HOW TO READ/FOLLOW THIS BLOG ABOUT OUR TRIP TO CHINA

The best way to follow is to start from the first blog entry and follow them to this final one. That will require going all the way back to the first entries and moving forward. But, of course, you can view them in any order you want.

Thanks for visiting, Connie and I do hope you enjoy these entries. Our China tour was truly amazing.

Drop us a note sometime, we would love to hear from you. useyernoodle@hotmail.com - but first, you might want to view this lovely contemporary animation of traditional Chinese calligraphy from YouTube. It is quite enjoyable, and educational too. :-)

MORE TV ABOUT CHINA

This week, and through the Olympics, the TV and movie houses will be swamped with information and stories about China; even the Travel Channel is featuring tourist destinations and fun people can get in China. To learn more about the CNBC lineup, follow this link. http://www.cnbc.com/id/25921229

Beyond the amazing history, sites and experiences in China, tens of thousands of Americans and Europeans will discover the bargain China is as a tourist destination. In this climate of exorbitantly high priced fuel and travel, forget Europe for awhile, especially England. The UK is so expensive right now that it might be better to wait a bit, until the dollar can do better against the British Pound, before you go there.

If you can stand a long plane ride, you will discover that China is your best bet in so many ways. And if China is good enough for Hollywood these days, that should tell you something. Don't forget to go see the MUMMY, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. One doesn't want to miss a factual "documentary" like this. :-)

FOUR PART SERIES: "THE REPUBLIC OF "CAPITALISM" with Ted Koppel

Tune in to Ted Koppel's four part documentary that covers the global effects of China's Capitalistic reforms, and the cultural transformations taking place in this Communist country.

This four-parter is showing on the DISCOVERY Channel at 10 PM, Wednesday, July 9th through Saturday, July 12th. You will want to catch these insightful programs, and perhaps, record them. This report promises to be "revolutionary" information for many Americans, and it could well change the way one plans the future for their children and grandchildren.
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For other subjects from Daniel Rice, visit these links.
http://www.danielriceart.net and http://illuminatrium.blogspot.com

RECOMMENDED BOOKS ABOUT CHINA

There are many new books about China in the book stores. Here are some acclaimed volumes (above) that have captured the attention, emotions and imaginations of contemporary readers.

As you visit websites discussing the progress of China you will discover much for which to be intrigued, entertained and even alarmed. As you will see and hear from the books and audio clips included in this post, there are a kaleidoscope of views unfolding about China these days. Each will shed some light, but none can tell the full story.

What is happening in China is huge. For instance, did you know that India has now become the biggest trade-customer with China? The U.S. is no longer its top trading partner. Listen to an NPR REPORT about this topic by clicking on the link about China's Economy in the box on the right side of this page.

Did you also know that the sudden wealth of China has made it possible for China to dedicate ever increasing sums of money to the development of its military, including the development of its nuclear submarine fleet. This has created no small concern in the world, especially among those American allies who share the same coastal waters with China, namely, Japan.

Did you know that China is interested in the militarization of space, and its space program is moving ahead at an aggressive pace? Yes, all these things parallel the rapid growth of this emerging nation. In the next several decades we will see China experience surprising changes in the areas of science, politics and commerce. The question on everyone's mind is, "Can this be done peacefully, or will it be a bumpy road?"

How these new realities evolve will forever change the way Americans and Europeans relate to their global neighbors. The only wise path for the west is to participate in these changes, because they will affect all our futures in unpredictable ways.

THE FORBIDDEN CITY, THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA, & THE ILLUSIVE PEKING DUCK

You may have heard of PEKING DUCK. Yes, it is a specialty in China, now it is called Beijing Duck, not nearly as poetical. But at least we caught a glimpse of this illusive creature, and persuaded it to have its picture taken with Connie, and one of the traditional Chinese lions . . . for protection. After the picture, the Peking Duck suddenly vanished. We considered ourselves lucky to have been able to secure such an auspicious and important photo opportunity.

