In honor of my 25th birthday on January 11, I’ve decided to share 25 things that I’ve learned on the Race. I consider them fun little birthday gifts of wisdom from God.
- When you get on a Chinese public bus, you MUST hold onto something or you’ll end up sliding around the floor.
2. Everything is cheaper in Thailand.
3. Always start bargaining from at least half the price they ask.
4. When people in Cambodia try to sell you stuff, don’t make eye contact. They’re more likely to go away if you avoid the small talk.
5. Never drive in Cambodia. You won’t survive.
6. There are heated toilet seats in Japan—Best. Invention. Ever.
7. Part of the Japanese experience is using a bathhouse. It’s a mixture between a locker room and a sauna where everyone showers in the same room. First, you get clean by sitting on a stool in front of showerhead and then you get in the hot tub and relax. It’s oddly refreshing if not intimidating at first.
8. Look around you…if the locals aren’t eating or drinking it, then you shouldn’t either!
9. Fried rice is the safest, most widely available option in Asian countries. You can’t go wrong with it.
10.McDonalds is nicer overseas than anywhere in America.
11.KFC is way more popular overseas than anywhere in America.
12.Always check to see if you’re looking at the “new” menu in a restaurant. They will expect you to pay new prices even if they gave you the old menu. Smh.
13.Take an overnight train or bus. It makes the journey a lot easier.
14.Shoes are not to be worn inside. It’s so much nicer to take them off and put on your warm, comfy house slippers instead.
15.No one learns American English except Americans. Everywhere else is British English. I wonder why?
16.Never go anywhere without toilet paper.
17.It becomes a lot harder to walk on the correct side of the road when you’re in a country that drives on the left.
18.Good, strong Wi-Fi is hard to find. Cherish it but do your best not to crash it in your excitement.
19.If you’re black in Asia, they will undoubtedly ask if you’re from Africa.
20.Never point your forefinger. It’s rude in just about every country outside America.
21.People will still try to talk to you in their language even after you’ve given them the confused look and repeated that you only speak English.
22.Take pictures of everything. You’ll be so grateful later.
23.Time is limited. Get out and see and do as much as you can while you’re in that place or you’ll regret it later.
24.Many cultures of the world value sharing and placing others before self. American culture is the complete opposite and is highly individualistic. We need to take lessons.
25.God is God—in every country and every place whether people acknowledge Him or not. That place and those people belong to Him and His kingdom. You can always find His glory in it.
I thank God for my 25 years of life thus far and encourage you to find fun and wisdom in the smallest of things.
Happy Learning and Growing!
P.S. If you’re ever in Asia, please put some of these to good use!
