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A huge thank you to Marco Ferrarese for this article with Nikkei Asia!
https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Arts/Malaysian-painter-without-a-brush-sees-a-better-future
ps: Marco has written more than 100 articles on travel, culture and extreme music in Asia - check out his fascinating website!
The prophecies of Xu Zhimo | Lee Yee
Carrie Lam took the initiative to cancel her US visa, and now she has taken another action to renounce her honorary fellowship from Wolfson College of the University of Cambridge. That Facebook post of hers indeed gave us a bit of joy in sorrows. Some proposed, “Please renounce the British citizenship of your husband and two sons as well, in order to demonstrate your loyalty to the country.” There, we could tell where public opinion lies and where the public’s heart is.
To conclude her post, she wrote, “Despite this unpleasant incident, Cambridge University is still a world-renowned university that many aspire to, and Cambridge, under the pen of Mr. Xu Zhimo, still leaves many beautiful memories for my family and me!” As she bids farewell to Cambridge, one can’t help but recall Xu Zhimo’s “Taking Leave of Cambridge Again”.
Xu Zhimo’s Cambridge era was in 1920-21, but I think the most noteworthy moment of his was his tenure as the editor-in-chief of the Morning Supplement from 1925 to 1926. During this period, he discovered great writers such as Shen Congwen, and predicted how the next century would unfold.
The predecessor of Morning News [Shen Bao] was Morning Bell Daily [Shen Zhong Bao], founded by Liang Qichao and Tang Hualong. Morning Bell Daily published novels, poems, essays, and academic speeches in the seventh edition, so Morning News Supplement was initially referred to as the “Seventh Edition of Morning Bell”. Many articles and works of the New Culture Movement, including Lu Xun’s episodic novella, “The True Story of Ah Q”, was published in here. It was one of the three major publications during the May Fourth Cultural Enlightenment Movement. The Chief of Morning News was Chen Bosheng, and the seventh edition was led by Sun Fuyuan, who gave it the name Morning Bell Daily. Until 1924, when Sun Fuyuan left, it was the “golden age” of the propagation of the new culture. During this period, there was the October Revolution of the Soviet Union, which led to the establishment of the first socialist country, and China’s May Fourth Movement, which developed from enlightenment that promoted liberal and democratic ideas to socialism and salvation that catered to the global trend. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was established, and the Kuomintang (KMT) was transformed into a Lenin-style party. Joining forces, the two parties set up the Republic of China Military Academy (ROCMA), to which the Soviet Union sent representatives to participate in preparation for the Northern Expedition to overthrow the most civilized Beiyang regime (aka the Republic of China) in the early days of the establishment of the Republic of China.
At the insistent invitation of Chen Bosheng, the editor-in-chief of the Morning News, Xu Zhimo agreed to serve as the editor-in-chief of the Morning Supplement in early 1925 after his Europe tour. He started to travel by train to Soviet Russia in March, and then off to Europe. At the time, he was carrying the yearning of most Chinese intellectuals, including Hu Shi, for the realization of the ideal of human equality in the Soviet Union, but he had sensitively noticed the gloomy expressions on the faces of Soviet Russians, the sense that they “had no idea what the smile of natural joy” was. He visited Tolstoy’s daughter in Moscow and learned that Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky’s books were no longer available. Xu Zhimo then wrote a sharp, honest, literary note, “They believe that Heaven is available and achievable, but between the secular world and Heaven there is a body of water, a sea of blood, and humans must survive crossing this sea before they could reach the other shore. They decided first to realize that sea of blood.”
That was the early years of the establishment of the Soviet Union, when the new regime was praised by intellectuals around the world, and inspired Chinese ideologies. The poet’s keen observation foresaw that this regime under the dictatorship of the proletariat would realize a sea of blood.
After returning to China and took over the Morning News Supplement on October 1, 1925, the first thing Xu Zhimo did was to start a series of discussions around the Soviet-Russian issue in the paper. More than 50 fiercely controversial articles on whether to introduce “friendship” or “hatred” towards Russia. At around 5 p.m. on November 29, the Morning News building in Beijing was set on fire by the protestors, which also burned the discussions to ashes.
Why did Xu Zhimo try so hard to discuss Soviet Russia? He said, “China’s problem with Soviet Russia…to date, it has always been a gangrene that has never been removed nor punctured. The pus inside has gathered to a point where it can no longer be silted, and the hidden chaos is so obvious that we can no longer simply ignore.” Therefore, “the problem this time,…to exaggerate a little, is a problem of China’s national fortune, including all possible perversions in the livelihoods of its countrymen.”
