The trip that I am just concluding might just be one of the longest times that I have spent in the Asia Pacific region. And over the years that I have visited the region it seems that it is getting easier and easier to be here. Global brands are all around, more and more people speak English, local currency is rarely needed with debit and credit cards and the internet gives us just about everything that we could need from the weather to directions.

But it would be a shame if on a trip like this that I did not embrace that which is different. Different customs, different approaches, different styles and thinking. Fitting into how life is lead locally, on a trip like this, is one of the fun and engaging ways to enjoy and embrace different. To this point I have spent some time on this trip to learn more about Cricket. The sport has attributes of American baseball but has enough different rules that it requires concentration, conversation and a bit of viewing to start to understand it. And so amongst other parts of the trip, I used my THPL Life and Learning card, to find out more about Cricket, to embrace it, and to start to appreciate it. It has been fun to do so – a breakthrough of sorts. I actually understand it (at a high level) enough to want to have it on the TV in the hotel room, now that is different (for me)

On a trip like this, then, or anytime we go to a different location we need to challenge ourselves to embrace different. It takes a bit of effort at first but then it gives such a great return that it is really worth all of the time and energy put to it. Give it a go – see what you can do to learn something new each time you go to a new place. It can be much easier than you think and when done you will know that it has been worth every minute

Loving life when embracing different