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Nanjing -- Tue, Jul 5, 2005
Rain and clouds ment I could fly into Nanjing. More on this day coming soon
Changzhou -- Mon, Jul 4, 2005
It was another damn hot day, but I followed the current chinese fashion trend in this area by throwing a towel on my head and it helped. It didn't help the wind though. I had been warned about the westerly wind that goes through china -- why I choose to go west, we will never know...
There were a few "crop prayer" fireworks sent off along my way, but nothing like in the states... I haven't been able to get my hands on any, but we'll see what I find tonight.
Light one up for me ;)
Suzhou -- Sun, Jul 3, 2005
Bike Across China has started. We kicked it off from Shanghai at 7:30am and three bikers from the Shanghai Bike Club joined.
It was in the high 90's and a brutual day -- biking through the high heat at noon...
Had a great discussion with a number of US principals who are here for a conference about education in China. Highlight was learning the perverse incentives that No Child Left Behind provides principals in regards to special needs children. According to the principals, "one special needs child can completely ruin a school's [score]". These scores are the principal's benchmarks with their districts. Interesting...
Shanghai -- Sat, Jul 2, 2005
Amazing volunteer day at a school for children with autism in Shanghai (www.shanghaiautism.com). Was also interviewed by the China Daily/Shanghai Star.
Mental disabilities are highly closeted in china. In four months here I have only seen one person that I could identify as having special needs. There is a big social stigma in having a child with autism, because children are supposed to support there parents when they are older.
The founder's will to start this organization is amazing, with no societial support and very little community understanding. These people are true heros and make my bike ride look easy.
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