It has been an amazing journey with a special group of friends who are
committed to making a difference in the world.
We will keep you posted as we process the trip and new opportunities as they
develop.
Deb and Dan to Tiger Leaping Gorge with David.
Brad, Leslie, and Doug to the Black Dragon Pool.
And Scott, Em, Rebecca and Cindy to the open air market and back to the
school.
The afternoon we spent some time in Old Town and then flew to Kunming where
we met another of our scholarship students - Dr. Ruth.
Today onto Beijing and home to USA on Wednesday.
My day ends with the "Blue Screen of Death" on my laptop and waiting to send a post on the hotel computer - so this will be short and without pictures, which is unfortunate because there are some great ones today.
After a full and unexpected day of travel yesterday, and only 3 hours sleep, we started our 8th day of the trip before 6 am and took a flight from Kunming to LiJiang.
The photos today would have shown things like:
Emily meeting her pen pal of four years, Rebecca, who lives in LiJiang
Our team delivering dental equipment that my dad had donated from his practice to dentists who were so over-joyed that tears streamed down their faces
You would have seen the new dental chair purchased by the Rotary Club of Des Moines AM and SCF
The team joining Naxi women for traditional Naxi dancing after our Naxi home lunch - the one where we also have the picture of Emily - as the Honored Guest - eating the fish eye
You would have seen the team doing business with Mr. Kahn - the Bottle Man - as we picked up the bottles we ordered to help support his micro-business
You would have seen the team touring the enhancements to the LiJiang Children's Ethnic Orphanage - our longest standing initiative
Doug and Brad playing basketball with the boys
All of us assessing the negative impact of the significant commercial building just inches away from the living residence's - causing significant damage
The team listening to over 50 Kindergarten children sing to them just before an extended recess - where we introduced the concept of Matchbox cars and everyone enjoyed playtime
A picture of Leslie walking from the K-school hand in hand with the cutest little girl and the biggest smile on both their faces
Dan, Deb, Brad, and Leslie on the roof top of La Mu where the team had dinner in Old Town prior to a brief stroll before calling it a long and good day.
As it is - you will need to use your minds eye - and when I can get things running again - I will send the photos of the day for you to share in the experience with us.
Today we have all been given a lesson in patience - as for the first time in
five trips our plans have changed due to travel delays.
Actually the second time, as the seven landslides in Tibet the last time
were certainly a delay. However, it was more exciting to dig out of mud with
Monks than sit for hours in the only airport in the world that sells NO
beverages.
Everyone has been wonderful and a special compliment to our two seventeen
year old travelers (and Deb) who have made the most of it and been a joy and
motivation for the rest of the team.
Right now the plan and best option is to take an 11:30 pm flight to Kunming
and then fly to LiJiang at 7:30 am and we will be back on schedule.
On the last trip digging through the landslides I set a simple rule - never
travel to China without an ISU engineer. This year, confirmation of the
baseline for our teams - never travel without people who know the language
and how to work within the system.
Our flight from Lhasa has been delayed and it has come to our attention that the photos did not post on the blog so we will attempt again. Sorry to our e-mail useres for getting a second copy.
We have started to talk as a team about blog titles - some ideas for today included "The Smell of Fresh Yak Dung in the Morning," "Words Fail Me'" (never been a problem for me), "Difficult to Describe," or "Half a World Away - But An E-Mail Today." As it is - it was one of those days that you had to be here to understand the magnitude of the experience - so here is my best effort to share it with you.
We are not sure the word or words have been invented to capture the experience.
We are staying at the Yak Hotel and started the day with breakfast on the rooftop that has a view of the
Considering it is rainy season here we were thrilled to see partly cloudy skies for the day as we had planned a trek to visit some nomadic Yak herders to learn more of their culture as well as the challenges and opportunities they face.
So here is the hard part for me – how do you describe trekking in the
Arriving at your first nomad tent you are welcomed in and served a cup of hot sweet tea and potatoes served in a basket – all prepared on a Yak dung fueled fire.
And what do we also find in the tent – but a bottle of Coca-Cola. And while this entire experience seems a world away from the metro area - consider how small our world is and how closely we can be connected - I was able to have my picture taken in a nomad's tent holding a can of Coke and have the picture e-mailed to my friend Kirk Tyler who runs Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling - before I was off the mountain - and he received it immediately.
