Reflecting On My Trip To China (With Pictures!)

I spent 8 (5-6 if you count the time it took actually traveling) days in Chongqing (pronounced "Chong Ching", try not to laugh), and Shanghai, China with my now fiance (oh snaps!), for a close friend of mine's wedding. This was my first time ever traveling abroad, and the learning experience is something that I will not soon forget. I don't want to bore anyone terribly with all of the little details that I'd normally get into, so I've decided to list certain things that stuck out to me each day during the trip (with pictures! P.S. All images © 2014 Chris Cintron)

1. Uncle Joe is the effin MAN

Now here is a man that I can only hope to be like when I get older. Happy, healthy, lovable, and sending you off to China with some good ol' Italian Espresso shots in the morning! Wooee!!

2. Delays suck. No matter what part of the world you're in.

And it just so happened to happen several times before, during, and after China. Yay.

3. After taking a 15+ hour plane ride to Shanghai, then another 2+ hour trip to Chonqing, I believe time travel is possible. And exhausting. And uncomfortable.

...Bring a book. Or twelve. And travel light. And don't sit in between large people. Or near crying babies. You're welcome.

4. Sure, the flights' long. But China Eastern Airlines likes to keep you FED.

What is it that I'm eating? Who the hell cares? Anything to take my mind off the numbness in my legs and the crying babies! Seriously though, if you like Asian fare, you won't be disappointed. Meals were always fresh and satisfying.

5. When's the last time your airline taught you Tai Chi on an effin plane?

I also learned how to Hadouken (finally).

6. The weather was not our friend this go around.

This was me upon our arrival to Chongqing, where the sun was beating down on us, and my friend's families had finally settled the debate as to whose car we were travelling in. Sweaty & confused. And not in that good way. Wait, what?

7. Chongqing has some really interesting architecture IMHO.

Art museums, towers, bridges; all very familiar feeling yet, with it's own character. I can dig it.

8. Clubs over in Chongqing really try to outdo themselves.

Scantily clad women singing Lady Gaga? Some dude in a white fur coat singing Jason Derulo while a bunch of Chinese girls in nurses outfits do a dance number? Random girls coming up to me, taking selfies, and toasting? Thank God I'm not single anymore. I'll leave it at that :x

9. Chongqing's touristy shopping area felt like something straight out of an old Bruce Lee movie. I even almost bought nunchucks! That probably would've been a problem with customs though.

Narrow pathways, hidden alleys, and lots and lots of people around these here parts. Stuff is really inexpensive, our dollar is worth about 6 of theirs.

10. China Hearts the US.

11. And has very wtf-ish English translations.

Please enjoy which flight? This flight, of course! And never forget to drink best rich your taste, either. Words to live by.

12. Many toilets in Chongqing are state of the art. No seriously.

13. Not a huge fan of the hot pot, I won't lie.

So just what is hot pot, the spicy food that Chongqing is known for? Well, you can read up about it right here, I will just say that frozen duck blood cubes, cow intestine/gums, and mystery meatballs did all sound scrum-diddly-umptious, but I decided to pass.

14. Shanghai. Definitely want to go back to visit someday.

This was the place we spent the least amount of time in. The pictures show a much more Western influence and tourist-friendly atmosphere than Chongqing, so naturally as a big city guy I'd be more attracted to it.

15. Being a best man for your childhood friend's wedding is pretty friggin awesome.

This once in a lifetime experience wouldn't have been even a thought in my brain if he never asked me to be there for it. As we grow older, we realize that some of our strongest bonds are the ones we establish before we even know how important they are. Nothing but prayers of God's blessings for the both of you.

16. Shocking your girlfriend on the plane ride back with a proposal is also pretty friggin awesome.

Especially when you're jet-lagged! Before proposal on plane...

...and after.


I hope I was able to shed some light on the experience of travelling abroad for the first time. This is not something I would have ever imagined would be possible without the great people that God has placed in my life. To Albert, Shirley, Annie, Mom, Dad, Auntie, and my beautiful fiance Jen, this one's for you.

A Blur

A Blur
Constant, repeating, yet different
Back and forth
Colors that I can't quite make out
Feelings associated with each
Moments I'm afraid I won't remember
A fast life with substance
Substance yet, no speed
Just sped up
Hard to stop and appreciate it
When you're doing 100
And you're always blinking
But I still see something
That might be all that matters
A Blur

Holding Me Back

I really feel like so much has been going on for me personally that I've not been able to keep track of any of it, or even fully appreciate it. Things haven't been flawless. They never really are. This is an imperfect world, after all. But I've got my health, I've got a roof over my head, I've got a good job, I've got a love that has and is strengthening with every hurdle we come across, my closest family and friends are with me, and it's all in no small part thanks to my Lord & savior, whom I often forget to thank & praise. 

That being said...

I still feel that need to create. There's still that part of me that is not satisfied with where I am career-wise. It itches at me everyday. Some days more than others. But it's often held back. Mostly just because of me. I hold me back. I know I've got something. I just don't always know what to do with it. Where to start. Who to share it with. Who to trust it with. Who to ask about it. When the right time is to go for it. When the wrong time is. If the time has passed, or if it's yet to come, and if it does, will it be that storied thing that someone strives and fights for so long to achieve, only to find that it wasn't all that worth it to sacrifice or struggle for in the first place. Guess I won't know till I try.

Words.

