Blog | Madhu Bazaz Wangu
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Writings and Readings Blog

Madhu Bazaz Wangu

SHANGRI LA: THE REMOTEST VALLEY ON EARTH

Posted on November 1, 2016
in Being in Nature
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Our plane landed in Lhasa, Tibet, the “roof of the world.” Kelsang our guide, and Tensing the driver drove us to Hotel Shangri La; the name James Hilton gave Tibet in his 1933 novel, Lost Horizon. We drove over Lhasa River, through the heart of the capital city as sky-touching-mountain-peaks came to sight. Tibet shares Mt. Everest and the towering peaks with Nepal. Below, Lhasa River was flowing lazily under late morning sun. Over the bridge, rainbow-colored flags fluttered in the breeze. Kelsang suggested we take it easy on the first day lest we suffer altitude sickness. (Altitude of Lhasa 11, 450’) We had planned to walk through the town! Once in our hotel room we became aware of slight dizziness, heart thumping and trouble breathing. Each time we stood up or...

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Shanghai: 21st Century Metropolis

Posted on October 11, 2016
in Being in Nature
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Our hotel in Shanghai faced the Bund overlooking Yang Tse River and the mesmerizing mega tall skyscrapers of its famous skyline. What a view! Many of these structures rank among the tallest in the world: Oriental Pearl Radio and TV Tower, Shanghai World Financial Center (with an observation deck 1,555 feet above ground level), The Shanghai Tower (second tallest in the world at 2, 073 ft. like tail of a dragon touching the sky) and Jin Mao Tower (literally ‘Golden Prosperity Building)’ with its tiered pagoda like structure. Our guide, Tao Lin (Tracey) said Shanghai was the most populous city in the world but it didn’t feel that crowded. It was hard to believe that some fifty years ego the Pudong area, on which the city is build, was mostly populated...

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Chengdu: Home of Panda Bears

Posted on September 29, 2016
in Being in Nature
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Xiaoli Wan (Kitty), our guide in Chengdu, checked us in to St. Regis Hotel. From the expansive window in our room we had a view of the recently constructed skyscrapers. She waited for us in the lobby to freshen up and drove us for a hot-pot dinner. At the restaurant, a waiter brought a container with two gravy sections, one pepper hot the other milky. She lit the lights underneath the rectangular cooker/server. When the liquids started to boil Xiaoli dropped vegetables and meats in batches. It took just a few minutes for slices of lotus root, mushrooms, and pieces of beef, chicken, and shrimps to cook. The Sichuan gravy was flaming hot but the milder gravy complemented it. Our next stop was Chengdu Opera. The time was dusk. From the...

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Xi’an: Two Hours Flight From Beijing

Posted on September 23, 2016
in Being in Nature
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Two hours flight from Beijing brought us to Xi'an, Shaanxi province in northwest China. I had studied about Banpo Neolithic settlement and Terracotta Army but seeing these in person was an awesome experience. There I was, on my birthday, looking at the remains of 6,500-year-old Banpo village and the life size army of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, buried underground!   A day before, our guide Mr. Cheng drove us directly from the airport to the fourteenth century fortification of the ancient city of Xi’an. The enclosed city, 14 square miles, has seen the rise and fall of...

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Three Nights in Beijing

Posted on September 15, 2016
in Being in Nature
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Two scholars who introduced me to the deeply stirring Chinese philosophy and its inspiring landscape painting were professor Wing-Tsit Chan (Chatham College now Chatham University) and professor Katheryn M. Linduff (University of Pittsburgh), respectively. What they taught me resurfaced from the depths as I travelled in China. Treading the yellow earth I wanted to feel the essence of Lao Tzu’s teachings: “Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” I wanted to witness Confucian teachings about order, harmony and wisdom. “By three methods we may learn wisdom: by reflection which is noblest; by imitation which is easiest; and by experience which is bitterest.” And Chuang Tzu, “Happiness is the absence of...

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Travels Through China and Tibet

Posted on September 9, 2016
in Being in Nature
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Dear Readers, Manoj and I traveled through China/Tibet this year. We simply loved their culture, cuisine and customs! Before going to China, out of all the countries we have visited, Spain was our favorite. But now it is China and Tibet! Soon I'll be blogging about the four metropolis, Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi'an, Beijing and, Dalai Lama's birthplace, Lhasa. For now, here are a few photos. ...

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An Interview with Jen Riday

Posted on August 22, 2016
in Being in Nature
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I was interviewed by Jen Riday, the host of Vibrant Happy Women. Conversing with her was simply delightful. Here are the links to the podcast. Cut and paste anyone of the bolded links in your  browser: Direct listen links: Notes page: http://jenriday.com/24 iTunes Link: http://jenriday.com/itunes/ Stitcher Link: http://www.jenriday.com/stitcher/...

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Shaler Library Book Signing

Posted on August 17, 2016
in Being in Nature
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It was so gratifying to see seriously involved audience at last Tuesday's Talk and Book Signing at the Shaler North Hills Library. A heartfelt thanks to the people who came to attend the event and Beth Lowry who had organized it. #Mindfulnessmeditation #Writingmeditation #Meditationwithmadhu Here are a few snapshots from the evening. ...

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Today’s Talk & Book Signing

Posted on August 8, 2016
in Being in Nature, Meditation, Writing
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Hope you’re enjoying your summer! If you are in Pittsburgh and have not planned something on Tuesday evening, I’d love to see you at the Shaler North Hills Library, August 9 (today) from 6:30-8:30. We’ll talk about the dilemma of balancing daily life with spiritual/creative life. The discussion will include fictional dreams, meaningful coincidences, art symbols and creative possibilities. In addition, I’ll guide two meditation sessions: Body Meditation AND Awakening the Senses. Would love to see familiar as well as new faces in the audience. Refreshments will be served! Here are the details:  ...

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