tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20073026016277413202023-11-16T14:08:51.799-05:00Exploring Women's BodiesAn artist painting bodies of every shape, size, age, and race. Follow her journey as she discovers the beauty in every woman.Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.comBlogger587125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-29034127798150229682013-12-07T23:56:00.000-05:002013-12-07T23:56:23.555-05:00Patterns, patterns everywhere!<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH2YRFYqeVvVW3Ukb2Gb8r38w8q9tgCW-gCR7upz_EQvTR8iqZEttdDNXAekouD_TjbV-_8etyb_WxHYGxYZI2MFCi1WUwI-z-6po0qqOhnFQ80ZIC5DMXoJZGn0XoNOX7iBJVNhnHDyc/s1600/o-PAUL-KLEE-BIRTHDAY-facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPH2YRFYqeVvVW3Ukb2Gb8r38w8q9tgCW-gCR7upz_EQvTR8iqZEttdDNXAekouD_TjbV-_8etyb_WxHYGxYZI2MFCi1WUwI-z-6po0qqOhnFQ80ZIC5DMXoJZGn0XoNOX7iBJVNhnHDyc/s200/o-PAUL-KLEE-BIRTHDAY-facebook.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Klee</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The last few months I've been working patterns. Up until this time, I'd only played with patterns, done small ones, felt like they were insignificant and/or not completely worthwhile - I should be doing "real" art instead. I don't know where I got the message that patterns aren't as important as realistic art. There are many famous artists who have worked with patterns, some almost exclusively. Paul Klee is a good example. He worked extensively to analyze color and shapes and patterns and taught those subjects at the Bauhaus School in Germany. Lots of other artists have played with pattern as well including Mondrian and Gustav Klimt. I have always been drawn to this type of work and have always created patterns and doodles of my own. When my friend Linda Hollett told me about Zentangles a few years ago, I felt like I'd come home. <br />
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The folks who created Zentangles describe them as the following:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>The Zentangle Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.</i><br /><i></i><br />
<i>Almost
anyone can use it to create beautiful images. It increases focus and
creativity, provides artistic satisfaction along with an increased sense
of personal well being. The Zentangle Method is enjoyed all over this
world across a wide range of skills, interests and ages.</i><br />
<i>We believe that life is an art form and that our Zentangle Method is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life.</i></blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_u4UAgVJwA0rnVSLDqjpm3ZAqeKQUyfKLy-guhwwYNRJ7fmJuCccGRwwaLnh3BSwRkY8ntzrWrvt7RQvqtk1Gzl0oKd-yMxnyIleohaWn83akW6xEUiFkwdM7Oax0klkH53rqTN9Gtmb/s1600/Zendoodle11+(636x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_u4UAgVJwA0rnVSLDqjpm3ZAqeKQUyfKLy-guhwwYNRJ7fmJuCccGRwwaLnh3BSwRkY8ntzrWrvt7RQvqtk1Gzl0oKd-yMxnyIleohaWn83akW6xEUiFkwdM7Oax0klkH53rqTN9Gtmb/s200/Zendoodle11+(636x640).jpg" width="198" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cfsmfsQXHhkDw5xvFSD-HQ6UKHrcuat82LiyGAmgjjOMufHrk34bVV9LOmxD5WCFZwDLtuoICwYtAKvaOMfRx0gnd6Kd0DTebi7y26vS3d9ek3w1uw7fkVd4_ZrXxXP4hejMQJSxc6eo/s1600/Zendoodle2+(429x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cfsmfsQXHhkDw5xvFSD-HQ6UKHrcuat82LiyGAmgjjOMufHrk34bVV9LOmxD5WCFZwDLtuoICwYtAKvaOMfRx0gnd6Kd0DTebi7y26vS3d9ek3w1uw7fkVd4_ZrXxXP4hejMQJSxc6eo/s200/Zendoodle2+(429x640).jpg" width="133" /></a>When I learned about them, I started filling 6"x9" notebooks full of my own Zentangles which I have started to call Zendoodles. I teach <a href="http://www.susansinger.com/#!class-offerings/vstc10=doodles" target="_blank">classes </a>about them at <a href="http://www.visarts.org/">www.visarts.org</a> as well as at my studio. Here are a couple of my earlier ones...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lSVK80pvWrc3bn4Fh-paqFhETNKgxEAE4U2cNYOjOLgi_7GWWC8YFLbyzsKZX0Fl2HWE9VGh6qR6EmWqSwZruxZ-AT78cdzVUBRUwdpBLNru9_bnROVw8uiAuYPyzBzSVPRtxHteBrrE/s1600/IMG_1198+(640x427).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lSVK80pvWrc3bn4Fh-paqFhETNKgxEAE4U2cNYOjOLgi_7GWWC8YFLbyzsKZX0Fl2HWE9VGh6qR6EmWqSwZruxZ-AT78cdzVUBRUwdpBLNru9_bnROVw8uiAuYPyzBzSVPRtxHteBrrE/s320/IMG_1198+(640x427).jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Recently I've been creating larger ones on 11"x14" Duralar, a type of translucent plastic paper that can be drawn on on both front and back. Here are some of those... (Sorry for the quality of the pictures. I photographed them with my iPad and cropped them there, but the crop didn't transfer.) These are done with Micron pens and color pencils which glow beautifully on Duralar.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt60otkSub9gAo9ZNM8mjahBW4KUqbionTJRMiUdApjUF0FlR6Iq7Oi_mPPOjp6qBgMALXs_EhEk8-atadANs2aoA3brdrQkJhndKQsC_F_xa_GwyEHfheoY4_GOfntc947R3AbNl26JW/s1600/zendoodle+rings+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmt60otkSub9gAo9ZNM8mjahBW4KUqbionTJRMiUdApjUF0FlR6Iq7Oi_mPPOjp6qBgMALXs_EhEk8-atadANs2aoA3brdrQkJhndKQsC_F_xa_GwyEHfheoY4_GOfntc947R3AbNl26JW/s320/zendoodle+rings+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringdoodles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZTPa5kw8fAyvp6hBUsJYwFP_gYfoYZWj_Kq5klGuzPejMmt-MR1edBRK0DNNWDKSJq7gJPbzmxHX25d1etRAnhXnD-10eR3sKyJJkBrnUfQ9pdnnFrGKFjzVJttYz1HSbfecQAbTRHVB/s1600/Zendoodle,+figure+drawing+combined.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZTPa5kw8fAyvp6hBUsJYwFP_gYfoYZWj_Kq5klGuzPejMmt-MR1edBRK0DNNWDKSJq7gJPbzmxHX25d1etRAnhXnD-10eR3sKyJJkBrnUfQ9pdnnFrGKFjzVJttYz1HSbfecQAbTRHVB/s320/Zendoodle,+figure+drawing+combined.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Figure Drawing 1st, Doodle 2nd</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71XENzTrgxas9cLvzKXDKLYb3Xml9Rs2uM6GdjeXYUThc5loyQTJD1fZTeTEFmUOXyOieUUktOFypFhPt4MeN9Qpa9d5jfyTQLTRLOxY3fYH-xjyk_L7EyPXgjiDCevnAGAJO3ydLxhDj/s1600/2013-11-21+14.26.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg71XENzTrgxas9cLvzKXDKLYb3Xml9Rs2uM6GdjeXYUThc5loyQTJD1fZTeTEFmUOXyOieUUktOFypFhPt4MeN9Qpa9d5jfyTQLTRLOxY3fYH-xjyk_L7EyPXgjiDCevnAGAJO3ydLxhDj/s400/2013-11-21+14.26.08.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flight of the Bumblebee</td></tr>
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I had such a wonderful time creating the Ringdoodles that I decided to create one that is much larger - 6'x10'! I had a piece of canvas I'd put up on the wall several months ago. I used it as a blow out piece and got all the mileage out of it I could so I decided to use it for this new piece. I spent 10 hours working on it today. (I've been busy with Beyond Barbie this week and with finishing up a commission the weeks before that and hadn't had much time to paint, so I've had a great time painting non-stop today!)<br />
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I don't consider this piece finished yet, but I made a lot of good progress today. The background was already done. I've just put in the rings today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_JVz7r0cutOHzfhl9VuNIkccPtDkbSGRKHd-CyWAVWOqZyVHac1F0KDVvr4Un6d6FYE1Tp62-jmAheAQCKeTOrvdgITTAhTY4mcEYr5ZYGPR37xlDN9OQKpnESWlcXaHYkcAS2sbSMR5/s1600/artwork+-+ring+doodle+painting%252C+Zendoodle+001+Stitch+%2528640x425%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_JVz7r0cutOHzfhl9VuNIkccPtDkbSGRKHd-CyWAVWOqZyVHac1F0KDVvr4Un6d6FYE1Tp62-jmAheAQCKeTOrvdgITTAhTY4mcEYr5ZYGPR37xlDN9OQKpnESWlcXaHYkcAS2sbSMR5/s400/artwork+-+ring+doodle+painting%252C+Zendoodle+001+Stitch+%2528640x425%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">computer-generate image that stitched all my photos together.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav9uZFRdndZiesc4zdjpHjOd07OTrK9MEAGBa3g2MnNsUftvIm8uNBgfWyg4lGW5OJuJq0bh0KBaUKoVEgcJdkJ52ZRMIK9kYPoKZT-VYDsltLd6BHUbnXgVjySaBtkJ-qOhRtTkddspm/s1600/artwork+-+ring+doodle+painting%252C+Zendoodle+005+%2528640x427%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiav9uZFRdndZiesc4zdjpHjOd07OTrK9MEAGBa3g2MnNsUftvIm8uNBgfWyg4lGW5OJuJq0bh0KBaUKoVEgcJdkJ52ZRMIK9kYPoKZT-VYDsltLd6BHUbnXgVjySaBtkJ-qOhRtTkddspm/s320/artwork+-+ring+doodle+painting%252C+Zendoodle+005+%2528640x427%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-F_ihw2Vxu7vS9V_G2lhJD1zdOin_xj77hvFb_B-jVuq9GfdMitSLaLmVVFNQp-fR_w_mjZit6h1Gitr4PNQXwDFYIx430k_7KD6x0b5Yo1dOxGDP-a5X-pSnjl0cXr4_tzK5-QSBvV-/s1600/artwork+-+ring+doodle+painting,+Zendoodle+003+(427x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-F_ihw2Vxu7vS9V_G2lhJD1zdOin_xj77hvFb_B-jVuq9GfdMitSLaLmVVFNQp-fR_w_mjZit6h1Gitr4PNQXwDFYIx430k_7KD6x0b5Yo1dOxGDP-a5X-pSnjl0cXr4_tzK5-QSBvV-/s200/artwork+-+ring+doodle+painting,+Zendoodle+003+(427x640).jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IId4igqWaTDGWa9uavfdFuW-Ke4-QCFbxfV8GZpZiHzGY3pldGUDVDy_XH-aJvL-qkP9ene0P0gehwtIKwTIrmfmyJMZBcg1GYd9_jJxmv0kpDKsL3aX52_ErDPNIyn_ngSf6tWfRh5l/s1600/artwork+-+ring+doodle+painting,+Zendoodle+007+(640x427).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IId4igqWaTDGWa9uavfdFuW-Ke4-QCFbxfV8GZpZiHzGY3pldGUDVDy_XH-aJvL-qkP9ene0P0gehwtIKwTIrmfmyJMZBcg1GYd9_jJxmv0kpDKsL3aX52_ErDPNIyn_ngSf6tWfRh5l/s200/artwork+-+ring+doodle+painting,+Zendoodle+007+(640x427).jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail</td></tr>
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<br />Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-48232336315331830642013-12-06T11:23:00.004-05:002013-12-06T11:23:54.886-05:00Launching a NEW BEYOND BARBIE!! Finally!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ06_Q8OFw1yy5n0pJwxNgB6gbvVT3T4LAoXXEXatJRv6OtdH4A6oRH3YR9tW4qxs5DyLVp_nA7r1srk-d7RynK96FvOKz5JNBC0O2IHh1i3PgMGxWSuohT5nrgYKSsFWGHHy5MNFH_wg/s1600/Logo+for+Beyond+Barbie+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZ06_Q8OFw1yy5n0pJwxNgB6gbvVT3T4LAoXXEXatJRv6OtdH4A6oRH3YR9tW4qxs5DyLVp_nA7r1srk-d7RynK96FvOKz5JNBC0O2IHh1i3PgMGxWSuohT5nrgYKSsFWGHHy5MNFH_wg/s320/Logo+for+Beyond+Barbie+web.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">We've decided to launch a new <b>Beyond Barbie</b> in 2014. We have great momentum for it so far! Our topics are wide-ranging, diverse, and
potentially controversial, but that's what makes this series so
fantastic - we can broach difficult topics in ways that bridge gaps,
increase understanding, educate, and create empathy. <br /><br />If you're interested in taking part and/or want more detailed information about the first meeting, contact me and I'll send you the document.<br /><br /><u>Intention of Beyond Barbie</u>
- We are a group of women who've decided to let our lights shine. We
want to inspire, empower, educate, and entertain the community and help
other women access their own power so they can move out and change the
world for the better too!<br /><br /><u>Next meeting</u>: Fri, Dec 13th, 6:30 PM. Send me a message and I'll let you know where it'll be.<br /><u><br />Potential topics for the evenings and who's agreed to lead that evening:</u>1. <span style="color: #8c0095;">The Gifts of Age/golden Girls/Celebrating the Crone</span> - we need a leader. Contact me if you're interested in leading or taking part.<br /><br />2. <span style="color: #8c0095;">Women in the Ministry/Women in the Pulpit/Women and Religion/Women and Spirituality</span> - Denise Bennett will be in charge. Contact her to take part, with ideas, to learn more. <br /><br />3. <span style="color: #8c0095;">The Importan</span><span style="color: #8c0095;">ce of Self Care and how hard it is to do and why - <span style="color: black;">we may have a leader, but I'm not sure. If you're interested, contact me. And please, someone, come up with a better title than I did!!</span></span><br /><br />4. <span style="color: #8c0095;">The Big O/Sex/Sensuality <span style="color: black;">- Dawn Flores will take this one on. Shelli Jost Brady will assist. But I'm sure they're willing to share the fun - contact Dawn to sign up!<br /><br />5. <span style="color: #8c0095;">Race/
Powerful Women of Color/The Experience of Being Black in RVA/ Pairing
Youth from the Projects with Successful Women of Color</span> - we need a leader for this evening. Contact me if you're interested in leading or in taking part.</span></span><br />6. <span style="color: #8c0095;">Women and Music - <span style="color: black;">Sylvia DeVoss is leading this eve</span><span style="color: black;">ning, and boy! is she on fire with ideas! She's already contacted many musicians to get them on board. Amazing</span><span style="color: black;">! Contact her to join the fun!</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">7. </span><span style="color: #8c0095; font-family: Arial;">Women
in Politics/Women and Power/Getting involved in Politics - how do I do
it? Why would I?/ The Great Divide - how can we bridge it?</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">
- we don't have anyone committed to take this on yet. Please get in
touch with me if you're interested in leading or participating.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">8. </span><span style="color: #8c0095; font-family: Arial;">The ERA</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> - why hasn't it passed yet? Why should it?</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">
- Eileen Davis will make sure this evening happens, though she needs
someone to do lots of the legwork. She'll provide ideas, speakers, etc,
but doesn't have time to pull it all together. Please contact her to
take part/ lead.</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">These
evenings are not set in stone, especially not the ones that don't have
leaders yet. If you have an idea you want to see happen, this is the
time to get in touch, to come to the meeting, to put your passion
forward and let us know what you want to present. If you want to take
part in one of the evenings, if you want to perform, if you want to help
with logistics, or if you don't know what you want to do and want to
hang out with amazing women doing amazing things, come join us! All are
welcome. We'll find a place for you no problem!</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Please
let me know if you have any questions or want to join the fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">See you soon, I hope! (Remember to RSVP if you can come to the meeting!)</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">Susan</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<![endif]--><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" target="_blank"></a></span>Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-77242434973536384042013-07-01T20:33:00.002-04:002013-07-01T20:33:59.580-04:00Painting my guts out - dare I show you how I really feel?I'm working on accessing the part of me that has free access to creativity and flow. It's not an easy place for me to find sometimes. I just went to see a coach today to help me find that place again. When I was doing Beyond Barbie, I was in the flow. When I was doing One Billion Rising and speaking in Paris, I was in the flow. I felt energized and excited and woke up each day knowing what I had to do and ready, willing, and able to do it.<br />
<br />
In between those events, I had periods that felt crappy and depressive. I haven't been able to find the flow. I've been stuck and blocked and depressed and I don't know what else. And I don't know why. What has helped me break through is having something to work on - as soon as I heard about One Billion Rising, I knew that was the next right thing. But I can't wait for someone else to come up with the next right thing. I have to be able to find my own thing that makes me feel like there's a great reason I'm alive - and working as an artist. I love feeling vital and excited and like I'm doing something that makes a good difference in people's lives. When I don't have that, UGH! <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbG2rnPnfCElelotJ6qIY3W6Sz9q7W2dfcodSl35YGfO1oLatfdYMI9dJdEhPZEWw-yJbWzIXSyZMZAnJ7zgjXsRvakhpbqKI3epClFQSa6aeTYeW848LRWjld9SCy8NY4wsxnokPAGKo/s1600/summer+garden+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbG2rnPnfCElelotJ6qIY3W6Sz9q7W2dfcodSl35YGfO1oLatfdYMI9dJdEhPZEWw-yJbWzIXSyZMZAnJ7zgjXsRvakhpbqKI3epClFQSa6aeTYeW848LRWjld9SCy8NY4wsxnokPAGKo/s320/summer+garden+web.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
A couple of weeks ago, I had an image of painting a huge painting - not of anything in particular - just throwing paint - literally - smearing whatever I wanted to for whatever reason I wanted. Chris helped me arrange the studio and staple a piece of canvas on the wall, 6'x10'. It stayed there a couple of days until I decided I simply had to approach it and see what came out. I woke up knowing I was supposed to paint a lily. I went to the store and bought a lily. I've written about that piece in a previous blog: <a href="http://susansingerart.blogspot.com/2013/06/living-large-painting-with-joy.html" target="_blank">http://susansingerart.blogspot.com/2013/06/living-large-painting-with-joy.html</a>.<br />
<br />
This past weekend, Chris and I re-arranged the living room and stapled the canvas to our wall in there so now I have the joy of seeing it each time I come down the stairs in the morning. I'm liking it!<br />
<br />
When we took that canvas down, Chris and I immediately stapled up a new one. I timidly tried to paint on it the next day. I couldn't think of anything to do. I didn't want to do the same thing and start a series of huge paintings of flowers - what the hell will I do with them if I do that? And besides, these are supposed to be blow-out pieces which are unpredictable - a place I allow myself to do whatever comes out.<br />
<br />
I tried to start like I started the other one - by painting the words "Fat, Juicy, Loose". I decorated them, made them pretty. The words trailed off. I stopped. I was completely bored.<br />
<br />
The canvas languished for several days. I asked a friend to come over to help. I talked about the issues, blah, blah, blah, about how I was blocked. Then, brilliantly, she asked me what the block looked like. I started to tell her, then I said, "I'll show you." I went over to the canvas and painted it. Then I painted through it, painted the energy flowing through me instead of being blocked. I put on gloves and smeared paint all over the canvas. I used up several tubes of paint. I scribbled and smeared and pressed into the wall and grunted and dipped and swirled and talked and laughed and moved with energy flowing through me. <br />
<br />
Suddenly the beeper went off. My friend had to leave. I told her I'd keep working and thanked her. When she left, I had no interest in painting more. I was done. I sat down and wrote.<br />
<br />
Sweating<br />
Exhausted and Elated<br />
Mud squirted from my senses<br />
corralled as art on canvas<br />
Cad red, cad yellow - bold bright<br />
eradicating deep dark purple, blocked, sludge<br />
Red pours through, my energy color<br />
Pours and pours and spurts and spreads<br />
Purple reasserts itself, travels through and back<br />
smeared from the front<br />
It's there. The dark is there, mixed with the rest<br />
but I want the Light, the power, the fresh, the new, the God.<br />
Come through me, God, and let me be with you.<br />
Let me be you. Let me express you.<br />
Burst forth from my heart, my mouth, my hands, my loins - explode and spread<br />
Energy released expressed<br />
two hands rolling, drawing, moving<br />
gloved hands smearing, pushing into the wall<br />
pushing against firm form flat and strong<br />
It can take me, all of me<br />
Energy bursting forth exceding its power.<br />
Gasping, I stop, collapse, breathe, wash, sweat, write, finish.<br />
Spent.<br />
<br />
<br />
That wore me out. The canvas stayed on the wall several days - I had no thoughts about what else I could do. Then today I worked with a creativity client and loved the suggestions I was giving her. I wish someone would give me similar suggestions and make me be accountable to her! And actually - today I started working with just such a person. I had that appointment at 2. When I left there I tried to find something to do - get my oil changed, go grocery shopping - whatever I could to distract myself from going home. Eventually I got home and came out to the studio. It is so hard to be out here sometimes. It's where I have to, if I let myself, face myself and my dark and my fears and my blocks. Painting is not easy. Doing <i>real</i> work is not easy. This is not a weeny career. It is much harder than anything else I've ever done.<br />
<br />
I started by working on an abstract piece I'm interested in, but I don't know why I'm interested in it. Or didn't. I figured it out later. It's a triangle, and what I worked with in the big piece was another sort of triangle - a relationship triangle - fascinating that I did it quiet and pretty and slow and gentle, then did it as I describe below - very differently. But the same stuff...<br />
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After doing that a while, I got tired of myself and tired of the discomfort I was feeling and realized that I could probably relieve it if I would just approach that same canvas and pile more stuff on top. I wrote the words I needed to write. Painting them huge, scrawled across the canvas released the emotion with the paint. More words came. I'd already painted one image on the canvas a few days ago. I painted a complementary one. They're private. I'm not ready to share what they were. I painted another image, on top of the writing, the flow, the scrawl, the red. Each stroke was a release, a vindication, a prayer, a promise, a tear, a fear, a choice, a bit of healing. <br />
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I can see the canvas from where I'm sitting. I don't know if I'll ever be able to share it. It would offend some people. Others would judge the images, judge the words, be put off by the harshness of it. Some would understand, I think. Most would feel the emotion behind it.<br />
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But what would they do with it? Could I really let others see what is so <i>real</i>, so completely <i>authentic</i>, so full of some of my deepest feelings? We all have pain and hardship in our lives. We make different choices about what to do with it. Some of us can share it with dear ones in a safe place. I am blessed to be able to do that with Chris, with excellent therapists, with dear and trusted friends. Some of us pass on the pain and suffering to others, unskillfully, because we don't have the skills/courage/ability to be aware of it and process it and heal and move on.<br />
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In our society, we tend to be afraid of emotions, especially strong, "bad" ones like anger and resentment - ones that cause people to act out in violent ways, primarily.<br />
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I don't know what people would think it they saw this work. Would they be triggered? Would they feel compassion? disgust? empathy? rage that I had the gall to paint it? I simply don't know. And right now I don't feel safe enough to share it except with Chris and perhaps a few trusted friends - but the wrong words said, even lovingly, could be hurtful. Clearly I'm not detached enough from it to share it. <br />
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Art is so potentially powerful. I can understand the Abstract Expressionists - they were able to get their feelings right out there on the canvas, but no one had to know what they were saying, because the images were abstract - think of Jackson Pollock. Very clever.<br />
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So... No resolution at this point! No deep clarity. Just process. No product here! I'm happy to be working. I'm curious about where this will lead, if anywhere. I'm thankful for the chance to feel and to express. And excited to get back in the studio tomorrow. A gift.Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-74313503796819716142013-06-12T13:37:00.000-04:002013-06-11T13:38:10.819-04:00China Wall painting is finished.<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEn4BP2pMR8M625zqZJq6mTfHbEA0nCCjvUAplRYUWp65pXdVG18e3-cRBO8U5gNnFD8-bdYdZvJ8d0-oiVWG2A8Hl7HEXfcq81zB2ciXbYm2NrZKMQwBHAvhP3LvQYMpYc7a6fBaWTB1/s1600/China+Wall,+cropped+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEn4BP2pMR8M625zqZJq6mTfHbEA0nCCjvUAplRYUWp65pXdVG18e3-cRBO8U5gNnFD8-bdYdZvJ8d0-oiVWG2A8Hl7HEXfcq81zB2ciXbYm2NrZKMQwBHAvhP3LvQYMpYc7a6fBaWTB1/s640/China+Wall,+cropped+web.jpg" width="478" /></a>I finished China Wall last week. It's done in pastel on a piece of sanded paper, 19"x27", though the finished piece isn't that large. The buyer will be able to decide where to crop it, as there are many options - I added rows of stones below which I haven't included in this crop because I prefer this composition, but the buyer can make his/her own decision about it!</div>
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This was a very interesting piece to create. I had tried drawing stones before, but not in a long time, and I was gratified to find that I've increased my skills since I tried last time. It was fun creating the illusion of the crumbling plaster wall, the wood over the window and the wood bars over the window. The stones were clearly gathered from the surrounding mountains and had apparently been there for centuries. This was certainly not new construction!</div>
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I took the liberty of adding the Chinese flag to the piece to add to the emotional resonance of the piece for me personally after my trip there.</div>
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This image was done from a photograph I took in the village of Cuandixia, a very small town built inbetween two ranges of mountains/hills. It looks to be as old as the hills. I've written extensively about it and my visit there in <a href="http://susansingerart.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-few-days-ago-dylan-and-i-took-trip.html" target="_blank">my blog previously</a> if you're curious to learn more..</div>
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Here are some details from the painting. (Frustration alert! I work so hard to arrange the pictures pleasantly on the blog, but the software is maddening! I can't get the images to line up next to each other! It makes me crazy! Oh well - there are worse things!)<br />
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<br />Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-67806411593028987152013-06-11T13:25:00.001-04:002013-06-11T13:25:33.327-04:00Zendoodle on DuralarI've been working in the studio again lately. It feels good! Yesterday I did a fairly large Zendoodle on Duralar, a translucent material. I worked with a grid-based doodle and manipulated it so it would appear to be three-dimensional, curving around. <br />
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I drew the inked doodle on one side of the paper, and put color pencil on the other, helping create the illusion of 3-D even more.<br />
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Here's the doodle on different color backgrounds. Which one do you like best?<br />
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<br />Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-76706437494933201232013-06-08T18:49:00.000-04:002013-06-08T18:49:02.685-04:00Living Large - Painting with Joy!<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sometimes to get myself going, I'll paint "blow-out" pieces - I put a canvas on the wall or huge paper on the floor, and just do whatever comes to me. Last Saturday Chris helped me clean up the studio and staple a huge piece of canvas to the wall - 6'x10'. Saturday night I became aware that I wanted to paint a lily, a Stargazer Lily, to be exact. I don't question it when I get ideas like that. I just feel grateful. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMU1vyBEkw6m8xyokbBGVXWeIkqGin7nYuA4jMuQ47dkERRSpmNDrNwCC6dqOpiF0rO2eJbyhPUcLBFxA1QoO4FM2Bg2wmRcJyCL8Fsz-6Wb1q0PrQnqGnu7wKOTaa_HLBn4UYXgv3YeS/s1600/artwork+-+flowers+003+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMU1vyBEkw6m8xyokbBGVXWeIkqGin7nYuA4jMuQ47dkERRSpmNDrNwCC6dqOpiF0rO2eJbyhPUcLBFxA1QoO4FM2Bg2wmRcJyCL8Fsz-6Wb1q0PrQnqGnu7wKOTaa_HLBn4UYXgv3YeS/s320/artwork+-+flowers+003+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a>After a busy few days, Wednesday evening I went to the store and bought some lilies. Thursday morning I woke up excited for the first time in a while and went out to the studio after meditating and doing my Morning Pages. I jumped right in. First thing I did was put on Sanjay Mishra's album Meditation. I picked up an Alizarin Crimson paint stick and danced with it on the canvas. A reminder, "FAT, JUICY, LOOSE" scrawled itself across the top of the canvas. Curves danced across the canvas as I moved my hips in time to the music, eyes closed. I picked up the lily and drew it loosely on the canvas. White paint stick. More drawing. Turpentine on large brush. Smear/spread the paint. Dance the rhythm of the flower. Blend, smear, green/yellow in the center, crisp white edges rippling up and down. Delicate soft leaves took form on canvas.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzllCZVCDPytohunHJ8-AEflU9wCBuYqDYTKD5VQ26yX8fYTjUIAM1Z7CT4M7v3BZ7TA0rROD9af9z-aqrD_Y4usupWec-ngmQ3ucX_kUW2LwDmmxUz_tiXAdkhfUnVrVRTBdxwyJeR6-/s1600/artwork+-+flowers+001+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzllCZVCDPytohunHJ8-AEflU9wCBuYqDYTKD5VQ26yX8fYTjUIAM1Z7CT4M7v3BZ7TA0rROD9af9z-aqrD_Y4usupWec-ngmQ3ucX_kUW2LwDmmxUz_tiXAdkhfUnVrVRTBdxwyJeR6-/s320/artwork+-+flowers+001+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a>Wanting more, I went out to our garden to see if anything was blooming. I discovered a tender yellow Columbine. I broke it off its stem and brought it into the studio. Trying not to follow the same procedure, wanting to keep things fresh, I want and meditated for a few moments to allow first thoughts to arise again. Then I put charcoal to canvas, cadmium yellow paint stick, titanium white, turpentine. Multicolor shadows to create the pockets in the petals. I remind myself "FAT, JUICY, LOOSE". I dance somemore. I see the Columbine like I've never noticed it before. I scrawl around the flower to change the outline and give myself more crispness. I remind myself "LOOSE."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Opc8C_EgrC4siZfO1Agv_DXLt6_JbxF6U5M_-7ZM0xB4Jzv-eJwiRTkiMIkBnUBXgDbvEmA8OULLg4EUveW6816za4tA9WSN_BAmIaZNpX7ZKgFnzJSybLXF9q5J3EOqI4D5pkglS9O0/s1600/artwork+-+flowers+007+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Opc8C_EgrC4siZfO1Agv_DXLt6_JbxF6U5M_-7ZM0xB4Jzv-eJwiRTkiMIkBnUBXgDbvEmA8OULLg4EUveW6816za4tA9WSN_BAmIaZNpX7ZKgFnzJSybLXF9q5J3EOqI4D5pkglS9O0/s320/artwork+-+flowers+007+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a><br />At a loss, but wanting more, I remember our hydrangea bush which has inexplicably blossomed profusely this year without interference from the deer. I rush out to pick one, finding one with barely open flowers, still greenish yellow in the center. I have no idea how I'll draw this complicated flower - so many little parts - how to keep them all straight? I draw first with charcoal, realize soon I've lost my place completely. I pick up a paint stick and draw the same series of blooms. Lose my place again. Pick up the brush and paint each little flower before moving on to the next one. Mostly I'm true to the bloom, though I imagine I faked it a little bit!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEYl2XpkQjfD0azd_0Q_aMhav6UeAvznv3lDtWe8O9n1PhTpPmKP7erUTr5A_JegJE8fdayJP65fw0q8QZkVeYUZ7r4DH865pw1BLNLH7puoD24h-ioSr79ClnDuOXZT3iDt7XQLX5rHt/s1600/close+up+of+2nd+hydrangea+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEYl2XpkQjfD0azd_0Q_aMhav6UeAvznv3lDtWe8O9n1PhTpPmKP7erUTr5A_JegJE8fdayJP65fw0q8QZkVeYUZ7r4DH865pw1BLNLH7puoD24h-ioSr79ClnDuOXZT3iDt7XQLX5rHt/s320/close+up+of+2nd+hydrangea+web.jpg" width="217" /></a>My stomach calls me into the house for lunch. When I return, I plan to put another hydrangea in the other corner. When I get back, the hydrangea has faded too much to use it again. I pick another one, this one more developed, more purple. I work on it til it's finished, again, trying to stay loose, trying not to copy what I did before, trying to keep it fresh and new. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2Ubh84vFWsLVzZS9dzkJVdsEHWWVQpfSXoCOMfchiGi5Y9iLeRg2pw0wrICTAhX6WlbXODdyw5K2ac5aNATVyufuYz7Bb_JlkTjyXBB2FF-ehlEWD1Lpqj14yAAjaKhyhUSjoyfI-zvT/s1600/sweet+williams+and+columbine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis2Ubh84vFWsLVzZS9dzkJVdsEHWWVQpfSXoCOMfchiGi5Y9iLeRg2pw0wrICTAhX6WlbXODdyw5K2ac5aNATVyufuYz7Bb_JlkTjyXBB2FF-ehlEWD1Lpqj14yAAjaKhyhUSjoyfI-zvT/s320/sweet+williams+and+columbine.jpg" width="257" /></a><br />
Yesterday I had writer's group in the studio. My writing felt quite uninspired and trite. After group, I had some lunch then got caught up watching Doc Martin and Downton Abbey - there's a VERY good reason we don't have cable TV! It's addictive! Finally around four I made it into the studio. I needed another flower. I got our one Sweet William from the garden.
Mom gave me the plant when we moved in here nine years ago. She also
gave me the hydrangea. I like the idea of painting flowers from her
garden which most likely came from my grandmother's garden too. Not
sure why, but I give these a bright yellow background. I want to do
more on the canvas, but it's dinner time. I'm tired. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QHQNYqLyc6A_eDWwGE5Vk-TKz9P4fAw81aDdXopEA4MW1OWv54D0RMhuWBMxbT7NFKUSy5UQQahRnk7JdPyeDMZjLvFVwm2ojoIbiE5CqpiqQUN4-BQsHJyn-Omg14Iy8CaCgWDoi-fL/s1600/artwork+-+huge+flowers+030+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QHQNYqLyc6A_eDWwGE5Vk-TKz9P4fAw81aDdXopEA4MW1OWv54D0RMhuWBMxbT7NFKUSy5UQQahRnk7JdPyeDMZjLvFVwm2ojoIbiE5CqpiqQUN4-BQsHJyn-Omg14Iy8CaCgWDoi-fL/s400/artwork+-+huge+flowers+030+web.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This morning I felt excited to paint again. But first I needed to get some latex gloves - I like to get messy, but it just isn't healthy to get oil paint all over my hands - so I ran some errands then came on out. I picked our last Columbine because the previous one was most definitely wilted! I placed it at the top of the canvas, only pratically on the canvas. I'd still like to make it yellower, but the alizarin crimson writing "FAT, JUICY, LOOSE!" underneath it influenced the color. I'll have to go back into it again once it's all the way dry.<br />
<br />
I was wondering what else to include since we have no other flowers in our yard - the deer are voracious plant-eaters, and we have almost no sun, so we're very limited in what will grow here! I remember the Periwinkle vine on the side of the studio. The blooms are long-since past, but the vine is lovely. I let it thread through the whole canvas. Finally I connect the background, spreading color that is already there, adding others, blending, intuitively deciding what should go where - yellow here to balance yellow there, dark purple to offset the light or to create a shadow, alizarin crimson to tie it all together. <br />
<br />
Just as Chris arrives home from a Saturday at work, I notice one of the petals on the first lily I did is the wrong size. I have to correct it. He heads out to run an errand so I can finish. I appreciate his understanding. I correct the petal, add more background, take some pictures. Feel finished - for now. Tomorrow when I come back out, I'll take a look and see what might need to be tweaked. It feels great for now! I must remember to let myself PLAY. It makes all the difference.<br />
<br />
Chris suggested when I was feeling stuck that I think about what brings me joy. That I remember to live LARGE. To play. To do what feels exciting and compelling. That I forget about "should" and just ask, "I wonder what would happen if..." I like the answer to those questions this time around. I do believe it's the way to live. And paint. Now if only I can remember!<br />
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<br />Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-8749014484631956012013-05-21T17:12:00.000-04:002013-05-21T17:12:07.647-04:00Eve Ensler's piece "Rising" and meTwice I've planned to perform Eve Ensler's piece, "Rising", and twice I've decided not to. Here's the piece:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>RISING</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10px;">Written in Kerala for the women of India who lead the way<br />
</span><br />
<br />
This could have been anywhere<br />
And was<br />
Mexico City<br />
Manila<br />
Mumbai<br />
Manhattan<br />
Nighttime men<br />
waiting<br />
like wolves<br />
Drooling<br />
for prey<br />
behind<br />
that single dimly painted door<br />
paying nothing<br />
a couple of dollars<br />
or euros<br />
rupees<br />
or pesos<br />
to have her<br />
Enter her<br />
Eat her<br />
Devour her<br />
and throw away her bones.<br />
<br />
This could have been anywhere<br />
And was<br />
A Buddhist nun on a bus<br />
Trying to stay dry for the night<br />
A woman leader speaking out against<br />
The repressive government<br />
A young woman traveling with her boyfriend<br />
One lost her voice<br />
The other her following<br />
The last one her life<br />
<br />
This could have been anywhere and was<br />
Pink wooden crosses<br />
A stack of stones<br />
Red wilting carnations<br />
Empty chairs in a square<br />
Ribbons flying in a sultry wind<br />
I ask Anna Nighat Kamla Monique Tanisha Emily<br />
Why Why<br />
Porque Eran Mujeres<br />
Parce qu'elles étaient des femmes<br />
Because they were women<br />
Because they were women<br />
<br />
This could have been anywhere<br />
And was<br />
Where she got fired for being too beautiful<br />
Fined for drinking after she was raped<br />
A serious offer to marry her rapist<br />
Got told it was legitimate but not forcible<br /><br />
This could have been anywhere<br />
They do such a thing<br />
When the girls go for fire wood<br />
Step into the lonely man’s car<br />
Drink a little too much at the college party<br />
Wake up with her uncle’s fingers inside<br />
Run from the screaming machete and guns<br />
Be taken at sunrise<br />
Get a bullet in the brain for learning the alphabet<br />
Be stoned for falling in love<br />
Be burned for seeing the future<br />
<br />
I am done<br />
Cataloguing these horrors<br />
Data Porn<br />
2 million women raped and tortured<br />
1 out of 3 women<br />
a woman raped every minute<br />
every second<br />
one out of 2<br />
one out of 5<br />
the same<br />
one<br />
one<br />
one I am done counting<br />
And recounting<br />
<br />
Its time to tell a new story<br />
It needs to be our story<br />
It needs to be outrageous and unexpected<br />
It needs to lose control in the middle<br />
It needs to be sexy and in our hips<br />
And our feet<br />
It needs to be angry and a little scary the way storms can be scary<br />
It needs to not ask permission<br />
Or get permits or set up offices<br />
Or make salaries<br />
It wont be recorded or bought or sold<br />
Or counted<br />
It needs to just happen<br />
It is not a question of inventing<br />
But remembering<br />
Buried under the leaves of trauma and sorrow<br />
Beneath the river of<br />
semen and squalor<br />
vaginas and labias<br />
shredded and extracted<br />
stolen<br />
body mines<br />
mined bodies<br />
It is not about asking now<br />
Or waiting<br />
It is about rising<br />
<br />
Raise your arm my sister my brother<br />
Raise your one<br />
Billion<br />
Your one heart<br />
Your one of us<br />
<br />
I used to be afraid of love<br />
It hurt too much<br />
What never happened<br />
What got ripped away<br />
The rape<br />
The wound<br />
And love<br />
I thought<br />
was salt<br />
But I was wrong<br />
I was wrong<br />
Step into the fire<br />
Raise your arm<br />
Raise your one<br />
Billion<br />
One<br />
One<br />
One<br />
Rising.<br />
Rising.<br />
Rising.<br />
<em>Eve Ensler for One Billion Rising</em></blockquote>
<br />
The first time I was planning<em> </em>to perform the piece was at One Billion Rising here in Richmond at the end of our rally at the Coliseum. Eve had put the piece out there as something to use at rallies worldwide. It felt like the perfect fit. I asked my friend and fabulous actress <a href="http://www.jacquelinejones.net/" target="_blank">Jackie Jones</a> if she would help me work it up so I could do it well. She generously worked with me for a few hours to bring drama and pathos and energy and power to it. I felt excited at the thought of performing it because it's such a powerful piece. I was planning to have drummers pick up the beat at the very end where it says<i> One/One/One/Rising/Rising/Rising.</i> I asked a friend of mine to lead the drumming. She came over to my house one day very close to the rally to practice so we could get the timing down.<br />
<br />
I began reading the piece. She began drumming. It threw me off. We started again. I couldn't feel in sync with what she was doing so I asked her to listen to the piece all the way through first then we'd try again. My friend sat on my fireplace hearth and listened intently as I went through the outrages and horrors Eve describes in Rising. When I finished, my friend told me she felt completely triggered from hearing such graphic images. We tried again. It wasn't working. She said she felt like hearing that piece at the end of a rally to empower women, especially the way we'd crafted the rally, would be like going to the doctor for healing, then, at the end of the doctor's visit, ripping off the bandage and leaving the patient bloody. I could see her point because just reading it generally left me stoked and energized, but not always in a positive way. It was hard to perform. I decided to NOT read the piece at One Billion Rising but instead to read what I had written. Here's what I used:<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
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<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We have heard here today some of the horrors being
perpetrated here in Richmond as well as around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so much pain and suffering, it is
terribly difficult to hold it all.</span></i></span> <br />
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But we have also heard tales of joy and empowerment and
triumph – Claire’s daughter’s tragic murder led Claire to become a tireless
advocate for others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carol’s mother’s
death has not gone unnoticed, and thousands of children are better cared for
thanks to Carol and her mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rebiya
Kadeer’s life has been full of pain and suffering, even as now two of her
children are imprisoned just as she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Despite all that, we have witnessed her determination to take the higher
path and to devote her life to the autonomy and safety of her beloved Uyghur
people, especially the women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Each of the women you heard speak today is a beautiful
example of power used for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each has
accessed her life’s purpose, the reason she is on this planet, the reason her
life matters, and each is boldly and courageously pursuing her vision for a
better world.</span></i></span> <br />
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Take the time, I beg you, to listen deep within to your own
still small voice that knows why <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you’re</span>
here, what <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</span> are meant to be doing,
and pledge today to do one thing to grow that voice, one thing each day, to
give voice to the beauty you have to offer the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just imagine a world where each of us is
living the life we were born to lead – giving the world the gifts that only we
have to bestow.</span></i></span> <br />
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>
</i></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">THAT is the vision of SEVEN billion rising and of Heaven on Earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you. </span></i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
I think my friend was so right about <i>Rising</i> in that case and that it was kinder and gentler to not use it.<br />
<br />
The next opportunity I had was to perform it, memorized, in the Richmond production of The Vagina Monologues in April. Julie Willard cast me to do that monologue. I felt honored to be chosen to do that one because it's the final piece in the show and is so dramatic. I also felt a little bit scared - would I actually be able to memorize it? how would it be to perform on stage again after 30+ years? <br />
<br />
I started going to rehearsals and practicing it, working on memorizing it. At rehearsals, I noticed that after I read it, I would feel hot and flushed. My adrenalin would be pumping. It would take me a while to calm down. OK. Something to notice.<br />
<br />
I practiced it one on one with Julie. She gave me excellent direction to say it with less umph, less drama - let the words do the talking. Maybe I didn't need to "perform" it - maybe I could just put it out there and let the words do the work. Be more understated. It was good coaching. It felt very different. I was performing it the way a preacher performs a rousing sermon. Speaking it as if I were talking to a friend, telling her these outrages, telling her I was done, that something different had to happen, brought it home in a different way. I think it was more powerful. I don't think it was any less disturbing. <br />
<br />
I started to memorize it. Chris helped me while we were on vacation at the beach. I started dreaming about the images in the poem. Nightmares. Uncomfortable images. Uncomfortable stories going through my head. It wasn't fun. The words would flow through my head during the day since I was trying to commit it to memory. I started to wonder if this was the right thing for me to be doing?<br />
<br />
Right around this time, I got the email from the Uyghurs asking me to speak in Paris at their conference. It was to be 2 days before The Vagina Monologues. I could come back in time for the play then leave again shortly thereafter for China to see Dylan, a trip I'd already planned. Then I realized that was too much. I felt like it would be physically too grueling. I realized that if I would go to Paris, I could fly more easily to Beijing from there. It would mean missing The Vagina Monologues, but everything else fit really well. I spoke with my friend Denise Bennett, a consummate storyteller, actress, and performer, to see if she might be interested in doing the monologue. She jumped right on it! Then I contacted Julie to let her know the situation. She could not have been more gracious. <br />
<br />
I felt tremendous relief to not be doing that particular piece. It felt perfect for Denise to be doing it. And it felt wonderful to think of going to Paris to speak before a group of women about women's empowerment, my topic for the Uyghurs.<br />
<br />
It occurred to me that, again, I wasn't performing "Rising". <br />
<br />
Then I remembered when I spoke with Eve at the Omega Institute in September. I said to her, "When I grow up, I want to be just like you." Without skipping a beat, she looked me in the eye fiercely and clearly and with defiant love and said, "No, be YOU!"<br />
<br />
It occurs to me that, with "Rising", I was trying to speak <i>her</i> words, but they just weren't fitting. What worked, instead, was for me to write my own words and to speak those. She was so right - her job is to be <i>her.</i> My job is to be <i>me</i>. Thanks, Eve, for wise, wonderful words, very well placed. There's only one Eve, and there's only one me, and the world needs both of us. And there is also only one YOU! What unique gifts are you offering the world these days? I'd love to hear!Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-27688887973481264102013-05-09T17:29:00.002-04:002013-05-09T17:30:36.210-04:00May 2, 2013 Last day in China: The Silk Market, Peking Duck(This is part two of my last day in China. I figured the post was too long to have all in one!)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEdJzrtFWYYDzc9Vh4Y18PfmqOYoN0YgSbAb5dVk4-Q4x5SBXYIdoo3q_6lMbRDE9qRH5T4haC5hQ_nD3W8LE0kd8LAsEFDMbwZCXjth38vcg2jmp5Bd3opCqtnfCLNhjz-2b5NJEqJl7/s1600/2013-05-02+Tony+the+Tailor+customer+%2528480x640%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEdJzrtFWYYDzc9Vh4Y18PfmqOYoN0YgSbAb5dVk4-Q4x5SBXYIdoo3q_6lMbRDE9qRH5T4haC5hQ_nD3W8LE0kd8LAsEFDMbwZCXjth38vcg2jmp5Bd3opCqtnfCLNhjz-2b5NJEqJl7/s320/2013-05-02+Tony+the+Tailor+customer+%2528480x640%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>When I arrived at the Silk Market, I was supposed to go straight upstairs to Tony the Tailor<span id="goog_969619144"></span><span id="goog_969619145"></span> to meet Dylan. I had to laugh when I saw someone heading to the subway with one of their bags in his hand!<br />
<br />
