So, almost 6 months and to the day later, I am packing my bags and saying Zaijian to my temporary home.
I've successfully completed 2-years worth of Chinese lessons, and in doing so, have pushed my limits and comfort zone to extremes that I never knew were in me. I can now communicate with an often misrepresented and misunderstood people. I now know that I can live comfortably in a country so completely foreign from my own.
This experience has drastically shaped me and who I am and will stay with me for forever, that I know. I think that some people got the impression that I disliked my experience out here because I so yearned for the US, but that is a completely false notion. I had a fantastic experience that caused me to grow up more, and with growing comes growing pains and frustrations, but overall the experience was well worth it and valuable.
I feel like I visited China during one of the best times, that is, a time of growth. China is attempting to reconcile the modern with the old, and I've been able to experience both. I fear that the old will eventually succumb to the pressures of the need to develop fully. I think once the Olympics are completed, the world will become more accepting of this country and its huge developments and improvements. I really look forward to seeing China in 10-- or even 5-- years. I doubt I'll even be able to recognize it.
So, I leave China with hope and open eyes. I'm not sad, not happy to leave. I'm just ready to get back to a normal class schedule, food not drowning in oil, and people who care about hygiene. I'll miss trading in beer bottles for ice cream, feeling "special" because I'm a foreigner, and being able to live like a queen because prices have yet to catch up with the western world's.
In about 12 hours I'll be catching a plane to Thailand. I fly into Bangkok then take a little plane to Phuket where I'll meet my friend from GW, Kirsten. We're in Phuket one night then to the little beach town of Krabi for a few days, then back to Bangkok for a day before I fly out on Saturday to return back home!
Thanks to everyone who read my blog, sent me letters or cards, and were so supportive over these last 6 months. It really made me realize how wonderful my friends and family are.
Much love,
Ashley
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
11 More things you did not know about China/Chinese
So, I only have 12 days left in China, and I've been keeping track of some things I find interesting about China/Chinese. Here goes:
1.) There is no such thing as a happy ending to a movie. The Chinese LOVE to cry. (PS- have you seen Lust, Caution yet? GO SEE IT! It's great, even though I saw the version that is missing 30 minutes (thanks, Chinese government!)
2.) Chinese do not believe in standing in lines. It is one man for his own, and is also really really annoying.
3.) All parked cars in the street are parked in neutral. So the parking attendant can roll them out of the way easily. (PS- there are no parking lots)
4.) Speaking of cars, I can count the number of times I've seen a gas station on one hand.
5.) Pork is the meat of choice.
6.) In the supermarket, all seafood is alive. Yes, this includes turtles.
7.) Smoking is a real problem out here, but only for men. Men use cigarettes as an olive branch or as a way to meet each other. For instance, I saw a bicycle run into a car. It wasn't serious, but the bicyclist pulled out a pack of cigarettes and shoved one in the drivers mouth to say he was sorry.
8.) Their are 5 Olympic mascots: Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini (Beijing Haunying Ni= Beijing welcomes you), how cute.
9.) Just like the one-house, one-child policy, the government also has a one-house, one-dog policy. All dogs are tiny and arent often on leashes, but are very well-behaved.
10.) Cars/buses/automobiles do not give the pedestrian the right-of-way. In fact, its the exact opposite.
11.) When answering the telephone, Chinese say "Wei?", when getting off the phone they ALL say "Bye bye."
1.) There is no such thing as a happy ending to a movie. The Chinese LOVE to cry. (PS- have you seen Lust, Caution yet? GO SEE IT! It's great, even though I saw the version that is missing 30 minutes (thanks, Chinese government!)
2.) Chinese do not believe in standing in lines. It is one man for his own, and is also really really annoying.
3.) All parked cars in the street are parked in neutral. So the parking attendant can roll them out of the way easily. (PS- there are no parking lots)
4.) Speaking of cars, I can count the number of times I've seen a gas station on one hand.
5.) Pork is the meat of choice.
6.) In the supermarket, all seafood is alive. Yes, this includes turtles.
7.) Smoking is a real problem out here, but only for men. Men use cigarettes as an olive branch or as a way to meet each other. For instance, I saw a bicycle run into a car. It wasn't serious, but the bicyclist pulled out a pack of cigarettes and shoved one in the drivers mouth to say he was sorry.
8.) Their are 5 Olympic mascots: Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini (Beijing Haunying Ni= Beijing welcomes you), how cute.
9.) Just like the one-house, one-child policy, the government also has a one-house, one-dog policy. All dogs are tiny and arent often on leashes, but are very well-behaved.
10.) Cars/buses/automobiles do not give the pedestrian the right-of-way. In fact, its the exact opposite.
11.) When answering the telephone, Chinese say "Wei?", when getting off the phone they ALL say "Bye bye."
New Pants & 农村
New Pants, the best band in China. Check them out on YouTube. You may laugh, go ahead, but they are soooooooooooooooooooo worth it. Gotta love the dancing. Here is my friend, Laura, and the keyboardist of New Pants after the show. He is amazing.
