Chin-up China!

So, as Blair stated, we were blocked from the blog for the length of our stay in China.  The vacation from media and outside contact was indeed refreshing in someways.  Definitely more like traveling in the “old days,” sans satellite tv, cell and internet.  Now that we are back, news is neat.  One quick thought, China criticizing the US on shooting down a satellite on “environmental concerns” is um… a lil silly.  It’s friggen tough to breath there.  Some say living in Beijing is equivalent to smoking 70 cigarettes a day, that is a bit drastic thou.  That said, we all know that’s not why the US did it either.  Second political thought, we had more then one conversation with Chinese folks, who asked us how we could stand our oppressive government.  Beers were shared over that one.  Funny and sad for ALL of us. 

OK Beijing… the desert creeps close everyday, and it is flat, freezing, super dry and polluted as all heck.  Some Olympiads this summer plan to wear masks when competing, and I understand why.  Thou US has banned its athletes from doing so for political reasons.  As every city in China, there are construction cranes absolutely EVERYWHERE!!  Its development on at mach speed.  The Chinese are very worried about the pace, saying they fear the farm to disco culture. 

I think the hardest thing to get used to was that everyone hawked luggies everywhere. You could be sitting in a restaurant and the folks next to you would be hawking and spitting on the floor.  Hence, you never see them sit on the ground ever.  I would eat with my bag in my lap, if a chair wasn’t handy.  Even with the indoor spitting, we still managed to snag some delicious veggie and duck meals.  More on meals, we never saw the Chinese use soy sauce.  Once we asked for some, and the waiter said “on dumplings!?” laughed and walked away.  I guess its like putting ketchup on our pasta… noted and fair enough.

Due to us getting there just after Chinese New Year, there were fireworks (the large mortar kind) every night.  Its very exciting, especially when its all night, just outside your window.  As all things, you get used to it.  Another aspect of the New Year, all of the older folks rock the hackie-sack.  It was awesome to see 70 year old ladies flipping around, busting moves.  We were told this is an ancient game, and I believe it.

It also seemed that everyone traded in their old pedal bike for moped-like electric versions.  Progress indeed, and very neat.   

As B. mentioned, Valentines day was our best in China.  THANKS GRAVY for the awesome Great Wall and Gun Tour tour idea.  The wall trip was absolutely amazing.  The mountain climb brought some much needed exercise, and was absolutely breath taking.  Worth the trip indeed.  The second part of the trip was also simply perfect.  B and I were driven to a Chinese Army gun range; lead into a room full of weapons of all types; and allowed to choose what we wanted to bro down with.  Until then, our driver had remained completely quiet, but got unbelievably stoked when he saw what we were doing; he kept smiling big and shooting an “air” machine gun around.  FUN is just not the word.  We both shot Uzi’s and Ak-47’s.  Blair ruled the UZI, I the AK, and we were allowed to keep our targets.  I must say  that you haven’t lived until you’ve watched your lady fire a machine gun on full auto.  Our driver even snuck us a bunch of our spent shells as souvenirs (mailed home before we left China with our targets).  Unfortunately, they would not allow us to take pics on the range, but everyone loved it, including the Chinese military men, all smiling.

It was at this point that our guide pulled Blair aside, and told her that ,” I must be VERY wealthy to have such a pretty girlfriend.”  Now, um, yea, um!?  Its obviously very true that Blair is truly beautiful, but am I chop liver over here!?  I gotta have cash to match-up?  She also explained how excited she was when her fiance purchase a tv, fridge and car so his company could then allow them to marry.  She also explained that you need the same permission from your employer to have a baby. 

 We ended the day with a trip to the Temple of Heaven.  Our best experience within the city.  It was the golden hour, and a perfect beautiful ending to a great day.

Other highlights were the Lama Temple and of course, the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square.  We timed how long it took us to walk from one end of the square to the other, and it was some 30 minutes.  HUGE! Being in Tienanmen was super weird with all the pics we’ve seen; mixed with being there, watching lil crazy cute kids running around everywhere.  We called them rolly-pollies as they were all bundled up, cute as heck.  These kids did bring a bit of culture shock too.  When toddles need to use the pot, the parents just pick them up hog tie style and hold them over a trash can, street curb or city tree.  Efficient i guess, but watch your step in the city.

Check out all of our China pics!

Next post, Guilin and Yangshuo…

lovedrewbie and Blair