We're home!
Whew - what a trip!
I'll be cleaning up all of the photos and making them all available online. I'll post the link as soon as I figure out where to put all of them.
Thanks to all who followed along. I hope that you liked what I wrote.
We're not done yet. The folks at the Sichuan Quake Relief site have asked for our help in rebuilding the Disaster Area.
I hope that you stay online with me as I write about these projects. I also hope that you'll join me in helping these folks.
Write and let me know if you want to help.
Peace,
Tang Li Xin
Monday, July 7, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Through Guilin and on to Xian
Well, this is an interesting location to post my blog.
Mary Lou, Noel and I are in a smokey, dark, dank, upstairs internet cafe with about 30 or so of our closest young Chinese new friends. We are very entertaining to them, especially the whole conversation about the cost, time, and how to use the machines.
All this because the Hyatt (where we are staying) costs 2.5 Yuan a minute and this cafe is about 10 Yuan for about 8 hours.
==
I don't have the USB cord for my camera, so pictures later.
==
We spent 2 wonderful days in Guilin. We took the 3 hour Lei River boat tour. Strolled "West Street," walked through the Reed Flute Cave and toured the Sea Oyster Factory. All, very interesting. We were the only ones in our tour group and had a great tour guide and driver.
==
Then we caught a flight to Xian and got caught in some interesting up drafts and down drafts in the thunderstorm across China. We made it safely to earth but no tour guide to meet us at the gate.
Finally someone came and got us and managed to get us safely to the Hyatt. She said we had to make a decision right then and there about the cultural show and dinner as it was very hard to book. We decided on "no."
Today was touring the State Run and Official Terra Cotta Statue Making Factory, then to the Bampo Village (6000 year old village that looks like Pueblo Grande in Phoenix, an interesting lunch experience and off to see the actual Terra Cotta Warrior Excavation Site.
Now, THAT was fascinating! It was a 3 hour tour. :-)
(By the way, she was selling tickets to the same cultural show and dinner. I mean she didn't have to book anything, she had the actual tickets right there in her purse!)
==
Then dropped off at the hotel and stopped the sign for the Internet Cafe. So, here we are. We'll head back across the street, the cultural DMZ here in Xian.
We have a half day here in Xian tomorrow and back on another plane (our 7th of this trip) to Chengdu. We're there tomorrow night only and then have a 3 day bus tour in the Chengdu area.
We're heading to Ermai Mt., the Giant Buddha, the hill were the monkeys are going to try to steal everything out of our backpacks, the Hot Springs and then back to the City of Chengdu. Then we spend our last day in Chendgu at the Panda Research Center, the Antique Market and the Cultural Center.
We leave our hotel at 5:00 am on Monday, Julu 7th and head back to America. The Land of the Beautiful, the Home of the Brave, and where my dogs and bed are waiting for me.
Love,
Donna
Mary Lou, Noel and I are in a smokey, dark, dank, upstairs internet cafe with about 30 or so of our closest young Chinese new friends. We are very entertaining to them, especially the whole conversation about the cost, time, and how to use the machines.
All this because the Hyatt (where we are staying) costs 2.5 Yuan a minute and this cafe is about 10 Yuan for about 8 hours.
==
I don't have the USB cord for my camera, so pictures later.
==
We spent 2 wonderful days in Guilin. We took the 3 hour Lei River boat tour. Strolled "West Street," walked through the Reed Flute Cave and toured the Sea Oyster Factory. All, very interesting. We were the only ones in our tour group and had a great tour guide and driver.
==
Then we caught a flight to Xian and got caught in some interesting up drafts and down drafts in the thunderstorm across China. We made it safely to earth but no tour guide to meet us at the gate.
Finally someone came and got us and managed to get us safely to the Hyatt. She said we had to make a decision right then and there about the cultural show and dinner as it was very hard to book. We decided on "no."
