Flowers for the Chinese Goddess Guanyin.

The Phoenix Mountain Temple, in the Bao’an District of Shenzhen, China, dates to the 1200s.  The temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. She was orginally a Taoist deity. but was adopted by the Buddhists when they spread their message to China during the 4th and 5th century.

The Temple and mountain-top hiking trails feature a spectacular view of the surrounding area.

Captured: January 2, 2009.

for: The Lazy Buddhist

Therefore, be ye lamps unto yourselves, be a refuge to yourselves. Hold fast to Truth as a lamp; hold fast to the truth as a refuge. Look not for a refuge in anyone beside yourselves. And those, who shall be a lamp unto themselves, shall betake themselves to no external refuge, but holding fast to the Truth as their lamp, and holding fast to the Truth as their refuge, they shall reach the topmost height.
- Guatama Buddha (563-483 BC)

Captured: August 17, 2008, Shenzhen, China

Caught up in my own little reality, I forgot that November 11 was Remembrance Day in Canada. The day commemorates the end of The Great War, and is used to remember Canada’s men and women that died serving their country in times of war or as part of peacekeeping operations. At 11 am, two minutes of silence are observed to commemorate those that made the ultimate sacrifice.

When I was a reporter I spent time with veterans, at the cenotaphs as they remembered their fallen comrades. Listening to The Last Post played on the bagpipes while standing under overcast skies on a cold November morning has the power to gut you. It’s haunting and visceral: Melodic sorrow that cuts right to the bone.

I was perusing the images of Randall J. van der Woning, who has has photographically documented many of the Hong Kong battlefields of World War II. On seeing his work, I realized I had forgotten Remembrance Day, something I once told myself I would never do.

Two hundred and ninety Canadians, ill-equipped and trained, their ranks marred with illness, died in December 1942, attempting to defend Hong Kong from the Japanese (a further 254 died while PoWs). The Battle of Hong Kong saw the first Canadians to fight and die in World War II. Most are buried the Sai Wan War Cemetery in Chai Wan, on Hong Kong Island.

The quote on the monument is from Ecclesiasticus: Their name liveth for evermore. Their names still live – the Sai Wan War Cemetery isn’t a place many people visit, but the visitors book lists a name or two for each day. Visitors have to be determined, the cemetery is up a twisted mountain road, accessible by minibus or foot (if you are a semi-crazy former journalist.)

As long as there are visitors, as long as someone remembers, Their name liveth for evermore.

One of the best things about traveling, about teaching ESL, is the things I see and the students I meet. Summer camp is a misnomer compared with North American summer camp. There are no tents, campfires, marshmallows, or canoes. There are English lessons, games, and contests.

After a day in the classroom the ESL teachers and students go for broke in an Olympic-style relay. What was lost in grace and finesse was made up for with intensity.

Teaching ESL is not an easy job. But the rewards, like seeing (and capturing) the above, are immense.

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This is a little something I’m messing around with. Mrs. Stevo spent the afternoon shopping (that’s not much of a shock) and I was short a model. Never being one to shy away from the camera, I stood in her stead.

The point of this will become apparent when the project, something really cool, is complete. For now, make do with a stocky, red-tinted Stevo, instead of a petite Asian beauty.

The symbol on the door is the Chinese symbol for Double Happiness. It is seen in the homes of newlyweds and used a great deal at Chinese weddings. (There are still several in our apartment nearly two years after the wedding.) There’s a great story behind the symbol, look for it here in the near future.

Captured: July 18, 2008.

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Specs:

Camera: Canon EOS 40D

Shutter Speed: 1/100

Aperture: F/10

ISO: 320

Canon Speedlite 580 EX II with Remote Trigger.

double happiness symbol: orietaloutpost.com

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The main gate of the Tianhou Temple in Chiwan, Shenzhen, PRC. The folk temple dates back to the 1400s and was refurbished by the government in the early 90s.

Captured: July 12, 2008.

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