Happy Chinese New Year!
This photo was taken the first time my family visited Beijing in 2005, a year before we would move over from LA. I rediscovered this photo when I visited home over the winter holidays. We must have had the photo printed on silk years ago, and my mom unearthed it recently and got it framed. I was charmed by the photo, if I do say so myself, and asked my dad if he could try finding the digital copy for me, which he did.
I don’t think you’ll ever find me as touristy as this again, dressed up in traditional clothing at the Forbidden City. And to get my brothers to do it as well? A miracle, truly.
But as much as I roll my eyes, I look back at this moment and hold it preciously.
Is it really so bad to be a tourist? To marvel at the world? To be excited? To be happy? To be frivolous? To celebrate?