Looks like summer is beginning to drift asleep. A cool crisp day was very much enjoyed by all of us today. We ran o the market place to get wonton ingredients. There was a light wind with a grey like sky. About to rain? That's what we thought, but only a few drops fell from the sky.
After makeover 101 we did a little perusing on Huai Hai Rd. Your annoying rolex street crew was on the loose! Man they can get in your damn face. There on Huai Hai Rd I discovered a really cool clothing sotre. I saw a "Fly panda" shirt. It was a sign! Impulse buy!. Along with a teal green hoody. I love it.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Biblioteca Zi-Kai Wei
Coolest secret in Shanghai: The Biblioteca Zi-Kai Wei. Yesterday Aunt Dong and I visited St. Ignatius Cathedral in Xujiahui. Thank you lonely planet!! The Jesuits and Catholics (I believe) built this cathedral perhaps a century or two ago. Built with red bricks this catherdal is a beautiful place. Sadly no photography once you cross the entracne gate. The arches and chapel were very impressive. Our guide explainedhow the Jesuits were here to teach the ways of God with tolerance and allowed Chinese culture to fuse with Jesuis teachings. You can see the Chiense influence in the stained windows.
I was initially looking for the Jesuist library and it happened to be down the street. This library contains a beautiful colelction of books pre-1949. Books open to the public were amazing to look at. I held my breath when I opened a book and felt my fingers turn the smooth vanilla pages. Some books dated back to the turn of the century.
We got a tour of the hidden library. Once inside you're greeted with a musk of old books and a breath of cold dry air. You're surrounded by mahagony bookshelves and rolling laaders, staircases that lead to the upstairs. Scare texts, theology, psychology, and literary works in so many languages (Greek, Latin, French, English) The oldests books date back to the 19th century and even earlier. The Jesuits brought a lot of literature during their missions. Our guide gently opened an Old Testament/New Testment for us and it dates back to the 1500's. The volume was enormous and the illustrations were drawn in such a delicate manner. i was amazed by this beautiufl collection. It was the little library that I've always wanted to escape to, sit in an arm chair and enjoy a book.
For you clausterphobes and those with lung problems then this might not be a good idea.
Dinner @ Paulaner Munchen: Bavarian food/alcohol. I guess the taste buds really missed the feta as I took a bite into Aunt Dong's Greek salad. I hope that from the 31st onward I will only let mself experience a more oriental perspective. No more bad junk food, sandwiches, and pasta on a daily basis.
Yeah right.
I was initially looking for the Jesuist library and it happened to be down the street. This library contains a beautiful colelction of books pre-1949. Books open to the public were amazing to look at. I held my breath when I opened a book and felt my fingers turn the smooth vanilla pages. Some books dated back to the turn of the century.
We got a tour of the hidden library. Once inside you're greeted with a musk of old books and a breath of cold dry air. You're surrounded by mahagony bookshelves and rolling laaders, staircases that lead to the upstairs. Scare texts, theology, psychology, and literary works in so many languages (Greek, Latin, French, English) The oldests books date back to the 19th century and even earlier. The Jesuits brought a lot of literature during their missions. Our guide gently opened an Old Testament/New Testment for us and it dates back to the 1500's. The volume was enormous and the illustrations were drawn in such a delicate manner. i was amazed by this beautiufl collection. It was the little library that I've always wanted to escape to, sit in an arm chair and enjoy a book.
For you clausterphobes and those with lung problems then this might not be a good idea.
Dinner @ Paulaner Munchen: Bavarian food/alcohol. I guess the taste buds really missed the feta as I took a bite into Aunt Dong's Greek salad. I hope that from the 31st onward I will only let mself experience a more oriental perspective. No more bad junk food, sandwiches, and pasta on a daily basis.
Yeah right.
Jin Mao Tower
But first, CAT FIGHT! THERE'S A CAT FIGHT OUTSIDE! Whole house awoke to an explosion of screaming around 5 am. I thought it was only a dream. Though it was actual cats killing one another. I wonder whatever happened.
Initially a Thursday trip, but 37 degrees...I felt I was lit on fire the minute I stepped outside. Laundry day it is. About time. All my clothes reaked of Shanghai sweat and none of us want that.
Jin Mao Tower is right next door to the World Financial Tower. Previous the entire family flew up to the 93rd floor via high speed elevator.
Coolest part about Jin Mao tower: the Grand Hyatt on the 56th floor. Have a seat ine the comfy armchairs and just look straight up.
The metro stops at the Oriental tv tower. Still a huge tourist attraction and once the tallest building in Shanghai.
Construction around Shnaghai is not avoidable. Detours to the Jin Mao Gran Hyatt are everywhere though it hard to find.
If you are lucky enough to visit Jin Mao tower then the best time would probably be sunset. Or whenever the sun's rays reflect onto Jin Mao letting the entire structure shimmer like gold.
Panorama from the 88th floor was pretty spectacular, but a little cloudy today. If you really want a better view then the building next door is better. The 93rd floor I think has a sky bridge. Freaky if you are afraid of heights!!
(The Grand Hyatt, view from the 88th floor down to the 56th floor)
Failed to grab a drink. Whatever. It's not worth a 9$ cup of coffee.
My stomach was cringing with hunger pains. I took the metro again again in search of this place "Istanbul" on Huai Hai Road. Another big posh shopping district. My Sherpa's food guide has proved to be of use. They can be found in cafe's for free.
Another sketchy knock off guy came my way. "Rolex??! Rolexx??? Nihongo hanashimasu ka? " (Look buddy, I just want some food. My stomach is growling)
"The HELL you talking about? I'm Chinese!" I then psyched him out with a dose of Japanese.
FINALLY
Lunch. I'm finally going to try Turkish food....in Shanghai. Why can't I be in Istanbul?
Well it's the best for now. I thought my taste buds went flying. Iskender Kebab is one of the most delcious dishes your senses can indulge in. Love it.
Plan afterwards: Hengshan Rd (The old French quarter) which is sprawling with cafes. 30 min walk. Change of plans!
Head to Duolun Rd "The Cultural Celebrity Street". This is where the famous conemporary writers of the 20th cenutry lived and where their ideas began amidst the dynasty upheaval/birth of a republic.
Finding the metro: Slightly painful. I took the no. 4 line. Should've taken the 3rd line. (quicker route) No.4 comes out of the underground and you can see the heart of the city as you travel out of the city.
Walking to Duolun road is where you can get a glimpse of the Shanghai neighborhoods. I managed to see century old houses with their native flags on the laundry line. HUGE PANTIES> LET ME TELL YOU. I also saw an old orologist.
Conclusion of Duolun Celeb street: Huge dissapointment. Bronze statues of all the modern writers were hidden by barters, graffiti, and souvenir shops. Historical landmarks were shut down for remoeling and massage parlors with Chinglish on the windows
My case in point.
Initially a Thursday trip, but 37 degrees...I felt I was lit on fire the minute I stepped outside. Laundry day it is. About time. All my clothes reaked of Shanghai sweat and none of us want that.
Jin Mao Tower is right next door to the World Financial Tower. Previous the entire family flew up to the 93rd floor via high speed elevator.
Coolest part about Jin Mao tower: the Grand Hyatt on the 56th floor. Have a seat ine the comfy armchairs and just look straight up.
The metro stops at the Oriental tv tower. Still a huge tourist attraction and once the tallest building in Shanghai.
Construction around Shnaghai is not avoidable. Detours to the Jin Mao Gran Hyatt are everywhere though it hard to find.
If you are lucky enough to visit Jin Mao tower then the best time would probably be sunset. Or whenever the sun's rays reflect onto Jin Mao letting the entire structure shimmer like gold.
Panorama from the 88th floor was pretty spectacular, but a little cloudy today. If you really want a better view then the building next door is better. The 93rd floor I think has a sky bridge. Freaky if you are afraid of heights!!
(The Grand Hyatt, view from the 88th floor down to the 56th floor)
Failed to grab a drink. Whatever. It's not worth a 9$ cup of coffee.
My stomach was cringing with hunger pains. I took the metro again again in search of this place "Istanbul" on Huai Hai Road. Another big posh shopping district. My Sherpa's food guide has proved to be of use. They can be found in cafe's for free.
Another sketchy knock off guy came my way. "Rolex??! Rolexx??? Nihongo hanashimasu ka? " (Look buddy, I just want some food. My stomach is growling)
"The HELL you talking about? I'm Chinese!" I then psyched him out with a dose of Japanese.
FINALLY
Lunch. I'm finally going to try Turkish food....in Shanghai. Why can't I be in Istanbul?
Well it's the best for now. I thought my taste buds went flying. Iskender Kebab is one of the most delcious dishes your senses can indulge in. Love it.
Plan afterwards: Hengshan Rd (The old French quarter) which is sprawling with cafes. 30 min walk. Change of plans!
Head to Duolun Rd "The Cultural Celebrity Street". This is where the famous conemporary writers of the 20th cenutry lived and where their ideas began amidst the dynasty upheaval/birth of a republic.
Finding the metro: Slightly painful. I took the no. 4 line. Should've taken the 3rd line. (quicker route) No.4 comes out of the underground and you can see the heart of the city as you travel out of the city.
Walking to Duolun road is where you can get a glimpse of the Shanghai neighborhoods. I managed to see century old houses with their native flags on the laundry line. HUGE PANTIES> LET ME TELL YOU. I also saw an old orologist.
Conclusion of Duolun Celeb street: Huge dissapointment. Bronze statues of all the modern writers were hidden by barters, graffiti, and souvenir shops. Historical landmarks were shut down for remoeling and massage parlors with Chinglish on the windows
My case in point.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Shanghai Metro/M.O.C.A
Success! I managed to navigate the Shanghai subway system w/out looking stupid! This was a bit tricky as I descended into the underground. AS I stepped in I discovered that another civilization ha started. I was surrounded by shops and restaurants. Where's the subway again? Turns out shopping centers sprawl the underground too. I stepped into a food court/heavily Japanese themed shopping district.
Hummus? Granola? Philadelphia cream cheese? Pepperidge Farm? Yeah if you are really homesick then you shouldn't be because they have everything here. There's no wonder so many foriegners can endure Shanghai. Shanghai has always been a very westernized city. I managed to find a few places on Lonely Planet that proved to fit my taste. Sadly I didn't manage to find the "Bund train", which the ticket covers admissions into the Museum of erotica. :( Tomorrow then!
Shanghai MOCA
I visited the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art "MOCA"
The entrance looked like a back door. and I also thought it wasn't open until security opened the door.
The exhibition on display showcased "modern India"; the fusion of South Asian Art in contemporary society. Quite interesting. I was really drawn to several works. The first was an imitation (is that the right word?) of DaVinci's "Last Supper", but with headscarf ladies.
The second piece of art was a pair of flip flops. it had safe practices printed on each side. Here's one side.
On the top floor aka 'the art lounge' has a rooftop patio and cafe bar. our ticket takes 10 RMB off your bill. So, I decided to gaze at the Shanghai panorama sipping an iced pear mango slushy. Beautiful way cool off. M.O.C.A is tucked inside the "People's Park" along w/ a Moroccan styled lounge/restaurant called "Barborossa's." Last night on channel ICS they showcased Barbarossa's. Everything (furniture) is handmade, there is a fusion of Roman and Arabic architecture. When you're in the park the noisy Shanghai downtown just fades away. It's very tranquil here. It's as if you got away from Shanghai and yet the funny thing is it's just a few hundred feet away.
I got misprofiled for the billionth time today. Today's count: 3 (one after another)
It was 'mistaken for Korean' marathon. Getting out of People's Park, a girl started speaking English at me. I ignored her. Then, she pulled some Japanese. Keep walking Susan. Suddenly I heard Korean "oh she must be Korean" she uttered. I turned around at this point. That's it.
"Whose Korean? Do you speak Korean?" (I said in Japanese)
"Oh!!! Sorry!!! I thought...my friend is from Singapore, though you were too then I thought noo she's gotta be Korean!"
"How???? No offense, but do I seriously look Korean?"
"Well...you give off a different vibe, from your walking and you don't look like a PRC"
"okay..." I said
"so you're from like China-Taiwan?"
My response, " uhh no I'm sino-American"
"we couldn't tell, seriously we thought you were Korean."
