Love, mandarin, xiao long bao and meeting Big Bajowski Boris ofc

Bleh going out there on the 29th was hoping to see you. Next time!

BGP, looking to make a trip down to your neighborhood when I'm back. Need to start exploring Taiwan more, and will be nice with nothing hanging over my head.

Torg: Triple B always down for a good time, so I look forward to meeting you.

Heading off to the States on Weds. Just want to get the Bar over with so I can have some time for myself. I really want to write about something that has been happening lately, and been in progress over the months, but I think I need to organize my thoughts. So, will write about that when I have a moment in the States.

Cheers everyone, be grand, and if you are ever feeling down, as my mother says, "At least you aren't an oppressed Muslim woman in the Saudi Arabia who isn't allowed to drive.'

-Big Body Boris

How'd the bar exam go? Hows things going? You still in the states?

I'm heading to Hong kong in Feb for a visa run.Going to be going with my GF. I remember you saying you lived there for awhile. Any must eat restaurants or places to visit?

Hey YF!

I'm still in Taipei. I've definitely been silent as of late, and by that, I mean the last 7 months. I started dating a girl who was one of my best friends out here, so have been living a relatively tame life. Also, just saving as much as I can in order to quit my job, which I'm doing. Putting my 2 weeks notice in on Jan 16th.

Started my own thing up on the side doing work for small to medium-sized law firms and hopefully some blockchain stuff. Then just trading and investing in crypto, so may just try and live off that for a while, as that's gone quite well since I got into it back in 2015 or so.

Awesome to hear you are going to HK. Was just there for my 27th in end of September. If you and the GF want a nice, scenic hike, would recommend Dragon's Back, ends at Big Wave Bay. I also love Temple Street in Kowloon, which is a hustlin' and bustlin' street with lots of local food. What type of food are you looking for specifically?

Places to visit:

1. Dragon's Back
2. Happy Valley Horse Race (Weds night)
3. Cheng Chau (or one of the other islands, can take a ferry there and ride bikes around and have some good seafood) - overall, a good date activity I think.
4. Star Ferry at night (cliche, but Big Body loves The World of Suzie Wong, and thus, the Star Ferry).
5. Drinks at O-Zone.

If anything wondering about in particular, more than glad to help.

Feel bad dropping off with updating this, but it didn't feel that right to be writing some of my degen stories while being with the gal. It's also hard to write about that situation, since if she found it, that probably wouldn't look too good.

To be honest, I'm definitely a bit lost with what I want right now. Professionally, love-wise, and everything. The last couple months have been some of the most irritating and some of my unhappiest, but I attribute a lot of that to work, and trying to reconcile some feelings I've never had before. Being only 27 though, there's a lot out there, and a large part of me enjoys my independence, so I have a lot of things to think about. Trying to find a balance over here, Big Body isn't retired though, there's a lot of life to be lived, and you'll be hearing about it at some point. I just am not sure when. I'll be back.

Also: Shout out to BGP. Always great to meet him and eat Gordon Biersch and have some beers. Always awesome to have a real friend out in Asia.

Cheers,

Big Body Boris

Hey dude sounds like you've got some awesome stuff going on. I completely understand why you wouldnt update it. I got a little skin into the crypto game myself but unfortunately for me its no where near what it could of been. Its a good time to be alive if you're into the internet money.

Yeah GFs can be great at times and other times a drag. Mine keeps me from going to hard on the degenning which is a good thing for the way I am. Eventually the day will come where i need to get away for a couple days and do some partying but lucky being in Asia a good degen night or two is never far away from us if we crave it. As time goes on I degen less and less and am more comfortable spending my time with her but its always tough here. I guess thats why so many Asian dudes cheat(allegedly) a fun night with a young hot and fresh girl is never tough to come by.

We all feel lost from time to time. By the sounds of where you're at you have it way more together then most. Enjoy yourself, you're young do what it is that makes u happy and you'll be good.

Thanks for all the suggestions. For sure will check some of them out. We both love some dim sum,seafood, and overpriced high end hotel buffets. Me being American obv love some western food esp good beef.. If there's any famous Western places to try I always like to check them out when i go to a new country. Seoul had really sick Mexican place that we hit up when we went for example. I know the old "eat the local food of the country" saying which i do but I live in Asia so i do like to try a good Western place or two if their available.

