Archive for September, 2009
Plastic
Posted by: Rachel in Mysteries of the Big Jing on September 30th, 2009
So tomorrow is the big day, and so far, from what I have seen, restrictions weren’t too bad – or maybe it’s just a sign of me growing way to accustomed to security checks. As of 20:00 this evening, the area around Tiananmen was still opened to cars and pedestrians, and man, there were A LOT of visitors there. Everything will be shut down tomorrow though, and foreign journalists didn’t get credentials to over the parade, which caused quite a stir among them.
Meantime. our fair city is being made even fairer with pots of flowers everywhere that can be replaced on the first sign of withering, much like factory workers. Liked this grotesque plastic jar, supposedly representing China’s time honoured wine industry, or the wine songs of Li Bai or something like that.
But some people still manage to celebrate with some creativity: check out this 庆 (qing, celebration) sign made of packets of Zhongnanhai cigarettes. Nice.
Just as I’m getting ready to post this, it is turning midnight – it’s October First. Happy Birthday to the Good, The Bad and even the Ugly PRC.
China hurt feelings map needs updating
Posted by: Rachel in East Vs. West on September 15th, 2009
Two days ago, the Israeli minister of Industry Trade & Labour visited New-York.
So far, nothing unusual. The Israeli government probably has it’s own office building in NYC, as officials spend more time there than they do in Jerusalem, thus doing a great service to the Israeli public by limiting the damage inflicted by their mere presence.
OK, got a bit carried away here, what happened with Mr. Ben-Eliezer in NY was this: Apparently He met with some local business people. Trying to argue why they should invest in Israel he said: “Everything can be manufactured in China nowadays ecxept for one thing – the brain“.
Wonder if that qualifies a statement that hurts Chinese people’s feelings. It is, at any rate, a good demonstration of the current quality of Israel-manufactured brains…
Day Three
Posted by: Rachel in Mysteries of the Big Jing on September 11th, 2009
10.09.2009
08:00 AM
Isn’t this pretty? The tappet on this fence concealing the stage at the square is just so optimistic…
Workers on the way to the site:
Not entirely sure what this van is for. How many different kind of cars the PSB has got?
It’s my party, day 2
Posted by: Rachel in East Vs. West on September 9th, 2009
23 days to go
09.09.2009
7 AM
That old Taitai picking cigarette butts from the little flower patch in front of the monument to the heroes of the people is so cute she needs to get a monument all to herself. I’d bet you anything she’ll be there on the day of days, picking used tissues and other trash right through Hu Jintao’s speech.
OK, I wouldnt bet, but wouldn’t is be nice if she’s there?
It’s my party (and I’ll cry if I want to)
Posted by: Rachel in Mysteries of the Big Jing on September 8th, 2009
The Big Jing is gearing up for the grand 60Th anniversary. Here it how it looks like, hour by hour, for the next 24 days.
September 08th, 6AM
Heading to Tiananmen, I somehow always end up in Zhongshan park. Even when wishing to observe the ever eerie atmosphere at the big white hole, the small green park is more appealing, and seems uninterrupted by any preparation. except of course for the loudspeakers near the south gate, the like of which Douglas Adams once describes as “Resembling Manhattan in both shape and size”. Still, the park’s serenity is somehow stronger, somehow fits better with the backdrop of the old palace, than all the commotion outside.
For some reason, the pavement south of the forbidden city is uneven with many broken or loose tiles, and this isn’t likely to change. I guess you should blame it on all those police cars patrolling there at night.
The previous celebration
Posted by: Rachel in East Vs. West, Mysteries of the Big Jing on September 4th, 2009
Just a reminder what the 50th anniversary ten years ago looked like. Is China better now?
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