BS: Back from Cheng Du

Subject: Back from Cheng Du
From: GUEST,Seth from China
Date: 10 May 01 - 02:07 AM

My wife, daughter and I have returned from Chengdu and SOng Pan, in beautiful Sichuan Province. Daughter went horse-treking in the mountains on the way to Tibet. Leslie and I hung around Song Pan and ChengDu for four days. Very different ethnically from other parts of China, friendly people, lovely clean air and bright spring sunshine at 10,000 feet. Good place to chase your blues away. I'll post more when I get a little more arranged here. Best to all Seth

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Cheng Du
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 May 01 - 03:04 AM

Wow! 10,000 feet! Pretty thin air! When you have time, we are having our own trek at high altitude in one of the current story threads, "BS-A New Story - In Search of Shangi-La"...just a bunch of fun and silliness.

My sister's school is studying China, this year, so lately she's been teaching Chinese songs, translated, of course. She teaches elemetary music and I know has shared some of your postings with her classes.

Thanks for taking the time to write to us, Seth. Just fascinating and good to know you are all okay.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Cheng Du
From: SINSULL
Date: 10 May 01 - 10:31 AM

Oh Seth! I am aching all over! I spent a two days in Chengdu waiting for a flight into Lhasa - can't believe that it was over 20 years ago. Then ChengDu was pretty desolate. Their main livestock was rats - no kidding. We were sitting at the usual table for ten in the hotel dining room when I saw something out of the corner of my eye. The guide who was sitting with us motioned me to be quiet. She didn't want to panic the "ladies" in the group. The rats were like pets - they came right to the table, sat up, and begged. Big rats.

The following day I walked through an outdoor bazaar - blankets on the ground. Every third vendor was selling a home made rat poison and advertising its effectiveness with proof - dead rats. Each had a pathetic little mouse running on a plate that was balanced in an empty bottle. poor thing would run itself to death and then be replaced.

There was a lot of building going on then. It sounds as if things have improved. I would love to hear about what is going on now. Is Kunming still as beautiful as I remember it? Beautiful place. Beautiful people.

In Lhasa you can buy prayer flags in the center market. Be sure your family puts one at the highest possible spot to wave for them forever.

Subject: RE: BS: Back from Cheng Du
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 May 01 - 03:25 PM

Wow, Sins, that sounds so interesting. It would be good to hear more of your stories, too, esp. about Lhasa.