So after 4 nights in Phnom Penh, I hopped on a bus 5 hours north to Battambang,
So what’s so hip in Battambang?
Who wants some fruit?
Not much really, but it’s a semi-populated area that borders many villages and surrounding rural areas. A university I used to work for has a campus here with a youth development center and an AIDS orphanage, so I made arrangements to stay at their guesthouse for the weekend.
Local Deity welcomes you to Battambang
The drive up was pleasant enough. $6.00 gets you practically across the country. These prices have got me thinking Vietnam, Laos, Burma….hmmmm focus focus!
Actually, Indonesia is starting to form as a definite plan to me since my family used to live there prior to WWII. My Oma (Grandma) lived the first 40 years of her life there. She is still alive at 100 today. I know she would love for me to talk about the climate, the food and people I meet there. I actually grew up eating a lot of rice and Indonesian food and spice. Yum!
I don’t have much to report on as far as significant events from the past three days. I visited the World Vision field office here in Battambang, which employs 200 persons, mostly who are working in our projects doing agricultural development, health care, education etc. I visited the AIDS orphanage, but many of the kids were in school at the time. Some sweet little boys though. Their families can’t provide for them, especially if they are sick, so they pass them to the orphanage for some time.
I’m learning how people come to be in their lives here in Cambodia. It is most definitely a nation that operates on significantly less money than the US. Of course.
The typical Cambodian makes 500-800 dollars a year. Good salaries, are 1600-2000 a year. The best jobs in the country are actually working for International aid organizations. They pay about 150 a month, and are consistent. Though you could make that much as a government or police officer, you may not always see it. Corruption floats around everywhere. Here’s an example…Most of the guesthouses in Battambang are empty with guests, but there are a LOT. There’s no way they can stay afloat as a business. So how do they exist? Simple…You take all the money you corruptly received, write down you had a sold out guesthouse at X amount, and there you have it…”Dirty” money converted to “clean” money.
It feels good to travel, and to meet new friends and see the Cambodian world. I plan to go to Angkor Wat after this and make my way back to the southern part of the country to rendezvous with friends. I finally had my first stomach upset, and I know what did it…Stupid street sausage, what was I thinking!? Anyways, I am experienced in handling these things, so I drank a lot of water and stuck to rice, bananas, and some vegetables. Two days later, it’s all good. I did arrange to have amoxicillin before I left the US, just in serious case scenarios.
It’s so easy to travel. Talk to you later, I’m off to go the restaurant Angelina ate at when she came here and adopted one of her international kids. Good times~
This post will be related to my work, non governmental organizations, and serving those in need. If you want to keep reading, please come sit and have some tea. 🙂
At the computer~
So I’ve been working for World Vision for the past couple of years and it has been an amazing journey. Working for one the largest relief and development organizations in the world has been extremely educational and taken my abilities to the next level. Throughout my career here, I have met some fascinating individuals and have embraced fully how World Vision approaches helping those in need.
In my experiences working in international development, I have learned that things can become very complicated. You have your massive corporations whose annual revenue surpasses more than most countries annual GDP’s. There’s a LOT of power and influence that comes to serve economic interests and growth. And at most times, this comes at the cost to those in the most need, the “poor.” Then there’s large NGO’s like Oxfam, Red Cross, World Vision, Mercy Corps, Save the Children. The mid level organizations and the “Mom and Pop” non profits, usually serving a small community. Let’s not forget the other organizations utilizing volunteers, missionaries, there are churches and there are governments too. Lots of players in the game so to speak.
Sometimes, the “people” who need to be assisted, get overwhelmed by the saturation of agencies and “help” that is brought in. Most NGO’s wants the same result. We want to see people in need get the assistance they require so that we can reduce child mortality, help people get better nutrition, proper medical care and availability and provide opportunities for growth through education, skills building and micro loans. It’s all good, but with all the various interests in the soup, are people really being helped?
