Chengdu, July 14, 2013 My most favorite documentary series have always been “Mankind: The Story of All of Us”. I’ve lost count on how many times I’ve glued my eyes on the flat screen, attention undivided, to learn about the events and periods in history that have drastically changed the destiny of mankind. From gold, gun powder, to the printing press; from Africa’s Golden Age, China’s red turban revolution, to the European Renaissance; it is amazing how the world’s power has simply been re-shuffled by some events and people. One thing for sure though, I’ve never felft the effect of these grand events on my daily life…. The last 15 days in China, however, has taught me a practical lesson on the effect of Facebook upon mankind. Mind you! I am hopeless at social media and FB is more of a channel for me to keep my family & friends informed of my whereabouts. With the average amount of 3 weeks per month on the road, this virtual broadcasting channel does work out pretty well for this restless traveller. What do you know? FB is exclusive in China. There are certainly no shortages of such luxury brands as Gucci, LV, Ferrari, Armani, Massimo Dutti…. Ad no where else in the world have I seen such massive showrooms of the iconic Apple brand like they are here in every tier 1 and 2 cities in China. Capitalism has definitely been slotted into a giant red hongbao (Chinese lucky money packet) of this country. Freedom is in the air! Everyone rushes out to shop. Sales is always on. From Huahai Road in Shanghai to Wangfujing in Beijing; from Xinjiekou in Nanjing to Zongfu Street in Chengdu, all one can see are people selling, buying, eating, and buzzing around under flashy neon lights. What’s there for me, the solo traveller in my beloved land of ancient wisdom, except for the need to feel connected and to share my experiences with family and friends? If only I could exchange that high-end, noise-polluted shopping alley with a comment from my sister! Once and still a huge fan of hand-written letters, greeting cards, postcards, and personal notes, I do find it beyond comprehension how such a basic needs of belonging in the digital age gets taken away amidst the flourishing of Chinese consumerism. What’s there to hide? Don’t you get it? Life is never the same after facebook…. #mankind #capitalism #china #perspective #socialmedia #facebook #life #consumerism

Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, July 14, 2013 Bored by the duty-free merchandise in this impressively modern airport, I flip through the China Daily paper, something I don’t normally do in red countries where there is no such thing as freedom of press. “Money can’t buy love and care between family members…” Such a quote can certainly pull off some attention, most probably from those whose values are embedded in the key Chinese philosophies of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Having experienced the unimportance of love and care in the land of 1.3 billion, where one’s goodself is inarguably placed before any others’, it is my personal interest to see what can be discussed on the press. After all, it’s only a social issue and by no means a political stunt that decides China’s destiny. Or is it? The article obviously provides various perspectives on an upcoming service industry in China, parent-visiting service. According to the article, there are more than 30 such service providers on taobao.com, one of China’s major online retail platforms with service fee ranging from 10 yuan (US$1.6) to 5000 yuan (US$814.30). Wow, I wonder how much my Mom would be worth in China?!? Time is money and money is life’s holly purpose in this vast land of oversized billboards and well-lit urban centers. How on earth can “the crazy little thing called love” ever learn to fit into this pretentious, glossy wrapper of loneliness, fear, and misery? Well, now there is something called “love delivery” service, nothing but well-thought out solutions for the busy bees, love et al within a few simple clicks. Mom, isn’t that cool? Is it changing my life in any drastical way? Absolutely! Hang on! Let me check! I am flying home in 3 days. Here’s an early farewell to all the moms and dads in China! May prayers of love from all around the world be with you until your kids return…. #confucianism #philosophy #parents #taobao #china #perspective #lovedelivery #love #taoism #life #kids #ChinaDaily #buddhism