Ok, so we went to the 农村(countryside) this weekend. Our program put us up in a swanky hotel equipped full with a waterfall, a giant pond, basketball court, tennis courts (all indoors, btw), bowling alley (which I took advantage of), squash court, pingpong stadium, shuffleboard, and so so much more. Turns out, this is a place where all of the rich cityfolk go to get away from the Beijing smog and do a little sporting activity.
We spent most of the first day preparing for that night, the annual "China Night" where each class preforms a skit and our roommates sing songs and stuff. Well, I've done China Night before and it can be dreadfully long and I hate doing skits more than anything, afterall, I am 21 now (wow, that felt great). So, instead, I spent all week re-writing Britney Spear's "Oops, I did it again" into "Oops, 我又说英文" (Oops, I spoke English again {funny, because we have a language pledge that no one follows}). So, we preformed our song and turns out it was the best of the bunch, so basically, I'm just waiting for my recording contract.
Ok, so after a very long night, we had an early wake-up call because we had to visit a countryside middle school and present presenatations about American life (in Chinese) to the middle schoolers, while they presented presentations (in English) about their lives. It was adorable! After I finished my report, a girl got up and said "You are my favorite, you are beautiful." As soon as they allowed us to have free time, all of the girls in my class ran to me to talk. There were maybe 6 kids around me and 6 kids around the other 5 of my classmates.
Anyways, so here are some of my girls:
Ooo, and the writing on the blackboard behind us, I could read almost all of it... yay!
Ok, and here is the whole class including my classmates and teachers:
None of us wanted to go, but in the long run, it was a great experience! My new friends asked me to come back and visit them. I promised I would.
Ok, so we went to the 农村(countryside) this weekend. Our program put us up in a swanky hotel equipped full with a waterfall, a giant pond, basketball court, tennis courts (all indoors, btw), bowling alley (which I took advantage of), squash court, pingpong stadium, shuffleboard, and so so much more. Turns out, this is a place where all of the rich cityfolk go to get away from the Beijing smog and do a little sporting activity.
We spent most of the first day preparing for that night, the annual "China Night" where each class preforms a skit and our roommates sing songs and stuff. Well, I've done China Night before and it can be dreadfully long and I hate doing skits more than anything, afterall, I am 21 now (wow, that felt great). So, instead, I spent all week re-writing Britney Spear's "Oops, I did it again" into "Oops, 我又说英文" (Oops, I spoke English again {funny, because we have a language pledge that no one follows}). So, we preformed our song and turns out it was the best of the bunch, so basically, I'm just waiting for my recording contract.
Ok, so after a very long night, we had an early wake-up call because we had to visit a countryside middle school and present presenatations about American life (in Chinese) to the middle schoolers, while they presented presentations (in English) about their lives. It was adorable! After I finished my report, a girl got up and said "You are my favorite, you are beautiful." As soon as they allowed us to have free time, all of the girls in my class ran to me to talk. There were maybe 6 kids around me and 6 kids around the other 5 of my classmates.
Anyways, so here are some of my girls:
Ooo, and the writing on the blackboard behind us, I could read almost all of it... yay!
Ok, and here is the whole class including my classmates and teachers:
None of us wanted to go, but in the long run, it was a great experience! My new friends asked me to come back and visit them. I promised I would.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Thanksgiving Miracle
Our teachers cancelled our Friday test!
Soooo... since we had to wait till Friday night to have a "real" Thanksgiving meal, we went and ate the next best American-thing... pizza!
Here is our beloved pizza place, the Kro's Nest, with the biggest and most satisfying pizzas I have ever had. Pictured below is the "kiss of death" (lots of garlic!).
A handful of students spent all week preparing our traditional thanksgiving meal. I had my doubts, especially since they had to feed 100+ students, roommates, and teachers, but they blew me away. The food was soooooo delicious and so right on. It was great!
My plate, which i finished, thank you! Spicy pumpkin soup, smashed potatoes, yams, salad, corn, deviled eggs, turkey, stuffing, mac'n'cheese, green beans, carrots, cookies, brownies, and a most delicious pumpkin pie. Notice the chopsticks on the right. That was the only thing un-American about this meal.
My roommate's first Thanksgiving! I actually found it quite surprising that this was the majority of the teachers and roommates first time EVER to eat turkey!
Ok, so she didnt like the soup, but she loooooooooooved the gravy. Kept going back for seconds so she could put it on everything on her plate.
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
Soooo... since we had to wait till Friday night to have a "real" Thanksgiving meal, we went and ate the next best American-thing... pizza!
Here is our beloved pizza place, the Kro's Nest, with the biggest and most satisfying pizzas I have ever had. Pictured below is the "kiss of death" (lots of garlic!).
A handful of students spent all week preparing our traditional thanksgiving meal. I had my doubts, especially since they had to feed 100+ students, roommates, and teachers, but they blew me away. The food was soooooo delicious and so right on. It was great!
My plate, which i finished, thank you! Spicy pumpkin soup, smashed potatoes, yams, salad, corn, deviled eggs, turkey, stuffing, mac'n'cheese, green beans, carrots, cookies, brownies, and a most delicious pumpkin pie. Notice the chopsticks on the right. That was the only thing un-American about this meal.
My roommate's first Thanksgiving! I actually found it quite surprising that this was the majority of the teachers and roommates first time EVER to eat turkey!
