Photo of the Day: Eight immortals

Golden statues of Eight Immortals. Chinese mythology. Taiwan National Palace Museum.

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about Wikipedia

How often do you refer to the Wikipedia as a source of truth? As it can be edited by anyone, what you usually get will be the opinion of someone else, or some agreed opinion of a group of people. And no certifications on this topic are needed for them to edit this wiki encyclopedia. As the head of Encyclopedia Britannica says even if the scholars and professors contribute and spend their time in entering and editing entries in Wikipedia, the next day some teenager can easily erase it all and post his own information for that entry. It gives everyone the power to edit the encyclopedia. There is a big risk in the truth of information. But somehow it has been working fine and getting very popular. I think the little magic here is "the wisdom of the crowd". It is the power of mass participation and collaboration. It's the community owning and protecting and monitoring the encyclopedia. All these help the Wikipedia entries to converge closer to the truth over the time. That's the power of Wikipedia. Otherwise it would have failed soon or later. Here's the interesting documentary that shows people both praising and criticizing this popular site. 

I myself use it a lot for getting quick knowledge on something. It is also very practical when I am planning a trip to somewhere; short history, main attractions with pictures, important things about that place, etc. The combination of Wikipedia, Google Maps, podcasts and hotel search sites totally replaced the burden to carry Lonely Planet books for me. Just print out what you need and there you go. And nowadays you can carry all these in your smartphone. But that's another topic I am thinking of writing.

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Attack of the "clones"

Now one thing hit me twice recently. It was very unexpected, yet it was so obvious so possible to happen. And not only me. To any of you. And it might be happening to you right now as well.

Now the privacy issues in Internet is much discussed topic. The main question is that how much of our personal information we shall share to public. Be it the contact information, photos and videos, personal notes and blogs, etc. Most of us think that such worries don't really bother us as we are not celebrities or something. That noone besides our circle of contacts will be interested in seeing this private information. Now I am not a big fan of sharing contact information and my phone number, in particular, on public sites, or even in the restricted sites like Facebook. But I've been sharing lots of photos and videos from my trips or events or some parties both in my blog and in some social network sites. It never seriously crossed my mind that this information could be misused by someone else one day. And to my surprise I was informed by some of my contacts about people using my photos (and many of them) as if their photos in the popular social network sites like Odnoklassniki.ru and MoiMir (by mail.ru). I did check these sites and found them. They were using several of my photos and even the ones with my ex-girlfriend. On top of that, they had been behaving as if real "me" in photos but with different name, and building some contacts in those sites. Can you imagine that someone from your online friends in Facebook, whom you have met in Facebook, asking you which one of these two online persons is real "me"?! Because it seems both of us were that person's contacts and exchanging some messages online with that friend. So I went after these "twins" of mine and sent them a message to remove the photos. One of them was a Kyrgyz guy in Turkey who was using my photos, and he removed all photos the next day and I didn't hear anything from him back. The second one replied me with "supposedly funny jokes" first, but later apologized saying that she (it was a Kyrgyz girl if I believe to what he/she wrote) was using my photos to take revenge on her boyfriend... "WTF?!" was my reaction. I mean what on earth (I prefer to use even more harsh words here) do I have to do with this?! But I have no control on this. My blog is out there, most of my Flickr albums are public, and I have around 600+ friends in Facebook (some of whom I have never met in real life; either friends' friends or random contacts). I do regular cleanup on Facebook. Still I don't want to jeopardize my social networks or reject the pleasure of blogging or Facebooking due to such threats too.

Now when you think of it, whatever we are posting and sharing online can be potentially used against us or for other means than intended by anyone. We are vulnerable for what we share sometimes. And it can be in much bigger levels. So we shall always think twice about what we share and post. Human nature likes to share. Human nature can get emotional. And wants to speak it out. Because our life is not real when not shared (here I rephrase my favorite quote "Happiness is real when shared" from the movie "Into the wild"). Yeah, but we gotta think twice nevertheless.

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Formosa

It's been almost 4 years now since I left this beautiful island where I spent one whole year of unique experience. At that time I left with the big hope to return there after 2 years... the plan was to move to Bangkok for a new job and new adventures, get 2 years of professional experience and then be eligible to apply for long-term Taiwanese work-visa for foreigners... And I ended up in Europe. Some of my friends already know the reasons behind. Anyway, today I just came through some videos about Taiwan and that gave me whole wave of sweet and unforgetable memories about the island Formosa - Taiwan. They have a nice motto actually "Touch your heart". But you gotta live there for some time to understand it and love it. And you gotta leave that place to start to really appreciate it. It's isolated both geographically and in a way culturally and in many other ways, it is unique. It's real China if that would the right term; the culture and lifestyle displayed in its full beauty without any interruption or censoring by the communist regime.

