Skiing in China

By Prof. John G. Norris

Book to be published, SKIING IN CHINA by John G. Norris. The idea and goal is to reach a broad spectrum of potential buyers by approaching various levels of winter sports federations, National Ski Councils, Equipment manufacturers and distributors, Universities, Government agencies, airlines, tourism agencies, tour companies and groups, book sellers, fraternal organizations libraries, TV talk shows; newspapers and magazines, public speaking engagements.

The current quantum shift in publishing methodology and technique present an opportunity for electronic and digital sales. China is the fastest growing national economy. Public interest is expanding for more firsthand knowledge of' The Middle Kingdom'. This book offers exactly that from direct 'hands-on' day to day experience over a period of 25 years.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jul 31, 2013
• ISBN: 9781483608679

Prof. John G. Norris

John Norris is a modern renaissance man. Writer, explorer, athlete, linguist, historian, scholar of international affairs, oriental studies, geographer, and conservationist. Prof. Norris was the head coach of the National Ski Team of the People’s Republic of China from 1982-1994. He is the founder and CEO of Alaska Arctic Tours. In Tibet, he was a mountain reconnaissance Coordinator. In China, a prof. of English Changchun Teacher’s College and Prof. of English Literature, history and geography of Beijing University. John Norris is fluent in English, French, Swedish, Mandarin Chinese, German, Norwegian and Russian.

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Copyright © 2013 by Prof. John G. Norris.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Rev. date: 07/24/2013

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CONTENTS

DEDICATION

INTRODUCTION

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

CHAPTER I

BEGINNINGS

CHAPTER II

THE XIANG YANG ARSO HOTEL

CHAPTER III

WHICH WAY TO CHENGDU?

CHAPTER IV

ROLLER SKIING IN URUMQI

CHAPTER V

AODILI

CHAPTER VI

MR. WANG SHAO JIAO

CHAPTER VII

TONG HUA

CHAPTER VIII

QUAI ZHANG

CHAPTER IX

MINUS 42°F

CHAPTER X

SU PEI LIANG

CHAPTER XI

JILIN

CHAPTER XII

SONG SHAO GUANG

CHAPTER XIII

FENG MAN DA QING SHAN

CHAPTER XIV

MING NIAN

CHAPTER XV

UNDER THE WEATHER

CHAPTER XVI

FROM NEWFOUNDLAND TO ALGERIA

VIA LOFOTEN ISLANDS

CHAPTER XVII

ORGANIZATIONAL MOBILIZATION

CHAPTER XVIII

VAL D’ISERE

CHAPTER XIX

UNEXPECTED ARRIVAL

CHAPTER XX

TIEN TEN BING WAN

CHAPTER XXI

SONG HUA LAKE

CHAPTER XXII

MAKING A LIVING

CHAPTER XXIII

ZHOU SONG YI AND YANG FE

CHAPTER XXIV

ZHENG ZHAI NING

CHAPTER XXV

ZAI HWEI

EPILOGUE

PROF. JOHN NORRIS

PROFESSOR JOHN G. NORRIS

ORDER OF HIERARCHY

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

EVERYDAY TRAINING & COACHING PROGRAM

7 DAY—INDIVIDUAL PLAN

PHOTOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION SHEET

SUGARLOAD REGIONAL SKI EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

OLYMPIC GAMES

SARAJEVO, YUGOSLAVIA

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my mother and father, my brother Heath and sister Cindy and my daughter, Siri Johanna Norris.

Special thanks to jean Rubly for her fantastic typing experience. Without it, this book would never have been completed. Thanks also to Stefan Svedberg of Tundra Films in Kiruna, Sweden where the final draft was completed in his home. And lastly, thanks to all of my friends in China—the skiers and the coaches—without whom this piece of work would never have begun and thus never have been completed. Thanks to all of you.

A more complete list of the individuals who have helped will be found in the acknowledgements.

INTRODUCTION

The transition of my boy head dreams into what has become a long term study of China and a sporadic living experience within her borders began when I was studying at New England College in the granite state of New Hampshire. Dr. Montford Sayce a professor, of mine, was famous for his Chinese and African seminars and evening dialogues during the winters of 1972-75.

