I Go China Round Eye

I have returned safely from the People's Republic of China. I am now only begining to digest and process what I saw, not only in terms of WTF moments but also the dichotomy of capitalism and a weak attempt at hiding communism. Anyway it was a funfilled weekend. I have broken it down into days and have included a few pictures of some Great Wall and some square as well. Happy Lunar New Year, by the way. The Chinese as well as all other Asian celebrated the Lunar New Year as well.

Day 1: After arriving in Bejing (Peking if you are old school) we were off to have lunch at yes a Chinese Resturant. After having lunch at the Chinese Resturant we were whisked off to the Temple of Heaven. This was quite nice too, although if you asked me the difference between this Asian Temple and the others I have seen in Korea, I couldn't tell you. After the Temple it was on to Tian An Men Square (aka Chi Com Propoganda Central) What was funny about the square was there are no more protests allowed. However, they bus in these peddlers who sell anything from a Chairman Mao watch that does not work to Bejing 2008 apparel. I bought none of it as they were very aggressive and the words "No and please don't touch my coat" were used often. I have included a picture of "parliament" as our tour guide called it. It is actually The Chinese Communist Party Headquarters. I also have another picture of me in front of Uncle Mao's portrait along with my Mao's Little Red Bible. For the record, America rocks and everything in that book is a crock. So Homeland Security if you are reading this, USA, USA, USA!!!! After a day at the Square and the Temple of Heaven we went to Chinese Acrobat Show. If you have seen the movie Oceans Eleven and it scene where they are looking for the Grease Man, then that is what the Acrobat Show was. Words cannot explain the WTF and amazement I saw at that show. There were plates spinning flips and dips. Once I get some of my friend's pictures I will post them as I did not take any because I was awe struck. I should also add that the whole day I endured bang and boom after boom. According to our tour guide, the Chinese go buck wild with fireworks. This year was no different. At first I thought I was back in Iraq. Thundering booms echoed off buildings and I thought we were under attack. The tour guide also said that there were 216 firework related accidents last year. His comment on this was freedom can be a bad thing. Hmmm very shady if you ask me.

Day 2: After visiting the State Jade Carving Factory (Again I did not buy anything there because it gave me the creeps) it was on to the Great Wall of China. I was blown away at how steep the stairs were and the ruggedness of the hills that it was built on. I took lots of pictures for those who wanted more pictures on the site. As you can see from the pictures, This is some serious wall. After hiking up one part of the wall and down the other it was time to find out how to get back to the bus. After over shooting the parking lot we had to do a little back tracking, which involved going through a barrier, up an ancient garden and over a fence. We did this while other Chinese were yelling at us. I like to think they were words of encouragement, but I doubt it. In short, my friend and I climbed and broke back into the Great Wall of China. After The Great Wall of China we had lunch at the "Friendship" store. Again this was a state run propoganda store. After the lunch we opted out of the Pearl Factory and another Asia Temple. Our tour guide, Peter was heartbroken that he lost six people's worth of kick backs. He was very accomodating in getting some "cabs" back to our hotel. I use "cab" because the cabs were not your ordinary cabs. We were required to pay up front. According to Peter these guys did not quite have their cab licenses yet. After paying 200 ywon (about $10) per car, I told my friends that if I did not see them again, that I loved them and would see them probably at the Jade Carving or Pearl factory as workers. Needless to say it turned out fine. After a ride back to the hotel we cleaned up for a night in Bejing. Our dinner consisted of Roast Peiking Duck. There are also pictures of this as well. After dinner it was onto the Bejing night scene. In the section of town we visited, it seemed like any run of the mill American row of bars. You had your peddlers of watches and wares, as well as bouncers trying to woo you. We visited about three bars. Once again WTF cannot describe it. The first bar we popped into included a Chinese Belly Dancer (Yes I know WTF) The second bar and the one I think we spent most of our time in had a band. It was a Phillipino Band singing American cover tunes. They were actually not half bad. After having smelly fat German chicks dancing on the bar and lots of beers, it was time to call it a night/morning. I think it is only a matter of time before the other shoe of freedom drops in China.

Day 3: After a night of hard partying and WTFness it was time to sleep. We opted for no tours on this day. Instead we hit the Silk Street Market. I have included a picture of a red sign that was posted at this market. This market is insane. This is where people come to shop cheaply. You must barter though and not settle on the first price. That is half the enterainment for me. Although I only came away with a couple of things. After two hours of "Mister you come inside we have your size good price for you" along with my coat being touched, I was ready to go. I used the phrase "Please don't touch my coat" frequently. It was crazy. Perhaps I will be more prepared the next time. My friends of course went buck wild. One bought two extra suit cases and filled it with cheap Chinese goods and wares. What a great trip.

