SAVE FACE You captured the intricacies/complexities of chinese "save face" rather well & in a manner that made me giggle & it was good to see you making such close friendships which of course were lubricated with liberal applications of Beijing Water! - does seem to be the chinese way
Incredible adventures and friends in high places! Really, you have to be the luckiest traveler ever--the Silk Road, the terracotta warriors, the world's oldest museum! Paulina and the General led you to places we ordinary mortals never get to see--thanks for sharing so we could be there vicariously. Loved your carvings--very talented to master the different dynasty's styles. And now a cliffhanger--joining a family.....more, please!
Incredible adventures and friends in high places! Thanks Tara...as always I am delighted you are enjoying the ride...more to come...me as tour leader...oh no!!!
We all have wonderful adventures...but it is the perspective we feel during...that affects our appreciation...and memories. The woodcarvings I posted for you...so glad you like them...sit on a wall...takes me back to China everytime.
Xian by Police Escort...The Chain of Command.... Love the title Dave. It sounds like one of those video games where you blow everything to bits that comes into sight ;) Anyway, glad to read that the only actually contact being made was the good ol' manly hug, after a few drinks of course. Got to get myself into China sometime soon before all the sabre rattling turns nasty and it all goes pair shaped in this part of the world. Looking forward to the story about your new family :)
THANKS NICK Not a video game...more like a mobile phone game...every time someone spoke to the General...things happened! When I decided to blog China...this was one of the stories I was looking forward to telling. Going to Xian was always a dream...the treasures unreal...but the best story was just going along with the ride...events dictated by others.
Love this Blog! And I love your unique writing style! So, did The General make it on time to his TV show?
I've never seen smog as bad as your picture in Xian!
So, where to next?
Nanci
THANKS NANCI Delighted you get into the style & vibe of my yarns. The following day the General arranged for one of his boxing students to drive us to the Ming Tombs...never had a faster trip in heavy traffic in my life. Overtook the bus in front at high speed at the moment it made a RHT...missed head on with the LHS of our vehicle by say two inches. Must have been a good boxer...his reflexes were extraordinary.
Golden Week We have the National Day holidays from 29th Sept to 6th October, China's version of the Japanese Golden Week holidays. Everything closes down, and many Chinese go back to their hometowns, so in order to facilitate the madness of people travelling back home by bus, train, plane etc, the government have decided that expressway toll fees will be waived for the week.
Exceptional blog sure makes a more interesting read than Lonely Planet. I might drive to Yunan again during the National Day "golden week". Apparently all the toll fees are free for the week !
THANKS DEAN Glad you have discovered "my" Great China Road Trip...never a dull moment...join me for the ride. Never heard of Golden Week with no tolls. When & where is that?
Prosperity palace nose / Ears of Abundance A prosperity palace nose is good news. It means you have An abundance of wealth that will follow you where ever you go, you may not win the lotto or be born into wealth but your needs will always be looked after by kind people where ever you go. Ears of abundance, means you hear much in life which will always direct you if you listen....to success. The Chinese said I have both, I got used to people pointing to my nose then wanting to read my fortunes. Was so funny.
Prosperity palace nose / Ears of Abundance Thanks for this dose of Chinese wisdom, Claire. You have it...wishful thinking so do I. Once had Master of Scholar Woodcarving approach me in Xian saying I was an artist...he could tell by my eyes...the way I looked at things! Funny thing was he was right...I too was a woodcarver!
Dont you just love them Chinese. This has been my kind of blog Dave. I just love the kookiness of the Chinese, the germs of 1000 years in your arm, just brilliant. I'm betting on a more positive note that you also have a prosperity palace nose and ears of abundance? I was told by many a medicine man there that you can't live a full and happy life without them, which you clearly are/so have....Best wishes Claire
THANKS CLAIRE I've still got my arm...and a bit of soul. Been called many things...prosperity palace nose & ears...first time...not sure whether I should thank you for that! Glad you enjoyed the blog...my pleasure to relive my adventures in China...more abundances to come...watch this space!
Brilliant pictures I do love your pictures. Of course it´s true that it´s only because of the people, the different cultures, but you are a great discoverer of faces and reactions!!!
My wife Denise & I like to travel "on paths less travelled" that capture our imagination, inspire my photography & where we mix with locals & remain safe.
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Laila the Tuareg
Denise Hooper
SAVE FACE
You captured the intricacies/complexities of chinese "save face" rather well & in a manner that made me giggle & it was good to see you making such close friendships which of course were lubricated with liberal applications of Beijing Water! - does seem to be the chinese way