Mandarin is difficult. Very difficult. Even the locals say so. One sound can have many
different meanings. You do not want to get the pronunciation wrong.
My name is Tom Carter from San Francisco. I'm a photographer based in China. I arrived
in China over a decade ago, just to go backpacking. But over time, China has become like my second
home. I'm the author of China Portrait of a People, a photography book I created during
my two year, 35,000 mile backpacking journey across China. I've learned some basic Mandarin
or what I call survival Chinese. But when I'm out traveling into provinces, they don't
always get me.
Can you understand me now, Xiang Bin?
Thanks, Xiang Bin. Your English has improved too. It's really nice to see you again, and
also nice to talk to you. So, do you know where I can get a good picture from up in the hills?
Yes, there are many secrets. What time should we start out for the top?
Thursday, we start at five in the morning. That's gonna hurt.
It's okay. I will make it up to you by treating you to beer and fish in the evening.
Thanks, Xiang Bin. You know me too well.
Communication is of course the key to my career. In order to be able to explore a new culture,
you need to be able to communicate with its people. That's when the barriers come down
and you discover the real China, and its true beauty and its secrets open up.
Good.
