China 1999

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The Little Old Lady from Listvyanka

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 The Little Old Lady from Listvyanka                                 June 2016 -Saving Face         A week exploring the culture, temples and gardens of Japan before flying to Vladivostok, Siberia, to embark on the lengthy trans-Siberian railway, seemed another wonderful opportunity. The tranquil temples and gracious gardens presented particular pleasures for my gardener’s soul. At one ancient, sculpturally perfect Shinto shrine, I hurried from the tour coach, carrying only my video camera, unwisely leaving my raincoat and umbrella. At the wooden temple entrance, we were discreetly offered plastic bag overshoes to prevent marking the beautiful floors.       At the end of the visit, rain was steadily falling, so I wrapped my vulnerable video camera in one plastic ove...
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