Ok, so she didnt like the soup, but she loooooooooooved the gravy. Kept going back for seconds so she could put it on everything on her plate.
Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
独生子女政策- One Child Policy
Fact: In order to combat overpopulation issues, the Chinese government has a law that limits the number of children each couple can have: 1.
Fiction: This is such a horrible human rights issue that China needs to change
Reality: I originally thought that this was just that, a horrible human rights violation. How dare a government tell its people that they can only have one child, right? Wrong. The complete provisions of the law are as follows:
- You may only have one child (with exception of twins, etc...)
- If you "choose" to have more than one child, you must pay a nominal tax for every additional child.
- If you live in the country, you can have as many children as you like. This is to counteract the practice of aborting girl fetuses because a boy is much more valuable to a country family. In the city, this type of sexism is no longer a problem, thus, cityfolk are subjected to the one-house-one-child policy. If you do not want to pay the tax, you move to the country.
Ok, I hope I don't sound too liberal, but...
I no longer am against this policy, actually, I think I support it now. Americans are in a huge pickle. We lambast China for their human rights abuses (such as One Child Policy), yet we fear the rise of China, and we should. 1 in 4 people in the world are Chinese. The world's resources are depleating at rapid rates and the world simply cannot support human life for a whole lot longer. God forbid if an epidemic disease comes around and knocks off part of the population, but if we keep populating the way that we are, drastic measures will need to be taken in the future, one of which could quite possibly be a world-wide support of limiting the number of kids people have. Yes, there are obvious blocks, such as democracy and religion (damn them! (just kidding)), so why would we criticize a country that is seemingly willing to curb this problem? The Chinese, culturally and religiously, have no problem with limiting and planning their families, so I say go ahead and let them do it. Yes, I understand this law doesn't leave a whole lot up to individual couple's choice, but I think it is engrained the in culture and why should we mess with it?!?
Just some food for thought...
Fiction: This is such a horrible human rights issue that China needs to change
Reality: I originally thought that this was just that, a horrible human rights violation. How dare a government tell its people that they can only have one child, right? Wrong. The complete provisions of the law are as follows:
- You may only have one child (with exception of twins, etc...)
- If you "choose" to have more than one child, you must pay a nominal tax for every additional child.
- If you live in the country, you can have as many children as you like. This is to counteract the practice of aborting girl fetuses because a boy is much more valuable to a country family. In the city, this type of sexism is no longer a problem, thus, cityfolk are subjected to the one-house-one-child policy. If you do not want to pay the tax, you move to the country.
Ok, I hope I don't sound too liberal, but...
I no longer am against this policy, actually, I think I support it now. Americans are in a huge pickle. We lambast China for their human rights abuses (such as One Child Policy), yet we fear the rise of China, and we should. 1 in 4 people in the world are Chinese. The world's resources are depleating at rapid rates and the world simply cannot support human life for a whole lot longer. God forbid if an epidemic disease comes around and knocks off part of the population, but if we keep populating the way that we are, drastic measures will need to be taken in the future, one of which could quite possibly be a world-wide support of limiting the number of kids people have. Yes, there are obvious blocks, such as democracy and religion (damn them! (just kidding)), so why would we criticize a country that is seemingly willing to curb this problem? The Chinese, culturally and religiously, have no problem with limiting and planning their families, so I say go ahead and let them do it. Yes, I understand this law doesn't leave a whole lot up to individual couple's choice, but I think it is engrained the in culture and why should we mess with it?!?
Just some food for thought...
Monday, November 12, 2007
Xi'an 第二次
CET took us to Xi'an again, home of the Teracotta Soldiers. Well, I bet you can guess what we did:
No, but for real, we had a great time this time. The weather wasn't as cold as Beijing's (have a 30% chance of snow this week) and it didn't rain, so life is good. We participated in a little compeition that had us race around Xi'an completing tasks. The first one was to ride a tandem bicycle on top of the city wall.
As you may see, he is much taller than me and I couldn't see anything when we were pedalling like all get out.
After riding the bikes we got a little hungry so we ate a Xi'an speciality. I really don't know what exactly it is, but it is good. It's like rice, but not, more of a paste of some kind that is steamed. The colors are sugar. Yummm. Served piping hot and fresh.
Another task required us to meet with a local folk painter. Here we are inside his shop. I returned the next day and bought a few little paintings that you see on the table.
That night we went back to the fountains in front of the Big Goose Pagoda. These fountains are synchronized with lights and music. If you're relatively new to my blog, then you wouldn't know that I had quite an embarrassing experience at these fountains in July. Go back and take a read.
The next day we made it back to the Terracotta Warriors, only to find out one of the 3 pits housing the warriors closed only a week earlier for further excavations.
I took this picture so you can see how detailed the soldiers are. This soldier has hair and a braid. I believe that no two soldiers are alike in clothes, posture, stature, etc... That's quite amazing considering that this one pit houses 6,000 warriors.
A Snickers break on the train on the way home. Actually, I ate my very first Snickers bar on the train during fall break, and since then, I've had a little "tradition" to eat a Snickers every time I'm on a train.
