How might things have been done in other places? This question underlies many a real reason to travel. Put on the backpack, open the eyes, see what is happening. Finding oneself in a place where one does not speak in the same language, the food is not the same, manners are atrocious and civilization is gone leads to many epithets, pithy snipes and an appreciation for a few familiar things.
The journey begins with the statement, “I am bored.” Boredom is the inspiration for ingenuity. The ingredients are laid out. Now try to find something familiar, perhaps a drink, a house or healthcare. Fancy a Bloody Mary? tomato or vegetable juice mixed with vodka and served with Tabasco drops.
When I was finishing my time in Guangzhou, China, colleagues invited me to lunch at a Western-style bistro near my home at the time. It was a chance to prep my digestion for a return to familiar food. One of my colleagues ordered a Bloody Mary. The bartender said it was possible and soon brought the beverage to the table.
It was definitely an eye-opener. Tomatoes and tomato products are not as common in Chinese cooking as they are in the U.S. Translation issues can create interesting moments. This was one such moment. The brilliant, green celery stalk stood proud in its pool of red. My colleague admired the handiwork then took a sip. Reactions and laughter ensued as he announced, “Ketchup!”
The bartender’s guide did not distinguish between juice and sauce. There is a character and pronunciation difference between the two terms.
Also while I was in China, the idea of housing came up. Employees must have a place to stay after work and it is the responsibility of the employer to provide it. The first sign of new construction is a block of blue-roofed, bare-bones dormitories, with a wall around an empty site. During the building period, these are the homes for the workers. This solves a problem of securing people for the job site.
In the same way, teachers hired by a school must be provided housing. Thus, most live on the same campus as their students. It partially solves an issue of homelessness.
These problems have seemingly simple solutions. A drink made with a tomato product. Dennis the Menace would be thrilled at the elegance. Asking that the employers provide housing for employees helps to gather a supporting force for growth.
When one sees a problem, what is the solution? There are few simple answers. This does not mean throwing one’s hands in the air and whining. It does mean reaching out to perfect strangers and asking for help. It means confronting fear and turning it into possibilities that enrich the experience. It means learning something new.
Learn to embrace the new and watch the wonders of a better day unfold like a blossom in the sun.
Orpheus Allison is a photojournalist in The County who graduated from UMPI and earned a master of liberal arts degree from the University of North Carolina. He began his journalism career at WAGM television, worked around the U.S., and later changed careers and taught in China and Korea.
