Nan Shan: Welcome to Xinjiang

Posted June 24, 2017 by Jan
China: Xinjiang

Ürümqi (pop 3.5 million) - Uyghur name

Wūlǔmùqí – Chinese name

Xinjiang – Uyghur Autonomous Region

Peoples Republic of China

June 24, 2017

Hello and Welcome to Nan Shan – The Southern Mountains,

In the parking lot of this popular tourist area seventy-five kilometers (46 miles) south of the city, young Kazakh women offer to take us to their summer yurts for tea or lunch.  Horseback rides are available as well as hikes through the grassland meadows up the mountainsides.

(Between May and October Kazakh families move their yurts into this area to graze their herds. Kazakhs are an important minority group in this area of China.  The border of Kazakhstan is just beyond the mountains.) 

Get a Grip!

Posted April 1, 2017 by Jan

Bangkok

Thailand

Saturday

April 1, 2017

Sunny and Hot 

Hello,

I am disappointed … in myself.

For weeks, I have tried in vain to find a theme for my annual April 1 “gotcha” letter.   Not that there haven’t been suitable subjects.  

One recent event comes to mind. 

“President Trump declined the invitation to throw out the first ball at the start of the baseball season.  So, to substitute for the president, I thought I would nominate friends who are die-hard baseball fans.  But a few of them are already gone too soon and others have just gone fishing.”  

I considered the list of Presidential Succession: Pence, Ryan, Hatch, Tillerson.  “Now close your eyes and try to imagine one of those guys on the mound.”  

The conclusion of my unwritten baseball letter could have been, “Mr. Trump, this is a tradition for all presidents.  Please, get a grip!”   Then I understood why he said no.  He probably couldn’t get a grip, if you follow my meaning.

Icons of Modern Art

Posted February 8, 2017 by Jan
France

 Paris

France

February 8, 2017

 

My friend Gary in Bangkok described his strategy when he visits a museum: “When I go to an exhibit,” he told me, “I choose one special painting and then stare at that work of art for at least thirty minutes.”

The Icons of Modern Art, the Shchukin Collection at the Fondation Louis Vuitton has on display more than one hundred and twenty paintings.  I have planned three visits.  But with hundreds of visitors streaming through the galleries at any one time, how shall I follow Gary’s advice?

Well, I did my best.

Paris: 17th Arrondissement

Posted February 5, 2017 by Jan
France

 

Paris

France

February 5, 2017

 

Since the weather today is cold and wet (not unexpected), I wander around the neighborhood near my hotel in the 17th Arrondissment.

I do some window shopping for cheese, fruit, pastries and wine.

I am tempted to have lunch in an Asian buffet restaurant, but I remind myself I am in Paris.  Try some French food.

I find a bistro and order pumpkin soup and a salad of warm goat cheese. 

But Paris is a melting pot and an agglomeration of ethnicities and cultures.  My French Bistro is owned and operated by Koreans!  Regardless, the food and service are excellent.

Siegburg/Bonn: The Very Best Welcome

Posted November 7, 2016 by Jan
Germany

Sankt Augustin

Rhein-Sieg District

North Rhine-Westphalia, 

Germany

November 6, 2016

 

Guten Morgan,

Alexandra (age 9) provides the very best welcome.   As I step off the train at Siegburg/Bonn, I am greeted by her colorful, speckled, illustrated and thoughtful drawing.  In bold letters she wrote, “Travel with Jan: Germany 2016.”

My good friend Rainer and his wife Alena are perfect hosts.  I am treated as a member of their family with specialty food, lively conversation and generous hospitality. 

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