Back In The PRC: 2009

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Spic 'n Span

This little guy swooped into my stall to clean it as soon as I exited...

...call it his *porcelain rice bowl*!!!

Please Be Seated

If I never see another one of those holes in the floor which pass for *facilities* in China, it'll be too soon.

At least the Airport has modern toilets!

(More on this whole issue later.)

Tea for 3

Last sips before the "No Liquids" rule takes effect.

Beijing Bye-bye...

Been *off-device* for a few days now, and time to catch-up before they tell me to shut it off pre-flight.

That's right, flying out now, and I'll lose my transmission capabilities soon as well, so gotta hustle!

Massive Airport - BJE!!!

See U @ ORD!!!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

I must tear myself away from my non-clandestine surveillance of the goings-on at the BUCT Campus and facilities; as the pack of ravenous Wolves with whom I am staying have already put out the morning's spread, and are now proceeding to devour it.

Simple rules here: Get to the table quickly or starve!

Green Thumb

Peering down from my vantage point, I spot a BUCT Nursery worker going about his morning tasks.

Morning Anthem

By my second cup of Nescafe "Soluble" (as the China-marketed label describes it) Coffee, I heard recorded martial-march brass-band music wafting over from the nearby Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) athletics field.

Peering out my bedroom window which looks out over towards the field (and the BUCT Nursery), I saw a track and field competition beginning its opening ceremonies; coincidentally, on the same day as the opening of China's *National Games* in Shandong.

I always get a little confused at the beginning of the PRC's National Anthem, as its opening strains remind me a little of the start of "Peter and the Wolf".

Cherry Picking

Apple of his eye?

Pippen especially liked this particular contestant; singling her out for special recognition.

She could move;
she had skilz...

Life After Hoops

Among the assembled luminaries judging the competition -- former NBA and Chicago Bulls Star -- Scottie Pippen.

Sweet gig!

Star Search

On the evening's viewing menu: Came in to see the in-laws entranced by a live cheerleading dance competition among young Chinese contestants hoping for a spot on an NBA cheer-squad.

"Suppertime"

Walk in the door at
8-o'clock sharp to this...

"...Supper, supper-supper-supper; Supper, supper-supper-supper; Supper, supper-supper-supper-time!!!

The Last Mile

Mao Ze Dong said "The journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step;" I guess that had something to do with his military efforts, or maybe in a more figurative sense, the continued struggle of "liberation"; most certainly a work *still* in progress, but progress it has (pretty well) in the People's Republic of China.

Now I must step off and wend my way home, as I've reached my destination stop at Huixinxijienankou -- which, I am reminded by the train's intercom in both Mandarin and English (were I to choose to continue on and choose another route) -- *is* a "transfer station".

It's a Clean Machine

Though the Subway Stations are well provisioned with advertising space for sale, the Trains themselves are surprisingly absent any such media.

Save for the LCD screens situated adjacent to the car doors, the passenger compartments are conspicuously devoid of the sort of cacophony of visual stimuli which blare their pedestrian messages on U.S. Mass transit systems.

Preferring neutral, clean and bright interior and exterior surfaces, the Beijing Subway looks and feels right.

Multiple Impressions

Serving as a transfer point for Subway, Bus, Surface Rail and the Airport, Dongzhimen sees significant traffic on a daily basis. Not surprisingly, it provides an optimal venue for marketers; offering a spacious environment for state-of-the-art signage.

The People's Daily?

Returning to meet our Subway connection at Dongzhimen Station, one pedestrian concourse is emblazoned -- walls and pillars - with signage promoting the inaugural Chinese edition of GQ -- Gentlemen's Quarterly.

Keep on Smiling

My grin belies the minor aggravation I am experiencing over other visitors to the wall crowding and disrupting this photo op. Mainly elderly French and American tourists who took the Cable Car route to the top, I am doing my best to avoid both an international, as well as inter-generational incident from erupting at this *scenic point*.

In the distance, over my shoulder, the Chinese characters could very well be recommending that visitors *chill* and enjoy the view; but my own former "Young Pioneer" informs me that, more correctly, they request loyalty to Chairman Mao and his principles.

Well, I guess it beats a sign pimping "One World, One Dream" Olympic souvenier memories.

Sensible Shoes

Manolo Blahnik they are not; but it sure beats portaging a hobbled Wife down the side of a Mountain!

A Nation's Bright Future

"Young Pioneers" recognizable by their red neckerchiefs pose for my Camera while I wait for Xiang to finish her pre-climb wardrobe adjustment.

