15-NOV-2009
0911MX041E - Monte Alban, MEXICO
Monte Alban's ruins date back 1200 years when the Zapotecs reigned between 500BC and 750AD as a dominant force between Teotihuacan in the Valley of Oaxaca and the Maya kingdom of the southeast. Remains reveal an already advanced culture, with gods, permanent temples, a priesthood, a written language, numerals and a precise calendar. Monte Alban reached its apex in the years 300-500AD, attaining a population of 40000 in an urban zone of this hilltop of about 8 sq. km but they started declining in population and power until it was virtually abandoned by the year 1000AD. The reasons, whether drought, disease, or revolt, remain an enigma. The buildings were finished with handsome sloping staircases, corniced walls, monumental carvings, ball courts, and the hieroglyph-inscribed stelae depicting gods, kings and heroic scenes of battle. The photo shows only a few of the 22 buildings: the south platform with multi-room buildings at the far end, the palace complex on the left (top of tree), and the Building 11 on the bottom left, containing a peculiar tunnel covertly used by priests for privacy. The main plaza, where it is believed to have served as a market and civic/ceremonial ground, measures exactly 220 m wide by 330 m long, aligned along a precise north-south axis. North of the temples, archaeologists have uncovered tombs with the skeletons and offerings left intact. Along the bodies (a deceased dignitary buried with two servants and a dog for the netherworld), they left fabulous treasures of gold, silver, jade, alabaster, and turquoise, all now visible at the Centro Cultural de Santo Domingo in Oaxaca City. Discovered remains reveal their lifestyle: then, as now, planting, harvesting, and food preparation occupied most of the day. Men used flint axe-heads hafted to wooden handles to clear brush in preparation for seeding. Women ground corn with the familiar 'mano' and 'metate', a combination roller-crusher. They patted tortillas and baked them on flat clay 'comal' (griddle) and stewed meats, beans, and chili sauces in round clay pots. Excavated ceramic figurines reveal the villagers' dress: for women, woven cloth or frond skirts, fiber or leather sandals, and long hair, often attractively braided plus earrings and necklaces; for men, ordinarily a simple loin-cloth and sandals. I was thrilled to witness they preserved the same same 'ropa'(clothing) and lifestyle.
06-FEB-2003
0302LA785E - Delicious BBQ chicken in LAOS
Hungry for chicken? Yes! Since my last quick breakfast(2 boiled eggs) in Hanoi at 6AM, I had still not yet eaten at 2PM. After 8 hours in a wrecked smelly bus on a bumper crooked road in the mountains (and a fast driver), food was so welcome at Lak Xao, just after crossing the Vietnam-Laos border. This BBQ chicken was sooooooo appreciated with a Lao beer. Chicken, "ping kai", is by far the most popular and inexpensive meat in Laos; fresh tropical fruits are abundant and delicious also.
Meals in Laos always include "khao niaw", glutinous 'sticky rice' deftly rolled into a neat, small ball and eaten with the hand. Fish and prawns are readily available but are nearly always freshwater, since Laos is a landlocked country relatively far from the sea. The Mekong River delta supplies the country's food with little imported except from Thailand. In general, Lao food resembles Thai cuisine except with the addition of the French baguette, the "khao jii" . This delectable bread tradition has been left by the French who occupied Laos until 1954. Other popular Lao dishes include tam som--really the equivalent of Thai som tam--a spicy salad made of sliced green papaya mixed with chilli peppers, garlic, tomatoes, ground peanuts, field crab, lime juice and fish sauce accompanied by meat and rice. The Lao national dish is laap (sometimes also spelled larb), a spicy mixture of marinated meat and/or fish that is sometimes raw (prepared like ceviche) with a variable combination of greens, herbs, and spices. Another characteristic dish is tam mak houng (som tam in Thai), green papaya salad.
Eating in Laos is generally tastier and healthier than our Canadian fast food restaurants. This hot fresh BBQ chicken surely beats KFC!
02-OCT-2002
0210CN1200 - No need for umbrella in Xishuangbanna Forest, southern CHINA
When I adventured in this luxuriant and tropical rainforest of the southernmost part of Yunnan province of China, I was amazed to witness the abundance of vegetation and birds. This region, traditionally called for centuries in Thai language "Sip Song Pan na", translated in mandarin language as Xishuangbanna, means "twelve thousand field rice fields".
Of Xishuangbanna's population of more 700,000, more than half belong to the gentle Dais who are just as closely related to the Thais of Thailand as the name suggests. Due to its unique geographic and climate aspect (its tropical climate and its remoteness), this mountainous region contains the richest plant biodiversity in China and more than 90% of China's wild elephant population.