After visiting a couple of tents we had lunch at about 13,000 feet by a beautiful stream close to the base of the surrounding mountain range. We proceeded back down the mountain and the entire trek took from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. - and we all survived.
We do know that we made it to 13,000 feet; however we do not know the starting point. We really did not care though as we felt that when you get to 13,000 feet it does not really matter at what level you started – you will still gasp for air by the time you get to your destination.
After a quick rest at the hotel we were treated to a Tibetan dinner by our friend who funds the
And finally, we call these expeditions Vision Trips and as I mentioned we balance hands on support of projects with building relationships to further our vision of enhancing the lives of those less fortunate.
The day included a series of meetings with wonderful individuals we have built strong relationships with over time and it appears we will have an opportunity to make some decisions regarding some major projects in this area – a wonderful position for us.
And speaking of relationships and projects, we fly twice tomorrow to get to LiJiang where we have built relationships over the last ten years that have resulted in the opportunity and privilege to partner on significant projects that have made a positive impact on the lives of others. We will be anxious to see our friends and continue our work.
We have started to talk as a team about blog titles - some ideas for today included "The Smell of Fresh Yak Dung in the Morning," "Words Fail Me'" (never been a problem for me), "Difficult to Describe," or "Half a Wold Away - But An E-Mail Today." As it is - it was one of those days that you had to be here to understand the magnitude of the experience - so here is my best effort to share it with you.
We are not sure the word or words have been invented to capture the experience.
We are staying at the Yak Hotel and started the day with breakfast on the rooftop that has a view of the Potala Palace.
Considering it is rainy season here we were thrilled to see partly cloudy skies for the day as we had planned a trek to visit some nomadic Yak herders to learn more of their culture as well as the challenges and opportunities they face.
So here is the hard part for me – how do you describe trekking in the Tibetan Mountains to 13,000 with your daughter and best friends on a glorious sun filled day. And when you were not gasping for air or stunned in silence with the majestic beauty - you found yourself laughing with each other. Walking up narrow paths by a crystal clear stream and then finding yourself in open meadows with wild flowers – and domesticated Yak roaming freely (also resulting in numerous Yak dung piles).
Arriving at your first nomad tent you are welcomed in and served a cup of hot sweet tea and potatoes served in a basket – all prepared on a Yak dung fueled fire.
And what do we also find in the tent – but a bottle of Coca-Cola. And while this entire experience seems a world away from the metro area - consider how small our world is and how closely we can be connected - I was able to have my picture taken in a nomad's tent holding a can of Coke and have the picture e-mailed to my friend Kirk Tyler who runs Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling - before I was off the mountain - and he received it immediately.
After visiting a couple of tents we had lunch at about 13,000 feet by a beautiful stream close to the base of the surrounding mountain range. We proceeded back down the mountain and the entire trek took from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. - and we all survived.
We do know that we made it to 13,000 feet; however we do not know the starting point. We really did not care though as we felt that when you get to 13,000 feet it does not really matter at what level you started – you will still gasp for air by the time you get to your destination.
After a quick rest at the hotel we were treated to a Tibetan dinner by our friend who funds the Lucky Star School. There was traditional Tibetan music after dinner. As a side note – all the members of our team are friends with Penni Kumm and it is her Birthday today – so since we could not call her – we did offer a toast in her honor at dinner. Happy Birthday Penni!
And finally, we call these expeditions Vision Trips and as I mentioned we balance hands on support of projects with building relationships to further our vision of enhancing the lives of those less fortunate.
The day included a series of meetings with wonderful individuals we have built strong relationships with over time and it appears we will have an opportunity to make some decisions regarding some major projects in this area – a wonderful position for us.
And speaking of relationships and projects, we fly twice tomorrow to get to LiJiang where we have built relationships over the last ten years that have resulted in the opportunity and privilege to partner on significant projects that have made a positive impact on the lives of others. We will be anxious to see our friends and continue our work.
Our trips take two major focuses - building relationships and producing results that impact the lives of those less fortunate. You can view our work over time at www.shiningcity.org
Each trip has a balance of hands on efforts to enhance the lives of others - through active project engagement or delivering necessary supplies and equipment.
First though, for these acts to happen, we must developed relationships with people - forming a trusting bond, understanding cultural differences, and finding alignment for common purpose.
Today was a day of significant relationship building.
