A Year Later: Dancing around the world and bringing it home

It’s been very close to a year since I started this blog. This morning before San Francisco Dance Sensation, sitting above this magnificent scenery, I look back at the year that just went by. A year, such a short time period, yet so much happened.

I quit my stable full time job to leave on a two month adventure in Asia. Two weeks of which was spent with Hugo and Sabrina from the Camellia Sinensis. They were amazing travel partners. Great sense of humor with curiosity beyond end. We were on a mission – discovering new variety of Vietnamese tea and understanding the culture of tea in Vietnam. Part of our discoveries are available in the book Thé Vert: À la rencontre d’un art millénaire.

My journey brought me to Singapore where I made amazing friends among the local Lindyhoppers and Westies. By far a very welcoming community.

Japan was a dream come true. It felt like a civilization that grew from in between the east and the west. I got a taste of Japanese Zen Meditation in the mountains of Antaiji. I danced like there was no tomorrow meeting amazing people – Yoko, Isaac, Kuma, Shigure, Yusuke, Chieri, Alice, Sophie, and Ben. I sampled tea all over Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. In the process I met a young gentlemen, Yoshi Watada, owner and tea sommelier of Chachanoma. He inspired me by his composure and dedication. I also had the honor of being received by the Sugiyama, a family of tea cultivator, owner of Shibakirien. Thank you Hugo.

A few months after the Asian escapade, it was time to indulge in la dolce vita italiana. During my very short stay in Rome before enjoying a peaceful week in Sicily, I had a blast Lindyhopping in historical sites and on the beach. Una scialla notte indeed. Thank you Mara Lou, Elena, Gaia, Andrea, and Dory for making my stay incredible.

Since my more permanent return on North American soil towards the end of 2012, I have dedicated myself to regularly attend West Coast Swing and Blues event all over the continent. Some months I would be at a dance event three weekends out of four dancing to the wee hour of the morning. I made lots of worthy encounters who proceeded to become friends. Dancing is amazing! By January 2013, I officially made it into novice with 2 WSDC points by finishing 5th with Marie-Charlotte. Thank you Marie-Charlotte and all the best in intermediate

I lived a fulfilled year doing mostly what I love: exploring tea, dancing, and traveling. I made numerous new encounters through this shared passion. Where does all this leaves me now?

*Drum roll*

It’s time to bring all this back to Montreal!

Will be opening a Tea Shop in the upcoming months AND…

For the first time EVER, bringing a couple of TOP WCS professionals to Montreal!

Moral of the story

Do what you love and do it often.
Good things will come from it.

For the realist who wonders “What about money?”
To that I answer, it is a valid concern. A concern that I’ve had this whole year while persevering in living without ever compromising on doing what I love. I cannot tell you how it worked out to be this way. A few days ago, I was afraid to look at my bank account. Afraid to find out that I was poorer now than I was a year ago or, even worse, that I would be full of debt. I can happily say that my net worth has increased since last year. Somehow, things just work out.

Thank you life
and everyone who has been part of it!

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Minh-Tam in Dance, Tea, Travel, West Coast Swing 2 Comments

Singapore High Teas: TWG Tea Garden @ Marina Bay Sands

The only other item on my Singapore agenda aside from dancing was to try out a few Singaporean high teas. It turns out that during my stay, time only allowed me to try out one venue. Sokmean told me before I left Montreal that, if I was a tea passionate, I had to know of TWG. I didn’t.

As we walked up to the tea salon, I could barely contain my excitement. I had read very good reviews about the salon online. The highlights were its teas and macaroons. From the elegantly displayed orchids, the imposing mahogany counter, to the golden tea containers, everything shouted “We take our tea seriously.”

My friend, Sokmean, didn’t have much experience with tea. As we sat down, I asked her the type of flavours she would like to uncover in her cup of tea. She wished for a fruity or flowery surprise. The first thing that came to mind was a fine wulong.

