Wednesday, February 22, 2017
Cebu, Philippines
Sunday, April 3, 2016
The Movie - “Ten Years“ / 十年
From Instagram nigelyau hashtags #十年 #publicspace #Cityisourplayground
Saturday, January 9, 2016
A new path for JoCharvel in 2016
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Classic Tourist Conundrum - Sapa, Vietnam
Hosting more people will certainly boost income, but it is also the fastest way to change cultures. As the local community becomes heavily reliant on tourism income, things will never be the same! As a traveler puts it, “Sapa is changing fast, and the next generation will probably not be able to see the authenticity. So here comes the classic tourist conundrum – we often like to travel off the beaten track, but we are also at the forefront of making culture changes, particularly to places that are vulnerable to outside influence. The more we visit these places, the faster they will lose their characteristics and individualities. Alas… what to do?
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
What's the difference between third orld and first world?
Street life of Hanoi reminds me a lot of the Hong Kong from my childhood - the street vendors with delicious speciality sometimes appreciated only by the locals, neighborhs gathering randomly on the streets sitting on small plastic chairs chit-chatting with a fan in their hands, and neighbors run into each other on the street, stopped, and catching up with each others. There was always time to talk to others and offer a helping hand to others. Food stall owners knows you by name and know exactly what to serve you as soon as you sit down. Doors was always open for my playmates of next doors at my grandma's. I can go in and out of my neighbor's house and have meals with their family needing no prearrangements. It is expected to take care each others it seems without anyone saying out loud. The sense of community was very strong.
At Sapa, the lady at our homestay asked me, 'you don't know your neighbor 10 feet away from you? Not even one?' She was astonished and unbelievable that we people from so call first world country doesn't know our neighbor, let alone having a relationship with them like the Sapa people do. It is natural for people in Sapa to help each other. During rice planting or harvesting seasons, the community first help the elderly at their land before they do their own. All neighbor help each other to finish their land. There seems to have you mind your own business.