Love the Descriptions Love the blog entry Don!
My first job post-college was an English teaching post just down the road from your school. I was feeling nostalgic this morning and stumbled upon your writing. Look forward to reading more! Also, looks like we're both Denver natives? small world.
MOUNT TRASHMORE Enjoyed your blog, however hopeless the situation seems. I thought you might be amused by the experience of a friend who directed city management projects in Asia, under USAID. When we discovered that we'd both spent time in Sri Lanka, he said that when solid waste collection was begun, "they did not have a place to dispose of the trash, so they created a large pile that was nearly 100 feet high. We called it Mt. Trashmore."
And maybe there's hope, in the long term. Here's how he described his project:
We had three training sessions on solid waste:
Collection and Transport
Solid waste reduction (reduce , reuse and recycling, etc) including composting
Disposal…. Focused on what to do even though you do not have a sanitary landfill (which nobody had) as well as why you need a proper disposal location.
Clearly the most severe problem was disposal because locals just dumped collect waste in any low spot they could find. However getting a better system in place would cost lots of money, require expenditure of lots of political capital to locate a place, and was hampered by the civil war that was going on at the time. So I chose to focus on the first two portions of the system, collection and reduction. Our suggestions that were implemented: earn revenue from selling recyclables and improve efficiency of collection (by over 40%). The result was money for improved services and a much cleaner city as uncollected garbage or improperly disposed trash was not scattered around the city.
7 years later I returned and virtually every city in the country had adopted our techniques (including Colombo – who then got rid of Mt. Trashmore) and the entire country was much cleaner. It also strengthened the belief in local government as citizen were able to see marked improvements in service.
Trash Awareness Dear Don, your article was engrossing. It's a story that happens everywhere. If we are not careful of ourselves and one another, all the plastic in the world will eventually end up in the ocean. Awareness is the beginning of wisdom. Thank you for your informative photos and story.
I've just moved to Dubai and still have a lot to learn about the Emirate. Thanks for sharing this - fascinating stories! Had a similar experience at the cultural centre! But yes, it certainly is an integrated city... and I'm enjoying it immensely so far. :)
Just learning to use this blog. Interesting. I am surprised you didn't help them or barter a raise for them.! A very difficult life. We are so spoiled and unaware in the U.S.
Just learning to use this blog. Interesting. I am surprised you didn't help them or barter a raise for them.! A very difficult life. We are so spoiled and unaware in the U.S.
basket boys You're right about the numbers and I've made the correction to 75 kilos. But think about it; lets just say three loads an hour, which is 450 lbs. times 6 hours, which comes to 1800 lbs. in a day. Six hours seems like a long day to me. No labor unions in Nepal as far as I'm aware.
We'll be taking Rhapsody of the Seas from Honolulu to Sydney starting 25 September... I enjoyed reading this blogs and finding where the internet cafes are so that I can post mine. Is there anything else we should know about the ship? For example, I don't want to take 18 days worth of clothing...do they have selfserve laundromats on board? Is the food and entertainment good? How many formal dining evenings do they have within the 18 days? Now to read the rest of your blogs!
I really enjoyed reading Don\'s blog on his latest travels in Asia. Having first met Don whilst backpacking in Hong Kong in 1986, I have been inspired by his entrepreneurialism and adventurous spirit ever since. He was my \"travel guru\" and I based many of my trips on the advice and travel tips I learned from him.
I've so enjoyed doing the armchair travel dance with your blogs ... another friend, with a husband with Myelofibrosis is also traveling Australian and Asia, by boat ... they were near Bangcock last week. Have you met up with Bill yet? Wish I were with you but I'm taking care of the pollen attack for you this year. You would die Nancy ... Its the absolute worst ever. I have had Laryngitis for over a week. David Loveland got so bad he had to go to the hospital ER!
It snowed yesterday (after being almost 85 the day before) Today will be 58 and tomorrow back in the 70's.
