It was 2:21 am, and I woke up to violent shaking. My low Japanese-style bed was shaking, the wooden floor below it was shaking, the lamp above me was shaking, the entire building was shaking. Powerfully, uncontrollably.
There was nowhere to hide - no large table I could duck under, no space to slip under the bed. I was on the 3rd floor, and pretty sure the roof would collapse over me anytime now. The shaking was so strong that I couldn’t get myself to stand up. I held on to the bed, ‘holy fuck’ rolling off my tongue. My life flashed before me. You’ve lived a good one, my inner voice whispered.
I knew it was an earthquake, but a tiny part of me wondered if I’d been dreaming when the shaking finally stopped.
I got up to grab my phone, my only ally in that lonely boutique hotel where I slept alone. I could hear no other sound, feel no other presence.
On my phone’s home screen, I felt jittery to see an official alert, partially in Chinese, partially in English: Earthquake felt at 2:21 am. Keep calm and seek cover. A thousand questions ran through my mind. Where do I seek cover? How did the alert reach my phone? Was it the number I gave while applying for an e-visa? What do I do now?
So I did what one must do at a time like this - google what to do!
The answers weren’t as helpful as I’d hoped. I decided to evacuate the building, and walked down the three floors of stairs in my flip flops and PJs - hoping I’d run into someone for better advice. Outside, the weather was pleasant, and traffic was still running on the road in the distance. There was no one at the hotel reception, nor any residents who had evacuated like me. I wasn’t even sure if anyone else was staying there - I’d been out waterfall hiking and nude hot spring bathing in Jiaoxi (in the Yilan County of Taiwan) all day!
I didn’t have the owner’s number, and in any case, we didn’t have a language in common to communicate. I doubted he’d check my message, but I sent one anyway, asking if it was safe to go to back in to sleep.
I googled the earthquake that just happened but there was nothing. A U.S. advisory popped up on search, based on the previous huge earthquake last month. The advisory level was 1 - Safe to go (to Taiwan), exercise normal cautions. That was irrelevant but strangely reassuring, so after loitering around for a few more minutes, I took the lift back up.
I sat up in bed for a while, thinking of my partner, family, close friends, and random people I’d crossed paths with on the road. No one had a clue I sat here on this lonely bed in Jiaoxi. If I died tonight, I’d be gone - that was the only reality.
I scrolled on Instagram to calm myself, then googled the earthquake again. This time a news report showed up: A 5.6 magnitude earthquake, the epicentre 23 km from where I was. High on the Richter Scale, but thankfully no destruction caused, no loss of lives.
Gradually I drifted off into sleep, until a tremor woke me up again. My phone buzzed with another alert: Earthquake felt at 2:49 am. Keep calm and seek cover.
In my sleep, I felt more light tremors - though I could have been dreaming.
When I woke up in the morning, I was gladly surprised to still be alive. In the lift, I ran into two Taiwanese travellers, and asked if they felt the earthquakes last night. Yes, they said and giggled, as though it was the most normal thing.
Summer recommendations
Conscious travel recommendations, eco-friendly finds and meaningful opportunities, as well as articles, books and films that’ve inspired me.
Travel:
I’m loving the balance (and contrast) between my slow mountain life in Himachal, and my adventures on the road. I just returned from a month long adventure - on assignment for the tourism board in Taiwan, to speak at a UNWTO conference in Indonesia, and to speak at the ABVP travel blogging conference in Portugal. I built in leisure days in each place so I could slow it down a bit, and take fewer flights.
Here are some ideas if you’re planning to travel in these countries:
Taiwan: I was inspired to visit the community-based tourism initiative Bulau Bulau, and loved staying at OrigInn Space in Taipei - a restored heritage house turned into a hipster boutique hotel and cafe!
Bali: Seeking luxury and Bali’s old world charm, I was glad to be hosted at Bambu Indah, an eco-lodge with bamboo-based architecture and natural spring-fed pools. It’s also open to day trippers.
Portugal: I had no idea how beautiful the Peneda-Geres National Park in North Portugal is, and loved staying at the secret wild garden (the only one of its kind) at the Grove Houses in Guimaraes - an hour from Porto.
Read:
I’ve been lucky enough to stumble upon some brilliant books recently. The one I most highly recommend is ‘Welcome to the Hyunam Dong Bookshop’ by Korean author Hwang Bo-Reum - about a young woman’s philosophical journey from quitting a corporate job to starting her own indie bookshop. Such a treat!
I was also grateful to read Essentialism by Greg McKeown - a reminder to be intentional about my professional pursuits, and build the kind of slow life I want. After reading this book, I built a criteria for the work I’d say yes to going forward - and reclaim the luxuries of time and freedom that I value so deeply.
I’ve recently started sharing book and film recommendations (especially from non-white authors and directors which otherwise flood our radar) through my newly created Instagram broadcast channel. These drop directly in your DM once a week.
Watch:
It was such fun to watch an entertaining yet powerful Bollywood film in a theatre after a long time - Laapata Ladies by Kiran Rao (now on Netflix). The story of Jaya is the story of so many women in rural India, including the Himachali village I currently call home.
On my flight to Taiwan, I loved watching My Heavenly City, by Sen-I Yu - a collection of heartwarming stories about Taiwanese people who land up in New York City for different reasons.
Check out:
My self-paced course, Get Paid to Travel the World With Purpose, designed for aspiring travel storytellers, creators, bloggers and influencers. From evolving their storytelling and reaching millions of people on Instagram, to receiving hosted travel collaborations and getting noticed by international media, I’m amazed by the journey of my course learners so far!
We launched ‘Wanderlust and Storytelling’ - a weekly Whatsapp Newsletter by The Shooting Star Academy. Join to receive travel storytelling tips and inspiration, travel opportunities open to the public, wins / testimonials from course participants, and exclusive course offers.
I’m hiring!
I’m looking for a creative soul, passionate about storytelling, content creation, video editing and social media engagement, to join my team as a Social Media Manager. See more details and apply here - or share it with anyone who might be a good fit! Deadline: 31st May.
My stories elsewhere
Stories I’ve written recently, as well as social media posts I’d love for you to check out.
Freelance:
Adventure.com: What I learnt cycling across Morocco
Blog:
Instagram:
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