My Mind Feels Heavy

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The proper means of increasing the love we bear our native country is to reside some time in a foreign one.
- William Shenstone

My mind feels heavy. It feels like I am carrying all of my aspirations of an entire year on my brain. I suppose most of my aspirations aren’t really too important in terms of what most people would coin as success. I’d rather keep my plans to myself, but find that all too often I’m almost bragging about my upcoming trips. I bump into a friend, find I have not much to say, so I begin to expel all information about what I may or may not be doing in so many months. They often are very supportive, and that’s fine, but than I feel like that’s all I have to offer. All we talk about is how I may be doing something so extreme or that I’m going to be, “really living it up” when I feel like I’m not even sure if I can cut it. Time will let me know how it goes…

Anyway, I’m getting off track. I feel like I have to do this in order to experience something I’ve missed out on, or that if I do this I will suddenly become a different person. Sure, these trips have potential to change ones outlook on life and views on different culture. And sure I could use the boost of extra tolerance towards what I’d view as odd, but why do I feel I need this? I want to go to Japan for the experience of living in another country and being submerged in a new culture. In particular I’ve taken a liking to the cultures of the orient. My reason for going to China and Mongolia for archeology is simply for the experience. I’ve not an interest in these cultures as I do for Japan, but maybe that could mean I’ll be in store for the biggest surprise of all. Often times when you go somewhere with low expectations and or no itinerary planned you receive the most pleasant surprises of all. Things have a way of finding you when you aren’t looking for them.

So the game plan is as follows:
May 28th - June 8th: Travel to Beijing from the U.S. Two days in Beijing (Great Wall & Forbidden city & Heaps of dumplings). Travel by train from Beijing to Ulaan Baatar(‘UB’)(Capitol of Mongolia). Four days in UB. Travel by vehicle from UB to Khanuy Valley.
June 8th - July 20th: Fieldwork in Khanuy Valley.
July 21st - July 30th: Travel from Khanuy Valley to UB. Three days in UB. Travel by train from UB to Beijing. One day in Beijing. Return to the U.S
August 20th - Leave for Osaka Japan - Destination: Kansai Gaidai University

Keep me in your thoughts, I’m going to need all the positive thoughts you can offer!
- Zach

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Photos

Love Pennsylvania
The time to leave the comfort zone is fast approaching!

Comments

[suzi]

oop's sorry its a bit long.
Awe my little traveler! I am sure you will do jsut wonderfully! Don't put so much pressure on yourself! Just be prepared to change your major once you return to the states. Trust me after spending the summer on a mongolia stepp with Francis then you will be begging to be an archaeologist! Ah, well i wish i could join you on your travels dear but alas i will just sit here and be jealous. What do you mean is that all you offer? Zachy-chan you are a wonder and articulate human being, you are smart, and you are charming! Who could ever ask for a better friend! Don't be so down on yourself Zachy-chan. (you so know i am calling you that for the rest of the time we are firends! well at least until the end of the semester) So Zach just sit back and quite worrying about what people think of you, and just take what life is giving you. You only live once, eh? I'll pray for you buddy! .suzi