravelBio

Once I walked out of the airport, past the taxi touts and into the humid, tropical air of the parking lot, where family members were waiting to reunite, I got a familiar feeling: I’m back in the Philippines! This was my fourth visit – really I should say three because back on my long SE Asia trip I spent 1.5 months there with a two week Christmas gap (in Germany). On previous visits around the country, I’d been to Manila several more times, and it was like a reunion of sorts. This trip I got to spend it with my co-teachers from Hangzhou. On the plane I’d met two Filipinas who teach in China. They were bringing bundles of gifts back to their families for the holidays, and since I wasn’t checking a bag I agreed to let them use my luggage allowance. I know that sounds sketchy, but at least I did see them open the suitcase and rearrange things – again, mostly just gifts. To show her appreciation one of the women offered to give me a ride to my hotel. Her brother and his fami...

While we in the West celebrate the New Year on January 1 st , many East Asian countries still follow traditional lunar calendar holidays. The Chinese New Year was in early February, and unlike back home, it’s not just a one day affair. One week off is considered short. Our school had a full three weeks holiday! Now we didn’t get a full month’s pay, but I’m not complaining about a 21 day vacation. Chinese New Year lasts for a full week, and many people get two or three weeks off of work for the holiday. It might be interesting to stay in China for the festivities, but most of the celebrating is a family affair at home. Hundreds of millions of people travel during the New Year, so prices soar and transport is even more jammed than normal. Sounds like a good opportunity to go abroad and leave the crowds behind! In the months leading up to our holiday I was debating where to go. I didn’t want to travel all the way back home considering I was looking to escape the cold, not r...