1999 At A Glance

Click on a photo or photo label for quick access to the corresponding front page.
Below the photo-index is a month-by-month Summary of 1999





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August 15, 1999
Paris

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January

Work Sterling, Tellium

February

Work Sterling, Tellium. We host at our home a Ground Hog day party (according to Gerry) and a birthday party for Gerry (according to Jan). Gerry unofficially tells his boss he'll resign. 

March

Work Sterling, Tellium

April

Work Sterling, Tellium. Gerry gives his notice, 

May

First half of May is very filled with work. Gerry gives two week official notice, letting the world know he is leaving. There is a round of goodbye lunches and then it is all over. We have six weeks to pack and sell all. 

June

Days are filled with packing, yard sales, moving goods to storage locker.
We arrive in Paris on June 22, the longest day of the year and are surprised it is light until nearly 11pm. For the first few days we use our rented car to explore around Paris.

July

We start a round of alternate days out, seeing what will eventually be most of the museums in Paris. Daily we watch the Tour de France and later attend July 14 Parade. Surprise 50th Birthday party for Jan with a dozen guests.

August

Our stay in Paris end with three days visits from Middletown friends, Mike Eddy and later Sylvia Kuzmak. We take the Eurostar train through Channel tunnel and then drive rented car to Darlington. There we spend lots of time with family.

September

In Darlington our task is getting visas for China. We make two trips to Consulate in Machester and, heart in hand, learn we have visas. Off on 13h for Beijing and are met and settled by Xie Ming. He's great and city is great. We see Forbidden City and Great Wall and begin learning Chinese.

October

We are very disappointed that we can't watch 50th anniversary parade in person, but then most Chinese aren't allowed near parade route either. We console ourselves by watching on TV and repeats on TV and fireworks from roof. We appear in Beijing paper with photos after interview by Xie Ming's wife.

November

Only six weeks left on visa we set out to north for old summer capital and then south to climb Tai Shan, visit Qufu, many days in wonderful Nanjing, and then gardens of Suzhou. East China: Shanghai, Nanjing

December

As the month begins we visit Shanghai for a week. We like it even if its not exotic or has much history. West lake in Hangzhou is a disappointment but its temple is wonderful. We go to Huangshan on Chinese package tour; Jan is too sick to leave.room. 24hour train takes us to Shenzhen where we spend two days and then, on 13th, enter Hong Kong. Its a big reunion after that. New Year's eve is spent on the Peak. Cold but nice.



January 3, 2003