Whither now? Hi, Harrison, It is really extraordinary to read what you are doing. The tunnels sound amazing. And yes, it is a strange, small world. Please write more; I'm sure you are having one incredible experience after another, but we poor homebound shlubs are hanging on your every communique. Are you journalling? You'll be really happy to be able to read it when you are older (hard to imagine, I'm sure). Happy trails, Norah
WOW Hi Harrison, I finally got a chance to check out your blog entries. It sounds like an amazing trip. More phots please. Happy trails to you ...Susan
Good Fortunes It sounds as if you are really enjoying your adventure! What fun to meet up with a family and spend some time with them exploring the Great Wall's defense system. It sounds as if you had an incredible time and what luck to find a guide to take you through the tunnels. Were you able to take any photographs? I love your descriptions of all the various dishes at the night food bizarre. Such great coincidences to meet up with Dan again and have someone to explore the mountains and the Buddhist monastery you want to see. I am having fun looking up each city you visit on the internet, reading about them and seeing photos of the each area. Happy exploring to you! Love, mom OXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOO
guessing game I hope that you got to see the Forbidden City since it is one of the few authentic historic sites to see. ok - i was also going to guess Xian - well worth the visit, the warriors are definitely something to see especially since they are the world's largest jigsaw puzzle, the street bbq food at night, the walled city where u can rent a bike and ride around the top of the wall, watch out crossing the streets in china - always wait for others, otherwise the cars are less inclined to slow . . . Tsingtao is supposed to be beautiful - plenty of beer too, Lijiang is a UNESCO world heritage site and the old city is really wonderful even if it is a tourist hot spot - u can take a day trip to Tiger Leaping Gorge and/or Jade Snow Mountain, the drive is long, but the countryside is cool. I could agree with the Guilin suggestion - there are places all through China well worth seeing, just take the time to enjoy them. Have a blast!
Not Hot in the Apostle Islands either Hey Harrison---Greetings from beautiful Lake Superior where it is also not hot. Gorgeous sunny, blue skies on Madeline Island but we actually saw our breath last night.
I think you made a good decision about Thailand. I was just talking with Debi Niebuhr last week and you probably recall that she just returned from Vietnam and Thailand. She also said Thailand was very westernized. She raved about the beauty and people of Vietnam.
Will return to Bellingham in a few days. Spotty has grown accustomed to Susan so all is well with the kitties. (Libby made an immediate adjustment but Spot was stressed for several days).
Hope your travels continue to amaze you....
Guessing the city Hey, Harrison, It is so amazingly cool that you are doing this! I don't know if you have left Beijing yet, but several places you might try to see before you leave, or when you come back: Liulichang St (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liulichang) is an old bookselling and arts area that I think you would love to see; the Temple of Heaven; the Ming Tombs; and you have to see at least some section of the Great Wall. Have a chop made for yourself in Liulichang St. - I know it sounds a little touristy, but it is very cool to have when you get back (a chop, as you may know, is a little wooden stamp with your name carved (phonetically) as the design).
Are you going to take a train at any time? It may be that the trains have changed (I was there in 1988), but it was a memorable experience. Whole families moving from one city to another with their belongings in cardboard boxes held together with twine and tape, eating chicken feet from brown paper wrappers and playing a game with little sticks, or checkers with battered boards and mismatched pieces. And staring at me.
OK, I'll guess Xian (Chang'an). It's far, though. It's the place where the terracotta army is, but it is also one of the oldest cities on the planet, the end of the Silk Road, and in a beautiful place - Shaanxi province is gorgeous. Also, you see some of the ethnic minorities on the streets of Xian; most of the rest of the country is predominantly Han.
I really wanted to go to Guilin province in the south. It's what you see on those breathtaking scroll paintings where a few feathered lines suggest a whole landscape - the limestone hills, the trailing vegetation. It's on your way to Thailand... Hey, how are you getting to Thailand from China? Are you going through Laos or Vietnam or are you flying? Any chance you will get to Tibet?
