Thank You!!! Thank you SO much for the wonderful trip. I will go along with your next one, too. Jim would never have done this without your being along to egg him on, I'm sure. I bet this was a great, wonderful thing for both of you, and for Doug. What can I say . but "OH, MY!!!"
Again, Thank you, Pat!
Wow, Thank you Pat and Jim for such a feast for the eyes and the mind! You two are excellent writers and make your friends feel like they actually taking the trip with you experiencing all the sights, smells and tastes!
Um, Pat, I'm happy to hear that you didn't run over any pedestrians during your maiden voyage on a motocycle! You go girl!! :)
Have a safe return home to both and looking forward to seeing you and catching up! Hugs, Kelly
Great picture of Mao! The picture of Mao with the TV below it is really something! Great to hear about your trip -- I'll miss your blogs! Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences. I'll see you sometime soon -- I'll be home May 15 -- hugs, Catherine
Wow. Thank you so much, both of you, for sharing all this. As noted before, the writing is absolutely excellent, and the time and effort must have been considerable. I feel I have gotten my own vicarious trip to China...
Hugs, have a good trip home!
Impressive The scenes you desscribe are impressive; same for the pictures. China must be an amazing place. It looks less modern than Japan. In five years that may not be true. Also let me say your writing is really great, both of you. Think about writing a book.
Snowing again this morning here. We still have snow in our yard from two days ago, but it's melted down lower. I don't envy you the 90 degree weather in LiJiang.
Super Interesting Jim,
Well you and Pat both are 'writer's extraordinaire" and I so appreciate the time and effort you have both taken to give us here at home a "taste" of what you are experiencing. While "recliner-bound" it is wonderful to "feel" a lil' of what you and Pat have so eloquently described. I must say, while so very interesting, even snow and all, I appreciate Seattle-WA, HOME. We Americans have something sooooo worth "fighting" for and to defend. I thank God for 'her.'
Love and safe journey's to you both,
Evy
McDonalds Hey Catherine. Always great to hear from you. Yup, we had a burger, too. We are enjoying the Chinese cuisine, but it is so very different, sometimes we long for grease that is not soy-flavored!
Hope your trip is going well. Hugs, Pat
deja vu Yes, Mary, Du Fu Park is still a place to find solitude and peace in the middle of town. I have a photo of those bamboo lined walks. We can compare hieghts when I see you in June. The government is charging 80 yuan per person these days to enter any of the public cultural sites. Not so much for us, but I imagine it puts these places out of reach of the average local. Too bad.
I can relate Hi you guys - I love your blog! I can relate about the price of the coffee. For some ridiculous reason, I had a craving for a hamburger, so I went to McDonalds in Buenos Aires yesterday. For the price I paid for that hamburger, I could have gotten a full sit down dinner at a normal restaurant. It makes you wonder who is the real clientele -- hugs, Catherine
nuff said My fellow female travelers ran into our first oriental "facility" our first day in Bejing. We spent a minute or two trying to decide which way to face and how it worked with panty hose. The answer was we picked the wrong direction (the next woman to enter demonstrated that) and never wore panty hose again on the trip!
I might have known you would find someone to dance with, even in China!!! Love to you both, Mary
Deja vu I feel like I am reliving my trip thru you guys. Are thes paths still lined with 25 ft tall bamboo at Du Fu Park? I remember it as such a peaceful quiet place and Starbucks were not where to be found (just KFC and McDonalds in Shanghai), but then there were no Starbuck in KC back then either.
Sounds like you are have a great trip. I am really enjoying your blog and can't wait to see you and all your pictures.
Love Mary
Thanks a lot! Pat, I appreciate your hard work, both in seeing and traversing the points of interest AND in writing it up for us to read! Great photos! I'm looking forward to the next one. Keep it up! - Alice
Climb is the important word Pat and Jim,
Again your commentary brings bake such vivid memories. I never realized the Great Wall ran along to the tops of the ridges and you literally climbed the wall until I actually saw it. You go to see a much more authenic area than I. Can't wait to see you pictures of Xian. Love Mary
English / air quality Keith, English is far from universal - we've leaned way too much on Doug to help. But most people are helpful and we're not (usually) in a hurry.
Beijing is smoggy, but I haven't felt it other than a slightly irritated throat once or twice.
We've just arrived in Xi'an - wonderful and quite different from Beijing. More to come...
You're not in Kansas (or Washington) anymore I see the traffic hasn't changed much since 1998, just more cars and fewer bikes. The cars hadn't moved onto the sidewalks then either. Isn't it amazing the loads people carry on bicycles! I wonder if the security presence is due to the Olympics? You should ask Doug if there are more now than when he came. We never saw anyone resembling security personnel except at Tian' amen square and a few uniformed guys pretending to control the traffic at some of the bigger intersections. Can't wait to see your next installment. Love Mary
Hi Pat and Jim!
Thank you for inviting me to your blog, this is so cool!
Oh Pat, thank you for speaking with Jo Ann at UW before your depature... that really meant a lot to me...
Anyhoo, I look forward to living vicariously and following on your adventures to come!
Air Quality Wow!! There's too many cool things to comment on them all, but I think the verifcation of the much publicized air quality concerns kind of suprised me. I think that would be awfully oppressive after a while.
Do you find that many of the people with whom you interact speak Enfglish, or are you getting by on universal gestures?
Greetings Great to read your comments and look at the pictures. It sounds like you are having a great time.
The blog page works well. I;'m amused at the row of attractive young Chinese women at the bottom of the page, each with age, height and weight (metric). there is apparentlly a more extended add for them available with a suitable click.
Take care, and I look forward to seeing you after you return.
Hugh
WOW.........you have a way with woids!! As my fellow NYC'ers would say, pat, 'you got a way wit woids'................great descriptions! I hope u continue to have the time and energy to do this blog, it's wonderful! Now i do not have to go! heehee
love
vicki o
Wonderful Hi U 2,
LOVE the pix and narration....this is a wonderful vehicle in which to share! I cannot believe you are there and I am here in WA and we are communicating! Thank you both for SHARING your trip with us all! It is fascinating...AND Doug looks like a (mini-Jim!) Amazing the resemblance! I hope those of us responding let you know you are missed, yet we're so happy for you getting to experience such a cultural event! Continue as time and "rest" allows with your adventures for us here in the "Rainy state!"
Love to you both,
Evy
Doug looks like Jim! Wow -- at least in these pictures, they look like twins! Glad you're having a good time! Sounds really interesting -- I look forward to hearing more -- Catherine
Hi! Hi Pat and Jim -- how great to get your blog and to be able to follow your trip. I hope your flight goes well and I'll be anxious to hear more soon. Hugs! Catherine
June
non-member comment
Thank You!!!
Thank you SO much for the wonderful trip. I will go along with your next one, too. Jim would never have done this without your being along to egg him on, I'm sure. I bet this was a great, wonderful thing for both of you, and for Doug. What can I say . but "OH, MY!!!" Again, Thank you, Pat!