Christopher Griffiths
Places I've Lived and Loved
Hong Kong: 2009
I left my Silicon Valley job at the end of 2008 to do some adventuring. On my way back to the USA from Vietnam, I pit-stopped to see a buddy in Hong Kong. A weekend with friends, all of us in Evel Knievel costumes, convinced me to stay.
On Sunday night, I called United to cancel my flight, scheduled for the next morning. I found an apartment and spent the next six months doing odd jobs, training jiujitsu, and falling in love with the city.
On Sunday night, I called United to cancel my flight, scheduled for the next morning. I found an apartment and spent the next six months doing odd jobs, training jiujitsu, and falling in love with the city.
San Francisco, California: 2006-2008
I went on holiday to San Francisco in the middle of October 2006 and decided I had to move there. I loved the boats meandering in the bay, the sunsets against the Pacific, and the way it felt cool to be a geek!
I got myself a job in Silicon Valley and drove cross-country to take it.
I got myself a job in Silicon Valley and drove cross-country to take it.
Lund, Sweden: 2004
Afraid of finishing University too early, I fled the country. The university called it "study abroad."
The trip to Lund was the craziest journey I've ever taken. Laden with 100 pounds of luggage, I flew 5000 miles, took a train 100 miles, and walked a final 4 miles, getting lost frequently along the way, to finally arrive at St-Lärs 83 lodging house. Delirious from exhaustion and sleep deprivation I finally found my new home: a dorm converted from an insane asylum. Straight out of a bad horror movie, it even had a creepy basement full of rusty metal implements.
I ran out of money, too. All but about $40 of my cash went to train tickets and a deposit for the room. Without a working bank-card (international one lost in the mail), and no work visa, I had to find a way to feed myself. I spent the next two weeks buying and refurbishing bicycles. I set up shop in the creepy basement, and used my bicycle profit for food. Eventually, Wachovia sent me a new card.
The trip to Lund was the craziest journey I've ever taken. Laden with 100 pounds of luggage, I flew 5000 miles, took a train 100 miles, and walked a final 4 miles, getting lost frequently along the way, to finally arrive at St-Lärs 83 lodging house. Delirious from exhaustion and sleep deprivation I finally found my new home: a dorm converted from an insane asylum. Straight out of a bad horror movie, it even had a creepy basement full of rusty metal implements.
I ran out of money, too. All but about $40 of my cash went to train tickets and a deposit for the room. Without a working bank-card (international one lost in the mail), and no work visa, I had to find a way to feed myself. I spent the next two weeks buying and refurbishing bicycles. I set up shop in the creepy basement, and used my bicycle profit for food. Eventually, Wachovia sent me a new card.
Raleigh, NC: 1990-2006
Moving from Canada's capital city to North Carolina's was a culture shock for my family. My father, an Englishman, could barely order meals at restaurants for a year. I still think of chitterlings and grits as exotic American cuisine.
Ottawa, Ontario: My Birthplace
I was born in Ottawa - one of the coldest Capital cities in the world. Here is a photo of people skating on the Rideau Canal - a balmy spring afternoon.
