People's Army
I live in Sichuan province and it is a common event for the Army to walk around, as seen in the photograph, purely so the Chinese still know they are being kept safe.
— Joey, October 28, 2005

I enjoyed all these photos, EVER so much, thanks! It's soo interesting, also, to see the others' comments here..One can learn A LOT, from looking at your pix! You have such diverse ones, I noticed the guy below, didn't like Ronald McDonald, but you have shown us ALL aspects of life there! this is important for perspective..
— Eleanor Robb, April 2, 2005

"KFC?"
Hi, love the pictures. The picture allegedly of KFC is in fact of "YongHeDaSomethingSomething"--the picture doesn't show all of the name and I can't remember it off the top of my head--; it's a China-wide porridge chain. The logo and color scheme always throws me off on first glance, especially since KFC was the first fast food presence in China and is, IMHO, much much better here than in the states.
— Sidney Huang, January 22, 2005

Hi Phil, I was in the OAT group just a day or two behind yours this summer. Sue H. shared with me the websites for your photos. I really enjoyed looking at them. You see things in such an interesting manner. Thanks very much.
— Mike Doren, September 7, 2004

Wonderful narrative!!!!
Phil, What a terrific story....... favorite images? Sunday morning.....bird bus express.....the forgotten.......very powerful imagaes!! Bravo to you!!!!
— Bailey Zimmerman, July 27, 2004

Phil to the utmost!
I think this gallery condense your philosophy to the utmost. There are a lot of pictures I could choose but I prefer the hospitality training, strange passengers, the bronze bystander, the commuters at Shanghai (beautiful), morning at McDonald's, the bus stop at Nanjing street. As usual a vivid portrait of the country you visited.
— Andrea Rasetti, July 20, 2004

Rapid Transition
You have shown us a country undergoing a speedy change In this set I like: "Rickshaw drivers" So much of our travel depends on the work of anonymous people - I like that you have given us a view of them as people, not just drivers. "Shi Boa Zhai Pagoda" How wonderful, at least, that it will be saved as an island when so much else will be lost. "China's River" I love the flow here, but interestingly, the flow, for me is more in the flag than the river - the color sings. "Heated discussion" An expressive gesture, in an expressive photo "Lining up for KFC" I wonder how long it will take fast food culture to ooze from Honk Kong and the major cities to smaller towns and maybe to the villages?
— Tim May, July 19, 2004

My favorite photo is "Shy child, Zhujiajiao". It is warm, tender and real. Also many of the photos have a sense of tranquillity. My least favorite photos is Ronald MacDonald.
— Tom Stillman, July 15, 2004

Excellent again
Another fascinating collection with superbly detailed narration and a wide variety of subjects. You're lucky to get a shot of the PLA, normally they don't welcome being photographed. I particularly like the Shanghai images, as they bring back good memories and it's good to see a view of Nanjing Lu - an image I tried to capture myself but could't quite manage.
— Peter Britton, July 15, 2004

More info needed
Hi, Larry,

Can you tell me more about the error you spotted in one of my captions regarding fast food? Are you referring to my reference to KFC? Are you saying that that it's not KFC's "Col. Sanders" logo? If so, I would very much like to correct it. Thanks, Phil.
— Phil Douglis, July 15, 2004

Phil, Your comments about American fast food in China is right but the picture is wrong, in fact it is a Chinese tradition food chain.
— Larry Liang, July 15, 2004

gain, I agree with Bob.... you give us something to aspire to.... ;o) another great journal featuring China & its people....
— Lorraine Brecht, July 14, 2004

You're in a class by yourself
Phil, when I think I've submitted a good travel article, you come along with another gem. Your photos and your copy inspire me to do better, and for that I thank you very much.
— Bob Fairbanks, July 13, 2004