I spend most of my weekends away from Beijing to do lectures, mostly public lectures and some occasional workshops and seminars. While I hate being away from Kimi and Vanessa, I do earn good money on the paid lectures (some of my lectures are free as my service to the public and the less fortunate), and I actually have more time at home than most working people and have more freedom. But once in a while I do go on longer than usual lecture tours.
Starting tomorrow, I will be going on a 10 day lecture tour through 8 cities. Included are two bus rides of 10 hours or more and car rides of 5 hours or so. All these in the predominently moslem western part of China where it is not exactly safe. Terrorism attacks do happen on and off. I decided to do it anyway because I believe my work there is very important.
Now comes the strange part. I thought they'd provide a bodyguard to go with me on the trip. But instead they have assigned a young woman. Now I have to be her bodyguard. I hope I don't have to fend off advances from her as well. I assume we are getting separate rooms and that she does not have both keys. I am bringing my BIG headphone and will probably keep it on my head most of the time, regardless of whether music is playing.
You probably think it is a good deal. But I am not looking forward to this at all.
Quote from: springrite on May 20, 2010, 01:45:59 AM
You probably think it is a good deal.
Wow! What a good deal!
(http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/rolleyes.gif)
Quote from: Dan on May 20, 2010, 02:09:02 AM
Wow! What a good deal!
(http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/rolleyes.gif)
I guess most guests wanted it or asked for it, which is why my hosts decided to be nice and deliver the goods without my asking, except that I don't want it. I could use a Jackie Chan type instead of a Zhang Ziyi.
What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation? I am taking about 30 CDs..
Quote from: springrite on May 20, 2010, 06:21:07 AM
What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation?
Please tell us after you return. :D
Quote from: Opus106 on May 20, 2010, 06:39:34 AM
Please tell us after you return. :D
I will. But it probably turns out less exciting than people expect. Hold on for the letdown!
Quote from: springrite on May 20, 2010, 06:21:07 AM
What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation? I am taking about 30 CDs..
Feldman, Rothko Chapel
Stravinsky, Orpheus
Prokofiev, f minor Violin Sonata
Ravel, Alborada del gracioso
Chopin, Opus 28 Preludes
Henning, Passion According to St John ; )
Quote from: springrite on May 20, 2010, 01:45:59 AMNow comes the strange part. I thought they'd provide a bodyguard to go with me on the trip. But instead they have assigned a young woman.
How young? Where's Sean when you need him, on hiatus again? >:(
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 20, 2010, 07:08:18 AM
Feldman, Rothko Chapel
Stravinsky, Orpheus
Prokofiev, f minor Violin Sonata
Ravel, Alborada del gracioso
Chopin, Opus 28 Preludes
Henning, Passion According to St John ; )
The Henning and the Feldman are coming with me for sure! Packing right now!
Springrite,
I heard a program on NPR related to the recent string of knife attacks in China. One of the "expert" commentators said that one problem is that psychiatry is not highly regarded or trusted in China and psychiatrists are in short supply particularly in the less well-off regions. He said this is a severe problem, since rapid economic and social change is generating unprecedented psychological stress in the population. He described the poor standing of psychiatry as a legacy of the cultural revolution, when psychiatry was labeled decadent. Would you say this accurate?
Quote from: Scarpia on May 20, 2010, 07:59:20 AM
Springrite,
I heard a program on NPR related to the recent string of knife attacks in China. One of the "expert" commentators said that one problem is that psychiatry is not highly regarded or trusted in China and psychiatrists are in short supply particularly in the less well-off regions. He said this is a severe problem, since rapid economic and social change is generating unprecedented psychological stress in the population. He described the poor standing of psychiatry as a legacy of the cultural revolution, when psychiatry was labeled decadent. Would you say this accurate?
