#51 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (TIBET #1- Train from Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet)

Asia » China » Tibet » Lhasa
August 27th 2006

Published: August 27th 2006

The journey to Tibet has been a life's dream. For as long as I remember, its mysterious history and the hopes and the tribulations and the complications in its existence have been of fascination. But any pre-conceptions must adjust rather quickly to reality, for I was on a train, filled to capacity with fellow travellers from around the world, hoping to be one of the first to get a glimpse in... Read Full Entry

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Hans J. Schneider

Hans

After 38 years as a Foreign Language Teacher and Foreign Language Dept. Chair at Coral Gables Sr. H.S., and A.J. Professor of German at the University of Miami, I have left Florida in June of 2006, where my home is in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. I have just signed another year's teaching-contract (my 8th year now) with Taizhou University in the city of Taizhou, located about 3hrs north of Shanghai, in Jiangsu Province, CHINA. I thought it would be informative for others and rewarding for me personally, to log the progress of my efforts from beginning to end, as a Travel and Photo Jo... full info

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Lasa Train Station

Late, on the third night we arrived at Lasa's new train-station.

Lasa Hotel

We were pleased, that our hotel arrangements improved.

Prayer Wheels

Pilgrim turning prayer-wheels as he walks the pilgrim's path, by the Potala Palace.

Potala Palace close-up

The palace serves as a reminder of the still to be solved controversy between the exiled leadership of Tibetan Buddism and China.

the end of the line for this one

Let me warn you not to enlarge the image if you are timid.

road vista

From our travelling bus, many Tibetens marveled at our modern transportation. There was no more room on the bus. :-(

debate

Monks engage in group debates every afternoon at Sera Monestary, in Lasa.

Potala in distance

By enlarging the image, Potala Palace can be noticed raising from the city in the distance.

Yak

This most important animal of Tibet follows the lead. The ring through the nose and the pulling of the rope make the directions very clear.

holy lake

This beautiful lake in over 14,000 feet altitude has been visited by Buddhists for centuries.

travel companions

Eastern Toilet at bus stop

Notice there are 2 square openings on the floor, therefore meant for 2 people. I ordered the second person out, but he had already missed the square hole, as you can see by closer observation. :-((

view from bus on 4th day

As we travel by bus to Shigatse, in Southern Tibet, monks and locals pay no attention to our intrusion.

Tashilunpo Monestary...

...and home of the Panchen Lama in the 2nd largest city in Tibet, Shigatse. The mountains in the background are the locations for the "sky-burials". (The cutting-up of the corpse, and feeding to the vultures.)

bus scene

The beautiful colors of the summer- wheat as we travel back from Shigatse to Lasa.

new friends

This Tibetan lady and her protective dog opened their home for a glimpse of life, that has not changed over centuries.

fellow travellers

This one-child-family became a joy to be with during our travels, and they invited us to visit them in the city of Harbin, in Northern China.

true believers

Buddhist pilgrims prostrate themselves in front of their holiest shrine, the Jokhang Temple in Lasa.

young and old

Buddhist of all ages walk the streets of the Barkhor always clock-wise. The streets house the holiest of their shrines.

another new friend

After 6 days in Tibet, we flew to the city of Chengdu, in the Province of Sichuan to say hello to China's most famous export.

In the village of Huanglong Xi ...

...some 30 miles SW of Chengdu, we found this beautiful court-yard of a shrine.

27th August 2006

Victoire Joyaux
non-member comment

Back!
Wow the images are amazing! And you got to pet the panda!!!! Sorry I haven't commented in a long time but I just started settling back down to normal life since I got back from Europe- it was really great! With the world cup and all Germany was really fun and the people were so obsessed I loved it!

27th August 2006

Valentino [Val] Macor
non-member comment

Visit to Tibet, etc.
Hans, I have to tell you that the pictorial geography/history lesson I am getting from your travels is better than I've had in any school.

27th August 2006

william
non-member comment

Schneider!
ur the coolest!