In 1975 I went on to Johns Hopkins School for Advanced Internatioona1 Studies in Washington. D.C.; it was there that I honed my interest in the Far East and resolved to visit China, the then forbidden Middle Kingdom or Zhongguo, as it is known among native citizens.

In 19761 applied and luckily received a job as a research analyst; at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Castle Bulletins. I realized I just couldn’t get to China in the conventional sense at that time. I considered utilizing other institutions and possibly other countries as avenues to the East. The USA was the hegemonist in the eyes of the Chinese; possibly Switzerland or Sweden would be a better starting point for acquiring the necessary visas and permissions. All of my efforts, though global in magnitude, seemed to be in vain from 1976 until early 1978 when, after much debate, the People’s Republic of China was recognized by the U.S. Government. A Chinese Embassy was being set up in Washington, D.C., and our own Embassy was being transferred from Taipei to Beijing. Now, a decade later, I realize that these diplomatic changes made all the difference in allowing my dream to become reality.

In the late 1970’s I read as much regarding China as I could get my hands on. The Wilson Center provided me much inspiration with so many scholars running about in an atmosphere where hundreds of ideas flowed like water. I owe the Wilson Center a great deal and Dr. Wilson Dillon, Director of Symposia, for giving me incentive to try something not yet attained.

Just what was I looking to do? It was more than just going to China to climb a mountain; it was more than the desire to ski in the Middle Kingdom. The basic thrust of my initial goal was friendship, trust, peace and good will between two nations as diverse as the US and mainland China. The realization of this ideals was manifested in my organization of what was to be the aborted International American-Tibetan Expedition (IATE) of 1982.

My story begins during the formative stages of this expeditionary endeavor. When in April 1981, a colleague and I were invited to mainland China to discuss IATE particulars with Chinese government officials.

This was to be my first visit to the People’s Republic of China, and, for the sake of clarity to the reader, serves as an entrance into what was in retrospect a unique, adventurous and remarkable odyssey.

Professor John G. Norris

Carrabassett Valley, Maine

PREFACE

In my parents’ home on the bank of the Penobscot River in Brewer, Maine there is a globe of the world that was given to our family by our maternal grandfather. There is nothing so unusual about it, except that it has raised areas showing the major mountain ranges of the world. As a boy, I would sit and run my fingers over this globe and wonder what it really was like in the Andes, the Rockies, the Atlas, the Pamirs, the Alps, and the Himalayas. I always seemed to concentrate on the Karakorum Mountains because these were the largest rough edges. I can remember asking. Why are these so rough and the others so smooth? My answer was always the same, because these are the largest and highest mountains on earth.

My secret dream was to go there someday. The local library was one of my favorite haunts and it was there I escaped into the world of the Sherpa porter, Alpinist, Lama, and Yak driver. Nepal, Ladakh, and Tibet with such heights and lofty. peaks, made my mouth water in anticipation. The land of China itself drew my attention like a magnet. What was it all like?

Thirty years have now passed since I first saw the globe on Christmas morning, 1958. Many of my questions have now been answered as to, what is it like in those far pavilions? The more one finds out, the more eager one becomes if one is seriously interested. Throughout my university years and work at the Smithsonian Institution, China was always on my mind, whether it be learning about her political motives, the language, modes of dress and behavior, various types of Chinese cuisines, and the possibility of Skiing?. China certainly has high enough mountains. Did they ski there, and if so, where?

I have been skiing since I was two years old. At Bald Mountain in Dedham, Maine a small rope tow existed during my childhood. It was there on the Red Trail that I learned the basics of skiing. At our family chalet below Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, many of my dreams and aspirations have been conjured up. It was in that lovely area where I learned to perfect my own skiing style, the basics of ski competition, ski coaching, and ski instructing.

Over the past two decades I have skied in many countries around the world; in the back of my mind a plan gradually formulated to work in China, hopefully teaching, and to find out about the reality of skiing in China. Skiing for me, stated quite simply, is like exploring; it has become my other way of life.

The following story reveals how I became the first westerner to truly ski in the People’s Republic of China. The story relates the manner in which I was asked and then allowed to create and train the first Chinese National and Olympic Ski Team. Through this experience, I was able to develop and foster a new mode of international cooperation for peace, goodwill, friendship, and business between China and many other countries of the western world; I call this Skiing Diplomacy.