What am I saying? I’m saying that, yes, there is a TON of need out there and people whose lives are meager. That’s not to say that people aren’t eating, (at least not in Cambodia), but no one is moving up. I’m saying that, “development” is complicated and isn’t the easiest process. As an anthropologist, traveler and NGO employee, I fully understand this and I know about the failures in the past, and this is what has partially inspired my journey to Asia, because, I HAVE to know that my organization, World Vision, is providing for the needs of the people. I know WV is helping immensely and has for many years. It’s my job to know about our many projects, initiatives and history. I have heard the testimonies of people who visited our work. And trust me, there are a good many success stories. But I need to know firsthand from the locals how World Vision has helped. I know in my heart people are being helped, but call me Thomas, I need to see it, I need to hear it from my brothers and sisters. My brothers and sisters in Cambodia. 🙂 For me, it would double my passion in my work for World Vision.
So I excitedly went to World Vision Cambodia today. One of our largest offices in the Southeast Asian region, our organization has been here since 1970. We assisted during the Khmer Rouge, the wars, helped in agriculture, malnutrition and primary health care and currently have 1,500 employees in the country. It was a good place to choose to explore because of our history here.
World Vision Cambodia National Office
As I entered the premises, I saw the many World Vision vehicles parked outside. 4×4’s and trucks, it was quickly realized, this isn’t a support office. 🙂
Care for a ride?
I was warmly welcomed to my appointment (more like a cool welcome since it’s already pretty warm outside ) 🙂 and was introduced to the offices visitor representative. We had a good conversation, dropping names to each other about who we both knew in the US office, talked about the work here in the nation and what my particular objectives were while in country. Then I was able to meet the National Director of World Vision Cambodia and had a very good chat with her. After my visit, I was given the opportunities to visit our projects in the “field.”
World Vision Cambodia has 38 field projects and also projects in the cities assisting those who are victims of trafficking or street children. After my visit to the office, I walked into the adjoining office of Vision Fund Cambodia, a micro finance institution birthed from World Vision. Vision fund Global currently serves over 650,000 individuals with small loans and the portfolio extends over $350,000,000. You ask what the interest rate is? Well, in Cambodia it’s 1.7-2.5 % depending on the loan. Not bad. Not bad at all.
At the Vision Fund Office. Maybe I'll get a loan for that mango farm I've been dreaming of starting...
I had a fruitful and informational talk with the banking manager and really learned that Vision Fund Cambodia is one huge success story. The mission of VF is to “provide financial services to help the poor liberate themselves from poverty.” Boy, do they do that. Some statistics to show you:
*The loan portfolio has grown from $3,445,767 in 2005 to $30,017,044 in 2010.
*The clients have grown from 25,347 in 2005 to 108,047 in 2010.
*88% are women borrowers
*Average loan size: $324
*Payback rate: %99.5
It’s working people.
I asked the banker, who’s in charge of the money in the family. He said, “the woman is.” Oh really? “Yes, if husband gets paycheck, he gives straight to wife.” The girls in the bank started to smile, I said “So is this really a good idea?” The room burst into laughter. Haha, good times.
But really, having the woman of the household is smart because, let’s face it guys, they can be just a bit more responsible at times. If a guy, who is a member of a patriarchal community, cannot provide for his family as much as he wants and has no chance to move up, because he has tried tirelessly and so did his Father, he may just resort to drinking some hard stuff and smoking tobacco. When really, the little money the family has should be saved and used for better purposes. I can’t blame the man, he’s poor, and wants an escape outside of his life. My point is, give the money to the woman, she’s more likely to utilize it better, so that her children are fed, possibly given an education (which is moving up) and combining this cash with her micro loan to make more money to provide for the family. In Cambodia, this is working VERY well.
So, after having yet another encouraging conversation, I hopped on the back of a motorcycle, which are the common form of taxi here to get back to my guesthouse. Picture me reading reports on the back while the moto is zig zagging in between cars and other bikes. No big deal, this is CAMBODIA mate!
World Vision Scooter anyone?
As I came back to my guesthouse, I was welcomed by some of the Tuk Tuk and moto drivers, who I’ve befriended the past few days. One of the drivers took me to World Vision just a few hours before. “So, did you have good time in World Vision?” Yes, yes it was good I told him. “World Vision VERY GOOD, Very Good!” As he was giving me a moving thumbs up and looking me in the eye, both serious and thankful in glance. “Yes, thank you” I said. “No, World Vision Very GOOD! They help Cambodian! I know! I have been here, World Vision Very GOOD!”
