Outta the city!

So far, China has been big city after big city for me. (Okay, well just 2 big cities, but they were really big.) Now I am in Tumen, which is about 25 hours by train Northeast of Beijing, right on the border with North Korea and about 3 hours from Russia. While it was quite a haul getting here, I love seeing this other side of China. Not only is the town much smaller than Beijing, it is somewhat of a border town, with much Korean influence. Anyway, getting to hike on real mountain and go more than an hour with out hearing a taxi honk has been awesome. (Things are so po dunk here that the electricity was out all day today.) Anyway, another bonus about being here is free internet (courtesy of Trista) and lots of down time. So, as saxtor so observantly pointed out, I've added a few features to the blog (ability to see old posts, and real-time comment tracking). I also threw together a little slide show. Now it isn't a BrothesrRoot worthy slideshow with autoplay, music, etc., but it will have to do. Mine does have captions though. Zing! Anyway, I hope you enjoy it.

Tuesday October 24 2006

File under: travel, China

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on Tue 24th Oct, 2006 01:07 pm UTC gretchen said: you're wearing pants???!!! what the...?! ************************ on Tue 24th Oct, 2006 01:55 pm UTC Wren said: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm wearing pants. It's about 40 degrees out, and the wind can be quite biting. But that isn't the main reason. Being one of about 4 honkies in a town of this size raises quite a few eyebrows. Being a honky dressed like a freaking California surfer dude makes the stares all the more. Yesterday, even when I was wearing long pants, I got a blantant point and laugh. No joke. ************************ on Tue 24th Oct, 2006 03:11 pm UTC Jule said: Och! Gretchen beat me to it, you do have pants on. I guess going pantless wouldn't be appropriate on this family friendly blog. I am glad we have photo documentation. ************************ on Tue 24th Oct, 2006 03:12 pm UTC Sonya said: Erik and I have loved reading about your adventures! Erik wants to know if you are going to travel into Korea and Russia. He is following you on his world map...remember second cousin twice removed????? Did we ever figure that out? ************************ on Tue 24th Oct, 2006 03:15 pm UTC Jule said: Och! Gretchen beat me to it, you do have pants on. I guess going pantless wouldn't be appropriate on this family friendly blog. I am glad we have photo documentation. ************************ on Tue 24th Oct, 2006 03:17 pm UTC Jule said: Wren, what is that thing you are "running" on in your slideshow (btw: nice slideshow). and why do I keep posting twice? ************************ on Wed 25th Oct, 2006 01:22 am UTC Jule (not really. it's Andrew) said: You know, posting under others' names is fun. really. now Jule will think he posted 3 times. it will just quicken his gradual descent into madness. mooohahahahaha! ps. nice pants pantsy. ************************ on Wed 25th Oct, 2006 06:50 am UTC Horge said: Nice DIY slideshow. Cool that you made it to see North Korea. I did it from the other side (S. Korea for those not looking at a map). Speaking of which, are you going to go to South Korea? If you do, I can recommend some parks. I just have to find the name of them again... Otherwise, good to know that the North Koreans can still grill their bulgogi the same way as their southern brethern. Too bad most of them have no meat to grill... ************************ on Wed 25th Oct, 2006 05:15 pm UTC Jule said: Double postings and Andrew make Jule go....something something.... ************************

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The Pretty Good Wall

Okay, just kidding. The Great Wall is exactly that: great. Even better than great, in fact. Visiting the wall is something I have been wanting to do for a long long time. Often times, that means the experience doesn't live up to any expectations. I'm so glad to report that this wasn't the case at all. Even though the day was a little overcast, and the tour that took me there dragged us through a million different government run shops and factories, my time on the great wall was spectacular. There are a couple different places you can go on the wall, each with its own assets. I chose to visit Mutianya, because it was supposed to be less touristy. "Less touristy" is a relative term, I guess. There was still a cable car to take visitors to the top and a tobogon slide to take them down. I did neither although the tobogon was pretty tempting. But because of the weather and time of the year, there weren't too many people. I got it in my mind to hike and hike and hike, so that is exactly what I did. Beyond about 3 towers from the ski lift, there were very few people, so that I could get some decent pictures. I made the 3 or so kilometers to the end of the reconstructed part, enjoying some of the best views and best hiking of my life. (Walking on such a huge part of history just seems to have that effect, I guess.) By the time I got to the end, I realized that I had to get back to the bus ASAP. So it was an almost-jog the rest of the way back, which, considering the terrain, was quite a feat. All in all, I must have hiked 5 miles and my body is feeling it, esp. on top of all the walking I've been doing here in Beijing (Forbidden City, Tienamen Square, etc. etc.) I think today shall be a rest day.

