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 I have a theory that large Chinese restaurants have so many staff who have such long periods of inactivity during their long days, they need military discipline each morning to stay sane. |
This is the laneway through the remains of an old
village, along which I met my sad-eyed lady. I suppose that technically
it is a slum but there is no filth, squallor or apparent despair. |
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At the other end of the laneway these guys were
there every day and I like to think they dragged these tables out
in the sun each time they met. |
The first Chinese I ever met was a kid in primary
school who was good at checkers. This is a culture that loves games. |
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While the boys played checkers, a few yards away the girls (and their babies) were playing mah jong. They thought it was hilarious when I asked for this shot but were too absorbed in the game to stop for a second one. I played a few times but all I could remember was "twittering the birds" to shuffle. |
My visit coincided with the 30th anniversary of the visit of the US tabletennis team to China which began the so-called "Ping-Pong Diplomcacy" that culminated in President Nixon's visit. These tables are part of the recreation facilities of these apartments for retirees. |
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More modern than my little village but less attractive
I think. From the left high-rise apartments mushroom. On the corner
a mechanic who specialises in Beijing's taxi fleet of little red Citroens.
Then a shop full of young ladies all keen to meet me and finally a
restaurant (red lanterns indicate everything good). |
Sometimes you
can put your dictionary away; "Spring Sale" means
the same thing in any city, but notice the FIFA World Cup
Soccer poster - held in Asia
for the first time
in 2002 and for the first time China qualified to compete.
If you don't think the world spotlight has shifted Eastwards
just
wait
until the 2008 Olympic games!
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There must be hundreds of thousands of bicycles
in Beijing vying with cars for roadspace. These little tricycles with
a tray behind carry phenomenal loads as well as the occasional passenger
(usually a friend or relative). |
The horse (or donkey or mule) has virtually disappeared
from urban China. Carts are banned from major roads as too slow and
their poo is polution. These gentle souls probably earn their living
giving rides to children. |
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Public phones are plentiful (they operate on phonecards)
and unvandalised. In fact the only visible graffiti in Beijing are
phone numbers. Most of China's 300 plus million phones are mobiles. |
In 1996 VW was the first foreign car company to
win a contract from the Chinese Government to build cars in China.
In 2002 the contract was renewed and the VW Santana still seems to
be most popular. |
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Page
One: Introduction |
Page
Two: Some Impressions |
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Three: More Impressions |
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Five: More Pictures |