Today, again, sunday, lovely sunday. Friday night I went again to Mao live house, where I saw my first show in BJ, with no expectations of the headliners, Dandi wind. There is so much to see and do in this city, I've gotten a bit overloaded with drum and bass, house, and other forms of music that recently I've pretty much given up on going out. But I'm so glad I made it to this one. Introduced to Glam rock through the likes of Milwaukee's Diamonds, I was expecting a good night of spandex and glitter and got more than I bargained for with this Canadian duo. Completely over the top singing, dancing, and live stage acting combined with on the spot electronic keyboard and a lot of Chinese and foreigners who didn't seem to know what to make of it. The singer even came down and jumped with us on the floor. LikeGoldfrapp mixed with Bjork and David Bowie, crica Hunky Dory. Fabulous.
Saturday I taught my fourth class, which was the best yet. The kids and I are finally getting into a groove and with some increased discipline, getting more English in the class. I no longer allow them to speak Chinese and we played freeze tag. Many children (and their parents) are so focused on competition for education that kids rarely get the opportunity to chase each other, scream, and play out their crushes in the sunshine. Great fun.
My college friend Randy from Kansas came into town on Friday and today we spent a pleasant afternoon wandering around Houhai (a lake with many bars and shops in central BJ) and the surrounding hutongs (old neighborhoods) taking pictures, drinking Qingdao and catching up. It was the first summer day of the year and I showed off my first pedicure ever by wearing flip flops. The feet are now hopelessly dirty, but it was very pleasant to stroll about in the sunshine and cottonwood dander floating down.
Tidbits: Cigarettes here, (as well as alcohol) can be fake, with no drugs at all, only household poisons. The Bladerunner-esque sirens that come standard on all infamous traffic clearing black Audis can actually be purchased by the common man, not just important party officials. The average life expectancy is 72.88 years and China is the fourth largest country in the world, after Russia, Canada, and the US.
Opinions: The protests. I think Tbtn culture and spirituality is one of the most beautiful human things on this earth. But this is getting ridiculous.
(Co-workers.)
I have to express my frustration with the huge surge in the western world's jumping on the anti-Chna bandwagon. For a lot of people, it's not hard...up ratings and popularity by becoming political, and chose your side: the communist country eating up world resources, or the holy spiritual outcasts. Not a difficult choice. I think the real, underlying issue is that there are a lot of people who are quite nervous and ignorant about China and are expressing their fear sideways.
How many of the protesters have actually thought about what would happen if Tbt were free? (Free HK! Free Taiwan! What happens then to the US-Chna relations, the global economy, American or French lifestyles?) Really, it's not an option.
Human rights in China is an issue, but it IS getting better. And don't forget we kill people in the US too. Furthermore, raising 5 million people from poverty as quickly as China has is no easy feat. There were some bumps, but I'd say 'twas accomplished with relative grace.
The people here have worked very long and very hard for the upcoming games. It's a shame the common person here will suffer disgrace for something they have little or no control over.
Whew. Sorry about that.
(In the Garbage.)
For pure entertainment, check out this video. Ah yes, it's all coming together for me... hip-hop, film, Chinese, and farming.
Love y'all, love to hear from you!
3 comments:
I'm so glad to see you comment about the Olympics! I think it's getting a bit out of hand... As the games get closer though I hope you give us more insight!
I got a pedicure once too. My toes felt very conspicuous.
martha, thanks for this post, i also find your thoughts on the olympcs insightful. in defense of the west, I think part of the reason there is an "anti-chna bandwagon" at all is because of how chna has handled foreign relations throughout the recent Tbt issues. I mean, they kicked out all foreign reporters from the area and wouldn't let any new ones in, how are we supposed to evaluate chna fairly? they're also calling the dahlee lahmuh a "jackal in mnks robes." i mean cmon. also what concerns me is the chinese may censor the broadcasting of the olympics if any protests did occur during the games, since theyve proven to be very willing to censor what gets out of the country w/ respct to recent events. don't you find it somewhat ironic to defend the chnese but only feel comfortable writing the abbreviation "Tbt" for fear of chnese govt cntrls on the net?
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