The # 40 country logged in…….ladies and gentlemen…
C A M B O D I A Welcome to Cambodia
Here I am. Mmmmmm…Smell the hot humid air…Feel the tropical scents….incense comes in spurts somewhere…..a bug brushes past your skin… You’re getting escorted in an open air Tuk Tuk taxi at three in the morning. All is quiet, some groups of people are socializing outside on small plastic colorful chairs around some street food carts….some are sleeping…on an canvas bed, a motorcycle….couple thin alley cats….wow it’s warm for three in the morning…looking forward to the daytime…and sleeping. 🙂
Cambodia is in South East Asia
I recognize it immediately. I am in another country. A non-industrial nation that has all kinds of living expression going on. There are many types of ways to be transported, such as motorcycles, bamboo juice motor carts, mopeds, autos, bike rickshaws. The buildings don’t really go over 50 meters high. Many stay around the 4-5 story height, another sign of not being in an industrial city. Little Buddhist shrines sprinkle the myriad of businesses as we drive past…This is Phnom Penh, the capital and largest city in the country.
I haven’t even been here 24 hours, but I am excited to be here. As I was entering the city from the Tuk Tuk, I realized it had been some time since I was in a nation such as Cambodia. The closest similarity was India and that was 2004. Asian, hot, somewhat chaotic as compared to the states and Europe. Life bubbling…Being in a hotter climate changes lifestyle. More relaxed, fairly friendly, business as usual.
Cambodian "Tuk Tuk."
I’m paying $7 a night for a room with a pool, restaurant and lounge, laundry, security, and personal TukTuk driver at my pleasure. Renting a bike, $3, renting a motorcycle, $7. “I’ll take the motorcycle please…” Soon, but for now, I’m not here for tourist reasons as much as I am here to learn and connect to the unjust things that happen here in country. Trafficking and child prostitution happen here in Phnom Penh, and people tell me PP is the new Bangkok, as Bangkok is currently getting more political pressure to enforce the laws against it. I will assess the situation here and what efforts are being made currently to limit it. Meeting with people engaged in the issue is in the works. Tomorrow I will go to World Vision Cambodia to see our fieldwork and connect with my colleagues here. We have quite a big presence here in the area and are respected. Already my Tuk Tuk driver spoke highly of our NGO (non-governmental organization).
World Vision Cambodia
I just had a nice fish and rice lunch, with a soup and an iced sweet coffee. Grand total: $1.75. Ahhh, it’s good to be in Cambodia.
In the hotel I’m at, there are reminders of the types of travelers one can encounter in a country like this. My roommates are 3 Latino long-haired tied bun in the back yoga hippies, a sort of typical type one may find in the sub-tropical areas of SE Asia and India, then we have our expats who came here and never left, and they look thin, toned, and like they have seen a thing or two since being here and maybe smoked opium at one point. Then there’s the British students on their gap years, have fun kids. And then there’s the people who come here to escape some predicaments they may have had in their own country. It’s not hard to come here as a foreigner and live an escaped sweet life.
Just to give you an example…I’ve met a guy who lives in a three-story four bedroom house alone, has his own security guard, his personal Tuk Tuk driver and runs a movie house in the city that shows western movies every night. Totally freelance, 34 years old, writer on the side, part-time actor on the side…He’s not spending a lot of money..He’s making money, and having a blast while living. Hey as long as you don’t mind the environment, it’s all good. And the environment is so far, so good, in my eyes. Off to continue resting today, then onto work for the week~~
Ciao for now, Thanks for reading and responding. Good to have friends~
Hello?
Yes, yes, Everything is good and fine, wow it’s been 10 days since I posted, a lot has been happening in Korea.
