Mr. Wanderlust


This Tumblr owner is Vince
Traveling the world as a prince.
Always living to learn
Enjoying life at every turn
So follow my life and all things since


Vince / 22 / USA / Student / Foodie / Traveler
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

"We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."

It has been raining a lot during the past few weeks. As always, the downpours occur at night. Predictably, the streets start flooding and this means danger. In fact, a friend of mine witnessed two people die while wading in the water because of electrocution - she was right behind them too. Yikes! These rains have also prevented me from going to remote mountain villages for my research project. My trips to earthquake affected areas will have to wait. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE storms. Now I just need to find someone to make-out with me in the rain ; )

Here are a couple of pictures from my friend Charlie (who runsChengduLiving.com)  

My Video Post:
Just a short clip of the spicy hotpot cooking process. What’s on the menu? Brain. Duh. What kind of brain? It is sometimes best to not ask questions…To read the full culinary post, click here!
Chengdu, Sichuan, China 

xiiswhoxiis asked: Oh my Lady Gaga I LOVE your blog, there's actually something to read! Who would've thought someone would actually write something for themselves on Tumblr?? Haha really though, I've been reading your adventures through China and have been laughing because everything IS SO TRUE! It's really making me miss it... I went to Beijing by myself just last year with four friends and the things you post are things similar to what my friends and I experienced (i.e meeting awesome people who you'll probably never see again, not being able to find products you need, coincidentally hearing Chinese young people using american phrases, et cetera!) I'm really enjoying your posts, and I like your Title "Mr. Wanderlust" It's really cool and relevant. How long are you staying in China? Oh, and I'm probably going to re-blog from you several times in the near future so just warning you:)

Hello Hello!
What a nice message, I am totally smiling right now. I am so glad you enjoy my Tumblr! I do make an honest effort to make my own posts. Thanks for noticing - I rarely re-blog. But feel free to re-blog my posts as freely as you would like. And I am not sure how long I will be in China…To be determined.
I want to hear more from you! Cheers and stay cute : ) 

My Photo Post:There is something about window shopping in China + naked mannequins. Anyone care to explain? Please reference this picture post. Also, note the creepy floating arms towards the middle. Looks like this is just displaying a yellow necklace. Chengdu, Sichuan, China. 

My Photo Post:
There is something about window shopping in China + naked mannequins. Anyone care to explain? Please reference this picture post. Also, note the creepy floating arms towards the middle. Looks like this is just displaying a yellow necklace. Chengdu, Sichuan, China. 

If you want happiness for an hour; take a nap. If you want happiness for a day; go fishing. If you want happiness for a month; get married. If you want happiness for a year; inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime; help someone else.

—Chinese Proverb

My Photo Post:Mona Club/Bar in Lang Kwai Fong. Chengdu, Sichuan, China. 

My Photo Post:
Mona Club/Bar in Lang Kwai Fong. Chengdu, Sichuan, China. 

jojointransit asked: hello! love the blog. how long are you living in china? and what are you doing there?

Ahoy! And thanks!! I mean…Xiexie…for the Tumblr love. It makes me smile that you enjoy it. To be honest, how long I spend in China will just happen. There is no definitive answer - whatever happens will happen!

I came to do a psychology research project regarding children affected by the earthquake (so I am studying resilience and thriving). I have also been teaching English to kids as a side job.
Pretty awesome time in China thus far : ] 

My Photo Post:
Doggie Kisses. And I normally don’t like dogs. This is Basil, a pug. The restaurant/bar is called the Lazy Pug opened by an amazing couple from the U.S. Pretty much my hangout place, Chengdu, SIchuan, China.

The Lady Gaga

Like most of the world, China is very cognizant of who Lady Gaga is. The kids sing her songs, the stores blast her tunes, and I can hear her name in conversation. It is also worth noting that Gaga is not allowed entry into China. I suppose the “express yourself” and “be who you are” messages do not jive with the high-uppers here. She is by far one of the most popular Western artists in China (behind tween heartthrob #2 Justin Bieber and the king of pop, #1 Michael Jackson). 

And this always makes me laugh, when do I hear Gaga’s name uttered the most? When kids and young teenagers say, “Oh my Lady Gaga” as opposed to “Oh my God”. I laugh every time, especially because I hear it constantly. Hilarious no?

My Photo Post:My friend Oscar! Say hi to Oscar! Too bad he refused to smile. Y u nooo smile Oscar?New Zealand Cafe, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

My Photo Post:
My friend Oscar! Say hi to Oscar! Too bad he refused to smile. Y u nooo smile Oscar?
New Zealand Cafe, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

The Open Mind

I have quite possibly met the most open-minded person in existence last night. How refreshing it was to hear his perspective and his (truly) inclusive nature. I already feel like I am an open book. You know, “come as you are” or “whatever floats your boat” or at least “whatever rubs your Buddha” since I am in China…

So I already feel like an open book, but this guy is the most open of open, yet his open-mindedness does not cross into either apathy or complacency. It is pretty difficult to translate it into words. He, in one night, inspired me to be a better person. D’aww. He’s from Colorado. Too bad he returned there yesterday.

I’ve said this before but I will say it again, I meet the best people when I travel. 

My Photo Post: Yup, you are looking at plates and utensils in vacuum packed plastic. Interesting no? Chengdu, Sichuan, China. 

My Photo Post: 
Yup, you are looking at plates and utensils in vacuum packed plastic. Interesting no? Chengdu, Sichuan, China. 

The Letter To You

You. Thank you for being you. I have cherished every moment, every conversation, every smile, every awkward moment, and even every difficulty. I have grown leaps and bounds - maybe you know this, maybe you don’t. I only recently told you how much you mean to me. But do you truly realize how important you are to me?

You. Remember how you and I met? That is what is called serendipity. Remember when I revealed the skeletons in my closet? You were still there. In fact, you picked me up during the darkest time in my life. Who are you and how did you walk into my life? Please remind me.

You. I cannot speak for you. I am left with conjectures. What are you thinking of right now? What do you dream about at night? I don’t know and yet I know you feel similarly. But what happens? We stifled what was once there. Restraint in this case was not the best case. Look at what is happening now. Look who is here to stay.

Hey you, you with me?