Despite the bad reputation Chairman Mao has in the West, he is still a big thing here. We see plenty of communist style posters, including this one of Joe Stalin, in restaurants and shops. Mao’s face is on almost every bank note. The communist grip on China is still very present in everyday life, whether it be the overly bias interviews on TV or the restriction of access to certain websites, its still very obvious who is in charge. On the flip side this central control has allowed China to experience massive amounts of growth and ambitious projects such as their roads.
The censorship should not be viewed as a reflection of the people who are massively generous and overly friendly. We have received amazing hospitality from the Chinese people.
May 9, 2008 at 11:16 pm |
Hey Matt and Marie. Hope the bikes are holding together. How easy is it to find your way around the country? Do you have maps that are detailed enough?
Cheers.
Alan
May 10, 2008 at 11:01 pm |
Hello Marie,
Ta gentille soeur vient de m’envoyer la traduction de vos dernières pages, elle est super, je l’adore (pas plus que toi hihihi!!!) c’est quand même mieux de comprendre le texte.
Par contre, si je comprends bien, il dévrait avoir des photos pour illustrer vos dires mais, personnellement, je n’ai rien. Peut-être n’avez vous pas eu le temps de les mettre le même jour que les écrits?
En tout cas, je vois que vous pédalé toujours autant, vous devez avoir un fessier tout déconfit.
Je t’envoie de gros bisoux d’ici ou tout va pour le mieux.
bisouxxxxxxxxxxxxx Tatie Isabelle
May 14, 2008 at 7:44 am |
Marie, Matt, donnez nous des nouvelles, pour savoir ou vous etes en ces moments mouvementés en Chine.
Gros bisous
May 16, 2008 at 2:16 pm |
Hey Marie, I am so happy to have caught you on Gmail chat!! Especially to hear you guys are safe from the earthquakes! Good luck for your further trip and I hope to hear from you again soon
Take care,
xoxo
Jen
May 17, 2008 at 3:22 pm |
Marie – it is proving difficult to get a double entry visa into China. I am working through it now and will hopfully know more in a couple of weeks. I’m still keen as to catch up in Lanzhou or further north West, but we might be at the whim of the Chinese organising commitee.
This is our time table http://www.igc-irc2008.org/Gansu%20Tour.html
in Lanzhou for the night of the 22nd June, then on to DunHuang by the evening of the 25th. We roll out again in the morning.
It’d be sweet as to catch up, but I understand if it can’t happen. Dave.
May 27, 2008 at 6:01 pm |
Hi Matt
What have been your experiences of the devastation and tragedy since the terrible earthquake? Frances filled me in that you are fine and heading north and many tremors still occuring. Are you likely to be affected by monsoons as you make your way through other parts of Asia?
For us in nice, convenient Melbourne (how lucky we are too) we had our bicycles stolen from our home last night. We are disappointed that some bugger sneaked onto our property, past our bedroom, then wheeled 2x bikes back past our window. Don’t let your bikes get stolen. That would be a dreadful hardship for you guys, on a much greater scale than for us.
Thinking of you often. Hope you are having a fantastic time and do keep well and safe always. Lots of love, Pauline
June 12, 2008 at 10:30 pm |
wouaouuuuuu quelle belle aventure!
vous devez avoir les mollets en béton maintenant!! surtout après l’épisode Laos!
prenez soin de vous quand même et racontez nous la chine dès que vous pouvez!
c’est un plaisir de lire ces pages et vos aventures!
June 25, 2008 at 2:50 pm |
You beautiful people,
I have been away when there was the time for you to take off…
And now, I can sit here and follow you on your bikes with dreams, hope and Love.
This is an amazing journey!
You are an inspiration for so may of us…
Jah bless you and your bikes
We’ll see us on the other side I hope on your coffee caravan.
Till than, be you the change you wish to see for this world!!!
Much Love and respect xxx NORA xxx
July 3, 2008 at 2:54 am |
wicked!
j’aime bien l’ambaince tunnel !
mais je preferes plutot mes petites iles bretonnes des glenans non loin de chez toi…
hope your trip is everyday amazing and fun
cheers !
xx
July 15, 2008 at 10:19 pm |
Hey guys!
im sure it is nothing compared with the experience though! Where are you now?
What an amazing site
I wish you are well and discovering many things about life culture the world yourselves and each other
hope the saddle sore is minimal
kia kaha
xxMeags