Jimmy was our guide through the nearly infinite maze of buildings called the Forbidden City. Several of our acquaintances told us to skip the Forbidden City and go to the Summer Palace instead. They said they could not remember much of the Forbidden City. When we got there it became immediately clear to me that anyone not being guided through this vast royal palace complex would have no idea what they would be seeing. So, for 200 Yuan (RMB) we hired a guide for the day. 200 RMB is about $30 (USD). I figured it would be worth it, and golly was it ever!

Jimmy was a deep reservoir of knowledge. He was also an excellent English speaker and has a truly delightful sense of humor. He told us many jokes and witty things. He was absolutely the best guide ever! It seemed he knew so many details about the Forbidden City. He ought to. He gives two to three tours a day, everyday. Not a way to get rich, but it sure is a way to improve one's English speaking abilities. Jimmy spent the whole day with us, and took us directly to places that some tourists spend hours trying to find. He was fantastic. If you go there, we will be happy to give you Jimmy's business card. You will definitely want to hire this guy. We were SO LUCKY!!!

Many buildings are being refurbished and fixed up for all the visitors coming to Beijing for the Olympics in August. It is going to be insane. I asked Jimmy how many people come to the Forbidden City each year. He said, "I don't know, but last October, over two million people came to the Forbidden City on one day!" I was shocked. I questioned him on that and he held to his story.

I don't know if that number was accurate, but I suppose 170,000 people per hour for twelve hours might be possible. Still, 3,000 people entering the Forbidden City per minute for twelve hours is hard to believe. Nevertheless, Jimmy defended that number. Whew!

Perhaps the "city" was open longer than twelve hours, I couldn't really get a clear idea of how those statistics worked. Whatever the actual case is, at least Jimmy believed the number, and he works there, so he might be right.

The Chinese lion, which just about everyone is familiar with, is represented as both male and female. The male is on the right and has a sphere under its right paw - symbolizing power. The female is on the left, with a one of her cubs under her left paw - symbolizing maternity and the home, I suppose. There are different styles of lions. These lions are very old and appear more traditional. They were only about three feet tall. I liked this design better than some I've seen.

The bronze work on this door was exquisite! The dragon, probably two to three inches tall and about three times as long, was so perfectly executed that it arrested my attention. It appears polished because people touch it all the time . . . including myself. I couldn't resist. The curvilinear forms, the movement and the dimensionality of this magnificent work evokes an automatic tactile response from the viewer. I can't express how stimulating this metal work is, but it is a pure joy to behold. Someone once told me that what we today consider "the crafts" in the western world, will eventually save the visual arts from the chaos and the inevitable nihilistic abyss into which the "art for arts sake" mentality is sending it. This work, simple as it is, makes be believe them because of the sophistication and restraint this work demonstrates.


Mythological creatures are part of Chinese art. Some of them are scary, and are meant to be so. This is one of those creatures that you really don't want to meet in a dark alley, or a lit one either. Jimmy told us about it, but I can't remember the specific name. I just remember that it was NOT a lion. It was intended to be a protector of the emperor and the palace.

On a lighter note. I thought this little girl was a joy. Look at her little umbrella and clothing. This child is obviously "special" to her parents - as are all the children in China. A one child policy will make one appreciate what a blessing children truly are.

This NINE DRAGON SCREEN WALL is very famous. It is one of several in existence. You can read more about it on the plaque by clicking onto the image. A larger, more readable version will pop up. Just click the back button to get back to this page, to continue.

This is a model of the heavens. I think it has a larger version someplace in the Forbidden City. Both versions have real pearls to locate the place of the stars of the constellations. The larger version, as I understand it, has five thousand three hundred pearls . . . or was it three thousand, five hundred pearls in the place of the stars? I can't remember all the details. Let's just say that there are thousands and thousands of pearls that make up these three dimensional ancient space observatories.

The Forbidden City was full of carved marble wonders, like this staircase for the emperor. The items carved in this long vertical frieze is of dragons, mountains and sky. Jimmy tells us that the Forbidden City, over its lifetime of housing emperors, employed over 100,000 artists and over 2,000,000 workers.

