A Descriptive Text: Asia - A Place for Aesthesia!

Aesthesia: the ability to feel or perceive sensations. Ah, Asia, the continent of our homeland! Well, for us five, at least. For our next task, we were asked to make a descriptive text on any topic under our bright and wonderful sun. So, we chose to describe the different countries we have travelled to - which is a subject most of us here at MDV are passionate about! Now, sit back and grab your favorite drink and enjoy reading our newest blog post!

*all pics posted are owned by us!

PHILIPPINES

by Riza Mendez

Philippines offers a lot of marvelous and breath-taking places that go along with the climate, environment, and sceneries, so I can definitely say that in all senses, every moment spent in this country is worthwhile. As I stayed at our farm located in La Union, I had a lot of moments with nature -- the green grass, the breeze of the air, the tight hug of the sun, voices of various farm animals, and down to the serenity of the night under the light of those little stars. I go up trees to reflect, meditate, and just be one with nature. I go up the mountain to give praise to the Lord since the church is way up there. In the absence of modern technology, phones and tablets are down, kids are out running around. Cooking is done by lighting up wood. No gas. No stove. Just nature. As the darkness of the night cover the place, everyone gets ready since there will only be limited light. When everyone is settled, bonfire lights up and that signals the heart to heart talk which will keep us occupied as we wait until we feel the call of our bodies to sleep. It’s true that the night brings out the best conversations especially if the cold breeze is accompanied by the warm heat of the fire. Philippines has a lot of provinces which offer a whole new way of living other than what millennial babies are used to. We have places that are full of buildings and infrastructures, and at the same time, we have places wherein we have none of those at all. I believe this, in a country is beautiful because it promotes sustainability and keeps a balance between two worlds which are the technology-dominated world and the close-to-nature kind of world. Once in a while, we would really need to take a break, run away from the busy streets of cities, and go back to a place which will welcome you hugs and kisses of fresh air, bright sun, and at night, the blinking natural lights because often times, in places where the wheels of the bus go round and round, we miss the twinkle twinkle little stars.

HONG KONG

by Therese Ybañez

One of the most frequented countries by Filipinos, Hong Kong is definitely a great place to be immersed in another man's culture, history, and food. My first trip to Hong Kong was at the age of 13. It is only the second country I have been to, the first being Singapore. Singapore didn't really give me a huge wow factor, but that's only because I'm a city kid. Seeing tall and great buildings would please my eyes and having to battle my way through Hong Kong's rush hour gives me great excitement. Simply put, the hustle and bustle of the humble city of Hong Kong is something that I'd go back to, over and over again. The food alone is reason enough for you to come back! Whether it may be those upscale restaurants or those hole-in-the-walls, the food was divine. My personal favorites were their barbecue and their stir-fried noodles. It's a great shopping district as well, with malls left and right, some even interconnecting. You may be on the Tsim Sha Tsui side, or the Central side, and you may still be able to access a mall by foot within fifteen minutes! It's also greatly convenient to move from one place to another, with the help of Hong Kong's greatly affordable and efficient MTR system, which can get you from Point A to Point B in an average time of ten minutes, depending on your destination, of course. Another aspect of Hong Kong that is worth coming back for is its tremendous weather. Though just around two hours away from the Philippines, during their winter time, their weather could go as low as 16*C, which is a huge difference for us Filipinos who are used to our weather being in the 30s and what not. Its culture over-all is vastly observed. It may be inconvenient to us tourists when most citizens of Hong Kong cannot speak English very well, but I for one am a fan of it. Unlike us, their mother language hasn't been overshadowed by the language of their captives, even though they're one of the latest countries to be independent, being decolonized from the British only around the 1990s. All-in-all, Hong Kong is a great place if you're looking for an escape - an escape from the usual and experience something new. Their energetic and lively city will surely give you the boost and inspiration you're looking for.

JAPAN

by Kirsten Mariano

Just a thousand miles away from our tropical country, the Philippines, you will be welcomed to the kingdom of cherry blossoms, sushi, and kawaii. Japan, 3rd largest economy and composed of the busiest cities in the world yet still intact with ancient traditions. It will never be a regret to book a flight to the most courteous country in Asia. From your first step in the airport, the sense of the frigid weather with a warm welcome from the Japanese locals. Transportation at its finest with a speed faster than a bullet. It would be peculiar to be late with Japan’s high technology railways. A remarkable cuisine not only composed of the stereotypical sushi and miso soup. From cozy noodle shops and the infamous green tea flavored everything, indeed it is a party in your mouth. Burst of flavor that would satisfy your palette from the “umami” Japanese food bears. All these wouldn’t be possible without Japan’s sustained outstanding culture of hospitality, respect and being a perfectionist. Busiest cities I would consider an organized chaos. Everything you would imagine from neon lights and bars, truly Tokyo and Osaka has that in store for you. And just a few blocks from the main road, sacred temples to alleviate the fast paced moment of the outside world. Lastly Locals that wouldn’t treat you as strangers, and who’s always ready to lend a helping hand. Definitely Japan is far more spectacular from what you would imagine.

SINGAPORE

By Renee Estomata

Singapore has been my 2nd home ever since I turned 7. It was the place where I had my first crush, learned my 2nd language and had my first graduation. Whenever I would eat authentic Singaporean food at Alabang Town Center’s Wee Nam Kee, I would always be taken into a flashback of the good old days and the memories that I spent back in Singapore.

Singapore was a small and simple country. There were tall apartments, which they called “flats”, and lots of beautiful, green and luscious trees surrounding the country. Singapore is so green that every city and community has their own park that is filled with a playground, a running track and an exercising area. On the other hand, the food in Singapore is definitely something that any tourist should look forward to. Singapore, a multi-cultural country with its diversity in culture and races, there is also a diversity in food. Just in one country, Singapore gives you an opportunity to taste different food from different cultures and countries. Singapore offers food that ranges from the Chinese Cuisine, Indian Cuisine, Malay or Halal Cuisine, and Western Cuisine. You will definitely not get tired of eating in Singapore because there are so many dishes in each cuisine to try out! My personal favorite is the authentic Singaporean dish, which is the Hainanese Chicken Rice which can be found in Singapore’s “Hawker” or what we know as “Food Court” and it comes in 2 types, steamed or roasted. Hainanese Chicken Rice will not be complete without the sweet black soy sauce that comes along with it. A little bite of both and voila, it is perfect!

VIETNAM

By Summer Avila

Vietnam is a country filled with captivating natural beauty and tranquil village life. Its highlands and rainforest regions continue to yield new species and team with exotic wildlife. 5 years ago, I went to visit my Vietnamese relatives here in Vietnam and stayed for 2 weeks. Everywhere I went, Vietnamese architecture expressed a graceful aesthetic of natural balance and harmony that is evident in any of the country's historic temples and monasteries. Life seemed really simple in Vietnam, and it wasn’t very hard to adapt and blend in. Everyone dressed so simply too. As a language, Vietnamese is exceptionally flexible, but it was pretty easy to learn some words that my cousins there taught me! When we had to eat, soup is served at almost every meal, and snacks usually included spring rolls and rice pancakes which tasted just as delicious as how my ba ngoai or lola made it when we were home in the Philippines. My stay in Vietnam was truly an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere and environment felt very relaxing, calm, and happy. It’s a great way to wind down. I’m looking forward to my next visit in Vietnam, my second home!

#travel #descriptive #req #renee #therese #riza #kirsten #all