I kept walking towards the subway when suddenly I saw two foriegners w/two Chinese girls have a hard time communicating. I heard snippets of "no no...the museum...what's fun here"
"you guys need help?" I said.
"oh thank God" the tall one said. The girls were speaking broken English, which proved to be futile. Sorry ladies. Shorter man spoke French and was absolutely shocked when I started w/ "Qu'est ce que vous cherchez?"
Later that day I spent 80 RMB on a roundtrip ticket on the Maglev train. 400 km/hr. Takes 8 minutes from Longyang station to the International Airport. That train is fast!
Domani: I will try to find that Turkish restaurant on Huai Hai Road. Wish me luck
Hummus? Granola? Philadelphia cream cheese? Pepperidge Farm? Yeah if you are really homesick then you shouldn't be because they have everything here. There's no wonder so many foriegners can endure Shanghai. Shanghai has always been a very westernized city. I managed to find a few places on Lonely Planet that proved to fit my taste. Sadly I didn't manage to find the "Bund train", which the ticket covers admissions into the Museum of erotica. :( Tomorrow then!
Shanghai MOCA
I visited the Shanghai Museum of Contemporary Art "MOCA"
The entrance looked like a back door. and I also thought it wasn't open until security opened the door.
The exhibition on display showcased "modern India"; the fusion of South Asian Art in contemporary society. Quite interesting. I was really drawn to several works. The first was an imitation (is that the right word?) of DaVinci's "Last Supper", but with headscarf ladies.
The second piece of art was a pair of flip flops. it had safe practices printed on each side. Here's one side.On the top floor aka 'the art lounge' has a rooftop patio and cafe bar. our ticket takes 10 RMB off your bill. So, I decided to gaze at the Shanghai panorama sipping an iced pear mango slushy. Beautiful way cool off. M.O.C.A is tucked inside the "People's Park" along w/ a Moroccan styled lounge/restaurant called "Barborossa's." Last night on channel ICS they showcased Barbarossa's. Everything (furniture) is handmade, there is a fusion of Roman and Arabic architecture. When you're in the park the noisy Shanghai downtown just fades away. It's very tranquil here. It's as if you got away from Shanghai and yet the funny thing is it's just a few hundred feet away.
I got misprofiled for the billionth time today. Today's count: 3 (one after another)
It was 'mistaken for Korean' marathon. Getting out of People's Park, a girl started speaking English at me. I ignored her. Then, she pulled some Japanese. Keep walking Susan. Suddenly I heard Korean "oh she must be Korean" she uttered. I turned around at this point. That's it.
"Whose Korean? Do you speak Korean?" (I said in Japanese)
"Oh!!! Sorry!!! I thought...my friend is from Singapore, though you were too then I thought noo she's gotta be Korean!"
"How???? No offense, but do I seriously look Korean?"
"Well...you give off a different vibe, from your walking and you don't look like a PRC"
"okay..." I said
"so you're from like China-Taiwan?"
My response, " uhh no I'm sino-American"
"we couldn't tell, seriously we thought you were Korean."
I kept walking towards the subway when suddenly I saw two foriegners w/two Chinese girls have a hard time communicating. I heard snippets of "no no...the museum...what's fun here"
"you guys need help?" I said.
"oh thank God" the tall one said. The girls were speaking broken English, which proved to be futile. Sorry ladies. Shorter man spoke French and was absolutely shocked when I started w/ "Qu'est ce que vous cherchez?"
Later that day I spent 80 RMB on a roundtrip ticket on the Maglev train. 400 km/hr. Takes 8 minutes from Longyang station to the International Airport. That train is fast!
Domani: I will try to find that Turkish restaurant on Huai Hai Road. Wish me luck
Monday, August 24, 2009
TAXI SCAM!!
DO I look Korean? Do I seriously look Japanese? I took a taxi ride home from Nanjing road. The "Pearl st" if you speak. It's freaking huge compared to your quiet Pearl St.
The guy couldn't break my 100 RMB. He said that since he was 'off duty' he offered a 20 RMB ride back to Jiao Zhou Road. I would walk home (2 miles away），but it was dark. The cabbie thought I was Korean. Wrong. I let him believe in a little story that I was a Japanese, 22 yrs old (he first guessed 25...wow do I look old? *cries. ) and when asked if I was an only child I said I had an older sister and younger brother. He noticed that my Mandarin was really good so then I said that I was Japanese born Chinese. I did put in some truths into the story. My parents were immigrants, the family was originally from Shanghai and were sent down during the revolution. This cabbie was also my Dad's age but he didn't get sent down.
"Ohhh looks like I have no change to break a 100 RMB note. I didn't really care nor the patience to deal with this jerk anymore. Rather than run to a nearby sotre to grab change I just gave that 100 RMB note. I felt slightly cheated afterwards as I decided to buy a legit sandwich from this bistro cafe called "wagas" which caters to the foriegner. Very western. Like starbucks. Yum I got a chicken curry sandwich with mango chutney and chickpeas. Sorry I need a little break from 3 weeks of constant Chinese food. The waiter (Filipino I later asked and I KNEW He WAS!!) and the sweet cashier and I chatted a little about getting ripped off by a taxi. I should call the taxi company. I think I stepped into a 'fake' taxi. It was a private taxi not a company taxi. If you want to ride a taxi. GET INTO A TURQUOISE ONE!. Well I think that experince was needed. 15$ taxi ride home. Yeah go fuck yourself. Not letting that happen again. He said he was off duty at 9. Yeah dude it was 8:20 PM. You dumbass. Your clock said it too. He knew a few words in Japanese. Thank God for Japanese 1010. "How do you say 25...30...40...50?" You trying to rip me off buddy?
Nanjing Road:Ｉwalked about an hour to get there from Urumuqi road. I got kicked off the no. 40 bus. Bus exploring failed after 15 minutes. I'll try again tomorrow. Better yet I'll use the subway. There's a few places I'm going to explore. I should've got a fucking guidebook. That would've been a good present. Geeze.
Anyways.....Nanjing road is where you see beautiful Europeans smoking their fags,beggers, and people shoving ads into your faces. They tap and touch your arm if you keep walking and ignore them. I resisted the reflexes that would make me say "FUCK OFF" or punch them in the face or groin.
I saw a movie today (I need friends here) called “Empire of Silver". I mised the first 5 minutes since I had to take an elevator to the 8th floor and search for the no. 5 screen. Though the rules CLEARLY state turn off your damn phone, and don't talk. People don't. Sure let your nokia default ringtone go off for 10 minutes. I wanted to find that person and kick them in the head.
The guy couldn't break my 100 RMB. He said that since he was 'off duty' he offered a 20 RMB ride back to Jiao Zhou Road. I would walk home (2 miles away），but it was dark. The cabbie thought I was Korean. Wrong. I let him believe in a little story that I was a Japanese, 22 yrs old (he first guessed 25...wow do I look old? *cries. ) and when asked if I was an only child I said I had an older sister and younger brother. He noticed that my Mandarin was really good so then I said that I was Japanese born Chinese. I did put in some truths into the story. My parents were immigrants, the family was originally from Shanghai and were sent down during the revolution. This cabbie was also my Dad's age but he didn't get sent down.
"Ohhh looks like I have no change to break a 100 RMB note. I didn't really care nor the patience to deal with this jerk anymore. Rather than run to a nearby sotre to grab change I just gave that 100 RMB note. I felt slightly cheated afterwards as I decided to buy a legit sandwich from this bistro cafe called "wagas" which caters to the foriegner. Very western. Like starbucks. Yum I got a chicken curry sandwich with mango chutney and chickpeas. Sorry I need a little break from 3 weeks of constant Chinese food. The waiter (Filipino I later asked and I KNEW He WAS!!) and the sweet cashier and I chatted a little about getting ripped off by a taxi. I should call the taxi company. I think I stepped into a 'fake' taxi. It was a private taxi not a company taxi. If you want to ride a taxi. GET INTO A TURQUOISE ONE!. Well I think that experince was needed. 15$ taxi ride home. Yeah go fuck yourself. Not letting that happen again. He said he was off duty at 9. Yeah dude it was 8:20 PM. You dumbass. Your clock said it too. He knew a few words in Japanese. Thank God for Japanese 1010. "How do you say 25...30...40...50?" You trying to rip me off buddy?
Nanjing Road:Ｉwalked about an hour to get there from Urumuqi road. I got kicked off the no. 40 bus. Bus exploring failed after 15 minutes. I'll try again tomorrow. Better yet I'll use the subway. There's a few places I'm going to explore. I should've got a fucking guidebook. That would've been a good present. Geeze.
Anyways.....Nanjing road is where you see beautiful Europeans smoking their fags,beggers, and people shoving ads into your faces. They tap and touch your arm if you keep walking and ignore them. I resisted the reflexes that would make me say "FUCK OFF" or punch them in the face or groin.
I saw a movie today (I need friends here) called “Empire of Silver". I mised the first 5 minutes since I had to take an elevator to the 8th floor and search for the no. 5 screen. Though the rules CLEARLY state turn off your damn phone, and don't talk. People don't. Sure let your nokia default ringtone go off for 10 minutes. I wanted to find that person and kick them in the head.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Human Experimentation
I was involved in human experimentation just now. It involved makeup. Don't worry my Aunt Dong sells Mary Kay products in Shanghai. The little Avon lady. Only it's Mary Kay. I'm not sure if Avon does door to door here. Aunt Dont doesn't either. She has clients.
I decided to get out of my tom boy zone and try something new. I think it's about time that I should start looking like a girl. TOnight I had my first facial. Having to go through the corporate script, Aunt Dong introduced me to Mary Kay to me and went step by step as to what to do for my skin. Next step, whcil will be in the next few days; make up and eyebrow waxing. Woooo.....I'm scared.
Right now i'm watching CCTV2: The economy channel. They've been discussing for the past 10 minutes on "Internet addiction among teens." This one girl was apparently addicted to the web. An internvention was taged in the hospital. 7 soldiers tackled her and carried her onto this black tarped table. Then I think they used electroshock therapy. This other boy got knocked out by meds to cure his addiction to the internet. He woke up two days later. Either way they were in pain.
Another solution was just presented: Correctional private school for net addicters. It sorta looked like a military school. It's hilarious that people are addicted to the net. "
网瘾“ is what it's called. These kids are addicted to the net like a real drug addict. They forget to eat, sleep...everything pretty much.
Previous night one news program addressed a "Big problem" going on in China. Driving under the influence. 100 people have died and 1500 people have been pulled over in the last 2 months. Dumbasses driving intoxicated.
Solutions proposed: Nightride system.
Currently the country has not made a standard for a designated driver or try to promote the concept of "drinking responsibly/designated driver." People are stubborn, filled with skepticism if some stranger drove them home. One guy said to reporters, "what if they scratched my car whislt driving me back?"
Ｓｏ．．you're actually more concerned if a night ride driver scratched your car...Unfucking believable.
（I just saw a Samsung 3g touchscreen commercial w/ Bon Jovi's "it's my life＂ rocking in the background. That was so 2001.
Note: Japanese culture in China
It's pervasive. Ramen shops, bakeries, music, sushi bars, anime and on TV. on ICS you have Japanese talk shows, MTV countdown, and I'm really enjoying the Japanese soaps. They're absolutely a guilty pleasure. Another guilty pleausre isn the Amazing Race.
Note # 2: The Wang family is from Japan? Uh...NO!
The other day Aunt and I went into the corner convenience store to get a magazine. A white man came in too. The clerk (an old lady of sorts)started going off in Japanese to us. Now it was early in the morning too. Delayed response from our side.
"什么？？ （what?)＂Aunt said.
I realized it was Japanese when I caught "desu ka" at the end. Oh great. Misprofiled again for the billionth time by our poeple.
"no no were not Japanese :), America-desu!"
“ I could've sworn you were."
oo I got a little black dress!! Score!
I decided to get out of my tom boy zone and try something new. I think it's about time that I should start looking like a girl. TOnight I had my first facial. Having to go through the corporate script, Aunt Dong introduced me to Mary Kay to me and went step by step as to what to do for my skin. Next step, whcil will be in the next few days; make up and eyebrow waxing. Woooo.....I'm scared.