Less than 3 mental health professionals (that includes academics, professors) per million is not a lot. I don't think it is a legacy of the cultural revolution (anything that the CR is for people are against now, so being given a bad label then can probably use that as the best advertising), but a cultural in which personal matters are none of anyone else's business. Certainly few people want to disclose to a stranger. But it is getting better. That is why I am here in China because I think I can bring public acceptance to the profession and do lots of public work that helps many.
And to Karl: Everything you have recommended has been packed and will be listened to sometime during the trip!
Quote from: springrite on May 20, 2010, 09:03:58 AM
Less than 3 mental health professionals (that includes academics, professors) per million is not a lot. I don't think it is a legacy of the cultural revolution (anything that the CR is for people are against now, so being given a bad label then can probably use that as the best advertising), but a cultural in which personal matters are none of anyone else's business. Certainly few people want to disclose to a stranger. But it is getting better. That is why I am here in China because I think I can bring public acceptance to the profession and do lots of public work that helps many.
May be a generational thing. I would think that to people old enough to have lived through it psychotherapy might sound like "re-education." But I guess cultural biases may be older than that.
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on May 20, 2010, 07:08:18 AM
Feldman, Rothko Chapel
Why was this my first guess? :D
At least try to enjoy the trip somehow. Pretend it's like the "wild west" or something.
Quote from: springrite on May 20, 2010, 06:21:07 AM
What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation? I am taking about 30 CDs..
this (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Verdi-Rigoletto-Giuseppe/dp/B0000041Q2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1274383169&sr=1-1)
I have several versions but love this one the best.
You could take the opposite approach, and try to find something angsty and not blissed out.
I had to bring "Holiday In Cambodia" by the Dead Kennedys when I went to Cambodia. I couldn't imagine not having that song with me.
Another time remember listening to a lot of late 60's world flavored jazz (Alice Coltrane) on a drive in a van on the border near Myanmar on the Thai border. I remember going through a lot of military checkpoints, but thought nothing of it. We stopped to eat at a nice roadside stand and my wife and her relatives chatted with the owner in Thai. I had my headphones and a goofy smile the whole time as my wife started frowning. We continuted the trip-- she didn't tell me until we were back at our hotel what the owner said- that the last van to pass through there was firebombed.
Crank up the phones.
(Consider Reich's Desert Music...)
Quote from: springrite on May 20, 2010, 06:21:07 AM
What music should one listen to on the headphone in the middle of nowhere (desert) to have peace of mind, be inspired while maybe fend off terrorists and temptation?
http://www.youtube.com/v/l9K4BKkLaCI&feature=related
Quote from: jowcol on May 20, 2010, 04:11:12 PM
I had my headphones and a goofy smile the whole time as my wife started frowning. We continuted the trip-- she didn't tell me until we were back at our hotel what the owner said- that the last van to pass through there was firebombed.
Crank up the phones.
(Consider Reich's Desert Music...)
And how is this supposed to make him feel more relaxed about his trip? ???
Quote from: springrite on May 20, 2010, 01:45:59 AM
Now comes the strange part. I thought they'd provide a bodyguard to go with me on the trip. But instead they have assigned a young woman. Now I have to be her bodyguard. I hope I don't have to fend off advances from her as well. I assume we are getting separate rooms and that she does not have both keys. I am bringing my BIG headphone and will probably keep it on my head most of the time, regardless of whether music is playing.
You probably think it is a good deal. But I am not looking forward to this at all.
I'm a little confused. If she's not your bodyguard, what exactly is her official function?
QuoteSpringrite,
I heard a program on NPR related to the recent string of knife attacks in China.
Something to consider, then, ...
(http://www.gearfuse.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/cdwear.jpg)
... though it would require more than 30 cd's for decent coverage.
Quote from: secondwind on May 20, 2010, 07:05:52 PM
I'm a little confused. If she's not your bodyguard, what exactly is her official function?
So he doesn't get lonely, I assume. ::)
Quote from: secondwind on May 20, 2010, 07:05:52 PM
I'm a little confused. If she's not your bodyguard, what exactly is her official function?