Everywhere there were wonderful carvings, which if you look close, need some tender loving care in order to restore them to their best condition. Connie and I contributed to the restoration project going on here at the Forbidden City. It is just a small way of becoming part of history, as well as investing something personal in the betterment of China and its ancient heritage. Now, Dan and Connie Rice will forever be part of the Forbidden City. That is a really cool thought. Jimmy told us the story about the meaning of the crane. This particular crane stands on a dais, above the people, in a vast courtyard. On this platform there is an altar for burning incense. Funerary rituals are associated with the burning of the incense. It is said that if a person did good in life, the crane would carry their soul to a happy afterlife. If they did not do well, the crane would carry their soul to a place under the earth, to a not-so-desirable afterlife. I though it was intriguing how the "afterlife" theme was part of this culture, and how much it is a part of many (if not every) cultures. There seems to be a recurring theme here in the psyche of human beings. This is exactly what the modern China is struggling with - spirituality, morality, consequence and reward. Institutional atheism has not cured the religious needs of the human soul. I have heard many people say, "We do not need the idea of God in order to live moral lives. Living for the good of humankind is motivation enough." Well, guess what? That might sound plausible and nice, but I have observed that it really doesn't work that way. People need the Lord, for lots of reasons. Many of which reach far beyond the issues of morality and human ethics. I think we are going to see some very interesting events in China with regard to spirituality in the next fifty years. China, again, is the place to watch.

The Great Wall of China, of course is one of the wonders of the world, and rightfully so. All I can say is, "You gotta go there, in order to appreciate the magnitude of this wonder." I kept pinching myself and saying, "Dude, you are walking on the Great Wall, of China!"

People from around the world want others to know that they had made this nearly-sacred pilgrimage, and a pilgrimage it is. When you see this marvel, it puts some things into perspective. This part of the wall is younger than that near Xi'an. This portion of the wall is only three thousand years old.

Yes, the stairs can be a bit steep at times. Connie took this picture of me, which shows that she was marching on ahead of me, leaving me in her dust! Thanks, dear.

Then, she takes this picture of me, as she lets me catch up. No, I am not annoyed, just a little out of breath, but I am ready for the next set of stairs.

Here they are. Up you go!

The Beijing airport was expecting us. Despite the adventure of China, and despite the benefit we were to so many hundreds of students, it felt good to be going back home. Nearly a month in Asia put new thoughts into our minds, filled us with wonder (countless times), opened our thinking to new and old ways of doing things, and to objects we had never considered as food. We talk of returning one day.

The improvements done on the airport are stunning. Just look at this multi-level structure. It is pure poetry in space. The steel, the glass, the reflective surfaces were dazzling . . . and oh yes, that is a Starbucks sign to the right. What is China coming to? Jimmy told us that they use to have a Starbucks right in the Forbidden City. I said, "That is an outrage!" He laughed and said the common folks in Beijing thought so too, and raised such a stink that they took it out. They have replaced it with a restaurant that serves tea. Imagine that.

A LARGER PICTURE ALBAM & SHORT VIDEOS WILL BE AVAILABLE ONLINE SHORTLY.
In the mean time, visit http://www.danielriceart.net/

BEIJING, OUR FINAL CITY - BUT NOT OUR FINAL BLOG POST

What a privilege to meet one of the royal family of China. This man is one of China's treasures in many ways. First of all, he is the nephew of the Last Emperor of China, member of the twelfth generation of the Emperor's family. Second, he is a very great artist, a calligrapher, specifically. Third, he is a philanthropist, and gave his personal wealth to the Red Cross to assist those who are suffering in Sichuan Province, under the devastation of the great earthquake.

In front of us is a work he did - as we watched. His seemingly effortless manner belied the fact of his consummate mastery of the skills required for such perfect work. Having begun his calligraphic training at four years of age, he continues on into his sixties. We met him at the end of the day, quite by accident - through a formal introduction by a museum worker here at the Forbidden City. The only downside is that this came at the end of a very long, very soggy day, and we were exhausted. If I had had presence of mind, I would have written down his name. I will inquire and hope to update the blog with that information by mid July.


