When I arrived in China to teach English in 1984, the economic reforms instituted by Deng Xiaoping were just getting underway. The most visible sign of the changes was the “free market” that suddenly appeared on a nearby street. Prior to this, goods were only sold in state-run department stores and grocery stores. But here at the…
Pictures
Friday Photo: Candied Fruit
I used to love taking visitors in Beijing to the Wangfujing Snack Street, where vendors sell all manners of food deep-fried on a stick — everything from silkworms to scorpions to unmentionable body parts. In the middle of it all there is one stall that sells candied fruit. Other Friday Photos: Schoolboys Blue Doors of Kashgar Reading…
Friday Photo: Unlucky License Plate
In China, the number 4 (四) is considered to be unlucky because it shares a pronunciation with the word for death (死); only the tones are different. As a result, people often go to great lengths to avoid using the number 4. Mobile phone numbers that have lots of 4’s typically cost less money (my Chinese…
Friday Photo: Summer Palace Bridge (then and now)
Even though I am on my way to Beijing today, part of me wishes that I were in London to visit the Asian Art in London event. One of the exhibits this year is a collection of photos of Beijing taken in the 1870’s and 1880’s. Here’s a description of the event, as reported by…
Friday Photo: The Happy Couple
I spotted these two in a market in Xichang, Sichuan a few years back. I love the joy on their faces! Related Posts: Xichang City Gate Friday Photo: Old and New The Flying Lutherans Don’t Bear Your Arms, Please Up and Over
Friday Photo: Rutting Elk
Last week my mom, sister, and I had to make an unexpected trip to Colorado to attend a memorial service. Some friends were visiting from England, so we decided to take them along on a Great American Road Trip. Following the memorial service, we took them up to visit Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park….