Sunsets for the end of 2008

I have picked out several sunsets I have taken traveling here and there as a metaphor for the end of 2008. This was taken in Puerto Rico. I don't think I ever saw a sunset this color before.
These next two were taken in Kauai, Hawaii outside our Sheraton Hotel room.

This was taken at the southern end of Lake Malawi near Mangochi, Malawi.
When in Bali, Indonesia, sunsets and be viewed at Jimbaron Beach while dining on the sand. These two photos were taken on different trips.

Some of the most dramatic sunsets I found on Lombak Island, Indonesia at the Oberi Hotel near the small village of Tanjung. The first one below is looking at the island of Bali. The infinity pool at the Oberi gave this shot an added dimension.
I think this is my favorite although I really like the one above. This was taken at Senggigi Beach on Lombak.

A Short Lesson in World Economics

One of my blog's links is to DanWei.org which provides some interesting news in China. As you might expect, China holds some fascination to me as I have been a frequent visitor to many, many areas of the country.

When Judith and I go for one of our many foot massages, our masseuses who like to practice their English, usually ask us if this is our first time to China. Then we rattle off all the places we have been (it's good practice for longer term memory) and are always impressed. Most Chinese will never see their own country as we have seen it.

Everywhere is China we see construction cranes hovering over cities like giant condors, making the concept of a city skyline having its own beauty rather disturbing. Then there is the considerable air pollution caused by industry, cars/trucks, and geographic conditions. We see people everywhere aggressively trying to sell us something hoping we have no concept of how to effectively bargain the price down to what a Chinese person would expect to pay. We witness hundreds of thousands of small shops (mostly dirty, poorly stocked and in general unattractive). The people who sit idly by eke out a subsistence living causing me to wonder what happens when the K-Marts of China rise from the enterprising fervor driving the creation of hundreds of Chinese millionaires.

So I start to think and read about how China gathers the resources to make all this credible economic expansion continue and the impact it makes and will make in the future. When will China address its environmental problems? How much increased economic freedoms will lead to human rights freedoms?

But here is something I am sure of. China and the United States are married economically and will continue to be in the future, which is a lot better than each leading the single life.

I ran across this YouTube interview from Hans Rosling, Swedish World Health professor, about China. It is very good. Who do you suppose is going to provide the economic support for the bail outs there are/will take place in the United States?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzHRCuT5eDQ

And check out his blog at roslingsblogger.blogspot.com

These should expand some brain cells.

Favorite Photos in No Particular Order

I couldn't believe my eyes at first, but this elephant painted this picture in Chang Mae, Thailand.This photo was taken from a helicopter showing the "back" side of Kauai, Hawaii. The Potala in Lhasa, Tibet. The blueness of the sky at an altitude of 13,500 feet has to be experienced. The Potala was the cultural and governmental center of the Dali Lamas. A journey through it will give you a thorough understanding of the smell of burning yak butter. Tienanmen Square pre-dawn waiting for the flag raising ceremony, with the Forbidden City beyond. Latter that day the earthquake in Sichuan Provence killed 80,000 people.The photo shows the barren landscape of one of the poorest countries in the world, Lesotho, and a family dwelling made of rock and sheep dung. The women and their children come together while their men are off somewhere.
Looking at Columbus Circle in New York City from inside the CNN building.