Beautiful China: October 2005

The next morning the whole group met at the Tucson City building. Here the Vice Mayor and James talk to asst. City Manager Mike.

It was under a lovely chandeliere at the Gee restaurant that the festivities began.

Joan Gee & Esther Tang in my favorite shot of the evening.

Steve Leal joins a toast with the Vice Mayor of Liupanshui.

Here is the Cinnabar featured in the Gem & Mineral Show book. This piece was carved to represent Chinese and American friendship.

This piece of cinnabar resting on the soy sauce was made by a stone carver to represent the interwoveness of Chinese and American Culture.

Madame Zhang and Madame Zheng unroll the one of a kind batik prints from China.

This lovely batik print was given to Dudley Gee and here James explains the cultural significance of the dance and figures.

Madame Zhang holds the L side of this lovely scroll the Chinese people presented to Steve Leal. Beside Madame Zhang is James, then the Vice Mayor, Steve Leal and Madame Zheng.

The Gem & Mineral Show founder gives everyone a book that tells the history of the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show.

Here James is explaining the Gem and Mineral show book that everyone was given as a gift.

Here's everybody with the Sunnyside High pictures.

Esther Tang gave a great speech as she usually does.

There were many great speeches and toasts.

One of the founders of the Gem & Mineral Show spoke about how the show got started and the gem stones in China.

This man is (front L) is one of the founders of the Gem and Mineral Show. His wife is to the right, then Joan Gee, Ester Tang and Barbara Lawall.

This man, whose name I will add later, sorry,

James and The Vice Mayor talk to the group about Liupanshiu and the hopes and dreams of the Chinese people.

Me and the Vice Mayor in a toast to my health. I believe it was the first toast anyone has ever offered me. thank you mr. vice mayor.

Here is the whole group holding pictures of the Sunnyside High folklorico that I gave them.

Joan Gee, Esther Tang and Barbara LaWall with Steve Leal in back.

Here is Dudly Gee with a friend and translator from San Diego, middle, and Vice Mayor of Liupanshui at the restaurant.

One of the gazillion things i love about the Chinese is that they toast each other constantly, wishing each other good health and happiness. they mean it.

Here we have Chairman Mao on a 100 yuen note. 100 yuen is worth about 14 u.s. dollars.

This is my good friend James, who is a Chinese Diplomat, and translator. James speaks 5 or so languages, is married and has a lovey baby girl, who should be turning 3 very soon. James gave all our translations perfect understanding.

The Story Started With Dudly GEE and his friends

Esther Tang and May from California, who were helping the city of Liupanshui establish a relationship with the City of Tucson. The Vice Mayor of Liupanshui wanted to become a sister city with Tucson, as Liupanshui has much in common with Tucson, including a Gem and Mineral Show.

The Chinese Delegation from Liupanshui came to Tucson early in 2005, and I meet them at
Gee's restaurant, on the corner of Alvernon and Speedway, where we had a gourmet Chinese meal to welcome our important Chinese Guests.

China On My Mind

I went to China last August 2005 as a guest of the Chinese Government. It was a wonderful trip, mostly spent in the modern city of Liupanshui, where we saw a very happy population.
I hope this webblog will enrich the lives of those who read it, making them more familiar with the reality of what a great country China is. Additionally, I hope these pictures will be enjoyed by all my Chinese friends, who I miss very much.
Finally, a big thank you to the Vice Mayor of Liupanshui, Mr. Chung, James, Director Zhang and Director Zheng, Janie and all of our other friends who made our journey more than lovely.

Beautiful China

Sunday, October 09, 2005

The Story Started With Dudly GEE and his friends

China On My Mind

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