Places I would like to revisit after the lockdown

In these strange times it’s nice to reflect on what makes TEFL such a great job – the wonderful places you have experienced around the world as a teacher.  Over the last few months in lockdown I’ve made a list of some of the places I would like to revisit after the pandemic is over.  The whole process is quite cathartic and has reenergised that wanderlust that resides deep down in the souls of TEFLers.  Here are a few from my list:

The Trans-Siberian Railway

In 2002 I finished teaching at a language school in Japan and decided I wanted to get back to the UK in a less traditional way, so I decided to take the Trans-Siberian Railway via the China and Mongolia route.  After four days exploring Beijing I hopped on the train and started a journey to Moscow that would take six days if you didn’t get off – but who does that!  Back then the journey cost me US$ 300 and an anterior cruciate ligament which I snapped doing the limbo in a Mongolian nightclub.  A trip that takes in Beijing, the Great Wall of China, Mongolia and its very different culture and wonderful scenery, Irkutsk in Siberia near Lake Baikal, and finally the fascinating city of Moscow is what is often described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but I’m thinking of doing it again.

Culinary treats in Tokyo

Just thinking of all the great eateries in Tokyo makes my mouth water.  If I could get back to Tokyo, I would visit the following: Harajuku Gyoza Lou is a small restaurant where I used to love going for Japanese dumplings, known as gyoza, which I washed down with cold beer.  This very popular place is between Omotesando and Harajuku.  Or I could go to Shimokitazawa to feast on okonomiyaki which is a type of Japanese pancake or omelette with a huge range of different flavours.  There’s a whole street with just okonomiyaki restaurants which is buzzing at night and a great place to soak up the culture and enjoy Japanese hospitality.  Alternatively, I could enjoy one-dollar conveyor-belt sushi (100 Yen) at Kura Sushi, or just grab a lunchbox known as a bento and sit in the quintessentially Japanese Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden.

Fine dining in Bucharest

Off most people’s radar is Bucharest.  If you do go to this understated city in Romania, I would recommend visiting the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum which gives an insight in to what life was like in different parts of Romania in years gone by.  After walking around the vast area, you must savour some fine dining at reasonable prices at the Rossetya Restaurant near Universitate Metro station.  You are greeted by staff in smart uniforms which gives you an idea of the high-quality experience you are about to savour.

Hiking in Ethiopia

Some of the most beautiful scenery I’ve seen has been at the Simien Mountain Range in Ethiopia.  Even though it appears that costs have risen since I was there in 2011, if you are a keen hiker, then the breath-taking scenery may justify the expense.  If you fly to Ethiopia with their national airline, then you will get 66% off all domestic flights. You need to fly as Ethiopia is four times the size of the UK and key places of interest such as Gondar, the launching point for the Simien Mountains, or Lalibela with its amazing rock-cut sunken churches are spread far and wide across the country.   When you get back to Addis, check out the Lucy Lounge and Restaurant named after the world’s oldest woman whose remains are in the National Museum of Ethiopia next door.

Swimming in underground caves in Mexico

In the southern Mexican city of Valladolid you can go swimming in pools in caves known as cenotes.  Often sunshine pours through holes in the ceiling of the cenotes which adds to the other-worldly atmosphere. Just be prepared for the fish in the pools who aren’t afraid of swimming against you and gave me a mild heart-attack.  When you get back to Valladolid head to the El Meson del Marques hotel and restaurant on the main square where I watched hummingbirds busy in the courtyard’s tree while I tucked into some delicious Mexican style eggs.

When TEFLers think back at the places they’ve been to it can seem like a travel agency’s advert flashing images of the wonderful world out there.  Have you got any recommendations for teachers for when the world gets back to normal?

Blog and image by Dave