Even if the tree reaches the height of ten thousand feet,
Falling leaves return to their roots.

I always end up accumulating books when I travel. The latest acquisition is A Thousand Pieces of Gold, which attempts to explain the origins of Chinese proverbs. One proverb introduced at the beginning of the book struck a chord with me. In fact Adeline Yen Mah uses it as the title for another one of her books: Falling Leaves.

... this proverb is a reminder that as a person gets older, he tends to go back to his beginnings.

As I read this, I felt it ring very true. My desire to learn more about what it means to be Chinese has been steadily increasing the past few years. Especially the history and language. Although I can speak Teochew, I cannot read Chinese characters. To this end I am planning to study in Beijing, which is where the next part of this trip will eventually lead me.