Saturday October 21 2006

File under: China, travel

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on Sat 21st Oct, 2006 04:32 am UTC Saxtor said: I think you should have some tea and rest up for some more tea drinking! (sorry, I can't resist. Ever since your last post, I've envisioned you walking around China with a huge bundle of tea strapped to your back.) ************************ on Mon 23rd Oct, 2006 05:07 am UTC hannah said: glad the wall was great. g-r-e-a-t blog. ************************ on Mon 23rd Oct, 2006 04:57 pm UTC Saxtor said: Dude, you're in China, on vacation. The last thing you should be doing is adding features to your blog backend! Needless to say, the "Checking for comments..." and blog history features are impressive. I guess you gotta do what you gotta to keep your webchops up.... ************************ on Mon 23rd Oct, 2006 06:29 pm UTC Jule said: Saxtor, have you been checking out Wren's backend? I am sure that is an overused joke in the bloggy circles, but I couldn't resist! Anyway...Nice wall and great pictures! think we should build a wall here in the U.S.? ************************ on Tue 24th Oct, 2006 10:04 am UTC Horge said: Yeah I think I took the tobogan down from the wall as I was in a hurry to catch that bus, too. I don't remember how fun it was. The wall was cooler. And I think Bushie-Boy is already working on his Great Wall to keep out the huns* *if by "huns" I mean "hundreds of Mexicans keeping this country afloat by doing work that others refuse to do" ************************

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Beijing - Day 1

6:30 - Arrive train station. 6:31-8:00 - Get horribly lost. Feel lonely and depressed. 8:01 - Meet local. Exchange English practice for directions to hotel. 8:30-10:30 - Roam around downtown Beijing with new friend, again with the English practice. Marvel at Forbidden City from afar. 10:31-11:30 - Get situated in hostel. 11:30 - Eat 16 potstickers. Rethink badmouthing of chinese chinese food. 12:30-2:30 - Meet new locals, again for the English practice. Roam old town with new friends. 2:30-3:00 - Spend 2 weeks' budget on tea. 3:00-4:00 - Write postcards in beautiful Beijing park. Rethink tea purchase. 4:00-dusk - Smile about the happy first day in Beijing.

Wednesday October 18 2006

File under: travel, China

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on Wed 18th Oct, 2006 04:15 pm UTC jule said: 2 weeks budget on tea? what kind of tea is it? you gotta get me some of that stuff!!! ************************ on Wed 18th Oct, 2006 04:15 pm UTC jule said: 2 weeks budget on tea? what kind of tea is it? you gotta get me some of that stuff!!! ************************ on Wed 18th Oct, 2006 05:02 pm UTC Mom said: Or, to rephrase that, knowing our Wren, what kind of budget is that? ************************ on Thu 19th Oct, 2006 12:37 am UTC Wren said: Long story. Long long story. Remind me to tell it sometime. And, mom, you're right. It was technically only like a 10 day China budget. (It would have been 2 weeks or more for Thailand.) ************************ on Thu 19th Oct, 2006 05:14 am UTC Jule said: 10 days budget? Really, what is kind of tea is it? Premium grade, live cultured, kumbacha infused, organic, free-range, grain fed, vegan, biodynamically grown indoors in the presence of hermit yogi masters that radiate good teaness? or earl grey (still grown by a hermit I hope)? ************************ on Thu 19th Oct, 2006 05:15 am UTC jule said: p.s. those look like some gooood potstickers! ************************ on Thu 19th Oct, 2006 02:00 pm UTC Stacy said: As for the food, just you wait Henry Higgins... Once you go Chinese-Chinese-food, you never go back! ....*s ************************ on Fri 20th Oct, 2006 05:37 pm UTC Saxtor said: Face it, you got swindled. The same guy is known the world over for selling ice to Inuit. ************************ on Fri 20th Oct, 2006 05:39 pm UTC Saxtor said: Also, way to go, you traded your travel budget for all the tea in China. ************************

