Dirty Bird

One of the best things about travel is that first-hand experiences in other cultures demolishes stereotypes. One of the worst things about travel is that first-hand experiences rarely live up to the imagery that drew us to visit a place. I looked forward to seeing China’s picturesque city squares filled with traditionally dressed octogenarians and their pet songbirds. And I did see lots of songbirds in bamboo cages placed outside for fresh air and company. But it was not always so picturesque as in the movies.