Wednesday, April 12, 2006
ITS BEEN A WHILE
Thailand was a lot of fun. I went to some protests including one by the media for freedom of the press. The PM won 57% of the vote - enough for a supposed mandate, but when you consider that he ran unopposed, 57% isn't such a great number. A day later he met with the king and stepped aside "for the sake of reconciliation and the good of the country." WOuldn't it be great if that could happen in America? Watching BBC, the only foreigners unhappy with the election result were Americans. They were writing in about how "mob rule has gone too far" and that "we need to respect the results of democratic elections." I found it amusing because it was very clear they didn't know anything about the situation here and yet were screaming to high hell about the results.
Now I'm back in Kunming. I've been tying up all the loose ends, packing, saying goodbye to my friends and reflecting on my time here. I go to Beijing the 15th and fly home on the 18th.
In retrospect, I'm glad I came to China. I think it may be one of the best things I've ever done. I had hoped to be fluent in Chinese when I returned, but I now see that it will take another couple of years. Knowing that now, I am very pleased with what I did learn here. I am still amazed that I could go to another country knowing none of the language and live there. I got to travel and thoroughly explore many different pasts of China and Chinese culture. Looking back on it, I moght have prefered being in a bigger city, somewhere like Beijing. I can do that next time. I am very excited to be going home. Of the many things about America I miss, I miss most my friends, family and American food. I will write another blog before I leave China plus I will continue writing them for a few weeks at home, documenting the differences and things I miss about China.
At the beginning of the blogging experience I posted some questions. Now that my time is coming to a close, let's see the answers.
Will I eat a dog?
Yes, and dog, a red meat is quite delicious.
Become a Maoist?
Nope, Mao did some cool stuff, but he killed too many people.
Can I learn Chinese?
I learned a good deal, not as much as I had hoped, but it was easier than teaching myself in America.
Will I hunt pandas?
No, the government would shoot me.
Will I be the tallest person in the country?
99%th percentile, but some foreigners and some Chinese from way up north beat me.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading my blog. I hope you have enjoyed it and gained a better understanding of the Middle Kingdom.
Thailand was a lot of fun. I went to some protests including one by the media for freedom of the press. The PM won 57% of the vote - enough for a supposed mandate, but when you consider that he ran unopposed, 57% isn't such a great number. A day later he met with the king and stepped aside "for the sake of reconciliation and the good of the country." WOuldn't it be great if that could happen in America? Watching BBC, the only foreigners unhappy with the election result were Americans. They were writing in about how "mob rule has gone too far" and that "we need to respect the results of democratic elections." I found it amusing because it was very clear they didn't know anything about the situation here and yet were screaming to high hell about the results.
Now I'm back in Kunming. I've been tying up all the loose ends, packing, saying goodbye to my friends and reflecting on my time here. I go to Beijing the 15th and fly home on the 18th.
In retrospect, I'm glad I came to China. I think it may be one of the best things I've ever done. I had hoped to be fluent in Chinese when I returned, but I now see that it will take another couple of years. Knowing that now, I am very pleased with what I did learn here. I am still amazed that I could go to another country knowing none of the language and live there. I got to travel and thoroughly explore many different pasts of China and Chinese culture. Looking back on it, I moght have prefered being in a bigger city, somewhere like Beijing. I can do that next time. I am very excited to be going home. Of the many things about America I miss, I miss most my friends, family and American food. I will write another blog before I leave China plus I will continue writing them for a few weeks at home, documenting the differences and things I miss about China.
At the beginning of the blogging experience I posted some questions. Now that my time is coming to a close, let's see the answers.
Will I eat a dog?
Yes, and dog, a red meat is quite delicious.
Become a Maoist?
Nope, Mao did some cool stuff, but he killed too many people.
Can I learn Chinese?
I learned a good deal, not as much as I had hoped, but it was easier than teaching myself in America.
Will I hunt pandas?
No, the government would shoot me.
Will I be the tallest person in the country?
99%th percentile, but some foreigners and some Chinese from way up north beat me.
Thank you to everyone who has been reading my blog. I hope you have enjoyed it and gained a better understanding of the Middle Kingdom.
Comments:
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hey
although i didn't really keep close contact with you, i read your blog every time you posted. i'm glad you're coming back though.
my trial is on tuesday. (though there is an 80% chance there won't even be a trial. but because of the easter weekend we don't find out if the officer is dropping the charges until monday.)
don't do anything about the cop yet.
see you soon.
call me when you get home
267-253-6782
although i didn't really keep close contact with you, i read your blog every time you posted. i'm glad you're coming back though.
my trial is on tuesday. (though there is an 80% chance there won't even be a trial. but because of the easter weekend we don't find out if the officer is dropping the charges until monday.)
don't do anything about the cop yet.
see you soon.
call me when you get home
267-253-6782
see you soon, buddy. cant wait to here about all the stories you couldnt post on blogspot lol
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# posted by 
: 4/16/2006 2:54 PM
: 4/16/2006 2:54 PM << Home
