What I saw?
A donkey-pulled cart riding along the road to the school. On the cart were an older man and woman with some stuff (not sure what it was, but I think they collect trash or recyclables). I was walking to the school in the middle of the day, so we were alone on the road. I said hello (in Chinese) and they smiled and said hello. Very friendly.
Why did this make me stop and think?
I find the difference in the economic situation of their family and the families that usually use that road to be so different it is absurd. Usually when I walk that road it is filled with brand new minivans driven by paid drivers taking expat kids to school (some driven from 2 blocks away). At the homes of most expats there is a maid who will do all the housework.
The kids that are walking or riding their shiny new bikes to school have many things in their homes that we see as normal, but to many people those things are luxuries. I'll start by thinking about the computers, TVs, game systems, and cell phones...but then I move on to electricity, running water, toilets, food.
We live such a privileged life...
I would have loved to take a picture of the friendly couple, but it just seemed too intrusive. Here's a picture of a similar cart that I took awhile back.
.
.
.
Posts
6 comments:
Debi, thanks for your insights! It makes me think of the food I put out every day for the birds and squirrels, just because I like watching them. And the top quality dog food that we buy. And our house full of stuff (electronics, phones, prescription medicines...).
I read your blog every day and I am traveling vicariously with you. Thanks.
I was reminded of that as well when we were in Russia.
Another thought on this... I thought of this discussion when I was out with the kids buying Halloween costume stuff (ears to go with a kitty cat costume that Elise already has). Went to two different stores, didn't find what Ian wanted. Of course as well as costumes there are loads of silly Halloween decorations (talking pumpkins, light-up Lurch, etc. etc. all from China).
We went to Goodwill after, to keep looking. And there (all jumbled up, Goodwill style) is a whole aisle full of used Halloween crud. Buy it full price, use it for a year or two, send it on to Goodwill.
For what? Is this where our GNP is going... to cheap plastic junk from Party City that ends up at Goodwill anyway? Next to Halloween was a whole section full of used Christmas decorations.
We have a really messed up set of priorities.
I agree. At times I see those things and think of the hungry families we could've helped instead. Or children we could've educated. Is it possible to turn the commercialism of our culture around? Would our country survive if we did?
And... my kids' favorite halloween decorations cost about $2. It's a set of about 10 big plastic spiders I bought years ago, and I hung them on white yarn. Every year I get them out again and hang them from the christmas light hooks outside, so our front porch is covered with spiders. In about five mintues. I put them up this year, and Elise was delighted. "Oh mom! The spiders are out again!" So I think we can all have fun without spending so much (and without spending a week of time doing the Martha Stewart routine either).
We just got a catalog from Heifer International, and the kids want to buy someone a goat.
Tina
Now there's a good purchase!
Post a Comment