Blogs from Jiangsu, China, Asia - page 113

Suzhou is China's well-known "city of gardens", which tops all others in both the number and the artistry of gardens. Dating from Pi Jiang Garden of the Eastern Jing Dynasty,Suzhou's art of gardening has undergone a history of 1, 500 years. There were once over 200 gardens in the city,and 69 of them are still in good preservation today. The Suzhou garden originated from the desire to retire from the strife of officialdom and to shun from worldly affairs. It seeks the return to Nature and the cultivation of temperament. In Taoist philosophy and the refinement of culture underlies the theme of the garden. Hills and waters,flowers and trees,pavilion, terraces,towers and halls constitute the basic garden elements,while the prominent tone is expressed in the dark colour of roof tiles,the grey of bricks,and chestnut brown of ... read more

It's around the middle of April and the weather is finally consistently warm enough to say that spring is really here! Earlier this month the Rolling Stones performed for the first time in mainland China with a concert in Shanghai. I had hoped to snare a ticket through the Shanghai H3, but just missed out! As a consolation I met up with the hashers for pre concert drinks at a local well known H3 watering hole about a 20minute walk from the stadium. I then wandered up with them on the off chance I could talk my way into a reasonably priced ticket from the "yellow bears" (read "scalpers"). Needless to say, mission unaccomplished, even 30minutes after the show had started. Had fun checking out the "clientele" though. Every "wannabe" and "has been" rocker in town ... read more

Birthdays have always been of importance to me, not only mine but of those near and dear to me as well. After all, our birthday is our day and celebrates each of us coming into this world. Something definately worth remembering! Despite a number of interesting variations around the world in the way birthdays are celebrated, it seems there are a number of common factors that transcend many cultural barriers: the birthday cake with candles, birthday card, birthday song and ,of course, birthday presents! My students inform me that, in China, they celebrate their birthday twice, once on the day and the other at New Year, where everyone celebrates the start of another year. Children are given money in red envelopes and treated to new clothes as well. I have asked them all to write their ... read more

Many of the fascinating impressions that have remained with me from my visit to China, come from the people I had the fortune to meet. As I prepare for the return-journey to this amazing country, in May '06, and I ponder the coming year at Taizhou College, it has become easier to anticipate the adventures ahead. I am constantly reminded, how Mr. A. Lee, a teacher and administrator at the college, had so personalized my visit to his country. He made surprising efforts, and provided every opportunity to meet very special people, his family, his many friends at the College, and people from all walks of life and of all ages. Meeting the President of Taizhou Normal (Teachers) College was one of those highligths. he had just returned from Germany, and we discussed his impressions. Mr. ... read more

I have been able to download some additional photos on the Jiangsu Province of China, and perhaps they will add some additional visuals to my last entry on the city and gardens of Suzhou. I hope they are informative and you will enjoy them.... read more