tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34702378129456793682024-03-13T11:01:40.969-07:00Ken and Jeanie Schneider's China BlogK and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-60183888101433736762014-01-23T16:42:00.000-08:002014-01-23T16:42:44.087-08:00The Long Way Home: Part Two- New Zealand<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J & K in New Zealand</td></tr>
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From Australia, we fly 3 hours east and arrive in Auckland, on the North Island of New Zealand. One in three New Zealanders live in the Auckland region. We enjoy this city of sails, fresh food, and friendly people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auckland, 1.5 million people</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken consults with Moses in the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We take a 30 min. ferry from Auckland to a vineyard on Waiheke Island. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic vineyard lunch in a beautiful setting</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie and the Maori<br />We are trying to look fierce,<br />but we are very friendly!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken gives two thumbs up to our view<br />out our hotel room</td></tr>
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We take a 4 hour bus ride to the Bay of Islands and have a wonderful time as we experience the Maori culture, beautiful waters, islands and scenery.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maori woodwork outside lodge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We take a catamaran cruise through the Bay of Islands<br />This glass of savignon blanc is New Zealand's signature wine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dolphins abound</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: center;">A group of teenage dolphins follow our boat!<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken is in heaven in Queenstown, South Island, N.Z.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture perfect setting</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">We fly to Queenstown in the South Island of New Zealand to experience<i> Lord of the Ring Country</i> and all the active sports this lively area offers.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken hikes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken bikes</td></tr>
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We eagerly await the last portion of our journey: kayaking the Milford Sound. We are thrilled to experience a clear day of kayaking in this amazing Fjord-land National Park.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie enjoys touring N.Z. gardens and can't wait<br />to get back to the Northwest to work in her own garden!</td></tr>
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We leave New Zealand on December 29, and fly 13 hours to Los Angeles to enjoy time with Jeanie's Mom in Long Beach. Ken's Mom and Dad also join us from Wisconsin for a sunny California visit.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken and his parents in Laguna Beach, CA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie and Mom in Long Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken and Parents on the Queen Mary, Long Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken and Moms at church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken's brother and family in Wisconsin</td></tr>
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We are blessed beyond belief to have experienced 12 months in China, one month Down Under and one month visiting family in California and Wisconsin.</div>
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We are now back in Tacoma, and look forward to where and how God will lead us in 2014. </div>
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<i>"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths." </i></div>
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<i> Proverbs, 3:4,5</i></div>
<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-15006011267230730982014-01-01T20:46:00.000-08:002014-01-01T20:46:48.157-08:00The Long Way Home: Part 1- Australia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore space age architecture</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brilliant night skyline</td></tr>
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Our China adventure ends on November 30, 2013. <br />
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To start our<b><i> Long Way Home</i></b>, we fly into Singapore, 5 hour flight from Shanghai. Singapore is a small country island. Clean, efficient, modern... a spectacular last Asian country to visit. We love the diversity in this tiny country. Singapore has four official languages: English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil<br />
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We prepare to leave Singapore ready for our Indonesian start-of-sabbatical-chill-out-trip, BUT we have to change our plans. Jeanie, does not have a full sixth months left on her passport, so we are told that Indonesia will not let us in. <i><b>Note to self:</b> do not ignore the warnings that you need a full 6 months on passports, not all countries strictly enforce this, but Indonesia does.</i><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Famous Bells Beach<br /> movie Point Break filmed here<br /> Rip Curl Pro Competitions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zs5HlIAO5KU/UsSqPLuIN1I/AAAAAAAAFlE/F4cAi0ioPYA/s1600/DSC_7095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zs5HlIAO5KU/UsSqPLuIN1I/AAAAAAAAFlE/F4cAi0ioPYA/s200/DSC_7095.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty beaches, quite a change from China!</td></tr>
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We are able to continue our travels to Australia, no passport issues, and we add an extra week to travel <b><i>down under</i></b>. We rent a car; jet-lag and driving on the left side of the road is a challenge. Plus, we haven't driven in the past year in China! We are thrilled to drive <b>the Great Ocean Road</b>, just south of Melbourne.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ck8zfPRs3t8/UsSqR8OAvEI/AAAAAAAAFlY/XxxTS3wz-c0/s1600/DSC_7123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ck8zfPRs3t8/UsSqR8OAvEI/AAAAAAAAFlY/XxxTS3wz-c0/s320/DSC_7123.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The usually wet weather provides vibrant green surrounding</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nVz5L6YEr0/UsSrnC66yxI/AAAAAAAAFlo/l3SRD57BrGU/s1600/DSC_7170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1nVz5L6YEr0/UsSrnC66yxI/AAAAAAAAFlo/l3SRD57BrGU/s200/DSC_7170.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> First Koala sighting in the wild</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhWJHOLxttg/UsSt7XMlx_I/AAAAAAAAFmY/0NShakdav2Q/s1600/DSC_7287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OhWJHOLxttg/UsSt7XMlx_I/AAAAAAAAFmY/0NShakdav2Q/s200/DSC_7287.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kangaroo sighting along the Great Ocean Road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2LCAVxi0TI/UsStN20vKGI/AAAAAAAAFmM/y7A1ltJnRvM/s1600/DSC_7251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n2LCAVxi0TI/UsStN20vKGI/AAAAAAAAFmM/y7A1ltJnRvM/s320/DSC_7251.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Twelve Apostles, how many of the 12 rock structures do you see?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WNaA16wYKdg/UsStNGQpyMI/AAAAAAAAFmI/csknWB3d6sk/s1600/DSC_7265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WNaA16wYKdg/UsStNGQpyMI/AAAAAAAAFmI/csknWB3d6sk/s320/DSC_7265.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Ken with a few of the Apostles<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aNi5wFfCNtY/UsSsfmfczWI/AAAAAAAAFmA/tVnNAkvFGG0/s1600/DSC_7195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aNi5wFfCNtY/UsSsfmfczWI/AAAAAAAAFmA/tVnNAkvFGG0/s320/DSC_7195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White sand, huge rocks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvbxwj1M5L8/UsSse3Rf7nI/AAAAAAAAFl4/DAw2JUsg8I0/s1600/DSC_7200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bvbxwj1M5L8/UsSse3Rf7nI/AAAAAAAAFl4/DAw2JUsg8I0/s320/DSC_7200.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apollo Bay, along the Great Ocean Road</td></tr>
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We enjoy three nights in Melbourne. Excellent city. Fantastic coffee. Beautiful gardens.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qn0XCaX3yk/UsSwxxRZD2I/AAAAAAAAFmo/umqxmD1Hvrs/s1600/DSC_7339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qn0XCaX3yk/UsSwxxRZD2I/AAAAAAAAFmo/umqxmD1Hvrs/s200/DSC_7339.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artful alleys of Melbourne</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SanKpE6pjPk/UsSwy-L6uTI/AAAAAAAAFmw/LBTbAq9Paws/s1600/DSC_7345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SanKpE6pjPk/UsSwy-L6uTI/AAAAAAAAFmw/LBTbAq9Paws/s200/DSC_7345.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Paul's Cathedral<br />1800 architecture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKag57UFk9A/UsS1Rk4GqZI/AAAAAAAAFm8/7oIIpZ2nzAQ/s1600/DSC_7372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hKag57UFk9A/UsS1Rk4GqZI/AAAAAAAAFm8/7oIIpZ2nzAQ/s200/DSC_7372.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Botanical Gardens</td></tr>
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Finally we fly to Sidney and enjoy five more days <b><i>down under</i></b>. The weather is great because it's the start of the Australian summer which lasts from December-March.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQIWiwbLsYM/UsS13PZt8II/AAAAAAAAFnE/Ch2TboTEd_A/s1600/DSC_7400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQIWiwbLsYM/UsS13PZt8II/AAAAAAAAFnE/Ch2TboTEd_A/s320/DSC_7400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iconic Sydney Opera House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8KOUhRubw6c/UsS1364gytI/AAAAAAAAFnM/0wRMGHRbiG0/s1600/DSC_7398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8KOUhRubw6c/UsS1364gytI/AAAAAAAAFnM/0wRMGHRbiG0/s320/DSC_7398.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney skyline<br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQY5H_0Q1co/UsS3NjJ-I4I/AAAAAAAAFnY/w9UYHf0nFH4/s1600/DSC_7444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uQY5H_0Q1co/UsS3NjJ-I4I/AAAAAAAAFnY/w9UYHf0nFH4/s320/DSC_7444.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Mountains, west of Sydney</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y09WdXQXJYM/UsS3OvFE5mI/AAAAAAAAFng/0cP0ycrd1z4/s1600/DSC_7483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y09WdXQXJYM/UsS3OvFE5mI/AAAAAAAAFng/0cP0ycrd1z4/s320/DSC_7483.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">The waterfalls of the Blue Mountains, two hours from Sydney</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q7xjYN9MYHU/UsTiMzXrSOI/AAAAAAAAFnw/XxojbN1_oFo/s1600/DSC_7435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q7xjYN9MYHU/UsTiMzXrSOI/AAAAAAAAFnw/XxojbN1_oFo/s200/DSC_7435.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Australia Highlight: we attend Hillsong<br />church and Christmas program</td></tr>
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<b>Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens. Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness... Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.</b><br />
<b>Psalm 150</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next Up: New Zealand: Middle Earth</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-87720787539613796962013-11-27T05:46:00.000-08:002013-11-27T05:46:04.633-08:00Tasty Taiwan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ih61ZTZg_wQ/UpQwnihG5VI/AAAAAAAAFSA/SXQX714VZeI/s1600/IMG_20131110_140252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ih61ZTZg_wQ/UpQwnihG5VI/AAAAAAAAFSA/SXQX714VZeI/s200/IMG_20131110_140252.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marvelous Mango Dessert</td></tr>
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We travel to Taiwan for business (Ken) and pleasure (Jeanie). Jeanie went to Taiwan on an educational mission 22 years ago. Wow, have things changed since then! Taipei is an accessible city with fast trains, excellent subways, and <b>drivers that actually give pedestrians the right away</b>! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrQqt4LxWcw/UpQwlx1NCJI/AAAAAAAAFSE/AK912agRFKY/s1600/IMG_20131106_195253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrQqt4LxWcw/UpQwlx1NCJI/AAAAAAAAFSE/AK912agRFKY/s200/IMG_20131106_195253.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple, Jeanie, Ken<br />
at Taiwan's most famous restaurant:<br />
<b>Din Tai Fung</b><br />
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<b>Note: There's a Din Tai Fung</b><br />
<b>in Seattle!</b></td></tr>
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Some say that Taiwan is the best of China. <b> The food, culture, history, and sights are impressive.</b> Taiwan is clean, orderly, and convenient.<br />
Our flight is under two hours from Shanghai to Taipei.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH1njjUhi6A/UpQwmRlrgxI/AAAAAAAAFR8/embt4ljuKww/s1600/IMG_20131106_125004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MH1njjUhi6A/UpQwmRlrgxI/AAAAAAAAFR8/embt4ljuKww/s200/IMG_20131106_125004.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple at her family-owned restaurant</td></tr>
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We visit with our friend Apple, who is is visiting her parents in Taipei when we arrive. She and her husband, Neil, are friends from Washington. Neil works with Ken at Intel, Dupont.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2jclMsi8vms/UpQycsahmnI/AAAAAAAAFSc/T3IhLRt1FWQ/s1600/DSC_6979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2jclMsi8vms/UpQycsahmnI/AAAAAAAAFSc/T3IhLRt1FWQ/s200/DSC_6979.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie in front of the original<br />
Din Tai Fung and<br />
its delicious dumpling</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQAuEeBUFCw/UpQycMMoaXI/AAAAAAAAFSg/8qIf2wjIZfE/s1600/DSC_6975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HQAuEeBUFCw/UpQycMMoaXI/AAAAAAAAFSg/8qIf2wjIZfE/s200/DSC_6975.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoy Japanese style hotpot with new friends: Lisa, Rick, Andrea<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie enjoys the green tea plantations</td></tr>
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In addition to great food, the<b> culture and history</b> of Taiwan are unique. In 1949, the Kuomintang army (KMT), led by Chiang Kai-Shek, lost control of mainland China and fled to Taiwan. Before that, Japan had a strong influence in Taiwan. Taiwan imported rice and green tea to Japan.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_qX_qHjxEk/UpQ6lqYIXnI/AAAAAAAAFTE/LBa_ybNf3_w/s1600/DSC_6990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l_qX_qHjxEk/UpQ6lqYIXnI/AAAAAAAAFTE/LBa_ybNf3_w/s320/DSC_6990.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gates into Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKWy1QYvUNE/UpQ6ocJtevI/AAAAAAAAFTU/AUFEue29AA8/s1600/DSC_6989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKWy1QYvUNE/UpQ6ocJtevI/AAAAAAAAFTU/AUFEue29AA8/s320/DSC_6989.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">National Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ8O0tPo980/UpQ6l_2icQI/AAAAAAAAFTI/fa8yh4tVGrE/s1600/DSC_6993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RJ8O0tPo980/UpQ6l_2icQI/AAAAAAAAFTI/fa8yh4tVGrE/s320/DSC_6993.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie at the Memorial Grounds</td></tr>
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<b>The Sights:</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6o8Rv-Q1fRo/UpQ77FXN81I/AAAAAAAAFTg/clrH_jNvdrc/s1600/DSC_6957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6o8Rv-Q1fRo/UpQ77FXN81I/AAAAAAAAFTg/clrH_jNvdrc/s200/DSC_6957.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rick, Lisa, Andrea </td></tr>
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Rick, who works at the Intel in Taipei, takes us on a beautiful hike just 45 minutes north of the city to Yang Ming Shan. We are happy to have his wife, Lisa, and his daughter, Andrea, join us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDWDY5F-bfg/UpQ8DyU6F2I/AAAAAAAAFTw/3s3nyUOV7I4/s1600/DSC_6959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IDWDY5F-bfg/UpQ8DyU6F2I/AAAAAAAAFTw/3s3nyUOV7I4/s320/DSC_6959.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Taipei City from Yang Ming Shan</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyfrKiwy_I8/UpQ8K1unglI/AAAAAAAAFT8/BSMyO42R8xg/s1600/DSC_6969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyfrKiwy_I8/UpQ8K1unglI/AAAAAAAAFT8/BSMyO42R8xg/s200/DSC_6969.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking at Yang Ming Shan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nv_4-galwFI/UpQ7_vkKf_I/AAAAAAAAFTo/M_8dors_tUc/s1600/DSC_6964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nv_4-galwFI/UpQ7_vkKf_I/AAAAAAAAFTo/M_8dors_tUc/s200/DSC_6964.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrea enjoys the grass</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHnuVOSfXIY/UpQ8K9Eob0I/AAAAAAAAFT4/rj4K3k3fZlY/s1600/DSC_6973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AHnuVOSfXIY/UpQ8K9Eob0I/AAAAAAAAFT4/rj4K3k3fZlY/s200/DSC_6973.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother and daughter;<br />
the ancient art of calligraphy</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLhSzQZwjAs/UpRAa7gwPNI/AAAAAAAAFU4/8Y9CxmwH3gU/s1600/IMG_20131107_121925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TLhSzQZwjAs/UpRAa7gwPNI/AAAAAAAAFU4/8Y9CxmwH3gU/s200/IMG_20131107_121925.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple takes Jeanie on a great tour<br />
of the Geo-Park along the north<br />
shore of Taiwan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMjIbmFoxUg/UpQ-UM4mgYI/AAAAAAAAFUY/001dZivowBA/s1600/IMG_20131107_113743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMjIbmFoxUg/UpQ-UM4mgYI/AAAAAAAAFUY/001dZivowBA/s320/IMG_20131107_113743.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie stands at the Pacific Ocean on the northeast coast of Taiwan </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8gZK9_12EA0/UpQ-YejKl1I/AAAAAAAAFUo/XS0X9yt03S0/s1600/DSC_6947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8gZK9_12EA0/UpQ-YejKl1I/AAAAAAAAFUo/XS0X9yt03S0/s200/DSC_6947.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taipei 101, yep,<br />
101 floors!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzwKzOyl71M/UpRBxcSyXlI/AAAAAAAAFVE/dsTs3LAj1hA/s1600/DSC_6952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KzwKzOyl71M/UpRBxcSyXlI/AAAAAAAAFVE/dsTs3LAj1hA/s320/DSC_6952.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good night, Taiwan<br />
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</tbody></table>
Well, Blog Readers,<br />
we approach the end of our China blog as we leave China in three days, on November 30, 2013.<br />
<br />
We aren't quite finished however. We will embark on Ken's eight week sabbatical adventure which we will post and entitle:<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">The Long Way Home </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Finally, we are thankful for God, family and friends. We wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.</i></span><b><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><i style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span></i> 1 Thessalonians 5:18</b><br />
