The Sports Life

Fewer than 100 Days till the 2008 Beijing Olympics: Authors of Forthcoming Book about China Share Tips, Travel Suggestions for Persons Traveling To Ch

Ipswich, Mass. (PRWEB) May 9, 2008 -- With the 2008 Beijing Olympics fewer than 100 days away, people from all over the world are making plans to travel to China. Physician authors Deborah and Joel Shlian, who have traveled extensively throughout China and based their latest book in China, are sharing their insights and tips on making the most of a trip to China.

According to the Shlians, authors of the forthcoming thriller, Rabbit in the Moon (Oceanview, June 1, 2008) travelers should make an effort to learn more about the culture before the trip: "One thing we emphatically recommend," says Deborah "is to do lots of reading ahead of time. China has a 5000-year-old history. Understand that China is a complicated society, filled with nuance. There is a Chinese proverb 'We can always fool a foreigner.' Try to prepare yourself to look beneath the surface, beyond the eager smiles, to understand a culture quite different from our own--despite the fact that you'll now see five star hotels, McDonald's, Burger Kings, and people wearing Western styles carrying iPods and iPhones. China is a fascinating place."

Shlian adds that travelers should exercise caution: "China is a vast country whose people have undergone tremendous upheavals--especially since Mao took over in 1949. As Nicolas Kristoff wrote in a New York Times piece in 1991, 'China is among the least predictable places on earth.' That holds true in 2008, so it makes sense to be a cautious traveler."

In terms of must-sees, the Shlians recommend a trip to the Great Wall, and if time permits, going to Xi'an to see the Terracotta soldiers or a trip to Guilin where the unique topography is what the Shlians call "a photographer's dream."

Shlian also recommends interacting with locals as much as possible, "Try to spend time talking to as many of the people on the street as you can. There are 'English corners' in most cities where people gather in the evening to practice their English. Just remember not to press people about politics--especially the issues surrounding the Tiananmen massacre. Many young people in China today have actually never heard of the event or have been told a very sanitized version. Sadly, 19 years later, it is still a forbidden subject."

Deborah and Joel Shlian are authors of the forthcoming thriller Rabbit in the Moon. They practiced medicine together in a large multispecialty group before returning to UCLA for MBAs, and now balance medical management consulting with writing. Two of their novels have been optioned for Hollywood films. After 25 years in Los Angeles, they moved to Florida and now reside in Boca Raton. To view photos from the Shlians' travels, please visit their web site - www.shlian.com. Oceanview Publishing (www.oceanviewpub.com) is an independent book publisher headquartered in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Rabbit in the Moon will be available in bookstores nationwide in June 2008. For more information or to request an interview with Deborah and Joel Shlian, or an advance review copy of Rabbit in the Moon, please contact Maryglenn McCombs by phone - (615) 297-9875, or by email - maryglenn@maryglenn.com.

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