I wanna...

Go on a trip alone...

to visit friends, to seek new experiences or basically to chill out on my own...

I missed my India trip where I had gone there with an open mind, alone, only friends who stays there to bring me around.. oh yes, not forgetting the wonderful drinking session...

so away with the travel mates and all other things that come with it.. Different iternary, different agendas etc.. I wanna just go on my own, do my own stuff, be on my own pace...

I thought of where i wanted to go.. I thought of going to india again to enjoy other sights and to catch up with some friends.. Also, i thought of korea again, probably busan to see a whole different set of experiences.. I thought of even flying further to canada to visit pam and to see the northern lights. So many places i wanna go and see.. With or without a partner...

Of course, i tot of the type of risks that comes with it.. I have also heard of horror stories of solo female travellers being robbed, raped and left to die..but there are times i choose to put it away in some black hole in my mind..

Shall start planning for my first solo trip.. Get myself lost in an unfamiliar city..

5 things I like about...

Seoul

1. The people aka Seoulites

A city full of warm and expressive people.. I remember when ML and I first arrived at HyeHwa station with our luggage and looking lost, at least 3 or 4 people came to offer their help on directions.. the station manager also helped and when he could help no more, he made sure he passed us over to somebody who knew...

Of cos, not forgetting Min Yong and Jason who helped us so much from the planning stage to the days when we were in Seoul... and even little things like bringing us burn cream in the middle of the night...that was so unforgettable and 2 thumbs up for service! (check out their guesthouse at this website: http://www.backpackersinside.com/ )

2. Language

It's like living in a surreal Korean drama where everyone around you speak the same language... needless to say, this sparked my keen interest to continue my Korean language studies.. which I am trying to put in 2 hrs of my time each day to study..

3. History & Architecture

I loved the palaces and the wonderful historic buildings that are everywhere in Seoul... I'm sure there are more that I have not seen in other parts of Korea... their intricate carvings and paintings makes me go wow... and I really wished I had more time to enjoy the beautiful historic part of Korea

4. The discipline

You know how Singapore trains have dedicated seats for the elderly but most of the time it gets filled up with non elderly? Well, ML & I accidentally sat on the seats when we first got on the train.. everyone looked intently at us and this lady whom we affectionately call ajumma told us to place our butts somewhere else cos those are reserved seats... true enough, as we found out for ourselves during the next few days, even though the trains are packed, those seats are left untouched and only the elderly will be seated there...

Similarly for standing on the escalators... they stand on the right and everyone on the left will be moving... seoulites are just so disciplined... *impressed look*

5. Food!

I told Min yong that I would wanna move to Seoul and he asked if it was for Gimbap?! Well, partly yes... call me weird, but for a person who refuse to eat her veggies, I will gladly swallow my veggies that are found in bibimbap, gimbap or even in stews... and of cos, it helps that the food is spicy enough to give me the warm feeling in my tummy... *drool* though I do not fancy ginseng chicken much, I love the basic food like bibimbap, gimbap and even the ramen...Not to even mention about the street food... cheap and good! they bring back fond memories.. *slurp!*

India

1. Historic sites

India comes across as a country rich in history.. I had the privilege of visiting a few of the fortresses during my short trip there... it was truly a beautiful sight... some of them gets converted into hotels and you can feel the history in every piece of brick there.. and you wonder, how did ancient people do such wonderful buildings with their limited technologies then?

2. Animals

I'm so sure a particular Mr Sharma will be giggling now... I love to be surrounded by animals.. and indeed, I was surrounded by animals when I got there... camels, cows, elephants, wild hogs, peacocks are just everywhere near you.. they could be walking right next to you, crossing the road that you are driving on.... and of cos, not to forget the bunch of cute puppies that were found near Mr Sharma's place... if he hasnt moved yet...

3. Honking!

It's a way of life there... people drive most of the time to anywhere cos their land is so huge and even if there is nothing, absolutely nothing on the road, they honk.. purely out of habit... in singapore, that's quite rude I guess.. but it's normal there... and yes, when I came back home, the roads seem so quiet... their driving skills there are also superb! Mr Sharma will agree with me for that...

4. People

People are generally nice and warm... very willing to help and full of quick ways to settle issues... I like them for the fact that they think on their feet! Typically the kind of events people you will like to work with!

5. Food!

Because the huge population that are vegetarians, meals can be largely categorized as veg and non veg... Me being willing to try everything, including veg, tried everything that Mr Sharma ate.. he's a veg and truly it surprises me on how veg food can be tasty too! Of cos, there's tons of indian sweets that I really like...

Me and myself in Seoul

I took a short little break this morning... alone.. for the first time in 10 days... i realised how much i missed being alone...

Armed with no map, just some cash in my pocket, my jacket and cap and not forgetting my camera, I was off for a little adventure on my own around the neighbourhood... Walking in Seoul in the cold spring wind feels good... my only agenda was to spend time with myself... the past 8 days spent with a single person every moment of the day proved to be too taxing for me... well, in a way it was good.. you come to a consensus for every decision you make, more pooled money to spend, companionship i guess... on the flipside, you do see the little things that irritate you and it irritates you to the core after 3 days and not to mention 10 days!

So I went off to the neighbourhood and saw new things which i never saw... tried a new coffee place and just sat at the window seats to watch the world go by... seoul was supposed to be a fast paced city but strangely, I was calm and peaceful without a sense of urgency with my coffee... i took new photos alone.. i found the place where they sell pet stuff and got a new toy for the two fellas at home... but i do wonder if my next travel plans should be to travel alone... i travelled to india alone.. *well, sort of* and honestly, I liked it... maybe I should add that to my bucket list... I wish to go back to india again though... there's so much stuff I have not seen there.. elephants, sand dunes and all... i digress...

Yes, she's asking what time I am going back cos she is anxious as she does not know where I have gone... she must be pissed with me in someway... i've become more individualistic and no longer the docile woman i used to be previously... i've become more 'unreasonable' if you know what i mean... of cos, there are times which i will shut up and let her have her way, most times, i speak and she being somebody who likes being pampered and coaxed, simply couldnt take it...

maybe its time to find another travel partner... maybe it is time to take off on my own...

The Mysterious You

We knew each other by chance,
We communicated via technology...
However, when we met, it seemed as if we knew each other for long..
It was comfortable and warming...
The place made it even more conducive for us to chat...

I liked the idea of seeing you everyday in the morning..
Liked the sound of the vaccum cleaner passing by the room..
Liked hearing you speak to other people..
Liked having you around...

Yet, when we had to move to somewhere else,
I had no choice but to accept it..
I liked the new place, but hate the absence...
I tried to know lots more about you through the little contact we have now..
The little cricket gave me the chance to walk the short 2 mins walk with you
Gave me the chance to know you better...

You achieved a lot in your life... a lot more than what I can imagine..
Your sense of maturity amazes me and your travels lets me feel refreshed...
We are both people who choose to be passionate about what we do in life
And to me, that is enough similarity...

To her, you seemed like somebody with a roving eye
Yet, to me, you seem like a quiet somebody who has been hurt before
The happiness and carefree spirit reflected in the photos does not seem to show anymore
What exactly happened then, nobody knows only you...

While the experiences here seem to be so unique and unforgettable
The biggest reward for this trip is knowing the mysterious you...
Thank you, the mysterious you...

Travelling with myself...

These days, I've been travelling a lot with myself... from west to east, to town, to north, to various places that I have never been to....

Usually, travelling alone can be quite boring but for me, when i just have my ipod and myself, songs in my ears and nice scenery throughout the bus routes, it seems to be relaxing for me... nothing but just stone...

ahh... the days of just being myself...