Today was touring the State Run and Official Terra Cotta Statue Making Factory, then to the Bampo Village (6000 year old village that looks like Pueblo Grande in Phoenix, an interesting lunch experience and off to see the actual Terra Cotta Warrior Excavation Site.
Now, THAT was fascinating! It was a 3 hour tour. :-)
(By the way, she was selling tickets to the same cultural show and dinner. I mean she didn't have to book anything, she had the actual tickets right there in her purse!)
==
Then dropped off at the hotel and stopped the sign for the Internet Cafe. So, here we are. We'll head back across the street, the cultural DMZ here in Xian.
We have a half day here in Xian tomorrow and back on another plane (our 7th of this trip) to Chengdu. We're there tomorrow night only and then have a 3 day bus tour in the Chengdu area.
We're heading to Ermai Mt., the Giant Buddha, the hill were the monkeys are going to try to steal everything out of our backpacks, the Hot Springs and then back to the City of Chengdu. Then we spend our last day in Chendgu at the Panda Research Center, the Antique Market and the Cultural Center.
We leave our hotel at 5:00 am on Monday, Julu 7th and head back to America. The Land of the Beautiful, the Home of the Brave, and where my dogs and bed are waiting for me.
Love,
Donna
Saturday, June 28, 2008
HuTong Village
The Hutong Villages (胡同 Hútòng) of Beijing most represent the traditional housing of Chinese locals. Some of the streets in the Qianmen Hutong (前门胡同 Qiánmén hútòng) have a history around 500 years, with unchanged street layouts. The Qianmen area is undergoing aggressive restoration and gentrification that will continue through 2010. As a result some of the streets are blocked by construction. The Hutongs are the perfect place to get a glimps of Chinese daily life. The majority of Hutongs have been demolished to make space for modern buildings. For these reasons, the Hutongs are considered very valuable and are a popular tourist attraction. Rickshaws carrying tourists weave in and out of the narrow streets of the Hutong Village to give individuals an up-close look at these homes.
From within the Ricksahw - Looking out at the HuTong ===
Our Group got to visit a Woman withing her home in the HuTong Village - this is the first time I'm in someone's house while in China! ===
Our tour guide chooses her house because he says that she is the most easy going person he has ever met - I agree! ===
I have a funny "HuTing" not "HuTong" story - will only tell to those who email!
:-)
Li Xin
==============
I have a funny "HuTing" not "HuTong" story - will only tell to those who email!
:-)
Li Xin
==============
Whew - Back Online
Hello Everyone!
We've spent the last 4 days in Beijing. It was tough to find an affordable Internet cafe near us.
We were on the Great Wall, in the Forbidden City, at Tinneman Square, the Summer Palace, The Temple of Heaven, HuTong Village, The Drum Tower, Prince Gong's Mansion and more...
Tinneman Square - across from the North Entrance to the Forbidden City
=====
Somewhere deep within the Forbiddent City Itself
=====
We had our own kind of Dragon Boat Race in the Summer Palace Lake
=====
These were 69 of the steppest steps I've been on - to get to the Drum Tower
=====
We've spent the last 4 days in Beijing. It was tough to find an affordable Internet cafe near us.
We were on the Great Wall, in the Forbidden City, at Tinneman Square, the Summer Palace, The Temple of Heaven, HuTong Village, The Drum Tower, Prince Gong's Mansion and more...
=====
=====
=====
=====
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Earthquake Images
Even though I never got to the Disaster Zone, I've been able to take pictures of the images from the zone.
These were murals from the Cultural Center, the Cathedral and the streets. They cover the disaster zone every day on the news and in the newspapers. We haven't felt any tremors since Thursday night. There are still landslides, mudslides and tremors in the disaster area.
Many of you are starting to email with your desire to help. I can organize things better when I get home but there are still lots of things to get done here.
==
Love and Hope!
These were murals from the Cultural Center, the Cathedral and the streets. They cover the disaster zone every day on the news and in the newspapers. We haven't felt any tremors since Thursday night. There are still landslides, mudslides and tremors in the disaster area.
