Visiting Homogeneous Countries: When Getting Stared At Is Cool!

I must admit that it can be a little unnerving to visit almost completely homogeneous countries like Japan, Vietnam, and China. Living in America, it is "normal" to see all different types of people regardless of where you go and what you do. Different colors, languages, and cultures are all around us in the States so you definitely experience some "culture shock" when you land in one of these countries. Being the "only" Black person and nearly the only "American" is crazy! People notice you immediately since you stand out from the rest of the population. All of the signage is in simplified or traditional Chinese and every conversation you overhear is in Mandarin or another Chinese dialect. You must have a strong sense of self and belonging in order to visit a homogeneous country or you will find yourself confined to your hotel room (where, by the way, all of the television programs will be in the same, foreign language - except for one station of CNN or BBC if you are lucky). I love this feeling of "different-ness" because it makes me understand more clearly how people form other countries feel when they visit the States. They find it difficult to understand the signage and language, they are stared at simply for looking different, and they are surrounded by a culture that is completely different from their own. Ironically, as as Black man, I have felt this same sense of "different-ness" at home. I mus admit, however, that the feelings I experience abroad are not the same. I am stared at for being different but I never feel "judged" by the staring person or persons. Instead, I have the distinct sense that they clearly are simply observing a type of person who they have never encountered before. The stares I receive at home ALWAYS come with judgement - normally delivered in a condescending manner. My family members and I have often had people, sometimes entire families, ask to take photos with us. Again, the feeling during the photo shoots are always upbeat, happy, and positive. It's not quite like we are "celebrities" but folks clearly are enjoying meeting us and recording our meeting for posterity's sake. Suffice to say, I do not get that type of response from folks who stare at me back home when I find myself in one for those areas where a Black person "stands out" for various reasons. All of the cities we have visited this far on this trip are large cities (with the exception of Hakone in Japan) so scenes like these are the norm:

 

But all you have to do is join the party!  When in Rome...

Plus, if you feel the need to see more Americans or Europeans you may always take an arranged tour of a popular location.  You are sure to find many "foreigners" on those.  Here's a scene in the port just before we boarded our Ha Long Bay 2-day cruise with Ha Long Du Gong Sail:

Looks just like home.  Enjoy and power to the purple!

Kyoto, Japan: Awesome Peacefulness

Kyoto is a magical place.  The former capital of Japan is a large city that somehow retains the feeling and sense of a small village.  Its temples, architecture, and gardens all create a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.  The grounds of the famous Kinkaku-ji  Golden Pavilion is a wonderful example:

  
No way to feel any stress while walking through here, right?

Also, the Japanese have a wonderful understanding of fully utilizing size and space.  All of their needs are fully addressed but no space is wasted.  Check this out...

As always, purple shows up in powerful ways in Kyoto as in all other places.  Check out how the color adds beauty to both this temple in the Gion section and a home near the Bamboo Forest;

Gotta leave you with a few more Kyoto pics.  It's far too large to capture in a single post but these will give you a sense of its beauty and grandeur:

And, of course, I must end by highlighting a little more of the purple I saw in Kyoto (look closely at the crowded street scene to find the woman in the middle with a head full of naturally curly hair dyed purple)...

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Why Purple Worldview?

The color of purple has always been special to me.  I have always been attracted to it and I feel much more comfortable and at ease when I am wearing something purple.  It is widely recognized as a color of royalty and spirituality so perhaps I am connecting with that powerful, spiritual place that lies within me and every other human.  The color purple contains deep meaning and power to me and represents love, compassion, respect, and justice for all beings and objects, too.  It exudes tranquility, happiness, pride, and humility.  In essence, the color of purple represents all of the qualities I hope to personify.  

In addition to the color purple, there are several other topics that I am extremely passionate about that I will also address in this blog.  One is travel since it has always been important to me.  I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel the country and world since graduating from college and marrying the woman of my dreams.  We have made it our mission to visit and explore as many places as possible.  We’ve explored both domestically and internationally visiting many states and countries, including but not limited to, France, Italy, Cape Verde, Senegal, South Africa, The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Portugal, Mexico, Jamaica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Belize, Corsica, Brazil, Thailand, Bali, and Fiji.  This summer will mark the third consecutive summer that my wife and I will spend 5 weeks living in China (base city of either Shanghai or Guangzhou) and we have used this as an opportunity to exploring other Asian countries such as Japan, Vietnam, and India.  Our travels have expanded our world and minds by exposing us to various cultures and different ways of thinking and living.  We have seen how we are small parts of the HUGE universe of life.  The open and natural comparison of our habits with those of the peoples we encounter during our travels has deepened my understanding both of myself and the folks we meet and made me more appreciative of the life I have been allowed to live.

Athletics (both team and individual sports) and general physical activity have played, and continue to play, an integral part in my life.  I have recognized how the skills and traits required for success in athletics translate nicely into all other areas of my life including, but not limited to, academia, professional arenas, and social relationships.  I enjoy playing, watching, coaching, and analyzing all sports and also observing the similarities and differences between how sports are intertwined into the various cultures of people all around the world. 

Finally, education and learning has always been very important to me.  Educating others properly even led me to the professional change nearly 14 years ago that moved me out of healthcare finance and into the teaching of primary school mathematics.  As a product of a public school education, I am very concerned with helping find solutions to the myriad of issues currently found in the American public school system especially in urban areas.  Given both the incredible technological advances of recent years and also the great effort and attention that most other countries place on providing high quality education to its children at little to no cost, it is imperative that we fix out problems and ensure that all of our children are educated as well as children in any country.

I have combined these passions to create my PurpleWorldView blog.  My goal is to present honest, thoughtful observations of any issues that I am passionate about.  My entries will normally focus on one or more of the topics that I mentioned above, however, I will also address other events that I feel are pertinent to my life or to the world in general.  I hope that my statements will spur additional thought, conversation, and hopefully action of some sort.  I want to always add positive energy to the world and to be part of the solutions rather than adding to problems.  Hopefully, this blog will serve to increase understanding between people from different countries and cultures leading to a more enlightened society and a happier, more well educated world. 

Wishing you the power of purple and a wonderful life!