Dublin, December 2008   Dec 7, 2008   [Total:110]

I tried to capture some of the multicultural yet tradisionally-Irish atmosphere of the city. The contrast between the huge, stainless "spire", and the streets of Temple Bar. I enjoyed being in Dublin. I really enjoyed my taxi-ride conversations.

Beijing, March 2008: people   Mar 12, 2008   [Total:125]

Faces of Beijing, March 2008. Visitors to the Forbidden City included many three-generation families, grandparents, parents, and one grandchild. Young people in city clothes. Old faces with character. Through the Hutong. to a palace (note to self, add the info), and Friday afternoon at the Summer Palace

Bejing 2008 Forbidden City   Mar 12, 2008   [Total:223]

Somehow the photos have been imported in reverse order. I haven't done any PhotoShopping yet, just some cropping. The Forbidden City is being renovated, probably in preparation for the influx of visitors during the Olympics. Buildings closer to the main entrance near Tiannamon Square have been restored or are cloaked in scaffolding. Those closer to the rear entrance are faded and damaged, more so than when I last visited, about ten years ago. I wonder how often they are repainted? I suspect it's like painting the Forth Bridge: once you've finished, it's time to start all over again.

Beijing 2008 Hutong   Mar 13, 2008   [Total:213]

We toured the Hutong by rickshaw; visited two courtyard homes and the Bat temple (that's not the real name! but it had 9,999 bats carved all over it). The traditional Hutong houses are fast disappearing, being replaced by more modern homes--mostly high-rise apartments--with modern facilities such as bathrooms. Some of the Hutong, mostly to the north-west of the Forbidden City, are being restored and repaired, with a few of the homes turned into museums. One that we visited has a tiny restaurant (one round table), another has bed-and-breakfast facilities for students or other visitors. During the cultural revolution, these small family homes were taken from their owners and used by five or more families, one per room. They have been returned to the families of the original owners only during the past few years.

Beijing 2008 Summer Palace   Mar 13, 2008   [Total:207]

The day was not clear; hazy, smoggy air. We saw maybe a quarter of the gardens in an afternoon. There are hills, gardens, small lakes, a canal/river, and one huge lake with a long, arched bridge. Many houses, temples, towers, courtyards. The secret garden was filled with cherry blossom, ready to burst. We could not find a way in, so peeked between the doors.