Many Stupendously Seared Memories

Occasionally we are blessed with someone who enters our lives for the sole purpose to rekindle our faith - faith in the human race; in destiny; in ourselves; in the power of thoughts; in the strength of laughing - in anything we need at that moment. Sebastian has been just that for me, and so it was with more than a buzzing thrill and eerie calmness that I welcomed him back to Beijing a few weeks ago for some exploring, fun, serendipity, and vessels...yep, that's right (there are 6 meanings for the word vessel based on our google search).

He allowed me to 'squire him about town' in a manner such that I laughed so hard I cried, sorted out my life, and remembered that you can teach an old dog new tricks... "Baxter, is that you!?! Baxter, bark twice if you're in Milwawkee!"

We went to the odd ancient town in Sichuan province.

Waxed philosophically with the pandas.
Me: do you want to hold a baby panda?
Bastian: maybe
Me: wrong answer
Bastian: um... yes?
Me: wha? Wrong answer!
Bastian: oh, uh no?
Me: Hm. Right answer.


And prayed with the Tibetans under their flags and gave thanks with their prayer wheels.
"Be mindful of your thoughts as they turn into words; be weary of your words as they become your actions; be aware of your actions as they become your habits - and it is your habits which ultimately form your destiny."


During our multiple (read: double digit) hour bus rides (some planned, others not-so-planned) we staved off boredom by speaking French, reading, listening to music,  and I learned some basic, yet essential Finnish.  
I will give you a preview:
Hei, mittä kuuluu?
"hi, how are you?"
Anteeksi saesinko kaksi olutta kiitos.
"excuse me, can I please have 2 beers"
Hyvää yötä
"good night"
Oh, and there were others, I tell you there were! But this selective memory of mine only chooses to remember that which I believe I will need.

Note: yes, the previous 4 picture in this post were altered in an attempt to be creative. But I swear on my mp3 sunglasses (the only thing i own these days of value that is not broken or lost) that have done nothing to alter the following pics. This one here is from the window of the chicken bus we took through the Gansu mountains. I was neither a fan of the dust nor the smoke but we managed to keep sane with a lot of humor and a little bijiu.

Aside from the company, the highlight was certainly JiuZhaiGou 九寨沟 which now rests permanently at the top of my long list of amazing places to go in China. HuangShan is now a strong number 2. And the great wall, Simatai would have to be #3.

Aside from the stupendous scenery in the form of teal green crystal clear lakes, white mossy waterfalls, and flooded forests, the Tibetans with their yak butter tea, amulets and 10%/vol. barley beer also seared into our minds memories we will never forget. Wait, I just realized I am writing in the 'we' form. When in Rome.....