An American Abroad
After morning toast and a couple cups of coffee Wednesday morning at the Mei Mei Cafe, I rented a bicycle and crossed the Mekong River heading east. My route took me through parts of Jinghong that have been developed as tourist destinations. There … [Continue reading]
We crossed into the Tropic of Cancer on Tuesday at 11:15 am traveling southwest in a comfortable Nissan Tiida. Sophie’s husband Wang was driving and her father, Mr. Li, was riding shotgun. Sophie and I were in back. It was a much more comfortable and … [Continue reading]
Even though Mid-Autumn Festival was actually celebrated last week, the huge display of lights, exhibits and performances going on at Nie Er Music Square is still going on. (If you're wondering why China holds a Mid-Autumn Festival at the very … [Continue reading]
I haven’t written much about my job here, which is teaching English to the children of Yuxi. I had a perilous start due to changes in Chinese work visa rules, but now that those issues are resolved, I’ve had the chance to reflect on my work. I … [Continue reading]
Since I walk almost everywhere, the heels on one of my pairs of dress shoes were getting seriously worn down, so naturally I went to a cobbler. My very rudimentary Chinese did nothing to prepare me for a discussion of heels, soles, polishing, and … [Continue reading]
Friends have asked me, “So, what’s China like?” Hard question to answer, but I thought that I would chronicle what I did yesterday by way of answering. Out of a decades-old habit, my eyes flick open at 5:45 am. I am lying on a Chinese mattress, … [Continue reading]
Yesterday, one of my six-year-old students gave me a present, the first I have received from a pupil here. It's . . . seaweed. I was simultaneously touched and amused. … [Continue reading]
With the help of the good people at Yuxi Bike, The Mikey Bike has some new farkles. Note the new pedals, bottle cage, tires, toptube pack, headlight and tail light. Less visible is a new rear axle. This bike has a heavy steel frame. It'll never be … [Continue reading]
I went to the Entry and Exit Administration Service Center of the Public Security Bureau of Yuxi City ("We Serve to Please") today to complete a process that began two and a half months ago. I emerged more than an hour later with this nifty little … [Continue reading]
Fifty four hours after returning from Hong Kong, I found myself in another Yuxi bus station boarding the night bus to Xishuangbanna. It sure weren't no Greyhound. Do you wanna Go to Xishuangbanna? Then come along with me. They … [Continue reading]
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