Right now i'm watching CCTV2: The economy channel. They've been discussing for the past 10 minutes on "Internet addiction among teens." This one girl was apparently addicted to the web. An internvention was taged in the hospital. 7 soldiers tackled her and carried her onto this black tarped table. Then I think they used electroshock therapy. This other boy got knocked out by meds to cure his addiction to the internet. He woke up two days later. Either way they were in pain.
Another solution was just presented: Correctional private school for net addicters. It sorta looked like a military school. It's hilarious that people are addicted to the net. "
网瘾“ is what it's called. These kids are addicted to the net like a real drug addict. They forget to eat, sleep...everything pretty much.
Previous night one news program addressed a "Big problem" going on in China. Driving under the influence. 100 people have died and 1500 people have been pulled over in the last 2 months. Dumbasses driving intoxicated.
Solutions proposed: Nightride system.
Currently the country has not made a standard for a designated driver or try to promote the concept of "drinking responsibly/designated driver." People are stubborn, filled with skepticism if some stranger drove them home. One guy said to reporters, "what if they scratched my car whislt driving me back?"
Ｓｏ．．you're actually more concerned if a night ride driver scratched your car...Unfucking believable.
（I just saw a Samsung 3g touchscreen commercial w/ Bon Jovi's "it's my life＂ rocking in the background. That was so 2001.
Note: Japanese culture in China
It's pervasive. Ramen shops, bakeries, music, sushi bars, anime and on TV. on ICS you have Japanese talk shows, MTV countdown, and I'm really enjoying the Japanese soaps. They're absolutely a guilty pleasure. Another guilty pleausre isn the Amazing Race.
Note # 2: The Wang family is from Japan? Uh...NO!
The other day Aunt and I went into the corner convenience store to get a magazine. A white man came in too. The clerk (an old lady of sorts)started going off in Japanese to us. Now it was early in the morning too. Delayed response from our side.
"什么？？ （what?)＂Aunt said.
I realized it was Japanese when I caught "desu ka" at the end. Oh great. Misprofiled again for the billionth time by our poeple.
"no no were not Japanese :), America-desu!"
“ I could've sworn you were."
oo I got a little black dress!! Score!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
I sent Mom, Aunt and Peter to the airport today. Mom suffered a little cold yesterday. Headache, fever. Yeah getting on a flight would pull up a red flag! I hope we snipped it in the bud with Tylenol: SEVERE COLD. Hope it worked. Peter had a bit of a stomach bother when after check in. Before they went through security we said our farewells (for now!) It got emotional for my Aunt. I was definitely not expecting tears to well up from Aunt Dora. I was expecting that from me Mother. Peter quietly reached out for a hug "well Goodbye..." I was surprised by that. Don't know why it's odd for me to see Peter show his sensitive side. It was like he was 6 again. The previous night it was he who mentioned that "this would be the last time (till next summer) we could stay up and talk till were silly."
I felt rather silly when Aunt's eyes were welling up. I didn't cry. To make it even more silly I decided that we should have a group hug. Yeah we got looks. The emoitnal goodbye with the family was a foriegn concept to me. I've always seen my Aunt with a smile or worried look, but tears? Never.
Oh funny story. the previous day Aunt and I ran some morning errands near our house. We went to the confectionary-DAMN IT I just found a mosquition sucking on my face. I scratched my cheek and a big bloody mosquition landed SMACK DAB on my journal. Now my face has a big bump. Crap.
ANYWAYS we also went to the pharmacy. More like a Costco pharmacy. First counter we got info from had your array of goodies. Cialis, Levitra, and to top it off; VIAGRA!
"Aunt! Aunt! I really need viagra please." I joked.
She punched my arm teasingly and we laughed our way up the escalator.
Later we popped into your bootleg DVD shop. Totoro kept going in and out of Japanese/Mandarin dub for 20 seconds every so often. Angels and Demons? If you read the book you'll hate Ron Howard. Oh and the subtitles were obviously recycled in 5 languages and then back into English.
Chinese TV: Were gonna act like our neighbors
TV programming here (I'm talking about your TV dramas) embraces the pop culture of its neighbors: Korea & Japan. The influence on tv is a riot. Last night I saw a dubbed Korean soap. The acting is over the top. I guess it's because it was a romantic comedy. Just now there's a Japanese soap on ICS (International Channel: Shanghai).
A couple argues. Each part ways, gets drunk in front of their friends, then walk around town and coincidentally sees one another. A stare. Then, confessions about love and committement take place that last 10 minutes. Suddenly she asks, "do you want to play a game?"
Marriage proposal over a token game of "Grab the stuffed animal" arcade game.
Friends announce that they're leaving for NYC. People follow.
Rock band plays in the square.
Tomato ramen. WHAT? WHAT A FORIEGN CONCEPT
Chinese TV: Foriegners make mucho.
I guess if you're out of a job in Australia, you enjoy talking, and fairly attractive then getting a job as a tv host in China is a piece of cake.
I felt rather silly when Aunt's eyes were welling up. I didn't cry. To make it even more silly I decided that we should have a group hug. Yeah we got looks. The emoitnal goodbye with the family was a foriegn concept to me. I've always seen my Aunt with a smile or worried look, but tears? Never.
Oh funny story. the previous day Aunt and I ran some morning errands near our house. We went to the confectionary-DAMN IT I just found a mosquition sucking on my face. I scratched my cheek and a big bloody mosquition landed SMACK DAB on my journal. Now my face has a big bump. Crap.
ANYWAYS we also went to the pharmacy. More like a Costco pharmacy. First counter we got info from had your array of goodies. Cialis, Levitra, and to top it off; VIAGRA!
"Aunt! Aunt! I really need viagra please." I joked.
She punched my arm teasingly and we laughed our way up the escalator.
Later we popped into your bootleg DVD shop. Totoro kept going in and out of Japanese/Mandarin dub for 20 seconds every so often. Angels and Demons? If you read the book you'll hate Ron Howard. Oh and the subtitles were obviously recycled in 5 languages and then back into English.
Chinese TV: Were gonna act like our neighbors
TV programming here (I'm talking about your TV dramas) embraces the pop culture of its neighbors: Korea & Japan. The influence on tv is a riot. Last night I saw a dubbed Korean soap. The acting is over the top. I guess it's because it was a romantic comedy. Just now there's a Japanese soap on ICS (International Channel: Shanghai).
A couple argues. Each part ways, gets drunk in front of their friends, then walk around town and coincidentally sees one another. A stare. Then, confessions about love and committement take place that last 10 minutes. Suddenly she asks, "do you want to play a game?"
Marriage proposal over a token game of "Grab the stuffed animal" arcade game.
Friends announce that they're leaving for NYC. People follow.
Rock band plays in the square.
Tomato ramen. WHAT? WHAT A FORIEGN CONCEPT
Chinese TV: Foriegners make mucho.
I guess if you're out of a job in Australia, you enjoy talking, and fairly attractive then getting a job as a tv host in China is a piece of cake.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Shanghai: Harder, Better, faster, Stronger
Recognize the lyrics? "Harder, better, faster, stronger." is a portion of the lyrics from Daft Punk's song "Harder better faster stronger." Redundant? Sorta. Though that's what pops into my head when I look at Shanghai right now. Currently the city is going through another round of hardcore construction and clean up in preparation for the 2010 World's Expo. It's the World's Fair basically. Dont' worry. If you've never heard of it. You're not alone. It's another extravaganza hosted by another city where they build tremendous monuments and use countless man hours to build stadiums, buildings and much more. Shanghai has less than a year to prepare for the festivities this coming May. OY!
Though they're doing it 'harder, better, faster ...and stronger. Things are getting done.
pfff I sure hope so. Construction is all over the city. Big posters cover up future sites with slogans and images of children from all over the world uniting to celebrate the World's Expo.
"Better city, better life" Is the theme for the expo. So far I feel that Shanghai is a lot cleaner. People most of the time do follow the traffic signals. Then the other times you're nearly ran over or someone cuts you left and right on the bloody highway. I have no idea how my Aunt Chen Dong drives in this madness. you've got pedestrians, bikers, motorcylists, scooters, and ....random man pulled carts. I haven't seen the 3 wheeled rickshaw taxi. They're probably gone from the equation now.
Shanghai is a global melting pot. I've never seen so many foriegners in any Chinese city until now. I heard glimpses of Spanish, Italian, French and the Aussie accent many a times.
Though they're doing it 'harder, better, faster ...and stronger. Things are getting done.
pfff I sure hope so. Construction is all over the city. Big posters cover up future sites with slogans and images of children from all over the world uniting to celebrate the World's Expo.
"Better city, better life" Is the theme for the expo. So far I feel that Shanghai is a lot cleaner. People most of the time do follow the traffic signals. Then the other times you're nearly ran over or someone cuts you left and right on the bloody highway. I have no idea how my Aunt Chen Dong drives in this madness. you've got pedestrians, bikers, motorcylists, scooters, and ....random man pulled carts. I haven't seen the 3 wheeled rickshaw taxi. They're probably gone from the equation now.
Shanghai is a global melting pot. I've never seen so many foriegners in any Chinese city until now. I heard glimpses of Spanish, Italian, French and the Aussie accent many a times.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
HEAT WAVE
Shanghai is a boiling pot. The moment you step out into the stairwell you are entering a layer of heat. Peter and I decided to stay indoors while Mom and Aunt deided to venture out and swim in their swim. My Mom looked like a she came back from a wet t-shirt contest. Sorta inappropriate to put that image on my Mom, but it was hilarious.
Monday, August 17, 2009
"3 words: I love you" A segment found in a new song broadcasting on Chinese MTV ft. rap sensation "MC Hotdog." I'm not joking. That's his rap name. I looked carefully on the screen. Now they're showing Green Day's "21 Guns."
I arrived in Shanghai five days ago. It's been a non stop ride. We got out and wander for hours. I decided to stay in today. I woke up with a lower back pain. Sucky.
You get a different vibe in Shanghai. It's pretty obvious: Cosmopolitan, glamourous, classy. People are always on the go here. Fashion doesn't let the humidity bring it down. People here do care about their appearance (both genders apply). It's as if I'm surrounded by models from Urban Outfitters.
There's a sad history here when we unloaded everything into 208 drive. "It feels great to be home." my parents said. Were staying at Aunt Dong's house. Originally the entire Jiao Zhou road belonged to my Great Grandfather (biggest salt monopolizer in the early 20th century apparently). However, due to communism the size of his wealth was reduced to one dwelling; a 4 story English townhouse. # 208. The first floor was taken over during the revolution by squatters. Assholes. Finally 2 years ago Aunt Dong got it back. Now we have 4 floors again. Normal. Were still adjusting that the 1st floor is ours again.
A late morning thunderstorm is coming down. I finally heard thunder. It's starting to pour now. Typical summer weather. Lady Gaga just appeared on the countdown w/ "Paparazzi." How does she dress like that??? So tasteless.
I arrived in Shanghai five days ago. It's been a non stop ride. We got out and wander for hours. I decided to stay in today. I woke up with a lower back pain. Sucky.
You get a different vibe in Shanghai. It's pretty obvious: Cosmopolitan, glamourous, classy. People are always on the go here. Fashion doesn't let the humidity bring it down. People here do care about their appearance (both genders apply). It's as if I'm surrounded by models from Urban Outfitters.
There's a sad history here when we unloaded everything into 208 drive. "It feels great to be home." my parents said. Were staying at Aunt Dong's house. Originally the entire Jiao Zhou road belonged to my Great Grandfather (biggest salt monopolizer in the early 20th century apparently). However, due to communism the size of his wealth was reduced to one dwelling; a 4 story English townhouse. # 208. The first floor was taken over during the revolution by squatters. Assholes. Finally 2 years ago Aunt Dong got it back. Now we have 4 floors again. Normal. Were still adjusting that the 1st floor is ours again.
A late morning thunderstorm is coming down. I finally heard thunder. It's starting to pour now. Typical summer weather. Lady Gaga just appeared on the countdown w/ "Paparazzi." How does she dress like that??? So tasteless.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Day 1: Shanghai ft. my 3rd Great Aunt
The amount of adorationf or Peter will not stop. Everyone gets so mushy when they meet my brother. My 3rd Great Aunt (paternal side) is 84 but is still a walking, healthy, and happy lady. She's a spitting image of my late Grandma. I do miss her at times. I hope she's proud of us. I hope to be a strong, beautiful, and elegant lady like she was. I've got a long way to go.
