Welcome to Yikolla!

Hi there! I’m Yike, the founder of Yikolla. (I know, calling myself a "founder" sounds a bit grandiose right now, considering it all started as a spur-of-the-moment idea.) But here we are, my little corner of the internet!

My hope is to attract like-minded people to this community where we can explore the joys of travel, experience different cultures, and celebrate the beauty of Chinese culture, especially the rich heritage of Cantonese culture.

Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I wasn’t born in Canton (Guangzhou), but I like to think of it as home now. I grew up in central China, frequently traveling to Guangzhou because of my mother’s side of the family. Over time, it became my anchor. What makes my perspective unique is that I’m not a native, which means I see the city’s beauty through a slightly different lens. That’s exactly what I hope to share with you, a fresh, yet deeply connected view of this incredible place.

Now, a bit more about me (because why not?):

I’m a travel enthusiast who’s been to most European countries and lived in Germany and Italy for years. (Yes, I can order beer in German and gelato in Italian.) Currently, I live and work in Warsaw, Poland, where I’m also trying to learn Polish, a language so complex it feels like solving a Rubik's Cube blindfolded.

Here’s the truth: I’m a self-proclaimed lazy person. But sometimes, even laziness gets overpowered by passion. This past Chinese New Year, I celebrated with my family for the first time in years after living abroad. The warmth of family, the magic of traditions, and the festive energy hit me hard. It reminded me of how incredible Chinese culture is, and I realized I wanted to share that magic with the world. That’s how Yikolla was born, out of a mix of nostalgia, pride, and a dash of "let's see where this goes."

But since I’m lazy (and busy with my day job), I can’t promise frequent updates here on the blog. I hope you’ll understand! What I can promise is sharing slices of my life, travel stories, reflections, and my “brilliant” cooking skills. (Let me clarify, "brilliant" is in air quotes because I once considered starting a YouTube channel to showcase how I fail spectacularly in the kitchen. You know, to inspire others by showing them what not to do. 😂)

If you’re patient with me, I’ll also sprinkle in some of my random musings. I tend to ramble, but hey, maybe my thoughts will bring a smile to your day.

Lastly, I’d describe myself as an introvert who struggles with self-expression. If we ever cross paths in real life, I’d love to hear how you perceive me. It’s a thought that excites and terrifies me in equal measure, but I’m all ears.

So, stay tuned, and let’s see where Yikolla takes us. Whether it’s travel, food, or just life’s little quirks, I’m thrilled to have you on this journey. Who knows? Maybe this is the start of something wonderful.

Cheers,

Yike 😊