Diversity, variety, opportunity

 


I'm not a celebrity. I've never been "famous" for any reason. I'm just an ordinary guy.
But I once had a glimpse of being notable, unusual. Two years ago, Bonnie and I were on a tour in China and on a number of occasions, one of the local people would come to me and pantomime that they wanted to take a photo of themselves with me. I thought it was funny. No one asked for an autograph, but I find it hilarious that this woman would go back to her home and show her friends of this odd, tall, white American she had seen on her vacation.
We were in Beijing at the time, and apparently many Chinese citizens come to visit the cultural and historic sites in the capital city along with the foreign tourists. Many come from the remote interior areas, where they have never had contact with "westerners." So it's a very curious thing to see a tall, white person. (Our guide confided to us that the Chinese people call caucasian westerners "big noses" as their slang term for us. I guess I do qualify on that account!)
The world is still a very big place. In a country like China, there are probably billions of people who still do not know much beyond their little community and the traditions of their families. Bonnie and I love to travel, to experience new settings and cultures, to get a glimpse of the broader world. I recognize that we're really quite privileged in the ability to do that. I #GiveThanks for diversity, variety, and opportunity!

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