So I spent the first 7 days of Korea in Seoul, the largest city in the country, then 4 days in Busan, the second largest city and Gyeongju, a historical and cultural rural area in the central areas. Some highlights included:
The FOOD Samgyeopsal, well known Korean dish
The food here in Korea has been a great experience. We all eat, but in Korea, eating is an integral part of the culture and eating together at restaurants sitting around sharing is the norm. Actually, now that I think about it…I don’t think I have ordered in a restaurant that had single items for each person. It’s always been sharing together.
The table comes with a myriad of small dishes comprising of kimchi, sprouts, garlic, lettuce leaves and other types of vegetables. This almost comes as a standard to any restaurant, sort of like your basket of bread and butter equivalent in the states.
Wow. I have eaten well my friends. In fact, a way to say “how are you” in Korea is to say “have you eaten?” This isn’t to imply, “have you eaten, are you hungry” but rather, “Have you been eating well recently.” So, to answer your question, YES. I have been eating well.
I’ve been eating all kinds of meats to grill, pork, beef, bacon, chicken. Kimchi (pickled cabbage, radish and spices) tofu, fishes, all kinds of vegetable dishes, soups, rices. It’s all been good. Eating Kimchi Jiggae with my Cousin!
Music and nightlife
So with every international city, there is a different form of how people interact when the sun goes down. In Korea, many places stay open late at night and it can easily be written off as a city that never sleeps. Restaurants, cafes, lounges, pubs are all open. I was able to see one the most world famous DJ’s here in Seoul. His name is Deadmau5, and it was a very cool evening~
Good times
Historical Sites
I’ve been to my fair share of historical sites during this trip. So far I’ve been to a palace, a couple Buddhist temples, the Kings tombs, a 7th Century observatory, The original clan dwellings of the Kim and Choi families (VERY common Korean last names) amongst other sites. All have been a pleasure to learn about and see how a country that is 5,000 years old has survived and developed.
Some pictures of Historical places:
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So, it’s been two weeks now since I’ve been in Korea. I have connected with 7 of my friends here in the country. 4 that are Korean and three that are American. I’ve also connected with my cousin, who lives in Thailand most of the year and was on a layover! Great to be with friends and family. I also was able to visit my organizations office in Korea, meeting with many of my fellow colleagues who are bringing help to children. Welcome to World Vision Korea
Thanks for reading, I fly out tomorrow~ Next stop…..
What a trip. What an experience. Rejuvenating, invigorating and healing.
Water. It’s amazing, isn’t it?
So, my friend and JD were told about these Jjimjilbangs or Korean bathhouses and to go visit one. Now, I’ve been to a couple of bathhouses in my day, some in the states, which are mostly spas at nice hotels, then there’s the mineral spas I’ve been to in Switzerland, the hot springs in the natural forests of Oregon and the Pacific coast, and I’ve been to a couple in China as well.
This isn’t your ordinary bathhouse, and you’re not here to just “soak.”
Bathing here in the Jjimjilbangs is communal and they have bathes for the men and for the women. So you’re gonna get naked with your fellow gender and after you’ve finished soaking, you put on the complimentary jjimjilbang shorts and t-shirt and proceed to a myriad of different options for everyone, of which I will shortly explain here.
First off, Let me say that Korea is a collectivist culture, and that sharing life in community is extremely important. All of us humans look at the world different, you know? And perspectives in the east are quite different from perspectives in the west. So, for instance, if I was to ask a Korean and an American to look at a fishtank with a fish swimming in it, the Korean may describe all the backgrounds about the tank and rocks and filters, while the American may describe the fish in detail and not mention one thing about the tank. My point is, people look at things differently and it’s all beautiful. So, this bathhouse, the Jjimjilbang, really makes Korea unique and wonderful in its own way because of what it is and how it’s experienced.
So JD and I go to a Jjimjilbang that comes recommended by a couple of locals. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of these bathhouses around the country and city. We proceeded to go to the Spa at Garden 5, and paid $10 a piece, to which we were given bracelets with an electronic key and clothes.
We get showered and get soaking in the warm tub, then the hot tub (109 F , 44 C) to the cold tub (70f) to the steam, to the sauna, to the cold shower, to the warm tub, to the sitdown shower, to the sauna, to the laydown tub with jets, to the warm tub, to the cold tub, to the sitdown shower, hmmmmmm, I think I want a massage…Charge my electronic key, 30 minutes later I feel I’ve had all my sins forgiven.
