A Drier Macao

What's better than waiting in line to go through customs in an airport?

Waiting in line to go through customs in a LANDport.



After class in Gongbei I walked the few blocks to the Zhuhai-Macao border crossing, waiting in line for an average time, and met my friend John, who had already crossed over. This was my second time visiting, and the first with clear weather. I cringed from the sunlight, it was so bright and warm this December day.


We crossed the bridge to Taipa and made our way to the Venetian, where John wanted to buy a new Ipod. Although out, we
a) saw a decadent Christmas display

b) saw a funny store window sign

and c) got hit on by a prostitute. She was pretty, but seemed taken aback when I told her my boyfriend would mind.


We passed a hillside graveyard, which we didn't get to see, but I'd still like to. It looked different, first of all because it was on a hillside, but also because the tombs jutted out and almost resembled sarcophagi lying above the coffin. We had a nice view, similar to the ferry ride a few days ago, but much less obscured by fog and nighttime. Casino shuttles are a great free way to get around.


In fact, here's a good time to show just how sm/foggy it can get. This is looking out from my apartment toward the ocean. You can normally see mountains in the distance, along with the road stretching a few dozen miles.


We walked around Macao. Many people ride scooters, because this is one of the most densely populated places in the world; as well the streets are narrow.


We came across an art gallery. The artist inside let us sign our names on some red velvet (mine was the only English name) and in addition let me take photos of his paintings. These were done on some type of cloth; the tigers were painted in such detail. Every hair was accounted for.




This is a new science museum opening up later this year. Unfortunately I won't be able to see it. Included is a giant telescope (although I wonder how they'll be able to see through all the light and air pollution... Rarely do I see more than one star in the sky).


The roads are very narrow, due to Portugian influence. I think I made that word up. I felt like I was walking in Spain, or in a maze, as I walked through Macao. Old buildings are either renovated or adapted to fit with a fresh theme; history isn't repaved as is the case with mainland China.

Of course there were many people, tourists and locals. Hundreds of shops containing anywhere from a plethora of desserts to baked potatoes, dinner, and shoppes. Everything seemed happy here, like everyone was on vacation.



We stopped in an Italian restaurant owned by some Fillipinos called Cafe Toscana. I splurged.
A grand serving of the cheesiest lasagna I'd tasted in a year. $90.00
A glass of red House Wine. $28.00
Two chocolate brownies. $20.00
Grand total of $138.00 Patacas on an excellent meal, and some fine company. The Fillipino owner had a hint of "Louigi" in him, and we met two Belgians who spoke Flemmish rather comically. (and an overspoken well-speaking English Chinese man who was trying to spread the spirit of Christmas by bringing up jovial accounts of his knowledge of Canada and Belgium)
To be fair, translated, I spent only $21.29 CAD, but it's been one of my top three most expensive meals here. Western food preparators seem to be rare and thus the food is marked up, though ingredients (excluding cheese) are mostly easy to come by.


There were three churches we visited, all in varying degrees of operation. Large, stuffy, and Catholic, they were still interesting remnants from a historical perspective. You can see the famous Lisboa Casino in the background here, as well as a large part of the central district.

We approached the ruinous facquade of St. Paul's College. A lady was having her wedding photos taken, in the mileu of the crowd, snapping photos and eating BBQ. There were bones of martyrs inside, but upon arriving we realised we'd only have enough time to see the front. It was an amazing archaeological feat for a church that had burned down nearly 200 years ago was still standing in midst of a bustling city.

John was approached for a survey. Ferry ports, hotels, tourist spots, so many surveys!


At a foreign food store I finally found sweet and sour sauce. You'd think, China? of Sweet and Sour Chinese Chicken Balls? No, that is western Chinese food, and cannot even be found in the foreign food stores of Zhuhai.
I also found this mystery cloven foot, which I'm guessing is a pig's, wrapped in tin foil and fastened in.

Good place to put, I had a pig brain for lunch today at a Korean BBQ. Texture and taste, similar to an egg. Nearly puked, but three bites later, had it all down.

Made our way over to the dog races at the "Canindrome". (play on canines, and thunderdome) lol...
Only to find that it was closed. On a Friday night! I must see this before I leave. Disappointed, we walked back to the border and called it a night.


Had a really enjoyable time today teaching. Classes are nearing completion for the first semester. For my last class of 12 year olds I stayed playing soccer with them after I'd finished teaching. I've got a sweet deal here because I can teach the things that I enjoyed so much as a kid in highschool, and hopefully influence their learning so that it's also enjoyable.

