Tag: history
Are 11% of Americans Drug Addicts? And Assorted Other Chinese Questions, Part I
What are some questions Chinese people who’ve spent their entire lives–in most cases–in mainland China have for an American? I’ve asked a number of folks in Shanghai, men and women–although most responses below are from women. A sampling, in no certain order [translated from Mandarin by me if not using ” “, sent to me…
Back In Time in Burma
Dead flat, white beaches Sun soaked goldenrods Hillside Buddhist temples Temples everywhere; all shapes, sizes, colors… Red, white, real gold plating many Women with waist length hair, traditional yellowish-white face paint make up adorning Sound of small waves rippling out from beneath countless boats traversing the 1,350 mile long Irrawaddy River–the Aye Yarwaddy here A…
What’s the Dead Sea Really Like?
How salty is it, really? Ever drunk vodka straight? The saltiness is so extreme, it’s like that in your mouth. I felt like, one accidental gulp of water would OD me with salt. Know how in most oceans-seas-lakes, you run your hand along the bottom and come up with sand, or plants, or mud? Here’s…
Chang Cheng: I am here
The Great Wall. “Yahweh” first taught me about this place. That’s Professor Hall Peebles of Wabash College. Circa 1997, he opened my eyes to other faiths, cultures, traditions. This had a profound impact on the course of my future. Stories of ancient Chinese traditions flowed from his lips, as the trusty tissue in his hand…
Walking in Honest Abe’s Footsteps
Arguably the most transformative and effectual president in American history was born right here amid the rolling green hills of Kentucky on February 12th, 1809. Thomas & Nancy Lincoln were living on 300 acre Sinking Spring Farm just south of what would soon become Hodgenville (1818) when Abraham Lincoln was born. The icy cold stream…
Curated Photo VII
Seventh in my series of ten… Enjoy. Face Off Republic of Korea ( South Korea) soldiers, foreground, stare down North Korean troops in Panmunjom at one of the world’s most dangerous intersections. The concrete curb-like barrier in center is the official border between the divided Korea. Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) soldier…
North Korea: Part IV
Unbelievable. My left foot is is South Korea, my right in North Korea. This table is where representatives of both sides meet periodically, along with representatives of neutral nations such as Sweden, Switzerland and Poland. To get to this point, though, we had to switch buses. No outside bus is allowed to get to this…
North Korea: Part II
I’ve found myself in a bit of a black hole phone charging situation here in South Korea so will need to keep it short for now. I hope to be able to post more tomorrow. Thanks, everyone, for bearing with me, viewing my posts and keeping me company during a heck of a lot of…
North Korea: Preface
Suffice it to say, this has been an eventful day in my life. There will be a full report in the near future but it’s late and I’m navigating alone in the bus and train systems of the world’s second largest city, Seoul. Let’s just say for now that my day began with my chasing…
35 Miles
That is how far I will be sleeping tonight from the border of the world’s most closed, secretive, unstable, dangerous nation. Tomorrow morning at 0910, I head to the North Korean border. I will go as close as I possibly can and bring back the stories and photos to share with each of you. Meanwhile,…
Never Again
8:15 a.m. August 6th, 1945. Hiroshima, Japan NEVER AGAIN. Hiroshima transforms, but always remembers. Always.
Don't Let My Parents Read This 