I was feeling great, and so was JD. We enjoyed conversation and all these Korean men were enjoying talking and sharing life with each other. There were also a few little boys, running around having a blast. I would have loved this as a kid! As I watched the kids jump from the cold tub to the warm tubs to be with their Dads, the thought dawned on me that probably most of these older men in this Jjimjilbangs had been doing the same thing with their Dads back when they were little ones as well.
We put on our provided beige shorts and shirt and proceeded to walk to the communal area of the bathhouse. This wasn’t a wet, tiled area, but an area that had more saunas, “resting huts,” movie rooms, restaurant, cafe, communal family floor areas, ice rooms, and yeah, there was salt rooms, yellow charcoal rooms, and the theme overall was Relaxxxxxxx. Relax, relax, and enjoy family and community.
We went to the movie room, watched some of a movie on nice Lazy-boy chairs, went up to look at these odd clay ovens that people were walking in and out of. It literally looked like an OVEN. There was no way I was not gonna go in there and experience it. I grabbed a mat and walked in…..
Welcome to the Oven
As I sat in this Pine tree sauna, sitting in a circle with 4-5 other participants, my body began to sweat almost immediately, and as I sweated I noticed my body had never sweat like I had seen before. Instead of the normal sweat that one would receive from working out, or laying on the beach for a long time, my skin started to sparkle and each little pore in my body let out the smallest mass of water. I was staring, fascinated, while smelling and feeling the heated pine, which was coming from these clusters of pine wood leaning against the circular sauna.
It didn’t take long to feel hot and good, so after 7-8 minutes, I split and proceeded to go to the “Ice Room.”
Picture a massive refrigerator, and move into the next room, you’re in the freezer. 🙂
Again, refreshing. My body is thanking me. Patting me on the back, saying, “You’re a good man, Shawn Saleme.”
I lay on some rock salt, understanding the healing properties of salt in general. I lay down on a floor, I drink some water. I watch as the families are enjoying fellowship together, couples laying holding each other, kids laughing and playing. It’s beautiful, it’s absolutely beautiful and I am thankful.
It’s really experiences like these, that make me want to continue to travel and live life beyond. It reminded me why I love to travel, to experience life of others in other countries. The cultures, the histories. We are a community of 7 billion on this planet and we have lots to learn from each other and lots to share with each other. Thank you Korea for sharing the Jjimjilbang with me. It truly was, one memory that will stay with me for quite some time.
I am here. Another new country and land I have never been to. The giddiness, though it is small, is there and my eyes are awake with new things to see, different cultures to experience, foods to taste and people to make friends with.
Already I have been here two nights, staying with one of my best friends on this planet, JD O’Brien. JD and I met while studying in Switzerland, traveled in India together for three months, and have visited each other whatever chance we get when one is in the vicinity of the other. Just to give you an example, JD drove 8 hours from Minneapolis to Chicago just to spend an evening with me grabbing dinner and catching up on life. Another time he did this last summer when I was in North Dakota. He didn’t ask for gas money or anything, he just wanted to chill. Another thing about JD is that he ALWAYS answers the phone whenever I call him to just banter or talk sports. Even if it’s “Hey dude, I’m at dinner, or church or wherever, this brother always picks up for me.” I tell you what, that’s FRIENDSHIP. JD is an amazing soul and I’m privileged to have him as a friend. He’s single ladies, so check him out on facebook, Ha.
Anyways, the universe has had our paths cross once again because JD just started teaching english here in Korea a few weeks ago. So, when I flew to China, I had no idea I would potentially be going to Korea. But here I am, and it is great to be here.
South Korea is already very very different from the day-to-day life in China. While Korea (North and South) is significantly smaller than China (think the size of Minnesota), it is a rich nation, very civilized and in general a more liberated spirit. China is BIG, lots of people, busy, horns honking, streets cooking, people moving. Draining, really after a while. Korea to me now is a breath of fresh air. Thoughts like Wow I have a seat on the subway or I don’t hear any car horns or People are smiling and joking with me have been floating around and I’m enjoying the change.
