Traveling in Asia is amazing in so many ways. It’s cheap, the people are lovely, food is amazing and you can’t even compare the weather to Northern Europe. But as with everything – nothing should be too easy. And before you realize it, you begin every sentence with “At home this would…” and start to talk about how good things are at home. I knew I would miss certain things when traveling (cheese, red wine, my friends), but who knew I would miss clear sidewalks – or even Ryanair?
1) Price tags
Just to be able to go in to a shop and see the actual prices of what you want to buy makes me all happy inside. I can’t believe there’s a world where you don’t have to bargain and think that you always got a bad deal, whether you buy a bottle of water or a new dress.
2) Taxi drivers actually admitting when they don’t know the place
So you’re really tired after your night train. You show the address to the group of taxi drivers outside the train station and every taxi driver in the crowd is like ”Yes, yes I know it! Jump in!”. Then, the 10 minutes ride on Google Maps takes 45 minutes since the driver (who’s either to proud to use Google Maps or only have an old Nokia phone) needs to stop and ask five persons about the way before you arrive at your hostel. I can’t wait for some grumpy, old Swedish taxi man that prefers to stay smoking and chatting to his friends than trying to find a place he doesn’t already know.
3) Dark rye bread not being a multigrain toast
Ok it should NOT BE ALLOWED anywhere in the world to call an avocado multigrain toast ”Smashed Avocado on Dark Rye Bread”. I went through some severely anticlimactic moments when I thought I had found a place that had German rye bread – only to end up getting a light brown dry toast.
4) The currency
Every time you’re getting some money out from an ATM, just to eat for the week, you practically feel like you’re on your way to the casino to spend your life savings. The bunch of money won’t even fit into your wallet. What’s the deal with having no notes bigger than €10 and notes for 5 cents instead of coins? At least, I suppose, it makes you feel rich for once.
5) To know that a Nike shop means that there are actually real Nike clothes inside
So my sneakers broke and I need a new pair of Nikes asap. But how on earth am I supposed to know when something is “Real Nike” and “Fake Nike”? It feels like finding the real deal is a true mission in so many places in Asia. Also once I just wanted to buy a new (real) iPhone charger for my phone, but when a coffee shop is called Apple with the apple logo – how will I ever be sure that whatever “Apple” charger I find is not fake? I’ve heard in China there are even companies making money out of selling fake plastic rice.
6) Hand luggage restrictions being more than 7 kg
Ok, so who decided the hand luggage weight on budget flights in Asia should be max 7 kg? It’s basically what my computer, camera and a couple of books weigh all alone. The plan with buying a small backpack that could go as hand luggage was ruined straight away and instead I need to pay €50 for each flight to check in my bag (that I now wish was slightly bigger). I can’t wait to fly with Ryanair again (!) where I can fit my life into a 10kg bag.
7) No parking on the sidewalks
Oh, to be in a place where sidewalks are used for walking instead of parking your motorbike.
8) Reliable WiFi and Electricity
Imagine – you’re lucky enough to have a room with WiFi speed that actually works for streaming that perfect romantic but highly IMDb rated film that you found on Netflix. You’ve gotten all cozy in your bed with some Pringles from the mini bar and just as you are in the middle of the movie – ta-da – WiFi is down. Or even electricity.
9) A crosswalk being a crosswalk
Assume being able to walk out on a crosswalk and just rely on people that they will stop since that’s the law and you are on a crosswalk. Well, that’s reality back home. Here it more seems like a crosswalk is there to decorate the street, since no-one would ever stop in front of one to let you pass.
10) To be in the same timezone as everyone you know
I knew this would be hard when it came to talking to my family and friends – but it’s also difficult for everything else! Every damn website seems to have ”maintenance work” when you’re awake and want to read the news or check your bank account. It sucks that no-one likes your Instagram or Facebook posts, since everyone on your friend list is still sleeping. And it doesn’t help that you receive all-important e-mails just before you go to bed – meaning dreaming about work all night is unavoidable.
What do you miss about home when you travel? Tell us all about it in the comments!
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