Over the past several years, when some unattractive opportunity was presented, I would say to my colleagues at work, "I'd rather go clothes shopping with twelve women at the Mall of America." The strength of this declaration was increased by my smug refusal to go to the Mall. When I announced my retirement my ministry partner, Michelene, arranged to have twelve women (nine actually made it) take me to the MOA. So guess what I did today? I walked (alone in this case)to the 8 story mall about a mile from my hotel. Don't know that I'll do it again but it was interesting to see.
It's always a trip to walk around Bkk. I do sort of a shuffle watching every step for breaks, holes, etc. in the sidewalk, while keeping an eye out for awnings and umbrellas which are usually 6-12 inches lower than my head, all the while dodging pedestrians, carts, bikes, motorcycles, etc. Never a dull moment.....but the sights are fascinating and so are some of the smells, e.g., the scent of joss sticks telling me I'm near a shrine. (This morning, while I worked online the mom of the internet cafe brought out the offerings for the family shrine. Sort of family dvotions.)
I'm enjoying (usually) being back in my mom and pop internet cafe in Bkk. The one I used in KC was huge, I'd guess at least 200 terminals. This one has about 8 stations and the family children use it as their play room. This morning the baby let out the loudest ear piercing shriek, but, still better than the cloud of cigarette smoke in KC.
Logo on a t-shirt worn by an Asian man at the mall; "Welcome to America...now speak English". That reminds of the t-shirt I once saw on a young man in Cambodia, "Death to Yuppie Scum".
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Warm Again!
The three men standing shoulder to shoulder to shoulder used their machine guns to wave off the sidewalk and into the street. Thinking that being run over was preferable to being machine gunned I quickly complied wonder perhaps if all those persons fearing for my safety were right. It appears that in KC (Kunming City) they armour the people instead of the truck. Glancing into the open door of the bank I saw at least three more machine gun carrying people plus the six on the sidewalk and still more in the minivan. Reminds me of the time Joanne was almost shot on her way to see Ho Chi Min.
Scene in a KC elevator; three young Chinese using a laptop wire into the wires of the elevator ceiling.
On the last blog I hinted at a surprise and the title of this blog provides a clue. I'd planned to stay in KC until Saturday but decided that I didn't want to be cold that long. Tried to change my tickets to Thur. but the only option was today (Tues) so I took it. I'm back in Bkk basking in the heat. I never could get warm in KC...nothing including my hotel room was heated...and I thought if I wanted to be cold I could have stayed in Mpls.
Now that I'm back in favorite family run, 7 station, inter-net cafe, with English speaking computers I'll do some serious picture uploading tomorrow.
Scene in a KC elevator; three young Chinese using a laptop wire into the wires of the elevator ceiling.
On the last blog I hinted at a surprise and the title of this blog provides a clue. I'd planned to stay in KC until Saturday but decided that I didn't want to be cold that long. Tried to change my tickets to Thur. but the only option was today (Tues) so I took it. I'm back in Bkk basking in the heat. I never could get warm in KC...nothing including my hotel room was heated...and I thought if I wanted to be cold I could have stayed in Mpls.
Now that I'm back in favorite family run, 7 station, inter-net cafe, with English speaking computers I'll do some serious picture uploading tomorrow.
Monday, January 29, 2007
More Of Kunming
It was a long cable car ride over the lake, the big lake next to Kunming whose name escapes me, and as we approached the other side I thought; "A tourist and his money is soon parted." A road across the lake was about 100 yards to the side. Then the cable car began to climb the steep hill and I had second thoughts. Toward the top of the hill I dismounted walked up some steps rounded a corner so see a lineup of tour buses. My taxi people could have delivered me to that spot. Ah, yes, A tourist and his money.......
But that's part of the fun...so in good humor I joined the procession climbing, climbing, climbing (no funicular this time) all to discover the "Dragon's Gate" grotto hewed out of solid rock by some inspired monk centuries ago. Frankly I was more impressed by the young man packing a load of sand up those steps to mix with concrete for some repair being done....or the woman who is cleaning the lobby of my hotel bldg every morning when I leave and is still doing when I return.
