Heading to Xi’an, China today via overnight train. It will be nice to get out of dirty Beijing, but I hear there isn’t that much to do in Xi’an.
Tag: china
What I’m Missing in the U.S.
There is only one English TV station at my hotel, and none of the other stations cover what I’m looking for. Further, China limits the import of Western movies to about 20 (I’m told), so that chance of seeing something I want when it’s released in the U.S. is slim.
So, what’s going on in the U.S. that I can’t see while in China?
Movies opening:
* Transformers
* Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
* The Simpsons
* Ratatouille
* Live Free or Die Hard
* The Bourne Ultimatum
Sporting events:
* Wimbledon – going on right now. Looks like Federer is doing well as expected.
* Tour de France – No Lance, so I don’t care that much. But I am curious to see what comes of all the doping allegations trailing over from last year.
* The British Open – late July. Maybe they’ll recap it for a few minutes on CCTV.
Other:
* iPhone debut – missed this already
* Clean air
* Recognizable food
* TC Cherry Festival
* TC Film Festival
New Pictures of Summer Palace
I posted pictures of the Summer Palace in Beijing, China. You should see them to the right. Click on a picture and you’ll jump to my Flickr page.
BTW, Flickr is censored by the “Great Firewall” of China. I wonder what the penalty for circumventing the firewall is? Hmmmmmmmm….
Big Grave in Xi’an
Just discovered in Xi’an near the Terracotta Warriors, where we’re headed on Thursday… the largest group of coffins ever discovered in a single grave. There are 47 coffins in the 2500-year-old tomb. (Link) Another source. (Link)
Finding Mexican Food and Harry Potter in Beijing
We found the sixth Harry Potter book at an international bookstore and ate Mexican food today.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is the sixth book in the seven book series. I bought it in NH, but left in there. Doh! Thankfully, they had several copies here. And they will have the seventh book at the same time it comes out in the U.S., so we should have some reading on the way home too.
The Mexican food was similar to what you would find in America, and by that I mean the chips were triangular and the enchiladas were filled with chicken and cheese. But, it all tasted a little different… something we’ve come to expect with all food “over here.” Burgers have an interesting twang that makes you question the quality of the beef, donuts are harder and more fry-bread tasting, and just about everything else is a mystery.
The mystery is why we crave something familiar. Even if ordering something familiar like pizza isn’t any easier than ordering Chinese food, eating it is. You don’t sit there and wonder if you’re eating pork or duck, only later to discover it’s beef.
China Articles
American headlines I’ve read while in China. Sorry, no links. Don’t have time right now:
“In Food Safety Crackdown, China Closes 180 Plants” (NYT) – Hmmm… shall I stick to my peanut butter sandwiches? Really, we’ve been eating them everyday for lunch. It’s far easier than trying to order food.
“Text Messages Giving Voice to Chinese” (Wash Post) – It’s quite clear from my Intro to Chinese Law class that if the NPC doesn’t like something, it gets squashed. I guess text messages are a little tougher to suppress.
“Wider Sale is Seen for Toothpaste Tainted in China” (NYT) – I’ve been using my hotel supplied toothpaste morning, noon, and night (sometimes). I hope my teeth don’t fall out.
“U.S. Family Tries Living Without China” (Reuters) – The family says it’s not because they don’t like China. That sounds like BS.
“F.D.A. Issues Alert on Chinese Seafood” (NYT) – I ate a lot of shrimp, some fish, and stuff I can’t even name the other night. I wonder if the F.D.A. would like me to bring some samples home.
“Why Marathoners Won’t Break Records in Beijing” (blog.foreignpolicy.com) – It is truly filthy here. Smog hovers, like I’ve said. The articles says the levels are two to three times what is “healthy.” You don’t see anyone working out outside here. It’s weird.
The Silk Market
First thing I’ve done in Beijing worth noting.
The Silk Market is a six floor building filled with authentic knock-off jeans, shirts, shoes, pearls, watches, statues, golf clubs, etc. etc. etc. They have anything you want, and it’s as cheap as you can bargain for.
The clerks will literally grab your arm and pull you into their booth. Some people don’t like it, although I found it entertaining and only mildly invasive. The workers also speak very good English, so communicating is easy. Bargaining is done by typing prices into a calculator and finding a middle point.
I bought a pair of white Gucci loafers. They look good, fit well, and are really really white. Dirty Haidain, Beijing will be a great place to break them in.