Have a great sailing month!!! FYI- Party at Happy Thought Ranch on Memorial Monday which is the 5th month , May 28. All the Clear Creek folks are anxious to do something to honor Sam's life and this may help. He always like kicking off the summer almost more than July 4th.
We'll probably plant a tree.
I have to invest in sod there and hope like heck its not too mucn. Last Oct. a Landscaper scraped the little pond and got a mountain of sludge which he spread, then seeded, and then covered with mesh/straw. I asked the other day when the mesh would come up and he said it usually biodegrades in 2 - 3 years. Yikes ... I have wedding families there the 1st of June... and that just won't work- so he's giving me a bid on putting sod down.
I plan to stay there a bit more in May to water grass :) It will be good to see you by then.
I'm going to Sammy and Steves this weekend to dye eggs with Sherry and the boys, yoga with Sammy and Easter dinner. Hope to have my taxes ready for John Lichlyter too!! Thanks for these wonderful blogs !!! and happy belated birthday!!
THE JOYS OF [MIS]TRANSLATION ROFL over the "found poetry." I'm reading your blog entries along with Peter Hessler's book on road trips in China -- nice companion pieces. Thanks so much, Don --
Glad to hear from UD and Nance Sounds like the trip and the teaching is a big success. Also glad the students were able to get a grip on any public speaking anxiety. The traditional Chinese jacket for Don sounds great, but let us know what Nancy is finding to buy for herself.
Regards to all,
Sherry Morreale
Hangzhou Hangout - A Great Read Great reading. Can imagine Don being such a hit with his students.
Re: Fishwich - at least it sounds more appetising than sandwich.
DP
being old in china Dear Don ,
I love reading your blogs , especially about the cultural nuances that you capture so succinctly ! I'm off to New Zealand in a few days .... see you in a few months and keep writing !
Kate
GREAT EASTERN SUN ARISING Don & Nancy, how wonderful to have this glimpse into your latest adventure. Fascinating -- I'm eager to read more. Will you be posting photos?
Sara
Dag enjoyed blog This is my first comment to a blog entry, so not sure re the protocol. I was born last century you see - just past its middle. Much enjoyed Donaway's blog - very real, and made me feel I was there in a small way. Well done Don, and keep us updated. A wee bit spooky - can individualism survive in the new world order?!!!
Dagster
Keep it coming This is wonderful Don. I don't know if I'll ever make China so this will be a great to have such detail. I have no idea about Chinese life so just 'keep it coming'. Are the skies grey or is it just smog? Does everyone speak English where you are teaching? Does Nancy teach too? Apart from smoking in a no smoking area/what is their sense of humour? Do they get yours?
Right there with you Thank you Don for writing this blog. While reading "First Impressions", I felt like I was right there with you. - maybe that explains why all of a sudden I felt a chill and had to put my down jacket on. I'm looking forward to reading your next post.
Interesting Observations It is with great interest that I read the blog First Impressions of Xiasha, China. I have never heard of congregating educational institutions for a country into a town designed just for that purpose. Probably very efficient for the educational system though. It seems quite challenging to take on a new culture, a new city, a new apartment, unexpected weather and a new job all at the same time. I look forward to reading more about an American's impressions of China in future blogs.
Good post DonNancy - Good first post. Lots of good wandering around detail. Anxious to hear more, esp about classes. Looking forward to hearing about your little side trips too. AR
Good post DonNancy - Good first post. Lots of good wandering around detail. Anxious to hear more, esp about classes. Looking forward to hearing about your little side trips too. AR
I've been a traveler all my life and feel most at home when I'm on the road. I write a weekly column for examiner.com, and my articles regularly appear in print in YourHub, the Denver Post's weekly neighborhood supplement. A collection of my newspaper stories about Colorado people; "Cowboys, Yogis, and One-Legged Ski Bums," is available at your favorite bookstore, or online at Amazon.com... full info
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Love the Descriptions
Love the blog entry Don! My first job post-college was an English teaching post just down the road from your school. I was feeling nostalgic this morning and stumbled upon your writing. Look forward to reading more! Also, looks like we're both Denver natives? small world.