Archive for April, 2010
April 29th, 2010
Greater Spokane Incorporated is currently in Washington D.C. leading a delegation of Spokane Regional businesses and organizations in an effort to advocate on behalf of our region.
Q: Rich – What’s been the highlight of the trip so far?
A: There has been unanimous and enthusiastic support for a 4 year medical school in Spokane.
Q: What’s the most interesting piece of information you’ve received?
A: Met the new Wing Commander for 92nd ARW at FAFB Col Paul Guemmer and wife Cyndi. They will be in Spokane in late June.
April 23rd, 2010
What day is it?
GSI China Trip – Day 10
Wall Street of the East
By Maria Vandervert
Yesterday we landed in Shanghai. I haven’t had such big hair since the 80’s. The humidity is very high. Shanghai is known as the “Wall Street of the East,” and it’s truly a spectacle, an international metropolis – tall buildings, lights, giant advertisements, whistles, bikes, and people – lots of them. Shanghai is the second largest City in China, and has a population of 20 million. In May, Shanghai will hold the World Expo and will host more than 55 million in its city. April is a good time to be here.
After landing at the international airport, we got the chance to ride the Maglev Train. The Maglev is currently in the Guiness Book of Records as “the fastest ground transport tool in the present world.” The train travels approximately 300 miles an hour, and is magnetically levitated above the tracks. We sat on the right-hand side waiting for the other train to pass, and it came at us so fast, it startled everyone.
We also took a tour of the Huangpu River by boat to see the city lights, went shopping at the Bazaar, and visited the silk factory. Shanghai and the city nearby, Suzhou is known for silk production. Lili’s (our tour guide) grandmother raised silk worms. Silk comes from the saliva of the silk worm. Hold on, my other notes say: there are 48 different types of silk, the worms feed off of the mulberry tree, it takes 600 silk cocoons to make one tie, and silk poo-poo is good for the eyesight. Yes. My notes say this. Every part of the worm and the cocoon is used for medicinal purposes.
After dinner, we went to the ERA show, which is like a Chinese Cirque du Solei, with contortionists, acrobatics, live music and entertainment. It was spectacular and amazing.
More about Shanghai:
There are more than 5,000 (if my notes are correct) buildings
French and British influences can be seen in the architecture
2 airports – one international and one domestic
Extensive subway system and bus system (1,000 lines or routes)
On another subject, there are still many passengers stranded due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. I heard on the news that over 7 million passengers are affected.
April 18th, 2010
April 18, 2010
GSI China Trip – Day 8
Warriors of another kind
By Maria Vandervert
We had another busy day today visiting the Banpo Site and the Terra Cotta Warriors. The Banpo was a matriarchal clan community of the Yangshao culture in the Neolithic age. I’ve now heard of the countryside in southwest China and would like to see Guilin, Yangshuo, Dali, Lijang, and Xishuangbanna, and I think Lily, our Xian tour guide said there is a matriarchal society in the southwest.
The life size Terra Cotta Warriors were a sight to see. Built during the Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 BC, over 700,000 workmen built the soldiers over the course of 38 years. One of the eight wonders of the world, and discovered in 1974 (by farmers drilling wells), only one soldier was found completely intact. There are approximately 6,000 to 8,000 soldiers and horses, and of those, 4,000 are still buried for preservation. Originally, the soldiers were very colorful, but after excavation the color disappeared. Each soldier has a different face and expression.
The soldiers were built to protect the emperor in his afterlife (in the earth, not the heavens). The emperor and his palace are still buried under a hill nearby completely preserved and undisturbed. They don’t have the technology currently to excavate the site and preserve it without destroying essential elements.
April 17th, 2010
April 17, 2010
GSI China Trip – Day 7
Nihao (hello) Xian, Zaijian (goodbye) Beijing
By Maria Vandervert
Leaving Beijing early this morning (4:30 wakeup call) was bittersweet. I’m excited to experience new adventures, but will miss Beijing and Julia, our tour guide who now has a place in my heart. Julia said, “There are six billion people in the world. It was fate that we meet.” Thank you for having us Beijing. Xiexie.
As we stepped onto our domestic flight to Xian, a Chinese version of John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’ was playing over the loud speaker, followed by ‘I want to know what love is.’ The flight is only one hour and forty minutes. In the meantime, we watch a little piggy cartoon about Swine Flu accompanied by music singing, “Swine flu comes from America, what a shame…” la la la.