Thanks again for the awesome reply brother.

haha, I just booked a trip to taiwan for a couple weeks, also w/ the gf for most of it. came here to ask what was recc'd and saw your post above without realizing those were all HK reccs. any word on what's good to do in taipei, or taiwan in general? I'll be there for 2 weeks, and gf for a week of it. Heard about a train down the western coastline but not sure what's there. Taroko gorge looks cool, hopefully not overrated tourist trap. Maybe some mountain hike, couple night markets and food exploring...what's goooood?

down to meet up if you're still there, saw ur quitting your job next week or so. I'm full time crypto these days and don't ever mind sharing some knowledge

Hey guys (specifically YF and Boliver)!

YF: I appreciate the kind words and advice, it does mean a lot and does give some reassurance that life is too short to be unhappy and **** on.

Food-wise: I wanted to go to this place really bad last time I was in HK because I heard it's awesome: https://www.google.com.tw/search?q=b...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Brazilian BBQ. Taipei needs some of that.

Also, a bit random, but I had some of the best Indian food I've had. It was fusion Indian from a place called 'Bindaas.' Really cool and hip (is that what the kids are saying these days?) place and great for a date and some drinks. Mexican-wise, HK is limited, but 'Coyote' in Wan Chai is always an option, and for awesome Spanish food, my buddy is actually the floor manager for Catalunya which I highly recommend.

Also, I do think Roundhouse does pretty good American BBQ. Another fav of mine is Butcher's Club, a few locations, but I hit the Wan Chai one for their burgers. But, their other locations are great for getting a good cut of beef.

For more local, there is a internationally recognized Dim Sum place called Dim Dim Sum (yes, two "dims") in Wan Chai, and it was one of the highlights of my last time there. Additionally, I may need to shill a friend's place called 3 Blind Mice, which is ****ing awesome and a great spot also in Wan Chai (Ship Street), and off the path of the hustle and bustle (and by that I mean street-front hookers). They do a mix of American and have had some great ribs, pastas, etc...

Fast food eats: Ebeneezer's and their loaded chips (french fries with lamb, chicken, and kebab sauces on it).

Let me know how the trip goes, and I hope it's a great time. It truly is my favorite city out there. Also, feel free to hit me up with anymore questions, etc.. and I'll do my best to answer or ask a buddy.

Boliver: Good to hear from you man and that's awesome you are coming to Taiwan. Maybe a double date in order, who knows. I think you are pretty spot on with hitting Taroko Gorge, it is touristy, but it really is one thing that makes Taiwan great. If you are looking for surfing (I think you surf?) I think my buddy surfs at Waiao Beach in Yilan (not too far out of Taipei).

Also, night markets are a must. I think if you want the Taiwan experience, Shilin Night Market is a must (most popular and most crowded). Tonghua Night Market is actually my favorite and right next door, and less crowded. Also, NingXia Night Market is very cramped, but I'm told the food quality is some of the best (been there a few times, a bit overwhelming, but overall a good experience).

If coming with your girlfriend, I might also recommend hitting a hot spring, in Jiaoxi (Yilan), which has hot spring hotels and such. Or just going to one of the public hot springs in Beitou (mostly a lot of old wrinkly Taiwanese men sitting around, but a pretty good time).

Hiking: If you want a good view and relatively easy hike, Elephant Mountain (25 mins to the top and overlooks 101), and then you can continue on for a further hike with the 4 'beasts.' With my Spanish buddy Golden Eagle, we went and did Qixingshan, which was great and up in Yuanshan.

Extra: I'd even suggest checking out one of the 2nd tier cities, such as Tainan, or Taizhong, because they have great night markets, and show a different side of Taiwan. Taipei is awesome, but I really enjoyed my time going to Tainan, which just felt a lot more relaxed. Also, Yilan is worth noting as a great place. It's not the most exciting city, but a 2 hour train ride to stay for a day or so isn't that bad.

Let me know if you have any specific questions, and more than glad to help. Also, keen to meet up, I'm sure there will be time where we both are free. Can go to an izakaya (Japanese bbq) or go to Aquatic Addiction (a great sushi place with three different tiers of restaurants).

Crypto-wise, I always love talking crypto, so does my lady friend. I actually landed two contributing writing positions for two different blockchain websites, so maybe will link to those articles at some point when they are up. What I'm pretty keen on right now:

OMG: have been for a while, love it.
WTC: Great long-term hold in my opinion, 2018 maybe not huge year for it, but 2019 for sure.
RDN: Think even Vitalik has said RDN quite good for ETH scalability solution
ICX: Because, Korea...need I say more?
KCS: Like the idea, still doing some more research on it.
ARK: Think quite comprehensive and like delegated PoS.