Over the years I have made many Korean friends. Some are from Korea, and some are Korean American. Through the friendships and interactions, my Korean friends have been very hospitable, faithful and encouraging. I remember when I had a Korean roommate, he asked me to join him for dinner and he cooked me these amazing Korean noodles. Another Korean friend prepared me a wonderful dinner full-out with 20 small dishes and decor. Another Korean friend prepared a FOOTBATH for me when at their home. Some Korean friends of mine have committed to pray for me everyday and some have written me very nice cards and notes of encouragement.
Needless to say, I have been intrigued about this land and have always thought for the better part of 5 years that I would visit Korea. Well folks, here I am, and who knows, maybe I will stay for a bit. So far, the people are nice, the Korean BBQ I had yesterday was phenomenal, and I have a best friend to share some life with. Hmmmm….We’ll see.
I have some pictures to post, since people have been asking. So here are some from the past couple weeks in Beijing and Xi’An.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Hope the Spring season is blessing you all~
Greetings from the internet cafe, would you like an update?
Welcome to Beijing
Well here it is. I am in Beijing still and plan to be here for another week. I’m visiting local hospitals to learn more about the infrastructure of how AIDS is approached and also meeting with local Chinese who have been involved in education and prevention. I’m also continuing to meet people where I can learn more about how younger people think about China, the changes and their perspectives on charity. If China does indeed become the strongest economic superpower in 25 years, will they be open to give? They don’t really give too much now when it comes to disasters, so….whats up?
I should be off to Korea in a week, gonna visit a friend.
Weather is good overall, mostly around 25 degrees celsius. That’s 70’s in fahrenheit. I’m meeting all kinds of people around the world, and some really inspiring ones. Here’s a story for ya ：）
So I was on the 6th floor of my hostel at the lounge looking out at the view of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen sqaure. As I was chatting, I noticed a guy sitting along in his wheelchair. I was curious how he got up to the 6th floor because the elevator only went to the 5th floor and he didn’t have any handles on the back of his chair. In fact, his wheels looked pretty custom and this is China, not the most easiest place to navigate with a wheelchair. I was curious, so I approached him to shoot the breeze.
OH MY GOSH, this dude was cool. I come to find out this guy is Peter from the UK. Peter，who‘s in his mid twenties，was in a motorcycle accident 5 years ago and lost his feeling from the waist down。 But this is not limiting him to travel the world and that‘s exactly what he’s doing。 He‘s traveling all over Asia in his chair，（which is custom by the way， hard rubber tires， easy to take off spokes etc） and setting an example for any other person who may be a paraplegic。 He was such a nice guy！
As we talked，he told me of his time in Bangladesh。Bangladesh！That‘s gnarly people，think about riding your chair through traffic crazy with cars， buses that dont stop，taxis，motorcyles， bicylcles，pedestrians。 Wow！Then he went to bring in more chairs to Bangladesh and educate about how to have a community that makes things handicap accessible！He was able to arrange chairs for people and set up vocational training for those who have similair injuries in their country。Such a champ！After his three months there，he trekked to India， Nepal and Tibet and went to Taiwan，Korea，Japan and now he’s in China， going to the Northwest to Kazakhstan， Krygestan， Azerbaijan，across the Caspian sea ， Georgia， Turkey back to Europe and the UK！Go Peter！ Yeah man， if you thought it was hard to travel，look at this mate！ He is doing this on his wheelchair！
I saw him go down the stairs， BUMP！BUMP！BUMP！Straight up man， just rolling down。 I watched him get in and out of his chair and I actually asked to try it out myself to get a feel for it。 It pops up pretty easy，but man， I gotta say I love to meet people like Peter in this world。He‘s traveling to be an inspiration for those who may be bummed after an injury or never had the chance to walk， and he’s raising awareness to countries where it is difficult to be a person who is `handicapped。` Godspeed Peter！
check out his blog，he calls it `Rolling back Home`， loveit。PS。He wants to be the first paraplegic to skydive SOLO in the Northern hemisphere~！YEAH！！！
That China is the most populated country in the world? 1.3 Billion, yes. Well I’ve been noticing all KINDS of jobs that Chinese citizens do. Besides all the shops, finance, government and construction jobs, they clean most everything. Buildings, subways, streets, alleyways, every night, even street asphalt arrows, so that keeps a number of people in work. There are a lot of people selling their goods, whether that is a couple toys in the subway station, fruit, Chinese flags, socks, candied apples, electronic t shirts. There are a good many jobs in this city of 15 plus million.
