My first mini-breakthrough moment today was being able to do the back crawl! Well..my strange non-straight version anyways of doing something resembling rotating shoulders and arms and managing to stay afloat and kicking. Today is swim number five and my favourite pool yet...because it was 1.4 meters the entire way and empty! LOL I guess not that many people swim in resorts at 8am in Phuket.

The girls went diving today and I would love to dive, except for the small detail that I really need to be comfortable being in water that goes over my head. What I did today was purposely go underwater and look around, it is amazing how much better one feels when you can see. Thank God for googles. More and more I am realizing that maybe I am more of an introvert by nature, extrovert by training. I didn't mind being alone today, even though eating by yourself at a restaurant is still a bit funny. I still can't do it without a book at hand.

No matter what continent, not feeling well sucks so I was also glad to just be able to relax today. I didn't realize how stressed my body has become (my period was over 10 days late!!!). Whenever I feel under the weather like now, I miss the comforts of home and the feeling of being taken care for by somebody else.

Phuket is the side of the island that the tsunami hit. Most of the buildings I see are fresh and new. Looking at the deep blues and green hues of this tropical paradise, it is difficult to imagine the wreck the waters brought only a few short years ago. Do you believe in ghosts and spirits? How many lost souls, no one knows. Without tourism, there is no way this town would have been rebuilt so quickly and I think of the regions that maybe aren't so lucky to be blessed by foreigners in this way.

I was saying to the girls yesterday as we boarded the boat for the James Bond Island tour how I wanted to meet a cute boy in Thailand. What do you know but by the end of the day, a cute Thai boy (a bit too dark for me, but cute Thai boy nonetheless) gave me as we were leaving the boat, a rose made out of two straws (red and green). As Tiff and I were talking today, SE Asia has been great for our egos. Already we are taller than most of the girls. LOL. We went "canoeing" Thai style at two of the islands yesteday and it was super cool and great...except for the fact that the whole time I was thinking "I am going to fall off" (it's like this plastic boat with shallow seats not the deep wooden canoes that I'm used to in Canada!) and "damn I can't swim in this open water". Fortunately, no accidents and going to see these limestone caves, with its lonely lagoons and low openings (the tide goes in and out really fast) that we had to lie down flat to get to...was super cool. As was the jellyfish and other of nature's wonders in the waters. Honestly though, I was so nervous and I guess this is the stress my body is finally releasing today. You don't know how scared I was though when we were inside the lagoon and the tide was rising and our guide said that he had two occasions where they had to swim back because the tide was too high for the canoe to get through the opening. That would have been so NOT COOL. Whew.

Twelve more days in Thailand...maybe some morning I will have a breakthrough and suddently be able to do the front crawl with more than two breaths before collapsing. Rhythm, rhythm...

KL is a much more developed city than I imagined. Being my third short trip in KL, I am quickly finding it to be a livable, vibrant city. The power of brand recognition amazes me, even as I walk into convenience stores I don't trust myself to buy products that I don't recognize. The power of marketing eh? Malaysian food is great but I was so happy today in Chinatown with my bowl of wonton noodles. It's the little simple things in life that matter after all. Exploring Chinatown today reminded me of all other Chinatowns in the world that I have visited: San Fran, London, Montreal and the like all with its familiar gaudy red arch and rows of vendors. National pride or no, I couldn't help but feel a surge of "pan-Chinesim". This time, the vendors had cute Malaysian accents and I managed to pick my long coveted brown and tan striped Adidas jacket for 35 ringgets. Fake or not, I like it! The ethnic mix in KL makes the city special and as John pointed out interesting buildings and facts about the city, I marvel at the way the government handled ethnic integration. The consequences from colonialization from Britian, the Second World War (the Pacific War), and migrant workers all contribute to the city's eccletic mix and it is fascinating. I have also never been to a Muslim country, and the architecture and laws of the land reflect it. The grips of theocracy remains as little strands, and it made me realize that gods still rule some lands outside of North America.

