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The Year of the Human Being

Another Erik in the Wall

CHINA | Monday, 26 Mar 2012 | Views [202]

I've never been the type for tour groups. On many occasions since I’ve been here, I’ve seen a herd of doe-eyed day-trippers in tacky hats and sweatshirts (that usually say something like "A Meeting of Cultures: Beijing 2012") following someone ... Read more >


Extremely Mao'd and Incredibly Close

CHINA | Saturday, 24 Mar 2012 | Views [200]

When I was a bookish little boy, biographies were my favorite section in the elementary school library. I must've been no older than 10 when I found a dusty red book with only three words embossed on the cover: Mao Tse-Tung .  This antiquated volume ... Read more >


See Ya, Xi'an

CHINA | Friday, 23 Mar 2012 | Views [124]

As I mentioned before, I'd been told I made the rookie mistake of booking too much time in Xi’an, a city considered "boring" by Beijingers. However, I really can’t complain, as the last couple of days have been my most relaxing in China so ... Read more >


Go Go Pagoda!

CHINA | Wednesday, 21 Mar 2012 | Views [230]

When I developed my itinerary before I left, my plan for today was to visit a place called Hua Shan Mountain, one of the five sacred peaks of Taoism, offering some of the most dangerous hiking and sublime views in the world. You can imagine my disappointment ... Read more >


The Terracotta Warrior and the Chinese Oreo

CHINA | Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012 | Views [322]

Last night was the best sleep I've had since my trip began, and the first time my alarm clock went off before I woke up and not the other way around. After a not-so-great cup of coffee (China is definitely a tea-oriented society) I walked the mile or ... Read more >


Surprising, Spectacular Xi'an

CHINA | Monday, 19 Mar 2012 | Views [175]

It wasn't until I finished up my last blog entry to burrow down in my berth that I realized this was the first time I’d ever been in a train sleeper car. One of many firsts I’ll have on this trip, I suppose.  I found it funny that even ... Read more >


Scorpions: Not Just a German Band, but a Food

CHINA | Sunday, 18 Mar 2012 | Views [191]

After my second day in China, I'm beginning to feel like each new day of my trip will come with its own difficulties and rewards.  I woke up this morning to Beijing blanketed in fresh snow.  But, the sun was out, and I was not about to let ... Read more >


Ain't Nuthin' but a Beijing Thang

CHINA | Saturday, 17 Mar 2012 | Views [175]

In an effort to remain concise, and because internet speeds are not always the best overseas, I've begun to keep a personal journal in addition to what I’ll be posting in this blog. In the unlikely situation that my readers can’t get enough ... Read more >


Celebrity Arm Wrasslin'

USA | Wednesday, 14 Mar 2012 | Views [147]

Despite his recent years as a mush-mouthed Disney songster, I do concur with at least one sentiment of Randy Newman's, which is that "I Love LA". The City of Angels often gets a bad rap, sometimes deservedly so, what with the smog, riots, fires, mudslides, ... Read more >


What Have I Done? (My Window of Opportunity)

USA | Thursday, 23 Feb 2012 | Views [153]

So, I'm less than three weeks away from the start of my "Round-the World" voyage, and I can’t help but ask myself, “What have I done?” For a trip that’s been two years in the making, it’s hard to believe that it’s ... Read more >


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