My guess would be she's kind of a secret police agent, taking care that nothing Springrite says or does during his lectures is against party's ideology --- and reporting everything as well. ;D
Do you really feel Xin'jiang is so very dangerous as to need a bodyguard?
I've travelled in that area independently (Urumqi, Turfan, Dunhuang, the Mogao Caves, etc) and didn't feel uncomfortable at any time. It's true that there was rioting in Urumqi a year ago, but that has subsided.. the same can be said of Nepal or Thailand, but people still take trips there.
An interpreter and/or driver is very useful though, and I hired assistance where I thought I needed it - it's a false economy to try to manage without in many cases. You won't get far in the grape-growing area near Turfan without a local driver, and getting to some of the more remote monasteries is out of the question... the road conditions demand a skilled driver.
AFAIK the PRC doesn't attempt to prevent solo travel in the area, but it does discourage solo travel from Xin'jiang through into Tibet - allegedly because of poor road conditions and banditry in the area (which I can easily believe). Of course they also try to prevent travel in Tibet (by the use of the "Tibet Travel Permit") without booking a tour, but this can be stepped around reasonably easily with a little Googling and the purchase of a token "tour programme" for just 2-3 days... you'd have needed somewhere to stay in Lhasa anyhow. After that there are lots of independent guesthouses and smaller hotels in Lhasa and beyond, and local Tibetan guides - in most of the monasteries you can arrange for a monk to take you round, for a donation that goes to the monastery's work (rather than being sent to Beijing). Before one gets too worked-up about the way the PRC controls monasteries (of which I am no fan nonetheless) etc, one needs to bear in mind the monstrous ravages of madmen like Aurel Stein :(
Hmmm, some other aspects of travel in China are distinctly questionable...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/may/21/exotic-animals-beijing-zoo-menu
Just arrived back in Beijing at 5am after all night waiting at the airport for my flight to take off during thunderstorms. I will take a short nap and take my thing to give my all day lecture in Beijing, then to the airport from Beijing to Xinjiang. I hope I don't go through another night without sleep as forecast is for hailstorm, strong wind and thunderstorm in Beijing tonight. I am spent already.
Also time to add a few more CDs. I listened to 10 of them at the airport and on the plane.
Desert Music, Orpheus, Shostakovich 11, Crumb's Night Angel, Scharwenka Piano Concerti, Schubert D960, etc. to be added.
Quote from: secondwind on May 20, 2010, 07:05:52 PM
I'm a little confused. If she's not your bodyguard, what exactly is her official function?
I was just given her cell phone number. She is an ethnic Uygur. So she will be the ideal guide, as well as protection in that sense. The dangerous part of the trip will be an all-night 11 hour bus trip, on a route that has had several terror attacks, including attacks on the bus, in the past year.
Quote from: springrite on May 22, 2010, 01:30:17 PM
I was just given her cell phone number. She is an ethnic Uygur. So she will be the ideal guide, as well as protection in that sense. The dangerous part of the trip will be an all-night 11 hour bus trip, on a route that has had several terror attacks, including attacks on the bus, in the past year.
Well, if she can be your language and culture interpreter, I guess it makes sense, although given the recent history of terrorist attacks in the region, you might still wish she were skilled in small arms use and hand-to-hand combat! I hope she doesn't make any improper advances, and it occurs to me that she is hoping the same thing about you! Maybe if you show her a couple of pictures of Kimi and Vanessa, she'll get the message that you're not interested in any extramarital dalliances.
I hadn't realized that Xinjiang was experiencing terrorist attacks. I am sorry to learn of it. Is it from a radical Islamic group like Al Qaeda?
At any rate, I hope your trip is successful, safe, and (how should I put this?) uneventful.
Be safe, Paul!
Quote from: secondwind on May 22, 2010, 01:55:43 PM
Well, if she can be your language and culture interpreter, I guess it makes sense, although given the recent history of terrorist attacks in the region, you might still wish she were skilled in small arms use and hand-to-hand combat!
Oh, yeah ....
