Five Peking ducks in five days.
Not because I was conducting some elaborate culinary research project (would be cool), or training for a competitive eating championship (would also be cool, but I don’t think my body will handle it great).
Just because I was in Beijing, and obviously, Beijing has excellent Peking duck, and my brain defaulted to “maximize the experience while you can”.
Three extra kilograms and one very satisfied brain later, I’m realizing this is the travel version of my old “cram everything in” thing.
Except now I have unlimited vacation days.
So what am I still doing?
Here’s what I’m learning about having time — it doesn’t automatically teach you how to use it well. Three quarters of a year into this, and I’m still speed-running experiences like I have a boss expecting me back on Monday.
For years, travel meant cramming everything into those tiny vacation windows: Spreadsheets, backup plans for missed connections, the whole thing.
The scarcity was real then, so the intensity made sense.
But now? I could:
Stay in Hong Kong for three months
Sample every dim sum spot at a reasonable pace
Still have time to figure out which hikes I can safely go through, and which ones I’ll promptly fall off
I’m not doing that though: I’m still eating five ducks in five days.
Back when I had a proper job, travel meant attempts at complete disconnection: out-of-office scheduling and messages, making sure my team was covered, and identifying who to reach when I’m unavailable, (but don’t worry, you can still reach me on WhatsApp!).
Now, the work doesn’t stop just because I’m in a different place or time zone.
In fact, some of my best thinking happens when I’m walking through unfamiliar streets, mind relaxed, patterns connecting in ways they don’t always at home.
“We’ll catch up when you’re back,” my friend says casually, after I suggest we hop on a call while I’m in Hong Kong.
I pause.
Because how do I not sound pompous while over-explaining that this is my new normal, and I don’t know when I’ll be back?
So, I’ve started calling it “time away” rather than “travel”, because I think the wording matters.
Travel has itineraries, but time away has rhythms.
Travel tries to cover everything, while time away goes deep.
It’s slow going, this unlearning.
Yesterday I watched videos, “48 hours in...” places I haven’t been yet, even though I could easily spend more time there if something pulls me in that direction.
There is that familiar pressure to make the most of it even as I look at my calendar.
That mindset? It runs real deep.
But there are glimpses of what the new normal could look like:
Following my Garmin’s daily suggested workouts every single day that I can, then discovering Hong Kong’s sloping hikes on the same day anyway.
Taking buses for no destination other than watching the city unfold through windows — one of my favorite things to do back home, except now it’s double-decker buses threading through Central, and the people-watching comes with Cantonese chatter instead of the familiar mix of Singlish.
Skipping the touristy temple because I’m genuinely more interested in the neighborhood Pokemon market today, but oh boy, did I feel the infamous Hong Kong crowding within the walls.
The three kilograms will come off eventually (I hope so, at least).
But unlearning make the most of every moment — that work is going to take longer. Having the time to do that is the privilege.
I’m working on it.
One duck at a time.
Other things
Hello, hey, hi! I’ve been absent — death in the family; much-needed calibration after etc. — from sending these out in a rhythm, but I’m trying to get back into the groove.
(I’ve written some ”field notes” without sending them to inboxes though; I’m still working on being more unfiltered!)
I’ve set up autocorrect for duck — so, if you find flying fucks in the text above, please know I’ve tried my best to catch them back into the flock.
But seriously, I’ve got Peking duck recommendations if anyone wants them 😅
Until next time,
Jalyn
Great to have you back, I love your posts!
But maybe speed running experiments is in your dna! I realised it is in mine… followed by periods of rest.
Also, I am a fan of peking duck and the last time I had it was over a decade ago 🥹the photos you shared reminded me of that meal!