goodbye

Day 12:

Instead of leaving for Brussels on Sunday morning as planned, I end up on a plane to Shanghai . . . I've always wanted to visit the city and I have the opportunity to meet choreographer Jin Xing, whom I have heard so much about. Something of a mythic figure in Chinese contemporary dance - a transsexual and former general in the army, Jin Xing created a dance company in Beijing before going on to establish her company and dance festival in Shanghai. As with most artists of interest in China, she's built most of this without government funding or support.

As the plane takes off Sunday evening, I have a great view of Beijing's bright city lights spreading out in all directions. As they slowly disappear I have the distinct feeling that this is a place I will be returning to in the near future.