This is a shot of one of the Emperor's thrones. Our guide, Jimmy, told us all sorts of interesting facts about the throne, what it was used for and when; the way the tiles were made on the floor - and what makes them completely unique; the calligraphy - which was painted by the hand of the Emperor himself, and its special meanings, and so forth. Very fascinating.

Connie caught a shot of this monk running across the brick courtyard with an umbrella. I think this is a delightful picture. He reminds me of Mr. Tumnus in C. S. Lewis' book, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, a fawn who carried an umbrella.

This lion head was part of a huge guilded bronze laver that stood in one of the enormous courtyards.

"The Four Hundred Year Old Tree," that's what it's called. This was not the only old tree at the Forbidden City. After all, the Forbidden City is hundred's of years old and was a royal residence until the early twentieth century. Every square inch of this place is connected to history. There must be a million intriguing stories in this place. But, to stand in the presence of something old and still living, something that dates back four hundred years, gives one an odd feeling. What was happening four hundred years ago in America? That would have been 1608, and the first English Colonies were not established until 1620. The U.S. did not become a nation until 1776. So, this tree is older than the English colonies and older than the United States itself. This gives one pause.

With all that running around, a boy has to eat. These noodles are absolutely wonderful. This meal was so delicious. It was a bit different than regular Chinese cuisine in that it had a Mongolian twist. This is where, just behind me, the chef came out and grabbed a large fish out of what I thought was the "aquarium" and dragged it off into the kitchen. I guess it wasn't an aquarium after all. Hmmmm.

The night market in Beijing is a bustling place. Tourists, merchants, businesses, music, noise, humidity, and a seemingly endless offering of trinkets and merchandise were crowded into a backstreet, just off one of the city's centers.

This couple made two stamps for us to give to our daughter, Joey, and her husband, Matthew. Joey is a writer, and Matthew is a boat designer. We though they might think it novel to sign their works with with a stamp of their own names, specifically and lovingly created just for them.

This tree, in one of the Forbidden City's special gardens, is called "The Loving Tree." It is intertwinded and grows together, like the lives of lovers. Many couples stand in front of this tree to have their pictures taken. To do so, they say, insures the longevity of your love for each other. This year, on June 1st, while in Xi'an, China, Connie and I celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary. I would say we already have that "longevity" thing going on in our marriage, but it never hurts to build in a little "insurance."

Visit http://www.danielriceart.net

WANDERING AND PONDERING AROUND THE CITY OF NANCHANG

With her new Chinese hat securely in place, Connie deflects the sunlight and sports a new look. This is a hat worn by farmers and railroad workers. There are other shapes for different jobs and different locations across China. Connie is working on acquiring a collection of the coolest hats - in time. Together, we wander the streets and markets of Nanchang, getting a feel for the sights and sounds of this important city.

This seamstress works right on the street. Walk up, tell her what you need and "POP" she will whip it out in no time. One of the young ladies we met had a beautiful long dress made from scratch and it cost her all of eight and a half dollars (USD). Everything is less expensive in China. Talk about getting the bigger bang for the buck!

In the Porcelain District, much like the Pearl District, shops specialize in one product. You can find anything you want in these places, and things you didn't even know existed. The prices range from very reasonable to things only royalty can afford. It is really worth going to these sections of town next time you are in Nanchang. Don't laugh. I never thought I'd be there either. You never know what bit of information might come in handy in the future.

This yard was beautiful. I have no idea what this place was, but they had water lilies (lotus plants) growing in buckets - covering the entire yard - dozens and dozens of them. The water in these five-gallon tins was only a foot deep, or so, but the lilies stood straight up out of the buckets, four feet high. I'd never seen anything like it. I don't know if this was a special kind of water lily or not, but these lily pads and pink lotus flowers were stunningly beautiful. The texture and visual effect of a yard full of these graceful plants was astounding.

