This is a photo I took when I went back to China a few years ago. I realize that many people chose land that they see and live on everyday but nonetheless, I think this land provides for me even though I do not live on it. It reminds me of my relatives in China and encompasses the history of my ancestors.
At the moment, I took this photo because it was different from my surroundings in Canada. I did not necessarily feel "comfortable" there, or "at home," like I wish I did. Before I was born, my family was not very wealthy. Because of this, we had gotten used to eating unnutritious foods since it was cheaper. Carbohydrates like noodles or Chinese steamed bun replaced our proteins and veggies and overtime, this became a habit. Even though we have better living conditions now, my family's diet still consists mostly of carbohydrates. When I visited China, my body did not adjust well. I constantly got sick and gained a lot of weight. Physically, I felt like I didn't belong. I don't miss the air pollution or the feeling of being a stranger in my own home. But sometimes, when I look back in my photo albums, I feel content in that other people are able to find refuge and comfort in this land. For example, to the rest of my family, who tried to love Canada but couldn't, and ended up going back. For me, China was my place of birth. This was one of the tourism spots I visited and it meant not much more than that. Although I had lived on this land for the first six years of my life, my relationship with this land has been estranged and I admit that I do not share much emotional connection to it. However, I am thankful for all that the land gives me. I am grateful that this land exists for all that it has to serve, for its resources and for the space it provided for parks, schools, roads and homes. My family and I are part of the Han Chinese and I feel happy for them that they find peace in their roots. For these reasons, this land indirectly benefit me and I acknowledge that the relationship between land and people can be different and all unique. This is why I chose this photo.
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I feel like I answer this question, on average, six times a year.
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