One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.
Henry Miller
There are two kinds of travelers, tourists and non-tourists. Tourists go places. They arrive someplace new and do what they want, oblivious to the culture and customs of the destination. Non-tourists arrive expectantly, longing to know more of the world, desiring change deep within. So many people.
I didn't understand the difference before our trip to China. After all, beaches along the U.S. coast cater to tourists, offering all the comforts and convenience of home. Amusement parks, playgrounds for adults, exist to entertain, not to change us. It's major trips, the small town girl's first trip to the big city, the southern belle's first trip north, or an American's first trip abroad, that provide opportunities to grow and change. If we allow it.
Enjoy these, my favorite "everyday life" photos from our China trip... and the lessons I learned.
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| The Chinese wait patiently and comfortably on their haunches, no benches or lawn chairs required. I find myself to be lazier than I wish to be. |
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| Cute kids on a field trip to the zoo. I discover that the world's not that big after all. |
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| The people of Beijing still rely largely on bike travel. Again... I am lazy! And oh so privileged. |
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| Yes, the squatty potties in China are real. There are no doors for privacy and no sinks for hand washing either. I learn that I can adapt -- when necessary. Yay me :) |
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| Flowers. Bike. So citified. I discover beauty and art are universal. |
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| Exercise in the parks, something that happens in cities throughout China. I wonder why we need big fancy gyms and personal trainers... and then I wonder why I spend so little time visiting parks at home. |
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| The garbage boat. So quaint until you know what they're doing. I am thankful for our modern sewage system and my husband's job. |
Join me at Budget Travelers Sandbox for Travel Photo Thursday... we're both in Asia this week!
Happy travels, my friends.
18 comments:
A great cross section of shots for China. I found when traveling there...so many similarities with other Asian countries, but oh the differences, they are vast!
I think I vacillate between tourist and non-tourist. I usually arrive with my checklist of places to visit but try to take time to just observe local life as well. Your lovely shots capture everyday life.
Michele,
When I plan my trips, I begin as tourist too. By the time I get there, I know the tourist info -- and enjoy those sites -- but I LOVE that I can travel with open eyes. A little research goes a long way! :)
Karen
I actually like to sit the way those men are pictured. Unfortunately, my knees don't like it too much these days.
what lovely photos! that looks really lovely. i love that you captured the bits of everyday life, that's what really intriques me the most.
I love seeing children when I travel. They really are the same all over the world! I'm amazed at the number of bike riders in other countries. Yes we are privileged and maybe a little lazy too!
Those pictures are amazing. All of them. I said it before, I'll say it again, I'm going to love this blog. :)
Great photos. I wish I had a camera that could do all those things! Following you from VoiceBoks!
Making Our Life Matter,
My digital camera was so basic -- the cheapest we could get -- and it froze up, big time! The lens cover wouldn't open an hour before we met our daughter. I prayed like crazy for it to fix itself!
It did -- for the rest of the trip... and then it died. :-/
Karen
love these. I feel like I just got a great little lesson in Chinese culture. Thanks!
squatting toilets scare me! I actually got peed on once when we were in Beijing!! never again- I'll hold it!
Squatty potties? I never knew these still existed in this day and age. I like the exercise in the park. Just watching them relaxes me already.
Great photos. I really like the ones of the kids at the zoo. Reminds me of my sons class when they are out on field trips together.
Pepper Tan,
We experienced squatty potties throughout China. Parks, tea houses, and traditional restaurants had them. Even the restrooms at major tourist attractions were squatties, but thankfully, hotel rooms were "modern" :)
Karen
What great photos! I especially love the one of the exercise int he park - you are right, we don't visit enough parks in the uS.
Karen... wow China! I never thought I would ever go, thank you for taking me with you! Grace, peace and blessings, Carla.
Beautiful shots. We would be good travel companions as I also like the everyday of somewhere else.
Jenny,
Perhaps our paths will cross one day! :)
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