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Last Days in Beijing and in China. Zai Jian!
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Beijing is the largest city I visited. It has much old and much new. There are many tourist from throughout China and
the world visiting it's great historical and cultural treasures. There is a constant stream of young and old, rich and poor,
from all over China coming to seek business or educational opportunities. There is much new development, but still a
lot of very old to see. In spite of all the people and development, you can find neighborhoods in which the buildings,the
people,and their way of life,do not appear to have changed much over generations. There are many restaurants even for
the size of the city; big, small, expensive, and inexpensive. You can find cusine from all regions of China. I
think the Chinese love to eat and socialize and spend a lot of good time together with family and friends at the endless restaurants.
The restaurants are always busy from early in the morning to late at night. The streets and parks are alive with people working,
playing games, excercising, reading, singing, dancing, flying kites, fishing, reading, talking, etc., all with an active
and friendly attitude. There were always a lot of people who wanted to talk to me, learn about me and my
culture. People were always anxious to take time to help me and treat me as an honored guest in
their country.
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I stayed in a small hotel down a Hutong (old alley
ways), such as the one pictured here. People in the hutong often walk around in pajamas. Many do not have bathrooms in
their home. The pace is different inside the hutong areas. After a short walk, you come to a cluster
of small restaurants, and a flea market selling old artifacts, etc. A little farther and you are on a major avenue
with much traffic, upscale stores, and restaurants.
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The pictures from my last few days, including the
Great Wall, were lost due to an unfortuneate computer crash. Met and talked with some interesting people and found a
park near my hotel, which was busy with ballroom dancing and colorful tai chi-type activites in the evenings. Went to a
famous tea house and ate, drank, and watched thier show, including a Beijing opera, mask dances, etc. during my last evening
in Beijing. Shared a meal, drinks, and the show with a businessman from Gansu province. I truly enjoye my last night in Beijing.
I am anxious now to get home to Chris and family.
China - Very old, very new
Spent the night of May 10, 2004 at the airport. Plane
left early May 11 for my return home. I have missed my time in China and all the wonderful people and friends that I met.
I would love to return to all the places I have been in China and to see all my Chinese friends again. I am thinking of returning
to China in late August 2005. I am researching English teaching positions for the fall 2005 semester.
Since my return to the states, I have enjoyed time
with my family and friends. I have kept my mind busy studying the Chinese language and my body busy working on my house and
the personal fitness activities that I enjoy.
Many wonderful things continue to enrich my life.
On March 3, 2005 my older son, Daniel, successfully defended his dissertation at Georgetown University and is now a Doctor
of Philosophy. On April 2 we will be celebrating the wedding of Daniel and Melissa. My wife, Christine, and I are very
happy, as we have the upmost respect and admiration for Melissa. She is very talented and capable. We have seen the love and
support that Daniel and Melissa share. We welcome her into our lives with love. My younger son, David, is happy
working, studying, and pursuing his dreams. He has plans to enroll in a graduate level creative writing program in the
fall of 2005. Christine is very busy with her new promotional postion at the NYS Education Department. I look forward
to the time when she will join me on a trip to China.
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