The Change of Plans

Luke and I have left Cairo for Mykonos. We realized that our original plan of heading to luxor was not worth a harrowing 10 hour train ride. Hunting down Aphrodite is certainly more worth it. The Greek gods have greeted us in big style by welcoming us with its turqoise waters and many Helen of Troy lookalikes. Tonight, we will havoc at SpaceClub and give our livers a good warming up. This means getting smashed. On the following night, we will set foot at Cavo Paradiso and get inebriated among a myriad of hot- hopefully topless- girls. This is la dolce vita man. Maybe I should consider retiring from studying ha-ha. Anyway, I had better enjoy myself before the results come out in 3 days! Have yourselves a worthwhile summer amigos and see y'all in a jiffy!
-Kenneth Wong

Back in Black

Buona sera, amigos. This entry's title is that of my favourite AC/DC song, and I'm using it to announce my grand return to home-soil. I arrived back home this afternoon, and it sure feels great to be home. For the first time in 51 days, I'm not experiencing things completely new to my senses, not going out hunting for the next meal, not living out of a backpack, taking fresh clothes out of a closet, eating a homecooked asian meal, seeing my parents, and using free internet. That aside, the familiar feeling of ambivalence is creeping in just barely 8hrs from touching down - the wonderful comfort of home versus the lack of new and exciting experiences. The great feeling of being home is somehow slightly dampened by the fact that I will be waking up to a normal day tomorrow dewoid of potentially pleasant and/or hawok experiences. But yes, it is definitely fabulous to be back after traversing the mediterranean and experiencing 3 unique civilizations and peoples.
In short, the ancient spirits of Greece juxtaposed with the modern hawok hedonism of her islands, the exotic and mystical wonders of old Byzantium and the Ottoman empire in Turkey, as well as the foundations of western civilization complemented by the thriving wonders of the Renaissance in Italy did not disappoint.
Will try to post some pics on facebook soon once we consolidate the photos. For now, I'm gonna conk out for some well-deserved sleep.

ps. Luke and Kennef, when will you guys be travelling and when will you all be back?

Lots of lurve

What would you do?

Greetings Amigos! I am currently spending my last night at Tiberias, which is by the Sea of Galilee. 3 nights ago, a girl from Namibia entered my hostel and begged the owner for a discount rate as she claimed she had no money. She plucked the heartstrings of the owner by saying that she would be stranded on the streets if he did not give her a place to stay. As a gentleman, he took pity on her and gave her a room for the night.

Like the owner, I also had sympathy for her and wanted to offer to pay for her stay. However, I did not. This is because I found her demeanour very dodgy; I was afraid that if she were to be put in the same dorm as I, she would steal my belongings. As the title says, what would you do? Is self preservation so vital that we should sacrifice compassion based on a premonition? I don't know.

To me, I find it terribly difficult to reconcile my surival instinct with my heart. They exist in tumult and complete disharmony. On one hand, doing the pragmatic thing would be utterly selfish and make my heart heavy laden. On the other, I may have to deal with every unpleasant consequence of putting myself in a vulnerable situation just because I had a heart. This is perhaps why I reserve altruism for very few people in the world.
-Kenneth Wong

P.S For the record, that girl lied to the owner about her lack of money because she returned for 3 nights with a host of excuses. She essentially didn't want to pay the full rate and paid 2/3 the normal price.

Tel Aviv Panorama

I am gazing at the vast expanse of the mediterranean as I pen this down. As always, the waters are multi-hued and glisteningly blue, like a massive jewel resting on a cradle of sand. While the sun blazes, the constant winds soothe the heat on my skin. What can be more perfect than enjoying a sunny yet kool day at the beach? Not to mention, the relentless crashing of waves echoes the voice of nature which harmonizes with its aesthetic beauty.
I have to go now, or else I will get a nasty sun burn. Thus, I shall leave the rest to your imagination. Tip: add a couple of danceable bikini clad babes to the frame. Horizontal salsa would do just fine.
-Kenneth Wong

P.S I'm off to Megiddo (site of armageddon) tomorrow. Hopefully armageddon doesn't arrive before I reach it.