(http://www.moviebadgirls.com/yahoo2image/usafgal1.jpg)
Now we're talkin'! (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/cheesy.gif) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/wink.gif)
Quote from: False_Dmitry on May 21, 2010, 05:11:00 AM
Hmmm, some other aspects of travel in China are distinctly questionable...
QuoteAfter watching the beasts in their cages, diners at the zoo's restaurant can gnaw on the webbed toes of a hippopotamus, chew a kangaroo tail, nibble a deer's penis or slurp down a bowl of ant soup.
Soup! I'll have the soup!!
Good to be back!
I just got back from my trip to Xinjiang. It was an exhausting but also very exciting trip.
First of all, the transportation. I spent what seemed like half the time on buses. One trip was 22 hours on the bus. It took so long because melting snow from a late but quick summer arrival after the snowest winter in 100 years caused heavy flooding that washed out some roads. We had to go offroad so many times. My head hit everything including the ceiling of the bus. But the bus managed to not tip over once.
Secondly, the security was good. Aliya was a very good helper. When we were in places where safety might be an issue, she always walked slightly behind me (since most attacks come from behind, I was told). I did not feel unsafe at all, except for one time, but that was OK.
I gave 5 lectures and did some counseling as well, some of the issues are things that they could not have received help otherwise. For instance, a highschool girl who found out she's a lesbian and the parents tried to pressure her into having a boyfriend. She had an unsuccessful suicide attempt. But after the counseling, parents hugged her and she was all smiles. In all, about 1000 people attended the lectures or workshops, or counseling sessions. About half of the people were Han Chinese. The others included Ugyurs, Khazaks, Tajiks, etc. I did not have a single problem. I am physically and mentally exhausted now. But I am very happy because I did good work in a place that needed it.
I went to Urumqi, Karamay, Ermin, Yili, Changji and Xinyuan.
On a side note, Kimi had a cold and infection and had treatment for 5 days when I was away. Vanessa did not tell me about it so I wouldn't worry and can concentrate on my work. I just saw Kimi and she is just fine now. She was so happy to see me and sang and dances for over an hour. Now I need some sleep!
Sounds like a very worthwhile trip! Glad to hear you are home safe and sound.
Welcome back! Good to know that your trip was safe and with success.
Quote from: Dan on May 22, 2010, 09:52:10 PM
Oh, yeah ....
(http://www.moviebadgirls.com/yahoo2image/usafgal1.jpg)
Now we're talkin'! (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/cheesy.gif) (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/wink.gif)
Well, Aliya holds nothing more than a smile. I will post a photo of her a few days later.
Quote from: springrite on May 29, 2010, 08:24:59 AM
Good to be back!
I just got back from my trip to Xinjiang. It was an exhausting but also very exciting trip.
Glad you're okay.
The lesbian girl thing made me laugh, even though I probably shouldn't...
Quote from: Greg on May 29, 2010, 11:21:29 AM
The lesbian girl thing made me laugh, even though I probably shouldn't...
Good thing I didn't tell you about the gay guy who proposed...
Your business trips are not a bit like mine.
Mike
Quote from: knight on May 31, 2010, 01:06:28 PM
Your business trips are not a bit like mine.
Mike
Well, most of my trip are simple lectures and speaking engagements minus the counseling and danger. Rather tame affairs.
I think it is enough to have to put up with rowdy kids in a train for five hours. Last week I travelled the full length of England on a very busy train surrounded by kids and noise to the point I heard someone on a business call say that it was such pandemonium that he could not continue the call.
I asked that the sound be turned off from the games machine of the child opposite me. The father said a long drawn out "Well", then...."if I do that he will scream, a lot." I replied that two more hours of the din and he could listen to me scream a lot. The guy next to me chimed in with support saying it was doing his head in and he could not concentrate on his work.
The father reluctantly and with a lot of dark muttering for my benefit about, "There's always one." took the toy away altogether. I could then see what was the real reason for the reluctance. Daddy then had to expend time and energy occupying his seven year old. There was no screaming from either side of the table.