To get to the Tailor's on the 3rd floor, I had to go through the basement, the stairs which were also lined with goods, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors - I know that's an obvious statement - but doing it was not simple at all. There were thousands if not millions of pretty things to look at on the way. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ9onGgun3mRsI1H8WVpjuRuvTis2cSSK4YN8RdxF5GxoyuyNGdWgErQr-zK2CMq63BQSUFRsT3Dp-Q-P2fsfeu_t_ws9ebbxJLe-bwdKC71IOrZGuD4Fl7aJXX-yeE6kTUR98NsEFARX/s1600/2013-05-02+The+Silk+Market+%25284%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQ9onGgun3mRsI1H8WVpjuRuvTis2cSSK4YN8RdxF5GxoyuyNGdWgErQr-zK2CMq63BQSUFRsT3Dp-Q-P2fsfeu_t_ws9ebbxJLe-bwdKC71IOrZGuD4Fl7aJXX-yeE6kTUR98NsEFARX/s320/2013-05-02+The+Silk+Market+%25284%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1D5OVhLPjh3qi4LzUe0dCWMlXTi5f9FA-mSmOGRPbg9D8OaHOY2zTvMXigJyi_daQ0MGfvccLqi-MnmELa0nwCY2YXREL3fJiW73cNhy5M1F27o3aXyl5vDL6QFv0VgBGyX7_p2bCaAv/s1600/2013-05-02+The+Silk+Market+%25283%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1D5OVhLPjh3qi4LzUe0dCWMlXTi5f9FA-mSmOGRPbg9D8OaHOY2zTvMXigJyi_daQ0MGfvccLqi-MnmELa0nwCY2YXREL3fJiW73cNhy5M1F27o3aXyl5vDL6QFv0VgBGyX7_p2bCaAv/s320/2013-05-02+The+Silk+Market+%25283%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZtua6VEpAqMsdGFtKh1gSpt34iPUW2KoF6Lcn0luYfdOdTEzO7-HxDFNVt2jZszWQEWoDOvDx1500ON7dNNRRnDH7AorxIAe9pVMq875DavjSuMTFvTIjP8l55T2euhYCgfNPGEuyoMC/s1600/2013-05-02+The+Silk+Market+%25285%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZtua6VEpAqMsdGFtKh1gSpt34iPUW2KoF6Lcn0luYfdOdTEzO7-HxDFNVt2jZszWQEWoDOvDx1500ON7dNNRRnDH7AorxIAe9pVMq875DavjSuMTFvTIjP8l55T2euhYCgfNPGEuyoMC/s320/2013-05-02+The+Silk+Market+%25285%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqExL8DNVZYJ2ItLdTg4AaWovlKo3tpPkfKjb6Q4FmkL7q49HQmjirX6jGcIh-4NK7kq1BfZVTE0Lt4I5dFIvN0IUD4pjmIBCaKjq9qm71cVpOddATkCESDMeyfMp0qRCYrOMhluvDv_B/s1600/2013-05-02+The+Silk+Market+%25281%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqExL8DNVZYJ2ItLdTg4AaWovlKo3tpPkfKjb6Q4FmkL7q49HQmjirX6jGcIh-4NK7kq1BfZVTE0Lt4I5dFIvN0IUD4pjmIBCaKjq9qm71cVpOddATkCESDMeyfMp0qRCYrOMhluvDv_B/s320/2013-05-02+The+Silk+Market+%25281%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>To help you get a sense of this place - it is not an outdoor market at all - it's not like a Farmer's Market with sweet local farmers selling their wares. No, not at all! It is a very slick place with row upon row of class-walled boutiques crammed with goods - clothes, souvenirs, shoes, sunglasses, scarves, jewelry, silk rugs - you name it, they have it! And most of it, I think, is copies of North Face or Louis Vuitton or whomever. Some of it might be real, but I wouldn't bet on it. The prices are not all that great - this is, after all, where tourists come to shop - so they know what they can get! There are 2-3 assistants in each and every 200 sq ft shop ready to speak to you in pretty good English. They also seemed to know other languages, at least the numbers. I just had to wander in and out of a bunch of them to see what was there. When Dylan and I had been there before, we'd gone straight to Tony the Tailor without browsing much so, now that I was alone, I wanted to gaze and touch and explore! One store I went into had silk jackets - just like the one I bought at 798. I asked how much. The woman told me $80 then immediately said she'd give me the real price - $40. I felt sick - I'd paid $75 after good hard bargaining. I knew in that instant I'd overpaid. This store had some other colors of the same jacket. Dylan called. I resolved to come back later.<br />
<br />
I met Dylan at the Tailor's where he was already talking to his friend, the tailor (I don't think his name is Tony - he just works there.) He and Dylan have established quite a relationship since Dylan has bought three handmade suits from him and many, many shirts, plus has brought friends to have things made - including me! I was fitted for a silk skirt my second day in town and was there then to pick it up. I went into the dressing room to try it on, excited to see how it looked. It felt divine. I'd gotten them to put in a different colored lining - gold - and to make it reversible so I'd get two skirts, really, instead of just one. The silk felt so smooth and lovely as it fell over my hips and swept my legs. I left the dressing room and twirled for Dylan, imagining wearing it to Sufi Dancing and practicing being a swirling Dervish! I realized that the cut was not flattering on me - there was no tailoring to it - just an elastic waist - so it makes me look a little bit frumpy/lumpy. Not my favorite look if I have a choice. I resolved to start working out. And to make the best of it with the skirt. It feels great. Dylan admitted that it isn't the best cut for me - sorry! - oh well. I'll wear a longer top over it and will focus on the feel of it. Made me wish I'd gotten a zipper put in, but then I couldn't have reversed it. It's tricky getting stuff made without being able to try it on - you can't know if the cut will be good or not...<br />
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I'd tried to get a different skirt made, one that my friend Kathy Benner had lent me - it's black, two layers, with the top layer being scalloped unevenly to give it an interesting flair. I tried to describe it and to draw it, but to no avail! The best he could do was quote me $300 to make it. Dylan, of course, talked him down, but $120 was the lowest he'd go, if I remember correctly. No thanks! I had so wrongly assumed I could get clothes made for a pittance since Dylan's suits were only $150 for the suit and two shirts! Another expectation dashed!<br />
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But overall I'm pleased with the skirt. It is quite lovely, and I know I'll love wearing it and feeling it flow over my body and thinking about the fun of buying it with Dylan!<br />
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These pictures are of Dylan talking with the tailor, trying to help his friend Michelle get a better price for a silk shirt she was having made... Of course the tailor told me what a great bargainer Dylan was, as pretended he was gasping for his last breath from the loss of so much money!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudZqCKFJnj2f30gy0tbDviaQBP_4M5dY8AcgXJ5DQixpY640RbRVnQ6_PJuvsuUZyO2u81p8y3kOznjp8NnDrfTBVw0TSzx74p7Lslm-qT-bYERQcPkGQcSEYUf2AJG0HnxGnnfTXN1nv/s1600/2013-05-02+Dylan+bargaining+at+the+Silk+Market+%25281%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudZqCKFJnj2f30gy0tbDviaQBP_4M5dY8AcgXJ5DQixpY640RbRVnQ6_PJuvsuUZyO2u81p8y3kOznjp8NnDrfTBVw0TSzx74p7Lslm-qT-bYERQcPkGQcSEYUf2AJG0HnxGnnfTXN1nv/s320/2013-05-02+Dylan+bargaining+at+the+Silk+Market+%25281%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revelry in the midst of very serious negotiations!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF0LeLYTjQX9KA8e1lgJEzSKb6TR-0sa85nRKNxAYroifFr2ElCwq0NNhyphenhyphenEjWZBBwwJoTfZglk5SwN6lZcXNRvgf2j1ONz3QkSemTMLRDnLjaJg78YA5DXrWBwXU0DSCVEFmCZ4X3b4o_/s1600/2013-05-02+Dylan+bargaining+at+the+Silk+Market+%25284%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaF0LeLYTjQX9KA8e1lgJEzSKb6TR-0sa85nRKNxAYroifFr2ElCwq0NNhyphenhyphenEjWZBBwwJoTfZglk5SwN6lZcXNRvgf2j1ONz3QkSemTMLRDnLjaJg78YA5DXrWBwXU0DSCVEFmCZ4X3b4o_/s320/2013-05-02+Dylan+bargaining+at+the+Silk+Market+%25284%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They finally arrived on an agreeable price, and Michelle ordered a splendid red silk shirt.</td></tr>
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From the tailor's, we went out into the rest of the Silk Market. My friend Joni had given me the task of finding some beautiful silk material for her for an altar cloth. I had found a scarf that felt right to me when I was there before, but there were two other scarves we were bargaining for at the same time, and Dylan couldn't get the price down far enough. I'd continued to think about the scarf all week and knew I had to go back to get it. We found the place but they didn't have the scarf anymore, though they had others like it. I described what I was looking for and, fortunately, he had another one. When I saw it, it was every bit as beautiful as I had remembered - about 5 ft x 5 ft, aqua border with fabulous flowers in the center. I hope she likes it as much as I do! I think it's gorgeous! It's a tricky thing to get something so personal for someone else!<br />
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I also wanted to get some scarves for myself. Dylan had done some great bargaining last time, but hadn't been able to get the price he/we wanted, so I'd ended up with nothing. We tried again. He almost got kicked out of the store again, but I pulled the trump card. The saleswoman and Dylan had agreed on a price for several scarves. We were still bargaining for one last one. Dylan had her down to 70. We'd gotten it down to 60 for two scarves at another place. The sales person told us that must be one of a different quality and showed us a lesser one. I didn't think so, but doubted myself because it had been several days before. She turned to me and asked me what price I was willing to pay. I told her I'd pay 60. She said no, no, I couldn't be serious. What would I really pay, last price? serious price? I told her to give it to me for 60 and I'd get Dylan out of there! She laughed good-naturedly and sold it to me for 60! (I checked later at the other store and saw that it was the very same scarf that I was going to get, with another one, for 60 - oh well! It's impossible to know what things are really worth! I'm thankful for pricetags here in the US!)<br />
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I also asked Dylan to come down with me to look at the silk jackets. I couldn't find the same store, but I found another one with the same goods in it. I found the very same jacket plus some others - a black one with striking red flowers was my favorite, plus a great silver silk skirt that twirled marvelously! Dylan went to work on the price. The skirt ended up being too expensive, but the jacket he got down to 200 yuan or about $32, less than half what I paid before. That made me a bit ill. Until the saleswoman asked if I wanted her to cut out the tag. It said 100% polyester. She said they had to put the tags into them because the officials came around to make sure they all had them in there - these were also re-makes of "real" fashions, apparently. I tried on one thing that was very expensive and was confused by the price - she told me it was "real", not fake, that's why it was so much. Again, perception is everything! I realized that the jacket I'd bought before was silk. This was polyester. Both are stunningly gorgeous, and I love them, but at least I was able to ascertain the reason for the price differential so I didn't feel quite so foolish for the first purchase! I realize I am probably not really cut out for all this bargaining! I used to think I was so good at it! I'm so grateful Dylan was there with me to help me out. He seems to enjoy it - though he did say he gets exhausted by it too sometimes - he has to be in the right frame of mind to take it on or he isn't as good at it as he wants to be and feels like he doesn't get a good deal. I can completely understand that!<br />
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From the Silk Market, we took the subway to the Hutongs, an area in the oldest part of Beijing, very old, low (1-2 story) buildings that form the core of the city. There's a small lake there around which are many restaurants and night clubs. Our plan was to meet lots of Dylan's friends, including one of his former teachers, WeiWei (I probably spelled that wrong) for a special dinner of Peking Duck. One <i>must</i> have Peking Duck when one is in Beijing! I read it on a shopping bad - "Climb the Great Wall. Eat Peking Duck. Shop at the Silk Market." Thanks to Dylan, I was able to check all three off my list!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHjd7uqFLZN5gDHr6XvFQxxQw5dgzyC2HY-xxVrO4MhciB_RVYr-RZ5e_VsAbR7XqnglFmtDAnfnuXqKW8G-kx2EBzOB11vFwx7ZQt1gmJg7unlDt6_8nq_WxSVrV3tsfIH5G3x0S5tQ1/s1600/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikHjd7uqFLZN5gDHr6XvFQxxQw5dgzyC2HY-xxVrO4MhciB_RVYr-RZ5e_VsAbR7XqnglFmtDAnfnuXqKW8G-kx2EBzOB11vFwx7ZQt1gmJg7unlDt6_8nq_WxSVrV3tsfIH5G3x0S5tQ1/s320/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+(14).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the magician</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIxMqIQZrbHcyE_mO1ISKWiehm97tty1KBWOeiPWYBVFhAjuFR7IRdwRZhZX6Rjq4GKJL1c3jZusXMOvDt_Qhyh_8lgptpwVWyvdM2c7hAu_yRU8tKpUHWp68Cq11Fc3seCALrUnCeyRO/s1600/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+%25285%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIxMqIQZrbHcyE_mO1ISKWiehm97tty1KBWOeiPWYBVFhAjuFR7IRdwRZhZX6Rjq4GKJL1c3jZusXMOvDt_Qhyh_8lgptpwVWyvdM2c7hAu_yRU8tKpUHWp68Cq11Fc3seCALrUnCeyRO/s320/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+%25285%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can NOT do that!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYRQHlTIXNtBA5TLnETSu7oxD54Uirh2sPMORZqcyDE00lQBb0LP7SXkxXCuVp6ldfu2DzbpR2Qr1oGLgBG3Dh0P14X1ZzJofGzNeOXcxAWr3ddOd7D1Q0N_TuGAxVhhkOKYPvoBWoT0Y/s1600/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+(10)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYRQHlTIXNtBA5TLnETSu7oxD54Uirh2sPMORZqcyDE00lQBb0LP7SXkxXCuVp6ldfu2DzbpR2Qr1oGLgBG3Dh0P14X1ZzJofGzNeOXcxAWr3ddOd7D1Q0N_TuGAxVhhkOKYPvoBWoT0Y/s400/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+(10)+(640x480).jpg" width="400" /></a>The group ended up being smaller than we expected, but lovely nevertheless. The restaurant we went to is supposed to be the best in Beijing for Peking Duck. It's quite large - three floors, I think. We first went down to the basement to wait our turn. Then we were called and went by elevator to the third floor. Below us was the main floor which we could see from the balcony. That's in the picture below. Next to all these tables, there was a round stage where entertainment took place. Each act was only 3-5 minutes but was fascinating. The first one I saw was Chinese acrobats doing those crazy contortions I'd only seen on YouTube previously. The second one was a couple doing ballroom dancing. The third was a magician. Meanwhile we were working on ordering food. We got one duck to share along with a vegetable dish and some rice and an appetizer. Steven was with us so we wanted to make sure to get enough food! The appetizer was duck skin served with sugar. You were supposed to dip the very, very fatty skin into the sugar and eat it like that. It was strange, tasty, greasy, satisfying, all at once. The other appetizer was one I hadn't expected - duck feet. I pick one up with my chopsticks, thinking it was the duck meat and that I was so adventurous to eat duck, when Dylan, or Steven, mentioned it was duck feet. I wanted to gag but didn't. I figured I was too far in to back out, so I took a bite. They talked about how we were lucky because these had been de-boned - they'd gotten them before with the bones in them and had had to work hard for each scrap of meat they'd gotten. These were white with a slight pink cast to them. They were chewy, like cartilage, a little bit, but mostly they were tender enough. And they were surprisingly tasty. I couldn't quite let go of the thought of what they might have walked around in or scraped up with those very same feet, but I also was aware of the fact that they actually tasted pretty good. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3YW-HuPKchRB084dphdz6-H6uhtvMtJ9Fcn1QVFz7zXCgV66D-_Y3VaEMzQzsdKrPFq9MAaUkBho0g_Q8U7AczsdjTsmIpfov3n5e0eha6m-TInG6EPtt-6ChpzUcRxhgr0amH4eX2Tm/s1600/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+(12)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia3YW-HuPKchRB084dphdz6-H6uhtvMtJ9Fcn1QVFz7zXCgV66D-_Y3VaEMzQzsdKrPFq9MAaUkBho0g_Q8U7AczsdjTsmIpfov3n5e0eha6m-TInG6EPtt-6ChpzUcRxhgr0amH4eX2Tm/s320/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+(12)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stage with the magician on it.</td></tr>
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I expected the duck to come to the table looking like a duck for us to carve. Instead I was surprised to see that it was served on two fairly small white platters with ceramic duck heads. The meat was already very neatly carved, just the meat, no innards. The vegetable dish was pretty spicy - some greens and mushrooms, very tasty, just spicy. Dylan told me after the meal that he hoped he'd helped me expand my tastebuds on this journey. That's for sure! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWVsMtcYe5sKWG7UbJ9XAC3NTTfBsbkSfyN5DK-fMH0fzvvaObiROwrwBlDqxkRPKNuBbgmmXMJQLWWf4HYPNFXoR_NocoDrLk0JTLEY8Ag8KFQ92u4MUW7I0VptKDxRus1UbfsHyakFh/s1600/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+%25283%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnWVsMtcYe5sKWG7UbJ9XAC3NTTfBsbkSfyN5DK-fMH0fzvvaObiROwrwBlDqxkRPKNuBbgmmXMJQLWWf4HYPNFXoR_NocoDrLk0JTLEY8Ag8KFQ92u4MUW7I0VptKDxRus1UbfsHyakFh/s320/2013-05-02+Peking+Duck+Entertainment+%25283%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nor can I do this! She has cloth platters on her feet she is twirling while balancing on one hand. </td></tr>
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After dinner, Dylan and his friends planned to go dancing or bar hopping or something like that so he walked me to a cab so I could get back to the hotel to pack and get a decent night's sleep. I thought about going with them, but, again, I figured they'd have more fun without me, and it would be wise for me to get packed and not be exhausted the next day. Good choice - Dylan only got 3 hours sleep, and barely got that! He was tired when he came to get me the next morning in the taxi!<br />
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My hotel room with the thermos full for hot water, the comfortable bed, the nice space. <br />
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So that was my trip to China! I hope you've enjoyed reading about it. I appreciate your taking the time to take this journey with me. I've enjoyed reliving it and writing about it. Now if I can just get over jet lag, I'll be ready to get back to my life here in Richmond!<br />
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<br />Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-6916528989997546852013-05-09T15:52:00.000-04:002013-05-09T15:52:52.095-04:00May 2, 2013, Final day in Beijing, China: the Forbidden City, Tienanman SquareDylan really helped me pack it in my final day in China! At his encouragement, I went, on my own, to the Forbidden City in the morning. He had class until 12 and said he would meet me there afterwards so we could go to the Silk Market to pick up my handmade silk skirt afterwards! Such fun!<br />
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I was slow getting out of bed and on my way, but still managed to get out of the subway by the Forbidden City by 10 or so. (For those of you whose Chinese cultural info is as weak as mine, here's the brief info from Wikipedia about it:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8lBz4erSl0zfoS2Yosape_gFHVLaV_JWRz558UqAOd_I1gMhgYzFLHUsj7NngQ2VkgCNDOeGfOA5sjjm1pJrbGeoF0Gd6vRNrRDU-uIcQ3fJcPIbTdkK5l_NtarlUsvqihQXOaJlG2Mt/s1600/Forbidden_City_Courtyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8lBz4erSl0zfoS2Yosape_gFHVLaV_JWRz558UqAOd_I1gMhgYzFLHUsj7NngQ2VkgCNDOeGfOA5sjjm1pJrbGeoF0Gd6vRNrRDU-uIcQ3fJcPIbTdkK5l_NtarlUsvqihQXOaJlG2Mt/s1600/Forbidden_City_Courtyard.jpg" /></a><i>The <b>Forbidden City</b> was the Chinese imperial <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace" title="Palace">palace</a> from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ming_Dynasty" title="Ming Dynasty">Ming Dynasty</a> to the end of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qing_Dynasty" title="Qing Dynasty">Qing Dynasty</a>. It is located in the centre of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing" title="Beijing">Beijing</a>, China, and now houses the <b>Palace Museum</b>. </i></blockquote>
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<i>For almost 500 years, it served as the home of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_of_China" title="Emperor of China">emperors</a> and their households, as well as the ceremonial and political center of Chinese government.</i></blockquote>
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<i>Built in 1406 to 1420, the complex consists of 980 buildings and covers 720,000 m<sup>2</sup> (7,800,000 sq ft).<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Rooms_1-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City#cite_note-Rooms-1">[1]</a></sup> The palace complex exemplifies traditional <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_architecture" title="Chinese architecture">Chinese palatial architecture</a>,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UNESCO_2-0"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City#cite_note-UNESCO-2">[2]</a></sup> and has influenced cultural and architectural developments in East Asia and elsewhere. The Forbidden City was declared a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Heritage_Site" title="World Heritage Site">World Heritage Site</a> in 1987,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-UNESCO_2-1"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City#cite_note-UNESCO-2">[2]</a></sup> and is listed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UNESCO" title="UNESCO">UNESCO</a> as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the world.</i> </blockquote>
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<i>Since 1925, the Forbidden City has been under the charge of the
Palace Museum, whose extensive collection of artwork and artifacts were
built upon the imperial collections of the Ming and Qing dynasties.</i></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHrT_OHScUnG6qrXMjn3QTbXNkkvROIA94CpUs-dvz3BX4_rGbfmQfwiTIo6y2SrTWEF-Ep3b2VX3ccQn8bcclPRcyLZwNzjBWekpwC3t2Nd-jsY7aL0cRztmMgvAXflQC9vh_B3CoNWW/s1600/2013-05-03+11.54.51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdHrT_OHScUnG6qrXMjn3QTbXNkkvROIA94CpUs-dvz3BX4_rGbfmQfwiTIo6y2SrTWEF-Ep3b2VX3ccQn8bcclPRcyLZwNzjBWekpwC3t2Nd-jsY7aL0cRztmMgvAXflQC9vh_B3CoNWW/s320/2013-05-03+11.54.51.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linda</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGUmpL9_CjC-OLURr_zd28PxPvExHsO4uYUX7unBG-1JgZRf7CGRtNDC2pjzcLsCeQOERHpYugmDrnfz-Gk7ybfBhbANf7YZ08AVnSS1SN9dZ5GcHv6wvk_jXWPW6r4DlLg7JqyIy4wbV/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(83)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGUmpL9_CjC-OLURr_zd28PxPvExHsO4uYUX7unBG-1JgZRf7CGRtNDC2pjzcLsCeQOERHpYugmDrnfz-Gk7ybfBhbANf7YZ08AVnSS1SN9dZ5GcHv6wvk_jXWPW6r4DlLg7JqyIy4wbV/s320/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(83)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a>It's one of those place one MUST go to when one is in China in order to feel one has been in China. So I went. As I came up out of the subway, I was greeted by a very friendly young Chinese woman, Linda, who spoke excellent English, rapidly. She asked if I were going to the Forbidden City and if I knew where to go. I told her I was, and I didn't. She told me she'd be happy to show me. She said there was a more pleasant way than waiting/wading through the hordes of people we could see streaming towards the entrance - here on the right I could go into a lovely garden and stroll through there for a while until I reached the gate where I could pay to go in. It would cost 2 quai (another way of saying yuan) to go in, or about $.33. Sounded great to me! I am happy to avoid crowds wherever possible. So I went with her as she took me to the garden. Along the way, she asked if I'd like to see an art exhibit. She is an art student and she and her classmates had an exhibit of artwork for the end of the year along with some of their professors which she'd love to show me. I was very curious and interested so followed her in. There were 2-3 rooms of artwork hung densely with work which was pretty good - traditional Chinese artwork - scrolls, watercolor paintings, etc. - but also some oil paintings on canvas and some images which weren't quite so typical. Linda showed me her own paintings which were of the seasons, a typical subject matter. They were fairly good, but I wasn't crazy about her use of color - too bright and gaudy for the subject matter the way it's typically handled. It was very interesting talking to her about her classes, her prospects for work after graduation (similar to an art major's prospects here in the States), what sort of materials she uses, etc. She showed me the work of some of her teachers which was, of course, more skillful than hers and the other students'. Then she brought me around to an alcove where some very lovely pieces were. Extraordinary, really. They were scrolls, as is typical. But the imagery was quite unusually exquisite. I'm not normally all that drawn to Chinese art - I guess because the images are foreign to me, and I don't understand the artistry behind it. It just isn't familiar to me. But these pieces were so beautifully done, they transcended my lack of familiarity and knowledge. There was one of a beautiful rock, like the one in this picture, but vertical and smaller (this one is part of a fountain in the park by the Forbidden City) with peonies growing over and around it. It was so exquisitely done, with great detail, quite wonderful. I couldn't stop looking at it and examining it and looking some more. I couldn't imagine painting such fine detail myself on silk so beautifully. I asked Linda to tell me the story of it. She said that some of her teachers had made copies of very famous paintings for them to sell at the exhibit to help the students out. Apparently it's quite common for people to make copies of paintings to sell. The original of the one I liked so much is in a museum somewhere in Beijing. I wish I could have read the calligraphy on the painting to know more. I asked her to translate it for me. She said it had the painter's name - no memory of what it was - along with stuff about peonies and their beauty and how they represent China, plus the name of the person who did the calligraphy. Apparently artists will have calligraphers write on their paintings for them, poems or whatever, with the understanding that some people are good at painting, others are good at calligraphy, so they work together. There are two red stamps on it, one belonging to the calligrapher, the other to the artist. Another painting had many, many seals on it. I asked about that. She told me that when a person buys a painting, he or she puts his or her own seal on it to show he/she has owned it. The painting with so many on it had apparently been owned by many people. I asked about that - it was confusing to me that these were copies done by the teachers for this exhibit, yet this one particular painting had already been owned by many people. She wasn't able to clarify that for me except to say that was the case. She began her sales job. She was very, very good. We bargained. <br />
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I have to say right now I don't really like bargaining in China. I don't have any idea whatsoever what things are worth on the local economy, and, given my experiences with Dylan, I'm pretty sure I'm getting taken advantage of if he's not with me. The reason I say that is that people consistently told me, "Oh, I'll give you a fair price - I won't cheat you - because your son speaks such good Chinese. I give you fair price." That begs the question of what they're giving me without him. So I just had to know what my bottom line was. I decided that the picture was beautiful, truly gorgeous, exquisitely done. I deeply appreciate artistic talent. I believe in supporting artists in the work they do. I do NOT need another piece of artwork. I am not in a high-earning phase of my life. So I figured I could maybe pay $200, tops. Max. She quoted me 3000 yuan or about $500. I laughed like Dylan did. She asked how much I would pay. I told her 300 yuan. Dylan generally goes for 1/10 of what they ask. From there we bargained until we got it to about $180. Then she asked if I wanted to get another one while I was at it - the one of peonies I'd also liked so much. I asked how much. We began again. We got to 1200 yuan for both, or close to $200. I felt like that was a pretty good price, especially with the second one included. Then she took me to the visa machine and said they had to add 5% to it because that's what Visa charges them. It probably isn't quite that much, but I understand. Like sales tax. Whatever. By that time I was wanting to get going so I could actually see the Forbidden City before Dylan got there to whisk me away elsewhere. <br />
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Linda packaged up the scrolls, including some calligraphy she'd done for me with my name and "success" and the date written on it. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with her, learning about Chinese art school, seeing her and others' work, and I felt happy about the beauty I'd be bringing in to my home.<br />
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Linda showed me to the cashier's box to get my ticket into the gardens then took me through the gate and pointed me towards the entrance to the Forbidden City. It ended up being a great choice to go that way. I felt happy about my purchase. Happy to have had the exchange with her. Oh, I forgot to mention - I told her I am an artist too. She asked what kind of work I do. Of course I had to show her! I took out my iPad mini and showed her the images of my female nudes. She was a bit taken aback, said they couldn't show them in that setting, but she liked them and was intrigued by them. It made me feel good to share my work with her and to, finally, share myself with someone. It is SO darn isolating to not speak the language and to only be in communication with people around purchases or basics like directions or other basics. I was glad she spoke such good English and that we could converse. It was gratifying.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3xf1rjk65gZUnKqybkzJM188d3XFKLwalRCAvhVYet-QQ6rkxWj5xua5GXKDbIKkC1XdoFIKyhDkPpn52zQU72NbVjE6uXsahNyPXKb5ZAATefCXrnXn3VddyhkWl5QMpQXfBkducqye/s1600/2013-05-03+12.04.16+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3xf1rjk65gZUnKqybkzJM188d3XFKLwalRCAvhVYet-QQ6rkxWj5xua5GXKDbIKkC1XdoFIKyhDkPpn52zQU72NbVjE6uXsahNyPXKb5ZAATefCXrnXn3VddyhkWl5QMpQXfBkducqye/s320/2013-05-03+12.04.16+(478x640).jpg" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3xf1rjk65gZUnKqybkzJM188d3XFKLwalRCAvhVYet-QQ6rkxWj5xua5GXKDbIKkC1XdoFIKyhDkPpn52zQU72NbVjE6uXsahNyPXKb5ZAATefCXrnXn3VddyhkWl5QMpQXfBkducqye/s1600/2013-05-03+12.04.16+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcf5xI0TL3fCmX4jN22Tv7Hc0kJpzmruvvyQtVhXnxRkf9M1UUo-UGzYWWz4tnEhDmdmyMdAurdT_XpV3Pg4ZPiAo8KNxoiygFIIT9RSgJRLpACehhlU8RQoxPVZ-hy3KK06DSzC0zyekv/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(20)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcf5xI0TL3fCmX4jN22Tv7Hc0kJpzmruvvyQtVhXnxRkf9M1UUo-UGzYWWz4tnEhDmdmyMdAurdT_XpV3Pg4ZPiAo8KNxoiygFIIT9RSgJRLpACehhlU8RQoxPVZ-hy3KK06DSzC0zyekv/s320/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(20)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHikzRZ8f9Cabtr69VpDUAXDABsBKCblAG-pgnOLf3AppMlK_QaVLE10QFKh4OwlawH5ejIJvs5caCCv_84mqWvJEvFn5AEtOMh6KL9boWiJQjwcBU2wkw8Pj-BNpm8DcarTQeBI7o4Dib/s1600/2013-05-03+12.03.47+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHikzRZ8f9Cabtr69VpDUAXDABsBKCblAG-pgnOLf3AppMlK_QaVLE10QFKh4OwlawH5ejIJvs5caCCv_84mqWvJEvFn5AEtOMh6KL9boWiJQjwcBU2wkw8Pj-BNpm8DcarTQeBI7o4Dib/s320/2013-05-03+12.03.47+(478x640).jpg" width="239" /></a>The walk through the park was lovely. People talk consistently about how crowded Beijing is, how oppressive the crowds are. I was concerned about that before I went there. Being there, though, I was surprised to find that they weren't any worse than Paris, for example. The subway was certainly crowded at rush hour - people pressed in together tightly. But I'd experienced it so badly in Paris at one point, I couldn't even get <i>into</i> the subway the first time I tried! It was that crowded! And once I did get on, the mass of humanity was as tightly packed as sardines. Truly. I didn't have it that bad in Beijing. And I also found that there are a lot of places people can go that are beautiful and peaceful. Traffic isn't all that loud because the motorized bikes people use are all electric, so there are no motorcycle noises to speak of. There are lots of cars, but, though people honk, they don't do so loudly, repeatedly, obnoxiously. I don't know - I just didn't find the crowds to be that bad. This park was an example of it not being bad at all - it was wonderful walking through there with only a handful of other people. Folks were strolling quietly alone or in pairs at most. The plantings there were fabulous - waist-high peony bushes in full bloom, for example. There were also trees labeled as being 800 years old. One of them is a Deer-shaped cypress. There's a picture here of the tree and the label for it. I find it amazing that they keep track of the trees so carefully. I guess the Emperors could afford to keep track of things so carefully. There is a lot of history in China! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGyvMioliFUibpObZeYOmu7dPsjXxlfijMkm4yPdvMLEmBtvE-Lsenovit1oQpKY4Cb0xwPc7_sKzWbkedgTr3p6bA301h-tQXB5uLcK4eKm8ZgNm9FUkwPfnBxz1dQzBIaDDFeua7Bgy/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(30)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGyvMioliFUibpObZeYOmu7dPsjXxlfijMkm4yPdvMLEmBtvE-Lsenovit1oQpKY4Cb0xwPc7_sKzWbkedgTr3p6bA301h-tQXB5uLcK4eKm8ZgNm9FUkwPfnBxz1dQzBIaDDFeua7Bgy/s320/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(30)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The deer-shaped cypress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdzL4KHlOSZUkdX6KRYfkwY-k_h1ZTlydYt7PPoiNiTw8T-bvlCAVMm5uBnmPGPc3ihh_fKJNe_dX3OjHD32xkxkitXVSCZzdVrzKmWTB6JHScDpcz1pVtKs3540k_eCf-PZx8n9sw_RL/s1600/2013-05-03+11.59.08+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdzL4KHlOSZUkdX6KRYfkwY-k_h1ZTlydYt7PPoiNiTw8T-bvlCAVMm5uBnmPGPc3ihh_fKJNe_dX3OjHD32xkxkitXVSCZzdVrzKmWTB6JHScDpcz1pVtKs3540k_eCf-PZx8n9sw_RL/s320/2013-05-03+11.59.08+(478x640).jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a pretty pond with part of the Forbidden City beyond the wall</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPzXmiyK2ES-vJ6Kkir955kAIizB8DskdHlNyHun6z1UEwA6WaPW8wEIU-_aK1RXlo2GPQJgHWnJtlYdLoD52Gib24CFCh-vkmi88dfC1xV1qpGr7UUnXtZKRtOnLuBHUBz7UAZI6Lk8X/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+%252829%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyPzXmiyK2ES-vJ6Kkir955kAIizB8DskdHlNyHun6z1UEwA6WaPW8wEIU-_aK1RXlo2GPQJgHWnJtlYdLoD52Gib24CFCh-vkmi88dfC1xV1qpGr7UUnXtZKRtOnLuBHUBz7UAZI6Lk8X/s640/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+%252829%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a>I really enjoyed walking through the tranquil park, taking pictures, being in the relative silence. It was very calming and serene. <br />
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There were several buildings in this part of the part which looked, to me, the uneducated observer, very much like the ones we'd seen at the Temple of Heaven - same roof line, similar tiles, same patterns paintings on the eaves, etc. I walked over to them to explore what was there. There were signs outside of each one telling what the building had been used for. I wish I had a more solid grounding in the mythology of China's emperors so I could understand them more fully. But alas! I don't!<br />
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Spread all around the grounds, near each of the beautiful buildings, was a beautiful bride with her patient groom and extensive retinue of photographer and assistants. I must have seen 10 groups of people working on wedding photographs. There were so many I think they might have been for a bridal magazine! Dylan insists they were just regular brides, but there were SOOOO many! It was hard to believe! I told him he's going to have to pick me up a bridal magazine with all the pictures in it so I can see how they turned out. I'm so curious! This was a cultural phenomenon that fascinated me for some reason - the intense make up, hair, dress, photographers, etc! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix93tYU8WcjRdHZdVLreICZnVvkFl85Kc8CEY1h4tUIrNKPseaw2iF61UUyDgvnfhL5S6G7EmPgWi4O10KhwFSbTgm1Jmox_rA1hBheuNRx1VdfWdx6jsK_IKR0vwH_m2S1Xyx-BcKP3jj/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(62)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix93tYU8WcjRdHZdVLreICZnVvkFl85Kc8CEY1h4tUIrNKPseaw2iF61UUyDgvnfhL5S6G7EmPgWi4O10KhwFSbTgm1Jmox_rA1hBheuNRx1VdfWdx6jsK_IKR0vwH_m2S1Xyx-BcKP3jj/s320/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(62)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUaXkPEcVlEYQcakB8evwB0tKqEA4Oa_fMbFo5zdCqNZW0ApvQXOtKVfluseNrVD430JOgbpHk81p9JD7CFSEtpVKpHMR-QfTwqVpxZcDhL7B2LcNkNg_Johe-gJIueEBQjgs4dq20qSB/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(60)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUUaXkPEcVlEYQcakB8evwB0tKqEA4Oa_fMbFo5zdCqNZW0ApvQXOtKVfluseNrVD430JOgbpHk81p9JD7CFSEtpVKpHMR-QfTwqVpxZcDhL7B2LcNkNg_Johe-gJIueEBQjgs4dq20qSB/s320/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(60)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOdUySG6NmhRZF8u1SZQl6I16iMQroP7nRZHWESGaG3H6qXtl4314vJ0Isy5_70b9m8rQrtSj1swj6WubwLXHMAODL5N_HySEuF9z5DG4M_0b0jY2mOq739pVF2Z9t3Ka88LfxJ3UShR7/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(74)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFOdUySG6NmhRZF8u1SZQl6I16iMQroP7nRZHWESGaG3H6qXtl4314vJ0Isy5_70b9m8rQrtSj1swj6WubwLXHMAODL5N_HySEuF9z5DG4M_0b0jY2mOq739pVF2Z9t3Ka88LfxJ3UShR7/s320/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(74)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53QE59QZzZ4Ziw_dej4X3GKR4Ga2plRmP2PNvEqgnwoupCFrdZysQTOo3ISdUA6ZLYuWeWFzFx8Uikq-1rYBcCXcjDCQiOkb09X3Gz6KOD15Hh4PC_NiqwfSCTL8mxk3XKozo7x8IvG__/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(71)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg53QE59QZzZ4Ziw_dej4X3GKR4Ga2plRmP2PNvEqgnwoupCFrdZysQTOo3ISdUA6ZLYuWeWFzFx8Uikq-1rYBcCXcjDCQiOkb09X3Gz6KOD15Hh4PC_NiqwfSCTL8mxk3XKozo7x8IvG__/s320/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(71)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbHi-REF7GMyb08_uJGAAH4YCTbqg6QnTUh5_DNKzf0_TlNeQwAJZ94ZPaNi62rXr_PaWM3cPoyLDkDZJY7sOh_mHnHdtRd63HyvJsQNHsXW_J3E4450sU01jiEljzvWo1lo_ac1PZXhJ/s1600/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(76)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGbHi-REF7GMyb08_uJGAAH4YCTbqg6QnTUh5_DNKzf0_TlNeQwAJZ94ZPaNi62rXr_PaWM3cPoyLDkDZJY7sOh_mHnHdtRd63HyvJsQNHsXW_J3E4450sU01jiEljzvWo1lo_ac1PZXhJ/s320/2013-05-02+park+by+Forbidden+City+(76)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the buildings in the park where all the wedding pictures were being taken</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hDARZfqt1-tqhN22VLQMXPGu2wv2LdVZhacGAAMIi8e50HVZ4sFuIUspPCimjY_3Gc16Z5oHDSmoXj1zBpR9qCKBSFSAPIkrDaIxjmhyphenhyphenFuaggAMfP2EbBQHbgBO0uqJBpwIkmDsb1YAf/s1600/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City,+outside+the+gates,+Mao+(14)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hDARZfqt1-tqhN22VLQMXPGu2wv2LdVZhacGAAMIi8e50HVZ4sFuIUspPCimjY_3Gc16Z5oHDSmoXj1zBpR9qCKBSFSAPIkrDaIxjmhyphenhyphenFuaggAMfP2EbBQHbgBO0uqJBpwIkmDsb1YAf/s320/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City,+outside+the+gates,+Mao+(14)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz-0ndq82GI7RArF4LNdYrlp7qLEvvLRyaww80T-GFXPNTqnFf5WxNBfgTWT_Rd_NJiUWVLHspCT1N3vF8f' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Finally I got to the gate to go to the entrance to the Forbidden City. I was shocked by the hordes of people there! It was like entering into a nightmare (for me). There were merchants everywhere trying to sell their wares, mostly hats of one kind or another to keep the sun out. I thought I'd taken some pictures of the crowds, but I guess not. You'll just have to imagine! The video I uploaded is of one of the hat salespeople showing the multitude of ways you could wear that certain type of hat. He was very entertaining. Sorry the picture is sideways. I didn't realize the iPad could only film video one way. Oops!<br />
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I spent a few minutes looking at the crowds of people, checking out the vendors, seeing where I had to go to buy a ticket. I looked at the Forbidden City itself. It looked to me like the buildings I'd just seen in the park. Dylan had told me that you can't go into the buildings. Hordes of people line up at each building, waiting for the moment where they can look into the building to see the lush furniture and rooms. They take a photograph then get pushed on to the next building where the same process is repeated.<br />
<br />
I called Dylan to see where he was and when he wanted to meet me, given that I was a bit behind schedule because I'd gotten off to a late start and had also spent so much time at the art exhibit. We decided to meet at 1:45, about an hour hence. I told him about Linda and how she'd met me at the subway entrance. He said, "Oh, MOM! No! You didn't go with her, did you?" <br />
<br />
"Uh, yes, I did! I had a great time! It was so interesting looking at the art."<br />
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"Don't tell me you bought anything?!"<br />
<br />
"Why's that?"<br />
<br />
"Mom, I forgot to warn you - I didn't think I'd have to! Those people are scam artists. That's one of the most common scams in China! People taking you to look at art then selling you cheap stuff."<br />
<br />
My joy was immediately deflated. I felt like I'd been had. I felt so confused. I'd had a lovely conversation with Linda. Yes, her English was rapid-fire and somewhat canned, but when we'd gotten off script, she'd stayed right with me. We'd talked about personal stuff. We had connected a little bit personally. I really liked the pieces I bought.<br />
<br />
I told Dylan all that.<br />
<br />
He tried to backtrack, seeming to not want to ruin my experience and make me feel wretched. He said, "Oh, well maybe this was different. It does sound like it was a student show. Maybe this was more legitimate than those I've heard about. I don't want to mess it up for you. I'm glad you like what you got."<br />
<br />
I didn't want to tell him I'd bought <i>two</i> pieces, been had <i>two times, </i>not just one! I felt so foolish - and confused! The pieces are beautiful. They are special. So what could be the scam? Then I realized that perhaps they are prints, not originals painted by her teachers. The price was too high for prints, even if they're very good quality prints. It would make sense that they were prints given all the seals on that one picture that I'd questioned her about. I don't know what original watercolors would look like on silk so examining it didn't really help me tell if they were real or not. I have a feeling they are good quality prints and that I paid way too much for them. I felt kind of sick. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13QyW0hI0SwyDg47KBvQx36dhEwYaAEXw36sJYw4-bbdAtZgzRW2TTNreWQUFalp6L5CYVFg8Uv3NeseQ4cehGhbt05XWIK2dll07gJabqd_GWacQIC7QTttetetEgcruDJ9wVxO8uuKw/s1600/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City,+outside+the+gates,+Mao+(15)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13QyW0hI0SwyDg47KBvQx36dhEwYaAEXw36sJYw4-bbdAtZgzRW2TTNreWQUFalp6L5CYVFg8Uv3NeseQ4cehGhbt05XWIK2dll07gJabqd_GWacQIC7QTttetetEgcruDJ9wVxO8uuKw/s320/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City,+outside+the+gates,+Mao+(15)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a>Dylan and I hung up, agreeing to meet in an hour or so. I got ready to buy my ticket. $15. I felt bad about the artwork. Unable to march back in and demand my money back, not wanting to believe I'd been scammed, perplexed by the connection I'd felt with Linda, surprised because the art really is beautiful. I tried to rationalize the price - well, it'll help the art students. I can get it checked out when I get back to the States. I bought it through Visa - maybe I can lodge a complaint with them and get my money back that way - at least some of it - they're worth something, just not what I paid. Probably. But what if they are real? Then they're a great deal. And they are beautiful. But now the story is ruined. And I don't know how to find out if they're real or prints. My mind couldn't quite settle down.<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Side note: Yesterday (I've been home in the US for a few days now) I finally shared this story with Chris, but not until after I showed him the paintings. He finds them quite beautiful too. He was taken with the detailed petals, the beautiful composition, the delicacy of each of them. I thought about not telling him the story about Linda and the possible scam, but I think I am constitutionally incapable of holding anything back from Chris - besides, one of our wedding vows is "No holding back!" - so I went ahead and told him the whole story, including my chagrin and frustration. He had the best response possible. He didn't say a word about the money. He just talked about how interesting the whole thing is - before Dylan said anything, I felt good about the interaction, fine about the price, proud of my purchase, excited about it even. I felt fine about the price. Then Dylan threw doubt into the equation. Suddenly I wasn't sure anymore - didn't know if I'd gotten a good deal or had been scammed. Suddenly I was wondering about the whole thing - it was sullied. I didn't know if I could enjoy the paintings anymore. The only thing that had changed was that doubt had been thrown in. How did that change the value of the items in my mind? It was only a shift in perception, nothing more. Satisfied to feeling scammed, all in one brief moment. Nothing about the paintings changed in the least. It is a fascinating psychological issue, I think. I'm grateful for the opportunity to take a look at it. It reminds me of the saying by Tony Robbins, "Trade your expectation for appreciation and the world changes instantly." I went in reverse, and the world did, in fact, change instantly. Now I want to switch it back around so I can hang those paintings up and enjoy them and the artistry behind them thoroughly. Perhaps these will become just the reminders I need to focus on the positive and to remember how powerful perception is! That's certainly worth $200!</span></i></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHPYCxV8ZYbOfVhH3JGXeq9VDSMieXbb0-3hSMg_5gGs-SJCkcXUJzheSJleCz-MFOt0NaE_tpNkfRe89SR62bY9dSwL_5kMLRrf1ZpPicx9WhIpzrl2h1ELKKZV7VUkCSBOhICvckTEf/s1600/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City,+outside+the+gates,+Mao+(12)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHPYCxV8ZYbOfVhH3JGXeq9VDSMieXbb0-3hSMg_5gGs-SJCkcXUJzheSJleCz-MFOt0NaE_tpNkfRe89SR62bY9dSwL_5kMLRrf1ZpPicx9WhIpzrl2h1ELKKZV7VUkCSBOhICvckTEf/s320/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City,+outside+the+gates,+Mao+(12)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the people collecting recyclable materials to sell.</td></tr>
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I looked around, felt kinda lost, and decided not to go into the Forbidden City - nothing about it had sounded all that compelling. I figured I could watch The Last Emperor again and see the insides of the rooms much better than I could by standing at the doorway with crowds of people pressed against me wanting me to move so they could see. I called Dylan back to say I was ready when he was. He said he couldn't come any sooner because he had to see a teacher. I wandered out to the front gate I'd avoided by going through the park, checking out the people as I went, lost in my thoughts about the damn prints/paintings.<br />
<br />
When I got out front, I recognized that I was on Tienaman Square. There were dozens of armed guards lining the walkway out of the Forbidden City complex in front of Tienaman Square. No loitering was allowed. There were huge billboards advertising perfume and showing Western actors in the middle off the square. Traffic zoomed by. There was a significant military presence. One had to go under the street through the maze of tunnels holding the subway to get to the square itself. I chose not to go there, just to look from where I was. There were not all that many people on the square, certainly no groups. I think the government is careful to keep groups from congregating there. They don't want another confrontation like happened in 1989. <br />
<br />
Again, Wikipedia offers info:<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXztVvNpjWakrrTanNyR5jd5UvSGfXwUMs4ipZKV7fNJVuXlo679iTasI3gGsy7CIhb6plOkY8dDeChoRjxyX6Pl4xMFr9Kf8KoIAyyuVztXQQD7O-jki9McPrPF10sZ-JemHj557cGgjm/s1600/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City%252C+people+being+photographed+%252811%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXztVvNpjWakrrTanNyR5jd5UvSGfXwUMs4ipZKV7fNJVuXlo679iTasI3gGsy7CIhb6plOkY8dDeChoRjxyX6Pl4xMFr9Kf8KoIAyyuVztXQQD7O-jki9McPrPF10sZ-JemHj557cGgjm/s320/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City%252C+people+being+photographed+%252811%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><i><b>Tiananmen Square</b> is a large <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_square" title="Town square">city square</a> in the center of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing" title="Beijing">Beijing</a>, <a class="mw-redirect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_China" title="People's Republic of China">China</a>, named after the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen" title="Tiananmen">Tiananmen</a> Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) located to its North, separating it from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City" title="Forbidden City">Forbidden City</a>. Tiananmen Square is the third <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_city_squares_by_size" title="List of city squares by size">largest city square</a> in the world (440,000 m² - 880m by 500m or 109 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acre" title="Acre">acres</a> - 960 by 550 yd). It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square#Events" title="Tiananmen Square">important events</a> in Chinese history. </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Outside China, the square is best known in recent memory as the focal point of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square_protests_of_1989" title="Tiananmen Square protests of 1989">Tiananmen Square protests of 1989</a>,
