My Own Exotic Backyard

Hi Y'all,

Sometimes, the exotic place you seek may be in your own backyard. Far away places always capture the imagination, but take some time to look around your everyday world and notice the true uniqueness an area has to offer.

Around eastern Tennessee, I meet people everyday who are always looking somewhere else because they feel the area is, well, choose your favorite shortcoming. I won't go into the specifics, but the southern stereotypes that people apply here are seldom accurate. But even if they all were, isn't that a bit exotic when compared with a normal of, say, London? It's all a matter of perspective.

One common thread I've noticed is that the people who are not experiencing the most eastern Tennessee has to offer are the ones who aren't actively seeking experiences to begin with. Not that Tennessee has everything to offer, but it may certainly be worth exploring. How about a Saturday beginning with a bicycle tour of Knoxville, complete with homes designed by George Barber, a zoo, and a botanical garden; followed by a wine tasting and pig roast at a local winery; a quick dinner of hummus at a local deli, (where one discovers that the proprietor's father was once mayor of Tel Aviv); then walking to the Laurel Theater for a performance by Clyde Davenport, an 86 year old fiddler carrying on the traditions of Appalachian music (if that's not your cup of tea, earlier in the week artists such as Branford Marsalis, Nickel Creek, Superdrag, and the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra all had shows around town); and winding up the day with a visit to a tapas bar with live jazz. Clear, sunny day with leaves turning autumn reds and golds, and temperatures in the low 70's. Not a bad Saturday for these hillbillies.

Wherever you are, be happy where you are.

Later...
G

On Blogging from Censored Locations

Hi Y'all,

Despite some minor difficulties and time constraints, I really had little problem posting to this blog during the recent China visit. Viewing the blog, however, was a different story. I accepted this as only an inconvenience until the recent events in Myanmar. After all, my blog was started on a lark; just a way to share my experiences with others I know in a lighthearted manner. The whole concept of internet communication takes on a different light when lives are in the balance and a country's future is in limbo. I won't go into the politics of the situation, but those who know me will already know my stance.

The situation in Myanmar involving how information is being spread from the flashpoints is remarkable. A little reminiscent to April, 1989, when the Tiananmen Square protests were underway. China shut down satellite transmissions, but the media agencies were able to file reports via telephone and video footage was smuggled out of the country. Those images, including the famous "Tank Man" photo below (Jeff Widener, AP), are striking to this day.

The ruling generals in Myanmar were a little late in figuring out that the internet was hampering their ability to control the situation in Myanmar. Friday, they literally pulled the plug on the country's two internet providers. The New York Times has an interesting article today (albeit a little late) here.

All of a sudden, I realize that the inability to view my blog's comments while in China is a rather ominous reminder that freedoms are not always to be taken for granted. I also wonder that if I have the chance to visit Yangon in years' time, if it will have the same impact on me as when I visited Tiananmen Square, nearly 15 years after the protests, with the image of Tank Man and the hushed voices of news correspondents reporting via their phones, seared into my memory.

Later...
G

Let the Updates Begin

Hi Y'all,

As promised, I'll begin updating the blog now. Sorry for the delay, but life has been a bit hectic since returning from China.

Unlike my earlier promise, I'll begin with an entry that is not from a past travel of my own. I received the following video from a fellow traveller, and the wandering bug hit right away. Thought I'd share it first, then share my own experiences later. Enjoy.

Later...
G

Truly Worldwide

Hi Y'all,

Looks like the recent travel has garnered international attention! Check out my new friends' website, http://www.pendantcetempsla.com , and peak around for a bit. Somewhere, buried in the photos, are a couple of pics of yours truly clowning around in China. Cheers to Claire and Johann, and best wishes for the remaining months of their 9 month global journey. Rocky is green with envy!

Later...
G

Coming Home

Hi Y'all,

Just found an internet cafe in the Beijing airport, so I'll type for a few minutes. I've shown up early to avoid the heat of the midday and, most importantly, not to miss my flight home!

