They say traveling changes you.

my little gem.

They say traveling changes you, but i guess its how you also choose to view things, learn and see things. 

I would say that i have grown to love Asia. And to see its beauty. As much as Asians are flocking to the Western world to gain a ' better life ' i really feel that so much can be learnt from the simple life of those in Asia outside of the city. Suddenly my desires and thoughts of going to Europe has diminished as i come to love my own Continent. The Fair and ' Good ' Aussie life just don't seem as appealing to me as , well it never really had.

Just talking to the local kids in Boracay just puts a huge smile onto my face. How they almost do not care about their profit from their Art work because they are enjoying what they are doing and is just somewhat doing it to past time and make a little extra pocket money. The uncompetitiveness towards fame and success. How much talent and skill exist in the community and how little the are being paid. Yet, there is so much heart and soul in what they do, as compared to people who do things all right and according to order yet have little heart in it.

That suddenly it matters so little about the fashion i wear, diamond rings seem so stupid and who needs cars, or the latest phone.

And back in the city, everyone is working their ass off just so that they can wear the latest clothes to fit in, wear tiffany and co. to feel that they belong, have nice cars and big houses. While in the village, they are content with what they have, and thankful for their life.

My phone got wet and my pics are gone, i am still unsure if i will be able to salvage them. But somehow it makes me think of how the fishermen, they do not take photo's of everything, they just enjoy the moment. Like last time before technology exist. You don't take photo of everything and share them to everyone. But perhaps you can tell stories and write about it to others to describe. But beautiful moments, sometimes, you just keep them, in your heart to remember, and it brings a little sweetness to your soul. And it sinks a little deeper than the shallow fast uploading of ootd. Even though i feel a little sad that i have lost the photo's, i guess the memories will rest a little deeper in me.

The West look at Asia and think of how bad it is that child labor occurs, and wants to educate them to be like them. But i see a beauty in their culture and way of life. How the kids start working at a young age and see the value of work, ' no work, no food' , how they learn their skills from those older than them. How they work hard without complaining. How they don't glue their face to the television and ipad, or how city parents celebrate how 'quick tongued ' and ' knowledgable ' their younger ones are. I am glad for villages where the government helps to sustain their lifestyle. 

Its so beautiful how they build boats, away with factories and advance technology, and bring back the human touch into things. Its funny how country progresses so fast and suddenly they feel they miss the old touch of realness and nature, but before long its too late. Their want for fast and quick gain as well as greed blinds them to creating something that has long term sustainable impact on a community. Its beautiful being able to walk in the streets and freely talk to people. Like friends. No awkwardness or competitiveness or superficial barriers.

I had the opportunity to stay at Marina Bay Sands, the luxury hotel in Singapore, and it felt just so dry and empty. I would take the hotel in Nepal anytime. There is just more live and soul in those places. More homeliness and love where people are not working just for the high paid job.

I've worked in schools where they hardly use technology as well as schools where they are free to use technology. I would say that there is beauty in places where technology are less used. When i was in Boracay i hardly touched my phone for at least 5 days and i did not feel i was missing anything. And that felt so good. I realized that when you had things to do around you and people to talk too, you really do not need the internet as much as you think you do. Is so different when you are able to stare at the stars at night and with sand beneath your feet.

I see the people who live simple as rich. Perhaps not in material wealth, but in things much better.

" Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions "

" Store yourselves treasures in heaven "

What are you investing it, are they heavenly?