JAJ&#39;s Guestbook

Zimbie's world tour
This may be the start of something great! Wasn't sure if you were being coy and not saying anything, or we were just so darn effective in our placements... I have a bout a dozen photos but some were just too obvious to post early in the game. I was going to go back to some of them, then the Temple of Zim Bie idea came to mind... Dawn and I were giggling the most about my line "4 is considered lucky because it is half of 8" - it seemed like everyday we heard a new story about a lucky or important number for the Chinese, so we figured there must be something special about 4 too!!! Anyway, let's see where Zimbie travels next...

From Blog: Last Day in Beijing - Forbidden City

29th March 2009

Ni hao! (Hello)
Just packing our bags strategically. We have laughed so much! I am looking forward to coming home. We have been away just the right amount of time. I have found it very hard to be in a country where you can not speak or read the language. I have found it hard to keep my eyes to the ground trying to avoid the spit. Stop and stare at us. We felt that we were a tourist attraction ourselves. Being that Jeff and I were considered to be husband and wife with Thomas our one child and a grandparent following behind. On two occasions I was actually asked to pose with locals to have their picture taken with them not to mention times when we weren't aware of the picture taking! Yesterday on the train a little boy pointed at me and laughed with his Dad. I tried to give the a Canadian toonie but the wouldn't accept it. Another funny thing that I have been trying to get Jeff to photography but he probably couldn't put it on the blog are the toddlers and what I have affectionately termed "split pants". The kids have a split in the bumb of their pants obviously for quick access for potty training. Yes, I have seen them in training. Every time I pass a "split pant"I look back and sure enough their little cheeks are exposed! Lastly, the "hole"! All I can say is that the Chinese must have amazing quads! I am proud to say that my quads got very little work out in China. I am a strategic player. It is no wonder the Chinese always dominate in athletics. They start early in the "split pant" age to develop these muscles! Off to perfect the chopstick one more time!

From Blog: Beijing Miscellany

28th March 2009

Uncle 'Slow' (formerly Uncle Ding Dong)
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Pointless
I was going to do a whole thing on Mount Fuji - but it just seems so unfunny now.

From Blog: Beijing Pearl Market

28th March 2009

I am Speechless - Without Speech
OK - First I thought - The 'Temple of Zim Bie" are you kidding me?? For a Travel Blog Commenter living vicariously through the adventures of others (excuse the redundence) this is just too good to be true. And then I have to read almost to the end of the caption before I start thinking - 'wait a minute - this is getting scary'. And then I see it. And that's where I'm really slow because I'm thinking - 'Where did they find that?!?' Too funny! Makes the whole red pants thing seem so lame (isn't that where we started this). OK - so - I went back through the photos (in my defense, I couldn't get some of them to enlarge). I have the Zimbie watching the mock medal ceremony, on the shelf at the Bird's Nest gift shop, at the 5th Beacon Tower (where it looks like someone is trying to steal him) and of course, at the Temple of Zim Bie. Good one. (Great one!) Makes a guy wonder what he can possibly do with a red pair of size 38 jeans to follow this. Can't wait to see the Zimbie in real life. I am humbled. Uncle Ding Dong.

From Blog: Last Day in Beijing - Forbidden City

28th March 2009

Red Hats
Apparently red hats are popular in China but not red pants. They'll come around one day.

From Blog: Summer Palace

28th March 2009

Frank in China?
Hi Thomas - Uncle Ding Dong here. Hope you're enjoying your trip buddy. What a great opportunity, and especially to be able to share it with your Dad, MomMom and Auntie. Are you listening to Frank over there when you go to bed? I don't think Frank ever did any concerts in China but I wondered what one of his bigger hits may have sounded like if he needed to translate it for a Chinese audience: Stranger Night Wink at night to exchange Stranger Wondering at night What have the opportunity to share love marriage Was passed during the night. Your eyes are so invited to the East and West, You smile things are so exciting, Things in my heart, Tell me, I must have you. Stranger night, two lonely people We are strangers in the night Up to now When we say our first Hello. Unexpectedly, we know that It is very clear the love, Other than a warm embrace and dance -- Since that day led to our evening together. Lovers fall in love at first sight, in love forever. It turned out that such a right, Stranger in the night. Yeah....maybe not a top 10 hit. Have a great time and a safe trip home. Look forward to hearing all about your trip next time we see you. Love, Uncle Ding Dong (Bill)

From Blog: Summer Palace

28th March 2009

Water Cube Photo
I also like the Water Cube Photo. But c'mon Jeff, you couldn't have squeezed the Canadian flag in somehow?

From Blog: Olympic Park Water Cube and Bird’s Nest

27th March 2009

Cydney
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Caregiver
On your marks, get set, auntie dawn's off. I'm sure Grandma is really appreciating Thomas's help keeping an eye on her especially in the crowded places. Good job Thomas i know that must be a tough job. Keep up the good work. Maybe go along with her games a little more, she usually enjoys that. By the way. that first picture of Thomas and Grandma in the Water Cube is amazing. First class photographer Jeff Johnson is doing a wonderful job.

From Blog: Olympic Park Water Cube and Bird’s Nest

27th March 2009

Cyd
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Chinese Starbucks
So me and mom were just wondering what the lemon loaf over there tastes like? The same? or are there even the same kind of treats or is it more like crab ovaries cookies. Delish. The great wall looks huge. Reminds me of climbing up the tower at Vatican. Or not. But your trip looks amazing you better have some more pictures to show us when you're home, glad to know none of thomas's will look like my poses. Miss you all and love you!

