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Category: Personal Update
Family time at the Temple
It was Saturday and the day was free for most Chinese in Beijing.
Something I have come privy to while here is that the Chinese work very long and hard everyday. Sometimes they don’t get a day off for weeks. They work most everyday and while their hours may technically be 8:30am-5:30, they end up working till 9pm. I have seen many people who I am becoming friends with tell me the hours they work. They do not get paid hourly, but rather monthly. The money isn’t all too much from what I gather, though I haven’t asked for exact numbers, as I have always considered that a rude question.
Charissa and I decided to go to the Temple of Heaven. The Temple of Heaven was a place that the Emperor would perform the annual prayer for a good harvest. It was a huge event that would take place.
The Temple of Heaven was located in the middle of a fairly large park, and as Charissa and I were walking, we came across many Chinese enjoying the park on a Saturday like most any human would. Freedom from the city, get your Zen on.
It was a fairly organized park, with lots of benches, small flocks of birds I had never seen before and trees that were a foot in diameter and about 40-50 ft (15 metres) tall.
As we approached further, we came across a cool looking temple with a large moat around it. A moat is a ditch around the building that is filled with water. The building itself looked lovely with green tiles and we came to find out this was a place the Emperor would “fast” at for three days prior to the ritual. He would abstain from food, drink, women, and the stately affairs.
Then when the day came, he would perform the ritual of praying for the good harvest in the Temple of Heaven.
The Emperor was considered a “Son of heaven” and a person who was considered divine. He was a part of earth and heaven. The colors sybolized this through Gold, Blue and Green. The colors of heaven, earth and the mortal world.
As we trekked around, taking photos, doing our tourist thing, I noticed how many families were around. It was so sweet to see three generations together spending time with each other, loving the young children, walking around. There were also a number of couples who were enjoying each other on the benches and walking.
Family is important and while in China public displays of affection may not be as common as in other countries, the feeling exists and it was nice to see it in a peaceful setting like a park.
We just took a sleeper car to Xi’an and I am staying in one of the coolest hostels ever. More to come~~~!
Xie xie,
Xiao En (Chinese name)
“Let’s go see Mao”
“Let’s go see Mao.” My sister said to me today as I woke up from my room.
Mao Zedong, the communist leader of China, who reigned from 1945-1976, whose face is on the front gate of the Forbidden city and every piece of currency in the country.
Some call Mao a dictator, some call him a savior, some call him a most unjust man, whose policies killed millions of people, who took away Tibet. Some call him the one who united China, who brought China to the greater world. Whatever he is to whoever, he is still honored around the country, and in the center of Tian’amen square is a Mausoleum with Mao resting, cryogenically frozen and lifted up for display to the public every day except Monday.
Back when I came to China in 2002, it was 10 USD to come see him. I heard the body might be fake, so I decided not to walk through the Mausoleum. Now that I am back and it’s free, my curiosity is asking “what the heck does this look like??”
It’s kinda creepy to have a body of a man, a leader who died over 35 years ago and whose leadership was controversial still be honored and revered. I recognize the amount of propaganda the Chinese received throughout the past 60 years and after Mao died, though his policies were reversed and his strongest opponent, Deng Xiopeng, succeeded him, he wasn’t burnt, or had his face removed from all public arenas. His statue did not come tumbling down, he remained a figure. Fascinating.
Some would say his ideals and figurehead kept a nation of over a billion people together. I mean, what WOULD happen, if China as a whole fully rebelled and sought new ways of living, new ways of freedom and dare I say justice? I’m not an expert nor a Chinese historian, so maybe unleashing China could be chaotic, hurtful and many could die. Whatever could happen is a spectulation, what is happening, is that tens of thousands of people come every day to see his body in the
Mausoleum.
It was like Disney on crack. There were thousands of people in line, all moving at a moderate pace, as you cannot sit and stare at the resting place of Mao. You cannot take any photos, no lighters, no heavy objects, no weapons. You can purchase a white flower for 3 quai (50 cents) to lay down at his statue before walking into the room where he lays.
What a trip. My sis almost didn’t want to go once she saw the spectacle of this massive line wrapping around the building with people in suits and white gloves holding mini megaphones telling you how to behave yourself and what not to bring in as you go in. You need to show valid ID, you cannot bring in cameras, etc…
As we walked in, many laid down these white flowers at the statue. From my eye, i’d say 1/6 of the masses of the people were buying these and then as they entered, they would do a short bow and lay a flower at a flower cart before a giant white statue of Mao seated. People of all ages were doing this. Parents were bringing their children. Was my perception and information of Mao wrong and false? Had he not killed millions of people during the Cultural Revolution from 1966-76? Had he not unjustly taken Tibet in 1959? There could still be a lot for me to learn..
