We just finished our 5 months in Asia, and it has been great. I have learned many lessons. Met many different people in different walks of life. Loved and lost every month.
In the past 5 months, God has taught me many different things about what it means to be Asian. Consolidating my long-forgotten and even hated identity of being Asian into something that is beautiful and something to be celebrated.
This is a short list of tips for Asian WorldRacers going to Asia based solely on my experiences.
People will try to talk to you in their local language, so just smile and nod. In fact, there were a lot of times that I just smiled and nodded and that is exactly what they needed. Someone to listen. Someone to finally notice them.
Translator is what people will probably think of you, so try to learn the language. It is quite fun pretending even for just a little bit. Until, of course, you are not able to respond back with anything other than “English only” or “uhhhh ehhhh”. Try to learn, they will admire you for even trying.
Temples usually cost money, unless you’re a local. Go in anyway! It is free for you if you are a good actor. Go in. Pray for people. Pray for God to show up in the temples. Admire the capabilities of man to build such incredible buildings, but be more in awe that God created us with capabilities of magnificence.
If you love markets as much as I do, which will probably never happen unless you’re my mom, you will most likely have the local price for things instead of the “tourist” price. Keep bargaining! You can get that price even lower. But I also found the best bargaining strategy is to actually befriend the sellers. I befriended a lot of meat market and vegetables sellers, and most of them gave me a huge discount and free items.
Another perk in markets is that most of them will not bug you to begin with. I was able to shop in peace in Vietnam and Cambodia. For the most part, nobody bugged me and thought of me as a tourist.
Try out the street food! Asia has a lot of street food. They’re cheaper and they taste better than restaurant food, which can be “Americanized”. Go eat street food every chance you get! My rule, which does not have to be your rule, is that the sketchier the better! I never got sick from eating street food.
Celebrate the fact that you are Asian! Enjoy it, see the positives instead of only focusing on the negatives. I made this mistake and I am sure that I missed quite a lot of things because of it.
There will be a lot of things that will remind you of home. From food, to people, to even the culture. Love it. Embrace it. Enjoy it.
You will fall in love deeper, faster, and bigger than you have ever have. Love anyway. In the end, saying goodbye may become the hardest thing you have ever done. You won’t regret loving deep, loving big, loving wide, loving bigger than before. Because…
Because on the process of loving, you will gain a huge family! I gained two brothers in India, named Emmanuel and Kenneth. They might be young, but they are bright and they loved me better than I was able to love them.
In Nepal, I found a brother in Sameer. A younger brother that I can and want to pour into. Someone to share my experiences with, to pray with and for, to love. He has many life experiences for such a young age.
In Vietnam, I gained a class that taught me what it means to truly bless. They blessed me more than I taught English to them. They gave me a lifetime of friendship.
In Cambodia, I lived with 4 young boys who has made living there more interesting than I could imagine. They are full of energy, potential, and thirst for more that the world has to offer.
In Thailand, I fell in love with the kids that I met. Most of them are pictured here. They will be a group of kids that I know I will forever treasure. A group of kids that I consider my younger brothers and sisters.
Dear Asia, you’ve been great.