Only 2 KFC pics total. I think that tells you something about Xi'an.
No, but for real, we had a great time this time. The weather wasn't as cold as Beijing's (have a 30% chance of snow this week) and it didn't rain, so life is good. We participated in a little compeition that had us race around Xi'an completing tasks. The first one was to ride a tandem bicycle on top of the city wall.
As you may see, he is much taller than me and I couldn't see anything when we were pedalling like all get out.
After riding the bikes we got a little hungry so we ate a Xi'an speciality. I really don't know what exactly it is, but it is good. It's like rice, but not, more of a paste of some kind that is steamed. The colors are sugar. Yummm. Served piping hot and fresh.
Another task required us to meet with a local folk painter. Here we are inside his shop. I returned the next day and bought a few little paintings that you see on the table.
That night we went back to the fountains in front of the Big Goose Pagoda. These fountains are synchronized with lights and music. If you're relatively new to my blog, then you wouldn't know that I had quite an embarrassing experience at these fountains in July. Go back and take a read.
The next day we made it back to the Terracotta Warriors, only to find out one of the 3 pits housing the warriors closed only a week earlier for further excavations.
I took this picture so you can see how detailed the soldiers are. This soldier has hair and a braid. I believe that no two soldiers are alike in clothes, posture, stature, etc... That's quite amazing considering that this one pit houses 6,000 warriors.
A Snickers break on the train on the way home. Actually, I ate my very first Snickers bar on the train during fall break, and since then, I've had a little "tradition" to eat a Snickers every time I'm on a train.
Only 2 KFC pics total. I think that tells you something about Xi'an.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Shopping & Old People
----Begin Side-Note----
A lot of people have been complimenting me on my blog and though comments are sparse, it seems that I have quite a few regular readers. Thanks for reading! I can't wait to get back to the States and read it all through myself!
---- End Side-Note ----
So, for the last 2 weeks or so, I've been frantically shopping for cold-weather clothes since I came to China less-than-prepared for the winter. The winter has come, so it gives me an excuse to shop.
First, I will introduce you to the pifa (wholesale). The pifa is across the street from my school and consists of quite a few wharehouse-sized buildings. It's basically kiosks filled to the brims with ugly clothes, knock-off brands, and shoes. Every once in a while you can find a gem (my friend found a "Marc Jacobs" black dress for about $10US over the summer. You can't try anything on ahead of time, you just have to eye-ball it, which oftentimes, proves disasterous.
So why is it a "wholesale"? Well, though the details are still very fuzzy to me, apparently all of the store owners in Beijing come to the pifa to buy their clothes in bulk and sometimes individuals can look around and just buy a shirt here and there. I really wish I can take a picture to show you the inside, its quite a hustle-bustle, barely able to walk around at all, but I'm afraid they'll get angry that I took a picture since they have so many knock-offs.
So, after days of looking around, I finally found some sweaters and a coat. Today bought (without trying it on, not so good) a white "Abercrombie" coat with lots of fur on the hood. I wouldnt be a true China person if I didnt have fur on my hood. I think it came out to about $30US.
Yesterday I went to Silk Street, which is where all of the waiguoren (foreigners) shop. This is where I can buy fake bags, shoes, and clothes (and they have waiguoren sizes, too!) I went to buy shoes. Got 2 pairs of Nikes and a European loafer for about $10/pair. Not too shabby. This place is also full of kiosks and people grabbing you wanting you to check out their stuff. Speaking Chinese is such a plus. No Chinese, no deal.
I bought this "Louis Vitton" purse in Shanghai and have yet to see it in Beijing and a bunch of the ladies working there asked me 1.) if its real, and 2.) how much I paid for it etc.. etc.. since they dont often see it and rarely sell it. I found one lady who sold it and asked her how much the average foreigner paid for it, she said about 500kuai ($70US), which is over triple what I paid in Shanghai. I love bargaining in Chinese because there will be a foreigner right next to me buying the same thing bargaining in English and my price is so much lower than theres! Ahh!
Ok, now on to old people.
My class consists of 2-3 lessons a week. Each lesson has a special topic, like shiye wenti (unemployment problem), chinese sayings, guo malu hen weixian (crossing the street is very dangerous), etc etc. We have studied the life of laoren (OLD PEOPLE) at least 3 times now. How we can keep addressing this, I do not know, but we do.
Last week we went to the park and had to interview old people on how they think their retirement life is going and if they would like san dai tong tang, 3 generations under one roof, basically, whether or not they want to live with their kids.
The old people here are amazing. They seem so healthy and active. Dance at least twice a day, get up every morning to go to the park and work out. I'm a member at a pretty decent gym about 15 minutes from my school and most of the people who workout there are not your typical yuppy trying to stay fit, over half of them are old people.
Anyways, though we oftentimes discuss Old People's lives and how China's economy has developed, and how women and men are not equal and whatever, we have yet to discuss POLITICS or RELIGION. Not once. And not in our forsee-able future.
So thats that.
Oh, go to Xi'an again tomorrow with CET to see the Terracotta Soldiers again. Hmmm.
My friend found a really good version of American Gangster online for free (already selling the DVD on the sidewalks for less than $1), so I think Ill watch that right now.