Xishuangbanna is China's Mini-Thailand as the Dais have retained some Thai traditions such as the Water Festival, which is equivalent to Songkran in Thailand, falling on the same date (April 13 to 15), and has the same traditional meaning of greeting a new year by the Thai, and Dai, calendar.
But Songkran is not the only Thai festivity which is also found in Yunnan's Xishuangbanna: there are rocket festivals, like in Thailand's Northeast, and boat races on various festive occasions as they are common in Northern Thailand.
Xishuangbanna, or rather the Dai majority, are Theravada Buddhists just like the Burmese and the Thais which gives the region additional colour. Like in Thailand and Burma, saffron-robbed monks can be seen early morning wandering from house to house to receive the faithfuls' offerings. And there are countless Burmese- and Thai-style pagodas.
Currently, Xishuangbanna comprises the largest and most comprehensive tropical forest in China. As an eco-tourist roaming in the many trails of this tropical region, my ears and eyes relaxed in pleasant and harmonious moments. With leaves this size, I didn't need an umbrella.
23-AUG-2003
0308MN3242E - With Siberian Tsaatan Shamans, MONGOLIA
From my campground on Khövsgöl Nuur (Hovsgol Lake), I drove north west towards the Siberian border to meet authentic shamans. These native people survive totally from nature's abundance: food from vegetation and wild animals (such as brown bears, foxes, wolves, squirrels, badgers, ermines, wolverines, muskrats, martens), as well as over 200 species of birds. This is the northernmost and absolutely one of the most scenic aimags (county) in the country, a land of crystal clear lakes, icy streams and tall green taiga forests - one of the most scenic spots in Mongolia. Mountains peaks reach 3000m where lives the Tsaatan reindeer people. This Khuvsgul area is also rich in medical herbs, such as peony, liquorice, astragalus, wild rose, saussurea involucrata, hawthorn, valerian, thyme, thermopsis. Not many foreigners can approach these isolated places and people. not only is it a slow rough ride by jeep and horse but shamans don't welcome intruders in their private lives. I was privileged to have a shaman's relative as a guide who translated our communication and sign language. As I entered in their teepee (home), this kind couple greeted me with a bowl of warm milk - reindeer milk (tastes good), a product of their herd. In their home many dried herbs hang down or protected in sealed containers. When needed, shamans perform their traditional rites either for chasing evil spirits or for asking favors to their gods, such as weather changes or protection. But their main role is healing usually with a herbal concoction as a tea. They can heal from toothaches to diarrhea, from stopping bleeding to natural abortions; occasionally they will do channeling or predict the future. Every treatment is preceded by a few days of fasting, prayers and spiritual trance. Their mission is to act as "tools of the gods" for the welfare of humanity. In Mongolia, they are so respected that even the communist regime never dared to influence them, thus preserving the thousand-year-old shamanic traditions and medical savvy. I was honored to be in their presence benefiting from their friendship and their positive energetic vibrations.
07-OCT-2007
0710CA0769EE - Albert wearing a Jewish kippah
To attend my niece's wedding, I had to wear this hat in the synagogue. For the first minute it seemed awkward to wear a kippah, sometimes also called a yarmulke in yiddish. But when I saw all my brothers and other men looking handsome, I was proud to place it on the crown of my head. The wedding was an experience of learning about some of the Jewish traditions. The wedding ceremony took place under the chuppah (canopy), a symbol of the home to be built and shared by the couple, Angele and Steve. Two cups of wine are used in the wedding ceremony. The first cup accompanies the betrothal blessing, and after these are recited, the couple drinks from the cup. Wine, a symbol of joy in Jewish tradition, is associated with the sanctification prayer, a symbol of sanctification of a man and woman to each other. In Jewish law, a marriage becomes official when the groom (chatan) gives an object of value to his bride (kallah) by placing a ring. The ring should be made of plain gold, without blemishes or ornamentation (e.g. stones) -- just as it is hoped that the marriage will be one of simple beauty. After the reading of the mariage contract and the recitation of the seven blessings over the second cup of wine, a glass, placed on the floor, is shattered by the chatan with his foot. This marks the conclusion of the ceremony. With shouts of "Mazel Tov," the chatan and kallah are then given an enthusiastic reception from the guests as they leave the chuppah together. Cheers!
27-JAN-2003
0301CN338E - Fishing on Erhai Lake with friendly cormorants Dali CHINA
From the times of ancient China the art of fishing with cormorants is still practised in communities in southern China. The fishermen fit rings around the necks of the cormorants who dive into the lake in pursuit of fish. Once a bird has caught a fish it returns to the boat to disgorge the fish and then returns to the lake to catch another fish. Only once the fishing is complete do the fishermen remove the rings to allow the Cormorants to eat. The birds all climb onto the sides of the canoes and holding their wings outstretched to dry in the warm sun, you paddle back to the shore of the lake. In 30 minutes, they caught five fishes, enough for a hearty meal. It is a remarkable experience to witness man and bird working in such amicable harmony in a tradition dated back into the past millennium.
