by bria4123 on October 2, 2012
Preah Ko is one of the most important temples that the Khmers built. King Indravarman 1 erected it almost 300 years before the Khmers constructed Angkor Wat–shortly after he took the throne in 877. It set standards that Angkor’s builders followed for the next 500 years. They were so high that remained hard to beat.
So one of my first priorities in this return trip to Cambodia was to take a better set of photos than I did 5 years before. At that time, the central section was being reconstructed, and its platform was completely blocked off. I also only had a cheap 35 mm camera–I had no plans to publish anything about Cambodia then. So please come in and savor one of the most influential buildings in Asian history. [click to continue…]
by bria4123 on October 1, 2012
Beijing’s Summer Palace sparkled on the clear June day. But the music I began to hear made it even more magical.
Several female voices in angelic harmonies breezed through the pavilions and greenery. Was I at the gates of Heaven? [click to continue…]
by bria4123 on October 1, 2012
If you play any portable musical instrument, for God’s sake, carry it as meticulously as your passport if you travel in China.
Strangers often sat with me to listen. This guy and a friend stopped and asked to be photographed with me while I was noise-polluting Hangzhou. But I found that people in China listen in ways that reflect their ancient cultural wealth. My playing style and their expectations about music differ, and we had some great intercultural meetings. [click to continue…]
by bria4123 on October 1, 2012
I started playing a bongo drum in my Beijing hostel’s restaurant, and this young woman asked me to give her a drumming lesson.
Bongos are very popular in China. I saw many stores all over the country selling them, and folks enjoy each other’s company by beating them together. But this woman, and the many people who asked me for a guitar lesson, impressed me. [click to continue…]
by bria4123 on October 1, 2012
It was THAT good!
The 4 month journey through China and Southeast Asia was even more high-flying than last year’s trip. Just before I left, in late May, I promised you a dragon flight–and some kick-ass fun. [click to continue…]
by bria4123 on August 20, 2012
I promised to post lots of updates, but I got hit by China’s Great Firewall. Thanks to Dave Landis for the last post. Politically, this is an intense year in China because a lot of power is changing hands and the government wants to control unrest. But I traveled all over the country, and the people were some of the friendliest I’ve met anywhere in the world. Many posts to come!
I’m now back in Thailand. I’ve taken thousands of pictures of things throughout this trip that aren’t in any books–and thousands more of things that are better known. I decided to wait until I return home, around Oct 1, before I publish. My camera cards are precious, and I’ve been warned about viruses in many places. I don’t want to expose them to risks of being corrupted.
So please be patient for a few weeks, and I’ll reward you with lots of fresh material. Meanwhile, there’s enough info in this blog to fill a book, and then some. Thank you for visiting–please keep coming!
Brian
by bria4123 on June 7, 2012
Hello, all.
Brian is currently in the People’s Republic of China to take in more of the Middle Kingdom’s cultural richness. Unfortunately, the Great Firewall of China is preventing him from making posts, but he is anxious to share the cultural wealth of China once he makes it to Thailand.
Stay tuned!
by bria4123 on May 30, 2012
Well, 12 hours isn’t exactly a quickflight. But I’ve been looking forward to going back to China for a long time.
I’ll journey through China and Southeast Asia for the next 4 months–YEAH!
As I do the character of my blog will change. [click to continue…]
by bria4123 on May 27, 2012
A society’s cultural wealth is so deep that it even influences its people’s emotional patterns. You’d think that feelings are basic, but not so.
They often reflect ideas from ancient times. Come and explore the inner riches of emotions. [click to continue…]
by bria4123 on May 26, 2012
This is actually anything but a quickflight. I’ve had such great times in China and Southeast Asia (thanks to all the wonderful people I met there) that I’m days from flying back. This time I’ll travel there for 4 months–the first 2 in China, and the second half in Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
I recently spoke with a VP of marketing from a slew of Silicon Valley high tech companies, and he couldn’t wrap his mind around this trip–he’s a very intelligent businessman, but he’s no dragon. [click to continue…]
