Hello to you all, I have not been on in a while. I apologize. China has made access to some websites really difficult over the last year, Travelblog.org being one. Now that the Olympics are over, they seem to be backing off a bit. I hope soon, that I will bring myself back up to date with all my travels. I did want to put this on tonight. It is something that for me needs to be remembered.... If you are squeamish, please do not read any further...... This is a Chinese experience that fortunately I have been able to avoid [View Full Entry]

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I removed my last 3 blogs out of respect and solidarity and to maintain access to my account. I had difficulty yesterday trying to get in. When things settle in the western region I will put them back on. AND NOW!!! that I am back in the US, I can publish the Tibet blogs and some others. It was frustrating having my internet work sporadically. I don't think I was ever targeted specifically, but key words just closed everything off. If I find the time, I will start adding my other trips....but don't get your hopes up. Love, Diane [View Full Entry]

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Our last day we went up to the Drepung Monastery. It dates back to the early 15th century (1416) and was at one time the largest Tibetan community. Drepung means rice heap. Up until the Cultural Revolution they estimate 7000 monks lived in residence. There are a lot less now. We took the public bus through some very poor neighborhoods. Down some dirt roads and area that reminded me very much of the barrios in Mexico. At the bottom of the hill, the boys said they need to relieve themselves. I thought the bathroom at the Potala Palace was primitive...this one [View Full Entry]

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One other thing about these blogs...there were places where pictures were not permitted or you had to pay for the privilege. I did this in one temple but not all. The next day, we had a tour guide to take us to Jokhang Temple and Potala Palace. In the book I was reading, Joyce Rupp wrote about feeling "called to the the hum of humanity." The book is called "Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino." It is about her pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain. After a month of walking, she describes [View Full Entry]

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We spent 3 days in Lhasa. Thank God for dating digital pictures. It is helping me keep track of what we did when. One thing to let you know about the next few blogs. I did take pictures of monks praying but tried to be very respectful. I will be very selective about the pictures that I am putting on the internet out of respect for their privacy. We stayed at home that was set up as a hostel. The couple were really nice. We got settled in pretty quickly. This time, I chose the bottom bunk. It was truly a [View Full Entry]

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Okay, I'm back! After several months of family emergencies and such, I finally am making myself sit down and blog the past 6 months. This is the first installment of a very multi-part blog. This way I get myself up to date with you all. We did a lot in 10 days. It will be easier to break up it up. I got to go to TIBET!!!! When Mario asked me, I could not say no. I did not think I would ever get to go. Unfortunately, Dave could not take time off work to go with us. All I can [View Full Entry]

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China really only has 3 holidays…National Day which is part of the Fall Festival. Chinese New Year and Spring Festival, and May 1 with a week off for the May holiday. For May holiday, we chose to leave China and go to the Phillipines. “Another beach holiday ?” you say! Of course. It is Dave. He must have water or he goes nuts. Dave has been wanting to go the Phillipines since we came to China. It would not be my first choice, but I got to go to Bangkok for pad thai. The least I could do is go [View Full Entry]

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First, thank you all for your patience. I have been a bit behind in updating my blog. I seem to let other things get in the way of writing…like going out with friends, coffees, shopping, and of course travelling. I have resolved this week to bring everything up to date. The other problem has been the pictures. For now, I think the problem is resolved. Now, if I can figure out how to get you all access to my google picassa web albums…Next project… Now, where have we been since March? Many places. We finally made it to the Great [View Full Entry]

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Chinese New Year This is entry is going to be very simple…Chinese New Year in Northern China is about getting together with family, making dumplings (jiao zi), watching TV, and shooting off mass quantities of fireworks. I honestly thought there would be parades and celebrating in the streets. I think there was something in Beijing, but I am not sure. We went to a local pub that advertised free pizza. I can tell you that when it comes to fireworks, the US has amateur status. Everyone has the opportunity to buy some serious fireworks. While they are not necessarily the [View Full Entry]

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My apologies. In the interest of getting something on the blog, I have decided to skip putting pictures on for now. I will get them on in a few weeks. Now for some party info!! Most of you know us…We can’t go a year without our Mardi Gras party. I know I promised a few of you that I would come back to have it in Austin. I apologize. We thought it might be fun to share our Mardi Gras tradition with our new found friends. One of the great things is that we had it at a local (western [View Full Entry]

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