Month: September 2020

Categories
Travel

Horse Backing Mongolia

“To understand the life of a nomad, you must see it through their eyes, feel it through their movements, and live it through their experiences.”

I first traveled to Mongolia almost a decade ago and it has forever left a lasting imprint, serving as an impetus which gave me reassurance to pursue my nomadic lifestyle today.

In our modern paradigm of planning every step of our future, there’s something to be said for those who arrange their lives according to the capricious sentiments of the winds and the weather. They accept what the present holds, and move accordingly. One morning may bring you sun, while the next brings you snow.

Regardless, you keep moving…

The Mongolians on the steppes are rough, rugged, and raw. And what makes them so hardy is they have no idea they are.

Waking up as the sun rises, you snap out of your hangover to gear yourself up for the day that lies ahead. We got another eight hours to ride so let’s get moving.

What’s interesting as a tourist is that I have no idea where I’m going to sleep that night.

“Who will we meet?” I ask my guide. He says he’s not sure but has a rough idea of where we can go and who we can visit.

So this is how you spend your days: horse backing for several hours as you come across a ger, open its door, drink their tea, catch up on local news, and carry on.

The next day you may find yourself helping a local setup his ger or pack it up, as they get ready to head to their next destination, going where there are fresh pastures for their goats.

Though you don’t ever sleep at the same place, there’s a routine that sets in after the third day or so. You adjust to the free-flowing nature of these nomads and the unplanned nature of the day ahead becomes refreshing, as you meet family after family, get a glimpse into their lives, sleep, wake up, say your goodbyes, and carry on.

On some days you may find yourself goat herding…

On other days, you may find yourself sleeping alone in a cabin. The cabins are much colder inside than the gers because of the gaping holes between some panels. So what do you do? Go outside, collect wood, and build a fire to last the night…

Then there are those random moments where you may meet a local, chat it up, and he offers you to go off-roading for a few nights. So what do you do? Ask him if you can drive in exchange for providing the liquor…

Speaking of liquor, the beverage of choice in Mongolia is Chinggis Vodka (named after Genghis Khan). I had never heard of the brand before but I got to know it well by the end of my stay. It’s surprisingly pleasant and goes down smooth, akin to a decent vodka.

When you’re not drinking alcohol, you’re brewing tea by the river.

Or interacting with students at a local school.

While at night testing your strength:

In our ever more conscientious consuming culture, what I noticed after spending a few weeks with Mongolians is that they waste nothing. You eat everything that’s given to you, and at times prepare meals yourself as you strike a goat’s head with a metal rod to ensure it a quick death. Then you skin and knead its organs for consumption. Even the hooves and head are consumed, to be boiled in a stew.

All of this makes for quite the experience and I highly recommend others to go check out Lake Khovsgol for an authentic Mongolian excursion.

This is one of those places that has yet to be populated by tourism so the local culture is intact and truly feels like you’re getting a genuine experience.

“A true nomad won’t be found in the city, for the presence of too many will perturb his instincts. No, he is found in nature, the only refuge which beckons him to go his own way.”

Categories
Travel

True Romance: Europe

Prague

“Romance is akin to a fine wine. The pleasure derives from as much the flavor as it does the environment in which we’re enjoying it.”

As a young backpacker, let’s be honest: a primary reason why we travel is to engage in the occasional tryst or rendezvous, be it of the one-night variety or to last a lifetime.

Athens

We’re interested in the people we meet and, ideally, we hope to meet people we’re attracted to. In Europe is where I’ve had some of my most romantic encounters.

Looking back, I realize it was the atmosphere of these encounters that made these memories so unique: be it sipping wine until daybreak under a bridge by a canal, meeting someone on the train cabin right next to yours, or hanging out at a café where the ambience strikes a different chord from what we’re accustomed to.

Lisbon

Non-Europeans tend to have a romanticized view of the continent. For many of us, exploring Europe has been on our bucket list since childhood. While other destinations can offer history or modernity, European cities are great at offering both: providing leisure as we peruse landmarks in the day and seek fun at night. Either way, we can explore in comfort and style.

Ibiza

With an abundance of travelers in Europe, it’s easy to mingle with both tourists and locals alike. In particular, southern Europe and its Greek Islands are beautiful in the spring and summer, with an abundance of accommodations available to enjoy stunning views.

Adriatic Sea
Fira

Simply put, Europe is romantic. And a great reason why is because of the historic nature of its cities: of cobblestone bricks, centuries-old apartments and cafes, and monuments which have endured even after warfare and strife.

