Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Then, clearly, he said, 'Oh, you live in the Changyi Hotel.
I was walking back from the grocery store (Music street) Sunday evening when a man, headed in the same direction, turned and spoke as he passed. He said, in good English-do you mind if I ask you a question? I responded, no. He then asked where i was from. I answered U.S.A., then changed it to America as Chinese generally recognize 'America', but not U.S.A.
He then asked if I spoke English and I told him I had been handicapped to a degree by Miss Reece during my formative years but otherwise felt comfortable with my home language. He did not grasp the humor, but continued with 'are you a teacher?', to which I responded, 'no'.
Then, clearly, he said, 'Oh, you live in the Changyi Hotel.
What was the clue, the giveaway, in the conversation? I don't know, other than most of the people here have heard of, or about, the American who lives in the Changyi Hotel.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Korea
There are a few things that will come to mind when I think about Korea in the future. They are probably far from being representative. There were a lot of flowers in bloom & the air carries an aroma of a waste treatment plant. The shore at Incheon is an orderly bank of rocks, not sand. Pine trees line the coastline and there were several people walking for exercise on the Saturday morning I was out and about.
I had the closest thing to a 'western' meal in several months at a small 'European restaurant, close to my hotel. It wasn't crowded, so I was unsure if they seemed glad to see me solely for business purposes or because I was from the west. I had a steak, salad, fries and fruit. I will not complain about the steak, but the juice was the best part of it. The salad was good, a cabbage salad that I had not seen before. The roll was fresh, though commercially manufactured. There was a bowl of sliced pickles, which I think are a Korean signature. The menu had 'Assorted Fries' and when I asked about them, the lady with limited English told me they were assorted'. Indeed they were, as the plate had a few of each: straight fries, crinkled fries, tater tots & steak fries. At the end of the meal the lady brought a surprise plate of fresh sliced orange, grapes & sliced/peeled apple. It was good, even at 30 USD. And so, mystery solved. That was the reason why she was glad to see me.
By contrast, in China, at least in the small towns like Changyi, restaurants are very glad to see westerners come in. They will bring people over from next door, or out of the kitchen, to show you off. They will make phone calls and take pictures. It adds prestige if a westerner eats (or shops) at their establishment.
Another point that sticks in my mind was the 60's & 70's music was like they are in a time warp. Lennon and Elvis and some old favorites of mine from Seals & Croft on a warm spring night. That will likely be my point of memory.
Tonight while the lights are shinin' and the microphone is on, I'll play for you.
So many will be the blessings and so short will the time, I'll stay with you.
But I'll play for you, I love you yes I do. You can say that I'm your friend,
You can see my life begin and end. I'll always play for you.
Hear the band, hear the band. Won't you let the music take you, hear the band.
And let this night go on forever, and don't you ever stop the music. Let your spirit set you free.
Hear the band, hear the band. You can sing and stomp you feet and clap your hands.
And these few moments we'll share together, and I'll play for you.
I've practiced many years and I have come a long, long way just to play for you.
My life is but a song that I have written in many ways, just to say to you.
To say, I love you, yes I do. And I'd like for you to be
Whatever you would like to be. You'll always be special to me
And a Happy Mother's Day to Ma'am and all the other mama-folks.
I had the closest thing to a 'western' meal in several months at a small 'European restaurant, close to my hotel. It wasn't crowded, so I was unsure if they seemed glad to see me solely for business purposes or because I was from the west. I had a steak, salad, fries and fruit. I will not complain about the steak, but the juice was the best part of it. The salad was good, a cabbage salad that I had not seen before. The roll was fresh, though commercially manufactured. There was a bowl of sliced pickles, which I think are a Korean signature. The menu had 'Assorted Fries' and when I asked about them, the lady with limited English told me they were assorted'. Indeed they were, as the plate had a few of each: straight fries, crinkled fries, tater tots & steak fries. At the end of the meal the lady brought a surprise plate of fresh sliced orange, grapes & sliced/peeled apple. It was good, even at 30 USD. And so, mystery solved. That was the reason why she was glad to see me.
By contrast, in China, at least in the small towns like Changyi, restaurants are very glad to see westerners come in. They will bring people over from next door, or out of the kitchen, to show you off. They will make phone calls and take pictures. It adds prestige if a westerner eats (or shops) at their establishment.
Another point that sticks in my mind was the 60's & 70's music was like they are in a time warp. Lennon and Elvis and some old favorites of mine from Seals & Croft on a warm spring night. That will likely be my point of memory.
