Asia Adieu
Posted on 14. Aug, 2009 by Aisling Blake in Aisling Blake, The Stars
I’m writing this in my 10th hotel room in my 6th hotel that I’ve stayed in during the month that I’ve been in Asia. I’ve packed and unpacked countless times so on Tuesday when I unpacked for the final time I was nearly able to do it in my sleep. My adventure this trip took me to 2 countries I’d never been to before – Taiwan and Singapore – and one that I always enjoy coming back to – Malaysia.
I’m playing in my 4th competition now in Kuala Lumpur, I’m due to play the semis later against the new local sensation Low Wee Wern so we’ll see what the game brings today. Usually 3 tournaments in a row is my limit, after which my head starts to explode (!), but having had the World Games at the start of this trip in Taiwan meant I could stay out here and do 3 WISPA events aswell. So far the results have been mixed – I qualified into the main draw in the KL Open, didn’t qualify in the Singapore Open so that by that flawless logic this tournament should mean good things for me!
I’m returning to Amsterdam tomorrow after a month on the road and while I’m looking forward to it I’ll definitely miss certain things about this part of the world: the crazy frightening thunderstorms you could set your watch by every afternoon that can drench you in 0.02 seconds flat, the bartering with stall owners while I try to convince them I’m a local so they won’t rip me off (but let’s be honest, being Irish and blessed(?!) with pale skin I’m not fooling anyone, am I….?). Will also miss the sun, for sure, I’ve a feeling I’m not going to need the factor 30 when I’m back in Amsterdam next week!
Right, off to practise now…

