I think photography captures a particular moment and at times that moment can be constructed in the taking of the photograph,which results in the absurdity you refer to. The current stereotype is Chinese tourists, who tend to embark on group travel, never breaking from their familiar cluster and then descending on landmarks to photograph them incessantly in various poses, yet never quite understanding the nuances or the context fully. I don't agree with that stereotype completely, but have witnessed some of this even at well known Chinese sites.
An enlightening article that echoed with me in small doses, I only spent a month there which is not sufficient to make may own full assessmen, his was very well written!
It can be easy to fall in that trap.. I often wonder if professional photographers do experience a situation through their lens though, it's an extension of themselves.
I just stumbled upon this video by National Geographic featuring several female photographers, talking about their work and passions. Some gorgeous, heart stopping photography by these very talented and brave women.
Thanks for your comment, because as the author of the piece that's what I hoped to convey. As a solo lady traveller, this is an frequent question I get and time and again, I try to dispel the myths of traveling as a woman and alone.
I thought so too, travel as the backdrop to marriage, woven very well into the narrative.
Wow. I really liked this read. And agree, the photography was done with panache.
Powerfully written article on the reality of the rural population in China and the sacrifices and choices they have to make.
True, unavoidable in a large scale piece. The monetary exchange between men and women does lie in general society as well (I've been living in China nearly 2 years). I just did an analysis with my students on Dating in the USA. In my circle of China, dating goes as such: the man asks the woman for a date, the man pays for the woman's dinner/movie and if a man didn't, the woman would not go out with the him, and the man (in theory) won't date more than one woman at a time. Though the long held notion of mistresses is clearly still evident by this article, and definitely practiced by powerful men and I'd wager even some middle-class men (If they can afford it).
Thought this was a neat read on a different kind of family vacation.
Legendary images re-imagined, almost makes them more dramatic.
This epidemic is the opposite on the mainland, men are outnumbering women at alarming rates which makes procreation an issue! As more women assert independence this factor also needles the problem of the gender gap! Thanks for the share, look forward to reading it. :)
This one spoke to the little girl in me because women are taught to fear the dark. I love how she embraces it.
The truth? There is no word in the Thai language for street food, just an invention in a tourist's brain on what they believe to be the real Thai food experience. Very interesting read!
It is a matter of getting out there for sure, all we can do is try to share our own experiences and hope people make informed decisions. :)
Can't speak on whether I think the author is off base or not, haven't spent enough time in Thailand to comment on that, I think what he posits is how Thai people view their food experiences differently than a westerner and that often the westerner concentrates on the experience you speak of but ignores Thai cuisine off the street and those experiences are just as relevant. It seemed a different viewpoint than what I've always read/seen about food there.
Now, I personally like food anywhere, street or restaurant style, but do love the chaotic hues that you mentioned, of course!
I know his work and adore it. Very inspiring photo essay on an act we take for granted.
Helen, your article was well researched and eye opening for me. I knew of the famine and some cursory details but had never researched it deeply. Thank you for a superbly written window on this seemingly simple food source.
China is also a huge consumer of the potato. On every Chinese menu is inevitably a potato dish!
I liked the personal nature of this piece as the author talks about the culture of kids in China & how it affects his own daughter's behaviours.
SEO jazzed up linkbaiting titles, definitely nothing new -- something either to condemn the author for, while others might applaud his smarts (you know, from those pushy SEO execs I get emails from). The delivery may be murky for sure, but the premise was interesting to me overall, hence the share.
I'm not saying the author's delivery is the best, but I think the core thing he's trying to say is it's dangerous for travellers to fetishize an aspect of another's culture and in this case, he talks about street food and attempts to compare that Thais don't see it that way and are a little confused why tourists are always focusing strictly on street food. There are thousands of articles out there glorifying street food, including my own. I love street food and support it. It seems many of you dislike this author for whatever reason (I don't know him, I only thought the premise interesting) but nowhere does he say that people shouldn't eat street food or encourages them to eat at KFC, but to also remember a lot of good local restaurants serve decent food too. To me, his overall message on the problem of travellers fetishizing another's culture was interesting to me, despite the crappy, condescending tone of the piece.
Not sure I'm on board with the conclusion entirely either, but it is interesting to distill the difference between freedom of movement and when it's a pure privilege. I like to share stuff that sparks discussion, whatever anyone agrees or disagrees with, the subject is worth some focus, so thanks for bringing it!
Oh they are. I didn't think so either, until I moved here. The Chinese food that's served in western countries is a sliver of what is available on mainland China and much of it is mixed up with Cantonese style, which is very different than mainland food. A very popular one is shredded potato that's fried with chillies. And another one is fried pan potatoes with green and red peppers & red onions. You can find at least one or two potato dishes on a menu.
Hey Liam, thanks for sharing, writing about the donut made me miss it so much! :(
How strange, I cannot see your comment Matthew!
My students told me about it the other day and I had to go about investigating (the share on here is the result!)... they claim it's a common dish found in some restos and always home cooking. Makes me almost want to give up vegetarianism. :)
The language the writer uses is somewhat heavy handed, if not academic and can't say I completely agree with his point of view on the definition of success for a rooted person (say, over a nomadic person), but overall the piece poses a lot of questions and pushed me towards more reflections on what I do and why.
Yeah, Helen, great share!
Beautiful video!! Stunning.