Stepping out of our comfort zones (and embracing the unknown).

The day I met Toby and Dingdong at a Chinese porcelain sink factory started with a bumpy ride in what I believe was an old Datsun-like car from the 1980s. I could feel every bump and pothole on the mostly dirt road that led us out to the factory. The car was far from luxurious, but it added to the adventure of the day.

One of the workers carving a beautiful porcelain sink

As we drove, I realized that I didn’t know exactly where we were headed. Toby and Dingdong couldn’t speak English, so communication was limited to gestures, broken phrases and Google Translate. It was a bit of a humorous situation, but I trusted that they knew where they were taking me.

Me and Toby in front of the factory

After some time, we arrived at the factory, which was much smaller and more rundown than I had imagined. But despite its appearance, it was clear that the workers were highly skilled and dedicated to their craft.

Toby and Dingdong showed me around the factory, explaining the entire process of making porcelain sinks. I was fascinated by the intricate work that went into each piece. It was truly a unique experience to see the entire process from start to finish.

Toby and Dingdong (the owner is in the background)

After spending a few hours at the factory, we took a break and explored the surrounding area. We visited local shops and tried some delicious street food. It was a great opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local Jingdezhen culture and see a different side of China.

As the day drew to a close, I reflected on the adventure that had taken me from the bumpy ride in the old Datsun-like car to the fascinating world of porcelain sink-making. Despite the language barrier and the uncertainty of where we were going, I had a great time and learned a lot. It was a reminder that sometimes the best experiences come from stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing the unknown.

Discover more from that day (and much more) in pictures and videos.

#porcelain #clay #jingdezhen #adventure #business #travel #awesome #learning #china

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