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-1363313171160106572013-11-15T05:03:00.001-08:002013-11-15T05:03:29.556-08:00Colorful Jiuzhaigou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jiu-zhai-gou National Park, Sichuan Province</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw6Wx25D9gY/UoSLjFJLXcI/AAAAAAAAFGc/pn16w0dZOFY/s1600/DSC_6901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw6Wx25D9gY/UoSLjFJLXcI/AAAAAAAAFGc/pn16w0dZOFY/s320/DSC_6901.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic fall colors in late October</td></tr>
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We finish our China travel with a WOW experience. One hour northwest by plane from the Xi'an Warriors, we fly to our last mainland China journey. <i> We officially leave China on November 30.</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aRuCOrt1i0/UoSPN9q1RbI/AAAAAAAAFGo/rNnzP9OIeTM/s1600/DSC_6890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1aRuCOrt1i0/UoSPN9q1RbI/AAAAAAAAFGo/rNnzP9OIeTM/s200/DSC_6890.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoy meeting up with Jensen, <br />
one of Ken's work colleagues</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmIP5hIlfY4/UoVxKSjYsWI/AAAAAAAAFJI/WhBZ07qzUss/s1600/IMG_20131028_125552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BmIP5hIlfY4/UoVxKSjYsWI/AAAAAAAAFJI/WhBZ07qzUss/s200/IMG_20131028_125552.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our only panda sighting</td></tr>
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A World Heritage Site,this national park is just the place to hike our final steps, marvel at Chinese beauty, and enjoy the Tibetan culture in Northern Sichuan Province.<br />
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The park organization is efficient. Take the bus up one of the two stunning valleys and hike back down or hop on the bus at any stop.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUGFqmREMfw/UoSVwNbQ19I/AAAAAAAAFHI/QeNyHkWx0Us/s1600/DSC_6843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yUGFqmREMfw/UoSVwNbQ19I/AAAAAAAAFHI/QeNyHkWx0Us/s320/DSC_6843.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magnificent waterfalls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTqzBGosaNs/UoSXM0zE30I/AAAAAAAAFHc/EahT-7mPTyM/s1600/DSC_6855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jTqzBGosaNs/UoSXM0zE30I/AAAAAAAAFHc/EahT-7mPTyM/s320/DSC_6855.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We encounter snow on the upper trails</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p30zU1vlNIk/UoSXJrnFi1I/AAAAAAAAFHU/bCFzfQlsPMA/s1600/DSC_6907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p30zU1vlNIk/UoSXJrnFi1I/AAAAAAAAFHU/bCFzfQlsPMA/s200/DSC_6907.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain goats on trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mPNcLURhlVU/UoSatxp1bGI/AAAAAAAAFHo/RnnuXlXeNAI/s1600/DSC_6888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mPNcLURhlVU/UoSatxp1bGI/AAAAAAAAFHo/RnnuXlXeNAI/s200/DSC_6888.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tibetan influence in park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAQupvgIZ58/UoSb2M0DwnI/AAAAAAAAFIA/N1KHUHoCHgk/s1600/DSC_6945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aAQupvgIZ58/UoSb2M0DwnI/AAAAAAAAFIA/N1KHUHoCHgk/s200/DSC_6945.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Ken's favorite meals in China:<br />
roasted yak, wild mushrooms<br />
Tibetan mash potatoes and gravy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12_QyPoNkPQ/UoVxnw3SHVI/AAAAAAAAFJc/OL4aEiLrDW0/s1600/DSC_6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-12_QyPoNkPQ/UoVxnw3SHVI/AAAAAAAAFJc/OL4aEiLrDW0/s320/DSC_6838.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorful valley</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H6SoytO3nyo/UoSbVOl-0FI/AAAAAAAAFHw/pYGC0_ca5FU/s1600/DSC_6937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H6SoytO3nyo/UoSbVOl-0FI/AAAAAAAAFHw/pYGC0_ca5FU/s320/DSC_6937.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grassland valley</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7XTil6fEMI/UoVxmOXV8FI/AAAAAAAAFJU/X4_BjjPAGBg/s1600/DSC_6872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7XTil6fEMI/UoVxmOXV8FI/AAAAAAAAFJU/X4_BjjPAGBg/s320/DSC_6872.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Jeanie? </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VpQz5vROs88/UoVwviwFj8I/AAAAAAAAFI8/rbw3rUmJg0M/s1600/IMG_20131028_092001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VpQz5vROs88/UoVwviwFj8I/AAAAAAAAFI8/rbw3rUmJg0M/s200/IMG_20131028_092001.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking paths throughout the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWJL1mMtixs/UoVxgRxj0cI/AAAAAAAAFJM/e2JlAQTpqgI/s1600/IMG_20131028_140921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWJL1mMtixs/UoVxgRxj0cI/AAAAAAAAFJM/e2JlAQTpqgI/s200/IMG_20131028_140921.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The paths traverse waterways</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mRyZYmVR-mI/UoW8Peso7II/AAAAAAAAFK8/JwVGUkuZjTU/s1600/DSC_6940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mRyZYmVR-mI/UoW8Peso7II/AAAAAAAAFK8/JwVGUkuZjTU/s320/DSC_6940.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing lake colors</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDPTsPq77QU/UoW8GsphLFI/AAAAAAAAFK0/df-5lKZOx6U/s1600/DSC_6891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mDPTsPq77QU/UoW8GsphLFI/AAAAAAAAFK0/df-5lKZOx6U/s320/DSC_6891.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear and calm waters</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul." <i> Psalm 23: 1-3</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Next Time: <b>Taiwan</b></i></span></div>
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-43765352539739939522013-11-04T06:10:00.002-08:002013-11-04T06:10:45.000-08:00The Warriors of Xi'an<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9efz-xjIfM/Und_SF-Kf0I/AAAAAAAAE4Y/S7gsRwgO5DY/s1600/DSC_6787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9efz-xjIfM/Und_SF-Kf0I/AAAAAAAAE4Y/S7gsRwgO5DY/s200/DSC_6787.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drum Tower in Xi'an<br /></td></tr>
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<br />
We travel to Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, <i>2.5 hour flight northwest of Shanghai</i><span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span> to visit the warriors, ride bikes around the City Walls,<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMx4qdUoURg/Und8n9felLI/AAAAAAAAE4A/65fWsKiEpWw/s1600/DSC_6795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uMx4qdUoURg/Und8n9felLI/AAAAAAAAE4A/65fWsKiEpWw/s200/DSC_6795.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where's Jeanie? <br />Xi'an City Walls built in 1370<i style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><br /></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i> </i>and enjoy the Muslim Quarter. Muslims have been in Xian since the 7th Century. The Silk Road started in Xi'an. It is a vibrant mix of cultures and religions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2j--qeAHdBA/UneYwkdUPpI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/-JsSpABTa7I/s1600/DSC_6790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2j--qeAHdBA/UneYwkdUPpI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/-JsSpABTa7I/s320/DSC_6790.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie in front of Xi'an City Wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9V56_vG3wY/Und966iJRII/AAAAAAAAE4M/x1dLuBm2qk4/s1600/DSC_6797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z9V56_vG3wY/Und966iJRII/AAAAAAAAE4M/x1dLuBm2qk4/s200/DSC_6797.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken at the the wall<br /> 90 minutes to bike around it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FelVEd6cu50/UneC_WuzLyI/AAAAAAAAE4k/siTnLESVBGM/s1600/DSC_6783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FelVEd6cu50/UneC_WuzLyI/AAAAAAAAE4k/siTnLESVBGM/s200/DSC_6783.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Muslim Quarter<br /> narrow lanes of food and shops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QAtli1ncRQ/UneEH0taj5I/AAAAAAAAE4w/gbIeVGLnCT4/s1600/DSC_6792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--QAtli1ncRQ/UneEH0taj5I/AAAAAAAAE4w/gbIeVGLnCT4/s200/DSC_6792.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xi'an Architecture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfeJtmtyTJs/UneGxj0Z4qI/AAAAAAAAE5M/lEaOZ-xmzT0/s1600/DSC_6763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfeJtmtyTJs/UneGxj0Z4qI/AAAAAAAAE5M/lEaOZ-xmzT0/s320/DSC_6763.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a building the size of an aircraft hanger, <br />6,000 life-size warriors are contained, 2,000 are displayed</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Xi'an's terracotta warriors are called the </span><b style="text-align: start;">8th Wonder of the World</b><span style="text-align: start;">. <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is one of the most famous archaeological </b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>finds in the world</b>.</span> And the amazing thing is that this 200-year- before-Christ-army-of -warriors was only discovered in 1974 by some farmers who were trying to dig a well!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3ZYvh6DBK0/UneFtaEDPlI/AAAAAAAAE5A/5xnW1LqpBsI/s1600/DSC_6745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O3ZYvh6DBK0/UneFtaEDPlI/AAAAAAAAE5A/5xnW1LqpBsI/s320/DSC_6745.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No two faces are alike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOHP8deTORc/UneaHzYmtHI/AAAAAAAAE6c/DzcAFV03kec/s1600/DSC_6757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XOHP8deTORc/UneaHzYmtHI/AAAAAAAAE6c/DzcAFV03kec/s320/DSC_6757.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archaeologists are still uncovering pieces<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GOWhC2lOmYI/Und7UhKU5PI/AAAAAAAAE34/sH_osTPoJvc/s1600/DSC_6766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GOWhC2lOmYI/Und7UhKU5PI/AAAAAAAAE34/sH_osTPoJvc/s200/DSC_6766.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warriors created to guard<br />Emperor Qin's tomb</td></tr>
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Emperor Qin had the warriors, horses and chariots created as he probably believed that was going to rule in death as he did in life. (He died in 210 B.C.) The First Emperor Qin ruled for 36 years, and although he unified China and created an efficient government: standardized measurements, money, and built about 4,000 miles of roads and canals, he enslaved thousands of people. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-57LEp5ZaTrI/UneNFvbjWVI/AAAAAAAAE54/hk6xceZfCyg/s1600/DSC_6765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-57LEp5ZaTrI/UneNFvbjWVI/AAAAAAAAE54/hk6xceZfCyg/s320/DSC_6765.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horses, and 35 wooden chariots were found<br /><i> chariots have since disintegrated</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DcoivdMgtto/UneM8e6ywVI/AAAAAAAAE5w/KvdpjfeAl7c/s1600/DSC_6780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DcoivdMgtto/UneM8e6ywVI/AAAAAAAAE5w/KvdpjfeAl7c/s320/DSC_6780.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These bronze horses and chariot were discovered 20 meters west of Emperor Qin's tomb</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Lord our God."</span> <i>Psalm 20:7</i></div>
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<i><b>Next Up: Colorful Jiuzhaigou</b></i></div>
. K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-43928857980804302362013-10-21T04:34:00.000-07:002013-10-21T04:34:02.010-07:00Hello Vietnam<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rL0lt7Xv5ts/UmOrPSGgmeI/AAAAAAAAET4/UwN_fmNRiG0/s1600/DSC_6673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rL0lt7Xv5ts/UmOrPSGgmeI/AAAAAAAAET4/UwN_fmNRiG0/s200/DSC_6673.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The vivid colors of Vietnam</td></tr>
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During China's National Holiday or <i>Golden Week</i>, we travel to <b>Vietnam</b> to see the places and meet the people of an infamous, yet fascinating country.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roof dragon on Temple of Literature in Hanoi</td></tr>
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We fly to Hanoi from Shanghai, 3.5 hours. We hear <b>Hanoi</b> is what China was about 25 years ago. No subway, just motorbikes, taxis, and few private automobiles on the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahS-AzGsg0w/UmD3wAVutNI/AAAAAAAAEPE/EimEojUU4ww/s1600/DSC_6494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahS-AzGsg0w/UmD3wAVutNI/AAAAAAAAEPE/EimEojUU4ww/s200/DSC_6494.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French Opera House in Hanoi City</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aaz_oGX8v3Y/UmUBd6FiR6I/AAAAAAAAEXs/qJOgcSbiQ7U/s1600/DSC_6503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Aaz_oGX8v3Y/UmUBd6FiR6I/AAAAAAAAEXs/qJOgcSbiQ7U/s200/DSC_6503.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken at Hoa Lan Prison, ironically named<br /><i>Hanoi Hilton</i><br />American pilots were incarcerated,<br />John McCain's flight suit is on<br />display </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OaHJfCiGeM/UmD5VdIibsI/AAAAAAAAEPM/1tBIbb200sU/s1600/DSC_6522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9OaHJfCiGeM/UmD5VdIibsI/AAAAAAAAEPM/1tBIbb200sU/s200/DSC_6522.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We never thought we'd ride one<br />
of these, but it was fun!</td></tr>
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Hanoi is the northern capital city of Vietnam. This is a dynamic city. We stay two nights and are overwhelmed with sights, smells and a people who are genuinely pleased to welcome foreigners into their city.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie doing morning Tai Chi on the Junk</td></tr>
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We then take a bus west towards <b>Halong Bay;</b> roads are slow with construction. We arrive 4 hours later, and embark on our sailing cruise ship called the <i><b>Treasure Junk.</b></i> This is a serious splurge for us and we love it! Exquisite French cuisine, relax time on the ship and, for the first time all year, we KAYAK!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasure Junk, Halong Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w07XBNv_ZQs/UmD_fQA8hII/AAAAAAAAEP4/s0LxrwVjLtg/s1600/DSC_6567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w07XBNv_ZQs/UmD_fQA8hII/AAAAAAAAEP4/s0LxrwVjLtg/s320/DSC_6567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incredible kayaking</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Usdx1MCJPCg/UmOsWGcam4I/AAAAAAAAEUA/wOfeyk-AL30/s1600/DSC_6608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Usdx1MCJPCg/UmOsWGcam4I/AAAAAAAAEUA/wOfeyk-AL30/s320/DSC_6608.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halong Bay floating fishing village</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paddling the South China Sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Warm water swim as the sun goes down on Halong Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoi An along the Thu Bon River</td></tr>
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After our two day cruise, we fly to the middle of Vietnam along the coast to <b>Hoi An</b>, an atmospheric World Heritage Site. Hoi An has an incredible legacy of Japanese and Chinese architecture, tea houses and temples. The food is delicious. We spend time on a beautiful, yet vacant beach. This is the area called <b><i>China Beach,</i></b> once an R&R hang out for U.S. Soldiers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fishing along the Thu Bon River</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UeAW1pryxg/UmE5U3H-X4I/AAAAAAAAEQo/kh3V1t_LoPg/s1600/DSC_6645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9UeAW1pryxg/UmE5U3H-X4I/AAAAAAAAEQo/kh3V1t_LoPg/s200/DSC_6645.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh markets line the streets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saayF0vAYBQ/UmE-3FmWKUI/AAAAAAAAERE/SmHYrc2ic_Y/s1600/DSC_6656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-saayF0vAYBQ/UmE-3FmWKUI/AAAAAAAAERE/SmHYrc2ic_Y/s200/DSC_6656.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy food</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> China Beach, Vietnam</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoi An Old Village</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cultural Center concert in Hoi An</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ho Chi Minh City</td></tr>
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We fly south to <b>Ho Chi Minh City</b>, or the <b><i>former </i>Saigon</b>. Many locals still refer to their city as <b>Saigon.</b> We enjoy the French colonial architecture and the modern buzz of this city. We are moved deeply by the war museum.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre Dame Church in the background<br />
Intercontinental Hotel in the foreground as seen in the<br />
movie <i>The Quiet American</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Hall in Ho Chi Minh City</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken with US tank & helicopter at War Remnant Museum</td></tr>
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Vietnam has a lot to offer. We barely touch the surface. We are grateful to experience a bit of Vietnam, and have a new awareness of the hardship so many experienced during the war.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18</span></b></div>
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<b>Next Up: The Terracotta Warriors of Xi'an</b></div>
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<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-65084498384772153402013-10-01T01:53:00.000-07:002013-10-01T01:53:30.459-07:00Gorgeous Guangxi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Autumn!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yao Women of Dazhai Village</td></tr>
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Guangxi Province is a 2 hour flight southwest of Shanghai. In late September we take advantage of the three day<i><b> Zhong Qiu Jie</b></i>, or Mid-Autumn Festival, and travel to two magnificent areas:<b> Longsheng </b>Rice Terraces, and <b>Yangshuo</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harvest time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rice is almost ready<br />
for harvest</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji1PKcOfqCI/UklG30oZhyI/AAAAAAAADuw/KECTOly6vIQ/s1600/DSC_6317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji1PKcOfqCI/UklG30oZhyI/AAAAAAAADuw/KECTOly6vIQ/s200/DSC_6317.JPG" width="200" /></a>We first head to the spectacular vistas of <b>Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces</b>. The rice is just about ready to harvest. We stay in a simple inn, <b><i>Wisdom Inn</i></b>, run by a Shanghainese woman. The town of Dazhai is tiny. Very refreshing to be away from the crowds!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Called Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces<br />