PS- Support Chinese director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) and go see Lust, Caution! I've heard sooooooo much about it! It's apparently NC17 in the States. The Chinese government was originally going to cut out 1/2 hour of the originial, but now is only cutting out 7 minutes. Yay for censorship.
A lot of people have been complimenting me on my blog and though comments are sparse, it seems that I have quite a few regular readers. Thanks for reading! I can't wait to get back to the States and read it all through myself!
---- End Side-Note ----
So, for the last 2 weeks or so, I've been frantically shopping for cold-weather clothes since I came to China less-than-prepared for the winter. The winter has come, so it gives me an excuse to shop.
First, I will introduce you to the pifa (wholesale). The pifa is across the street from my school and consists of quite a few wharehouse-sized buildings. It's basically kiosks filled to the brims with ugly clothes, knock-off brands, and shoes. Every once in a while you can find a gem (my friend found a "Marc Jacobs" black dress for about $10US over the summer. You can't try anything on ahead of time, you just have to eye-ball it, which oftentimes, proves disasterous.
So why is it a "wholesale"? Well, though the details are still very fuzzy to me, apparently all of the store owners in Beijing come to the pifa to buy their clothes in bulk and sometimes individuals can look around and just buy a shirt here and there. I really wish I can take a picture to show you the inside, its quite a hustle-bustle, barely able to walk around at all, but I'm afraid they'll get angry that I took a picture since they have so many knock-offs.
So, after days of looking around, I finally found some sweaters and a coat. Today bought (without trying it on, not so good) a white "Abercrombie" coat with lots of fur on the hood. I wouldnt be a true China person if I didnt have fur on my hood. I think it came out to about $30US.
Yesterday I went to Silk Street, which is where all of the waiguoren (foreigners) shop. This is where I can buy fake bags, shoes, and clothes (and they have waiguoren sizes, too!) I went to buy shoes. Got 2 pairs of Nikes and a European loafer for about $10/pair. Not too shabby. This place is also full of kiosks and people grabbing you wanting you to check out their stuff. Speaking Chinese is such a plus. No Chinese, no deal.
I bought this "Louis Vitton" purse in Shanghai and have yet to see it in Beijing and a bunch of the ladies working there asked me 1.) if its real, and 2.) how much I paid for it etc.. etc.. since they dont often see it and rarely sell it. I found one lady who sold it and asked her how much the average foreigner paid for it, she said about 500kuai ($70US), which is over triple what I paid in Shanghai. I love bargaining in Chinese because there will be a foreigner right next to me buying the same thing bargaining in English and my price is so much lower than theres! Ahh!
Ok, now on to old people.
My class consists of 2-3 lessons a week. Each lesson has a special topic, like shiye wenti (unemployment problem), chinese sayings, guo malu hen weixian (crossing the street is very dangerous), etc etc. We have studied the life of laoren (OLD PEOPLE) at least 3 times now. How we can keep addressing this, I do not know, but we do.
Last week we went to the park and had to interview old people on how they think their retirement life is going and if they would like san dai tong tang, 3 generations under one roof, basically, whether or not they want to live with their kids.
The old people here are amazing. They seem so healthy and active. Dance at least twice a day, get up every morning to go to the park and work out. I'm a member at a pretty decent gym about 15 minutes from my school and most of the people who workout there are not your typical yuppy trying to stay fit, over half of them are old people.
Anyways, though we oftentimes discuss Old People's lives and how China's economy has developed, and how women and men are not equal and whatever, we have yet to discuss POLITICS or RELIGION. Not once. And not in our forsee-able future.
So thats that.
Oh, go to Xi'an again tomorrow with CET to see the Terracotta Soldiers again. Hmmm.
My friend found a really good version of American Gangster online for free (already selling the DVD on the sidewalks for less than $1), so I think Ill watch that right now.
PS- Support Chinese director Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) and go see Lust, Caution! I've heard sooooooo much about it! It's apparently NC17 in the States. The Chinese government was originally going to cut out 1/2 hour of the originial, but now is only cutting out 7 minutes. Yay for censorship.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Fall Break Pictures
Here are the pictures from Hangzhou and Suzhou that do not involve KFCs.
Hangzhou
Since this was my second time around to Hangzhou, I didnt take any pictures of its main attraction, West Lake. If you want to see West Lake pictures, look under August's post "The Most Beautiful Place in China."
Here are the tea fields up close and personal:
Exercise equipment in the country
Our afternoon tea and hosts.
Longjing cha, dragon tea.
West Lake & Leifang Pagoda. Our hostel was on the lake not to far from this spot.
Some famous temple in Hangzhou
Suzhou
Essentially, the poor man's Venice. Our hostel, again, was at a great location right on a canal. Quite a charming area.
A boat ride down our canal
Dinner at a snack street. We are outside and paid these guys to sing Stephen's favorite Chinese song. The guy was a great singer. Felt like we were in little Mexico. Oh, and for dinner we had fish and they were so kind to just kill it right then and there. How sweet.
Tongli
A small tourist town about an hour away from Suzhou. A network of canals linking old gardens and houses together. One of my favorite spots.
The End.
