I wrote about our big first full day in Guilin, but I’m not even sure how many of the photos ran in the paper. So here’s a bunch. Guilin is a magical place.
|
||||||
|
Another story that ran in the paper, about a great day of cultural exchange, can be read by clicking here. Share on Facebook Advertisement We arrived safe in Guilin this afternoon after an uneventful plane ride. As we landed, the flight attendant announced that it’s 30 degrees celsius here. That’s 86 degrees Fahrenheit for all y’all Montana folk. I hear it’s been warmer than that in Missoula; but as the saying goes — and it’s MOST apt here — “it’s not just the heat, it’s the humidity.” Stepping off the plane, my glasses fogged up for a moment from the humidity. It’s stifling. The drive from the airport to the hotel was about a half an hour. Our host, a charming man named Forster, narrated on a microphone the entire way, explaining the Karst topography that typifies this region, the ethnic diversity of the city, the political history of the region, and the fact that, a couple of nights from now, we’ll have the great honor of getting to watch a tiger kill and eat a water buffalo. Charlene Campbell wanted me to know that there were, in fact, several noteworthy officials at the first performance in Beijing. I think she took issue with the assertion that I made in a story published in the Missoulian that it was unclear who was in attendance at that performance. The problem that I [...] Here’s a link to the latest story that ran in the Missoulian about our trip; it was written by Suhan Chen, a UM graduate student in journalism who is traveling with us. There’s also a video that I shot and edited of our experience during the national moment of mourning. It was a [...] A few more pics from the Great Wall. I’m days behind at this point, but I’ll try to keep adding more as I can. The Forbidden City in Beijing is a truly perspective-altering place. Here is a fortress that sprawls for acres and acres, yet which is arranged in perfect feng shui harmony, every courtyard a perfect space unto itself, the whole thing flowing together like the mystical lines in a Zen koan. That it is now overrun with tourists from around the world and feels more like a human herding operation than a vibrant city makes no difference. If you ignore the din and concentrate on the space, the detailed embellishments on the buildings, the vibrant colors, you can’t help but be awestruck. Yet wherever I went in the Forbidden City, it seemed that few people were paying attention to the architecture or the historical narratives of their bullhorn-equipped tour-guides. They were only paying attention to the blonde toddler in my wife’s arms. In case you missed it, here is a story that ran in the Missoulian about the experience of bargaining for goods in the Silk Market. Share on Facebook I saw this sign on a roadside near Tienanmen Square. Any guesses as to what it means? Share on Facebook It’s pretty much impossible to keep up here with what’s been happening; it feels like we’ve been here in China for weeks. It’s mind-boggling. Hopefully you’ve caught some of the stories that have run in the Missoulian (such as this one, and this one). Here are some pics to flesh things out a bit. Sorry for the meager captions; it’s past midnight and I can’t keep on not-sleeping. |
|
|||||
|
Copyright © 2012 Nickell’s Bag - All Rights Reserved |
||||||
Recent Comments