because in some seasons they look like the twisty scales of dragon's back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We trek from village to village in the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terrace</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dazhai, laid back Yao Minority Village where we stay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the rice fields with new Chinese friends<br />
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<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">We then travel 3 hours south in a taxi to spend two more nights at our next destination: <b>Yangshuo</b>. The karst mountain peaks are just stunning. <b>Mystical and magical, we are in awe of God's creation</b>. We take a bamboo raft down to Yangshuo.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two hour float down Li River</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">We stay at the Yangshuo Mountain Retreat; very affordable @ $100 per night, with this view! An American educator started this wonderful retreat in Yangshuo. He employs all local workers. It was a relaxing place to retreat and reflect on our time in China. We have only two more months in China!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">We experience one of the most beautiful bike rides ever! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Water buffalo sighting from bikes<br />
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Biking through fields and mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Our bike ride leads to a 600 year old bridge.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Mystical Mountains of Yangshuo, <b>Heavenly.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In His hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to Him. Psalm 95: 3-4<br /><br />Next Up: Vietnam</span></b></span></td></tr>
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-70777663012686367222013-09-26T04:15:00.000-07:002013-09-26T04:15:38.280-07:00September Visitors<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie and brother, Andy<br />
Zhujiajiao Canal Town</td></tr>
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We are blessed to have so many of you come and visit us this year in China. We started the first three weeks of September with visitors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken and Andy in scholar's room</td></tr>
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First, Jeanie's brother Andy was able to stop by Shanghai on the way back from a ministry conference in the Philippines. He even got to speak at the Living Waters group that is starting at our Shanghai Christian Fellowship. He also spoke at our church's Sunday night lecture series. We had so much fun bike riding around Shanghai and exploring the city together.<br />
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We took a short trip to one of the many canal towns just outside of Shanghai. Zhujiajiao is a charming village of Ming and Qing dynasty alleys, bridges, and old town architecture.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMgyKGnCJy8/UkEFrK581mI/AAAAAAAADo8/lNvP1Zz7r6Y/s1600/DSC_6143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bMgyKGnCJy8/UkEFrK581mI/AAAAAAAADo8/lNvP1Zz7r6Y/s200/DSC_6143.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Church nuns and Andy</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6s0dlHtxCEw/UkEFoYlBjLI/AAAAAAAADo0/jJzm0n2LC04/s1600/DSC_6142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6s0dlHtxCEw/UkEFoYlBjLI/AAAAAAAADo0/jJzm0n2LC04/s200/DSC_6142.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zhujiajiao<br />
Catholic Church of Ascension<br />
<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8JS5sFP56s/UkFOhhgT5wI/AAAAAAAADqI/G1spnpi1PMA/s1600/DSC_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W8JS5sFP56s/UkFOhhgT5wI/AAAAAAAADqI/G1spnpi1PMA/s320/DSC_6149.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset on Zhujiajiao Canal Town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After Andy's visit, our friend Joan, from Portland, Oregon came to visit for two weeks. We had a great weekend in Beijing. We first went to the Summer Palace, the imperial summer retreat, just north of the Forbidden City. The palace grounds, temples, gardens, lakes and bridges are an amazing site.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j2xnlSlYWl0/UkEPjTxZDWI/AAAAAAAADp4/rL__pBIGd-Q/s1600/DSC_6157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j2xnlSlYWl0/UkEPjTxZDWI/AAAAAAAADp4/rL__pBIGd-Q/s200/DSC_6157.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie and Joan at Summer Palace,<br />
Beijing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f0OSGmpFf34/UkEPdb6-z0I/AAAAAAAADpo/ZEKZ1e6HnOg/s1600/DSC_6165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f0OSGmpFf34/UkEPdb6-z0I/AAAAAAAADpo/ZEKZ1e6HnOg/s200/DSC_6165.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken at the Summer Palace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kne5mxkBmQs/UkIZa5IqS1I/AAAAAAAADsc/gnMVPqKKxvY/s1600/DSC_6154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kne5mxkBmQs/UkIZa5IqS1I/AAAAAAAADsc/gnMVPqKKxvY/s200/DSC_6154.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walk the Long Corridor, more<br />
than 14,000 paintings displayed</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_eiqXx07X4/UkEPhN2ngoI/AAAAAAAADpw/XC3QWY14zN0/s1600/DSC_6175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D_eiqXx07X4/UkEPhN2ngoI/AAAAAAAADpw/XC3QWY14zN0/s320/DSC_6175.JPG" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joan at the Big Red Door, Beijing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5wpVcmt9WI/UkFR2lBWtgI/AAAAAAAADqU/oOUhHqJvuP0/s1600/DSC_6185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c5wpVcmt9WI/UkFR2lBWtgI/AAAAAAAADqU/oOUhHqJvuP0/s400/DSC_6185.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17 Arch Bridge on Kunming Lake, Summer Palace<br />
<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ4S1p0_k2c/UkFYH59dINI/AAAAAAAADq0/Mr04sXj7g5k/s1600/DSC_6203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ4S1p0_k2c/UkFYH59dINI/AAAAAAAADq0/Mr04sXj7g5k/s200/DSC_6203.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joan at one of the Wall's many towers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTWOUqU6At0/UkFWyjkepzI/AAAAAAAADqo/uoC854V5G7Y/s1600/DSC_6208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yTWOUqU6At0/UkFWyjkepzI/AAAAAAAADqo/uoC854V5G7Y/s200/DSC_6208.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great hike on Great Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We had the opportunity to hike the Great Wall one more time. This trip, we hiked the Mutianyu starting point, about 1.5 hours north of Beijing. We took a chair lift up, hiked for 2-3 hours, then came down on the toboggan!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-firYvcGZ_eE/UkFj5ect4TI/AAAAAAAADrk/h5tL1GRj01M/s1600/DSC_6191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-firYvcGZ_eE/UkFj5ect4TI/AAAAAAAADrk/h5tL1GRj01M/s200/DSC_6191.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joan on the chair lift up to the Great Wall trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkMYd4tGzSA/UkFpj1fM0zI/AAAAAAAADsE/-ugXEeQD3Nw/s1600/DSC_6220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkMYd4tGzSA/UkFpj1fM0zI/AAAAAAAADsE/-ugXEeQD3Nw/s320/DSC_6220.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken enjoys being back at the Great Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9nQQUJPBR4/UkIYtE0LACI/AAAAAAAADsU/6yfvfgbOQKQ/s1600/DSC_6199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h9nQQUJPBR4/UkIYtE0LACI/AAAAAAAADsU/6yfvfgbOQKQ/s200/DSC_6199.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J and J at the Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_sv2DtYo-Q/UkFj_VHNqAI/AAAAAAAADrs/UwfmurSEVJs/s1600/DSC_6192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_sv2DtYo-Q/UkFj_VHNqAI/AAAAAAAADrs/UwfmurSEVJs/s200/DSC_6192.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tobaggan ride down!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQpno8hNVNE/UkFhrMwfT_I/AAAAAAAADrY/dGCXN-WQo24/s1600/DSC_6228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gQpno8hNVNE/UkFhrMwfT_I/AAAAAAAADrY/dGCXN-WQo24/s200/DSC_6228.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joan and Jeanie enjoy their Sihe Courtyard Hotel,<br />
Beijing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Psalm 90:12</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Next Time: Dragon Back Rice Terraces and Mystical Mountains of Guangxi</b></div>
K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-80803732909019825042013-08-24T21:41:00.000-07:002013-08-24T21:41:52.102-07:00Escaping Shanghai's Heat<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlfoWnw43UI/Uhbr1LRIbzI/AAAAAAAADEg/e_Lphbfh2PU/s1600/DSC_6024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZlfoWnw43UI/Uhbr1LRIbzI/AAAAAAAADEg/e_Lphbfh2PU/s200/DSC_6024.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J & K in Moganshan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>It's really hot in Shanghai.</b> We thought we could handle it. But when you have a record-breaking-summer-heat, it's hard to handle. <br />
<br />
So, what now? Well, one piece of GOOD NEWS: yesterday marked the end of the 40 day <b><i>Fu</i></b>, the hottest part of summer according to the chinese lunar calendar. Winds from the Tai Feng (typhoon) in Taiwan have cooled us a bit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7DNdh9pQrTU/Uha0q7Yz4aI/AAAAAAAADBM/0m-WUosMSo8/s1600/DSC_6016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7DNdh9pQrTU/Uha0q7Yz4aI/AAAAAAAADBM/0m-WUosMSo8/s200/DSC_6016.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missionary house from the 1920's</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b>
<b> What did we do to-escape-Shanghai-heat?</b> Besides AC and drinking lots of water, <b>we traveled to two places in China that are <i>supposed</i> getaways from the scorching Shanghai heat. </b><br />
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<b> First, <i>Moganshan</i>.</b> Moganshan became a resort for missionaries and a retreat for Shanghai gangsters and politicians. (Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai Shek.) Go figure! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u13TD48qmmY/Uha2y0LOGDI/AAAAAAAADBY/cDvB7OsB6S0/s1600/DSC_6023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u13TD48qmmY/Uha2y0LOGDI/AAAAAAAADBY/cDvB7OsB6S0/s200/DSC_6023.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gavin and May</td></tr>
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We thoroughly enjoyed our time with our new friends Gavin and his wife, May. The food was fresh and delicious, the hiking was not as crowded as many Chinese hikes, and the river rafting was like a Disneyland ride, but much more dangerous.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf-g_WtpX0Q/Uha4rf0KfpI/AAAAAAAADBs/uTJijj3uAo0/s1600/DSC_6053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rf-g_WtpX0Q/Uha4rf0KfpI/AAAAAAAADBs/uTJijj3uAo0/s320/DSC_6053.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wildest river rafting ever... sort of like<br />
Disneyland's bumper cars, but in the water. <br />
River guides stand at the side and<br />
pull you into rapid chutes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3y52S3OR_do/Uha7kZFY2OI/AAAAAAAADCE/a_MltX-L1Vk/s1600/DSC_6036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3y52S3OR_do/Uha7kZFY2OI/AAAAAAAADCE/a_MltX-L1Vk/s320/DSC_6036.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Moganshan, 2.5 hour drive west of Shanghai, in Zhejiang Province</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2-wsdPlHGk/Uha6Di4nQrI/AAAAAAAADB4/N-XCsJmaonE/s1600/DSC_5992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2-wsdPlHGk/Uha6Di4nQrI/AAAAAAAADB4/N-XCsJmaonE/s200/DSC_5992.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahh...tranquil bamboo forest hiking<br />
It's hard to find any paths in China <br />
without hordes of people<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwmoLekuEAs/Uha8KeWT07I/AAAAAAAADCM/OvGmdNTuwp8/s1600/DSC_5998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uwmoLekuEAs/Uha8KeWT07I/AAAAAAAADCM/OvGmdNTuwp8/s320/DSC_5998.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One really can hire workers to carry you on a hike!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43Lo_kgBJr4/Uha4Amv0JSI/AAAAAAAADBo/AVSpqawLNGs/s1600/DSC_6018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-43Lo_kgBJr4/Uha4Amv0JSI/AAAAAAAADBo/AVSpqawLNGs/s200/DSC_6018.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken decides to reverse the roles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LKM8wQMcUk/Uha8jnwaD8I/AAAAAAAADCU/U_ixL7qaDBw/s1600/DSC_6033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5LKM8wQMcUk/Uha8jnwaD8I/AAAAAAAADCU/U_ixL7qaDBw/s200/DSC_6033.JPG" width="132" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken enjoys Weird Rock,<br />
that's what it's called on the map!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Xjzr43FgY/Uha9DCwYHWI/AAAAAAAADCc/OHIKvfd5KDE/s1600/DSC_5995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F_Xjzr43FgY/Uha9DCwYHWI/AAAAAAAADCc/OHIKvfd5KDE/s320/DSC_5995.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie and May on a hike overlooking temple<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg3Vw7HAC7Y/Uhbako4TTDI/AAAAAAAADCs/F2_Tgo8tmuo/s1600/DSC_6072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg3Vw7HAC7Y/Uhbako4TTDI/AAAAAAAADCs/F2_Tgo8tmuo/s200/DSC_6072.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vats of what else? Tsingtao beer<br />
Take-away plastic bags of beer are sold around town.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The next stop on our trying-to-escape-the-Shanghai-heat, is the <b>German influenced town of </b><i><b>Qingdao</b></i>. <i>T Some Chinese even call it "China Switzerland'... NOT!</i> People come to <b>Qingdao in Shangdong Province,</b> 1.5 hour flight north from Shanghai, for the beaches and <b>Tsingtao</b> beer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZTIXq8gLPk/UhbcVztswTI/AAAAAAAADDA/53co_iKyZLU/s1600/DSC_6069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZTIXq8gLPk/UhbcVztswTI/AAAAAAAADDA/53co_iKyZLU/s200/DSC_6069.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, it's really called Beer Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Former German governor's residence, 1903</td></tr>
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In 1898, German forces took Qingdao after two German missionaries were killed. Qingdao was under German rule for 99 years. In 1903, the Tsingtao Brewery was open. Protestant and Catholic churches were built.<br />
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Qingdao even hosted the Olympic sailing event in 2008.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-49Gxkh9Kt6o/Uhbdc7_lXzI/AAAAAAAADDM/SzoongW-BMI/s1600/DSC_6111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-49Gxkh9Kt6o/Uhbdc7_lXzI/AAAAAAAADDM/SzoongW-BMI/s320/DSC_6111.JPG" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Protestant Church, 1908</td></tr>
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#1 Bathing Beach, most crowded of all 6 bathing spots<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie tries to stay cool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone is at the beach,<br />
even multiple brides-to-be</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#2 Bathing beach, bring your own umbrella</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beach head volleyball</td></tr>
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We enjoyed Qingdao. The ocean breezes were cool enough, but honestly, it was still hot. It's hard to find anywhere in China that can escape-the-Shanghai-Heat-of-2013.<br />
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Even with the extreme heat, we are grateful that God gives us strength, and we in turn can provide shade for others.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See, a King will reign in righteousness... each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaiah 32: 1-2</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Next Time: September Visitors</span></b></div>
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<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-8486545605632909252013-08-05T04:47:00.000-07:002013-08-05T04:47:32.464-07:00Suzhou<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzhou canal</td></tr>
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<b>Suzhou</b>- it's been called the <i>Venice of the East</i> because of its many canals. <b>Suzhou</b> is a beautiful, 2,500 year old town in the Yangzi Basin.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suzhou gondolier</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donne, Ken's colleague</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jesse, Donne's daughter</td></tr>
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We take a 40 minute fast-train to <b>Suzhou </b>in<b> Jiangsu Province </b>and meet up with Ken's colleague, Donne, and his family, Danna and Jesse. Donne is our tour guide and gracious host.<br />
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We enjoy a weekend of exploring the gardens, cobbled streets and the canals of <b>Suzhou. </b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mocdGYPx2mQ/UfpBRfRzhSI/AAAAAAAAC_w/VLvdjMMBRVs/s1600/DSC_5924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mocdGYPx2mQ/UfpBRfRzhSI/AAAAAAAAC_w/VLvdjMMBRVs/s200/DSC_5924.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaning Cloud Rock Pagoda<br />
at Tiger Hill<br />
Built in 10th century<br />
Began to tilt 400 years ago!</td></tr>
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When the Grand Canal <i>(canal that connects the Yellow River with Yangzi River</i>) was completed, Suzhou became an important shipping center and China's leading silk-producing city.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k0WRhPHvYqM/UfoDm0cebCI/AAAAAAAAC84/zG0epsnumjc/s1600/DSC_5984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k0WRhPHvYqM/UfoDm0cebCI/AAAAAAAAC84/zG0epsnumjc/s320/DSC_5984.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stay in a 400 year old residence,<br />
Pingjiang Lodge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lotus bud</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBXpGo8OvRs/Uf-PMe9A00I/AAAAAAAADA4/2GJeOaGnN_w/s1600/DSC_5947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eBXpGo8OvRs/Uf-PMe9A00I/AAAAAAAADA4/2GJeOaGnN_w/s200/DSC_5947.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Haoche! (yummy) </i> Signature fish dish </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg3L6V66d7Y/UfoNPkhKKTI/AAAAAAAAC-A/xihe3JF9k58/s1600/DSC_5958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hg3L6V66d7Y/UfoNPkhKKTI/AAAAAAAAC-A/xihe3JF9k58/s200/DSC_5958.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donne and Jesse </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb0YDuCLZ5s/UfoPNk280KI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/VnLMWl-xYms/s1600/DSC_5977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rb0YDuCLZ5s/UfoPNk280KI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/VnLMWl-xYms/s200/DSC_5977.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">North temple pagoda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxwrsYlA8tU/UfobDO_PaHI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/4vZzcKF3mlQ/s1600/DSC_5972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cxwrsYlA8tU/UfobDO_PaHI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/4vZzcKF3mlQ/s320/DSC_5972.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four elements of a Chinese garden:<br />