Not empty. Not full. Not filled. Not certain. Lazy. Retracting. Retracing. Reliving. Dreaming. Praying. Itching. Spending. Worrying. Concerning. Lying down. Cold, but not cold. Detached, still not cold. Something wrong. Something simple. Something stupid. Something sudden. Something expected. Almost. Resting. Tired, yet. Tired yet? Breathing. Believing. Always. Afraid of explosions. No standoffs. Happens anyway. Too many questions. Too much of the same. Not enough. Counting. Killing. Consumables. Miss eating. Miss tasting. Miss quiet. Miss music. Miss making. Misnomer. Misinterpret. Mispell. Miss the point. Withdrawn. Withheld. Within. My story. His story. Her story. History? Hurts to me. Least I think. Less I feel. Lest I kneel. Overwhelmed. Over budget. Over it. Trying to be. Vying. Reflection. Refraction. Direction. God help me.

What Does The Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman Case Have In Common With The 40 Year Old Virgin? Read On...

So most of us are probably completely over hearing, seeing, and reading about it, but I really wanted to share this, because there has been so much back & forth over the entire situation. In my opinion, this was a very refreshingly unexpected, yet very poignant & educated opinion that is very hard to ignore, from a very unexpected place nonetheless. As an entertainer, I think it's important for us to show that we're not a bunch of mindless one trick ponies with no real contribution aside from our talents.

You can read the article here.

A Funk In The Air/The Irking

This past weekend ended with the beginning of...a funk. It all seemed to start late Friday/early Saturday, when I was on the train back home. I was in a textual conflict of sorts with my soon-to-be-not-so-far-away-from-home girlfriend. This then turned into a phone discussion (yes, discussion, not a fight). During that time, the train had been pretty packed with kids. Drunk kids. Loud kids. Half dressed kids. I had already moved once during the ride, as someone couldn't hold their liquor very well, and I was not about to stick around to find out what they had for lunch. More kids got on during my phone call, and conveniently sat in the seats in front of me. The girls were loud and arguing, mostly over absolutely nothing. I attempted to continue my phone convo, and did a fairly good job. But there was one moment that would pretty much set the tone for the rest of the weekend: The girl in the seat in front of me took it upon herself to reach back and feel the top of my head. Not the first time my head has garnered the attention of a girl, probably won't be the last. But it was the first time a complete stranger did it without my acknowledgement.
From there, I passed a car accident on the way back to the house during the cab ride back, which I would later find out on the news was a hit and run. The driver hit a phone pole and ended up leaving the other passengers behind. Thankfully, there were no deaths. Still really bad nevertheless. On Saturday, I slept in later than I normally do, and since then, it seems as though I haven't gotten enough sleep. Sunday should've been a lot more enjoyable than I experienced it, but I just felt exhausted throughout. I visited Brooklyn, had a great time with my extended family. But this day also didn't not have it's fair share of "?" moments. After having a great dinner at a local restaurant, we went to a diner for desert. We were having a good time laughing and goofing off, when suddenly I heard my friend yell "OH!", followed by the sound of something fall on the table. It was a beetle. Not just a small, minute beetle, but like an Animal Planet, ivory hued, hard shelled beetle. Not something that I've ever seen in Brooklyn. I grabbed a napkin and wrapped it up inside of it. I could feel it move in my grasp. My friend quickly put it out of it's misery. After leaving the diner, I waited in the car while my friends and their family did some talking outside. It was around this time that there was a lost dog running around, being chased by 2 girls. It was an unleashed Pomeranian. Again, not even a typical lost dog.
The funk hasn't really fully gone away, either. I'm not much for confrontation, but it would seem that whenever it happens, it's usually with people that matter. And I had one (confrontation, discussion, argument, what have you) yesterday. The bottom line of the entire scenario was regarding concern for my well being. I didn't mind any of that. But I think as most people would know, we tend to say things in the heat of the moment. Things that aren't exactly meant to comfort someone. Normally, I can take a shot or two. But there are few things in this world that irk me more than when a person is so convinced that they know they're right about something, that they have someone completely and totally figured out, that they underestimate the "criticizee's" ability. It wouldn't be the first time. Probably won't be the last. But this particular instance has me clearly irritated enough that I'm venting about the whole damn thing. I typically use these scenarios as fuel. That's the best way I get over it.

Things I Learned Over The Weekend

- I missed out on a lot of great games this year
- I haven't vegged out in forever, felt good and bad
- Being a hired gun musically has proven to be pretty interesting, and fun. Maybe I should pursue this as my full time job. Y'know, before the record deal hits.
- Customer Service. Don't really like it.
- I celebrated Puerto Rican day by doing what any true PRican does. I prayed to Jesus and ate food that tastes delicious but isn't really good for me.
- This being my first year following any sport, I had a lot of fun following the Knicks. That being said, I don't want my home away from home team to win it again this year. But heck, if they're gonna play like they want it, far be it from me to be a hater.
- I really want to make a conscious effort to start working out again. This extra NY food weight's gotta go bye bye.
- Women are beautiful. And that's a problem.
- I can't please everyone. But I can try.
- I also can't help those who ultimately can't help themselves. No matter how much I love them.
- Some people on facebook are waaaay to full of themselves for their own good. It's unattractive and unbecoming.
-It was a nice surprise to teach myself how to play one of my favorite songs on guitar so quickly. I may just have this be the first song I cover & put up on my youtube channel.
- Must do something fun in the city this weekend. It's been a while.