a pictorial story from the dumpster
The story of two brothers, born in China and returning in 1986.
Jay and Bill flew into Hong Kong on April 18th 1986, neither went by their proper first names. The tour guide took them to Chinese Restaurants, hiking and too get new suits made from a tailor. This city was still the British empire and just a launch pad into Communist China.
Dr Joshua (Jay) Jenson and his brother William were born in China. Their Mother was a strong woman, a daughter of Mayflower descendants, and a Preacher’s kid. She found her husband at seminary and together they took up the cause of Christianity deep into Buddhist territory. (* Evidence of this is found in the newspaper report below.)
From 1911 until the war broke out….the Jensen family lived in China, founding schools and hospitals. Jay became a Doctor and young Bill went to war. Time would pass, and in 1986, they were old men reflecting on their roots.
So in 1986, Bill and Jay with his wife Ruth …roamed the country, exploring Omni mountain, Buddhist Temples, Beijing, their birth places and photographing the beauty. The photographer could have been any of the three, but suspect it was Bill.
This is the story….. as told by Jay and internal travel memos found with the Slides.
*Jay wrote a long cursive letter (with typical doctor scribble) and it tells part of the story.
April 28–30 Mon-Weds — Chengdu
Chengdu is the capital of China’s most popular province, Sichan, a colorful city graced with gregarious, outgoing population, producing more rice than any other province in China.
Highlights of the city are the thatched Cottage of Dr Fu, the famous Chinese poet during the 8th century; the tomb of Wang Jian, solider of fortune who became a prince. Wen Shu Yuan temple, an important Buddhist site, the Shu Geliang Shrine and West Spring Road area.
May 01, Thurs- Chengu — Nig Yuen
Travel west of Chengdu to Ning Yuen, birthplace of Mr. William Jensen (Bill). Sightseeing of the area and overnight.
May 02–07 Fri-Weds — Nin Yuen — Emei- Leshan- Ya’an
During the next few days, we will traveled to Emei Shan (Mt Omni), saw the Cave of Nine Old Men, Twin flying Bridges, Elephant Wash pool and much much more.
*”the road to Omni” is written on the next slide, the photo of Bill at the top is the headliner photo.
We also traveled to Ya’an the birthplace of Dr. Louis Jensen, my brother.
May 08–10 Thur-Sat — Beijing
At the Great Wall Hotel in Beijing, we were met by a lovely chinese guide- Linda and a car and driver at the airport. Each morning we meet them in the foyer at 920 am and go sight seeing. All our meals are Chinese- expect breakfast which we eat together at the hotel. We have tried out all of them.
We learned later that this is the best hotel in china, it’s jointly owned by Sheridan hotel chain-USA and the Chinese government.
May 12th – Monday
The final day we went to the Forbidden city, the home of the Chinese emperor- of course no one lives there now, but before we went there we went to the enormous square before Mao Memorial. I think said it would hold 1 million people.
The building and tomb of Mao was very impressively done. No one is allowed to take or be in pictures over there are many honory guards about.
The palace is copious but beautiful and orientally ornate with it’s curved roofs and Gods to keep away the evil spirits. The last emperor was young boy and his mother the Dowoga empress really worked for him. She sat beautiful and serene behind him and told him what to do. He was frightened he sat and cried, He was never allowed out of the forbidden city and was carrried from building to building. Even his concubines for pushed for and diffrent one was left by his …..
*the text becomes unreadable…..
By May 12th they were in Tokyo for the long flight home, but not before some tourist action.
This is an edited version of a very long story…told for the first time in the public sphere. Plus those beautiful photos. Found in a Dumpster…a story is reborn.
Mama Jenson Doctor scribble Ruth and Jay with unknown
