Turning East

To access a post or link, please click the publication date, given directly after the title,  on the column at the right. The interview occurred during the year in parentheses.

China

Asking Questions of Chinese Women–March 12, 2012 (interview in 1989). Research on the status of women in China.

“Mafan” or Chinese Hassles–February 27 (interviews in 1986). These are two stories about bizarre, everyday happenings in China.

In the Mongolian Grasslands–December 10, 2011 (interview in 1986). An Australian student of Chinese talks about traveling in minority and off-limits areas of China.

On the Court in Xiamen, China–November 27, 2011 (interviews in 1986). Two tall foreign students talk about playing basketball on university teams.

Finding Contentment in Mainland China–September 16, 2011 (interview in 2011). A Canadian talks about what he found in China that could not be found at home

Last Days in China, Parts 1 and 2–August 17 and September 9, 2011 (interview in 1990). The 1989 pro-democracy movement as seen by a student of Sino-American relations.

An Englishman in the People’s Republic, Parts 1-3–April 23, May 17 and 24, 2011 (interview in 1986). An international student on the emotional strain of living in China plus problems getting medical treatment.

Mother and Musician, Parts 1 and 2–March 18 and 26, 2011 (interview in 1986).  Interacting with the Chinese as the mother of a white baby plus performing American folk music in China.

At the Friendship Hotel–August 28, 2010 (interview in 1986). Living in Beijing in 1979-80, directly after the Cultural Revolution

The Traveling Economist, Parts 1 and 2–August 8 and 14, 2010 (interview in 1986). Observations on business, the black market and assorted thieving.

First Year, Second Year–July 24, 2010. My own experience teaching at Xiamen University in 1984-86

The Second Journey into Tibet–March 17, 2010 (interview in 1986).  A long journey on the back of a truck with 23 Tibetans.

The Last Contract–March 4, 2010 (interview in 1986). The frustrations of doing business in China.

A Monk’s Tale—January 5, 2010 (interview in 1986). The experience of a Englishman who became a Buddhist monk in Hong Kong.

In a Chinese “Model Village”—December 17, 2009.  A look at a village under the new Responsibility System in 1986.

In Xinjiang on the Old Silk Road—September 28, 2009 (interview in 1986). Traveling in western China in an area off-limits to foreigners.

In and around a Chinese Shipyard—September 15, 2009 (interview in 1985). Cultural problems when building luxury yachts in China.

Robert’s Appendix—August 26, 2009 (interview in 1985). Having a ruptured appendix removed under local anesthesia,

A Walk in a Chinese Port Town—August 19, 2009. A photo essay of Xiamen, Fujian in 1985

At a Village Wedding—August 5, 2009 (interview in 1986). Traveling to and observing a village wedding in the north of China.

Japan

My First Japanese Family–January 17, 2012 (interview in 2011). An American woman describes the extended family of her first Japanese husband.

A Question of Trust in Japan–April 4, 2011 (interview in 2011). The hazards of doing a computer programming business in Japan.

Japanese-style Meditation Practice–February 13, 2012 (interview in 2005). Meditation outside San Francisco.

Korea

A South Korean Prisoner of Conscience–January 31, 2012 (interview 2011). A university student’s experience with 18 months in prison following a anti-government demonstration.

Listening to Famine in North Korea–December 21, 2011 (interview 2011). Research based on interviews of North Korean famine survivors now living in South Korea and Japan.

In the Bathhouse–November 12, 2011 (interview in 1989). A young Englishwoman describes her experience in a traditional Korean bathhouse.

Looking Back, Parts 1, and 3–September 29 and October 14, 2011 (interview in 2007). Korea around the assassination of Park Chung-hee.

More Than One Right Way, Parts 1 and 2–February 18 and 25, 2011 (interview in 1994). A bank executive talks about banking in Korea.

Buddhism at a Cultural Intersection, February 7, 2011 (interview in 1992).  Setting up a Buddhist Center to teach foreigners about Korean Buddhism.

From the Resident Anthropologist–January 16, 2011 (interview in 1989). Difficulties in social interaction from a Western perspective.

