The Road to
China
Adventures of a
Photographer Turned English Teacher
In
August, 2003 I made arrangements to teach English in China, but
when I got there, there was no job. So begins a very
interesting six-month stay in Beijing, and I have been keeping a
weblog ('blog' for short) of my adventures here. Within
these pages you'll hear stories of college life, the move to a
market economy, corruption, burnout, mobsters, government as
benevolent parent, the surprising gravitation to all things
Western, and the tribulations of a foreigner trying to start a new
business. (Oh, yes, and the experiences of a newbie teaching
English in a foreign land!) You are also introduced to some
of my students, who in their own words talk about their lives,
aspirations, and frustrations.
As one might expect I have been
taking a gazillion pictures, many of which have been interspersed
within the text of my weblog, and I hope they will add to the
flavor of my experiences here. (If you just want to see the
pictures, click here
for the photo gallery. But as some have attested to
below, the 'blog is an informative and entertaining
read!)
If you don't have a lot of time and
want to read one chapter to get a feel for this story, try reading
Chapter 10.
Read on for the Table of Contents
below to begin your journey.
My China blog is now available in
printed form! You can continue reading the entire story
below, or you can order the complete story in a
much-more-convenient book form! Available as a
downloadable .pdf file, or as a
hardcopy in either Color or B&W.
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Here's what others have been saying
about The Road to China weblog:
"Wow! I really love the
way you write. A real page-scroller. Your story is
remarkable and memorable. It will have a place of its own in the
hearts and minds of those it touches."
- DR Rawson
"You're truly one
of the the most amazing people I know; I'm not sure I would have
gotten on the plane after the e-mails you received. I look
forward to more, more, more!"
- Dr. Brian Grossman
"Well Gary, compared to your adventures my life is pretty
boring."
- Nancy Gross Dispenza
"The thing that
strikes me is that you are an American in China, and seem to be
having the time of your life. How you can appreciate your
apartment that much is amazing. But I guess that's Gary
Friedman. Always able to see the value where others
cannot. I think 99 percent of Americans would feel absolutely
displaced, and panicked to be in your position right now. You
intentionally dove head first into the situation and it is a
complete success. This is stuff books are often made
of. This is an American/Chinese version of 'Dances with
Wolves'."
- Mike
Cole
"I cannot tell
you enough how much I loved reading about your adventures! I
found it to be not only informative but extremely
fascinating. The story about Mr. Carr and your friend
frightened me a bit, but in all you have provided me with a wealth
of knowledge."
- Erin Slaten
"The last photo
is a scream. AHHHHHHHH!"
- Sheila Clapkin
"Your
photos are so nice, so poetic, so real. I just live and dream
a moment on each picture. A Chinese friend who lives in Changsa told me that you
catch the real aspect of China. Thank you for the deep
quality of your pics, like an essential painting, it is just
beautiful and makes us dream."
- Hugues Hennia
[Y]our images
from the china trip are fantastic. Your self-editing is superb, and
your choice of compositions is dead-on IMHO. I love the
fireworks and boats shot.... but it's one of
many.
-Dan Heller (www.danheller.com)
You are truly a Jack of
All Trades and Master of Them All. I cannot begin to tell you what
a great website you have, with all the interesting stories and
photos, particularly of China. I am sure the contributions
you have made to the Chinese people during your stay have added
another chapter to their modernization. Best wishes to you
and Carol.
-Peter Ho
TABLE OF CONTENTS -
Click on any Chapter title below.
"Yours Truly, Gary
Friedman"
Gary@FriedmanArchives.com
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Hey, I wasn't
kidding! Why spend so many hours in front of a computer
screen when you can read a nice, comfortable book? The author
says "Buy the color version; even though it's more expensive the
impact of the pictures is preserved!" Click here to buy a
copy in
color
or
B&W,
or
download a full-color .pdf fle here.
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