World Travels and Adventures

2006-10-28T01:57:00.000-07:00

Living on a Chinese wage

2006-10-17T05:14:00.000-07:00

While we were traveling the usual backpacker itinerary, I found the need to find work. There is something a bit superficial about the kind of consumer tourism that takes place these days. In Japan and China I have actually put on a great deal of weight because traveling is extremely conducive to eating a lot and not getting any exercise. It seems that tourists are funneled through particular destinations and very rarely have the opportunity to get a true cultural experience. I just lucked out though! I am now a rock climbing guide in Yangshuo, China. Yangshuo could be one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The mountains are very dramatic looking- surreal is the best word to describe it. I can't imagine a better job because I get to go out in this beautiful area, teach interesting people to climb, and occasionally get to do climb some incredible routes. The best part is getting to know people in the town more intimately. I have begun to get a real feel for Chinese people and Chinese life. The Chinese are extremely family oriented and friendly. Believe it or not, but during the course of my writing this post I have been given a cup of coffee and had a father came over to give me birthday cake and wine in celebration of his baby daughter's half birthday. He then let me hold the baby, which is kind of funny in itself because the babies don't have diapers here. Instead, their clothing comes with a hole in the rear for easy maintenance of bowel movements. Aside from the interesting people and customs, I am enjoying the challenge of living on a chinese wage. I have not been to a bank yet since I have arrived in Yangshuo. My pay is on commission and I only make 14% of what is made during the day. It's not much, but the best part is that I'm starting to learn of the cheap local places to eat. Plus, spiderman climbing (where I work), set me up with a small one room place to stay. It is very satisfying to be making a little money rather than going down the path of consumer tourism. I enjoy this kind of traveling much more!

2006-10-08T20:13:00.000-07:00

2006-10-08T20:09:00.000-07:00

2006-10-08T20:05:00.000-07:00

2006-10-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

2006-10-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

2006-10-08T19:47:00.000-07:00

All Smiles

2006-10-08T03:03:00.000-07:00

Our first day in Yangshuo, this amazing town in southern China, we rented bikes for ten yuan or ($1.25 usd). We made the trek in between these surreal mountains and found small villages within them. The villages are incredible because you ride down into these valleys amongst the dramatic peaks, and there are beautiful green rice fields and people walking water buffalo up the road to their mud-built homes. It all seems so peaceful there, wholesome. Every person works very hard each day, carrying food, farming, or trying to sell the items that they produce. Then like most families in the world, they go home to socialize and be with their loved ones. I bet this part of the day is when they are happiest. Able to share and enjoy any fruits of their labor regardless of how little it may seem to us. While the standard of living is certainly not as high as the US, the people appear well fed. They are also very loving to each other. Us foreigners on the surface seem to be a means to end for them. We bring money. There have been instances, however, when I felt that regardless of whether I buy something or not (I generally do not), if we are able to smile at each other, then a more meaningful transaction has taken place. It is as if we both understand the situation. I am a priviledged foreigner that has enough money to tour the Earth, while they are people that live off the land, and have not been quite as lucky. But I feel that if you are able to exchange a smile, that is a way to put every being on earth on the same level. It says that we are all human- living the best we can.

Traveling not vacationing

2006-09-21T01:59:00.000-07:00

Sum the events up to say, we have arrived in
China. It is a much greater culture shock than Japan: the language is extremely difficult, the people have very different customs, and it is especially different from our experience in Japan b/c we do not have anyone to greet us and show us around. It is no longer a vacation necessarily- it has turned into travel.
I think there is an important distinction between traveling and vacationing. When you vacation, you seek destinations that relax you, are aesthetically pleasing, and are fun. Traveling, on the other hand, is choosing destinations that are not necessarily relaxing, aesthetically pleasing, or even fun. In fact, it is almost as if you choose destinations that do not, or cannot provide these things. Instead, you are supposed to sacrafice the luxurious life style to discover something greater, something eventually more rewarding than any common convienience. Perhaps that is why I am out here, trying to find that elusive reward. I do not know what it is, nor do I anticipate being able to put it into words, but with any hope it will be special and something to cherish and use in my personal development.

I would also like to add that I do seem to gravitate toward natural beauties. I am currently in Yangshuo, China which is extremely beautiful, so as for aesthetically pleasing places, I am being a little contradictory.

Embarrassment

2006-09-17T05:34:00.000-07:00

The Japanese people are very kind and always very helpful, yet I have had the hardest time trying to get people to take my embarrassment questionnaire. If we wanted to know what time the next train were to leave, there would be a line of people there to give us advice. Finding a place to eat or an atm are made easy because the Japanese people have been genuinely good to us. There is a certain blockade, however; the Japanese people do not like to do anything that would make them vulnerable. With things pertaining to the body, people and their places are extremely well kept. It is as if their appearance reflects how good they are as people (their self worth). Quietly they go about their business, trying to maintain a life of propriety. This applies to the middle-aged/ elderly Japanese. The youth, while well kept, seem to be stepping out in their selection of clothing and behavior. I believe that this is deeply rooted in the emotion of embarrassment. After talking with some Japanese about embarrassment, in their broken English, they actually admit that the Japanese are very embarrassed people on the whole. The most commonly used word is "sumimasen," meaning "excuse me" or "sorry." Eye contact is a rare occurance especially for foreigners like us. Embarrassment is so prevalent that there is a machine that emits white noise in the ladies restroom so that no one can hear them taking a poop. It is this embarrassment that I believe is ingrained in the Japanese societies so much so that it ironically prevents them from taking my embarrassment questionnaire.

2006-09-13T06:17:00.000-07:00

2006-09-13T06:11:00.000-07:00

Language barrier

2006-09-12T10:35:00.000-07:00

Japan is very interesting. It is full of rich stories, exciting interactions, and interesting perspectives. Unfortunately, American's are burdened with a large language barrier. This is what keeps us from experiencing the true Japan. I tried to break this fortress with a few Japanese words and phrases, but it just doesn't do the trick. Lots of time and dedication is needed to begin to break down this society.

Traveling frustrations

2006-09-01T16:51:00.000-07:00

Today I realized that I had left my typhoid medication in the refridgerator in Denver. Well, what I have started to accept is that mishaps are inevitable. I worry that my occasional irresponsible behavior (like forgetting stuff) will get me into more serious trouble on the road. I think that it is necessary to devise little systems for doing everything: keeping everything in the same place in my bag, checking for all of my important documents and gear when I arrive and depart from different places. I would wager that my main problem is more that traveling is incredibly exciting. It is often so exciting that it diverts my focus from crucial items and remembering key information. I suppose that all I can do is try to suppress my feelings of excitement at least enough do a check of my belongings. We'll see if I can- I am anticipating a few more problems along the way, but I suppose that it is all part of the journey.