So possibly native to Asia?

I don't remember noticing a smell

"Because I said so" didn't work when I was 4 and it's not going to start working now that I'm 40.

https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=crib

Pretty but nasty thistles! Often invasive too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirsium

Looks like some kind of family Lamiaceae like chia or bee balm or similar found in the Americas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamiaceae

Did the iris smell as good as it looked? They are so often wonderfully aromatic!

You sound like a very entertaining person to travel with. It is quite fun to argue with people who aren't used to having their authority questioned though...

It will please me no end to see a phrase of my creation escaping out into the wild.

This is specifically not just for "incompetence" but for "decorative incompetence that fails to function as intended".

There are so many occasions when I can't find the right words to describe incompetence. Do you mind if, someday, I borrow "barely trained flightless cockatiels?" I'll provide generally accepted citation for the phrase, but I can't afford to pay you any royalties.

Thanks!

I would much rather solve things without conflict. Unfortunately, if I'm going to pick "not fighting" my choices are avoid people and stay in a tent or spend absurd amounts of money.

When in cities, I am using the techniques I've taught other foreigners of only booking on CTrip's English platform Trip, but that just changes the conflict from "with the police" to "with Customer Service".

Marian -

I'm so glad I found your journal over here at CycleBlaze.
I love your adventures and your attitude.
Wishing you all the best in your travels.

John

I'm the kind of guy who tends to avoid conflict whenever possible. Even so, I cannot resist reading any chapter you write that is titled " The Police." Good stuff.

Not sure. It might be hard to find the landlord.