Tame really in comparison with China and propositions.
Mike
(http://www.moviebadgirls.com/yahoo2image/usafgal1.jpg)
Quote from: springrite on May 29, 2010, 09:09:15 AM
Well, Aliya holds nothing more than a smile. I will post a photo of her a few days later.
Smile-Fu! (http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/Smileys/SoLoSMiLeYS1/shocked.gif)
I thought that was just an urban legend.
Quote from: springrite on May 31, 2010, 12:46:34 PM
Good thing I didn't tell you about the gay guy who proposed...
Ugh... now you just left me curious. Is it also kinda tragically funny?
Quote from: Greg on May 31, 2010, 03:09:54 PM
Ugh... now you just left me curious. Is it also kinda tragically funny?
Not really. It is no different than in a opposite sex situation. If a girl says she loves you, and you don't love her, does it mean you have to hate her now? Of course not. I politely told him I do not feel the same, but has a nice talk with him just like a good friend and put him at ease. In fact we had lunch together, at my proposal.
I say, hate them all, steal their money, and buy yourself drugs for yourself, instead of lunch.
I don't quite understand your style of counseling... :-X
;)
I will be giving some workshops to volunteers at a small town in southern China between June 15 and 17. Since I am doing it as charity work, I have refused payment. But they felt that I should get something for my work. So they will be giving me a Gu Qin as a gift. I will have a few quick lessons before I get back. Then I will practice and figure out the rest.
It should look (and sound) something like this:
http://www.yzxqgq.com/html/p_20091201144588.html
I love this!
Charming!
I couldn't connect to your link this morning, so I looked up gu qin on wikipedia. Beautiful! Have you ever played one?
That's interesting, that part of China is really backward, and I imagine they need all the help in the world to catch up to the rest of China.
After my sister's funeral, I am physically and emotionally near the breaking point. I planned to rest for a couple of days. But I spent much of last night and most of today taking care of a friend's business. It went like this:
Helena is a Chinese American psychologist. After the Sichuan earthquake last year, she and her entire family moved to the earthquake area to do volunteer work. They plan to be there for 5 to 10 years. I have worked with her extensively on this.
Last week, she went on a business trip to Madrid, Spain. Last night, I got an SOS email from her. She lost her purse\wallet and the hotel is holding her passport until she could settle her bills. Her flight out of Madrid is tomorrow.
Requiring someone to pay the bill before they can go is normal. BUT, the hotel also would not let her use the phone, use the internet, or have access to any means to contact anyone. This is plainly stupid. Last night she got the manager to allow her to use the Internet for 5 minutes, and sent me an email. But they would only give her another 5 minutes to use the Internet this morning.
This morning, I used Western Union to send her $3500. As a foreigner, she needed to take her passport in order to receive the money. The hotel would not let her have her passport. And they would not send someone to go with her. Finally, she went herself and convinced the manager at the Western Union to call the hotel. In the end she got her money.
I felt like I just negotiated the release of a hostage. She's near a breakdown now. She's been held for 2 days, with them giving her a piece of bread and a glass of water once in a while. She was hardly treated with any sense of humanity.
She said she will NEVER go near Spain again.
That is terrible!
Quote from: springrite on July 20, 2010, 05:09:00 AM
After my sister's funeral, I am physically and emotionally near the breaking point. I planned to rest for a couple of days. But I spent much of last night and most of today taking care of a friend's business. It went like this:
Helena is a Chinese American psychologist. After the Sichuan earthquake last year, she and her entire family moved to the earthquake area to do volunteer work. They plan to be there for 5 to 10 years. I have worked with her extensively on this.
Last week, she went on a business trip to Madrid, Spain. Last night, I got an SOS email from her. She lost her purse\wallet and the hotel is holding her passport until she could settle her bills. Her flight out of Madrid is tomorrow.