It was a hazy day so the spectacular views of Kunming were obscured........
There are 26 minority peoples in the province, Yunnan. A huge park has been built with a sample village from each of the tribes. This was my next stop. While it was very interesting it was obviously built with the Chinese in mind. It has a bit of the feeling of a zoo mixed with a theme park. I do hope that it signals some respect for the minorities some of which have as few as 120,000 people. A real trip would be to visit the actual villages.
Observed along the road....a Lexus dealership.
Every Asian city has it's own distinctive traffic patterns. No left turns on major streets in Kunming but there are special u-turn lanes. So the drives passes the street on which he'd like to turn left, make a u-turn and then a right turn.
Tune in tomorrow for a bit of a surprise.
But that's part of the fun...so in good humor I joined the procession climbing, climbing, climbing (no funicular this time) all to discover the "Dragon's Gate" grotto hewed out of solid rock by some inspired monk centuries ago. Frankly I was more impressed by the young man packing a load of sand up those steps to mix with concrete for some repair being done....or the woman who is cleaning the lobby of my hotel bldg every morning when I leave and is still doing when I return.
It was a hazy day so the spectacular views of Kunming were obscured........
There are 26 minority peoples in the province, Yunnan. A huge park has been built with a sample village from each of the tribes. This was my next stop. While it was very interesting it was obviously built with the Chinese in mind. It has a bit of the feeling of a zoo mixed with a theme park. I do hope that it signals some respect for the minorities some of which have as few as 120,000 people. A real trip would be to visit the actual villages.
Observed along the road....a Lexus dealership.
Every Asian city has it's own distinctive traffic patterns. No left turns on major streets in Kunming but there are special u-turn lanes. So the drives passes the street on which he'd like to turn left, make a u-turn and then a right turn.
Tune in tomorrow for a bit of a surprise.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Life Is an Adventure
I found a Chinese restaurant (imagine that) near my hotel last night. The waitress led me around the premises and I ordered by pointing at what I wanted. There must have been a mistake because Mr. Montezuma visited my in the night. Once again I discovered true loneliness...being alone and sick in a foreign land. After about five hours I decide I was going to live and have been fine today.
Arranged with my taxi people, husband and wife, for a tour of the city center. Not much of old Kunming left. It is all skyscrapers now. Because it is Sunday the people were out to enjoy themselves. They are friendly but I've only seen two Caucasians since I left the airport. I catch people looking at me but when I look at them they quickly glance away. Walking by a wedding party outside a restaurant I gave a congratulatory signal and one of groomsmen rushed over and gave me gift cigarette. Many of the people have a Nepalese/Tibetan/Mongol look and many are quite tall by Asian standards.
There is a large central park with a lake that reminds me of the one in Hanoi where McCain crashed. People were feeding the gulls, doing Tia Chi, playing badminton and generally enjoying the day.
No CNN available here but CCTV (Communist China TV) broadcasts in English. It appears to be somewhat more objective than Fox but not nearly so slick. It is always a good thing when propaganda isn't slick.
The police/party presence is not much in view. Much less than when I was in Viet Nam though that's been several years. There are a few beggars but commerce is rampant. I went to a three story supermarket to buy some groceries for my room. If you couldn't buy it there you don't need it. Interesting that the check out is on 2nd floor; the escalators handle carts. My two modest bags of groceries cost $8. Labor is cheap so every aisle has a least one attendant standing by. While I type this an attendant comes by and refills my tea cup.
It is cold with daytime temps in the 40s and nights colder...altitude is about 6000ft...but flowers are in bloom. Nothing is heated, including hotels, so after shivering long enough, I bought a heavy winter coat for $16. Communism is good! :)
I'm not hopeful about getting my pics uploaded until I return to Bkk. My Chinese is not improving very quickly and smiling, nodding and pointing doesn't work on the computer.