Tomorrow I'm going to teach the younger ones to sing John Jacob Jingle-Heimer Smith.

A Day in Hong Kong

I sit in my windowsill, the air moist with a tropical mist that coats everything in a fine, slippery-as-silt layer. Earlier today it began to rain for the first time in a month, sadly coinciding with our trip to Hong Kong. We left at 7am, weary eyed and scared of the camera.

Whenever I leave down the alley behind my apartment, I always come upon these young pups playing on the sidewalk. They're the cutest dogs I've ever seen, and if I weren't afraid they or their owner had rabies and might make me crazy if they bit me, I would pet them.

We stopped in for a breakfast at McDonald's, met Alyssa (who's staying at the Chunking Mansion tonight) before buying our expensive tickets for the expensive city of HK. (things are nearly the price of the West)

Despite HK being perhaps the most advanced city in China, there were still plenty of English Follies. This sea vest manual was very comforting.


Apparently you might pee out your baby.

We took a ferry just over an hour away to the island of HK, amid mist and fog that enshrouded the cabin in a twilight, similar to the Matrix when they fall into Purgatory. We sped over what I thought were small waves, but with our speed the bumps became more pronounced, causing an extreme sensation of turbulence.

I caught a photo of this young lady as she was exiting the ramp. This seems to be the newest fashion trend in China: large glasses with no lens.


A few words games and a nap later, we docked.



Exited out onto the street and found many cool little shops. There were literally hundreds of Middle Eastern men offering to handmake entire suits for cheap, every few feet. Also, the entire time here, I encountered only one beggar, a grumpy old woman incessantly pulling on sleeves and getting nowhere.
There were a couple of these hourly hotels, but this one caught my eye. Armenia, anyone?

PS, EVERYwhere in Canada has them, too.

We walked a great distance today. With the rain, we sometimes had to run for cover inside, and therefor couldn't get a good view of the ocean, or much of the scenery. This ingenius man turned briefly into a superhero to escape the rain.

There are a few islands nearby, and this busy roadway led to an under ocean tunnel connecting one of them.


Can you imagine working on this? It's put together with bamboo, and tied with string at each corner. That's nearly ten stories high, and I didn't even trust to walk underneath.


We were getting hungry, and after saying goodbye to Alyssa, we made our way to the subway.

These are always fun to ride. My first experience was in Beijing; that was an efficient sub, and a good time.
Briefly today, however, there was terror in the streets of Hong Kong. Boarding a state of the art subway at Tseu si Tan station, Kristen entered. The door beeped.
Heather entered. The door shut.
I stood, there just as the door closed, and I missed it. The girls got off at the next station to wait for me, but I somehow missed them and went on to our original destination (not as scary as Final Destination... 1, 2, or 3-D).
I tried using my phone, but being in 'a different country' I was unable to get a dial tone. Similar with the pay phone. Being lost in Hong Kong, being lost on the other side of the world, with nothing whatsoever familiar, is a curious sensation. Anger, which passed, and the feeling of being adrift in the Pacific Ocean; screwed, but you somehow feel fine because you have no choice but to go with the flow.
A nice Citiphone clerk allowed me to use his phone to get a hold of Heather, whose phone luckily worked, and we reunited, tearfully.

Among the many advertisements were these seemingly mundane posters. I passed them numerous times before I realised what the message was implying.

And this poster I just didn't understand.

In one of the mall areas of the underground was this ridiculously ghetto Christmas tree.

Beer and Christmas, only fond memories?

In some places there were many restaurants, Greek, Italian, and of course, Chinese.

This place had a unique system of playing a video of what the cook was making, live. Didn't seem appetizing, however. We stopped in a generic diner. I had an omelette, rice, and meat.
Out on the street, it poured occasionally.

Luckily, 'this book, can be, a hat'.
I'm not usually one for shopping, but even for me there were some cool items. I've started souveneir shopping, and in some of the markets I found some unique stuff.

I took a picture of this because I thought it was funny the picture was wet, and outside it was wet.

I saw a girl wearing a white shirt, with a black Mickey Mouse 'hugging' the girl from behind. The shirt said, "Mickey is always by you." (creepy? religious?)
This speaks for itself.


The only little person I have seen in China (excluding beggars who are missing their legs)


This graffiti was interesting; I think there was a comment on women's place in society, and how that affects them.

Leah?


It was starting to get dark, so we headed back to the ferry. The last ferry left at 530pm. HK is not 'China' for economic reasons, so we had to go through customs. This sign aided the hilarity. I shudder to think that it's relevant here in China.