This was such a lonely old bicycle. It was like a faithful dog, waiting for its master, outside a store on Porcelain Street. I couldn't resist the irony of a bicycle in front of a traditional Chinese landscape - stuck in the heart of a huge city. The bike seemed like it was part of the background painting, or like it might have been remembering a former life in the countryside. Still, bicycles are very much part of city life. One of our tour guides called China, "The Kingdom of bicycles."

Here are some of the literally thousands of samples of magnificent porcelain in Nanchang. I grieved to have to leave this pot on the shelf. It was not all that expensive, maybe a hundred bucks in U.S. dollars . . . and boy was it ever exquisite. Mamma mia!

The pot on the left features a Phoenix on one side and the Dragon on the other side. These two mythological creatures represent the female-YIN (Phoenix) and the male-YANG (Dragon), and symbolize balance/harmony in the world. These are still very central concepts in Chinese culture, and I have come to appreciate these ideas, and to understand them as core values within their society. I think they are good values. They create a kind of "lens" through which the Chinese see the world.

The pot on the top right side of this shelf was unique and I loved it - especially its misshapen spout. It was also a steal of a deal. My problem is that I live in a small apartment, so how would I ever display such jewels if I had purchased them? There is no way I would put this beautiful item into common use. It would remain a work of visual art only. It is just too unique to reduce to everyday tasks.

It reminds me of a verse in the New Testament, where Paul talks about "some vessels" being made for honor and some for common use. This is a vessel of honor, in my view. Nevertheless, If I could work it into my budget, I think I would save my pennies and send for it.

Most of these stores are experts at shipping porcelain around the world, so it is conceivable that it could reach me in one piece . . . yet, I keep worrying about that thin neck.

The air quality of the Chinese cities we visited is notoriously poor, and Nanchang, for me, was one of the worst. The first several days we were there I had serious sinus problems - the worst in years. I think it was the combination of pollution and "all that blooms in spring."

We were, thankfully, sent rain to clean the air. I was not only relieved, it felt like I had been healed. The air quality improved dramatically all at once. The pollution and pollen was cleaned from the air and I could breath again. Then, it kept raining for two more days. But that was okay with me. I like rain, and I like umbrellas too.

Traditional buildings; they are something else. This one had been in this family for many years, although the family did not actually live in these rooms anymore. They had build new rooms (behind where I was standing), that were greatly updated, yet they kept the old building for practical uses, and perhaps for purposes of nostalgia.

You can see the floor of this traditional building. It was dirt, covered by a very smooth layer of moss. One of the men in our group, an architect, said, "This family has a different relationship with the ground than do westerners." You would probably cover the ground with concrete, but not these country folks. You can also see some of the traditional items in the house.

There was a lot of writing on one of the walls, and old pictures if Mao Zedong (pronounced just like it appears) and Zhou Enlai (pronounced: Jo En lie) that had faded with age. Perhaps the room had been used as a classroom at one time.

This structure included several rooms - a storage room, a living room, a bedroom and an old kitchen; which we would probably not recognize as a kitchen at all. It is difficult to imagine anyone having lived in this building. It gave me a new appreciation for China's history and why China is changing so quickly today. Nevertheless, the post and beam construction was expertly assembled, and the edifice was structurally sound. It has stood proud for many years, and will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Other traditional structures in that village featured the brick/block construction with a tile roof on top. Brick and tile does not stand up well against earthquakes. They are too rigid and quickly crumble. I thought how that might teach us in life, that the best construction for one's life is based on flexibility. Buildings (and people) who grow brittle tend to break and crumble under sudden shock and turbulence.

Of course, this building's magnificent forms and decorations are profound examples of Chinese love for architecture. It shows the care and pride Chinese people put into these kinds of gorgeous, enduring structures. The newer architecture is not being built with such "values. Unfortunately, in the mind of many contemporary architects, fancy, fast, and cheap is the way to go. Permanence is no longer a general value in China. The NEW is valued more highly than is quality. Personally, I find this a disturbing feature of the NEW China's attitude about development.