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Unfamilar Territory

It has taken me a few days to get my mindset shifted to be able to enjoy China, but I think I am coming around. Not only is it the change from Thailand to China, but the change from small town to big city, warm weather to chillier, and traveling with folks to traveling solo all happening at once. Those things considered, I'm doing pretty well. The big thing to see here in Xi'an is Emperor Qin's Terra Cotta Army. If you've never heard of it, any explanation I give will sound dumb, so I suggest you go learn about it. Sufficive to say, it was pretty cool. They've built a great museum around the whole thing and showed the whole process of excavating them. Yesterday, I went to see the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built in 709 or something, way way back. Around the pagoda, there are beautiful grounds an other buildings in the traditional style. It was a great place to sit and soak up the traditional China-ness of everything. All my other efforts here are in regards to the small things. While they don't sound like much, the few small victories I've managed have raised my spirits much. Riding public transportation, ordering food by pointing and smiling, and purchasing a train ticket to Beijing using only gestures. But with my small victories have also come small defeats. Last night, somewhat down about the whole Chinese-Chinese-food-is-not-at-all-like-American-Chinese-food thing, I opted to indulge myself in the cultural experience that is pizza hut. Same same, but different. The whole time that I have been in Xi'an, it has been foggy(/smoggy?) and it rained pretty good yesterday, so I haven't been too inclined to go adventuring. But that has allowed me to catch up on a few movies here in the hostel and also catch up on my reading. Tonite, I leave on a sleeper train to Beijing, which I am greatly looking forward to. I hope to see some of the country side that is the China in my mind. Just as long as we get out of this fog(/smog?), I think I'll be fine.

Tuesday October 17 2006

File under: travel, China

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on Tue 17th Oct, 2006 01:26 am UTC Andaroew. said: same same. but different. ************************ on Tue 17th Oct, 2006 04:08 am UTC Saxtoru said: Same same, but different. Sounds like a blast. I've been reading a book (amazing surprise!), and Nick Danziger arrived in China just about the same time you were arriving in China. One of his first stops, and apparently yours, was the terracotta army and then on to Beijing. Cool coincidence. ************************ on Tue 17th Oct, 2006 04:55 am UTC Mom said: So, head's up to my children, get busy, 'cause I want a wee tomb like that in which to be ensconced--with terracotta figures of all my relatives. eh? Oh, and did I say fresh flowers every day? Hop to it. ************************ on Tue 17th Oct, 2006 06:41 am UTC Horge said: Yeah sorry I forgot to mention about the food. That was my experience there too. I was in Beijing 4-5 days and only attempted Chinese-Chinese food twice. But while in Beijing, obviously go out to the Great Wall and visit the forbidden City and the temple of Heaven. Also, my favorite was going out on a paddle boat in Beihai park. And lest I forget one of the cooler things about Beijing, buy yourself a bunch of DVDs. I think I left with 15 at about $2 a pop. And they all worked just fine at home. Mail 'em home if you have to, just take them out of those cases for lighter and smaller shipping. (course maybe they're even cheaper in Thailand)... ************************ on Tue 17th Oct, 2006 05:28 pm UTC Jule said: Small accomplishments? I have yet to ride the Port Angeles bus, train, or order food by smiling and pointing (I usually just pound my fork and knife). Did you eat any crazy foods (other than pizza hut?). Is there an option to put any crazy stuff on your pizza? anyway, i got my buddy kevin dialed into your blog and hopefully he will give you some chinese phrases to say... ************************ on Tue 17th Oct, 2006 10:29 pm UTC nathan said: i'd be impressed if you could escape the smog. did i mention that china sounds more fun than being unemployed in new york? ************************

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Month 1 round up

Who would have thought a month could go by so quickly? Looking back, there were so many good times. I was fortunate in so many respects; everything aligning with my job, visas, and tickets to allow me to come here, meeting up with so many good friends and having a great time with them, and avoiding all the stuff travel horror stories are made of like sickness, robbery, and that crazy stuff that you never even want to hear about. It works out nicely that my month 1 round up can exactly coincide with my Thailand round up. (I left the country on the last day possible on my 30 day visa.) There is so much to say about Thailand. Firstly, the Thai are some of the nicest people I have met. There was always someone around to help you suggest restaurants (sometimes a little forcefully, mind you), help you make travel arrangements, and always to offer a smile. Shane commented that there wasn't one person who didn't return his smile. Besides the people, Thailand has much natural beauty on its side. The islands of the south have beautiful beaches with picturesque views everywhere you look. The caves and waterfalls seem straight out of some idealic deserted island movie. In the north, you can barely walk 3 block in any given city without running into some gilded temple, almost all of which were open and welcoming to passing tourists. All in all, I really enjoyed my time in Thailand. As a country, it is so tourist friendly that it served as a great jumping off point for me to kind of ease into unfamiliar territory. Speaking of unfamilar territory, I'm now in China. But we'll have to save that until next post.

