Train from Changsha to Shimen, Hunan, CHINA — It’s Friday and the start of Qingmingjie (清明节, Tomb Sweeping weekend). We’ve boarded a train, bum-rushed by university students who have cut classes and made a sport of finding the [...]
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Train K578, CHINA — On a train to Changsha in Hunan region eating a peanut butter-orange marmalade sandwich on wheat, hand crafted by my husband, Peikwen, just before we [...]
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Chengdu, Sichuan, CHINA — One topic of conversation that surfaces frequently while hanging out with other backpackers is how much the travel scene has changed. Many travelers staying in hostels, pack their laptops and after a day of sightseeing they search the lobbies and cafes for electric [...]
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粉蒸肉也上来了，我想起来在台北时和婆婆一起吃过这道菜。Mix告诉我在过去的五十年里，有很多四川人移民到台北。之后，又上来几小碗不同的面。“在成都用小碗装面条，太棒了，我可以尝好多口味的面条！要是用大碗，我或许只能吃一种肚子就没地方装其他类型的了。”
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现在我在成都的Mix Hostel。对于背包客们来说这是一个非常舒适惬意的地方，环境干净明亮，还能交到不少朋友。老板Mix希望给他的客人们提供一场与我们平常的旅行经历完全不同的旅行，还是免费的哦。现在正好是春暖花开的季节，我们十三个人上了两辆面包车，并到了洛带古镇附近的山上。我们可以称得上联合国：一对来自意大利的度蜜月的夫妇，三个来自荷兰，俄罗斯的一对夫妇，一个新认识的来自新加坡的朋友，两个来自德国的年轻人，还有Mix，Mix的同事，以及来自美国的我。
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I’m staying at Chengdu Mix Hostel, a cozy place for backpackers who love a clean and social atmosphere. “Mix,” the owner, wants to show his guests unique trips within Chengdu and given the spring season, he loaded up two miànbāochē (面包车, mini “bread” [...]
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Waking up at Chengdu Mix Hostel
Chengdu, Sichuan, CHINA — I woke up at 5:30am to the sound of other backpackers scurrying about, feet slamming down loose floor boards, voices audible against nothing else in the still morning. Thinking my complimentary breakfast starts at 6:30am [...]
Continue Reading →I’ve arrived in Chengdu after a 25-hour train ride, winding through fields crossing village and city borders blanketed with yellow flowers trumping the sunshine’s flare. Adeline and I have managed to bunk with four dudes taking full advantage of common space; Yanjing beer cans, peanut shells, [...]
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Fóshān (佛山), Guangdong, CHINA — Every great meal begins with the fun adventure of grocery shopping. This may be tedious for some, but for me it’s another chance to connect with the locals and get seduced into buying other things not on the evening’s menu. Flash [...]
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中国，佛山—每一顿诱人的美食都要从去琳琅满目的菜市场挑选原料而开始。对有人来说，这可能是挺无聊的事情；但对于我来说，却是一个和当地人打交道 的好机会，我还会被诱惑着买晚上菜谱之外的东西。只要有人朝我一笑，叫我一声朋友，并说：好久不见！我就与他们搭话，还买了当天并不需要的西红柿。“我应 该每天都储存西红柿。”我这样安慰自己。
Continue Reading →San Francisco, CALIFORNIA — My friend, Meli James, interviewed on “The View from the Bay” discussing best places to drink wine in San Francisco; truly different sites and great to make fun trips of them. Meli is co-founder of Continue Reading →
SINGAPORE – I’d read about it the Hemispheres mag’ on the plane, but I never thought I’d experience it — Collagen meals. On Orchard Street, I order a bowl of 拉面 (lāmiàn, hand-pulled noodles) fortified with collagen. Pudong Wanton Noodle Soup at Continue Reading →