Hắn hối hả lên máy bay, bước từng bước nặng nề với hai cái túi xách to đùng. Nhét vội nhét vàng hai cái bao nhựa vào khoang hành lý trên đầu xong, hắn rơi tự do vào cái ghế bé xíu so với cái thân hình gồ ghề của hắn. Mặc cho cô nàng bên cạnh líu ríu nép mình vào nửa cái ghế kế bên, hắn chẳng thèm đến xỉa. Chẳng còn gì phải lo, hắn rút ngay tờ báo vừa mới lấy ở cửa lên máy bay, lật xoàng xạc qua từng trang, dường như chỉ đọc lướt qua mấy cái tít giật gân cho có. Lật qua, lật lại, xoàng xạc, xoàng xạc, thi thoảng lại rung đùi, thi thoảng lại hít mũi một cái rõ to. Máy bay cất cánh. Bữa trưa nhanh chóng được phục vụ. Từ Hồng kông đi Thượng Hải không cơm thì mì, làm gì có món nào khác. Cơm là chắc rồi. Phải hơn hai tiếng nữa mới đến Thượng Hải, đói bỏ sừ. Khay vừa đặt xuống, hắn chĩa ngay lấy cái nĩa nhựa, chớp lấy hộp cơm, hất cái nắp đậy ở trên ra. Cơm chiên! Hắn cũng không kịp nhìn xem có cái gì trong mớ cơm chiên đó nữa. Há miệng rõ to, hắn cắm cái nĩa vào một đầu hộp và cứ thế lua lia lịa từng mớ cơm một. Không quá một phút, hộp cơm hết sạch. Hắn hãy còn chép miệng thèm thuồng. Bao nhiêu đó cơm thì có bỏ bèn gì so với sức ăn của hắn chứ. Cô nàng bên cạnh chỉ biết mở to mắt nhìn, vẻ sợ sệt hiện rõ trên khuôn mặt hãy còn ngơ ngẩn, chưa kịp hoàn hồn sau cái cú lùa cơm 1 phút của hắn. Cô tự hỏi không biết hắn có kịp nhận ra mình đang ăn cơm chiên. Hắn có nhận ra hương vị trong trẻo của nắng trong từng sợi cà rốt? Hắn có nhấm nháp được hương vị dạt dào của gió trong từng hạt đậu xanh xanh? Và hắn có cảm nhận được những hạt sương tinh khôi trong từng hạt bắp non mơn mởn? Tại đây, trong giờ phút này, hắn không tồn tại. Khi ta vội vã lướt qua thời gian, không kịp dừng lại, không hề tỉnh thức để nhận thức từng hành động và suy nghĩ của mình, phải chăng ta đang cho phép cuộc sống của mình bị vô minh đánh cắp? #triếtlý #hiệntại #hạnhphúctỉnhthức #tồntại #cuộcsống #vôminh

On the plane, May 22, 2013 It’s 5pm when I board the flight from Hongkong heading to Saigon, Vietnam. After the hustle bustle of China, I find the flight quite unusual with just myself among empty seats. We pull out as scheduled but gotta wait another 20 minutes before getting a signal to take off. Obviously the morning storm in Hongkong has created quite a situation here with plenty of delayed flights patiently waiting in line. After a while, we find ourselves up in the air without any drama. 30 minutes after take-off, we suddenly get sucked into a turbulent area. You know the feeling when it gets all bumpy and rocky and sometimes you find yourself fallen…. At that very moment, all that you think can be controlled in this world turn meaningless. At that very moment, one learns that it is a fine line between life and death. Nothing, nothing is permanent…. What if the plane crashes?, I ask myself. What if I die today? Would I have any regrets? I have definitely lived and loved to the full extent. I have certainly made a lot of mistakes along the way. And surely I have hurt some people in this lifetime with my absolute ignorence. What has been done cannot be un-done. But how I live my life in the present does matter. The present will soon become the past and the future is one’s present. No regrets! At least I have been living in mindfulness. No worry about the past. No expectation for the future. It’s all about the present. It’s all about this very moment. As I take a deep breath, the captain informs us that we would get out of the turbulence in another minute. Sometimes that one minute defines who you are. One is all. I am the universe! #death #future #present #perspective #mindfulness #life #universe #past

