eerrrr... am I a bit late? I see that this blog hasn't seen action in over a year; nonetheless, I'll give it a go.
Just wanted to run an idea by you. Perhaps you already know; forgive me if you do. Might I suggest on your next trip to Dandong, travel about 20 mintues by taxi north to see the "Great Wall". This section of the wall, finished in 1999 AD!, is a replica of the orignal that supposedly stood there hundreds of years ago. The wall itself is crap, however, it occupies land right on the border with North Korea. I've traveled there twice. First being Chirstmas Day 2003. On that day the tiny stream seperating China from North Korea was frozen. We were actually able to walk across into North Korea and snap a picture. Minutes later we were discovered by a North Korean soldier. Too curious to let us be he actually walked across the frozen water to MEET us! I offered him a sip of wather, he took the entire bottle. I offered him a bite to eat, he took the entire granola bar. I offered him a cig, he took the entire pack. Finally I offered him a light, he didn't return the lighter. He became a bit nervous when I unsheathed my camera, and understandably so. However, I snapped a few as he walked away. All-in-all, crazy! My second trip was taken in March of 2006. At that time it was too warm to do any international ice-staking, but I still got to moon a North Korean soldier trying to talk me into crossing. Yeah OK, so I'm American. What can be done?!
By no means am I the only out-of-towner to do this in this specific location, nor am I the last, but still I felt a bit 007ish. I strongly recomend you give it a try. Just hop in a Dandong taxi and tell the man "Great Wall".
Getting in touch with family Hi Fiona,
I just tried to send an e-mail to you, but i'm not sure if it worked. Peter and I (your son and daughter - it's going a long way back!) are coming to washington a week on Saturday, and if you happen to be back from your travels, we would love to see you and with you very belated engagement and wedding congratualtions. our e-mail address is hilsandpete at yahoo.co.uk
I hope this gets to you and that you are around in the next few weeks.
Best wishes,
Hilary and Peter
!WOW! I love this web site. Everything on here is so beautiful. I hope I can come to Europe some day and learn even more things and hopefully make some friends.
Greetings from the old country Hi guys, I have dipped in and out of your accounts when I could find a minute here and there between work and I am glad I had the chance to at least travel with you virtually! Wish I had the time and money to do such a trip myself! Anyway, really pleased to hear that Marcus got his dream job in Washington and that Fiona will be coming back shortly to beautiful Scotland. Hope everything goes well with the green card process and would be nice to get an email from you some time, Marcus!
Alas the circle is complete Glad to see some snap shots of what I am in for tommorow afternoon Marcus. Its been baking hot down in Denver these past two days and after indulging in some consumerism and gorging myself on US food portions I am ready for the countryside. I look forward to seeing you this saturday to complete the circle; as both you and Fiona have visited South Yorkshire Ghetto at the start of your blog and I have seen Paisley and Renfrew.
Risky Travel I was really interested in this blog. It is good to hear historical facts along with the emotional side of your excursion. I know the frightening feeling of being on North Korean Territory myself. Granted I did go through a tour agency, but it was still rather risky with my being an American. Thanks for sharing.
You were in LA!?! Bru --
Aagh! I wish I'd known you were in SoCal, Amy and I would have tracked you down! Drop me a line sometime, and let me know how you and Fiona are doing: joshua dot walton at gmail. If you have skype, the username is valiantdust. Hope to talk to you soon,
Josh
Talk to you soon
welcome to Thailand again Na Ka !! Nice to hear that u like my country , Nature , peoples and foods. So have u been waterfall in thailand it's very nice, can i recommend u ? Well actually my english not well. Welcome to thailand again any way ;)
Hey I haven't checked your blogs for a while, but all your photos look great. I laughed when I saw Marcus on the beach looking so serious - which is the impression you like to give to people isn't it?
You looked really happy on the tropical island paradise wedding anniversary celebration. Well its 2.5 years since we all met now isn't it.
I am looking forward to hearing at length about your adventures in person when I visit in May.
Will be in touch when you get to Wyoming.
James from the Yorkshire badlands!
we are envious we are at your folks enjoying good grub and looking at your journals seen your wedding albums
you will love them. iam also enjoying your mums millionaisr shortbread which used to go to st, andrews.now ruglen. have a guid new year aw ra best love you both love and kisses from papa stewart and auntie jean.
Temperature Well I remember these regular temperatures of forty below in winter. I am so glad I don't meet them anymore. Talk about freeze the balls off a brass monkey. When the temperature is so cold the light is so bright, how did you cope? Keep going,I love your tales.
Your travels look wonderful! I didn't manage to get the web address from mum for this so I did a search on 'Fiona, Marcus, Scotland, America' and guess what - your page came top of the list !
Your travels look wonderful. I hope you continue to have a fantastic time. I'll keep reading ! Take care, look after yourselves! Love from Emma (who is back in Dublin again! - this is my overseas experience - ha ha !)
To say hello Hi Fiona and Marcus, your travel blog looks great. Was talking to Alison earlier on, she was asking after you. Your mum and dad came round on Christmas Eve and they both look well. Neil and I hope you had a really great Christmas and that your journeys will continue to be safe. Will try to log in again soon, lots of love and a Happy New Year, Sheryll
Christmas Greetings Just a quick note to wish you a very Merry Christmas! Missing you very much - you're in my thoughts and prayers. Keep posting; enjoying the world trip by proxy enormously!
Jx
Merry Christmas Glad to hear your views on China. Bejing train station on the previous blog, sounds like a husslers paradise! I read in the news yesterday that China has overtaken UK as 4th largest economy, Germany is next of course to be surpassed.
What an adventure! Sounds like you're having the time of your life. Dr. Bergstrom and Dan were over for dinner last evening. Your names came up several times as we reminisced our past experiences in Oxford and looked forward to seeing you again. Hope all is going well and that you continue to remain in good health. University is over for this semester with one to go. Yeah team! Love to you both and hope to see you in sunny San Diego soon, where today it is 82 degrees Farenheit! Patty and Gerry Stanley
Trains Hey there
How brilliantly honest. Even rather glamourous and exciting train journeys have an element of tedium. Sounds like how I feel on the East coast line from Glasgow to London. 'Oh look, Crewe, how exciting...' Mind you, those temperatures are incredible. I'd be crying! I do envy your ability to make friends with complete stangers on the other side of the world. that'll be the I.R. training I guess! Jx
Midnight express Hi
Sounds like you are having a right adventure out there. -38C is unbelievable and Stalin sent people to the gulags at such temperatures! I thought your comment about the wake up, stare-out of window routine was v.amusing - particularly as you know about me and traveling!
At last! Hi guys,
At last I've got round to checking up on you. Fantastic reports and pictures! Love all the stuff about pre-communist Russia. War and Peace and the Romanovs and all that. Faberge! How jealous am I? Was Chekov's house as boring as his plays? Controversial! Jx
eka
non-member comment
i love my georgia
I am georgian and i am very proud. it made me very happy to see that we are becoming more recognizable to the world.