Cultural Tidbits

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I've got some free time this morning since one of the classes was cancelled so I'm uploading the pictures from a freaking 32MB PIII with windows 2000 (ie: I'm killing some serious time) Anyways while they upload I'll give you some tidbits of culture.

I already mentioned that tipping isn't customary here. Yesterday I left 75 cents in tip on a splurging 8 dollar meal and the waitress was bouncing up and down after I refused to take it back. I now will require all such displays of gratitude in the United States. If Mike at the PIO doesn't jump up and down and clap his hands together while giggling when I throw down three quarters for a tip, I'm out.

There are an unusual number of infomercials on television here with all sorts of different technology to increase breast size. Some of them are such a joke I don't even know how they got on the air. They range from taking an herbal supplement, rubbing a special cream on your cleavage to even a suction cup type device. It's pretty clear to these American eyes that the only difference in the before and after pictures is the use of a wonderbra, but someone has to be making money cause the commercials are all over the place. The best part is that they show like one Chinese american girl, the rest of the women in the commercials are full on american and look absolutely nothing like anyone here. Whatever happen to working with what you've got? Shake what your momma gave you girl...what your momma gave you. Like a polaroid picture.

I went for a walk at like 10pm last night and the school track was the busiest place on campus. It's kinda nice to see grandparents and grandkids getting in some quality time while exercising. Also at 6am (yeah, i get up that early for some reason) it's super cool to walk around and see every free spot on campus being used for Tai-Chi. I think I might just have to get into it for the cool sword.

I have become accustomed to having my arrival announced. When I return you may all take turns announcing "May I please present, Dr. Casino from the University of Washington" every time that I enter a room, restaurant, bar, etc.

Everyone here has an mp3 player...they cost like 20 bucks. Nobody rocks IPODs though because they cost like 4 months salary for an average chinese worker.

When you've got money in China, you've really got money. The extremes are stark. In certain sections of town, I've already seen more A8's and 7 series BMWs than I've ever seen in the states. Then again, I am not as priviledged as some of my friends so this may not be new to them. I usually only see the windshields of such cars anyways since I am busy squeegeeing them trying to say hi to the people I know sitting in the driver's seat.

I'll quit ranting about how cheap everything is cause it's annoying, I know. But it also makes it a wicked pain in the ass to pay for things. I got all my money in the 100 yuan denomination. So when I drop that down to pay for a meal, they constantly ask if I have something smaller and I wish I did but it's really only like a 10 dollar bill. In American terms though, it would be like ordering 2 things off the extra value meal and then paying will a Benjamin. If the bank gave me anything smaller though, I don't think I could fit the wad in my pocket. I'd be walking around with a backpack full of cash which as cool as it sounds, would definitely get me mugged.

You guys every remember Big Trouble in Little China? The old chinese man who was hawking loogies all the time? I see that dude like 17 times a day all over town. He's a busy guy.

much love,
ak

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Photos

Park
This is the pond next to my hotel. Pretty cool except that it's like Lover's Lane. I feel like a voyeur everytime I walk by and people are so cuddly and lovey i get sick.

Development is a Biznitch
You can go from a modern street to streets like this in the matter of one block. This is right outside the walls of campus.

All Along the Watchtower
I was walking to class one morning and Jimi's song was playing as I looked over and saw this scene. I wish I could have gotten the lighting better...

Nurses here have cooler outfits
So all the nurses I have seen have pink or baby blue old school Florence Nightengale uniforms, quite different than the Teletubby smocks in the US. I'm just sayin...

Making Silk
These women are making silk from the cocoons. I believe these were destined to become a pair of Oprah panties (classic oprah, not new and improved oprah)

Comments

[JOkes]

All caught up...
Well...since I am extremely busy at work, I decided to take the last 45 minutes as personal time and catch up on what Kusano has been up too... Good stuff my friend, I have to say that I muffled several laughs from my front office by pretending to cough...the back office lady asked if allergy season was getting to me too... We have won our last 2 softball games...its not the same without Johnny Red Shoes... Be safe, keep the stories coming! See ya, Jokes