China Blog 2011
Traveling for 2 1/2 weeks with good friends on a HEE Travel tour, I got to experience China in 2011. It was 24 years after I taught there in 1987. You'll find entries here from Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Zhangjiajie--an incredible new tourist location. After the others left, I stayed another two weeks traveling to Guilin, where I had not gotten to go in 1987, to Xi'an where I had taught back then, and finally to Dunhuang, way out in the Gobi Desert to experience ancient art at its best. Enjoy!
Merry Christmas, 2011
12/25/11
Merry Christmas, 2011. A photograph of Beijing Christmas snow, from the warm comforts of home in Georgia! ...more
Homeward Bound!
11/30/11
Just off a 22-hour train ride from Dunhuang in the Gobi Desert, EAST to Xi'an. All travels head home now! ...more
Nirvana in the Oasis: Dunhuang
11/25/11
I've found Nirvana in the Gobi Desert! After being woozy with some bug through a 22-hour train ride from Xi'an to Dunhuang, I fell into the capable arms of local guide, Adam. He diagnosed my needs and took me to Oasis Cafe for pizza! and a milkshake! And then...a massage! Perfection! ...more
Xian: 1987 and 2011
11/23/11
Two entries today, so you'll want to skim down to Guilin entry as well maybe. Xi'an had been a visit in time for me. Not just historically, but personally. ...more
Guilin...and IPad is DEAD
11/23/11
Hello dear friends, I'm lost in Xi'an without an Ipad. It finally totally died. So I'm writing from hotels for $.25/minute. You'll hear less as a result, but I'm keeping a written journal and will post more blogs with photos later. ...more
Zhangjiejia: Totally WOW
11/13/11
Paradise meets Avatar meets an Olympics levels production! ...more
Suzhou, the Modern China
11/11/11
Life in the new China is improving...both for me and at least for a lot of Chinese. Below I ask: are we in Oz, Wonderland, or a sci fi novel. ...more
Blind Person Massage and Pedicure
11/10/11
A favorite sign seen on Nanjing street building, "Blind Person Massage and Pedicure.". Gotta love these translations! ...more
Ups and Downs...
11/7/11
I am learning so much about myself as a traveler! We're not in Scotland any more, my dear! Traveling with a group, bus rides, 12-hour days.... Ah for freedom, speaking the language, the leisure same bed every night. So a bit of self-analysis tonight. ...more
Shopping Beijing
11/2/11
From high class (name a designer and they are here) to low at the swarming Silk Market ("shoes, lady, best price, lady"), to a walmart-like grocery selling everything in the world, Barbara and I got to know Chinese as consumers today. ...more
From Beijing!
11/1/11
We had an easy 12 hour flight from Detroit. Nearly empty plane meant I skipped my comfort economy seat in trade for a whole row to lie down in! With a good 1/2 an Ambien I slept at least 8 hours, with water drinking wake ups every couple hours. ...more
What I'll be reading in China
10/29/11
I-Pad packed, now what to read for nearly five weeks of travel in China? Here's what I've chosen. ...more
Sally Ross Travels China
10/25/11
In 1987, I taught at Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an for four months. I’m thrilled to be returning to the new China, after 24 years of incredible change. ...more