Professor John G. Norris

Carrabassett Valley, Maine

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Such a vast undertaking requires the financial, diplomatic, moral and honest help of literally hundreds of people from all walks of life around the globe. I have tried to list by country all of those responsible people who have assisted me in one way or another. A million thanks to all of you who helped to make it happen.

USA

Bob and Dawn Thompson, Barney Thompson, Peter Thompson. Merle and Gertrude Bowden Big Bowser Bowden John T., Harry Keiser, Carrol Skip Stanley, Nancy Warren, Scott Warren, Paula Kagan, Danny Kagan, Wes Chapman, John G. Chapman, Hi Boy David Chapman, Bob Cram, Mary Winter, Drun & John Milan, Ken Niznik, David Niznik, and Stephanie Niznik, Gilbert and Dagrun Gaudet, Zelma Soper, Don Soper, Bangor ME Public Library Staff, Mrs. White and Mrs. Torrey, Head Librarian Robert Woodward, Masonic Lodge St. Andrews No. 89 members, Prof. James Vickery, Brewer ME Post Office Staff, Brewer ME United Parcel Service Office, Barbara and Dudley Utterback, Albert Washburn, Frank Woodard, Craig and Steve Woodard, Christine Kane, Sabrina O’Donnell, Bruce Soulas, Polly Pollard, John Winn, The Blues Prophets, JB Hutto, Peter and Valerie Howard, Bruce Hadley, Doug Viles, Elizabeth Dieckerhoff, Dee Z. Watson, Lillian Williams, April Wiehn, Paul Cox, Pauline and Bucky Cox, Carolyn Harland, Shirley Palmer and family, Harry Palmer Sr., Marguerite Laroux Robicheaux, Erika America, Sarah Cavanagh, Erwin Targett Sr. And Ann Targett, Dennis LOJO Lojas and Linda Lojas, David Field, Earl & Connie McIntosh and family, Phil Wyman, Elwood ‘Woody’ Chesley, Sheralynn Simpson, Donna& John Drew Betz, Emily and Larry Liebert, Doug Kroll, Raino Ross, Ruth Dennett, Tim Farrell, Dottie Pierce, Tiger Bragdon, Eddie & Annie Zanka, Donald & Ma. Anderson and family, Karl Anderson, Phyllis Wendy Locks, Lisa Morgan, John and Georgie Morgan, Jane McKay, Dan McKay, Dr. Michael Wiedman, Dr. Wilton Dillon, Bob Guyer and Halsey Beemer, Jay Taylor and Betsey Taylor, Ambassador to China Arthur Hummel, Bradley Martin, Herb Hartman, Ernie Sink, Tod Sink and Jimmy Sink, Betsy and Clifton Sink, Jo Ann Andrews, Skip Hammond, Bruce and Kathy Miles, Peter and Delinda Smith, Eric Anderson and Dr. Geraldine Snyder, Ann Brackett Beck, Chop Kiralis, Norbert Henkl, Frank & Ed Rogers, Kay and Almo Nickerson, Dr. Steven Plotkin, Gary Wentz, Tesse Wentz, Molly McGinn, Jay, Sue and Katie Moody, Herbie Brooks, Katherine T. Stoddard, Bill & Ginny Bousam, Mike Broffman, Ken Hanley, Don Ryan, Nim How, Ann Chow, Patty Chow, David Godfrey, Marsha MacDonald Godfrey, AMF HEAD Ski Co. Gary Kiedaisch and family, Chip Carey, Frank Reed, Mike and Linda Corcoran, Tom Hilderth, John Diller, Marian Messenger, Ann Hobbs, Kathleen Scribner, Paul Boucher, Jim and Elaine Poitras, Betty Tobias, Wendy Lamont, Robert Henry Hanover, Chinese Embassy, Eileen Wojcieszak, Jeff Bennett, Peter Neumann, Dave Gould, Jan Craig, Mariette Wilbur, Nancy White, Heidi Niidas, Ginney Manuel, Wanda Plumer, Les Stevens, Mark Muwatt, Mike Bridges, Rick George, Bill & Mara Wax, Sarah ******, Donna Mackenna, Judy Sullivan, Tracey Silliker, Clair Nicholson, Elizabeth Lennox, Manan Tree, Tony Perez, Bill & Virginia Whitesides, Matt Waddle and Mike Waddle, Stratton-Eustis Lion’s Club, District 41 I, Arthur Williams, Beau Gatchell, Dick LaRochelle, Ken Lerned, Rodney Palmer, Roy Strunk, Apple Baker, John Sjögren, Jo Sylvester, Dot Lloyd, George Glidden and LouAnn, Tom Falt, Hazen MacMullen, Kässbohrer N. America, Tony Perez, Betty and Les Papier, Dick Ayotte. Atomic Ski N. America, Frank Hurt and Jim Wilfong, Salomon N. America, Fred Clough, Bob Hall, and Jim Schaffner and Karey Schaffner, Jarvinen N. America, Ron Tarmy and Tom Finnegan. Steven Scholten, Conny Stig Falk, Scott Walker, Raymond and Ida Nadeau, Sue Liebenspurger, Dan Miller, Warren Witherall, Mike Gammon, Bill Holstein, United Press International, John Broder, Chicago Tribune, Expedition Research Inc., Gordon Clapp Travel Inc. Dick Keenan, Keenan Auction Co., Senator William Cohen, Don Fowler Esq., and Nancy Fowler, Dick and Sonny Jackman, Debbie Titcomb, Cathy Parita, Peter Pilofian, Clint Lyons, Tartt Bell, Larry Pope, Jane Otto, Howard Smith, Sugarloaf Irregular, Tony DePaul, Bangor Daily News, Jeannie Christie, Ellsworth American, Joan Ann Kaufman, United Nation, Barbara and Mike Ross, United Press International, Jim Barry, Jackson Hole Guide, Jeff Keith, Tandem Press Publishers, Bob Jewell, Miff Lauriat, Ed & Sylvie Babcock, Hannah Babcock, Lewis Hoskins, Jeff Bader, Jim Colado, American Express Office, Louis Reichardt and Dave Mahre, Pan Am, N.W. Orient, Dr. Stole, Dr. Mike Wiedman