11-FEB-2003
0302LA1051E - Traveling in a typical Vientiane taxi, capital of LAOS
Vientiane, the capital of Laos, has much to offer westerners like me. Busy and hectic in comparison to the rest of the country, it is quiet compared with any other city in Asia, it's appropriately called "Asia's biggest village". Vientiane, as all of Lao's major cities, is situated on the Mekong River which forms the lifeline of the country. Vientiane is the hub for all travel in the country. The city has a population of 450,000, about 10% of the country. Vientiane is a city full of surprises. Here you can find fields of rice and vegetables, agriculture hidden behind tree lined avenues. French Colonial architecture sits next to gilded temples. Freshly baked French bread is served next to shops selling noodle soup. Strategically located on the Mekong, it's an easy access to Thailand (Udon Thani) via the Friendship Bridge or going north to visit the ancient royal city of Luang Prabang, the jewel of Indochina, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An ideal place to relax and meditate!
February 2000
0002JM3737E - Volunteering at an AIDS orphanage Kingston JAMAICA
This little girl is one of the many thousands infected by AIDS transmitted by her mother. In this orphanage were 23 kids, ages 6 months to 3 years old, who have been left abandoned in Kingston. Through the contact of Sister Grace, I lend out a hand to the two other volunteers helping with the kids' basic needs such as changing diapers, feeding and get them out of their pen. Anyone interested in humanitarian deeds? Contact Sister Grace Yap or Sister Celia, Immaculate Conception Hostel/Convent, Constant Spring Road, PO Box 1654, Kingston 8, JAMAICA, Tel: 1-876-924-1719 1-876-924-2141 Fax:1- 876-925-1973. They provide you hearty meals, safe transportation and comfortable lodging at their large convent.
09-SEP-2005
0509CN3191AE - Great Buddha at Po Lin Monastery, HONG KONG
This big copper statue of Sakyamuni (Tian Tan Buddha) is located on the top of the Muyushan Mountain on Lantau island. It measures 26 meters high and weighs 250 metric tons. At its base lies the Po Lin (Precious Lotus) Monastery known as the 'Buddhist Kingdom in the South'; it ranks first as the most magnificent structures amongst the four popular Buddhist temples in Hong Kong. Serving as a Buddhist retreat, this monastery was originally built by three monks in 1920 with only a shrine dedicated to Buddha. With much demand since the 1930s, many monks gradually settled there and the monastery has been expanded with additional larger halls and temples added to it. The statue is regarded as the largest outdoor Buddha statue in the world. Depicting a sitting Buddha in a mediating position, it's still an inspiration for contemplation and retreat away from the busy external world. The monastery serves vegetarian meals and offers an opportunity to anyone who wants to live among the monks for a day or a week. An enlightening experience!
31-JAN-2005
0501MN0186E - Teaching at the Tengerleg School Ulaan Baatar MONGOLIA
In January 2005, I ventured to Mongolia to teach in the coldest capital city of the world, Ulaan Baatar. My students, ages from 8 to 50, wanted to learn English as a third language (after Mongolian and Russian). Their motivation: a better future. With no natural resources and no manufacture, Mongolia can hardly keep up with the world's economy. Mongolians, living with hardship in poor conditions for centuries, want to improve their country by acquiring more knowledge and skills, now more than ever. There's a great demand for experts and teachers. It's a great experience with friendly hard-working people in a panoramic country.
22-JAN-2006
0601MY611E - Admiring the architecture of the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur MALAYSIA
The Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia were the world's tallest towers from 1998 to 2004, if measured from the level of the main entrance to the structural top. Designed by Cesar Pelli, an Argentine-American architect, the 88-floor towers are constructed largely of reinforced concrete, with a steel and glass facade designed to resemble motifs found in Islamic art, a reflection of Malaysia's dominant Muslim religion. Petronas, Malaysia's national oil company, set out to build the world's tallest building in 1992, containing 395,000 sq.m (4.25 million sq.ft) of office space plus a shopping mall below. In 2004, it has been surpassed in height by the Taipei 101 (508m-1667ft) tower. A marvellous achievement of engineering and architecture!
17-AUG-2005
0508CNEE - Teacher at WAB in Beijing, CHINA.
This photo was taken by Liu Wok, the school photographer while I was teaching FSL at Western Academy of Beijing, a wonderful experience. The students come from 52 different countries of the world, all children of ex-pats. WAB is a member of The Council of International Schools (CIS)and member of the International Schools Association, international non-governmental organization, granted consultative status at UNESCO, head office in Geneva.