Also think DeepBrainChain pretty interesting.

Cheers everyone and hope your 2018 has started great. Going to be the best year yet and going to hopefully take advantage of a new opportunity, get in better shape, explore more, and try and forge on with my own thing.

Best,

Big Body Boris

Cool dude thanks. I'll check out some of the suggestions for sure. Quite a few of those are interesting to me.

Think the word the kids use nowadays is "lit" by the way lol.

YF,
Skip coyotes and also make sure you sample the local food. I know you like western food but HK Chinese food is elite. Nothing like that s**t they serve in Thailand. You'll be very happy with the local stuff. But if you do want a burger butcher club is a top option.

Yeah I'll be eating quite a bit of local food as well. My GF loves her Asian food. I like some Asian food but I'm more of the standard American give me my meat style guy. I always mix it up when im traveling to a new place making sure to try a good portion of local stuff as well as some of the better non French/Italian international places offered.

I told her about the dim dim sum place and I know 100% were going there, we both love some dim sum. One of my favorite places to eat in BKK is Din Tai fung so ill be interested to compare the dimsum in Hong Kong to that. I know HK has Dintaifungs as well but we'll be skipping that to try new places.

hey man perfect recommendations - really appreciate it. Might skip the west coast train trail and hit up taroko and that surf town for our trips. Really cool to see about hiking so close to the city as well, and looking into it more it seems like most of the trails are lit 24/7, so can go on random 2am hikes and stuff which seems pretty cool.

ha, I just put my ladyfriend on full time salary to do research for me in cryptoland, im sure we'll be down to meet up anytime. Never had dimsum, sounds like a decent place to put some new stuff in my mouth

Back from Hong Kong now. Was a good time. Alot diff feel then Tokyo,Seoul, or Bangkok to me. Seemed like everybody was in a rush all the time and everything moved fast compared to the others. Also heard alot more diff languages walking around then the other cities.

I checked out Dim Dim sum it was good. Did the butcher club the first day i was there and I was like "This is the best burger I've had in Asia". Then a couple days later I went to "Beef and Liberty" and I was like damn butcher club was good but this I think is a little better. Spoiled for good burgers in that city compared to Bangkok man! Also really enjoyed the supercity food market, some amazing food there.

Anyways thanks again for the suggestions hope everythings good with ya.

Damn, I miss this thread

Glad you had a good time in HK YF. And, sometimes all a man needs is just a piece of meat and a beer.

G2A, here's to hoping you get back to Asia.

I haven't updated in a while, because as I mentioned earlier in this thread, I started dating someone - coming up on 10 mos. So, I felt out of respect for her, I wouldn't post about what Big Body does best.

Of course I miss the single life, and it looks like I may be returning to that soon - which means, more frequent updating. It's always sad to kind of have an expiration date on your relationship, but it looks like the girl and I finally learned of our time - around mid-July.

I kind of feel like Costanza in Seinfeld when he talks about independent George and relationship George. "If relationship Big Body walks through this door, he will kill independent Big Body. A Big Body divided against itself, cannot stand!"

She just got offered an awesome crypto-related job in Taipei, which would keep her here - and my visa ends July 23rd. I would have liked to be out of Taipei earlier, however, I stuck around for her - and unfortunately she didn't really tell me she was applying to places in Taiwan for work, otherwise, I could have expedited my departure.

I won't get too much into the details of the relationship at the moment, as I'm still unsure what is in store in the future.

This is just a short update of sorts.

I quit my job back in January after I realized I absolutely hated everyone there and what I was doing - also I was spurred on by the fact that a lot of crypto investments had paid off and netted me a bit to relax on. Also, back in Sept, I started my own little SEO/content thing, and that was going really well - picking up 3 big clients which have been very consistent since then.

Additionally, I've been writing basic crypto advice and such for the last 4 mos. Nothing revolutionary, just mostly project breakdowns and some of my favorite picks out there. Actually just been overworking myself a lot, but trying to make as much as possible - while putting a good amount into crypto as well.


In the near future - HK boys trip coming up in mid-May, however, as I'm still in a relationship, I don't really see that getting too wild.

In July, I need to move somewhere and I'm looking at Europe/Eastern Europe. Kind of want an adventure, and just going to do a 3 month stint and then return to Asia.

At the moment, here are my choices - in no particular order:

-Riga, Latvia
-Tallinn, Estonia,
-Somewhere in Croatia,
-Budapest, Hungary,
-Barcelona.

