Shanghai    January 18th, 2010    Page 7

And of course, we sang karaoke, or “KTV” as it is called in China. We went to a club that specialized in KTV, where you get your own soundproof room with giant screens and microphones. Although I don’t think I would even consider doing this in the U.S., I was proverbially in Rome, and I thus did as the Romans did. Several Backstreet Boys and 80s pop anthems later, I was convinced of the awesomeness of the experience.

It’s been quite a busy couple of weeks, and although I’m ready for some home-cooked comfort food, my experience has gotten me fired up about East Asia. More generally, I now feel confident that I can travel to places that at first seem intimidating or for some reason “too different” and still learn a lot and have a blast while I’m at it.

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