No news is good news...

So with all the tragedy in Haiti, Asia is off the map for the powers that be and control my work so all I have to post is a few pictures from little a stroll on the 30th. Just down from Confucius Temple is the Guozijian. Built in 1287 it was the the highest institutin of learning in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. I didn't go in, as i really don't belong in in places of higher education. My high school records would back me up on that. Stopped for a tea at the Lazy Cafe and watched the sun go down on the hutong.
Enjoy.

Lama Temple

In an effort to "get off me arse" and away from a neon tan, I had a lovely 3 days off. With a reporter away and a produce in Tianjin, I took advantage of the time to sleep late and go to bed early. Well as early as I could.

Saturday morning here brought a light dust of snow and a somewhat windless day. So of I wondered to Lama Temple. One of the more touristy attractions it is located just of line 2 subway at Yonghegong stop.

It’s part of the yellow hat sect. (no I’m not making that up). Built according to Wikipedia in the 1694 Qing Dynasty era. Here is Wikipedia’s take….

Building work on the Yonghegong Temple started in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty. It originally served as an official residence for court eunuchs. It was then converted into the court of the Prince Yong (Yin Zhen), a son of the Kangxi Emperor and himself the future Yongzheng Emperor. After Yongzheng's ascension to the throne in 1722, half of the building was converted into a lamasery, a monastery for monks of Tibetan Buddhism. The other half remained an imperial palace.

After Yongzheng's death in 1735, his coffin was placed in the temple. The Qianlong Emperor, Yongzheng's successor, gave the temple imperial status signified by having its turquoise tiles replaced with yellow tiles which were reserved for the emperor. Subsequently, the monastery became a residence for large numbers of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet, and so the Yonghe Lamasery became the national centre of Lama administration.

The temple is said to have survived the Cultural Revolution due to the intervention of Prime Minister Zhou Enlai. It was reopened to the public in 1981.

Beautiful spot. Lots of people burning incense and a few of us tourists taking photos. I’ll have to start reading a bit about the Buddist, but I would image the government here would want me to mention the Big Guys name here so the code word now for the Dali Lama will be referred to as Rene Lévesque and the movement will now be know as the Free Quebec society.

Enjoy.

Just about a year ago I set out on the road...

What a difference a year makes. Doesn’t seem like it was that long ago that I was packing for what at times seems like an extended road trip. Home is still in Ottawa, but seems I now have a second home. It’s amazing how quickly time passes. Just a year ago I was saying goodbye to my wife, dog, family and friends. At times it feels like yesterday and at other times seems like a lifetime ago.

In the space of a year I’ve met many people. From the couple who eke out a meager living recycling bottles and selling tourist maps to the mother of one of the students killed in 1989 Tiananmen Square. The Canadian Doctor who has a team that brings smiles to kids with cleft palates who otherwise can't afford the surgery and would be left to a lifetime of poverty. A guy who still to this day makes and flies kites the old fashion way.

I’ve been up north to Chungchun, down south to Nanning, and wind farms in Hebei. Went to Taiwan to see the Dali Lama. Been to Thailand for a riot, and Philippines for floods. Still much to see and do; Cambodia, Vietnam would be nice to visit this year. Burma, but I doubt they’d let the likes of us in. Also would like to get out to Mongolia to see the Gobi desert and points beyond.

I guess the best part of this job is seeing new things. The Great Wall is always a spectacular sight. Especially when you can get away from the crowds and have it all to yourself. So as I start year two and put my family through another year of missing, worrying and wondering I just want to say thanks for putting up with my adventures and we will see you sometime this year. Happy 2010!