With China on my arm… “Stay this moment.” –Sam Abel National Geographic photographer   An unfortunate nighttime encounter with a bathroom doorjamb has rendered me with a sizeable purplish bruise on the left inner forearm. Upon reflection, it strikes … Read more

(Dear reader: It is said that there’s no sound so precious as that of one’s own name. Then imagine my surprise and emotions when years ago I was introduced to a large audience of Chinese students as “Mr. Joke.”  Somehow, … Read more

  To China this time I have brought the Soul of America. Literally, in the form of Jon Meacham’s new bestseller of the same name, subtitled, “The Battle for Our Better Angels.” The jacket notes explain, “We have been here … Read more

  A Chongqing photo portfolio; a work-in-progress. Scenes from spring commencement with students posing proudly in front of the library or leaping for joy by the iconic “Book of Law” at Southwest University of Political Science and Law remind us … Read more

While it’s only been two years since I was here last, it’s a different China in 2019. Trump is in the White House, Xi is president for life, there’s a trade war going on and China thinks its winning. The … Read more

“Travel is a journey into one’s own ignorance.” So writes American travel writer Frances Mayes. Truer words never spoken — especially if that travel takes you to the Middle Kingdom, a place so radically different from the U.S. — in … Read more

  A collection of images from the three-week teaching junket of a latter-day Johnny Appleseed trying to spread the word of Community Journalism in China, May 2016. All photos by Jock Lauterer, otherwise known to the Chinese as “Mr. Joke.” … Read more

In my final hours here in Chongqing, I want to post my closing set of images from this fine old city, where Ernest Hemingway once visited, where the WWII capital of Chungking was located so as to be far from … Read more

The further adventures of Jock Lauterer, aka “Mr. Joke,” who is teaching in China this summer. The curious variation of “Jock” is due to the fact that my name is very difficult to pronounce for the Chinese, so I am … Read more

After the sweltering Chongqing sun goes town, my neighborhood of Huixing comes to life, with the streets filled with vendors, hawkers, dancers, loud speakers blaring recorded sales pitches, grandparents with babies, sidewalk cafes, couples strolling arm in arm — a … Read more