This is a corner of the first temple building at the Buddhist temple. I love great architecture and this is some of the best in the world. The craftsmanship and the perfection of these structures are more than impressive. These building are not only consummate works of art, they are intended to be permanent structures. They have been carefully designed to endure the test of time and the stresses of nature . . . and now they are being lovingly preserved. Perhaps this is why they survived Mao's Cultural Revolution. These buildings are simply too magnificent to destroy. This makes me wonder how one's faith ought to be reflected in its related architecture.

Architecture was once extremely important to the Christian church. It isn't so much anymore. Now people are delighted to meet in school gymnasiums - ugh. What a low level has been reached by American Christians in this area of their faith. I am thinking Christians everywhere might want to revisit the idea of building something that survives the test of time, the stresses of nature, and buildings that speak something more relevant toward the nature of God than does a school gymnasium.

I know this is just my personal opinion on the matter, but the name of this blog is called "PERCEPTIONS," and, well, this is my perception about this subject. It may not be the only one that's valid, but I will gladly own it and stand by it, because I believe it IS both valid and important. I have patiently listened to the utilitarian views of those who prefer gymnasiums to cathedrals, and I get it. However, I think I will abide with my own view on this subject. The architecture of faith ought to be magnificent because of what it represents. In this case, I think the Buddhists got it right.

There is a lake in the middle of Nanchang city. In that lake is an island, and on that island is a pavilion, to which people stroll, and where they go to relax and get away from the pressures of their lives.

Men with fishing poles line the heavy masonry banks, and city-dwellers paddle around the placid lake in various kinds of small boats. It is all very picturesque and lovely. I thought, as we walked by the lake, "What a wonderful place of respite Nanchangians have at their disposal." Parks are important to one's sanity in the city. The wise might take a clue from the practices of this ancient civilization.

This picture is of one of those picturesque boats. It looks so peaceful, moored up to these concrete steps, but if you could look behind me, you would see a vast complex of city buildings that surround the lake - an indication of just how tightly this lake is locked "inside" the city. A busy thoroughfare, with honking horns, roaring buses, and a massive humming population of millions lies not ten feet from the top of those stone stairs. I ponder, "Do the fish in that lake know they are actually living in a thriving metropolis?" "How much like those fish are we?" "Are there greater realities all around us, of which we are completely unaware, and incapable of comprehending?" "Is there someone fishing for us right now?" It's a thought.

TOMORROW: BEIJING, THE GREAT WALL, AND THE FORBIDDEN CITY.

(Visit Daniel's website at http://www.danielriceart.net)

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA GO TO NANCHANG - ASLAN'S ON THE MOVE

On Tuesday evening, just after the national holiday, The Dragon Boat Festival, while students were still returning to campus, after a storm had blown down all our event posters, in a muggy atmosphere and under a steady rain, with half the student population missing from campus, the "English Club" held an event. During this event Connie read from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, as I painted a picture of Aslan.

Despite the drawbacks and unforeseen problems with weather and unpredictable influences, the meeting was a success. A solid group of students showed up - fifty to seventy-five or so, and they stayed until the event was over. Here are a few pictures of that evening.

The painting was donated to the new Student Center being build by the TESOL team and the University in Nanchang. The Center is the result of many years of relationship-building and dedicated service; and it will be awesome. The Center is a first for both the university and the TESOL program on campus. It is a joy to Connie and me that this painting will be placed in the Center as a token of our participation with all our new friends in China.

* The ideas for the image of the Lion are a compilation from numerous sources; photographs and other works of art, as well as my own twist on the idea of Aslan. I tried to depict a younger lion, because Aslan tells Lucy, in Prince Caspian, that he will appear larger as she grows. This Aslan is younger, for the young at heart.

Connie reads expressively from The Chronicles, and students are intrigued by the story. I wondered whether the concepts and the language would translate well from the writings of an Oxford Don, through the American accent of a Seattle university professor, and into the understanding of students who have a completely different culture. Amazingly, most of it did. This was, as much as anything, an experiment in cross-cultural communication, and it worked quite well.

