Bonnie Tsui finds ways to elevate the holiday experience by simply tapping into the everyday routines of others You could say that I have a public pool habit when I travel. From Reykjavík and Sydney to Phoenix and Palm Springs, California , it’s how I eavesdrop on and observe everyday life, wherever I am. Early one morning last summer in Tokyo , I entered the lobby of a sports complex in the Shimokitazawa neighbourhood, joined the orderly queue of seniors, and enthusiastically pantomimed my way to a day pass.
After my swim, I followed the illustrated signs and rinsed off before wandering over to the hot tub. A tiny Japanese woman with a halo of white hair gave me a grin as I got in. “I like your swimming!” she said, in English.
From our perch, we chatted animatedly as the 8am aqua aerobics class kicked and splashed into high gear. It was a highlight of my time in Japan . READ MORE: Travel tips and tricks others don’t know about to make travel smooth I was reminded of this the other day while getting a haircut from my longtime hairdresser in Berkeley, California, Noel Shabazian.
He mentioned a trip he was about to take to Little Rock, Arkansas, to visit his girlfriend’s parents, and I asked what he was planning to do..
