http://drydruid.com/blog searching for ancient weavers and men in skirts Sun, 30 Dec 2007 23:18:10 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en "Burn 'im! Burn 'im!" they shouted from the streets and upper floor shop windows. "Burn 'im! Burn 'im!" they demanded as effigies of Guy Fawkes, the Pope, and Seagulls paraded past, or it might have been a canon, cross, standard, or man decorated - ladened - with Chinese firecrackers and rook ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=133 I have no explanation why the UK student visa was so much easier to obtain.  Perhaps it was the multiple trips to the Chinese bureau that made it seem easy in comparison?  In any event, I printed off the form, took my picture and went by.  The first snag was ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=132 We retrieved our passports from the Chinese Public Security Bureau on a Friday  ($100 each!) and had until Tuesday to depart China.  Where to go next?  The places we wanted to visit required visas that take several days to process.  It's now the weekend and we have to be out of ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=130 Anyone who has ever enjoyed the sumptuous feel of silk must thank the humble little silk worm.  Before leaving Xi'an, we visited a silk factory and witnessed part of the process.  Although I taught Textiles for years and can still spout the steps from memory, it was interesting to see ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=124 Being stuck in Beijing (see Visa Woes) is not the worst thing that can happen to a couple of travelers.  There is enough to do and see to keep even the most hardy tourist occupied for months.  Our friend Leigh joined us for a week and we did our best ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=112 Normally, something with that title would signal impending financial disaster.  In this case, it's the other kind of visa.  The one we didn't have.  Being law abiding and conscientious folks, we obtained Chinese visas before we left Doha.  For some reason, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal canceled them and replaced them ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=111 Beijing is one of the great cities of the world.  (Of course, I might say that about anywhere where the altitude and/or air pollution wasn't making me wish I was in a coma).  History, culture, shopping...what more can you ask for?  Clean, walkable and affordable and it's wonderful.  The city ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=105 Climbing to 5260 meters, even in a Landcruiser is hard on a couple of folks accustomed to living at sea level.  It was spectacular, cold, foggy and I fear we didn't appreciate it as much as we could and should have.  Altitude sickness is no joke and I think we were ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=94   I happen to have five: jewelry, shoes, rugs, shawls and knitting. (Knitting doesn't really count, does it?  It's good use of spare time to create important things like sweaters, hats and socks.)  Some of them, like jewelry, have been with me since my teens.  Others, like rugs, are relatively new ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=72   Five years of living in Doha negated any need for coats, so I've amassed a collection of shawls.  I've always admired their beauty but now that I've seen them woven I’m astounded at the skill required to make them.  Like silk rugs, I'll give you the short version.  Pashmina shawls are ... http://drydruid.com/blog/?p=73