Sunday October 15 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Tue 31st Oct, 2006 04:59 am UTC Mom said: I feel so sad for these lonely posts without comments ); ************************

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Goodbye Thailand. Hello China

Okay, so this will be a quick one because I am at a funky computer kiosk at the Bangkok airport (and it is 4:30 in the morning). Just a quick note to say that after a wonderful month in Thailand, I am headed to China. I had to get out of the country to renew my Thai visa anyway, and I've got this Chinese visa that I paid out the nose for, so I figured why not, right? So I bought a one way ticket to Xi'an China. Where's that?, you ask. I don't really know. In fact, I've never known less about a place I am traveling to. All I've got a is a Berlitz pocket guide to China and an adventurous spirit. We'll see how that goes, I suppose. I've been meaning to make a couple of posts recently with pictures and the works but the tropical island internet gods have been conspiring against me. I hope to find a good internet connection in China and do a big ole picture dump soon. I've got a couple of good ones of Shane getting harrassed by a monkey, more caves (no cobra this time), a live puffer fish, and more monuments. I'll try to get those up soon. So sawadee kahp Thailand, nee hao China!

Friday October 13 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Sat 14th Oct, 2006 10:31 am UTC Horge said: Watch out for local Montezuma Wang Chung's Revenge: "The city is nested between a flood plain created by 8 surrounding rivers and streams, most of which have been too polluted to be used as sources of fresh water." (Wikipedia) You should go check out that cool looking Terracotta army 40 km to the east (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Xian_guerreros_terracota_general.JPG) And please, please please send me a picture, or even better, a postcard from the Great Mosque of X'an. That would be awesome! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Mosque_of_Xi%27an) Otherwise, it looks like you've picked another winner to visit! Lucky Bastard! :) Good luck! ************************ on Sat 14th Oct, 2006 07:17 pm UTC Saxtor said: Wren, you should do this! http://www.brouwer-edition.com/works_wendel_performances.php#terracottawarrior ************************ on Thu 19th Oct, 2006 01:54 pm UTC Stacy said: Xi'an, went there on a train. Note: it's hard for a girl to pee in a hole in the floor on a rickety moving train. Bring your own tp :) ************************

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Everybody was Kung Fu fighting

Wednesday October 11 2006

File under: Thailand, travel

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on Wed 11th Oct, 2006 04:52 am UTC trista said: so, i was there and... those kids were fast as lightning. In fact, it was a little bit frightning. But, they fought with expert timing. ************************ on Wed 11th Oct, 2006 04:58 am UTC trista said: fyi: Chapman won. ************************ on Wed 11th Oct, 2006 06:29 am UTC Saxtor said: Okay Sam, now you can worry... ************************ on Fri 13th Oct, 2006 04:16 am UTC Mom said: Okay, Cobra, now Kung Fu fighting...rumor has it that Animal Planet has an opening for someone to "rassel" Alligators. Is this what your trip is about? BTW Marilyn misses you, she has a flat tyre. ************************ on Fri 13th Oct, 2006 04:16 am UTC Mom said: Okay, Cobra, now Kung Fu fighting...rumor has it that Animal Planet has an opening for someone to "rassel" Alligators. Is this what your trip is about? BTW Marilyn misses you, she has a flat tyre. ************************ on Fri 13th Oct, 2006 04:17 am UTC Mom said: I have no idea how the double whammy happened. I must have been blinded by the flashy picture--excuse the double posting, as they say. ************************

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Careful - cobra

In an effort to see what Ko Lanta has to offer while we are here, Trista and I made our way to some much touted caves. Well, as with much of traveling, we didn't really have any idea what we were getting ourselves into. The cave entrance was a 30 minute trek up slippery ladders, through streams, while dodging some pretty gnarly looking spikey trees. Our soft-spoken guide, who had obviously done this about 800 times before, was quick to offer his advice on wear to step, what was slippery, and what not to hit your head on all with one or two words. "Careful", "Careful: slippery", "Careful: head", all in his soft-spoken calm tone. While cruising down one of the trails, he slows down and points to the bushes, "Careful: cobra," he says. Sure enough, a 3-foot cobra is just chillin in the grass. Ah, Thailand. The whole cave experience was something else. We shimmied through narrow openings, crossed slippery 2 log bridges, and just about ate it numerous times. I enjoyed myself quite a bit. I'm sorry to say we can't all say the same. Still, it was just another one of the experiences that make travelling so great and adventurous.