History is romantic. And Europe has plenty of it.

Paris

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Learn

Pondering Over Podcasts

“To leave a lasting imprint takes time. Otherwise we’re merely left with a façade, where the superficial is mistaken for substance.”

In an age of information bombardment, gifs, 30-second video clips, and an endless stream of headlines as we peruse through various apps, I feel that media content is moving in a circle and we’re veering our attention back to one of humanity’s first sources of mass information: radio — in the form of podcasts.

There is a beauty to long-form content in that it provides context and nuance, and gives us pause to think over what is being discussed. For, no matter the insightfulness of an article or video, if it only captures our attention for a minute or two, it’s too short to leave a lasting imprint. Our reactions will be visceral in nature, stirring our emotions more than our reason.   

So, it is without further ado, I’d like to recommend a few of my favorite podcasts:

Topping the list is This American Life, which I find endearing  due to its simplicity and breadth in the topics it covers, from major events like the 2001 WTC attacks to more mundane matters such as cops creating chaos over capturing squirrels. The topics are boundless and you’re never quite sure the direction the next episode will take you in.

Another reason why This American Life is my favorite is because there’s a timeless quality to it. Though the syndication started in 1995, listening to the majority of episodes from back then do not feel outdated since the topics center around human nature and general American themes (for free access to its full library, go to https://www.thisamericanlife.org/).

As a noted insomniac (in my post Night Owls), I enjoy listening to This American Life before I go to bed or have trouble sleeping. With my mind deported elsewhere, I soon find myself fast asleep.

A favorite of mine while I’m commuting to and from work is Hidden Brain. The topics are psychologically driven and reveal the impact our unconscious drives, biases, and contexts have on our decision-making, perceptions, and feelings. The topics don’t veer too far into the abstract but present scientific findings in a casual setting.

Radiolab is another scientific podcast but far more philosophical and abstract in nature, with some cool sound effects that enrapture you into its mood. I’d say Radiolab covers the scientific topics of a Hidden Brain but does so in a This American Life fashion, which is to leave audiences resonating with their content while taking us on unexpected turns.

I like to listen to Radiolab when I’m traveling, stuck at airports, or exploring new city routes and hiking trails. Something about the podcast instills an urge to explore the unknown.

Lastly, we have the podcast, Criminal. As can be determined from its title, this series covers various criminal acts but not in a dumbed-down fashion geared to gore or ghastliness. Instead, the podcasts give us moments of pause as we learn more about the character and contexts behind various crimes or acts of insubordination, which examine much more about human nature than the raw brutal actions we may commit.

If, for nothing else, listen to Criminal for the host’s soothing voice. After a long or stressful day, Phoebe Judge’s calming tone puts me straight to sleep as I dream of murders and mayhem.

After listening to such content, thoughts of the normal unhinge to The Weird, which I am all in favor of exploring.

Categories
Travel

King’s Landing: Dubrovnik

“Once built to keep foreigners afar, forts today serve as landmarks which can’t keep us out.”

After enjoying the series Game of Thrones for several years, I knew the next time I was in Europe I had to check out King’s Landing, in present-day Croatia.

Dating back to the 7th century, Dubrovnik was under the protection of the Byzantine Empire and later the Republic of Venice. Beginning in the 14th century, it became a free state and a center for diplomacy and wealth. As late as 1991, the city was besieged by the Yugoslav People’s Army until it became known for what it is today: a Mediterranean tourist destination and a hotspot for Hollywood filming.

I find Dubrovnik’s history fitting for King’s Landing since the territory underwent centuries of strife itself, between a French occupation, Austrian rule, and Yugoslavian control.

As a tourist, journeying its city walls and gaining a view from higher ground is beautifully scenic.

For an even higher vantage point, take the 4-minute cable car ride 2500 feet up, which serves as a great juxtaposition between past and present engineering feats. You’re also welcome to hike the hill’s trails, which takes about an hour either way.  

On the ground level, strolling within the walls lends itself to a sense of “Old Europe”, and it’s amazing to think its restaurants and cafes today were besieged just decades earlier. It gives humanity hope, in that relics of war have turned to cultural heritage sites today.

I rented an apartment within the city walls for a few days to enjoy afternoon walks around the area and to get a feel for the local vibe. The streets turn eerily quiet at night, with most of Dubrovnik’s night life existing outside the Old Town walls.

For a day trip, I recommend taking a ferry to Lokrum Island, where a monastery and a botanical garden still exist.

