Peaceful #2: Travel Theme

I posted already on peaceful this week, but I had 2 very different examples, so I thought it best I post these separate. Check out my other post here if you haven’t already.

I find the beach the most relaxing and peaceful. The beach holds many great memories as we have played in the waves, built sand castles, swam with dolphins and felt the warm sun relax and sooth our souls. I have been lucky enough to travel to many beaches all over the world. One of the most relaxing destinations that for me made me feel the most at peace wasn’t a fantastic powdery soft sand beach, but a resort nestled in the hills and amongst the palm trees. We stayed in a small hut with bamboo floors and rice paper windows. The one wall was only a thick canvas curtain that provided us with an incredible view high up on the hill. There was no need to leave our room since the view was so spectacular. We spent time on our balcony, or on the open window bench just soaking it all in, reading and enjoying the view. I slept so soundly as the wind rustled in the leaves and the waves crashed gently on the shore below. No TV, phones and hard to access internet gave us a true break from all the city noise and commotion in Shanghai. This was truly peaceful…

A room with a view

 

View from the balcony

Check out Where’s My Backpack to see what others hav posted on PEACEFUL, or add your own.

Stay Tuned… one more post this weekend (that is 4 total!)

Weekly Image of Life: Dreams & Freedom

Living in a communist country I sometimes forget that we have so many freedoms in the West. For one the internet is blocked and without special accommodations Facebook, YouTube and blogs are inaccessible. The media monitors what is seen or known. I once said ” we don’t live in Kansas anymore Toto” when an event reminded me of the lack of freedoms or highlighted the frustrations that sometimes arise. Things are different, not bad, just not the same. In day-to-day life I don’t notice these subtle changes or restrictions. Additionally as an expat I am pretty lucky and live freely. Do I miss all these little freedoms? Obviously not. Now I would miss not being able to blog, but most other things I hardly notice. I guess I also know at some point I will be home, so with patience I can have those things again, but then the adventure will be lost.

So what are my dreams or freedoms? The one thing on my mind right now is the freedom of time… no watch, schedule or expectations to meet deadlines and rush from here to there and get this done as the to do list grows longer. I can sleep late, stay up later and just hang out. Things get done when they get done. No preplanning and being totally free to be spontaneous. I am enjoying catching up with people and blog, reading or just watching TV. During the school year I would have an eye on the clock and not totally relax knowing there is so much to do. This for me, and many other teachers is the dream of summer holidays and freedom to do nothing. Teachers work hard and very long hours for 10 months of the year. Many people underestimate what a teacher does… they see the time off and think it is an easy job. That is not my intention here and I don’t want to spark a debate, so back to the point… Now the question is how do I show an image of summer dreams, quiet, relaxation and freedom to do what I want all day without scheduling….?

Off into the Sunset

How about this shot? Off into the sunset and a winding road that can lead to endless possibilities. What do you think?

Thanks to the Weekly Image of Life Photo Challenge  from Island Traveller over at This Man’s Journey. Check it out to see more examples of dreams and freedoms or to join in and post your own.

Stay tuned….