Final Reflection

I surely covered more miles on this adventure than any of my previous travels. While Russia, Mongolia and China each have their own unique customs, history, food, music and people, they also have one thing in common; change.

Even in Mongolia where their nomadic culture continues to cling to the Ger and ancient customs, their abundance of natural resources like copper give them one of the worlds fastest growing economies.

Change is more obvious in Russia and China where each country is embracing its own version of a market economy. Some of us might say these changes are not enough or not coming fast enough. Some might ask if freedom in the market place can have any real meaning without equal freedoms of expression.

Indeed, these are valid questions but, I would also suggest we look at ourselves. Are we really a perfect model or are there some things we could learn from our global neighbors?

My new Chinese friend, Howard, admitted that the Chinese press was limited in its ability to print much of what the people are thinking and saying about the future of their country. Nonetheless, they are both thinking and talking with an objectivity I admire. According to Howard, the Chinese people still admire Chairman Mao. They will tell you he did many good things for them but, will also freely admit he also had many flaws. They say he was 70% good and 30% bad.

Now, as I look at the current political climate in the U.S., I ask: are each of us willing to say the same about our own political parties?

Visiting our global neighbors is a great way to get a new perspective on ourselves. Yes, you will see many different kinds of food and customs as you travel and the people will often look very different. But, while our customs will vary we all have common human desires for happiness, health and prosperity. We also come to understand that all of that means little if not shared with family and friends. This is what I see in the hearts and minds of people no matter where they live.

Every parent wants the best possible life for their child and teachers want their students to succeed and make the world a better place. This is true no matter what one eats, no matter what language one speaks and no matter if one lives in a Ger or a Palace.

Heading Home

I took a domestic fight from Shanghai to Beijing this morning and I'm now waiting to board my flight to Los Angeles. I'll have plenty of time to reflect during my long trek over the Pacific. As usual, this adventure as been unlike any of my others.

I suppose one of my biggest surprises here in China was the dancing. While the dancing in Africa was a profound experience for me, the dancing itself was not so much a surprise to me as it was here in China. The Chinese love to dance. I'm not talking about traditional folk dancing, however. Whether in Beijing, Xi'an or Shanghai, crowds of people would gather in a public square to ballroom dance. And, of course, I joined in. Yes, it's on video so you will soon be seeing Mr. Adkins' latest moves on my next DVD.

Shanghai

I just arrived in Shanghai; my final stop in this adventure. I will be here for three days. My hotel doesn't have wi-fi but it shouldn't be too hard to find a cafe or some other place with a connection. I'm tired. I've covered a lot of miles, seen a lot, done a lot and had an experience I will always remember. There's still a lot here in Shanghai for me to see and do. So, the adventure isn't over yet. Nonetheless, I'm eager to get home now.

Last Train

The leg from Xi'an to Hangzhou was my last train ride. It was also the most "basic".

Waiting to board train to Hangzhou

I visited a summer school this morning where the students are learning English. After that I went to see the Terra-Cotta Warriors. I still have about an hour before the train leaves but I need to go to the market to buy some food for the 15hour overnight train.

In Xi'an

I just checked into my hotel and wi-fi is working! It's late and I'm pooped so I'm going to bed. I've attached a picture from visit to the Forbidden City earlier today.

Waiting for Flight

I'm waiting to board a flight to Xi'an. I spent most of the day at Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Most of the people in Beijing are used to seeing Westerners but, people visit Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City from all parts of China and many of them rarely see Westerners so it seemed as though I was one of the sites. Many of them wanted to pose for pictures with me.

Well, it looks like my wi-fi connection is not working again so I will probably have to wait until I get to Xi'an to publish this post.

The Great Wall

I met a new group of travelers last night. We had dinner together and went to the Great Wall today. I will be meeting some of them this evening to attend some sort of Kung Fu event.

The Summer Palace

I visited the Summer Palace today. It was hot and very humid but I got a lot of pictures.

Please Help

Google and Facebook are blocked here in China; including google's blogspot. However, it looks like the blogspot ap on my iPad is publishing my posts but, I don't know for sure. So, if you have read this post, please email me at knowingdog@yahoo.com

Arrived in Beijing

The train pulled into Beijing yesterday afternoon around 2:30. The first thing after checking into the hotel was a nice long shower. Mongolia was, indeed, a great adventure but, the mood of the last day had left me depleted. So, my friend Laziz took me to a place he knew where we had an hour long message then out for some real Chinese food.

This is the view from my hotel. I'll be here a couple more days then my journey continues.

Not all roads are on our maps.

I started writing my travel blogs two years ago when I went to Senegal as a way to let my students travel along with me. Because my students are the primary audience, I am a bit more discriminating about the kind of things I write. Today's post is one in which I'm not quite sure what to write. I write a lot about the many museums, monuments and other sites I see but, ultimately, it always boils down to the people I meet along the way.

One of the first persons I met on this adventure was Larry, a Science teacher from Spokane, WA. He and I have been roommates since my first night in St. Petersburg. Though we were both tired from our long flights from the US, we stayed up late talking about our homes, schools and families. Larry told me all about the state of Washington and the many challenges and accomplishments of teaching in his school. But, it was his daughter of whom he spoke with most enthusiasm.