Paying It Forward

The shopkeep who loaned my fashion forward spouse a somewhat more practical pair of kicks for the treacherous hike ahead. This self-proclaimed Buddhist, a dealer in precious stones and jewelry made from them, refused any sort of payment for the temporary footwear; she was also generous enough to offer us a ride back to our Bus Route stop for the return leg into Beijing.

Despite her genuine protests, I slipped her a 50 Yuan Note as we departed her vehicle.

Sole Survivor

After much *discussion* as to the value of a sprained ankle on the rocky outcrop of a Mountain path along the Great Wall, I finally convinced Xiang to borrow a pair of more utilitarian shoes from a proprieter at the base of that section of Chang Cheng we would be climbing.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

The N Stands for...

New Balance All-Terrain *Ninja* Black Wall-Climbers; aka Barbarian Butt-Stompers!

What I'm Saying...

*Function following form*.

Hi-heel Sneakers?

Don't know whether the shoes she's got on will cut it...

Hitting the Wall

On our way to Chang Cheng at Mu Tian Yu aboard the #916 Bus out of Dongzhimen Transfer Station.

Goes Well With Everything!

The best compliment, other than verbal, for this splendid meal -- a cold bottle of locally brewed Yanjing Beer!

Rock the Palate!

It's the thinly sliced crispy skinned *Peking* Duck, layered onto a crepe pancake with green onions, celery and a rich sauce, that makes this something to quack about!

Quack Surgeon

And here's our Duck carver, safely masked to protect our Duck (?or himself?) from H1N1.

Time for Vittels!

Now we're safely back in the Chaoyang 'hood, ordering some Duck and sides at *Jing Jiang Yuan*, the neighborhood Quackhouse.

We were remarking on the ride back how with restaurant upon restaurant -- one after the other in Beijing -- it never fails to amaze how they can *all* be packed, regardless of the time of day, week or year; this place being no exception.

Beijing Hillbillies

So we're finally seated after a day on our feet hiking in the Xiang Shan (Fragrant Hill) Park, a hilly area about 30 minutes outside of Beijing; a lot of up and down looking at Buddhist Pagodas and Temples; all the interiors ostensibly off-limits to photography; though I did weasel in a couple snaps -- including an out-of-focus, off-kilter Bhoddisatva.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Epilogue

Asked the Wifus Familias about the whole paying the Bike Rack Dude, and they'd never heard of such a thing; remember, this is a country where you don't pay sales tax, or have to provide a gratuity when dining out.

So I had it in mind that, when and if I saw the Rack Capo at his post again, I would coral a Hotel staffer in order to intervene, or worst case, make me eat crow; something that wasn't about to happen after having already forked out 23 Yuan to take a dip.

So upon departing the Hotel Lobby, I saw the Rack Guard, already hovering over my Mother-in-law's butter yellow colored Bicycle.

Before he could lock onto me with his Eastwood-like gaze, I quickly spun on my heels, making a direct path to the Hotel's Front Desk, There, I first had to requisition an English-speaking staffer, in this case, Monica, pictured here.

Explaining the situation to her, it took some time for her to digest the facts, as her English wasn't all that good; and my Mandarin, despite the admonitions of the in-laws, continues to be miserable.

Once she'd fully chewed the details to bits, she approached Clint -- who still stood a mere four feet away from her and I.
Some discussion ensued, afterwhich, Monica indicated that it had not been the intention of Anzhen's "Man with No Name" to open his own parking lot for foreigners.

MonIca must be a diplomat in training, for I never did get any sort of explanation from her; her interpretation being that I was probably overthinking the whole matter.

I couldn't help noticing however, that after their exchange, that Mr, Wheels and Spokes looked just a little smaller in stature, having just been read the riot-act to him, albeit discreetly, by a female many years his junior.

Nonetheless, I still seemed to catch a Dirty Harryesqe glare from Rackman as I once again turned to pedal towards home.

I guess that, just in case, along with my swim trunks and goggles, I'll have to pack a six-pack of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, the next time I visit the Hotel.

Habla con la Mano

So anyway, I've been biking over to Anzhen Plaza pretty regularly, so as to burn-off some of the calories which I've been socking away at the dinner table lately; about an hours worth of continuous swimming seems to be working out pretty well for me; not to mention the pedal over from the in-law's crib.

