This and That

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Remember the pictures of those beautiful flower designs just last week? Well, today when we walked home from school, only rubble was left. People were arguing over who got to take home flower pots, and people were collecting potting soil that had been left behind. I thought I'd post some of the pictures I took - this is typical overnight change in China. Honestly, though I don't know the first thing about flowers, the whole thing is kind of sad - it was so beautiful, and for such a short time, and now it's gone. You know, this is the second time they've remade the park then torn it down since we've been here - and it hasn't even been three months yet!!! Oh well, adapt, adapt, and adapt again.

Jean and I decided today that we're going to go to Beijing for Christmas. If we stayed around here for 4 days, we'd just feel sorry for ourselves, so we'll hop on the train Wednesday, Dec. 24 right after school ends, arriving in Beijing the next morning. We'll head back to Wuhan Sunday night, arriving here on Monday morning before school starts. We're very excited - we found a hostel just a couple minutes away from Tiananmen Square, and it's only 40Y (about $7CAD) a night! Lizzy offered to put the deposit (a whole 24Y) on her credit card so we can book online. Christmas is not a busy time in China, so we'll be able to travel with minimal stress and hassle. We're very excited - we plan to spend time with Lizzy and James (she was my closest friend when I lived in Wuhan 4 years ago, and James is her fiance - they are getting married in January), see Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Mao's tomb, and maybe a museum or two. It will be cold, but that's ok - we'll remember this Christmas for the rest of our lives.

And I've taken up a new hobby. Well, actually, it's an old one, but I haven't touched it for years. I'm crocheting! Just like a little old lady, I crochet when I'm bored. My grandma taught me many years ago, and I'm surprised how quickly it has come back. Anyways, I've really been missing crafts here, and yarn is cheap, so last Sunday Jean and I went shopping for supplies. We spent a whole 50Y on yarn and crochet hooks, and I had his hat finished the same night. Don't you think he looks a little gangster? Haha I think it's kind of funny looking, but he likes it, so that's ok. I'm working on a matching scarf now, that will take awhile longer.

We just finished an amazing movie tonight that you all have to watch!!! It's called "Young & Restless in China" and you should be able to find it at any DVD rental store. We bought it a few weeks ago, and hadn't watched it yet... but we put it in tonight, and were mesmerized. It's a documentary that follows 8 or 9 Chinese people from our generation, through all the trials and challenges they face in every day life. It's amazing, and surprisingly accurate. It doesn't hide the truth, and yet through all these people you can just see the hope that is rising in Chinese people... the faith that life holds something meaningful for them. Please watch it if you can, it will totally change the way you view China.

Time is starting to fly now - every day we're thinking about our wedding and being home with our family and friends, yet we have so much to look forward to here as well. It's going to be an amazing roller coaster ride of a year, so check back often! LOL

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Photos

Lion
Once majestic and proud, now lonely and falling apart.

Rubble
A pile of rubble where a beautiful flower garden existed yesterday.

Arguing
Two ladies arguing over two potted plants, and an old man watching with interest.

Sad
As far as you look, there is dirt, broken flower pots, and people scavenging for leftovers.

Soil Wanted
An old man is scraping together potting soil left behind.

What a waste!
Dirt everywhere, and people... I can't believe how little time it took to destroy.

Upright Chicken
One of the few remaining sculptures, untouched for now.

Finds
An old lady wrapping her prizes to take home. At least the flowers will be treasured.

Jean's hat!
My new hobby, I completed my first project (Jean's toque) on about 3 hours.

Gangster Jean
Haha it looks like a beanie hat, my dad would be proud ;)

Jean and Houwei
They were being retarded, goofing around at the restaurant, it was pretty funny.

Little Kitty
This little kitten was drinking out of the pail - until I wanted a picture of course.

Jean's new Harley Boots!
He loves them, they're breaking in nicely.

Genuine!
Not fakes, that's quite rare around here. LOL

Comments

[anonymous]

Who "put up" the garden in the first place? Would anyone have been looking after it? Why do the people figure they can just come in and rip it apart? Is there some kind of time period they have to wait before they can rip it down?

[China Laowai]

What I've figured out...
From what I can figure out, these arrangements were sponsored by certain companies, and it was only a short term kind of thing. The flowers were watered every day by some park attendants, and the same people who set it up took it down. What was left behind is open season for whoever wants it. As for a time period, I guess however long the garden was planned for... I have no idea. It just seems to be something they do around here, as I'm finding out these displays were all over the city.