weekend "countryside" adventure

Last weekend Ali and I decided to "get out of the city" and take the subway as far as we could in any direction. We chose the southeast corner of the city and rode Line 1 as far as it goes eastwards, out to where nobody lives. And by nobody, I mean actually a lot of people live there, and the area is under rapid development, but it wasn't QUITE so urban as Beijing proper.We were hoping, misguidedly, for a bit of a "rural" feel, but what we got was less that and more of a barren wasteland feel. There were a number of old factories out there, still chugging away and pumping out noxious fumes, as well as some clusters of village-style homes. However, most of the area was either occupied by very-recently built high-rises, or by vast tracts of dirt where construction of more high-rises was underway. In general it was pretty polluted, especially the water, and overall seemed pretty grim. We just wandered around for a few hours, ate a pineapple, got shouted HELLO at a bunch, then got the train back to the city.

This weekend we're planning to go a bit further afield, and are heading out to hike and camp on unrestored sections of the Great Wall.


Heading home


On the wrong side of the tracks, apparently


Building apartments....more new apartments in the background...no people in sight....real estate bubble, anyone?


and even MORE....


People fishing in the most grimy, scummy, sludgy green pool of filth that has ever been called a pond and harbored fish. Fishing at the edge of a construction site in a toxic puddle wouldn't be my idea of a good time or an appetizing meal later on should you be successful. Environmental Education = necessary, please.

Cellphone Etiquette

A cool thing about China is that cellphones are ubiquitous, but no real concept of cellphone etiquette has developed along with the advent and rapid popularization of the technology. For instance, it is perfectly acceptable to pull out one's cellphone and answer a call during a business meeting. Moreover, Chinese people tend to shout when talking on their cellphones (you're far away form the person you're speaking with! must ensure they can hear you!), so it's not unusual to be in a meeting, conference, restaurant, coffee shop, or public space and have the guy next to you shouting ANNOYINGLY about some really mundane topic. Really, dude, really? Do you REALLY think the rest of us want to listen to what you have to say? You couldn't screen the call? You couldn't call him back? You couldn't take the call outside?

My ABSOLUTE FAVORITE, though, hands down, is the use of cellphones in restrooms. I can't tell you how many times I've come into a public bathroom and there's a girl in a stall, on the toilet, having a LENGTHY conversation with a friend. I cant think of a MORE uncomfortable place to have a phone conversation! Public bathrooms are GROSS; normally the aim is to get in and get out as fast as humanly possible. And it's not like these girls are on the toilet, get an important call, answer it and are like, I'll call you right back. No, they take their time--relaxing, chatting, laughing, etc. UM do you NOT think the caller MIGHT be uncomfortable if s/he knew you were sitting on the CAN?

Confessions of a Pick-Up Artist

If you attend Master Pickup Artist RedpoleQ's "Approach Mastery Boot Camp" and learn to utilize his Five Phase Cycle, you too can have "success" on your first date 80% of the time. "Once you’re adept at using the system, you can pick up a girl in four or five hours. If I meet a girl during the day and get four phases -- about thirty minutes -- in, I close four out of five times."

According to him, "women are pretty good at being women, and that when men learn how to be men then most problems would be eliminated. Obviously, this isn't entirely true, but since men are responsible for leading the relationship I think its best to focus on them." As for girls, "do your best to look your best. I know it's tough and it's unfair, but you never know when you're going to meet "that guy," so be ready."

awesome. good to know that's what's important in life.

Malaysia, Truly Asia

Finally, pictures from Malaysia are up. I was there for 10 days over the Chinese New Year. Sorry it took me so long!

Pretty cool trip. Traveling in a Muslim country was interesting, especially with regard to the role of women. However, most annoying not to be able to procure tasty & intoxicating beverages!

Brother Sharp

A handsome Chinese beggar/vagabond has attracted widespread attention in Ningbo for being on the cutting edge of fashion. The blogosphere is on fire with pictures and reported "sightings" of "Brother Sharp" sporting his "homeless chic" wardrobe. Apparently his creativity with clothing brings "bohemian" to whole new level. He can't be approached, however, because he is somewhat unstable and/or deranged.

Regarding "homeless chic," super model Erin Wasson says eloquently: "When I... see the homeless, like, I'm like, 'Oh my God, they're pulling out, like, crazy looks and they, like, pull shit out of like garbage cans.'"

Why bother to run a marathon if you're going to cheat?

At least 30 participants in the Xiamen marathon in China were disqualified for having used the equivalent of "stunt doubles" to run the race for them or for having done part of the race by bus. Thanks to these unorthodox methods that the 30 cheaters finished among the first 100, said the Bureau of Sports of the southern province of Fujian.

Students participating in the Xiamen International Marathon who do well in the race could earn valuable points for the highly selective "gaokao" entrance exam to university (the sole determinant of admission). So, I guess there's plenty of incentive to cheat...but seriously?? Just a mark of how much pressure people are under to get into school--they'll do anything for a few points' boost on their test score.

Some 50,000 marathon runners started the race. Organizers have announced that they will strengthen the checks next year.

Dwarfs

Only in China would somebody create an amusement park that features only dwarfs. Dwarfs are recruited to work at the park (kind of like a combination Disney land/Plymouth Plantation/freak show) and tourists can come and take pictures of them in their tiny "houses," using their tiny tools, doing tiny people things, or putting on performances.

The proprietor insists the dwarfs are "happy" because they are employed (might have trouble finding a job otherwise), and are around other people like themselves in an environment built for tiny people.