Arranged with my taxi people, husband and wife, for a tour of the city center. Not much of old Kunming left. It is all skyscrapers now. Because it is Sunday the people were out to enjoy themselves. They are friendly but I've only seen two Caucasians since I left the airport. I catch people looking at me but when I look at them they quickly glance away. Walking by a wedding party outside a restaurant I gave a congratulatory signal and one of groomsmen rushed over and gave me gift cigarette. Many of the people have a Nepalese/Tibetan/Mongol look and many are quite tall by Asian standards.
There is a large central park with a lake that reminds me of the one in Hanoi where McCain crashed. People were feeding the gulls, doing Tia Chi, playing badminton and generally enjoying the day.
No CNN available here but CCTV (Communist China TV) broadcasts in English. It appears to be somewhat more objective than Fox but not nearly so slick. It is always a good thing when propaganda isn't slick.
The police/party presence is not much in view. Much less than when I was in Viet Nam though that's been several years. There are a few beggars but commerce is rampant. I went to a three story supermarket to buy some groceries for my room. If you couldn't buy it there you don't need it. Interesting that the check out is on 2nd floor; the escalators handle carts. My two modest bags of groceries cost $8. Labor is cheap so every aisle has a least one attendant standing by. While I type this an attendant comes by and refills my tea cup.
It is cold with daytime temps in the 40s and nights colder...altitude is about 6000ft...but flowers are in bloom. Nothing is heated, including hotels, so after shivering long enough, I bought a heavy winter coat for $16. Communism is good! :)
I'm not hopeful about getting my pics uploaded until I return to Bkk. My Chinese is not improving very quickly and smiling, nodding and pointing doesn't work on the computer.
Life Is an Adventure
I found a Chinese restaurant (imagine that) near my hotel last night. The waitress led me around the premises and I ordered by pointing at what I wanted. There must have been a mistake because Mr. Montezuma visited my in the night. Once again I discovered true loneliness...being alone and sick in a foreign land. After about five hours I decide I was going to live and have been fine today.
Arranged with my taxi people, husband and wife, for a tour of the city center. Not much of old Kunming left. It is all skyscrapers now. Because it is Sunday the people were out to enjoy themselves. They are friendly but I've only seen two Caucasians since I left the airport. I catch people looking at me but when I look at them they quickly glance away. Walking by a wedding party outside a restaurant I gave a congratulatory signal and one of groomsmen rushed over and gave me gift cigarette. Many of the people have a Nepalese/Tibetan/Mongol look and many are quite tall by Asian standards.
There is a large central park with a lake that reminds me of the one in Hanoi where McCain crashed. People were feeding the gulls, doing Tia Chi, playing badminton and generally enjoying the day.
No CNN available here but CCTV (Communist China TV) broadcasts in English. It appears to be somewhat more objective than Fox but not nearly so slick. It is always a good thing when propaganda isn't slick.
The police/party presence is not much in view. Much less than when I was in Viet Nam though that's been several years. There are a few beggars but commerce is rampant. I went to a three story supermarket to buy some groceries for my room. If you couldn't buy it there you don't need it. Interesting that the check out is on 2nd floor; the escalators handle carts. My two modest bags of groceries cost $8. Labor is cheap so every aisle has a least one attendant standing by. While I type this an attendant comes by and refills my tea cup.
It is cold with daytime temps in the 40s and nights colder...altitude is about 6000ft...but flowers are in bloom. Nothing is heated, including hotels, so after shivering long enough, I bought a heavy winter coat for $16. Communism is good! :)
I'm not hopeful about getting my pics uploaded until I return to Bkk. My Chinese is not improving very quickly and smiling, nodding and pointing doesn't work on the computer.
Arranged with my taxi people, husband and wife, for a tour of the city center. Not much of old Kunming left. It is all skyscrapers now. Because it is Sunday the people were out to enjoy themselves. They are friendly but I've only seen two Caucasians since I left the airport. I catch people looking at me but when I look at them they quickly glance away. Walking by a wedding party outside a restaurant I gave a congratulatory signal and one of groomsmen rushed over and gave me gift cigarette. Many of the people have a Nepalese/Tibetan/Mongol look and many are quite tall by Asian standards.