Chinese New Year is coming soon, thus I wish all the prosperity and health and happiness they need to all my Taiwanese and Singaporean and all other Chinese friends. Gong Xi Fa Cai! Xin Nian Kuai Le!

And the rest of you enjoy these amazing intro videos about Formosa! And I tell you, your travels are not complete without seeing and feeling this island.

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The cost of leaving your home to see the world

Some days ago I got a Facebook message from an ex-AIESECer friend in Taiwan. What she asked me was the cost of leaving your parents and family to fulfill the dream of traveling the world. I don't want to sound like a self-claimed traveler, but I am pretty much familiar with this situation having spent 11 years away from home. So there goes her letter and further down my reply to her. I hope she doesn't mind me posting this question here as I think this might be interesting for others as well.

Hello Aibek!

Traveling around the world is the general dream to people. But what's the price behind? You're the suitable one to answer this question!

The price is not concerning about the money, but the relation to family. Traveling almost for friendship and inner self discovery, few time stay with family.

It's ok when duration is short, but with a long stay in another country, how could I keep familyship well?
Is there any responsibility for child to stay with parents and care of them(it's a common value in Chinese culture) How about family members getting old or ill, back home for companion or keep forwards my way?

Aibek is known for sharing stories and mentoring friends, it will be my pleasure if you'd like sharing with me:)

Best Regards,
C. @Taipei

My reply;

Hi C!

First of all thank you for your letter, and I apologize for a late reply. The reason is that I couldn't answer it right after I read it, and I started thinking on it. I mean these thoughts and such comparisons were always in my mind, but rather in an unorganized way and randomly coming above the surface of my thoughts.

One view that I've been sticking to for all these years is that if one dreams about seeing the world, then he/she should do it now, especially when they are young, mobile and not attached to real responsibilities. Because once the responsibilities come, we will have to dedicate our time and energy for them. Take a marriage or a child, for example. Or some high position in the company or society or whatever you are working for. Or the parents that grew too old to be able to care for themselves... So the only time you could travel then will be after you retire. when we are 50-60 years old... Isn't it a pity to start discovering the beauty of the world and its nations only at that age? We won't be that mobile and energetic anyway, and our chances making lifelong foreign friends are really low, and thus the experience, or "living the diversity", we can get from it... Probably the only thing we could do then is to take those bus tours with other old people to visit some tourist attractions... You have probably seen such tour groups. I wouldn't want to start discovering the world in this way. I believe that you should enjoy such experience when you are young, to discover the world and yourself together with it, make friends from different nations and religions and understand them better, appreciate the diversity that comes with it.

About our families. I agree that staying too long away from the family has its cost. But all in all distance should not be the obstacle for the family matters. It is not like a long distance relationship between man and woman. Family and blood bonds are lifelong and irreplaceable. Especially in the cultures like Chinese or Kyrgyz, where family bonds are really strong. I could briefly share my own experience. I missed watching my parents growing older and my sister and brothers growing up. I couldn't closely share their joy and sadness when they probably needed me. And it's not only about the family. I missed the weddings or other special events of my relatives or childhood friends, neither could I share their pain when they had bad times. It's neither easy nor cheap to travel to a remote place like Kyrgyzstan, and one can't easily afford it to travel there for all such occasions. Well, phone calls and emails made it a bit easier, but after a while I started losing the connections with them. But not with my family, and some of the close friends. Another important thing is that I have 3 brothers and 1 sister, thus I always had someone there to stay with my parents. If you have any siblings, then your responsibility for your parents are shared and can be agreed. In terms of supporting your family, you can do that while being away for a while. The best is that if you can combine your foreign experience with a good job that will allow you grow professionally and earn enough money to support yourself and maybe even your parents a bit. If they are in the position to be supported. Such support is fine for some years, but I guess what our parents really need is their children to be near them. And being away so long, I feel this need myself too. Just to be close to them, support them and feel their support closely, just to enjoy my mom's food, share with each other our dreams and problems, etc. Nowadays I am planning to return back to my country or somewhere very close. One reason is to be close to my family. Having lived abroad in 4 different countries for 11 years, I partly satisfied my childhood dream of seeing the world and I am looking forward to returning without any regrets.