vegetation, water, rocks, architecture</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDss9aLNXy4/UfodCzPh5aI/AAAAAAAAC_g/oo3hpVGa1Og/s1600/DSC_5976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDss9aLNXy4/UfodCzPh5aI/AAAAAAAAC_g/oo3hpVGa1Og/s200/DSC_5976.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing doorways</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken explores the narrow streets of Suzhou</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVhMnmOhABA/UfpRVm-tKqI/AAAAAAAADAQ/qQEvcdJn5qQ/s1600/_MG_7499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nVhMnmOhABA/UfpRVm-tKqI/AAAAAAAADAQ/qQEvcdJn5qQ/s320/_MG_7499.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J and K in the garden<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ockJipozGcU/UfoIg5Pmt3I/AAAAAAAAC9g/H2JR58Gp4_s/s1600/DSC_5964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ockJipozGcU/UfoIg5Pmt3I/AAAAAAAAC9g/H2JR58Gp4_s/s320/DSC_5964.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Afternoon rain at the<br />
Humble Administrator's Garden<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Portland Oregon's Classical Chinese Garden, now called</span><b style="font-size: medium;"> Lan Su Garden</b><span style="font-size: small;">, was influenced by this famous Suzhou Garden. The new name </span><b style="font-size: medium;">Lan Su</b><span style="font-size: small;"> is taken from Port</span><b style="font-size: medium;">lan</b><span style="font-size: small;">d and </span><b style="font-size: medium;">Su</b><span style="font-size: small;">zhou.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKLaQxmv23Y/UfoL1tYD71I/AAAAAAAAC9w/Uq_XfU2Iq2w/s1600/DSC_5963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jKLaQxmv23Y/UfoL1tYD71I/AAAAAAAAC9w/Uq_XfU2Iq2w/s320/DSC_5963.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the 14th century, painters, actors, schcolars and aritstocrats<br />
arrive in Suzhou and build villas and gardens<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><i><br />"The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters will never fail." Isaiah 58:11</i></b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MM9Y86JvkW0/Ufn9_mSYa9I/AAAAAAAAC74/RS_OgThdXL8/s1600/_MG_7554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><i><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MM9Y86JvkW0/Ufn9_mSYa9I/AAAAAAAAC74/RS_OgThdXL8/s320/_MG_7554.JPG" width="320" /></i></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our evening ends with a lovely dinner over looking the modern buildings<br />
of Suzhou and Jin Ji lake<br />
Danna, Donne's wife, and Jesse<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>Next Up</b>:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Escaping Shanghai Heat</i></span></td></tr>
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-66265705018541300852013-07-27T00:29:00.000-07:002013-07-27T00:29:08.789-07:00Huangshan Mountain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>Shanghai Daily</b>:<i><b> "Mercury hits </b></i><i><b>105 degrees hottest day since 1873."</b></i> For the past 25 days, we've experienced 90-105 degree heat.<br />
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Ken asks a colleague about his summer plans. He responds, "We don't plan anything, just stay inside with air conditioning on." <br />
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To escape the heat and to see one of the top five spots in all of China, we decide to fly one hour west to <b>Anhui Province</b> and visit <b>Huangshan Mountain</b>, with our visiting friend, Lisa McNamara. Not only is it considerably cooler, and misty, but the Chinese have done an amazing job building stairs and trails throughout these granite peaks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With an explosion of Chinese tourism, solitude is hard to come by</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huangshan mist</td></tr>
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We decide to take the cable car up, knowing that once we arrive, we are still going to need to walk up/down, up/down. The many stairs and paths are exhausting and exhilarating.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huangshan Mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken surrounded by beauty:) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stairs are attached to the mountain!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa and Jeanie on mountain path<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Hotel on the mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Twisted pines, granite peaks, mountain mist</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; font-weight: bold;"><br />I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2</span></div>
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We spend one night at the mountain, and one night in Tunxi, a quaint town at the base of the mountain.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa buys souvenirs in Tunxi </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Town of Tunxi</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa visits Shanghai for 10 days<br />River cruise on Huangpu</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shout out to July visitors!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jody Horner visits Shanghai/Beijing<br /> for 7 days before flying to Thailand</td></tr>
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<b>Next Up: </b> </div>
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The gardens of <b>Suzhou</b>, a canal town</div>
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-54157984660628899532013-07-12T17:02:00.000-07:002013-07-12T17:02:13.031-07:00Shanxi Hospitality<div style="text-align: right;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan, <i>Wang Xueyan</i>, with his extended family</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We come to <b>Shanxi</b> Province, 2 hours by plane, to meet up with Ken's work friend, Bryan, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and his extended family. </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whenever you travel to a foreign country, be sure and hook up with as many friends and their families as possible. </i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Travel becomes a more authentic and fun experience.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying lunch in a Pingyao courtyard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many dishes!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first thing one learns about <b>Taiyuan</b> in <b>Shanxi</b>, is <b>THE NOODLES</b>. They are very proud of their fantastic food and abundance of noodles: </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>oatmeal noodle, cat eared pasta, knife cut noodles, hand pulled noodles, 25 meter long noodle in one bowl, and noodles cut with giant scissors </i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's OKAY to slurp noodles. Really.</td></tr>
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We travel two hours south of <b>Taiyuan</b> to<b> Pingyao</b>. <b>Pingyao</b> is China's best preserved walled city. 40,000 people live in this ancient city. No cars are allowed, just bicycles and tour buggies.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; text-align: center;"> Confucius Temple from the top of Pingyao city wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pingyao City Tower</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reenactment of ancient court system<br />
from Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mao Lan, Jeanie, Fannie<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pingyao is a World Heritage Site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQQ8dR7N3KU/Ud-C_n7OACI/AAAAAAAAC1o/sNWFUsliyhg/s1600/DSC_5287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zQQ8dR7N3KU/Ud-C_n7OACI/AAAAAAAAC1o/sNWFUsliyhg/s200/DSC_5287.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One can walk the city's wall:<br />
6 km circumference</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJmLFs_KJMY/Ud5GVEX1w4I/AAAAAAAAC0c/_GylWeMgV-E/s1600/IMG_6060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oJmLFs_KJMY/Ud5GVEX1w4I/AAAAAAAAC0c/_GylWeMgV-E/s320/IMG_6060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New friends made in Pingyao</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W84TRL8Ygk8/Ud-FyoEg1_I/AAAAAAAAC2Y/S63I3Z81g3I/s1600/DSC_5318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W84TRL8Ygk8/Ud-FyoEg1_I/AAAAAAAAC2Y/S63I3Z81g3I/s200/DSC_5318.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Qiao Family Couryard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wxv71QU8ICU/Ud5JU_SoKkI/AAAAAAAAC1A/b73-MtCZfIQ/s1600/DSC_5333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wxv71QU8ICU/Ud5JU_SoKkI/AAAAAAAAC1A/b73-MtCZfIQ/s200/DSC_5333.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raise the Red Lantern</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Near Taiyuan, we visit another unique site called<i> </i><b>Qiao Family courtyard</b>, Qing-dynasty merchant's residence. This complex is made famous by the filming of the movie <i>Raise the Red Lantern. </i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zhou Cypress has been growing at<br />
an angle for 900 years!</td></tr>
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Finally, we relax at the park in Jinci Temple before travelling back to Shanghai.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One final restaurant before we depart</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are in awe of the hospitality of Bryan and his wife, Wendy's family. The minute we arrive, we are not allowed to pay for anything, and everything is organized for us: hotel, transportation, meals, and tourism. We are additionally overwhelmed when we are presented with numerous gifts upon departure: hand-painted scroll painting, bottles of <b>Shanxi</b> famous vinegar, tins of green tea, and a beautiful lacquer-ware jewelry box. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Xie, xie !!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Proverbs 11:25</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope to repay their kindness by being excellent hosts to any of you who can come visit us whether it be Shanghai, China, or Tacoma, Washington.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Zai jian, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">K and J</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next Up</b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: Granite peaks, twisted pines, and the poetic mist of </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Huangshan Mt.</b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-44159698878383501342013-06-27T05:35:00.000-07:002013-06-27T05:35:08.487-07:00Yunnan<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRZk_EoMyRw/Uctz4zNyfXI/AAAAAAAACf0/1-L1XvLJ4i4/s1600/DSC_5756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NRZk_EoMyRw/Uctz4zNyfXI/AAAAAAAACf0/1-L1XvLJ4i4/s200/DSC_5756.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tibetan Women in <i>Shangri-la</i></td></tr>
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There are 23 provinces in China; <b><i>Yunnan</i> is one of the most diverse</b>. More than half of China's ethnic minority groups live in <i>Yunnan</i>. The land is also diverse: jungles, rivers, rice terraces, and snow-capped mountains that border Tibet.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bai</i> woman selling goods</td></tr>
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We come to <i>Yunnan</i> to rejuvenate, breathe in clean air, hike, explore, and leave the city crowds behind. To adjust to the high elevation, we slowly travel our way up towards <i>Shangri-la.</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J_tMddQfpCk/Ucq4nVZPgMI/AAAAAAAACfE/dA8Nd6KK5zc/s1600/DSC_5414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J_tMddQfpCk/Ucq4nVZPgMI/AAAAAAAACfE/dA8Nd6KK5zc/s200/DSC_5414.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children at recess at Green Lake<br />
in <i>Kunming</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yEYSMWObiCg/Ucq4iUh-cOI/AAAAAAAACe8/maco0g2v_HE/s1600/DSC_5411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yEYSMWObiCg/Ucq4iUh-cOI/AAAAAAAACe8/maco0g2v_HE/s200/DSC_5411.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1,000 year old Buddhist temple</td></tr>
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Our first stop is <b><i>Kunming</i></b> called the "Spring City" because of its lovely, pleasant year-round weather.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAZ2rBYxAW8/Ucq6LpZ7RRI/AAAAAAAACfU/o-OYLzDhqe8/s1600/DSC_5418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fAZ2rBYxAW8/Ucq6LpZ7RRI/AAAAAAAACfU/o-OYLzDhqe8/s200/DSC_5418.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Our train ride is not what<br />
we expect: 8 people seated<br />
in each sleeper car.<br />
We choose the jump<br />
seats at the side aisle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Co4xkhjLpqQ/Ucq6c9RXtOI/AAAAAAAACfk/uTGXpJmSwu4/s1600/DSC_5429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Co4xkhjLpqQ/Ucq6c9RXtOI/AAAAAAAACfk/uTGXpJmSwu4/s200/DSC_5429.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rice terrace views as we journey up towards <i>Dali</i></td></tr>
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Then we take a train to<i> <b>Dali</b>.</i> Once a backpacker hang-out, and very touristy, now it seems like most tourists have gone further north to <i>Lijiang</i>. We love<i> Dali</i>. <i>Erhai</i> lake to the east, and the <i>Cang Shang</i> mountain range to the west.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afqC7mEoO74/Uct2npwhgyI/AAAAAAAACgU/vGG6vL5PRZw/s1600/DSC_5432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-afqC7mEoO74/Uct2npwhgyI/AAAAAAAACgU/vGG6vL5PRZw/s200/DSC_5432.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room overlooks <i>Erhai Hu</i> Lake, <i>Dali</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNJkb4seJ-g/Uct2pTSeZDI/AAAAAAAACgc/O6dTkjNMykw/s1600/DSC_5449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iNJkb4seJ-g/Uct2pTSeZDI/AAAAAAAACgc/O6dTkjNMykw/s200/DSC_5449.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cang Shan</i> Mountains in <i>Dali</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWWtwaejV-w/Uct2ruxT3bI/AAAAAAAACgo/O7vkRcvDiWU/s1600/DSC_5515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWWtwaejV-w/Uct2ruxT3bI/AAAAAAAACgo/O7vkRcvDiWU/s200/DSC_5515.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown <i>Dali</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxO68nZI_sk/Uct7D5IGwZI/AAAAAAAAChU/iBHzBee-bV0/s1600/DSC_5453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RxO68nZI_sk/Uct7D5IGwZI/AAAAAAAAChU/iBHzBee-bV0/s200/DSC_5453.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We take the gondola to the top of<i> Cang Shan,</i><br />
to hike along the wild <i>Du Jian Hua</i>, rhododendrons.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzAFSNRDMrw/UcwjR4OBGDI/AAAAAAAACxo/lSVzK7GMtpg/s1600/DSC_5493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EzAFSNRDMrw/UcwjR4OBGDI/AAAAAAAACxo/lSVzK7GMtpg/s200/DSC_5493.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native Rhododendrons bloom for 20 days in June</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bV9Tv_I5rMk/Ucwj54PuiXI/AAAAAAAACx0/njEhMkZ4Mio/s1600/DSC_5519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bV9Tv_I5rMk/Ucwj54PuiXI/AAAAAAAACx0/njEhMkZ4Mio/s320/DSC_5519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike ride in <i>Dali</i></td></tr>
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After <i>Dali</i>, we take a bus to <i><b>Lijiang</b></i>. <i>Lijiang</i>, a United Nation World Heritage Site, is a maze of cobbled streets and canals. Tons of tourist groups, we try to find backdoor places and stay out of the main areas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4VEzXxpGr0/Uct9rI0TXSI/AAAAAAAACh0/RNeWBn2ol7I/s1600/DSC_5541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m4VEzXxpGr0/Uct9rI0TXSI/AAAAAAAACh0/RNeWBn2ol7I/s200/DSC_5541.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Yunnanese Cuisine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JHitC8p__jE/Uct-iivOiqI/AAAAAAAACh8/zWH7QqQOANc/s200/DSC_5547.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lijiang, Yunnan</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWRvAwUJ-WY/Uct-nE6rEJI/AAAAAAAACiU/srTnVq7T0oQ/s1600/DSC_5559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YWRvAwUJ-WY/Uct-nE6rEJI/AAAAAAAACiU/srTnVq7T0oQ/s320/DSC_5559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The<i> Naxi</i> (people of <i>Lijiang</i>) Orchestra, original instruments</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGopUDxemIc/Uct-nRDmKgI/AAAAAAAACiY/0aVxeEJ7IK0/s1600/DSC_5560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KGopUDxemIc/Uct-nRDmKgI/AAAAAAAACiY/0aVxeEJ7IK0/s200/DSC_5560.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music from the Han, Song, Tang<br />
Dynasties</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXKmkaznyHw/UcuBmAYa5YI/AAAAAAAACjI/fqUPZwTyc7Y/s1600/DSC_5577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXKmkaznyHw/UcuBmAYa5YI/AAAAAAAACjI/fqUPZwTyc7Y/s320/DSC_5577.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">300 year old Tibetan Monestary</td></tr>
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<i><b>Shangri-la</b></i> was made famous by the book (and movie) called <i>The Lost Horizon</i>. A beautiful city, with an amazing 300 year old monastery, at about 10,000 feet elevation. We spend only one night in <i>Shangri-la</i> because we want to get even higher up into the mountains: <i> Meili Xueshan</i> (Beautiful Snow Mountains)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDA8ZfWQMcA/UcuBjgss6QI/AAAAAAAACi8/SwgkIxW6C8k/s1600/DSC_5568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDA8ZfWQMcA/UcuBjgss6QI/AAAAAAAACi8/SwgkIxW6C8k/s200/DSC_5568.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful <i>Shangri-la</i> </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie enjoys Yak Hot Pot</td></tr>
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We take a scary bus ride, five hours, to our final destination. We could<br />
