“When life throws you a curveball, all you have to do is adjust your swing”
Usually, when people refer to curveballs, it typically is in one of two ways: a.) They’re actually talking about baseball or b.) They’re faced with some sort of unexpected challenge. But what about a positive curveball? A plan you had no intention of making, yet it literally would slap you in the face if you didn’t make it?
A few weeks ago, my boyfriend casually mentioned the idea of taking a trip to China with his family. Considering my everlasting love of travel, my interest was immediately piqued–then reality set in and I realized that it just wouldn’t be in the cards considering my financial goals and already planned trip to Ireland. As I was opening my mouth to tell him this, he smiled as he explained that it would cost me about $300 plus the cost of my flight for EIGHT days, all-inclusive. To say the least, I was stunned and stood there sputtering for a few seconds before it registered that my jaw was still hanging open.
It turns out that there is an incredible promotion, subsidized I believe by the Chinese government, for overseas Chinese people. Essentially, they want their native citizens to return home for a short while and in return, they are offering an insane incentive: For $49 (yes, you read that correctly), all native citizens currently with dual citizenship in the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, or New Zealand can book a package for 7 nights/8 days which includes all meals, hotels (4 & 5-star!), transportation, guides, tours, and miscellaneous entry fees. The only additional fees are the mandatory $10/day tip and personal incidentals plus the cost of the flight over. The idea is that people coming over will spend their money shopping, etc. as opposed to paying for lodging, meals, and tours.
The one hitch for me is that I am not native Chinese (my boyfriend and his family are). The beautiful, glorious silver lining is that because I would be traveling with a family of native Chinese people, I, too, can take advantage of this opportunity by paying the $149 non-native subsidy. Total cost for 8 days in Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, and Hangzhou? A (whopping) $199. This, my friends, is my kind of curveball.
I certainly hadn’t planned to take a trip to China this year, but I’d be a cotton-headed ninny muggins not to take advantage of this opportunity. And in true PF blogger style, I will be figuring out a way to bring in extra income to cover the costs of the flight over, taxes, the tips, and spending money; thus ensuring the livelihood of my 2012 goals.
Have you ever been thrown a positive curveball?
Wow I think this is an awesome opportunity. You don't get these every day. You definitely should go. I like to be responsible with money too but sometimes you just have to do things regardless. Have a blast.
That sounds amazing!
WOW!!! Chance in a lifetime trip, DON"T pass it up. Do a few more no spend days and eat at home you will have the $$ in no time!
Oh, yes and I definitely caught it. My one travel goal in life is to walk the Great Wall of China. I hope you go and have a lovely time!
Contests on the opportunity and I saw go as long as it isn't charged. It will be worth a few weeks or months of cutting back expenses to pay for it.
Wow how fortunate for you! You are truly blessed!!
Is there a deal for readers of blog with a native Chinese person as their boyfriend?
Wow! I am so excited for you!! That is going to be amazing, I can not wait to see your pictures.
You definitely don't! I'm still wondering if it's too good to be true but so far, everything has checked out.
I'm still in shock!
No way will I pass this up!!
No charging here! This will be paid for before I even set foot on the plane–that's my travel rule
Nice work! Yes, the Great Wall is definitely a dream destination of mine as well!
Thank you, Rachel!
Hahaha…if I find one, you'll be the first to know!
First you have to see the pictures of Ireland since I'll be going there before this trip!
All I can do is smile and be happy for you. Reading this and knowing the joy you must have felt brought a little water to my eyes.Congratulations
Thanks, Rafiki! I can't wait to go on this trip
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