There is a large central park with a lake that reminds me of the one in Hanoi where McCain crashed. People were feeding the gulls, doing Tia Chi, playing badminton and generally enjoying the day.
No CNN available here but CCTV (Communist China TV) broadcasts in English. It appears to be somewhat more objective than Fox but not nearly so slick. It is always a good thing when propaganda isn't slick.
The police/party presence is not much in view. Much less than when I was in Viet Nam though that's been several years. There are a few beggars but commerce is rampant. I went to a three story supermarket to buy some groceries for my room. If you couldn't buy it there you don't need it. Interesting that the check out is on 2nd floor; the escalators handle carts. My two modest bags of groceries cost $8. Labor is cheap so every aisle has a least one attendant standing by. While I type this an attendant comes by and refills my tea cup.
It is cold with daytime temps in the 40s and nights colder...altitude is about 6000ft...but flowers are in bloom. Nothing is heated, including hotels, so after shivering long enough, I bought a heavy winter coat for $16. Communism is good! :)
I'm not hopeful about getting my pics uploaded until I return to Bkk. My Chinese is not improving very quickly and smiling, nodding and pointing doesn't work on the computer.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Curmudgeon In China
I admit that besides being a curmudgeon I'm a bit of a Luddite. So I deplane in Kunming, go through passport control, customs, collect my bag in the dingy Communist terminal and then I walk over to the ATM and draw money from my Mpls account in Chinese currency and my mind boggles.Now, I'm posting a blog on a computer that keeps asking me questions in Chinese and has a keyboard with the letters worn off. So far I've managed to navigate using memory and luck. There were about 15 minutes of hilarity when all the young Chinese tech heads tried to figure out how to get grey beard on-line. NO one speaks English and my Chinese is really bad. This smoke filled room keeps me sneezing too. If I can't get this critter to convert to English I don't know if I'll atttemp to up load pics! This internet cafe is a huge room filled with young people playing computer games.Al's cheap. So I found this hostel on line that showed nice rooms in a modern bldg. $25. per night I didn't think would break my bank. Up to the 16th floor I went to, not really a lobby just a room, where after much chattering, consulting, telephoning, help from my taxi driver, looking at my internet booking they finally concluded I was legit. I was showed to a room on the 12th floor. When the door opend the stench of stale smoke about bowled me over. I politely inquired about a non-smoking room? Much more chattering, help from the taxi driver, who speaks the most English I've found yet...just slightly more than my Chinese....and I was motioned to wait. About 10 minutes later I was summoned to a room on the 13th floor which was slightly better. After the hotel staff left I discoved the secret was that they had opened a window. I've been spoiled by Thailand where most public bldgs/spaces are nonsmoking.Planes from around the world fascinate me since I'm easily entertained. As we were taxing down the runway in Bkk I glimsed one that had the slogan, WHAT A WAY TO GO! painted in huge letters on its side. I assume its not some sort of death wish.Its cool here...the city of eternal Spring. Something like May in Mpls. Bkk was in the 90s every day
Friday, January 26, 2007
On To China
Tomorrow, Saturday, I will fly Thai Airways, "Smooth As Silk" to Kunming China. I may not have time to post before I leave.
Jim Thompson House
Jim Thompson was sent to Thailand by the CIA toward the end of WW II. Educated as an architect he stayed on in Thailand. We was fascinated by the traditional Thai silk weaving. He is credited with reviving that weaving by finding markets, encouraging designs and employing many weavers. He built a traditional Thai style home in Bkk and was major player in Bkk society circles. In 1969 he was on a brief vacation in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia, the destination of many residents of Bkk seeking to escape the summer tropical heat. He disappeared without a trace and his fate has never been learned.
Today I visited his home which has been preserved as it was the day he disappeared. It is furnished with many artifacts he'd collected from various places in Asia. It also shows traditional Thai architecture.