a pro-democracy movement which ended on 4 June 1989 with the
declaration of martial law in Beijing by the government and the death of
several hundred or possibly thousands of civilians.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-bbc-right_1-0"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square#cite_note-bbc-right-1"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a></sup><sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-Jan_Wong_1997.2C_p.278_2-0"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiananmen_Square#cite_note-Jan_Wong_1997.2C_p.278-2"><span>[</span>2<span>]</span></a></sup></i></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx7-qqcxd0Z-yAIhmjk8AsJhoke5zbIwcOalkatoO8hTmUkyRz1LK4c5ucvSAlNmSIt1EGCJy8OIKW-rqSSoJZPbcqJhVzRV2wK_pRJ86MdDipREfShMlSZk8ZcCW0FXEeBIqKIJantZO/s1600/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City%252C+people+being+photographed+%25283%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisx7-qqcxd0Z-yAIhmjk8AsJhoke5zbIwcOalkatoO8hTmUkyRz1LK4c5ucvSAlNmSIt1EGCJy8OIKW-rqSSoJZPbcqJhVzRV2wK_pRJ86MdDipREfShMlSZk8ZcCW0FXEeBIqKIJantZO/s320/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City%252C+people+being+photographed+%25283%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a> So what I was seeing was the <i>Gate of Heavenly Peace</i> and the guards in front of it. There was a huge picture of Mao mounted on the wall there. I noticed there were many, many people in front of the barrier there being photographed by their loved ones. I got interested in that. I started to pay attention to the process of people being photographed. Watching it from a detached point of view was very interesting. Usually I'm an integral part of the process- being photographed or doing the photographing, and I'm oblivious to what else is going on. Now I was an outsider, watching the process, seeing people oblivious to everyone else. I decided it would be interesting to photograph them being photographed. <br />
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I saw older couples standing stiffly together, straight-faced, being photographed in front of this cultural icon. Younger people, teens and younger, tended to smile or strike a pose I am more used to - peace sign or pointing or laughing. The difference was quite noticeable.<br />
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I found myself wondering how they felt about Mao. I wish I could have asked. He is the father of modern China, but he, like Stalin and Hitler, caused so many, many, many deaths and so much destruction and horror - between 40 and 70 million people are estimated to have died because of his policies. How could they want their picture taken with him? How could they wear Mao hats? How could they buy memorabilia from that period? What an interesting quandary!<br />
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Here are some of the pictures I took of the people being photographed in front of Mao's picture:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxe78nQun4lkbAaZAY8LOruOuB994YNBsq1wM6ViCv3uUd_RZWE-1LkcUn6Ip5Y2XSuVOMACrHVnCHP0__-CJxsgMB62degBQ_1p8g1Ac-tqKQJd8Jd-LMI5v23Iv5HOofu1yJzrEqLBD/s1600/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City,+people+being+photographed+(74)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxe78nQun4lkbAaZAY8LOruOuB994YNBsq1wM6ViCv3uUd_RZWE-1LkcUn6Ip5Y2XSuVOMACrHVnCHP0__-CJxsgMB62degBQ_1p8g1Ac-tqKQJd8Jd-LMI5v23Iv5HOofu1yJzrEqLBD/s320/2013-05-02+Forbidden+City,+people+being+photographed+(74)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy is apparently a worker for the state. He was using a hand drill with a steel wool-type drill bit on it along with water to sand down rough spots in the pavement. I can not begin to imagine someone doing that job in the US. It simply seems too trivial.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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After about 45 minutes of photographing people, Dylan called to see if I wanted to meet him at the Silk Market rather than him meeting me at the Square since I'd seen enough. I figured I could take on the subway again with his excellent directions on how to get there, so off I went!<br />
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-21469073641113815212013-05-08T18:59:00.000-04:002013-05-08T18:59:59.020-04:00May 15th evening Zendoodle class at my studio, other summer classes<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'll be offering many, many, many classes in the following months. Here's a list of them in case you're i<span style="font-size: small;">nterested. All classes take place in Richmond, VA. You can email me <span style="font-size: small;">at SusanSingerArt at msn.com if you'd like <span style="font-size: small;">more information, or take a look at my website at <a href="http://www.susansinger.com/">www.susansinger.com</a><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"> for details about <span style="font-size: small;">the <span style="font-size: small;">classes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: yellow;">Here's the one coming up next: <b><span style="color: red;">a special evening class of Zendoodles</span></b> for all th<span style="font-size: small;">ose of you who can't make daytime or weekend classe<span style="font-size: small;">s! Come take time from your busy sc<span style="font-size: small;">hedule to <span style="font-size: small;">learn the joy of Zendoodles! I'll teach you the fundamentals of Zendoodles as well as lo<span style="font-size: small;">ts of patterns to increase your doodling repet<span style="font-size: small;">oire. It's a simple, fun, addictive form of creativ<span style="font-size: small;">ity which <span style="font-size: small;"><i>anyone</i> can do<span style="font-size: small;">! <b>Wednesday, May 15, 6:30 - 9:30 PM, at my studio, $35. Contact me at SusanSingerA<span style="font-size: small;">rt@msn.com </span>to sign up.</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><i><u> </u></i></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><i><u>Drawing</u></i></b></span><br /><u><u>Beginning Drawing</u> -</u> Mondays, June 24 - August 12, <span style="font-size: small;">(no class July 15), 8</span> weeks, $2<span style="font-size: small;">4</span>0, <span style="color: #0070c0;">at Crossroads Art Center</span>,
contact me to sign up. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><br />Intermediate Drawing</u>
- Tuesdays, April 2 - May 28, 8 weeks (no class 4/9), $240, <span style="color: #0070c0;">at my
studio</span>. Open to all who have had Beginning Drawing or
commensurate
experience, contact me to sign up</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><u><br />Drawing Fundamentals Intensive</u></u> -
another new class for me - Beginning Drawing all in a week! Monday,
June 17 - Friday, June 21; 9:30 - 12:30; at the Visual Arts Center, sign up at <a href="https://blu170.mail.live.com/mail/www.visarts.org" target="_blank">www.visarts.org</a></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2zP1NaSsLjC2IZ8fuOFZEGOOuumULUPDtJboGAP_rii6qqpV_BYd88c7ZSrnOa31cPM-5I85OuYfwJLuOllDQJg4XWgoHmSYJN3IwF84fq0WNJ1B5-gzx05n5QqFi7LFASHSm7hS-_h6/s1600/Zendoodlevery+high+contrastbridged+%2528470x640%2529.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2zP1NaSsLjC2IZ8fuOFZEGOOuumULUPDtJboGAP_rii6qqpV_BYd88c7ZSrnOa31cPM-5I85OuYfwJLuOllDQJg4XWgoHmSYJN3IwF84fq0WNJ1B5-gzx05n5QqFi7LFASHSm7hS-_h6/s320/Zendoodlevery+high+contrastbridged+%2528470x640%2529.jpg" width="235" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqECdHCLaxy8PPr-KQbJsd-xLVTSC0LRaW9qvbmw4n3Sb7rCbEyVzw9RWvGTnChIZk95MtJY9OFgA6xGEfhHh34V3jzhHaIFRC0I2BmhB4WjxVvEsLvTlc1fvwa_ZHXxqojvfN-C_-o9BM/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqECdHCLaxy8PPr-KQbJsd-xLVTSC0LRaW9qvbmw4n3Sb7rCbEyVzw9RWvGTnChIZk95MtJY9OFgA6xGEfhHh34V3jzhHaIFRC0I2BmhB4WjxVvEsLvTlc1fvwa_ZHXxqojvfN-C_-o9BM/s200/IMG_0598.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><span style="color: red;"><b><i>Zendoodles</i></b></span><br />Zendoodles for Parent and Child</u>
- a new class, by special request - Zendoodles with a special emphasis
on kids and their parents. We'll do some special projects for them to
work together as well as teach many of the wonderful, fun patterns which
make Zendoodles so special! Saturday, May 18, 10-2; $75 for parent and
child together; <span style="color: #0070c0;">at my studio</span>; bring a lunch; contact me to sign up.<u> </u></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>Zendoodles</u>
- the regular class for adults (and kids accompanied by an adult if desired!),
Saturday, August 3, 10-2; at the Visual Arts Center, sign up at <a href="https://blu170.mail.live.com/mail/www.visarts.org" target="_blank">www.visarts.org</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><i><span style="color: red;"><b>Pastels</b></span></i></u><br /><u>Intro to Pastels</u> - Wednesdays, June 5 - July 10, 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9 PM, at the Visual Arts Center, sign up at <a href="https://blu170.mail.live.com/mail/www.visarts.org" target="_blank">www.visarts.org</a><u><br /> </u></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>Intermediate Pastels<i> - </i></u><i>ongoing</i>, Monday afternoons from 1-3:30 <span style="color: #0070c0;">at my studio</span>, $30/session. Minimum 3 students/class; Max 6. Call ahead to register. <b>OR </b>Wednesdays, July 24 - August 28, 6 weeks, 6:30 - 9 PM, at the Visual Arts Center, sign up at <a href="https://blu170.mail.live.com/mail/www.visarts.org" target="_blank">www.visarts.org</a></span></span><u><br /></u><a href="https://blu170.mail.live.com/mail/www.visarts.org" target="_blank"></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><u><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b><i><span style="color: red;">Creativity</span></i></b></u></span></span></u></u></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u>Follow Your Bliss</u>
- a class designed to help you learn what it is you LOVE to do, to
figure out what might be stopping you from doing it, to support you in
doing it with vitality and joy, Mondays, July 8 - August 26, 8 weeks,
6:30 - 9 PM, at the Visual Arts Center, sign up at <a href="https://blu170.mail.live.com/mail/www.visarts.org" target="_blank">www.visarts.org</a></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><u><br /></u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><i><b><span style="color: red;">Watercolor</span></b></i></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><i><b><span style="color: red;"> </span></b></i></u><u>Watercolor Painting in the Garden</u> - class held at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden; sign up at <a href="https://blu170.mail.live.com/mail/www.visarts.org" target="_blank">www.visarts.org</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monday, June 10, 10-4, <b>OR</b></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Saturday, July 27, 10-4</span><br />
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<br />Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-86987024345959244682013-05-08T04:00:00.000-04:002013-05-08T04:00:42.816-04:00April 29th, taking care of myself in the midst of the unknown and unfamiliar, BeijingToday started out tough! I woke up to the sound of the repetitive speaker outside my room again. That was rough. I tried to drown it out by thinking of other things and tightening the earplugs more, but I needed to get up anyway, so eventually I got up, hearing that sound plus cart wheels rumbling over cobblestones and cars and people outside as well as doors slamming inside. I was overwhelmed before I got out of bed. I got up and showered and prepared to head to Dylan's. I stopped in the lobby to call Chris - I was feeling in need of a connection with my love. It was very helpful. I started crying almost right away - I think I needed the release. I find that when I travel I sometimes get overwhelmed by the huge number of stimuli and new experiences. I'm so used to my creature comforts and to having a lot of solitude and quiet that when I don't have them, I eventually don't respond so well. It would be easier if I weren't so sensitive, but oh well! Apparently I am!<br />
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I came over to Dylan's after the phone call with Chris and told him I needed to rest and recuperate. I was wanting to spend time on the internet so I could download a couple of books and write a blog and catch up with friends on FB. Instead I lay down on his bed and fell asleep for almost 4 hours. I think what happened is that jet lag finally caught up with me. I did the same thing after about three days in Paris. I felt MUCH better and much less tearful when I woke up.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyF6xvIvXPKItc3g6jmgt2l0CyL6LUpUeZ1oOcFFA6t-dT58i0o71MTZxa4qi4Kvz7fZw7S0QEvPAlyb7zq3c-L1B0HXziNV72U-uA-tXdr11XJ1JxTWW2BrUIZksT_xQLodla-PLEEqq/s1600/2013-04-29+16.06.09+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyF6xvIvXPKItc3g6jmgt2l0CyL6LUpUeZ1oOcFFA6t-dT58i0o71MTZxa4qi4Kvz7fZw7S0QEvPAlyb7zq3c-L1B0HXziNV72U-uA-tXdr11XJ1JxTWW2BrUIZksT_xQLodla-PLEEqq/s320/2013-04-29+16.06.09+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, m&m's! and Hershey's kisses and Dove Chocolate</td></tr>
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Dylan was so sweet. He suggested we go eat at a cafe where they have Western food. We both had spaghetti Carbonara - yummy, if not healthy. I simply needed something familiar and what my body was used to eating. It was very comforting. Then we went to a grocery store which has a lot of Western goods. It was good to see things I recognize. I also saw plenty of unfamiliar, interesting things, or familiar things in new packages. Dylan said it isn't a good example of a typical Chinese grocery store because it caters to foreigners,sort of like shopping at Tan-A in Richmond which caters to Asian shoppers. But it had its lovely effect of soothing me! That's frankly all I wanted.<br />
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I was fascinated to see some things straight off American food store shelves, especially nuts from <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl8ZflAm9TYK1iR_m5zCGFlDMsqim-bd7wC3MY9rd_udUz6Cf_D2utra6uK04ACrcA5Uz5nEAwPwfKwQPffZFczKgM8GK9bouGXyZTuF8Oyt2S1nkLHhqbKqAbMBWUfZjxBwnkg5Ell86/s1600/2013-04-29+16.14.19+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbl8ZflAm9TYK1iR_m5zCGFlDMsqim-bd7wC3MY9rd_udUz6Cf_D2utra6uK04ACrcA5Uz5nEAwPwfKwQPffZFczKgM8GK9bouGXyZTuF8Oyt2S1nkLHhqbKqAbMBWUfZjxBwnkg5Ell86/s320/2013-04-29+16.14.19+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheetoes, Lay's chips, etc.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoNJlUuoBlbBPvWw4joHfIp9SDzHQb8Sm8SEZ-zsrv3Nb0GBa2YDdcDYO3Fi2NQQObIEAXR6yFLXgx2rfRLzCEE9fMh19iM-v1LkiqKPjWuOWj3dTYZAxpiEAN5Cxgvcr5ExNAhQiYH_-/s1600/2013-04-29+16.11.29+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoNJlUuoBlbBPvWw4joHfIp9SDzHQb8Sm8SEZ-zsrv3Nb0GBa2YDdcDYO3Fi2NQQObIEAXR6yFLXgx2rfRLzCEE9fMh19iM-v1LkiqKPjWuOWj3dTYZAxpiEAN5Cxgvcr5ExNAhQiYH_-/s320/2013-04-29+16.11.29+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oreos of many flavors. Dylan said they're pretty terrible.</td></tr>
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Costco! Kirkland almonds and walnuts, etc. fascinating. They were more expensive in Beijing by about $4/bag, so $22 rather than $18 or thereabouts. They also had Cheerios, but Dylan said they are a different creature here - more like puffed rice round thingies rather than what we think of as Cheerios.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaldvwvqx-Nm7aniNKj8EDPJkRZVWEzCjvsON65go2kNQYc27oO8yKSEqNRKAKm4Eicwwj-7DXs-9si530Ev82zy5i5Xl5MZyBjmeKlonyIZKNAwfP88QBSO1o0iUT1JPbYKMVnTFaxbPL/s1600/2013-04-29+16.07.47+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaldvwvqx-Nm7aniNKj8EDPJkRZVWEzCjvsON65go2kNQYc27oO8yKSEqNRKAKm4Eicwwj-7DXs-9si530Ev82zy5i5Xl5MZyBjmeKlonyIZKNAwfP88QBSO1o0iUT1JPbYKMVnTFaxbPL/s320/2013-04-29+16.07.47+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>I saw some peaches or nectarines which had Chinese writing on them. It looks like some sort of sticker had been put on them when they were growing, then the lack of sun on that area caused them to turn a different color than the surrounding area so the image stood out though there was no sticker on it anymore. It seemed like a lot of work for a single piece of fruit. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0dfV_1RV0qperVh6vfgH1OiJPGttMMIbGcRJpm7ZoBZOT7bfOUJjk9MKNBoIksFRFSAoY-xr6cnTt7iAq3oK2aq7Ifiv63cUUhyphenhyphenGLBiTmpWG2tCu9lbc5zbPrrW6l58304bjL99THYpj/s1600/2013-04-29+16.07.36+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0dfV_1RV0qperVh6vfgH1OiJPGttMMIbGcRJpm7ZoBZOT7bfOUJjk9MKNBoIksFRFSAoY-xr6cnTt7iAq3oK2aq7Ifiv63cUUhyphenhyphenGLBiTmpWG2tCu9lbc5zbPrrW6l58304bjL99THYpj/s320/2013-04-29+16.07.36+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
There was also multicolored fruit with hairs growing out of it, long hairs, about 2 inches long. They were very pretty. Dylan bought something called Dragon's Eyeballs, also fruit, a bit larger than a very large grape with a skin about the color of a kiwi, but easy to peel like a clementine. They were mildly sweet and chewy gelatinous.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQrKPojxg3Q6CSxAp2gboXWasNWLNR-rIM02TMtQbvzZ3rBN9yr2aJCwoP4KcfaQibbjx3SQNsIkKL_H4tY5CICcEVI_aaU1eG-Jyqu-qg1Jz6NYU_CyRJ3-Ai4IA5Gz_xybd2_SVsB_f/s1600/2013-04-29+16.28.05+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQrKPojxg3Q6CSxAp2gboXWasNWLNR-rIM02TMtQbvzZ3rBN9yr2aJCwoP4KcfaQibbjx3SQNsIkKL_H4tY5CICcEVI_aaU1eG-Jyqu-qg1Jz6NYU_CyRJ3-Ai4IA5Gz_xybd2_SVsB_f/s320/2013-04-29+16.28.05+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chicken feet, anyone?</td></tr>
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Dylan told me he hoped he had helped expand my palette some - isn't that role-reversal? I thought parents were the one who were always trying to get kids t eat more different stuff. Dylan has certainly worked hard to achieve his goal! I'm not sure I'll go out of my way to eat ducks' feet or dragons' eyes, but at least I can say I've eaten them! That's step one. Right?!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsQ2dCsgculPfBxcuZBE4JTKFm1RV4G6KNJmG4YmYhhgxalUhqxBdcP5SuOeN6IuMaXxbFog87ZFWzFQ2wHalShbXPPdO1rgb6R7acIip4fXJlYwF55I_Ti2o-4xtTyCdFvJ1fPfEEW9v/s1600/2013-04-29+16.01.35+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsQ2dCsgculPfBxcuZBE4JTKFm1RV4G6KNJmG4YmYhhgxalUhqxBdcP5SuOeN6IuMaXxbFog87ZFWzFQ2wHalShbXPPdO1rgb6R7acIip4fXJlYwF55I_Ti2o-4xtTyCdFvJ1fPfEEW9v/s320/2013-04-29+16.01.35+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was tempted to get one of these just to explore and try to figure out how to open it, how to eat it, etc., but we didn't... I still wonder what it's like.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiO3YXXqCxy1FFeJo8b8Ri-eXWQUiGAks-89K8vkuNYffAzHZeRClTxumBa75dWzxBOEY6iPzsGLHmz5wrPqJGzvyeeNDrn3BsuE5tfpX5cl60-8JPyELWdXsvzJxYDdHXhqPvdtvQsrNw/s1600/2013-04-29+16.03.08+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiO3YXXqCxy1FFeJo8b8Ri-eXWQUiGAks-89K8vkuNYffAzHZeRClTxumBa75dWzxBOEY6iPzsGLHmz5wrPqJGzvyeeNDrn3BsuE5tfpX5cl60-8JPyELWdXsvzJxYDdHXhqPvdtvQsrNw/s320/2013-04-29+16.03.08+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These cherries, in their beautiful little baskets, were 120 Yuan or about $20. Honest to goodness! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hVRypYZgthtDjeE_EFTtZQfER1qQ3ohnB6N7Y9xBsupQM_080AjPiX3qhw2VKcQ4PyyV4kUqlu3NHFIfUwzLA2vsguyQfY0Nx5YAvvNQN_iWu5zTV6NxoOBVCMIHzfiNXJRYvaRL7dnp/s1600/2013-04-29+16.01.58+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hVRypYZgthtDjeE_EFTtZQfER1qQ3ohnB6N7Y9xBsupQM_080AjPiX3qhw2VKcQ4PyyV4kUqlu3NHFIfUwzLA2vsguyQfY0Nx5YAvvNQN_iWu5zTV6NxoOBVCMIHzfiNXJRYvaRL7dnp/s320/2013-04-29+16.01.58+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've seen these for sale in the US but have no clue what they're called or what to do with them either.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanvzcAXQns_pcOIQb3RCYgCK-GSAq201RlUNa_XLkElGG0ebghubctcdQFvU6KN1FkApPpnY82132OYJTgRSWhFQzFKwaib6da2VBqxg5XCdvYaXkgF1pfWNqU0w7txKd_46BUWffqoNB/s1600/2013-04-29+16.04.18+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanvzcAXQns_pcOIQb3RCYgCK-GSAq201RlUNa_XLkElGG0ebghubctcdQFvU6KN1FkApPpnY82132OYJTgRSWhFQzFKwaib6da2VBqxg5XCdvYaXkgF1pfWNqU0w7txKd_46BUWffqoNB/s320/2013-04-29+16.04.18+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of their bakery treats. Dylan says they're not very sweet or chewy or satisfying compare to American deserts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRXZNQeUTp3lUJ5Dtu1lW3_kFqpgT0LlmAxPNesQccYlX_igv9KNWezxYXmPN6BXJJqOzyr7FgbMITiRokee0g9MIukJ8YPSR3ho1w0r1l5zoEwJydPYO4gL4nnsRcxZxvsvDrE9PiKW-/s1600/IMG_0623%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjRXZNQeUTp3lUJ5Dtu1lW3_kFqpgT0LlmAxPNesQccYlX_igv9KNWezxYXmPN6BXJJqOzyr7FgbMITiRokee0g9MIukJ8YPSR3ho1w0r1l5zoEwJydPYO4gL4nnsRcxZxvsvDrE9PiKW-/s320/IMG_0623%255B1%255D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These <i>look </i>like American cereals, but apparently don't taste like them.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHvfw666zmtByb-dzJ4O9klSppBrVDYx7j8NvvCQdcxAajgmQyGX-2-4Pri9OvRYB417g1_c9pAmFgDMAzMhJ9mrVfxsKGeyNiDMP8KPYhmeeilRz-w5pX61jN95tCS1c95Fy7r6H_6KE/s1600/IMG_0641%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvHvfw666zmtByb-dzJ4O9klSppBrVDYx7j8NvvCQdcxAajgmQyGX-2-4Pri9OvRYB417g1_c9pAmFgDMAzMhJ9mrVfxsKGeyNiDMP8KPYhmeeilRz-w5pX61jN95tCS1c95Fy7r6H_6KE/s320/IMG_0641%5B1%5D.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what I was drawing. Many people stopped there to have their pictures taken because the blooming trees were so beautiful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlCqCySEwiJtDEkPqlxUqE9j3Ng-ODe2ZRi_pgnGDkQH2g-w0xpnqTv6P3AUGiqvRlS3HQ9p-08aHNzc35L4_iSeDSQBGAZxKgP0Hj5WCNDWzPl3B9jM0qzcudwpW4HBrl648NyTooZBy/s1600/IMG_0636%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHlCqCySEwiJtDEkPqlxUqE9j3Ng-ODe2ZRi_pgnGDkQH2g-w0xpnqTv6P3AUGiqvRlS3HQ9p-08aHNzc35L4_iSeDSQBGAZxKgP0Hj5WCNDWzPl3B9jM0qzcudwpW4HBrl648NyTooZBy/s320/IMG_0636%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of Dylan's favorite stores - Happy Lemon - where they serve milk tea.</td></tr>
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After the grocery store, we went to the lake at the university where we went the first day. Dylan did some reading - <u>Life of Pi</u> in Chinese - while I drew. What I drew wasn't particularly good, but it felt great to simply draw. A lot of folks came up to watch me draw and to see what I was doing. They were very friendly and kind and used their limited English with me. I loved the contact with others. It is so isolating to be so completely unable to comprehend a thing, By the end of the trip, I learned to say hello, thank you, and let's go. That's it. Hard to connect with just those words, though easier than without them!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOGzMq8qTvgl8q_LdRIh80_AJ5D3-QTyTi5WpwJXBl01gG69saz4w7MBKL2L0sWGVcArR_r4osu8t3Uez8nI6GRpgJu6s2kURNo45Y4GJHoagZxKTRrNAE9zcs_v0HnSE_ExbrMZDUkzX/s1600/2013-05-02+23.31.37+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqOGzMq8qTvgl8q_LdRIh80_AJ5D3-QTyTi5WpwJXBl01gG69saz4w7MBKL2L0sWGVcArR_r4osu8t3Uez8nI6GRpgJu6s2kURNo45Y4GJHoagZxKTRrNAE9zcs_v0HnSE_ExbrMZDUkzX/s320/2013-05-02+23.31.37+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
In the evening, Dylan went to play Magic (a card game), with a friend, leaving me delightedly nhis commuter where I oiled access facebook and email with ease. The day was a lovely dose of ease in the midst of the stress of the unknown.<br />
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-22025930379007709652013-05-07T11:14:00.000-04:002013-05-07T11:14:04.939-04:00April 27th, Cuandixia, a small ancient town outside of Beijing<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQft0Hgu2NRMTgzRglT1xiqbExWetiUX1iD3wtTTb0w1JKLHw37K0_bpJ7h5rXsIlKlhqT2QOp6Jj1WfUOKvZ4B7beKUpZcKHrR0RKZzsOrBIs8YQmdP7yQddVJnmzyTPO09y2sR5A1LrQ/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252894%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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A few days ago Dylan and I took a trip outside of Beijing which was really interesting. It is probably the only chance well have to get out of town, so I especially appreciated the view of the mountains and rivers and countryside. We went to a town called Cuandixia. The character for the name of it in Chinese has 30 strokes to it - quite, quite long. It means something like "cooking pot". It's so interesting how language develops.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvgBfVi1FTZRt8y9YAXfyzvMYCUIo_6NxVL7mesbUaUqU2zXLGPAbIpL79UEcKluzZWI18Mf3HwyLcu5hQ3X5k_GqQ5_Bz8FUlR0MORC_cHSbP-3KdY6ONKPGcqOW1rTZ-hioQQYNurJs/s640/blogger-image--1660137880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvgBfVi1FTZRt8y9YAXfyzvMYCUIo_6NxVL7mesbUaUqU2zXLGPAbIpL79UEcKluzZWI18Mf3HwyLcu5hQ3X5k_GqQ5_Bz8FUlR0MORC_cHSbP-3KdY6ONKPGcqOW1rTZ-hioQQYNurJs/s640/blogger-image--1660137880.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan's Zoolander pose in front of the large carved rock with the 30-stroke character which mean's Cuandaxia.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYHlG5pdpN8iFDfipKNb0fwkmN1tnVzEBQ9bLBygvu6odatFWkGzNjfbgjYBYFjGPj-9F6zfsbnSOXiopYofZKjfxqN8iq_jhOihbXoXg6556O-anruc8cd_1EVuEy1DiqE7K9qaxL8_a/s640/blogger-image-793162743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSYHlG5pdpN8iFDfipKNb0fwkmN1tnVzEBQ9bLBygvu6odatFWkGzNjfbgjYBYFjGPj-9F6zfsbnSOXiopYofZKjfxqN8iq_jhOihbXoXg6556O-anruc8cd_1EVuEy1DiqE7K9qaxL8_a/s640/blogger-image-793162743.jpg" /></a>The town has been set up as a sort of Williamsburg of the region. (Though that might give a false sense of the sophistication of the level of tourism. It was nothing like that! It was just a small village charging money for people to see it and catering to tourists with B&B's, (i.e. letting people stay at their house), and places that serve food.<br />
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It's at least 800 years old. It's a small village built between two fairly high hills which have been terraced for planting. The terraces aren't used anymore. Dylan and I decided they get more income from tourism than agriculture now. It seemed like most of the houses were being used as B&B's and/or restaurants. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTPB4SvexkfGPMHPpLsJ4Kq9BFlgPNLb4gfk40euCaGDxYSs39QwWCwUc7L25tjrk8sSIEMUiPS12rFJse1MWcoTXlUyfVLLyZEjwcSM1xD2nBm2OAeQZ_cjZTcQG1wM7v0cYtG2D4cZR/s640/blogger-image--1450834541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCTPB4SvexkfGPMHPpLsJ4Kq9BFlgPNLb4gfk40euCaGDxYSs39QwWCwUc7L25tjrk8sSIEMUiPS12rFJse1MWcoTXlUyfVLLyZEjwcSM1xD2nBm2OAeQZ_cjZTcQG1wM7v0cYtG2D4cZR/s320/blogger-image--1450834541.jpg" width="239" /></a>The town is overwhelmingly brown, the brown of the mountains because its build from stones from the mountain and mortared with clay from the same place. The houses usually have courtyards off of which are bedrooms and the kitchen area. I'm assuming whole families, with mixed generations lived together. There was one new courtyard/house, but the others looked to be as old as the ages.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz8Xdy6-_9oT3P5Z8jZ7M78Q-GPVTE7PRutYl-mvU7dQoFDWH5kNMjT4IkfuzbEpvP-XP9srHwFTy674SbnQg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>The
garbage truck in Cuandixia played music reminiscent of an ice cream
truck to let people know he was coming so they could bring out the
garbage. I promise to try to remember that videos only record one way -
horizontally! - next time!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQlYl4EoECe054o20LK_AgsAVizbbw_lD-5ZPIdGMn5xCcDow5zuB1uIOrwEcmTuL5YkMvCTY06r9X81iEku6If4Lazekiv-V05_N6OcuqB5Vzw9wdYkHfUVEeJplbJDub85yMB4RRYuj/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+(101)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLQlYl4EoECe054o20LK_AgsAVizbbw_lD-5ZPIdGMn5xCcDow5zuB1uIOrwEcmTuL5YkMvCTY06r9X81iEku6If4Lazekiv-V05_N6OcuqB5Vzw9wdYkHfUVEeJplbJDub85yMB4RRYuj/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+(101)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">door to one of the inns.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS35EacNq6lP260ZCi5UCsr6G4wBatHgliJS5kwHBwVd1XidrcwAqEeIYlwbIsIiAadnKkETSS3dlAz9xVLAyYqEHg6ea1TCh_HdLLHIYhDKiCXQCUz_SexXEEl91dMak9srrXsL5Cr0nI/s1600/2013-04-27+17.37.20+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG4S-iNUhiHLV3Pq-XJ867yngz7VHON1fCh30ZmiK7QCPtk40qytiQCYvrb5ABN7Sp12UKsGXWbm0_fLI9BzQcU3br29OnR15_eqPa2xf-sF7Z2FPuDxqeI_hFOS0ZGQ8v92UlVB30JLg/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+(126)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWG4S-iNUhiHLV3Pq-XJ867yngz7VHON1fCh30ZmiK7QCPtk40qytiQCYvrb5ABN7Sp12UKsGXWbm0_fLI9BzQcU3br29OnR15_eqPa2xf-sF7Z2FPuDxqeI_hFOS0ZGQ8v92UlVB30JLg/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+(126)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entrance to another B&B</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs03wqemOxduMzwPCIJx2R1PlVzsi5DXzgIWSjNpAPPLxoF35nxr2C9rIeCZjV5nCfzUSWOELVz_VnOThiIBz6cN9G-j_Dupm50GL0TTp3BS7C7uC6eSpm9Pp5lc7-Uzkg8-wHK8R6B6TL/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+(105)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs03wqemOxduMzwPCIJx2R1PlVzsi5DXzgIWSjNpAPPLxoF35nxr2C9rIeCZjV5nCfzUSWOELVz_VnOThiIBz6cN9G-j_Dupm50GL0TTp3BS7C7uC6eSpm9Pp5lc7-Uzkg8-wHK8R6B6TL/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+(105)+(640x480).jpg" /></a></div>
We climbed up the hill, up the stairs, to the top to get the view. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxdi5AD6_bfv0nWZJhOMfe646A7RJu8dNvGiP6jApCbIdvIyH-vjZ8u8PWd1LlwFLRZO5FqHY4oeIw6K3E4yhwL7DQE3wwW6tTGtqE-fXoqL1-uhDFK7L1a5d5QlIP_XDmFg-EQhbd5it/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528151%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKxdi5AD6_bfv0nWZJhOMfe646A7RJu8dNvGiP6jApCbIdvIyH-vjZ8u8PWd1LlwFLRZO5FqHY4oeIw6K3E4yhwL7DQE3wwW6tTGtqE-fXoqL1-uhDFK7L1a5d5QlIP_XDmFg-EQhbd5it/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528151%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was no water in the town for the day, so this was our option for washing our hands.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm53_g6kSug0IPyEGIqc7sTT8P1gq2LssIZ0VUCHlFBy04nQ_mEH4alWoDNkfqVQ0jH95IZhkWj620XuVp2kHgQvIKSrqb4aa81aFhJ0YPJoWG10m7gHhbsE4Z-IqlloaZhtXyZwltgYo/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528159%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm53_g6kSug0IPyEGIqc7sTT8P1gq2LssIZ0VUCHlFBy04nQ_mEH4alWoDNkfqVQ0jH95IZhkWj620XuVp2kHgQvIKSrqb4aa81aFhJ0YPJoWG10m7gHhbsE4Z-IqlloaZhtXyZwltgYo/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528159%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The courtyard behind the restaurant. I'm guessing they had guests stay there. There were three sides to it. Each seemed to be a separate bedroom.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cmcl2MqniZXPJcyN9HG7LO7dgDTPTjbiiVKqqwTyCyABQiUdxx1EF9ULBVdxgXpySOe_YuNRdYCgJ35M3tjmGYOECg6VQSgt4ksZmbvoFfWY4f9ZBRN1xrAxLWwzJJAgnPaFJ-S2LxTD/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528161%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cmcl2MqniZXPJcyN9HG7LO7dgDTPTjbiiVKqqwTyCyABQiUdxx1EF9ULBVdxgXpySOe_YuNRdYCgJ35M3tjmGYOECg6VQSgt4ksZmbvoFfWY4f9ZBRN1xrAxLWwzJJAgnPaFJ-S2LxTD/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528161%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan was eating part of a "loaf" of steamed bread, a baseball-sized lump of white dough, steamed. It had little taste, but provided effective starch to accompany a meal.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYJ2hW4AkgjreLu4_Kt9w6f1ku0pXP4zUW-53APp3nFIh2FxBGxMx2nBg8G2r08iti6Hg24D1XhC73ehBzzLJ4gXUTt6urKyGnE6E6ydioiM4O6iNmcIekRu8JFoIz3puwsAG90_xbDkv/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528162%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYJ2hW4AkgjreLu4_Kt9w6f1ku0pXP4zUW-53APp3nFIh2FxBGxMx2nBg8G2r08iti6Hg24D1XhC73ehBzzLJ4gXUTt6urKyGnE6E6ydioiM4O6iNmcIekRu8JFoIz3puwsAG90_xbDkv/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528162%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steamed bread, an excellent omlette, and an eggplant, onion, tomato dish. Dylan LOVES the eggplant in China - I can see why - we had several dishes of it, beautifully prepared and very tasty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We went to a restaurant up at the top where a couple of people who teach at Bei da, Dylan's university, were also eating a meal. The man took a picture of us which he sent us later. They were very friendly and, of course, complimented the heck out of Dylan's Chinese. It's enough to make a mama proud! Interestingly, when Dylan says he goes to Bei da, it's sort of like saying you go to Harvard in the US - raised eyebrows, knowing nods, assumptions of brilliance, immediate regard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s-HPFGB6h0N37wLR_MKg1s2PAUq3TdblXvsYaeDfMze6ZOEPhJJGbbnJYZUihC1mXcTghsgOY3FrtKuANeYrd3omRvhil2O5_EEovtl5HBWzRWB1UXvvkWVRQ634xlhvOnNw3qVWDJru/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528146%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s-HPFGB6h0N37wLR_MKg1s2PAUq3TdblXvsYaeDfMze6ZOEPhJJGbbnJYZUihC1mXcTghsgOY3FrtKuANeYrd3omRvhil2O5_EEovtl5HBWzRWB1UXvvkWVRQ634xlhvOnNw3qVWDJru/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528146%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jDS0VpeOGL9ndnOBe8o3O31j3pQ-jn3OG_nryjX9q-wwFlMU1eN3TWpP-idJaio4gjqFGHIudXhZO0aZfbPGhH8H0gMUEH25JilCrXL3vb9Q3mcnTcasYZ4EDxeB3sbHXdX248ivNAJb/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528154%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jDS0VpeOGL9ndnOBe8o3O31j3pQ-jn3OG_nryjX9q-wwFlMU1eN3TWpP-idJaio4gjqFGHIudXhZO0aZfbPGhH8H0gMUEH25JilCrXL3vb9Q3mcnTcasYZ4EDxeB3sbHXdX248ivNAJb/s200/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528154%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>Before lunch was served, I went down the hill to use the public bathroom which had obviously been built to accommodate tourists who visit the town. It was nasty beyond compare. The squat toilets had been used a lot and not flushed - by several people. I had to shut my mind down to the sight. It was only later that I found out that the whole town was without water or electricity the whole day, so that must have been the reason. I was glad for the explanation. Somehow it made it better.<br />
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The lack of electricity and water also explained why there were so few tourists. Apparently the place was usually crawling with thousands of people. <br />
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The taxi driver who brought us showed us the parking place about 2 miles away where people usually parked to go to the town. It was huge, with room for buses and hundreds of cars and its own Beijing Tourist Center. I was surprised by the infrastructure. There was only a relatively small parking lot in the town itself. We also found out that the road we didn't take to the town was blocked. We'd taken a VERY roundabout way to get there because the taxi driver didn't really know where she was going. <br />
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When we got to the metro station at the end of the line, we were greeted by a woman wanting us to ride with her. I found out later that she drove a "black" taxi, not a legal one. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEkRZeJDIvw2HbhNG6ZQrA6OYeipqeCvosI8jYplJP4cpb5kKjbJbgr3CcEeZT0pI_TRFo578vDsvyepDu8U9ETEVGI28kWT6-A21Idw3wdpQOkk9FtHTIcgZ0CFV5UA9d0HL_JaHrJt0/s1600/2013-04-27+12.40.42+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEkRZeJDIvw2HbhNG6ZQrA6OYeipqeCvosI8jYplJP4cpb5kKjbJbgr3CcEeZT0pI_TRFo578vDsvyepDu8U9ETEVGI28kWT6-A21Idw3wdpQOkk9FtHTIcgZ0CFV5UA9d0HL_JaHrJt0/s320/2013-04-27+12.40.42+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
Dylan negotiated hard with her and got her down to 220¥ for the trip, agreeing to pay her 270¥ if we agreed it was a long way and worth it. She then proceeded to drive in the general direction, asking people along e way how to get the. The trick was that no one knew! They hadn't heard of it. She ended up calling her family members to ask them to help out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYVyXQZbZQqGhMTX0LRzbjgK_hjVAMjx8v0_G8NV1C-50im_rvsPKQWMaT4HftkWSSZheeIMuaiEzMhMOgH342Cida4a9RC2lZRnen8o0zi83qzkh6DkBrF5v42BkDnaxG8L3zKRu2Rwc/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252842%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYVyXQZbZQqGhMTX0LRzbjgK_hjVAMjx8v0_G8NV1C-50im_rvsPKQWMaT4HftkWSSZheeIMuaiEzMhMOgH342Cida4a9RC2lZRnen8o0zi83qzkh6DkBrF5v42BkDnaxG8L3zKRu2Rwc/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252842%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the left hand lane of the two-lane road/highway we were driving on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0v6bi0_5PYNzV10V-7p6KLgD8Ea6OILIMdwzp7uVkXoWOIoFg1y436N7vafQD9Z7H6uBIUBL7hdMo0rRMMIeD9CxUV_nGr_yohTPBvkF0jkpoTHhOE43IfVMSXjtKLQAQMRzPUSPWNc8/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252840%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0v6bi0_5PYNzV10V-7p6KLgD8Ea6OILIMdwzp7uVkXoWOIoFg1y436N7vafQD9Z7H6uBIUBL7hdMo0rRMMIeD9CxUV_nGr_yohTPBvkF0jkpoTHhOE43IfVMSXjtKLQAQMRzPUSPWNc8/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252840%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only notice there might be some issues ahead of us!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQafwY-cgZD33BY-U9GPs6S0MGDPg8X3tN76r4jBitdgsZwnkdpx2L1E5kYX9SvdsTBkZL6fVfhislc9N9_GO6HFJajcYEXNIxPwj1XbjFyluZyXHUKaV44J916qFY7YKHFQMxU8YgXgU6/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252844%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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We drove along a highway which was (apparently) just being finished. We saw something we would NEVER see in the US - there were rock sprawled all across the road (but only in one lane, even if that lane did alternate - there was always room for one car to drive through at any given point). There were lots of workers using the rocks to build the shoulder of the road and/ or walls along the side of the road. It appeared that a dump truck had come through and clumped the rocks every so often then the workers came along over the course of the week or month to put them in place. There were no flagmen or anyone to indicate there were blockages ahead. Nor, thankfully, did we run into any other cars on the road. I guess the road was pretty darn new. Those workers didn't know where the town was either. <br />
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We kept driving until the highway ended and turned onto a road that was sometimes paved, sometimes not. I was fascinated by the journey and sometimes a bit curious if we would get there or would have to turn around and not get to our destination. We passed through a rock formation that almost, but not quite, closed over our heads. It was very pretty. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2d3rfIIlqYpzUBBno8ViOfwwaFIxhVec8xV6hi7P-csPoeFc66ulCgFva6WoE73ZOcEpcj7py8yZSBRRd111c40cRHDHmfLiN0v_lp75Y0EHvqfMuf5DkPSP84ebysTaXGWTgU3B4I-I/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252869%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC2d3rfIIlqYpzUBBno8ViOfwwaFIxhVec8xV6hi7P-csPoeFc66ulCgFva6WoE73ZOcEpcj7py8yZSBRRd111c40cRHDHmfLiN0v_lp75Y0EHvqfMuf5DkPSP84ebysTaXGWTgU3B4I-I/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252869%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtp6v46oDXyJwQivn6ObAIO8_oY_X_b6T6kJ9Dy4JT4ublaflQfL_4z4dtqZnQAZmUDEvFDZ0UXE61c_uWm8ogOVeYO89KRiN4sHlu7lmROeIW5FtR1_cLnsVZvHo6Ry1bPdtv2tnrGX9/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252854%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUtp6v46oDXyJwQivn6ObAIO8_oY_X_b6T6kJ9Dy4JT4ublaflQfL_4z4dtqZnQAZmUDEvFDZ0UXE61c_uWm8ogOVeYO89KRiN4sHlu7lmROeIW5FtR1_cLnsVZvHo6Ry1bPdtv2tnrGX9/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252854%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPHasCKyKtYE8O7iF-0cVgB8jNUkqdZsuTMOHxhiaVLODsdgXR96ncqhZYeti8xkBABah3-id5XbgQ218r2Kr_4lF1cdJqDk50KZyFXq3xTFT57rBPz0DEEIuur6p_x9uTQRSELWgc3Hs/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252858%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPHasCKyKtYE8O7iF-0cVgB8jNUkqdZsuTMOHxhiaVLODsdgXR96ncqhZYeti8xkBABah3-id5XbgQ218r2Kr_4lF1cdJqDk50KZyFXq3xTFT57rBPz0DEEIuur6p_x9uTQRSELWgc3Hs/s200/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252858%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>Then we drove into a very small town with just one road through it. There was a block in the road that had us stopped for quite a while. In the one road, in the middle of it, there was a crane from the electric company working to take down older electric poles which had been replaced with newer, taller ones. There was a man who was going at the pole with a sledgehammer, knocking out the concrete all around the base of it. Then another one took some massive wire cutters to cut the rebar that was holding up the pole still. With that, it came down and the crane lowered it slowly to the ground then moved on to the next one. After that one we were able to drive on through.<br />
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While we were waiting I took some pictures of the town because it was as interesting as anything we saw that day. I noticed there were some ancient - well, 50-year old auditorium seats, one row of them, lined up against the wall on one side of the road. There was a niche in the wall above them which held a large speaker. Beside those seats were a couple of torn and decrepit sofas. On the opposite side of that one lane unpacked road, there was a fairly smooth white plaster rectangle. I think this was there movie theater! Sort of like Cinema Paradiso. I wished I could have seen it in action! But for that afternoon at least, the residents had another show to watch - the removal of the electrical poles. There were several people out on their porches watching the proceedings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq6HijL7sqtx0NhiV0cIFd5LNodPMruFsxWGBZZU_E3kBDkB5HxNVgWjH5HilO-EKlC20pGFzIVIKYcz8KgI0B40zjNpZyTzlm6_ku5NOCpZfWTxAjqI5SEKYwHjrmjGIO47LnJMzbI8i/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252871%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKq6HijL7sqtx0NhiV0cIFd5LNodPMruFsxWGBZZU_E3kBDkB5HxNVgWjH5HilO-EKlC20pGFzIVIKYcz8KgI0B40zjNpZyTzlm6_ku5NOCpZfWTxAjqI5SEKYwHjrmjGIO47LnJMzbI8i/s200/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252871%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocSdlcQKqFGr5wifY28cCUeEj7dvqX4g1zueleTcWLL0d7m8wt42lFYQMkwUwTa6eEi61rU33gUtfIgvZfUJbbCfSixHxhANRIC7Ds5skJGOMmSFr_kiGWAJlSIJqrlzl-rUEg2VfB_TZ/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252860%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocSdlcQKqFGr5wifY28cCUeEj7dvqX4g1zueleTcWLL0d7m8wt42lFYQMkwUwTa6eEi61rU33gUtfIgvZfUJbbCfSixHxhANRIC7Ds5skJGOMmSFr_kiGWAJlSIJqrlzl-rUEg2VfB_TZ/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252860%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ancient auditorium seats with the speaker in the wall above.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWdiBq2hJ4jUOBZbnQCfpy3_HrvSFPwYl67e2kZN7_i5Ea1Scc7sRTddzouYVqtfrUshKA_3EdnQk1ZliOGSHFeoC2NfD9FlqAXPy_8h57VOzuzLxTBSqsrlTnekU8lS-L1LkRUg6n7dK/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252861%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPWdiBq2hJ4jUOBZbnQCfpy3_HrvSFPwYl67e2kZN7_i5Ea1Scc7sRTddzouYVqtfrUshKA_3EdnQk1ZliOGSHFeoC2NfD9FlqAXPy_8h57VOzuzLxTBSqsrlTnekU8lS-L1LkRUg6n7dK/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252861%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the rest of the seating for the cinema</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTuqUNj_3q-QqvhyofpOZ9K0gKIQ5T7i2oPVe3cIIWyksgHfULd64x-ox2LlmjCimgVlPcA3zO5Z9J6X1hqQ4P-oM_NK0wUdON7FGR5Cjn_Nv3omOkUeaaPLMNU5QCFseuOb2ogN1BzgR/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252862%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTuqUNj_3q-QqvhyofpOZ9K0gKIQ5T7i2oPVe3cIIWyksgHfULd64x-ox2LlmjCimgVlPcA3zO5Z9J6X1hqQ4P-oM_NK0wUdON7FGR5Cjn_Nv3omOkUeaaPLMNU5QCFseuOb2ogN1BzgR/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252862%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the movie screen, across the street from the seating and the speaker</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimaabtJgQkAC9Gis7IdUjBIIMpD3-qL64_Gvqb0Aj6aM4vZ4WO7qqkJbqH-GuaWys02tKMIwAuLOAbkbOXdGkz7Gu50YUWaKgAXXCrrGwAp8uV9BtZ-YB4xLe0rJpR6v_OoFt3R2BA_8T/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252873%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimaabtJgQkAC9Gis7IdUjBIIMpD3-qL64_Gvqb0Aj6aM4vZ4WO7qqkJbqH-GuaWys02tKMIwAuLOAbkbOXdGkz7Gu50YUWaKgAXXCrrGwAp8uV9BtZ-YB4xLe0rJpR6v_OoFt3R2BA_8T/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252873%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the men watching the proceedings with the electrical pole.</td></tr>
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The taxi driver was very frustrated by the delay, but I told Dylan I found it as fascinating as anything else we would see that day. It didn't bother me a bit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAiKBawLFElwAbpD42KAjlYhQh_1CzFfhSTuz0KERmJXw10_2myWNM1iKgJbkTZC9RE8OSTkTRe98g9-34HCptnJNVdzkF0YGnNIsLzLs_ZzyBmkUU3uw08Md1Io2qEpVhj1JDTwZv-gj/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252838%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKAiKBawLFElwAbpD42KAjlYhQh_1CzFfhSTuz0KERmJXw10_2myWNM1iKgJbkTZC9RE8OSTkTRe98g9-34HCptnJNVdzkF0YGnNIsLzLs_ZzyBmkUU3uw08Md1Io2qEpVhj1JDTwZv-gj/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252838%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMEUrrzH-kWxMVCaP1OfFD_4kPOqOBlb8Bve-nl8R94RHIIczaw83KSpW2BXIhjND48WKBq0wby7cAD75U4YmbfD1LlxUB96dIizSzT4EZzxUMqW6-tboTwyeKPrWSm5G659yasTiPo7E/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252834%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMEUrrzH-kWxMVCaP1OfFD_4kPOqOBlb8Bve-nl8R94RHIIczaw83KSpW2BXIhjND48WKBq0wby7cAD75U4YmbfD1LlxUB96dIizSzT4EZzxUMqW6-tboTwyeKPrWSm5G659yasTiPo7E/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252834%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>We ended up having beautiful weather that day, and the apple trees were all in bloom. We saw lots of orchards abloom, but what was even more entrancing were the trees that Mother Nature had planted along the mountainsides, dusting the crags with their beauty. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMZYE8dhAUAHkU8bTlSPqxC_PaIQDh4vuGOsiwTJyPm3k21n2H5KNCdHBQrIr2j-af-0ebX-R-jwDyn2v3_JGAQ19tE3tLqTYIy_w8yiqZOldN5CmopO41TuQ3ty-dm1M3cZI6pmp1daE/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252835%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMZYE8dhAUAHkU8bTlSPqxC_PaIQDh4vuGOsiwTJyPm3k21n2H5KNCdHBQrIr2j-af-0ebX-R-jwDyn2v3_JGAQ19tE3tLqTYIy_w8yiqZOldN5CmopO41TuQ3ty-dm1M3cZI6pmp1daE/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252835%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ5R96wAW3oPV8qMhKku63y8HpW3rOA-cvmeMtu6yYZO-MUgtMC8S2g_acB7jCXJXklEo23YxDhQ3EJqVFZ543XahVNEvCH_MoOOnDrLem33-PQ4fuecrL0g0YmQY4SqAmu5aFcN9B9T3/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252881%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Once we got to Cuandixia, as we walked through it, I contemplated what it would be like to live in there, especially before it became a tourist destination. I imagine the poverty was mind-boggling, trying to scrape by on what they could grow on the rocky terraces, when they didn't have to send it to Beijing to meet the Party's requirements. <br />
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The houses are attractive in the way Venice is attractive, with lots of small alleyways and twists and turns. The well is on one side of the street, most of the houses are on the other. In the 1970's they got an electric pump so the water came up more easily than by hand. Now, I think, they have piped-in water, still from the same well. I didn't see a grocery store or anything like that other than what was clearly meant to serve tourists' fast food needs. I'm not sure where their food would come from other than by driving somewhere for it or growing it themselves. There was certainly no place for them to park cars by their houses, but perhaps they marked in the town lot where we also parked.<br />