The Man behind “Spiritpower,” Parts 1 and 2–December 10 and 18 (interview in 2009). A former Buddhist monk talks about the meditation process.

A Mainer Goes to South Korea–November 29, 2010 (interview in 2009). Finding employment and contentment in Korea.

Sitting above the Green Elephant, Parts 1 and 2–October 9, 2010 and November 19, 2010. My experiences teaching for many years at a Buddhist university.

Korean Births, Deaths and Marriages–September 24, 2010. A Catholic priest talks about his observations of Korean customs.

The Dreams Man–September 11, 2010. The author of a book on birth dreams discusses this phenomenon.

Lady Luck Helps Make Changes, Parts 1 and 2–July 4 and 11 (interviews in 1995). The heads of two Western companies discuss their experiences.

A View of the Korean Women’s Movement–June 20, 2010 (interview in 2001 with supplements). Observations from a professor of women’s studies, plus observations by others.

Two Women in the Korean Workplace–June 6, 2010 (interviews in 2000 and 2002). Two Korean women discuss their experiences.

Working with Women Workers–May 23, 2010 (Interview in 1991). A Maryknoll volunteer discusses what he has learned about working/living conditions in Korean factories and alternative employment in the sex industry.

A Priest’s View of Human Rights in Korea–May 9, 2010 (interview in 1997). The military dictatorships of Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan

A Skeptic’s View of the Korean Student Movement–April 25, 2010 (interview around 1995). Observations from an American student’s perspective.

Military Linguists, Parts 1, 2 and 3—March 29, April 5, April 12, 2010 (interviews around 1995). Servicemen who are fluent in Korean discuss life on and off the base.

A Photo Tour of Bulguk Temple—February 22, 2010. A photo essay of Bulguksa, outside Kyongju, one of the three most famous temples.

American Wife, Korean Husband, Parts 1 and 2—February 7 and 13, 2010 (interviews in 1988 and 1992). Cultural differences inside a marriage.

How to Succeed at Languages without Really Trying—January 30, 2010 (interview in 2009). My most fluent and bicultural student on teaching himself the language and culture.

An Irishman’s Culture Shock—January 24, 2010 (interview in 1992). Personal and work experiences of a long-time resident.

Confucian Ways of Life and Death—January 17, 2010 (interview in 1989). Deference in Korea and traditional funeral practices.

A Winter Walk up Gyoungju’s South Mountain—January 11, 2010. A photo essay of a mountainside full of Buddhist images.

An Apprentice Temple Painter—December 6, 2009 (interview in 1992). A longtime resident and Buddhist tells how he learned his craft.

A Look at Korean Shamanism—November 23, 2009 (interview in 1993). An anthropologist gives a quick view of Korean shamanism.

Coming Home—November 9, 2009 (interview in 1990). A young gay man of Korean-American ethnicity on his experience in Korea.

The Story of a Korean War Baby—October 27, 2009 (interview in 1999). A woman of Korea-African American ethnicity on her experiences growing up.

Philippines

The Author of “When the de la Cruz Family Danced”–January 4, 2012 (interview in 2011). The story behind this novel of immigration from the Philippines and life in Southern California.

Shining up Your English for the Call Center–July 31, 2011 (interview in 2011). How recent call center employees are trained using computer software.

A Writer on Sexual Health, Parts 1 and 2–July 6 and 18 (interview in 2011). A reporter on issues involving sexuality in this very Catholic country

Filipine Reproductive Health Bill, Parts 1 and 2—June 8 and 21 (interview in 2011). Proponents of the bill discuss why it is necessary and satirize the opposition.

The Author of “Astigirl”—May 3, 2011 (interview in 2011). An outspoken Filipina on her growth to independence.

Filipino Food, Part 1–January 22, 2011. My food experiences in Iloilo with Filipino friends, plus a recipe.

Rise and Fall in a Filipino Market–December 30, 2010 (interview in 2009). A former currency trader discusses selling fruit in Marikina Market.

The Eye Thing—November 4, 2010. My experience having Lucentis injections for macular degeneration.

The Great Flood, Parts 1,2 and 3—October 11 and 19, 2009; October 22, 2010. My experience being flooded out of my home with a follow-up a year later.

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