As we walk down the streets, even in KL, I feel a little bare with my skirt and tank top. I wonder if the locals stare at us and think of us as blasphemous, girls dressed like this. If my skin was white, at least they would understand, but with my tan, I can easily pass for a SE Asian, except for the way I talk and dress of course.

Two Worlds

Sometimes like this morning, I have strange thougths trying to reconcile the blessings I have through this travel and knowing that I will be heading home in August to re-enter student life (and a very tight student budget). Just for some days like the spa day yesterday, I think about what life would be like if this was the everyday. I watched the Forbes "Top 20 under 25" the other night (as you can tell, I don't watch TV normally or else I wouldn't be so intrigued) and I just can't imagine. To most of the people we have met during our travels, from drivers to our spa therapist to the receptionist, whenever they ask where we are from. The conversation usually moves from surprise that we are Asian but we are Canadaian so a lofty smile. And I feel like wow. We are the chosen and privileged ones to be Canadian. And we are and I don't think I have ever been more proud to be Canadian than during this trip.

Worry
I am trying to not worry about not having secured housing yet for the fall and not really having reliable internet access in the meantime. I guess it's another lesson in faith, kind of like floating on your back for the first time (which by the way, I can totally do now).

Up next...back to KL and than Thailand!

A Story about Anna in the Ocean

Having grown along the Pacific Northwest, it is hard to believe that I have never swam in the Pacific Ocean. But I did it! Against my will, as we were bananaboatnig the other day in Bali (so...the other side of the Pacific Ocean...), our driver asked Jenny in broken English if we wanted to "flip up". Jenny thought he meant if we wanted to catch bumpier waves so she quickly agreed. Unexpectantly as we were laughing and being silly...the next thing I knew was that I found myself in the ocean...in shock! Of course we had on life jackets but mine was too big (and old) and I quickly started to panic. After some harlarious laughter (I was so mad), we managed to all pile back on our banana boat and went about our way. Still, it was not my best experience of being in the ocean but I was cursing to myself all the way back...Anna you really need to learn how to swim. Thus this morning was my second try at swimming at the more shallow lane pool. A few gulp fulls of water down my stomach and gasping breaths, I am slowly getting more comfortable with the water and can now do two breaths in front crawl. I am going to throw my kid in the water so they don't have to experience this pain. Nonetheless, just like learning to bike a few years ago...thus continues my adventures in stretching my limits and reaching for the unknown...To redeem the day, salt water does taste kind of good, and parasailing, jetskiing and fly fishing were much more fun than my banana boat experience.

Temples and Worship

There are gorgeous temples in Bali, as there was in China and every other place I have hit. Whether it is against the backdrop of the crashing waves and the sunset (like the Tanah Lot temple last night) or on top of hills (like in China), wherever there is beauty in creation mankind seems to have built monuments of worship to their gods. It is an incredible sight. I watched a National Geographic special on the First Emperor and the Terracota Warriors this morning; it was amazing because I was there! But even more amazing thinking about the power and fear of one man (of death), that led him to create such art works and history, and also cause such brutality. Never have I been more grateful and in awe of my Jesus, who I know is more than mercury or bronze or silver. The dominant religion in Bali is Hinduism and everywhere, in front of every little street shop there are food offerings to the Hindu gods, I am still in shock of it and realizing that there is so much more to religion than my North American eyes.