For many years we have funded education support for those in need. What started as an elementary initiative in one small village has grown to encompass between 250 to 300 youth of all ages. We have also helped two young doctors achieve their dreams - and currently have a third in the process.
Two retired doctors and their families in the metro area made a multi-year commitment to fund the educational needs for Dong Bao several years ago. Dong Bao is now a Class 2 Medical Major at
This afternoon and evening our team spent time with Dong Bao, learning more about his hopes and dreams. We also shared what we know about the great families that are funding his efforts and there is an amazing alignment of ideals. We learned that their support has been an inspirational motivation for Dong Bao to achieve an even higher level of commitment to serve others. I know our time together will result in productive efforts to enhance the lives of others in the future.
More immediately, we continue to build upon a relationship established 3 years ago with a unique entrepreneur who has used profits from his successful carpet industry to found and support the
The school continues to grow and has unmet needs. Several members of the team spent time with him today at a potential new site for the school - and tomorrow we will be visiting some nomadic areas with him to gather a greater understanding of the opportunities ahead while at the same time learning more about the culture and the needs of the youth in these remote mountain areas.
Today (as every day) we also spent time building another set of relationships – those among the team. I believe I can speak for the entire team when I tell you that the varied mix of relationships on this team has enriched not only the individual relationships between father/daughter, husband/wife, and friend/friend - but through those relationships being strengthened our entire team has bonded with new friendships among each other.
Greetings from
Arriving at mid-day we checked into the Yak Hotel and proceeded to the Yak Steak House where the Yak Sizzler was excellent – and most everyone liked the Yak Butter Tea.
We then spent the early afternoon sorting some of the many items we brought for our friends at the
Each child was thrilled to receive a hand stitched quilt thanks to a project coordinated by Norma Rohn and her friends at Stitchn'
And I am sure you all noticed that Dan and Deb Timmons have great joy spreading the Cyclone Nation worldwide.
Dinner consisted of a traditional Tibetan meal that included Yak Tongue, dried Yak, Yak ribs, local vegetables, and a variety of other dishes that most everyone tried. And not to let the Hawkeye fans down - after being serenaded at the dinner with traditional Tibetan beer songs - we returned the favor with the only beer song many of us know - the one we sing after every Hawkeye Victory - In Heaven There Is No Beer.
Thursday will be the first day that we are not on an airplane since we left on Sunday – and we are all looking forward to more activities with our friends in the area.
After arriving at the Des Moines airport just before 5 am on Sunday, August 1 our team arrived on-time in Beijing early afternoon on Monday, August 2.
To adjust to the jet lag we made a dash to experience the Great Wall. Arriving late in the afternoon with an excellent guide we enjoyed the immensity of the Great Wall prior to checking into our overnight hotel.
Today we leave the hotel at 5:30 am and will travel by plane to Kunming where we will connect with our local contacts and then fly to Zhongdian (know as Shangri La) late this evening.
We will keep you posted.
Scott on behalf of the China 2010 Team - AKA The Magnificent Seven
Since I needed to send a note and picture, I thought I should send a picture
of some of the children that we are helping thru the Shining City
Foundation. Also, you can see some of the homemade hats that are being put
to good use.
Enjoy!
Greetings Friends -
This morning our travel team was commissioned at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and Dan Timmons did an excellent job of capturing the essence of our journey before Pastor Burcham and members of the congregation offered a prayer of commissioning. A very special moment.
This should also post to our blog at
http://www.shiningcityfoundation.blogspot.com/, so some might be reading
this update there.
This is essentially our final test to be sure our email distribution system
and blog posting by email are working correctly.
Thanks to you all for your interest and 'upward thoughts' about the trip.
This is Doug Pals writing today. We are not sure which member of our travel
team will be writing during the trip or if we all will take turns. Much will
depend on our ability to find a good Internet connection, etc.
Needless to say, we are all excited to get this adventure started and we are
packing in earnest. Thanks to so many that have provided us hats, clothes,
quilts, books and dental equipment to take with us to deliver to friends -
new and old in China. For some of us (me, Emily and Leslie), this is our
first trip; for others (Scott, Dan & Deb, and Brad) they have been multiple
times. All of us are excited about the new opportunities that we might
discover.
Blessings to all of you! Be watchful for our next update.
This is Doug writing, but I know that Scott, Emily, Brad, Leslie, Deb and
Dan, are all eager to get our trip underway.
This is a test of the "email to blog" publishing.