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I so wish I could have spoken with the people there to find out about their lives. Maybe I'll have to learn Chinese so I can come back and talk to people and learn about their lives. I miss so darn much by not being able to converse with them, I think it's the conversations and person-to-person connections that make travel so wonderful and make up for the inconveniences. Without the people's stories, I unfortunately focus more on myself and what I need or want. Meeting others expands my universe. Not being able to necessarily restricts it to what's inside my own head.<br />
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After wandering around the town for a few hours, we went back to the taxi to return to Beijing. In the meantime our driver had figured out the shorter way to get to the city so our return trip was only half as long as the trip there - no more fascinating small towns with cranes blocking their only road, but that was OK. We were weary enough by then for that to be OK.<br />
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When we got back to town, Dylan took me to the massage place to get another massage, this one was only $13 and quite different. For this one, the masseuse jiggled everything strongly as he pressed firmly. I wouldn't say it was relaxing, but I could tell that what he was doing would ultimately make me feel better, so I enjoyed it. It certainly kept me present to the moment because the sensation was so intense. I think I like the type of massage I get in the US better, soothing, relaxing, calming with pretty music, but the ones I've had here have definitely been interesting and enjoyable. And I'm so thankful for the cost of them! It's been really good to give that gift to my body.<br />
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After the massage, Dylan picked me back up. I think we just went to dinner then in the restaurant in his building. It was quite good food. Dylan chose a vegetable dish that was mostly water chestnuts, but they were delicious, certainly not like the canned ones we have in the US. They had real, savory flavor. That was one of my favorite meals the whole trip. We also had dried fried green beans, one of Dylan's favorite dishes. They were terrific too.<br />
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These pictures are of foods we didn't order. Somehow they weren't quite as appealing as the ones we did get! I think it would be hard being a vegetarian here - everything is cooked in meat broth whether it's all vegetables or not. I'm not sure what Laura, my vegan daughter, would do. Rice day in and day out would certainly get tedious, not to mention boring!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsDxWjla8gZ8Mkrl4qmyV2UZlonB5PwV4Dvtjz6c2gmgYjrIVsZX3ASoqDntAnyUw_YAtrONSthG-BnsrydR-SYMMVx9PV2hXuz-PUpCfCDW5HckLEW9eTZ6J5Mowc5JsrhkJ-AgSeai1/s640/blogger-image--1410500406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsDxWjla8gZ8Mkrl4qmyV2UZlonB5PwV4Dvtjz6c2gmgYjrIVsZX3ASoqDntAnyUw_YAtrONSthG-BnsrydR-SYMMVx9PV2hXuz-PUpCfCDW5HckLEW9eTZ6J5Mowc5JsrhkJ-AgSeai1/s320/blogger-image--1410500406.jpg" width="293" /></a><img src="webkit-fake-url://ADB20039-A7EF-44AF-B53D-DE27F8CB5A51/imagejpeg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KCdk7mdamlXghXOy0Ad-lFM_t2HW0XiOXD6_WVFqCf71esUB_WeR9QcJnLANRV4rqgTZkdCffxH9556IuBbnDZq0oELweknlZhdXsbzBpGCdNpD1TQ6knb6yWKlAwAnyI10LUyhEtDvZ/s640/blogger-image--640579434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KCdk7mdamlXghXOy0Ad-lFM_t2HW0XiOXD6_WVFqCf71esUB_WeR9QcJnLANRV4rqgTZkdCffxH9556IuBbnDZq0oELweknlZhdXsbzBpGCdNpD1TQ6knb6yWKlAwAnyI10LUyhEtDvZ/s320/blogger-image--640579434.jpg" width="239" /></a><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglEDedtVs0Qv_mFP-icnicsYiRfDfeut2SpvRdOUHXh4o4kQ11lfccRJYmINOzIkIOtbz5ziWTrSEyhjAEeNmns4wg2WObeyDl4mmcuLiv8PUu_4WtMlThOmlRSNkPn4s6yQlU2UIopcAO/s640/blogger-image--318382346.jpg" />Miscellaneous other pictures from the day:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkvB-DXX_VlmCkvBkVxMW3s25Hi49-bjmAOf6mriy2I9Fi_4MNAnzMZfkgSUFLgEG-DAAVDSoD8rJbrExrWPjcni1KgYnEQ8MmR6oBNfoOhw4C898cwZMW8MilhCBcFRy_Y_epT_WF1cr/s640/blogger-image-790986985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkvB-DXX_VlmCkvBkVxMW3s25Hi49-bjmAOf6mriy2I9Fi_4MNAnzMZfkgSUFLgEG-DAAVDSoD8rJbrExrWPjcni1KgYnEQ8MmR6oBNfoOhw4C898cwZMW8MilhCBcFRy_Y_epT_WF1cr/s640/blogger-image-790986985.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">souvenirs in the Cuandixia gift shop. I was surprised by the number of Red Guard and Mao souvenirs available. I thought people would be glad to be done with that part of their history, but it doesn't seem to be the case.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQC1jbA-aSPQcw02jsTseelqfvAaJjLkfwlMT2GPOEL3Lf7xj1J7TtSGxZvbHQM9113FkOOn7ZvB9amc8d1jVw3FQwJgtwcBss4K9r9jrS1HG3lbyeB9Y2sfg_CjTvQrLF1el25ic06Ss/s640/blogger-image-1809639760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQC1jbA-aSPQcw02jsTseelqfvAaJjLkfwlMT2GPOEL3Lf7xj1J7TtSGxZvbHQM9113FkOOn7ZvB9amc8d1jVw3FQwJgtwcBss4K9r9jrS1HG3lbyeB9Y2sfg_CjTvQrLF1el25ic06Ss/s320/blogger-image-1809639760.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hostel at night.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianVEE2eyWLXABqWzPpSe_DJCm0pYalBcKlRkooPzvq_EiF_g5xZi0HpRyq6ICGHJ7Qn80Q2lfXgCj-tXIxB0V9jp1magEoxbosW7R4yQWuU1-5uu99u7VqZwfGpCkWBlBN3gtY7zdoFkt/s640/blogger-image-555715354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianVEE2eyWLXABqWzPpSe_DJCm0pYalBcKlRkooPzvq_EiF_g5xZi0HpRyq6ICGHJ7Qn80Q2lfXgCj-tXIxB0V9jp1magEoxbosW7R4yQWuU1-5uu99u7VqZwfGpCkWBlBN3gtY7zdoFkt/s640/blogger-image-555715354.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our transportation around campus. </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPOTrBvAzjrBIl0vuJuuwWIvwG-NbS4kxiur63VP4dz7RVOxuXhOcEc8awH0DH-ucO_7irbiKnFTr6kzVFM-5a5u93t694HAw6kN4ILdT3Gi4Cv_HWr1hBjJxSI2hIACcHNdyCNUeW3p2/s640/blogger-image-355391035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPOTrBvAzjrBIl0vuJuuwWIvwG-NbS4kxiur63VP4dz7RVOxuXhOcEc8awH0DH-ucO_7irbiKnFTr6kzVFM-5a5u93t694HAw6kN4ILdT3Gi4Cv_HWr1hBjJxSI2hIACcHNdyCNUeW3p2/s320/blogger-image-355391035.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan at dinner</td></tr>
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<i>Beautiful textures</i>: the colors are so muted in all of these pictures, leading me to wonder at one point if something was wrong with the camera, but it's just that the country is muted. When I happened to glance at dozens of my pictures from Paris next to dozens from China, it really struck me the difference in the intensity of colors in the two places. China tends towards muted browns and greys. Paris tends more towards bright colors and glam.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep6SaNeNnJ0Uefpik3eWt3lfkbUU8vKihvIbX1rJvjcsLs_HpxEuEpHRHLsKL-CBwSuxJmsGfjquyHhjNKd69SZngvEHpDVuJQvGc1vT5pPMrL65by-oSxkleO3svFqpIFLLcwGIdo4sB/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252880%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgep6SaNeNnJ0Uefpik3eWt3lfkbUU8vKihvIbX1rJvjcsLs_HpxEuEpHRHLsKL-CBwSuxJmsGfjquyHhjNKd69SZngvEHpDVuJQvGc1vT5pPMrL65by-oSxkleO3svFqpIFLLcwGIdo4sB/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252880%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ5R96wAW3oPV8qMhKku63y8HpW3rOA-cvmeMtu6yYZO-MUgtMC8S2g_acB7jCXJXklEo23YxDhQ3EJqVFZ543XahVNEvCH_MoOOnDrLem33-PQ4fuecrL0g0YmQY4SqAmu5aFcN9B9T3/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252881%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZ5R96wAW3oPV8qMhKku63y8HpW3rOA-cvmeMtu6yYZO-MUgtMC8S2g_acB7jCXJXklEo23YxDhQ3EJqVFZ543XahVNEvCH_MoOOnDrLem33-PQ4fuecrL0g0YmQY4SqAmu5aFcN9B9T3/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252881%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qi01Kkamz2QzWZxjs0mrwTSbZUZFLqLq18gVK9YQdwvtEdrOrZAri_rPIADhJgm1wD4sXgO7aIpV2vldm4C8yMJd2X8sZl5dDaeHzXMCuLiST1hdFzz4gHq_IgDMUCbiWCIqhzFkwBYp/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252859%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qi01Kkamz2QzWZxjs0mrwTSbZUZFLqLq18gVK9YQdwvtEdrOrZAri_rPIADhJgm1wD4sXgO7aIpV2vldm4C8yMJd2X8sZl5dDaeHzXMCuLiST1hdFzz4gHq_IgDMUCbiWCIqhzFkwBYp/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252859%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR_ILt5C8Cf8RbrSNBPizeXK0TwC-pplNq0QZw1NgyQbCQxxRij6QvWb1dqjavp84gElKcmBnJoJEhnPI0BeGYsfY0cappaHRa6M781DZ5sWNbOz3wL_HQ4Pm5HwqYao-m5VKAuhMrzAs/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528177%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDR_ILt5C8Cf8RbrSNBPizeXK0TwC-pplNq0QZw1NgyQbCQxxRij6QvWb1dqjavp84gElKcmBnJoJEhnPI0BeGYsfY0cappaHRa6M781DZ5sWNbOz3wL_HQ4Pm5HwqYao-m5VKAuhMrzAs/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528177%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The terraced hill across the street from Cuandixia</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINstyRXjr-ELR8aTjRcgSclMIy9jU91vquBpLshitprJlbyE2Feca3gpggyJP2jsB_jOAr6A00Fu_6072kM0tggIYMOzEO-HQvDTe7JhwltWa8yFuMkIGLwV62xRRMS7guPVRaZ79rtfL/s1600/2013-04-27+17.18.24+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjINstyRXjr-ELR8aTjRcgSclMIy9jU91vquBpLshitprJlbyE2Feca3gpggyJP2jsB_jOAr6A00Fu_6072kM0tggIYMOzEO-HQvDTe7JhwltWa8yFuMkIGLwV62xRRMS7guPVRaZ79rtfL/s320/2013-04-27+17.18.24+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1r38e7SA1IHkTGF-zAED0GjgpQVVALkT_XTyROQR9J2EMycdB1Bo0jKYjKqVeemTKsZr1nFQvP0xDg7vlTIbh2f57_5hAGPuTYCiGENfZOrpxxEB11TpZhVvcgaM_T04anEQjL9YUScP/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528156%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1r38e7SA1IHkTGF-zAED0GjgpQVVALkT_XTyROQR9J2EMycdB1Bo0jKYjKqVeemTKsZr1nFQvP0xDg7vlTIbh2f57_5hAGPuTYCiGENfZOrpxxEB11TpZhVvcgaM_T04anEQjL9YUScP/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528156%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqPssmB948gEmqd8L_bbT5LA7xUWp9i1WvEfz9UkUBtXZIupfLK7kpFyLxZOouGrBcN2xa0q4aP150MM6WFD7H51wK0_MNgdRC865zhqcfH4oeMri8ANjtiVsnIOaRpAgPlYmjiN76Hnu/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252879%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqPssmB948gEmqd8L_bbT5LA7xUWp9i1WvEfz9UkUBtXZIupfLK7kpFyLxZOouGrBcN2xa0q4aP150MM6WFD7H51wK0_MNgdRC865zhqcfH4oeMri8ANjtiVsnIOaRpAgPlYmjiN76Hnu/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252879%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grease caked on a wall below an exhaust fan in the small town outside of Cuandixia. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZB9KJLOSxVWijABpDDmJNdd8B0PXiw5moIAe10f4bslHlkE8NKJflmSFGhvsaTap8wJubOTQVRlGLPDme_k9VAkqO4UVsW9rufGORHlcej4JMj92V1q_IGAEBwyf16GJXw2eiL8gfu0b/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252888%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZB9KJLOSxVWijABpDDmJNdd8B0PXiw5moIAe10f4bslHlkE8NKJflmSFGhvsaTap8wJubOTQVRlGLPDme_k9VAkqO4UVsW9rufGORHlcej4JMj92V1q_IGAEBwyf16GJXw2eiL8gfu0b/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252888%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR6i1bv2Tiwr25X6P9XvRBYboKWM-W2rt0mg0j_5b717kXIYMQ1K-PXK8lDXYbRCZ6E2U4ZEV2pPTldMJ9q_wT_bks2DlG0PMq091pf4QVesu58sUCsfSwT3ZdW8j1jO41b8Fk-TjeZnx/s1600/Dylan+in+front+of+the+apple+blossoms+%2528640x425%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikR6i1bv2Tiwr25X6P9XvRBYboKWM-W2rt0mg0j_5b717kXIYMQ1K-PXK8lDXYbRCZ6E2U4ZEV2pPTldMJ9q_wT_bks2DlG0PMq091pf4QVesu58sUCsfSwT3ZdW8j1jO41b8Fk-TjeZnx/s320/Dylan+in+front+of+the+apple+blossoms+%2528640x425%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRqVcL_IWY7XUqHM31qI943ImdL1rWKZTyGgCQC6I41WTKupMiSYTQimqsdsdWEfUEACi9brBuF6H629QdOgE8KRV8rvpJw6xjQcimu_Hb699r2HK1DBRhutiFFzeZo2yeOvG67acpSHX/s1600/Susan+in+front+of+the+apple+blossoms+%2528640x425%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixRqVcL_IWY7XUqHM31qI943ImdL1rWKZTyGgCQC6I41WTKupMiSYTQimqsdsdWEfUEACi9brBuF6H629QdOgE8KRV8rvpJw6xjQcimu_Hb699r2HK1DBRhutiFFzeZo2yeOvG67acpSHX/s320/Susan+in+front+of+the+apple+blossoms+%2528640x425%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPrvdZkBE9G5NDi2YyUf8eIMfU7eUHBkQSBLziIwGEkElXhyphenhyphenZqy8ECzFdWO5zAgPjIrX5Sl4jYcGWFkFd9VBcgqvXS6lLDypZFnsvRVl012P338RK65TuzJfPJoLWALdnZBONIuKkFENL/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252829%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPrvdZkBE9G5NDi2YyUf8eIMfU7eUHBkQSBLziIwGEkElXhyphenhyphenZqy8ECzFdWO5zAgPjIrX5Sl4jYcGWFkFd9VBcgqvXS6lLDypZFnsvRVl012P338RK65TuzJfPJoLWALdnZBONIuKkFENL/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252829%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen on the way to the town. Men playing cards by the side of the road. Waiting for a bus? Break from working?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Wmn58j9BYq18JcmL4QUbEIgc6mb-GfFIAcrzD1AkrIW2XSiQt0HAoYSv0Ikk1wsdqSvmFGyxJSKe2UJdWL9ZIgLGUAOdBb_Q1-vXAZ-6VzK9ykR5L9CZzd7zWpxHNU66FYTqQRfzs-m/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252825%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr5Wmn58j9BYq18JcmL4QUbEIgc6mb-GfFIAcrzD1AkrIW2XSiQt0HAoYSv0Ikk1wsdqSvmFGyxJSKe2UJdWL9ZIgLGUAOdBb_Q1-vXAZ-6VzK9ykR5L9CZzd7zWpxHNU66FYTqQRfzs-m/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%252825%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tourist center along the road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPfvQ8HSLdErGyAMjwVj6ZPOaepgxhDn_nU438xVgTdKgBRiEllZM4Q8t3sFr3KtM8FF1CO3U4gkGcmB0O1zjN4xAOAgf3GzQH58UYCu4PzdhGUBEFNG-yV3huikn6TzfDwpFML-grf3C/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528183%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPfvQ8HSLdErGyAMjwVj6ZPOaepgxhDn_nU438xVgTdKgBRiEllZM4Q8t3sFr3KtM8FF1CO3U4gkGcmB0O1zjN4xAOAgf3GzQH58UYCu4PzdhGUBEFNG-yV3huikn6TzfDwpFML-grf3C/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528183%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple trees in blossom across the street from Cuandaxia. Notice the terraced hill. Nothing was being grown there anymore.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i7MAnlPEUTkcPmNvFP-tFQkZZK_Wv6OEAut95GmI4nuP5U8uFGbaje7ujnfRPstA9kQCKu6SKm5hmopWkUzva6R7VH0gKcSmxdi7kiUC_vj92mDWFYFC2x_F_Eez1_XPfGdu8vombNck/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528179%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-i7MAnlPEUTkcPmNvFP-tFQkZZK_Wv6OEAut95GmI4nuP5U8uFGbaje7ujnfRPstA9kQCKu6SKm5hmopWkUzva6R7VH0gKcSmxdi7kiUC_vj92mDWFYFC2x_F_Eez1_XPfGdu8vombNck/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528179%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMFmAyTyLGOGTvOghYZAhIDob_klGHpWugiKyn-YnCp79OSSNBvsCUV6DFJGWztwRmLowzEfH0L2CYmD3SfJB_ZI5P0KDCcrrlTh5JX3wnxpLIHeHeTQLUuTw6Mq7Ix_2kcsZ_PR2TJPC/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528174%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMFmAyTyLGOGTvOghYZAhIDob_klGHpWugiKyn-YnCp79OSSNBvsCUV6DFJGWztwRmLowzEfH0L2CYmD3SfJB_ZI5P0KDCcrrlTh5JX3wnxpLIHeHeTQLUuTw6Mq7Ix_2kcsZ_PR2TJPC/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528174%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuandixia with the Chinese flag flying over it, almost the only spot of color in the town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT5eUamaWz0GSDDbQjaQxPBfw2y2odWeOFDUVdSN2K2KETsm6mOv-YDuS5RzTJ4RNmssLN5iRHZFvhBfO9zcfVXQlph-1k7Z23jsJrmccGb835nWH6D0cXtU4R7G6OCogJdsrnhyphenhyphendEPO1/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528138%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT5eUamaWz0GSDDbQjaQxPBfw2y2odWeOFDUVdSN2K2KETsm6mOv-YDuS5RzTJ4RNmssLN5iRHZFvhBfO9zcfVXQlph-1k7Z23jsJrmccGb835nWH6D0cXtU4R7G6OCogJdsrnhyphenhyphendEPO1/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528138%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This statue is recessed in a wall where he awaits people who have died. The explanation is below.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zAp4LcTO_iGfDxWKgFX8XHZo5WGzKGTbG2DqtVKpBxyXKhAIbpcj4H3JucOztmgMkzOclyzIAWnML-CGMw0HsDZJBfsaa8FCdPo0AG4qtVoXq-0JdUdb6CfvAY7fSjbb3hNI7H1E0OeE/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528140%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9zAp4LcTO_iGfDxWKgFX8XHZo5WGzKGTbG2DqtVKpBxyXKhAIbpcj4H3JucOztmgMkzOclyzIAWnML-CGMw0HsDZJBfsaa8FCdPo0AG4qtVoXq-0JdUdb6CfvAY7fSjbb3hNI7H1E0OeE/s640/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528140%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several grain mills we saw in the town. I think it had to be turned by hand. There wasn't room for an animal to go all the way around it. It was <i>heavy</i>! I like the pattern on the wheel - practical and beautiful - and one I use in my Zendoodles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uj-GBdtabgr2Qoxpmf4mQ_IoaFW8El-rD0vbuEKcDPXY6eF1O9iAmQyf8J8xy8ISzx65vv-1-mq4FJRty8nfcr6ZA3vAMj4yL2IJh6GB__Z-oe9d1RoLZfdiMt6dE_kZa54bwX_XS7We/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528125%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uj-GBdtabgr2Qoxpmf4mQ_IoaFW8El-rD0vbuEKcDPXY6eF1O9iAmQyf8J8xy8ISzx65vv-1-mq4FJRty8nfcr6ZA3vAMj4yL2IJh6GB__Z-oe9d1RoLZfdiMt6dE_kZa54bwX_XS7We/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528125%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice names!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4Z52NT3CVXPKUfcXRg9i_89OBt7L-jVW6gvpkm9hMtYxwOwNjXycWPGup90G608dHU71NqYuL2aTsSn0B9QmaxM8P-_cSINOoN9jLGzz5gNrlr22-3TlMWFUmNwOqFTafBL2gT_cFZ9q/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528121%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4Z52NT3CVXPKUfcXRg9i_89OBt7L-jVW6gvpkm9hMtYxwOwNjXycWPGup90G608dHU71NqYuL2aTsSn0B9QmaxM8P-_cSINOoN9jLGzz5gNrlr22-3TlMWFUmNwOqFTafBL2gT_cFZ9q/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528121%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYjOXHyOT4DhhiTsoVKOsyUKHBhJr1QTAtQkR9T0bbS7sKjuLSw-B3XlLk7KuItPznCDtZJCM0b7mj7BpX_UCp7M8LWKeKxeb9XZtlw_Wq08pNNN3tAJSUo3h5T46BCt6aiNw_dXyJVzh/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528106%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYjOXHyOT4DhhiTsoVKOsyUKHBhJr1QTAtQkR9T0bbS7sKjuLSw-B3XlLk7KuItPznCDtZJCM0b7mj7BpX_UCp7M8LWKeKxeb9XZtlw_Wq08pNNN3tAJSUo3h5T46BCt6aiNw_dXyJVzh/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528106%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down on one of the courtyards in Cuandixia.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIqKwvLCd25XbwEffpQkxPod_erHOhj5clLuthcrcXvBTPhvR3_f_I-cUmIBfeZ9wfo5KUfctjf1pE72NTuubltXHsVoBIy8lwDNVHpRFx5si-jbR-Noa-lKHEAObueFf25JioDeLBRfS/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528102%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIqKwvLCd25XbwEffpQkxPod_erHOhj5clLuthcrcXvBTPhvR3_f_I-cUmIBfeZ9wfo5KUfctjf1pE72NTuubltXHsVoBIy8lwDNVHpRFx5si-jbR-Noa-lKHEAObueFf25JioDeLBRfS/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528102%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A speaker embedded into the rock by the stairs as we climbed up to the restaurant. We didn't hear anything coming from the speakers, but we saw them all around the town. They made me curious!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wptWN64k0gtCNfbs-UEKYBC3p8W7SA77ateympNcA4YSeM9ngztGiA1cMEYTkDpDApLieRQ8gJwge602rQG_vkk4MQ9BDenWsHkm53XV1om9KW1bXztLaX5DMUt2nAxJSTRZyFmcFopq/s1600/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528105%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wptWN64k0gtCNfbs-UEKYBC3p8W7SA77ateympNcA4YSeM9ngztGiA1cMEYTkDpDApLieRQ8gJwge602rQG_vkk4MQ9BDenWsHkm53XV1om9KW1bXztLaX5DMUt2nAxJSTRZyFmcFopq/s320/2013-05-26+Cuandixia+and+drive+there+%2528105%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp13qetrcphUwQ_RjaigGjlSXhhO_iKPevkGMlgmeclNMl2E8vQKkcPanZlnWKvJ7swRz4zZ8jYDHnM0N4aNxrTqD7G5RV-DmhruVDXUPwkzpjddGDIxXV8zpxbmyrtD0zFqzQg-K3t_7M/s1600/2013-04-27+12.43.22+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp13qetrcphUwQ_RjaigGjlSXhhO_iKPevkGMlgmeclNMl2E8vQKkcPanZlnWKvJ7swRz4zZ8jYDHnM0N4aNxrTqD7G5RV-DmhruVDXUPwkzpjddGDIxXV8zpxbmyrtD0zFqzQg-K3t_7M/s320/2013-04-27+12.43.22+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ancient and modern dichotomy - food being prepared at the subway stop in Beijing while the cook texts on her cell phone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2rZqIjdCvOdCNOWxtAHNS-m1Pd8RrjYztC3o3YPH-pUPZLfjrSGqZ2IBEEcwt8MV1MO85LKJ9J_s646ZgRtUGmJYKHYkxZy5-YEHHmb6d4mV9q_JngpfSqB4xF7hn5SAi5jnSoXnuQPl/s1600/2013-04-27+12.43.16+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2rZqIjdCvOdCNOWxtAHNS-m1Pd8RrjYztC3o3YPH-pUPZLfjrSGqZ2IBEEcwt8MV1MO85LKJ9J_s646ZgRtUGmJYKHYkxZy5-YEHHmb6d4mV9q_JngpfSqB4xF7hn5SAi5jnSoXnuQPl/s320/2013-04-27+12.43.16+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dumplings being prepared at the subway stop in Beijing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCshuYUWKchQ38Z2MV_SongumxDT8UVzO-LY688pXQpRTnirkNKq5iJsY892K-h_L3I3MCLQttskCd5O5rTBNdkoLKz2CZ8cZzeRGJoMJy_7yxWcH-HAjPU_Ico5IDIND3mFeZ7ypCAp_/s1600/2013-04-27+12.41.29+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCshuYUWKchQ38Z2MV_SongumxDT8UVzO-LY688pXQpRTnirkNKq5iJsY892K-h_L3I3MCLQttskCd5O5rTBNdkoLKz2CZ8cZzeRGJoMJy_7yxWcH-HAjPU_Ico5IDIND3mFeZ7ypCAp_/s320/2013-04-27+12.41.29+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That same shop.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37tVgzsCO2r1W4K7tMDz4DG_kkxKA07cKgPMaIOA1bXoepYmKMEbjyFHNwI314hsQKZDbzRbKGatgZnuTMZMiL8YW4TLT_kBicX-gtTBvY73JHKE1_ulf6ldD5Z_D38QxsQhAD6TJIc5R/s1600/2013-04-27+11.19.23+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37tVgzsCO2r1W4K7tMDz4DG_kkxKA07cKgPMaIOA1bXoepYmKMEbjyFHNwI314hsQKZDbzRbKGatgZnuTMZMiL8YW4TLT_kBicX-gtTBvY73JHKE1_ulf6ldD5Z_D38QxsQhAD6TJIc5R/s320/2013-04-27+11.19.23+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snack food, Chinese style</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19-L7B_qY_g21UICq3FtAia2CfoSBZ18nOnEPEJ84rHGWM_JPaBopH2_uVFPPChk1HKLQuuav7xh7tgmvwQy0qTyYnTZKYqdUptKoqLnbiXEHkRbmGbeTrhko5nZIBehJCohVJzlqu-aW/s1600/2013-04-27+11.19.14+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19-L7B_qY_g21UICq3FtAia2CfoSBZ18nOnEPEJ84rHGWM_JPaBopH2_uVFPPChk1HKLQuuav7xh7tgmvwQy0qTyYnTZKYqdUptKoqLnbiXEHkRbmGbeTrhko5nZIBehJCohVJzlqu-aW/s320/2013-04-27+11.19.14+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American snack food, Chinese-style. The flavors were quite different from what we have - steak and potatoes was one.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-76123349133364550422013-05-05T01:27:00.001-04:002013-05-07T08:14:46.037-04:00May 1st, 2013. The Great Wall of China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPqcL8SpjoxqPtyQiK5hte3ghPZ40npcDYDSU6wsqHLnYiuO1WYG3UTVeQXmhgK196bz6bbAE5fcuhpsXs4zFx2xF7kef1oXCalSAycv9WkTvboKMvbb1WEXIeujGFsStZgtLg-6bURXV/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+(33).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPqcL8SpjoxqPtyQiK5hte3ghPZ40npcDYDSU6wsqHLnYiuO1WYG3UTVeQXmhgK196bz6bbAE5fcuhpsXs4zFx2xF7kef1oXCalSAycv9WkTvboKMvbb1WEXIeujGFsStZgtLg-6bURXV/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+(33).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
This morning Dylan and I are headed out of town to the Great Wall of China, the stuff of myths and legends. I've seen so many photographs of it and have heard so much about it,I wonder if it'll be significant to actually be there. Kind of like theTajMahal. Or the Statue of Liberty. Is reality better than virtual reality? I guess I'll find out soon enough...<br />
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Meanwhile this morning I got a unpleasant surprise - I can't access the Internet through my iPad right now. Google has detected that my computer is sending out unwanted crap. Of course they didn't use that word. I am aware from having checked with Omer than I received an email from some Chinese hackers pretending to be Uyghurs. He said it is junk mail and said not to open their emails anymore. Unfortunately I opened the attachment thinking it was from a woman I met at the conference. So somehow or another I'll have to change my email password,but I can't do it on the iPad. Technology is so complicated sometimes. Thankfully I can still read and write on it.. [update - since I've gotten back to the US, this problem seems to no longer exist.]<br />
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There are some very interesting Tshirts here. I just saw one that made no sense: "<i>CSVQL is the continent not to count</i>". It's as if autocorrect got hold of the printer. Or: "<i>ruins of nucleaa war</i>", yes,misspelled. My colleague from the conference, Sue, told me a story about seeing a sweet-looking young boy with his grandmother insome rural area of a third world country. He was wearing a Tshirt that was boldly emblazoned with the saying, "<i>I fuck my grandma</i>." Sue said she didn't know if she should say something or not. She decided not to, but it was intensely incongruous, given how sweet they acted towards each other! I'm guessing that the beautiful Chinese calligraphy we have on our clothing is equally absurd. Here's another I just saw in the subway: "<i>love chaos and dinner</i>." It's quite wonderful in an absurdist way. <br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Immense ocean, set sail</i><br />
<i>Fuck pop great rocks</i><br />
<i>Penishifushi </i></blockquote>
<br />
I could make a great Dadaist poem from the quotes on T-shirts.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGbuSMV19DT5si7BqQSATXyD4g1H1HC1SN5YVnj0mlsGJ4S7LYEryA9UjoO58UA_NBMCC2UNhVMXhEsT4lZaK1OI5_uFox03CX4RZNXlj0xEUlqj8azWYPoNhhiJPnGZ_Jb0d7Qclte-Y/s640/blogger-image-2142339930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFGbuSMV19DT5si7BqQSATXyD4g1H1HC1SN5YVnj0mlsGJ4S7LYEryA9UjoO58UA_NBMCC2UNhVMXhEsT4lZaK1OI5_uFox03CX4RZNXlj0xEUlqj8azWYPoNhhiJPnGZ_Jb0d7Qclte-Y/s400/blogger-image-2142339930.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Wall as seen from the road as we approached the parking lot area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf7HV3qZzE2Q5hAJwiL7ad3Qk29BfyLJrN8A7djKP9WObfBhdsBtAEldiWuh-QkJ5jthtUKqV5pNJtK_xOpkaERutA5uCwL_HKHS3DAIXmMPhW621X6NbGGWUVQELVEtUDk10BEV3r9zf/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%25286%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf7HV3qZzE2Q5hAJwiL7ad3Qk29BfyLJrN8A7djKP9WObfBhdsBtAEldiWuh-QkJ5jthtUKqV5pNJtK_xOpkaERutA5uCwL_HKHS3DAIXmMPhW621X6NbGGWUVQELVEtUDk10BEV3r9zf/s200/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%25286%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The misleadingly even steps at the very beginning of the climb</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We made our way via subway to the place where we needed to catch the bus to the Great Wall. It was hard to figure out which bus would take us there, etc., and it was pretty expensive. We stood in line next to a couple of Russian women, one of whom spoke good English. They were looking for information too,so Dylan was in charge of figuring it out for us all. He asked how much a taxi would cost. About 500¥ or $80 both ways. We decided that sounded like the way to go since we could split it four ways, (the Russians went with us) and the bus was 90¥ each way each person anyway, so this would be cheaper and faster. It took about an hour and a half to get there due to fairly bad traffic and the fact that it's simply a long way. It was an interesting ride through and then outside of Beijing, then at one point we could see the mountains and the wall in the distance. The driver pulled in to the parking lot and bought us reduced tickets - he had an in to get them a bit cheaper (40 ¥ or about $6.50) rather than 45¥. Every little bit helps!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRfnmqnT60DC7QojuGh6Fll271gw8WyimpkPxTkpjoNDgANdRA-G1ClrtsPBwBqZ4XlIT-jauG7bW73JoG5Bm4iNcwYugJU9Uksdd9YzPGFF-hudrwGyPGxdUI6pT6gD1R98_2Rq1GP9t/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252880%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHRfnmqnT60DC7QojuGh6Fll271gw8WyimpkPxTkpjoNDgANdRA-G1ClrtsPBwBqZ4XlIT-jauG7bW73JoG5Bm4iNcwYugJU9Uksdd9YzPGFF-hudrwGyPGxdUI6pT6gD1R98_2Rq1GP9t/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252880%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7Fq54CcfWeP3CRy8tZbxPhw113nP-SAACAr38HH64dIJrH6Zbo3OybByDNkKfNDe0XUsYjmMk4uD663xF11Q1d4wEuFIKtp94d194du2e71Knah42cesTcEgJAAy5r6ExBJucPJ8EMlS/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252873%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX7Fq54CcfWeP3CRy8tZbxPhw113nP-SAACAr38HH64dIJrH6Zbo3OybByDNkKfNDe0XUsYjmMk4uD663xF11Q1d4wEuFIKtp94d194du2e71Knah42cesTcEgJAAy5r6ExBJucPJ8EMlS/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252873%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>At that point Dylan asked me if I had my hiking shoes on. Up until that point, it had actually not occurred to me that I would need them - silly, silly me! There are T-shirts that claim "<i>I climbed the Great Wall</i>" and there are medals you can buy along the way to attest to ones heroism. They are well-merited! It was hard climbing! I will not complain about the hill by my house again! I think we climbed about 1000 steps today. What was particularly challenging about it was that they were oddly sized, one small, the next one higher, with no pattern, so you had to watch your step the whole way. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-byEz5MAP-kjaq9qkR8NTZaelsN97XQMbUqy1bsyCcHbRj7jlDmqf4yOz1kyiAm59E_qg4-s4gnCaCYshooegxhTwq2MtobAkO-GPDWpPrwoZLGLuRkMJUifhOCSk4U8-XyNX1ghUB6V/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528144%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-byEz5MAP-kjaq9qkR8NTZaelsN97XQMbUqy1bsyCcHbRj7jlDmqf4yOz1kyiAm59E_qg4-s4gnCaCYshooegxhTwq2MtobAkO-GPDWpPrwoZLGLuRkMJUifhOCSk4U8-XyNX1ghUB6V/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528144%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was tempted to go in and receive my "Hero's Certificate"!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvJUJDHm75JZT8MbocIyoiUCDxMl7UCHCoeGI8-UhJzKtfopaK_IrTnHrXZCgnyvRjh7RsIW1xGa2xV6Rai9n5kdGHC-jY2Ai33OodWDuJa_kRMYamjUinb2YV1aqkr871krVCQu8e95w/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252825%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvJUJDHm75JZT8MbocIyoiUCDxMl7UCHCoeGI8-UhJzKtfopaK_IrTnHrXZCgnyvRjh7RsIW1xGa2xV6Rai9n5kdGHC-jY2Ai33OodWDuJa_kRMYamjUinb2YV1aqkr871krVCQu8e95w/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252825%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>There were also thousands of people climbing up and down on the same sometimes-narrow stairway. And when people got out of breath, they simply stopped where they were and waited til they could go further. I liked those people a lot and was happy when I got behind them because then I had an excuse to stop too! There were a few guard towers/platforms where one could stop to take a break and one or two stores when one could buy sweets and drinks. Thankfully Dylan had thought to bring water so we were well-hydrated, but we didn't do so well food-wise. We're heading to eat in just a few minutes to get some decent food in us!<br />
<br />
It was the strangest thing to be at then climbing the Great Wall of China. Up until the end of March, it hadn't even entered my mind to think about thinking about coming to China. Then we received a postcard from Dylan with a tiny postscript: "I hope one day I can show you China." My mothering instinct kicked in and I felt a need to ask if he'd like me to come. Sure enough, it sounded like, indeed, he would enjoy a visit and I wouldn't be a burden- I wasn't sure if his statement was just polite or true. I don't know how much my kids want me around and how much they're immersed in their own lives and I'd be a bother. I want to be completely respectful of the lives they're carving out for themselves. Dylan convinced me that he really did want me to visit so I looked into it and found that tickets were abnormally reasonable until the end of April when they began increasing about $200/week. For the 26th, I think it was going to be $1140 or something like that. Entirely reasonable, I thought. So I told him I'd come.<br />
<br />
Then, right as I was upstairs on the computer checking my email before ordering the ticket, I got the email from Omer asking me to take part in the conference in Paris. What crazy timing! I spent a few days trying to figure out if/how I could do both plus TheVagina Monologues. After speaking to Dylan and looking at prices, I realized that if I chose not to do the Vagina Monologues, I could fly to Beijing from Paris for less than I could from the states, and with less jet lag too. What a deal! So I went ahead and applied for my visa, then, once I got it, bought my ticket for Beijing. So it was really only two weeks between conception and birth of this wild idea, and I didn't know I had my visa until three days before I left for Paris. So I did no preparation thinking about what I wanted to do or see or anything else. It's been kind of fun coming so unprepared. Dylan has done a fabulous job coming up with interesting things to do, and not having expectations has kept them from being dashed at all.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsKVWyz6_ifD6A5khpuVmzz78uFp7fEzus1OLVxwpcpMRfKKkLDucw9Jz8LLrO69Jhn2oKO7G-h50yVRP_Q60L5ve5DskYLTmq-e1yMVTViQVeLc1YalzvKYan3js660j4WDvbrt2awD7/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252850%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsKVWyz6_ifD6A5khpuVmzz78uFp7fEzus1OLVxwpcpMRfKKkLDucw9Jz8LLrO69Jhn2oKO7G-h50yVRP_Q60L5ve5DskYLTmq-e1yMVTViQVeLc1YalzvKYan3js660j4WDvbrt2awD7/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252850%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNpZ9bIXG0mG1IxNg_FujxRi5DqelHSNl4ctNwB7yqUWebVvQa52hJ-qkanLQ4CReTw1EQsoZv7G-_B5KbvssntcXjB1odBWRI1im0yyUWGTEzEfULKvHDijsNQBAkXNUS-ZYsMdx978L/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252878%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNpZ9bIXG0mG1IxNg_FujxRi5DqelHSNl4ctNwB7yqUWebVvQa52hJ-qkanLQ4CReTw1EQsoZv7G-_B5KbvssntcXjB1odBWRI1im0yyUWGTEzEfULKvHDijsNQBAkXNUS-ZYsMdx978L/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252878%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>Thus the reason being at the Great Wall was totally bizarre and weird and other-worldly. So there I was climbing about a thousand steps with hundreds, if not thousands of other people, huffing and puffing, stopping often to take pictures to show I'd been there (not to mention to catch my breath - I had a lot of excuses to help with that!)- seeing images I'd seen all my life at least since 8th grade World History class when I guess I must have learned something about China. Maybe a picture of the Wall was on the cover of my History book? Who knows? I do know that the images are some of the beat known one world. We weren't on the stretch of wall that yields the most well-known images, but that was fine. It was still fascinating.<br />
<br />
I got through the first stretch pretty slowly. The going was quite arduous because of the multitudinous heights of the stairs and all the people stopped along the way. Dylan was outpacing me by far, so I told him to go along and we'd see each other whenever. He disappeared into the crowd. I couldn't follow him because I had to keep my head down so I wouldn't trip.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6twMibeRiRCl2guiN6CjgVqUX9urSnFRPxYzLzQu1xaOAy2fe4bE2fO46TC86x2am9kCx-xZwnOyDVR2YXhFCoIn80BUzC6Dzda1u0nGKmnPyA-bAM6GLv2ua0jK-QauqhaK7ZW2KebmU/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252823%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6twMibeRiRCl2guiN6CjgVqUX9urSnFRPxYzLzQu1xaOAy2fe4bE2fO46TC86x2am9kCx-xZwnOyDVR2YXhFCoIn80BUzC6Dzda1u0nGKmnPyA-bAM6GLv2ua0jK-QauqhaK7ZW2KebmU/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252823%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>Along the way I saw chains anchored to the wall below the handrail. On it were hundreds of locks, just like on the bridge on the Seine in Paris! Clearly <i>Love Locks</i> are an international phenomenon. I was thinking it would make more of a statement to have the chains way up at the top, not on the first stretch, signifying that they were in it for the long haul!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhaYjB21j2NN2Jss46DPvlUBE1NfR4_q3v-N4JvJ1iXI8_AME6xjbYqjYpn3Yfpu5WD2v2k9KS_t1dFqCn9mjRnDSS_-1wBM-dbazOfnKSRhhafNAn70G6bdB1sxmHqcZjPRJEStbGFv9/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252838%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhaYjB21j2NN2Jss46DPvlUBE1NfR4_q3v-N4JvJ1iXI8_AME6xjbYqjYpn3Yfpu5WD2v2k9KS_t1dFqCn9mjRnDSS_-1wBM-dbazOfnKSRhhafNAn70G6bdB1sxmHqcZjPRJEStbGFv9/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252838%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviTZrZ0sLWs0O5USt497RzYyhZ_TPOx6xetPww5vNC0Geoa4i4cor6YJRwkl6XYj3zd2Li7XJNEbILFb82VkWdF-tMD7V7pqU-yww6h9zcViVRZTf-545wlp8OLb7RsD4bP9MLZUS1Xk-/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252839%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgviTZrZ0sLWs0O5USt497RzYyhZ_TPOx6xetPww5vNC0Geoa4i4cor6YJRwkl6XYj3zd2Li7XJNEbILFb82VkWdF-tMD7V7pqU-yww6h9zcViVRZTf-545wlp8OLb7RsD4bP9MLZUS1Xk-/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252839%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>I saw a place with toilets and food and souvenirs so I went there to rest a bit. I was astonished to see women coming down the stairs there in platform shoes or high-heeled shoes, their boyfriends carrying their purses for them (very common in China - the purse-carrying part). It was painful to me to see the types of shoes some of them had on. I don't know how they managed to get up that high. There were also some families,often with the man carrying,not the purse, but the child! Yikes! One time, a man came to the platform where I was sitting, put his 2-year-old down, then too knapsack of cigarettes out of his pocket, tore off the plastic,tossed it on the ground, tore off the aluminum foil, tossed it down, then proceeded to light up. He must have been in great shape to be able to carry his son AND smoke! I watched in amazement. I also enjoyed playing peekaboo with the little boy who stared at me unrelentingly. His parents finally noticed which gave us all a moment of adoring their child. It was sweet.<br />
<br />
After taking a refreshing thirty minute break, I felt revived enough to climb more. I kept aiming for the next guard tower or platform where I would give myself another break. Interestingly though, by the time I started climbing this second time, it didn't wear me out quite so much. Maybe I reached the runner's high and was endorphined-out. Doubtful, I know, but I like the sound of it. At one of the towers, there were many souvenir stands including one that sold t-shirts that said "I climbed the Great Wall" and medals on colorful ribbons which showed the same. I was sorely tempted to get one - with appropriate emphasis on "sorely".<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNZz0qyjD3_7vFxqyh4ljEAhjgMB-IARz2AVZ3I6FVJCGsJ8mIWCv_aV4-IuO3KTwajN0VXEVzQymL1iZ8_jI3EvPp1z1VL1laGvdwGfjHvmAAJ8RBp0NjWbHA2aGXVi5RSI5dzWUiWPX/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252893%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqNZz0qyjD3_7vFxqyh4ljEAhjgMB-IARz2AVZ3I6FVJCGsJ8mIWCv_aV4-IuO3KTwajN0VXEVzQymL1iZ8_jI3EvPp1z1VL1laGvdwGfjHvmAAJ8RBp0NjWbHA2aGXVi5RSI5dzWUiWPX/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252893%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the higher guard towers = fewer people</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX_pxYfNL8Ucg5x_EO3Z-PEnIWvh01yYOQoGxAJey49CLtcDRHfK_1dm9mYx_zLEjOvk1HWOJ3-Cc0IHgX0cVwFFsriJvivAEDgwbjXudTKFLFkTwnXIb-998sIXhBadvLAV4loeAk8ZJ/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%25283%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoX_pxYfNL8Ucg5x_EO3Z-PEnIWvh01yYOQoGxAJey49CLtcDRHfK_1dm9mYx_zLEjOvk1HWOJ3-Cc0IHgX0cVwFFsriJvivAEDgwbjXudTKFLFkTwnXIb-998sIXhBadvLAV4loeAk8ZJ/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%25283%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>The guard towers were interesting. They offered a place to stop for a bit and take in the view. that was welcome!<br />
<br />
They also, apparently, offered a <i>pissoir</i> for some of the gentlemen. Not quite as sweet. I was surprised to walk into the 30"x30" rooms with many windows and smell urine and see piles of garbage where people had dropped their water bottles and candy wrappers. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3i2KZtgFO_ySB5MAigrUjPRbaDYSVAW_A7XJDTRw4Jn59AMd9WmRO7qdUXPSYh7CTZoCxal-iPZvzrY7hwGJb_VzelFOae3fwkcPxcJSkXLOhkI9cbbbpm9ZQjP3KunBNCU3sAeRs02G/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252828%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD3i2KZtgFO_ySB5MAigrUjPRbaDYSVAW_A7XJDTRw4Jn59AMd9WmRO7qdUXPSYh7CTZoCxal-iPZvzrY7hwGJb_VzelFOae3fwkcPxcJSkXLOhkI9cbbbpm9ZQjP3KunBNCU3sAeRs02G/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252828%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-Xcmgo8RmUeAVsRMCAB-iKmKJPfonfFUsqkLOCXRzirEXKZrUla7XkhLjDSHE70Vv6BZFTfUp-WEZPIv1x2WVOJmWfm_y4Il6zFwVnwvZhJXHifF2LVEzQ7ahHv-uMqGxV2AbrQ2-kRY/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252830%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-Xcmgo8RmUeAVsRMCAB-iKmKJPfonfFUsqkLOCXRzirEXKZrUla7XkhLjDSHE70Vv6BZFTfUp-WEZPIv1x2WVOJmWfm_y4Il6zFwVnwvZhJXHifF2LVEzQ7ahHv-uMqGxV2AbrQ2-kRY/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%252830%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNV5KwpxffwHw_DswnFWK17wY2wMIIMlPqcDvMCMFawDe3FLVuV5d_ThJvzCBbyJppFkKhf06rUYe84zZielUdr5jA4A959eKeJIIRf4RvoS3eF9F3jFcqpQus23XfdxDmPDrgBXwdox60/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528110%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNV5KwpxffwHw_DswnFWK17wY2wMIIMlPqcDvMCMFawDe3FLVuV5d_ThJvzCBbyJppFkKhf06rUYe84zZielUdr5jA4A959eKeJIIRf4RvoS3eF9F3jFcqpQus23XfdxDmPDrgBXwdox60/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528110%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan standing on the parapet, encouraging me to come just a little farther!</td></tr>
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At some point Dylan called me - he borrowed a cell phone for me - very convenient. He told me he was at the highest tower and wanted to know where I was. When I told him, he suggested I come up to the tower right below the highest - he said the highest one wasn't really worth it because there were so many people there and most of them were smoking! My anti-smoking rapidity has clearly been passed down to my son! Oops! I hadn't planned to go up so high, but he insisted it was worth it, so up I went, thinking fondly of my "one more boy" all the way. (That's what I called Dylan when he was younger because he would rarely be satisfied with what I had to offer - he would always want "just one more" - chapter to read, hand at cards, time to play soccer, etc. he hasn't changed much since then in that respect, though thankfully he can laugh about and is aware of his tendency.)<br />
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That last tower was good to climb. There was almost no one on the top because the stairs were hidden. Dylan had to tell me several times where they were, they were so tricky to find!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRf_pK8eex9hwYjFS4FyXO8nHsHAR1YPndcSXJWUoqJT2QnelMOtgBFUx1udPClYhRzgG4XBuaKXrH8p6-nK4nTUGa6yg5dL0_BsGRgiLN4gWbiI7zQyrpYkIUo3ks4roo11n5xO0M-vz/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528116%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYRf_pK8eex9hwYjFS4FyXO8nHsHAR1YPndcSXJWUoqJT2QnelMOtgBFUx1udPClYhRzgG4XBuaKXrH8p6-nK4nTUGa6yg5dL0_BsGRgiLN4gWbiI7zQyrpYkIUo3ks4roo11n5xO0M-vz/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528116%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLscrWaieT6vhsSSBDaoxT_6bk918RLGR-uibXJh_JSM8hBkNH1OaquRCmnZi3Nx_QwOtpkPBCyWaUxtPG8-mF_BjUzyRUMIr_Nmf0aEiOVdtmMVqOTFKBrYbyPpi-KNarCHt6MKiasG9/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528121%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLscrWaieT6vhsSSBDaoxT_6bk918RLGR-uibXJh_JSM8hBkNH1OaquRCmnZi3Nx_QwOtpkPBCyWaUxtPG8-mF_BjUzyRUMIr_Nmf0aEiOVdtmMVqOTFKBrYbyPpi-KNarCHt6MKiasG9/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528121%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dylan at the top of the stairs after I finally found them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXJSLyjdgfKXCAwMTiWLV18V2hxEcXQh9JyialsYwX6C3KrGNU3WqrDE3BqgKi24SMmpvBg496sWJuQoQHo1jljmZrxKORh9vutYS6GXcdpi2cJBw23jrPRgraoPpNA10s8ewagVsZqtX/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528136%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXJSLyjdgfKXCAwMTiWLV18V2hxEcXQh9JyialsYwX6C3KrGNU3WqrDE3BqgKi24SMmpvBg496sWJuQoQHo1jljmZrxKORh9vutYS6GXcdpi2cJBw23jrPRgraoPpNA10s8ewagVsZqtX/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528136%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boy. A young man of the highest caliber.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9wxOoAyFTvifV3O2WhN-79FUgs7OBMXrgvkWB3d96VOoxkF2pFeH6QDJacrDKjY48wZk1XrcKtdemek7Fs2IQxriZjFLZjzwZgiC1oxnOre5iPr922yVxIBxJfQXSSD_e6SDDh2fc5jK/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528132%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9wxOoAyFTvifV3O2WhN-79FUgs7OBMXrgvkWB3d96VOoxkF2pFeH6QDJacrDKjY48wZk1XrcKtdemek7Fs2IQxriZjFLZjzwZgiC1oxnOre5iPr922yVxIBxJfQXSSD_e6SDDh2fc5jK/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528132%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view of the top from my last stop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QODxvuzE-lehhMEMSbqWsD4MSDYURIOaYgX1_mUQubRyZzh6VkC-eCQEY4TRMGd7c2AuD6J9eVcJGmRJh_O06hCX25ByX-8hou-zVZHfW7iJpMKD7XYajgOBOevdOtWD_KjRHmKf2SsA/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528140%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QODxvuzE-lehhMEMSbqWsD4MSDYURIOaYgX1_mUQubRyZzh6VkC-eCQEY4TRMGd7c2AuD6J9eVcJGmRJh_O06hCX25ByX-8hou-zVZHfW7iJpMKD7XYajgOBOevdOtWD_KjRHmKf2SsA/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528140%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the highest spot I went to.</td></tr>
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I spoke with Chris this evening - he asked me if being at the wall gave me a great sense of history. I had to think about it, but realized that it didn't particularly. The section I was on was rebuilt about 40 years ago - it's the section where Mao stated, <a href="http://www.quotesdaddy.com/quote/1387091/mao-zedong/he-who-does-not-reach-the-great-wall-is-not-a-true">“He who does not reach the Great Wall is not a true man!”</a> Well then!<br />
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The wall was in very good shape, constructed out of large grey bricks with a large foundation of sand-colored rocks from the mountain. This section, Dylan ascertained, was an outpost. The part we climbed was part of a complete circle (not regularly shaped) and had most likely contained a settlement of people within it. One part of the wall was surprisingly low - that's likely the part that faced the settlement. The other side of the wall was too high to scale and probably faced where invaders would come from. The inside was low, running through a valley and had water in it. The surrounding mountains, some of which were enclosed by the wall, seem to have been terraced for planting, though they were certainly no longer in use for that. Still, you could still see lines in the mountains where they seem to have been carved into.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ux5hbbhV1M-_ieHk2151pTCjm5CAm-IZw5kiTNOPDhugiTiix_H2ZM63pagij57GmbRqCADwhlkPKMiGpvVQO17SuCJ0ru4uOfddY0qTQd7ZpWA8vIpujdLpgA9fya1znEwsO3HMFZtC/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+(62).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Ux5hbbhV1M-_ieHk2151pTCjm5CAm-IZw5kiTNOPDhugiTiix_H2ZM63pagij57GmbRqCADwhlkPKMiGpvVQO17SuCJ0ru4uOfddY0qTQd7ZpWA8vIpujdLpgA9fya1znEwsO3HMFZtC/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+(62).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCd76uglDZKqfjrtBeG6aJZZyPAQ2A0pZ6IAxukeJTGIgRy9vN1PFbBGO_kkUaWcA0r3L93rU1D-W3iZ_4P34k_Wv13tQ4AUJ2lyAHxg4MlsYn2ve_yIcPGQE4btvoR629gnZVDeyMSu7/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528124%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCd76uglDZKqfjrtBeG6aJZZyPAQ2A0pZ6IAxukeJTGIgRy9vN1PFbBGO_kkUaWcA0r3L93rU1D-W3iZ_4P34k_Wv13tQ4AUJ2lyAHxg4MlsYn2ve_yIcPGQE4btvoR629gnZVDeyMSu7/s400/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+%2528124%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a>The only real sign of age was in the stairs which were out of stone and certainly showed the wear of 1000's of people day-in, day-out going up and down them. Some of them were depressed as much as 2-3 inches making it tricky to climb them if you weren't careful. Other than that, the towers were in good shape with no real signs of wear on the stones/bricks. The only signs of humanity on them were the smell of urine in the corners where people chose to relieve themselves rather than using the putrid, disgusting, horrifying toilets. Can't imagine why! Though peeing in public in the corner of a small building containing at least 10-20 other people at the same time would have it's own set of limitations for most folks in the US. At least I think it would. I would like to have used the bathroom, but each time I went into one of them along the wall, I had to leave because I was so close to gagging. There were probably too many people for the sanitary workers to be able to keep up. I didn't see any there at all anyway. The only cleaners I saw were unpaid people who went around and picked plastic bottles and aluminum cans out of the garbage and off the ground for recycling. That was, perhaps, how they made their living. They must be in terrific shape if the Great Wall was their area for collecting trash. It's a different life. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFb_-Ly_dPjL9VQgxvgiiCyZaLi7OX42zmKOy6YHTB-Rg7dZrGLZBVW_og-ouTNsnOBDopwr4NZLkY9x98h4P3Qb5bUa2b2qolfJEN6SZkxCt9IY-WuHRJM7hyphenhyphen1iFBWsJuGNS36uLgKwF/s1600/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+(36)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFb_-Ly_dPjL9VQgxvgiiCyZaLi7OX42zmKOy6YHTB-Rg7dZrGLZBVW_og-ouTNsnOBDopwr4NZLkY9x98h4P3Qb5bUa2b2qolfJEN6SZkxCt9IY-WuHRJM7hyphenhyphen1iFBWsJuGNS36uLgKwF/s320/2013-04-30+The+Great+Wall+of+China+(36)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Another interesting thing was all the signs posted along the way which encouraged people to be well-behaved and otherwise noble. For example, one said, "Leave nothing behind but footprints, take nothing with you but memories." Another I photographed said "<i>Protect the environment of scenic spots and be civilized tourists."</i> -it was posted right by where the guy threw his cigarette trash down and asked that people not litter. There was garbage all over the place -dropped on the stairs as people finished stuff or, worse, tossed over the wall where it would be quite difficult to clean up because the landscape was so steep. The thoughtlessness surprised me. I think we have more awareness of littering in the US thanks to the campaign in the 70's with the American Indian who cried a single tear of sadness about the trash all over our beautiful land.<br />
