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.