Shanghai

Well, now I’ve been to China. But just saying that is confusing. I’ve been
to China before, sort of. Hong Kong is now ‘officially’ part of China, and
Taiwan is claimed by China. But they’re ‘special’. I count them separately
when I think of the countries and territories I’ve been to. At a minimum,
they’re territories anyway. I count Puerto Rico, Diego Garcia, Northern
Ireland, and Wales seperately, for example. If I ever made it to Guam, I’d
count it separately, too.

So now the list is up to 42 (including the U.S.). I actually don’t expect it
to grow much more over the next year or so. I’m in a position now where I
may well do a lot of the same kind of work for another year or so. We’ve
signed long term contracts for this flying to Taiwan and China, and I enjoy
it okay.

On a few occasions lately, I’ve been asked what place I like best, or where I
most want to go. Those are tough questions. The second one might be easier.
I think I’ve figured out that I’d like to go to Russia. I’ve never been
there and it seems interesting to me. Everyone I know who has been there has
given reports that have intrigued me.

But of the places I’ve been, I can’t really figure out which one(s) I like
best. There are so many great places in the world. Even by region it’s
tough. And, of course, there are some not so great places either. Nothing
in Africa or the Middle East that I’ve seen so far would make my list.
Europe, on the other hand, has many wonderful places to visit (though I’m not
so sure I’d want to live there). Some places in Asia aren’t so great, but
others are just wonderful (Singapore, Thailand, and even Japan, though all
for different reasons).

For now, I guess I’ll be happy with Taiwan and China. On the bright side, I
get plenty of time in Anchorage.

V-