Discoveries

How I Became an American Douchebag at the Great Wall of China (Despite Good Home-Training and My Best Intentions)

“Hey you,” the vending lady barked at us. “You buy souvenir.” “No, no, thank you.” I said, as politely as I could, pressing my lips together in that unintentionally patronizing, very American way. She stalked off, muttering not quite under her breath. I didn’t understand the words, but I understood the meaning. We were being

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In Search of the Real

In response to someone who told me I hadn’t been to the real China because I didn’t visit a hutong: People like to say that Hong Kong, Shanghai, and even Beijing these days don’t represent the real China, with their modern skyscrapers, ubiquitous Starbuckses, and global influence. The real China is rice paddies and opium

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Life on the Road

Since July, I’ve been to nine countries on five continents, and I don’t think I’ve spent more than five nights in any one location, with the exception of a 7-day cruise with my family where my movement was essentially limited to the Lido Deck. During these past two months, I’ve had immovable work deadlines and

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Represent Your Set

Sometimes, when you stop just for a second and take stock of the people in your life, you really do have to quietly thank the cosmos for what truly is the blessing of friendship. Many people have a set of good friends that they’ve built over the years through shared experiences in high school or

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On Community

For a week now, I’ve been trying to write a post about the decline, nay, decay of my hometown Jacksonville in general, and of the black community that I grew up in, in particular. It’s been hard; I still haven’t figured it out. After this last trip home, I agree even more with my parents’

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Thoughts of an American Expatriate After a Spur-of-the-Moment Weekend Trip Home

•    Everything is so clean. •    Everything is so cheap. •    There are indeed a few loud, obnoxious American douchebags. Conversely, most Americans are friendly, polite, and helpful. •    Products come in too much unnecessary packaging. •    The weather couldn’t be any more pleasant than in Northeast Florida in spring. •    At 72, my mother

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Ernest White II