6th June 2009

6th June 2009- keep it short today...
So here I am in Jiuzhaigou, China- and what has become of me? you might ask. Well, blogger has been blocked and i've just discovered this creative way to subvert the restriction...
Life goes on here, busy and yet kind of boring too, as I let the days drift by.
These recent few days have passed some important dates; yesterday world environment day, the day before that, the 20th anniversary of the Tiananmen square massacre.
Now it’s getting towards the end of my tenure here at Jiuzhaigou national park, and my fading time remaining here, combined with the meaning behind these events, leads me to ponder what my presence here is all about.
Is it about finding ways to overcome centuries of cultural conditioning, where the wilderness is seen as best tamed, to instead inspire a conservation ethic and love of undisturbed nature? Is it about trying to institute a style of tourism that depends in it’s management on a genuine passion for conserving nature and it’s treasures, when the management here states plainly and simply that their only motivation is money?
Can these dilemmas be reconciled? Slowly, slowly it must be possible, but my time here is relatively short, so what can be done? Will I be here long enough to see the rewards?

Or could it be that what I need to do is to show fearlessness toward the powers that be and confront uncomfortable history, to encourage people here, in this conservative corner of China where the party still rules and leaders go unquestioned, to see beyond the limits of their existence, to stand up and be counted as those students in the square tried to do just over 20 years ago?

Or perhaps, as I am beginning to sense, I should let go of these hopeful ambitions and simply feel unburdened, taking the chance to enjoy myself, while using my staff entrance pass to explore the beautiful environment here, As such, I could let go of my attachment to these grand selfless ambitions, focussing instead on the smaller picture of building relationships and friendships as most people do in this guanxi driven culture. But this seems hardly satisfying, hardly meaningful, and narrowing my perspective as such would even seem to detract from my very sense of manhood.

Having said such things, don't let cynicism drag u down dear friends. There is always hope, and hope itself is as powerful as realism is in the path to success
:) :) :)