After the event, students asked questions, offered insights from their own culture, and expressed sincere and enthusiastic appreciation for the event. Here, two students ask to have their picture taken with the "artist." As happens every time when I paint in public, others who desire to become artists come forward and say they have been inspired to get busy with their own forms of creative expression. Of course, I encourage them to do so straight-away!

Here are some of those students asking questions about my paints, the techniques I use, the reason why Connie and I put on such programs, and they offer all sorts of interesting observations and considerations for me in the future.

Paintings begun in such short events are not much more than color sketches, which I then take home and refine. This painting of Aslan took about three or four hours after the event to complete. Painting is really a lot of fun, but to get a satisfactory finished result, it takes a lot more time than can be afforded in such short public meetings.

Students asked Connie questions about her reading, and about the story of Narnia and Aslan. This girl is asking, "What happens to the witch?!" Connie takes a bit more time to explain how Aslan deals with the witch, and the students are please that evil is vanquished from Narnia. I encouraged the students to read the complete story for themselves, and to read it to their own children in the future. They laughed, thinking about the day when they will have children of their own.

After the event, a girl came forward and showed Connie her own copy of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. We were both surprised. Evidently, because of the Narnia movies, students are aware of, and interested in these stories. Looks like we caught these students when their interest had already been piqued.

The building in this picture is a hotel, on campus, where Connie and I stayed for the eight days we were in Nanchang. It was nice. One of the items new to us was a coil of incense to light and place outside one's door in the hall, to keep the mosquitoes away. So, the halls were filled with wafting smoke from these incense burners. That gave me no small sinus problem. We never lit ours. I think that would have done me in. However, the fragrance wasn't too bad; sandalwood, Anyone who lived through the sixties will remember it because all the coolest and most hip boutiques and head-shops burned that stuff constantly. Who knew it had a practical application?


Students work with Connie in a writing class. We both taught a number of classes in addition to the special events we conducted on these campuses. They kept us busy, that's for sure.

The young men on the ends are teachers from Alabama, who came to Nanchang to teach in the TESOL program. Yes, they are twins. This summer they return to the U.S. to complete their masters degrees. There is an opening in the TESOL program for English teachers, if you care to go over. Let me know and I'll put you in contact with the directors. They will consider both short term and long term teachers. If you want to do an internship teaching English to Chinese students, this university is a good one. They will even pay you a salary and benefits for your work. If you're interested, let us know. We'll hook you up.

By the way, the painting in the background was done by me in a class on audio-visual communication. Students had the arduous task of listening to contemporary music while they watched me paint this sunflower. Then we discussed all sorts of issues with using unusual creative devices for communication. Students really want to engage a variety of audio-visual methodologies.

During this week, we were well taken care of by four interns. These are but two of them.

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These architectural students invited us to come see their art show. It was so well done. Each of these students had spent two years learning to draw and paint in a European style, so they could depict the buildings they had drawn.

They had prepared to go to traditional villages to draw and paint what was being lost in Chinese culture; the older architecture.

Thirty students went across China for fifteen weeks - a full semester - and lived and painted in these villages. Their works were keen observations of a key component of traditional Chinese culture. I was glad they had done this because China is quickly removing much of this traditional architecture. It is replacing the traditional with the modern, and by doing so, much of the old world will be torn down. From my own perspective, this is a pity, and some Chinese architects, university professors and students also share this view, hence this art show.

Connie and I spent a couple hours, looking at the show, asking questions about these villages, and interviewing the students about their experiences of doing this kind of art on location. This was an enriching experience and gave us insight into some of the massive changes taking place in China today.
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These are just a few of the many students we addressed on our tour of China. The top picture is from one of my communication and culture classes, and final one is from one of Connie's writing classes. I am quite visible, but Connie is in the back row, hiding from the camera. Can you pick her out? In all of these classes, students were very responsive and inquisitive. I can't remember when I have seen so many smiles in one place. They were a true delight to teach.

(To see the art of Daniel Rice, visit http://www.danielriceart.net)