A treasure hunt Having found serene, uncrowded Xingping, a bit by accident as I remember from your last blog, I wonder if you'll be on the lookout for more of these frog-and cricket-serenaded parts of crowded China. I guess you'll have to be quick though since shockingly, even this seemingly untouched spot has been invaded by tour groups marching through. Still, how lovely that you enjoyed its peace.
Magical Mystery Tour Erin and Sean, Thank you for taking us on your trip. You both write in such a visually appealing way I feel like I am in china beside you. Plus I love the Intrinsic Wellness site.....it sounds so inviting, who could resist such a peaceful retreat See you soon. Carol
Serendipity Hi you two! To say that your writings are captivating are an understatement. We were so thrilled at the end of your blog to read about your upcoming Hawaii adventure plans and Yoga Retreat on your 'my intrinsic wellness' web site. It doesn't surprise us in the least :) Aloha
What an adventure! Sean & Erin
We are honored to watch your adventure, nice to see your Hawaiian retreat is working out well based on the bookings!
Ron & Silvane
Hi Bob & Linda... thanks for the note! We too follow all of your posts and really liked the pictures from Plitvice Lakes National Park. It looks like a beautiful place to visit!
Guangzhou -v- Xingping I'm understanding more and more. As you live in Guangzhou I kinda get it how Xingping can pervade your soul. Having traveled in 16 provinces in China so far I am constantly amazed with its massive population how many places you can be alone in China...yet once alone how soon before someone stumbles along. Lots of such areas in Guangxi I'd expect. Must be somewhat surreal to be in Xingping and suddenly a tourist hoard following a tiny flag held aloft can dash the serenity.
So true Dave! Just like the difference you are seeing in the big American cities versus the plains of Arizona. It is always refreshing knowing that despite the concrete jungles that we become so accustomed to, there are still remote and beautiful places that challenge the self and rekindle the soul!
Cheers!
Sweet serendipity! Ah, the unexpected--the traveler's friend! How fantastic to have a AAAA river cruise and then visit a town without an ATM where you can hear your footsteps (in China yet!). How interesting to visit in 10 years and see the changes. Ah yes, we knew this place when....
Hi Tara,
Indeed, it is often the unexpected that brings the most pleasure to an adventure... there is only so much one can plan in life; it is the unplanned that really builds the momentum of a memory!
Cheers!
Progress Bullet train to Guilin...digs in Xingping instead of Yangshou...China continues to get smaller. But the best bits are you are tasting life on tracks off the main road which is the China only the adventurous dare discover...albeit by mistake! One day I may blog our adventures in Guangxi so others can see how in only a handful of years the experience can change...but does not have to. Enjoy Xingping.
Would love to... ...see your blogs about your adventures in Guangxi one day Dave! If you do post them, please let us know as it would be interesting to compare how things have changed since you have been there! Talk soon and be well:)
I will always cherish those things that are so much a part of me The penny drops...your's is but a short sojourn in China. I understand conversation...the American who ran to us in Zigong not having had a Westerner to talk to in months; pollution...my absolute surprise when I saw traces of blue sky one spring on about my third trip to Xian...and blue sky in Shanghai one winter's day. I vouch you will miss the food in China as you tuck into your Canadian steaks...but you will not miss the ultimate...the knowledge you have come home. In the meantime may your silent friends continue to be good company!
Please don't let th bloggin stop -- I am really going to miss the blogs, so pleaaaaaaseee consider keeping them up when back. Insightful topics to get you going: 1) Deep observation of reportedly Machiavellian shopping decisions at the Safeway grocery strore, 3) best strategic territory grabs among primates at my favorite Starbucks, as well as how to drive on small airport strips -- All should fit beautifully with your wonderful writing styles.
home soon..... interesting reading..I have loved the Chinese and Japanese culture since I was young. After only two trips to China and one to Japan ..two to Singapore.....I still love the EAST..but oh yes....come home soon and enjoy all that your own culture has to offer....love and hugs from us both.
Hey Jeff,
Good to hear from you! It will be nice to sit down and share stories of the past year! As for Einstein, he doesn't say much, but when he does, it is usually worth listening to :)
Cheers!
14 weeks I have so enjoyed reading both of your blog posts I too am looking forward to your return. I am looking forward to actually being able to see and talk to you both. Enjoy the last weeks of your adventure and see you soon!
Feminism You must have some interesting conversations in your class! The joy of teaching is to ask the questions that lead to research and introspection which creates knowledge and not just opinions. I know you are a fabulous teacher because you listen and ask! Miss you!!
Feminism equals? Different in the West to the East (at least in China) you say Erin. I think I should look up what Confucius said. I have a book of his ancient perspectives somewhere.
It's the weirdest thing... ...that somewhere along the way, (I think it was during the cultural revolution) the Chinese have become completely separated from the ideas of Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. I find that whenever I make reference to or use any Eastern philosophical quotes, my students react like they are hearing it for the first time.
I agree... there is a marked difference in how feminism is playing out here...will be interesting to see how the old cultural norms mend and shape over time...
Interesting! How interesting! I wonder what led the student who made the original statement to make that statement. It seems that this is clearly an issue all over the world however it also seems that the idea between equal rights AND responsibilities doesn't always go hand in hand. Let me know what happened with the rest of that discussion if it continued next class. I am intrigued ?
They always throw... ...these controversial/ philosophical topics at me...in some form or another. This week the introduction was pretty direct but I have covered everything from gay rights, to profit over people, the ME generation, to the meaning of life with them. I think it is because either: their Chinese teachers do not allow or do not engage them in these types of conversations or the students are simply looking for a western perspective. More often than not, they tend to be a little ADD with me...I am sure that something else will pop up next week!!! (Although I am going to ask them if they looked up the term womanism)
In our efforts to search for a greater quality of life, we decided to track our adventures using the theme "Where Did the 'Real' Go?"
But before we begin, we want to take a moment to give you a quick idea of who we are...
Erin, a free-spirited homeopathic practitioner, spent much of her life growing up in the ranch lands of Alberta, Canada where she earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Alberta. It was not long after, however, that she knew that she was not interested in the conventional life that she saw so many others conform to and soon after found herself alone in China w... full info
taracloud
Tara Cloud
A treasure hunt
Having found serene, uncrowded Xingping, a bit by accident as I remember from your last blog, I wonder if you'll be on the lookout for more of these frog-and cricket-serenaded parts of crowded China. I guess you'll have to be quick though since shockingly, even this seemingly untouched spot has been invaded by tour groups marching through. Still, how lovely that you enjoyed its peace.