Footprints on the beach
By Charles Magee Photos by Yao Fan



来自英国的Charles Magee三访厦门, 最爱的还是鹭岛白沙细浪的海滩. 天风海清, 百姓友善, 踏足而行, 可尽情享受与无垠大海的心灵对话.

My first visit to Xiamen occurred in March 2003 when I participated in the CIHEET International Education Exhibition on behalf of De Montfort University. From the first, I took a liking to Xiamen's weather and the warmth of its people. My second visit was at Christmas 2004 / New Year 2005, when I sought warmer climes after experiencing a few days of Shanghai's coldest winter for 50 years. I stayed and loved Xiamen and extended my stay. When I chose my summer holiday destination, I followed an inner feeling to return to Xiamen and spent 15 nights there.

When on vacation, I like to relax on a beach, read a book, swim and generally chill out from all my work related stress! Each beach has its own characteristics, and on the Xiamen beaches I couldn't help noticing how friendly locals were when initiating social conversations with foreign strangers. One Sunday, I went to the beach with my new CD player. I was playing some western music and after the second song, one guy sat down beside me even though he could hardly speak any English. He then invited me to come over to his friends and family, which I accepted as I felt he was sincere and genuine. This was nice for all of us and it gave me a good opportunity to leave my stuff and go swimming.



Generally, I found most local people had limited English but I was impressed by their desire to improve their English. For others, who could only speak a few words of English, it was a pleasure for me to be in their presence. This is in contrast with my own country, where people are more likely to keep a polite distance from foreigners, tiptoeing around each other and living parallel lives.

Apart from the English language, there was the language of hospitality that touched my heart. Many Xiamen people kindly offered fruit, drinks or other kinds of beach items even though I was financially able to buy these items myself. This type of generosity is quite humbling, as I did not feel I deserved it.

There were some funny moments! I was swimming one afternoon and the tide was low. As I swam along I felt something strange against my leg. For a split second, I did not know what was in the warm sea and reacted by giving out a little shout and jumping away from the situation. I continued swimming along and felt the strange sensation again. I panicked. As the sea was unknown to me, I thought there was a strange sea creature ready to eat me for lunch. Then I realized that it was fishermen's nets. I had a good laugh at myself. Coming out of the sea, I cut myself on the small rocks and later received some tender loving care (TLC) from the locals.



Hanging out on a Xiamen beach was a pleasure compared to some other beaches that I have visited in the West. I was glad that in Xiamen, I did not have to tolerate the sight of young drunken loud holidaymakers who are only interested in their own self-indulgent lifestyles regardless of their effect on everyone else.

What brings back happy memories are the footprints in the sand! I have since returned to the UK with its somber mood after its capital city was the victim of recent terrorist bombings. The whole situation unnerved me while I was departing from China. Sometimes it is difficult to comprehend how such a terrible situation can come about! My faith believes that when you walk along the beach of life with a true friend, you see two sets of footprints in the sand; but when life becomes difficult, there's only one set of footprints in the sand. Sometimes, one can wonder why there is only one set of footprints in the sand during the greatest trials, and a quiet voice speaks to you and says, "My child, I am carrying you."

I hope one day I will return to Xiamen and its beach. Until then, I will remember fondly everybody's footprints in the sand.


About the author
Charles Magee works as an Assistant Director (South Asia) in the International Office, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. His job is primarily to promote the University in South Asia and to recruit fee-paying students. He has visited Xiamen on three occasions and he really enjoyed his leisure time on the Xiamen beaches.

Vocabulary
genuine 诚恳的
parallel 平行的
sensation感觉
tender 温柔的
self-indulgent 放纵的
somber 忧郁的
unnerve 使失常
comprehend 理解

本栏目特约协办
厦门市旅游局 Xiamen Tourism Bureau
Tel:0592-5310570
http://www.xmtravel.com.cn
地址: 厦门市湖滨北路78号兴业大厦六楼