Continuing Education

Judy. Twelve things I have learned in the last few weeks:

1) Don’t spend all your time taking pictures. You’ll miss what’s really happening.

2) If you’ve come all this way, take the tour. In six months you won’t remember what it cost, but you’ll have the memory.

3) Many tourists (quite a few, actually) take signs such as “no flash photography”, “silence”, “remain in your seats until the captain turns off the seatbelt sign”, to mean “except for me.” Try to let that go.

4) Most people are incredibly kind.

5) If you want to get a huge smile from a parent, smile at their kids. And mean it, which is easy. They’re adorable, as are the parents in their joy.

6) Seeing wild animals in their natural habitat can make your day.

7) My favorite thing orangutan babies do is cartwheel along the bottom of a rope.

8) Accept with gratitude and graciousness the kindnesses extended to you. Pass it on.

9) In Asean countries, no matter how cheap or expensive the restaurant, your two meals will not arrive at the same time. It’s ok.

10) “Free WiFi” at your hotel does not mean it’ll actually work. Go do something fun.

11) Eat the local food as much as possible. The Western versions are never as good, and cost a lot more.

12) Make sure you get the toilet paper from the roll at the door when you enter the bathroom. It’s a bit late when you’re in your cubicle. Or keep tissues with you all the time.