Requiring someone to pay the bill before they can go is normal. BUT, the hotel also would not let her use the phone, use the internet, or have access to any means to contact anyone. This is plainly stupid. Last night she got the manager to allow her to use the Internet for 5 minutes, and sent me an email. But they would only give her another 5 minutes to use the Internet this morning.
This morning, I used Western Union to send her $3500. As a foreigner, she needed to take her passport in order to receive the money. The hotel would not let her have her passport. And they would not send someone to go with her. Finally, she went herself and convinced the manager at the Western Union to call the hotel. In the end she got her money.
I felt like I just negotiated the release of a hostage. She's near a breakdown now. She's been held for 2 days, with them giving her a piece of bread and a glass of water once in a while. She was hardly treated with any sense of humanity.
She said she will NEVER go near Spain again.
damn, things would worked out so much easier if people just had a little more trust on others.
I recently went on a business trip to Germany.
The flight was complicated for some reason, so I decided to book a transfer here https://limousine-service.com , but in principle Germany, as it turned out, is very beautiful.
Usually, I spend all my business trips in the boardroom, but this time I also got to see the city we flew into.
It pleased me)
Quote from: springrite on July 20, 2010, 05:09:00 AM
After my sister's funeral, I am physically and emotionally near the breaking point. I planned to rest for a couple of days. But I spent much of last night and most of today taking care of a friend's business. It went like this:
Helena is a Chinese American psychologist. After the Sichuan earthquake last year, she and her entire family moved to the earthquake area to do volunteer work. They plan to be there for 5 to 10 years. I have worked with her extensively on this.
Last week, she went on a business trip to Madrid, Spain. Last night, I got an SOS email from her. She lost her purse\wallet and the hotel is holding her passport until she could settle her bills. Her flight out of Madrid is tomorrow.
Requiring someone to pay the bill before they can go is normal. BUT, the hotel also would not let her use the phone, use the internet, or have access to any means to contact anyone. This is plainly stupid. Last night she got the manager to allow her to use the Internet for 5 minutes, and sent me an email. But they would only give her another 5 minutes to use the Internet this morning.
This morning, I used Western Union to send her $3500. As a foreigner, she needed to take her passport in order to receive the money. The hotel would not let her have her passport. And they would not send someone to go with her. Finally, she went herself and convinced the manager at the Western Union to call the hotel. In the end she got her money.
I felt like I just negotiated the release of a hostage. She's near a breakdown now. She's been held for 2 days, with them giving her a piece of bread and a glass of water once in a while. She was hardly treated with any sense of humanity.
She said she will NEVER go near Spain again.
Hello Springrite,
I just stumbled across your posting now after someone had updated this thread (I hadn't read it before now). I feel so saddened and dismayed and angry about how your friend was treated. That was so incredibly kind, trusting, and loving of you to send her the money. What is she up to these days? And I hope that you are well? Haven't seen you posting here in a while.
Best wishes,
PD
That story is a nightmare. I can't believe something like that could happen to a person in a major city.
Quote from: Umbrella166 on December 20, 2021, 10:38:31 AM
I recently went on a business trip to Germany.
The flight was complicated for some reason, but in principle, Germany is very beautiful as it turned out.
I usually spend all my business trips in the boardroom, but this time I also got to see the city we flew into.
It pleased me)
Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you. So glad for you that you were able to see things despite Covid restrictions. May I ask as to what city you were able to see?
QuoteI recently went on a business trip to Germany.
The flight was complicated for some reason, but in principle, Germany is very beautiful as it turned out.
I usually spend all my business trips in the boardroom, but this time I also got to see the city we flew into.
It pleased me)
Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you. So glad for you that you were able to see things despite Covid restrictions (hopefully safely). May I ask as to what city you were able to see?
Quote from: Artem on December 20, 2021, 11:42:09 AM
That story is a nightmare. I can't believe something like that could happen to a person in a major city.
I know....I would have thought that the hotel would have been more helpful, kind and giving her the benefit of the doubt. :( So, is this the world that we're living in now?
PD