As we walked in the Mausolem room, there were two guards in the front of a glass enclosed room. In front of the room was two fire extinguishers. Guess somebody tried to set this place on fire at one time. In the glass room was another glass case with Mr. Mao laying down, an eerie orange light glowing down on his face and a red flag with a sickle and hammer laying over the casket. As I looked closely at the face, I recognized it had to be a fake. I’ve been to wax museums before, and if this body has been preserved for 35 years, his face would most definitely be sagging a lot more. It was a weird scene.
My sister and I concluded that it couldn’t of been the real Mao under the casket. And if that were true, then WHY is China deceiving all these millions of chinese that come in every year to see his body?? Deception is a part of life here in this country, but I didn’t think it would be on this scale.
Maybe it’s an ideal to live up to, maybe it’s to continue to have his legacy live on. Maybe it’s to keep the powers that be in power, and keep a nation intact. I’m sorry, but I don’t have the highest respect for this man after reading my history. Is my history true? Please comment~
I think it would be difficult to allow this Mausoleum removed, though the mausoleum does say it is a place to honor former leaders of China. Who knows? Maybe someone else will replace Mao in time.
I think I will ask some locals what they think of Mao yesterday and today. What about the youth? This still is a communist nation with secret police, so I’ll be sensitive. But this nation is changing and in a way “awakening.”
Ciao for now~
Running around with Charissa
Map of Subway in Beijing~ If you’re in the city, it’s a convenient way to get around.
Running around with Charissa, my sis. I picked her up at the airport yesterday and already we are having a ton of fun running around the city.
Last night we had some amazing grilled lamb that was done right in front of us at our table. Similar to the korean style of cooking, we had a myriad of different lamb cooked at our table by an assistant. The grill got replace after every course of lamb, of which there were five, and we walked out paying a whopping bill of $15 USD. This meal would probably be around $50 in the states.
We went to bed early and woke up early, right around 530 this morning, ready to tour the city. First stop, Tiananmen Square. Already by the time we arrived, there were many tour groups of Chinese, but we were the only foreigners. Many citizens of China come to Tiananmen as a sort of pilgrimage. Similar to how many US citizens would visit Washington DC. I saw some elderly Chinese walk around in reverence as my sister and I enjoyed the warm sunny morning taking photos of the spectacle.
We were keen to see the embalmed body of Mao, which I don’t know is for real or not, but we have to wait as it was closed on Monday. We opted to walk around the southern part of Tiananmen through some alleys, pick up some Chinese donuts and then make our way to the Forbidden city.
This is my second time to the Forbidden city, and I forgot just how massive this palace is. It is pretty crazy to think that this city existed for 500 years, never being invaded or infiltrated. Looking how high the walls were, it would be humanly impossible to scale. At least 50 feet high.
It is a beautiful sight. To see the intricate decor and engineering put into this palace is amazing. One can lose sight of the detail in the midst of hundreds of tourists in the courts, but it is there.
We trekked though, and made it to the park beyond the palace where we caught a very nice view of Beijing and the city. The markets got our attention after the park, we enjoyed some japanese fare for half the fare you would pay in the states, and saw some neat artists, vendors and culinary items (think snake and scorpion) for sale. Charissa got a Louis Vutton purse wallet for $10 that looks exactly like the real one that goes for $600. I almost bought a shirt that is digital in that it lights up to music beats. I think I will get one.
Beijing Beijing. The city has changed and maybe all of China has changed. It is definitely more expressive than in 2002 when I was here last. More variety of hairstyles, fashion and what is “cool.”
I remember being hounded all the time as a foreigner and wanting my picture taken back in ’02. But it seems like locals don’t care too much as they are familiar with foreigners. Everything changed after the Olympics. I have yet to still see the Birds nest stadium. I’ll make it up there soon.
Things are good, no one is sick or jetlagged. It is a smooth transition. Even though I am halfway across the world, it doesn’t really seem that far. I guess when you hear Justin Bieber in the restaurant and Gaga ringtones in the bank, it almost doesn’t feel like you’re so far from home. Plus, every chinese loves to wear some form of clothing that has some english on it, whether the english makes sense or not. I guess it looks cool to them as opposed to the characters they are familiar with in their script. But this isn’t that big of a surprise to me, I saw this all over 10 years ago too.
What is more is individual expression. What is less is, the china of old, the communist garb worn by everyone in the old days. A few old timers still rock the garb though. If it was all you were used to, why change now? 🙂
I’ll try to post some pictures soon.
