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Published: August 9th 2007
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GiantBuddah in Chengdu
We took a boat out so we could get a better view. Of course, that was after we climbed 330 stairs to the top of his head. Dear FriendsandFamily,
The blog site has had some problems but Ithink that we are up and running again. I have lost my previous blogs and have no idea where I left off, so will try to update you the best I can. I am writing this from Dazu which is part of the largest city in China, Chongqing, with a population of 30 million!!! Tomorrow we are going to see the famous Buddah statue that is in a prone position. Yesterday we saw the Giant Buddah that is outside of Chengdu. It was truly incredible to see this statue that was carved out of a mountain in 713 AD to protect the boats that had to navigate where 3 large rivers converge.
On August 7th I left Shanghai by myself and flew to Chengdu where I met my Husband and daughter and the tour group they had been with for a week. The tour group leader is a friend from 3rd grade, Marleen Kassel-Kerson, who has a doctorate degree in Asian Studies. We started to plan our trip together to China when we were in high school, so it is a dream that has finally come true. Yesterday afternoon we
Walking to the Farm House
Marleen walking through rice paddies on narrow path. had probably the best experience since I arrived when we visited the aunt and uncle of a friend of Marleen's. These sweet people live in very humble circumstances and yet they opened their home to us and fed us dinner. Our group was like the Pied Piper, with children and adults alike coming out to see the strange looking people. In order to get to their home we had to walk along a narrow dirt path through the rice paddies and vegetable crops for about 15 minutes. Even though it was incredibly hot and humid it was an experience I will always treasure, as I know that I got a very clear picture of how the majority of people in this part of the world live.
Today we visited the Panda Breeding Center in Chengdu and learned in explicit detail the mating challenges of Pandas. (The Buddhists Monks sitting in front of us left the video.) We also visited the nursery where there were two pandas in incubators and the preschool where there were eight young pandas lounging in the trees. Two of our group paid $50 to pet the Pandas for about two minutes. I settled for some
Group Photo at FarmHouse
It was so hot and humid - we were all soaked to the bone - but this sweet lady had cooked over a propane heated stove for hours to prepare a meal for all of us. We left gifts and money for them but not enough to repay them for the privilege of visiting their home. pictures. They were definitely adorable!!!
Day after tomorrow, Brent, Annie, Ashley (Annie's Roommate) and I are off on our great adventure to Tibet. From there we go to Shanghai for three days and then finally home on August 17th, just in time to get ready to go back to school.
Because so much of this trip has focused on Buddhism your new assignment, if you choose to do it) is to Google "Buddhist Proverbs" and see if you can find some Buddhist teachings that are in harmony with your personal beliefs. What I have learned going to all of these temples and monasteries is that I have more in common with these people that differences. Even though there are many things that are foreign and different, the core values are the same. Millions of people in East and Southeast Asia are practicing Buddhists. See what you can learn about this ancient religion.
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Deanne Olson
non-member comment
Thanks
Your pictures are great. Your comments beautiful. Enjoy the remainder of your trip and wishes to all.