The entire 3 weeks have been an absolute blast, further reinforcing my love of travel, meeting new friends, and generally exploring places I've never been. There's been a few surprises along the way, so I'll continue the blog on my return to further explain some of the more humorous, and a few not-so-humorous, moments the 3 weeks in China have offered. I've also taken nearly 800 photos, a few of which I'll publish here from time to time.

In addition, if there's a favorable response, I can include a few pictures from some of my past travels as well. And, of course, there's Rocky, who always accompanies me (see his thrilling encounter with Bruce Lee, below).

Rocky has been a travel companion for 7 years, when he was rescued from a drug store display at a fraction of his original price. He/she (I respect Rocky's privacy) is always smiling, always giving the 'thumbs up' sign, and always wears the aviator's cap, signaling the readiness to travel. Rocky has been to China before, as well as Belgium, Australia, and a vast number of places across the US. I always encourage Rocky to be photogenic in circumstances that will bring a bit of jocularity and to invite all to join in the fun, without being disrespectful to other cultures.

In the case of the infamous Rumble in Hong Kong, everyone seemed to be very intent on snapping a photo of themselves or a family member with the statue of Bruce, so much so that it was nearly impossible to to jostle for position and catch a clean shot (Jackie Chan's footprints were an even bigger hassle). As soon as Rocky appeared, nearly half the crowd's attention was turned toward the crazy western tourist and his sidekick (sorry, Bruce, couldn't resist the pun), with an amusement that I interpreted as easing some of the frantic pace of the amateur photographers. It was a brief moment, but perhaps it did lighten a mood or two.

Many times, I'll be seen with Rocky and will be asked to snap a shot of a family together with their camera. I suppose Rocky has a face others can trust, and that if I can take a photo of a flying squirrel, then surely I can take a photo of parent with their 8 year old son.

Despite the love of travel, I'm looking forward to my home's shower and my own bed. Too bad I have to report back to work 8 hours after I arrive home. I'll catch up on some sleep by the weekend, and will post new updates soon.

Later...
G

From Hong Kong to Inner Mongolia

Hi Y'all,

I'm now in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, at the Anda Guesthouse. Very comfortable and inexpensive, in a city with one of the nicest airports I've encountered in China.

Of course, being in China once again also means not being able to access the blog page, so I'll be typing blind until I'm back in the States. But keep those comments coming, as it's the closest way I've got to share the travels with everyone.

Hohhot is extremely mild compared to the heat and humidity of Hong Kong/Macau. More than a few times I found myself with my shirt wringing wet while walking in the near tropical environment of southeast China. The city itself is very clean (smog dominated Beijing, Xi'an, Kunming, and Hong Kong) and appears very modern. However, tomorrow is a trip to the Grasslands to visit a Mongolian family, so it'll be back to the rural life for at least one more day.

It's very difficult to keep the entries short, as so much happens in a typical day that the experiences pile up after a few hours. But not to worry, I've only taken 648 photos so far. I'll attempt to upload a photo in the next posting of my favorite menu found thus far, taken hurriedly on an elevator in Shenzhen during this morning's departure. For now, a brief nap before going out to find dinner (the kind not listed in the menu).

OK, the delay of two days in this post is due to a power failure at the hostel. I now I'm finding that I can't retrieve my email. But, it's only a few more days until I return, so I'll work on the difficulties from this end and perhaps resolve them before I leave Hohhot.

Later...
G

Hong Kong, Part II

Hi Y'all,

The first part of this post is from a coffee shop on the Avenue of Stars (or something like that), with a great view of the harbor and a very 'kewl' statue of Bruce Lee. Yep, Rocky got to meet Bruce.

Off in a few to Shenzhen, where I'll catch a flight to Hohhot tomorrow morning. The typhoon has only sprayed a little bit of water so far, so it looks like no problem for an early departure.

I've made it back to the hostel in Hong Kong, where the typhoon has now brought more rain. Yesterday, I took the train to The Peak, an overlook on Hong Kong Island that showcases the city. At least on clear days. I thought this would be a good contrast against the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain pic from a few days ago.

I don't know how the internet access will turn out in Hohhot, but I'll try to post when I can. I don't expect to be able to view the blog until I return to the States, so I look forward to some good comments when I return.

Later...
G