Hangzhou
Since this was my second time around to Hangzhou, I didnt take any pictures of its main attraction, West Lake. If you want to see West Lake pictures, look under August's post "The Most Beautiful Place in China."
Here are the tea fields up close and personal:
Exercise equipment in the country
Our afternoon tea and hosts.
Longjing cha, dragon tea.
West Lake & Leifang Pagoda. Our hostel was on the lake not to far from this spot.
Some famous temple in Hangzhou
Suzhou
Essentially, the poor man's Venice. Our hostel, again, was at a great location right on a canal. Quite a charming area.
A boat ride down our canal
Dinner at a snack street. We are outside and paid these guys to sing Stephen's favorite Chinese song. The guy was a great singer. Felt like we were in little Mexico. Oh, and for dinner we had fish and they were so kind to just kill it right then and there. How sweet.
Tongli
A small tourist town about an hour away from Suzhou. A network of canals linking old gardens and houses together. One of my favorite spots.
The End.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Mao Zhuxi
Yesterday I had my roommate proof an essay I wrote about China needing to balance their focus between development and protecting it's traditions and historical sites. Case in point, I found this sign at Beijing's Development Museum:
Anyways, so in my essay (in Chinese, of course) I was arguing that the Chinese government hasn't done enough to protect its 特别的传统 (special traditions). And I noted that though this circumstance may not be the fault of the current Chinese government and in fact was the consequence of Mao's Cultural Revolution, the current government needs to put forth more effort.
Well, my roommate and I discussed this and she said that Mao's policies never meant any harm and were good for the people, it was the people under him that killed the people, exciled 知识分子(well-learned people), and destroyed Chinese artifacts and historical relics. She completely painted Mao as a saint. She even went so far as to say that while he was sick in his last years, his wife gave phony orders supposedly from Mao himself.
So I tell her, "well, it is Mao's own policy to rapidly develop China and shun it's history and destroy cultural relics."
She says "No way. Who says this? Where do you get this information? What do you have to back it up? It's the people below him's policy. He only meant well-being for China and its people."
"According to Chinese history books."
She concedes, "According to Chinese history books."
Anyways, so in my essay (in Chinese, of course) I was arguing that the Chinese government hasn't done enough to protect its 特别的传统 (special traditions). And I noted that though this circumstance may not be the fault of the current Chinese government and in fact was the consequence of Mao's Cultural Revolution, the current government needs to put forth more effort.
Well, my roommate and I discussed this and she said that Mao's policies never meant any harm and were good for the people, it was the people under him that killed the people, exciled 知识分子(well-learned people), and destroyed Chinese artifacts and historical relics. She completely painted Mao as a saint. She even went so far as to say that while he was sick in his last years, his wife gave phony orders supposedly from Mao himself.
So I tell her, "well, it is Mao's own policy to rapidly develop China and shun it's history and destroy cultural relics."
She says "No way. Who says this? Where do you get this information? What do you have to back it up? It's the people below him's policy. He only meant well-being for China and its people."
"According to Chinese history books."
She concedes, "According to Chinese history books."
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Hangzhou, Suzhou & 4 hours in Shanghai
Ahhhh... Fall break. So many sites, so little time. Here's a quick summation in pictures of fall break.
Hangzhou:
Suzhou:
Shanghai:
Ahhhh... too much fun! Would you believe that we didnt eat there once?
Hangzhou:
Suzhou:
Shanghai:
Ahhhh... too much fun! Would you believe that we didnt eat there once?
Friday, October 19, 2007
Fall Break!
It feels odd to already be at fall break, but heck, here we are. Half way through fall semester. 2 months and 3 days till I'm home.
In the mean time, I'll be doing a little traveling. In about 10 minutes, I'll leave to go hop on a train to Hangzhou (see my parent's blog posts sometime toward the end of August), then off to Suzhou, then maybe Nanjing. All in all about 9 days.
I don't really have anything interesting to say, so I won't say anymore. (Except that I hope y'all have seen this week's NBC Nightly News special on "China Rising" toward the end of every broadcast.)
Zaijian
In the mean time, I'll be doing a little traveling. In about 10 minutes, I'll leave to go hop on a train to Hangzhou (see my parent's blog posts sometime toward the end of August), then off to Suzhou, then maybe Nanjing. All in all about 9 days.
I don't really have anything interesting to say, so I won't say anymore. (Except that I hope y'all have seen this week's NBC Nightly News special on "China Rising" toward the end of every broadcast.)
Zaijian
Monday, October 15, 2007
China Congress a Test for Hu's Strength
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press Writer
BEIJING - Chinese leader Hu Jintao pledged to make communist rule more inclusive and better spread the fruits of China's economic boom, in an address Monday to a party congress that offers a key test of his authority
Hu also offered talks on a formal peace accord with Taiwan, but the vague proposal included preconditions previously unacceptable to the island, which quickly rejected it.
Shying away from the warlike rhetoric that often accompanies such occasions, Hu instead stressing Beijing's preference for a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the 58-year-old conflict with Taiwan.
"We would like to make a solemn appeal: On the basis of the one-China principle, let us discuss a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides, reach a peace agreement," Hu told the party and military elite gathered in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.