As I have been here, I have been talking with the Chinese about their work situations, dreams and goals, and their level of happiness basically. So far my findings are this: The Chinese work very hard. On average, a person who is working in their twenties, will work everyday of the month, be paid monthly and get one day off. If they want another day off in the month, they need to work a double shift, so they’ll work a 16 hour day. Technically their official time may say they worked 8 hours, but this isn’t the case, they work longer than they have to, and they really can’t complain about it, because if you do, you lose your job, and that means no money coming in. And you don’t have much money in the first place, so you’re in a tough position. The solution is to work your ass off, take what you get, and hope for more money. Good luck~
This way of working isn’t a new revelation for me. All over the world, I have seen people working their tails off for peanuts and they have to, because this is what feeds their family.
Coming from the United States, it is good to have a global reality check. This is why I like to travel. I see the world in a holistic perspective, not as just as an American. There is a lot more work freedom and options in the states as opposed to China and many other nations. It’s encouraging to see things in a holistic way, to see things all over the world in one’s thinking, because, the world is coming together faster than it ever has in human history, and as we continue to live together, we will be making more decisions together, communicating more, trading, sharing, thinking, loving more. Well I hope we love more 🙂
So, you can read all the papers and books and watch all the video, but to really get that perspective, you need to go. You need to talk to others about their journey in life. Where they’ve been, how they were brought up, what sort of education one received, and so forth. Talk about your life in return, a relationship has been formed, World Peace is on the way! Just kidding, but understanding each other is a helpful part to avoiding conflicts and hatred.
Right, so what are the Chinese thinking in terms of goals or dreams? Most of what I am hearing is we want to get money, make more money. Yeah, I understand, who wouldn’t want a little extra cash?
I was in the Shanxi History museum last week, and back 4,000 years ago, the locals used seashells as a form of currency. This was because seashells of this type were hard to find, and so people traded with it. Gold was just used as a form of a gift, and I saw these stacks of gold pendants that were previously used. Well, Gold has a different use now than back then. Money has a different value to each person respectively.
As I live here in China, again on the road, already having traveled, I am not as stimulated as I used to get when I was a college student having my eyes opened to this vast world. Now I am a professional seeing things differently. What I am seeing is many similarities. People want to make a living, people want to provide for their family, people want the best for their children, people want love.
Something I noticed again while here, is peoples universal love for children. I was in a market and this family from the Middle East came walking through, and the women were fully covered in their burkas and there was a little baby boy being carried. All these young Chinese women, who were the vendors in this market, were all smiles and talking Chinese baby talk to this little Arab baby, taking photos and touching his hand, all joyful. As I looked at the small eye opening of the burka of the Arab women, I could see their eyes were smiling. And it was lovely.
Well, Thats enough for now. My sis is gone, and I’m off to do some research.
We have had just an amazing time in Xi’an, the former capital city of China and
also the region where the famous Terra Cotta army is. If you do not know what
the Terra Cotta army is, look it up here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army
We took an overnight sleeper train to Xi’an, which was pleasant. There are four
beds in the room and we both slept in the upper bunks. As we trained West, I
had a nice conversation with a young Chinese man who spoke english and also
an elderly Chinese man who had been pushing educational reforms in the country
for seven years. It was nice to have a discussion about the educational system
in China and looking forward. This elderly man told me that China would have
been stronger if it were not for some of the wars and history under Mao. He says
they are on the path to prosperity though and is continuing his projects.
We arrived at the hostel, and it was nice. It was an old courtyard building very
close to the south gate of a city wall that surrounds the city. I love staying in
historical hostels. One time I spent a night in a 900 year old building in Austria.
