Author Archives: mlaw

August 6-7, 2019 It is many years since I have travelled with a child, and considering that most of the time I travel alone, I have probably underestimated the impact of another person, especially one with reduced life experience. At … Continue reading →

Eunsol and I are leaving for England and France on Tuesday.  Today the ground staff at Heathrow announced their intention to go on strike on Monday and Tuesday.  The only construction site in the world with its own airport and … Continue reading →

November21 – Beijing Today I went to buy a teapot.  In China they use tiny teapots that hold about one cup of water, and keep making endless cups of tea out of them.  The best ones are unglazed clay, and … Continue reading →

November 20 – Beijing Another interesting story about the Empress Cixi – reputedly when she bathed, she had four maids waiting on her.  Their job was to dry her after she washed.   They came with a great pile of towels … Continue reading →

November 19 – Beijing I have finally decided on the best choices for breakfast: steamed buns, a scoop of something green, and a glass of orange coloured liquid.  Everything else that I have tried has been unidentifiable except for the … Continue reading →

  November 17 -Beijing A day to myself.  I decided to go to see the Summer Palace, one of the UNESCO world heritage sites in Beijing.  I went outside to flag down a taxi, but apparently, I was standing in … Continue reading →

November 17 – Beijing Breakfast this morning was a leisurely affair since I am almost finished with my conference obligations.  This hotel clearly caters to a different clientele.  They even had coffee…not very good, and strong enough to peel paint, … Continue reading →

November 16 – Beijing Today was the real conference.  In true Chinese fashion, all of the honoured guests sit in the front row of the auditorium, so there I was, perched between the Vice-President of the university and someone from … Continue reading →

November 15 – Beijing Another try at breakfast this morning.  Today I had steamed buns with something chopped up and green inside them. One of the things that I have learned about eating in China is that if it’s green … Continue reading →

November14- Beijing Breakfast is provided at the hotel, but, because it’s not a tourist hotel, there is no indication of what the food is.  I followed someone along the buffet line and took what they took.  I recognized the steamed … Continue reading →