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In Beijing there are many, many, many people cleaning public areas almost constantly, so trash isn't an issue here. I guess it's one way the city keeps people employed.<br />
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Finally we decided it was time to head down so we could keep our appointment with the cab driver and the Russian women we rode with. Besides, what else is there to do on the Great Wall once you've checked out the scenery, taken gobs of pictures, and contemplated life and your grand accomplishments? We'd done it all!<br />
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The way down was quicker but a bit hard on the legs. Again, the stairs were uneven, and there were still lots of people on them, though not as many as earlier. <br />
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When we reached the spot where I'd stopped before, there were stairs leading to another path down, one that was easier, new, and less full of people. We decided it wouldn't lessen our heroes' status to take it, so we gratefully went that way. It was decorated nicely with pruned trees, like you see all over China. I find the aesthetic of the angles quite beautiful. <br />
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Down at the bottom again, we sat for a few minutes before heading back to the parking lot. our Russian friends met us serendipitiously at the wrong parking lot - we both managed to go to the exact same wrong spot! Dylan called the cab driver, and off we went, back to Beijing after a terrific day at the Great Wall of China!<br />
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My brother asked if there would be a May Day parade for workers here today. The answer is no. The government doesn't really encourage large public gatherings these days for fear they will turn into demonstrations. Interesting...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the original</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R1v6JOYUQyJEZcumgBpDNxKozb7kHRdd_VwR70MUCYMJFxYXHMKEKJtg5rWKhg_nlrLwsin9yBvE_tKas43_JTkG0Bqm2lvLfX7qoL8QO6LJOJr-iZ8iKq9uAtLJpesdcIstPhmsUy7R/s640/blogger-image--648779692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R1v6JOYUQyJEZcumgBpDNxKozb7kHRdd_VwR70MUCYMJFxYXHMKEKJtg5rWKhg_nlrLwsin9yBvE_tKas43_JTkG0Bqm2lvLfX7qoL8QO6LJOJr-iZ8iKq9uAtLJpesdcIstPhmsUy7R/s320/blogger-image--648779692.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the remains</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpAdAqrEpzVX8KrnN7RZdl3aJA-ZMyU-h6JpM93XrOkmIRXXB-ORDIXJZQw9_wkPmBd-OCxZunSftWE6EzYnV1C0uNsePRco5W41ajWhQjqDuq5HSRncgazcWJ_DUbhYtBl6Q2RA7ARDb/s640/blogger-image-1853077704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpAdAqrEpzVX8KrnN7RZdl3aJA-ZMyU-h6JpM93XrOkmIRXXB-ORDIXJZQw9_wkPmBd-OCxZunSftWE6EzYnV1C0uNsePRco5W41ajWhQjqDuq5HSRncgazcWJ_DUbhYtBl6Q2RA7ARDb/s200/blogger-image-1853077704.jpg" width="200" /></a>This evening after we got home from the Wall, after a break at Dylan's room where we both just relaxed, we met several of his friends for dinner at a place where they serve fish. It was prepared differently than I've ever seen it before. They take a whole 2-3 pound fish, cut it in half longways and lay it flat in a tray on top of a selection of vegetables, noodles, kelp, etc., then cover it with lots of spices and other vegetables, peppers, scallions, etc. the whole thing is baked, I guess, in a tray with juices - or juices form from all that's cooking. It's served in the tray it's baked in which fits nicely on a form which holds Sterno, like a fondue pot, but with two burners. We got two fish, a back fish and a cat fish. The back fish was the spicy one. Dylan cleaned off a piece form me as well as possible then let me try it. It still tasted like eating Sirracha straight. I don't like spicy foods, so I just watched while the others ate that one until the not-spicy one arrived. "Not-spicy", by my definition, was still quite spicy, but edible. It was fascinating eating at a table with six people, all of us eating from the same two dishes, with our own rice and small plates for bones and fish heads or tails or whatever. We picked whatever we wanted from the dish with chopsticks, reaching across the table freely. Drinks were hot tea. Napkins were provided and were the size and thickness of about half a tissue. There was a lovely camaraderie at the table with several languages going back and forth about tales of international travel that boggles my mind. It's wild and crazy how much these people have traveled already in their young lives. The world is a tiny place to them. Even with the crazy amount of travel I've done this year, the world just feels larger and larger to me as I become more and more aware of just how much there is to see and know.<br />
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OK, time for me to head to bed. My body is exhausted from the climb, and I don't really like sitting downstairs here in the lobby so I can access the Internet. I am so damn spoiled by my creature comforts!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice the man carrying his girlfriend's purse - very typical.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLOdrQJ5YYPXuRSrLBRudJmR1JqRXZ1byEKACG3abRbEuE-EePd2jFxwUDh8rRkXIyIniu4An3h6SwFEef_AfRMYQ6Gx6dB7z9XEo9c8j87pfkEkHIqvZLxPfwo6U4AHNHxvoh75NNNUX/s640/blogger-image-863490082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuLOdrQJ5YYPXuRSrLBRudJmR1JqRXZ1byEKACG3abRbEuE-EePd2jFxwUDh8rRkXIyIniu4An3h6SwFEef_AfRMYQ6Gx6dB7z9XEo9c8j87pfkEkHIqvZLxPfwo6U4AHNHxvoh75NNNUX/s320/blogger-image-863490082.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is actually a grimace, not a smile! I was huffing and puffing here like crazy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxP2X4d6EvlK0KGDksI7P9PZfVD05H_tG32DenHvCtKm9xyMqIlLGmbyveCR65RKs2Evtkkx_vL4449NAw6iR5oQOrFZZyF45TLGIfpXp84KCnmulMDNQIlgaLV0jABrFRSn83LSWg5zh/s640/blogger-image--1600685879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxP2X4d6EvlK0KGDksI7P9PZfVD05H_tG32DenHvCtKm9xyMqIlLGmbyveCR65RKs2Evtkkx_vL4449NAw6iR5oQOrFZZyF45TLGIfpXp84KCnmulMDNQIlgaLV0jABrFRSn83LSWg5zh/s400/blogger-image--1600685879.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, it was a LOT of stairs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a cow's head on the corner of the table there. When I came back the next night, there was considerably less meat on it. I didn't get my dinner there.</td></tr>
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-45464119602292521012013-05-05T00:17:00.001-04:002013-05-07T09:12:08.389-04:00April 30th, Beijing Arts District 798<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today was art day. Dylan and I intentionally got a late start so we could sleep late. I thankfully managed to sleep til 9:30 even with the "joop/repperbahn" outside my window. That is what I have discerned it to be saying. I am still not a fan of it, but I am very thankful that I'm learning to tune it out a little bit better. I'll imbed a video so you can hear it in the background, though it just isn't as loud or insistent on the video as in person. You'll just have to visit for the full effect. Anyway... I shouldn't go on and on about that. Though I will if Dylan keeps singing it like he's doing right this second. He says he wants me to have something to remember from China. THIS is <i>not</i> the right thing!<br />
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Anyway...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYqvYM-DEVybA3SD1Si3I6qZJzYgSAbrJe7B2hR4QJc5AlOQnc6aYKyUJk2WUCw8y6Cfsb863lTwBCx6-A2xwe_2gcKx0Bo1MC7IdLeZGr8i7STZl0j8uZN8WenwFYfIVSNb5uuHGjYLY/s1600/2013-04-30+17.19.25+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYqvYM-DEVybA3SD1Si3I6qZJzYgSAbrJe7B2hR4QJc5AlOQnc6aYKyUJk2WUCw8y6Cfsb863lTwBCx6-A2xwe_2gcKx0Bo1MC7IdLeZGr8i7STZl0j8uZN8WenwFYfIVSNb5uuHGjYLY/s320/2013-04-30+17.19.25+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>We decided to go to Beijing 798 Art District. Every city should have one! Apparently there was an industrial area which artists took over as they are wont to do in decrepit areas around the world. This place is now a vibrant,exciting area full of art and shopping which draws people from all over the city (and beyond, I would guess). We saw plenty of foreigners there for sure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of He Wenjue's images from Burma</td></tr>
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The art was remarkably good. Top class. People whose art is in museums worldwide. One of them was He Wenjue in a show called "Daily Images". He painted very large images almost photorealistically then he scraped off the paint most of the way, leaving a very clear image but with some smearing. I wish I could show you an image of it but they were insistent in all these galleries about not taking pictures of the art. I really liked his work. Powerful stuff. Many of the images were of everyday life. One of my favorites was a woman sitting in the middle of a lovely arbor taking a picture of the plants. It doesn't sound all interesting, perhaps, but it was wonderful. There were also several of Burma and of Buddhas and temples there. Terrific.<br />
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I also liked the art of <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6JDz0HWOsF_gpjKwXy5Sa2Lh0uAtlVQhY_hg8THcoB4WSBLUh6r_6YL0wLUafOFz6ysRq4mwqGVmlpUyALC7ugFzIjIJGvfFRCAgl9pKs678Hs0fhh06snG0UFoNK8NfJ061sKkIrOGk/s1600/2013-04-30+15.56.04+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6JDz0HWOsF_gpjKwXy5Sa2Lh0uAtlVQhY_hg8THcoB4WSBLUh6r_6YL0wLUafOFz6ysRq4mwqGVmlpUyALC7ugFzIjIJGvfFRCAgl9pKs678Hs0fhh06snG0UFoNK8NfJ061sKkIrOGk/s320/2013-04-30+15.56.04+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnW6diaRmF0WVb371QuqmfebpJPcJ9MOONqsQHibAuTobfYg40wkkFrKwekkjoVCZPolDs2NwOPvF1cKQ8AhPKV-muSTRStl5SOBHHAxEwyqtvJKtUD5LBhw3V0eueXNXfL2655OWsdNA/s1600/Ying+Tianqi+Imprisoned.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnW6diaRmF0WVb371QuqmfebpJPcJ9MOONqsQHibAuTobfYg40wkkFrKwekkjoVCZPolDs2NwOPvF1cKQ8AhPKV-muSTRStl5SOBHHAxEwyqtvJKtUD5LBhw3V0eueXNXfL2655OWsdNA/s1600/Ying+Tianqi+Imprisoned.jpg" /></a>Ying Tianqi. This poster doesn't give a very accurate sense of it, I don't think. In China they have been tearing down old areas of cities as fast as they can in order to build new, modern areas. They don't seem to be considering the ancient history inherent in the places. They tear down 2000 year old areas without giving it a second thought. The Uyghurs have suffered from this, but in this exhibit I learned that it is happening all over China. This artist made an entire exhibit all about it. When I first walked in, the first thing I saw was steel cages heaped on top of each other with heaps of old, broken, discarded furniture heaped inside of them along with other debris. There were also several TV sets with videos of people in their homes before they were demolished. Apparently the furniture and other stuff came from the ruins when the houses were destroyed. It was touching to see the old people in their homes then to compare those pictures with the junk in the cages.<br />
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The other parts of the exhibit handled the same theme in different ways. In one blackened room blocked off from the rest of the exhibit by a black curtain, there was a film running of a man who was hired by the government, he thought, to find a way to conserve one of the old areas of a city previously slated to be destroyed. He spoke with such sadness as he described the process he went through and how it was all for naught. Just his face telling the facts with English subtitles.<br />
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Another room was also black, barely lit. It contained a boardroom set up - table, chairs, water bottles, lamps, portfolios, pens at each place, all grey/silver/black. There was a strong light cast upon the scene. The description in English explained that there are "shadow meetings" where people make the real plans for what to do with these regions, away from people like in the previous film who only think they're working on it. Powerful.<br />
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They also showed a video of a city in ruins, seven years after being torn down - it had not yet been re-created in the form of "new" China. There was no indication when construction would begin.<br />
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The artist also painted many abstract paintings that looked like segments of walls with lots of texture, in grey and black, with strips of smooth color behind them.<br />
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An exciting part of the whole day for me was to see how many people were there in the arts district. It was a gorgeous day, first of all- Dylan says it's one of the most beautiful days since he's been here - lucky us! But there were so many people actually inside, looking at the art. It was remarkable. Not just talking to each other and ignoring the art like happens at openings in Richmond. No, they were looking at and talking about the art, more like in a museum. I would so love to see something like that in Richmond. Dylan pointed out that there might not be quite the depth of talent in Richmond at this point, but perhaps it would develop, given such a world-class opportunity. Shockoe Bottom Art Center could have been the start of such a region.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdb3DaiiVSCSi07mxlYVkpF2MZhOcJLH6ytbzRBxDAs4Kh6UQJVZlgep19D8zDG6DSOk5f7vbMwDP5JIvS489CNSb-Ga1E5ShLMH46mzt5_SEtvONUEdrx39XPR7XD9vor_-gf7CmI_nl/s1600/2013-04-30+14.37.51+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdb3DaiiVSCSi07mxlYVkpF2MZhOcJLH6ytbzRBxDAs4Kh6UQJVZlgep19D8zDG6DSOk5f7vbMwDP5JIvS489CNSb-Ga1E5ShLMH46mzt5_SEtvONUEdrx39XPR7XD9vor_-gf7CmI_nl/s400/2013-04-30+14.37.51+%2528478x640%2529.jpg" width="298" /></a><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Xwe243O50FezJtWCEfmGxmmgI5tCcjS8VRIvGTaG90sLreMuIGMHQnkpaL0F1yrnXURfo5P28MolTaJ8ZYrk0Xy-g2JItdgrPio1BwFHWxOJZB3NlzNc1QBBYK6GRs0oR3VxcnIBbeM/s320/2013-04-30+15.18.06+(640x478).jpg" width="320" />It was great seeing interactive art as well. Mounted onto one building were forms reminiscent of the Men's and Women's icons for bathrooms. They were life-size, so people went up to them and climbed in so they could be photographed in them. That drew quite a crowd! I love this boy's expression as he's trying to fit into the man's shape.</div>
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In addition to all these great shows and street merchants, there were also some terrific shops. I went into one where there were exquisite scarves. Scarves are a big thing here, it seems. As they are in Paris. My friend Kathy Benner is really onto something with the fabulous scarves she's creating which I've been wearing all around the world! <br />
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This picture doesn't do the shop justice, and, again, they wouldn't allow photos. They had one scarf/shawl I would have loved to buy, but it was about $2000, not quite in my budget. The picture I've drawn to include of it shows the basics, but nothing about the gorgeousness of it. <br />
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It was basically a rectangle with two beautiful sides, bordered by fox fur that was dyed blue, black, grey, and white. One side of the shawl/scarf was cashmere, dull aqua/periwinkle with a pretty rose pattern on it. It was nice, but not spectacular. The other side - oh my gosh! That's what made it worth $2000! It was filled with row upon row of handmade roses in variegated shades of blue, grey, black, and white. What I mean by roses - I tried to draw them, but the photo is blurry. Imagine taking a piece of shiny silk that's multicolored and about a half inch wide and maybe twelve inches long. Fold it in half so it's 1/4 inch wide. Roll it into a spiral so it ends up flat and looks sort of like a rose. Then do that 1000 times and sew each one onto this flawlessly beautiful shawl. Add buttons in fascinating places so that it can be worn as a shawl, a cape, a jacket, or a scarf, that side out or with the cashmere showing, though I can't imagine not wanting the spiral-rose to show. It was one of the most captivating pieces of clothing I've ever seen. I wish I could have gotten a picture of it. They had several gorgeous scarves, many of them over $100. I left as politely as I could after drooling all over them. Just kidding. <br />
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The store next door to them had very interesting and beautiful clothes too. There's a type of material which might be some sort of stretchy polyester - that makes it sound like 60's horror - it's not that at all. This stuff has vertical folds in it that react in fascinating ways when worn. They had a lot of jackets out of that stuff. They, too, could be worn many different ways. They, too, were about $100-200. I tried a bunch of them on. Some of them bulged in unattractive ways, but others hung in interesting ways. They were definitely eye-catching. Then they showed me a jacket in silk that is textured as if it's got thousands of tiny folds in it but basically it hangs like silk. It was silver/grey with flowers all over it on one side. The other side was bright pink. It's reversible. It's one of those jackets that hangs over the butt scooped in the back and open in the front, falling in a wavy way. The pink inside forms the collar one way and vise-versa. I couldn't pass it up. The price was more reasonable than anything else I tried on -around $75 - and it is so striking! I'm very excited about it. I'll now have a fabulous thing to wear to my next art opening! All I have to do now is get one lined up and paint some new paintings! Easy peasy! <br />
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After my big,exciting purchase, we headed back to Dylan's in a cab. We'd taken one the as well, but the traffic was horrible to it took about an hour and a half.a. Thankfully the ride back was better - it just took about a half hour. Each cost about $10. I'm thankful for reasonably-priced cabs here! <br />
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After chilling for a bit at his room and talking to his lovely roommate, Taka, we went to a fun restaurant to meet his friends who are leaving tomorrow (all except one of them). We had a fun meal for six with so many varied dishes - exploded lamb, Kung poa chicken, cucumber salad, tomatoes piled high with sugar, some other chicken dish, green beans and eggplant, maybe a couple more. They'd assured me that the food wasn't very spicy and warned me off the one that was. Man, am I sensitive! They were spicy to me! Tasty, but spicy. I finished up two bottles of water washing down the spice. My interpretation is different than others', but that's OK. It was very tasty anyway. Maybe one day I'll get used to spicy food. That would be welcome! <br />
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After dinner they were heading off to a club for one last night together and I took a cab back to the hostel so they could enjoy themselves without inhibitions. It's hard to share a last night with someone new when you have so many wonderful memories and stories in common. They were kind enough to invite me though. Nice people! Dylan has lovely friends!<br />
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So that was it for today. I'll put a few more pictures in here cuz there were other interesting images from the day. Again thanks for reading! ( I can't put the pictures next to the captions using the ipad. Hopefully you can figure out what goes with what!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPOYkh1K-MwDuxxzbBr6YmAXyKkwm8nul-AwSKrspDt6Za9vuzJ5CJaM7sAX4_XkWpXXwNpDC06NO2FjD4EAJVPwruLGzEvDF2ALCdFAutkbGBCLN_nyEmOCX-4x4yk9-t4tyuhFWvRpI/s1600/2013-04-30+17.01.58+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPOYkh1K-MwDuxxzbBr6YmAXyKkwm8nul-AwSKrspDt6Za9vuzJ5CJaM7sAX4_XkWpXXwNpDC06NO2FjD4EAJVPwruLGzEvDF2ALCdFAutkbGBCLN_nyEmOCX-4x4yk9-t4tyuhFWvRpI/s320/2013-04-30+17.01.58+%2528640x478%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Chinese seem to have a penchant for cute little bunnies. They show up all over eye place like in this statue - not bunnies, but people/bunnies. On the right are little sets of bunny ears which are attached to hair clips. Girls, young women!, actually wear them in their hair. It's a bit odd to me to see almost-adults dressing like bunnies. Dylan says that cutesie is in for girls. They're supposed to play fragile and needy. Their boyfriends carry their pursues for them, for example. What's odd about that for me, other than the obvious, is that women here seem more equal to men than anywhere else I've ever been. For example, the mechanic Dylan went to for his moped is a woman. When we had to go to another place,a young woman came up and discussed his moped with complete confidence and knowledge. It's so rare to see a female mechanic in the states, I barely knew how to react. One of our cab drivers was a woman too. She was as aggressive and assertive as any I've seen. I don't know that I've seen female cab drivers in the states. There are also many female road construction workers and sanitary workers. There just don't seem to be any jobs closed to women here the way they are in the states. I know women can technically do them in the US, but the rarely do. It was disconcerting to see the stereotypes broken like that - it made me aware of my own prejudices/ preconceived notions. It was primarily refreshing - and noticeable.<br />
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This is one of the window dressings in a store at 798. It reminded Dylan and me of Dia de Los Muertos. Lots of people were taking pictures in front of it. These next two pictures are of a woman then a couple being photographed, probably for an ad. It'll give you a sense of the cutesie thing going on.<br />
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Dylan and I had a lunch at a very cool cafe situated on the roof of a building in the tree tops. It felt so much like a place Laura and I went to in Monteverde,Costa Rica, it was like deja vu. Very strange! It was a great vantage point from which to see the goings on in the street. A bit plus of the cafe - the toilet was Western style; it was clean; they provided toilet paper; there was a sink for washing my hands; they provided paper towels to dry them too. I am acutely aware of these luxuries this week! It'll be a long time before I'll take them for granted again! <br />
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My ultra-handsome son! (One of them, anyway!)<br />
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Interesting juxtaposition of language spotted on a wall. I'm impressed by how well this person understands the nuances of English!<br />
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That's it for today! Have a great day!<br />
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-27601553788119905442013-05-05T00:07:00.001-04:002013-05-08T04:10:50.788-04:00April 23, 2013 Last day in Paris, searching for the Uyghurs, Laduree' goodies, etc.I am sitting at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris awaiting my flight to Amsterdam in about an hour and a half - perfect timing for writing a blog post. I wrote one last night on my way back to the hotel from the city but seems not to have saved, so I'll be re-writing it now. Darn! <br />
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The person at the counter told me she couldn't give me my boarding pass for Beijing yet because the flight is completely full. I might have to take the next flight and stay in Amsterdam overnight or for a few more hours. I would frankly be delighted. I really want to see the VanGogh and Rembrandt museums this trip! I don't want it to mess up Dylan's schedule - that would be the only problem but hopefully it would be OK for him... <br />
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So... Yesterday... The plan was to go with the Uyghur women on a bus tour of Paris. My roommate, Iris, told me that the bus would be leaving at 9:30 for the city. We figured that probably meant around 9:45 or so, since everything so far had been running late. We got up, got dressed, had breakfast, went downstairs to meet the bus by 9:40. Two of our other compatriots, Greg and Henryk, joined us. We didn't see a bus. Or any women we recognized from the conference. We were confused, had a hard time believing they'd already left. We asked at the desk. The gentleman there knew nothing. W tried calling Omer who'd organized the conference. No answer. We tried Subayra, someone else involved in organizing the conference. Again no answer. We went up to Omer's room. Not there. We tried a couple of other numbers of people whose numbers we had. I asked a woman at the reception desk. She remembered having seen a bus leave at 7:30! Oops! I have no clue how that happened. Henryk had seen Omer at breakfast at 9 and he told each of the three of them that the bus would leave at 9:30. We continued trying to make calls.<br />
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I suggested we catch the bus to the airport at least so we could catch the shuttle from there so we could go to the city at least. We hopped on the bus, still trying to reach someone - anyone! Finally we reached a man I didn't know. Greg spoke Uyghur with him. Greg's Uyghur is pretty good -about 50% - but this guy didn't want to stay on the phone. He kept saying good bye. Greg did manage to get out of him that they were at the Eiffel Tower. We decided to take a taxi into the city since it would be faster and not all that much more expensive since the were four of us. We raced to the city, about 45 minutes laughing all the way about the absurdity of trying to meet up with a group of people in Paris with no more information than we had.<br />
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Our taxi driver did his best and wished us luck as he dropped us off at the base of the Tower, 50€ (~<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pZNTp_D2PTrwJ_sDb-rrSnZQ8kCym7m7QfLAVoA2Af8qO8k5fyJz_VUONfG8zj7PYspaRZTgQrrALB1BgEM6IKTzMxUj-GvF9Oo52aJoqYKUtD8UfYwrVqDXPfvQ2w4Kux5nGKBt3EWG/s1600/Paris+(348)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pZNTp_D2PTrwJ_sDb-rrSnZQ8kCym7m7QfLAVoA2Af8qO8k5fyJz_VUONfG8zj7PYspaRZTgQrrALB1BgEM6IKTzMxUj-GvF9Oo52aJoqYKUtD8UfYwrVqDXPfvQ2w4Kux5nGKBt3EWG/s320/Paris+(348)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a>$65) lighter. We searched the crowds, scanned the lines for women in headscarves. I saw some and rushed over there excited, only to find they were Americans with their hoods up because it was briskly windy that early morning. Doggone it. After a powwow, we decided Greg should try calling the guy we'd reached before to see if he could extract any more information before he hung up on Greg. He was disappointingly unsuccessful. Greg couldn't understand him well but did catch Champs d'Ellyses and maybe Arc de Triomphe????<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqYOatWiiXJAOvxEKCtVYpnbWi5WIR7r98HaLcYsZhD4ADC35-RHxpl0AwbuAWOh7kyH_bV2BBw_FFkvP8wvtJBHwxRjVJsXVtG1iObJT6d-1ohl2HBXBrd8paPJMg9nqOSJ1HS6c9dPf/s1600/Paris+%2528349%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqYOatWiiXJAOvxEKCtVYpnbWi5WIR7r98HaLcYsZhD4ADC35-RHxpl0AwbuAWOh7kyH_bV2BBw_FFkvP8wvtJBHwxRjVJsXVtG1iObJT6d-1ohl2HBXBrd8paPJMg9nqOSJ1HS6c9dPf/s320/Paris+%2528349%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Seine on the way to the Arc de Triomphe</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCbUf_He12OmJ00AN_DnNweo3c1r4O27sz8djKMGjxIUWEmrnpVykGCPiZ6z6-9w1f237zheKDS1ywrKNd9PdNhvkBvd7B7Wiyy3PuhO8YYR9RQMo_oOAQBqJ9IZotdRGgTqkQZxRFBXN/s1600/Paris+%2528352%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCbUf_He12OmJ00AN_DnNweo3c1r4O27sz8djKMGjxIUWEmrnpVykGCPiZ6z6-9w1f237zheKDS1ywrKNd9PdNhvkBvd7B7Wiyy3PuhO8YYR9RQMo_oOAQBqJ9IZotdRGgTqkQZxRFBXN/s320/Paris+%2528352%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtk8ZdSUY2tcUjnM2gTjPRFoSCq_tIcLCcacAs7LfsdsCG5Asc5R9XOf3wGNgHGWREfRc9OKitscebDqmSiGz_yZPkX79cxvW_KOdTkxONxi6VelIJGdIy3Y_Tt4luLGrH_b9-_2joUGE/s1600/Paris+%2528355%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTtk8ZdSUY2tcUjnM2gTjPRFoSCq_tIcLCcacAs7LfsdsCG5Asc5R9XOf3wGNgHGWREfRc9OKitscebDqmSiGz_yZPkX79cxvW_KOdTkxONxi6VelIJGdIy3Y_Tt4luLGrH_b9-_2joUGE/s320/Paris+%2528355%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>Greg suggested we head in that direction - I have my suspicions that he mostly wanted to go there himself but that was fine - I didn't have a better suggestion and didn't mind. We walked the 30 minutes to the Arc where we searched the top of the Arc then the base and perimeter for brightly colored headscarves and boldly-printed dresses. To no avail. We watched the traffic zoom maniacally around the Arc as we planned our next step. We decided to head towards the Louvre to see if they we there. I couldn't begin to imagine how it would be possibles to find them in that sprawling space but, again, I didn't have anything better to do, and I didn't have a better suggestion.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPyI9hy6bTEIqMmkTLLtfzE6S3V2WACThvUFPBZIEkaoLS-2BF74Jce07585mA1OyxxhJCTu6PZBptMhnljYHW4VhHTIh_tXnXajdA5rlVoBLPsrYmmQhPI4qeqTycdAsa8h35vg59AaS/s1600/Paris+%2528401%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIPyI9hy6bTEIqMmkTLLtfzE6S3V2WACThvUFPBZIEkaoLS-2BF74Jce07585mA1OyxxhJCTu6PZBptMhnljYHW4VhHTIh_tXnXajdA5rlVoBLPsrYmmQhPI4qeqTycdAsa8h35vg59AaS/s320/Paris+%2528401%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The exterior of Laduree'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXyjdm2YLDCbPxnRJWcOXU3vyOqXqICgaoktt69szWCtDzUin-n4fiaQYjfm4DVLuGoQI_U0_LH09wz6y5oPFwMkPMRBFzR5glW2xUcfdo-pYLsb6Oap4JpVxa5cJ8GhSEhMtTdmsfpEl/s1600/Paris+%2528398%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXyjdm2YLDCbPxnRJWcOXU3vyOqXqICgaoktt69szWCtDzUin-n4fiaQYjfm4DVLuGoQI_U0_LH09wz6y5oPFwMkPMRBFzR5glW2xUcfdo-pYLsb6Oap4JpVxa5cJ8GhSEhMtTdmsfpEl/s320/Paris+%2528398%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The interior of Laduree'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf1rTkAuMAsJQyG8EFwBSCMgDsZuX1ZI5AzDClk370IKacOHra_EC0wY9ZAn_6svcW5MAKavaKEPQFIw2jsqSva6HUy2FKn-YdW9oMGUdcEubeRJOYJFrRslTrVjfU7HWlb8WW2i30tRr/s1600/Paris+%2528391%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQf1rTkAuMAsJQyG8EFwBSCMgDsZuX1ZI5AzDClk370IKacOHra_EC0wY9ZAn_6svcW5MAKavaKEPQFIw2jsqSva6HUy2FKn-YdW9oMGUdcEubeRJOYJFrRslTrVjfU7HWlb8WW2i30tRr/s320/Paris+%2528391%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the goodies for sale. It seems a shame to ruin them by eating them!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hLXsnknLyICA-PH34NcuTNyJyrgoXT_szpow_MmoPtriu5QGnPlV54n1Ep9PlLen9CNu1kdbXFnNQDe2bhNepqgyfswAPQN5iaMIygLbFH_aEMVfMad1mHh3ty-7os_Ba8IFsNczmqRc/s1600/Paris+%2528385%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-hLXsnknLyICA-PH34NcuTNyJyrgoXT_szpow_MmoPtriu5QGnPlV54n1Ep9PlLen9CNu1kdbXFnNQDe2bhNepqgyfswAPQN5iaMIygLbFH_aEMVfMad1mHh3ty-7os_Ba8IFsNczmqRc/s320/Paris+%2528385%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boxed goods for sale at Laduree'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO-nFWukb7DAg_p9cgfqhJT6Ipa00LmC0fTGLS9ptrR7WaItgfOah798qYRqMalVAH_GOcM8biEhcIxZXyW3SdbnHoQUUNLeWkyR84opLbAFRuZ-5mNu51nv81VILPZrCtBGMFAAkh0Iw/s1600/Paris+%2528376%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO-nFWukb7DAg_p9cgfqhJT6Ipa00LmC0fTGLS9ptrR7WaItgfOah798qYRqMalVAH_GOcM8biEhcIxZXyW3SdbnHoQUUNLeWkyR84opLbAFRuZ-5mNu51nv81VILPZrCtBGMFAAkh0Iw/s320/Paris+%2528376%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the carpeted stairs at Laduree'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYgfa8bFifdBfJc8YvILwWPYYBnBo9efDhKjW2UqTsHgT3Dae6c-bmpN74sUey6Z3ovtv06Tg6DvFD2BmAg4YIDWKIFEY2iJIEXpU-QARaaA91haOImJ8Z87MDNVrv02KB8y2n29qId59/s1600/Paris+%2528375%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYgfa8bFifdBfJc8YvILwWPYYBnBo9efDhKjW2UqTsHgT3Dae6c-bmpN74sUey6Z3ovtv06Tg6DvFD2BmAg4YIDWKIFEY2iJIEXpU-QARaaA91haOImJ8Z87MDNVrv02KB8y2n29qId59/s320/Paris+%2528375%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the upstairs rooms at Laduree'</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq9wR2nmAHpQxfa1nKlEcpZzyPw5HVKBVi0Vi7v3Wd-v8D8THVVTtqaPjh9fhxD4FWNIDUpdjWqsl0x7rCtL88HeqLfnZXlXdtI9Hnrwwaokt0LpmVts4uP6kT5KxsyNVtE9-6rcUlfsK/s1600/Paris+%2528373%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq9wR2nmAHpQxfa1nKlEcpZzyPw5HVKBVi0Vi7v3Wd-v8D8THVVTtqaPjh9fhxD4FWNIDUpdjWqsl0x7rCtL88HeqLfnZXlXdtI9Hnrwwaokt0LpmVts4uP6kT5KxsyNVtE9-6rcUlfsK/s320/Paris+%2528373%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another of Laduree's window displays</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb8XtTRWo2bCi3m-igX-SRtaajtJ1qYnkjWopimcBjxLB6zL39aWZ5R9w3_xXlmHO2mOmAKYuzxR4WEXCtlQ7wmm7u95ME8q8DdaCSyqSOc9cBa28P7Jr6T85uJ9pmZWshQagCVnHAyye/s1600/Paris+%2528357%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKb8XtTRWo2bCi3m-igX-SRtaajtJ1qYnkjWopimcBjxLB6zL39aWZ5R9w3_xXlmHO2mOmAKYuzxR4WEXCtlQ7wmm7u95ME8q8DdaCSyqSOc9cBa28P7Jr6T85uJ9pmZWshQagCVnHAyye/s320/Paris+%2528357%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the "gang" in the tearoom at Laduree'. The decorations were amazingly fancy and art deco/nouveau. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXfvTspzCjKfA4KHk49W0kxjU0hLKKjEe7xOs2eQpqY772X_JHEUA0fxe1a6olQU6n_QIKbIzSI5Fi_x0_a7Ux07MvVZx4T0hHjS-GmE9g3__VFoeF_4Ej0vue-E5oSdNPTVKq5oCFlah/s1600/Paris+%2528359%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXfvTspzCjKfA4KHk49W0kxjU0hLKKjEe7xOs2eQpqY772X_JHEUA0fxe1a6olQU6n_QIKbIzSI5Fi_x0_a7Ux07MvVZx4T0hHjS-GmE9g3__VFoeF_4Ej0vue-E5oSdNPTVKq5oCFlah/s320/Paris+%2528359%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tracery on the window at Laduree' in the tea room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMryU2zsEpv-mKhmXQ6MMR6ZS_uRgUYBYIy7HRuMeSUBB4q3KE4CW6V9uGS7qiKhYX4WTu8nbYFbLnol6jRfpnsW1rZM6se39KOi02ZDmMDIgl7tGw70FTw2VjHArrJ8bOgBXhxk1oQntv/s1600/Paris+%2528360%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMryU2zsEpv-mKhmXQ6MMR6ZS_uRgUYBYIy7HRuMeSUBB4q3KE4CW6V9uGS7qiKhYX4WTu8nbYFbLnol6jRfpnsW1rZM6se39KOi02ZDmMDIgl7tGw70FTw2VjHArrJ8bOgBXhxk1oQntv/s320/Paris+%2528360%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the bar at Laduree' in the tea room. Waiting for our coffees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCblyFNk1yi_9KWaGpHqt_30fn2_WX1f-7x97TDVVG7fBUZ9MPzUC8Pem3OG5HMgW30MRxisbS8JWPeqKekuUPFkITBzVcrBCBCQ98IhuMNxqMgEkxTnY7YXBOxkTtj5-_4rqiKoLO6Rhz/s1600/Paris+%2528361%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCblyFNk1yi_9KWaGpHqt_30fn2_WX1f-7x97TDVVG7fBUZ9MPzUC8Pem3OG5HMgW30MRxisbS8JWPeqKekuUPFkITBzVcrBCBCQ98IhuMNxqMgEkxTnY7YXBOxkTtj5-_4rqiKoLO6Rhz/s320/Paris+%2528361%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Macaroon desert the woman next to me ordered. Yes, that's a rose petal on top and those are strawberries in the middle. And the whole concoction probably cost $15.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Greg also suggested we stop by a very very fancy shop along the way, Ladurre'. The building has been there since 1860 or thereabouts and is very very fancy art nouveau. I was enthralled by the interior walls which were covered with metal filigree that belongs in a Zentangle - a series of irregular hexagons swooping dramatically all over the wall. The bar where we sat was silver with beautiful stools, also with the hexagons. When I went to the bathroom,I actually took my camera with me. I had some trouble finding the right room - the bad relief sculpture connoting the men's bathroom was decided androgynous. I didn't know I was in the wrong room until I almost literally ran into a man coming out of the toilet chamber. I still assumed he was wrong and I was right until he told me he almost went into the wrong room too but upon comparison it became evident that this was indeed the men's room. The women's room was fancier. The toilets were very interesting - the seats were octagonal - rectangles with the corners cut off by diagonals. There was beautifully molding in the room where the individual toilet was each section painted a separate color. A fireplace and elaborate chest/sink adorned the main room. It was intense. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLTe5Vt1CnkNJohCXCclm23tnCCvj1TmH6CLIGCSVdanCRo9G7y2px7yA0gi6bwTBN7LmBFxz8lLg8gzcdN9nU1IbHwX24_fubNhN8djlZgugk7RuulqAso7G6ASpDfLyuvGHpkehceww/s1600/Paris+%2528365%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLTe5Vt1CnkNJohCXCclm23tnCCvj1TmH6CLIGCSVdanCRo9G7y2px7yA0gi6bwTBN7LmBFxz8lLg8gzcdN9nU1IbHwX24_fubNhN8djlZgugk7RuulqAso7G6ASpDfLyuvGHpkehceww/s320/Paris+%2528365%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaiG_lIq-kowZ_ODxw5rfnB0shAneUGTRB-bqzdtTfc1pLCI_ZkCzitImcS-qisUfBPmhQUBdBGn7ox9rH0NUxV7DZcA7EVDirZVbmBIgAKpNsI4DqvlTYxKvLkk7NcruU3l_K8HOTYh9/s1600/Paris+%2528364%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaiG_lIq-kowZ_ODxw5rfnB0shAneUGTRB-bqzdtTfc1pLCI_ZkCzitImcS-qisUfBPmhQUBdBGn7ox9rH0NUxV7DZcA7EVDirZVbmBIgAKpNsI4DqvlTYxKvLkk7NcruU3l_K8HOTYh9/s320/Paris+%2528364%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling of the room where the toilet was.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaewHRo8If_Sku1i4hbjEaTp8kM_6lM4ckEtG159feejylCvhzc_0JxXHTE6NYfJloybROGOUSG9QbhqnxKpIM8DvvXzoWhiGP4ETEOZ2XPCIMwbn-AinY1OeqcATvwuT1dhfBMdchOzYl/s1600/Paris+%2528369%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaewHRo8If_Sku1i4hbjEaTp8kM_6lM4ckEtG159feejylCvhzc_0JxXHTE6NYfJloybROGOUSG9QbhqnxKpIM8DvvXzoWhiGP4ETEOZ2XPCIMwbn-AinY1OeqcATvwuT1dhfBMdchOzYl/s320/Paris+%2528369%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the fireplace and sink in the bathroom at Laduree'.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCn-6ZIPkKwnfc2lC3AHr8mmFRxybrYsb2_M4YxWVau9f9k22IJ2hDxRKWilY5wPpNznQAF0ePNTrueOlAVMpbr5j6q8DULMxQNHX-gz9RDSqv916YO30Ukf-jjiYaWG9QpimD4i-2aNr/s1600/Paris+%2528371%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCn-6ZIPkKwnfc2lC3AHr8mmFRxybrYsb2_M4YxWVau9f9k22IJ2hDxRKWilY5wPpNznQAF0ePNTrueOlAVMpbr5j6q8DULMxQNHX-gz9RDSqv916YO30Ukf-jjiYaWG9QpimD4i-2aNr/s320/Paris+%2528371%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">which one is the man?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUzppFFhCKMvAKoJfkXglOjE75_a0046aWGaf4YCu50f9uXMG5rsO_Mfv8Sv0Q1rXZ4zCUw432GsMEWQF3vIFeHppW8eCaa6aack9eSlADSev23Un75gW_aIPIeIDvXgaAMhf0p9ynXAk/s1600/Paris+%2528370%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPUzppFFhCKMvAKoJfkXglOjE75_a0046aWGaf4YCu50f9uXMG5rsO_Mfv8Sv0Q1rXZ4zCUw432GsMEWQF3vIFeHppW8eCaa6aack9eSlADSev23Un75gW_aIPIeIDvXgaAMhf0p9ynXAk/s320/Paris+%2528370%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and the woman?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn0qy8eVIcJL4hyphenhyphenQ19Kf5MvIbSgCqn0H7S0KbOmwOyy4xuZTxPirz9hc1LwJ9XjDyi49QRpSZtzsBGTDj7WNNqq9EiA2yZeVq1Mn4sSrirOif33tCgCgJ_-Fq8B4B35rXwBorZnRQzHNz/s1600/Paris+%2528372%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSn0qy8eVIcJL4hyphenhyphenQ19Kf5MvIbSgCqn0H7S0KbOmwOyy4xuZTxPirz9hc1LwJ9XjDyi49QRpSZtzsBGTDj7WNNqq9EiA2yZeVq1Mn4sSrirOif33tCgCgJ_-Fq8B4B35rXwBorZnRQzHNz/s320/Paris+%2528372%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sink in the men's room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Besides the decor, the restaurant also offered food - macaroons are what they are famous for. Macaroons are, in Paris, at least, small (Oreo-size, but thicker) cookies with a filling. They come in different flavors and colors ranging from Marie Antoinette which is bright blue, to Coco Noir a brown chocolate one with tiny chocolate pieces distributed throughout. They are a little bit crunchy on the exterior and chewy once you get through the crunch. The fillings seem to be a bit like marshmallow. They cost 2.40€ each, or about $3.20. For one cookie, yes. Coffee, in its various manifestations, is about $7 per cup. Paris is probably one of the only places where Starbucks is the cheaper alternative, though I didn't check to see if that's true. I still haven't managed to like coffee.<br />
<br />
After our relaxing sojourn, we accepted that we were no longer really looking for the Uyghur women, so we reconsidered our plans. We still decided to walk the length of the Champs d'Ellyses through the Place de Concorde through the Jardin de Tullieres, to the Louvre. It was a long way but a nice day, about 60 degrees I'd guess.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68QDIXCWkf8IvzdBpM-qfxidc9oFWY_pi2LsSR_x114yYEnlXlbpt5_aIJ47tziJFgAcZ-xBOf33_D_uAQS62GdAIiiDcc1iu55vVi4JtARROhmPStbvoZ0vSdRUmSX6Dmw45VenD72_l/s1600/Paris+%2528406%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi68QDIXCWkf8IvzdBpM-qfxidc9oFWY_pi2LsSR_x114yYEnlXlbpt5_aIJ47tziJFgAcZ-xBOf33_D_uAQS62GdAIiiDcc1iu55vVi4JtARROhmPStbvoZ0vSdRUmSX6Dmw45VenD72_l/s320/Paris+%2528406%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place de la Concorde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHknJPFJvwmIw2i9EeY7RiRZIObQ0UkI7nnlw_ad-qe2MZeuSM5Wh6yOKoYEBbkFl4Nv4i2NoP70cRpddYylfvYCAH7j_5CHVEs5NMJv4OJKo2AXy9W103jIWbar7pmXcldNpZwEAsYpzn/s1600/Paris+%2528410%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHknJPFJvwmIw2i9EeY7RiRZIObQ0UkI7nnlw_ad-qe2MZeuSM5Wh6yOKoYEBbkFl4Nv4i2NoP70cRpddYylfvYCAH7j_5CHVEs5NMJv4OJKo2AXy9W103jIWbar7pmXcldNpZwEAsYpzn/s320/Paris+%2528410%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Place de la Concorde</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEZHzptMyJGuSbVxm16kxv0yBgyCOF2pJonZ8hMF6uWNugEE-uo7KYo0tVQ2jNmlYH_mCyzh-wEteuY5NB_nZUPB9w9Pxk4HYq7nmR1jhNJlHDuqfONhpMuxdOKcAoShmb6NvkWSmVWNq/s1600/Paris+%2528412%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKEZHzptMyJGuSbVxm16kxv0yBgyCOF2pJonZ8hMF6uWNugEE-uo7KYo0tVQ2jNmlYH_mCyzh-wEteuY5NB_nZUPB9w9Pxk4HYq7nmR1jhNJlHDuqfONhpMuxdOKcAoShmb6NvkWSmVWNq/s320/Paris+%2528412%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arc by the Louvre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHtxGwfAY0ceTW1wiphVUL2qUjzceBH4mJq3XzYTo-JUV-agwyDfYGlZsiHgnm-KOQNM96ZoQuQeMS8Y6QeYiQdGRCBT-XAozmPrseukveGnAH75n90CwIfpD9IDgKNOCIFqwHcGtWvZn/s1600/Paris+%2528413%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHtxGwfAY0ceTW1wiphVUL2qUjzceBH4mJq3XzYTo-JUV-agwyDfYGlZsiHgnm-KOQNM96ZoQuQeMS8Y6QeYiQdGRCBT-XAozmPrseukveGnAH75n90CwIfpD9IDgKNOCIFqwHcGtWvZn/s320/Paris+%2528413%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couple being photographed for their wedding - I was to see MANY more of these in China!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaRM-WbVo5RFb4rZ9IkIe1T05jE4DqGfFDSo3_1L7kCYzuJC3kK0Jki7yYdbn-26X6dM6isZG5mCIE9iyEubYUFVF6lQ9og2BAQdSCd_t3qK6cHQcDg_YpdNgvmO2Nd2kB00-gO768uUL/s1600/Paris+%2528414%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTaRM-WbVo5RFb4rZ9IkIe1T05jE4DqGfFDSo3_1L7kCYzuJC3kK0Jki7yYdbn-26X6dM6isZG5mCIE9iyEubYUFVF6lQ9og2BAQdSCd_t3qK6cHQcDg_YpdNgvmO2Nd2kB00-gO768uUL/s320/Paris+%2528414%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washing the Pyramid at the Louvre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Spring is in full bloom despite the unusually cool temperatures. There are tulips, Lenten roses, and many other flowers to delight the senses. I didn't see any jonquils. We also saw a fair number of pigeons. Unlike French women, who seem to be constitutionally built for thinness, the pigeons were so thick, I, on one occasion, mistook one for a grey-feathered hawk. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qqG8NABEx_cN1fpT1uetetSwJfxAjJSvil0FhK3ZLJZwsiCYEx5yin4ToUpIG_T1JzGMhgYmr5Gk_R9F3DIVC9PQuMvUuD-ECWvGzav23X-StFhVKPzlfUlrGJJt8I6w1iAikQRE1ymm/s1600/Paris+%2528419%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qqG8NABEx_cN1fpT1uetetSwJfxAjJSvil0FhK3ZLJZwsiCYEx5yin4ToUpIG_T1JzGMhgYmr5Gk_R9F3DIVC9PQuMvUuD-ECWvGzav23X-StFhVKPzlfUlrGJJt8I6w1iAikQRE1ymm/s320/Paris+%2528419%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>Once we got to the Louvre, we all decided that none of us really wanted to go inside to see the at, so we continued on towards the Quartier Latin where Laura and I had enjoyed looking around and eating the day before. I took us in the wrong direction at first so we ended up near the Centre Pompidou before Greg took over and realized we needed to cross the Seine to get to the other side, the Left Bank. We eventually found a cafe where we could sit outside and the prices didn't look too terribly bad. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3kwE5sHghqHxT9CUtGo-XRiGE4GFyJkZwVPvfk7ziOCcdvvLL7zssM1Z80lkmtF9foWiTwK7fICrh9cw0o6yTtMgy-_meX4_lpGp1TzlUV4AtbfMccjC92m3Lf-EwTN8Ovzaf4y5EN5h/s1600/Paris+%2528421%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3kwE5sHghqHxT9CUtGo-XRiGE4GFyJkZwVPvfk7ziOCcdvvLL7zssM1Z80lkmtF9foWiTwK7fICrh9cw0o6yTtMgy-_meX4_lpGp1TzlUV4AtbfMccjC92m3Lf-EwTN8Ovzaf4y5EN5h/s320/Paris+%2528421%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musicians on the sidewalk at the cafe where we had lunch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE07nyqmqLT4UA_lKs4zZM8uxU4LtVhR9ex1d0cHCtG_5I_eTBgQbAXg_v7dBsfNEZ15mBg9_x6w0qcuMKmpKhzHraQyFNlEjPxFPT65GOr7hNvOeZGfJ_QQzH39D5DMLOH8ji-0CmJjRb/s1600/Paris+%2528423%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE07nyqmqLT4UA_lKs4zZM8uxU4LtVhR9ex1d0cHCtG_5I_eTBgQbAXg_v7dBsfNEZ15mBg9_x6w0qcuMKmpKhzHraQyFNlEjPxFPT65GOr7hNvOeZGfJ_QQzH39D5DMLOH8ji-0CmJjRb/s320/Paris+%2528423%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This gentleman reminded me of Andy Warhol.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3wECio_RawuyIiaB25dh_Y7CdLamD2myMm5YESgxTbVvDPFMLe5dQh8ZjYIF5XPWR8oAEepKfIi5-k5S9wgfLZd9Xpo4toycVaDiP49zdR3yrZyEisdUJCGpdwvVg-UghrE-ikqUN3b3/s1600/Paris+%2528425%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE3wECio_RawuyIiaB25dh_Y7CdLamD2myMm5YESgxTbVvDPFMLe5dQh8ZjYIF5XPWR8oAEepKfIi5-k5S9wgfLZd9Xpo4toycVaDiP49zdR3yrZyEisdUJCGpdwvVg-UghrE-ikqUN3b3/s320/Paris+%2528425%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris's Salade Nicoise and Greg's cheese plate and salad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC0ig-5AuQJMg09Zy8bX3S1leB22OLOHf4CEIXuMC-uFXlcy16jRer7hKEiCguTZ60I-0Mupjb6dmy2DGIPCD-yRQ7ocCN_uu2SeLorgF5Un_8UUxcpyewZZ8JFtpOpNrZ-Y_qoMcezdT/s1600/Paris+%2528426%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC0ig-5AuQJMg09Zy8bX3S1leB22OLOHf4CEIXuMC-uFXlcy16jRer7hKEiCguTZ60I-0Mupjb6dmy2DGIPCD-yRQ7ocCN_uu2SeLorgF5Un_8UUxcpyewZZ8JFtpOpNrZ-Y_qoMcezdT/s320/Paris+%2528426%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Daube - beef stew.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0iVXJ4gJDFFOtvauAu8w_fFxKOOIAcq6Mdbui42SMT86mefRiDEA6Q4CQhmEyMC5g5znzA-LmeAJHFb25c02-OLaQOSbWcXde3MoDvz590RbEGmLJmjjl9ErGugnAfAt3yYWk0frh2Lp/s1600/Paris+%2528427%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0iVXJ4gJDFFOtvauAu8w_fFxKOOIAcq6Mdbui42SMT86mefRiDEA6Q4CQhmEyMC5g5znzA-LmeAJHFb25c02-OLaQOSbWcXde3MoDvz590RbEGmLJmjjl9ErGugnAfAt3yYWk0frh2Lp/s320/Paris+%2528427%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful bathroom in the cafe, replete with flowers!</td></tr>
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The waitress pulled out a couple of round tables, one foot in diameter, so two of us could sit against the wall before she put the tables back in place, effectively blocking us in but giving us a great view of the street where a couple of men were playing Spanish guitar and singing. Service is slow at these cafes. I think they realize we're going to lounge anyway and enjoy the view and the ambiance, so everything goes lackadaisically. We first got some water to drink, then some wine, then we ordered our meal. I got some Daube de boeuf - a kind of beef stew with a strong red wine flavor. It was quite good. Greg got a cheese platter and a green salad. The cheese platter consisted of four different types of cheese - a lot of each - he shared some with each of us and still wasn't able to finish it all! He got blue cheese, a round log of something like Camembert, a Brie, and a harder cheese of some sort, plus a big slab of butter. They also offered lovely dark bread to go with the meals. iris got a Salade Nicoise which looked beautiful but had all sorts of stuff I prefer not to eat - sardines, various sorts of peppers, olives. But it sure was pretty! <br />