Thoughts about school

Travelling to SE Asia has been like walking through my textbooks in the last five years. I have had great conversations with locals (bus drivers, taxi drivers, friends, etc) about the development of each country I've hit. The basic questions about the government, economy, social networks and democracy have been some of my favourite part of the trip and I am surprised and happy at the frank and open answers I have received, even when I ask them about their former dictators. Cities like KL are much more developed than I imagined, but poverty also seeps everywhere, even to the four star resorts and city centres. These cracks and glimpes of the life of the common folk are the images I've tried to capture, and what I hope will influence my thoughts as I head into social planning at UT in the fall. My mind is blown away in thinking about how to pursue basic development like education, infrastructure, and healthcare, nto to mention softer things. Sewage treatment is complicated. Water is precious. There are way too many people living in this part of the world for everyone to live like North Americans. I took a bubble bath today in our tropical terrace room and used more water in an hour than who knows what. I don't have a thesis topic yet but thoughts are constantly blowing away my mind.

Where my mom grew up in Mong Kok | TST Avenue of the Stars...Aaron Kwok! My all-time favourite HK popstar!

I went to the Vine (http://www.thevine.org.hk/) for Sunday service and it was the best two hours of my time in Hong Kong. There is something special about meeting in the house of the Lord and I was just so happy and so ready to do anything; it's like coming home while away from home. It wasn't just the creative, vibrant vibe I got at the Vine
(their small groups and ministries are amazing! I would sooo join in their community projects) but the speaker was talking about Micah 6:8 which is my life verse. I've been starting to feel quite homesick and alone (though not alone) and it was just a gift from heaven.

I hung out with Auntie Chick again today and we went to Mong Kok to see the still existing apartment where my mom's parents lived, and where my mom actually grew up. I felt that it was just a trip down memory lane for me as it was for Auntie Chick; she grew up with my mom and told me about their times on the streets and how the neighbourhood has changed. At times like these, I realize that maybe this trip is more than I imagined. These trips to explore my grandparent's and parent's lives in Hong Kong, spending time in Singapore with my fourth uncle (leaving for Singapore tomorrow!) and moving to Toronto (where my other two uncles live) for grad school...make me wonder if God has a greater plan for me. Family has always been a difficult part of my life and it seems like I am going around the globe (literally) to unite these loose ends and bring peace. I recently talked to Helinda too on Facebook!

As always, God has blessed my days with more than I could ask for or imagine...

And thus ends my two week China journey...waiting to catch our 13 hour train back to Hong Kong tonight from Guilin. I slipped and fell on the street when we got out of the taxi (torrental downpour today!) so my butt is wet and I have new bruises. LOL.

There are temples and and pagodas everywhere here, on every hill and facing every water source, but no churches in sight. There is much devotion to the gods, but the statues of gold, bronze and steel offer only emptiness in my eyes. In development, China is still a developing country and the rapid pace of modernization can be seen in every major city and every countryside. At first, the sight of old shanty houses, with leaky roofs made of bamboo and whatever else disturbed me. The crowds of street vendors selling everything from scorpions on a stick to Chinese qiaopuos made me pity the hard lives of the 1.3 billion people. But you know, China's not just about that, people struggling to survive. They are quite a vibrant, persevent people - I loved seeing the old people doing tai chi and dance with ribbons and sing their old folk songs at the park. Life might not be at the standards that I expect, with my foreign eyes (I still don't like squatter toilets but I can appreicate them), but they live and live vibrantly. I went to eat at this dingy rice noodle places last night, for a bowl of local noodles, Guilin speciality for 4.5 yuan (less than 50 cents CDN). It was great! I have never eaten at such a dingy place though but you know, despite my tummy rumblings (a little today), people get by and it's just a different kind of normal I suppose.

The scenery along the Li River is gorgeous and I feel like I walked in a Chinese painting with the mountains, birds and rivers. God is everywhere if we choose to see him. I liked talking to our tour guide about Chinese history and politics. Hmmm this is the side of research I have yet to be exposed too, I remember Yves saying there are two ways to do research - one, from books and statistics and two, from travelling and observing and getting ideas. I guess this is the research class I haven't taken yet. I find that people are quite open and friendly. We've had such helpful taxi drivers and random people we have met on the street. I guess at the back of my mind I still had the idea of the Maoist China but things have changed much since the 1970s. I think people are just trying to get a living, like everywhere else in the world.