3rd Great Aunt brought up the situation regarding "our house" aka the mansion in Lu Shan. 500 square meters is the size of that house. I don't know how big that is cuz I suck at meters and measurements in general. Chinese people know thier measurements and it's ALWAYS about numbers here. They want the house. Period. It's been complicated since the Communists took it and allowed 7 families to board there. My family doesn't care. They want nothing to do with that house. 3rd Great Aunt's daughter/ my big Aunt Ping (seriously) is really adamant about getting the house back. The night before Dad left, Aunt Dora and the lot had a big conference on the 2nd floor. Turned that Big Aunt Ping was just talking...and talking...and talked until midnight. Aunt and Dad really wanted her to shut up about the house because he needed the sleep.
Okay Mom, Aunt and Peter just came in soaking wet. Hmmm rain is getting heavier.
3rd Great Aunt brought up the situation regarding "our house" aka the mansion in Lu Shan. 500 square meters is the size of that house. I don't know how big that is cuz I suck at meters and measurements in general. Chinese people know thier measurements and it's ALWAYS about numbers here. They want the house. Period. It's been complicated since the Communists took it and allowed 7 families to board there. My family doesn't care. They want nothing to do with that house. 3rd Great Aunt's daughter/ my big Aunt Ping (seriously) is really adamant about getting the house back. The night before Dad left, Aunt Dora and the lot had a big conference on the 2nd floor. Turned that Big Aunt Ping was just talking...and talking...and talked until midnight. Aunt and Dad really wanted her to shut up about the house because he needed the sleep.
Okay Mom, Aunt and Peter just came in soaking wet. Hmmm rain is getting heavier.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
The calm of the storm
We are sitting down dinner al fresco cinese. The entire afternon was spent in the countryside in the peach orchard. Tensions have been tamed. Everything we're eating for dinner was just freshly picked from the vegetable gardens. Hand made noodles w/various stirfry vegetables was delicious. I ahd scrambled eggs w/tomatoes, green bell peppers with bits of pork, cucumbers w/vinagrette dressing and a clove of garlic.
Anectdotes of everyone's experience as a sent down youth was brought up. 王燕宁 (Wang Yan Ning) luckilly slaved away only 30 km from Lanzhou. He was lucky and it was I think because of the fact that he had a younger sister. They also mentioned how silly the past was; how everyone cried when Mao died and how it was taboo to speak ill of the Party.
"Chiang Kai-Shek is dead, mao's time is soon too." said an Old Man when Dad was sent down. Dad freaked out at the statement. "HEY!!! Old Man!! I'm screwed if people hear this! You're a citizen! I'm a dog! I'm a sent down youth!"
As of now my Mom said that it was rather embarassing that Dad's friends saw us fighting. I really don't give a shit. They need to be reminded that my Dad is not perfect, he's still human. Imperfections we all have. Beneath that exterior lies a man who can't control his alcohol around friends, who gets arrogant, go exaggerates and blows everything out of proportion. Sometimes I can sense that he prefers my brother over me. I understand. Peter is a boy. I'm a girl.
Everyone else adores my brother. How handsome he is, how he has beautiful masculine features. I don't care. I always have to play this game alone. I'm the blacksheheep since I'm not really understood among this family. No one is on my side. I can only turn to my friends Sure there's a language barrier at times, but they have to the make the effort too. It can't always be me who has to be on the front line.
Anectdotes of everyone's experience as a sent down youth was brought up. 王燕宁 (Wang Yan Ning) luckilly slaved away only 30 km from Lanzhou. He was lucky and it was I think because of the fact that he had a younger sister. They also mentioned how silly the past was; how everyone cried when Mao died and how it was taboo to speak ill of the Party.
"Chiang Kai-Shek is dead, mao's time is soon too." said an Old Man when Dad was sent down. Dad freaked out at the statement. "HEY!!! Old Man!! I'm screwed if people hear this! You're a citizen! I'm a dog! I'm a sent down youth!"
As of now my Mom said that it was rather embarassing that Dad's friends saw us fighting. I really don't give a shit. They need to be reminded that my Dad is not perfect, he's still human. Imperfections we all have. Beneath that exterior lies a man who can't control his alcohol around friends, who gets arrogant, go exaggerates and blows everything out of proportion. Sometimes I can sense that he prefers my brother over me. I understand. Peter is a boy. I'm a girl.
Everyone else adores my brother. How handsome he is, how he has beautiful masculine features. I don't care. I always have to play this game alone. I'm the blacksheheep since I'm not really understood among this family. No one is on my side. I can only turn to my friends Sure there's a language barrier at times, but they have to the make the effort too. It can't always be me who has to be on the front line.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Fathers！！！
I've just inhaled cancer for the third time today. I need to stop . I don't want to turn to cancer to calm my senses. Dad and I just got into a huge fight. He turns into an alcohol fiend everytime he comes back to Lanzhou. His friend decided 'hey I'll just DRIVE 90 mph to get to the peach orchard.' Factor in no seatbelts, a Dad who has no sense of safety or cosideration for everyone, but himself and lets see whose stressed out。 To top it off my time of the month has decided to pay a visit. Fuck you Mother Nature. I'm gonna throw this cigarette away. DO I want to have black lungs? Peter is right.
"Your American standards and my Chinese standards are different." What the fuck does that mean??? I don't care. there were 8 people in his van. No seatbelts and two idiots drunk off of 75% proof liquor. I was pissed. So we got in a fight. He pushed me so I decided hey why not punch my Dad in the face. So I did. I had no other weapons. I thought punching someone square in the face was a good idea at the time. My Mom didn't think so. I should've just 'let' my Dad yell at me because 'he's always right because he's older/wiser than you.' In this case； no. He was being stupid and a jackass.
An attempted apology on my Dad's part came later, but turned sour. The fact that he blamed our behaviour on different cultural standards made me tkae back the chance to forgive him. I don't give a shit where you come from and what values youv'e been conditioned to. You don't make excuses for reckless driving. Apologize, don't do it again and learn from your fuck-ups and THEN in the FUTURE this won't have to HAPPEN.
Why do I always accomdate your behvaior? Oh it's because it's tradition to obey your elders where they are right or wrong. Things change, customs change, and one can change. Dad could have controlled his fucking drinking binge for today, his friends COULD HAVE listened to us and slowed the fuck down, but no. People have no sense of empathy here and all they do is care about themselves.
It feels like I always ahve to forgive my Dad when it's clearly not my fault, which is absolute bull. I only resort to anger when I feel like I'm being backed into a corner or when I have no other strategies to get their attention.
I should have read "non-violent communication" more thoroghly . Dad could also use a little weed to calm his anger.
"Your American standards and my Chinese standards are different." What the fuck does that mean??? I don't care. there were 8 people in his van. No seatbelts and two idiots drunk off of 75% proof liquor. I was pissed. So we got in a fight. He pushed me so I decided hey why not punch my Dad in the face. So I did. I had no other weapons. I thought punching someone square in the face was a good idea at the time. My Mom didn't think so. I should've just 'let' my Dad yell at me because 'he's always right because he's older/wiser than you.' In this case； no. He was being stupid and a jackass.
An attempted apology on my Dad's part came later, but turned sour. The fact that he blamed our behaviour on different cultural standards made me tkae back the chance to forgive him. I don't give a shit where you come from and what values youv'e been conditioned to. You don't make excuses for reckless driving. Apologize, don't do it again and learn from your fuck-ups and THEN in the FUTURE this won't have to HAPPEN.
Why do I always accomdate your behvaior? Oh it's because it's tradition to obey your elders where they are right or wrong. Things change, customs change, and one can change. Dad could have controlled his fucking drinking binge for today, his friends COULD HAVE listened to us and slowed the fuck down, but no. People have no sense of empathy here and all they do is care about themselves.
It feels like I always ahve to forgive my Dad when it's clearly not my fault, which is absolute bull. I only resort to anger when I feel like I'm being backed into a corner or when I have no other strategies to get their attention.
I should have read "non-violent communication" more thoroghly . Dad could also use a little weed to calm his anger.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Not hanging with the old people
I thought I could get away with suffering from a bout of illness, but Day # 7 into China my Aunt and I suffered from a light case of diaherea. Thank God for CIPRO.
Today's activities included more food, friends, and liquor. we got see Aunt's school buddies (Dad's mutual friends too). I finally got to see Wang Wei. LAst time I saw him was in '04 and I had a major crush on the pretty boy. Now he's getting married. ( I met his fiance today as well and I hope for the best)
"You're not shy like last time, you're skinnier too." people say. Well that's good to hear.
"Mature now." Is another adjective that was passed around. Yeah I mean I was 15 when met me and 5 years have really changed me. I was pretty awkward. Duh I was an angsty teenager.
Lanzhou dialect was contagious. My Dad speaks it better than the natives of Lanzhou and that's what all the people we met in Lanzhou said. So it should be true. He speaks it with such a raw flair.
Wang Wei entered the house in convere high tops, light blue jeans (skinny jeans in my opinion) and a black adidas sports jacket. He looked normal. Better than the suit pants and brown striped golf shirt. The business look is out.
Later, the 20 somethings (Zhang Jin, Wang Wei and I) relocated to her room where she was trying to start up her computer. Wang wei started to light up a cigarette when he offered one to my Dad
"I won't (I gave it up), but Susan can..here you wanna smoke Susan?" (My Dad discovered this dark secret the other day)
So I decided to inhale cancer for the 2nd time w/in three days. I got laughed at by Wang Wei since the way I held my fag was 'downright hilarious'...in some way.
Aunt Dora discovered another dark secret of mine. Damn it.
The phrase 'more open minded' was heard from Wang Wei's mouth constantly when we talked about differences b/t China & the U.S. Dirty little secrets were spilled; the fact that I drink like a camel, what alcohol I 'abuse', the copious amounts of green I inhale (JUST KIDDING). People have come to terms that I'm not a little girl anymore. Wang Wei was a bit suprised that I smoked. Mom can't know. She'll find out soon enough...damn. Don't worry I barely smoke. I don't go crazy if I can't smoke a cigarette.
A gracious Muslim styled Lanzhou lunch later the adults and youngsters parted ways. I was heading towards Five Spring Mountain 五泉山 with Wang Wei and Zhang Jing. we made a pit stop at Gou Bu Li 狗不理 dumpling house to visit Wang Wei's fiance who was celebrating her Grandpa's 75th birthday.
Earlier he mentioned that his girlfriend couldn't see us at the house.
"you're just making excuses so we can't see your future wife." I joked.
I witnessed firsthand a really awkward moment between Wang wei and his future father in law. Wang Wei came to raise his glass to the family and when he was about to give a toast to his father in law, the bastard said, "why the hell should I raise my glass with you?"
He was drunk.
Silence. Wang Wei was a little taken back, but didn't care. His fiance was livid with her Dad. “不好意思！”（So sorry!!!) was repeated many times from the female side of the family.
Awkward Chinese moment. Zhang Jing and I pulled the bride away from her father. Everyone pushed us out of the room while the phrase "let it go! let it go!" was uttered to calm the bride down. Soooo awkward.
Five Spring Mountain/Lanzhou Zoo
I will give kudos to Zhang Jing for going out all day in heels. You're crazy and I'm suprised that you didn't kill yourself.
The zoo is right next door to the base of the mountain. I saw my first panda and his bum was covered in dirt. Dirt and slow yet so cute!! The maintenance of the zoo? APPALLING. Where are the zookeepers? It's revolting to see trash in the animal pens and people young & old throwing and feeding junk to the animals. People even throw their bottled drinks at the creatures. I yelled at a few people, but people don't seem to care that their actions lead to consequences.
I caved in later to a 2 RMB bumper car hysteria. We had a lot of fun.
Later that night Wang Wei took us to dinner at a place called "Tang's Gruel." The translation is okay. Gruel just sounds gross. it's just a variety of delicious porridge. I had black sesame seed porridge and then smoked another “Lanzhou"brand cigarette because Wang Wei offered me one, and you can't refuse Lanzhou hospitality even when it's cancer.
This has to stop.
Today's activities included more food, friends, and liquor. we got see Aunt's school buddies (Dad's mutual friends too). I finally got to see Wang Wei. LAst time I saw him was in '04 and I had a major crush on the pretty boy. Now he's getting married. ( I met his fiance today as well and I hope for the best)
"You're not shy like last time, you're skinnier too." people say. Well that's good to hear.
