When you hear the word “China” all types of exotic images run through my mind. For me, words like “busy,” “crowded,” and “ancient” pop in mind as well.
I took this photo of one of the canals in the Forbidden City as soon as the ticket booth opened. There were people around, and they were beginning to enter by droves, but I was able to capture an almost empty and serene scene.
Beijing is a fascinating place, full of food, people, and customs so unlike those in the western world. I’ve been there a number of times, and each [...]
Continue reading Reflection #567 – Forbidden City
Traveling gives you the opportunity to get a glimpse into somebody else’s life.
I’m fascinated by homes around the world. You can tell a lot by a person’s home, and front yard for that matter.
Therefore, I’ve compiled ten photos of front yards from around the world. What can we glean from them?
This first house was the house Jim and I owned in Alaska. Alaska front yards contain a lot of snow, and usually the machines and tools that help you remove the snow or at least a couple of four wheel drives to get you up that [...]
Continue reading Front Yards From Around the World
Ornated tiles adorn this Chinese roof.
I love the colorful tiles that you find on many Chinese roofs. They are so ornate. There are beautifully molded roof tiles in many Asian countries, and all have their own distinct flavor. The Chinese roof tiles are very elaborate. Some of them seem to tell a story, and others are gods or warnings against evil-doers. It pays to look up!
This photo was taken in Xian, China. After visiting the Xian Terra Cotta Warriors, and the Drum Tower, and the city wall, the mosque in the Muslim section of the town is [...]
Continue reading Reflection #504 – Chinese Roof Tiles
In a Chinese Taoist temple in Chengdu, this woman puttered and cleaned, organized and arranged, tsk-tsked and grunted, and straightened up these joss sticks. I don’t know if she was a nun or a very devout and faithful caretaker, but I found such peace in watching her take care of her domain. She shuffled about, never stopping, always with a distinct purpose for the full 30 minutes or so I was there. I sat and watched. Sat and watched. I love getting a glimpse into someone else’s life, their purpose, their joy. It’s very comforting. It’s one of the [...]
Continue reading Reflection #480 – Chinese Taoist Temple Joss Sticks
I know, I’m the cheesiest of cheesy when it comes to folklore, folkdances…even Chinese Opera. Stopping over in Chengdu, China before heading to Lhasa, Tibet, we were offered the chance to see the local show. I love this stuff! It’s a chance while you’re out on the road to kick back and take a look into the culture of the place. It’s very difficult, although not impossible, to find performances of folk dances, that aren’t geared to tourists. They are reserved for certain festivals, or special events which as a traveler you may not be around for, so why [...]
Continue reading Chinese Opera – Chengdu Folklore Show
…or somebody’s got to do it!
Here’s Devon and me getting ready to go experience a 2,000 year old bath in northern Tunisia.
I’m turning 50 years old today. Wow! 50! It seems old, but I don’t feel old. It has given me time to think about my life…a little reflection, I guess. I wouldn’t trade my life with anyone. I’m so grateful for the decisions I’ve made, the opportunities I’ve taken, the experiences I’ve had. There’s no way I could categorize my experiences into the “Top 10″ or “the Best Of”. Do I think I’m lucky? Not really. [...]
Continue reading It’s a Great Life!
The Great Wall of China. I’m currently reading the book, 1421, and enjoying it immensely. China is just one of those places that reeks of ancient wisdom and aesthetics. I feel this gatehouse with the dragonflies buzzing around it, epitomizes that feeling of wonder and awe.
This is one of my favorite shots from Xian, China. I even used this portrait as the cover of my bood, “Eyes on Asia.” Of course, he didn’t speak one word of English and my three Mandarin phrases didn’t really help us to have a vibrant conversation, but he happily let me into his yard to photograph his cow and him.
A day trip from Xian, China is the site of the famous Terra Cotta Warriors. It’s amazing how you can tell it’s a tourist spot with all the vendors outside of the ticket booths. Inside the complex there are three pavilions filled with trenches. In some of the trenches there still stands some of the warriors, but many of them have been moved to showcases or museums. The idea that an emperor would have a full terra cotta army made is what makes this site so magical. I enjoyed looking at the different weapons, the carts, and even [...]
Continue reading World Heritage Site China – Xian Warriors
I have no idea what these Chinese men are playing, but they sure are engaged in it. I love a good board game. I would love to travel and collect different games and learn how to play them from around the world, but I would say this is much more difficult that you might think. A few months ago, we were trying to teach some friends (Turkish) to play Mexican Train dominoes. Between our stilted Turkish, and their relatively good English, it took us quite some time just to get the basics down, let alone any strategy or intricate [...]
Continue reading Playing Games
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