Bộ mặt dửng dung. Ánh mắt hờ hững. Nó nửa đứng nửa ngồi, hai tay túm chặt lấy một mớ cỏ khô khô héo héo, miệng nhai xoành xoạch như một cái máy tuốt lúa. Cuộc đời cứ thế trôi qua. Người đời đặt tên cho nó là Capybara. Capybara là cái quái quỷ gì nó cũng chẳng hiểu và cũng chẳng buồn tìm hiểu. Ừa thì mặt thỏ. Ừa thì mình heo. Ừa thì có liên quan gì đến giòng họ đứa nào trong cuộc đời này? Mặc ai dòm ngó. Mặc ai bàn tán, thị phi. Mặc ai lắc đầu ngán ngẩm. Miệng thì cứ nhai. Tay thì cứ ôm. Mặt thì cứ dửng dưng thế đấy. Mỗi ngày trôi qua cũng chỉ là một ngày nữa dưới ánh mặt trời gay gắt của cái xứ sở không nắng thì mưa này. 28/4 cũng lại là một ngày hè đổ lửa. Có khác chăng cũng chỉ là nắng đó mưa đó, biết đâu mà lần. Ừa mà nắng hay mưa thì đã làm sao? Lại từng người, từng người, bước qua cuộc đời của Capybara. Họ thấy gì, nghĩ gì, cảm nhận gì đối với nó chẳng có chút ý nghĩa nào. Nó phải phấn đấu lắm mới có được cái chuồng đẹp thế. Cỏ thì lúc nào cũng dâng tận miệng. Có muốn cũng không cưỡng lại được. Nó vì vậy mà cứ nhóp nhép suốt cả ngày. Cuộc đời nếu cứ trôi đều như thế thì nó đã sướng lắm rồi! Nhưng 28/4 không phải là một ngày như mọi ngày đã qua. Một nàng bướm vui tươi, duyên dáng với cái tên rất di gan, Rama, ngẩn ngơ dạo quanh xóm nhỏ. Cô nàng hoảng hốt chao đảo khi tình cờ chạm phải ánh mắt dửng dưng đến lạnh người của Capybara. Từng nhát, từng nhát một, cái ánh mắt lạnh lùng ấy cứa từng vết dài vào tình yêu cuộc sống của Rama. Trong phút chốc, trái tim cô vỡ tan thành muôn ngàn hạt pha lê li ti, thắp sáng từng giọt sương còn đọng lại trên mớ cỏ khô oan nghiệt. Lần đầu tiên trong đời, Capybara dừng lại. Thì ra cuộc sống còn có những tình yêu mong manh như thế. Nó chẳng biết phải bắt đầu từ đâu hay tiếp tục thế nào. Nhưng nó chợt nhận ra rằng sự dừng lại chính là điểm khởi đầu…. #cuộcsống #Hạnhphúc #tỉnhthức

Saigon, May 24, 2013 Chaos! Organized chaos so it is called. Hundreds of thousands of motorbikes buzz around in a noisy background of bicyles, tri-cycles, cars, people, animals, stuff…. Yes you’ve heard it right, animal and stuff! Every 5 minutes you could catch a glimpse of a motorbike or a bicyle covered in “stuff”, anything from plastic and bamboo homewares to doors, windows, tables, chairs, gigantic glass panels, and even toilet seats…. Dust, noises, smoke, horns, and the constant pressure of going somewhere make this place a perfect spot for meditation practitioners, those in search for the highest level of accomplishment. Isn’t that right? Peace and tranquility can be found in the most chaotic condition, because it can only be found from within…. As I groove around the streets of Saigon, smiling eyes live on…. #vietnam #meditation #perspective #peace #life #saigon

