Sichuan visit

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November 30th 2010

Published: November 30th 2010

Part 1 Political Analysis The fervor and intensity of the anti-Chinese rhetoric in the US grows, even as the Know Nothings are ascendant in Washington. The narrative states that China is using “unfair” tactics to cement its role as the engine for the world’s economic growth. These include using government direction to allocate investment, such as picking winners in the drive to develop new ... Read Full Entry

Photos are below

Photos: 37, Displayed: 21

Beichuan

The town of 12,000 was completely destroyed and 90% of the residents were killed, some by rock slides days after the main shocks

Beichuan

It was a strange and unsettling experience driving through the ruins.

I'll bring the mahjong, you bring the food

Mahjong on the street with the famous Sichuan smoked meat drying nearby

You want me to sleep where??

This was to be my accommodation for the night, made irrelevant by the demand of the security bureau that I register in a hotel

Happy family

This is the wife and daughters of our driver who was untypically careful and consistent with his piloting efforts!

Shuimo

Another town that was destroyed, this one is being rebuilt to "showcase" the Tibetan minorities that live in the area. There will be many opportunities to shop!

There had been a demand...

in certain quarters for some pictures of me, so here you go, one of several.

Up into the hills

This settlement was up a steep road from Shuimo, people lived there for months at a time without leaving. The corn was to feed the pigs.

Mr. Guo

Was very inviting, asked me to join him in his home to chi fan (eat rice.)

"Rich" peasant

This house was built by a family, father is off in the city working in a factory and spent about $15,000 to build this house, quite upscale for the area

I will never complain about steep garden plots!

Steep hardly expresses it, am not sure how they remained upright to cultivate and such

Wenchuan

This was the epicenter of the quake, the town was completely destroyed and tens of thousands were killed. Overall the death toll reached 100,000.

At the school

One of the big after effects of the quake has been the revelations of shoddy school construction, often in connivance with corrupt local officials. This school was only two years old and 45 people were killed.

Rebuilding goes one

It was scheduled to be done in September of this year, but massive floods in August upset that timetable.

The wu jiao is important

This is Chinese for siesta and it is a fact that the hardworking Chinese favor a postprandial snooze.

Last meal in Sichuan

My hosts took very good care of me, made sure that no meat product was on my plate, lots of MaPaDofu, fresh vegetables, and noodles, oh the noodles in Sichuan!

30th November 2010

jean
non-member comment

Wow.
Wow, what a helpful analysis. What great detail with your usual bringing together of ironies. I wish more people could read it - in this US atmosphere of " we love to hate the china". It seems like you could publish this - the Nation even if it is the choir, other places? I look forward to the next installment.

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