So these last couple of times, this one Dude has approached me upon my return to the Hotel's Bike Rack; during my first encounter, he was clutching a small slip of paper and seemed to giving me the universal non-verbals for soliciting a payment from me.

WTF!?!? I ain't paying no stinking fee just to lock my Bike at a community rack!!!!! But this peasant persisted, with his paw out and his pout on full; what to do? Just as I pondered this dilemna, he surged towards me, in a seeming effort to snatch the backpack draped over my shoulder. Caught totally unaware by this power move, I stumbled back, almost tripping over the densely packed bicycles and electric two-wheeled watchamacallits which increasingly crowd-out the pure human-powered members of the species.

But I regained my equilibrium, and in a reciprocating movement reversed my momentum, lunging at this trespasser upon my personal space. I thrust out with my right hand -- fingers slightly bent and tight against eachother as I struck and grabbed his trachea with the outspread thumb and index fingers of a Tiger Mouth strike; the other fingers aiding in distributing and consolidating the lethal force which I had unleashed on this unwitting prole...

...no, who am I kidding? I feigned ignorance, as if I should have known this shnorer would be bringing his shtick my way in the first place!!!
(He didn't really try to grab my pack after all; but if he did, I had a full can of whoop-ass ready to be poured...). LOL!!!

No, I turned away, unlocked my Girl's model ride (the Mom-in-law's), since the Pop-in-law's manly steed was in use by him for a soup-stock and vegetable run; and, smiling, wished Mr. Bike Rack Guard adieu; vowing to myself to get clarification on the whole issue from my Wife and in-laws; as well as Hotel staff the next time I came for a dip in the Anzhen Plaza Pool.

I'm still not sure whether he saw me as an easy mark because I was a foreigner, or because of my Girl's Bicycle...

Swimming at Anzhen Plaza

Anzhen Plaza, which is a convenient 10 minute Bike ride from where I'm staying, has a pretty decent Swimming Pool and Spa facility (gratuitous plug over).

I've been making pretty notorious use of the facility this stay, as well as my visit during last year's Summer Games. Fortunately, this time around, my visit coincided with the October National Holiday, so use of the Pool has been sparse; whereas last year, the combination of August's mugwamp temps, combined with a slew of Olympic visitors saw fairly heavy use of the Hotel's "Club". But as indicated, I've pretty much had the Pool to myself these days.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

PRC National Day Celebrations -- On-Demand Video

Along with backlinks to all things 60th, check out the coverage that ran (and continues to replay) over State-run China Central Television (CCTV).

http://www.cctv.com/english/special/60live/review/index.shtml

Over 8.2 million people visited Beijing´s Tiananmen Square during holiday CCTV-International

Over 8.2 million people visited Beijing´s Tiananmen Square during holiday CCTV-International

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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Channel Surfing

Other typical programming running in multiplicate includes bad entertainment-variety (think Sabado Gigante meets American Idol); News, typically with a lot of 60th Anniversary and Military stories right now (last August it was Olympics); as well as any number of Infomercials hawking everything from iPhone knockoffs to youth rejuvenation products to Mao commemorative
Coin sets.

Oh, and don't forget Ping-Pong!

64 Channels and Nothing On

This constitutes standard fare here in Beijing and the PRC; aside from Military-oriented programming such as that pictured, you get a mix of historical dramas ranging from Qing Dynasty type epics to those of a more recent era -- usually dealing with the liberation under Mao's forces. I figure an Actor can have a decent career in makeup appearing as either Mao, Zhou En Lai or Chang Kaishek; makeup artists can likely thrive as well, as long as they get the Mao mole on the right side (that would be the left) of his Chin.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Home...

"...home again, I like to be here when I can."

As cool as...

...hope his meds don't wear off!

Change in the Weather

Cooler here in Beijing since we left for Jiangsu Province a few days ago. Cab ride seems a bit more chill too...

Jammin'

It's only 7AM on a Saturday when we arrive, but as this picture shows, traffic was already building.

I hope the Cabbie has taken his Xanax.

Railway Mecca

For Beijingers and others throughout China, Beijing Railway Station serves as the Nation's Rail Hub.

The View from Up Here

Hope I don't fall out of my Bunk!

Runaway Train

I have escaped Xiaoping and the bottomless Bottle of Beer. But for the splendid repast his wife Yaoling prepared, I might not have survived the trip that now lays before me -- 10 hours sharing a berth on the Yanzhou to Beijing run with the Wife and In-laws...

...oh I'm rolling down the tracks, on the Hellbound Train!!!