The greatness of a country can be seen in the living conditions of the poor and the greatness of a person can be seen in ones relationships with poor people.
~... David Ellsworth

Currently in Kelowna, BC, Canada

Next planned visit to China booked from 24 March till 15 May, 2012, with a visit to North Korea 10 - 19 April.

2011 Travels:

I have deleted my Facebook account. My sense of social unity is offended by the socially divisive and antagonistic practices promoted for its use.

2010/05/10-11
Attended Google I-O 2011 in San Francisco.

2010
Arrived Kelowna, British Columbia, 26 December.

I'm now back in Kelowna, Canada, following a three month journey of exploration in China. I had planned on staying for four months but circumstances complicating the renewal of my visa conspired to change my mind and I returned a month early. This greatly pleased my wife. I visited Shanghai, Nanjing, Dafeng, Shaoxing, Xining, Chengdu, and Nanning to observe the state of development and activity.

Although the western cities are a few years behind the developments in the east the people are actively engaged in modernizing everywhere. The level of English use in Chengdu and Xining is much less than in the cities of central and eastern China but it is easy to find people in Nanning who enjoy communicating in English with foreigners.

I spent a few days in Nanning searching for an apartment to buy but was unable to locate anything that had comfortably sized kitchen and bathroom. Even high-end luxury apartments of more than 100 square meters had a bathroom the size of a broom closet and a kitchen the size of a small bathroom. It seems foolish to me to buy anything so important and expensive as a home that isn't going to be convenient for dealing with the chores of everyday living. Obviously from a Canadian point of view there is an opportunity in the construction field for a more comfortable design of homes in China. I'm sure that most people could adjust to having more space in bathrooms and kitchens rather than just in the living rooms and bedrooms.

Was in Shanghai 26 December.
Was in Nanjing, Jiangsu, 23 - 26 December.
Was in Nanning, Guangxi, 5 - 22 December.
Was in Chengdu, Sichuan, 15 November - 3 December.
Was in Xining, Qinghai, 29 October to 14 November.
Was in Shanghai 26 - 27 October.
Was in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, 24 - 26 October.
Was in Nanjing, Jiangsu, 4 - 24 October.
Was in Shanghai 29 September - 4 October.
Arrived in China 29 September.

Returned to Kelowna: 25 January, 2011.
See Activities for more information.

Active in promoting improvement of Sino-North America relationships.

Total time spent living in China: more than 4 years.

Member: Korean Friendship Association