This is Ma Chiang (Mark) a hand builder who visited my shop last year and shepherded me most of the trip.


This is Song Qing (Christie) who set the trip up for me and was with me 1/3 the time.


The previous 2 pics (and this one) are in Fang Ren Jun's (RJ Fang, pictured below) shop in Beijing.
He organized the Symposium and paid my way. I forgot my camera and used my iPhone instead, which is a pity, though better than nothing.


We visited Tien Anmin square, my one bow to tourism.


I found the alley across the street from the swuare pretty authentic.

Ma Chiang took me to visit his (and his parents) home and shop.


His mother's garden was extremely impressive.


There was an alley behind my modern hotel where people lived, worked, and ate. I tried the food with the help of my interpreter of the moment, Mark2. This BBQ meal was a high point for me.



Gotta try the Peking Duck in Beijing.

And the Mandarin fish.


In this Restaurant in Beijing's Opera District.

---

Rode the train to Shanghai.


Off to a new 5 star hotel in Shanghai. Check out the scale of this place!


My room.




Welcome to ShanghI guitar Symposium Dinner.


First teacher's first class. He builds modern double top classicals.


2nd teacher's class. He is from Seoul, Korea, and also needed and interpreter.


Someone may send me a picture of (3rd teacher) my class in session, but it hasn't happened yet. This is the class picture.

The music store class venue.

---

A more modest hotel for the duration of my stay on my own dime.





Famous in China?


We ate food every day 3 times. Here's some Tofu.

It was relatively easy to order as the menus were almost invariably pictoral.

This is NOT food. Despite the bad press, dogs are common at the end of a leash, and rare (not medium rare) on the menu.


Here are some China Music Show shots.

Ukes may be small, but they are BIG in China.


I had a Uke in our booth, but failed to get a picture of it!

I also had an "artifact" guitar in the booth, and many were impressed, though the price which was absurd by Chinese standards.
This photo is not posed.


Traditional music is alive and well in China.

Snakes are doing less well.


I have for years been selling the violins of Tian Li, whom I had not met till now.


Lily wants me to buy her violins (she didn't make them) too. Probably won't at this time, though.

Took a walk in the park across from my hotel on the final day.

Sunset in Shanghai.


Thanks to all of you who made my China trip absolutely wonderful. There was not a single dull or unduly awkward moment to be had.