More fun than farming I'm so glad you wrote about this. It doesn't get any less bizarre with repeated telling. But what struck me in your blog was how I would rather be signing and dancing than sewing in a factory.
Brings back memories! Thanks, Erika! Not only did this entry bring back great memories...you also told a bit of history I hadn't caught on to during the trip!
Great photos And wonderful writing too. I really look forward to each new entry. And this time Tom got a mention! Olivia's grandma's house is what I imagined lots of rural China to look like. I hope you took some pics of the concrete condo-like structures Tom described. Hope you are feeling better!
another delightful entry Hi Erika - love, love the blog!! Look almost every day to see if there is a new entry. My friend Beryl commented in how well it is written.
Sounds like you are back from your trip to Olivia's. Hope that went well. Also sounds like you'll have lots of time to devote to Heidi.
This w/e is strawberry festival on vashon complete with a parade, music in the parks and a 5K fun run - just to name a few. I am doing the fun run. In the evening we are having a small (anti inflammatory) dinner party. Say hi to my son (if he really is still alive). Lynda
Kunming HONEY Hi Erika; Thanks for sharing the info about getting local honey. I also enjoyed reading about your oven and the experience at carrfour 50 mins for a stick of butter. We in CA have no idea. Have you seen any beehives in the countryside. I am a beekeeper here in CA and am curious. My wife and I sold honey at markets before and it brought back some fond memories. Hows your chinese coming? How much longer will you be there?? How much was the jar of honey. Thanks Jim
I LOVED your post about the Mangosteens', and your schooling, etc. The yin and yang of the food stuff is fascinating and I loved learning about it! My blog is looking for things exactly like that, plus travel photos, social commentaries, etc, to share with our readers. I am a total foodie and we even have a weekly "food find." I loved your post and would be happy to put anything if you'd like to contribute. If you have the time, check it out at dirty-hippies.blogspot.com, or email us at dirtyhippiesblog@gmail.com. Continued fun in China!
Heather :)
Wow! You are getting an Education! Very interesting. I think some of the Chinese students might be called "suck ups" here. The un-named purple flowers look like bougainvillea. Loved the honey jar story. My dad brought a little "honey pot man" figurine home from Japan, so I kept thinking of that. Your experience going after the butter sounded like a few experiences Chuck and I have had in some of the old cities of the world! They all seem to change names every half block, and in Dublin the street signs were somewhere posted on buildings. Trying to navigate was useless. We gave up driving and used public transportation and this was in an English speaking country! So, how was that cornbread? Should we bring you things for baking? email if you have time.
Evie's right! I was just thinking about how similar you sound in person and on paper (well, screen). I miss you as well! Glad you're having a good time!
Miss You! I love that you have gone "Martha" on your apartment. I miss you oh so very much and I hope you're having a good time there. I don't envy the squatting that you have to endure, but I hope that it's gotten easier for you. Love your face!
Sounds just like you. It's funny reading a blog entry because it's just like hearing you talk. The same focused narrative, occasionally going off on tangents but always coming back to the core of your story. I really miss you.
Honey Man Yeesh, all that work for butter... And I was just complaining to my friends that our Safeway closes at midnight for a few hours. Wish you could bring that honey home!
hmmmm Interesting to see your apartment. Are you comfortable? That's the main thing. We can't wait to see you guys and experience some of the local culture. The squat toilet wouldn't be so bad if it was in your own home, I would think, because you would get used to it and keep it hygenic. The ones I have had a problem with have not been totally cleanish and I felt rushed, so to speak. So, shy bladder! Do you like your kitchen? No oven, right? I would be very interested in seeing how you guys cook. Later.
Loved the photos Hi Erika, Your Mom sent me the link to your blog. I loved seeing the photos. It reminds me so much of Taiwan. Our kitchen was pretty much the same as yours. A hot plate, a rice cooker and a sink is all you need. Our bathrooms were more the American style, but the public restrooms were like yours :( I'm glad you are having such a great experience. Wish I were there too. Aunt Sue
Yeah...a blog So glad you are doing a blog as we stateside crane our necks for all tidbits of info and I think in years to come you will enjoy reflecting back.
The small image of Kunming out your window looks a little post-bomb-blast until you enlarge the pic and then I can make our some concrete free hills in the background. Has the municipality actually preserved some of it's land?
In China for my third and longest stay yet, I've moved on from the capital to the subtropical "Spring City" of Kunming, Yunnan. I like food.... full info
Lynda Fitzpatrick
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More fun than farming
I'm so glad you wrote about this. It doesn't get any less bizarre with repeated telling. But what struck me in your blog was how I would rather be signing and dancing than sewing in a factory.