We met our new tour guide Lily in Xian and we were off to see the Wild Goose Pagoda. During the Tang Dynasty in 629, the monk XuanZang traveled from Xian to India to obtain Buddhist Scriptures. When he returned, he built the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
More facts about Xian:
The city has a population of 8.3 million
It’s about 75 degrees today and very humid
No rice grows here – main crop is winter wheat
Xian is home to the dumpling and the noodle. We had a wonderful dumpling dinner tonight.
Xian is home to 56 nationalities
American’s are referred to as “big nose persons”
The City is divided into two sections by a complete wall. 2 million live inside the wall, and is considered the old part of town. Everyone else lives outside the wall. 20 years from now, everyone will live outside the wall while the government makes the inside more of a tourist attraction. The City Wall is 36 ft. high and was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1372.
Major industries include coal power stations, printing, chemical factories, textile factories, Peaches – peach juice factory.
Once you turn 18 you can get your driver’s license
Also found out that the earthquake took place in Qinghai, which is 5,000 miles away from us. 10,000 are injured. Many soldiers and Lama monks are helping to get people out of the rubble. 90% of the houses are made of clay and wood.
April 16th, 2010
April 16, 2010
China Trip Day 6 – Part 4
Yes – A Very Busy Day, and Pray
By Maria Vandervert
After our wonderful lunch, we traveled by bus to the Lama Temple, constructed during the 17th century and converted into a Tibetan lamasery in 1744. We went through three? halls. One contained three very large Buddha’s greeting us on each side (not allowed to take pictures inside). Each represents prosperity, happiness, and longevity. Many people come to the temple to pray and burn incense. Three incense: heaven, earth, people.
One of the most famous Buddha’s is astounding. It holds a world record and is carved from one single white sandalwood tree. It stands 78 feet high and 24 feet in diameter. Built in 1694, the tree came from Nepal (how?). The fourth empress’ (or emperor?) mother made the picture on the wall 300 years ago by sewing 4,000 pieces of silk together.
After the Lama Temple, we were off to learn about Porcelain at the Porcelain Factory and from Gary – ‘Mr. Discount.’ After shopping with Mr. Discount, we went to the “Most Exciting Kungfu show in the world,” The Legend of Kungfu. It really was spectacular-spectacular. Kungfu, dancing, singing, and six? year olds flipped from head (not hands) to foot. The show travels to Las Vegas to perform. “In an ancient temple we encounter a little boy. Through practicing Kungfu and Zen he becomes a master and finally reaches the sacred goal of enlightenment.”
Peking Duck is up next, with an assortment of other odds and ends like bird wing and something else I don’t know.
April 16th, 2010
April 16, 2010
China Trip Day 6 – Part 3
Most Heart Warming Experience
By Maria Vandervert
Our group was privileged to take a tour of the Hutong countryside by Rickshaw. This is one of the oldest areas of Beijing. Hutong homes are created by the walls of courtyard houses, which are now state-owned. If the house had 4 beams, it meant you were rich, 2 – you were middle class, and 1 – poor. Our Rickshaw ride took us to Mr. and Mrs. Lee’s home. We were honored to have a home-cooked meal prepared lovingly by Mrs. Lee. Currently, she hosts a group in her house every day. The food was remarkable, the house small, and her kitchen a closet. I now know that I love lotus root and fresh green bamboo shoots. I also loved Mr. and Mrs. Lee and the countryside.
April 16th, 2010
April 16, 2010
China Trip Day 6 – Part 2
70% Prevention, 30% Cure
By Maria Vandervert
“Warm Congratulations: Tong Ren Tang Pharmacy Culture of Traditional Chinese Medicine has been approved as China National Grade Non-material Cultural Heritage.”
Today our group went to a famous TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacy. The Chinese philosophy is that prevention is better than a cure. TCM was established in 1669 and is known for its unique recipes and remarkable effects. The Dr. or Pharmacist that greeted the group told us to drink more tea – it’s the traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Also, eat celery for high blood pressure.
After some history and background, we all got check-ups. The Dr.’s 1) look at you, 2) smell you 3) ask you your age, 4) look at your tongue, and 5) check your pulse. We all got prescriptions, and some purchased herbal medicine. Julia, our tour guide said, “Every day is a gift, and we thank God our heart is beating.” Herbal medicine is needed for balance, and to raise your yin or yang. Western medicine treats disease fast. Chinese TCM can cure disease, but can take a long time. A balance for treatment is best. If we are unbalanced, we get sick. Our bodies are like the universe with 5 elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Liver = wood, heart = fire, kidney = water. TCM protects the meridians of our bodies and the relationship between our internal organs. A TCM Dr. requires 5 years of study, and 3 years of internships to start practicing.
