What I've learned so far....

• I have a passion for trip planning and it's a terrific part of the travel experience.
• Lots about China than I didn't know before.
• That I can reach out to people for help.
• There are incredible sources of information at my fingertips on the computer keyboard: translating programs, travel reviews, photos, e-mails to and from guesthouse proprietors, booking sites....  I've been able to find an answer to almost every question I’ve had, sometimes just by typing the question into Google.
• I need to trust my instincts more, which led me to Yunnan in the first place.
• It's cheaper to fly to China than to Canada's East Coast ($950 return)
• I can call and text to China!  My first call to a guesthouse in China filled me with trepidation although. I'd read that Lucy the proprietor could speak English. I was surprised when Lucy – who sounds like she’s in her 50s or 60s - suggested that I text her my e-mail address.  Off went my text to China and back came my reply – a surreal experience for my non-texting self.  To reach China I dial 011 + 86 + area code + phone number.
• There's a lot to see in China, and there are many sights I want to see that I’ve had to let go of for this trip. For my first time I’m staying on a fairly well-travelled tourist path and staying with attractions close to that path. 
• Ways to safeguard my health.   Most of these precautions aren’t covered by BC Health Care and aren’t cheap – and you need to plan ahead.  I was referred to a knowledgeable travel doctor (Dr. Johnson) by my GP. On the flip side, a nurse I know and respect who has travelled extensively doesn't get any innoculations to go and hasn't had any problems.
• IM shots for Hep A and B.
• Tetanus (covered by health care).
• Ingestible solution for Beijing Belly.
• Diamox for altitude sickness (above 3,000 metres).
• A prescription to take with me in case I get diarrhea.
• Consultation chat with the doctor about how to stay healthy.
• No Jet Lag, for jet lag.
• Insight into impacts on relationships.
• Travellers to China need a 3-month tourist visa. To get it I had to hand over my passport to Foster for 8 days, and when I got it back the visa was stamped on a page right in it – very cool looking!
• I’ve learned a lot about small computers – in particular the Acer Aspire One as I bought one 2nd hand for $100. It has a 9” screen and is very portable.  I also ventured into e-Bay to purchase a 6 cell battery. I wanted to take a computer with me to watch movies on the flight, bus trips, log my travels, and keep in touch with e-mails.