I'm looking forward to hearing every section of the journey. Thanks for doing the blog; it's wonderful to read.
Norah
my three guesses 1.) Zhangjiakou, China; 2.) Hohhot China; 3.) Taiyuan, China. This is a really fun idea! Happy travels to your next destination.
The movie Transformers 2 sounds like it was a blast to see in Chinese. Yeah!, I'm so glad the heat has let up a little for you and that rain shower must have felt so good. Love you, mom oxoxoxoxoxoxox
GAH, JEALOUSY. If you ever take an epic trip again, you need to bring me along with you. I love the details you choose to include in your blog... particularly how the people you ate with chowed down on KFC. American food is everywhere, it's kind of unfortunate.
holy crap. HARRISON. Your pictures are sick (those couches are totally sweet) and I'm stoked over being able to stalk you from thousands of miles away. Seriously though, your trip looks amazing so far and it's only been a couple days - I'm way jealous. Are you traveling with someone or did you take that picture of you passing out by yourself?
Not too hot on Cypress Dear Harrison,
so great to hear of your adventures. Soundslike you're having slot of interesting interactions. Ofcourse I your solo status must promote this. We are on the sailboat on CypressIslandlooking across the bay at glistening Mt Baker and the Twins. We sailed up from Seattle yesterday and will head on to Bellingham tomorrow. So happy July 4th ! I shared your story with skip and Wendy and we all enjoyed. We are taking your advice and resting alot!
Love and hugs ,
Sherry
Thanks for posting another chapter of your amazing adventure! I am so happy you got to rent a bike and experience such incredible bike lanes! Wish ours were as well kept up. I don't suppose you rented a helmet also. ;) I love that you are talking with different people and it must have been so much fun to go to the Forbidden City with the school children! Ohmygoodness ,what an adventure getting back to your hostel was. You must be drinking so much water with the hot temps. Do they sell water lots of places like you thought or is it hard to find? I imagine you will get lost many times on this adventure of yours. ~smiles~ The oiled paper Chinese umbrellas are so beautiful with the painted designs and the handwork on the inside. Did you know they last for years? Have a great time at the Hip Hop club tonight and I can't wait to hear about the subway! Love you, mom oxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxo
Just smiling! Accck! My previous message didn't show up. Everyone I know is excited about your adventure and sends their best wishes and love. The photos are great and I liked reading the comments. The hostel looks incredible with all the lanterns and hanging cranes. What a different reality then America! I am looking forward to hearing more about your trip, the people you meet and what you see as you travel. Glad you have your journal and art supplies as it is going to be fun for you to draw and paint such a different environment. Much love to you honey. mom oxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxo
GREAT to hear from you! Thanks so much for writing and sending pictures----------priceless! I especially loved the "Passing out" shot. I am so excited for you. Hope the cab ride did not set you back too much. Can't wait to hear more from you. Love the pictures and titles. Grandma and Grandpa were looking and reading over my shoulder as I read and looked at them. I called Aunt Sherry right away so she is now checking her e-mail as well (I got them subscribed). It all looks fantastic. Hope you are having a good day and hope you are feeling much better.
Love you lots!
Arrived safely...hope you did, too. About an hour after I arrived in Madison this morning, you arrived in Bejing. I was having breakfast with Grandma and Grandpa around the time you set down in China. Aunt Sherry called to see if we had heard from you but I reminded her about the 15-hour time change. Hope your trip was as smooth at the travel leading up to it yesterday morning. Madison looks beautiful. Weather is great---a Bellingham day. Enjoy your first day! We love you and are thinking of you often.
Norah
non-member comment
Whither now?
Hi, Harrison, It is really extraordinary to read what you are doing. The tunnels sound amazing. And yes, it is a strange, small world. Please write more; I'm sure you are having one incredible experience after another, but we poor homebound shlubs are hanging on your every communique. Are you journalling? You'll be really happy to be able to read it when you are older (hard to imagine, I'm sure). Happy trails, Norah