Many of you are starting to email with your desire to help. I can organize things better when I get home but there are still lots of things to get done here.
==
A few comments on what I have learned in the clinic
Hello everyone,
I just wanted all of you to know that I have asked specific questions of the doctors regarding some of your health issues. Obviously, I can't say what they are or who I asked about, I just wanted you to know that I brought a lot of you with me!
Also, I am amazed at the heartiness and tenacity of the Chinese people. They re-use their needles (they are autoclaved and sterile) and they are of a thicker gauge then we tend to use in the States.
Here are some of the babies receiving both scalp and body acupuncture. THese treatments have absolutely improved their conditions. The are mostly cerebral or spinal problems.
==
This is a baby getting "cupping" after having had their acupuncture treatment:
They start young and just seem to grow stronger. These folks have many things we don't have and it is rare to hear them complain during any of their treatments. I really have a greater respect for the people and their culture.
====
I just wanted all of you to know that I have asked specific questions of the doctors regarding some of your health issues. Obviously, I can't say what they are or who I asked about, I just wanted you to know that I brought a lot of you with me!
Also, I am amazed at the heartiness and tenacity of the Chinese people. They re-use their needles (they are autoclaved and sterile) and they are of a thicker gauge then we tend to use in the States.
Here are some of the babies receiving both scalp and body acupuncture. THese treatments have absolutely improved their conditions. The are mostly cerebral or spinal problems.
==
This is a baby getting "cupping" after having had their acupuncture treatment:
They start young and just seem to grow stronger. These folks have many things we don't have and it is rare to hear them complain during any of their treatments. I really have a greater respect for the people and their culture.
====
Arrival of my good friends!
Woo Whooo!
I now have some friends to directly share my experiences with. Here is the arrival of Mary Lou and Noel!
Mary Lou, then Noel
==
The reason that they look so happy is because they are NOT sitting on an airplane. After a 3 hours delay in Hong Kong due to engine and door problems, they were very glad to arrive in Chengdu.
They had enough time to drop off their bags at the hotel and then head to the International Student Office to take part in the "Closing Ceremony" for me, Yoshi and Winston.
This marks the end of my clinic and lectures here at the Chengdu University Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the beginning of travel in China.
We will be going to Beijing, Guilin and Xian. I hope that I can find internet cafes along the way and share this next part of the trip.
Peace and love,
Donna
I now have some friends to directly share my experiences with. Here is the arrival of Mary Lou and Noel!
==
The reason that they look so happy is because they are NOT sitting on an airplane. After a 3 hours delay in Hong Kong due to engine and door problems, they were very glad to arrive in Chengdu.
They had enough time to drop off their bags at the hotel and then head to the International Student Office to take part in the "Closing Ceremony" for me, Yoshi and Winston.
This marks the end of my clinic and lectures here at the Chengdu University Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and the beginning of travel in China.
We will be going to Beijing, Guilin and Xian. I hope that I can find internet cafes along the way and share this next part of the trip.
Peace and love,
Donna
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Judging the English Contestant
Last night the Chengdu University of TCM - Translators Association had their annual "Election at Expiration of Office Terms" and "Speech Contest of TCM and Harmony."
I was asked to be a judge for the Speech Contest and all of the Foreign Students got to vote for the new officers along with the Chinese TCM Students.
We have Three very good stories to tell you about this experience.
1. At the end of each speech, we got to ask the students one question. We tried not to make them hard questions. The first few were too easy and the next couple were okay. Then poor Zhang got up and talked about a book called "The Art of War" as it applies to TCM Diagnosis. He was very clever and had a white board brought in and had a battle already displayed. He had mentioned that these principles could also be applied to gambling. SO, my question to him (which I thought he would love) was "who on that battlefield made the greatest gamble?" Oops - he was stunned. He had no idea what I had asked and had to have it translated into Chinese. He was so upset he still couldn't answer! Nice, huh? I apologised to the poor boy after the competition. The director asked me another question, one he could answer!