“Xoẹt!” Những dòng máu đỏ tươi bắn loạn xạ. Con kia ngã gục, giãy đành đạch vài cái rồi nằm sóng xoài trên vỉa hè. Chiều nay ắt sẽ có một chầu “gà nòi hầm xả”. Cồ cất tiếng gáy vang vang. đã mấy năm nay nó vang danh sừng sỏ trong cái xóm gà chuyên nghiệp này. Bao nhiêu tên đàn anh, đàn em khắp mọi miền đều bị hắn oánh cho ngã ngửa, kẻ thì chết tươi, kẻ thì ôm đầu máu chạy có cờ, tên thì phải tàn tật suốt đời. Chủ của Cồ vì thế mà cũng vô cùng hãnh diện. Tiền thắng bạc lần nào Cồ cũng được hưởng sái, nào là bồi bổ, nào là lồng đẹp, nào là cựa mới. Oách thế đấy! Sức mạnh, tài năng, mưu mô, chiến thuật của nó đã khiến cho cả cái xóm này phải tâm phục khẩu phục. Vinh hoa phú quý thôi thì khỏi phải bàn. Sau mỗi trận đá tơi bời, cái mào của Cồ lại đỏ thêm một chút. Màu đỏ của chiến thắng. Màu đỏ của vinh quang. Màu đỏ của sự ngạo mạn…. Một ngày tháng 5 đầu hạ, trời oi oi bức bức, Cồ lại lên đường. Lại một tên nữa sắp tiêu đời. Chẳng mấy khi Cồ quan tâm đến những kẻ chiến bại ấy. Chúng vốn sinh ra là để chiến bại mà. Cồ ngạo nghễ bước ra. “Ôi trời! Lại một thắng ốm tong teo. Trông hắn cũng lì đòn ra phết nhưng cái vẻ bỡ ngỡ ấy chắc là mới ra sân lần đầu. Thôi thì đánh đòn truyền thống vậy. Chẳng cần phải suy nghĩ chi cho mệt.” Cồ điệu đàng sấn tới. “Xoẹt!” Trời đất bỗng chao đảo. Vỉa hè trưa nay sao lạnh quá…. Nó nằm sóng xoài trên mặt đất, chỉ kịp thoáng nghe một ai đó bình luận, “Em này là chiến binh vũ trụ mô đen mới đấy! Ra trận đầu mà đã nốc ao nhà vô địch.” Cồ nằm đó đơn độc, không một người thân, không một giọt nước mắt. Có chăng là vài ánh mắt ái ngại cho cái thân phận đáng thương của một kẻ đã từng nếm mùi chiến thắng. Chiều nay, chắc cái đám bạn nhậu của ông chủ lại có một độ “gà nòi hầm xả”. Khi những giọt nước mắt cuối cùng của Cồ khẽ chạm vào những hạt cát mong manh, nó mới hiểu ra rằng cuộc đời vốn vô thường đến thế…. #chiếnthắng #triếtlý #vôthường #thấtbại #cuộcsống

Suzhou, July 6, 2013 After a high-cholesterol dinner in Nanjing, we set off the next morning for a drive towards Suzhou. Loaded with more cholesterol over the local breakfast of more pig jelly, pig inners and a huge bowl of noodle, it was kinda hard to keep oneself awake in the stormy weather as we hit the highway. There is not much to keep one entertained on a highway in any country, so my attention turns to the billboards alongside the road. It is amazing how much billboards can tell you about a country, especially about the consumption habits of the locals. They could also give you an idea of who the aggressive advertisers are and whether they know how to use their advertising dollars. I’ve seen the same boring ad line up on both sides of a walkway every 1 meter in China and never seem to figure out how that helps. Maybe there is more RMBs in the budgets here than one could ever handle! What do I learn about China on the way to Suzhou then? Without coincidence, billboards after billboards on both sides of the highway, one could not see anything else except horizontal ads of Chinese wine and liquor. And they all take the same approach. Product is always the hero, so a huge image of the bottle, a tagline that normally has something to do with the long Chinese heritage of thousands of years, spiced up by the name of the manufacturer’s and voilà, one is all set to go. I have to admit though, that the packaging of these wine and liquor products are quite diverse and attractive, from ancient Chinese looking ceramics to modern European looking glass bottles of all shapes and sizes. I turn to my local friend and ask, “Why do you think there are nothing else but liquor ads along the road?”. Without a second of hesitation, Yibin responds, “Because of the liquor culture in China. Gifting means liquor. Getting together means liquor. Festivals mean liquor. Holiday means liquor.” Upon memories of all my encounters in China, in actual fact, all do involve liquor consumption at various extents. Glasses are raised once again as we reach Suzhou for a local lunch. Here’s to all the livers in China! #nanjing #chineseheritage #culture #china #lifeperspective #suzhou #billboards #liquor