In Saskatoon I was used to buildings 15 stories high. Moving to Zhuhai, 35 stories high. Hong Kong?


A concert video of this dude played for the tired crowd heading home to Zhuhai. The music was actually quite good, despite the .. peacockish outfit. He might have been Richard Lam (from the 'wet' poster mentioned before), or I might just not be able to tell the difference.


---

Here it gets better. Having arrived home, I went and had one full hour of full body massage, followed by one full hour of foot massage. Yes, at times it was awkward. But I've grown accustomed to accepting that it's different in China. Taking the bus home from the ferry port I actually felt a reminiscient twinge of bittersweet that I had missed Zhuhai, having only been gone for one day. And, as my time here gets closer and closer to leaving for back home, I think I will miss the experience I had, the differences. People here seem genuinely happier than in the West, despite having less. I've learned a lot coming here.



---

oh and Happy Birthday Colby!

Pictures of a Low-Down, Dancing Shane

Macao Returns, 10 years later

First of all, what happens when you cram one million sardines in a city the size of Saskatoon?

This. And let me tell you, when it's your turn to squeeze out because the bus has reached your stop, it ain't pretty. Little old ladies, young grown men, they're all fair game when you elbow your way out. (They shove equally)



Was par to an event put on by TPR (my school, Total Physical Response) tonight that finally happened, and without many problems. As in any underdeveloped country that I've heard about, ie Africa, China, Brazil, there are many logistical nightmares and problems that arise simply because, well, I don't know. After waiting for half an hour for a taxi (that would take us more than half an hour away, during rush hour, AND during the only time taxi drivers switch off from their shifts, thus NOT picking up people) our boss man organized a van to take us to a port, where we could catch the ferry that would take us sightseeing to Macao. (a private van, for some indeterminate fee)


This is our bossman, and me. His name is Orpheus, or Morpheus, I'm not sure which for reasons that began before the free red wine that I had no choice to drink because the wine here sucks, tastes like vinegar, and this stuff was from Chile and tasted like sweet Canadian Merlot. But, he was really cool.


And this is our cruise.
Colby: I would definitely like to take a cruise in the future, longer than the two hours it took tonight. It's magical.
It took us from the Gongbei district of Zhuhai

to the other side of some as of now unknown river, aka Macao

I could feel it when large waves hit the boat. It was an odd feeling, but not enough for anyone to spill their wine. Three levels, the topmost of which was used for viewing the sights, which were stunning, although I could only spot one star in the sky from the haze, which was most likely Jupiter. Major casinos such as the Lisboa, Sands, and MGM Grand were visible.

Walking aboard was fairly magical. Having caught a quasi-taxi just in time, racing along (we nearly crashed and died twice), and finding ourselves boarding a large cruise ship with a party atmosphere, I had no idea what was in store.



The person taking the photo (Chinese) told us to say something sweet, and hold out our fingers in a peace sign. This group includes Joshua and Amanda, an American couple and fellow teachers, and John, my co-teacher at New Xianjo.

The food was great Western Chinese food; chicken fried rice, fruit and vegetables, noodles, and clams, among others, along with free bottles of wine. (Will I regret this tomorrow morning at six, waking up to work a full day? No.)
Here is John and .


After finishing the buffet supper, we made our way to the top deck to gaze on the horizon and converse.

Saskatchewan says that Saskatoon is the city of bridges, but so is the Macao-Zhuhai waterway. (Macao Tower on the left)



While atop the cruise I was approached by this extremely attractive individual who heads an upcoming agency company. (www.modelstaragency.com) I'd met him a few weeks ago at the local expat bar, Ryan's Bar, and was informed of the opportunity to be an extra in an also upcoming Chinese (major) movie nearby. F yeah.

During the night there were various singers, some good, some mostly bad, some reminiscent of Tina Turner.

This fellow played a local Chinese instrument while balancing numerous plates that spun on sticks, which seems to be tradition here. I was informed seconds before our group was to move to the front, with a beautiful singer, to dance, being from TPR. I was joined eventually by Joshua, thank god.
I did the robot. (More photos to come of that...)

If you're white in China, you get noticed. On a cruise, with other 'famous' people, ie famous Chinese people, you become alike. I felt quite famous getting numerous photos taken with these personalities, including one of whom was the second coolest baba ever. (You know who you are, number one Baba)

She reminded me of the Western Elizabeth Taylor, what with the platic surgery and all, but she kicked ass.
Later she was interviewed by a television station. She must have been famous.