Another thing to be considered carefully is your career plans. Living in different countries is fun and cool. But shouldn't be dragged for too long. Changing country each year sounds romantic, but it affects your professional growth, especially when you are fresh from university. If you are seeking for foreign work experience, then it's good to plan to stay there for 2-3 years at least. When it's only 1 year, it's like adapting to a new life and leaving the whole potential experience at the beginning. If you want to travel just to see the world, then it is different.

One last opinion about responsibility. We do have responsibilities for our families, friends, society, and so on. But our biggest responsibility is our own lives. And the decision should be made by ourselves only. If others affect our decisions, later we may end up blaming them for our failures, unrealized dreams and lost hopes.

I hope I could share my thoughts on what you asked. I am not in the position to give answers to those questions. I just shared my own experience and humble thoughts. Sharing is caring after all :)

Good luck!
Aibek

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Corporate party 2009

Contrary to last year, our yellow red company decided to throw End Of Year party. Considering the circumstances under which it was canceled last year (yeah, recession), and considering similar circumstances this year (further recession), the announcement of the party came a bit of surprise and a bit immoral right after announcing the further recession in the company. Without further questioning the loyalty of the corporations towards their employees, I will share some photos from the party. Again it was in Congress Centrum in Prague, and the theme was "70ies". You know, "Abba or Elvis style"... and some photos from the event below. Special thanks to Dina for accompanying me for this party.

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something to reveal

before it really gets spread around...


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Photo of the day - Sugar canes

P2020085, originally uploaded by aibek_dunaev.

Bunch of hungry AIESEC trainees stopped by the roadside vendors that were selling the sugar canes. They got out of car, grabbed some canes and starting to chew them with a wild appetite. Somewhere in the Eastern Taiwan, in 2005.

Left to right; Diego (Colombia), Luis (Brasil) and yours truly.

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Jiu Fen - Taiwan

Taiwan 051.jpg, originally uploaded by aibek_dunaev.

This photo was taken 5 years ago in front of a Buddhist temple in a small beautiful tourist town, Jiu Fen, near Taipei. This is a popular weekend destination for Taiwanese people. You can get lots of local delicacies in the local markets, stay over night in tiny houses that overlook the coast.

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Flight of the Angel, Venice Carnevale

Now you don't see it everywhere! The main show of the Venice Carnival - Volo dell'Angelo (Flight of the Angel).

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Rialto Bridge on Grand Canal, Venice

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Venice Carnival

Our trip to Venice Mask Carnival last February. Festive atmosphere, costumes, masks, excellent mood, Venetian music and fantastic shows - there was everything! Video tells it all.

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Camp Nou, Barcelona

Here's another small video of the empty Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona. You can clearly see how beautiful and enormous it is!

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Sagrada Familia

The most known tourist attraction of Barcelona. It is indeed astonishingly beautiful and unique of a kind! There's so much architecture and art in every piece of it, and I was glad that I took my binoculars to get a better look. Antoni Gaudi started the construction in 1882, and his work continued till today after he died in tram accident. He was buried inside Sagrada Familia.

Here's a bit of information from Wikipedia;
"...privately-funded Roman Catholic church that has been under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain since 1882 and is not expected to be complete until at least 2026. A portion of the building's interior is scheduled to open for public worship and tours by September of 2010.
Considered the master-work of renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), the project's vast scale and idiosyncratic design have made it one of Barcelona's (and Spain's) top tourist attractions for many years....
... Every part of the design of La Sagrada Família is rich with Christian symbolism, as Gaudí intended the church to be the "last great sanctuary of Christendom". Its most striking aspect is its spindle-shaped towers. A total of 18 tall towers are called for, representing in ascending order of height the Twelve Apostles, the four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and, tallest of all, Jesus Christ...
...The building works are expected to be completed around 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudí's death, although the likelihood of meeting this date is disputed. Computer Aided design technology has been used to speed up the construction of the building; initially, the construction work was expected to last for several hundred years, based on building techniques available in the early 1900s...
...Construction on Sagrada Família is not supported by any government or official church sources. Private patrons funded the initial stages. Money from tickets purchased by tourists is now used to pay for the work, and private donations are accepted through the Friends of the Temple.
The construction budget for 2009 is €18 million."

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Greetings from Barcelona

Here some late greetings from Barcelona. Alex and his family hosted me and Fatima at their place in the outskirts of Barcelona. We had great few days there eating lots of delicious food (paella, bull's tail, variety of seafood), watching some architecture by Gaudi, driving around Barcelona and Olympic Town, and watching Barca game at Camp Nou.

Once again I want to thank Alex and his family, and also Vanessa and her family for inviting us for a nice breakfast!

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