Amalgamated Burns Blog

Twelve days of touring in China was a very stimulating and enlightening experience for Art. He says he'd definitely go back, just not right away -- perhaps in a couple of years. (Linda and Laurie say they'd like to join him next time.)

He enjoyed the Chinese people very much and spent a good bit of time with locals. He got proficient in the use of chop sticks and ate lots of new foods, some of which were a little too exotic to actually enjoy. The scenery, especially in the terraced region surrounding Guilin, was fascinating. As were the people -- so many people. He observed that the villages there were about as far apart as farmhouses would be here in rural USA, and that every bit of land was cultivated.

Hong Kong, the Great Wall, Tienneman Square and the Forbidden City were also highlights. Riding the trains and busses, as well as taking inland flights, were unique experiences. He, quite naturally, accumulated a modest Chinese vocabulary and also got very skilled at Spades -- the card game of choice among the members of his tour group.

He brought back some silk garments, some jade carvings, and some fancy chop sticks -- what one might expect. In addition to more than a hundred photos, he also carried back innumerable memories.

[Footnote: The first thing Art said to his children as he gave them hugs upon his return was "You just don't see people in China who are that tall!" Welcome home, Anglo Father of Tall Progeny.]