Zhang (on the right in the yellow shirt) accepting his certificate of installation. He was still talking to me even after this happened to him!
==
2. The next funny story involves poor Sheila. She was just sitting there minding her own business. This was after the Speech Contest was over and the newly elected officers were receiving their certificates. Angel, the head of the Foreign Office, asked Sheila to be the first one to come and present the certificate to the student. However, all Sheila heard was her name and to come up to the podium. They handed her the certificate she was to present to the student. However, she thought she was getting the certificate. She hadn't understood the translators at the Translator Association. Plus, the certificate was entirely in Chinese. So, she just nodded and thanked them while the student who was supposed to get the certificate just stood there confused. While returning to her chair, the translators grabbed Sheila and explained that it was the girl who was supposed to get the certificate (they were laughing very hard while trying to explain this..).
Sheila accepting the award instead of the student. Look at the far right to see her laughing at what is transpiring!
==
3. Third funny story is at the end of the ceremony, it was announced that "the food is decorated on the table in the back. Please enjoy yourselves!" I didn't see any decorated food and ate the chips and salsa anyway.
A good ending to a good evening.
==
Okay - now having talked about the fun, let me explain the dedication of this group. All of the translators are students who are already very busy studying TCM or Nursing on the post-graduate level. The competition is very keen here and these students already have a lot on their plates.
Then, to take on learning English on the level of being a translator is most amazing. We have gained much respect for what they are doing on our behalf. We have made good friends here.
Peace and love,
Tang Li Xin
I was asked to be a judge for the Speech Contest and all of the Foreign Students got to vote for the new officers along with the Chinese TCM Students.
We have Three very good stories to tell you about this experience.
1. At the end of each speech, we got to ask the students one question. We tried not to make them hard questions. The first few were too easy and the next couple were okay. Then poor Zhang got up and talked about a book called "The Art of War" as it applies to TCM Diagnosis. He was very clever and had a white board brought in and had a battle already displayed. He had mentioned that these principles could also be applied to gambling. SO, my question to him (which I thought he would love) was "who on that battlefield made the greatest gamble?" Oops - he was stunned. He had no idea what I had asked and had to have it translated into Chinese. He was so upset he still couldn't answer! Nice, huh? I apologised to the poor boy after the competition. The director asked me another question, one he could answer!
Zhang (on the right in the yellow shirt) accepting his certificate of installation. He was still talking to me even after this happened to him!
==
2. The next funny story involves poor Sheila. She was just sitting there minding her own business. This was after the Speech Contest was over and the newly elected officers were receiving their certificates. Angel, the head of the Foreign Office, asked Sheila to be the first one to come and present the certificate to the student. However, all Sheila heard was her name and to come up to the podium. They handed her the certificate she was to present to the student. However, she thought she was getting the certificate. She hadn't understood the translators at the Translator Association. Plus, the certificate was entirely in Chinese. So, she just nodded and thanked them while the student who was supposed to get the certificate just stood there confused. While returning to her chair, the translators grabbed Sheila and explained that it was the girl who was supposed to get the certificate (they were laughing very hard while trying to explain this..).
Sheila accepting the award instead of the student. Look at the far right to see her laughing at what is transpiring!
==
3. Third funny story is at the end of the ceremony, it was announced that "the food is decorated on the table in the back. Please enjoy yourselves!" I didn't see any decorated food and ate the chips and salsa anyway.
A good ending to a good evening.
==
Okay - now having talked about the fun, let me explain the dedication of this group. All of the translators are students who are already very busy studying TCM or Nursing on the post-graduate level. The competition is very keen here and these students already have a lot on their plates.
Then, to take on learning English on the level of being a translator is most amazing. We have gained much respect for what they are doing on our behalf. We have made good friends here.
Peace and love,
Tang Li Xin
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Field Trip (page4)
Field Trip - PART 4
Since we were now done with our Field Trip, the van took us back to the hotel. Shea, the Aussie had invited us to the "BookWorm," a coffee shop/library/restaurant for ex-patriots living in Chengdu.
