About Us

In a late night chat during a global conference, I was captivated by an Indian girl Shream's story of their colorful bazaars and markets, where she could buy cheap and fancy fabric as well as delicious and appealing food. She told us in detail of their intriguing traditions on big festivals and expressed her disappointment that as a girl, she wasn't allowed to sit in the first seat in those settings, which was taken instead by her male cousin. An extroverted girl from South Africa told us jokingly about her unofficial authority over younger students as a senior, often called "matrics". As their eyes turned on me, I panicked. What are some interesting traditions in China? Spring festival where we have a big family-gathering and make dishes together with the Chinese New Year Gala in the background? I faintly recall visiting the neighborhood in Sichuan, my hometown, where I greeted the elders (or Bai Nian) and received red packets while the elders chated and treated the kids with melon seeds. Then did we go to the plaza to set off fireworks and firecrackers? I remember reading about the folklore that the loud noise from firecrackers can scare off the monster Nian from eating villagers when I was young. Oh, and also putting up red couplets, which could bring good luck in a new year. Or the Lantern festival where we hang red lanterns and solve riddles written on them? Oh, and we also eat Tangyuan. But those memories seemed so distant. As we grow older, the smell and taste of festivals and traditions became fainter and fainter. Schools didn't organize such activities for they were obviously too childish, and we were occupied by more important things such as studying for exams. The New Year Gala lost its novelty. Fireworks and firecrackers were forbidden in urban areas for protecting the environment. The folklores became stories to coax the kids just as the magic of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. We were gradually surrounded and buried by the modern, busy, unfestive life. Is it the price of growing up? Or the price of a more developed and globalized world? I stuttered in their gaze, and sank into thought after their attention turned away. This experience opened the world of culture to me.

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On the last week before the finals, our Grade 10 English teacher announced her decision to go on a world travel. It happened so suddenly, and that dream is sparked again. A year later, I met her again in our new campus, both our new selves. The chat with her brought the world-travelling dream closer to reality. "We have a lot of time in life, and people sometimes don't realize that," she said, "When you take a year to travel, you'll find that there are a lot of time to explore and do what we want. But it isn't without sacrifice." I have dreamed to travel the world since I was young, not even knowing why nor being able to understand its implications. But world traveling seems a common dream. Is it the thirst for freedom, to get away from the gradually monotone life, or just the pure curiosity that was sparked by the prospect of experiencing something completely new? I recall a line that describe this almost itching feeling - "The restlessness suspended between gates". Researching on the diverse cultures and captivating traditions makes me feel deeply joyed. It makes me realize there are always more to life, and energize me when things get boring or drifty in life.

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Life is made up of experiences. I created this website to share new experience in exploring the rich tapestry of human expressions with you, plus the numerous joy and hope during the process.