Archive for June, 2010
Snapshot Yangzhou: the bright temple
A monk sits just inside the doorway of one of the meandering pieces of this golden temple Of all the temples I visited across China–Daoist, Buddhist, old, new, or a combination of all these–this one was my favorite. I cannot even remember its name, but it was just outside Yangzhou and was surrounded by squared [...]
June 9th, 2010Snapshot Yangzhou: daily life
Laundry dots the landscape on Yangzhou’s campus Against the drab beige of the dorm buildings, laundry popped like little pieces of art brightening an empty canvas. We also hung our laundry out to dry in the international dorms, but in a little courtyard area, not out our windows. I really loved the way it was [...]
June 8th, 2010Snapshot Yangzhou: university campus
The winding entrance Trees that reach out and up like open hands lined the long, winding entrance road to Yangzhou University. There was a bit of debate as to why the trunks were painted white, but the most logical conclusion is that they reflect for better night vision. Hallways and roadways are dark at night [...]
June 6th, 2010Snapshot Yangzhou: Yangzhou Times Square
"Yangzhou Times Square" All sides of China, its street vendors and rickshaws and nouveau mall and stores all side by side; we once happened upon a Saturday break-dancing festival right in the open area there, with full stages and the only heavily-tattooed Chinese boys I saw anywhere in the country. Some of them were very [...]
June 5th, 2010Snapshot Yangzhou: on the street, 2007
Street culture, alleyways, bicycles, vendors… Three years ago this month, I was living in the international student dorms at Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China. By the time June hit, I had been in a selection of other Chinese cities for three weeks, and so I had adjusted to the country and its food. A bit of [...]
June 3rd, 2010Aww, so the little white girl wants to make a difference? Or: The intimidating world of changing the world
Plenty of young people have dreams of changing the world, making a difference, having a purpose in the wider world. Realizing this goal seems more accessible the more the world shrinks, as if maybe through our interconnectedness and supposed knowledge of each other we can somehow bring about change, that we’ve learned enough to avoid [...]
June 1st, 2010