ENTIM.net - Conquering China

From December of 1999 until late Fall 2000, I explored the massive land that is China. Because one can't very well disappear for nearly a year without a trace [even in China], I shared my experiences with family and friends via e-mail. Before my return to China after a short break during the month of June, I threw together a web site on which I posted my journal. This allowed others to not only read it in its entirety, but also included the bonus of a few pictures to complement the story. The idea of creating a more comprehensive journal on the web excited me, and I fully intended to virtually publish the narrative of my ongoing travels during the second part of the trip as well; unfortunately, upon returning for a second round of adventure and learning, I decided to forgo the journal part. My e-mail declaring so became Chapter 10, which I'm not too pleased with in terms of content, but have made available on this site all the same as it reports my beliefs at the time. (approximately 2:00 one lazy afternoon)

As for the chapters, they should be considered unedited works in progress, although dropping the phrase "in progress" from that title would probably be closer to the truth by now, since I doubt these chapters will ever end up anywhere beyond this web site. The only change made to the content of the original entries is the removal of the e-mail recipients' names.

The sample selection of photographs for each chapter was made courtesy of Peter Menzel. They are located in the galleries that are numbered by chapter. The pictures beyond the original nine chapters have their own stories.

Methodology.
How did these e-mails make it from experience to their present form? Every day while travelling I would scratch random notes; then at night (or sometimes after a few nights if I couldn't find the time immediately) I would write a more complete account of the recent events. Upon arriving in provincial capitals where cheap access to a fast computer is available, I referenced my journal and wrote yet more detailed versions of my stories. Relatively systematic.

11.28.00 Josh N. D'Aluisio-Guerrieri

The fields below Jade Dragon Mtn. in Baisha Village, northwestern Yunnan.