Hu's speech is the most public event at the congress, which comes at the midway mark of his decade-long tenure as party chief and head of state.
The weeklong conclave's chief purpose is to reappoint Hu for a second five-year term as party general secretary. A key measure of Hu's influence will be how many of his political allies he can maneuver into top party jobs, including proteges expected to take over when he steps down in five years.
Hu's leadership has never been threatened, but he is largely seen as weaker than past leaders, forcing him to compromise on some top appointments and other decisions. In a sign of possible constraints, Hu's retired predecessor, Jiang Zemin, was appointed to the committee handling the congress' arrangements, state media said Sunday.
In his address, Hu outlined policies intended to make China more prosperous and stable by raising incomes and improving the party's hold on a fast-changing society.
"Obviously we want to see China be able to move forward with both political and economic reforms," Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said in Washington. "I don't think I have heard or seen anything coming out of this particular set of meetings that changes our basic views."
While offering few specifics, Hu said Chinese citizens would have "more extensive democratic rights" by 2020, China's target year for establishing lasting economic security, even as the party retains its monopoly on political power.
"Contemporary China is going through a wide-ranging and deep-going transformation. This brings us unprecedented opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges," Hu told the more than 2,200 delegates gathered in Beijing's massive Great Hall of the People for the once-every-five-year meeting.
Broadcast live on nationwide television, the far-ranging speech lasting more than two hours and 20 minutes was one of Hu's most important public addresses since taking over as party leader at the last congress in 2002.
Reflecting Hu's cautious manner, it contained few initiatives and was vague on just how proposals for expanded democracy would be carried out.
Hu also promised to continue a buildup of China's military, but pledged to use the country's economic and diplomatic clout as a force for peace internationally.
"I think the secretary-general did very well with this speech," said Shen Ruixiang, a district party secretary from the thriving eastern province of Jiangsu.
"I'm sure he'll emerge from this congress with even more authority and prove an even better leader," Shen said.
Hu dwelled also on his signature policy, a push to re-channel breakneck development by spreading the benefits of economic growth more evenly that goes by the rubric "the scientific outlook on development."
Hu referred to the social divisions that have erupted from fast growth — gaps between rich and poor, urban and rural — and made an oblique reference to an emerging, demanding middle class.
"There are still a considerable number of impoverished and low-income people in both urban and rural areas, and it has become more difficult to accommodate the interests of all sides."
While Hu spoke, police and soldiers who sealed off Tiananmen Square and the areas around the Great Hall of the People detained at least two dozen people, many of them elderly, forcing them into police vans. Many carried documents detailing grievances against local officials and hoped to get the attention of Chinese leaders.
In looking outward, Hu reiterated an offer to end the hostilities between China and Taiwan since their separation amid civil war 58 years ago. Hu, however, restated a condition for talks that has been anathema to Taiwan's democratic government — that the island must recognize that it is a part of China.
Hu reveled in the achievements China has made since he took over, pointedly referring to income growth and its two manned space missions.
"During this period, China's overall strength grew considerably and the people enjoyed more tangible benefits. China's international standing and influence rose notably," Hu said.
Deliberations over the next leadership lineup have been going on for months and will take place this week behind closed doors. Its makeup is officially announced after the congress ends.
Hu is expected to push for the elevation of protege Li Keqiang onto the Politburo Standing Committee, while Xi Jinping, the party boss of Shanghai and the son of a revolutionary veteran, is also expected to get a seat.
BEIJING - Chinese leader Hu Jintao pledged to make communist rule more inclusive and better spread the fruits of China's economic boom, in an address Monday to a party congress that offers a key test of his authority
Hu also offered talks on a formal peace accord with Taiwan, but the vague proposal included preconditions previously unacceptable to the island, which quickly rejected it.
Shying away from the warlike rhetoric that often accompanies such occasions, Hu instead stressing Beijing's preference for a peaceful, negotiated settlement to the 58-year-old conflict with Taiwan.
"We would like to make a solemn appeal: On the basis of the one-China principle, let us discuss a formal end to the state of hostility between the two sides, reach a peace agreement," Hu told the party and military elite gathered in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.
Hu's speech is the most public event at the congress, which comes at the midway mark of his decade-long tenure as party chief and head of state.
The weeklong conclave's chief purpose is to reappoint Hu for a second five-year term as party general secretary. A key measure of Hu's influence will be how many of his political allies he can maneuver into top party jobs, including proteges expected to take over when he steps down in five years.
Hu's leadership has never been threatened, but he is largely seen as weaker than past leaders, forcing him to compromise on some top appointments and other decisions. In a sign of possible constraints, Hu's retired predecessor, Jiang Zemin, was appointed to the committee handling the congress' arrangements, state media said Sunday.
In his address, Hu outlined policies intended to make China more prosperous and stable by raising incomes and improving the party's hold on a fast-changing society.
"Obviously we want to see China be able to move forward with both political and economic reforms," Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said in Washington. "I don't think I have heard or seen anything coming out of this particular set of meetings that changes our basic views."
While offering few specifics, Hu said Chinese citizens would have "more extensive democratic rights" by 2020, China's target year for establishing lasting economic security, even as the party retains its monopoly on political power.