Ciao
Shawn
Breakfast in Beijing
Breakfast in Beijing.
I woke up this morning in a small hotel room thinking it was the afternoon and my sister had been waiting in the airport for me for a couple hours. Rest assured she is still in the air and it was just 8:20 in the morning, even though I tried to find the time on TV, i just called dialed 8080 and got the front desk.
Beijing i am here! It is good to be back again. Thanks to my friends, I flew BUSINESS ELITE in Delta on my 11 hour flight to Beijing. That was the shortest flight i have ever taken in my life 🙂
I got in, exchanged some cash which I obtained at the ATM in Seatac, got my bag and hopped on a taxi. It took a couple of body signals and someone who spoke a bit of english to communicate where i was going, though I had a map of my destination in Mandarin. We were off!
As I was driving in this cab, which is like a 4 door sedan of sorts, I was getting excited. Here i was again, on the road, in a different land and it was so easy to get here. 11 hours from Seattle is like going to the UK. I noticed how the buildings were mostly all dark, something quite different from the states in how we keep most of our buildings lit. Probably a public relations thing for all the tourists who take photographs. How much energy do we consume by keeping our buildings on? How much security is insured by keeping them on…my mind wanders…
So, i get in, get to my hotel/hostel which is Kings Joy and check in. Get to my room, its 11pm and I’m not really tired. I just hopped on a flight at 730 pm from Seattle and here i am in Beijing at 10:30pm! And I slept about 5 hours of my flight. I figured i could drink a beer before going to bed and so i went upstairs to the bar that was located on the top of my hotel.
As i order a Tsingtao, a man immediately inquired to me. “Hey mate, how are you?” British guy. We kicked it off and made pals. This guy was a Pakistani british citizen here in china and he was going to university here in the country for one month. While he was on the path of drinking himself silly like most 20 year olds might, i was content just sticking to my beer and chit chatting, which we did.
I met some local chinese at the lounge and asked them about Facebook and censorship, where they were from, and if china changed. They agreed, China has changed and that even though china censors Facebook, you can still access. as I write to you now, there is a note on my computer in the hotels internet cafe that says ” CLICK fg707x.exe can get on Facebook.” 🙂 Can’t stop the net.
Brilliant. Well, as the night went on I went to another pub, met some Chinese police officers, whether they were secret or not, i don’t know but they were kind and offered me some of their Tsingtao brew and lamb kabob, to which i happily accepted. We talked about china, fashion, the states. Good times. I was even able to write my name on a brick in this pub with a fairly large black marker. So if you go to Bar. 098 near the Forbidden city, pat my brick down and think of me 🙂
By 1am i was tired and I moved into going back to my room. I enjoyed a short evening meeting local Beijiners and people who moved from Hubei or another province to the city. Much like americans or people in other countries do. And yes. China has changed. A lot. I am anxious to see just how much and what is in store for this country of 1.5 BILLION people. I am also curious to see if china has a soul. More to come…
New journal for Shawn Saleme, on the net!
China. The Overland route~
Welcome to the journal my friends. Thank you for your time to read and reflec and keep informed about where I am, what I write about. I am not writing this blog for my own self memory, though I have picked up a small journal for that purpose.
I write on this blog to tell stories to my friends and people around the world about the perspective I see, experiences encountered and people. Food and drinks, nature and transportation, intelligent discussion and social issues, may or may not be included in this blog. 🙂
I’m in a coffee shop in the states now. I enjoyed a cup of peppermint tea and some fruit and yogurt. Prior to travel and prior to a long flight (12-15 hours) it is good to prepare your body for changes and put healthy items before the flight. Yogurt provides good probiotics to the body and peppermint tea also assists and strengthens the immune system.
Just in case of stomach issues, I have acquired my own stash of amoxicillen. Anti-biotics when you travel internationally are good to have with you. You can go to the pharmacies in other countries, but they may or may not have been given the proper medical testing and trials that goes into making such drugs.
Alas, I need to pack. I fly out in about 9 hrs, and I have all my essentials. I just need to put it in the case. I picked up a fast dry towel, and a small medical kit yesterday. I also picked up a new suit. In China, dressing up is respectful and essential to beginning and maintaining good relationships. At least in business, governmental and medical arenas.
It’s a sunny day in Seattle, good omen for travel.
Thank you for reading and future reading. If you consider yourself a spiritual individual or family, I would ask for your prayers for protection as I go to China. And with my sister! We shall have a lovely time, no doubt.
Time to go,
Shawn
Welcome, Come Sit and Have Some Tea. 