==
These folks (Tess, Peter, Shea and 60 others..) are spear-heading a local relief effort for the Earthquake victims. They have a website called "Sichuan Quake Relief" and I would as many of you as you can to go to the website. I can't actually see it because it's a blocked website for me. I hope that they have lots of info about the work they're doing.
==
This is Sheila handing Tess the donation that her group (Kachinas) sent to Sichuan!
==
I'll be talking for folks back home about how we all can help this group. They recently have been putting together "kits" or "packages" for the families. The most recent kit has Tang, playing cards, TP, toothbrushes, a couple of washcloths, and some powered soy milk.
==
They don't want us to forget them. Maybe we can sponsor a village, including their school kids? Anyone up for that?
Love,
Donna
Since we were now done with our Field Trip, the van took us back to the hotel. Shea, the Aussie had invited us to the "BookWorm," a coffee shop/library/restaurant for ex-patriots living in Chengdu.
==
These folks (Tess, Peter, Shea and 60 others..) are spear-heading a local relief effort for the Earthquake victims. They have a website called "Sichuan Quake Relief" and I would as many of you as you can to go to the website. I can't actually see it because it's a blocked website for me. I hope that they have lots of info about the work they're doing.
==
This is Sheila handing Tess the donation that her group (Kachinas) sent to Sichuan!
==
I'll be talking for folks back home about how we all can help this group. They recently have been putting together "kits" or "packages" for the families. The most recent kit has Tang, playing cards, TP, toothbrushes, a couple of washcloths, and some powered soy milk.
==
They don't want us to forget them. Maybe we can sponsor a village, including their school kids? Anyone up for that?
Love,
Donna
Field Trip (page3)
Field Trip - PART 3
The Museum had a section on Tibetan Medicine. This will be the closest I get to Tibet!
==
Ancient Tibetan Surgical Instruments (Ouch!)
==
After the TCM Museum, we visited the 3rd campus of the TCM University. This is the new campus located out nearer to the Earthquake Zone. They sustained some damage but are in the process of repairing those buildings.
Here is the entrance:
==
Here is a picture of our group:
==
(cont'd)
The Museum had a section on Tibetan Medicine. This will be the closest I get to Tibet!
==
Ancient Tibetan Surgical Instruments (Ouch!)
==
After the TCM Museum, we visited the 3rd campus of the TCM University. This is the new campus located out nearer to the Earthquake Zone. They sustained some damage but are in the process of repairing those buildings.
Here is the entrance:
==
Here is a picture of our group:
==
(cont'd)
Field Trip (page2)
Field Trip - PART 2
It began to rain at the Herb Market, so we packed back into the van and headed to the Chinese TCM Museum at the 2nd campus of the Chengdu University of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).
==
This was great for us students of TCM because we saw acupuncture artifacts from the Han, Ming and Tang dynasties.
==
These are eye glasses from the Han Dynasty!
==
(cont'd)
It began to rain at the Herb Market, so we packed back into the van and headed to the Chinese TCM Museum at the 2nd campus of the Chengdu University of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine).
==
This was great for us students of TCM because we saw acupuncture artifacts from the Han, Ming and Tang dynasties.
==
These are eye glasses from the Han Dynasty!
==
(cont'd)
Wednesday's Field Trip (June 18)
Hello Everyone,
You're wondering why there wasn't any posting yesterday? Well, it was the busiest day yet.
We had a great clinic experience with the "Famous" Dr. Hou, who is brillant. Grabbed a quick lunch with thr 3 of us, Shea, the Aussie, and 2 of our interpreters at the "Bakery Cafe." We had to grab something quick and get to the International Office by 1:00 pm.
This is our first and only planned field trip by the college. We went to the Chinese Herb Market (yes, the same one that the 3 of us went to last week), but this time the whole group was together AND we went with the Director of Pharmacy for the Chengdu Hospital of TCM.