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Sue, another one of the presenters, joined us after a while and suggested we go on a boat ride. I really wasn't interested because I've been on one already, and I saw some galleries on the way to the restaurant which I wanted to check out so I left the group and went off on my merry way after hugs and best wishes all around. I figured I probably wouldn't get to see them again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8GkjjyhyphenhyphenesNA8F40_nDJ3B2tkqA3KCBRvmZidLSUTZgv0a53bT27CjG9v1KHpxbDCwhhQ-1RiAQVOUcZ_Fpr7RtWPGKzJjqbux0OP1mLNjsjwgjXG-vE1b_Ph4SopITL1ZVaGnC6_ZFF/s1600/Paris+%2528442%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8GkjjyhyphenhyphenesNA8F40_nDJ3B2tkqA3KCBRvmZidLSUTZgv0a53bT27CjG9v1KHpxbDCwhhQ-1RiAQVOUcZ_Fpr7RtWPGKzJjqbux0OP1mLNjsjwgjXG-vE1b_Ph4SopITL1ZVaGnC6_ZFF/s320/Paris+%2528442%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm very glad I went to the galleries. I didn't know it but I happened upon one of the main art areas of Paris, St. Germain de Pres. The were at least forty galleries in a several block radius. Several of them were no more than holes in the wall, literally - about four feet by twenty feet. It was difficult to get far enough back from the paintings to see them well. Obviously smaller pieces worked better in those galleries. My favorite gallery was at the tip of an almost triangular building. It was about ten by ten, narrowing down to about six feet at the tip. The art in there was by Pierre Bergian and was of beautiful interior scenes, empty but for indiscernible paintings on the walls and beautiful moulding. The walls had years of patina on them and were scratched through to other layers. I'm not describing them very well, I don't think. I'll post some pictures of them too. Thankfully the owner had some postcards of them to help me remember them by. I found the surfaces and the gentle melancholy of the spaces to be quite lovely.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibMMarr9ITmEpwT6BVEC2qslkHh8t1cu3mTDvGwSW_dWCnNtVjp70bjCdUDKrH1RuqjMCCPhQZoKrCBORL15M6QCidRZUJ_HfPnAr6WfHz53aMokAeNcfl6k-qBU_9d743hV6GeVmHGHS/s640/blogger-image--1488010801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiibMMarr9ITmEpwT6BVEC2qslkHh8t1cu3mTDvGwSW_dWCnNtVjp70bjCdUDKrH1RuqjMCCPhQZoKrCBORL15M6QCidRZUJ_HfPnAr6WfHz53aMokAeNcfl6k-qBU_9d743hV6GeVmHGHS/s640/blogger-image--1488010801.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7KqYn9KBBsRpdZiZacUbleDgDRSTry8WxRttiBF140JxKLK4R4ymyvqB-MO2tu8S9EFkaFCmipOyZeOPhaDgtLZzUQW-jxgHQlcaedvZiQtU71T3KeGvZMiNSL2L6-u0c04k6BUrB6SP/s1600/Paris+%2528440%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7KqYn9KBBsRpdZiZacUbleDgDRSTry8WxRttiBF140JxKLK4R4ymyvqB-MO2tu8S9EFkaFCmipOyZeOPhaDgtLZzUQW-jxgHQlcaedvZiQtU71T3KeGvZMiNSL2L6-u0c04k6BUrB6SP/s320/Paris+%2528440%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglogvx6a9QIKvOcY66oTZTW2Ctk0OL9d95kQQ_dlwYzlyw5AADx7WAHKM33HVbHzkgvHJb3teWcHMTfMqkiiy_8A5ZUjEZ97ThmC21VZu0R_4xa20Rx1SFvX-AnAh7g1e9YUmUY9wRJGcG/s1600/Paris+%2528441%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglogvx6a9QIKvOcY66oTZTW2Ctk0OL9d95kQQ_dlwYzlyw5AADx7WAHKM33HVbHzkgvHJb3teWcHMTfMqkiiy_8A5ZUjEZ97ThmC21VZu0R_4xa20Rx1SFvX-AnAh7g1e9YUmUY9wRJGcG/s320/Paris+%2528441%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWZQAaS6nmqooDFdc4c4o7Y3ZQmBoOarn331f-xFaPLIisBQdilzmyqhE3Yqu4Yd99DOJp5dOFIkn9yMNlA3ivOd_W68KyqtkiINjAYFDf-M7AvxyOwUyuAybNm_p_TzPshqSpq_1oS3C/s640/blogger-image-1194940333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWZQAaS6nmqooDFdc4c4o7Y3ZQmBoOarn331f-xFaPLIisBQdilzmyqhE3Yqu4Yd99DOJp5dOFIkn9yMNlA3ivOd_W68KyqtkiINjAYFDf-M7AvxyOwUyuAybNm_p_TzPshqSpq_1oS3C/s640/blogger-image-1194940333.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht12eXvxf7LDFIXKAGx2-wynNqsEEGqgqkkZBIt1wZRg_zOpQkxyjNVhM_hsQIXDpRbLQFMQ-ZXvcyJG40TNOPorFxbd3QcOIUECaYkVwoiY3-s5q7H8TIs8JNC_GNY2YOWX0IGj1fq8b5/s1600/Paris+%2528447%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht12eXvxf7LDFIXKAGx2-wynNqsEEGqgqkkZBIt1wZRg_zOpQkxyjNVhM_hsQIXDpRbLQFMQ-ZXvcyJG40TNOPorFxbd3QcOIUECaYkVwoiY3-s5q7H8TIs8JNC_GNY2YOWX0IGj1fq8b5/s320/Paris+%2528447%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAMi_FlBeKJ2SQXo8Hs_MSG6EkaZNTjxSe6FXUhrweLqpn1W_3zvdvi_bi23d1gcfkZVdv_VlZihA9a4E9QfBVq7bCgI3Jz8fL85gpXG1dxs_9wjvCLXQ4Cru3eqXbF3wKfHXdiFZXG5Y/s1600/Paris+%2528449%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAMi_FlBeKJ2SQXo8Hs_MSG6EkaZNTjxSe6FXUhrweLqpn1W_3zvdvi_bi23d1gcfkZVdv_VlZihA9a4E9QfBVq7bCgI3Jz8fL85gpXG1dxs_9wjvCLXQ4Cru3eqXbF3wKfHXdiFZXG5Y/s320/Paris+%2528449%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRiCGewsOdyaFs6qMw35AqIC6HE1m-USXEV1QzTu9DrcjYiou0a2gJJjY0aRUUHR928ENtZcmbkYuCoWsaMsuanGfFydb0wLgkoC2lemSLeuso6R6tqCRmWZKoWBsXstZQi3e7OhgoGU7/s1600/Paris+%2528453%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRiCGewsOdyaFs6qMw35AqIC6HE1m-USXEV1QzTu9DrcjYiou0a2gJJjY0aRUUHR928ENtZcmbkYuCoWsaMsuanGfFydb0wLgkoC2lemSLeuso6R6tqCRmWZKoWBsXstZQi3e7OhgoGU7/s320/Paris+%2528453%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>I also enjoyed some large paintings I saw in a large courtyard gallery. They were created by the smoke from a kerosene lantern, of all things. The images were of perfectly shaped women and sometimes their partners sitting close or embracing or making love. I liked the images a lot but of course wished the artist had found a more alistic range of female bodies to work with. Regardless, I found his technique and style wondrous. <br />
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I will have to bring this to a close now. I'm about to board the plane to China. I don't know if I'll have Internet there or not. The plane is completely full. It's about a nine hour flight. We arrive at 5:10 in the morning. Dylan has bravely agreed to pick me up there then. I'm so grateful!<br />
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I'll write more later... Bon voyage on all your voyages in the meantime! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2SSUjJC-gAvfJqoRfqaMsTYuueV59tNqPp6DjoCJYoohIaEfJhJFRqnBlm-UPk6EX0gJoz9TE1GERaf4wVmTBY6jFgY1RqqgwMCjj6mNC5M1Q30PdtQGduWNMtrRyz4fpBUsvh-WGLrq/s640/blogger-image--663269071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2SSUjJC-gAvfJqoRfqaMsTYuueV59tNqPp6DjoCJYoohIaEfJhJFRqnBlm-UPk6EX0gJoz9TE1GERaf4wVmTBY6jFgY1RqqgwMCjj6mNC5M1Q30PdtQGduWNMtrRyz4fpBUsvh-WGLrq/s640/blogger-image--663269071.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflection of St. Germaine de Pres church in the Louis Vuitton window, next to Deux Magots where Satre and Simone de Beauvoir wrote and met and conversed and drank.</td></tr>
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The pictures below are of the Laduree' stand at the Paris Airport along with some of the other goodies for sale there. One of the MontBlanc pens was 950 Euros! I decided not to get that! I don't know what could make a pen worth that much money - about $1300. It's confusing to me.<br />
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In the Amsterdam airport - this area was very ecofriendly. You could see at the stand there and cycle to re-charge your electronic devices!<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBLOi7ais1ZiPfjUBOF14BQSEYEyAKhPIDrCphdS-ie41QflvI2niguVFwX-WI9vuKZLyT7nz9RXA6zcpTgTVzwKTOGXaWwZ0g7pDnMTP5oFkAYBRiNMyEG8PmMDxm5P3uTXGbAdXghOB/s640/blogger-image-1184389793.jpg" />I liked this sculpture in the Amsterdam airport. It looks so friendly and comfortable. It's actually made out of metal, but it fooled me into thinking it was out of soft cushy material.</div>
Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-61981885003400543352013-04-29T08:11:00.000-04:002013-05-08T03:44:12.191-04:00April 28th in Beijing with Dylan, hot pot, negotiating, Vagina Warrior, and more<div>
Sunday, April 28th, 2013</div>
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Today Dylan got up early so we could go to the Antique Market. I woke up at 6:30, way too early! I stayed in bed a bit too long then finally got up and showered and got dressed, had a yogurt, then went downstairs to check my email before leaving. I received an email that filled me with so much joy, tears welled up in my eyes. Julie Willard wrote me to tell me I'd been awarded the Vagina Warrior Award. Here's what she wrote about the award:</div>
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Dearest Susan,</blockquote>
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I write to you today to thank you for all that you have done for One Billion Rising RVA, The Vagina Monologues, me, and women everywhere. In the V-Day 2005 - 2006 campaign Eve Ensler introduced a way to recognize the work of amazing women just like you, women who have either personally experiences violence or witnessed it in their communities and who have then dedicated their lives to helping those affected by violence - women who work to change the world. V-Day Richmond 2013 and The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance is honored to announce two winners of this year's Vagina Warrior awards, Susan Singer and Janett Forte. </div>
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<i>2013 Vagina Warriors</i> </div>
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<i> </i></div>
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<i>In the words of Eve Ensler:</i> </div>
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<i>Every day, women around the world work tirelessly to change the world, to end violence against women. The Vagina Warrior award is presented to women in order to honour them for the work they do.</i></div>
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<i>They are fierce, obsessed, can’t be stopped, driven.</i></div>
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<i>They are no longer beholden to social customs or inhibited by taboos.</i></div>
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<i>They are not afraid to be alone, not afraid to be ridiculed or attacked.</i></div>
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<i>They are often willing to face anything for the safety and freedom of others.</i></div>
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<i>They love to dance.</i></div>
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<i>They are directed by vision, not ruled by ideology.</i></div>
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<i>They are citizens of the world. They cherish humanity over nationhood.</i></div>
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<i>They have a wicked sense of humour.</i></div>
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<i>Vagina Warriors know that compassion is the deepest form of memory.</i></div>
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<i>They know that punishment does not make abusive people behave better.</i></div>
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<i>They know that it is more important to provide a space where the best can emerge rather than “teaching people a lesson.”</i></div>
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<i>Vagina Warriors are done being victims. They know no one is coming to rescue them. They would not want to be rescued.</i></div>
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<i>They have experienced their rage, depression, desire for revenge and they have transformed them through grieving and service. They have confronted the depth of their darkness. They live in their bodies.</i></div>
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<i>They are community makers. They bring everyone in.</i></div>
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<i>Vagina Warriors have a keen ability to live with ambiguity. They can hold two existing, opposite thoughts at the same time.</i></div>
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<i>Many Vagina Warriors work primarily on a grassroots level. Because what is done to women is often done in isolation and remains unreported, Vagina Warriors work to make the invisible seen</i>. </div>
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I feel so honored by this. I love Eve's description of Vagina Warriors. They are inspiring words to live by. I will print them out when I get home and post them so I can re-read them if things get tough. They certainly describe the kind of woman I want to be. I look forward to putting this line on my résumé! And I can't wait to have someone ask about it - I imagine it'll lead to some great conversations!<br />
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My excitement about being a Vagina Warrior led me to be late meeting Dylan at the subway station. I felt bad about that - we had no way of being in touch, so the ten minutes I kept him waiting were probably upsetting for him. We went to borrow a cell phone from his school later in the afternoon so we could call each other next time. That'll be convenient, though it was certainly reminiscent of the good ol' days having to determine in advance when and where we'd meet. Kinda fun, and it works too! (As long as I'm not late!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYmYuY5GWdhK24visOZktzpli6_cVABQTU90f9kShXm-YOIp0bYlCnmi8qhbLgixA7hpAJ425QDl5b1ui9ML3f6f2Whge5LDQPfISibcrCK_OJaECyAu7vmtE6vGMTt-BJgKHS_mYL575/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+(11)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYmYuY5GWdhK24visOZktzpli6_cVABQTU90f9kShXm-YOIp0bYlCnmi8qhbLgixA7hpAJ425QDl5b1ui9ML3f6f2Whge5LDQPfISibcrCK_OJaECyAu7vmtE6vGMTt-BJgKHS_mYL575/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+(11)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">large building where most booths are</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1sJC8WVN724uNINcaQFLjaCatSW-MrVcGy_TSbdcb_fqqfmWq5KdGyuTtfm5_7tP0nysGanxMZDrntfRj9XTSiMde-fM8BB6CJCpFMtmscMOH-FxK_X1g_v_jQubD__VLpE17em1N0po/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+(4)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1sJC8WVN724uNINcaQFLjaCatSW-MrVcGy_TSbdcb_fqqfmWq5KdGyuTtfm5_7tP0nysGanxMZDrntfRj9XTSiMde-fM8BB6CJCpFMtmscMOH-FxK_X1g_v_jQubD__VLpE17em1N0po/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+(4)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some of the weekend sellers</td></tr>
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We took the subway about an hour to the opposite side of Beijing where we met a friend of Dylan's, Matt, who is an avid collector of all things Mao as well as of stamps. He had told Dylan about an antiques market that is terrific on weekends especially. He suggested we get there early in the morning to get the best stuff. There are many vendors who come in from the outlying areas on the weekends to entice people who are out to buy. It was an impressively large, sprawling area. Around the perimeter, there are permanent shops, primarily jewelry stores, I think. Then there's a huge building with 2-300 stalls in row after row of stuff. The rows are organized by type of product: paintings, brass statues, wood carvings, beads out of stone primarily- lots more, but I didn't get to see them all. In addition to that, outside there were 100's more vendors with 2x3' spaces on the ground where they displayed whatever they had to sell - primarily fake antiques like vases, chess sets - when the vendors saw us white people coming, if they had a chess set for sale, they invariably pointed it out to us and said "chess". It was usually their only English word. From that I am assuming the chess sets are very popular with Anglos.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKASlFMzmEJAcRKs00P8BN6_lpJveK6t-1jekF8hNnMQ8wmNKdm2wYIpqLjvtzgntCiLsSWuzBvCsUaEWd2HkPCDR8gqojYYG4LIlTsgvxDIeHoKf4ob0fZQDYfd7bI_gySnCvDQXiCvjH/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252831%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKASlFMzmEJAcRKs00P8BN6_lpJveK6t-1jekF8hNnMQ8wmNKdm2wYIpqLjvtzgntCiLsSWuzBvCsUaEWd2HkPCDR8gqojYYG4LIlTsgvxDIeHoKf4ob0fZQDYfd7bI_gySnCvDQXiCvjH/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252831%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this juxtaposition of statues - dragon teapot from ancient Chinese civilization, Chairman Mao, the elephant Shakti (?) from India, perhaps; then Hotei, a Buddhist guy. I think this parallels the mishmash of history and civilization I saw everyplace I went in China.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d_vsLIBYdpSevj7uFT8XbGkPqfCzTtCcJ_jlbVhoQjjbbz9KrzM9dXZG4trrGDuKUmMwJLnJWSd_0MGL55KXMcuInLqjjChEyPEt0VL9mea1n0H6EJ9-oHs_FTip4iv_llFCO2UQ6k5-/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252824%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6d_vsLIBYdpSevj7uFT8XbGkPqfCzTtCcJ_jlbVhoQjjbbz9KrzM9dXZG4trrGDuKUmMwJLnJWSd_0MGL55KXMcuInLqjjChEyPEt0VL9mea1n0H6EJ9-oHs_FTip4iv_llFCO2UQ6k5-/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252824%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many of these statues are from "Year of the..." series - rabbit, pig, etc.</td></tr>
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There were also tons of statues-those were very interesting to me. Buddhas and Quan Yins were mixed in with Indian Shaktis(not sure that's the right name) and, interestingly, Chairman Maos. The mishmash was fascinating and bespoke volumes about the culture. Flea markets are a great way to learn about a culture, I think.<br />
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List of interesting wares:<br />
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* Round pieces of marble that look like Chinese brush paintings, with seals and calligraphy on them to turn them into art, matted and framed.<br />
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* Jewelry made of some sort of material that looked like glass or plastic with stuff trapped inside the way amber traps stuff, but it was none of that. It's a stone that comes from Brazil.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiZ3KTT1jZB3FDrmRoWRMXznKd_7zmwKrU0n-HhU1d-8_gjx-SHxssajOKXkdZ2DxAh_dCrNz2CX7YNHuLQ-mwK8VKU58x7vdjCplYe9ESB7IIXgYAb_h5t3t0JOXUzvDD77WUKhNrP6D/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%25282%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiZ3KTT1jZB3FDrmRoWRMXznKd_7zmwKrU0n-HhU1d-8_gjx-SHxssajOKXkdZ2DxAh_dCrNz2CX7YNHuLQ-mwK8VKU58x7vdjCplYe9ESB7IIXgYAb_h5t3t0JOXUzvDD77WUKhNrP6D/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%25282%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mao's Little Red Book and the pins given out as awards</td></tr>
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* Round red pins out of very cheap metal, with Mao's face on them, given as awards in the communist era. Dylan's friend Matt collects them and knows a lot about where they were made, what they were given for, etc. Also, copies of Mao's Little Red Book</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga62Mfjrs5xi8c0WHvDKSaJHVlYGQ7yc7_AwXod-tOCVu3pbthiVUGBb0JLQrJWvJlngJbec_PKWDbH780z03BSv7otsYF2gXnQbFbRSvTaEQ-4tUgIb1ISfHqmwzPj2buda6sTCYUBAP6/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252832%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga62Mfjrs5xi8c0WHvDKSaJHVlYGQ7yc7_AwXod-tOCVu3pbthiVUGBb0JLQrJWvJlngJbec_PKWDbH780z03BSv7otsYF2gXnQbFbRSvTaEQ-4tUgIb1ISfHqmwzPj2buda6sTCYUBAP6/s200/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252832%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">painting of a Red Guard soldier</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBTJBiyzAVw0G7tn15YhdPOUNMbubbWT2jLCMoBXaWxIYf8P1cTTk8S4DWBdFLJD6uCn-wnqtR0JOrR-07hsw1onFclTpuR5Xf3nfLVDSigq6BCPwI0xeOpORCrPYHg2uqMSEZUqAIjk0/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252821%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBTJBiyzAVw0G7tn15YhdPOUNMbubbWT2jLCMoBXaWxIYf8P1cTTk8S4DWBdFLJD6uCn-wnqtR0JOrR-07hsw1onFclTpuR5Xf3nfLVDSigq6BCPwI0xeOpORCrPYHg2uqMSEZUqAIjk0/s200/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252821%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>* lots of documents from the Mao era as well as remakes of posters, etc. I was surprised to see the era so alive and well. I had thought they would be so happy to be beyond it they wouldn't want a inning to do with it ever again. But that might be an American perception. There are certainly plenty of people who collect Nazi paraphernalia for whatever strange reason. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmVD6vaNYJ1DynVk_qdfZvXexEMGJKDokTQhbu3LU4sP6ukoKIhSxz0yhbYvMBGAHYQXGz8X6Ds1oIk46hHir6zxDX_M-EzmW4fqJ4xJ9wGvNTqEPKZypgtnHHoBqpv1RNOdNus9zrXrj/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%25283%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmVD6vaNYJ1DynVk_qdfZvXexEMGJKDokTQhbu3LU4sP6ukoKIhSxz0yhbYvMBGAHYQXGz8X6Ds1oIk46hHir6zxDX_M-EzmW4fqJ4xJ9wGvNTqEPKZypgtnHHoBqpv1RNOdNus9zrXrj/s200/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%25283%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We wondered what would happen if it began to rain?</td></tr>
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* Books, books, books! Plenty of them in English. I found a huge beautiful book about Lucien Freud that I lusted after heavily until I thought more about trying to get it home. My luggage is already starting to get heavy. But it's a beautiful book. I did buy one book - I have no idea who the artist is, but it's a Chinese person whose art is an interesting mix between Chinese brush paintings and realistic Western art. There are some lovely portraits and nudes. I didn't see any art that could be considered at all controversial. </div>
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* I saw a book by Taschen, a publisher, about Monet which I'd seen in the Musee Marmottan in Paris for lots of money. I imagine it was cheaper here, but I didn't look into it- I wasn't quite interested enough.</div>
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* Opium pipes of many different materials,</div>
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* Beads of many stones, especially turquoise, beautiful turquoise with various colors throughout. I worked on getting a few of them, but they were too expensive. They're actually cheaper from my wholesale jewelry catalog I have in the US. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLWPd7-nr-wWw0nr2lmNctw-DDp5NwszvFwTwj6UMVge1IE5dBxY4x5DU5yE3HL1EUcIbRol-_KQv5W9YCaIVWpTVq5TRJa1Ym_E9tQA3rUnNZakWG-wxrkZVBw0X8VJTAS33dp-Ezour/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252842%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLWPd7-nr-wWw0nr2lmNctw-DDp5NwszvFwTwj6UMVge1IE5dBxY4x5DU5yE3HL1EUcIbRol-_KQv5W9YCaIVWpTVq5TRJa1Ym_E9tQA3rUnNZakWG-wxrkZVBw0X8VJTAS33dp-Ezour/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252842%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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* Paintings - stall upon stall upon stall of brush paintings, probably prints for the most part, based on the price. They were startlingly cheap. There were also typical scrolls and some paintings on canvas which were, for the most part, quite hideous, poorly done, gaudy colors,weird subject matter. I passed those by quickly. There were also a few exquisite paintings done on silk with a great deal of skill. Some were of people, some flowers with birds. I thought about buying one of a lotus with stark red flowers. The vendor wanted $100 which was very reasonable, it was just more than I wanted to spend. </div>
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* Swords</div>
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*Slingshots carved from wood</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7CieNg8HXI9tw27OUdtB4Eu8Tedby9A0dL5QVQed6CTo8gAqd55ri31ka4GfUge-YJzTaao2fF1NTiHnzuMWZY_f2ax90eOxRpQthtzgb5BXgQEaLaJkVLEyXBVax0SsV3tctSWtt8My/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252818%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7CieNg8HXI9tw27OUdtB4Eu8Tedby9A0dL5QVQed6CTo8gAqd55ri31ka4GfUge-YJzTaao2fF1NTiHnzuMWZY_f2ax90eOxRpQthtzgb5BXgQEaLaJkVLEyXBVax0SsV3tctSWtt8My/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252818%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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* Zillions of statues as I mentioned before<br />
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* Buddhas and Hoteis of any description and any material. We found one particularly appealing one which I ended up buying for Chris. His friendly smile reminds me of my love! He has a bat resting on his belly which apparently means good fortune. The character for "bat" in Chinese sounds like the one for "good fortune", thus the association.<br /> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMa-hliTKtTon6zPYQChEHzQTCsRhcExCu9PkqqiVhVyEG2f7mfGGJcBmg7f4WIKtMIPbsHdp0wfPOomrwZRr1eq8O1JUMmfEjjaYMvimskqOGynj1LqF-x6dm6f0krQAGZuPt3j1bRk8/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252816%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMa-hliTKtTon6zPYQChEHzQTCsRhcExCu9PkqqiVhVyEG2f7mfGGJcBmg7f4WIKtMIPbsHdp0wfPOomrwZRr1eq8O1JUMmfEjjaYMvimskqOGynj1LqF-x6dm6f0krQAGZuPt3j1bRk8/s200/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252816%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a>* Lots of teapots. If I were a tea drinker or a teapot collector, I would have been in heaven! They were quite appealing. </div>
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* Little insect-shaped boxes whose wings spread out, disclosing hiding places in them. I couldn't quite figure out what you could store in them -the openings were tiny.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao6K_6cWetttJ33hbjZwXDr_YhJlrVqEW6HUgAU3gL6IyYWkwsm3Cx0rOsvDCNnyyQ4SoFizgvyYKnY6w5QFvV5BZi-JKPUUWdZBXAJQJ7UYav9AJtouBqXAo7mLiJfec_E485Pteu7l6/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252817%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao6K_6cWetttJ33hbjZwXDr_YhJlrVqEW6HUgAU3gL6IyYWkwsm3Cx0rOsvDCNnyyQ4SoFizgvyYKnY6w5QFvV5BZi-JKPUUWdZBXAJQJ7UYav9AJtouBqXAo7mLiJfec_E485Pteu7l6/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252817%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA7Z3_Yvc7axUvJLk4eNhniMaYHdHnbto0fkCP1KGVvezIDKm838RURMvruejXGu-0IBOU_pVz-lO8iVUCiqS4eJo5P1k4V2x7BYWE32L_buGxvk6Q-EWHpNcap8fJEZGdcCKZxpuhQI9/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%25287%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZA7Z3_Yvc7axUvJLk4eNhniMaYHdHnbto0fkCP1KGVvezIDKm838RURMvruejXGu-0IBOU_pVz-lO8iVUCiqS4eJo5P1k4V2x7BYWE32L_buGxvk6Q-EWHpNcap8fJEZGdcCKZxpuhQI9/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%25287%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>* Uh, <i>interesting</i> statues, for, uh, personal use(!) Yes, made from stone. Not sure about the sanitariness of second hand dildos...</div>
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* And then there were the much larger statues for gardens, homes, official places, etc. I would have loved to have brought those giant lions home for our driveway to complement (and compete with ; ) ) our neighbor's stone gates!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZk7pCeT7IbyyhwFMC477rVpVlCpy-y4MnYRINPz2O5rGW-OjbTZ0gaDILZl6m6THKqULblPWu_gmkU5_VwhmyZNUbLJVR7LyY-bweV8IZzgT5UZWTTcQM2JgagbD2qadk9OD40EDGywR/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252836%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZk7pCeT7IbyyhwFMC477rVpVlCpy-y4MnYRINPz2O5rGW-OjbTZ0gaDILZl6m6THKqULblPWu_gmkU5_VwhmyZNUbLJVR7LyY-bweV8IZzgT5UZWTTcQM2JgagbD2qadk9OD40EDGywR/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252836%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqEYGO8qos8IEH78Kogq9id86VH38CZsQmysAF1GcOesViQg_UXyzlNDbD2TtwyiMvNaVxXSlyHyK5s8Wpl1UeSJeYZrE5Usv-V6pRrkjxI3qyhwb6iIKvLh_SkBkpLO8FWlTk7V6V4Te/s1600/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252826%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiqEYGO8qos8IEH78Kogq9id86VH38CZsQmysAF1GcOesViQg_UXyzlNDbD2TtwyiMvNaVxXSlyHyK5s8Wpl1UeSJeYZrE5Usv-V6pRrkjxI3qyhwb6iIKvLh_SkBkpLO8FWlTk7V6V4Te/s320/2013-04-27+Antiques+Market+%252826%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>Because the goods were laid out on the ground in this section, we had to squat down to look at them carefully - my squatting muscles are really getting toned this week! At one point, Dylan was negotiating, so I just plopped down cross-legged on the ground to wait for him to be done. Dylan told me later, that was a very uncommon thing to do and that people were looking at me strangely. Apparently they perceive the ground as very dirty. It's an interesting perception - on the one hand, of course, it's filthy - people are walking all over it all day, plus pretty much everyone hawks a big one and spits it out whenever and wherever the need strikes, so the ground is certainly covered with lots of dry spit. On the other hand, there are many, many street cleaners throughout the city, so there is little trash around. My mother, who does collages using found objects, asked me to pick up some trash - literally - off the ground for her to use, but there really isn't any. So the streets are clear of trash, just not of dirt. I didn't sit on the ground again! Dealers cope with that issue by giving potential customers tiny little stools that are about 9 inches off the ground to sit on while looking and negotiating.<br />
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Which leads me to another topic - negotiating! Oh my goodness! I couldn't do very well without Dylan! He is phenomenal at bargaining. We'd better all hope he becomes a diplomat and is the one at the negotiating table when the going gets tough. The vendors typically start very very high with tourist prices, say1200¥, or $200. Dylan will laugh right in their face and say, in terrific Chinese, "Oh come on, that's a joke, right?" First of all, they're caught off guard by the fact that this tall white kid speaks such good Chinese then by his manner which is so friendly and ingratiating. They immediately cut the price in half and tell him, oh, that was the tourist price, but of course they won't charge him that since he speaks Chinese so well. They comes a rapid flow of negotiation of which I don't understand a word, but I see Dylan being very friendly, smiling, but hard as nails under that,driving for a price he and I have come up with that I'm willing to pay or let go of the object of desire. He says the trick is to be completely willing to not get what you're bidding for so you're not invested in the outcome. Then you can negotiate without worry or attachment. At some point, I see the vendors get miffed and tell him he's crazy or out of his mind, that they need to make some money, for Pete's sake! He needs to give them a break! They go back and forth, usually getting to the point where it feels uncomfortably acrimonious to me, and I just want to crawl under the floor, but I trust him to know what he's doing. Right around that point, something breaks - he'll smile to show he knows it's all just a game; the vendor smiles; they come to agreement on an absurdly low price, after about 20 minutes of arguing hotly, and we pull out the money as they finally look at me for the first time and tell me what a good wheeler dealer he is. (Dylan translates that proudly, though its also obvious what they're saying.). I smile fondly as I receive my goods and we leave,satisfied with the outcome. I hope the vendors are too!<br />
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Of course, there are times that doesn't work. Like in the scarf shop at the Silk Market the first day I was here. They have beautiful scarves out of silk, polyester, pashima, cashmere, etc., and there are many stores that carry them. They aren't that cheap - I got scarves made in China for less in Paris than they're selling them for here, ironically enough. Anyway, I found two I wanted, if the price was right. Dylan went to work. I think the woman in the store started at 250¥. Dylan laughed congenially. They began in earnest. We were aiming for 50¥. He got he down to 60¥, or $10. I was OK with that,but he wanted 50¥ - didn't want to lose face. She wouldn't budge. We left. She didn't come after us like they'll often do. I forgot to mention that - Dylan will often leave the proceedings 2-3 times only to be called back or hauled back for a new, lower offer - that's where lack of attachment to the outcome is really helpful. We left that shop. A while later, after looking in other shops, I decided I would, in fact, like those scarves and would pay 60¥ for them so we went back. When I saw the two I'd chosen, (after having looked at so many others in other shops) I realized I didn't really want one of them so I asked about getting another one in its place. Apparently it was more expensive than the previous one. She wasn't interested in 60¥ anymore. Dylan worked on her. Finally she became so exasperated, she pushed him physically out of the shop, fussing at him all the way, telling him not to come back. I don't think there was any serious ill will on her part, but she was completely clear that he shouldn't come back! He was kind of proud - it was his first time being kicked out of a shop for his negotiation tactics.<br />
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So with all of this, I have mixed feelings - gratitude and pride that he manages so well - after all, I like getting a great deal! My mother and I are both pretty good at bargaining, (to the embarrassment of our loved ones at times) but we're no good at all compared to Dylan. Then there are my motherly feelings - this is the child I named my "one more boy" - if he would get in his mind that he wanted something, he would bargain with me the same way he bargained with all those vendors who didn't know what hit them- with a smile, letting me know it wasn't all serious, but with a will of iron to let me know he wasn't going to stop until he won. It was exhausting. I could always play the Mom card, and did when appropriate, but he won a lot more than any other child would have due to his persistence. And that's where my pride and gratitude come to the fore again. Remember, Dylan is the child who had a condition that caused him to lose the ability to walk when he was 10. It was his blasted persistence and iron will that brought him to the place he's at today, walking very well, thank you very much, traveling the whole world starting when he was 16 when he went to Spain and Germany for the summer, meeting Laura there, and Peru, alone, at 17, to tutor orphans. The kid is unstoppable. Truly amazing. So I stand in awe, listening as he negotiates $3 off a trinket, knowing where his will has gotten him, proud, adoring, bemused, and almost tearful knowing what an amazing person he is.<br />
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Five hours and fifteen pounds of goods heavier, we finally left the fascinating market to return the the university area. Thankfully after 4-5 stops, we got seats on the subway for the rest of the hour long trip. Dylan has a high risk, high gain strategy for getting seats that almost always works for him. I was glad for it. I was tired!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs35rM31ZbwKzg8OJNMJNrokobAlpTb29YhkyqxcEsuAeuH0NRdu2xvnjyLKk9k5FxCPozrVe39GUN4M6vWO3VLjPbU0uWEqyqEzjsIi2xD-aHwmGlFTquVHgFGtq4AOBaprSyUJSL3Jhk/s1600/2013-05-01+subway,+street,+people+shots+(6)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs35rM31ZbwKzg8OJNMJNrokobAlpTb29YhkyqxcEsuAeuH0NRdu2xvnjyLKk9k5FxCPozrVe39GUN4M6vWO3VLjPbU0uWEqyqEzjsIi2xD-aHwmGlFTquVHgFGtq4AOBaprSyUJSL3Jhk/s200/2013-05-01+subway,+street,+people+shots+(6)+(640x480).jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh353iZkBS-4mo49rlwQldZH9ydwjpaVtcCT0x4KkNiMhsDgxv-_RnUCilHp1m7LgvJh6Iraq5Qx1wx988fXHSebNS9qEr783E1pDo6s1orK5uaBWo9VggKMtJRLUPry5FqjKxOhOL_qcpu/s1600/2013-05-01+subway,+street,+people+shots+(3)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh353iZkBS-4mo49rlwQldZH9ydwjpaVtcCT0x4KkNiMhsDgxv-_RnUCilHp1m7LgvJh6Iraq5Qx1wx988fXHSebNS9qEr783E1pDo6s1orK5uaBWo9VggKMtJRLUPry5FqjKxOhOL_qcpu/s200/2013-05-01+subway,+street,+people+shots+(3)+(640x480).jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-T1ACdyqHEVvj0f-KXodRDHPI-NT_vQU4NSrXs2rPn7jh_QJNfDR9jJH8Io_Pxly8COpQ8fyyMNdG8UiCCWAgUfgt2mNQv0NGBJEpkE3iKx2rTl8WkWAg8kpZp7uAEA2gMo0GP_Y-s6F/s1600/2013-05-01+subway,+street,+people+shots+(9)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-T1ACdyqHEVvj0f-KXodRDHPI-NT_vQU4NSrXs2rPn7jh_QJNfDR9jJH8Io_Pxly8COpQ8fyyMNdG8UiCCWAgUfgt2mNQv0NGBJEpkE3iKx2rTl8WkWAg8kpZp7uAEA2gMo0GP_Y-s6F/s320/2013-05-01+subway,+street,+people+shots+(9)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDB_On9eHYCZIBzeo-kDICoB0eeG4KLbOEw_dhwc1MNXKan4OPWQq8ZQ5x4SymuSlspai2FnE9jz7C9y4EUwtvNdC2gawHlqXcrdogBXx0f7XGT8D8AgLA3NEyjER8T4EVDyfXLiojMS45/s1600/2013-05-01+subway,+street,+people+shots+(8)+(480x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDB_On9eHYCZIBzeo-kDICoB0eeG4KLbOEw_dhwc1MNXKan4OPWQq8ZQ5x4SymuSlspai2FnE9jz7C9y4EUwtvNdC2gawHlqXcrdogBXx0f7XGT8D8AgLA3NEyjER8T4EVDyfXLiojMS45/s320/2013-05-01+subway,+street,+people+shots+(8)+(480x640).jpg" width="240" /></a>On the subway, I notice that virtually everyone has out their smart phone and is reading or playing a game or texting or whatever (though these pictures don't show that, I realize!). There certainly is no eye contact unless I happen to notice them looking my way which happens a fair amount since I'm a bit of anomaly - white - though not so much in Beijing. Dylan says it happens much more in the country where people may never have seen a white person before. He suggested I consider how I'd feel if I saw a real live Eskimo- I might want a picture of him even though he's a perfect stranger. Here in China there's little hesitation about taking photos of people or anything else. No one has looked askance at me for taking pictures of any of the odd things I've photographed while here, themselves included.<br />
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<a href="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=6&cp=-1&attdepth=6&imgsrc=cid%3a779EC27F-57F4-4889-8C07-A38F9F336E78&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=OHxpbWFnZS5qcGVnfGltYWdlL2pwZWc_3d&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_0924c92a295b0c53bb2cd56334c3c0542787090524b71e91938591d2a9511755&oneredir=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="image.jpeg" border="0" height="400" id="ecx779EC27F-57F4-4889-8C07-A38F9F336E78" src="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=6&cp=-1&attdepth=6&imgsrc=cid%3a779EC27F-57F4-4889-8C07-A38F9F336E78&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=OHxpbWFnZS5qcGVnfGltYWdlL2pwZWc_3d&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_0924c92a295b0c53bb2cd56334c3c0542787090524b71e91938591d2a9511755&oneredir=1" width="298" /></a>Once we got back to Dylan's dorm, I checked facebook quickly then we rode his scooter (Thank goodness for his scooter! It saves us a lot of walking! He thought I would refuse to ride it since he has no helmets and it's pretty crazy driving around here, but I am lazy enough to overlook those facts and just be grateful for the ease of it.) to the place we got massages the first day I was here. Yay! Dylan left me there for a massage while he went to hang out with a friend who is leaving China Wednesday. I got a very different massage this time. The masseuse, again a man, moved fast, jiggling me rapidly the whole time as he also dug into my tight spine muscles. My legs were particularly tight, especially my right calf. Dylan said he suggested I go to a doctor for it because he thinks its so bad. I think it's from wearing a bad sock today that bunched up in my new shoes and made me walk funny, causing me strain in that muscle. It is certainly sore, but I don't feel a need to see a doctor - I can't imagine what one would do for me. It's massage was an hour long and cost 88¥ - that's about $14. I will be doing that again! This one wasn't relaxing because of the jiggling effect but it kept me very present to the moment, and the ultimate effect was good. I'm grateful. My body has been going through a lot with so much travel and walking and airplanes and bad air, it's good to give it massages to let it know I love and respect it and want it to feel good.<br />
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Speaking of bad air, the pollution index my first day here was 30, about like in other big cities - just fine. The next day it was at 130, unsafe for young children and the elderly. Today it was 159. Dangerous. I don't know what to do with that information. I could wear a mask, but I don't know how that would really help. It'll filter out the whiffs of fluff from blooming trees, but I don't know how it will keep anything else out. There's a filter on it, I guess, but it isn't a gas mask. It's just a paper filter. So I just breathe and hope I'm not getting too much poison with each breath. It's not too pleasant a thought. It was supposed to rain today which would have left the air cleaner - I'm glad it didn't rain - wish it had rained - I'm sure you understand!<br />
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After the massage, we met two of Dylan's friends, Steven and Hannah, for dinner of hot pot. Eating out is interesting - generally, you get a menu when you come in, figure out what you want, enter it onto a sheet with all the options listed, the call the waitress over, loudly - they don't get tips,so they're helpful but not particularly attentive. You pay when you order. They bring the food, you eat. If you need something, you call her over again. Chances are she won't check to see if you need anything.</div>
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<img alt="image.jpeg" height="543" id="ecx90612D96-3CDE-4AB3-81D4-484A40E4E311" src="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=0&cp=-1&attdepth=0&imgsrc=cid%3a90612D96-3CDE-4AB3-81D4-484A40E4E311&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=MnxpbWFnZS5qcGVnfGltYWdlL2pwZWc_3d&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_34694ccb0aec52fe741106ee785d38b22401963a226b07b66d064ae918a1ec0b&oneredir=1" width="728" /><br /></div>
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At the restaurant for hot pot.</div>
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The piled up rolls of meat and the veggies:</div>
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The hot pot was interesting. There was an induction burner built into the table. The waitress brought a large pot which was divided in two over to the table. Half had a curry broth in it. The other half was more mild and maybe chicken broth based. She turned on the burner and waited for it to heat the oil/broth mixture to boiling. Meanwhile she brought out two plates of meat which was very very thinly sliced then rolled up - thinner than paper. It came from the freezer. We also got a heaping plate of vegetables - lettuce, spinach, winter melon, carrots, needle mushrooms, Jew's ears mushrooms (sorry about the vile name), bok choy, fake crab, fish balls, and perhaps a few other things. We also got a packet of peanut sauce sort of like thin organic peanut butter. That and chopped cilantro were to go in a small bowl (about 3 inches in diameter) as the sauce. We also got a plate of linguine-width rice noodles, cellophane noodles, and some floor spaghetti-size noodles along with inch-wide flat tofu skin "noodles", all of which were also mean to be cooked in the hot pot. Using chopsticks, we picked up our choice of food and put it into the boiling liquid and waited for it to cook, then fished it out, put it into the peanut sauce, then ate it. It was quite tasty. A fun way to eat, because it took a long time so gave us lots of time to talk and visit. It reminded me of fondue parties I went to in Germany when I was a student. Similar, but different.<br />
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After dinner Dylan and his friends were going to go to KTV or karaoke to sing and drink and have a rousing good time. Dylan and his friends were all generous enough to invite me to go along, but I decided to come back to the hotel instead so I could write this blog and so they could have fun unimpeded by thoughts of what I might think or feel. We stopped by a store to get me some yogurt for breakfast and Hannah started to say something, presumably about getting some kind of alcohol to drink, but she stopped herself from speaking - I named it and we all laughed. It confirmed my thought that it would be awkward for me to go along, no matter how nice they were to ask. I've been glad to be here too. I didn't have the energy to write last night but really wanted to so this is good. </div>
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<img alt="image.jpeg" height="320" id="ecx0CC4B973-96E2-42A5-84F5-63DE410CBCCD" src="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=2&cp=-1&attdepth=2&imgsrc=cid%3a0CC4B973-96E2-42A5-84F5-63DE410CBCCD&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=NHxpbWFnZS5qcGVnfGltYWdlL2pwZWc_3d&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_ab9de84198e00d3aaba72cee9e3ed6062ea47db295cb17b3bcaffaca3cf2c6fc&oneredir=1" width="239" /><br /></div>
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The hostel where I'm staying.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="image.jpeg" height="238" id="ecx80D10E23-D0A4-436E-A157-2C72AF0B157A" src="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=3&cp=-1&attdepth=3&imgsrc=cid%3a80D10E23-D0A4-436E-A157-2C72AF0B157A&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=NXxpbWFnZS5qcGVnfGltYWdlL2pwZWc_3d&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_7b35ea90d08e86e080386603c263703df7ffbb47eaa13dc5e9ee87c553a91d6f&oneredir=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">across the street from the hostel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="image.jpeg" height="238" id="ecx72FDBFD6-4EC8-4B6A-8916-25B068D77922" src="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=4&cp=-1&attdepth=4&imgsrc=cid%3a72FDBFD6-4EC8-4B6A-8916-25B068D77922&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=NnxpbWFnZS5qcGVnfGltYWdlL2pwZWc_3d&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_2a9a9b476ed668f2ec87db0ef700dd45c2e61e047b3dc306d21f11d40546dc31&oneredir=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">across the street from the hostel</td></tr>
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<img alt="image.jpeg" height="238" id="ecx0A1DF415-B65F-433A-8608-BE5FD5B2D2D7" src="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=5&cp=-1&attdepth=5&imgsrc=cid%3a0A1DF415-B65F-433A-8608-BE5FD5B2D2D7&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=N3xpbWFnZS5qcGVnfGltYWdlL2pwZWc_3d&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_76b5104db02c103df56f3365d1ccb782c9084862263684a868c72462e2df70eb&oneredir=1" width="320" /></div>
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The street the hostel is on. My room is in the back so I don't hear this traffic.</div>
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When I got here, exhausted, my door key wouldn't work. The housekeeper heard my key card beeping so let me in but indicated I should go downstairs. They'd locked me out to make sure I'd pay my next two days' rent. Very effective in a world where we don't speak each others' language! I certainly understood! </div>
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Coming upstairs, my heart sank when I saw four adolescent young men enter the room next to mine. It seems there are many more teenagers than just these four on this floor - on both sides of me, I think, based on the fact that they occasionally try to open my door. There is lots of noise in the hall - it's 11:30. The noise outside has stopped but not inside yet. I expect it'll continue through the night. I'm thankful to have my music on my iPad so I can drown out the crowd pretty well. </div>
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Travel helps me appreciate my creature comforts SOOOOOO much!</div>
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So that's it for today! Thanks for reading!</div>
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<img alt="image.jpeg" height="543" id="ecx8B29A61E-50FB-4689-B241-3788966DAEE3" src="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=8&cp=-1&attdepth=8&imgsrc=cid%3a8B29A61E-50FB-4689-B241-3788966DAEE3&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=MTB8aW1hZ2UuanBlZ3xpbWFnZS9qcGVn&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_257e4ef4f4d2e710623a305e95db0e65c9033966f5ada1d54f81cb4d935260ed&oneredir=1" width="728" /></div>
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Birthday cakes I saw in a bakery window on my walk home tonight. Dylan says the baked goods are very airy and light, nothing like our Crisco icing cakes!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="image.jpeg" height="320" id="ecxDC474CD5-A303-402C-B42C-ACBDF82F4688" src="https://blu170.mail.live.com/att/GetInline.aspx?messageid=6dbfe3b4-b022-11e2-8b43-78e3b51a4cae&attindex=9&cp=-1&attdepth=9&imgsrc=cid%3aDC474CD5-A303-402C-B42C-ACBDF82F4688&cid=1c88ef4068f4679f&shared=1&blob=MTF8aW1hZ2UuanBlZ3xpbWFnZS9qcGVn&hm__login=susansingerart&hm__domain=msn.com&ip=10.15.232.8&d=d1184&mf=128&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2029%20Apr%202013%2011%3a58%3a36%20GMT&st=susansingerart%402&hm__ha=01_501beba67d3e870d0a21157540b7db8d16ca1dff161cc9ae8c6c09ca3b4977e5&oneredir=1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="239" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sense of the number of bikes here at the university. They are ridden
by soooo many people and are used for work - I've seen pickup truckloads
of stuff piled on the backs of bikes - it's very impressive and nothing
like the way Americans generally ride bikes for sport or pleasure.