"Mature now." Is another adjective that was passed around. Yeah I mean I was 15 when met me and 5 years have really changed me. I was pretty awkward. Duh I was an angsty teenager.
Lanzhou dialect was contagious. My Dad speaks it better than the natives of Lanzhou and that's what all the people we met in Lanzhou said. So it should be true. He speaks it with such a raw flair.
Wang Wei entered the house in convere high tops, light blue jeans (skinny jeans in my opinion) and a black adidas sports jacket. He looked normal. Better than the suit pants and brown striped golf shirt. The business look is out.
Later, the 20 somethings (Zhang Jin, Wang Wei and I) relocated to her room where she was trying to start up her computer. Wang wei started to light up a cigarette when he offered one to my Dad
"I won't (I gave it up), but Susan can..here you wanna smoke Susan?" (My Dad discovered this dark secret the other day)
So I decided to inhale cancer for the 2nd time w/in three days. I got laughed at by Wang Wei since the way I held my fag was 'downright hilarious'...in some way.
Aunt Dora discovered another dark secret of mine. Damn it.
The phrase 'more open minded' was heard from Wang Wei's mouth constantly when we talked about differences b/t China & the U.S. Dirty little secrets were spilled; the fact that I drink like a camel, what alcohol I 'abuse', the copious amounts of green I inhale (JUST KIDDING). People have come to terms that I'm not a little girl anymore. Wang Wei was a bit suprised that I smoked. Mom can't know. She'll find out soon enough...damn. Don't worry I barely smoke. I don't go crazy if I can't smoke a cigarette.
A gracious Muslim styled Lanzhou lunch later the adults and youngsters parted ways. I was heading towards Five Spring Mountain 五泉山 with Wang Wei and Zhang Jing. we made a pit stop at Gou Bu Li 狗不理 dumpling house to visit Wang Wei's fiance who was celebrating her Grandpa's 75th birthday.
Earlier he mentioned that his girlfriend couldn't see us at the house.
"you're just making excuses so we can't see your future wife." I joked.
I witnessed firsthand a really awkward moment between Wang wei and his future father in law. Wang Wei came to raise his glass to the family and when he was about to give a toast to his father in law, the bastard said, "why the hell should I raise my glass with you?"
He was drunk.
Silence. Wang Wei was a little taken back, but didn't care. His fiance was livid with her Dad. “不好意思！”（So sorry!!!) was repeated many times from the female side of the family.
Awkward Chinese moment. Zhang Jing and I pulled the bride away from her father. Everyone pushed us out of the room while the phrase "let it go! let it go!" was uttered to calm the bride down. Soooo awkward.
Five Spring Mountain/Lanzhou Zoo
I will give kudos to Zhang Jing for going out all day in heels. You're crazy and I'm suprised that you didn't kill yourself.
The zoo is right next door to the base of the mountain. I saw my first panda and his bum was covered in dirt. Dirt and slow yet so cute!! The maintenance of the zoo? APPALLING. Where are the zookeepers? It's revolting to see trash in the animal pens and people young & old throwing and feeding junk to the animals. People even throw their bottled drinks at the creatures. I yelled at a few people, but people don't seem to care that their actions lead to consequences.
I caved in later to a 2 RMB bumper car hysteria. We had a lot of fun.
Later that night Wang Wei took us to dinner at a place called "Tang's Gruel." The translation is okay. Gruel just sounds gross. it's just a variety of delicious porridge. I had black sesame seed porridge and then smoked another “Lanzhou"brand cigarette because Wang Wei offered me one, and you can't refuse Lanzhou hospitality even when it's cancer.
This has to stop.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
The Olympics: One year later
One year anniversary of the '08 Summer Games. To celebrate such a momentous triump. Big cities have some sorts of events taking place; marathons, dances. At the Bird's Nest in Beijing a billion civillians adorned in white tai chi robes are performing sychronized 24 step tai-chi. Scary? Yes. I saw it on tv. Then the mass amounts of people got soaked in rain. The celebration got delayed. Funny? I thought so.
I'm celebrating w/pre-Autumn monsoon rain. Beijing is also enjoying that too from the looks of it on the telly. Initially Aunt was to spend the entire day on the shore of the Yellow River, reuniting with her high school class with copious amounts of tea. Rain relocated us to her friend's house. A big spacy apartment. Tea, fruit, and cakes were passed among her smiling friends. Getting there caused major trauma to my feet. Soaking wet feet. FUN. I went through ankle deep puddles as water lines were bursting.
Currently we are just finishing another elaborate meal at another big fancy restaurant. To conclude the meal the guys started another round of drinking games. I drank a lot of Dad's liquor (55% proof) They thought I couldn't down a shot. I proved them wrong. It burns worse than vodka. I later chased it down with tea.
I'm celebrating w/pre-Autumn monsoon rain. Beijing is also enjoying that too from the looks of it on the telly. Initially Aunt was to spend the entire day on the shore of the Yellow River, reuniting with her high school class with copious amounts of tea. Rain relocated us to her friend's house. A big spacy apartment. Tea, fruit, and cakes were passed among her smiling friends. Getting there caused major trauma to my feet. Soaking wet feet. FUN. I went through ankle deep puddles as water lines were bursting.
Currently we are just finishing another elaborate meal at another big fancy restaurant. To conclude the meal the guys started another round of drinking games. I drank a lot of Dad's liquor (55% proof) They thought I couldn't down a shot. I proved them wrong. It burns worse than vodka. I later chased it down with tea.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Lanzhou: Parent's Hometown
Were heading to Lanzhou now aboard Air China. Recap of today's headlines: Liu Xiang screwed up his ankle again. No world championship. Just now this lady asked me what my seat number was. It's 24C. I assumed C was the window. Guess not. Well I'm not getting up. Then I realized the ugly brute next her was her hubby...or sugar daddy. She is very touchy and now is cuddling. Her dyed brunette hair is right on the breast of her hubby. Now she just pushed the seat arm back so now they can cuddle even more. He doesn't look interested at all. Ture love or gold digger? You be the judge.
All the flight crew for Chinese airlines (for the women on the most part) fit a standard. Skinny,young, a pretty face with very delicate features. They're all about 5'5-5'7 and probably a size 0-2. Where did they get all the pretty ladies?
Arrived in Lanzhou
The weather? Just like Boulder
Environment: Desolate, dirty, noisy and the aroma of this city is just nasty.
Everyone in the car wouldn't stop going crazy because Peter is "such a handsome kid." Aunt Dora's old flame nicknamed "Yellow Dog" in Mandarin said Peter looked like Real Madrid footballer Raul. .....I don't think so. He also mentioned as a joke that we would totally adopt either of us, but he'd really want to take Peter.
"I don't think Dave (my dad) would be okay with that" Aunt said
"Alright, I'll take Susan then."
Everyone was stammering. "You're basically buying her? You know she's smart enough to run away."
Everyone drinks here. it's what you do when you have NOTHING to do. DRINK DRINK DRINK AND DRINK SOME MORE.
Staying @ Auntie Wu's house (Aunt's old co-worker)
After unloading everything, we went into cool down mode. We just ate and were not in the moood to eat another bite. Auntie Wu asked what we wanted for dinner. Something light please. Soon after, Dad popped up yakking away in the Lanzhou dialect. 20 yrs after leaving Lanzhou his dialect is still spot on.
Lanzhou natives are very warm and hospitable people. It can feel overwhelming at times. Hospitality is among the customs in the Northwest part of China. More so than other regions according to my Dad. Auntie Wu prepared a light Lanzhou styled dinner for us. Light yet memorable.
Twisted scallion pancakes, stir fry shredded potatoes, sour greenn beans and congee with pumpkins bits.
Later that night, I decided to thin out my hair so we walked to Auntie's routine hair salon. It's going to be difficult for me to adjust to the fact that even though the pedestrian light says you can walk, cars still don't give a shit and will try to kill you. As You're crossing instead of slowing down, they're pushing down on the gas pedal. So how the hell do I cross? I reall don't want to be roadkill. Recently in Lanzhou an old Professor got some perosnal vigilante justice by stnading in the middle of the street and threw rocks at the windshield of passing cars. His reasoning? Three people at that street were seriously injured because they were only trying to cross the street and drivers didn't care.
All the flight crew for Chinese airlines (for the women on the most part) fit a standard. Skinny,young, a pretty face with very delicate features. They're all about 5'5-5'7 and probably a size 0-2. Where did they get all the pretty ladies?
Arrived in Lanzhou
The weather? Just like Boulder
Environment: Desolate, dirty, noisy and the aroma of this city is just nasty.
Everyone in the car wouldn't stop going crazy because Peter is "such a handsome kid." Aunt Dora's old flame nicknamed "Yellow Dog" in Mandarin said Peter looked like Real Madrid footballer Raul. .....I don't think so. He also mentioned as a joke that we would totally adopt either of us, but he'd really want to take Peter.
"I don't think Dave (my dad) would be okay with that" Aunt said
"Alright, I'll take Susan then."
Everyone was stammering. "You're basically buying her? You know she's smart enough to run away."
Everyone drinks here. it's what you do when you have NOTHING to do. DRINK DRINK DRINK AND DRINK SOME MORE.
Staying @ Auntie Wu's house (Aunt's old co-worker)
After unloading everything, we went into cool down mode. We just ate and were not in the moood to eat another bite. Auntie Wu asked what we wanted for dinner. Something light please. Soon after, Dad popped up yakking away in the Lanzhou dialect. 20 yrs after leaving Lanzhou his dialect is still spot on.
Lanzhou natives are very warm and hospitable people. It can feel overwhelming at times. Hospitality is among the customs in the Northwest part of China. More so than other regions according to my Dad. Auntie Wu prepared a light Lanzhou styled dinner for us. Light yet memorable.
Twisted scallion pancakes, stir fry shredded potatoes, sour greenn beans and congee with pumpkins bits.
Later that night, I decided to thin out my hair so we walked to Auntie's routine hair salon. It's going to be difficult for me to adjust to the fact that even though the pedestrian light says you can walk, cars still don't give a shit and will try to kill you. As You're crossing instead of slowing down, they're pushing down on the gas pedal. So how the hell do I cross? I reall don't want to be roadkill. Recently in Lanzhou an old Professor got some perosnal vigilante justice by stnading in the middle of the street and threw rocks at the windshield of passing cars. His reasoning? Three people at that street were seriously injured because they were only trying to cross the street and drivers didn't care.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
I just woke up and I know the day's very early, though I feel well rested. 6 hours of deep sleep was satisfying. It's quite odd to hear Beijing asleep. The carhorns have come to a halt oh wait wait...damn it someone JUST honked their horn. Thanks man. Way to ruin the moment.
Aunt and I woke up around 5. I decided that we should go for a walk. So we walked around the old Great Wall. The morning was cool, still not opening up to the morning sun. The old people of Beijing were already up, ready to do their morning excercises in the square, jogging around in heeled wedge shoes, or setting up for a game of hacky sack...more like a hacky shuttle cock.
After an hour we walked back and decided that today we should ACTUALLY eat before heading out. Below the house a little pancake stand was set up. 3 scallion egg pancake sandwiches, 3 tea hard boiled eggs and two boxes of soymilk was our first legit breakfast in Beijing. Might I mention your typical Beijing breakfast.
The People's Military Museum: Your ultimate children's playground
Admissions into the museum: Free
What you get out of it: Noise...noise...and the screams of children
Flash....lights...lights...lights (It was like a brigade of children paparazzi w/their LCD screened digital camera's)
Children running amok while their parents looked at them with adoration as they frantically took pictures of their little angels. "LOOK AT THE CAMERA!! LOOK AT BABA!! LOOK!!! LOOK!!! SMILE!!! NOW SAY CHEESE!!!"
4 tablets of Tylenol and step on it.
To my brother this was a moment to actually get a look at actual displays of weapons, artillery, military equipment, and the history of the Chinese military. I'm glad we found something for him and that he's enjoying China rather than bitching and moaning the next three weeks.
