On to Wutai
Wu TaiShan (Five Mountains) is an important Buddhist religious site west of Beijing. It is in the mountainous northern part of the Shanxi province, about 200 miles from Beijing. Buddhist make pilgrimages to Wu Tai in which Manjusri, the bodhisattva, think saint, of Wisdom resides. Wu Tai Shan encompasses the Chinese appreciation of nature, the mysticism of mountains and the addition of a Buddhist realm. About 200 miles from Beijing, a city of over 20 million, Disney couldn’t have done better to create this site.
Prince Gong's Castle-Beijing Site
Built during the Qing Dynasty, about 1777 as the private residence of Heshan who had an extremely rapid rise up the Civil Service ladder. He had acquired great wealth, as well as many enemies. When the Qing Emperor Qianlong (1736 – 1796) died his successor Jiaqing (1796-1820) had Heshan executed. The residence passed along to other hands and during the reign of Emperor Xianfeng (1851-1862) ownership was transferred to Prince Gong.
Tesla - X: Auto as Performance Art
In Beijing, the land of conspicuous consumerism, I was introduced to the Tesla-X. The prominent tri-star of the M-B, Benzes if you need prompting, is understood as symbol of having made it, the thunderbird logo “T” of Tesla is rare. The cachet of owning and displaying this auto will achieve the silent envy of those munchkins measuring. In a nation where the gold interlocking CC’s of fake Chanel are a very weak signal of success, and the tri star of the Benz has become more common the “T” is still a rarity and not yet copied. As a potential measure of my host’s attempt to disprove their class conscious symbol, the car was in a non-descript, KGB, black. Suitable to prove they were not attempting a conspicuous display of wealth. I am not convinced, but then, I tend to be a skeptic about good intentions. Still, consider that the “X” of the name refers to excess.
Studying Chinese in Beijing
“Stretch your body : Expand your mind.” It is the tag. It is my mantra. Keep improving, physically and mentally.
First order on arrival in China are Chinese Lessons with Margaret at Mandarin Zone, her school near the Tuanjiehu station on line 10 in Beijing. It has been more than two years since my first lesson with her. Now about six years of study. What I do not have in intellect I compensate with stubbornness and determination. Can’t say it’s been an easy process, but fortunately people like Margaret and my first teacher Xin, have stuck with me.
On to Beijing - 2019
At LAXearly. Not going to duplicateyesterday’s error.
The flight is nearly full, the nearly, fortunately, was the seat adjacent to me.
I quickly realized the effect of the time of departure on my sleep habit on the long flight. Leaving at 6 AM or so from Boston requires early wake up. Sleeping aboard is easy. Leaving after midnight, as I did recently to Hong Kong is a natural time to sleep. At 10 AM departure, I am well rested and alert and not disposed to nap. Well, lots of reading.
Amazing: How do they fly?
Just a few molecules of air between top and bottom and voila. They can fly, amazing. Can they get some more exciting graphics?
China 2019 – Once Again
An inauspicious start. Short form, I missed my flight. Did I not get modern technology quite right, or do I need to slow down.
Thought I had scheduled a car pick up (Bless them, Uber) at 4:30 but no one came so scrambled and finally got a car at 5 AM. Still time to get to the 6:24 flight, but alas, really damn, a major accident on 93 delayed me further. At the airport check-in; less than one hour to departure they do not accept luggage. Redirected to a later flight through LA and a connection on Saturday. One day delay. More on the implications of this redirect later.
China Travel 2018 - A Second Try
October, 2017 my trek to Mogao Caves was suddenly shortened to return to the US. JoAnn had broken her leg and I returned to take care of her. I was in Beijing at the time, and packed and returned to the US. Training at Mogao was postponed. They were very kind and accommodating to postpone at the last minute and I was not certain we could reschedule the training. Fortunately they kindly rescheduled and so I am again leaving for China for five weeks in Mogao working with the English speaking guides.
China 2017 - A New Adventure Begins
Modern Technology Makes Travel Almost Easy Slightly prior to the one year anniversary of last year’s trip I am off to China again. This time, JoAnn has her own agenda and is not accompanying me. It has been a fortunate coincidence that my retirement was last Friday, Sept 29 and I the trip to China was planned to start on Tuesday Oct 2nd.
I was invited by the Dunhuang Academy to spend a month at Mogao working on the cave presentations with the English Speaking Guides.
Bingling Si
Leaving Xiahe, we drive to take a boat to Bingling Si. The caves which are on the Yellow River have been partially flooded due to a dam built across the Yellow river creating a large lake. Our guide Lydia knew of a dock closer to the temple that wold make shorter boat ride and lower cost. To find it, we had to navigate an unpaved, rutted dirt road off the main road.
Beijing Subway - Contagion of Courtesy
Courtesy – An Infection. Beijing subway travel during rush hour is a numbing experience. Within two weeks of morning rush hour travel I too have become personally desensitized to the discomforts of the train. It is a torture you endure until you are released onto your destination. I sense from the running of many on the street that the discomforts of the train are only the beginning of the daily grind and that the race to work may indicate indignant bosses carefully watching the clock.
Beijing Traffic - Bikes, YIKES
What was I thinking when I decided to borrow a bicycle for a ride on Saturday afternoon.YIKES.If women readers need confirmation that men don’t always think things through, this story is a confirmation that they are correct.
China Dichotomy - The Subway
My Chinese friends have always argued that my perception of Chinese courtesy was wrong. “They are nice to you because you are American.” It is hard to believe and reconcile my personal experience of continued kindness and courtesy by strangers with the native belief that Chinese are not nice.
Luoyang
Luoyang and Longmen Grottoes Longmen Grotto in Luoyang is one of the four major Grottoes in China.We have visited two already, Mogao in Dunhuang and Maiji Shan near Tianshui. Unfortunately, on this trip we will miss Yungang Grottoes in Datong. Which gives us an excuse to visit again.
