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1st Quarter Summary
Egads!? It’s been three whole months since I began this blog! Inspired by Zhonggou Jumble, I decided to introduce a summary covering a few highlights (and likely some lowlights too) for each quarter.
“And in the beginning…” I was encouraged my many friends in many places to share every day stories and observations about life in India, work in Asia, and reflect on a variety of experiences from the mundane to the remarkable. This blog is the result.
What I hadn’t expected, yet is hugely enriching, is virtually ‘meeting’ an amazing community of bloggers. Your stories inspire me further, make me laugh, sigh and I especially love it when contemplating a particular topic… up pops a blog about that very thing by another blogger with his or her own distinct perspective and interesting insights.
“Wanna work in Jakarta?”
Whether it was contemplating over coffee shifting from “wants” to “needs” and becoming open to anything, catching up with a terrific ex-colleague in Bangkok at Terminal 21 or merely willing the universe to send something interesting my way, I find myself unexpectedly flying to Jakarta this weekend to kick-off a four month assignment in Indonesia.
Welcome to Jakarta Airport (photo: Carissa Hickling)
Not only is the opportunity well-timed to combat my shrinking bank balance, it is with a gang of guys I adore! At 43, I’m the “baby” in the bunch and the only “broad.” If past experience is any indicator, we will work like maniacs and have an uproariously good time too!
In a delicious turn of fate, this rag-tag team of veteran consultants from the UK to Australia (loosely linked together by our ex-boss) beat our ex-company to win the contract – “Take that oh previous employer!” Naturally we have a ridiculously ambitious schedule to meet and there will be all sorts of unexpected twists and turns along the way, however I’m looking forward to the project on many levels.
“Your flight is cancelled”
It was not a promising beginning…. “I’m so sorry but your flight from Winnipeg to Toronto is cancelled.” Stunned, we explained we had onward flights to Brussels then Bombay so we really HAD to reach Toronto.
En route to the airport, we had just been discussing how in Canada planes now never fly empty. Why? If there aren’t enough passengers to make it somewhat viable, the flight is cancelled.
Ottawa Off & On (photo: Carissa Hickling)
The good thing was the woman helping us immediately grasped our quandary and overcame all sorts of impediments to get us on the next flight to Ottawa connecting immediately to Toronto in time to change terminals and catch our international flight – provided NOTHING was delayed.
999 views? It’s an emergency!
Hit “Publish” for “Coffee Conundrum – Wants vs Needs” then took peak at the site statistics.
Imagine my surprise to see 999 views! Experienced bloggers may be blasé about such milestones, however I’m floored. So THANK YOU for reading, sharing, following, commenting, encouraging and more!!
Seriously? 999 views??
Coffee Conundrum – Wants vs Needs
Swapping stories over a leisurely lunch with a delightful young German writer and actress, our coffee conversation took an interesting turn. We originally met at the wrap-up party for a film (see Dabba) that our partners worked on. Between the cocktails and canapés, found kindred spirits. We both have adopted India as our home and made deliberate choices in our lives which may be considered a bit unconventional.
Aah! Coffee! (Photo: Carissa Hickling)
Sipping our cappuccinos, she shared that once she stopped expecting to ‘plan’ as she would in Europe or confuse what she ‘wanted’ with what she ‘needed’, discovered that all her real ‘needs’ are fulfilled – often in unexpected and wonderful ways.
Being a tourist – home and away
Often visitors provide the best opportunity to play being a “tourist at home”… exploring familiar sights with new eyes. A few years ago, I was fortunate to benefit from the reverse phenomenon in China.
Great Wall of China
During my first trip to China, I was battling a nasty cold. Undeterred, I still planned to see the Great Wall and enlisted the help of a dear friend from Canada – a bosa nova diva based in Beijing. She suggested we take a motorcycle tour – in theory a great idea. However, morning came and neither of us were in any shape to make the trek. The cold, dreary, overcast day didn’t help, however truth be told, we were just in no condition to do justice to one of the Seven Wonders of the World!
Every Day Adventures in Asia (Mostly)
Gateway of India
About the blog:
Over the years, I’ve had the great fortune to travel, interact with fascinating people, and have a few adventures that seem to be of interest to others. What is normal and part of everyday life for me, gains a different hue when viewed through the eyes of folks from different walks of life. After much prompting and encouragement, this blog is the result.
Carissa Hickling
About the blogger:
Carissa Hickling is from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Early on the travel bug hit her – first with an exchange program to Quebec, then another to Germany, a Rotary program in France, further University studies in France, former Yugoslavia and India. Since 2003, India has become her adopted home, working in Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, travelling to Dubai, Vietnam and more!
See Everyday Asia – Time to change! for an update.
Everyday Asia 