These bikes are old, too. Nothing fancy about them, generally speaking.</td></tr>
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Magazines for sale at a newsstand where I bought a SIM card for the phone Dylan borrowed for me.</div>
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-41915302475834869182013-04-26T10:22:00.000-04:002013-05-08T02:54:33.864-04:00April 25, 2013 Arriving in Beijing and the first day here.<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="line-height: 21px;">5:23 am and I've already been at the airport for about 10 minutes already. I was the second person to go through customs, so I got out just as the plane was scheduled to land. Dylan is planning to get here around 6 so I have a little time to get acclimated.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">The flight was completely fine, luxurious even, as I was seated by a window by an emergency exit with tons of leg room next to a man who spoke very good English and wanted to talk, so I had a very companionable travel friend the whole time - until he fell asleep and snored a bit. Thankfully I brought my ear plugs with me - I don't travel without them! - so that was OK. I got about 3 hours sleep. I'm sure it will catch up with me soon enough but for now I feel fine. We had dinner and breakfast on the plane, both of them not very good but adequate. I'm so thankful Dylan knows his way around and will take care of my gustatory needs at least for today. He has class for 8-10 this morning so I'm taking he'll take me to the hostel, which is near his University, and let me unpack and sleep for a while then will come and get me after class. I'm guessing he didn't sleep too much last night either. He's usually up til around 2 or so. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">I had some hopes that I would be waylaid in Amsterdam so I could go see the VanGogh and Rembrandt museums today but by the time I landed at that airport and walked the half hour to the right gate, I was just as glad to continue on to Beijing without interruption. All this traveling is quite bizarre to me after so many years of staying at home, only going to the beach or to visit family. The time of raising kids is so focused and concentrated on just that and almost nothing else. It's strange having so much time and so many opportunities for myself without having to considers the kids. They are off on so many adventures themselves, it isn't even possible to take their schedules into account!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">I look up from this writing every so often, searching the floor for a very tall white man. I think he probably stands out from the crowd quite a bit. The hall was almost empty just a few minutes ago. Now it is getting crowded. I trust he'll find me. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">He did! Of course.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">We came by taxi to his dorm which is a striking, modern building at Beda University. It was fun, and a little bit disconcerting somehow, to see his room, the very one I've seen on the Internet so often as we've Skyped. We talked for a while until I realized I wasn't making a lot of sense anymore because my tiredness was starting to take over. That was around 6:30. I guess I didn't last all that long! Dylan's roommate wasn't there so I curled up in Dylan's bed and tried to calm my brain and my body enough to be able to fall asleep. It certainly felt good to be horizontal! I drifted off to sleep a couple of times, waking to unfamiliar noises,then falling back asleep. At one point, Dylan's roommate, Taka, returned. I heard enough to recognize I probably needed to sit up and do the polite thing - greet him from my haze and be friendly. I think I might have embarrassed him, but I was too tired to be embarrassed myself. I fell back asleep. Dylan left for class. Taka was in the room, but I didn't notice. When Dylan got back, he took a nap too. I finally roused myself around 11:20, thinking it would be wise to get up and have a day so I could get on a decent schedule. I checked email til Dylan woke up a few minutes later. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">We rushed a little bit and got over to one of the many student cafeterias near him for lunch. I've posted a picture of me eating there. It was interesting. When we went in, we picked up a eat of green plastic chop sticks - no other utensils were available. Then we went to the perimeter where there were 10 -12 different serving areas, each offering different things. I think some had noodles others Chinese pancakes, maybe some spring rolls. The food we got was pretty good - about like a typical Chinese restaurant with rice and some sort of vegetable or veggie/meat mixture in a sauce. The sauces had a bit more subtlety and variety to them than most restaurants ive been too though. The sweet and sour pork was especially good. I was also craving vegetables - they were hard to come by in Paris - so I had a bok choy dish with egg in it. Dylan got some mushrooms which were quite flavorful and interesting. We had one other dish to but I can't remember what it was. All that cost 12 ¥ or $2. Oh yeah, we also got drinks, some kind of plum juice, I think it was. It was more food than we could eat. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">After lunch we walked through the campus so I could see the classrooms where Dylan has spend so much time these last months. The buildings themselves were about 100 years old and quite beautiful, fairly ornately decorated with what look like "typical" Chinese ornamentation - curved, sloped roofs, lovely colorful trim below the roof, lions and other figures balances on the corners and edges of the roof. The windows had beautiful lattice work rather than our typical American rectangles. It was a pleasure to look at. While in one of the classroom buildings, it seemed like a good idea to use the facilities. That was when Dylan broke the news to me that the toilets are generally squat toilets. That means they are a porcelain hole in the floor over which one squats to excrete whatever one needs to eliminate. He then handed me a little package of tissues wrapped in plastic to use because bathrooms do not generally come equipped with toilet paper. And what toilet paper is used is to be deposited into a trash can in the stall NOT flushed with the bodily wastes. I tend to forget then feel bad about not being a good enough person to dig in there and get it out. I am noble enough that I am squatting (not that I have a choice, I realize). I am not also going to dig my toilet paper out of there! I WILL however do better about remembering. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">It's interesting being so close to the floor - it's good for my leg muscles, and it makes me really pay attention to the cleanliness of the floor. My nose is only about 10 inches off of it. I also will not wear skirts unless I know I'll be able to use a US style toilet that day. Too much to keep track of, and I definitely wouldn't want it joining my toilet paper in the drain...</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">Having survived the excitement of a new way of going to the bathroom, we took off to walk around the lake. There is a splendidly beautiful manmade lake on the campus which is extraordinarily beautiful right now because things are blooming all over. There also was virtually no pollution today. It was at a 30 today, equivalent to most major metropolitan areas. Other days it's been closer to 300. On those days the sky is white, the buildings blend into that white, at least 1/3 of the people wear masks to help them breathe. Dylan and my seatmate on the plane both exclaimed how lucky we were today that the weather was so perfect. The temperature was about 70 a lot of he day getting cooler in the evening.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">The lake was so beautiful. It was planted with many blooming trees and flowers and was filled with coi. There were many people there taking pictures with very good cameras with very big lenses. My iPad just didn't measure up but I was nonetheless very glad to have it.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">Part way around the lake, Dylan and I sat down and talked for a while, catching up, enjoying each other's company. I loved it! I really like my kids, their fundamental personalities as well as the adults they are becoming. That feels great.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">We returned to his dorm to get my luggage so I could go check into the hostel he found for me. It's on the other side of the campus so we decided to pay a taxi driver the $2 or $3 to drive us there rather than haul it the mile or so over cobblestones and through roads, up and over bridges, etc. I'm sure you get the picture! </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">The hostel is very nice. My room is clean, fairly spacious, with a double bed, dresser, desk and luggage rack. The room comes with a bathrobe and some sandals to wear to the bathroom. The towels are not Egyptian cotton - I will definitely be using Chris's camping towel to supplement those. They're closer to dish towels in size and thickness - worn out ones! Other than that the room is great. You can't drink the water here AT ALL without boiling it, so the hotel provides thermoses in each room and a dispenser on the third floor where you can get as much boiling water as you want. Dylan has a water boiler in his room plus he and his roommate have a water dispenser with 5 gallon jugs which someone delivers to their room as needed. The university provides the hot water to the students. Several places on campus there are small buildings with many different-colored thermoses lined up on the sidewalk and steps, awaiting the students who might need the water. Water is at a premium in Beijing. In Dylan's dorm,they have to use their room card to turn on the faucets in the bathroom to wash their hands. They do have a faucet and sink in their room though which gives them all they want without of a card.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">I don't have a bathroom or sink in my room - that was going to be $50 per night. I decided to opt for $30/night instead and use the one down the hall. I'd rather use the extra money for more fun stuff! And besides, they gave me such a handsome robe to use this way!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">After checking into the hotel, we road Dylan's scooter over to a place where his friends were waiting to get a massage. Oh my goodness I am so glad I did that! My body has been so contorted this last week with airplane rides, hauling my suitcase up and down zillions of steps in Paris, sleeping too little, sitting too much 2 days, and walking about 10 miles/day the other days. I definitely needed the massage! There was a woman at this door who assessed what each of us needed. She looked at my tongue and said I looked very worn down. Yep! (I actually feel great,but I can well imagine that my body is worn down! Dylan had said the massages cost 88¥ , about $12, for a hour, but the woman said I needed a better one than that to revitalize me. I believed her. So I paid the princely sum of 188¥, or about $30, for an hourlong very intense,targeted massage,one of the deepest,most pointed ones I've ever had. It was wonderful. The set up was fascinating. Dylan and I were led into a fairly large room with three tables in it. We were given clothes to put on, the tops of which resembled the striped outfits holocaust victims had to wear. The bottoms were white pants with elastic and a string tie at the waist. Dylan's came up to his calf. Mine fit but the top was gargantuan. The masseuses,both men, came in once we were ready and had us lie down on tables with permanent holes cut into them for our faces. The massage was excellent. Interestingly, he did it through the pjs I had on as well as through a thin blanket. The man found places I didn't know I had, and he let me know I was sore in those places. It was partially -mostly - pleasurable, but sometimes it was too much, and I had to get Dylan to ask him to lessen up on the pressure. He told me that my thighs being so tight meant my energy was drained. He also massaged my belly a lot - that's something US masseuses don't do as a matter of course. There are lots of sensitive spots for me throughout he region. When he got to my belly button, that was especially sensitive. Interesting to experience. Other than the fact that he room was fairly chilly, it was a great massage. I plan to go back once or twice more while here. Dylan enjoyed his a lot too- he said that his guy did things to his back no one has done before - in a good way. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">After the massage, we went upstairs in that building to a wonderful cafe lined with books. It's called Heaven Cafe, I think. It was a wonderful space. Expensive for Chinese standards, but great to hang out in. Several of his friends were there doing their homework. It's very fun listening to Dylan speak Chinese. It's such a different language, so utterly incomprehensible to me, I'm extremely impressed with how well he an speak it. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">From the cafe, we decided to go to dinner at a dumpling restaurant nearby. Chris and I made some Chinese pork dumplings recently, so I was feeling very curious to learn what the real thing would taste like. They had about 30 different kinds. We could have gotten a platter of 40 of them with different color wrappers - green, yellow, black,orange and white, I think - but we simply weren't hungry enough for all that. Instead we got veggie ones with carrots and cabbage in them (the ones we preferred) and some mutton ones. Those were OK but a bit strong tasting. We got 12 of each of them for $4 total. The dumplings were served with a teapot full of the water they were cooked in for us to drink with them. It's supposed to be healthy. It tasted like weak broth. Overall, it was a good meal, and very cheap!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">After dinner, we were both feeling tired and Dylan had to go back to fill out an application for a conference he wants to take part in this summer, so he brought me back to the hotel then took off. I was glad to come up to my room and unpack and put things away. This will be my home away from home for the next nine days. I hope it won't be too noisy outside - that's the only problem I can foresee. It's not the busy street, but there is a lot of activity out there during the day. Tonight it's not bad. I have earplugs. And I'm exhausted. I'll manage!</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">Speaking of which, it is time for me to go to bed. It's been a terrific day, but I'm tired and ready to sleep. My body might be confused. It's 4:40 PM Paris time and 10:40 am Richmond time. They're about to start the day I'm just ending. I'm trying to just let my body relax and move through the days as it needs to slowly or quickly, napping or not, sleeping when it needs to at night. The jet lag hasn't been bad at all, actually.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">Tomorrow we're going to get Dylan a cell phone so we can call each other then he'll have a better phone when I leave (he wants one anyway - I'm just a good excuse to get one) then well go to the Forbidden Palace to do the tourist thing before the weekend (hoping to avoid holiday weekend crowds (it's May Day)) then, if there's still time, we'll go to the silk market to visit his tailor to see what sort of fabrics and clothes we cAn find just for fun... He's not out of class til noon, no I'm looking forward to some major sleep between now and then..</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 21px;">thanks for reading! Have a great day! </span></div>
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the Beijing airport at 5:10 AM<br />
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Our first meal together at the student cafeteria. I think I'm looking a little bit weary, though it's after a 3 hour nap.<br />
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the gate to the classroom where Dylan had all of his classes last semester<br />
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Not my favorite thing about China! A squat toilet and the basket for putting the paper in when you're done. My squatting muscles are getting stronger!<br />
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The fire extinquishing system.<br />
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Confucious in the corner of Dylan's classroom building.<br />
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up on the wall in his class building - they weren't allowed to speak any English.<br />
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We saw several statues like this of beautiful, natural stones treated like sculptures. I can see why. They're beautiful.<br />
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Dylan in the garden by the lake.<br />
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The lake at the University. A beautiful, serene place to walk.<br />
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building by the lake. Very pretty, but Dylan didn't know what it was used for.<br />
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a famous tower, but I don't think you can go into it.<br />
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Dylan's dorm building. Very nice.<br />
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Dylan's massage outfit. Mine was equally charming but the legs were longer on me, and the shirt was much larger!<br />
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at the cafe after the massage. I guess I was feeling good! (or silly!)<br />
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Our meal at the dumpling place. <br />
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Day 2 <br />
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Typical street scene, this one is by the gate into the University where I was waiting for Dylan to get me after his classes. The gates are guarded by men in uniforms in order to keep the students protected and safe.<br />
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bus in China<br />
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The pollution was pretty bad today, 130 as opposed to 30 the day before. The sky was no longer blue.<br />
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Korean food, beef, and rice, that we ate at the Silk Market.<br />
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Bacon and Tofu - that seems like such a weird combination since bacon is seen as so unhealthy and tofu so healthy in the US.<br />
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vegetable dish with DELICIOUS water chestnuts - they actually had flavor - not just crunch. The mushrooms are called the horrible name of Jew's Ears. They tasted great, but the name is not my favorite.<br />
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Dried Fried Green Beans</span></div>
Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-51989427950113846682013-04-22T18:02:00.001-04:002013-05-08T05:54:17.069-04:00April 22, 2013 Day 3 of the conference - with Laura in Paris<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx_9smz1EB3OhkqS5JR0VMR9Ka65V3NFTiHNAq58xp8eUgoBBHG1uuVzcVsJ7IczgEr8wi4dy3DwO6mAjKkPim1Nk3SG1jWIr0J4eGjiIAI93jPPhxJhzvuJKMIuJy2xdM1MCkZaHlUAG/s1600/2013-04-22+17.02.46+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbx_9smz1EB3OhkqS5JR0VMR9Ka65V3NFTiHNAq58xp8eUgoBBHG1uuVzcVsJ7IczgEr8wi4dy3DwO6mAjKkPim1Nk3SG1jWIr0J4eGjiIAI93jPPhxJhzvuJKMIuJy2xdM1MCkZaHlUAG/s320/2013-04-22+17.02.46+(478x640).jpg" width="239" /></a>Sitting in a church in the middle of Paris. The church is steeped in silence and the smell of incense from centuries of burning it.<br />
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I feel at peace, happy to be insulated from the noise outside and the hustle and bustle of the crowds. The sandy stone of the gothic columns reaches skyward. The sun, which is streaming blue and cloud-free outside, is filtered through translucent but not transparent panes of centuries-old glass. It mixes its patterns with the masonry of the walls. I am captivated by the movement of light across the walls as the minutes pass.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUkeX6NJDXwX8eA5C7muF5JTRL61U3mutEwDQ9IUsVDm4dl0QFJ0IoT5GN1Ld5OvmOQtig7eZluad6aQCoM0V9SeJ97YMbgTBJvYIt5iB8aaD9JADabrvpAtTQIY_LEogDfneC22T7ho5/s1600/2013-04-22+17.02.33+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUkeX6NJDXwX8eA5C7muF5JTRL61U3mutEwDQ9IUsVDm4dl0QFJ0IoT5GN1Ld5OvmOQtig7eZluad6aQCoM0V9SeJ97YMbgTBJvYIt5iB8aaD9JADabrvpAtTQIY_LEogDfneC22T7ho5/s320/2013-04-22+17.02.33+(478x640).jpg" width="239" /></a>The centuries collide at the altar where a modern tableaux claiming that <i>Christ est resuscite!</i> And the 16th century altar proposes the same message. The small altar towards the front is much more modest and less imposing than the stone one framed by angels, mounted by a gold-bedecked cross in front of the pipes of a beautiful organ. The golden candelabras are as tall as any priest and appropriately hold 20 candles each since they are from the time before electricity.<br />
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There are no lights on in the sanctuary but it is light enough here, perfect for contemplation and for leaving the outside world behind. Only the ripping of paper or ringing of the phone in the office adjacent to the sanctuary is a reminder of modern times. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJzc_GJQ-TkB0NmaxhgLmLFpBSqMgMbVTZqW7qhoA8eMe3a_ChAZSJFCdmGmzYXrtcuMUhc4Z2b90TmAs7GUh_B30EGYxgoTdny_WS9gZs5NiyiJKmlU1obRvZkAHECUZFZykuB55tXWR/s1600/Paris+%2528296%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJzc_GJQ-TkB0NmaxhgLmLFpBSqMgMbVTZqW7qhoA8eMe3a_ChAZSJFCdmGmzYXrtcuMUhc4Z2b90TmAs7GUh_B30EGYxgoTdny_WS9gZs5NiyiJKmlU1obRvZkAHECUZFZykuB55tXWR/s200/Paris+%2528296%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="150" /></a>Mary prays in her own side chapel, votives lit to ask her intercession for many, flowers at her feet in thanks. A <i>pieta</i>, much smaller, is in another area, her face displaying the agony of her blessed child's gruesome death. The imagery of the Catholic Church is more disturbing than not most of the time.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXayPbwNppJ1ILh1vrTCv86WbwQfl1WxJ5BW2hndRTdSgcfT_EtcF3v-kVwiv5xBj4sZDUQfFyqC4ACUPOw0pCj9qQsS3JTn2z8-gG4l_RHQymHGj4DvaeCxew6Vhg294c3ER9H-JfQNTv/s1600/Paris+(278)+(640x480).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXayPbwNppJ1ILh1vrTCv86WbwQfl1WxJ5BW2hndRTdSgcfT_EtcF3v-kVwiv5xBj4sZDUQfFyqC4ACUPOw0pCj9qQsS3JTn2z8-gG4l_RHQymHGj4DvaeCxew6Vhg294c3ER9H-JfQNTv/s320/Paris+(278)+(640x480).jpg" width="320" /></a>Notre Dame this morning was full of curious tourists, hundreds lined up outside, moving quickly into, around, and out of the cathedral. An orchestra was setting up instruments for a concert to be held there in two days time. I was reminded of the time in 1981 when I sang there. I was on a choir tour of Europe with my college choir and had the honor of singing several songs in that beautiful space. Our notes resonated throughout the acoustically wonderful space and I felt moved to tears with the pleasure of singing there. Knowing how many people had come and gone through the place, how much history had been made there, how much amazing art had taken place - the stained glass, the organ, the bells, the stone and wood carving - the artisanship and craftsmanship moved me deeply. To be singing there gave me chills.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezhjClFD0kN0rFHV6kJRL7mkjLpjJ4PMNZfGkNTzTbyLUqxBomjxgMk0y1LXe-wVzCFx8jNe416QYW03ddT5TQ1Ls4I7bXHIlhiJVg95mfnTMKwhPr-aOovnm-Jd0v_Qg129v5iRJVdwq/s1600/Paris+%2528276%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezhjClFD0kN0rFHV6kJRL7mkjLpjJ4PMNZfGkNTzTbyLUqxBomjxgMk0y1LXe-wVzCFx8jNe416QYW03ddT5TQ1Ls4I7bXHIlhiJVg95mfnTMKwhPr-aOovnm-Jd0v_Qg129v5iRJVdwq/s320/Paris+%2528276%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH2scmkflO09VfOSz5SgmG2vDXkETxqDGq8ZNqX3d5LNAmEe6nmnAO8ObRvYAbt7v9AzxyI9g2K-k3GXa0YhTsCPx4SvcqpLELqmFW3YlLN-oAmCAc-fMET9OAjycCrr0HpPpPV-aKmm-/s1600/Paris+%2528275%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLH2scmkflO09VfOSz5SgmG2vDXkETxqDGq8ZNqX3d5LNAmEe6nmnAO8ObRvYAbt7v9AzxyI9g2K-k3GXa0YhTsCPx4SvcqpLELqmFW3YlLN-oAmCAc-fMET9OAjycCrr0HpPpPV-aKmm-/s320/Paris+%2528275%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>Being back there today with Laura, so many years later, telling her about it gave me pause to consider the wonders of my world. I never could have imagined then all that has transpired since, especially the lives of my precious children and that I could share that space with one of them almost exactly 32 years later. I could picture the 60 of us fresh-faced college students prepped for perfection in tone, enunciation, projection and comportment, singing our hearts out, aware of the magic of the moment. It brought it all back being there with Laura today. Though I can't remember which songs we sang, I saw us in our black skirts and white blouses with red sashes, the men in tuxes, lining up, playing a tone so we could sing a Capella then following Dr. Lendrim as he led us in song.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIBHNq6_8bz3aUV1wF6TFEXpx78cVJmNt0SwVDxPzLpfBxV75woO2-IuSQYmxVrngfbl_-N3GKG6IXrmzE950pTaSRS0CWjP1a2AQljtgszJvn_2Vz8TVts694G6pkADloaDgQkw_PMG_/s1600/Paris+%2528284%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIBHNq6_8bz3aUV1wF6TFEXpx78cVJmNt0SwVDxPzLpfBxV75woO2-IuSQYmxVrngfbl_-N3GKG6IXrmzE950pTaSRS0CWjP1a2AQljtgszJvn_2Vz8TVts694G6pkADloaDgQkw_PMG_/s320/Paris+%2528284%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHsrk6ke9Z9lLMpOFFS6GbyHBoeJuYko5q6VX5HikYJi2u3O6QGwJi8RhsfkR4noGkxXvriY1Plqbxl23L1aSm9AMvE1iKaSs77ycDHQdKAMOZ09Zdr23krnqkISnBWuwVl12Tilv9avL/s1600/Paris+%2528294%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHsrk6ke9Z9lLMpOFFS6GbyHBoeJuYko5q6VX5HikYJi2u3O6QGwJi8RhsfkR4noGkxXvriY1Plqbxl23L1aSm9AMvE1iKaSs77ycDHQdKAMOZ09Zdr23krnqkISnBWuwVl12Tilv9avL/s320/Paris+%2528294%2529+%2528480x640%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ah, I do wax poetic today!<br />
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Back here in this smaller church with only a few people, mostly in prayer, I breathe deeply and notice the sounds of cars swooshing by outside, the shoes of a tourist on the stones as he walks quickly by the altars, looking for familiar names of artists.<br />
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I find it interesting that we honor artists as great and grand in perpetuity, but in life it's difficult for us to acknowledge that what they're doing might be important or worthy of attention or payment. Artists seem to be the ones who notice and point out what's going on in society. They are the canaries in the mine letting us know when the air is getting too thin and we need to beware. Their lives are at times equally disregarded until they are dead when they are recognized as having been prescient and important.<br />
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Sitting here in the church, I asked God to let me know what's next, to lead me where he would have me go. I am clear that God has things for me to do. My job, it seems, is to stay open and courageous enough to follow through on the leadings. I don't know what it will be like in China but I am guessing there's a good reason for me to go there and that way will open so I will know what it is. I was imagining my speaking to Dylan and asking him if he knows what the government is doing in East Turkestan and what he thinks of it. I want to make him aware so that he isn't taken in by everything he's experiencing.<br />
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The woman behind me to my right just began singing, "Jesu, Jesu, Jesu Jesu." I looked over at her and she smiled at me. Her voice was so beautiful. It filled the space like an angel's. Thank you for that, God. It brought me back to you from my head space. Beauty is powerful. Truly domineering and all encompassing when I can let it be. Please let me be a vehicle for beauty, God, in bringing it to others. It brings me such joy. I would like to spread joy the way that woman just brought it to me with her glorious simple voice. Thank you. Amen.<br />
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After leaving the church, I wandered the streets for several hours, until about nine o'clock when I figured it would be a good idea to head back to the hotel. Unfortunately, I didn't quite do that - I went to the right station, but when I asked someone if I was on the right train, she gave me wrong information - well, it was right AND wrong - the are two stations with the name Charles de Gaulle in them. One is the airport. The other is not. She gave me the correct information that I was headed in the direction of the other one. I noticed about 20 minutes into the ride because I was busy editing my pictures and assuming I was going in the right direction. Finally it dawned on me that perhaps I wasn't. I asked the very kind people I was sitting with if we were heading towards the airport. The looked quite regretful to be informing me that no we weren't. The woman got out with me a couple of stops later to show me where I needed to go to retrace my steps so I could take the right train the next time. When I got back to the original station 20 minutes later, another couple of good Samaritans were kind enough to show me the way onto the right train. I think I am going in the right direction now. I'm a bit tired but don't really mind having gone off in the wrong direction earlier. It was good having the time to sit and work with my photos and focus inward. The whole day has been pretty extroverted, so it's good to chill and be inside my own head for a while. <br />
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Tomorrow the folks from the conference, me included, will take a bus tour of Paris. I don't have any idea where we'll be going, but I've hear we might be going on a boat, to the Eiffel Tower and to the Louvre. That would suit me just fine. It'll be lovely to have a chance to spend some free time with the participants of the conference too. They've been so busy with lectures and workshops there hasn't been much free time.<br />
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Tomorrow evening I'll have to get myself ready for China. Crazy!<br />
I'm still kind of hoping that the plane will be delayed in Amsterdam for several extra hours so I can make a detour to the Van Gogh AND Rembrandt museums on the way to China! Wish me luck on that one!<br />
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Images I saw today that struck me as interesting:<br />
- A couple of gay bars with scores of handsome men lined up outside waiting to get in.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin27RKx_and5AYrdBrme-MGjw2uKHkURIfGbPkPQVEZVDLxWkm-2hCiIQuBbnQ7bh1UGDAgvToV6LlWhp-WyWf7n4GhILfTtvQ95f9NHuzosh-65e-BwzSKtyBriEZjCvtbj4ImlvvuxzL/s1600/2013-04-22+18.46.39+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin27RKx_and5AYrdBrme-MGjw2uKHkURIfGbPkPQVEZVDLxWkm-2hCiIQuBbnQ7bh1UGDAgvToV6LlWhp-WyWf7n4GhILfTtvQ95f9NHuzosh-65e-BwzSKtyBriEZjCvtbj4ImlvvuxzL/s320/2013-04-22+18.46.39+(478x640).jpg" width="239" /></a>- A slender Swiss man with dreadlocks playing a fascinating instrument which resounded beautifully throughout the plaza in front of the Pompideau. I wanted to buy a CD from him but I didn't have 10€ in cash, darn it. I recorded a video of him playing. He licked his fingers to get a different sound and otherwise played it a bit like a steel drum. The instrument looked like one of those turned out instead of caved in and it was hollow turned out on both sides like an almond but round. There were indentations all around it where he would play and a bump on top where he could make it sing a higher tone while dum dum dumming around the edges. I was captivated by the sound. (I promise to remember on my next trip that videos can only be recorded ONE WAY!)<br />
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- a photography gallery with images of twirling dervishes and another of four Tibetan monks at a waterfall with seven levels. Both were quite magical.<br />
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- Another gallery with a statue of a Venus similar to that of Willendorf but with a more elongated upper torso, about 6 inches tall, huge breasts and hips. It makes me even more curious to take pottery and to create some forms out of clay. Sculpture seems to be calling me. That and the desire to make some beautiful plates and bowls with gorgeous glazes. I might have to do that this summer just for fun!<br />
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-scarves upon scarves upon scarves. Parisian women wear scarves. And no wonder - it's been about 50 degrees Fahrenheit each day we've been here, so it's been chilly. Scarves are the perfect fashion accessory for warmth and chic-ness. I looked through a lot of scarves myself today and ended up buying 5. My friend Kathy Benner loaned me several of her fabulous silk creations for the trip and has certainly shown me the joy of wearing them. Now I'll have some of my own as well. I have a lot of scarves at home, but the ones for sale in Paris as well as the ones Kathy loaned me are wider and longer and warmer and easier to keep on. They're a different beast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUoWCDajiBw79wB-iqevEAm1JrgjxEsdKqc9oji3K_yqGIerCVYc0SRVctHzyuL_wCVdJfZ2my83HuNKKFBobRAzM595kmN1US2VOuk5nLW3I33rHHPsaaY9-jGrlrkK7PbKGDiinYA-A/s1600/2013-04-22+18.01.23+(478x640).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOUoWCDajiBw79wB-iqevEAm1JrgjxEsdKqc9oji3K_yqGIerCVYc0SRVctHzyuL_wCVdJfZ2my83HuNKKFBobRAzM595kmN1US2VOuk5nLW3I33rHHPsaaY9-jGrlrkK7PbKGDiinYA-A/s200/2013-04-22+18.01.23+(478x640).jpg" width="149" /></a>- early this evening when I went into an interesting African goods shop to look at their fabulous material, I was told by a charming man (who, admittedly smelled strongly of alcohol - not to diminish the truth of what he said, mind you(!)) there, "Vous etes tres belle!" (you're very beautiful.) Further, he told me he'd like to spend some time with me. I told him no thank you I'm married, happily married - not interested. Flattered, I turned my eyes away from him and moved away. When he realized he wasn't going to get anywhere with me, he left the store. The woman who ran the shop rolled her eyes and said she was so glad he finally left - he'd been there too long. Then she warned me to put my iPad away and to watch my things carefully. Chances were he had scoped me out and was going to be watching when I left so he could follow me. Yuck. That made me uncomfortable. When I left the store I saw him down the street and went the other way of course. I checked to make sure he wasn't following me and held my purse close to me for unite a while afterwards. I'm always fairly mindful of it and of my surroundings but that made me even more so - for a while, at least. I actually felt very safe all day. There were so many people around all over the place, I didn't worry at all. <br />
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When I was in Paris in 1981 on the choir tour I was with a group of students on the Metro. We were talking and laughing as American students tend to do. Suddenly I felt a hand in my pocketbook. I turned around quickly and said in perfect French, " what are you doing?" I remember being particularly impressed and surprised that my French came out so well in such a tense moment. The guy looked at me defensively and said, "nothing! I'm not doing anything,". He jumped off he metro as quick as anything at the next stop. I felt so fortunate. My passport and plane ticket and money were all in there - that was in the days before credit cards or electronic tickets, so I would have been up a creek if he'd gotten all that. Good thing Monsieur Cloutier taught French so well - I was prepared even for a pickpocket on the Paris metro!<br />
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I'm just noticing that its 10:50. The last shuttle to the hotel leaves at 11:30. I hope it isn't actually earlier. I would be frustrated if I had to take a taxi to the hotel! Silly me.<br />
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- I wanted to go to the Sainte Chapelle today with Laura but when we got there the line was very long and it was going to cost 8,50€ to get in - frustratingly expensive. It's a very beautiful building but I didn't feel like paying $11 to see it. We were also planning to go to the Pompidou but didn't go there either. We decided we'd rather enjoy each other's company and hang out wandering the streets. That was a terrific decision. Laura and I haven't had all that many occasions to be grown ups together hanging out enjoying each others company so it was quite a treat. I look forward to more when she gets back home after her Fulbright this summer.<br />
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By the way, she's looking for a job teaching or working in Human or Animal Rights or as a vegan pastry chef - the woman has MANY talents! If you happen to know of any jobs available, she's interested in living almost anywhere, overseas or in the US. She's a hard worker, a wonderful teacher, a solid thinker and will be an amazing addition to any organization. She is completely fluent in German, 90% fluent in Spanish and speaks some French and Portuguese as well. If you know of any positions that might be a fit for her, please let me know and I'll pass the info on to her. Thanks so very much! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Csg4VMRBcmk8gGngbF4Sy5xgygd1Uz-KINvcGRKTzV7BLOtwdbbrFdER_8b5Ify0QfKNDgpStdzfb8KUgPzBMrZJs7ZRsm5batj244XL9AopgMlnnE9n0bel0FukmLkKwGxnm8aQkoyU/s640/blogger-image--1956353416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Csg4VMRBcmk8gGngbF4Sy5xgygd1Uz-KINvcGRKTzV7BLOtwdbbrFdER_8b5Ify0QfKNDgpStdzfb8KUgPzBMrZJs7ZRsm5batj244XL9AopgMlnnE9n0bel0FukmLkKwGxnm8aQkoyU/s640/blogger-image--1956353416.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was lots of PDA in and around Paris. It was sweet to see the love and desire expressed so openly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AepXZ8nMhbNd98RUlAvbPElA_K9x2gxtoSc1IxD02PbSSkoDBolYMPsXxgTvcNQOjFwfDN1WFzotYZhwrRokCvmabhKlUj3KtHnkPj0QP5plDlGedn8GdYmP83D7LvK5Fa4JaI2AM6bN/s640/blogger-image-1841299988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AepXZ8nMhbNd98RUlAvbPElA_K9x2gxtoSc1IxD02PbSSkoDBolYMPsXxgTvcNQOjFwfDN1WFzotYZhwrRokCvmabhKlUj3KtHnkPj0QP5plDlGedn8GdYmP83D7LvK5Fa4JaI2AM6bN/s640/blogger-image-1841299988.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I LOVE having public transportation so available and affordable. I wish every city in the US would have it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YoP8IwgEAkGg2QYlYuZ14vLg86aVwaos6zs9wb9so4zODXiMlMXonrvtfP73LFfDJG5NuH3nceanL_6mZcKU1l3VRCc1ZWUZaRw4_dBL2aRNtm3UYeLh2YlKARHeOAn8stCTsQz4tU7q/s640/blogger-image--1057706156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9YoP8IwgEAkGg2QYlYuZ14vLg86aVwaos6zs9wb9so4zODXiMlMXonrvtfP73LFfDJG5NuH3nceanL_6mZcKU1l3VRCc1ZWUZaRw4_dBL2aRNtm3UYeLh2YlKARHeOAn8stCTsQz4tU7q/s640/blogger-image--1057706156.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Fashion - the art of being unique."</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG9VfJKjExM4jffEbj5xAz2r-huM0KMrfbPMQCx6EYpneXuxoqE7J-DpGLmxll8XM0bO7g9hzCpZ930Him_KZFaJidpT-pTuecpI4LTXhOOHoikWUsr4w4P5IkUBoR3kcvUEbLrIaCQwx/s640/blogger-image--194374781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtG9VfJKjExM4jffEbj5xAz2r-huM0KMrfbPMQCx6EYpneXuxoqE7J-DpGLmxll8XM0bO7g9hzCpZ930Him_KZFaJidpT-pTuecpI4LTXhOOHoikWUsr4w4P5IkUBoR3kcvUEbLrIaCQwx/s640/blogger-image--194374781.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were many flower shops around Paris with their beauteous bounty cascading over the sidewalk, beckoning passersby to indulge in the burgeoning blossoms.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryGgGqlAPhw0EQvUb0DjC6y_bSkb5OcmOXnhuuDVvyi1n_fMMtmnOXt1fIRmX9hQfmg4STycC_2GHQgW1Tdpmt3Ag_y05wX939stzybJSKp2nDMn6oy7Vdr-h_xRO5pIAPlXjiFXktSaz/s640/blogger-image--772184270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryGgGqlAPhw0EQvUb0DjC6y_bSkb5OcmOXnhuuDVvyi1n_fMMtmnOXt1fIRmX9hQfmg4STycC_2GHQgW1Tdpmt3Ag_y05wX939stzybJSKp2nDMn6oy7Vdr-h_xRO5pIAPlXjiFXktSaz/s640/blogger-image--772184270.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen in the window of a used book store</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsR7cu5ohts0sKZ2KywwfDfaPqiGOrroB7UEeFf1jiJtv3LmRX6U-nDWRIun9AFcozmLQwghvI_GH9y0wdkYp-ayM6JEUION9zHBxm0yyAkaTAb3cym6jg5UNMHrwc3-w95j1U1LFLZSF/s640/blogger-image--1128870417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsR7cu5ohts0sKZ2KywwfDfaPqiGOrroB7UEeFf1jiJtv3LmRX6U-nDWRIun9AFcozmLQwghvI_GH9y0wdkYp-ayM6JEUION9zHBxm0yyAkaTAb3cym6jg5UNMHrwc3-w95j1U1LFLZSF/s640/blogger-image--1128870417.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at the top of the escalator at a subway stop</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRhpchAgUn_669rOMAxOMwvU_wcQqlcbzMhBSkFshNiwaUh98MwT4d3j1TNrafEgjYuMpP3_tZt0heKbRIJwckwQPflS2X96c70JkSAyZGfXUGsHjmg5eGsn4p7bCjB-6L_vAoB4yOzCV/s1600/Paris+%2528312%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRhpchAgUn_669rOMAxOMwvU_wcQqlcbzMhBSkFshNiwaUh98MwT4d3j1TNrafEgjYuMpP3_tZt0heKbRIJwckwQPflS2X96c70JkSAyZGfXUGsHjmg5eGsn4p7bCjB-6L_vAoB4yOzCV/s400/Paris+%2528312%2529+%2528640x480%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My perfectly gorgeous girl and me on a perfectly gorgeous day in perfectly gorgeous Paris at the perfectly gorgeous Notre Dame cathedral!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apparently these locks are quite a thing all over the world. Lovers buy one and attach them to bridges or other monuments to show their attachment for one another. I saw them in China on the Great Wall as well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the money shot!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In case you didn't bring your own lock, you could get one right here on the other side of the bridge from Notre Dame.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even the mannequins are fashionistas here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura, taking off for Germany. I'll see her again in mid-July sometime after she's done with the Fulbright! Au revoir, Laura!</td></tr>
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com1Novotel 4* Convention & Wellness Roissy Cdg 10 Allée du Vergers, Roissy-en-France48.998926 2.517285tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-69000791533244953642013-04-21T17:24:00.001-04:002013-05-08T05:38:25.509-04:00April 21, 2013 Day two of the Uyghur Conference, ParisToday was the second day of the Sixth International Uyghur Women's Conference. The first part of it was all in Uyghur, so I wasn't able to get much out of it, unfortunately, though when Ms. Kadeer spoke at the beginning of the day, I was captivated by her expressions and passion. She's quite an amazing woman. One of the men from her office told me she spoke about her time in prison and about hearing the cries of young Chinese men being tortured to death. She exhorted the women to go back home and take up the cause for the Uyghurs - to let people know what is happening and to demand that their governments where they live now do something about it.<br />
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In the afternoon, several speakers taught about activism for human rights - how to do it most effectively. I have done some work in this area with One Billion Rising, but I didn't have any sort of training in it at all - I just worked with a bunch of dedicated people and we made stuff happen. I found it interesting today to hear the steps one could/should take to be most effective. When I compared it to what we did, I was pretty impressed, but it'll be good to have a way to organize ourselves now.<br />
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Here are the 8 steps to effective advocacy, according to Sue Vaughn from Freedom House:<br />
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1) identify a goal<br />
A) assess the situation<br />
1. What's the problem? 2. Who's the audience?<br />
3. Who are the stakeholders?<br />
4. Who's your opposition?<br />
2) identify the relevant decision makers<br />
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3) educated yourself about the decision makers so you know what makes them tick and what might get them on your side. Learn about their background, education political views, voting history, personal history, close colleagues, family background, political position, strengths, weaknesses, family business, hobbies interests - sounds a bit like stalking but apparently it's really important to talk to these people about the issue in a way they can relate to to make it matter to them personally.<br />
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4) use time and resources strategically. If 20% of e people are already on your side, keep those people happy but don't otherwise expend energy on them,<br />
If 10% will never be on your side, don't waste your time on them. Spend your time and resources on the 70% who are undecided.<br />
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5) Build your profile or " brand" <br />
a. Issue credibility<br />
1. - do your homework<br />
2. - collect compelling facts and figures<br />
3. - prepare materials<br />
b. Legitimacy<br />
1. - ethics<br />
2. -accountability<br />
3. - transparency<br />
4. - effectiveness<br />
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6) build and maintain relationships<br />
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7) customize your message and approach<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Develop a strong message for each decision maker that addresses HIS or HER needs and motivations. It's about THEM, not YOU. Never underestimate a politician's need to be public ally adored. Select the message that's most effective for each policy maker.<br />
-be specific about what you want for them<br />
- get confirmation<br />
- negotiate a deadline<br />
- follow up<br />
- monitor results</blockquote>
8) celebrate your success!<br />
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I think most of those are logical but it helped me to see them laid out so clearly.<br />
After teaching those Sue had the participants break into small groups to work on a problem together. Is joined the group which worked on a German issue. Thankfully there was a woman in it from Germany who translated a little bit for me so I could get a sense of what was going on. Their issue was made up, but could happen. A Uyghur language school in Germany was forced by the government to close their doors. What should they do?<br />
<br />
The group of women pictured here along with several others decided it would make sense to ask the authorities why they closed the school and ask me to reconsider. If they wouldn't, they would go to the press and at about how Munich says its a multi-cultural city and takes pride in that appellation so they should certainly be in support of such a school, etc. if necessary they would then go to the government to ask for help. There was a fair amount of discussion about when was the right time to go over the heads of the first people. In other countries, that would be a BAD choice, apparently. It was interacting watching folks work through the issue. I could see advocates being born right then and there. Very cool!<br />
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At the end of the day, those of us who had given speeches the last two days were asked to come to the front to receive an award, a certificate, and gifts. The award is a lovely trophy which I will NOT take to China with me - seems like a bad idea somehow! I was also given a lovely necklace and bracelet of light, bright green beads and a beautiful scarf to remind me of my time here from now on. What a sweet gift. <br />
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At the end of that - I think everyone received a certificate, and many, many people received gifts - we had a round of photos of every configuration I could imagine. The Uyghurs take a LOT of photos! Many people asked me to be in individual photos with them. I felt so honored that they would want a photo of me. It was lovely.<br />
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I also got a compliment that made me feel very good. One of the trainers who speaks Uyghur said she'd been asking the women what they would remember about the conference. Many of them told her that my speech gave them the most inspiration - that they want to tell their stories and to share what is inside of themselves with others. I feel very happy about that. It feels so powerful to have been able to offer that possibility to others, especially if it's a new concept for them. Another man told me that it was so good to have a presentation that was a story, that was simple, as opposed to abstract and academic, because many of the women are housewives without all that much education. My speech went to the heart of the issue and gave them inspiration and thoughts about how they could individually make a difference rather than having to be an academic or human rights worker or whatever. Amen to that. Happy, happy, happy!<br />
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Tomorrow Laura will be going back to Germany - less happy, happy - but we'll get to spend the day together in Paris before she leaves. We plan to go to the Pompideau to see some modern art. Afterwards I think I'll go to the Louvre -my first time there since 1971 when I went with my family to see the Mona Lisa and Winged Victory. Tuesday I'll go on a tour of Paris with the Uyghur women, but I don't know what we'll see then. Wednesday I leave for Beijing. crazy! What a life!!<br />
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0Novotel 4* Convention & Wellness Roissy Cdg 10 Allée du Vergers, Roissy-en-France48.998959 2.517169tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-61241299344797267412013-04-20T19:10:00.001-04:002013-05-08T05:46:08.467-04:00April 20, 2013, my speech at the Uyghur Conference: Self Expression is an Act of CourageSelf Expression is an Act of Courage<br />
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― Mahatma Gandhi said “I want freedom for the full expression of my personality,". My speech today is about just that.<br />
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There once was a woman named Anna who lived in constant fear – fear of doing something wrong, fear of being seen, fear of being yelled at, fear of getting in trouble. Day after day she became more and more afraid and shrank down inside herself, becoming smaller and smaller until soon she was no more than a speck of dust on the furniture. Her baby daughter cried ceaselessly and she despaired of ever making her happy. Each day Anna tried harder to please her husband, to comfort her children, to satisfy their needs, to clean the house more thoroughly. She saw there was not enough money to meet their obligations for they were poor. Indeed her husband worked hard but was unable to earn enough money to meet their basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. Her children were hungry. She was hungry. What food they had, she gave to her husband, but he complained it wasn't to his liking.<br />
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Though she had very young children, she knew she must find work just so they could eat. She took her children out into the street with her to find work and eventually found piecework she could do, ironing shirts for one of the wealthy families in the city. She carried the heavy bundle of shirts along with her weary children back home, arriving exhausted but elated to have found a way to help her family survive. She spent the rest of the dat ironing, feeling a surge of hope for the first time in ages that she would be able to buy food for her children the next day.<br />
