Travels to Jingdezhen, China

In all, there were over sixty hours of travel time, traveling 30,000 miles roundtrip, Tucson to Jingdezhen, China. The trip began by truck in the wee hours of Sunday morning, April 28, in order to catch a 6:00 AM flight from Phoenix to Seattle; then going through customs and an eighteen hour flight to Shanghai; customs again, then bus to bullet train (traveling 198 miles/hr.), transfer to another bullet train and another bus. Our arrival at the 5 Star hotel reserved for us at the Taoxichuan Spring Fair and provided by the promoters of the event was greatly appreciated. In search for my room on the third floor, I was assisted by Jumpei Kanashige, fifth generation Bizen potter from Japan. If it were not for him, I never would have figured out how to turn on the lights; a slot by the the door where you put your key card and voilá all lights turn on. It remains there until you leave, take your card and lights shut off; so clever. Breakfast the following morning was amazing! All traditional Chinese breakfast options were available, noodles, dumplings, sweets, sauteed vegetables, spicy meat dishes, eggs cooked their way, and a cappuccino machine I wanted to take home with me…to be continued…..