have rented a driver for $300.00, but we decide on the public bus for $20.00. <i>Harrowing to say the least.</i> Because the roads are not yet comfortable and convenient, this most northern location in Yunnan, is less populated with mainly Tibetan people and Chinese backpackers. Our stay at Meili Songtsam Lodge is the best part of our trip and a fabulous celebration for our anniversary!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLt8TRCCF2M/UcwGmVFv2NI/AAAAAAAACug/c-tdcex5dI4/s1600/DSC_5674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hLt8TRCCF2M/UcwGmVFv2NI/AAAAAAAACug/c-tdcex5dI4/s200/DSC_5674.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Songstam Meili Lodge<br /> Tibetan run and owned</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4Icm0F9NyY/UcwDWIRicpI/AAAAAAAACuE/YYeICvf6EtA/s1600/DSC_5637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4Icm0F9NyY/UcwDWIRicpI/AAAAAAAACuE/YYeICvf6EtA/s200/DSC_5637.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> We make it to the top of an 8 hour hike</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BBADmcpN2e8/UcwDWCVKCXI/AAAAAAAACuA/0bD0omC76Wo/s1600/DSC_5639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BBADmcpN2e8/UcwDWCVKCXI/AAAAAAAACuA/0bD0omC76Wo/s200/DSC_5639.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken is thrilled to be in the mountains<br />and breathing clean, albeit thin air</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85hzc3mgGT4/UcwGlFPBbwI/AAAAAAAACuY/AJ1Pk8CPsGE/s1600/DSC_5644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-85hzc3mgGT4/UcwGlFPBbwI/AAAAAAAACuY/AJ1Pk8CPsGE/s200/DSC_5644.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating lunch near the top of hike<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VvVQf3No_Vo/UcwKaVYKb2I/AAAAAAAACvQ/Se7ak-tOWF8/s1600/DSC_5701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VvVQf3No_Vo/UcwKaVYKb2I/AAAAAAAACvQ/Se7ak-tOWF8/s200/DSC_5701.JPG" width="130" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie enjoys <br />Tibetan pastureland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwpbQr0E96Y/Ucwh81FKz3I/AAAAAAAACxU/yot65p0a1Dg/s1600/DSC_5679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwpbQr0E96Y/Ucwh81FKz3I/AAAAAAAACxU/yot65p0a1Dg/s200/DSC_5679.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tibetan yak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9GPGSlcj5U/UcwKXx-L5xI/AAAAAAAACvA/xNTBUjLjTaY/s1600/DSC_5709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9GPGSlcj5U/UcwKXx-L5xI/AAAAAAAACvA/xNTBUjLjTaY/s320/DSC_5709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miacimu Mountain, 19, 862 ft</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSHcc0Nkh6s/UcwKYWh1BuI/AAAAAAAACvI/3NsRReTJxsk/s1600/DSC_5710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSHcc0Nkh6s/UcwKYWh1BuI/AAAAAAAACvI/3NsRReTJxsk/s320/DSC_5710.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tallest mountain in Yunnan, Meili, (Kawa Gebo) 22, 112 ft.</td></tr>
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Yunnan is a magical destination in China. We are in awe of God's creation.<br />
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Oh Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens...when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8: 1,3</div>
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Ken and Jeanie</div>
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<b>Next Time</b>: New friends in Shanxi Province</div>
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-54953700625022365862013-06-05T02:55:00.000-07:002013-06-05T02:55:39.202-07:00Amazing Beijing<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--N6bZWTxudw/Ua7tFMfXgLI/AAAAAAAACb8/0Ork0GsgZv4/s1600/DSC_5091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--N6bZWTxudw/Ua7tFMfXgLI/AAAAAAAACb8/0Ork0GsgZv4/s200/DSC_5091.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Forbidden City from Jingshan Park</td></tr>
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Beijing, China's Capital. Awe-inspiring from the Hutong alleyways and the Forbidden City to the Great Wall.<br />
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From Shanghai, we took a five hour high speed train north to Beijing. We met up with Ken's Intel colleague and friend, Xue Yan (Bryan). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ziMKHQkHIMY/Ua7vtEY-kXI/AAAAAAAACdE/FP9Qye96O-w/s1600/DSC_5125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ziMKHQkHIMY/Ua7vtEY-kXI/AAAAAAAACdE/FP9Qye96O-w/s200/DSC_5125.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bryan at bronze vat in Forbidden City</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nanluoguxiang Hutong</td></tr>
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We stayed three nights in the Peking International Hostel on a main Hutong, Nanluoguxiang. Historic, charming, authentic, colorful: hutongs are the heart and soul of Beijing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DcJdajecYM/Ua7tcFGs9hI/AAAAAAAACcU/56-m7oLDgxo/s1600/DSC_5076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2DcJdajecYM/Ua7tcFGs9hI/AAAAAAAACcU/56-m7oLDgxo/s200/DSC_5076.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying coffee at International Hostel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8P_HM0fMwNM/Ua7tcaqJMaI/AAAAAAAACcY/oLlKhS9sKz8/s1600/DSC_5079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8P_HM0fMwNM/Ua7tcaqJMaI/AAAAAAAACcY/oLlKhS9sKz8/s200/DSC_5079.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Impromptu music in the Hutong</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WuPgsM-awME/Ua7vF2hubmI/AAAAAAAACc8/CEnth10pmk4/s1600/DSC_5147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WuPgsM-awME/Ua7vF2hubmI/AAAAAAAACc8/CEnth10pmk4/s200/DSC_5147.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie and Mao Zedong, Tiananmen Square</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBz80ljn53s/Ua7tF1AK16I/AAAAAAAACcE/zdqhUu1z2nU/s1600/DSC_5112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VBz80ljn53s/Ua7tF1AK16I/AAAAAAAACcE/zdqhUu1z2nU/s200/DSC_5112.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forbidden City, immense</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LbRH8uGCDgw/Ua7vFeCptKI/AAAAAAAACc0/SLwi96H_-_o/s1600/DSC_5146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LbRH8uGCDgw/Ua7vFeCptKI/AAAAAAAACc0/SLwi96H_-_o/s200/DSC_5146.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haoche- delicious!</td></tr>
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We visited the Forbidden City (looks just like in the movie, The Last Emperor) and of course, we feasted on Peking Duck.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live scorpions on a stick, really!</td></tr>
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Our favorite part of the trip was hiking the Great Wall. We drove two hours north in a minivan with other hikers. We chose to hike the less touristy part of the wall from Jinshanling to Simatai. An amazing journey in the northern part of China that borders Mongolia.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked six kilometers</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Views that go on forever</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80Ff1QTTArY/Ua7xZncrKFI/AAAAAAAACds/l11W5XjIwlg/s1600/DSC_5185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-80Ff1QTTArY/Ua7xZncrKFI/AAAAAAAACds/l11W5XjIwlg/s320/DSC_5185.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken at the Wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a74qw4C70h4/Ua7xi-IHKKI/AAAAAAAACd8/qIjQpMogP4w/s1600/DSC_5186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a74qw4C70h4/Ua7xi-IHKKI/AAAAAAAACd8/qIjQpMogP4w/s200/DSC_5186.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the 22 towers we hiked</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_lMXmXRE1I/Ua7y568EnaI/AAAAAAAACeM/iYCnyUkMZrg/s1600/DSC_5166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_lMXmXRE1I/Ua7y568EnaI/AAAAAAAACeM/iYCnyUkMZrg/s200/DSC_5166.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie and a new Mongolian friend</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFz7Ux-0htI/Ua7y7M1hWQI/AAAAAAAACec/0kgs_GpRZUE/s1600/DSC_5168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tFz7Ux-0htI/Ua7y7M1hWQI/AAAAAAAACec/0kgs_GpRZUE/s320/DSC_5168.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Great Wall, indeed</td></tr>
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Fifteen years ago on June 15, Ken and Jeanie were married. We still believe more than ever that:<br />
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<b>The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy.</b> <i>Psalm 126:3</i></div>
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For the next ten days, we will celebrate marriage and rejoice in God's beauty as we travel the southwest province of China called <b><i>Yunnan</i></b>. We will hike the Tiger Leaping Gorge, and gaze at the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayas. <br />
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More photos and adventures to come....<br />
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-67850628082806148542013-05-11T20:31:00.000-07:002013-05-11T20:31:37.355-07:00Streets of Shanghai<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Bicycle bells ring throughout the day<br />
to gather recycling</td></tr>
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We really enjoy living in Shanghai. We are happy to live in
the French Concession (or settlement) area: smaller apartments, busy streets, narrow sidewalks, but perfectly
shaded and so many interesting sites. We can walk mostly everywhere around town. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The leaves are back<br />
in the French Concession </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tai Chi in nearby Xujiahui Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mao Zedong met here<br />
in the French Concession during<br />
early formation of communist party</td></tr>
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The French Concession, <i>French Town</i>, helped make Shanghai known as the <i>Paris of the East.</i> 1920’s mansions and French-influenced architecture plus a lively Chinese streets give this area color and elegance. When we see/hear other<i> laowai</i>, foreigners, they often are speaking French!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie's favorite flower vendor </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1904 St. Ignatius Cathedral in Xujiahui</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken enjoys his $10 massage, wash and cut<br />
around the corner from our apt</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie enjoys spring color in Xujiahui park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">French designed Xiangyang park </td></tr>
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We live on the <b>Puxi</b> side of Shanghai. The Huangpu River separates PUXI from PUDONG. (<b>Pu</b> means river. <b>Xi</b> is west of river, and D<b>ong</b> is east.) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every afternoon children accompanied by<br />
Grandparents rollerblade<br />
in nearby Xujiahui Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calligraphy in the Lu Xun Park </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Badminton in Lu Xun park</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The neighborhood is one big outdoor gym!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical alleyway or <i>longtong</i> in our neighborhood</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Blue and white calico hang to dry<br />
in this <i>longtong</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Shanghai Sculpture Park, within walking<br />
distance from our apt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken's Story: abacus to computer</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken with famous literary persons<br />
on Duolun culture street</td></tr>
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<b>Interested in reading more about the history of Shanghai/China? Here are Jeanie's book/dvd picks:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li><b><i style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -24px;">Shanghai Girls</i><span style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -24px;"> by Lisa See</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -24px;"><i>Uncommon Journey</i>, by Strobin & Wacs (In 1938, 20,000 Jews came to Shanghai to flee Nazi persecution)</span></b></li>
<li><b><span style="font-weight: normal; text-indent: -24px;"><i>Wild Swans </i>by Jung Chang</span></b></li>
<li><i style="text-indent: -24px;">Life and Death in Shanghai</i><span style="text-indent: -24px;">, by Nien Cheng</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;"><i>Pearl of China,</i> by Anchee Min</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;">DVD- Empire of the Sun</span></li>
<li><span style="text-indent: -24px;">DVD- Shanghai Calling (sort of cheezy, but somewhat accurate)</span></li>
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<i><b>Shout out to Visitors!</b></i></div>
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<i> We had a great visit with our Tacoma neighbors/friends: Jill and Mia </i><br />
<i>In addition, </i><br />
<i>Holly, former Karshner teacher, and friend, Clare came from Thailand to spend a couple of days with us.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mia enjoys the outdoor<br />
gym equipment</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We enjoy a morning at the Shanghai Zoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and Holly at Yu Gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the nightlife in Puxi<br />
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<b>Next time: Beijing </b></div>
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-56795206422336598942013-04-20T20:53:00.000-07:002013-04-20T20:53:15.705-07:00April in Japan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DcYd1qHoX98/UXNRUnHDbII/AAAAAAAACQ4/ylL7MGNV3EU/s1600/DSC_4679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DcYd1qHoX98/UXNRUnHDbII/AAAAAAAACQ4/ylL7MGNV3EU/s200/DSC_4679.JPG" width="200" /></a><b>We just spent seven nights in Japan on the floor.</b> We stayed in <b><i>Ryokans</i></b>: Japanese-style accommodation with tatami-mat rooms and futons instead of beds. <span style="text-align: center;">At night, the futons were laid out. </span>Japanese breakfasts were served in our rooms on low tables and we sat on mats or on low chairs. <span style="text-align: center;"><i>Ryokans</i> provide hot baths in separate communal tubs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5JqEJHho20/UXNVra4dj5I/AAAAAAAACRE/FMKiJdd_fwI/s1600/DSC_4681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U5JqEJHho20/UXNVra4dj5I/AAAAAAAACRE/FMKiJdd_fwI/s200/DSC_4681.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homeikan Ryokan in Tokyo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyfdM7mdBbA/UXIAdfr0yRI/AAAAAAAACMA/YiSjE_FLPao/s1600/DSC_4684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyfdM7mdBbA/UXIAdfr0yRI/AAAAAAAACMA/YiSjE_FLPao/s200/DSC_4684.JPG" width="200" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkiqra_cETU/UXIBk8xAVgI/AAAAAAAACMU/6niTTjDwW6o/s1600/IMG_20130408_074001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jkiqra_cETU/UXIBk8xAVgI/AAAAAAAACMU/6niTTjDwW6o/s200/IMG_20130408_074001.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7bIOfzv3ic/UXNT8o-ZhsI/AAAAAAAACQ8/egY4oSFa5qA/s1600/IMG_20130408_073949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O7bIOfzv3ic/UXNT8o-ZhsI/AAAAAAAACQ8/egY4oSFa5qA/s200/IMG_20130408_073949.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"> Many wear their Japanese robes or <b><i>yukatas</i></b> throughout the <b>Ryokan.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;"><b>We flew to Tokyo from Shanghai, and spent two nights in this modern yet classic city.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RReC-RDHq44/UXIF4KQcjUI/AAAAAAAACMc/VDVaCx-rG1c/s1600/DSC_4737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RReC-RDHq44/UXIF4KQcjUI/AAAAAAAACMc/VDVaCx-rG1c/s200/DSC_4737.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We appreciated the Japanese Pines as well as Sakura,<br />
(cherry blossoms)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry blossoms in peak season at Imperial Palace Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_E1vH93ETqA/UXIHEN_pOBI/AAAAAAAACM8/42oiJDWiWm0/s1600/DSC_4746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_E1vH93ETqA/UXIHEN_pOBI/AAAAAAAACM8/42oiJDWiWm0/s200/DSC_4746.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imperial Palace, home of Japan's Emperor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bIyLpquxak/UXIHUnMMk1I/AAAAAAAACNE/EOLyPcMWNeI/s1600/DSC_4749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bIyLpquxak/UXIHUnMMk1I/AAAAAAAACNE/EOLyPcMWNeI/s200/DSC_4749.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We loved the sculpted pines in the middle of Tokyo</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyjoN8-_c0c/UXIJXlax4JI/AAAAAAAACNM/6HSqlvadUPw/s1600/DSC_4769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyjoN8-_c0c/UXIJXlax4JI/AAAAAAAACNM/6HSqlvadUPw/s200/DSC_4769.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>We then took the bullet train (Shinkansen) to Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for one night.</b> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utYQOCXOVd8/UXKI1t6LchI/AAAAAAAACQU/7hj6byZe1NU/s1600/DSC_4968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="145" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-utYQOCXOVd8/UXKI1t6LchI/AAAAAAAACQU/7hj6byZe1NU/s320/DSC_4968.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mt. Fuji view from bullet train</td></tr>
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<b><span style="text-align: start;">The highlight of our trip was spent in </span><span style="text-align: start;">Kyoto</span></b><span style="text-align: start;"><b>, ancient capital of Japan</b>. According to Lonely Planet Guide Book: "Kyoto is one of the world's most culturally rich cities. Kyoto ranks with Paris, London, and Rome as one of the cities that everyone should see at least once in their lives."</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezymU9Nx4HA/UXITqclmMQI/AAAAAAAACNs/pPB168WLE_0/s1600/DSC_4774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ezymU9Nx4HA/UXITqclmMQI/AAAAAAAACNs/pPB168WLE_0/s200/DSC_4774.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Narrow streets of Kyoto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geisha District in Kyoto</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZkK0-ovga0/UXIGV6A76jI/AAAAAAAACM0/fz-Na5VxuWM/s1600/DSC_4724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZkK0-ovga0/UXIGV6A76jI/AAAAAAAACM0/fz-Na5VxuWM/s320/DSC_4724.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRumctEsU8I/UXITvcnIsRI/AAAAAAAACOE/Z_ZF6lKBBKE/s1600/DSC_4782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JRumctEsU8I/UXITvcnIsRI/AAAAAAAACOE/Z_ZF6lKBBKE/s200/DSC_4782.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blossom-lined street in front of our Ryokan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcUX_vDjocU/UXIVz_hh_5I/AAAAAAAACOQ/mlfrGXh8JdY/s1600/DSC_4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcUX_vDjocU/UXIVz_hh_5I/AAAAAAAACOQ/mlfrGXh8JdY/s200/DSC_4845.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie along the <i>path of philosophy</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2fBAJzSVBk/UXIXJyYFMFI/AAAAAAAACOk/WdsoPRlPcw0/s1600/DSC_4810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b2fBAJzSVBk/UXIXJyYFMFI/AAAAAAAACOk/WdsoPRlPcw0/s200/DSC_4810.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pagoda in Chion-in</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1uyaMggCcI/UXIVz5ctxQI/AAAAAAAACOM/NMRS3Ow2wsI/s1600/DSC_4850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1uyaMggCcI/UXIVz5ctxQI/AAAAAAAACOM/NMRS3Ow2wsI/s200/DSC_4850.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many women dress in<i> Kimonos</i><br />
during Spring Cherry Blossom Season</td></tr>
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The gardens, temples, and blossoms were breathtaking. Japan is an extremely clean country: the air, streets, neighborhoods and cities. We really appreciated the freshness and blue sky!</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JqS78A4wLmQ/UXJzDrh2LXI/AAAAAAAACP8/ADVJNlIPAPo/s1600/DSC_4857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JqS78A4wLmQ/UXJzDrh2LXI/AAAAAAAACP8/ADVJNlIPAPo/s200/DSC_4857.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2w29Nxj618/UXIXXkT-RUI/AAAAAAAACOs/R_jVFlw6wwc/s1600/DSC_4826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2w29Nxj618/UXIXXkT-RUI/AAAAAAAACOs/R_jVFlw6wwc/s200/DSC_4826.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Kyoto and surrounding mountains<br />