Not really sure what to pick, will book a flight in end of May or early June. Already been a great start to the year, and hopefully I'll be able to share it with you all.

Be grand,

Big Body Boris

Sorry about the gf but glad to hear you're getting out of Taiwan, sounds like you've been ready to leave for awhile.

Great update as always, Boris.

I believe that the coolest people in the world are the multi-dimensional ones, who can have periods of both whoring their ass off but also settle down for a while.

Smart idea to spend some months in Europe now that it's summer there. Good luck!
ps.: have you ever been to Budapest? I found its nightlife to be amazing(to my tastes). There are places called "ruin bars" with free entrance, cool decoration etc and a bunch of drunk tourist girls. Then right next to it there's a park where all the locals get drunk on weekends, and I found the ratio of girls/guys to be pretty good there.

Thanks BGP - really appreciate it, and I'm sure our paths will be crossing in the second half of this year after I move back to Asia.

G2A - you literally got my thinking about only Budapest now after doing some more research. I forgot to mention that my mother actually lives in Budapest 6 months of the year cause she runs some study abroad program for the university she teaches at. Have not seen her in quite some time, so I think it might be nice - either way, I'll be living or visiting there definitely.

I figure I should keep rolling since it seems like the nail is in the coffin. Not to get sappy, but I figured I'd share. This is just a continuous stream of consciousness, so hopefully not too rambly.

Yesterday, after the girlfriend received her offer from the crypto company (12 hours later), I was ecstatic for her. I would never want to be the cause of someone passing up a great opportunity, especially for something she really loves. I got her into crypto a bit over a year ago, and she's taken to it much more than me.

I know I would feel guilty if I ever prevented someone from chasing their dreams, as I would expect someone let me go in the same way - especially at 27. I imagine it gets more complex the older you get, but at 27/28, now is the time to be selfish in certain areas, to avoid future resentment and fully give it your best shot.

As I mentioned, I was ecstatic for her. I was at my favorite cafe (Yaboo - if anyone is every in Taipei, highly recommend it, and they have two cats). But, I had a moment where I just sat there staring off into space, because I realized exactly what it meant. I finished up some work and ended up meeting up with her and heading back to her place to just hang out and watch some tv.

Side note: If you haven't seen Tabula Rasa on Netflix, watch it ASAP. It's a Flemish psychological thriller tv series, and it's honestly one of the best pieces of television I've ever seen. Feel like I'm semi-fluent in Flemish after watching it because I can yell words in English with a funny accent and it sounds Flemish. Also, check out The Sinner - Jessica Biel makes a surprising return and it's highly worth it.

Instead of watching tv, she just kind of broke down. I understand how overwhelming it must be. Everything comes at you so ****ing fast and you have less and less time to appreciate every step of the way. You wake up one day and you have all these huge decisions which need to be made with some urgency - that's scary ****. Crocodiles and sharks can kiss my ass. I'm scared of getting audited and getting ****ing health insurance again.

It was sad. She sat there crying and I just kept wiping her tears away. She knew she was going to take it, and we both agreed how the right thing to do isn't always the easiest thing. As much as I longed for the single life in certain ways, I still loved every bit with her, especially since she has been my best friend for the last year and a half (even before we started dating).

Besides Russian aristocrats hunting grown men for sport on Caribbean islands, dating your best friend really is the most dangerous game.

I ended up leaving around 2am, and when I got home, I just started ****ing crying. I know some of you out there are too manly to cry, and I thought I was too. Pretty sure I haven't cried since a drug-induced hallucination back in college when I smashed up my laptop and phone against the wall while naked and walked outside in the cold of winter (still naked) and threw them both in the dumpster while my entire house of 10 people stood watching in horror because I had woken them up.

I'm a pretty expressive person in real life - could definitely be some old Italian lady's favorite grandson if the stars aligned properly. BGP has seen my mannerisms. However, with women, I've been told by quite a few that I'm quite robotic with my emotions in a relationship. I guess I figured after my first serious girlfriend - a Puerto Rican with an ass like a Clydesdale - who was my best friend for four years and I truly loved, that I'd reserve any real emotions for someone really special. That is why it's been easy for me to have casual sex all these years, because I don't have any real attachment. Until now apparently.

I just started ****ing crying and couldn't stop. Trying to drink Schweppes with my head tilted back in bed, accidentally spilling sparkling water all over my face and chest while trying to quench the tightening throat. I stayed up most of the night. It's like I couldn't shake the thought. Usually I can compartmentalize things in my head, and let things build up on one side, gain some perspective, and then tackle it at a later date and in a rational manner - not last night. It just hit me.

