Because of Civil wars(between KMT and CCP, or between different warlords), Japanese invasion, 1930s was troublous times for China. Your family really has some tie with China.
Can't believe it Wow, wow and wow! What an amazing thing to read this and see the photos! I loved your descriptions of the city back in the day (high heeled men, so true! and remember the bean curd ice pop things? self-serve peanut butter that was the BEST? taking your pot down the street to the dumpling place? the HEAT? and yes, the concrete buildings everywhere. Gosh, it all just floods back! We were pretty studly to live there then.) And thanks so much for sharing the city of today with pictures of your adorable daughters! Too much. Of course May you look just the same. Thanks by the way for the updates you sent, esp. regarding the Hong Kong Chungking mansions!!! Can you believe we did all that? So young. OK, I'll stop rambling, but really so wonderful for you to share this. I want to go back! Take care and keep the news flowing! Love, MK
This makes us want go back
Dear May and Paul; What a remarkable account of your visit! It's almost like being there. It makes us want to go back. John's Cardiologist says Dr. Wu's English sounds just like John. love, Betty
dear
Thanks for refreshing the memories Dear May and Paul: It was great to share your visit to Hangzhou with us. I had been back in 94 and everything between Zhejiagn Medical University and West Lake had been destroyed, replaced by a highway directly connecting the city with the Lake. My present primary care physician, Dr. Bo Wu, was taught english by Betty in 86-7. He has been in the US since 96 and has become fully certified for practice in the US. He told us that the whole university has now been torn down and moved elsewhere, including the 18 story building being built while we were there! When I was there in 94 chinese folks were doing ballroom dancing along the lakeside instead of Tai Chi. I am sorry we have not been able to visit you and your families in the mountains of western NC. I hope you have a safe and rewarding journey for the rest of you "sabbatical./" It is a wonderful idea.
impressions of Hangzhou Your blog today made me want to visit Hangzhou! Somehow I didn't know it had been the most important city in China--thought Beijing was always the imperial capitol. The pictures are great! Gran
Beijing I loved your wonderful description of Beijing. The dancing was great. I would have been right out there with them. I thought I might have seen Ella in the first one. I have always wanted to see the great wall. Your pictures are wonderful. It is cold here also but nothing like what you have. We did have 15 inches of snow 2 weeks before Christmas. In fact some of it is still hanging around. Everyone says it is waiting for more. Thanks for your wonderful blogs. They are great! Doris
Studio 99 Hi, we rented an apartment for the month that was super nice with a wonderful staff. If you search on the internet for Studio 99 in ChiangMai it will probably appear. Highly recommended! Kitchen included and a great grocery store not too far away!
Enjoyable evening I just wanted to thank you for sharing these posts. We've had a run of cold wintry weather and I haven't thought to disco dance in a park or ice scoober, but now I will. I agree with Marian--there's so much to take in from your posts! Patsy--you rock!
long stay Enjoyed your notes. We will be staying in Chiang Mai in February for 4 weeks. Can you recommend a place to stay that has a kitchen, even if minimal, and a pool? Did you arrange your apartment before you got there? thanks, Ellen
Beijing Glad to hear China is doing so well! I'm sure Mother and Daddy would be fascinated by all of the changes! Winter sounds like a great time to see Beijing. I will avoid the banana pancake trail and the yoga meditation trail. It is good to sometimes move on. Great pictures! Maybe the middle/old age park dancing will catch on here. Happy Birthday, May! Love, Louisa and Paul
Beijing winter I'm going to read this several times, to take it all in. It almost makes me feel like I've been there too. Sounds as if they snow and ice actually gave you a second visit to Beijing, Thanks for putting together these blogs! Marian
Hong Kong fashion Hello, I remember Aunt Daisy going to Hong Kong to have a raw silk suit made for herself. I do believe the fashion and the prices for that fashion were cheaper than here. Not sure now! The mountain view and path sound really special. Such a crowded and thriving city! The pictures are great! Love, Louisa and Paul
Sukhothai Sukhothai sounds very peaceful. Such a large park! I wonder if a lot of tourists go there. Very interesting Indian connection. Envious of the 80 degree weather! 13 here this morning. Love, Louisa and Paul
squigly scripts At least Burmese is a Tibeto-Burman language. It has no relation to Chinese (Mandarin or other Chinese languages like Cantonese) though of course there may be some loan words. That's why it looks entirely different and is written left to right, not top down.
