The benefits of travel include not only the satisf…
The benefits of travel include not only the satisfaction of finding yourself in a new, interesting location, but also, upon your return home after a period of absence, the temporary illusion of new context to the over-familiar place you left in order to go traveling.
This could explain the fact that these few days following my return, I seem to be able to appreciate my surroundings here in Taipei more than I have in a long time, especially after dusty, grey, half-finished Beijing. Of course, the weather the past couple of days has been excellent, blue skies, just cool enough, especially in Bitan, where I can look out my kitchen window at the green mountains beyond or open the windows for a nice cross-breeze. For now, after a mere eleven days away, I’m enjoying the feeling that I know how things work here, the familiar accents and clear speech, the money and banking systems, etc.
I know it won’t last; I’ll be hankering for the unfamiliar once again soon enough, but this trip should keep me sane through the winter at least. And in the meantime, I still have loads of pictures and video from my trip to process, as well as getting on with music, filming, editing, ranting, complaining and other facets of my life here.
Whenever I come home after traveling, I always feel like saying, “Hello, bed!” because while trips are fun, they’re also tiring.
Comment by mim — October 19, 2006 @ 3:17 am
When I was in Beijing, the skies were clear and it wasn’t dusty at all. The place you described is almost unrecognizable. What a difference three months can make.
Comment by Mark — October 19, 2006 @ 4:49 am
Yeah, I’m afraid weather has a lot to do with my mood in general, so it’s hard for me to be objective. But a lot of the dust came from the construction everywhere, I think.
Comment by TC — October 19, 2006 @ 4:51 am
you hit some pretty nice weather in Shanghai if I remember correctly. Is that why you were such a bundle of joy?
Comment by Anonymous — October 19, 2006 @ 6:36 am
Yeah, that and oogling the old architecture I think.
Comment by TC — October 19, 2006 @ 6:38 am
it’s so obvious, TC, you’re such a southerner aka ???!
Comment by Prince Roy — October 19, 2006 @ 3:21 pm
Can’t wait to see your pics. I think I will go to Shanghai next spring…but still not talking to those mainlanders at work.
Jeanne
Comment by Anonymous — October 20, 2006 @ 3:53 am
Correction: I am a southerner, but one who enjoys northern cuisine. It’s different.
Comment by TC — October 20, 2006 @ 9:16 am