Toward the end all the personalities (I got the feeling these people were famous; art types, and musicians)accumulated onto the stage and sang one final song, as the lights flickered on and the boat slowed to dock.


I was immensely pleased with tonight, especially since I was unable to venture to the mountains I wanted to see this week. Orpheus informed me that he's a hiker, and is going to take me to visit not only a tall mountain far away, but as well an island with ultra-exotic features, along with his friends.

I've become enamored with Desperate Housewives, thank you Heather and Kristen. (Try it, it's worth it) Monday I might visit Hong Kong, along with getting up early to see the low tide (.51 m, as opposed to a high of 3.2 m; should make for good photos)

Here the moon rises, nearly full, on Macao Port.

Face of Jesus Reported on Fruit; Christianity Deemed Most Creative Religion to Attract Newcomers

Shane Hladun, 22, of Zhuhai, China, spotted the image while preparing a snack.
He says the stunning resemblance to Jesus Christ has reassured him that "life is going to be good".
The 22 year-old said the image looks just like Jesus and proves "he's listening".
He said he won't be eating nectarines any more and plans to purchase new fruit.
According to the Boston Globe, he shared the photo on Facebook, and was reassured by friends that they, too, saw Jesus on the fruit.
"So I said, 'OK, I'm not crazy'," Mr. Hladun said.
When asked to comment further Mr. Hladun said, "I've seen other so-called miracle faces before, and mine is the most distinct. I'm obviously the best."

First of December

Happy first December at plus 20 degrees!

The beach soundtrack seems appropriate as I remember this evening, Moby and all that. After a lovely day at the beach (although it was a bit windy), I had a great evening.
When Chinese people go to the beach, they do so in suits and dresses. The particular beach I was at today, a place I call Sands beach, regularily has photo shoots for newly wed couples. This afternoon I was the mode of interest for beach goers and Married-makers alike, even becoming a part of the photo shoot once for the latter. It's been very smoggy lately, so there isn't much to be seen on the ocean's horizon, but with a UV index of 6, it's still adequate for a suntan. (in december)
This was taken on Saturday, as I left for class at 7 am. It seems I've fallen into a routine lately, waking up earlier than I would have in Canada, around 8 am. I guess I'm getting old.


Tonight I left for Gongbei to meet John, my co-worker, his girlfriend, and Matt and Alyssa, from America, for Go Kart Racing. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera, but let me tell you.
We all sat around drinking a beer, to liven things up, as we watched three Chinese drivers take the curves. This was an underground racing circuit with fast cart cars. The track took about a minute to finish at our fastest, and with curves was approximately 500 m long. I could be very wrong on my estimation.
We put our helmets on, and took off. I was m'f-ing Tokyo drifting, alright. This was such fun, I think it will become a weekly mainstay for us, overtaking each other, screeching around corners, and losing control. In China, there is a saying among us foreigners: There are no rules here. Therefor we can do whatever we want; crash into the tires that surround the track, into each other, go as fast as we want, endless.
40 kwai for ten minutes (which did feel like a while), or about 7.50 CAD.
We took a walk down Walking Street to a place John had dranken snake blood and Baijo (the local hard liquor). The reason for this: live snakes (in cages). Vipers, Kraits, Sea serpents, and other snakes I couldn't recognize lay in cages for the curious to behold. It was a draw in for business, and it worked on me. Although the shop wasn't busy, after we stayed to drink beer and chat, it opened up with customers.
Being white, I can take advantage of some great things here in China. As well, however, I am also taken advantage of. While sitting down in this open restaurant, our group was approached by seven people throughout the night who wanted to polish our shoes for three kwai. In addition, three people who wanted to sell us roses for our 'girlfriends', but one of them came back repeatedly, I think. They were very persistant, and even when we ignored them they still usually did not go away. It's fun in these situations to say things in English, and know they would not realise what was said.
Partially through our stay here, I looked outside to see the owner had lifted out a snake from its cage, cut its head off, and drained its blood into a shot glass. The body still writhing minutes after decapitation, John told me it was an expensive delicacy to order a snake that cost upwards of 400 kwai, drink its blood and eat its flesh. One day I will try this, merely because its available, but that night was not tonight.
I shared a taxi home with the Americans, after getting sugar cane/bamboo (I'm not sure what it was, or if there is a difference) to try. It was fibrous, and filled with sugar water. Again, something in China I'm glad I tried, but not willing to get again.


This week is chock full of fun stuff. Tomorrow I'll finish climbing Phoenix Mountain, this time with Laura, and with more daylight. Hopefully, I'll run into a snake so I can drain its blood! :)