from Nanzen-Ji Temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mA9hEdoftAM/UXKJ0TeT7eI/AAAAAAAACQg/Hk_nPd5xGjw/s1600/DSC_4895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mA9hEdoftAM/UXKJ0TeT7eI/AAAAAAAACQg/Hk_nPd5xGjw/s200/DSC_4895.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken in bamboo grove</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinking green tea in bamboo grove<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCNa82lm2HY/UXIgkFGQnpI/AAAAAAAACPc/liDQbZb5Ask/s1600/DSC_4890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCNa82lm2HY/UXIgkFGQnpI/AAAAAAAACPc/liDQbZb5Ask/s320/DSC_4890.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie's favorite garden in Tenryu-Ji</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EIdfUQBQlg/UXIg8Qab-fI/AAAAAAAACPk/6PAWuNTkVgA/s1600/DSC_4904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EIdfUQBQlg/UXIg8Qab-fI/AAAAAAAACPk/6PAWuNTkVgA/s320/DSC_4904.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken's favorite garden in Okochi Sanso</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aomx3Q0duOo/UXJztr1KOsI/AAAAAAAACQE/Pwt8-Ssz-bg/s1600/DSC_4946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aomx3Q0duOo/UXJztr1KOsI/AAAAAAAACQE/Pwt8-Ssz-bg/s200/DSC_4946.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kiyomizu-dera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o3YeiiZOmOI/UXJyzRQ9xmI/AAAAAAAACP0/Rhxn6KpOYUg/s1600/DSC_4933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o3YeiiZOmOI/UXJyzRQ9xmI/AAAAAAAACP0/Rhxn6KpOYUg/s200/DSC_4933.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pagoda at Kiyomizu-dera</td></tr>
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<b>Japan is a beautiful country</b>. It consists of 3,900 small islands (a few of which China claims to be theirs) and four major islands: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku. Japan is also one of the most earthquake prone countries in the world. <span style="text-align: center;">The Japanese are meticulous, efficient, industrious, and very polite. </span><span style="text-align: center;">We enjoyed interacting with the Japanese and getting to know more about this beautiful country just east of China.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"His Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light onto my path.."<br />Psalm 119:105</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Continuing to walk in His light, </span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;">Ken and Jeanie</span><br />
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<b>Next Time: The Streets of Shanghai </b> </div>
<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-83926405092547983022013-03-25T05:30:00.000-07:002013-03-25T05:30:32.545-07:00Spring in China<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAXxFqG0OmQ/UVAb3_YhO5I/AAAAAAAACHs/5j4JPIKR0Jw/s1600/DSC_4640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kAXxFqG0OmQ/UVAb3_YhO5I/AAAAAAAACHs/5j4JPIKR0Jw/s320/DSC_4640.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the peach blossoms</td></tr>
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We love exploring places inside of Shanghai, and outside of Shanghai. <b> Hangzhou</b> is a beautiful destination 45 minutes on the speed train, (190 miles per hour!) southwest of Shanghai. The cost is about $12 per person per way. Shanghai's train system is incredible: fast and cheap. <br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Urm6GI5D04Q/UVAbQAj9nyI/AAAAAAAACHc/j7ZUCSBDJns/s1600/DSC_4636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Urm6GI5D04Q/UVAbQAj9nyI/AAAAAAAACHc/j7ZUCSBDJns/s200/DSC_4636.JPG" width="131" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQ-jSdmRzYw/UVAb2RAVEoI/AAAAAAAACHk/kjdWtxE6u9Q/s1600/DSC_4565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eQ-jSdmRzYw/UVAb2RAVEoI/AAAAAAAACHk/kjdWtxE6u9Q/s200/DSC_4565.JPG" width="200" /></a>We left on a Friday evening and returned on Sunday night. This weekend trip was well worth it.<br />
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Hanghzhou has its roots in the Qin dynasty (221 BC). In the 13th century, Marco Polo passed through, and described this city as "<i>one of the finest and most splendid cities in the world</i>."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J23rfUGpAOQ/UVAbPL6pbOI/AAAAAAAACHU/8kuhRKsORJ4/s1600/DSC_4632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J23rfUGpAOQ/UVAbPL6pbOI/AAAAAAAACHU/8kuhRKsORJ4/s200/DSC_4632.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking across the lake on the Causeway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTGmLDBVMHY/UVAcggZuTSI/AAAAAAAACH0/TFWyC6Wz_G4/s1600/DSC_4660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTGmLDBVMHY/UVAcggZuTSI/AAAAAAAACH0/TFWyC6Wz_G4/s200/DSC_4660.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moon gate in the Jingci Temple</td></tr>
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Hangzhou is a big city of 6 million people, and the main tourist destination is its West Lake.(Xi Hu) Miles of walking trails, around the lake and across the lake <i>(causeways</i>) abound. Bike and boat riding are also very popular.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlDekxQog3o/UVAdzVnmSbI/AAAAAAAACIY/HJt72SGjPJ8/s1600/DSC_4647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlDekxQog3o/UVAdzVnmSbI/AAAAAAAACIY/HJt72SGjPJ8/s200/DSC_4647.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry, Kaz, no kayaks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sv6ktoqI5mY/UVAcg6O3bNI/AAAAAAAACIA/I_Z6xuBxfeI/s1600/DSC_4652.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sv6ktoqI5mY/UVAcg6O3bNI/AAAAAAAACIA/I_Z6xuBxfeI/s200/DSC_4652.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always dancing....</td></tr>
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We enjoyed leaving 23 million people in Shanghai and finding room to breathe (clean air!) and relax. When we have visitors in Shanghai, we'll be sure and take you to Hangzhou.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKt7_Q22Oow/UVAcg63-ZrI/AAAAAAAACH8/bHWiS1vdqSA/s1600/DSC_4653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fKt7_Q22Oow/UVAcg63-ZrI/AAAAAAAACH8/bHWiS1vdqSA/s320/DSC_4653.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weeping Willows line the canals</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqWBFuK_YVU/UVA9vu8QhQI/AAAAAAAACJk/g-8kZh6ueiY/s1600/DSC_4562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GqWBFuK_YVU/UVA9vu8QhQI/AAAAAAAACJk/g-8kZh6ueiY/s320/DSC_4562.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classical Chinese beauty</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-av3I2N-kFpY/UVAd3OaR9RI/AAAAAAAACIo/Hd3pXO-TEv8/s1600/DSC_4665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-av3I2N-kFpY/UVAd3OaR9RI/AAAAAAAACIo/Hd3pXO-TEv8/s200/DSC_4665.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even in the rain, it's lovely</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUxSDazkpAI/UVAcjqvJHgI/AAAAAAAACIM/N_lxgdXaw0U/s1600/DSC_4661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VUxSDazkpAI/UVAcjqvJHgI/AAAAAAAACIM/N_lxgdXaw0U/s200/DSC_4661.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jingci Temple, originally built in 954 AD</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wo9EPIZXaY4/UVAfQ3BIfYI/AAAAAAAACJM/2eOOM1ztYk0/s1600/DSC_4590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wo9EPIZXaY4/UVAfQ3BIfYI/AAAAAAAACJM/2eOOM1ztYk0/s200/DSC_4590.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better than fireworks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nk46H_ntc04/UVAfPbbvA_I/AAAAAAAACJA/DOrYG_GsXFE/s1600/DSC_4595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nk46H_ntc04/UVAfPbbvA_I/AAAAAAAACJA/DOrYG_GsXFE/s200/DSC_4595.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nightly water shows on lake</td></tr>
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Next Up: Cherry Blossoms in Japan, April 4-11</div>
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Have a Blessed Easter,</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Ken and Jeanie</div>
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<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-53905801684305685762013-03-03T03:20:00.000-08:002013-03-03T03:20:18.151-08:00Hong Kong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After being under British rule, Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997 under one condition: keep its free market economy and its social and legal systems for 50 years.<i> One country, two systems. </i></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw5usHq4tqM/US32f7Y4rKI/AAAAAAAAB34/PJturZNJ_Bs/s1600/DSC_4370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nw5usHq4tqM/US32f7Y4rKI/AAAAAAAAB34/PJturZNJ_Bs/s320/DSC_4370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie and Ken enjoy the warm 70 degree weather in February. Sept-Feb best time to travel to Hong Kong.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eo56N1S_4hQ/US33CQEojJI/AAAAAAAAB4A/baWqFexodtI/s1600/DSC_4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eo56N1S_4hQ/US33CQEojJI/AAAAAAAAB4A/baWqFexodtI/s200/DSC_4324.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hong Kong during Chinese New Year:<br />
colorful, and crowded</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lg5sdeL0yQY/US34ncUZotI/AAAAAAAAB4U/xiNQXsY0eHY/s1600/DSC_4274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lg5sdeL0yQY/US34ncUZotI/AAAAAAAAB4U/xiNQXsY0eHY/s200/DSC_4274.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lobby of Mandarin Oriental Hotel</td></tr>
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Most Chinese Hong-Kongers speak Cantonese, but more and more can understand Mandarin. English is also widely spoken.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXcaEhljyXw/US35LCf0SWI/AAAAAAAAB4s/P17KM0GJ9aU/s1600/DSC_4293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXcaEhljyXw/US35LCf0SWI/AAAAAAAAB4s/P17KM0GJ9aU/s200/DSC_4293.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British influence: high tea at the Peninsula Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHy_kjTcxCc/US36ZYYc9hI/AAAAAAAAB44/8WEHwWqoS1w/s1600/DSC_4376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qHy_kjTcxCc/US36ZYYc9hI/AAAAAAAAB44/8WEHwWqoS1w/s200/DSC_4376.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiked up to top of Victoria Peak, stunning views</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFNFzeW0NDU/US37Mv2Ec5I/AAAAAAAAB5A/F4Sa-rz87SU/s1600/DSC_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IFNFzeW0NDU/US37Mv2Ec5I/AAAAAAAAB5A/F4Sa-rz87SU/s200/DSC_4315.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Neon lights by night</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOxPrJiamvI/US375aRHCtI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/r3EAm9Ds8-Y/s1600/DSC_4373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QOxPrJiamvI/US375aRHCtI/AAAAAAAAB5Y/r3EAm9Ds8-Y/s200/DSC_4373.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Victoria Harbor<br />
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After exploring Hong Kong by foot, boat, and tram, we took the turbo jet on a 1 hour ride to Maccau Island. Some call it the Vegas of the East because of its many gambling resorts. We went to explore its wonderful Portuguese influence. We spent the day on an island where east truly meets west.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVekGAV9XW4/US6b_yMRDsI/AAAAAAAAB6E/M9sKZXmwlFM/s1600/DSC_4391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVekGAV9XW4/US6b_yMRDsI/AAAAAAAAB6E/M9sKZXmwlFM/s200/DSC_4391.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful European squares with a touch<br />
of Chinese New Year</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3SqSSIJwNNs/US6cBd_puZI/AAAAAAAAB6M/ypEGptbn5I8/s1600/DSC_4392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3SqSSIJwNNs/US6cBd_puZI/AAAAAAAAB6M/ypEGptbn5I8/s200/DSC_4392.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese lanterns hanging above cobblestone streets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ooeQtvwiN30/US6cHUKHcrI/AAAAAAAAB6k/k99klomBi8Y/s1600/DSC_4431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ooeQtvwiN30/US6cHUKHcrI/AAAAAAAAB6k/k99klomBi8Y/s200/DSC_4431.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A-Ma Temple<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2Ue8qVVYE8/US6i-W29JgI/AAAAAAAAB68/r2uBv6ET-Bs/s1600/DSC_4426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2Ue8qVVYE8/US6i-W29JgI/AAAAAAAAB68/r2uBv6ET-Bs/s200/DSC_4426.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17th century baroque church</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruins of St. Paul Church</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CodenlMTfkI/US6egXzUKVI/AAAAAAAAB6s/k3l-aJXQf8I/s1600/DSC_4404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CodenlMTfkI/US6egXzUKVI/AAAAAAAAB6s/k3l-aJXQf8I/s200/DSC_4404.JPG" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gargoyles are Chinese lions</td></tr>
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In the middle of the city, crowds make their way to one of the greatest monuments of Christianity in Asia. The Church of St. Paul: designed by an Italian Jesuit and built by Japanese Christian exiles in 1602. Everything was destroyed by a fire in 1835 except this fascinating facade. East truly meets West.<br />
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-80303701385975825202013-02-08T16:00:00.000-08:002013-02-08T16:00:48.397-08:00Chinese New Year<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXhKT6ZAV0I/URTtB_ApYFI/AAAAAAAABkE/tODsEUXI1qA/s1600/IMG_20130127_121326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXhKT6ZAV0I/URTtB_ApYFI/AAAAAAAABkE/tODsEUXI1qA/s200/IMG_20130127_121326.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red lanterns hang from buildings</td></tr>
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Chinese New Year (also called Spring Festival or Lunar Festival) is the longest and most important holiday in China. Today, families across China, will gather for the New Year's Eve Celebration. The Chinese New Year celebration follows the lunar calendar, or cycles of the new moon.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQXThTiM9AA/URSz5JznYwI/AAAAAAAABis/iDmeT44f6Hk/s1600/IMG_20130203_082504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQXThTiM9AA/URSz5JznYwI/AAAAAAAABis/iDmeT44f6Hk/s200/IMG_20130203_082504.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie with the Chinese Dragon</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBhrORISnvY/URS0iPKeWBI/AAAAAAAABi8/RS8Sk_dj0DQ/s1600/IMG_20130128_131016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vBhrORISnvY/URS0iPKeWBI/AAAAAAAABi8/RS8Sk_dj0DQ/s200/IMG_20130128_131016.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Washing and cleaning before the New Year</td></tr>
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The holiday has been apparent in Shanghai for the last month. It's like Christmas and Thanksgiving all in one. Decorations and displays are visible a month before the actual date, <b>February 10, 2013</b>. Red lanterns hang from buildings, orange mandarin trees are placed in entry ways, red decorations with themes of good fortune and happiness hang on windows and doors. Families clean their homes to let out evil spirits in hopes for good luck to reside in their homes. They cook and prepare for days before the New Year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-saG8Z6WOyKM/URTsKU4dyNI/AAAAAAAABj8/935VpND429A/s1600/Kenny's+staff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-saG8Z6WOyKM/URTsKU4dyNI/AAAAAAAABj8/935VpND429A/s200/Kenny's+staff.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken with colleagues; staying alive in their<br />
work party costume coats</td></tr>
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Work and school parties for the New Year were planned weeks ago.<i> Ken had to dance gangnam style at his work party.</i> Workers take off early this week to take the drive/train/plane home to see their families. They call Chinese New Year, the GREAT MIGRATION. Many shops, gyms, businesses and restaurants close down for at least one week.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87L87n2UJb8/URTrD1fTtDI/AAAAAAAABjs/ZprKa2xxhK0/s1600/IMG_20130126_164502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-87L87n2UJb8/URTrD1fTtDI/AAAAAAAABjs/ZprKa2xxhK0/s200/IMG_20130126_164502.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's decorations in the stores</td></tr>
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Today I gave red envelopes to those workers who help us on a weekly or daily basis: doormen to the apartment, ayi (housekeeper who comes in 2 days a week), and the driver who takes Ken to Intel. The envelopes are bright red (red is the lucky color) and money is placed inside. I gave them the envelope and said: <i>Xin Nian Kuale</i> (Happy New Year or I can say <i>Chunjie Kuaile</i> (Happy Spring Festival).<br />
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<i> By the way, it IS NOT SPRING in Shanghai. It is 32 degrees and snowing. </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6kQn_ZT334/URS0FtZqWoI/AAAAAAAABi0/MV5wm6Ubht0/s1600/IMG_20130201_185716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I6kQn_ZT334/URS0FtZqWoI/AAAAAAAABi0/MV5wm6Ubht0/s200/IMG_20130201_185716.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends at our apt preparing dumplings</td></tr>
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<b>So what actually happens on the New Year?</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ6v5FxlsIc/URSzQk5sfmI/AAAAAAAABic/kqkp5s1W-Bk/s1600/IMG_20130203_161445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eZ6v5FxlsIc/URSzQk5sfmI/AAAAAAAABic/kqkp5s1W-Bk/s200/IMG_20130203_161445.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken with our teacher friend Ma Lin and<br />
her family at dim sum</td></tr>
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<b>Saturday</b>: Families gather for BIG FEASTS. Dumplings, dumplings, and more dumplings. The whole family sits around the round table with the oldest in the first position at the table. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vQz4A5DouwQ/URTrQhivDsI/AAAAAAAABj0/S1MM2jgChLM/s1600/IMG_20130127_135127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vQz4A5DouwQ/URTrQhivDsI/AAAAAAAABj0/S1MM2jgChLM/s200/IMG_20130127_135127.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yf3yGowdcfs/URSzmRZ9SOI/AAAAAAAABik/n0fgbX6Reao/s1600/IMG_20130203_115610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yf3yGowdcfs/URSzmRZ9SOI/AAAAAAAABik/n0fgbX6Reao/s200/IMG_20130203_115610.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good luck envelopes are everywhere</td></tr>
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<b>Then</b>, fireworks and firecrackers. The belief is that the loud noise of the firecrackers will scare away evil spirits and prevent them from coming into the New Year. They say that one cannot sleep in Shanghai for at least 3 days because of all the noise.<br />
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<b>Sunday:</b> Families greet everyone with <i>Xin Nian Kuale! </i>Kids get their red envelopes filled with money. More firecrackers.<br />