When her husband arrived home that evening, she told him the good news. He responded by striking her, throwing the shirts on the floor and stomping on them. he told her harshly that no wife of his would work – he would provide for them – was she trying to make him look like a fool in front of his friends? She was to return the shirts, just as they were, the next day and never try such a foolish stunt again.<br />
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She wept herself to sleep, her stomach growling with hunger, her children whimpering in bed beside her. The days became a monotony of fear, hunger, and a deep, deep sadness.<br />
One day while sweeping her floor, Anna heard strains of music from the neighboring apartment. She stopped and leaned on her broom, listening, a faraway look in her eyes, remembering a distant time, a place, a joyful feeling… She caught herself and resumed sweeping, work needing to be done. But the music persisted and Anna found that she was sweeping in time to the beat. Her baby daughter looked up at her and wondered. Her older daughter came into the room, surprised to see a glimmer of a smile on her mother’s face. Anna laid down her broom and took her baby into her arms. She began swaying in time to the music, some primeval force filling her with joy. Her older daughter held her mother's leg at her thigh and swayed to the music with her mother. The three were united by the rhythm of the ages, coursing through their veins, their ancient memories. The woman moved her hips. Her body became a conduit for the holy within her. Her mouth opened. Sounds escaped, the likes of which she had never heard – haunting, terrifying, achingly beautiful, sublime tones, speaking of longing and sorrow, great suffering but greater joy. She sang the songs of her mother, pouring from her lips, bathing her daughters. Standing in the middle of her humble abode, colors and light streamed forth from her as she recalled the wellspring of the eternal pouring forth from her loins, her mouth, her breasts. Her baby suckled from her, gasping and giggling with glee as she filled herself richly from her mother’s milk. The older daughter watched in amazement as the colors flooded the room, bursting forth now from every crack and crevice, full of the joy of self-expression. She opened her mouth and discovered the same flow of beauty pouring forth from her own lips.<br />
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The three, bound by blood, swayed and sang and drank in the elixir of life all around them and knew it was very, very good. Never again could the world be dark or lonely or full of sadness or despair because they had discovered the eternal wellspring inside themselves that was deeper and richer and more true than any temporal circumstances could ever be. Blessed be.<br />
**********<br />
Drink it in, my sisters, my brothers. Drink in the elixir from the wellspring of creativity, the source of our being.<br />
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In the midst of oppression, despair and loneliness, even then, even in the darkest night, there is a place of joy within us that yearns to spring forth. We are wiser than we know. We are more beautiful than we can begin to imagine. We are blessed beyond measure.<br />
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Take a moment now to access your Source to feel your own well. Move to the natural rhythm inside you. Allow your power to come forth. It is as deep as a woman giving birth, as broad as the heavens, as beautiful as the sun streaming on an infant’s face in the summer sun. It is the moon, the stars, and the sun combined into one powerful force, streaming forth, blessing you with eternity. You are this source. You are this wellspring of power. Once you have experienced it, you can access it always. Regardless of the circumstances, you can feel that well. You can express it in song, in dance, in poetry, in paint, in stone, in movement, on paper or canvas, in clay. Stand before your medium and allow the Source of your being to fill you with love and wisdom and empowerment. Listen for the next right step – a stroke of paint, a line of poetry, form in clay, song on your lips, movement in your hips, a moment of protest, an assertion of your rights. Let it forth.<br />
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Imagine a world where women and men always go to this wellspring before they act, where their acts of courage spring from this source, where actions and love pour forth from the same spot. THAT is a world I would like to live in!<br />
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Our Uyghur sisters and brothers have this same wellspring of creativity and life force to draw from, but they do not have the freedom to express it. Can you imagine the pain of feeling moved to dance or sing or paint or say what is true for you, and knowing that if you do, you might go to jail or even be condemned to death? – For something as natural as expressing your inner Truth! The situation in East Turkestan is dire. People are arrested daily for any form of protest which the Chinese government feels threatened by. The government is so frightened of losing power, it will do anything it can to suppress disagreement with its actions. It has torn down entire neighborhoods of historical buildings and has relocated families to new regions in order to break up communities. It has denied children the right to go to Mosques in an attempt to curtail religious practice. It gives Han Chinese preference in receiving jobs, leaving Uyghurs struggling economically as well as spiritually. it has turned dance, once a traditional form of self expression, into a parody of its former self, something to please tourists. The Chinese government has suppressed self expression in almost any form. Uyghur women bear the additional brunt of their policies. For example, they may be forced to have abortions if the government believes they already have enough children. Whose right should it be to make that determination?? It is even harder for women to find work than men, so young women sometimes take work in other provinces, thinking they can help their families, only to find they were tricked and cannot come home, Instead, they must survive as factory workers under the most inhumane of circumstances. The brutality the Uyghurs are forced to experience is inexcusable and must be stopped.<br />
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This is a travesty. It is not right for people to be denied freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom to be their authentic selves, or any other human right.<br />
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We here in this room who, presumably, live in countries where there are more freedoms, must let the world know what is happening in East Turkestan. We must tell others about the repression our sisters and brothers are experiencing. We, who have freedom of expression, owe it to those who don’t to tell their stories. It can be daunting to break the silence and to take a stand against oppression, but what other choice is there? To remain silent and watch as the Uyghur people are decimated and obliterated? NOW is the time. NOW is the time to speak. To write. To paint. To sculpt. To tell others what you know. To put pressure on China by turning world opinion against their actions in East Turkestan. People cannot protest what they do not know. We MUST share what we know with others.<br />
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I realize that might be a daunting request. I personally find it a little bit unnerving to take such a stand You see, my son, Dylan, lives in Beijing right now. He is studying Chinese at Beijing University, and I am going to visit him in just a few days. Yes, I am going to China. And I am speaking out against China right now. I was worried I might not get a Chinese visa if the government found out I was going to speak here today. I have worried I might have problems when I get to China. But I cannot allow those concerns to hold me back. That would be giving into the abusive oppression I’m speaking out against today, and I refuse to do that. Oppressors win when we fear the consequences of standing up to them.<br />
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So I’m employing my motto:“Feel the fear and do it anyway.” I want my life to mean something. I do not want to arrive at the end of my life and regret what I didn’t do that I could have done that might have made someone else’s life better. I have found my voice. I can and will use it. I encourage you to do the same. Thank you.<br />
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###########THE END#############<br />
<br />
Susan Singer is an artist who paints female nudes of all sizes and shapes, a writer who shares her inner life openly, and a speaker and activist who encourages others to be their unadulterated, authentic self. She lives in Virginia in the United States with her husband and three cats while her three children are scattered all over the globe. She believes passionately in the right of all people to live fully self-expressed.<br />
April 20, 2013<br />
For Sixth Annual International Uyghur Women’s Conference.<br />
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Video of me giving this speech at the Six Annual International Uyghur Women's Conference, Paris, France, April 20, 2013</div>
Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-27329082097920009642013-04-20T19:02:00.001-04:002013-05-08T05:46:58.264-04:00April 18, 2013 The rest of day 1 in ParisI wisely slept for a couple of hours until about 2 pm. I could have slept longer but Paris was calling. I got up groggily, dressed in some relatively stylish duds - that's a whole other story - my friend Kathy Benner who make fabulous silk goods loaned me some pretties to bring along on the trip so I'll rival the femme fatales in Paris. I wasn't sure where to head but decided to go to the Musee Marmottan. I went there many, many years ago and was blown away by he round room full of huge Monet waterlilies. I decided it would be incredible to see them again. It just so happened that there's also an exhibit by a woman painted, Marie Laurencian, whose book Chris gave me for Christmas because he liked her backgrounds and thought I might learn from them. The museum is in an old mansion, for lack of a better word, with spectacular parquet floors with beautiful patterns on them, etc. it's furnished with furniture from the past, some of which belonged to the richer Impressionists like Berthe Morisot. There are paintings by many famous Impressionists like Morisot, Monet (primarily him) and Renoir. The painting the movement was named after, Impression - sunrise, is there along with some really wonderful waterlilies and Japanese bridge paintings. Seem of them are so full of paint, they are abstract, kind of like Turner's paintings became as he aged and couldn't see so well either. Seems like that happened to a fair number of artists. It was a real gift having several hours to wander through the gallery looking slowly and thoroughly at the paintings. I took a lot of notes. That's how I make up for not having anyone with me to talk to about things! I share my thoughts with myself then I'll go back and think about them more later, like on my blog. <br />
I enjoyed the Laurencian exhibit a lot. I hadn't read the book he gave me - just looked at the pictures -so it was good to learn more about her. Apparently she played with the big boys like Braque and Picasso. Her paintings tend to be of slender women with thin faces, a bit like Modigliani, but their skin is always very, very pale, and her colors are muted greys and pastels. I like her self portraits. Sorry I can't post a link to her work. It's worth checking out. I don't know how to do it though from he on my iPad.<br />
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After thoroughly enjoying the museum, I went to the park across the street and delighted in watching kids play on the merry go round and in the sand box, etc. there seemed to be more nannies there than moms or dads, though I did see one US dad in his suit with his three kids who called out to him constantly. Minor crisis when the youngest had to poop and the public potty was closed. I suggested they use the bushes like the dogs do, then I realiZed that that's what they do in China, not in Paris!<br />
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I made my way to the metro station but never quite made it to that one... I looked in the shops and stopped in a cafe because I was parched. I wandered into a homemade chocolates shop to smell the air. Wow. Wow. Wow. <br />
As I left the shop, I noticed the Eiffel Tower in the distance and decided to head over there. I walked through lovely streets full of very expensive goods. This is the shishi area of town. Very little cost less than 100 euros, especially clothing. I did see some furniture that was less than 100, but barely any clothes or shoes! I guess the Parisians wear their fortunes on their backs. They definitely look like a million bucks.<br />
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I stopped and bought a baguette to carry under my arm so I could feel like I belonged - most of the people I saw were doing the same. I also went to a speciality meat and cheese shop and got some cheese I've had and liked in the US. I haven't had any of them yet but I look forward to a midnight snack.<br />
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I got to the Eiffel <br />
Tower just a bit after sundown, but there was lots of light left and plenty of people wandering around standing in line to take the elevator to the top -or the stairs - I thought about doing the stairs since I no longer had my suitcase to haul up with me! But I'll wait to see if Laura wants to go. I climbed it when I was here on a choir tour after college, it was fun and kinda thrilling ,but I think I'd rather see other things instead. <br />
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I wandered through that area taking pictures as the sky became more and more dramatic. I wandered down a busy street/boulevard thinking I'd find a metro eventually. I did but first I wandered into an interesting venue. I saw some art hanging on a shop wall that interested me. There were Buddhas outside the building. It appeared to be a travel agency. I tried the door - it opened so I went in. They were having some kind of reception with wine and food. No one looked askance at me despite the fact that I had my broken-in-two baguette under my arm and my cheese in my other hand. I made my way through the substantial crowd to the table and asked for a glass of wine, I said blanc ,but got rouge. It was quite peppery tasting, interesting... It went well with the bamboo shoot-herring appetizer I tried. Vinegary. There was also a creamy looking thing in a glass. I tried one. It was perhaps creme-fraiche, though I admit I don't really know what that is, with layers of relish interspersed making it very festive and pretty looking. I thought someone might approach me to ask why I was there, but the only person I spoke with was the man who took my wine when I put it down so I could concentrate better on my creme-fraiche and not drop my baguette and cheese. He was very apologetic once he realized what I was saying was accurate, though that didn't happen until his partner pointed his own wine out in another place on the table. He was pretty intent on getting his wine! <br />
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I felt quite bold going into the reception and joining in. I doubt I would have done it if I'd been with someone else. That was one of the interesting parts of the day - occasionally taking a reading on how it was to be alone - it wasn't bad - I like my own company most of the time - though I would have enjoyed a companion more, I think. This way though I didn't have to consider anyone else's desires or interests and could move at my own speed. There are definitely advantages to each.<br />
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Speaking of companions, Laura is one her way here from the train station as I write. She should be here any second! I haven't seen her since December, so this is a lovely treat! She's here -gotta go! <br />
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-48464468978712438992013-04-20T18:58:00.001-04:002013-05-08T05:52:15.272-04:00April 20, 2013 Day one of conference, day 3 in Paris11:37 pm. Novotel hotel, Roissy, near Paris, France. April 20.<br />
<br />
Today was a fascinating day! 10 hours of listening to speeches either in Uyghhur or being translated into Uyghur. It's like no other language I've ever heard - it's related to Turkish. There were also speeches in French, English, and Turkish. The subjects ranged from Women's Rights 101 to Amnesty International France's President stating their support for the Uyghur cause. There were about 80 Uyghur women in attendance and about 15 men. The women were mostly dressed in beautiful, colorful headscarves and fabulously beautiful dresses out of really interesting cloth. The designs on the cloth were so pretty! Many of the dresses were glittery, mostly very tailored, like a stylish business suit. Some of them wore elaborate Uyghur hats like Ms. Kadeer gave Chris after OBR. I could have admired their outfits all day!<br />
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This morning we got up at 7:30 so we'd have time to have what ended up being a sumptuous buffet. Eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, prosciutto, fancy cheeses four kinds of bread, hand squeeze orange and grapefruit juice, cereal, and fruit galore. We, Laura and I, were both pretty darn thrilled! We were hungry!<br />
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After breakfast we went to register for the conference. It was to start at 10 and was close. To starting on time. I came to learn about "Uyghur time" today - a very relaxed sense of time... At one point they asked the folks to take a fifteen minute break - American time, not Uyghur time! Things flowed pretty smoothly.<br />
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After lunch, there was a talk by a woman from Freedom House. She will be doing a training tomorrow about how to do human right's work. She has traveled all over the world recently to Burma/Myanmar to do work. It sounds like she has a very interesting life. I can't really imagine all the places she's been and things she's done. We went out for drinks after dinner with three other speakers. It was fascinating hearing their stories of working in the field. This afternoon, one of them said doing human right's work is like hitting your head against a wall. Another quipped that he's done both and the human rights work hurts more. Apparently the sense of overwhelm and the lack of tangible progress gets to him at times. Then there are the good stories -like the fact that the woman who went to Burma was able to hold an open human rights training there recently - something unheard of just a few years ago. Another woman who's from Taiwan talked about their society now and how it's democratic and free - amazing. So good things do happen and tomorrow we'll get to learn ways to help make it happen more easily. Good stuff.<br />
<br />
At 2 I gave my speech. I felt a little bit nervous but not too bad. I first read a quote by Ghandi, “I want freedom for the full expression of my personality." That was the perfect lead-in to a story I told about a young woman living under oppression who found her voice through music. I brought that around to the idea that each of us has the ability to find our own voice and to live from that Source. I asked them to take a moment to access theirs. Then I talked about the Uyghur people who are not allowed to live out their dreams or to express their authentic voices. I encouraged the women to tell the stories of those who cannot tell their own, to help spread the word about the oppression the Uyghurs are experiencing. They applauded many times during the speech after Omer's translation. It was a little odd working with a translator and having to stop to let him speak keeping the drama going - I definitely went for the passion of the story. (<a href="http://susansingerart.blogspot.com/2013/04/self-expression-is-act-of-courage.html" target="_blank">Another of my blogs</a> has a transcript and video of the speech if you're interested.)<br />
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I also mentioned that I realize it can be scary to do this kind of work and told that I'll be going to China to see Dylan in a few days but that I am not willing to let myself be intimidated by oppression. My motto is "<i>feel the fear, and do it anyway.</i>" I enjoined them to do the same!<br />
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After my speech, during the coffee break, women came up to me and wanted to have theirs picture taken with me. One woman was very, very kind. She didn't speak English very well, but she quoted Shakespeare - unfortunately I can't remember her quote - darn it! She told me that she really liked my speech - that she laughed sometimes and then she cried. That it was a very true story - her story - and that I was a good actress. I felt moved by her kindness. <br />
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I am really enjoying speaking in front of groups these days. The synergy between the crowd and me feels so good. And I feel so passionate about the message -it makes me very happy to be able to share something I feel so strongly about.<br />
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I hadn't been quite sure if my talk would work or not because it was a story then an invocation to action. The other speakers' talks were practical about human rights and things like that. I wondered if I should be more focused on the practical. When I listened to my gut though I knew it was the right thing to do. Later in the Q&A session a woman thanked me for inspiring them, for giving them something to aspire to. That made me feel so good. So happy. I don't know of anything more gratifying than to inspire someone to be truer to themselves. It's such a powerful way to live.<br />
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This evening several of us speakers walked around Roissy where the hotel is until we found a restaurant that was open. It was fun talking to them about their experiences. I'm learning a lot about this field of Human Rights, but I feel like an absolute neophyte. There is so much to learn!<br />
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Well, that's it for tonight. My roommate and Laura have both turned in for the night. Guess I should too so I can get a decent night's sleep.<br />
<br />
Bon nuit!<br />
<br />
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-16226520609904747852013-04-18T16:26:00.001-04:002013-05-08T05:50:44.445-04:00April 18, 2013 Paris, day 1, arrivingIt's very different traveling alone than with someone else. I keep finding myself wanting to make observations to a companion, but then there's no one to share them with. The plane ride was particularly odd - I had 2 seats to myself so could spread out to sleep - I kept trying to find a comfortable position. I think I probably slept 3-4 hours. I am about to go back to sleep now that I'm at the hostel. It was strange not having anyone to share the journey with. Wen I got off the plane, I took my time -no reason to hurry. Laura isn't coming in until tonight late. I spoke with the woman at the information counter and was delighted to find that my French still works! I could understand her well and could make myself understood -after I don't know how many years of not speaking it -maybe 20? My last french class was in 1981 - that much I know! Feels great. <br />
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It ended up being quite an arduous journey from the airport to the hostel which is in Monmartre. First I had to get to the train by going to a different terminal in the airport, then stand in line to get a ticket - I opted for a 2 day ticket so I won't be cheap about using the metro. Then I took the train, the RER, to the Gare Nord. My luggage was so big that I took up two seats which wasn't a problem at first, but it was rush hour, so soon I was taking up a seat someone needed.<br />
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At the train station I got off and found the next line, metro 2. That involved a fair number of stairs, 3 sets, I believe. At one point I was supposed to put my ticket through the machine to get out of a barrier. There were hordes of people behind and in front of me - rush hour press. Most of them had cards they scanned. I needed to put my ticket through the machine. It wouldn't go. I tried another machine. It wouldn't go. People were impatient around me. I tried putting the ticket into another slot. The man behind me tried to stop me but it was too late. The ticket slid away. 33 euros -over $50. I stood there stymied as people backed up behind me. A very kind woman came over to me and asked if I needed help. I tried to explain what had happened. She went over and pressed a call button and asked for help. She told me that someone would be there shortly to help me. I stood to the side and waited watching as other people's tickets got stuck as well. Some of them jumped the barriers. Others went through a gate that opened up.<br />
A few minutes later a tall man in uniform with a nice demeanor came up and asked what happened. He went over to the machine I pointed out and opened it up so I could get my ticket out. I was relieved. I did not want to have to purchase it again.<br />
<br />
More stairs later I got to the next platform - but it was going the wrong way - back down stairs and up stairs to the right platform, all the while hauling my 35-40 lb suitcase full of things I knew at that moment I would never ever need and couldn't possibly be worth hauling that far. Memories of hauling two huge suitcases all over Freiburg when I was 20 encroached upon my equilibrium and I wondered why I hadn't learned my lesson then.<br />
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I got on that metro which was incredibly full and felt bad for taking up enough room for two people but only having one ticket. Thankfully I only needed to travel two stops before getting to the next transfer spot. <br />
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Five sets of stairs later I got to that platform. Another two stops on the number twelve line and I arrived at my stop. I saw two Spanish speaking guys get on with me and off with me. I wondered if we were going to the same place. One of them had a suitcase the size of mine which had a broken wheel. He had to pull it instead of roll it. It made a horrible noise because it sounded so damaged -like when a car is dragging its muffler and you just know there are going to be sparks and an explosion.<br />
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I got to the first the of stairs. A very kind woman asked if I wanted help. I'd seen a sign for an elevator so I told her I'd take that but thanks. She told me it didn't work, I'd have to take the stairs. She offered to help me carry my bag. I very gratefully agreed. She went faster than I would have. I'll be in great shape at the end of three days here if I do this everyday. <br />
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Each time we got to a flight of stairs, she helped me. The last flight was particularly brutal -about fifty of them, spiraling up as hundreds of commuters swarmed up and down them around us. The two Spanish guys were following us unable to go any faster than I could because I was blocking the way. Almost at the top ( though I didn't know that), I had to stop to catch my breath. It was exhausting hauling so much weight up so many stairs! When we emerged from the station-finally! -the very kind woman showed me where to go to get to my street -up MORE stairs! She helped me with those also then disappeared forever- the kindest Samaritan I could imagine. People say the Parisians are rude and unkind but every one I have met has been incredibly kind.<br />
The Spanish-speaking guys and I walked together to find the hostel, going in the wrong direction until I stopped at a pharmacy to ask someone who thankfully knew just where we needed to go. Though it was uphill there were no more stairs until we got inside the hotel! <br />
<br />
The concierge was again, very kind. She said I could check in already because my room was already ready, and I could go get some breakfast since it was before 9:30. So kind.<br />
I had a lovely croissant and roll with butter along with some milk. I sat with a woman and spoke with her though she seemed lost in her own thoughts. She's from Sao Paolo, Brazil, a journalist. I ended up telling her all about Rebiya Kadeer and the Uyghurs. She hadn't heard of them. It was good to have a conversation with someone. I'm glad to be an ambassador letting person know about the plight of the Uyghurs. The more people know, the more likely they are to try to do something about the genocide taking place. I hope.<br />
<br />
So now I'm in my room after a nice hot shower,thinking I'll sleep a bit, needing more communication with others. There's a lot of noise - construction on the - yes, you guessed it - steps! Outside plus a TV is on in a room nearby. Still, I'm going to try to sleep a couple of hours then I'll go out sightseeing. Maybe to the louvre. <br />
Good night!<br />
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***********<br />
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Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0Caulaincourt Square Hostel 2 Square Caulaincourt, Paris48.889752 2.335735tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-48744438950988915422013-04-16T10:13:00.000-04:002013-04-16T10:13:00.475-04:00To those who hurt us<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]-->To those who hurt us... <br />
<br />
The violence <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can
not</i> go on.<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You may <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not </i>rape
my sister.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You may no longer beat my mother.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The words you’re using are harsh and cruel and</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
must be softened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know you hurt too.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You – put down your gun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You don’t mean to shoot.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You, too, just want to be loved.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I’m sorry you were forced to go to war.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I’m sorry you hurt.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Come into my arms.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My heart, this heart of womankind,</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> contain
your hurt and sorrow and, yes, even your fears.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I love you.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I ache for you.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But I will no longer take your expressions of </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>hurt
and anger and pain.</div>
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They must stop.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You must allow yourself to break open</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>as
you have broken us open</div>
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Allow yourself to weep the tears of the ages</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>War
and strife</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>jealousy,
rage</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>competition</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>the
demand that you be in charge,</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>that
you dominate and know what’s right –</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Let it all go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is no longer necessary.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We are here to soothe you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To rock you.</div>
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To hear your pain and cradle your aching head.</div>
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The anger can cry itself to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re safe.</div>
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One Billion People are here to say no to your hurting
yourself - or us - any longer.</div>
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The pain will end,</div>
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NOW.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Come into the garden and be made whole.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
~ Susan Singer </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feb 8, 2013</div>
Susan Singerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15671344932984846207noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2007302601627741320.post-17232478239407624332013-03-11T16:44:00.000-04:002013-03-11T16:44:25.821-04:00My talk from One Billion Rising<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQDFAiArBjDeXYII8ziXgncyLU6x5h7kWrsVDBKambKosOT9PpHm9w-fz-Ry7lnF_fMsjaCYn6JRLe_bh_Ap13Afo2HoM6Jtx_6qUKE22blt5PF68MIC8lFNLRvsatHavYSuQ8s8Je_Zr/s1600/100_8877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQDFAiArBjDeXYII8ziXgncyLU6x5h7kWrsVDBKambKosOT9PpHm9w-fz-Ry7lnF_fMsjaCYn6JRLe_bh_Ap13Afo2HoM6Jtx_6qUKE22blt5PF68MIC8lFNLRvsatHavYSuQ8s8Je_Zr/s200/100_8877.JPG" width="200" /></a><i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">On
February 14th, 2013, One Billion Rising RVA took place at the Richmond
Coliseum. Janett Forte, Kelsey Bedolli, Julie Willard, Alba Jaramillo,
and I were the five lead organizers for the event. Our intention was to
raise awareness about violence against women and to help end it. We
created a Resource Fair, offered Entertainment, provided music and
dance, and organized 5 speakers (Mayor Jones, Claire Hylton Sheppard,
Carol Jones, Rebiya Kadeer, Kristi VanAudenhove with Christina Feerick
as MC) to address various aspects of violence against women - domestic
violence, stalking, spousal murder, sex trafficking, young marriage,
oppression, sexual abuse, etc. Approximately 1000 attended the rally;
many more tuned in via LiveStream; and even more knew about it and were
with us in spirit.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span></i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7E4vjs5wf7D-4lFxUoxXRSfwmupMeUXFeBhTJ5M_1PFdyvybYxxqKvB1KnOCNeuBJJ-AzZt4LxxrpwrbtNreU1DrEjvsEKSaOJvhxB9kgSWOoRwQg64lFjjY3YqejvLgFwYcV_nOksnlc/s1600/100_8847.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7E4vjs5wf7D-4lFxUoxXRSfwmupMeUXFeBhTJ5M_1PFdyvybYxxqKvB1KnOCNeuBJJ-AzZt4LxxrpwrbtNreU1DrEjvsEKSaOJvhxB9kgSWOoRwQg64lFjjY3YqejvLgFwYcV_nOksnlc/s200/100_8847.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pg0MAHp3hAK7Lf04eew7a41hnENpLbLRiKlLDTEh2kxpwTHgNkNVnYHpg9McnV1umTpZRaqeumgbtpvJLM5Av5sArbND06gLHzDA2dW2JMeVhC71VifQbeVHwf5yKsnUuVpNnnj8w_kD/s1600/100_8838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pg0MAHp3hAK7Lf04eew7a41hnENpLbLRiKlLDTEh2kxpwTHgNkNVnYHpg9McnV1umTpZRaqeumgbtpvJLM5Av5sArbND06gLHzDA2dW2JMeVhC71VifQbeVHwf5yKsnUuVpNnnj8w_kD/s200/100_8838.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1EQYNmRInJ1HuwBuOAJ9Rhv56U8yu6jaR0zYLylfwHNgRnv5mGaDfg9gwKwRSGvlA7a8Be9zQB3W4sN4eN9rfgWMpoit4HmpF1xQqZmjzvWAAxFiAcA26iOVw9CH_NO9CD8oCTMUO9ki/s1600/100_8938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1EQYNmRInJ1HuwBuOAJ9Rhv56U8yu6jaR0zYLylfwHNgRnv5mGaDfg9gwKwRSGvlA7a8Be9zQB3W4sN4eN9rfgWMpoit4HmpF1xQqZmjzvWAAxFiAcA26iOVw9CH_NO9CD8oCTMUO9ki/s200/100_8938.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Nvw0fxhoZ48TbYssttdPe_0Y5dLrfveHYJu2kwVtplkRXeCXsLaP-vSvZIU_1LuFQ8tsVNbLf4xjo6Ora6wUCDA-qE4YjZAPfzcY-LBFQO3AsGcBmVlWuScihjF0uxxkDsm0ORHF4tFD/s1600/Sylvia%2527s+pictures+of+OBR+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Nvw0fxhoZ48TbYssttdPe_0Y5dLrfveHYJu2kwVtplkRXeCXsLaP-vSvZIU_1LuFQ8tsVNbLf4xjo6Ora6wUCDA-qE4YjZAPfzcY-LBFQO3AsGcBmVlWuScihjF0uxxkDsm0ORHF4tFD/s200/Sylvia%2527s+pictures+of+OBR+052.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJwRRhnIEJfPL_PhfPUYY8slnQOAB3Ncwxww0pnC94-2IQ_fkgkZ3VfELFHND_e-w7DzqUaJj8_3wG29G8xeJzwzkjePbYa2UYcJF78aDtJU-fS4-ouHre-v4ho2SAxOH3bZkmoaaENFs/s1600/Sylvia%2527s+pictures+of+OBR+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJwRRhnIEJfPL_PhfPUYY8slnQOAB3Ncwxww0pnC94-2IQ_fkgkZ3VfELFHND_e-w7DzqUaJj8_3wG29G8xeJzwzkjePbYa2UYcJF78aDtJU-fS4-ouHre-v4ho2SAxOH3bZkmoaaENFs/s200/Sylvia%2527s+pictures+of+OBR+056.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: -13.5pt; margin-right: 13.5pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><i>Several people have asked me for a copy of my remarks from the day (I was the first speaker and offered the concluding remarks as well). Here they are...</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: -13.5pt; margin-right: 13.5pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Welcome
to One Billion Rising RVA!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Welcome!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">My
name is Susan Singer and I’m one of the five lead organizers for this event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so happy to see you all here today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you’ll tweet and FB your friends all
day to let them know what’s happening and to give them a virtual rally even if
they can’t be here with you right now, but please invite them to come if they
can!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s make the Richmond Coliseum <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the</i> place to be right now!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: -13.5pt; margin-right: 13.5pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i> is it the place to be?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWan7r6NBHu3AvkjC8asfgkUYHh_X70SrFakCjloxsy5dJkLTnohkTxPZoU_kYRYS35k20UK_-biWpuNb9NM9t4b0sqWJoBLktd85ErfmwDkFmqWVuDNuCEY1rBZYV7pKvMTk4OgJcppJE/s1600/Sylvia%2527s+pictures+of+OBR+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWan7r6NBHu3AvkjC8asfgkUYHh_X70SrFakCjloxsy5dJkLTnohkTxPZoU_kYRYS35k20UK_-biWpuNb9NM9t4b0sqWJoBLktd85ErfmwDkFmqWVuDNuCEY1rBZYV7pKvMTk4OgJcppJE/s320/Sylvia%2527s+pictures+of+OBR+054.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Because
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you’re</i> here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: -13.5pt; margin-right: 13.5pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Yes,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: -13.5pt; margin-right: 13.5pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Take
a moment to feel that – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> being <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">here</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: -13.5pt; margin-right: 13.5pt; margin-top: 0in; tab-stops: 4.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">No
matter what you have experienced in your past, no matter what you may
experience in your future, right now, right here, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> are here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Present to
yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Let
all the hustle and bustle of the morning slip away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel the adrenalin coursing through your
veins from the dancing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel your
muscles vibrating with joy from the movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Notice the beat of the music in your head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feel the vibration in the air, the
excitement, the buzz, the anticipation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Now
put your attention into your belly, your beautiful belly, the seat of your
power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What kind of energy do you sense
there now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you feel it growing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>THIS is the source of your power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Perhaps
in the past you were told to hold it in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps someone tried to beat it out of you, or had dominion over you,
and you thought you had to squelch it or suffer terrible consequences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well I am here to tell you today that you do
not have to hold it in anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today is
a new day, a new way of being, the rising of a new consciousness, the shift
into a new paradigm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are here today
to break through the pain we’ve experienced and to come into our own power.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">For
all you men and for those who fall between rigid gender assignments, we’re
speaking to you too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
assuredly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love our V-Men and our
V-tweeners, especially the ones with the courage to be here today to embrace
their own beautiful power and to set an example for others to follow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids, we’re talking to you too!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re the ones who are growing up into this
big wide wonderful world, and we want to make it as safe and beautiful for you
as we possibly can!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So,
please, women, men, kids, and everyone in between, embrace your own power!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know I’m not talking about power over or
about dominion over – I’m not talking about <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>political or physical power that leads to
confrontation and polarization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
are simply manifestations of fear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
those living with the fear that manifests as bullying, I invite you to feel
this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">different</i> source of power.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I offer you healing for your pain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">There
is a deep rich knowing deep in our bodies that can heal the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It arises through dance, one of the most
magical manifestations of joy possible!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It
arises when we hold our newborn babies in our arms and feel their pure souls
cradled there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwdP9D89bJ4qf3cArZ9JUfycm6IYkMn9saMbVTpmKe0_wM5sKeC1QEAvFivT1yslhPoZUjGJ-j_XEph2wrc746gHsTo6nEYNZ2uXVxXkTdrkikWlxr3TUubYv6SrJz4WqjpNVYRBrtEpW/s1600/One+Billion+Rising+RVA+Anne+Wrinn+%252817%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwdP9D89bJ4qf3cArZ9JUfycm6IYkMn9saMbVTpmKe0_wM5sKeC1QEAvFivT1yslhPoZUjGJ-j_XEph2wrc746gHsTo6nEYNZ2uXVxXkTdrkikWlxr3TUubYv6SrJz4WqjpNVYRBrtEpW/s320/One+Billion+Rising+RVA+Anne+Wrinn+%252817%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It
manifests when we see another in pain and rush to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happens when our hearts open and override
our conditioning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Today
I ask you to open your heart, access your power, dance your joy, and, as you do
so, know that ALL OVER THE WORLD, crossing the globe just as the sun is
crossing the globe, women and children and men and all genders in between in
over 200 countries around the world, are gathered, just like we are, feeling
their power and their joy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
over 20 risings in Virginia alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can
you feel the power?</span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vai21p8mt4E?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In
the General Assembly just a few blocks away, Delegate Jennifer McClellan is
calling on our delegates to join us in spirit to put an end to violence against
women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of their session,
around the end of our rally, Senator Donald McEachin will close the Senate
session by rising and asking all the Senators to take a pledge to make violence
against women THE central issue of our times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
is a moment like no other in the history of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More women and those who love us are rising
today than have ever come together – ever!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So
I ask you to take a moment to feel your sisters and brothers and others in
Mumbai, in Tokyo, in London, in the steppes of Russia, in Mexico, in Capetown,
even in Antartica.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All
over the world, people are feeling this power in their bellies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are invoking a vision of a new world
where compassion and kindness and compromise are the hallmarks of justice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you see it?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6SAhTodsZ8GjzfQ9EhMuazjZDeVOc3TiGdfveXkJ4bWt2ywd60VYe6dDP04_WpjBRf5VgIRToHhirk5ueLWmr7LrvvsnlrzME57WWXE-siErlvkb8LRdEWK7KgGzFa0ysoOmUYv6Ecck/s1600/One+Billion+Rising+RVA+Anne+Wrinn+%252822%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6SAhTodsZ8GjzfQ9EhMuazjZDeVOc3TiGdfveXkJ4bWt2ywd60VYe6dDP04_WpjBRf5VgIRToHhirk5ueLWmr7LrvvsnlrzME57WWXE-siErlvkb8LRdEWK7KgGzFa0ysoOmUYv6Ecck/s320/One+Billion+Rising+RVA+Anne+Wrinn+%252822%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
are calling forth a society where violence is unacceptable, simply
unacceptable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
are calling forth our clarity that there is no place in the world for cruelty
or injustice or even unkindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is only room for kindness and love and compassion.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9p6YMncEulwMnP9REInZGrLXmLLuzCgK0t48B8YbS8hX2qH6mNT9kwyeWZKPvA0DwDyIDoRUmHeukNEXF7Jol9cxGGcn0MheQDRwxRYkHpA1Snd_y68oSz_y1acSwrez_eWNU9MhlZe_/s1600/Sylvia%2527s+pictures+of+OBR+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9p6YMncEulwMnP9REInZGrLXmLLuzCgK0t48B8YbS8hX2qH6mNT9kwyeWZKPvA0DwDyIDoRUmHeukNEXF7Jol9cxGGcn0MheQDRwxRYkHpA1Snd_y68oSz_y1acSwrez_eWNU9MhlZe_/s200/Sylvia%2527s+pictures+of+OBR+006.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
are calling forth a world where we feel solidarity with our sisters. When bad
things happen, we call on our sisters and our V-men and everyone else and
together we make it right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t
allow a young girl in Pakistan to die because she wanted to go to school and
spoke out about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead we raise a
rallying cry and make a public stink and make sure she recovers and can go on
to learn as much as she possibly can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That outcry is changing the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our solidarity, our choice, to stand behind that young woman changed
something in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I
have a challenge for you – from now on, if you see a woman in pain or a man
suffering an injustice or a child needing help, if you can’t help directly, do
this – look that person in their eyes and raise your one finger in the air and
let them know – we are all one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are
NOT alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have ONE BILLION PEOPLE BESIDE
THEM, BEHIND THEM, all over the globe, supporting them as they stand up to
oppression and say no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our sign from
this day onward, to all who are suffering, is our one finger, raised in
solidarity and support, reminding each of us, we are not alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz1LIOTfDSXsdD5HY96yk0a73FYi4aJBt3wO4lnDhAlMDeLi3_1i2mqujZkmU-D2y6Y3mbL1xboWmvhrJG2wMKTGroMaDYCHUyE5fK6i-mBF-BQTyzXi9Gh-iMOaOi4UmhV1P_TfzkNPa/s1600/100_8987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsz1LIOTfDSXsdD5HY96yk0a73FYi4aJBt3wO4lnDhAlMDeLi3_1i2mqujZkmU-D2y6Y3mbL1xboWmvhrJG2wMKTGroMaDYCHUyE5fK6i-mBF-BQTyzXi9Gh-iMOaOi4UmhV1P_TfzkNPa/s320/100_8987.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">If
each of us has the courage to tell our stories, our heartbreaking sorrowful sad
shameful stories, we can break the chain and open our hearts and find the
support we need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can work together to
make things right. We can work together to heal where there has been harm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can work together to change laws that are
unjust, to govern in just and compassionate ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can work together to end war and to heal
the planet and to create a good and just world for all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Together
we rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ONE BILLION RISING.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thank you.</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> </span>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Concluding
remarks<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We
have heard here today some of the horrors being perpetrated here in Richmond as
well as around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is so
much pain and suffering, it is terribly difficult to hold it all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">But
we have also heard tales of joy and empowerment and triumph – Claire’s
daughter’s tragic murder led Claire to become a tireless advocate for
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carol’s mother’s death has not
gone unnoticed, and thousands of children are better cared for thanks to Carol
and her mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rebiya Kadeer’s life has
been full of pain and suffering, even as now two of her children are imprisoned
just as she was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite all that, we
have witnessed her determination to take the higher path and to devote her life
to the autonomy and safety of her beloved Uyghur people, especially the
women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Each
of the women you heard speak today is a beautiful example of power used for
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each has accessed her life’s
purpose, the reason she is on this planet, the reason her life matters, and
each is boldly and courageously pursuing her vision for a better world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Take
the time, I beg you, to listen deep within to your own still small voice that
knows why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you’re</i> here, what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> are meant to be doing, and pledge
today to do one thing to grow that voice, one thing each day, to give voice to
the beauty you have to offer the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just imagine a world where each of us is living the life we were born to
lead – giving the world the gifts that only we have to bestow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">THAT
is the vision of SEVEN billion rising and of heaven on earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you.</span> </span></div>
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