Sights and Sounds

I spent a few days last week in Chengdu to try and wrap up some outstanding issues and then returned to Xiangtan on Saturday. Therefore, I haven’t really had the chance for some new adventures and experiences. But I needed to let you guys know some of what has been going on, so this posting is intended to just be a few blurbs of things I’ve seen, read and/or overheard.
So – Sights and Sounds From China …


Women in Green …
As reported in the China Daily ….
“A group of young women walked through the streets of Chengdu wearing nothing but tree leaves in order to promote vegetarianism. Though they attracted lots of attention from people, some say it won’t be successful. “People who saw them may remember their sexy outfits, but they would not remember why they did that” said one resident of the city”
Just what is happening in this country? Half naked ladies walking the streets; you’d think it was America! This capitalism thing will be the ruin of us!! Chairman Mao probably rolled over.
And I missed it (the ladies, not the Chairman)!!

Lost in China …
I often get lost over here.
Actually in truth, it’s pretty hard to get lost here since you are only one taxi ride away from wherever you want to be. But I think this bus definitely is lost. Everybody but these two passengers knew it – probably explains why nobody else was getting on the bus! But in true Chinese form, that didn’t stop the driver from soliciting riders anyway – or at least the four legged kind.

Basic Transportation …
Recalling my story about impressing your friends by driving a Ferrari, this next guy would be defined as the ultimate purist. After all, 6 disk automatic CD Changers, 8 speaker surround sound, built in GPS and cell phone with satellite radio are all just fluff! If you need a good ride, don’t waste your hard earned RMB on all those extras. All you need is an engine, a drive train, and 4 wheels.
Keyless entry?
Yeah, I got your keyless entry right here, buddy!!



Unloading the Bricks …
Now some poor guy spent a whole day loading those bricks perfectly onto that truck so he could maximize his delivery to his all-important customer. But apparently, he misunderstood the order. His customer ordered a PILE of bricks, not a stacked load of bricks. Geez, now we just got to make our own pile like we wanted.
Actually, you see this a lot here. I often wonder if the supervisor has ever calculated that he is probably breaking about 15% of what he ordered, paid for, but can’t use?

One Legged Men …
We all know the phrase about “Being busier than a one-legged man in a butt kicking contest” but in reality, what do you do if you have a bunch ofone legged people?How do you get around? These guys have it figured out – just watch the video.

Roller Coasting …
It’s a beautiful day and you need to get the kids outside before they drive you crazy. So what to do? There is always the local park where they can stand in line for an hour to ride the one car roller coaster. Ten feet off the ground for 30 seconds makes that line worth the wait, huh. And of course you are already well versed in the polite manner in which Chinese stand in line. But there is the prospect of having to cross the “Chasm of Death”. I’m still trying to determine if this girl was enjoying that prospect. And from the looks of the rusted I-beams that held this thing together – she may be right in being worried.
I think I’ll pass on this one, too.







New Years is closer than You Think …
And of course, what would a day at the park be without a little music to soothe your soul? After all, the Chinese New Year is only 9 months away and if you want to be on Dick Clark’s “Rockin’ Chinese New Year” extravaganza (11:00 PM on CCTV1), you better start practicing now. These guys gave me my own serenade and when they finished this one, they showed off with athoroughly festive version of Jingle Bells – on April 26th!! Only in China.


Self Medicating …
My ear has gotten a little clogged up and I was worried about an ear infection. I didn’t bring any ear drops with me, so I figured I was would try the well known “Swimmers Ear” cure. That is 50% white vinegar with 50% rubbing alcohol mixture. And those should be safe and easy to find locally, right? Well, white vinegar is easy. It’s right next to the soy sauce at the store. Alcohol can be found at the pharmacy. Sort of. Two pharmacies later I finally resorted to calling one of my Chinese friends to translate over the phone – but he didn’t know what rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol was, so that got me nowhere fast. So I figured, these are pharmacists, they study chemistry. I’ll just write down the chemical formula for alcohol and they’ll know that! Sorry. Not gonna happen, either. I began to think I was just going to have use Bijoh – which is Chinese moon shine/grain alcohol, but fortunately, one of my American friends saw the pharmacy workers cleaning something with Q-tips and a clear liquid from a bottle. One whiff and Eureka!! That’s what I want. I point. They smile. 15RMB later, I am hearing much better.
To be honest, I am quite surprised I even remember the formula myself. Chemistry was never my main strength. But as I write this, I can hear all those medical people in my family and my nerdy children groaning over my lack of chemistry prowess. But I got what I needed!

And Finally …
I am using a different hotel than the 1st one I used in Xiangtan. This one is the Paragon Hotel and is significantly better than the Huadu. Just some photos for you to close out a few sights because it is a pretty nice place. It should be, I’m paying the exorbitant price of $69.00/night! OK, that was sarcasm, but several people think I’m crazy to stay here because “too much.” Nice photos, though.