Special thanks to:

John and David Ralfe

Barbara Miller

Skiing Magazine

Nicholas Howe & Al Greenberg

Martha Ayotte

Larry Warren

John Bushell and Fran Ryan

Barbara Niznik

Charles Milan

Jack Warren

Irving Kagan

Dave Guernsey

Keith Hand

Janet Brown

Marcel and Deb Nadeau

Nana Norris

Grandmother Guynn

Uncle & Jimmie Morse

Cinderella Norris

Heath Norris

John M. Norris II and Nancy Norris

CANADA

Jo Anne Fillion, Werngard Bednarsky, Julie Cameron, (Air CANADA) Mr. and Mrs. James Cowan Q.C., Mr. and Mrs. George Caines Esq., Q.C., Elaine Sheehan and family, Raymond Vallee, Leo Chounard, Mrs. Henri Bolduc, Bain Alexander, Lorraine Thomas, Thomas Amusements, Lars Polsson, Bill and Lorna LeMoine, Handy Andy Store, Botwood, Newfoundland, Reg and Gwen Woolfrey, Cornerbrook Lion’s Club, Charlie Green and Mrs. Green, Tana Gree, Terry Jaines, Roy Foster and family, Steve Podborsky and Chris Kent. Robin MacLeash, Mary Osborne, Linda Aisenberg and Special thanks to:

Michelle Yates Woolfrey

HOLLAND

Ellen Van der Schoor

GREAT BRITAIN

Martyn Hedley, Conrad Bartelsky, Jane Morrisey, British Freestyle Ski Team, Air Canada, Rank Xerox, Dr. Leon and family, New Castle on Tyne

Special thanks to:

Steven Dawson and

James Dawson F.C.I.B.

Richard Ravensdale, Fellow Royal Geographic Society

NEW ZEALAND

Graeme Cooper, Arthur Ellis Ltd.

