…and I didn’t even bring you a lousy tee shirt! For those of you who supported my Kickstarter project to travel to China, you have been following along with my real time posts from the road. But if you aren’t part of that faithful contingent, don’t despair! I’ll be transferring my trip journal to these very pages, adding photographs and sketches that I did on the road, AND sharing the artwork that will be forthcoming as soon as I can escape the jet lag nap monster that has hit me hard since my return.
The time difference between the west/lefty coast of the US and China is 15 hours, with a skip and a jump across the international date line thrown in for good measure. I’m only beginning to go through my photographs, to sort out the travel documentary photos from the eventual art photos. I’ll also be writing some ‘toons about my travels, including today’s offering!
Let’s see what Bob has brought back from China! Huzzah!
Well, it’s better than a tee shirt, right?
Ping Ping is a real panda that I met at the Gengda Panda base. He was the sweetest little panda, and according to his nanny, the most gentle panda. We had a heartfelt squeaking conversation, after which, I fed him carrots and panda bread. It was the best day ebber!
And don’t worry! I won’t forget about Bubba, Pinky, the Meihems, Six and Sebben, Wu, and the rest of the panda Chronicles gang! Stay tuned!
Panda On
Bob T Panda
If you need a place to stash Ping Ping for a few months, I volunteer and I won’t tell a soul.
It’s always good to have a handy panda sitter when one needs to travel! Thanks! He’s really very sweet.
I’d volunteer, too, even though I’m on the East coast.
Hi!
I supported you, what was the secret of being included in your blogs on the trip?
You should have gotten email notices of the updates as I posted them. Not being a technologically savvy panda, I don’t know what to tell you if you didn’t get notices. You might have turned off notifications. At any rate, as a supporter, you should be able to go back to the project page and read all the backer only updates. You would probably need to be logged in to your kickstarted account to read them. Here’s the link to the first one: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arttraveler/a-panda-tastic-journey/posts/1983944 In any case, you’ll be able to see them here once I get them uploaded.
How I like to see Bob T. dressed like a tourist! I hope your news about the dependencies and furnishings of lil’ princess.
I have enjoyed every one of the posts of your trip. Thankies 😉
#LovingPinky #AdoringPinky
Bob is glad you liked his tourist garb. Now, of course, he wants to go on vacation all the time and I don’t think our budget will be sufficient for that.
I can’t express what a thrill it was to have Pinky’s sweet breath on my fingers as I fed her carrots. I looked into her eyes and told her that everyone misses her and that they sent their best wishes for her happiness.
It was an incredible privilege to be there and go behind the scenes.
Did you get to hold him or touch him while conversing or feeding? I have been so hoping (for you) that this is still allowed.
I did sneak in a little touch of the paw while I was feeding him, but, alas, they no longer allow non- keepers to be in the same space as the pandas. This is more for their protection than ours (getms, excess schmoopy kisses, etc) and while I am sad that I did not get to frolic with Ping Ping or the pandy kindy, it was lovely to have some one on one conversations at very close range.
I was really heartened to see the cleanliness of the facility, the obvious care and pride the keepers have for their charges. It was a truly great experience!
Yay! Ping Ping is now in the Panda Chronicles! And being the talker he is I am so looking forward to the conversations and adventures.
I’m pretty sure that Ping Ping will be around for a little while. I’m sure Bubba will welcome him, but not so sure Pinky will appreciate a cute new panda on the block. We’ll just have to see what kind of stories he has to tell about himself!
Do I get to keep a panda too? Can they be housebroken?
I’m pretty sure they can be housebroken, but don’t ever let them get a hold of the remote for your TV. They only want to watch the great British Baking show and will set it so that it always shows the cuppycake episodes. Other than that, they’re good to go. (They do hog the covers and dribble bamboo on the couch while watching TV)