Destination: China

Xuanwu

Wed, 28 May 2008 | By avant-garde_chauvintist | Views [552]

Mario and I decided that we needed an excuse to stop watching movies and go see more of this city.  The plan: meet at a subway between our apartments and explore the Muslim area of the city.  It's called Xuanwu.  It has a mosque, Chinese food cooked ... Read more >

Shanghai

Tue, 27 May 2008 | By eri | Views [574] | Comments [1]

Arrived first thing in the morning, after sailing a couple of hours down the river, making way between clusters of coal carrying barges.  Everything shrouded in fog haze - just like Stephen Speilberg had got there first to 'authenticate' the river scenery.... Read more >

Mascara

Tue, 27 May 2008 | By avant-garde_chauvintist | Views [679] | Comments [1]

I wore it today.  For the first time even, I wore the slightest bit of make up to class.  I also wore my glasses.  I was feeling feisty, I guess. My first class used to be my favorite.  Class 2.  Lots of good English-speakers.  A few funny students.... Read more >

University life

Mon, 26 May 2008 | By avant-garde_chauvintist | Views [592]

I had another planning session with Kiri today.  This time, I cooked.  I decided that since this was probably our last planning session, I'd pay her back for all her hospitality and good meals throughout the semester.  I made lettuce wraps (I got the ... Read more >

Fighting Quake Lakes

Mon, 26 May 2008 | By williamwong | Views [896]

As the quake has shaked the big stones off from the mountains, the stones jam the drainage of rain water between the mountains; such accumulation of water becomes lakes threatening the low places where the refugee settles now. The government is taking ... Read more >

Another leisurely weekend

Sun, 25 May 2008 | By avant-garde_chauvintist | Views [514]

I slept in on Saturday and Sunday.  I planned classes, played on the internet, washed clothes, watched movies.   I met friends for coffee, grocery shopped, and watched "Friends" dvds.  I've also got a pile of clothes, knick-knacks, and other ... Read more >

UN Conciliation - Ban Kimoon

Sun, 25 May 2008 | By williamwong | Views [903]

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday extended gratitude to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the United Nations' support and help for China's quake relief. Wen briefed Ban on China's quake relief efforts, saying China will carry out ... Read more >

Facts and Figures Report - Death Toll 60,560

Sat, 24 May 2008 | By williamwong | Views [926]

Following are the latest facts and figures about the massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake that rocked southwest China's Sichuan Province on May 12: The death toll from the quake rose to 60,560 nationwide as of Saturday noon, while 352,290 people were injured ... Read more >

Still in Hanoi

Sat, 24 May 2008 | By magdef | Views [1125]

I was planning on taking the night train to Hue last night and spending the day in Hue today, but after walking out onto the streets of Hanoi on Friday night, I immediately changed my mind and decided to see what the night life is like here.  I've still ... Read more >

Tags: accident, drunk driving, hanoi

Gallery: Kunming

Sat, 24 May 2008 | By magdef | Photo Gallery

The Bucket List

Sat, 24 May 2008 | By travelheart24 | Views [1206] | Comments [2]

This entire trip turned out to be one big birthday party! What a classic trip, to have a bunch of oldies for passengers and yet we had fun everywhere we went :-)   Between the 8 oldies (and 4 youngers) we had 3 birthdays on a 12 day trip!   Good times.... Read more >

Tags: oldies but goodies!

55,740 Heartbreaking Number

Fri, 23 May 2008 | By williamwong | Views [891]

China has officially reported the death of the quake 55,740 today. What a heartbreaking number! 55,740 people, if they form a town, it will be a thriving town; if they lie on the road, it can be 10km long; they are from at least 20,000 families; their ... Read more >

Gallery: Ghost City, Xinjiang

Fri, 23 May 2008 | By bodiekern | Photo Gallery

Coach bags and silk wallets

Fri, 23 May 2008 | By avant-garde_chauvintist | Views [1484]

I had plans to meet Mario and Ilan at a clothing market after class, but I fell asleep and they had already left.  I went anyway because for the past six months or so I've been trying to get there to buy my aunt a fake Coach bag and my mom ten of these ... Read more >

God of sex

Thu, 22 May 2008 | By avant-garde_chauvintist | Views [917]

I gave my students a group project.  They got into their groups, and I just kind of wandered around checking their work and answering their questions.  I let them choose their groups.  Chinese have a weird phobia of the opposite sex, so almost all ... Read more >