This lovely restroom at Karakul Lake in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China was neither restful, nor a room. Rooms generally have doors and resting is difficult with no comfort, a stench every bit as bad as you might imagine from the photo and no light after dark. As if that wasn't enough, they decided to paint the walls and the floor in the least relaxing of all … [Read more...]
Exploring the Tibetan Villages of Zhonglu and Suopo
Last week, I wrote about our first afternoon and evening in Danba, which we spent getting a hotel room, arranging a car and driver for the next morning, eating an average meal, and buying fresh fruit and a giant bag of peanuts to supplement that meal. I created quite a little mountain of empty peanut shells before going to bed that night, but barely managed to put a dent in my … [Read more...]
Spring Themed Japanese Smoking Manners Posters
I figured it's time for some spring-themed smoking manners posters. This first one refers to the pollen problem in Japan, which really does get pretty bad, thanks to the Japanese Cedar. Most visitors end up suffering quite a bit, even if they don't generally get allergies in their home countries. Luckily I never had a problem, but most of my less perfect coworkers always got … [Read more...]
Danba in Western Sichuan: A Tibetan City I was Actually Allowed to Visit
I generally enjoy traveling in China, but I've met a lot of people who completely disagree with me and I certainly understand why. Moving around the country is rarely easy on often downright torturous. During my most recent two-month visit, I dealt with all the standard government interference and transportation problems, plus an added bonus. In the small town of Danba in … [Read more...]
Who Needs a Guard Dog When You Have a Cow?
This home in the narrow alleys of Jaisalmer in the Indian state of Rajasthan is guarded by a cow. And guarded well, by the looks of him. I certainly kept my distance. … [Read more...]