From Blog: Great Wall and Ming Tombs

27th March 2009

Incredible
This is very cool! Love the photo of Thomas with his hands behind his head and the tower in the background. Jeff - you have amazing recall. You're like the Tiger Woods of travel. My travel blog would be "Today we went to Starbucks and the Great Wall. We climbed a lot of stairs and I think we ran into a Canadian named after the movie star from Gilligan's Island."

From Blog: Great Wall and Ming Tombs

27th March 2009

Concubine
It was a Massey Ferguson Concubine I recall.....or was it an Allis Chalmers?

27th March 2009

Rickshaw Drivers
Jeff - You really should get your own travel show. I noticed the rickshaws are parked in numerical order by license plate. Wow. Do they really have an 'Outback Steak House' in Beijing? Do you know if you double-translate "Outback Steak House" from English to Chinese and back you get "Output Return Fish Building" This just doesn't have the same appeal....

From Blog: Hutong Tour

27th March 2009

Birds Nest Lighting
They crammed 13,000 people into Sask Place for the Eagles - so the Water Cube has a lot more seating. Pretty incredible for a pool facility. Our YMCA has 7 seats - unless they're using one as a door stop then it only has 6. They have the Birds Nest edition solar lighting collection at Canadian Tire - 6 for $39.99.

From Blog: Olympic Park Water Cube and Bird’s Nest

26th March 2009

Concubines & Holes
I'd have big issues with the whole "hole" thing. May have to scratch China off my list of places to visit. I'll just spend more time in the 'Asian' aisle at Superstore to make up for it. Do you need us to Fedex you some Charmin?

26th March 2009

One more thing
Yeh, one more thing. Bill, a concubine is that thing the Grandpa used on the farm at harvest time!..............yugh.............idiot.........

26th March 2009

Hmmmmm
Interesting take on things Dawn. I am worried what I will prepare for the men upon their return. Looked in Company's Coming Slowcookers and More, there is nothing with bamboo..... maybe I will try Better Homes and Gardens. I will wait patiently until you are ready to talk about the hole...... it is, how they say, part of the experience.... Also, has anyone seen the "C" in my encyclopedia set........ it seems to have gone missing...........

GRANDMOM &GRANDDAD
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25th March 2009

looks like you are all having a great time ,we are enjoying the blog and the comments ! Ross forward the letters to the Blackburns as they were interested in you're trip. Still winter here but they tell us spring is just around the corner.Hope you're weather warms up , anxious to see the rest of you're adventure in China

From Blog: West Lake Tour

25th March 2009

Sherry
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Train Trip
That compartment looks pretty tight, I was wondering about what size it would be - hopefully everyone got a good night's sleep anyway!

From Blog: Overnight Train to Beijing

25th March 2009

Memoirs of a Geisha, I mean Auntie Dawn...
Wow, where to start. Firstly I would like to thank Jeff for everything. Secondly, I would like to thank him for pointing our how I was sitting beside the smaller lady in one of the pictures. Every lady in China is smaller than me. I am coming to terms with the fact that I am probably considered morbidly obese in China. Sticking with the weight thing. I may come home a few pounds lighter or looking like a Panda. We are fearful Jeff is going to be eating off of the bamboo trees as we stroll the land when we are not looking. Did Jeff mention that not only do they eat bamboo but the also use it for scaffolding when building. Very versatile. Grandpa Dennis should have tried to grow this, it would have fit nicely on his acreage. Ding Dong party was very formal. It was hard to swallow. No pun intended. I kept looking for water to wash everything down with but it wasn't provided and I was trying to get Thomas to pour his Auntie a few drops from his Coke. As they continually got Jeff and others (myself) to "cheer" with their rice wine I informed Thomas that I think that they are trying to get your Dad hammered. Jeff informed us ( in private) that he is from the prairies and that the Chinese men should be scarred to drink with him. I have seen the HOLE in the ground! I don't know if I am ready to talk about it yet. I have determined that my day of drinking does involve some strategy as to avoid holes in the ground. Does anyone know how to say "sorry" in Chinese.

24th March 2009

That's a better fit
Uncle Ding Dong.........yeh that seems like a better fit (it's like its falling into my hands Bill.......)

24th March 2009

Uncle Bill
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Uncle Ding
Yes - Uncle Ding, I like the sound of that. You know, I think I recall from my Grade 11 History that the original Leifeng pagoda was built in 975 AD, during Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period, at the order of King Qian Chu (born Qian Hongchu) of Wuyue. It was built to celebrate the birth of Qian Chu's son, born to Huang Fei, one of his favorite concubines. (A concubine is one of those things you shove vegetables and fruit into at Thanksgiving.)

24th March 2009

Uncle Bill
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Digestive Glands....
Was this the 'International House of Ovary and Digestive Glands of a Crab'? I think after eating there you'd have to go hang out at the 'Hall of Feeling Happy' for quite awhile.

From Blog: Shanghai Lunch & Yu Gardens

24th March 2009

toilets
Hey guys, Grandpa had a good point. No one has said anything about the "bathroom facilities" I have heard they are a "hole" new experience!

From Blog: West Lake Tour

23rd March 2009

And what word would you pair with Ding...?
This is another one that is making Dawn giggle... I am trying to keep track of all of the new names, especially because they sound so different to our western ears. So to help me remember 'Ding' (which isn't really that hard, is it..?!), I keep remembering 'ding dong'. Not sure it is the right measure of respect, but I am doing what I can - and trying to keep the family entertained!