Blogs from Liaoning, China, Asia - page 6

My visit to the Palace. Shenyang Imperial Palace of Qing Dynasty. This imperial place was built from 1625 to 1636. Before conquering the entire China and establishing the Qing Dynasty, the last feudal dynasty of China, emperor Nurhachi and Huangtaiji of Manchu lived here. The octagonal shape of Dazheng Hall imitates the shape of tent used by the northern nomads. Hope you enjoy the pictures. We were the only expats in the whole area. So with my blond hair I was ask a lot if they could take my picture. My husband had a great time having his picture made with a lot of young girls that were asking him to pose with them. Back home everyone calls me Queen Esther,HEEEEEE..... the day at the palace was like I was a Queen and everyone was wanting ... read more

I know this is not a subject that I would normally talk about but before we arrived in China I was told of these toilets and that I needed to be prepared. I am from the South USA and I know a lot of people that think we are so backwoods that we go to do our business ( if you know what I mean) in the woods. NOT!!!! We have posion ivy, think about that, but the same concept is here except that it is indoors, most of the time. I have not been caught out and had the pleasure of using one of these, but my husband did. I am still laughing from the details of how he made it happen. I want go there just use your imagination. The adventure continues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... read more

I wish the pictures could show more of how the people of Shenyang get around. There are 7 million people in this city and cars, mules, mopads, bicyles and walkers all share the roads, sidewalks and any other place they can get thru. I have been in shock at how it all works, sometimes it doesn't. I have wittnessed several accidents with cabs hitting motorcyles. Not a pretty site. I have also learned that if you wittness one of these accidents it is not advisable to assist anyone because the custom is now that person belows to you along with their family. Hope you enjoy the pictures.... read more

Hi all – The last few months here have been very busy; seems like a long time since I have written to anyone, so hope this will catch us up. This is a real marathon blog with so many pictures! Rick is enjoying his role as vice principal and surprisingly has really enjoyed being on the boys campus. It was a real concern for him about how he would leave the girls that he enjoyed so much. But aside from the cold building and smelly bathrooms, he finds the job interesting and the boys really great. Working with the Les, the principal, Ryan and Brad has been a good admin team. We now have almost 3000 students so there are always issues to deal with. My job as Director for the Language Elective program has been ... read more

Today I awoke feeling sub-par. I am definitely about ready to pack up one more time, jump on a plane and head home. This has been an event-filled trip but its time I return to recognizable food and my own bed.And smoking bans. This morning we went to visit Liang’s mom’s family cemetery in the country near Yingkou. I have especially loved the drives through China- however rough and unsettling- because it gives me a great opportunity to see many communities, especially those that American eyes rarely, if ever, see. The last bit of the drive to the cemetery was interesting as we turned our cars down an alley that looked more like a footpath than a road. We squeezed our car between buildings and through part of a corn field. At that point we decided ... read more