March 24, 2025 · Travel

Whats next? Traveling!

So, what's next for Lionel? I've decided to trade the 9-to-5 grind for a bit of a wander. Here's the plan:

Traveling

Here’s a quick itinerary of my trip:

The idea is to head east and see if I can make a loop, hitting a few places I’ve meant to visit for a long time now, but haven’t had the opportunity, time or money to.

China 🇨🇳

This country holds a unique place in my travel memories. I took Chinese classes starting in primary school, and didn’t really stop until college. And It's not just a destination for me, but a collection of experiences that have shaped my perspective. From the sprawling, intense, family trip we took in 2007, to the electric atmosphere of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing—shared with my dad and which is still a special memory of us till today—I've built up a strong connection to the country.

Then there were those school trips in 2012 and 2014, where I got a glimpse of student life and how young people live in China. The last time I was there, in 2014, I was 14, and on a class trip to Beijing, staying in the Peking University dorms. Ten years later, the place has inevitably changed, and so have I (mostly losing about 90% of my Chinese 🙃).

I'm genuinely curious to see how the cities have evolved, and what new experiences await. Plus, I've always stuck to the urban areas, so this time, I'm making a point to explore the renowned landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo. I'm hoping to see a different side of China.

JUMP SCARE WARNING
Me finding a Kitten at my host family’s place the last time I was in China
Me finding a Kitten at my host family’s place the last time I was in China

Japan 🇯🇵

Remember that Japan trip I had to postpone last May? Well, it's finally happening! Thanks to the surprisingly efficient green card process (who knew?), I was grounded last year, but now I'm making up for lost time. I'll be spending time in Kyoto and Tokyo, with plenty of day trips to explore the surrounding temples, shrines, and landscapes.

I know, I know—a single white guy in his late 20s heading to Japan to "find himself" is a bit of a cliché. But cliches exist for a reason, right? While I prefer to think of myself as more of an 'Ameri-weeb' than a full-blown Japanophile, I can't deny the influence. My formative years were shaped by Japanese media, from childhood viewings of 'My Neighbor Totoro’ at my Grandparent’s house in Tendon, to Jim sharing his love of Manga with me, to my college and ΘΤ friends watching anime until late in the night in our dorms.

And now, I get to experience it firsthand! My inner nerd is can’t wait to see the Studio Ghibli Museum, the legendary arcades, and Robot Restaurants. My inner foodie is already salivating over the prospect of authentic ramen and sushi, especially the kind where solo dining is not only accepted but encouraged. Plus, being there during cherry blossom season? Baltimore and DC’s cherry blossom blooming was my favorite time of the year when I lived there, and I can’t wait to see the real deal.

Taiwan 🇹🇼

My decision to visit Taiwan is largely inspired by Vicky (and I guess Jim). Their annual (or near-annual) trips to Taiwan have consistently filled me with awe, thanks to their vivid stories, stunning photos, and the rich memories they create there. I'll be spending several days in Taipei, followed by a day or two dedicated to exploring the beautiful national parks.

Despite my multiple visits to China, I've never experienced the unique culture, cuisine, and landscapes that Taiwan offers. From the charming cat cafes to the Lu Rou Fan / vibrant street food scene and of course Taiwan’s famous Night Markets, I'm eager to get a firsthand look at the place where my sister-in-law spent her formative years (maybe it’ll explain SOME of her quirks). I’ll definitely be hitting up Andrew (Vicky’s little brother and my not-so-secret lover) and his Girlfriend Ava to explore Taipei from a local perspective and inject some (much-needed) youthful energy into my travels. Of all my destination cities, Taipei is definitely the one who’s night life and general atmosphere I’m most looking forward to.

Andrew and I, voted best couple at V&J’s wedding

That's all for now, folks. I'll be flooding your feeds with travel updates and, of course, the obligatory 'look-at-me-I'm-having-a-grand-time' photos as I go. I’m excited to share some more about my current in the works projects in my next write up, where I’ll be talking a little bit about the game I’m working on: Deny’TillYouDie, an American healthcare based Idle / Incremental game where the only way to win, is to get Luigi’d.

Until then, thanks for indulging my travel ramblings. If you have any recs for the spots I'm hitting (or just want to tell me I'm making terrible life choices), you know where to find me. 🙂