China was a trip I had to take. I don't particularly like travelling for the sake of seeing new things and trying something new, after this trip that hasn't changed. This trip was a chance to see my grandparents again, and to meet teenage cousins who I have never met and to get to know them better. In so many ways, this trip was coming full circle for me.
I could bore you with all the details of my trip but really I'm not sure there will be many of you who would enjoy the the lengthy read. I dare say if you ask me I can give you a moderately abridged version. I will however, say that it wasn't the laundry list trip that I had somewhat expected. The moments which I remember the most would probably be the times I spent with family and hearing from them.
My grandparents raised me when I was 1-4ish. It would not be an exaggeration to say that they were my primary carers at the time and as such I have a lot of values and ethics that I have are derived directly from them (and not necessarily from my parents.) I think, lots of my life's big choices would have been different (not nesscarily better) if it wasn't for that influence. It was nice to finally be able to go back and tell them they could stop worrying about me. So that was nice.
Over there, I saw some really impressive buildings and impressive history. I think for the first time in China, I could finally appreciate the importance of how important one's heritage is. Its really easy to say that our past defines us, but I never really understood to what extent before this trip. Walking through the forbidden palace really hit that home.
In terms of actual tangible changes because of this trip, I'm going to transfer from Civil Engineering to Structural Engineering. Really because, soil is boring and seeing some of the buildings China casually throws up is actually amazing to the point where it is something I would like to be part of in the future. I know, cue the cliche comments. If there is a goal in life for me, it'd probably be work on one of those massive structures. And hope it doesn't' collapse.
But the main goal is to get one up. I'll worry about collapse later.
An old friend saw Beijing with us and we met some really nice people on the trip. What they say about travelling is true, it is a chance to get out, disconnect and do some things that, you wouldn't normally do. There isn't a lot about the trip that I regret doing; there's a lot of stories, a lot people and a lot of things that is now off my to do list. Could I have done it without spending so much money, yes, could I have done it without getting on a plane and flying to another country? For most of it probably. Could I have done it whilst being in Melbourne? No.
~TastyJacks~
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