Casablanca, June 21, 2013 It’s 12:30 when we reach the ancient medina in Casablanca. Morroco always comes across as a much-talked about tourist destination, and so I do come with some sort of expectation. I’ve learned over the years not to expect, instead staying open to welcome whatever coming your way. One tends to enjoy life journey a lot more that way. Yet I’ve made the same mistake on this trip, getting all soaked up in expectation after seeing the impressive medina in Tunis where passion for art and culture has started to flow back into the community, leading to magnificent preservation work for the area. As the car approaches the medina, the overall scene does not paint a very comfortable picture; garbage-filled walkways, run-down dirty street cafes with miserable looking people sitting around, messy street vendors…. Don’t get me wrong! I love the disorder and the mess in developing countries, but – there’s always a “but”, it has to come with the bursting positive energy of the place, almost like you know what needs to be done yet you are in such a rush and haven’t got a chance to get down to it. At Casa’s medina, time seems to pass it by. It feels like the shameful past that one never wants to touch on, tugging it under the pillows to feed shattering nightmares. Like a once-admired Mediterranean beauty now getting shut behind forgotten doors, Medina is lying pale in bed, bidding her last farewell. One can hear her faint sobber in the wind. One can feel her last drops of lonely tears drying off. Frozen faces, snowy hearts, people walk by…. Life is on hold! Hundreds of Moroccans sit around waiting for their next praying session at the yellow mosque. Is there one who will walk with Medina on her last journey to the unknown? #medina #morocco #architecture #casa #perspective #journey #life #Casablanca #mosque

Tunis, June 19, 2013 8:30AM Youssef picked me up from El Mouradi Africa hotel heading towards La Médina, the ancient town built by the Turks during their reign in Tunisia. Sitting right in the city center of Tunis, La Médina is still the administrative center of the city and a must-see tourist attraction. We enter from what I was told the Sea Gate for boats in ancient time. It is now the main entrance coming from the main avenue in Tunis, Habib Bourguiba, named after the first president of The Republic of Tunisia. As I am eager passing the gate heading into the hustle bustle souk, a policeman comes out from nowhere and stops us. Oh dear! Can’t recall I’ve done anything out of the norms apart from the fact that I am the only Asian girl in this exotic Mediterranean town. The policeman obviously asks Youssef a few questions in Arabic and Youssef seems to try and explain hard. I only learn later that he’s been asked about his residence, his job, and definitely why he is here with a foreigner. “It’s got nothing to do with you”, explains Youssef. “After the revolution in 2010-2011, security is tightened and the police does random check for the safety of foreigners.” Fair enough! At least it’s a release that I’m not in trouble. But then again, inchallah! As arabic people put it, “Leave it with God!” and hopefully you’re in good hands. Today is my lucky day and I get to see La Médina as an insider. Khaled, one of the major architects responsible for preserving the medina, is meeting us for coffee before showing us some of his work. As we wait for Khaled to make his appearance, Youssef and I settle at a corner cafe in the souk for Turkish coffee and “thé de bondok”, a traditional Tunisian mint tea served sweet with pinenuts on top. Religious music plays loud in the background. Shisha smoke fills the air. An artist- looking guy quietly sips his tea, all eyes on the morning paper. Khaled finally arrives. He must know the medina like the back of his hands. He navigates through the medina maze at ease, stopping at times to say hello to the residents of this recently-planned to become the cultural and artictic district for the city of Tunis. One after another, he shows me a school, a museum, a boutique hotel, a community center, an art gallery, and even his own home. My jaws drop. There’s a reason why all the ancient houses carry narrow entrances and tiny windows. They don’t want to be seen. They don’t want attention, not like the modern bigger, better showing off of today’s era. But once you are inside, you’re in a totally different world where people live and breathe art. The artisanal hand-carving decor, the magnificently painted ceramics, the twisted walkways, the surprising outdoor centered garden…, I am totally lost! I would never want to walk back out if I don’t have to. Every good thing comes to an end. We bid adieu as Khaked asks me when he would see me again. Inchallah! Leave it with God though I know I would somehow find my way back, just to sit down with history in its most artistic form. #tunis #culture #Tunisia #History #lamedina #arts #inchallah #souk