The prophecies of the creation of a sea of blood by the Soviet Union, as well as the Chinese people living in perversions, have all came true. Today, we are not only commemorating Cambridge under the pen of this renowned poet, but we should also remember how the Chinese ignored this prophet’s words, and brought about a disaster that is still continuing a hundred years later.
She bid farewell to Cambridge. But Cambridge would never have tolerated the smearing of these hands, which created a sea of blood anyway.
----- English below ------
1. TRẢI NGHIỆM KHÁCH HÀNG sẽ là từ khóa mà anh chị em làm du lịch ở Việt Nam cần quan tâm và nhắc đến trong năm 2020 tới. Còn với mình, trải nghiệm khách hàng cần được nhắc đến tới khi nào chúng ta ngưng làm dịch vụ.
Mình vừa đọc một bài viết của Forbes nói về "25 dịch vụ tốt nhất trên Thế giới mà bạn chưa từng nghe thấy". Trong đó có Aeroflot - một trong những hãng hàng không tốt nhất thế giới. Một ngày nào đấy, nếu đủ duyên nhất định mình phải trải nghiệm để tìm hiểu xem dịch vụ tốt nhất thế giới là như thế nào!
2. Quay trở lại với tầm quan trọng của trải nghiệm khách hàng.
Mình nhớ ngày ở Bali, mình thuê một khách sạn thiết kế kiểu nhà truyền thống của người Hindu bản địa, nó đem lại cho mình cảm giác như đang ở trong một ngôi đền linh thiêng, trên hòn đảo được mệnh danh là nơi ở của các vị thần. Trong phòng có bồn tắm bằng sứ, hầu hết nội thất đều được làm vật liệu tự nhiên là: tre và gỗ, cửa phòng được điêu khắc hoa văn tinh xảo như cửa các gia đình quý tộc ở Việt Nam vậy. Nhìn ra khung cửa sổ phía xa là những ngọn núi lửa và những mái nhà rêu phong. Đó là một trải nghiệm tuyệt vời, không thể quên với mức chi trả 12$/đêm (đừng để ý tới giá nhé, điều mình đang muốn nói là trải nghiệm khách hàng).
KHÔNG GIAN ĐẶC TRƯNG VĂN HÓA BẢN ĐỊA là điều khiến mình ấn tượng. Link nơi mình ở tại Bali: https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/kori-bali-inn-i.vi.html?aid=304142
Một lần khác, ở Thái Lan, một người bán sim điện thoại 4G tóa hỏa chạy đi tìm vị khách vừa mua sim của cô, do cô chưa kích hoạt sim cho anh ta (ở Thái người ta cần Passport của bạn để đăng ký sử dụng sim điện thoại). Sau khi đuổi theo mà không thấy vị khách đâu, cô gặp lại anh trong quán cơm ngay bên cạnh nhà. Cô mừng rỡ, vui tươi, vì tìm được anh, được phục vụ trọn vẹn cho vị khách vãng lai đến từ một đất nước xa lạ. Đáng lẽ ra cô ấy không cần đuổi theo, mà chỉ cần quên đi vị khách, nhưng cô đã không làm thế và đấy là một trải nghiệm mình không thể quên.
HẾT LÒNG PHỤC VỤ. LUÔN LUÔN VUI VẺ là điều mình ấn tượng với dịch vụ của cô bán sim ấy.
Một lần nữa Kota Kilabalu (Malaysia), trong một hostel ấm cúng, họ có nước và ăn sáng (không giới hạn) cho thực khách. Có không gian chung rộng, thoải mái, ấm cúng dành cho tất cả mọi người. Và người dọn phòng cùng cô lễ tân luôn tươi cười, từ sáng tới tối. Họ khiến khách hàng cảm thấy như ở nhà. Và hình ảnh của họ còn in sâu trong tâm trí chàng trai trẻ rất lâu nữa.
Link homestay mình ở tại Kota Kilabalu: https://www.booking.com/hotel/my/akinabalu-youth-hostel.vi.html?aid=304142
Ở Yogyakatar, có chú Ocep Ocipi chủ Ngampilan Backpacker. Chú có một căn nhà nhỏ, ấm cúng dành cho những người xê dịch khắp nơi trên thế giới. Chú coi những vị khách như người nhà. Mình nhớ mãi đêm giao thừa 2018, quây quần bên những người bạn mới quen đón năm mới trong khu vườn nhỏ của chú.