AUSTRALIA

Val Horniman, Robert Nylander

Baudet Sisters

FRANCE

Dominique Dostert, French Embassy in China, Sartin, Robert, Andree and family, Saloman France Inc. Jean Rene Belliard, Peter Hankey, Martin Chilver-Stainer, Patrick Cousty-Cousty International, Pascals and Patricia, Rossignol France, Richard Prothett, Jimmie Smith (cousin)

ALGERIA

Kadir Afif

ITALY

Charlotte Brunner, Reinhold Mersner, Tite Toqui, Manuela Pizzinni and family, Marcio Cravatto, Cervinia Ski Station, Sondra Bosco, Kassbolver Italia, Sergio Parcualinui, Stikteriach and personnel, Benito Gozzarassa and Hour Cristalla, Otto Andergossen

SWITZERLAND

Special thanks to Claire Mairedez, Valerie Nafy, Dimitri Garmaise, Patricia Ducommun, Roger Ducommun, Garmaise family and Bernard Garmaise ph, Erwin Wenger, Marc Hodler, Serge Lang, Sylvain Saudan, Zermatt Ski Station and personnel, Raichle Inc., Roland Eilenbrack and Dr. Ruggi, Swissair, Hering Weryer and Sonya Sutjer.

AUSTRIA

Peter Habeler, Rosemarie Buchegger and family, Stefan Shae, Nrobert Uitz, Köflach Inc., Johann Fritz and Renate Fritz, Helmut Putts, Dynafit Inc., Martin Elsner and Ernst Kopp. Special thanks to Kronen Zeitung, Grete Harzl and family, Head Ski, Peter Stayl and Gary Kiedarich and family.

WEST GERMANY

Gisela Moll and family, Jutta Plum and family, Mira Schonauer and family, Bettina Rosin, Continentale Produktion Gesellschaft-Hamburg, Dr, Peter Scheibert, Marburg Univ, Dr. Hand Peter Schwartz, Univ. Of Köln, Lufthansa, Erbacher Ski, Barbara Dieman, Ulla Muller sturm, Sylvia Selig.

Special thanks to:

Karl Kässbohrer Fahrzuegwerke, Ulm/Donau and Erwin Wieland, Dieter Grouling, Wolfgang Frommer, Kurt Preuss, Karl Kessler

Denmark

Special thanks to Hand Jacob Kaldhob Jemsen, Judith Jensen and family, Holsted, Denmark, S.A.S. Airlines

Finland

Riisto Järvinen, and Järvinen Ski

Norway

Ivar Arntzen and family, Anne Brit Westnerheim, Anne Eskild Jacobsen, Tone Hjemdahl and Hjemdahl family, crew of Polarlys-Hurtigruta coastal boat, Eric Håker, Elizabeth Blyberg, Nils Ola Skuset and family, Albert Bjornsund and family, Bjorn Bjornsund and Albert A. Bjornsund, Willy Brandt, Jonas Falck and family, Siv Falck, Liv and Odd Hansen, Eddna Taraldson and Oddbjorg Taraldson, Anne Reed Larsson and Siri Anne Falck, Bjorn Steffansson and Steffan Steffansson, Helena Jellestad, Kirsti Johnsnen, S.A.S. Airlines, Fremover Newspaper in Narvik.

Special thanks to Lyder and Eva Bostad, Rognhild Bostad and Terje Dahl.

Sweden

Dr. Nih Suvvrearsan adn Pal Einaessai, S.A.S. Airlines, Orje and Ulla Bager-Sjögren, Stockholm Ethnografsika Museet, Raberg family, Bo Sommerström, Gedrun Hegardt, PK Finans, Anne-Christina, Charlotte Von Essen, Nordbok and Turlough Johnston, Högskolan in Östersund, Leif Arronnsson and Lars Arronnsson, Ronald Crawford Currie, Lennart Kjellin, Annike Semb, Tony Koning, Svenske Turistforenigen, Norrbotens Kuriren, Patrick Persson, Nils Persson and family, Mona Marklund, Dagens Nyheter, Goran Leijonhufud, Chinese Embassy in Stockholm, Sia Wedin and Östersunds Posten, Maria Carllsson, Uffe Johanssenn, Goran Gennve, Åke Hedlund, Frans and Agnes Fischer, Eva Svård and Eva Hellburg , ASG and Stig Nillsson, Swedish Customs, Stig Lundqvist, Swedish Lit and Arruc, Tomas Feurst, Ulla Nordlinder, Monika Oldmark, Åre-Duved Ski Areas and Raymundsberget Ski Area, SJ Reisebyra, JOFA and Edsbyn Ski Co., Björn Grönli, Klaes and Maria Brunnhägge, Klaes Brunnander, Torgni Ridderberg.