27th August 2006

Mauricio F
non-member comment

wow thats such a stunning view from the train ride, Hans I think you're having a better time there than we are here in this crap hole Miami keep brining the pictures on its nice seeing other cultures & and your well being lol

27th August 2006

Ashley Santiz
non-member comment

Oh my goodness~! Tibet is breathtaking! ANd that panda was sooooo cute. I know i've said it before and i'll say it again! I am SOOOO jealous! Keep growing and learning! Ciao

27th August 2006

Lucas (((P.4 last year Brazilian guy)))
non-member comment

hey schneider how uve been? thats the first time im writing a comment for u but i always read and see the pictures from ur blog, i see thatchina have a great culture and i hope ur doing good on ur new job. HA i told u that germany was not going to win the world cup =) but brazil didnt win either =(, well on the summer i went there again after 4 years, it was awesome, rio still the most beautiful city =)...anyway im taking german 3 this year, ms lauter is really cool u made a good choice. well schneider lets keep in touch.

27th August 2006

Miriam Castillo
non-member comment

I llove to hear from you Hans!
Hans: We miss you as well, you are a person of a kind heart...It looks that you are enjoying this experience. We hope to see you in the "Hemisferio Occidental" soon. Con amor, Miriam

27th August 2006

Jerry
non-member comment

Boiling with emotion
Hello my friend, we can sense the emotions filling and fulfilling you Hans. It is great to hear you so engrossed in your new world. I enjoy very much following in your footsteps and you travel to the top. Travel safe.

27th August 2006

Melissa E.
non-member comment

wow
wow schneider....the views look so beautiful! looks like your enjoying yourself over there!!! keep in touch!! we miss you in class!!! love your student, melissa e.

28th August 2006

Sandra Cordova
non-member comment

wow, someone really needs to tell the US that trains are the way to go! Those images are beautiful, and I am desparatelty wishing that only I could go see them myself! I'm glad you're having a great time, but I still really miss you!

28th August 2006

Allison M.
non-member comment

Lucky Schneider
Panda bears are one of the most adorable animals ever. I want to be you in that picture, only i would start playing with him all over the place and wouldn't wanna leave. it'd be my very own real teddy bear. =p

28th August 2006

Flora
non-member comment

day 1 and already a hurricane
Schneider, I just thought I'd share with you, that I found someone in my french class that speaks German, so I'm going to practice my German with him. And dont worry, his name isn't Diego.

28th August 2006

Sandra
non-member comment

HI :))))))))
hey schneider! your pictures are absolutely incredible. the picture of you with the panda is my new favorite schneider-picture ever! haha anyway, thought i might mention that the new teacher is doing a great job at gables and she is a very respectful, caring person. though it still does not make being without you any easier. chandler and i have a fight nearly everyyyyy day over who loves you more. clearly i love you more since i always try to stop the fight in a pacifist and compassionate way haahaha well schneider, keep the pictures coming... it makes me feel as though im seeing all of this with you. and btw! i dont know if you know, but miami is preparing for the first hurricane of the year. there's no school tomorrow or wednesday... i bet its refreshing to be on the other side of the world, huh? love you :)

29th August 2006

victor mustelier
non-member comment

yes is me again
damn Schneider "you workin" china, lol really i find this very impressive, i mean the whole panda and sculpture and emperors chair, how do you do it? you just ask for favors? well, have a good trip to where ever your going to next, and make more blogs!!

30th August 2006

Sara Sindija & Melissa Capiro (2nd period)
non-member comment

MISS YOU!!
Schneider!!!! We miss you sooooo much!! We cant wait until you come back to Miami. School just isn't the same without you. I hope your enjoying China, and that you visit us when you return, which hopefully is soon! We love you!! Sara and Melissa!

30th August 2006

Douglas
non-member comment

wow!!!!
Hey mr. schneider its Douglas. Wow you seem to be having a blast. Ive been reading and it seems you have been exploring all of China. You also got to take a picture with a panda!!!! Keep putting up those pictures there amazing. Hope to hear about you soon. Take care.

5th September 2006

Thomas Scianmarello
non-member comment

China
Finally you have achieved one of your goals, to go to tibet. It must be an awesome place and an extraodinary experience for you. It is beautiful from the pictures you have taken

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#51 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (TIBET #1- Train from Beijing to Lhasa, Tibet)

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