wawalo

8/31/2012

The bookshop owner, Heraklion.

Two years ago, when I was working as a part time assistant manager in an aromatherapy shop, my friend Dino invited me to a trip with her to Greece. Being in a state of wandering what to do in life, I jumped on the invitation and requested a three week vacation. The thrill of the unknown is exciting; the weird food and the unimaginable stories.

We made it to Heraklion, Crete. The people there take siesta seriously. The streets and shops is deserted at 2pm sharp.

Dino was looking for postcards to sent home on a small alley when I wandered into the little book shop. The owner stroked a conversation asking what the heck we ridiculously Asian looking girls are doing on this island. He then delightedly ran down the swirly stairs to the basement and fetched a bottle of ozu (and of course the 3 little shot glasses).

We sat in the simple bookshop by his office desk and exchanged stories, over shots and shots of ozu, at 2 in the afternoon.

"I use to work in the bank making tones of money. It's selfish and I'm ashamed."

"Why?"

"People should not see money as the most important element in life. You are better with enough money to live a healthy happy life than excessive money"

"Is this why you opened this book shop? to do what you love?"

"All these books are my favourites throughout different stages of my life. It represents me and I want to share it with others. like you."

I looked around the shop, carefully on all the titles of the books. This little shop, represents him.

He continues, "There are 7 billion people on this planet. We should just be ourselves."

I was 22 at that time, and what he was saying feels real and true.

He understood what was important in his life. He was not looking for fame and money. Living on an island in the middle of Mediterranean Sea with a little book shop. Seeing the world go by and share his favourite literature along the way.

Traveller Couple, Doolin.

It seems strange now thinking back why Dino and I decided to make a stopover at Doolin, Ireland on our road trip. This town composing of one street will remain a dear memory of mine.

It took two hours to get from Galway to Doolin.We quickly checked in the hostel by the river stream then hung out by the little garden in front of the hostel house. (striking up a conversation is a talent of mine and it became my duty between our 2 women team).

As the night falls, we hit up the first bar on the end of the street. It was packed with people mingling with a pint of beer in hand. The bar was standing full of people waiting to refill their glass of goodness and the bartenders are working like ninjas (and of course they must be drinking too). The musicians are stomping the ground and singing their lungs out while making harmonic sounds to go with it. The place was full of vibes unimaginable for such a small cross road in the mid of nowhere.

"So! what are you two doing in this little town?"

"Well, for the drinks of course"

I love these little conversation. In these atmosphere, people of all backgrounds come together with no pretentious attitude.

"We are from America, and we love Doolin so much, we been coming here for two weeks every year for almost 5 years now. It's our dream."

It's these small things people say that allows for creativity in imagining what their lives are like and what it could be and has been.

"You can take the glass to the next pub or just put it on the street, the staff will collect it in the morning."

I took the glass to the next pub and the next and the next, which ultimately ended up back in the hostel and back in Vancouver becoming my favourite cup. It'll always remind me of the simplicity of how some people live their lives.

Some work to visit a place again and again.

Some people work in a small little pub in a small little town.

Some own shops on a side of a beautiful country road, supplying to whoever needs a postcard.

It's always more beautiful and precious when looking back and I am learning to look forward and enjoy now. Even though now doesn't feel like the best time.

8/03/2012

Encounters

The American boy studying medicine in Melbourne dating a german girl living in munich. He gives it all to be with her. We shared a nice meal of all u can eat ribs and a train station sunrise stroll after a long night of dancing. Good luck mister.

She is fantastic at badminton. She lives in Vancouver and missed Olympic 2012 because of citizenship issues. She passed the emotion difficulty phase. She has new goals and has set them in sight.

He is Argentinian. We met in Okinawa hostel. He studies Chinese in chengdu china and is the only person who spoke mandarin with me. I still remember the image of him hugging gunta the hostel dog like a baby standing on the street barefoot right after the afternoon shower.

She is from a small town on east coat Canada. She moved to Vancouver to attend Emily Carr. She has a job that she is capable of yet she isn't truly happy about her life. She is looking for a chance to break through. But maybe it requires her to take the first step.

He takes a weekend to cologne German with his two best friends. We all met in the coolest hostel's coolest Shakespeare theme dorm. We spent the night making rounds to all the pubs in town and stroll in the cold silent cologne streets. One of the most memorable nights. His wish is simple: find a nice girl and settle down. Sometimes, simple wishes aren't easily achievable.

He is a friendly Japanese boy. We met in Okinawa. He taught me Japanese. We taught each other heartache. We are friends in great distance. His goal is to see the world and possess a beautiful heart.

7/25/2012

Stranger encounters

I like to meet people.

A phd economist in Zurich from Germany on his way to a meeting with fellow scholars. He hopes to gain a spot in the zurich university as there are tons of competitions.

A Vietnamese web retailer in San Francisco for a conference and heads to buenos aires where he has an apartment for off times. He spends his time traveling while managing his retail shop.

A film maker from rio de janeiro traveling in Europe for work and play, ends up at Amsterdam for a crazy weekend.

A man on a solo road trip from Montreal to the very tip of the Provence makes a stopover at baie saint Paul camp on top of a hill.

A 17year old girl bikes from okanagan all the way down to San Francisco and aims to cross the Mexican border. She's on a mission.

A man with a top corner building in quebecs mont royale square, hosting travelers and owns an online retail shop. He spends his time sitting by the corner window ledge watching the world go by.

A early thirty high end senior barista making his way through school while waiting to be a resident to be granted a more affordable tuition. He loves Asian culture and wants to move to south Korea.