It is strange to be a foreigner in my "native" land. Whenever we met other tourists (Caucaisan), I feel that I can relate to them more than to the local Chinese. It's weird too being discriminated against by your own ethnic "race". Yesterday when we were on the river cruise, we sat with three British travellers (quite nice). During the entire ride, the local Chinese servers never paid attention to us, and when they came around to sell merchandise, whether it was snake vodka or Olympic t-shirts, they never once asked us. Jenny got a seal made with her Chinese name carved yesterday in the markets in Yangshao; I would have liked to have one made, but our three heads put together, we couldn't put together my Chinese name. I can't even write it or even knows what each character means! So sad, so sad. It's time I invest some time in Chinese. I did have this written down, but I left the piece of paper sadly in Hong Kong.

Something I thought I would never use in China...French! But it seems at every turn, we have met French tourists! As we are trying to spend the rest of our four hour wait, we went to a random bookstore carrying very few English books, so Jenny and I ended up reading a copy of "Le Petit Prince" that had English, Chinese and French. Welcome globalization.

Honestly, I don't know if I don't like travelling or if I am just tired and need a few days rest at "home" (thank goodness for our HK and Singapore rest days). The first thing I have to buy when I get back to HK is a LOT of snacks, because I get soooo hungry.

Arrival at Beijing

The temperature is so much cooler here than in Hong Kong - no humidity! But I feel like as we were walking down Wangfujing that I'm being bitten everywhere. I am so tired from the early morning flight and just finding the hostel and the tour place. Now finally those things are done and I can start to relax and enjoy, afterall this is the leg of the trip that I planned! The hostel is nice, the bathroom and the room is clean enough for $17 a night downtown Beijing. The location is amazing so I am glad this worked out. This is the first time staying at a hostel and I already appreciate good western cleaniless! I don't think I am cut out for the bush at all and I am starting to be so thankful that we are travelling in mostly 4 and 5 star hotels this trip, save the HK and Singapore parts where we are staying at rich relatives' places. That leaves only Beijing and Bangkok for hostelling...thank goodness. I am not sure I am a traveller, or maybe just not this grungy kind. I brought no skirts, no frills and no heels and I totally sport the Jane Goodall MEC look. Comfort above all else here. I think this will be really good for me, to be away from technology (haha save the fact that I am already using the Internet first night at the hostel!) and away from beauty stuff. I was so self conscious in HK, much less here so probably because I feel more like a tourist.

I think I am still adjusting to being in Asia, with the heat and just the environment. I don't know if I am truly really enjoying it yet, coming thus far to Beijing has been a relief to me because I was responsible for this part. I remind myself that it has only been a week, so it's not bad. Still though, I am kind of looking forward to the day of being back home. My clean, green, and most of all, familiar home. Bah...only to leave again of course after three weeks. Needless to say, I miss home.

Each day so far has been like a hundred days like Sean said it would be. I have had a billion thoughts about everything.

Beijing is really international, from the people at the airport to the people around me right now at the hostel. I love that. I think taxi drivers here are the craziest, even more so than HK because so many people bike here, and taxies just cut in front of bikers. I originally thought it would be cool to bike here but now I think we would just die, I still feel scared when I cross the street. The city is much cleaner than I anticipated and the streets are super wide, kind of like Washington D.C. I think with all the pandemics and health problems, all of China, especially the big cities, improved in their sanitation.

Thank goodness!

I do feel like I am absorbing more Cantonese and Mandarin, thank goodness Jenny is here and knows how to speak mandarin and read Chinese. So far, we all get along and the dynamics are working out. Jenny and I spent yesterday afternoon together and I feel like we bonded. I hope to have similar experiences with Tiff and Yo, so I think it will be okay. I talked to Jenny about it too, my original (and still) hesitations about coming on this trip.

Already I have a greater appreciation of home and an admiration for meandering travellers.