I wonder (for these native kids/younger generation) what this museum signifies for them. From my perspective I wonder if they entered the museum to really appreciate the importance of this institute. From the looks of this visit and to other sites, people just screw around. If the sign says "Don't make noise" people yell and shout. If the sign says "don't touch the tank." DON'T TOUCH IT! Kids wouldn't stop hugging the gun of the tank. Keep your children on a leash! especially the obese ones. The amount of obesity among children (Chinese television was spot on about this rising issue) is indeed an epidemic. Yeah children won't starve now, but don't stuff them like turkeys. Please. It's not healthy to see a 160 lb pre teen.
Beijing University: THE BIGGEST BLOODY CAMPUS!
Where the hell is Shao Yuan? ghh the Long March begins. Follow the arrow pointing up for the next 30 minutes, ask pedestrians who also have no clue where Shao Yuan is..OH FINALLY. It looked like a washed out post-hurricane hotel, but then after blurting out "C.I.E.E" to security, he pointed to the right.
"OH!! SO YOU'RE SUSAN!" (much correspondence)
I met my Director Tian Yuan and the CIEE staff who are very kind. My Dad later said "they're only nice because they're after your American dollars." Funny Dad.
I then remembered that my friend Chad was here when Tian Yuan mentioned that they were just finishing their summer session. Just so happened he was next door doing eval's. We talked for a bit. It was so pleasant to see a familiar face.
Later that night I was a supposed to chill w/my Uncle Ru who was going to show us around (free food,service, & alcohol) a Chinese '5 star Hotel' courtesy of his friend. That didn't happen. We were ambushed by my parents friends who wouldn't release us until we had dinner with them.
Aunt and I woke up around 5. I decided that we should go for a walk. So we walked around the old Great Wall. The morning was cool, still not opening up to the morning sun. The old people of Beijing were already up, ready to do their morning excercises in the square, jogging around in heeled wedge shoes, or setting up for a game of hacky sack...more like a hacky shuttle cock.
After an hour we walked back and decided that today we should ACTUALLY eat before heading out. Below the house a little pancake stand was set up. 3 scallion egg pancake sandwiches, 3 tea hard boiled eggs and two boxes of soymilk was our first legit breakfast in Beijing. Might I mention your typical Beijing breakfast.
The People's Military Museum: Your ultimate children's playground
Admissions into the museum: Free
What you get out of it: Noise...noise...and the screams of children
Flash....lights...lights...lights (It was like a brigade of children paparazzi w/their LCD screened digital camera's)
Children running amok while their parents looked at them with adoration as they frantically took pictures of their little angels. "LOOK AT THE CAMERA!! LOOK AT BABA!! LOOK!!! LOOK!!! SMILE!!! NOW SAY CHEESE!!!"
4 tablets of Tylenol and step on it.
To my brother this was a moment to actually get a look at actual displays of weapons, artillery, military equipment, and the history of the Chinese military. I'm glad we found something for him and that he's enjoying China rather than bitching and moaning the next three weeks.
I wonder (for these native kids/younger generation) what this museum signifies for them. From my perspective I wonder if they entered the museum to really appreciate the importance of this institute. From the looks of this visit and to other sites, people just screw around. If the sign says "Don't make noise" people yell and shout. If the sign says "don't touch the tank." DON'T TOUCH IT! Kids wouldn't stop hugging the gun of the tank. Keep your children on a leash! especially the obese ones. The amount of obesity among children (Chinese television was spot on about this rising issue) is indeed an epidemic. Yeah children won't starve now, but don't stuff them like turkeys. Please. It's not healthy to see a 160 lb pre teen.
Beijing University: THE BIGGEST BLOODY CAMPUS!
Where the hell is Shao Yuan? ghh the Long March begins. Follow the arrow pointing up for the next 30 minutes, ask pedestrians who also have no clue where Shao Yuan is..OH FINALLY. It looked like a washed out post-hurricane hotel, but then after blurting out "C.I.E.E" to security, he pointed to the right.
"OH!! SO YOU'RE SUSAN!" (much correspondence)
I met my Director Tian Yuan and the CIEE staff who are very kind. My Dad later said "they're only nice because they're after your American dollars." Funny Dad.
I then remembered that my friend Chad was here when Tian Yuan mentioned that they were just finishing their summer session. Just so happened he was next door doing eval's. We talked for a bit. It was so pleasant to see a familiar face.
Later that night I was a supposed to chill w/my Uncle Ru who was going to show us around (free food,service, & alcohol) a Chinese '5 star Hotel' courtesy of his friend. That didn't happen. We were ambushed by my parents friends who wouldn't release us until we had dinner with them.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Around Beijing Day 1
Aunt got up 'round 5:30 and woke us up. The jet lag and exhaustion put us into a deep sleep. Today we were to meet up w/Vivian and the gang at the Bird's Nest. So around 7 we left the house and headed for the subway. We lived by Chongwenmen station, which is behind Beijing central train station and segments of the old Great Wall. Purchasing subway tickets made us look like retards. The personel had no patience w/our stupidity. "GO TO THE KIOSK, GEEZE IT'S RIGHT THERE!" What crawled up your ass today?
The next step was even worse. It said to swipe your ticket, well where the fuck do I siwpe it? After getting screamed at by three Chinese ladies "GIRL!! 姑娘！！ (gu niang) DOWN HERE, SWIPE DOWN HERE, DOWN HERE!!! DON'T YOU SEE IT??"
Finally all of us realized that you just had to scan your damn ticket. You just let it touch the square pad and the gate opens. Now which way do we go?
We got off at one station when we realized that the transfer route #5 was west of here. Transfer to line 8 (the Olympic line) and you've arrived at the Olympic Green.
The Bird's Nest engulfed in grey fog. Simply breathtaking.
Buildings were not open to the public until 9 so went foraging for food since we skipped out on breakfast to find the subway line. Coca Cola plastered food courts offered junk food for breakfast. Twisted chocolate sweet breat and a bottle of sprite was a treat. We were going to buy more, but the cashier couldn't break 100 RMB. Seriously? You don't have change when you open? This is going to be wierd getting used to.
The Watercube: My student ID is invalid here? What?
Old people get in for free while children & students get in for half price. He glanced at my Buff card and said, "We can't accept it here."
Alright maybe because I wasn't a student at a Chinese University?
"we can't take it, but this is valid at the Bird's Nest."
The hexagonal pieces of the watercube look tempting to touch. They look squishy. Down the great hallway were souvenir shopts, food stations and shops. Vacant they looked. At the end of the great hall big stuffed Fu Wa Wa (mascots of the '08 games) were on display for the general public (to hug and to hump by little shitheads)
"Hey I think one's missing" Aunt pointed out. Hmmm she was right. We noticed the yellow Fu Wa Wa "Ying Ying" was missing. Then we looked around and discovered that Ying Ying was behind a shop counter facing the wall. Time out for Ying Ying. A photo will be posted most shortly. None of us could stop laughing. It hink people think that were fucking crazy.
We sat in the competition pool and looked around. A year ago the water cube was packed w/people screaming at Phelps for his 8th gold medal. Now it was empty with the big screen reeling an Olympic '08 montage. . Currently the cube is being used for a Swan Lake Ballet.
Double standard. Bullshit.
The people that visit the Bird's Nest are mostly Chinese tourists from all over the region. I catched bits and pieces of Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghai dialect and people from the farm country. Every shade of crayon can be found here.
Old ladies in their faux leather sandles, nylon socks, airy blouses scrambling to fetch their spoiled looking grandson/daughter. Lower class people are easy to spot in the crowd. Fat Boys or fatties can be seen pushing down on shutter release on a nice looking sony cybershot or what have you waddling around in a lakers or Nuggets basketball attire.
the line for the bird's nest looked long but it went fast. FInally the moment we've anticipated and the result was major dissapointment. Really? It looked a lot bigger on tv. The bird's nest witnessed millions of people coming and out. The restrooms and the seats look like they took a beating. Half of the stalls in the WC are now storage spaces for the custodians oh and plus there's no toilet paper.
Meeting up w/Vivian
Not having a mobile phone in this city is turning out to be a pain in the ass. PUblic telephones only take IC cards, credit and pre paid. Coins don't exist for public phones. Luckilly some nice people let us borrow their mobiles. As we were about to call Vivian they popped up! I shrieked with joy when I saw Song Ying's kids Vivian and Lucius. Peter was elated to see his friends again. They laughed and exchanged so many anectdotes...slowed down their walking speed. We took two cabs just to take us down the street (it was about 4 km) where we settled in a restaurant called 辣婆婆 "The Spicy Grandma: Szechuan style food"
I'm not sure if this is just generic restaurant food or Beijing delicacy, but pumpkin cakes are DELICIOUS! We ordered peach juice and "hey! how about a chugging contest?" Peter said.
"Peter, this isn't college and it's not alcohol."
Lunch was really nice. the little preteens were enjoying eachother's company, playing DS and being a bit silly. Lucius smothered hoisin fish sauce like a bad lipstick job. Song Ying, Aunt and I discussed school, parents, the atmosphere in Beijing. I got some good advice from Song Ying whose been here for about a year. They're about to head back to Boulder mid August.
We parted ways and headed to Houhai to take a tour on a three wheeled rickshaw. Our taxi driver was being such a smooth talker. I don't think he was a native Beijinger but there was a slight Beijing accent.
Cabbies like to talk and for today the topic was about anti-Japanese sentiment.
Anti-Japanese sentiment is still common. "Japs are the worst kinds of people right? No morals, they're not human. Look what they did to us 60 yrs ago during the occupation." It was alarming to hear such comments about the Japanese. Maybe he had family who epxerienced tremendous suffering. I wouldn't know. I can understand that maybe he feels cheated out of a nice life due to the turn of events. Communism did happen afterwards. I tried to explain (when he was asking us for an opinion) that Japanese people are actually very cordial, but then again all people are good or bad.
The Beijing Hutong: The Old Courtyard Houses
Initially our driver by looking at us declared that we should have two carriages since cannot fit all 3 of us.
"We'll all squeeze in the back." Aunt Dora said knowing that he was trying to sponge more RMB from us. The driver sailed us through the inner pathways and winding roads of the hutong. We paid 20 RMB to step into this little house. Ripoff. We came in and out like a flash. Our driver kept saying 'take your time.' thinking we'd be browsing around listening the guided tours. We continued w/Peter sandwiched in b/t us.
Pu Yi "the Last Emperor" lived in the hutong as well as Madame Sun Yat Sen.
The guy wanted to take us to more plafces, so we agreed. When the journey ended he asked us for 260 RMB. We gave him 300 RMB and then he dared to ask us for a tip. 40 RMB isn't a good enough of a tip? Piss off! Then again he did carry 300 lbs on his bike.
前门 ： Front Gate
The taxi ride to Qian men was nuts. The left turn lane was frozen for the next 20 minutes. Commentary from cabbie # 2: Beijing'ers are yuppies and love to buy 2-3 cars. Later my Uncle Ru said "2-3 cars? You can buy 2-3 cars sure if you really want 3 cheap cars!" Qian Men is right by Tian'an Men square. At first Peter was indifferent to visitng the square, but we ventured towards it. We passed the People's monument and Mao's memorial. Secuirty was like a pandemic. Bags went through security. Every light fixture had 2 cameras facing every direction NSEW. 20 yrs ago Beijing just started out experiencing the outside world. Now it's a huge megatropolis embracing the free market with open arms and kisses.
Walking past/into Tian'an men was a population clusterfuck. People have no snese of going in one by one. It's more of a quasi moshpit. Peter didn't care about heading up into Tiananmen so we headed back and begain the long march to the souvenir district "Da Shi La" This is where you want spend little. All the shops are to attract foriegners and little bratties w/toys, knock off bags, and fake and I mean really fake merchandise.
Dinner w/the family: Everyone loves boys
We ere to meet Ru at the Da Shi La bus stop and were informed to look out for a silver Ford 4-door sedan. That helps. 30 min he'd be there and 30 minutes past. Aunt began to worry so we began SEARCHING for ANOTHER MOBILE PHONE. NO sucess from passsing pedestrians. It led me to ac upon desperate measures. I walked a few feet down the street to a little newstand and acted like a lost American who barely spoke Chinese. Oy! I got through! Turns out that today Uncle Ru was driving a '08 silver Audi A4. "Just borrowed a friend's, just for today :-D" Damn!
We headed to my Third Great Aunt's house. Everyone was going cuckoo over Peter. "AHH!! HE LOOKS LIKE DAVE!! AHHHH HE'S SO HANDSOME!!" "LOOK AT HIM!! WHAT A HANDSOME BOY!"