Special thanks to Amalie and Lillemore Klingspor and the Klingspor family, Tryggve and Ingrid Ridderberg, Maria Mia Ridderberg, Mats Soderland.

Extra special thanks to Katarina and Ulla Ridderberg.

JAPAN

Descente Inc. and Yoship Yao, Ski Journal, Munekazu Tokimi, Tsutomu Ueda, Kawanishi Inc.

People’s Republic of China

Yu Fei, Wang Shao Jiao, Song Zhaorong, Xian Jao Jen, Pang zhi ji, Han tong yuan, Shan tong zhen, Mr. Zhang and Mr. Yu of Tong Hua City, Yang Fei, Li Bin Tau, Chen Xing bang, Song Shau guang, Chengdu Radio Engineering Institute, Chen Yung, Feng Dou, Miss Yao, Miss Chen, Pres. Wang Jia Gang, Li Chen Li, Wu Ming, Mr. Shu, Weng fu Zhou, Zheng Zhi ning, Xi Guan Guest house and personnel, Tian Tan Hotel and personnel, American Embassy in Beijing, Jay Taylor and Jeff Bader.

Special thanks to Uncle Chou Li Poo and Zhou song yi, Chinese Mountaineering Association, Chinese Foreign Ministry, 4th machine Ministry, All China Sports Federation, Chinese Ski Association, Chinese Ministry of Agriculture, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Sports Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sports Research, Chinese National State Council for Sports and Physical culture, Chinese Dept. of Transportation, CAAC Airlines, Zhou Wen Xiong, Lin Xiu and all of the Chinese skiers whom I helped to improve who became my dear friends.

GUAM

The Honorable Jerry K.L. Chen

CHAPTER I

BEGINNINGS

Bob Thompson had worked many long and cold hours on the North Slope oilfield of Alaska for Directional Drilling as a mud logger. In the dark nights that bless that frozen land he would dream up ideas of foreign travel to while away the hours. Naturally I was surprised when I received one of his many letters expressing an interest to climb one of five different peaks in the Chinese Himalaya. Be asked what would be the easiest way to go about acquiring information on the possibility of getting to China in the first place. I wrote back saying that my negotiations with the Chinese Embassy in regard to the International American-Tibetan Expedition of 1982 might hopefully come to fruition, and that inclusion or a mountaineering ascent was perhaps viable. Little did he know that within a five month time period we would be flying over the barren waste where his idea was created, en route to Beijing via Tokyo.

Permission had been granted by the All China Sports Federation for us to scale Mount Molamenqen, which rose to a height of 7,703 meters. We were requested to visit this organization in Beijing to iron out the necessary details and logistics.

Our flight passed without incident until we met Ann and Patty Chow of Fort Scott, Kansas. They were flying to Beijing to visit Ann’s brother-in-law, Uncle Jo Lee Pu. Little did Patty or Ann know that Bob and I were one week early arriving at the Beijing Airport. We had no place to stay, so I began to think that if we could possibly build a friendship with these two lovely individuals, maybe they could help us. Eventually we reboarded the aircraft after having our visas and passports checked twice by the Japanese authorities and the plane departed for mainland China.

Two and a half hours passed and I had fallen asleep. All of a sudden the Captain’s voice came over the loudspeaker: Ladies and Gentlemens, arriving in Beijing in approximately twenty minutes. This caused me to sit up and take notice. One of my dreams was at last coming true. As we flew low in over the villages outlying Beijing, I noticed gas lamps and flickering lights, but off in the distance an extremely bright light seemed to shine out amongst all the others. It must have been Xiang An Men Square, the largest square in the world, which is almost one hundred acres.

