Blogs from Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, Asia - page 5

Franck, Melanie and I had mentioned meeting up in senggigi before I departed for the Komodo tour. However this did not work out so I ended up having a few beers in a bar/restaurant on my own that night and listening to live music. I chatted to some locals working at the place and ended up receiving contact details from one of the ladies, which was amusing to me. The following day a crowded minibus picked me up for the Komodo tour. We were dropped off at a tourist centre which was packed with travellers. There I met a few guys who would jump on the same boat as me. We had to wait for a couple of hours before the boat was ready for us to load onto it. While we were waiting we were ... read more

We walk this path. Footsteps falling: trials, tribulations, successes, defeats. The greatest question one can ask is, “Who am I?” We hope every step carries us closer. True humility comes when we stumble; True humility is when walls crumble and are rebuilt. We walk along these strange foreign paths, and one hard truth screams within. We are all human. Hold the mirror to faces, not trinkets and baubles. That may be the best way. For who are we when we lose the things that so shallowly define us? Strip away all that glitters and perhaps we will begin to understand the nature of quality. Less truly is more. In the reflection of that mirror Therein lies the rub: The greatest pursuits are born from the heart not just the need to sustain. ... read more

As we waded through the haze of smoke that rose from the endless grills that lined the narrow cobblestone street, incredible smells wafted from every direction reminding us how hungry we were. We checked into our hotel in X’ian just an hour ago, and after a day of traveling, all we wanted to do was relax and enjoy a good meal. X’ian is most well known for the 8,000 Terracotta Warriors that were discovered in 1974, though right now we have one destination in mind – food – and we know exactly where we want to go. X’ian is one of China’s oldest cities and was the starting point for the ancient Silk Road and dates back to 221 BCE. As such, one of the main characteristics of X’ian is its large Muslim population, and it ... read more

“The argument was this: a civilization shackled to the strictures of excessive control on its populace, from choice of religion through to the production of goods, will sap the will and the ingenuity of its people- for whom such qualities are no longer given sufficient incentive or reward. At face value, this is accurate enough. Troubles arrives when the opponents to such a system institute its extreme opposite, where individualism becomes godlike and sacrosanct, and no greater service to any other ideal (including community) is possible. In such a system rapacious greed thrives behind the guise of freedom...” The Fall of Mazalan Series, Steven Erikson “China is an Enlightened Democratic Dictatorship,” Ivan tells us from the front of the room. It’s a good thing that I am sitting at the very back. No one is ... read more

“Erin, we have something we want to discuss." “Excellent!” I say excitedly. Rarely are my students so forthcoming with discussion points. “China needs feminism.” This statement comes from Sigrid, one of my Chinese students, as she carefully adjusts her glasses while offering me a wide smile. I pause and shake my head. I certainly did not see this idea coming so early on a Monday morning. Glancing about my university class, I see several of my female students nodding eagerly in agreement while the men quickly turn their glances to the floor, where they stare and shift awkwardly in their seats. “Interesting comment Sigrid.” I smile at her and fall into thought… Over my life I have spent seven years in China where my perception has always been that – at least in the large cities ... read more