"Those suckups" Uncle Ru said as he began to light his cigarette.
During dinner the topic landed on the 1937 Nanking massacre. Aunt decided to dish out the greusome tortue methods/human experimentation the Japs performed. The methods she explained them in graphic detail can be found in a film called "Black Sun". DO NOT WATCH IT. Peter and I almost lost our lunch. Make matters worse she wouldn't stop.
"Xiao Duo (Dora) please stop...stop， were eating dinner."
Anyways...that led to Aunt mentioning that the Japs gave out poisonous eggplants during occupation. Though their efforts top wipe to Yellow plague were futile because the Chinese eat eggplant w/garlic and garlic wipes out the poison. Dinner was noodles w/eggplant sauce. My Aunt also remarked that she loves eating any meal with a bit of garlic. She already had a clove when Uncle Ru offered her a piece.
"Here (have some garlic）＂
＂Oh thanks, but I have one"
“Hey they're poisonous 有毒 哈哈哈“
His laugh is very mellow and soft. You feel safe when he talks or laughts at you. He's not very invasive nor a nagging person. "It's pointless to pressure kids, you
need to let them go."
The next step was even worse. It said to swipe your ticket, well where the fuck do I siwpe it? After getting screamed at by three Chinese ladies "GIRL!! 姑娘！！ (gu niang) DOWN HERE, SWIPE DOWN HERE, DOWN HERE!!! DON'T YOU SEE IT??"
Finally all of us realized that you just had to scan your damn ticket. You just let it touch the square pad and the gate opens. Now which way do we go?
We got off at one station when we realized that the transfer route #5 was west of here. Transfer to line 8 (the Olympic line) and you've arrived at the Olympic Green.
The Bird's Nest engulfed in grey fog. Simply breathtaking.
Buildings were not open to the public until 9 so went foraging for food since we skipped out on breakfast to find the subway line. Coca Cola plastered food courts offered junk food for breakfast. Twisted chocolate sweet breat and a bottle of sprite was a treat. We were going to buy more, but the cashier couldn't break 100 RMB. Seriously? You don't have change when you open? This is going to be wierd getting used to.
The Watercube: My student ID is invalid here? What?
Old people get in for free while children & students get in for half price. He glanced at my Buff card and said, "We can't accept it here."
Alright maybe because I wasn't a student at a Chinese University?
"we can't take it, but this is valid at the Bird's Nest."
The hexagonal pieces of the watercube look tempting to touch. They look squishy. Down the great hallway were souvenir shopts, food stations and shops. Vacant they looked. At the end of the great hall big stuffed Fu Wa Wa (mascots of the '08 games) were on display for the general public (to hug and to hump by little shitheads)
"Hey I think one's missing" Aunt pointed out. Hmmm she was right. We noticed the yellow Fu Wa Wa "Ying Ying" was missing. Then we looked around and discovered that Ying Ying was behind a shop counter facing the wall. Time out for Ying Ying. A photo will be posted most shortly. None of us could stop laughing. It hink people think that were fucking crazy.
We sat in the competition pool and looked around. A year ago the water cube was packed w/people screaming at Phelps for his 8th gold medal. Now it was empty with the big screen reeling an Olympic '08 montage. . Currently the cube is being used for a Swan Lake Ballet.
Double standard. Bullshit.
The people that visit the Bird's Nest are mostly Chinese tourists from all over the region. I catched bits and pieces of Cantonese, Szechuan, Shanghai dialect and people from the farm country. Every shade of crayon can be found here.
Old ladies in their faux leather sandles, nylon socks, airy blouses scrambling to fetch their spoiled looking grandson/daughter. Lower class people are easy to spot in the crowd. Fat Boys or fatties can be seen pushing down on shutter release on a nice looking sony cybershot or what have you waddling around in a lakers or Nuggets basketball attire.
the line for the bird's nest looked long but it went fast. FInally the moment we've anticipated and the result was major dissapointment. Really? It looked a lot bigger on tv. The bird's nest witnessed millions of people coming and out. The restrooms and the seats look like they took a beating. Half of the stalls in the WC are now storage spaces for the custodians oh and plus there's no toilet paper.
Meeting up w/Vivian
Not having a mobile phone in this city is turning out to be a pain in the ass. PUblic telephones only take IC cards, credit and pre paid. Coins don't exist for public phones. Luckilly some nice people let us borrow their mobiles. As we were about to call Vivian they popped up! I shrieked with joy when I saw Song Ying's kids Vivian and Lucius. Peter was elated to see his friends again. They laughed and exchanged so many anectdotes...slowed down their walking speed. We took two cabs just to take us down the street (it was about 4 km) where we settled in a restaurant called 辣婆婆 "The Spicy Grandma: Szechuan style food"
I'm not sure if this is just generic restaurant food or Beijing delicacy, but pumpkin cakes are DELICIOUS! We ordered peach juice and "hey! how about a chugging contest?" Peter said.
"Peter, this isn't college and it's not alcohol."
Lunch was really nice. the little preteens were enjoying eachother's company, playing DS and being a bit silly. Lucius smothered hoisin fish sauce like a bad lipstick job. Song Ying, Aunt and I discussed school, parents, the atmosphere in Beijing. I got some good advice from Song Ying whose been here for about a year. They're about to head back to Boulder mid August.
We parted ways and headed to Houhai to take a tour on a three wheeled rickshaw. Our taxi driver was being such a smooth talker. I don't think he was a native Beijinger but there was a slight Beijing accent.
Cabbies like to talk and for today the topic was about anti-Japanese sentiment.
Anti-Japanese sentiment is still common. "Japs are the worst kinds of people right? No morals, they're not human. Look what they did to us 60 yrs ago during the occupation." It was alarming to hear such comments about the Japanese. Maybe he had family who epxerienced tremendous suffering. I wouldn't know. I can understand that maybe he feels cheated out of a nice life due to the turn of events. Communism did happen afterwards. I tried to explain (when he was asking us for an opinion) that Japanese people are actually very cordial, but then again all people are good or bad.
The Beijing Hutong: The Old Courtyard Houses
Initially our driver by looking at us declared that we should have two carriages since cannot fit all 3 of us.
"We'll all squeeze in the back." Aunt Dora said knowing that he was trying to sponge more RMB from us. The driver sailed us through the inner pathways and winding roads of the hutong. We paid 20 RMB to step into this little house. Ripoff. We came in and out like a flash. Our driver kept saying 'take your time.' thinking we'd be browsing around listening the guided tours. We continued w/Peter sandwiched in b/t us.
Pu Yi "the Last Emperor" lived in the hutong as well as Madame Sun Yat Sen.
The guy wanted to take us to more plafces, so we agreed. When the journey ended he asked us for 260 RMB. We gave him 300 RMB and then he dared to ask us for a tip. 40 RMB isn't a good enough of a tip? Piss off! Then again he did carry 300 lbs on his bike.
前门 ： Front Gate
The taxi ride to Qian men was nuts. The left turn lane was frozen for the next 20 minutes. Commentary from cabbie # 2: Beijing'ers are yuppies and love to buy 2-3 cars. Later my Uncle Ru said "2-3 cars? You can buy 2-3 cars sure if you really want 3 cheap cars!" Qian Men is right by Tian'an Men square. At first Peter was indifferent to visitng the square, but we ventured towards it. We passed the People's monument and Mao's memorial. Secuirty was like a pandemic. Bags went through security. Every light fixture had 2 cameras facing every direction NSEW. 20 yrs ago Beijing just started out experiencing the outside world. Now it's a huge megatropolis embracing the free market with open arms and kisses.
Walking past/into Tian'an men was a population clusterfuck. People have no snese of going in one by one. It's more of a quasi moshpit. Peter didn't care about heading up into Tiananmen so we headed back and begain the long march to the souvenir district "Da Shi La" This is where you want spend little. All the shops are to attract foriegners and little bratties w/toys, knock off bags, and fake and I mean really fake merchandise.
Dinner w/the family: Everyone loves boys
We ere to meet Ru at the Da Shi La bus stop and were informed to look out for a silver Ford 4-door sedan. That helps. 30 min he'd be there and 30 minutes past. Aunt began to worry so we began SEARCHING for ANOTHER MOBILE PHONE. NO sucess from passsing pedestrians. It led me to ac upon desperate measures. I walked a few feet down the street to a little newstand and acted like a lost American who barely spoke Chinese. Oy! I got through! Turns out that today Uncle Ru was driving a '08 silver Audi A4. "Just borrowed a friend's, just for today :-D" Damn!
We headed to my Third Great Aunt's house. Everyone was going cuckoo over Peter. "AHH!! HE LOOKS LIKE DAVE!! AHHHH HE'S SO HANDSOME!!" "LOOK AT HIM!! WHAT A HANDSOME BOY!"
"Those suckups" Uncle Ru said as he began to light his cigarette.
During dinner the topic landed on the 1937 Nanking massacre. Aunt decided to dish out the greusome tortue methods/human experimentation the Japs performed. The methods she explained them in graphic detail can be found in a film called "Black Sun". DO NOT WATCH IT. Peter and I almost lost our lunch. Make matters worse she wouldn't stop.
"Xiao Duo (Dora) please stop...stop， were eating dinner."
Anyways...that led to Aunt mentioning that the Japs gave out poisonous eggplants during occupation. Though their efforts top wipe to Yellow plague were futile because the Chinese eat eggplant w/garlic and garlic wipes out the poison. Dinner was noodles w/eggplant sauce. My Aunt also remarked that she loves eating any meal with a bit of garlic. She already had a clove when Uncle Ru offered her a piece.
"Here (have some garlic）＂
＂Oh thanks, but I have one"
“Hey they're poisonous 有毒 哈哈哈“
His laugh is very mellow and soft. You feel safe when he talks or laughts at you. He's not very invasive nor a nagging person. "It's pointless to pressure kids, you
need to let them go."
Monday, August 3, 2009
Flying to Beijing
The day before yesterday: Arriving into Beijing 8/3
The flight to Beijing was packed. I guess Mom & Dad were lucky. The crowd was mixed. Students heading abroad, ABC families, The American tourist and the upper class. All the crayons in the box. As we were about to take off. Peter and I noticed that this stupid lady woudln't stay in ther damn seast. Why wouldn't she sit still? Well she kept fucking around with her carry on trying to make it fit. That's why God invented flight attendants.
"M'am you need to sit down" the F.A repeated
Minutes later on the PA
"Excuse me, Miss you're gonna have to sit down."
The lady still gets up again to fuck around. SIT THE FUCK DOWN
Then on the PA (in Mandarin) " Miss, could you SIT down?"
SF was waking up from the fog when take off began. Eddie Izzard was right. That fog just ZOOMS past! Seated next to my Aunt was Andrew (whose name we learned in Beijing) a post grad, native to Washington state, but studied at USC. What a cute Chinese guy..my my my. Aunt wouldn't stop yakking on w/Andrew, but hey it makes time go faster. I turned around and Aunt was just joking that they were talking shit about me.
Love you too.
Note: Hot turkey sandwich is the bomb. So is Toy Story 2 on me laptop+noise cancelling headphones.
Beijing International Airport: Hold it in
The moment we descended into Beijing international I was welcomed with a wave of humid air. The people in front of me exclaimed in Mandarin "WAHH!!! IT'S HOT!!"
Wasn't as bad from the haunting memories of the old 2001 Beijing airport. one word; GROSS.
Security checkpoints were rigid. They didn't want ANYONE with any cold/flu like symptoms crossing the border. We saw epoploe in the hazmat suits walking along looking like marshmallows. Heat sensors we crossed too.
As the United flight attendants were about to go through security checkpoint #1 one of them said, "Okay Ladies, Don't sneeze, don't cough, don't even sniffle. Just hold it in!!"
Luckilly we weren't shoved into quarantine. Customs was pleasant and they let me in. I felt sorry for the guys next to me in line #2. Peter thinks they're from Egypt. The officer was having trouble talking to me so he started bitching to his pal. "what kind of fucking horse language are they speaking??!"
Baggage Claim: LIKE A BOSS!
I did a victory dance as one by one we found our luggage in carousel 39. People were giving me Chinese evils and my from my giant physique probably thought I was a judo athelete or a lesbian. We started heading towards the exit where the crowds of Chinese people were awaiting their loved ones. HERE THEY COME!!