Serenity Now

China here I come. It is hard to believe that the day of this trip has finally arrived. I look at this as the first of many benchmarks of my one year rotation here in Korea. I have been here two months and some days it seems a lot longer. On some of these longer days, I cannot help but yell serenity now.

This morning I once again yelled "Serenity now" but did it without saying a word. Four to five days a week my unit conducts physical training (yes the Army pays me to exercise). This usually consists of running and lots of it. This morning, like the other four, was a running day. However, instead of focusing on the many reasons why humans should not be running like they do, I decided to "let it go." As I did this, I scanned 360 degrees with my eyes. I was amazed at how spectacular the scenery is here. Usually most mornings here are very foggy. Today was different. It was clear and stars scattered the sky. The Big Dipper was tipped upside down against an ever brightening sea of blue. For once the biting cold,that usually stings my face, did not phase me. The low lying hills and mountains that surround the valley where my post sits, was sillouted against the brightening sky. As we made our way down the winding road to the turn around spot, the sky got ever brighter and the mountains were magnified even more against the blue backdrop. At that point I stopped worrying about Juicy girls, the shady Korean Adashi, work and life's other little annoyances and soaked it all in.

If this morning's run is any indication of what the next four days in China will bring, I am all set. I wish everyone a safe and happy President's Day weekend. I promise to take lots of pictures.

The Ville

Good Lord it has been busy here!!!!

Business is unfortunately booming as a military prosecutor. As you read below, you will probably figure out why. I am glad that in three weeks I will be leaving the Land of the Morning Calm and heading to Bejing. I decided to once again go out on the local Korean economy. For those familiar with military installations and the nefarious establishments (e.g. Pawn Shops, Payday loan stores, "Massage" parlors and strip clubs) and activities that surface outside their gates, this entry will not surprise you in the least. Korea is no different. There is an area right outside the gate called "The Ville," which is short for village. Fifty so years ago when Camp Casey was really just a camp, Tongechon City or TDC, was just a village composed of thatched roofs, donkeys and invading North Koreans. Fast forward fifty years and pawn shops drinking establishments and other shady enterprises have replaced the the thatched roofs and the donkeys. I should also mention that the Ville is where most of my work generates. This past weekend my friend and I made our way to the Ville. Just like outside the gates of any military installation, the Ville has everything to offer from cell phone stores to very questionable pawnshops, selling all of the Army's latest TA 50 (that is tactical gear in military speak. ). However, what makes the Ville "The Ville" are the bars and the juicy girls. Juicy girls usually come from the Phillpines to work in these bars in hopes of marrying GI to go to the PXey Commissary, as well as fenagle and syphon other Army benefits out of their new found husbands. As my commander says, $20 to a Juicy Girl will get you three questions (What is your rank, how long are you in Korea, and are you married?) Unfortunately the young GIs mistake this "conversation" for love and before they know it they spend more than $20 during the "question and answer" session, marry one of these Juicy Girls. Once married, the Juicy girls then are allowed on post, to go buy up all of the eggs and meat at the Commissary to sell to their families who live off post and annoy the crap out of me as I shop. Anyway, that is the Ville. The bright side is that the Ville is pimp suit heaven. I have never seen an array of colors, materials and pushy Adashi (old man in Hongul or Adima (Hongul for old woman). They appear nice and sweet but you have to watch them. They are as shady as the Ville itself. In fact I came up with one more word for my ever growing lexicon. It is shadar.

Shadar: Noun (Sha'dar) One's inner sensor that measures the sketchiness or illigitimacy of a product, service or business establishment. Seamus's shadar registered very highly as he looked in the shop window in the Ville at a fine made Korean pimp suit and Adashi popped out of no where and attempted to corral him into the store and hustle him.
After admiring the pimp suit it was now time to head to a Ville bar, which can be very risky and shady. I had one in particular that the CID folks, who are the Army criminal investigators, gave a green light to go in. They said it was one of the better establishments and that a lot of the NCOs and Officers frequent there. It is called Cheers. As soon as my friend and I entered, my shadar immediately went off. If having three pesky Phillipinas/Juicy Girls, badgering me to buy them a drinkie two shifty eyed Korean bartenders and Russian females (who my friend and I were convinced are former KGB/Russian spies looking for some drunk GI to spill their guts to them) is one of the better places in the Ville, then I have a train wreck sort of curiosity as to what the other bars are like. It is a good thing that I ponied up $10.00 and joined the local VFW Post (Veterans of Foreign Wars). As a member, I get to drink for $2.00 and not be hastled by the elements of the global shadiness network...Ahh just another day in the Land of the Morning Calm.