Author: kcbarker photoblogger and designer

This website is my personal site for The KCB - Kathryn Chang Barker - kcbarker_adventurer. It combines all my travel and commentator websites and blogs. Now it also features kcbDesigns - my Omani-inspired fashion and accessories - because travel is not possible! My professional website for DrKCB's ePortfolio is www.FuturEd.com.
Enchanted by China, Reading I Recommend

Age of Ambition – Chasing Fortune, Truth and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos

I am always learning about China because China is always changing.  Five years now, I have been spending time in Enchanting China, but each time it feels like a different place!  To keep up and to understand, I read, and here’s a book I really recommend:  Age of Ambition:  Chasing Fortune, Truth and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos.  “In 1949, the average life expectancy … Continue reading Age of Ambition – Chasing Fortune, Truth and Faith in the New China by Evan Osnos

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At home in the world, Reading I Recommend

The Silk Roads – A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan

For various clients, I have developed a lecture on the importance of Intercultural Leadership Skills for all the parties living along China’s massive Belt and Road Initiative – the “rebirth” of the land and sea Silk Roads.  This book is an excellent analysis of how that label came to be used, and how China’s plans are but a continuation of an ancient trading imperative.  More … Continue reading The Silk Roads – A New History of the World by Peter Frankopan

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OmanMy2Home

Bobbariya-shrine in Oman?

On the beach at Al Bustan, there is a strange monument.  I think it’s a Bobbariya shrine, but I will welcome clarification.  This came to me when I was reading In an Antique Land by Amitav Ghosh.  On page 271, he explains that Bobbariya-bhuta is “deemed by legend to be the spirit of a Muslim mariner and trader who died at sea” and revered by the … Continue reading Bobbariya-shrine in Oman?

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At home in the world

Two Maldives

There are two Maldives:  one for the tourists and one for the local Maldivians who work – mostly – for the visitors.  I had the great good fortune to be attached to the second – spending 10 days with the wonderful people at Maldives National University.  Male, where MNU has its main campus, is a congested and cramped city crammed onto a tiny island.  It … Continue reading Two Maldives

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OmanMy2Home

I hate construction noise – and I hate monied manipulation more!

They seemed determined to remove an entire mountain right beside our quiet village home. Jack-hammering and screeching monster machines. Please Universe. Make this the last day. So…4 months of daily racket of 5 screeching machines, jackhammering to break down the mountain, non-stop ear-piercing noise. Somebody paid millions to break the peaks, fill the wadi and flatten the huge surface for “one house and a government … Continue reading I hate construction noise – and I hate monied manipulation more!

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Enchanted by China

Waking up in China

Waking up in Hefei in China.. it’s quieter than one would expect. One thinks about China and the masses of people and thinks that morning would be noisy but its not, at least here on the campus of USTC. It’s chirpy birds – the tentative chirps of almost-spring. And then muffled firecrackers in the distance. Every event seems to start with firecrackers to chase away … Continue reading Waking up in China

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