Tunis, June 18, 2013 For a country that has been living with the ruins and the left-behind evidence of past colonization from the the Phoenicians, the Romans, the Turks, the French…, it is now stepping on full gear heading straight towards the future. The old city stays totally run-down, tired, and dirty while new business districts and suburbs are coming up at light-year speed. Outside of downtown Tunis, one can spot one under-construction project probably every few hundred meters. At one point I start wondering if all the cranes in Dubai have been relocated to Tunisia. Big, small, office buildings, apartment blocks, commercial properties, lifestyle complexes, schools, hospitals…, and what have you. Tunisia is on the go. People are on the go. There is not enough hours in a day to seize opportunities. Just like other emerging economies, the country is ready to go from nothing to everything. And the clock is ticking. People are counting down to the Voilà moment. Rumours are in the air about new comers. As Tunisians look up to Turkey as their future, one can smell the future cooking on the dusty streets of Tunis where construction sands fill up one’s eyes. “So who are behind these developments?” I ask my local friend, Youssef. “The locals of course” replies Youssef, “and they have no idea.” As the country leads its fast-paced life, everything changes on a daily basis. One day you are on the main road; the next day you’re out. One day you are at the entrance; the next day you’re out. One day you’ve got the best spot; the next day you’re out. And it’s common. And people accept it. Crazy but c’mon, life goes on and who cares what was there yesterday? “So what does success mean to the people of this city?” I ask Youssef. “Be known and be rich” is the answer. Why am I not surprised? The last drops of sunset gently touch the crystal blue Mediterranean sea as champagne and rosé flow freely at La Falais, a must-see-and-be-seen spot in Tunis. The water stays silent, knowing it takes Tunisia a long while to slow down and enjoy the sunset. #success #opportunities #tunis #ruins #rich #Tunisia #perspective #famous #life #sunset #slowdown

Tunis, June 16, 2013 Nothing beats the feeling of having arrived at the hotel after a long flight, a warm bath, a comfy bed, soft pillows, and an un-disturbed afternoon nap…. Well, all that for a day dream! The receptionist could not find my booking. With enough confidence I take out my Ipad and show him the confirmation email in my inbox. The guy looks perplexed. I can see the frown on his face. Then he looks up with the broadest smile ever. “I am sorry, miss. You’ve booked in for July and not June.” Oh dear, for all the mistakes I’ve ever made in life, why this when I am totally bruised after such a long trip? “Silly me!”, say I. “You have rooms available though?”. With smiling eyes, the guy calmly responds “Unfortunately not. We are fully booked until the 23rd.” There goes my warm bath! I reach for my phone. Battery is at 9% to death. I quickly call Farida, and ask if she could help organize another hotel for me. Farida laughs as hard as ever listening to my little incident, and says she would check a few hotels in town. 5 minutes later, the message comes in. “I will pick you up in 15. The Novotel has rooms available.” Oh well, if I can survive a 17-hour trip, 15 minutes does not sound too bad. “You save my life, Farida!”…. But my phone is dead and I need an adaptor. I hit the bar of the Sheraton and ask the bartender for help. The guys seems enlightened to be asked for help and after taking me to on a hotel tour around the various departments to look for an adaptor, we finally land at the business center where the lady is more than happy to lend us one. We walk back to the bar and have my phone charged at the counter. Meher his name is and he is a local Tunisian. Meher seems to have a lot of fun on his job as a cashier at this lobby bar. I am surprised to see a few guests stop by to give him a warm hello as he gets me a glass of water without me having to ask for it. As I concentrate on my deep breath to bring my body and mind back to balance, a guy walks up to the counter and asks for a beer. He looks Middle Eastern. The beer is quickly poured into a hi-ball glass. The guy pays for it, leaves some tip, and within 30 seconds gobbles down his beer. “Wow, he must be super thirsty” I think to myself. Meher laughs as he sees the look on my face. “That’s the Arabic way of drinking beer” explains Meher, “All in one shot.” Now I need a drink! But with my present condition of exhaustion, I wouldn’t dare to take that shot. And so I ask for a Campari and lemonade just to quench my thirst. While Meher is busy punching my order into the POS, a dark guy comes out from behind the bar and starts mixing my drink. “His name is Sofienne” Meher introduces his colleague. “His Mom is Jamaican and his Dad is Tunisian. He is a dark chocolate.” Sofienne does not seem to be bothered with Meher’s joke on his dark complexion. With the most contented smile he adds “Not just a chocolate. I am a hot chocolate!” My heart melts to see such enlightening attitudes at work. I wonder how many people could appear so content and happy going through their normal work days…. Random kindness, an enlightening attitude and a few light-hearted words can help make someone’s day. It certainly washes away my exhaustion and sends me off in a sunny mood in search for that warm bath and comfy bed in a strange city that has taken me in as one of its own…. #randomkindness #tunis #happiness #Tunisia #attitude #perspective #content #life #lighthearted #enlightening