KHIẾN KHÁCH HÀNG CẢM THẤY ẤM CÚNG NHƯ Ở NHÀ - đấy là điều khiến mình nhớ nhất về họ.
Link Ngampilan Backpacker Hostel: https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/ngampilan-backpacker-hostel.vi.html?aid=304142
Ở Việt Nam, nhắc tới công ty tour mình nhớ ngay đến Phớn Tọoc Tourist - Hà Giang Trẻ, công ty tổ chức tour ở Hà Giang. Với hướng dẫn viên là người dân tộc thiểu số bản địa, trải nghiệm đậm chất local, lần đầu tiên mình đi tour ở Hà Giang được nghe hướng dẫn viên chơi khèn H'Mông, buổi tối về ăn cơm trong nhà sàn người Tày và được thưởng thức tiếng đàn tính hát then của dân tộc Tày. Cách làm của Hà Giang Trẻ rất hay, dành cho vị khách yêu trải nghiệm, yêu văn hóa một trải nghiệm không thể quên.
LẤY KHÁCH HÀNG LÀM TRUNG TÂM và KHAI THÁC ƯU THẾ BẢN ĐỊA là điều mình rất thích ở Hà Giang Trẻ.
...
Và còn nhiều điều muốn chia sẻ nữa, mình sẽ viết tiếp ở những bài viết sau trong chuyên mục phát triển du lịch Việt Nam: BỀN VỮNG nhé!
#Dulichbui24 #Tranvietanh #Wonderfulvietnam #Trainghiemkhachhang #Aeroflot #worldwidebigproud #Russiashouldproud
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1. CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE will be the keyword that should be paid attention to and mentioned in the coming 2020 by people working in tourism in Vietnam. As for me, customer experience needs to be mentioned until we stop providing services.
2. I’ve just read a Forbes article about best practices of customer services you haven’t heard of in the world. In which rank Aeroflot - one of the best airlines in the world. One day, if the opportunity comes again, I must try to find out what the best service in the world is like.
3. Back to the importance of customer experience.
I remember the days when I was in Bali, I stayed at a hotel designed as a native Hindus traditional house. It made me feel like being in a sacred temple, on the island of the gods. In the room, except for a porcelain bath, the majority of the interior was made of natural bamboo and wood; far away outside the window are volcanoes and mossy roofs. It was a wonderful, unforgettable experience for $ 12/night (don't pay attention to the price, what I want to emphasize is customer experience)
A HARMONISH SPACE OF INDIGENOUS CULTURE was which impressed me.
Link of the hotel I stayed in Bali: https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/kori-bali-inn-i.vi.html?aid=304142
Another time, in Thailand, a seller of 4G mobile SIM card ran like hell to find a client who had just bought her SIM card, because she had not activated the SIM card for him (in Thailand one needs their Passport to register in order to activate a mobile SIM card). After had chased after but hadn’t found the guest, she accidently met him at the diner next to the house. She was super happy because she was able to fully serve a tourist from a foreign country. She didn’t need to chase after the guest, she could just forget about him. But she didn’t do that and such an experience I will never forget.
FULLY DEVOTED AND ALWAYS HAPPY was what make the service of the SIM card so special.
Another different time in Kota Kilabalu (Malaysia), in a cosy hostel, they had water and breakfast (unlimited) for their guests. There was a large, comfortable, cosy common space for everyone. And the room cleaners and the receptionists were always smiling, from morning till evening. They made their customers feel like at home. And their images will be imprinted on the young man's mind for a long time.
The link of the hostel at Kota Kilabalu: https://www.booking.com/hotel/my/akinabalu-youth-hostel.vi.html?aid=304142
In Yogyakatar, there was Mr Ocep Ocipi, the owner of Ngampilan Backpacker. He has a small, cosy home for people moving around the world. He considers his guests his family members. I remember still New Year's Eve of 2018, gathering with newly made friends to welcome new year in his small garden.
MAKE CLIENTS FEEL LIKE AT HOME is what I remember the most about them.
Link of Ngampilan Backpacker Hostel: https://www.booking.com/hotel/id/ngampilan-backpacker-hostel.vi.html?aid=304142
In Vietnam, mentioning travel company reminds me of Phon Tooc Tourist - Ha Giang Tre, a tour organization company in Ha Giang. With tour guides who are from indigenous ethnic minorities and very local experiences, for the first time I went on a tour in Ha Giang in which the guide played the H'Mong flute, dinner savoured in a Tay stilt house while enjoying the traditional musical instrument and Then singing of the Tay people. This is such a thoughtful and creative way of Ha Giang Tre to provide travel- and culture lovers with unforgettable experiences.
