Back!

And I'm back! Its been awhile and I must say I'm truly happy to be back again! So many things I missed back here in Singapore, yet many many more things that I'm gonna miss back there in Lijiang and Dali. Its been a really fun trip, and though to some extent things may have been much much better, I have really learnt a whole lot within the few days that I was in China.

Things are indeed different, from simple things like food and culture, to deeper things to the way they do business, how "guan xi" or relationships really matter in this place. Whatever that we thought would definately work back in Singapore, somehow had reduced effect in this place. Indeed, the tourist dollar was a more important prey, and local spending was extremely elusive.

I will miss the horse-riding trips we had, trotting over beautiful landscape that can never ever be seen in Singapore. Vast mountains, waters, plains. The work of God at its best. Indeed, the wind in the face and the harmonic (and usually painful) motion of my body moving as the horse gallops was an exhilarating feeling that I really want to experience again.

The culture of the minority groups were also extremely interesting. The Bai Tribe has the man marrying into the family, while the Naxi Tribe has men that mainly relax all day while the women toil in the sun. In fact, the women have to carry the men in baskets on their back before dropping them off when they go shopping. Another tribe has the culture of no marriages. Procreation results from next to random intimate encounters that last till the next morning. Weird yet ultimately enthralling.

Nothing ancient or old-fashion, everything was fresh in my perspective. An eye-opener indeed, And as I finally take a short break before starting my engines again, I think of the life here in Singapore and compare it. Its a trade-off indeed, and while I would not mind staying another week or so in that beautiful place, its here where I belong, with family and friends.

Really missed you guys. Can't wait to see you all again!

Pictures on Facebook! Tag me if you want the URLs!