GoK was once lively, contentious, at times abusive but also interesting, entertaining and always informative. The goal of harmony resulted in policy of forced moderation and eventual censorship. Only approved opinions and discourse was allowed. As the hand on the tiller grew heavier, GoK lost the wind.
Sorry for getting nautical but I bought a home less than a kilometer from the ocean in California and have been relaxing, enjoying my dotage, sailing, and the Kunming like weather here. I miss China and Kunming. American food is boring.
In the US we are being told that getting vaccinated will end the supply chain problem. Biden’s Energy secretary Jennifer Granholm on skyrocketing prices of goods:
"[Economists say] there is a transitory nature to the inflation problem…We wanna make sure we get everybody vaccinated so we can unclog the bottlenecks that we’ve been seeing.”
Found an interesting video (48 min) on the COVID pandemic and the vaccines being pushed. The mRNA vaxx are still experimental and controversy is raging on who should get the shot. I got the two Pfizer shots as I am 78 with additional high risk problems.
This is the link and there are many (100+ ?) links to additional resources.
I read either a book or long article on Forrest and his work in the last year or two which was interesting. As my memory fades I can't locate it. Did find this story on an attempt to locate Forrest's grave.
This is a great book! Josh is a font of knowledge on Xinjiang and this book is useful. I spent a month there a few years back and found it to be one of the more pleasant travel destinations in China.
All but one of my Han Chinese friends warned me not to go to Xinjiang. My girl friend begged me not to go. Xinjiang is dirty and dangerous I was told and far too hot as well. But a Chinese teacher I worked with had spent a few years there told me to go. So I did.
I went in July and the weather was great. A little rain every day kept the temperatures down. Security did not seem to be a problem despite just about every male carrying a knife on his belt.
If I had "Xinjiang: A Traveler's Guide to Far West China" back then I would had a more interesting trip.
I can recommend a recent book on China which has a section on Yunnan. by David Eimer, "The Emperor Far Away: Travels at the Edge of China." Kindle Edition.
Mentions the Kokang. Section on Xinjiang and Uighurs is excellent.
Be aware they will push whatever they are selling. Some of the staff have no idea about the technical side of appliances.
I went there to buy a stove. I repeatedly told them I would be using bottled gas. They sold me a stove. When I went to my local gas guy, I learned there are at least three kinds of gas sold. Luckily, B&Q did not deliver as promised. I went back to the store and discovered they had sold me a stove they needed to be hooked up to the gas main. I got my money back.
The sales lady was almost in tears, 没有问题！I don't know if it a safety or design issue, but I would think B&Q would know and care.
Subway starts at 9am. I have no idea where to catch an airport express bus. Eight taxis refused to go to the airport. After almost an hour standing on Beijing Lu took a black taxi, this dude drives slower than my mother, 120 yuan.
Flight back was delayed so I learned the subway stops running at 6:10pm.
Getting a taxi back was easy, more taxis than customers. Taxi was 87 yuan including 1o yuan toll, airport to Beichen area. Yes, he took a longer route than necessary.
Kunming imagines being a gateway for international travelers. New airport but hard to get to and from it.
Yunnan's Dulong minority, isolated no more
Posted byFascinating look at disappearing culture. A really frank report on the effects of the introduction of modern ideas and methods.
Thanks, good article.
George Forrest: Scotland's Qing-era plant hunter
Posted byI read either a book or long article on Forrest and his work in the last year or two which was interesting. As my memory fades I can't locate it. Did find this story on an attempt to locate Forrest's grave.
www.rhododendron.org/v53n1p8.htm
Book Review: Xinjiang: A Traveler's Guide to Far West China
Posted byThis is a great book! Josh is a font of knowledge on Xinjiang and this book is useful. I spent a month there a few years back and found it to be one of the more pleasant travel destinations in China.
All but one of my Han Chinese friends warned me not to go to Xinjiang. My girl friend begged me not to go. Xinjiang is dirty and dangerous I was told and far too hot as well. But a Chinese teacher I worked with had spent a few years there told me to go. So I did.
I went in July and the weather was great. A little rain every day kept the temperatures down. Security did not seem to be a problem despite just about every male carrying a knife on his belt.
If I had "Xinjiang: A Traveler's Guide to Far West China" back then I would had a more interesting trip.
Climbing Away: Liming
Posted bySounds like a great trip even if you don't climb. Wish I was still healthy.
Go before it gets "developed."
Mike Dobie's blog:
mikedobie.tumblr.com/
Burmese soldiers reportedly killed near Chinese border
Posted byI can recommend a recent book on China which has a section on Yunnan. by David Eimer, "The Emperor Far Away: Travels at the Edge of China." Kindle Edition.
Mentions the Kokang. Section on Xinjiang and Uighurs is excellent.