Tonight while the lights are shinin' and the microphone is on, I'll play for you.
So many will be the blessings and so short will the time, I'll stay with you.
But I'll play for you, I love you yes I do. You can say that I'm your friend,
You can see my life begin and end. I'll always play for you.
Hear the band, hear the band. Won't you let the music take you, hear the band.
And let this night go on forever, and don't you ever stop the music. Let your spirit set you free.
Hear the band, hear the band. You can sing and stomp you feet and clap your hands.
And these few moments we'll share together, and I'll play for you.
I've practiced many years and I have come a long, long way just to play for you.
My life is but a song that I have written in many ways, just to say to you.
To say, I love you, yes I do. And I'd like for you to be
Whatever you would like to be. You'll always be special to me
And a Happy Mother's Day to Ma'am and all the other mama-folks.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Korea- sandals galore (and a stone igloo)
I found a warm and humid atmosphere in Korea. I have remote control AC though it doesn't work well enough to reduce the room humidity. I feel at home (Changyi Hotel), because I have another electric toilet!
The hotel is somewhat in a neighborhood, but most hotels here open into the busy streets. There is a Dunkin' Donuts and a pizza cafe, plus a 'European' restaurant above the do-nut shop. The clerks speak enough English that I can understand what we are talking about.
The shower is in a room with a glass partition, but it is not enclosed and the water goes into the floor. Sandals-- a different pair for every room; toilet, shower & bedroom. Also, like some of the fancy Chinese hotels, there are dressing gowns or pajamas tops.
Camera #2 is now broken. It works, but with scotch tape reinforcement. No duct tape available.
I know people hate to sit on airplane seats with the big guys sharing their row. I do too. So I always make sure I do what I can to not infringe on the 'space' of my row partners. But it aggravates me when the little people elbow me-in my space. Especially that little lady on the flight over here. Have to admit I felt a little satisfaction when she dripped some sauce on her front while she was eating the meal!
Rice, pasta, bread and potatoes w/ gravy was the airline meal. I think there is a law against nature -maybe even a written law- against mixing your starches like that after you are out of college. Mal, look that up, would you?
The hotel is somewhat in a neighborhood, but most hotels here open into the busy streets. There is a Dunkin' Donuts and a pizza cafe, plus a 'European' restaurant above the do-nut shop. The clerks speak enough English that I can understand what we are talking about.
The shower is in a room with a glass partition, but it is not enclosed and the water goes into the floor. Sandals-- a different pair for every room; toilet, shower & bedroom. Also, like some of the fancy Chinese hotels, there are dressing gowns or pajamas tops.
Camera #2 is now broken. It works, but with scotch tape reinforcement. No duct tape available.
I know people hate to sit on airplane seats with the big guys sharing their row. I do too. So I always make sure I do what I can to not infringe on the 'space' of my row partners. But it aggravates me when the little people elbow me-in my space. Especially that little lady on the flight over here. Have to admit I felt a little satisfaction when she dripped some sauce on her front while she was eating the meal!
Rice, pasta, bread and potatoes w/ gravy was the airline meal. I think there is a law against nature -maybe even a written law- against mixing your starches like that after you are out of college. Mal, look that up, would you?
Monday, May 3, 2010
Another 60 days are up
I will have to step out of China again this week. 60 day renewable time for my visa. Shanghai office is setting it up. I asked about going to Seoul, South Korea this time. I will likely just be there overnight, like the Japan trip in March, but it is a different place. Maybe I can fly in to the right airport this time.
Might be a good time to visit North Korea. Almost secretly, Mr. Kim is traveling by train to Beijing to beg for $ in exchange for cooperating with the UN.
Winter changed to Summer on Saturday. Today (Monday), it was 90 F. There is no Chinese spring. A lot of trees have 'puffs' that are blowing in the wind, but pollen doesn't seem to be bad.
The wheat is about 18" high now. There seems to be quite a bit of it, but only a half acre at any one spot.
Might be a good time to visit North Korea. Almost secretly, Mr. Kim is traveling by train to Beijing to beg for $ in exchange for cooperating with the UN.
Winter changed to Summer on Saturday. Today (Monday), it was 90 F. There is no Chinese spring. A lot of trees have 'puffs' that are blowing in the wind, but pollen doesn't seem to be bad.
The wheat is about 18" high now. There seems to be quite a bit of it, but only a half acre at any one spot.
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