April 16th, 2010
April 16, 2010
China Trip Day 6 – Part 1
One dollar, three dollar, Rolex Watch
By Maria Vandervert
“Three for 10 dollar! Rolex watch, Gucci bag for 5 dollar, Chairman Mao watch – only one dollar!” Today in Beijing on the way to the Temple of Heaven, we walked through a busy park with lots of locals getting together to share good times and learn “how best to be happy.” Vendors were scattered all over the place selling scarves, bags, and other souvenir items. The local folk meet in the park every day to play hacky-sack, practice ballroom dancing, and to sing. The park is free for those 65 years and older (they retire younger here – 50?) and everyone else pays a 200 Yuan ticket for the year. Be sure to check back for videos and photos, once I’m able to get them loaded.
We stopped at the Temple of Heaven where the emperors would pray for a good harvest and sacrifice an ox on the alter. The Temple of Heaven is round and blue (gold is for the emperor, green is for the princess, and gray or black color is for the commoner), which represents the heavens. No one was allowed to touch the emperor’s wife, and not even the doctor (or off with his head) if the wife was sick. The Dr. would need to check the wife’s pulse by tying a string around her wrist to take her pulse.
April 15th, 2010
April 15, 2010
Greater Spokane inc. China Trip Day 4
We learned there was an earthquake last night in a western province, far from where we are located in Beijing. At least 400 people died. Seems very strange that we don’t know more about it, but China is also a very large country.
This morning we started out at the Jade Factory. ‘Meow Meow’ (I’m probably spelling it wrong) told us about Jade. Confuscius gave jade 11 virtues including benevolence, heaven, courtesy, virtue, respect, and good luck. During lunch we were given a sample of 56% alcohol wine. I spilled mine (before I had any), and it took off my nail polish.
We saw the Ming Tombs, the resting place for 13 of the 16 Ming emperors. The site was chosen carefully according to Fung Shui standards. Julia, our tour guide said, “if you believe in Fung Shui it work, and if you don’t believe in Fung Shui it still work.” Only one tomb has been excavated. After that, we climbed the Great Wall of China, built sometime after 210 BC, is 4,000 miles long, and only parts have been restored. Great exercise, a bit chilly, very uneven steps, parts of it are very steep, great views, and an awesome experience.
Click here to see more photos and videos.
April 15th, 2010
April 14, 2010
Greater Spokane inc. China Trip Day 3
Our group had a fascinating, very productive day in Beijing. We all traveled together like ‘sticky rice’ and went to the largest public square (90 acres) in the world – Tian ‘an Men Square (the gate of heavenly peace) and the Forbidden City (was once forbidden to commoners). Thousands of people were lined up to view Chairman Mao’s embalmed body lying in his crystal coffin, which is raised from a refrigerated chamber. The Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors (how many concubines?) over the course of 500 years. Each entrance has a threshold to keep away evil spirits. The group also saw the Summer Palace and learned about the ‘Dragon lady,’ who wanted 108 different types of food at each meal.
A little about Beijing (if my notes are correct): The city has a total population of 15 million, and there are 4 million cars. Because of the 1.3 billion population in all of China, family planning is the rule with each couple restricted to having one child. If their first child is disabled, another child is allowed. Twins are lucky. There are more boys than girls or men than women.
- 31 provinces in China
- Avg. monthly income in Beijing: $600 RMB
- White skin is in. Face bleach and the like are sold.
- Lucky numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9. 9 is the emperor’s lucky number, 8 is wealth. 4 is not a good number (similar to pronunciation of death).
- Main blvd is 30 miles long and 12 lanes wide.
- Starbucks, KFC, Dairy Queen, Mcdonalds all here.
- People workout in the parks in the morning by practicing ballroom dancing, singing, and tai ji.
- Crystals are good luck, jade = forever, and a narrow bed means longevity and a long life.
- The Birds Nest Olympic Stadium has 90,000 seats and situated perfectly according to Fung Shui.
- Our tour guide’s grandmother had her feet bound, starting when she was five.
Click here to watch videos and view pictures. Having trouble with posting graphics from China, so not sure they are all coming through!
