Throughout history, there have been a multitude of catastrophies, in which animals have given us warnings of impending disasters. One recent tragedy, that stands out in my mind, is the "great tsunami" in Indonesia only a few years ago. Elephants in large numbers, to the surprise of the inhabitants, stampeded toward higher grounds as the monster sea-waves approached the shores. The people of the Indonesian Islands did not know what to make of the elephants' strange behavior, until it was too late. Let me tell you of another similar, but current occurrence. The event is documented in th [View Full Entry]

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In Part 2, TAIZHOU - THE CITY OF THE PHOENIX, let me present you a "mosaic" of my "2008 Spring Activities" in- and around my home-city in China. These warmer months have been a long awaited in all parts of China, with the nation having survived the coldest winter in 50 years. My many special and wonderful activities surrounding Taizhou during the spring months have been varied and memorable. There has been no weekend, during which I was not offered- and participated in excitement, that brought me joy and exhilaration. During the weekdays of my spring semester 2008, I continue to [View Full Entry]

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In ancient China, the southern Island of Hainan was known as the "end of the world". It is the place, to which many brave dissenters and critics of China's Imperial Dynasties and its emperors were exiled. One of the most outspoken critics of the Song Dynasty was China's ancient, grand poet Su Dongpo, who was exiled to Hainan between 1097 A.D. and 1100 A.D. by the Song Dynasty emperor. He described his journey to the "tropical" Island of Hainan, located on the southern tip of China, with these words: "... Having visited the wonder, I never feel regretful, though gone through [View Full Entry]

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It is difficult to imagine, unless one has been a personal witness, how much Taizhou has changed its image and sky-line in only 2 years. That is the time since my first visit to this "mid-size" Chinese-city of 5 million inhabitants. Now it is my place of satisfying employment as a college teacher, and here I will continue to enjoy my second, comfortable home for some years to come. My time in China, especially in Taizhou and its surroundings, is truly the adventure of a life-time. The undertaking of this journey continues to teach and enhance my love for life, and [View Full Entry]

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In this third and final installment of some of Beijing' great temples, permit me to introduce you to the sublime "Tan Zhe Si Temple", located beyond Beijing. I found this Buddhist temple to be one of the most beautiful I have visited in all of China, one I will always remember and hope to visit again. This is due mostly to the temple's scenic, mountain location, its grand display of temple-structures containing some of the most exquisite gilded statuary, among spectacular trees and foliage; and on clear days with views toward the grand capital of China. The Tan Zhe Si Temple's [View Full Entry]

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The coldest winter in fifty years is slowly coming to an end in China, and I am excited and grateful for the blue, sunny skies and the warmer winds, that bring the hint of the on-coming spring to Taizhou. I have done much travelling during these past "very-cold" weeks, and these travels to the South of China, such as a two week visit to the province of Hainan, China's "warmest" island, will be the subject of some of my next TravelBlogs. Since the new semester (my third semster) has now arrived at Taizhou Teachers College, time once again is limited, at [View Full Entry]

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For over two thousand years, the Chinese have used the "same" architectural model of construction for both imperial and religious buildings. Such construction consists of three elements: 1. A platform, 2. Post-and beam timber frames, and 3. Non-loadbearing walls. Standard features of these imperial building complexes include a front gate, four-sided enclosures or courtyards, and a series of halls in a linear formation running from the South to the North. This is the reason that visitors and tourists to various parts of China, and I am one of them, often become confused about which [View Full Entry]

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My time in Taizhou has been made more "colorful" by many invitations to Chinese weddings, especially among the English-staff of our college as well as some of Arthur's friends. The occasions have become wonderful introductions into the changing trends of China's ancient customs, as Western tradions enter and begin to permiate many aspect of China's thousand year old traditions. As in the United States, weddings are now big business, though, throughout China's history, they have always been expensive occasions, but today at least most modern brides and grooms get to choose their own partn [View Full Entry]

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One of Beijing's greatest and most beautiful historical attractions is the SUMMER PALACE, a short distance outside of China's Capitol. No photos can capture the vastness, beauty, and serenety of this idyllic summer hide-away for China's last royal dynasty. Though the construction and expansion of this unique World Heritage Site had been underway for hundreds of years, it would be the Empress Dowager Cixi who would have the biggest impact on the palace's appearance. The light of the last Chinese Royal Dynasty, the Qing Dynasty, dimmed in 1908, with the death of this most controversial c [View Full Entry]

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One of the most anticipated years in China's history has emerged and in a few weeks, the "Year of the Rat" will be announced in the Chinese Lunar Calendar as the Peoples Republic of China will celebrate its "Coming-Out" party to the world, hosting the 2008 Olympics with opening ceremonies scheduled for August, 8th. (08-08-08) The number 8 is a very auspicious number in Chinese culture indicating a year of prosperity, and on that special date the world is about to experience the pride and joy of the new and modern China in spectacular fashion. I have been to Beijing several [View Full Entry]

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