One of the things I wanted to do in Thailand was to visit an ethical elephant sanctuary. This turned out to be really simple, but it left a few questions lingering in my mind. Is there such a thing as an ethical sanctuary in Thailand?
Travel
Stories of my travels around the world.
Magic Ma Studio Exhibition
For many years Magic Ma has been the artist that designed the effigies at Dragon Burn. He’s becoming an ever more popular artist, showcasing his work in China and in Burning Man.
A Burn at the Unburn 2024
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Dragon Burn 2024 was cancelled. This didn’t stop us from camping out for the long weekend, however. A smaller group of us set ourselves up at the campsite and enjoyed a small pop-up Unburn instead.
Art That They Made For Me
I had a surprising encounter at an art gallery in Xi’an. I’ve always been a fan of interactive art, it’s part of the reason I helped run a Burn in China.
Xinjiang Tobacco Cigarette
Sometimes you meet interesting people when you travel. I had a relatively strange experience in Xi’an, when a friendly stranger wanted me to try something. It started after we spent some time wandering around a large antique market.
Guangren Lama Temple (广仁寺)
Xi’an has a lot of temples, and we visited several of them. The Guangren Temple is the only Tibetan Lama temple in the city. Its draw is that it holds eight treasures, six inscription boards, and six “wonder trees”, among other things.
Shadows of Gao’s Grand Courtyard
We wanted to see a shadow puppet show when were in Xi’an, and it turns out that you can if you go to one of the best preserved homes in the city.
Shaanxi Archeology Museum
It’s hard to visit a museum in Xi’an. You have to book way in advance, and touts are always getting the tickets before anyone else.
Drinking Culture in Xi’an
Li Bai would often show up drunk to the Emperor’s court in Chang’An (modern day Xi’an), but would still be able to perform his duties. He so impressed the Tang Dynasty’s Emperor that he is now a symbol of the city of Xi’an.
I Finally Saw the Terracotta Army
If you’re a tourist in Xi’an, there’s one thing you absolutely have to do. Not necessarily because it’s good fun, but because it’s there.