I've been having a feeling lately that I honestly don't dig Asia so much. European travelers glorify Asia, as they always have, in a way that makes me a lil' bit sick. I kinda understand the hype, because the culture is so joyful, colorful and somehow more "visible" than European. But is it only like this to "us" or also for "them"? Maybe I should make a survey one day, but frankly I don't have the energy.
Anyways, the reasons why I've been starting to slightly dislike Asia are the culture and the hype around it. The latter is not Asia's fault so much, but then, in a way it is. Who made the tourism? Who made the appealing, yet plastic and meaningless iconography for tourists? Who made the clearly tourist oriented restaurants? Who made the "work hard without a point to just to keep a role" ideal? Well yeah, some argue that the beauty of Asia lies beyond these tourism and other stereotypical issues, but what's there then? The people? Fuck yeah, the best thing in the world.. people. I prefer Space Marine Land Raiders.
It would be a lie to say that I don't want to insult anyone. I don't care. But the fact is that people are still like shit almost everywhere in the world. They do unbelievable stuff to get few bucks, they're friendly to you on a good day only, they're multiplying, pooping (multiplying + pooping is like making potential amounts of shit in the world), fighting, polluting, and not giving a shit about anything - except maybe their forced beliefs. Wow, that's something to jump about? Well no, and people are like that also in Asia. Europe is currently more clean, more exciting culturally (look under the glitter and surface please), the salaries are better, jobs make more sense, education is top notch, the nature is clean etc. Or maybe it's just me, who likes constant change and new things - bored of Asia, so to say.
Actually, I could stop talking about Europe as well. They have their fuck ups. What I mean by Europe here is Scandinavia. I've been feeling, stronger and stronger each day, that Scandinavia is the best place in the world. I want to go back someday for sure.
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You're right on many levels here.
ReplyDeleteI'm certain beyond a shadow of a doubt there have been countless expats thinking along the lines of "XXX Country sure had it's bad YYY, but now I'm feeling nostalgic and I'm surely going back after ZZZ."
A quite large percentage of these expats then return to their home country. Depending on how long they've been out, they might never truly recover and later feel at home nowhere. My "14-years-in-China-But-I-Love-Finland" -ex-boss is a prime example. He returned but I think he'd be happier back in China complaining about the Chinese again.
Some never go back but still think along those lines from time to time.
Perhaps there's an Expats Anonymous somewhere and you confess "Hi, I'm OP and I think of going back to my home country." Replied by a choir of "Hi OP."
The world is what you make of it, really. There is no "one" place that would be paradise for each and everyone. Everyone has their own backgrounds, preferences and ways of thinking.
ReplyDeleteFor most people, the perfect place to be is "somewhere else".
We all have your lot of land in this world which we occupy in normal daily life and with our routines. You don't necessarily like your lot, however, nor do you have to. There is always that "somewhere else" where you could go; a place which would be so much better that being "here". That's the way people work.
However, since you can't be in many places at one time and you need some stability in life (at least to have a job that pays for living), what it comes down to is choosing one place and sticking to it. Making the best of it.
What you can do is travel a little from time to time to see other places (that's where tourism comes from) and experience the wonderful life of "somewhere else" -- but in the end you always get back home to your dull way of life
Very few people get to live exciting lives their whole life.
Personally I don't really care where I live. Finland, Hong Kong, anywhere is ok for me. But I have a preference of staying in Hong Kong because it suites my wants, ambition and future plans right now.
I'm past the "ooh's" and the "aah's" of this place and it's a dull routine now. The same dull routine I would find anywhere I could choose to live long-term.
Oh, and a thing about tourism. It's just supply and demand. Many Europeans want that exotic holiday in Asia because that's their dream "somewhere else". They don't want to see the shitholes where common people live in Asia, of course. They want to see the dream of the place; even if that dream is shrouded in plastic.
The locals are just making a living out of it.
A restaurant-for-foreigers is there because there are foreigners who don't know the local language but still would like to eat something other than BicMac's during their exotic holiday in the dreamland of wonders.
Again, the locals are just makinga living out of the demand. It's the real life of the real people. Making a living.
There is no "beautiful Asia" or beautiful anything once you break the cheesy crust of the "local-culture"-idea. Not in Asia, not in Europe, not anywhere.
Everywhere is just a place. Your lot can be anywhere. And you can be sure there's nothing magical about the place where you live full time. Reality takes care of that.
That's what I think. :P
Markus, älä hermostu. Otat nyt vaan ihan rauhassa ja alat taas rakastamaan ihmisiä.
ReplyDeleteRakkaudella: ANTTISI <3
Pekka's theory is highly probable, but I still claim that there are just some things that are "worse" and "better" ultimately and absolutely. More than often, people use "opinions" to escape reality or justify their irrational deeds.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's just that some things people are not aware of before having a first hand experience. I never had any thoughts like that when I spent time in Europe - so I think in this case, I just liked it there.
But never mind, my personal experiences don't mean you're outright wrong.
ANTTI oot SÖPS.