Angkor Wat

This is a side photo of the BIG Angkor Wat. It is the one on the Cambodian flag, the one that you picture when folks talk about Angkor Wat. Look at that sky! We never get skies like that in southern China.

Here is one of many carvings in the sandstone in a smaller Wat in Siem Reap. After going to the museum, I learned that she is an ASPARA, a dancing Hindu nymph. Isn't she fabulous? She does that thing with her fingers and wrists that all the Cambodian girls in Portland can do. So cool.

Cambodia, first impressions

We are in Siem Reap, home of Angkor Wat, one of the seven man made wonders of the world. I honestly never thought that I would go to Cambodia, so this is such an amazing feeling to be here.

When we arrived at our airport which had Asian flares on the roof, we were greeted with the welcome smell of grass and various Christmas trees. Immigration was a breeze and then our driver from our hotel found us. He guided us to a motorcycle driven tuk-tuk. Luc's eyes lit up when he realized that that was going to be our airport transport.

Tanei Guesthouse is tucked into a busy street in Siem Reap. We walked into an entrance with a giant buddha and myriad plants and bushes. Luc picked up a fruit, asked what it was, and the driver said, "Mango".

We generously thanked the men who carried our bags up three flights of stairs to our room. The ATM gave Vic a $100US bill which is not so great for tipping. We thanked them a lot, tho'.

Then we turned on the AC, noticed the many TV channels not blocked here as opposed to China and fell asleep.

A 5:00 tinny, repeated tune carried up to our room from the street. It even woke the rooster next door who also started crowing. I thought it would be like Malaysia with a brief and loud call to prayer and then stop. So did the rooster, I think. But now it is 7:32 and the tinny tunes remain, unending. As my colleague Tami says, Really?

The Great Wall of Beijing

So, the great wall really is as amazing as everyone has said. I totally get that 7 wonders of the world thing...
We were lucky because today was a Monday and there were few crowds at Mutianyu part of the wall. To add to the excitement, we had a choice of a gondola up or a ski tow up. We took the ski tow up, enjoyed a sunny lunch and much walking on the wall. (Can you see that atypical blue sky over Beijing??) Magic! Finally, we took toboggans down, making a great day even better. I kept saying to myself, "I can't believe I am here, I can't believe I am here....." as Vic asked me,"Did you ever think you would be here?"

Silly scenes in Beijing

The kids inside of our hutong. What's with Luca?After lunch at Bei Luo restaurant. We got great food and a Mandarin lesson.
Cold!!! Renata models her new panda hat!!
Chloe and our clan being nutty!!

Hutong Hotel in Beijing

Here is Vic entering our hotel in the hutong in Beijing.
The hutongs which are connected traditional buildings were first built in the Tang Dynasty in the 700's. They were added onto in all of the subsequent dynasties and dramatically expanded during the last Qing Dynasty two hundred years ago. The reason I am so taken with these neighborhoods is because they were where the regular folks lived around the Forbidden City. So families who wanted their boys to have a better life first made them eunuchs (ouch!!) and then sent them up to the royal empire of the Forbidden City.

Here am I getting ready for the day in our hotel. The bathroom is tiny, but functional-- referred to by expats here at "shit, shower, and shave". The other great part of the hutongs is how they are adapted to and lived in now. Here are Marie Laure, Luca and I enjoying a more commercialized section of the neighborhood.
The crowds, as all over China, are massive. Victor shot this photo because he liked the dancing Pooh balloon over the sea of Beijingers.
Here are construction workers fixing the roof...

Hiking Dragon Back on China National Day, 10/2011

After what began as a tough day for some of our family, this turned into an amazing day on Dragon's Back on Hong Kong island. Can you believe that this is the most densely populated city in the world? Look at these views. This city continues to surprise and impress me.
A view of Big Wave Bay....
A slim and fit Mr. Serio...
I like this shot because with a little imagination you can kind of see the bumps in the dragon's back. Right? And oh yeah, the kids are touching AND not hurting each other.

Shekou International School X-C meet in Guangzhou

On September 24th, the SIS cross country meet competed in an invitational 5k in Guanzhou. Although we have a small team, we managed to snag a 3rd place for the boys under 16 division. Well done, Noah!

Victor and I are co-coaching along with fellow SISers, Brandon Little and Hillary Lauder. The coach to runner ratio is a two-to-one; this must be all the talk about small class size in the private schools...

Featured to the left is Cindy finishing her run with Renata next to her. Renata due to her summer illness decided not to compete in this meet. She did happily run the last 200 meters with Cindy, the last female finisher. Great shot, I think.

Below is our whole team. I have grown very fond of these high schoolers and one middle schooler and really enjoy spending time with older students two afternoons a week. Coaching staff rocks as well.