But be aware. Local legend has it the island is cursed, from when Benedictine monks were forced to evacuate from here centuries ago.

The myths add to the enchantment of Lokrum, as you stroll through its meandering trails. The infamous Iron Throne from the TV series is located on this island as well.

When bored with sightseeing, spend a night or two at a seaside hotel outside the Old Town so you can enjoy the sunset views and leisurely pace of the city.

With a glass of wine in hand, it makes for a charming evening.

Categories
Travel

Nepali Shaman: A Vow of Silence

“In silence lies maturity; a sense of the timeless where wisdom meets reverence.”

To the left, is a Nepali shaman. As a man of spirituality, he has left our realm, making a vow of silence as he focuses on his meditations and guides the dead into the afterlife. For some holy men, these vows can last as long as a dozen years.

Located along the Bagmati River of Kathmandu, lies the funeral pyres of Pashputinath temple, where the dead are cremated.

Context of Kathmandu in relation to other historic sites.

The Bagmati river eventually joins the Ganges, which is considered one of the holiest bodies of water on this planet. Like its currents, the pyres here are constantly alit, symbolizing the ebb and flow of human life, as we realize how transient our existence is.

But, for Hindus, death is a process of life, one serving to balance the other.

The temple here honors Shiva, the Hindu Lord, god of destruction and transformation; underlying Hindu beliefs in reincarnation and karma.

Marigold flowers surround the body, which are commonly displayed for all ceremonial occasions in this region and India. To Hindus, marigolds are considered the “flower of the soul,” and are a sign of auspiciousness and trust in the divine.

The crowds here are quiet and respectful, a mixture of the bereaved, locals, and tourists.

The oldest son, if there is one, will walk around the pyre then light the kindling near the deceased’s forehead, which is symbolically important since Hindus believe from the mouth is where our spirit is released.

Once the body is lit, it will be covered with wet straw, which creates smoke and conceals the body from view during the cremation process. When this process is done, the family will collect the remaining ashes and scatter them into the river below, thereby finalizing the purification process for the deceased’s soul.   

Having traveled here years ago, I do not remember how I got here or what I did afterwards. Nor do I remember what I did the day before or after. I do remember witnessing this process however. Even if one is not religious or a Hindu, there is a certain beauty and reverence that underlies the process of death in ancient cultures, as you realize these sacred rites have existed for thousands of years.

These types of moments are unique in the sense that you get a chance to glimpse into the lives of those so different from your contemporary western upbringing. I first tried to learn more about Hindu customs to get an idea of what I was witnessing, then I thought about what my life would be like if I had been raised with such beliefs?

Such thoughts make you question your own religious background and upbringing, not in a negative manner, but more so you begin to ponder if there are other equally valid interpretations to life beyond the scope you were born into.  

Though I may not know much about spiritual devotion, I will respect most near anyone who has given up their worldly life and made a vow of silence for years on end. His insights into humanity will vastly differ from my own.

Not all of the holy men here possess such devotion however. Like certain preachers in the west, some are more in it for the hustle; earning their livelihood from tourist donations. I do not view such holy men as negative either. Instead, I give them a grin and a smile, as they remind me how much we still share in common across cultures.

“Some are in it for the faith, others for the grind; Some want a piece, while others want peace of mind.”

Categories
Learn

Jiro’s Lifelong Pursuit of Excellence

Released in 2011, Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a documentary that features sushi master Jiro Ono, owner of Sukiyabashi Jiro, the first sushi restaurant to score three Michelin stars. Located in a Tokyo subway station, the sushi-only restaurant seats a maximum of 10 people and costs ¥38,000 ($342 USD) per meal, which lasts approximately half an hour.

The restaurant became so popular that it eventually lost its stars because it was too difficult to get into. “We recognize [that] Sukiyabashi Jiro does not accept reservations from the general public, which makes it out of our scope,” a Michelin representative said.

So how did this 94-year-old become a world-renowned sensation? An unrelenting commitment to his craft and continuous pursuit of excellence.

“Once you decide on your occupation… you must immerse yourself in your work,” said Jiro. “You have to fall in love with your work. Never complain about your job. You must dedicate your life to mastering your skill. That’s the secret of success… and is the key to being regarded honorably.”

Jiro understands that through repetition and time, one can become a master at their job. What we learn from Jiro is his impeccable attention to detail and constant drive for improvement.

Although Jiro humbly recognizes that he will never be perfect, he always strives for perfection. He is never willing to settle for good enough.

“I’ll continue to climb to try to reach the top,” said Jiro. “But no one knows where the top is!”