Burmese and Tibetan have the same sounds for the alphabets and the same number of alphabets.
Thai has 5 tones and Burmese has 3 tones.
As a Burmese, I cannot read Thai script or understand it it all, the Shan (or Tai) in Burma can.
I never heard or read anywhere that the Thai "came from China."
Also you can't compare the Indian/Hindu influence of centuries ago with the Chinese influence now.
I envy you your means to travel as a family for 8 months. That means you have an open mind and are open to other cultures.
However, your blog contains some inaccuracies and sweeping statements which are unsubstantiated.
I hope this comment inspires you to find out more.
I think the ancient Cambodia script as I see it on inscriptions in Angkor are more Sanskrit-related than Pali-related. Sanskrit is older than Pali.
The historic Buddha spoke a regional Indian language called Magadha. The same way that Jesus spoke Aramaic, not Latin.
Maghada may not have had a written form, I am not sure.
The Buddhist scriptures were written down only about 100 years after his death.
The scripts you were looking at were Pali and Thai written in modern Thai script.
In Burma we also have both Pali (like Latin) and Burmese written in Burmese script. That does not mean Thai and Burmese are the same as Pali. For instance I can write a Burmese sentence nay kaun lar? in English.
Pali, like Latin is for Christianity, is the language of the Buddhist scriptures.
Pali and Sanskrit are no longer in daily use as living languages.
Old Burmese and old Thai are different from modern forms of the languages.
This is about all I know, for more info. you need to consult a linguist or do more research.
Kyi May Kaung (Ph.D) -- my doctorate is in political economy.
Hong Kong Dear Castelloes: HAPPY NEW YEAR to you! This travelogue is incredibly fascinating, and I thank you . It has made me want to go to Hong Kong. But, honestly, the arrival of the New Year in Morehead City was good, too, although not as exotic. Love to all, Edith
teeny tiny hotel and others I wrote another comment but not sure it went through. The pictures and text really fit together. Your photos show a lot in the diversity of the city, crowds, skyscrapers, pedestrian streets, and the notel room. I can't imagine where people park their cars if they have them...
Sukhothai pictures and history I'm glad that you included the history of the three kingdoms and how the writing evolved from India's writing. This was a very educational blog, and the pictures were lovely. I can just see you on your early morning walk or ride, taking photos of the very peaceful looking buddhas and temples..and the monk!
where we stayed and how much We stayed at a little guest house (Warji Guest house) off of Monkey Forest Rd. There are tons of them. We paid US $15 for a room for 2, including private bath and breakfast. Basic but fine.
Leaving Chiang Mai I know you all must be sad to leave Chiang Mai. It sounded like such a wonderful place to visit. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time at the next spot however. Can't wait to hear about Hong Kong Disney. Thanks for the wonderful words and pictures. Doris
markets in Chiang Mai Enjoyed your pictures an descriptions. Not so sure about fried bugs.Do I remember that May tried a massage? I wonder why they need quilts if the weather is always warm and hot. Also interested especially in the blind boys band. You don't think anyone would have intentionally blinded them, as they do beggers in India, do you?
Loy Krathong Is the princess on the float really a princess? How did they make the castle on the float? How do you understand the language when you got there? How are you getting what you need without speaking the language?
Sweet memories Dear Castelloes...
Thanks again for taking the time to share with us your amazing experiences. You look great in that shirt!
We have been of Chiang Mai too and so it is like being there again. In envy you all! I love the way to describe the markets. Enjoy as much and as long as you can!
Some news from Mexico: we have moved! We are now living 1 week in the house and we really are enjoying it! I will send you some pictures soon.
Take good care! And I am impatiently waiting for the next chapter!
Thinking of you all and abrazos a todos!
Ina
We are a family of four from the US traveling for 8 months in Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia). We'll end our trip with two months in an apartment in Paris.... full info
A Chinese
non-member comment
Because of Civil wars(between KMT and CCP, or between different warlords), Japanese invasion, 1930s was troublous times for China. Your family really has some tie with China.