The first line of Imogen Heap’s song Hide and Seek perfectly describes my initial thoughts of India: “Where are we? What the hell is going on?” Immediately after arriving in New Delhi, culture shock dealt me a nice punch in the stomach. Taking a taxi to my hotel, I discovered that Indian “highways” are multi-purpose areas where literally anything goes – in addition to cars and motorbikes, main roads are also utilized for social gatherings and cow herding. Turning onto the street where my hotel was situated, I was welcomed by two drunken homeless men partaking in a friendly fistfight. I then experienced what it would feel like to sleep outside during rush hour in New York City — just by staying a night inside my hotel.

When I imagined Mongolia before traveling there this summer with my girlfriend Tanya, I thought of gers, nomads, and wide open spaces; I imagined a country unchanged by time. In reality, just 15 years into their new democratic, capitalist way of life, Mongolia is a country in transition. Mongolians are truly embracing the modern, yet holding on to their traditional lifestyles and proud history. It’s an exciting time to visit Mongolia as it tries to find the right balance for the future.

It’s certainly a popular destination for JETs and everyone else! So what does Thailand have to offer? Well, for a start, its reputation as a cultural highlight is well-deserved. It’s also a great introduction to South-East Asia, offering both a well-travelled backpacker trail and other destinations that are well off the beaten path. Besides, where else can you stay in a 4-star hotel for less than the cost of a mid-range here in Japan?