While exploring the fascinating tulou in Fujian, I came upon this. I wasn’t sure what was happening. Outside the tulou, there were elaborate floral arrangements. People were coming and going, but I noticed a smaller house in the middle and I was directed to go inside. That’s what made it Unexpected. I have been shooed away from funeral spectacles before. Fascinating – and … Continue reading Unexpected Funeral in Fujian
9 Historical Arabs who Traveled the World by Yasmil Helal is an inspiring read. It is thought-provoking to learn these adventurers preceded or assisted the European explorers that we study in Western education. Seems to me that we need a new history curriculum… Fundamentally, these adventurers were seeking knowledge rather than economic exploitation. I wish I could find the books they’ve written…. Yasmil writes “Here are some … Continue reading Arab world Adventurers – my inspiration
It’s a spring holiday at the university, so I make my 2017 pilgrimage to glorious Beijing. A long weekend in Beijing starts with a 5-hour train trip from Hefei. Photos are hard to capture at 208 kms per hour! This time I am staying at the Lu Song Yuan Hotel in the Banchang Hutong. It’s just off the end of Nanluoguxiang Hutong where I have … Continue reading Long weekend in Beijing – my 2017 pilgrimage
“A kiss on the forehead is a kiss on the third eye. It is much deeper than most people realize. It is like kissing the person on their soul, in a sense. You see, our foreheads are not often touched by others. Sure we have our hands held and so forth but our foreheads are just different.” I borrowed this from a FB post, and … Continue reading Respect and so much more
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
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
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?
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
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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