Dating your best friend might be the absolute best thing out there, but can break a man. And, like pooping one's pants - something I've only done 3 times in my life - this may also be only the 3rd time I've truly ever just broken down and cried. But, I'm optimistic and hopeful for the future. I feel calmer today, with now only one tiny tear hanging on my cheek as I type this - a tear similar to that of the Native Americans in those old 1970s PSAs where they cried a single powerful tear while scolding the white man for pollution and throwing garbage on the ground.

Life goes on. You wake up, you take a deep breath, and you confront the day little by little - opting out of thinking about the gravity and overall overwhelming picture that might be looming above you. Take the small victories at first, build yourself up, and stay the course. Good things and good people come to those who do.

And, to quote my mother, "at least you aren't an oppressed Muslim woman in a country where you aren't even allowed to drive."

-Big Body

Great post... those feels

I cry alot. also poop my pants alot. do yo' thang man. the variance of life is the only reason its so goddamn interesting and special.

budapest seems like a no brainer, plus quick cheap trips to the balkans anytime you want.

lol same boliver... Boris you only shat yourself 3 times? Either a lie or you don't eat enough. Thanks for trusting us enough to open up, bro. It's beautiful to see a man crack and then build himself back up again.

Thanks BGP - looking forward to seeing you (hopefully in near future).

Boliver & G2A - need receipts (proof) on the pooping of pants. I'm talking legit being in public, just getting that sudden hot flash which causes you to stiffen up and start walking like a zombie, followed by not making it. For example, one Halloween in college - was in a centaur outfit, with a paper mache horses body strapped to my ass. Drank about 20 shots of watered down pink panty droppers, and just wasn't able to take the centaur body off of me in time. Ruined a great pair of already brown slacks.

Also, Boliver - hopefully our paths able to cross, I know you had some events to go to in Taipei, and I had a few things going on as well, so maybe in future will be seeing you. Hope all is well on your end - I imagine it is after seeing that drone video from Bali.

G2A - I used to think I wanted to meet my heroes as a child - Greg Maddux (baseball player) & Bill Clinton, but now all I want is a weekend out in Asia with G2A.

Emotions have settled a bit on both ends (girlfriend and I). Already feeling more level, and it's looking like Budapest has gotta be it. 2018 is going to be a big year of travel for me, so I'm sure I'll be running into some of you.

Be grand,

BBB

Nothing useful to add, but figured a "keep up the hilarious posts" was in order, to show you the thread is being read.

Given that I'm a Belgian (Tabula Rasa ) lawyer () with a Hungarian girlfriend (Budapest is the best) who traveled in Asia extensively, I could relate here & there.

If crying is coming just cry it out. I always feel so much better after just letting it go.

Have been through all the cities you mentioned in the last two years. Barcelona seems like an outlier in that group. Spain is certainly cheap as far as western Euro standards are concerned but that really doesn't include Barca and Madrid. If you were looking for Spanish beach I'd recommend you research Valencia and if a more old towny vibe is to your liking then Sevilla.

Tallinn is, imo, pretty significantly worse than all the other options. It just feels small and grimey. Also not as cheap as one may think. I also can't imagine someone going that far east and not just going all the way to Saint Petersburg. Seems like a much bigger adventure compared to Tallinn. If you get out in June you can be there for the World Cup.

Riga is a much better Tallinn... for a foreigner imo. The central area is really nice, maybe feels a bit "too nice"? People seem more cosmopolitan, easier to get around.

Croatia probably depends on where you want to be. Tons of tourists in Croatia. Lots of beaches. Relaxing place; not a place I'd recommend to be single, though.

Budapest, of your choices, seems best. I was just there Monday and it was a really nice balance of old timey and new people. Have you considered Romania? Similar to Budapest, English seems just a prevalent, in the cities at least, and it's VERY cheap. Also, if you know a romance language Romanian is pretty easy to pick up, at least for survival. I would pull up stakes and do some time in a few different places in Romania. You could always start in Budapest and move east if you're not liking it. Budapest - Timisoara - Sibiu - Bucharest. South into Sofia if you want to keep going.

I never ****ted in my pants but it happened more times than I can remember that I had to poop in Asia and clean myself with my underwear’s because there was no paper available. Also happened more than I’d like to admit to have a girls poop in my bed while doing anal.

Keep the poop!

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