==
This is a silk worm NOT for making silk, but in a form for use as a Chinese Herb!
==
THis is my favorite "Chinese Herb" - Cinnamon (you're seeing the bark that it comes from)
==
(cont'd).
You're wondering why there wasn't any posting yesterday? Well, it was the busiest day yet.
We had a great clinic experience with the "Famous" Dr. Hou, who is brillant. Grabbed a quick lunch with thr 3 of us, Shea, the Aussie, and 2 of our interpreters at the "Bakery Cafe." We had to grab something quick and get to the International Office by 1:00 pm.
This is our first and only planned field trip by the college. We went to the Chinese Herb Market (yes, the same one that the 3 of us went to last week), but this time the whole group was together AND we went with the Director of Pharmacy for the Chengdu Hospital of TCM.
==
This is a silk worm NOT for making silk, but in a form for use as a Chinese Herb!
==
THis is my favorite "Chinese Herb" - Cinnamon (you're seeing the bark that it comes from)
==
(cont'd).
Monday, June 16, 2008
Don't forget to pay
This is about rendering unto Caesar!
==
DO NOT leave store without paying!
==
I am NOT hiding a small child under my vest - the MSG has made be bloated!
==
This
===
==
==
==
This
===
Making silk
==
==
==
==
Children on China
==
==
==
==
==
Monday, June 16th - Clinic
Hello my dear friends,
Well, today was a great day in clinic. Back up on the 7th floor in-patient BUT with our favorite Dr. Li. He's the Doctor who has been giving us our Point Combination lectures. We like him a lot!
We took us to see 9 in-patients, explained there cases, did muscle testing, had a great bedside manner and the people just love him. He had us working and thinking about the cases. Then, he did the needling but explained everything from the energetics to the needling and manipulation techniques! This is very cool stuff.
Then we found out that we were getting him for the Allergy/Asthma lecture this afternoon. He went into great detail, make it very clear, how to diagnoses and choose points based on the 6 channel/level theory.
BEFORE
AFTER
This little guy was so very cute (pronounced "coo-eye") and this was his second treatment. His diagnosis is "Maldevelopment." We has to have acupuncture every day for the next 3-5 months (based on how well he responds). He has a good prognosis. I asked if he has a possibility of becoming blind and Dr. Hou said no! Yeah!!
====
As we were waiting for Huang and Shea, he told us that this was the last time that we were going to meet with him because he's heading to the earthquake zone in the morning!! What!! We BEGGED him to take us with him. He's volunteering AND doing acupuncture with the folks from Beichuan!
So, I pulled out my audio recorder and he told us what it was like to be there the week of May 24th and being part of the relief effort. We were riveted in our seats. I actually knew that I started to cry.
He worked on people who were just pulled out of the rubble. He told us what it was like to see where the entire mountain had collapsed on the villagers, wiping out the ENTIRE village. He said that the entire landscape was re-arranged. Areas wer flat where there used to be mountains and new mountains where it had been flat.
He worked on this 13 year old boy who had just been pulled out from under the wreckage and his legs were a mess. He needled him for two days and then the boy could get up and walk. You could tell that this really affected Dr. Li.
He saw how very serious we are about getting there. He asked us why he wanted to get there so badly. We told him that we wanted to go there and help. We just want to help the people. He was stunned and he paused and you could tell that he was amazed that he wanted to help his people so badly.
Dr. Li
Dr. Li and our little group really bonded at that moment. He swolled hard and told us to go ask at the International Office. At the end of the lecture he told us how dangerous it is to go there. We said that it would be the same danger for him as it would be for us. He was really moved by our willingness.
He shook our hands, but did somehting out of the ordinary and asked us for our e-mail addresses. We will be in touch, for sure!
We're still hoping that we can get there.
People - it's amazing to be here at the hub of the recovery efforts. There are some channels that play 24 hours every day with the relief efforts. There is a channel that plays 24 hours a day with the "what the heck do you call this...?" oops, I can't think in English right now. It's when the celebrities sing rally songs and they have some of the survivors come and talk, what is this called? All I can think of is a "marathon." Someone help me with this word!