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<b>Monday</b>: Family activities: go to the movies, opera, visit the temple, more red envelopes, and more fireworks.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlRMWG9eCc8/URTwz3_jt8I/AAAAAAAABko/9WdHSymduS8/s1600/IMG_20130201_135945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rlRMWG9eCc8/URTwz3_jt8I/AAAAAAAABko/9WdHSymduS8/s200/IMG_20130201_135945.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sparkly snake on Nanjing Road</td></tr>
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<b>This year is the Year of the Snake.</b> Those born in snake years are wise, charming, gregarious, introverted and smart. Snake Years: 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvjhyGbOvrY/URTt0Yh81zI/AAAAAAAABkM/8qDGU3UttSQ/s1600/IMG_20130127_135209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RvjhyGbOvrY/URTt0Yh81zI/AAAAAAAABkM/8qDGU3UttSQ/s200/IMG_20130127_135209.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red is the New Year color</td></tr>
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Ken and I will take advantage of my school days and his work days off. We travel to Hong Kong, which also celebrates Chinese New Year. <br />
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As Asians around the world celebrate with their families, eat yummy food, and practice generosity, we hope you can do the same.<br />
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Happy New Year and Spring Festival! </div>
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Jeanie and Ken</div>
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<b>Next time: Hong Kong</b></div>
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-3177688175759834242013-01-24T02:23:00.000-08:002013-01-24T02:23:37.104-08:00Learning Mandarin<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icqXCgi5DYw/UP_dqqODnZI/AAAAAAAABW0/0ncQI3R2A3I/s1600/IMG_20130113_121151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-icqXCgi5DYw/UP_dqqODnZI/AAAAAAAABW0/0ncQI3R2A3I/s200/IMG_20130113_121151.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFyfNiceGWE/UP_dtQeRV2I/AAAAAAAABXE/R-dcJ4nx9II/s1600/IMG_20130113_121219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LFyfNiceGWE/UP_dtQeRV2I/AAAAAAAABXE/R-dcJ4nx9II/s200/IMG_20130113_121219.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sign outside Shanghai #3 Girls'Schoo</i>l</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1XHv-eylrE/UQEKcVnJkiI/AAAAAAAABaE/SNH7fIm_zFU/s1600/DSC_3909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m1XHv-eylrE/UQEKcVnJkiI/AAAAAAAABaE/SNH7fIm_zFU/s200/DSC_3909.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>What do you think this old Chinese pictograph means?</i></td></tr>
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<b>Mandarin Chinese</b> is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, almost a billion people speak it! Chinese is written using <b>characters</b><i>, </i>a language of pictographs.<i> </i>Lucky for us, <b>Pinyin</b> is also a way of writing Chinese using the <i>Roman alphabet.</i> Because the pinyin system was officially adopted in China in 1958, we can read the letters and understand the written sounds of Mandarin when it is written in <b>Pinyin</b>. <i> Learning how to pronounce the words and using the right tones is the challenge</i>.<br />
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Example:<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ni hao</span></b> (nee how) <i>Hello</i> We can understand the consonant sounds, we just need to know how to pronounce the vowels and blend sounds correctly and of course we need to study vocabulary and sentence structure.<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Xin nian kuai le!</span></b> (sheen nee-ehn kwaee-luh) <i>Happy New Year!</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Gse3S-jFDw/UP_drFMYkTI/AAAAAAAABW8/N1DnKTnKx5g/s1600/IMG_20130114_083800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1Gse3S-jFDw/UP_drFMYkTI/AAAAAAAABW8/N1DnKTnKx5g/s200/IMG_20130114_083800.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The subway is packed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5iw5TlxyH9k/UP_dwzOTWuI/AAAAAAAABXM/vDPYXCJdz30/s1600/IMG_20130114_084035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5iw5TlxyH9k/UP_dwzOTWuI/AAAAAAAABXM/vDPYXCJdz30/s200/IMG_20130114_084035.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the subway is also crowded.</td></tr>
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I, Jeanie, started taking Mandarin classes six weeks ago. I go every weekday from 9:00-12:30. I can either take the subway (takes 20 min.), <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">Or I can walk to school through Jingan Temple Park!</span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvKRbseJA7E/UP_ezpVr8UI/AAAAAAAABXw/jijj8q1-iN4/s1600/IMG_20130112_130113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LvKRbseJA7E/UP_ezpVr8UI/AAAAAAAABXw/jijj8q1-iN4/s200/IMG_20130112_130113.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing in large or small groups is a daily sight in the park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLdm4MHRhhQ/UP_gLMePV8I/AAAAAAAABYU/6bNeTKHv9dg/s1600/IMG_20130112_130203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KLdm4MHRhhQ/UP_gLMePV8I/AAAAAAAABYU/6bNeTKHv9dg/s200/IMG_20130112_130203.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People in the park doing their eye exercises, really!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fG0f_mMcz8I/UP_gN3DpeZI/AAAAAAAABYc/FWv9pzSGKdk/s1600/IMG_20130113_112434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fG0f_mMcz8I/UP_gN3DpeZI/AAAAAAAABYc/FWv9pzSGKdk/s200/IMG_20130113_112434.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jingan Temple a midst high rises</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shanghai Center</td></tr>
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I-Mandarin is the name of my Chinese Program. We meet at the Shanghai Center. <br />
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My group class consists of Charlie from Australia and me. Our teacher is fantastic! She is energetic, explains things well in English, expects us to converse in Chinese, and holds us to high standards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsnGTtWyRYo/UP_erHkt1uI/AAAAAAAABXY/zlUmkKNpFho/s1600/IMG_20130112_125505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RsnGTtWyRYo/UP_erHkt1uI/AAAAAAAABXY/zlUmkKNpFho/s200/IMG_20130112_125505.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie and Laoshi (teacher)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub7cFBhUOFM/UP_erRZQuYI/AAAAAAAABXc/YqPHfJ1XHGo/s1600/IMG_20130112_125555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub7cFBhUOFM/UP_erRZQuYI/AAAAAAAABXc/YqPHfJ1XHGo/s200/IMG_20130112_125555.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laoshi, Ling Yen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bjliRpnwKr8/UP_iiCDKewI/AAAAAAAABY0/61ivo5lza1k/s1600/IMG_20130115_064450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bjliRpnwKr8/UP_iiCDKewI/AAAAAAAABY0/61ivo5lza1k/s200/IMG_20130115_064450.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie's essay in pinyin about where she lives.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ling Yen gives us homework every night and we write three essays per week, not with Chinese characters, but in Pinyin (Roman alphabet).<br />
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Learning Chinese has been fun, yet challenging. The minute I think I know something, I practice it with a shopkeeper, and most times, they don't understand what I'm saying. The four tones to the Chinese language are really difficult.<br />
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However, I am beginning to make a little sense, so I keep trying! Ken had success yesterday when he asked the waiter, Qing, maidan (Cheeng, my dahn.) Bill, please! He indeed got the bill.<br />
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I will continue to take Mandarin lessons through out 2013. The cost is about $15 per hour for a group class, only 2 of us in the group, sort of like private tutoring<br />
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Practice:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ni Hao Ma?</span></b> ( Nee how ma) <b>How are you?</b><br />
Most people respond: <b><span style="font-size: large;">Hen hao</span></b> (hen how) = <b>very well</b><br />
or try this fun word: <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Mamahuhu</span></b> (mamahoohoo)= <b>so, so</b> (direct translation is horse, horse, tiger, tiger:)<br />
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Another useful phrase is:<br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Duo shao qian?</span></b> (doo oh shaow chee-en) <b>How much is it?</b><br />
<i>If you don't understand the response, just point to shopkeeper's big calculator. And then punch in a price that is much less than the asked price. From there, your bargaining begins!</i><br />
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Much of Mandarin is very logical:<br />
<b>Dian</b>= electricity<br />
<b>Dianti</b>= elevator (electric ladder)<br />
<b>Diannao</b>= laptop (electric brain)<br />
<b>Dianying</b>= movie (electric shadow)<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g2mbcaWZWLU/UP_i7003JOI/AAAAAAAABY8/FLApwl9i9Bs/s1600/DSC_4198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g2mbcaWZWLU/UP_i7003JOI/AAAAAAAABY8/FLApwl9i9Bs/s200/DSC_4198.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confucius Temple Neighborhood in Nanjing</td></tr>
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It's been a privilege to be able to spend my days learning another language and culture. It's exciting and frustrating all at the same time.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere."</span></b> ~Chinese proverb<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnxLnlgBYCw/UP_i8ep_PwI/AAAAAAAABZA/VCR4v1mJY0g/s1600/DSC_4199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hnxLnlgBYCw/UP_i8ep_PwI/AAAAAAAABZA/VCR4v1mJY0g/s200/DSC_4199.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nanjing, former Chinese capital, at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Zai jian (zy jee -en) See you again,<br />
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Jeanie<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zimJ4ds2K9A/UP_i9LVXFzI/AAAAAAAABZI/1f4fqWORUao/s1600/DSC_4201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="131" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zimJ4ds2K9A/UP_i9LVXFzI/AAAAAAAABZI/1f4fqWORUao/s200/DSC_4201.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanterns of Nanjing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Next time: <b>Chinese New Year, the year of the Snake</b><br />
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<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-13755916638682223422013-01-05T04:12:00.003-08:002013-01-05T04:12:22.745-08:00Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="text-align: center;">Thailand in December</b><span style="text-align: center;">: 4 hour flight from Shanghai, $500 per person round trip. So many places to visit, so little time.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7ZHF7tK3aA/UOapK2P6YHI/AAAAAAAABMY/O6NpAr1_GZw/s1600/DSC_3954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J7ZHF7tK3aA/UOapK2P6YHI/AAAAAAAABMY/O6NpAr1_GZw/s200/DSC_3954.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water taxi to many tourist sights</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b>First Stop</b>: Bangkok for two nights </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7icApVcxJl4/UOapMsPwUQI/AAAAAAAABMg/WWDnj5G8tTY/s1600/DSC_3923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7icApVcxJl4/UOapMsPwUQI/AAAAAAAABMg/WWDnj5G8tTY/s200/DSC_3923.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stayed for two nights at The Shangri La Hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKtFc-3dW54/UOapPbVA-KI/AAAAAAAABMo/BoWnJ2PV1k8/s1600/DSC_3968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wKtFc-3dW54/UOapPbVA-KI/AAAAAAAABMo/BoWnJ2PV1k8/s200/DSC_3968.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chao Praya River, view from hotel room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2OAvMTOqc8/UOasS6qkrNI/AAAAAAAABNE/wRY8OovDjMY/s1600/DSC_3937.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2OAvMTOqc8/UOasS6qkrNI/AAAAAAAABNE/wRY8OovDjMY/s200/DSC_3937.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ornate facade of the Grand Palace</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VM0TVSBT4c/UOasTCN93jI/AAAAAAAABNI/EJ2ZRhj2qiQ/s1600/DSC_3938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2VM0TVSBT4c/UOasTCN93jI/AAAAAAAABNI/EJ2ZRhj2qiQ/s200/DSC_3938.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy-tale like compound of the Grand Palace,<br />
includes the former residence of the Thai monarch</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz160teTmqM/UOatlVeJMxI/AAAAAAAABNg/hmC89usxwJ0/s1600/DSC_3931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wz160teTmqM/UOatlVeJMxI/AAAAAAAABNg/hmC89usxwJ0/s200/DSC_3931.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Wat Phra Kaew, temple of the Emerald Buddha</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FW9TieMZXOs/UOfCBiXJDcI/AAAAAAAABRM/hjXvv4eA4M0/s1600/DSC_4093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FW9TieMZXOs/UOfCBiXJDcI/AAAAAAAABRM/hjXvv4eA4M0/s200/DSC_4093.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Arun, Temple of Dawn<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><b>Second Stop</b>: Island of Koh Samet, 3 hour bus ride from Bangkok ($5.00 per person round trip) and 30 minute ferry ride away ($3.00 round trip), three nights</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axS9ZGE_G6Y/UOa05CmJmpI/AAAAAAAABPI/h8EE0UO3pas/s1600/DSC_3993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axS9ZGE_G6Y/UOa05CmJmpI/AAAAAAAABPI/h8EE0UO3pas/s200/DSC_3993.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm evening on Koh Samet</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Koh Samet is </span><span style="text-align: center;">surprisingly</span><span style="text-align: center;"> underdeveloped. Thick jungles, </span><span style="text-align: center;">wooded trails, warm,</span><span style="text-align: center;"> clear aquamarine water, ideal place to relax.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXU8fbp2B5U/UOav6WeHKPI/AAAAAAAABOE/lSL-zwSt-sw/s1600/DSC_3980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vXU8fbp2B5U/UOav6WeHKPI/AAAAAAAABOE/lSL-zwSt-sw/s200/DSC_3980.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Ken reaches the second highest point on island</td></tr>
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<tr><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIYFg7mNOo4/UOa0dHrpJVI/AAAAAAAABPA/nMX-yZMw2I4/s1600/DSC_3984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qIYFg7mNOo4/UOa0dHrpJVI/AAAAAAAABPA/nMX-yZMw2I4/s200/DSC_3984.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Jeanie barely reaches high point</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6p3sqD0dBU/UOavkPPZswI/AAAAAAAABN0/mlpsMr1UUKw/s1600/DSC_3977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M6p3sqD0dBU/UOavkPPZswI/AAAAAAAABN0/mlpsMr1UUKw/s200/DSC_3977.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">We could never do this in America...<br />
restaurants move their tables right onto the sand</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYV8xAPA-xo/UOawg74tHaI/AAAAAAAABOc/Aoaz7A3pJUk/s1600/DSC_3985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYV8xAPA-xo/UOawg74tHaI/AAAAAAAABOc/Aoaz7A3pJUk/s200/DSC_3985.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Grand View Resort Cabin, $128 per night</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDMNRNRQVr4/UOaw_vlxyPI/AAAAAAAABOk/g6OjSz9K7UI/s1600/DSC_3990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tDMNRNRQVr4/UOaw_vlxyPI/AAAAAAAABOk/g6OjSz9K7UI/s200/DSC_3990.JPG" width="200" /></a> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Fun place to sit and relax!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Po5zFQDCnY8/UOawFCGWOOI/AAAAAAAABOM/Ga0NxUK1pc0/s1600/DSC_3978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Po5zFQDCnY8/UOawFCGWOOI/AAAAAAAABOM/Ga0NxUK1pc0/s320/DSC_3978.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">Amazing December Sunset</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6hx4mpc66VE/UOa5DMCdDZI/AAAAAAAABPc/xSB06ESkec0/s1600/DSC_4000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6hx4mpc66VE/UOa5DMCdDZI/AAAAAAAABPc/xSB06ESkec0/s320/DSC_4000.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai and foreigners gather on the beach to eat seafood and watch fire shows</td></tr>
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<b>Third Stop</b>: Back to Bangkok for two more nights</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIIaBc9CBVI/UOa9NwvnZtI/AAAAAAAABPw/QBuXucnO914/s1600/DSC_4026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BIIaBc9CBVI/UOa9NwvnZtI/AAAAAAAABPw/QBuXucnO914/s320/DSC_4026.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie celebrates her 53rd birthday, December 31, in Bangkok<br />
Hotel Restaurant, Ramada Inn on the River, $104 per night</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l8AqpyKthQ/UOa-OP0ddmI/AAAAAAAABQE/3Om4Eydagig/s1600/DSC_4064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWGbfLLQtJU/UOa-Xl51M_I/AAAAAAAABQc/xWl9e1SZ_fo/s1600/DSC_4123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GWGbfLLQtJU/UOa-Xl51M_I/AAAAAAAABQc/xWl9e1SZ_fo/s200/DSC_4123.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night View from Banyan Tree Hotel</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Db95ENUZKJ4/UOgV6ap_P-I/AAAAAAAABSs/Ni7lk0ppcJs/s1600/DSC_4110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 12.666666984558105px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Db95ENUZKJ4/UOgV6ap_P-I/AAAAAAAABSs/Ni7lk0ppcJs/s200/DSC_4110.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at the roof top bar, Banyan Tree Hotel </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2tUFXrt7Jk/UOfE53L2VSI/AAAAAAAABR0/l5tSPoHxXp8/s1600/DSC_4030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k2tUFXrt7Jk/UOfE53L2VSI/AAAAAAAABR0/l5tSPoHxXp8/s200/DSC_4030.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnDPGs0swmc/UOfFB-1ITAI/AAAAAAAABSE/8O-VOW9LUAI/s1600/DSC_4059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnDPGs0swmc/UOfFB-1ITAI/AAAAAAAABSE/8O-VOW9LUAI/s200/DSC_4059.JPG" width="132" /></a><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"> We enjoyed a canal <i>Long-Tail Boat</i> ride past the floating weekend market.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BV13DvzibiY/UOfCAqAwFRI/AAAAAAAABRE/G1Dwt0xvlN8/s1600/DSC_4063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BV13DvzibiY/UOfCAqAwFRI/AAAAAAAABRE/G1Dwt0xvlN8/s200/DSC_4063.JPG" width="132" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l8AqpyKthQ/UOa-OP0ddmI/AAAAAAAABQE/3Om4Eydagig/s1600/DSC_4064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l8AqpyKthQ/UOa-OP0ddmI/AAAAAAAABQE/3Om4Eydagig/s200/DSC_4064.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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What we loved about Thailand: the people, the smiles, the food, the warmth. Come visit us in Shanghai, and take a trip to Thailand. </div>
