Guest Bloggers: Fun, Fun and More Fun

Hello, We had another fantastic day in China. On our three hour bus ride from Hangzhou to Shanghai, Keith Ori and Nancy Kimball used our computer to make these "guest comments" for our blog.

Keith: It is indeed a privilege to be today’s guest blogger. I have had a lot of free time since I have refused to eat Chinese 3 times a day. Instead of being at the table I have secretly been scouting American fast food locations.

Today we saw some incredible sights in the city of Hangzhou in southern China. It’s a small city of 9 million people. Our tour guide refers to this size of city as small. The first stop was the Tea plantation where we received firsthand knowledge of the benefits of green tea. The culture of the farmers in this region is remarkable. The countryside was the prettiest we have seen to this point. Second stop was an active Buddhist colony which was amazing. The architecture and the sculpting of the many Buddhists monks was something that we won’t soon forget. Many of us thought Randy Avery resembled the Happy Buddha. Lastly, we took a boat ride on West Lake. It was a beautiful lake with many surrounding sights and landmarks. The pure number of Chinese walking around the lake and boating was impressive and apparently is a daily occurrence.

We are all heading to Shanghai tonight and this will be one of the highlights for me and Bob Nystuen as we are all going to a restaurant called the Blue Frog. The owner is an acquaintance of Joe Unterreiner and the good news is it serves American Food. We all are anticipating a great evening. No more BEAN CURDD!!!!!

The Chinese people are certainly entertained by us Americans. They stare and frequently say “Hi or Hello "and then giggle afterwards. They are proud of their children and often offer them to us for pictures. They are the cutest little kids you ever laid eyes on.

We have two days left before the long journey home. The vendors that have sold us their wares have certainly come out ahead mostly because of our Mayor Pam and Bev Aronson.
We have certainly been aware of the intense pollution problem in China. The citizens of this country have been doing their part by not using their dryers. The large apartment complexes are draped with drying clothes and it has been the mission of this contingent to adopt that culture. Denise Nalty has suggested a clothesline in her neighborhood that extends from house to house.
Keith Ori

Nancy Kimball (writer for the Daily InterLake): The Ling Yin Temple today was a people-watching paradise. Keith has it right – the Chinese people love their children and with good cause. They are the most adorable, some are shy and hide behind Mommy’s or Daddy’s legs, but most of them know they rule the world and smile from ear to ear. People flocked to the temple worshiping their Buddhas, kneeling on yellow cushions in front of gargantuan statues praying and touching their foreheads to the cushions three times. Some brought incense. Outside the main Buddha’s temple two cauldrons carried burning incense, and two more fire pots were kept burning for the faithful to light their own bundles of incense sticks to hold in their hands as they bowed to the four directions. They would never lack for an object of prayer, with 500 third-level Buddhas in one hall alone.

Dragon Well Village tea garden presented a great contradiction. Much talk of antioxidants and chlorophyll and health benefits from drinking green tea – then we hit the sidewalks and walk through clouds of cigarette smoke. We learned the proper way to “eat” tea. When done properly, they do not drink tea. The Mei family, the most common family name in Dragon Well Village, pours 85-degree water over the dried tea leaves, filling only a small portion of the glass. This welcomes the guest; a full glass says “here, take your glass and leave – I’m too busy.” Smell the aroma, fill the glass with three dips of the teapot, steam your eyes by leaning just over the top of the glass and then sip. If tea leaves end up in your sip, eat them.

We have just hit Shanghai at night, a stunning sight with all the high rises and lights as far as the eye can see. So, dear reader, it’s been an honor to share this post with Keith but I’m stopping so I can get a good look out the bus window, Du bai!
Nancy Kimball

After a three hour bus trip, we really were treated to a taste of Montana at the Blue Frog here in Shanghai. The Blue Frog here is one of 11 American bar and grills operated by a fellow-Montanan, Bob Boyce. There were about four other folks from our homeland that joined us, too. Wonderful drinks - beer served in normal sized pint glasses, on their patio, Nachos, Chicken Strips, and Hamburgers - just what Keith Ori, Brian Clark and I (Bob) have been dreaming about for the last week - Utopia!!!

We sang Montana songs, took pictures and had a real good time NOT eating eggplant, rice, dim sum, snake wine, Chinese beer, weird fish, mystery meat and BEAN CURD!

We got a brief river-front tour of Shanghai - this is the most unbelieveable city we have ever seen... been to new York, LA, Chicago, San Francisco - you cannot believe the size and ambience of this city! Bob

Well I guess the preceding "bloggers" have about covered our day. We truly have moved within the Chinese culture in our travels from traditional Beijing, south to urban-feeling Suzhou, then to lush Hangzhou and now to modern Shanghai with all the vibrance of any city I know. Tomorrow should be a great day again with city tour of popular spots, a fast train ride, a little bit more shopping (just to make sure we don't miss something really good), a bit more Chinese food to finish up and a said-to-be incredible show tomorrow night. Dragon Well Tea Village today was really a highlight for me as I am a big fan of tea, and later at West Lake it did feel good to be cruisin on the water, I must admit! We all hope spring has come a little bit to home--we have been spoiled with gorgeous, mild weather here and the cotton candy pink blooming trees and flowers everywhere. More tomorrow as we wrap up this adventure and more details of Shanghai--city of tomorrow! Kim