Today I visited his home which has been preserved as it was the day he disappeared. It is furnished with many artifacts he'd collected from various places in Asia. It also shows traditional Thai architecture.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Boken English
The one star hotel, in which I stay for $33. per day, offers a full hot breakfast included in the price. The large coffee shop where the breakfast is served a sign warns of a low ceiling; "MINE (sic) YOUR HEAD
Exqusite Pain
Many years ago, when I was visiting daughter, Lisa, in Cambodia she introduced me to Thai massage. Yesterday I went for one. There was a room with about 10 mattresses in a row. Sometimes there are curtains but often not. Dressed in pajamas, which usually are several sizes to small for me, the masseuse goes to work.
Most often the massage last two hours. Using elbows, knees, hands and feet and sometimes hot stones to bend, twist, knead and rub the masseuse inflicts exquisite pain that is amazingly therapeutic. Oh yes, my two hour massage yesterday cost $9.
Most often the massage last two hours. Using elbows, knees, hands and feet and sometimes hot stones to bend, twist, knead and rub the masseuse inflicts exquisite pain that is amazingly therapeutic. Oh yes, my two hour massage yesterday cost $9.
Where's The Road Rage?
Traffic in Bkk is a thing of beauty and amazement. Rush hour lasts from 4 until 9pm. Every truck, bus, car, taxi and motorcycle take every inch they can get. At stop lights motorcycles wind through the traffic to be a the front when the light goes green. Never does anyone pause to give another the right of way. The right of way is gained by getting enough of one's vehicle out to force others to stop or swerve.
Yet, seldom is a horn heard and in 36hrs here I've heard one siren. Never have I seen any display of anger or frustration. Taxi drivers calmly work on their paperwork while they wait for traffic jams to clear and then they are off to the races.
If this were Minnesota the traffic would lead to road rage; flaring tempers, flying fingers and guns pulled.
Yet, seldom is a horn heard and in 36hrs here I've heard one siren. Never have I seen any display of anger or frustration. Taxi drivers calmly work on their paperwork while they wait for traffic jams to clear and then they are off to the races.
If this were Minnesota the traffic would lead to road rage; flaring tempers, flying fingers and guns pulled.
Flight of the Bumble Bee
Early in my ministry I was presiding at a wedding on a hot summer evening. The kind of hot evening that your clothes melt into the varnish of the pew. All the doors and windows were open to afford the people a little breath of air.
Into this festive assembly flew and uninvited bumble bee. Standing before the altar looking over the heads of the bride and groom I could see the guests part as the bee flew between them, almost as if an invisible hand was parting them.
This scene came to mind when I saw traffic; cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, flowing around an unseen object. When I was parallel to the place of division I saw a one legged beggar lying on his stomach inching his way forward pushing his begging cup ahead of him.
LORD HAVE MERCY.!
Into this festive assembly flew and uninvited bumble bee. Standing before the altar looking over the heads of the bride and groom I could see the guests part as the bee flew between them, almost as if an invisible hand was parting them.
This scene came to mind when I saw traffic; cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, flowing around an unseen object. When I was parallel to the place of division I saw a one legged beggar lying on his stomach inching his way forward pushing his begging cup ahead of him.
LORD HAVE MERCY.!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Curmudgeon in Bangkok
After a rather long trip, I left Monday A.M. and over nighted in San Francisco to use frequent flier miles. I arrive safely in Bangkok (Bkk) at midnight Wed. The new airport also bused us to the terminal. I kinda miss the funky old one with the golf course between the runways. Does a golfer get a do over when a landing 747 screeches the tires?
More later when I've done some exploring.
A couple of pics from the street in front of my hotel.
More later when I've done some exploring.
A couple of pics from the street in front of my hotel.
Friday, January 19, 2007
A Picture from Argentina
This pic from Patagonia in Argentina will have to do until I arrive in Asia.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Retirement Article
www.mnsun.com/articles/2007/01/12/news/pw11negstadretire.prt If you'd like to read an article about my retirement click on the link above.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Still Counting
If I'd known how much trouble I'd cause by retiring I might have gone AWOL. Now they are buying new cups, dishes and silverware.
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
13 Days And Counting
January 14th is my retirement date. One week later I begin my next trip to Asia. Beginning January 22, I will post regular Curmudgeonly Dispatches for your entertainment and edification.
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