In 1989, my father wrote a letter to the Chinese Ambassador to Australia, a man I had previously met over spicy jellyfish during a banquet he hosted in my father’s honour. Dear Sir,Having recently witnessed the heartbroken tears of my sixteen-year-old daughter I am compelled to write to you to condemn, in the strongest terms, … Continue reading Tiananmen Square
Category: Beijing
Hotel Eclat, Beijing
Many superlatives have been used in other reviews of Hotel Eclat, Beijing, and still none do justice to the experience of staying there. I doubt I will have more to contribute to the conversation, but I am so grateful for my stay that I must add my voice. Words. From the moment I was welcomed … Continue reading Hotel Eclat, Beijing
To the lady with the pink hair
To the lady with pink hair I caught trying to put money in my shopping bag in the toilets of the Beijing South Train Station: the shopping bag was from Parkview Green. It was sitting on top of my Samsonite hard case. And the toilet attendant didn't want your money either, whether you were American … Continue reading To the lady with the pink hair
Untours Food Tours
At the appointed time and place, Chang introduced herself and delivered the good news that our tour would just be the three of us. After checking our tolerance for foods and chilli, and giving us a brief overview of the tour, including a warning to give timely notice so she could locate 5 star facilities … Continue reading Untours Food Tours
Panjiayuan Antique Market
After touring the art collection of the hotel I was staying at, by the time I got the subway to the antique market, most of the stallholders were packing up. Judgement regarding the stalls aside, I realized, not for the first time, that I have no desire to collect things. I admire the collection of … Continue reading Panjiayuan Antique Market
Yuanfen
Hi Liu Xu Thank you so much for walking around Beijing with me today and allowing me access to my old haunts. It really was great good luck that you answered the phone when the guards called with my crazy request. I appreciated our conversations and your insights into contemporary Chinese culture. I hope our … Continue reading Yuanfen
Sarah Bonnar 