On Starbucks

Jetting off to faraway lands can seems more romantic than in actuality. What struck me most in Hong Kong was not the display of ancient porcelain tea sets at the airport, but the full Starbucks. Indeed, American franchises like Starbucks have taken over globally. But is there anything wrong here?

Hapless Adventure

The schooners were exquisite, a banquet for any water or ship fanatic. The maritime activity in the port was worth braving the traffic for…. Later, hustled and stranded alone at the harbor, 2 hours from town, on the side of a busy street, I found myself unsuccessfully attempting to hail a ride in 90-degree heat to the shouts of amused men driving by.

Photo-intro to Indonesia

Indonesia is perhaps the farthest that I have traveled to. While extremely hot and humid, the islands are filled with lush vegetation and nature. Firstly, an ode to food, Indonesia wins the #1 title for best food in the world. But what stood out to me the most was the warmth, sincerity, and realness of those I met, particularly my GIM-affiliated friends. Indonesia is beautiful all around, but especially because of its people.