I love travelling to
other countries – the more exotic, the better. Although there also come times
when I miss home and can’t wait to get back.
My colleague Rebecca
Llewellyn and I just spent the last 10 days in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
I’ve been to these cities many times over the last 15 years, feel very
comfortable here, and developed many friendships and close relationships.
Despite that, on each trip I still find myself learning new things and
appreciating different aspects of Chinese history, culture and its remarkable
evolution. (More on this to come.)
On this trip, in
addition to discussions about Appleby, current student experiences and alumni
recollections, there were three notable subjects of conversation: 1) the idea
of how to best prepare students for the future, especially with respect to character;
2) the situation in North Korea including the execution of Kim Jong-un’s uncle;
and 3) the death of Nelson Mandela, whose funeral and mourning period were all
over the airwaves here in Hong Kong. My next few posts will include a bit on
these subjects and my reflections on the similarities and differences between
Western and Chinese attitudes on these subjects.
As we sit here in the
spectacular Hong Kong airport, Rebecca and I are full great expectations for
getting home, seeing family, and starting the countdown to Christmas. This time
of year tends to amplify the drive to get home. I was particularly happy to
hear word of the recent blizzard, but sorry to miss it.
I often wonder what
people here think of Canada, knowing what little play we get in this part of
the world. And perhaps unsurprisingly as I write this, I am watching a
remarkable pair of stories: Dennis Rodman regarding his potential return to
Pyongyang, and some jaw-dropping Rob Ford dance clips with accompanying
narration by a Montrealer next to us extolling our good fortune to have Mayor
Ford on the job. They say that you never fully understand your country until
you see it from the outside. In the words of my daughter … OMG! There is a
definite limit to nostalgia for home.
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