Early in the morning, accompanied by light rain and lingering mist, we boarded a nine-seat van bound for Luofu Senior High School. The mountain road was winding and rugged, and after countless turns, the school’s sign and buildings finally came into view. As a first-time visitor, I found myself genuinely awed by the architecture—it was truly beautiful. The distinctive murals on the walls, in particular, immediately conveyed a strong sense of Indigenous culture and set the tone for our visit.

We then moved on to the highlight of the day: the GIS instruction session. Building on our previous map lesson, this class focused on guiding students to explore their own hometowns through hands-on computer activities. Meeting the three classes for the first time, I was deeply impressed by the students’ enthusiasm and engagement. Even through the camera lens, their concentration was evident as they searched for their homes and identified unique local landmarks. Although moments of uncertainty occasionally arose, every student actively sought assistance. Seeing their eagerness to ask questions, I sincerely hope they continue to carry this curiosity and energy throughout their future learning journeys.

The class was also filled with lighthearted and memorable moments. A few students took advantage of brief lapses in attention from the teaching assistants to flash bright smiles at my camera while secretly opening YouTube. Naturally, once the lesson resumed, they quickly refocused on the task at hand. Scenes like these brought back vivid memories of my own elementary school computer classes, where our behavior was not much different. Perhaps this is the simplest yet most genuine form of childhood joy.

Beyond instructor-led demonstrations, the lesson also included group-based interactive activities. Students eagerly discussed with one another, sharing and identifying distinctive features of their hometowns. Some broke into laughter mid-discussion, while others enthusiastically introduced their communities to the teaching assistants, who listened with care and interest. Each time I captured these moments and reviewed the images, I was reminded of the true purpose of a camera. While words often fall short in preserving fleeting expressions and emotions, photography fills that gap. This experience marked the first time I developed a genuine interest in documenting life through images.

In closing, it is my hope that this teaching activity helped students gain a deeper understanding of their hometowns and fostered greater confidence and a stronger sense of connection to the land they call home. What remained from that day were not merely points marked on a map, but also smiles, shared glances, and moments of meaningful interaction. For me, being able to participate in and document these experiences through my lens was truly precious, and it became the most unforgettable part of this journey. It also left me eagerly anticipating future opportunities to return to similar settings and continue preserving such moments in my own way.