For me, one of the major benefits of surfing, apart from the obvious fun had in the water, is the excitement of a new dawn and what it may hold on the horizon. Surfing is ultimately a lifestyle that agrees with my early rising and enables me to experience the unique beauty each morning holds.

As the sun risers over the water, the tranquility of the morning allows me to appreciate the simplicity of my existence and clarify what is important in life. It is almost as if when my eyes follow the up rising of a new day, I can feel the weight of life and society pressures lifting away.

]]> http://stevenashbyphotography.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/dawn-till-dust-and-the-simplicity-of-life/feed/ 3 Steven Ashby Photography Morning_Surf. Dee_Why_Sunrise. Morning_Tubes North_Narrabeen_Morning. Warriewood_Sunrise_Twin_Fin north_curl_curl_sunrise whale_beach_reflection north_curl_curl_swimmers_sunrise lomo_north_curl_curl_sunrise Dee_Why_Boardwalk north_curl_curl_pool_sunrise Dee_Why_Point_Surfer Dee_Why_Rockpool Long_Reef_Beach_Lifeguard_Tower Long_Reef_Garage Long_Reef_Beach_Sunrise Long_Reef_Headland Long_Reef_Palm North_Curl_Curl_Pool Sunrise_Twinfin North_Curl_Curl_Sunset Warriewood_Sunrise Warriewood_Sunrise_Reflection http://stevenashbyphotography.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/a-stroll-through-chinatown/ http://stevenashbyphotography.wordpress.com/2009/04/13/a-stroll-through-chinatown/#comments Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:06:16 +0000 Steven Ashby Photography http://stevenashbyphotography.wordpress.com/?p=477 ]]> When arriving back in Australia for the first time in 3 years, I felt the same sense of excitement and anticipation as I do when arriving in any unfamiliar country. From the first moment I stepped off the plane I felt like a tourist, the unusual twang of the “Aussie” accent all around was now just as unfamiliar to me as any.

My first time driving into Sydney proved to be somewhat of a challenge, even with my trusty Google map print out in hand. As I sat waiting at a set of traffic lights, studying the map in front of me, even the most iconic of streets in Sydney didn’t ring a bell. It wasn’t until I came upon “Oxford Street” that it all started to come flooding back.

Over the past few months, being back in Australia, I have once again fallen in love with my home country. Taking time out to visit the areas that make Sydney so culturally diverse and beautiful has been a priority in my life since returning home. One area in particular that is a great place to stop for some cultural delights is Sydney’s Chinatown. With this in mind, I decided to take time out one afternoon to stroll through Chinatown, camera in hand, ready to soak up all that was to offer. 

Over the past few months, Sydney’s cultural diversity has been on display with festivals ablaze of color, exotic foods and music from around the globe. Cultural festivals such as this are a great way to build understanding and awareness of other beliefs, religions or traditions within the community. Australia is arguably one of the better functioning multi-cultural societies around the world, making it one of the most successful and diverse populations in the world.  At any given moment, you can experience the diversity of cultural talent within Australia and dine on almost every exotic food from around the globe without leaving our shores.

Twilight Parade

Since the attacks on Bali and the riots in Cronulla, we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians. Being patriotic to our great nation is to demonstrate the value that we place on respect, ‘a fair go’, acceptance and a sense of belonging for everyone. While I believe it is of the utmost importance to be patriotic to your country, the disturbing trend of draping oneself with the Australia flag, expressing the idea that being Australian means you are of Anglo decent and that anybody who does not fit this stereotype is not welcome to join the Australian identity, is just total ignorance. Australia has long been seen as the land that provides opportunity for people to escape the poverty and war of their homeland. Even when the first fleet arrived in 1788, there were estimated to be about 60 different nationalities among the crew and convicts.

Twilight Parade, Chinese New Year, Sydney

What is concerning is the trend of intolerance towards other cultures within Australia and thinking that the diverse country that we live in, in some way dilutes our sovereignty and national identity. In fact, Australia was founded on people who were seeking a new start and a better way of life in this country for their families.

One thing I learnt while traveling through different countries, was that although I may not have been able to fluently speak the language, this did not mean that I was not trying or did not want to learn. Many people who I met along the way were extremely pleased that I was just trying to learn their language, even though my accent (and maybe my looks) gave away that I was from another country. This also applies to Australia where many people who live in this country are in the process of learning English and although they may not have a genuine ‘Aussie accent’; this linguistic diversity is an asset for Australia. It creates more competitive trade as well as fostering better international ties and cultural exchange with other countries.

Australia Day, Sydney

To claim that the problem with Australian society is only due to one race, religion, culture or ethnic background is simply taking the easy way out. Within every society there are small minority groups who will cause problems and not adhere to an educated peaceful way of life. I urge all to educate oneself about other cultures, race or religions before passing any judgment or reaching for the pitchforks to run them out of town. There is peacefulness, compassion, beauty and great lessons to be learnt from every culture and way of life from around the world.

Falun Dafa Meditation, Sydney China Town

Falun Dafa is a cultivation practice guided by the characteristics of the universe – Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance.

Far away in the distance are my aspirations. I may not reach them but i can look up and see their beauty believe in them and try to follow where they may lead…