To go or not to go
Finally graduation in September, travel in October.
Here comes the dilemma (of a very overpriviledged life I might add). I have an entire month to explore the world. But what part of the world should I go to?
I am considering India, maybe see Pruthvi and visit the Atma Mumbai projects. I also have a friend in Singapore and the flight passes trough Doha so I could visit Lonneke.
However, my parents were seriously freaking out when told this plan. Somewhere along the lines of: “u cannot go by yourself to Asia, it is not Europe” and “Oh my god, people get kidnapped in The Middle-East”. While explaining them that Mumbai and Singapore are not unsafe and Doha is not Iraq, I felt guilty though. Everyone who travels knows about worried parents. But heej, don’t my parents realize that I come from the country that is perceived by many as the Sodom and Gomorra of the earth? Amsterdam in some circles has a far worse reputation than Singapore does. Still the guilt trip worked.
I am an elementary Spanish student and I wanted to improve it for a long time now. I am pretty sure my parents would not object to me spending 3 weeks in Spain, immersing myself in Spanish culture and language. But they also speak Spanish in other parts of the world, which due to the current Dollar-Euro exchange rate is more financially attractive. I am thinking in the lines of Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, something exotic. At least then I have a host family, I won’t be alone and I can meet new people. I can hear my parents now, when I tell them…. “central America, isn’t that”…..No mom and dad, I will be fine. If anyone has tips and tricks or ideas to share, please let me know.
Here comes the dilemma (of a very overpriviledged life I might add). I have an entire month to explore the world. But what part of the world should I go to?
I am considering India, maybe see Pruthvi and visit the Atma Mumbai projects. I also have a friend in Singapore and the flight passes trough Doha so I could visit Lonneke.
However, my parents were seriously freaking out when told this plan. Somewhere along the lines of: “u cannot go by yourself to Asia, it is not Europe” and “Oh my god, people get kidnapped in The Middle-East”. While explaining them that Mumbai and Singapore are not unsafe and Doha is not Iraq, I felt guilty though. Everyone who travels knows about worried parents. But heej, don’t my parents realize that I come from the country that is perceived by many as the Sodom and Gomorra of the earth? Amsterdam in some circles has a far worse reputation than Singapore does. Still the guilt trip worked.
I am an elementary Spanish student and I wanted to improve it for a long time now. I am pretty sure my parents would not object to me spending 3 weeks in Spain, immersing myself in Spanish culture and language. But they also speak Spanish in other parts of the world, which due to the current Dollar-Euro exchange rate is more financially attractive. I am thinking in the lines of Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Cuba, something exotic. At least then I have a host family, I won’t be alone and I can meet new people. I can hear my parents now, when I tell them…. “central America, isn’t that”…..No mom and dad, I will be fine. If anyone has tips and tricks or ideas to share, please let me know.
posted by Floor @ 1:06 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home