#sockwalking

That’s my quote of today. So, today I decided to act on this quote and mix it a bit with my hobby, or passion for photography. This afternoon I went out with my camera to get a bit of photography of the immediate surroundings of my place just outside of Qingdao. There wasn’t much to photograph that I hadn’t photographed before, but I really enjoyed the day because I decided to challenge myself. No, I didn’t just go armed with my camera, but I fully went in just my white socks! Today, surprisingly, there weren’t very many people around, which to be honest makes it a little more comfortable at first. But how it works is that the more people around, the more comfortable I feel (after the first few minutes which are often awkward (or can be terrifying, depending on my state of mind) if people look or comment when I can overhear). Anyway, I spent the whole afternoon in my white socks going along a riverside park which is still under construction – probably that’s what kept a lot of people away. I got looked at once (anyway, I get looked at even if I wear shoes, so so what!), but other than that no one cared, at all. I would believe that the reason is because I didn’t care – I was just out for a normal walk – just like everyone else. And after all, one only cares about what other people think if they’re uncomfortable in their own shoes (or socks!).  To be honest, I don’t feel bad or weird because when I look at photos of myself outside somewhere in my socks, I think I look fine. So if someone feels fine, then they look fine to others too – if I’m feeling comfortable and confident, then that must show in my posture and the way I carry myself when I walk and talk to people. The more I see myself in my white socks outdoors or in public in photos and the more I discuss it, write about it and share these ideas with others, the more and more comfortable I feel about being myself - the real me! - The guy who lives and travels in his white socks!

(Top) The style of apartment block which I live in with the Laoshan Mountains in the backdrop, and a nice blue sky.

(Above) The river that flows from Laoshan Reservoir to Jiaozhou Bay. 

Do I really look that strange? I think I look perfectly normal going out in my socks! (At the riverside park near my home)

Yes, my socks get dirty from going out in them, but that's a part of it. They wash up sparkly white again 90% of the time.

After two and a half weeks in Vietnam and three months in South East Asia, it's back to China for me. I'm really looking forward to going back to my home in Qingdao, and be able to enjoy some summer weather there for a change, instead of always being there every winter. There will be lots of chances to get out and do some exploring. Most likely, I will be doing most of it in my white socks. I have only been using tumblr for a very short time, so I am wondering if it might be blocked in China, as blogs don't go down too well there - especially foreign ones.... Facebook, youtube and twitter for example are blocked (so I have either totally reduced the amount I use them, or haven't registered for them at all) and even sometimes my flickr, or yahoo and google search engines misbehave, so I'm hoping I will be able to keep uploading photos and blog posts here when I am back in my lovely home. Let's see. If tumblr is out of action, then I will mostly be only using my two flickr accounts. Here are the links:

www.flickr.com/photos/suninkaz/sets (Travel photography)

www.flickr.com/photos/sockwalking/sets (Sockwalk photos)

And soon, I will try to get onto uploading some photos and stuff about my travels in South East Asia over the last three months, and lots of other things I have to share. Anyway, until then, have a good day every day! :)