Being Chinese | Once a Chinese frog in a well, I’m now living my travel dreams
When China opened up and millions went abroad, it influenced everything from fashion and cuisine to values and perspectives
Once again, I find myself in sun-drenched Morocco, a North African country steeped in history and culture. I’ve come to bask in the warmth, balancing my days between writing and wandering – one of the joys of being able to work from anywhere.
At the moment, I am perched on the roof terrace of a co-living hostel, sipping mint tea. Below, the cheerful voices of Berber children playing football echo through narrow streets, while the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, floats in the air. In the distance, the sea glitters in the sunshine like so many diamonds.
Why do I travel? I often wonder. Perhaps it stems from growing up poor in a confined world, much like that of a frog in a well. Now that I’ve leapt free, I’m driven by an insatiable desire to explore.
Yet Sanmao’s vivid tales of exotic cultures and romantic escapades awakened a longing: one day, I would also like to venture to faraway lands and see the world. I had long cherished the Chinese saying that it’s better to travel 10,000 miles than read 10,000 books.