The problem with having an itinerary with reserved guides and hotels is just that. An itinerary has to be honored. Just when I had begun to feel at home in Xi’an and wanted to hang a bit longer, a plan to visit Hangzhou another ancient capitol, city of silk and hand fans, lay waiting. Sadly, I paid my goodbyes to Lily and our guide Liu Li. I felt like I was leaving close friends.
As a young graduate student of religious studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, I remember reading about how the ancient Silk Road created a way for several countries to exchange not only silk, but other goods, culture, mythologies, philosophies and spiritual traditions. One of those traditions Buddhism, brought to China by monks from India traveling the Silk Road established a strong center in the city of Luoyang. Considered to be one of the cradles of Chinese civilization, today Luoyang thrives as an industrial town. Nearby, the ancient Buddhist caves known as the Longmen Grottoes line the cliffs at the gate of the Yi River.
I have not posted on my trip to Zhongguo for awhile, but I think of it almost daily. When I do not, I am reminded by the news articles and reports on China that seem to make their way across my desktop with remarkable regularity.
Today, our day trip from Xi’an to the Jade Valley Wine Resort in Lantian County came to mind.
  |
Books supplied direct from Wiley.com are 100% authentic, 100% brand new, and 100% Wiley – the trusted publisher of academic, scientific, and professional books since 1807.
The first book to focus on the role of glass as a material of critical importance to the wine industry
For centuries glass has been the material of choice for storing, shipping, and sipping wine. How did that come to pass, and why? To what extent have glassmaking and wine making co-evolved over the centuries? The first book to focus on the role of glass as a material of critical importance to the wine industry, The Glass of Wine answers these and other fascinating questions.
The authors deftly interweave compelling historical, technical, and esthetic narratives in their exploration of glass as the vessel of choice for holding, storing, and consuming wine. They discuss the traditions informing the shapes and sizes of wine bottles and wine glasses, and they demystify the selection of the “right glass” for red versus white varietals, as well as sparkling and dessert wines. In addition, they review the technology of modern glassmaking and consider the various roles glass plays in wineries—especially in the enologist’s laboratory. And they consider the increasing use of aluminum and polymer containers and its potential impact on the central role of glass as the essential material for wine appreciation.
Both an authoritative guide and a compelling read, The Glass of Wine tells the story of the centuries-old marriage between an endlessly fascinating material and a celebrated beverage. It is sure to have enormous appeal among ceramic and glass professionals, wine makers, and oenophiles of all backgrounds.
James F. Shackelford, PhD,is Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UC Davis. He is a member of the American Ceramic Society and ASM International and a Fellow of both societies.
Penelope L. Shackelford, MA, is a former teacher who has served as an arts writer for Davis Enterprise, Artweek, and other national arts publications and as Associate Editor for Arts for the journal Multicultural Education.
Dear Friends,
Back from a wonderful trip to Japan I am finally able to resume sharing the wonderful pilgrimage I had to China last month.
Dear Friends,
I have so much left to share about China, but I am going to Japan today and will be offline for two weeks. Will continue with China when I return.
Penelope
Dear Friends,
FYI: One of my readers told me that she did not know that words in color are links to an explanation or information on the term or site. In the former post, clicking on the blue-green Wuhan in the first sentence will provide more information on yes, the city of Wuhan.
Only two days in Wuhan and it felt as though I had lived in China from a beginning. I did not know the exact timing of that beginning, in a past life perhaps, I only knew that I felt at home and safe. And, home rescinded to the backyards, no that is too close, home retracted to a distant horizon deep in my mind.
It was Saturday, my second and last day in Wuhan. We decided to forgo the breakfast buffet at the hotel and head for Starbucks, but first I took advantage of what was an unusually clear and sunny day, to snap a shot from our hotel window. When done, we left the room and headed out for a morning walk.
Dear Friends,
The post below is a continuation from my last post on the journey to China. After I arrived in China, I had minor internet issues to deal with. With that and a very full schedule, my plan to post every other day proved to be impossible. Long story short, I can now begin to share what was an enlightening trip to Zhongguo. Continue reading
Dear Friends,
As I began to make my initial preparations to go to China, three things were clear: I would avoid the pollution of Bejiing, I would go to see the terra cotta warriors in Xian and the trip would begin in central China in Wuhan. Otherwise, with my limited knowledge of China, I felt like I was dropping into a yellow sea of the unknown. A friend suggested that I get a guide, but first I had to determine where I wanted to go.
© 2024 Travels with Penelope
Theme by Anders Noren — Up ↑