Mandarin v. Cantonese Amber - actually I tried to learn a phrase or two in Mandarin back when my college roommate was taking it. I can say "You are my friend," but that's about all. Cantonese is apparently very different from Mandarin (that's what they speak in Hong Kong), but they're both tonal language, which I find amazingly difficult. I haven't heard Fluenz before - I may have to check it out since I want to learn Spanish
Not sure which frightens me more- the guy's hat or his makeup? I thought the ladies looked beautiful, though far too made up.
If you ever want to learn Mandarin, I highly recommend Fluenz. It's brand new and pretty pricey, but the best language-learning program I've ever used. They have a demo lesson online that I did and it was fun!
So at last I see why you wanted to make this trip. This temple while really out of the way and perhaps relatively new compared to many, makes the trip special. Those 12,800 buddhas will be a lifetime memory. Enjoy!!!
Vegetarian??? Since we all know how much you do not love any kind of fish, is your new interest in eating vegetarian to avoid unknown meat or fish (shrimp crunchies aside)? Good plan!!!! May have to readjust when you return to the red meat eating state of Texas.
I knew that! I actually found it independently before I saw Ken's answer! But for awhile I thought I was going to have to crop someone else's picture from the market to show just the Chinese name on the label.
Dragon Fruit Dragon Fruit
BTW...a google search of "strange fruit" gets some interesting results!
Yes, I cheated. Make to post card out to Jack and Kate.
And You Call Yourself My Best Friend??? ;) How can you not know about my bird phobia, Girl??????? I HATE the darn things, they are flying rats!
Hm, but then again I didn't know about the cockroach thing. Then again, that's probably something that MOST people hate.
Really, REALLY Idiot Proof It was super-duper easy, everything is in English, too, and very efficient. I mean, I was battling MAJOR jet lag and managed to figure it out....
Am steering clear of Kahlua in attempt to detox after two weddings and a reunion.
so.... how idiot proof is it really? uber uber idiot proof for us scaredy cats or just enough for those not used to other cultures? btw- how was the kahlua?
hmm.... ...amber's too smart to be your friend. or maybe she's just to smart to be my friend...maybe that's it. nevertheless, explain this irrational fear of birds again....i'm not getting it. perhaps that's my irrational fear of cockroaches coming out and negating the birds. come again????? you're not scared of much woman. what is this about birds..the creatures that never seem to be around??? que???
Sweet! Thank you, Amber! I will noW walk up to the next person I see admiring and orchid and tell them all about it's sepals and symmetry. However, if they have any follow-up questions, I will have to run out of the room, shoot you and e-mail, then rush back with the answers! Seriously, though, that is good to know. You would have loved the flowers, they were really beautiful.
hahaha--i know myself well enough not to keep booze in the house. There's some unopened Baileys and Kahlua a friend gave me ages ago when she moved outta town, so feel free to bust those open if you get desperate!
You can identify an orchid by several things. From what I remember, a few of the most notable traits of orchids: they have three sepals (the "petals" you see on the outside of a bud) and three petals, one of which (the "lip") is very different from the others. Orchids are also symmetrical so if you fold it in half like closing a book, both sides are the same. Probably more than you care to know about orchids, but now you can fake having knowledge of botany while you're there. I don't know how rare your orchid in the photo is, but it sure is beautiful.
I love birds, any animal actually, and funky architecture, so please post more pictures! Looks like you're having a great time!
HAHAHAHAHA!!! I was so relieved that you got into town okay....however I now LOVE this blog thanks to "P.S. and where do you keep your vodka?"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to see the many more entries to come over your journies! Bring 'em on!
My name is Becky, and I'm a travelin' Texan who has been living in Europe for the past seven years working for the US Air Force. I've spent a lot of time in Africa & the Middle East (sorry, that was a long time ago, so no blogs), recently traveled to Southeast Asia, and have a ton more trips planned in the future.
Please enjoy reading my blog.
You'll find out very quickly that I am a bit of a smart-as*, but I am also very straight-forward, honest (no sugar-coating here), adventurous, and I can offer you good practical travel advice from time to time.
I'll be hosting competitions, and... full info
Sandi
non-member comment
Whew!
After listening as long as I could, I concluded you did the right thing. Your blog is great! Thanks.