5/31: “Incomplete Itinerary vs. Just Do It!”
As a former Executive Assistant in my old life, I know that an incomplete travel itinerary is or can be a nightmare for any boss. But here I am, making my final details on what should be a complete itinerary for my own travel to China and to the Philippines this summer. However, when I board my plane to China this morning, my itinerary will contain some holes in it.
For instance, I know I will be arriving in Beijing in June 1st, and then I have to fly to Chongking to meet my friend Arlene somewhere. And then afterwards until June 13, I will be traveling in cities in the Yunnan province and then to another province thereafter; finally, I must make my way somehow to Hong Kong because my flight leaves the afternoon of June 13th for Manila. On that day, I will be meeting my aunt, but I still need to confirm this with her. Thank goodness for travel guide books. Phew.
Now that I have that off my chest, I can rest assured that everything is going to be okay even though it is my first time traveling to Asia. I know that my friend Arlene is really good with planning and I know that together with two of her class friends, we’ll be trekking in southern China. I am trying to tell myself that sometimes, you have to leave an itinerary behind and go-with-the flow to really absorb your travels. Let’s see what happens!
So here’s my simple itinerary to you all: 2 weeks in China and then almost 3 months in the Philippines!!!!
I turn off and trade in my domestic cell phone for a pair of Tevas, one Mandarin and one Tagalog phrase book, and a really fat traveling backpack. I leave with excitement, feeling both liberated and nervous, but confident in the good advice and travel rules I have received from friends in the last week.
As an unlikely (or likely) departure gift from my mom, I now have a travel size copy of the King James version of the New Testament. Maybe I’ll put it next to a “red” Mao book I hope to find at some bookstore in China. I’ll comment more on that later.
Also—Unfortunately I was not able to get the series of Rabies immunization shots in time, which are very expensive by the way. I know I will have to be careful:
Nurse: Will you be handling any farm animals or be near dogs foaming at the mouth?
Me. Of course not.
N: Okay, you’ll be fine, but here’s a handout on what to do in case…(Talking)
Me: Nodding my head in confidence (Real thought: stay away from the animals. Stay away from the animals).
Yikes—super shuttle is early. Leaving for LAX now. Until the next blog!
For instance, I know I will be arriving in Beijing in June 1st, and then I have to fly to Chongking to meet my friend Arlene somewhere. And then afterwards until June 13, I will be traveling in cities in the Yunnan province and then to another province thereafter; finally, I must make my way somehow to Hong Kong because my flight leaves the afternoon of June 13th for Manila. On that day, I will be meeting my aunt, but I still need to confirm this with her. Thank goodness for travel guide books. Phew.
Now that I have that off my chest, I can rest assured that everything is going to be okay even though it is my first time traveling to Asia. I know that my friend Arlene is really good with planning and I know that together with two of her class friends, we’ll be trekking in southern China. I am trying to tell myself that sometimes, you have to leave an itinerary behind and go-with-the flow to really absorb your travels. Let’s see what happens!
So here’s my simple itinerary to you all: 2 weeks in China and then almost 3 months in the Philippines!!!!
I turn off and trade in my domestic cell phone for a pair of Tevas, one Mandarin and one Tagalog phrase book, and a really fat traveling backpack. I leave with excitement, feeling both liberated and nervous, but confident in the good advice and travel rules I have received from friends in the last week.
As an unlikely (or likely) departure gift from my mom, I now have a travel size copy of the King James version of the New Testament. Maybe I’ll put it next to a “red” Mao book I hope to find at some bookstore in China. I’ll comment more on that later.
Also—Unfortunately I was not able to get the series of Rabies immunization shots in time, which are very expensive by the way. I know I will have to be careful:
Nurse: Will you be handling any farm animals or be near dogs foaming at the mouth?
Me. Of course not.
N: Okay, you’ll be fine, but here’s a handout on what to do in case…(Talking)
Me: Nodding my head in confidence (Real thought: stay away from the animals. Stay away from the animals).
Yikes—super shuttle is early. Leaving for LAX now. Until the next blog!
posted by RENEWED at
7:00 AM
