J. Bob in Chengdu, China: November 2006

Xian Drum Tower

The Drum Tower in Xian was initially built in 1380 during the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and was renovated twice in 1699 and 1740 in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is a two-storied post and panel structure, 34 meters (about 112 feet) high and 52.6 meters (about 172 feet) long from east to west as well as 38 meters (about 124 feet) wide from north to south. The architecture style of the Drum Tower is a combination of the styles of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and the Qing Dynasty. However, the Drum Tower also has some innovative features. For example, it should be mentioned that there is no iron nail used anywhere in the Drum Tower.

I love the lanterns and the colors used in the painting.

I paid five Yuan to beat the drum three times. It sounded great!

There is a performance inside every two hours. It was a great show as it combined incredible music and choreography.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

These pictures were taken on my last day of classes. We played Jeopardy to see who had learned the most, the girls or the boys. The girls won all six contests. In one class they won by a score of 59 to 9! I gave the kids my camera to take pictures, I have no idea what Joyce is doing. She was one of my very best students.

This is a farewell poster one of the classes made for me. I will laminate it and keep it in my room at PCDS.

This is one of the boys teams.

This is one of the girls teams.

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery was established near Lhasa, Tibet in 1416 by Chojey Tashi Palden. It had four departments, of which Loseling, or "The Hermitage of the Radiant Mind," was the largest, housing more than three quarters of Drepung's ten to fifteen thousand monks. Drepung Loseling was especially close to the Dalai Lama incarnations; the Second Dalai Lama made his residence here in 1494, and subsequent incarnations maintained this link.

The first photo is for Chris Palmer. This is the library at the monastery. The pigeonholes contain Buddhist scriptures. Dewey Decimal is not in attendance!

This is a picture of the entrance to the main worship center.

This is a prayer wheel in constant motion maintained by water power.

This is a huge hall where the monks gather to pray.

Nunnery in Lhasa

These pictures were taken at a nunnery in Lhasa. I would like to know if this child's haircut has something to do with religion or is just the local style.

I think Georgia should order these hats for all the students at PCDS.

I paid one Yuan to add incense to this smoke stack. The odor is interesting but can be a bit overpowering.

Hua Shan Mountain

This is billed as one of the five most beautiful mountains in China. It is located about 40km west of Xian. I took a cable car half way up the mountain then hiked to the top. The rocks and trees were a dynamic combination. Be sure to ask Alexis what the rock type is!

I liked the combination of the tree, mountain, and sky. You can see the plain in the background. The structure is a Taoist temple.

I would love to know what the writing means.

This is a picture of the path to the top of the mountain.

Siguniang Mountain and Ba Leng Shan

This is the pass from Chengdu to the village of Ba Leng Shan. I am standing at 15000 feeet and am frozen solid. I can not even feel my feet. I recommend that you never take this trip in November! These are the mountains leading to the Tibetan plateau. There is a U-shaped glacial valley behind me and you can see that I am above the clouds in the valley. The peaks in the background are 19000 feet high.

Dinner in Ba Leng Shan. This is it, no vegatables and no starch just goat on the grill.

There was no heat in the hotel! The hotel was at 12000 feet and there was ice in the toilet. The temperature never got above 32 degrees. I slept with all my clothes on and was still cold.

Pool anyone?

The people were Tibetan and this is a picture of one of the kids. Very Cute!

Muslim Community in Xian

This is a Mosque! As in many countries new religions incorporate a lot of the existing culture.

This is the entrance to the Mosque. A lot of tourists come here and it is a real battle to get to the Mosque through the barrage of shopkeepers. I bought some superb ties here.

The food was the best I have eaten in China! They grill beef and mutton on skewers and serve it with the most fantastic bread I have ever eaten. I do not know what the spices are but it is much different than Sichuan food.