This building is probably a few hundred years old. Though there is traffic on the
street 50 yrds away, you couldn’t hear any of it inside.
Throughout our few days, we met some very nice people. This is why
I love hostels, they bring people from all over the world into a shared space.
You start a conversation with a simple question “So what brings you to China?”
or “Where are you from?” and the conversation blossoms into this shared inquiry
about each others culture, history, family, hobbies. For my sister, it was one
of her first real hostel experiences, for me, well, I’ve had a lot, even working at
a hostel for 9 month of my life.
We met some very cool Israelis, who I chatted with about the history and conflict
that exists today, a Finnish guy who worked in building schools in Tanzania with
support from the Finnish government, Chinese travelers from Beijing, American,
British, German, French and Cameroon english teachers, who congregate at the
local pub, which is conviently located below the hostel for expat companionship.
(Some of these english teachers teach far out, so for them getting together on
Sundays and Mondays is the happening thing to do once a week) Italian students
who are learning Chinese in Shanghai, the list goes on~ We actually met a person
from our neighboring hometown! Considering there are only 7,000 people in these
towns, this makes the world very small ! But I love it. I always make so many
friends in hostels around the world. After you meet, you may meet again in life if
one or the other travels to the places you live. It makes life exciting, don’t you think?
You don’t even need to share a dorm with people, I’m almost getting too old for
sharing an 8 bed dorm with a bunch of guys. I’m content with a 4 bed dorm, or a
private. Conversations can happen in the restaurant or lounge as opposed to ones room.
Ok, so I don’t need to tell you how much hostels are great and that everyone at
one point in life should stay at one when traveling. Back to China~
The Terra Cottas were fascinating to see, I’m not going to write a lot about them,
just go if you make yourself out here. If you want more of my perspective on the
Terra Cottas, then read my previous post on the Great Wall, and substitute Terra
Cotta Warrior tomb for the Great Wall. It was a pleasure to see and my sister was
in awe of the whole spectacle. She really was the one who wanted to go, and I’m
glad we did. Take a tour if you do go, its worth it. 220 RMB= $33 USD
PING PONG
So at the hostel on Wednesdays they have a ping pong table downstairs and a
teacher who comes to play and teach students. I had to participate seeing how
China dominates Ping Pong. To say it lightly, I was humbled.
I come down to the basement and I meet the "Master." A man wearing a blue worn
blazer, dark slacks and a sweater. He motions me to the other side and hands me a
paddle. The paddle was the stickiest one I have ever held (not literally sticky, but
a sticky that adds to the spin of the ball when hitting) and we start rallying each other.
EVERY ball I hit back to him flew high over the table. At first I thought it was my
paddle, and then I realized that this guy was putting so much spin on his serves
that no matter how I hit it, it would fly way off the table and I thought "holy s***,
this guy is good." As we played for the next thirty minutes, we practiced and I became
"student." I'm a decent player by my american and friends
standards, but this guy was on ANOTHER LEVEL. I decided to show my respect by
listening and heeding his sharp instructions to me. We would hit back and forth to
each other as he would count in Chinese. The first time we hit 30, then we hit 155,
then he would come and grab my arm and hand show me how to point the paddle
a certain way and how to swing, enforcing what he was saying in Chinese, even though
I don't much understand the language, I was picking up what he was laying down.
I was BLOWN away how much my game improved.
I thanked the Master afterwards and went to grab dinner with my Sis. I know my
Dad would of cracked up seeing this lesson happen between student and Master
as we are a family that can appreciate a game of Pong. Jeez!
Dumplings.
I have to mention this one night a few of us hostellers went to get dumplings.
It was a lovely night, where 8 of us got together from all different countries
and shared on the round table of eating dumplings. It was great, so go grab some
one day in your local Chinatown or in China. amazing meal. It’s meals like these
that are shared by people from all over who get together for one night, and will probably
never see each other again, that makes me love life and all it’s variety. I’ll post
a cool panorama shot my sis took later.
OK! Lots more words, so thanks for reading. I am back in Beijing.
Welcome, Come Sit and Have Some Tea. 