"Contemporary China is going through a wide-ranging and deep-going transformation. This brings us unprecedented opportunities as well as unprecedented challenges," Hu told the more than 2,200 delegates gathered in Beijing's massive Great Hall of the People for the once-every-five-year meeting.
Broadcast live on nationwide television, the far-ranging speech lasting more than two hours and 20 minutes was one of Hu's most important public addresses since taking over as party leader at the last congress in 2002.
Reflecting Hu's cautious manner, it contained few initiatives and was vague on just how proposals for expanded democracy would be carried out.
Hu also promised to continue a buildup of China's military, but pledged to use the country's economic and diplomatic clout as a force for peace internationally.
"I think the secretary-general did very well with this speech," said Shen Ruixiang, a district party secretary from the thriving eastern province of Jiangsu.
"I'm sure he'll emerge from this congress with even more authority and prove an even better leader," Shen said.
Hu dwelled also on his signature policy, a push to re-channel breakneck development by spreading the benefits of economic growth more evenly that goes by the rubric "the scientific outlook on development."
Hu referred to the social divisions that have erupted from fast growth — gaps between rich and poor, urban and rural — and made an oblique reference to an emerging, demanding middle class.
"There are still a considerable number of impoverished and low-income people in both urban and rural areas, and it has become more difficult to accommodate the interests of all sides."
While Hu spoke, police and soldiers who sealed off Tiananmen Square and the areas around the Great Hall of the People detained at least two dozen people, many of them elderly, forcing them into police vans. Many carried documents detailing grievances against local officials and hoped to get the attention of Chinese leaders.
In looking outward, Hu reiterated an offer to end the hostilities between China and Taiwan since their separation amid civil war 58 years ago. Hu, however, restated a condition for talks that has been anathema to Taiwan's democratic government — that the island must recognize that it is a part of China.
Hu reveled in the achievements China has made since he took over, pointedly referring to income growth and its two manned space missions.
"During this period, China's overall strength grew considerably and the people enjoyed more tangible benefits. China's international standing and influence rose notably," Hu said.
Deliberations over the next leadership lineup have been going on for months and will take place this week behind closed doors. Its makeup is officially announced after the congress ends.
Hu is expected to push for the elevation of protege Li Keqiang onto the Politburo Standing Committee, while Xi Jinping, the party boss of Shanghai and the son of a revolutionary veteran, is also expected to get a seat.
(Communist) Party in Beijing!
The Chinese Legislature is in session, and you know what the means (besides phony laws that will be forgotten in a month)- a crackdown across the city! No sitting outside, you better watch that traffic light, and don't you dare think of getting in an altercation.
It also means that our cafeteria is shut down. Why, you ask? My school butts up to a famous government-run hotel, the Guoyi Binguan, which houses all of the politicians for the next 2 weeks. Its kind of neat because we see them walking around everywhere, but we have absolutely no idea who they are. Anyways, our cafeteria along with a handful of stores and restaurants are closed for a few weeks because of their close location to the hotel.
So, besides the Communist party, I also had one of my own: my 21st birthday. Let's just say that I've been celebrating all week and I'm happy to have such great friends, such open bars, and such understanding parents. :-)
Went out to lunch with my teachers on Friday and they ordered birthday noodles. The noodles signify a long life and the egg, well, everyone forgot what the egg signified:
Saturday my friends and I visited the art district for a little culture then headed back to my school b/c my program gave us money to throw a birthday party because 3 of us had the same birthday (Sunday). We had pizza, cakes, dumplings, fruit, french fries, more birthday soup and 50 of our closest friends, roommates, and classmates. It was pretty cute.
Later that night we headed to a German restaurant because, guess what, its Oktoberfest! The rest of the night, well, I'm sure you can guess.
(note- that really wasn't my beer...)
Thanks to everyone who sent me their wishes via mail, internet, and otherwise... I really appreciate having such great people in my life!
-Ashley
It also means that our cafeteria is shut down. Why, you ask? My school butts up to a famous government-run hotel, the Guoyi Binguan, which houses all of the politicians for the next 2 weeks. Its kind of neat because we see them walking around everywhere, but we have absolutely no idea who they are. Anyways, our cafeteria along with a handful of stores and restaurants are closed for a few weeks because of their close location to the hotel.
So, besides the Communist party, I also had one of my own: my 21st birthday. Let's just say that I've been celebrating all week and I'm happy to have such great friends, such open bars, and such understanding parents. :-)
Went out to lunch with my teachers on Friday and they ordered birthday noodles. The noodles signify a long life and the egg, well, everyone forgot what the egg signified:
Saturday my friends and I visited the art district for a little culture then headed back to my school b/c my program gave us money to throw a birthday party because 3 of us had the same birthday (Sunday). We had pizza, cakes, dumplings, fruit, french fries, more birthday soup and 50 of our closest friends, roommates, and classmates. It was pretty cute.
Later that night we headed to a German restaurant because, guess what, its Oktoberfest! The rest of the night, well, I'm sure you can guess.
(note- that really wasn't my beer...)
Thanks to everyone who sent me their wishes via mail, internet, and otherwise... I really appreciate having such great people in my life!
-Ashley
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