Kinabalu, what does that mean?

Photo: Old post office filled with graffiti at Kota Kinabalu - 12/12/10

Being rich with time, I was 'overstaying' in the city of Kota Kinabalu, so I've started asking around what means the word Kinabalu, used for both the City Kota Kinabalu and the mountain Kinabalu.

The first person was a father with who I was sharing my table at the bus-station restaurant during lunch, about 1 hour before the bus to which I bought a ticket,would be leaving, bringing me to the village of Ranau.
I had a conversation with him and he asked me many questions. He kept thinking I came from New Zealand, or maybe he kept saying I came from New Zealand, because I told him I am from Holland bur he didn't understand the name nor knew the country. So I wasn't surprised if he kept saying New Zealand not to be in the situation not knowing where I am from, or having to ask questions about my county in an awkward way without naming the name of the country. So he kept asking things about New Zealand, and I kept saying I couldn't answer his question as I had never been to New Zealand, "however in my country, in Holland, ...." is how I finished my response but he kept firing new questions about this country which actually carries a Dutch name.

But what is China?

Photo: Time for tea in laid-back Chengdu, China - 06/11/10

Perhaps there is no answer to the question what China actually is. Or maybe there are a million different answers and opinions. And just as you think you understand it, you find out that the opposite is true. Perhaps it is impossible to understand into detail, this very interesting country.

There is a lot of contradiction for example in the habits. In one way the people are very polite, but at the same time the most elegant people dressed up clear their throat at least two times with a sound that can be heard at the end of the road. And always after wards comes the spitting. Whether you are on the streets, in the bus, on the train, in a shop etc, they will spit. Even on the carpet! Though to be polite, with the toe of the shoe they rub the spit into the carpet so it won't disturb you. Even shopkeepers while customers are in the shop. It seems nothing stops them from spitting. Apart from a few 'no spitting' signs you can find in some places.

Their are many efficient inventions. Such as the trousers of little children. These trousers don't have an 'ass' so there is a big cut in the back of the trousers and when they need to go to the toilet, they only have to sit down :)
It made me laugh many times seeing these kids running around on the streets with naked butts! Even at a temperature of 5 degrees.
My second day in China, while walking through the modern and well paved shopping street, a little boy, who apparently did not have on of these trousers, stood in the middle of the street with house trousers at 'socks-level' and with his jacket and shirts pulled up completely he stood their smiling and naked doing his pee, wild turning from left to right to make sure the streets got watered everywhere :)

Two forgotten photo's from Marrakech

Yessss finally an update!
But I am afraid I have to disappoint you, since these are only two photo's from Morocco.
No new exciting stories of Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, nor Iran.

I haven't found much time, nor inspiration to write new stories, but I hope I can share some hot news soon!

But first these two photo's I forgot to put online.
The big square in Marrakech. During the day it's an 'empty' place, with guys playing the flute making their snakes stand straight, and other people selling their stuff, and ofcourse the unforgettable motorcycles and moppets.
During the night, you won't recognize the sqaure from the way during the day...it's completely transformed into one big restaurant. Only eateries, smoke, loads of different smells, and if you allow yourself, very good tastes! It is difficult to walk from one side to the other side without sitting down, as each eatery have their guy standing and waiting for you asking to sit down and have some food. You say no thank you? They didn't hear you, or pretend to and ask you again. You're already past him? No worries, there is a next guy half a meter further away asking you :)

It is, like Milko says, a Shpectacular to see the place by evening, as it's all dark, but strong lights as if you are at a building side. A lot going on, many people, and the smoke makes it's a brilliant place. If you take some time, I am sure you can take the most beautiful action shots here!

What they know about the world

Everbody must have heard some time about the people who share their
knowledge about countries and capitals in the world even when their
general knowledge is not as strong as others'. The jokes about some
people saying 'ah, France, thats the capitol of Paris!' or the
other one where they say that Amsterdam is that country in Europe
where people can smoke a joint in the coffeeshop....

I have experienced a few new ones, never heard about before. Maybe
never existed before. But first a few years back when I lived in
Manchester, England. I heard this one many times from many English
people. It is always Germany again who causes the trouble. Maybe Jason
Statham referts to the good old past when everything was ok, when the
future was still good. Maybe he referts to that in the movie Catch
saying 'before ze Germans are here'.
When the English asked me where I am from, and I replied with the
answer 'I am Dutch',