After walking around St. Petersburg the next day, Larry was not feeling well and ultimately went to the hospital in Moscow; where they recommended he not travel. But, the lure of adventure and the need to discover what lies beyond the horizon compels every explorer and Larry continued his journey with me. We boarded the Trans-Siberian railway headed east; sharing a sleeping cabin with Jane and Harry from Illinois.

Like the tracks of our train we are all bound to follow the path fate sets before us. Larry continued his journey with me to Ulaanbaatar but fate had set a different path for him.

Life goes on whether our journeys are around the block or around the world. Everyday should be cherished and considered a great day in our great adventure of life.

Bon Voyage to my comrade, Larry. Though our paths part, our spirit of adventure unites us.

No Wi-Fi

Still no luck finding a wi-fi connection. I will be leaving for the train station at 6:30 tomorrow morning so, I'll be going to bed a little earlier tonight.

Back in Ulaanbaatar

I will be leaving for Beijing early tomorrow morning. I still have a few more tubrics to spend so I'm about to go down to the market for some souvenirs. UB is an interesting city. They have lots of newly constructed high rise buildings but, the roads are in terrible shape and they have many uncovered manholes which can be very dangerous.

With a bit of luck I may be able to find a wi-fi connection and post my unpublished blogs.

Rolling Fog in Ger Camp

I've lost track of the days. I'm guessing it's somewhere around the 17th. The fog is rolling across the hills as I sit in my Ger writing. A dog who looks a lot like Smudge is sitting outside. No one else is up yet. We went on a long horseback ride yesterday and stayed up late playing a game called Snooker. Still no wi-fi or internet of any kind. So I may be in China before I can post any of my messages.

First Day in Mongolia

My train pulled into Ulaanbaatar at about 6:15 this morning. It was a relatively short trip this time; just one day and two nights. I met some people from Portugal a few sleeping booths down and spent a lit of time talking to them. Once off the train, I dropped my backpack off at the hotel and took a tour of a monastery, a temple and some other sites. Then I had some dinner (horse soup) and went to a show of traditional Mongolian music and dance I haven't been able to find any Wi-Fi yet so I won't be able to post this entry yet. I'm leaving for a Ger camp tomorrow morning. It been a bit rainy but I'm still hoping I'll be able to do some horseback riding when I get out into to countryside.

Banya Bath

The Banya Bath started with a basic sauna with two bundles of burch tree branches soaking in a tub of very hot water. After about 15 minutes, the host tells you to exit into a waiting area for another 10 minutes or so. Then he brings you back into the sauna, tells you to lie on your stomach and begins hitting you with the burch branches. The first couple of hits are very hot but it's not so bad after that. After a few minutes of being whipped with the sticks, you then quickly exit the sauna and jump into a pool of ice cold water. OH YEAH! Then you get to do all of this over again followed by a third trip to the sauna where you get scrubbed down with luffas; followed by a bucket of ice cold water on your head. Not recommended if you have a weak heart or any common sense.

Listvyanka

I just spent the the night in a small Siberian village on the shore of Lake Baikal. Had a Banya Bath. I'll try to get some pics of that posted as soon as possible. I'm heading south to Mongolia today and I'm not sure when I will have contact again.

Pit Stops

The train stops periodically
; allowing us to get off and by bread, fruit, fish, etc. from vendors. You just need to make sure you know how much time you have before the train leaves.

School Tour

Just like us, the schools here are on a summer break. But, I was able to take a tour of a school in St. Petersburg. The school was large, clean and had lots of open spaces. The biggest difference, however, was that the same school building included all grade levels from elementary to high school.

All Aboard!

I boarded the train last night a bit before midnight. I was tired from walking around Moscow all day but stayed up with some of the other travelers; talking and drinking a local beverage until about 1:30. Four Dutchmen in the next cabin stayed up a little later singing as I fell asleep.

The Bolshoi

I went to a ballet at the Bolshoi last night. This will be my last day in Moscow. I plan to go back to Red Square today to get video of the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. Later tonight I will be boarding the Trans-Siberian Railway. Once on the train, I will have more time to write and reflect on my experience so far but, I'm not sure when I will have Internet access again. So, it may be a few days before my next post.

Dancers in St. Petersburg Restaurant

Dancers at Dinner

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNereo00-JA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Dancers at the restaurant were I had my first dinner in St. Petersburg.

Busy Day

I visited a Russian school today. Then went to the Hermitage.

First Night in St. Petersburg

This reminds me of my time in Iceland. Being so close to the arctic circle, the summer nights are very short here.

I had dinner in what was supposed to be a typical Russian restaurant last night. I think it was actually kind of touristy. I'll try to send some pics later.

Luggage located

Well, I don't have my backpack yet but, they have assured me that it will catch up with me in St. Petersburg.

Lost baggage

I arrived in Warsaw but my baggage seems to be somewhere else. My flight doesn't leave for St Petersburg until tomorrow. So,I'm hoping it will show up before then. For now all I can do is try to relax and enjoy a brief visit in Poland

Got My Visas

I can't believe these last few weeks have gone so quickly. I finally got my Russian visa along with my China visa so things are looking pretty good. I wish I'd had more time to go over my reading material but I'll have plenty of time on the flight to read a little bit more. I'll be on my way in just a couple of days.