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<b>Up Next: Learning Mandarin...</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> If you'd like to contact us, email at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">jschneider98407@gmail.com <i>or</i> ken.schneider147@gmail.com</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please don't use our old comcast email address.</span></i></div>
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<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-52638973276296520922012-12-18T02:53:00.000-08:002012-12-18T02:53:45.307-08:00Christmas in China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Merry Christmas Family and Friends,<br />
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We wish you the most peaceful of days during a most stressful time in the U.S.A. <i> </i></div>
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<i>We grieve deeply for the loss of lives in Connecticut</i><i>.</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Life size minis on tree!<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;">Christmas in China is indeed sparkly and bright. Shopping centers, of which there are many, are fully decorated and shine brightly.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6qfHHu5DUI/UM7AW_sVF8I/AAAAAAAAA8o/0zC8xjkQJVc/s1600/IMG_20121204_130042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G6qfHHu5DUI/UM7AW_sVF8I/AAAAAAAAA8o/0zC8xjkQJVc/s200/IMG_20121204_130042.jpg" width="148" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toys and ornaments abound</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">Slender Santa in China</td></tr>
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Even with with glitz and glimmer in Shanghai, Christmas is not commonly celebrated.<br />
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There are no days off during the Christmas week. Christmas is just another day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most BRIGHT CITY we have experienced<br />
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<i>For the Chinese, gift giving, time off, and time with family is celebrated on Chinese New Year which begins on February 10, 2013</i>. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shanghai Community Fellowship (SCF)</td></tr>
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For Christians, however, this is still a special day. We light the advent candles at Shanghai Community Church, we celebrate the coming of Jesus into our lives: John 1:14 ( The Message)<i><b> "The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood." </b></i> We worship a God who knows us, loves us, and who desires to be known and loved. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mudu Garden in Suzhou</td></tr>
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In China, we are able to worship with others who hold a foreign passport at afternoon services. Chinese nationals are invited to attend the Chinese services at the church in the morning or evening. This is a government mandate, <i>not a church mandate</i>. We can fellowship with Chinese believers and seekers at home groups or outside of church events. The Chinese we have met are open to learn about Christianity, and are always eager to learn more about western ways.<br />
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This Christmas, we will be spending a warm holiday in Thailand; one of the wonderful perks of residing in Asia.<br />
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We pray for the LIGHT to shine brightly in your hearts and homes,</div>
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Ken and Jeanie </div>
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<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-80909725265457639772012-12-04T02:22:00.000-08:002012-12-04T02:25:36.777-08:00Food in ShanghaiNi Hao Family and Friends,<br />
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We have completed our third week in</div>
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Shanghai. This week's topic is <b>FOOD.</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpuQkf3M5tg/UL04pJtKk5I/AAAAAAAAA28/IKXTTMpbW98/s1600/IMG_20121126_121304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SpuQkf3M5tg/UL04pJtKk5I/AAAAAAAAA28/IKXTTMpbW98/s200/IMG_20121126_121304.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in Shanghai, $5 a person</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Xindalu</td></tr>
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Finding local supermarkets, and knowing how to buy and then prepare healthy food is a challenge. We live around the corner from many Chinese food stands and restaurants, but it is difficult to navigate what food is safe and healthy and then how to go back to the apartment to prepare it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw36LoeHWH8/UL0351BewLI/AAAAAAAAA2s/jUlm_Wx4VTs/s1600/IMG_20121125_165332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw36LoeHWH8/UL0351BewLI/AAAAAAAAA2s/jUlm_Wx4VTs/s200/IMG_20121125_165332.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have not yet eaten meat on the street</td></tr>
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We haven't yet been brave enough to buy the street meat, but we love the dumplings. (jiaozi) gee-ow-zuh<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVCHwF4saLU/UL05ODs5ngI/AAAAAAAAA3E/yzaU5KD4OCg/s1600/IMG_20121128_094619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cVCHwF4saLU/UL05ODs5ngI/AAAAAAAAA3E/yzaU5KD4OCg/s200/IMG_20121128_094619.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many different types of jiaozi</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYLu6yk5jUQ/UL3MAboN5eI/AAAAAAAAA5M/B6LeKFu2p-A/s1600/IMG_20121204_133018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYLu6yk5jUQ/UL3MAboN5eI/AAAAAAAAA5M/B6LeKFu2p-A/s200/IMG_20121204_133018.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yang's Dumplings: 4 for $1- our FAVORITE</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always a crowd </td></tr>
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The famous Chinese lady on our block is endearingly known as the<b> Vegetable Lady</b> by all the expats. (<b>Expat</b> from ex-patriate, someone who is temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than their own.) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYSCrbtH-1I/UL016WsNiWI/AAAAAAAAA2A/B9LpKpSX8JA/s1600/IMG_20121125_164808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yYSCrbtH-1I/UL016WsNiWI/AAAAAAAAA2A/B9LpKpSX8JA/s200/IMG_20121125_164808.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful inexpensive fruits and vegies.<br />
$1 per avocado, $2 for 6 mandarin oranges</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e__O3VDB_aQ/UL03J2CreKI/AAAAAAAAA2c/4Q6dehFz_Pk/s1600/IMG_20121125_164923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e__O3VDB_aQ/UL03J2CreKI/AAAAAAAAA2c/4Q6dehFz_Pk/s200/IMG_20121125_164923.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Many foreign items, you just need to dig to discover. Chips and/salsa were found for $7</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbTEMu0mh_A/UL04S7e3cfI/AAAAAAAAA20/3ShoKEPYJFs/s1600/IMG_20121125_165624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DbTEMu0mh_A/UL04S7e3cfI/AAAAAAAAA20/3ShoKEPYJFs/s200/IMG_20121125_165624.jpg" width="200" /></a>We can walk to this grocery store for some of our needs, and hooray (!), we discovered the Costco-like store called Metro about a 20 minute drive away from our apartment.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6s0wyzWmI70/UL05hNBgOwI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/KTXWqvFHlvg/s1600/IMG_20121201_114526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6s0wyzWmI70/UL05hNBgOwI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/KTXWqvFHlvg/s200/IMG_20121201_114526.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love the fresh fruit desserts. <br />
Chocolate and baked sweets are not common.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh5DhOLiymo/ULxiC_XRJSI/AAAAAAAAA1U/AmxwQl7e3-U/s1600/IMG_20121113_130325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh5DhOLiymo/ULxiC_XRJSI/AAAAAAAAA1U/AmxwQl7e3-U/s200/IMG_20121113_130325.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bai Restaurant, $7 for soup, main course, rice and tea</td></tr>
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Restaurants are in abundance. We like to try the local places.<br />
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Our Thanksgiving Peking Duck was <b>delicious</b>- haochi- ( how chuh)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ws-zTzkxkjw/UL03efnCHiI/AAAAAAAAA2k/gFB9sslJMDc/s1600/IMG_20121125_165209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ws-zTzkxkjw/UL03efnCHiI/AAAAAAAAA2k/gFB9sslJMDc/s200/IMG_20121125_165209.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hairy crab is a winter treat in Shanghai.</td></tr>
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Next Time: <b>How do the Chinese celebrate Christmas?</b></div>
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-69406724655036184322012-11-19T02:43:00.002-08:002012-11-19T02:43:38.318-08:00First WeekNi Hao Family and Friends,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjrWJbVrGuE/UKl3NY8oCHI/AAAAAAAAAzg/sSOUmXhfdLo/s1600/IMG_20121118_115458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjrWJbVrGuE/UKl3NY8oCHI/AAAAAAAAAzg/sSOUmXhfdLo/s200/IMG_20121118_115458.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeanie in Fuxi Park</td></tr>
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We have officially been in Shanghai for one week. Correction: Jeanie has been in Shanghai for one week; Ken was delayed in Korea for two days as he had a visa mix up with his work / business visa. Note to our future visitors: you will need a <i>tourist visa</i> and your passport when you travel to China. Acquire your visa via a travel agent; plan for at least one week for a visa to come to you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKiLB64zA-E/UKl7pNMIo_I/AAAAAAAAAz4/q0KZlVCiabk/s1600/IMG_20121115_085416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CKiLB64zA-E/UKl7pNMIo_I/AAAAAAAAAz4/q0KZlVCiabk/s200/IMG_20121115_085416.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen-Dining-Living: All in One!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8th floor-Looking North from our Patio </td></tr>
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We moved into our bright, modern apartment and have really enjoyed it. We do have an extra bedroom and bathroom, so please consider visiting us!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GryDV2cz7-I/UKl1FKsZtII/AAAAAAAAAzU/TbHgxhC6sV4/s1600/IMG_20121117_141221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GryDV2cz7-I/UKl1FKsZtII/AAAAAAAAAzU/TbHgxhC6sV4/s200/IMG_20121117_141221.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shanghai Friends Robert & Xiao Yuen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JCmdaup1vZ0/UKl4blHxN5I/AAAAAAAAAzo/oUGJOiBTQ0I/s1600/IMG_20121113_133129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JCmdaup1vZ0/UKl4blHxN5I/AAAAAAAAAzo/oUGJOiBTQ0I/s200/IMG_20121113_133129.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical French Concession Street</td></tr>
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The first week was spent exploring our French Concession Neighborhood, meeting with our Shanghai friends, Robert and Xiao Yuan, and meeting new friends, Greg and Angela Schellenberg. Greg is a former Puyallup Principal and now is the principal of the high school at Shanghai Community International School. Angela is an entrepreneur and former PHS grad!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NF6xvSzjLc4/UIxdfgpUOpI/AAAAAAAAApI/rwRLTuWHgeY/s1600/IMG_20121023_111733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NF6xvSzjLc4/UIxdfgpUOpI/AAAAAAAAApI/rwRLTuWHgeY/s200/IMG_20121023_111733.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shanghai Community Fellowship</td></tr>
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We are very blessed to be in Shanghai. We found a wonderful church, Shanghai Community Fellowship which is within a 5 minute walk. Morning services are for Chinese Nationals, and the afternoon services are in English. More than 60 nations are represented. It is a truly a multi-denominational fellowship.<br />
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The Intel site is 45-60 minutes away from our apartment in a technology park. Ken is establishing work relationships and enjoying Chinese culture.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5MM2yOBB_A/UKoJIXgd7dI/AAAAAAAAA0k/g9acDLeTkiU/s1600/Intel+Shanghai+site.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="81" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5MM2yOBB_A/UKoJIXgd7dI/AAAAAAAAA0k/g9acDLeTkiU/s320/Intel+Shanghai+site.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken's Shanghai Intel Site</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmAyzxNH4wY/UKnSCMxxcDI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/xf0PwGoxfnI/s1600/DSC_3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmAyzxNH4wY/UKnSCMxxcDI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/xf0PwGoxfnI/s200/DSC_3765.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over Shanghai from Apartment</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Happy Thanksgiving Week! We will enjoy Peking Duck as you enjoy Turkey:)</span></div>
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Zai Jian, </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Ken and Jeanie</span></div>
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<br />K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3470237812945679368.post-1507222740629895872012-10-27T19:07:00.000-07:002012-10-27T19:07:09.252-07:00Schneiders in China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk4LmFK3hww/UIxdTWIcAsI/AAAAAAAAAng/cfmWZIyJW-k/s1600/IMG_20121021_151502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk4LmFK3hww/UIxdTWIcAsI/AAAAAAAAAng/cfmWZIyJW-k/s200/IMG_20121021_151502.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pudong Skyline, Shanghai's Financial District</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBXnDXux6rg/UIxdjzXF0_I/AAAAAAAAApg/diXS8cXXmN0/s1600/IMG_20121023_152341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MBXnDXux6rg/UIxdjzXF0_I/AAAAAAAAApg/diXS8cXXmN0/s200/IMG_20121023_152341.jpg" width="136" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers abound in Shanghai</td></tr>
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Hello, Ni Hao, (Nee how)<br />
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We are about to embark on an exciting new adventure for the next 12 to 18 months. We are starting this blog so we can stay connected and to share some insights into life in China.<br />
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Ken will be managing a team of engineers at Intel Corporation in Shanghai. Jeanie is on a two year leave of absence with the Puyallup School District. Since she cannot work under the leave of absence, she hopes to learn Mandarin, take Chinese cooking classes, and enjoy being a tour guide with Ken on the weekends.<br />
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We have just returned from our apartment hunting trip in Shanghai, China. We will be living in a 2 BR/2 BA apartment in an area called the French Concession. Our apartment is newly renovated, has a very modern interior, overlooks the U.S. embassy and the Shanghai library. The area has a wonderful neighborhood feel, leafy trees, many international restaurants, lovely boutique type shopping, and the international church is just 5 minutes away. Perfect place for visitors; please think about visiting us!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Q6nfFwp5LU/UIxdub9Qg9I/AAAAAAAAArE/yxQcXdNiKN0/s1600/IMG_20121023_110924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Q6nfFwp5LU/UIxdub9Qg9I/AAAAAAAAArE/yxQcXdNiKN0/s200/IMG_20121023_110924.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our apartment complex: Ambassy Ct. (Chinese spelling)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg0CRY70938/UIxdwh43XGI/AAAAAAAAArc/qUp8MlxyEpw/s1600/IMG_20121025_113742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg0CRY70938/UIxdwh43XGI/AAAAAAAAArc/qUp8MlxyEpw/s200/IMG_20121025_113742.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 BR/BA apartment, minimal design</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DpdNsjUeN4/UIxd-9bP5OI/AAAAAAAAAt8/I-7QR30VXXo/s1600/IMG_20121025_115346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9DpdNsjUeN4/UIxd-9bP5OI/AAAAAAAAAt8/I-7QR30VXXo/s200/IMG_20121025_115346.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from balcony</td></tr>
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Our final moving date is<b> Saturday, November 10</b>. That same weekend, our new renters, Michael and Lisa Nolan with their two young children, will be moving into our Tacoma home. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaQSCVWlMG8/UIxdXsYWrGI/AAAAAAAAAoI/seLGc-O_sqI/s1600/IMG_20121021_175914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MaQSCVWlMG8/UIxdXsYWrGI/AAAAAAAAAoI/seLGc-O_sqI/s200/IMG_20121021_175914.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swartz Family</td></tr>
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During our one week visit, we were able to visit with the Swartz family, friends who were at Karshner last year, and who are now studying and teaching in Shanghai. In addition, we met with Xiao Yuan and her husband, Robert. Xiao Yuan was a visiting teacher at Puyallup H.S. ten years ago. We are delighted to continue the friendship in Shanghai!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gkb28em7Ea8/UIxdpwS85cI/AAAAAAAAAqc/lYNXkUQHgWA/s1600/IMG_20121024_115151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gkb28em7Ea8/UIxdpwS85cI/AAAAAAAAAqc/lYNXkUQHgWA/s200/IMG_20121024_115151.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Architecture in Shanghai</td></tr>
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If you would like to automatically receive notification update of this blog, please type in your email at the right hand box and press submit. Please note our new emails.<br />
Jeanie: jschneider98407@gmail.com<br />
Ken : ken.schneider147@gmail.com<br />
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We do not have a phone number yet as we will have new phones in China. (Jeanie's phone was lost, so don't try to call or text her old number.)<br />
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We are excited for this new adventure. Thank you for praying for us during this time away from friends and family. We are confident that God wants to teach us anew and open our hearts to this city of 23 million people.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ye1QLgHZ7A/UIxdmr_zvwI/AAAAAAAAAp8/adRieLdNGuc/s1600/IMG_20121023_161221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="152" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Ye1QLgHZ7A/UIxdmr_zvwI/AAAAAAAAAp8/adRieLdNGuc/s200/IMG_20121023_161221.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yunan Gardens in the Old Town of Shanghai</td></tr>
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Good by, Zai Jian, (Zi Jee En)<br />
Ken and Jeanie Schneider<br />
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K and J Schneider's China Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02115068596492054642noreply@blogger.comShanghai, China31.230393 121.47370430.3614965 120.21027649999999 32.0992895 122.7371315