Before narrowing down a few teas of my own from their very extensive tea menu, I wanted to be adventurous and allow us to be guided towards new discoveries by one of their experienced associates. Read more

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Minh-Tam in Tea, Travel Leave a comment

Singapore: Discovering Teh Tarik

Standing next to me on the MRT was a young Indian-looking man. Having just arrived in Singapore less than an hour ago, I decided to find out about the Singaporean tea world from a local. It turns out that he was a foreign student and would be returning to Kingston, Ontario, the next day. He did tell me that I should definitely try Teh Tarik. He described it as the Malaysian version of Indian chaï. While pushing for a more detailed description of the difference between Teh Tarik and chaï, the only thing I got was “It just tastes perfect,” in a solemn tone. Now, this was a beverage that I HAD to try.

Singapore being a very rapidly changing city, I was lucky enough to come across a Teh Tarik establishment just minutes walk away from my hostel, Sleepy Sam’s. Sokmean, a Montrealer friend who now relocated to Singapore, later told me that it has been around for decades. It is a no name sarabat stall located at the junction of Bussorah and Baghdad street, not far from 21 Bussorah street. A glass of this heart warming beverage still goes for less than 1 SGD.

After hearing such a mouth watering description of the beverage, I walked there full of anticipation. What is this beverage made up of? What type of spices are used? Could this be the perfect chaï that I’ve been looking for? Read more

Posted on May 13, 2012 by Minh-Tam in Tea, Travel 2 Comments

Swinging/Whipping it out in Swingapore

I’ve been in northern Vietnam for a bit over two weeks now exploring the fascinating world of tea. As the last hour of my stay in Hanoi trickles away, I turned on my iPhone for the first time since my arrival in Vietnam. The airport suddenly looked very different as I traveled towards the departure gate bathing in song – Dance the Night Away from the movie Footloose.

It was with much anticipation that I looked forward to the next two evening of swing dancing in Singapore. Two evening that ended up lasting my whole stay.

Lindy Hop at Jitterbugs Swingapore – Thursday, 9 pm to 11 pm

I was told that Singapore had practically a shopping mall per MRT station, but I never imagined that I would be swing dancing in a shopping mall. The dance studio had a glass wall that opened on the food court where all the passer-by could contemplate the dancers hopping away at the jazz rhythm reminiscent of the big band era.

After a few dances, as people found out that I wasn’t from Singapore, Anthony came up to me insisting for a picture for their blog where they archive all their visitors Jazz Up Your Life Singapore! As the night progressed, I was invited to join them for a flash mob on Sunday in Sentosa for Balloonanza.

Saturday night, Boyu informed us that there was going to be live jazz at Marina Bay Sands. We showed up for some Lindy Bombing and ended up staying much later after the band had finished playing. At that point, our dancing was powered by iPods.

West Coast Swing at Jitterbugs Swingapore – Friday, 9 pm to midnight

For a young scene, approximately 2 years old I was told, they have amazing dancers. Also a very welcoming scene. I danced with this girl, Hope, who immediately introduced me to her friends when she found out that I wasn’t from Singapore. After many more dances late into the night, I ended up joining them for 2 am Dim Sum in the “Chicken” Area (aka Their Red Light District). Apparently they call it that way because “chicken” and “prostitute” in Chinese sounds familiar. One of the best Dim Sum I’ve had in a while. They got me to taste this grass jelly with soya milk drink. Surprisingly enough, since I don’t like soya milk, I liked the drink.

He Ji Bao Restaurant near Aljunied MRT Station with Eugene Wong, Sharyl Thung, and SokHui Tay (All West Coast Swing Dancers)

On Sunday, after the flash mob in Sentosa, Hope offered to show me around the Marina Bay area and make me taste Singapore trademark chicken rice at Chuen Chuen Chicken Rice, 21 Tan Quee Lan street, close to Bugis MRT. The tender, sweet, and savory steamed chicken accompanied by slightly savory chicken rice was simply delicious. A simple and filling meal for no more than 4$ CND. Click here for a picture. By the time I remembered to take one, I had already devoured the chicken.

We then proceeded to contemplate the illuminated city of Singapore from KU-DÉ-TA, a bar located at the top of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel. Tip: There is no cover charge on Sundays.

Amazing stay in Singapore thanks, in part, to an amazingly welcoming swing dance crowd!

Posted on May 12, 2012 by Minh-Tam in Dance, Lindy Hop, Travel, West Coast Swing 3 Comments