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I'm Asian American. Here's how the pandemic changed how I view travel.

July 29, 2021
7 min read
I'm Asian American. Here's how the pandemic changed how I view travel.
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"Ni hao."

"Konnichi wa."

These are Chinese and Japanese greetings that I expect to hear while traveling abroad. Not that these phrases are anything bad on their own.

But I've come to realize that sometimes, a "hello" isn't simply a hello.

Often, it's accompanied by a smirk and a contrived accent. With one single phrase, it blurs distinct East Asian cultures into an indistinguishable monolith. It assumes that I, as a person of Asian descent, may not speak English. After all, Asian Americans are seen as perpetual foreigners.

Other times, it's no words at all. An impenetrable stare lingers long after one's eyes have moved on. As an Asian American who frequently travels abroad, I have come to tolerate -- and in fact, expect -- microaggressions such as these.

Hear it, brush it off and move on.

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But something changed late last year that made me more deeply consider my Asian identity, especially as it relates to travel.

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The wave of hate and violence that rattled the Asian American Pacific Islander community also unnerved me too. It was the direct result of anti-Asian rhetoric associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

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A post shared by Chris Dong (@thechrisflyer)

It made me more deeply ponder an element of travel that I took for granted for far, far too long: my own safety.

In late February, I had a staycation at Hotel 50 Bowery in New York City's Chinatown neighborhood. It was an area of town that I've come to embrace as a home away from home.

I wandered the deserted streets near Canal and Bowery in the evening with another friend, also of Asian descent. Typically, the vibrant Chinatown sidewalks would be crowded with hawkers and food vendors, filling the air with shrill, yet familiar sounds and tantalizing scents.

But the pandemic's devastating effect on the area's businesses -- coupled with the brisk winter cold -- created a more desolate atmosphere.

It was only after we got back to the hotel that I learned an Asian man -- not much older than myself -- was attacked in a hate crime 24 hours earlier at the exact spot where I carelessly frolicked.

(Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Related: How to support Asian and Asian American communities at home and on the road

It wasn't just an isolated incident. According to statistics from Stop AAPI Hate, there were 6,603 reports of anti-Asian hate from March 19, 2020, to March 31, 2021. But sometimes, it's one particular event that triggers an avalanche of emotions. For me, this was that one event.

Fast forward to this summer.

I recently traveled to Portugal to cover the country's reopening, my first major international trip in many months.

In the weeks following that particular incident in Chinatown, I began to realize how important travel was in feeling empowered. Travel not only fed my soul, but it also opened my eyes to the stories -- and the people behind those stories -- that help make the world a much less scary place.

However, in practical terms during this trip, I was more hyperaware of my surroundings -- and people's intentions -- than ever before. The increase in crimes against Asians instilled a newfound sense of "stranger danger."

My flight to Portugal. (Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy)

Related: Testing in Portugal: My experience getting a COVID-19 test to return to the US

Asians are culturally conditioned to withhold. But after the incidents of this past year, I told myself I'd speak up more and ensure that my voice was heard when I felt like it needed to be.

So when several people asked me about my experience traveling as an Asian American in Portugal, I felt like now was the time to share a small glimpse into my own story.

Their question was some variation of this:

[pullquote]How does it feel to be Asian and traveling internationally now in the COVID-19 era?[/pullquote]

At the end of the day, I can only speak for myself and my own experiences, both learned and unlearned. On one hand, there is lingering fear and distrust. My parents always warned me to be cautious of others -- and that upbringing isn't easy to break down.

But on the other hand, the pandemic also instilled in me something surprising. It's a feeling that I can't quite pinpoint exactly.

It goes something like this: There is a certain sense of gratitude for being able to traverse the world and slowly break down the hate and intolerance that others have built up.

And after the events of the past year, I am empowered more than ever before to show that Asians have a voice that can't be taken away, wherever in the world I might be. That was the case in Portugal, and wherever I may be going next.

Travel runs deep in my veins, and I'll continue to use it as my method to uplift my community, those around me and myself.

Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery

Featured image by Photo courtesy of Florian Wehde/Unsplash.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

    Earn 125,000 points
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  • Annual Fee

    $125
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.