In the early 1600s, large numbers of Japanese settled in Hoi-an. At that time the city was underdeveloped, but the Japanese envisioned transforming the town into a trading center. The Japanese constructed streets, pagodas, and other infrastructure, along with housing for the merchants.
The bridge pictured above is one of a handful of architectural treasures still in existence from that era. The bridge doubles as a temple, with shrines to several deities located inside.
A cool December hike along the Great Wall of China near Beijing!
Ajumma basking in the sun on Taejedong Island in Busan. Women gather along the coast to prep fresh sea food for sale.
Every morning Hmong women gather outside the hotel waiting to guide tourists on a trek through the muddy hills of Sapa, Vietnam. After a 3-4 hour hike, it is expected that tourist will purchase trinkets from the women to compensate them for their time. Often small children will tag along to inspire generosity. It’s quite effective!
While living and working in South Korea, I was exposed to a the extreme and often times devastating pressure women experience to maintain he ‘ideal’ body. My co-teacher ‘Charlotte’ shared with me her thoughts on the matter in a candid interview.
From the westerner’s perspective, Korean women appear very thin. Tell me about the pressure you feel to maintain this seemingly unattainable standard of beauty?
So, broadcasters and all the media show beauty and they are so small. Koreans are heavily influenced by this. Also, sizes are made very small. Even men’s sizes are so small. When I buy clothes they are too small, even for me. How can I even sell these clothes? I think everyone thinks thin is more fashionable and good-looking.
How do you diet?
You don’t eat anything. Even though they are starving, they still don’t eat. And they take pills for dieting.
What kind of pills?
Pills that kill the appetite. Sometimes doctors like Korean traditional doctors give pills. They are healthier. But the drug store has pills. Or at the markets. The black market.
Have you tried them?
Yes, just traditional Korean medicine. It was effective but I gained it back. It’s like yoyo dieting, ya know.
Do your parents pressure you to be thin?
Sometimes my mom. Yeah, actually all of my family. They want me thinner. Even my grandma says I look fat.
That’s really mean!
Korean are mean to each other. It’s just common culture.
Chance Alberg Photography 