Author Archives: brianwongderlust

Return to Nepal: The kindness of strangers

When winter vacation came around, I found myself faced with the same decision I have had to make every time I had more than a few days off of work – to volunteer or to be a tourist in a … Continue reading

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How to eat five kilograms of kimchi

Settle into your apartment in Seoul and decide to start cooking meals to save money. Ask your coworkers where the best place to buy kimchi is and be told that your school’s supplier will be the ideal and safest choice. … Continue reading

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My First Hospital Visit Abroad

Of all the times I’ve been sick and feverish in Korea, my first trip to a hospital abroad was surprisingly in Nepal. Two days in. So here’s the thing. I sweat. Like, a lot. And in unforgiving, unrelenting sun, I … Continue reading

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Nuwakot, Nepal Base Overview

      Keeping with All Hands Volunteers blogging tradition, I’ll be following up my Nepal introduction with a Nuwakot base overview. Apologies that this has taken some time – I’ve been busy since getting back to Korea but am hoping to … Continue reading

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Summer Vacation in Nepal

Sometime back in May, the volunteer bug bit me and I knew I couldn’t let summer vacation pass without spending some time on an All Hands base. While teaching in Korea has been incredibly fulfilling and rewarding, there’s something about … Continue reading

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The Best Nights

The best nights are the ones we never want to end – the ones where our minds create secret photo albums as we race against the sunrise. Laughing. Smiling. Living. Over time, I’ve noticed that I tend to spend my … Continue reading

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Dear Mr. Vogel

This post is a little different from my normal wanderlust stories, but it’s ever so important. For some background, check out http://november-project.com/npxnps-dca/ Dear Mr. Vogel, I have to wake up in six hours to teach English to four waves of unrelenting … Continue reading

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The Little Things

I will forever maintain the belief that happiness is not about having everything in your life perfectly in place but is instead about stringing together the smaller positives in any given day. Nothing will ever be perfect, but savoring the best parts … Continue reading

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Getting Adjusted

I’m here. I made it. This is Seoul. This is home. Two years ago, I visited this city on a ten-day holiday and left my heart on its streets. Something about this place owned a small part me, and I … Continue reading

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EPIK Orientation

The past three weeks have been a hurricane of mixed emotions, severe jet lag, aching feet, and moderate-yet-responsible soju consumption. I’ve been through the EPIK orientation classes and presentations, my first encounter with my head coteacher, the much anticipated apartment … Continue reading

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