For a moment we couldn't spot my Uncle Ru, then from the distance a tall 17 yr old boy and a guy with a buzz cut were waving at us.
Exit to the outside: Humid inferno
Moment entering the exit tunnel was met with a blast of hot air
"AUGHHHHHH" Peter and I exclaimed. Aunt turned around and cracked up.
My Uncle Ru is still the same. Just exchanged his fine crop of hair for a buzz cut due to summe heat. He's still cool. Easy going, understanding and calm. He's a good Dad and doesn't stress like my mother. Oy. I felt so dead after sitting on the plane. When we found a palce to eat, my head felt heavy and I was resting my head on the table.
The first meal in Beijing was satisfying. Ma Po Szechuan tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, broccolini w/rice served in bowls the size of small tea cups. How about I just sip my rice instead?
The flight to Beijing was packed. I guess Mom & Dad were lucky. The crowd was mixed. Students heading abroad, ABC families, The American tourist and the upper class. All the crayons in the box. As we were about to take off. Peter and I noticed that this stupid lady woudln't stay in ther damn seast. Why wouldn't she sit still? Well she kept fucking around with her carry on trying to make it fit. That's why God invented flight attendants.
"M'am you need to sit down" the F.A repeated
Minutes later on the PA
"Excuse me, Miss you're gonna have to sit down."
The lady still gets up again to fuck around. SIT THE FUCK DOWN
Then on the PA (in Mandarin) " Miss, could you SIT down?"
SF was waking up from the fog when take off began. Eddie Izzard was right. That fog just ZOOMS past! Seated next to my Aunt was Andrew (whose name we learned in Beijing) a post grad, native to Washington state, but studied at USC. What a cute Chinese guy..my my my. Aunt wouldn't stop yakking on w/Andrew, but hey it makes time go faster. I turned around and Aunt was just joking that they were talking shit about me.
Love you too.
Note: Hot turkey sandwich is the bomb. So is Toy Story 2 on me laptop+noise cancelling headphones.
Beijing International Airport: Hold it in
The moment we descended into Beijing international I was welcomed with a wave of humid air. The people in front of me exclaimed in Mandarin "WAHH!!! IT'S HOT!!"
Wasn't as bad from the haunting memories of the old 2001 Beijing airport. one word; GROSS.
Security checkpoints were rigid. They didn't want ANYONE with any cold/flu like symptoms crossing the border. We saw epoploe in the hazmat suits walking along looking like marshmallows. Heat sensors we crossed too.
As the United flight attendants were about to go through security checkpoint #1 one of them said, "Okay Ladies, Don't sneeze, don't cough, don't even sniffle. Just hold it in!!"
Luckilly we weren't shoved into quarantine. Customs was pleasant and they let me in. I felt sorry for the guys next to me in line #2. Peter thinks they're from Egypt. The officer was having trouble talking to me so he started bitching to his pal. "what kind of fucking horse language are they speaking??!"
Baggage Claim: LIKE A BOSS!
I did a victory dance as one by one we found our luggage in carousel 39. People were giving me Chinese evils and my from my giant physique probably thought I was a judo athelete or a lesbian. We started heading towards the exit where the crowds of Chinese people were awaiting their loved ones. HERE THEY COME!!
For a moment we couldn't spot my Uncle Ru, then from the distance a tall 17 yr old boy and a guy with a buzz cut were waving at us.
Exit to the outside: Humid inferno
Moment entering the exit tunnel was met with a blast of hot air
"AUGHHHHHH" Peter and I exclaimed. Aunt turned around and cracked up.
My Uncle Ru is still the same. Just exchanged his fine crop of hair for a buzz cut due to summe heat. He's still cool. Easy going, understanding and calm. He's a good Dad and doesn't stress like my mother. Oy. I felt so dead after sitting on the plane. When we found a palce to eat, my head felt heavy and I was resting my head on the table.
The first meal in Beijing was satisfying. Ma Po Szechuan tofu, Kung Pao Chicken, broccolini w/rice served in bowls the size of small tea cups. How about I just sip my rice instead?
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Heading to the far east
As far as I'm aware of, according to the map on my tv screen we are just off the coast of Prince Rupert and heading near the Gulf of Alaska. It's a 12 hour flight to Beijing from San Francisco and for some reason I thought it took more time. Well I've got 4116 more miles to go, we've travveled about 1821 miles and only 10 more fantastic hours to go. The morning (3:30 am-5:52 AM) got off on the wrong foot when we entered DIA. Everyone was migrating towards the check in for United aka relocating us to another check in station. In front of my Aunt (we were clearly aware) was a Chinese guy. The havey Mandarin accent yakking on the mobile was clearly heard. Being herded like caddle through the maze we weren't aware to continue to spread out. Everyone just clogged up in one area until finally this douche big in a condescedning tone told us to continue tohe line.
"THAT'S IT, THERE WE GO, LET'S GO PEOPLE." Do guys in cowboy hats always act like cocky bastards?? Geeze. So we spead the line out and then all of a suddent the Chiense guy decides to open up part of the gate to let in his fellow refugees I mean friends in. Factoring in lack of sleep and upholding contradicting juvenile rules I told him to go to the back of the line.
"That's my friend!" he retorts in a heavy Chinglish accent.
"yeah buddy I don't care, go back to the end of line."
Though, he persists and lets in more refugees until I said, "不行。" (Bu xing = You can't!)
Yet again, nothing happened since Aunt Dora and Peter told me to let go. Fuck that asshole. None the less I was slightly pissed. Peter wanted an apology, but wasn't convinced so I dropped the 'f' bomb on him several times.
The most dramatic event ensued when we started to check in our luggage. Aunt Dora was a bit anxiou about the trip. So when this happens (I've noticed) she starts to rush everything. She was in such an accelerated state that both of us got sucked into her game. Anyway long story short, we checked in a carry on as a check in. Can you say FUCK??!!
I feel morbid now after what entailed. I got into my frustrated mode and started ratting on my Aunt's mistake. I was frustrated because we'd have to carry on my red duffel bag which exceeds carry on standards by a few inches, and plus what was in the bag; liquids exceeding 3 oz's and later to my surprise a Swiss army knife. Thank you Office Lukowski who thoroughly checked my red duffel.
"Your're right! I'm stupid!" My Aunt cried out. Awkward 5 minutes pause. Oy not the way to commence one's travels! Bad juju.
Then...when I went to scan my visa on the kiosk, the words "INVALID" kept popping up. Quoi?
I had to seek assistance from a "United Airline customer representative" who told me to walk towards a lady who was 100 ft away who then told me that I had to go to the "additional' services line', which just so happened to be right next to the kiosk that kept screaming my China visa was invalid. Beauracracy.
The guy was very helptful w/our red duffel and we were informed that as long as the dimensions didn't exceed 45 inches then we'd be okay. I whip out my travel scale combo tape measure to calculate the dimenions. It was over by 6 inches. Fuck my life.
He complimented on how prepared I was and that it was nice to see a passenger who was prepared. When we went through security my red duffel was searched. I touched the bag to help Officer Lukowski, but was strictly informed "to not TOUCH the bag." I made that mistkae twice. Aunt was sorry for the luggage mishap because it took him three tries to find a fucking swiss army knife. I was worried about the time crucn, but hey the subway to the gate takes seconds.
We boarded around 6 am. Peter got a window seat and both of us looked out to a Colorado as the plane headed towards SF.
San Francisco: Little China
We had to grab the red duffel from bggage cliam since it exceeded carry on standards which meant that at the gate I had to manually check it in. From there we proceeded to terminal "G" : International terminal. The tellers were all Asian! All of the were probably Chinese too. Our UA teller is my heor. I like the way she handles passengers. She noticed our presence.
"Over here, alright I need to see your passports and then we can talk."
We explained the luggage situation we were in the midst of. The duffel was too big for international carry on standards so we'd have to check in it in. I didn't want to fork over $200 because of that (that was what the Denver rep said...fuck you) She took a look at our flight and informed us that there were not many seats taken therefore cargo shouldn't be too overwhelemd. Then she checked in the bag 'just this once' for free. I hope she's true to her word. Thank you you're my hero!
At this point Peter was cranky due to hunger. All of us were in the 'mood for food!' (Wallace and Gromit reference) Burgers, New England clam chowder, penne and fries went into our bellies. Nom Nom Nom!
Through security checkpoint #2 was where I had to chug the last fluid ounces of Boulder water. Damn liquids rule.We took a look at the Duty Free zone since Dad wanted some Remy Martin Cognac for his friend. Yeah fat chance.
"THAT'S IT, THERE WE GO, LET'S GO PEOPLE." Do guys in cowboy hats always act like cocky bastards?? Geeze. So we spead the line out and then all of a suddent the Chiense guy decides to open up part of the gate to let in his fellow refugees I mean friends in. Factoring in lack of sleep and upholding contradicting juvenile rules I told him to go to the back of the line.
"That's my friend!" he retorts in a heavy Chinglish accent.
"yeah buddy I don't care, go back to the end of line."
Though, he persists and lets in more refugees until I said, "不行。" (Bu xing = You can't!)
Yet again, nothing happened since Aunt Dora and Peter told me to let go. Fuck that asshole. None the less I was slightly pissed. Peter wanted an apology, but wasn't convinced so I dropped the 'f' bomb on him several times.
The most dramatic event ensued when we started to check in our luggage. Aunt Dora was a bit anxiou about the trip. So when this happens (I've noticed) she starts to rush everything. She was in such an accelerated state that both of us got sucked into her game. Anyway long story short, we checked in a carry on as a check in. Can you say FUCK??!!
I feel morbid now after what entailed. I got into my frustrated mode and started ratting on my Aunt's mistake. I was frustrated because we'd have to carry on my red duffel bag which exceeds carry on standards by a few inches, and plus what was in the bag; liquids exceeding 3 oz's and later to my surprise a Swiss army knife. Thank you Office Lukowski who thoroughly checked my red duffel.
"Your're right! I'm stupid!" My Aunt cried out. Awkward 5 minutes pause. Oy not the way to commence one's travels! Bad juju.
Then...when I went to scan my visa on the kiosk, the words "INVALID" kept popping up. Quoi?
I had to seek assistance from a "United Airline customer representative" who told me to walk towards a lady who was 100 ft away who then told me that I had to go to the "additional' services line', which just so happened to be right next to the kiosk that kept screaming my China visa was invalid. Beauracracy.
The guy was very helptful w/our red duffel and we were informed that as long as the dimensions didn't exceed 45 inches then we'd be okay. I whip out my travel scale combo tape measure to calculate the dimenions. It was over by 6 inches. Fuck my life.
He complimented on how prepared I was and that it was nice to see a passenger who was prepared. When we went through security my red duffel was searched. I touched the bag to help Officer Lukowski, but was strictly informed "to not TOUCH the bag." I made that mistkae twice. Aunt was sorry for the luggage mishap because it took him three tries to find a fucking swiss army knife. I was worried about the time crucn, but hey the subway to the gate takes seconds.
We boarded around 6 am. Peter got a window seat and both of us looked out to a Colorado as the plane headed towards SF.
San Francisco: Little China
We had to grab the red duffel from bggage cliam since it exceeded carry on standards which meant that at the gate I had to manually check it in. From there we proceeded to terminal "G" : International terminal. The tellers were all Asian! All of the were probably Chinese too. Our UA teller is my heor. I like the way she handles passengers. She noticed our presence.
"Over here, alright I need to see your passports and then we can talk."
We explained the luggage situation we were in the midst of. The duffel was too big for international carry on standards so we'd have to check in it in. I didn't want to fork over $200 because of that (that was what the Denver rep said...fuck you) She took a look at our flight and informed us that there were not many seats taken therefore cargo shouldn't be too overwhelemd. Then she checked in the bag 'just this once' for free. I hope she's true to her word. Thank you you're my hero!
At this point Peter was cranky due to hunger. All of us were in the 'mood for food!' (Wallace and Gromit reference) Burgers, New England clam chowder, penne and fries went into our bellies. Nom Nom Nom!
Through security checkpoint #2 was where I had to chug the last fluid ounces of Boulder water. Damn liquids rule.We took a look at the Duty Free zone since Dad wanted some Remy Martin Cognac for his friend. Yeah fat chance.
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