The plane landed. Bob and I were extremely elcited as was Patty Chow. Her mother Ann had been here before so she was more or less an old China hand. We went through the formalities of deplaning, gathering our luggage and having our visas checked. My apprehensions of arriving in China were lessened by the fact that everyone seemed to be smiling. Yes, we were foreigners, but they all seemed to welcome us in. I wondered if it was in hopes that we would spend a lot of our. money, or whether they were just really curious about our thoughts, where we came from, and the way we live. Needless to say, we were all exhausted. We crossed through the bagagge claim, waited an hour for our bag and then proceeded out into the airport foyer. There were hundreds of Chinese standing around, some with flags, some with posters, some with cards upon which were written Chinese characters and names in English. Obviously, these must have been escorts to meet invited guests or experts in various fields of study or academics, and these were people coming from their respective communal work units, or Danwei, to meet the disembarking individuals.

All of a sudden a cry went up, and a small man with thick coke-bottle-bottom bifocals emerged from the crowd with tears streaming down his face. Uncle Pu, Uncle Pu! Ann said, and he proceeded to live everyone a hug. Ann introduced us. This is Bob Thompson and Professor John Norris. They are traveling with us. Oh, that’s very fine. said Uncle Pu. I have a car waiting. Just come and being your bags at once. We left the airport and all its activity and bright lights and proceeded on a very narrow two-lane road. I soon realized that the airport was set a very long way from the city. This was in order to keep unnecessary individuals away from the airport. Our driver honked his horn incessantly, and nearly ran over bicyclists, mules and donkeys pulling carts carrying every imaginable sort of commodity. He nearly ran over one woman and rolled down his window to mutter some curse in Chinese. Even though this was a bit scary for us, we were too excited to have taken in its actual impact, if something had happened. We were sitting on the edge of our seats with our eyes wide open, even though we had been awake for twenty-two hours. I in fact was surprised by all the activity going on at such a late hour of the night.

Uncle Pu was filled with questions. What was life like in America now? How did we make a living? Why were we in China? Naturally, he was curious about us because Ann had not written beforehand that we would be travelling with her. I had learned that Chinese custom dictated that certain things must be organized and set up, and that once your plan was made, it was very, very difficult to change that plan; so I told him that we were here negotiating for a mountaineering expedition with the Chinese Mountaineering Association. We continued up a very wide street which I now know was Chiang An Men Boulevard. It is one of the busiest streets in all of Beijing. Ann had said to Uncle Pu, Well, what do you have in mind for us? He said, I’m going to take you to Overseas Chinese Hotel. Cost of room, two dollars a night, per person. Bob and I looked at each other, smiling; anything to save money, we thought.

We pulled in to the driveway of the Xiang Yana Arso Hotel. Here a car guard stood by the car, and our taxi-driver waited. We went into the lobby, and there were lots of Chinese milling about. Very few foreigners had stayed in this hotel. I noticed one man selling post-cards and another selling candied azarolas. I came to know that they are a famous Chinese delicacy, a snack sort of like a crabapple dipped ill molten molasses, then left to solidify. People were running about gesticulating and waving. Most of them wore green or blue shirts or Army fatigues, and a few hotel workers wore white shirts with their number written in Chinese. Uncle Pu approached a man. I remember distinctly that he was number 113, and started muttering something in Chinese. He immediately took us in to visit another man dressed all in blue with a blue cap and glasses. This man leaned over a large ledger. He looked up and nodded at Uncle Pu, and Uncle Pu beckoned us into the room. My curiosity knew no bounds, and I followed. Uncle Pu gesticulated to us to come closer. Passports please, Uncle Pu said. The man took them and began shaking his head. Meyo, meyo, he said, which I came to learn meant no way, not now, no room. Then began an argument in earnest, which I came to know is always the case in Chin—that comes to those which deserve it. They argued, gesticulating back and forth—not really yelling at each other, but making their points. Uncle Pu eventually won out. We found out later in the course of this first visit to Beijing that Uncle Pu had been a very senior engineer working directly with Mr. Chou En-Lai building bridges and other structural necessities in North Korea and North Vietnam.

Our bags were carried up to our room, Number 8, which was a simple cement block style apartment with a green rug on the floor, a glass topped table, armchairs with antimacassars, and two thermoses full of hot water. The toilet and showers were down the hall. This hotel was seventeen stories high and was reserved strictly for overseas Chinese. Uncle Pu said, "Please come down after you have a brief rest, and we will