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Wednesday 21 January 2015

WHEN IN CHINA

"Cause they say home is where your heart is set in stone.
 As long as we're together, does it matter
 where we go?" - Gabrielle Aplin


It feels good to be finally home, to step foot in my parents' phlegm covered hometown ground once again. Yes, but I've never missed the constant 'head-down, feet-dodging' act required to walk those streets (you will have to visit this country to understand what skill I am referring to, one that you will master if you do indeed visit). But rather I am happy to be rekindled with my family here in Guangzhou, China. This is the city where my beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and many nieces and nephews all reside. 'There's babies everywhere!' as my baby-loving brother puts it. It's been two years since I've been back and I have yet to squish these adorable babies in my loving arms. 

It is a strange feeling, almost unable to be put into words. This feeling of returning to a second home where time jumps. Not many people will understand, but I guess astronauts will. The concept of relativity? Interstellar anyone? Only this isn't physics, it's psychology. My mind is simply stuck in a certain time frame. When I leave I expect nothing to change. And I leave for years.


Travelling far into a polar opposite world, calling it home and returning once in a while, only to be faced with something not quite right. Everything is so familiar, but certain things are out of place, so much has indeed changed. It's like secretly shifting all the furniture slightly to the left by an inch while your parents aren't home, a small change but highly disturbing to your parents when they return and are unable to comprehend the unrest they feel inside. 

Emotionally, it doesn't feel like I have left for long, a few months maybe, but everyone has grown and aged, because life over there doesn't stop when I leave, and it has indeed been a few years. Some growing teeth and heights, but then also extra grey hairs and deteriorating health.   


Despite the horrid air pollution and dirty filthy streets (contrary to some of my deceptively lush green photos), I do love coming home to this place. This city is is where I get to experience the energy and excitement that the five of us emits back home in Australia, magnified ten-folds. 

People are utterly astounded when they learn that my family can spend two straight months with each other without becoming suicidal towards the end; and that is just how close we are. Indeed I am so grateful for it. And here I leave a message for you to cherish your roots, and cherish your family, or at least aspire to create a strong loving one of your own. 


Zara 'FEEL THE BITE' Shirt / H&M Jeans

15 comments:

  1. I have always wanted to go to China! It is top of my list of places I want to go. I love your photography x


    www.lulabelloves.com/blog

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  2. Amazing pics!! Love your blog!! ;)
    Kisses from Spain.
    Xoxo, P.

    My Showroom

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  3. Nice... Well, not the phlegm covered streets... but being home!! :)

    Valentina
    Valentina Duracinsky Blog

    ReplyDelete
  4. Greats pics ☺️

    http://sissihope.blogspot.ch

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  5. Wow, I wish I had the opportunity to visit as a local and not a tourist...
    The shots are amazing, you seem so happy to be returning, hope you had tons of fun!!
    xMM
    THE LAME LIP
    INSTAGRAM
    LOOKBOOK

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  6. You look great in these pics!

    XX

    http://www.floortjeloves.com
    http://www.facebook.com/floortjeloves

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  7. Loving these pics and I have yet to visit Guangzhou and definitely know what you mean about the phlegm issue in China. I experience that in Shanghai when I'm there too!

    I've recently relaunched my website CH1K.com and would love if you could stop by and check it out! Let me know what you think xx

    Helen xx
    http://CH1K.com

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  8. I would love to visit! Amazing pictures

    -Kárin

    NEW POST DAILY

    KÀRIN STYLES

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  9. I know that feeling that you mention it, when you return home but you have such a funny feeling that the home is not the same as you knew it. :)

    http://butterfly9999.blogspot.ro/

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  10. amazing photos! you captured everything so well :)
    www.jchung.me

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  11. Definitely on my travel list!
    Love the pictures of the local life.

    What's your favourite part of being home?

    xx
    Giana.LDS
    giana.ledesociale.com

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    Replies
    1. Definitely being able to catch up with close relatives (cousins, aunts and uncles alike). Thanks Giana for comment, you're very sweet!

      Delete
  12. Amazing photos, great post dear, I want to go there someday.
    Check out my new post
    xoxo

    http://fabulousisfreedom.blogspot.com/

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