Tuesday October 10 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Tue 10th Oct, 2006 03:32 pm UTC Andrew said: ahh! cobras! ************************ on Tue 10th Oct, 2006 04:41 pm UTC per said: don't worry, chicken curry! ************************ on Tue 10th Oct, 2006 06:46 pm UTC Saxtor said: COBRA?! Sounds like a job for G.I. Joe (and associated cliched catchphrases involving massages, dawgs, sandwiches, computers and downloadin')!! ************************ on Wed 11th Oct, 2006 04:41 am UTC trista said: no really, it was huge.. like 4 feet... i mean 5... and the tail was like 10 feet long....or was that meters... we were totally chill though, even when it almost attacked. ************************

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It

Sometimes there are moments that are so perfect, so right, that you can't help saying to yourself, "This is it. This is what it is all about." These moments often only last for, well, a moment, and they require letting go of the future and the past. It is about the way things are now. I had myself an it moment the other day. On a beautiful beach on Ko Lanta, watching the sun go down, with my arms around a pretty girl. I was lucky enough at the time to realize that it-ness of the moment, because it was quickly gone. But for that moment, things were right.

Saturday October 7 2006

File under: Thailand, travel

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on Sat 07th Oct, 2006 06:09 am UTC jule said: oh oh oh! who's the pretty girl? chapman? anywhoo, nice piece of writing there Wren! sure captures the moment and more... p.s. dad just got done with his hike and he lived to tell about it! adventures abound in the schultz family. next look for me to be leaving the Olympic Peninsula for over a day! ************************ on Sat 07th Oct, 2006 03:39 pm UTC dave said: wren, i'm only interested in one thing regarding your 'it' moment: a picture of the girl. ************************ on Mon 09th Oct, 2006 12:13 pm UTC trista said: thanks for it, wren. thanks for everything. ************************ on Tue 10th Oct, 2006 03:49 am UTC Mom said: Wren, Thanks so much for helping me to remember how to stop and cherish the present moment. Once again, I am the student and my children are the teachers. This was a beautiful reminder. Ahh, parenting is such a humbling experience! ************************

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Week 3 wrap up

Three weeks gone already?!?! I guess when chillin' on the beach reading a book is the only thing you do, time just flies by. Well, yesterday we made the 1.5 hour boat trip from Ko Phi Phi to Ko Lanta. We've only been here for 24 hours, but I'm pretty sure I love it. It is low tourist season, so there aren't the throngs of tourists that there were in Phi Phi. Also, there is much more to explore. There are waterfalls, caves, and national parks that are all begging for my attention, but that will come in due time. I think I am going to take this opportunity to really really chill. The place we stayed last night had a pool, chairs on the beach, T.V. (with HBO) in the bungalows - it was just gorgeous. And all that for only $2.50 per night. Tonite we are going to try out a new place. If it is anything like the last one, I will be a happy camper. Okay, so sorry for the pictureless post. I will get to another picture dump here soon. I got a couple of great ones of the sunset last night. But in the meantime, turn your attention to Una Estrella for Andrew's pictorial wrap of his trip.

Saturday October 7 2006

File under: Thailand, travel

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on Sat 07th Oct, 2006 02:24 am UTC Andrew said: whoa whoa! no pic wrapup yet! need myke's pics first yo! ************************ on Mon 09th Oct, 2006 01:59 pm UTC Sam Chapman said: Hi Wren. It's Sam. I've beem enjoying your blog. Great pictures. I know this is your show but I would appreciate it if you could let me know how Shane is doing .I haven't heard from him yet. Tell him to e-mail me sam.chapman@comcast.net. Well I don't need to say have a great time. Take me next time. I'm not as good as you but I am still in shorts. Sam ************************ on Mon 09th Oct, 2006 05:05 pm UTC Saxtor said: Tell Shane that we love him, we miss him, and help is on the way. ************************ on Mon 09th Oct, 2006 05:06 pm UTC Saxtor said: PS: Sam, I'm just being a smartass, I have no idea how Shane is... ************************

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