Anyway, we see survivors on the streets of Chengdu every day. There was this little boy in a wheel chair being pushed by his grandpa. I stopped and stroked his head and spoke softly to him in English. I told him that he will get better, that he's one brave soul and that Americans and Chinese will be thinking about him and sending him strength for his journey!
Anyway, it looks like I'm getting mushy again. It must be late and have had a long day.
Love to everyone in my country, in the countries and to the people that I have visited and are dear to me and are reading this blog too.
I know that Mexico, Ireland, and Croatia are reading this too!
Peace my dear friends - peace!
--Donna
Well, today was a great day in clinic. Back up on the 7th floor in-patient BUT with our favorite Dr. Li. He's the Doctor who has been giving us our Point Combination lectures. We like him a lot!
We took us to see 9 in-patients, explained there cases, did muscle testing, had a great bedside manner and the people just love him. He had us working and thinking about the cases. Then, he did the needling but explained everything from the energetics to the needling and manipulation techniques! This is very cool stuff.
Then we found out that we were getting him for the Allergy/Asthma lecture this afternoon. He went into great detail, make it very clear, how to diagnoses and choose points based on the 6 channel/level theory.
This little guy was so very cute (pronounced "coo-eye") and this was his second treatment. His diagnosis is "Maldevelopment." We has to have acupuncture every day for the next 3-5 months (based on how well he responds). He has a good prognosis. I asked if he has a possibility of becoming blind and Dr. Hou said no! Yeah!!
====
As we were waiting for Huang and Shea, he told us that this was the last time that we were going to meet with him because he's heading to the earthquake zone in the morning!! What!! We BEGGED him to take us with him. He's volunteering AND doing acupuncture with the folks from Beichuan!
So, I pulled out my audio recorder and he told us what it was like to be there the week of May 24th and being part of the relief effort. We were riveted in our seats. I actually knew that I started to cry.
He worked on people who were just pulled out of the rubble. He told us what it was like to see where the entire mountain had collapsed on the villagers, wiping out the ENTIRE village. He said that the entire landscape was re-arranged. Areas wer flat where there used to be mountains and new mountains where it had been flat.
He worked on this 13 year old boy who had just been pulled out from under the wreckage and his legs were a mess. He needled him for two days and then the boy could get up and walk. You could tell that this really affected Dr. Li.
He saw how very serious we are about getting there. He asked us why he wanted to get there so badly. We told him that we wanted to go there and help. We just want to help the people. He was stunned and he paused and you could tell that he was amazed that he wanted to help his people so badly.
Dr. Li and our little group really bonded at that moment. He swolled hard and told us to go ask at the International Office. At the end of the lecture he told us how dangerous it is to go there. We said that it would be the same danger for him as it would be for us. He was really moved by our willingness.
He shook our hands, but did somehting out of the ordinary and asked us for our e-mail addresses. We will be in touch, for sure!
We're still hoping that we can get there.
People - it's amazing to be here at the hub of the recovery efforts. There are some channels that play 24 hours every day with the relief efforts. There is a channel that plays 24 hours a day with the "what the heck do you call this...?" oops, I can't think in English right now. It's when the celebrities sing rally songs and they have some of the survivors come and talk, what is this called? All I can think of is a "marathon." Someone help me with this word!
Anyway, we see survivors on the streets of Chengdu every day. There was this little boy in a wheel chair being pushed by his grandpa. I stopped and stroked his head and spoke softly to him in English. I told him that he will get better, that he's one brave soul and that Americans and Chinese will be thinking about him and sending him strength for his journey!
Anyway, it looks like I'm getting mushy again. It must be late and have had a long day.
Love to everyone in my country, in the countries and to the people that I have visited and are dear to me and are reading this blog too.
I know that Mexico, Ireland, and Croatia are reading this too!
Peace my dear friends - peace!
--Donna
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