PUTTING CUSTOMERS AT THE CENTRE AND EXPLOITING INDIGENOUS ADVANTAGES is something I really like with Ha Giang Tre.
...
And there are many, many more things to be shared, I will continue to write in the following articles in a special section devoted to Vietnam tourism development: SUSTAINABILITY!
#Dulichbui24 #Tranvietanh #Wonderfulvietnam #CustomerExperience #Aeroflot #worldwidebigproud #Russiashouldproud
This is bizarre and funny all at the same time but why are these foreigners dancing with vegetables?
For a more detailed look at the propagandists, Primeinchina's channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCETUTajSXtgd0dCejwBVdjg
Our Playboy video: https://youtu.be/wpjnEP0VsRM
Some of the Chinese Government State articles about the vegetable propaganda:
https://xw.qq.com/cmsid/20201105A0H1CQ00
http://www.xiancn.com/content/2020-11/05/content_3646163.htm
http://www.whysw.org/html/xinwen/shanxizixun/20201105/32756.html
http://sn.cri.cn/2020-11-04/4990876a-d65e-96a5-2d64-fb37cbdc7d45.html
http://www.xibujuece.com/m/view.php?aid=85985
For a deeper dive into China's Propaganda influence and soft power, watch our liveshow ADVPodcasts: https://www.youtube.com/advpodcasts
DOCUMENTARY LINKS:
Conquering Southern China:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/conqueringsouthernchina
Conquering Northern China:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/conqueringnorthernchina
Stay Awesome China (my new documentary): https://vimeo.com/ondemand/stayawesomechina
For Motorcycle adventures around the world, and a talk-show on two wheels go to ADVChina every Monday 1pm EST
https://www.youtube.com/advchina
For a realistic perspective on China and world travel from an American father and a Chinese mother with two half-Chinese daughters go to Laowhy86 every Wednesday 1pm EST
https://youtu.be/mErixa-YIJE
For a no-nonsense on the street look at Chinese culture and beyond from China's original YouTuber, join SerpentZA on Friday at 1pm EST
https://www.youtube.com/serpentza
Support Sasha and I on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/serpentza
Join me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/winstoninchina
Twitter: @serpentza
Instagram: serpent_za
The Communist Party is watching you, no matter where you go, and they will Fox Hunt you if you step out of line....
Articles mentioned in the video:
Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/fbi-china-arrests/2020/10/28/5e9bf01a-192c-11eb-befb-8864259bd2d8_story.html
Fox News: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/doj-fbi-indictment-chinese-operatives
Reddit discussion on the video clip of the Chinese Student Communist Party Boss in Germany: https://www.reddit.com/r/China/comments/jhx2mc/chinese_student_coordinator_in_germany_talking_to/
For a deeper dive into China's Propaganda influence and soft power, watch our liveshow ADVPodcasts: https://www.youtube.com/advpodcasts
DOCUMENTARY LINKS:
Conquering Southern China:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/conqueringsouthernchina
Conquering Northern China:
https://vimeo.com/ondemand/conqueringnorthernchina
Stay Awesome China (my new documentary): https://vimeo.com/ondemand/stayawesomechina
For Motorcycle adventures around the world, and a talk-show on two wheels go to ADVChina every Monday 1pm EST
https://www.youtube.com/advchina
For a realistic perspective on China and world travel from an American father and a Chinese mother with two half-Chinese daughters go to Laowhy86 every Wednesday 1pm EST
https://youtu.be/mErixa-YIJE
For a no-nonsense on the street look at Chinese culture and beyond from China's original YouTuber, join SerpentZA on Friday at 1pm EST
https://www.youtube.com/serpentza
Support Sasha and I on Patreon: http://www.patreon.com/serpentza
Join me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/winstoninchina
Twitter: @serpentza
Instagram: serpent_za
The Pianodrome is an amphitheatre in Leith, Scotland made from disused pianos which is part of an ongoing regeneration of the area spearheaded by the artistic community.
During Pianodrome’s month-long residency at the venue between November and December in 2019, they hosted the Pianodrome Resonancy, a programme inviting artists to develop new work using the space.
Culture Trip creates stories that reveal what is unique and special about a place, its people and its culture.
Find out more about the Pianodrome and Leith here: https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/scotland/articles/how-music-and-community-breathed-new-life-into-leith/
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