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Monthly Archives: January 2017
Cookin’
These “shelves of meat” would have fit right in on the infamous Datong menu. One of my Mandarin teachers taught me that the Chinese differentiate national or international cuisines from local or regional cuisines. For example, 中餐 (Zhōngcān) and 西餐 (Xīcān) mean “Chinese food” and “Western food,” … Continue reading
Expectations
The first surprise in Ürümqi was the snow. I had thought of Xinjiang as a desert, but in the winter it’s cold and snowy. It was 10ºF (-12ºC) when I arrived. Note the English, Chinese, and Arabic script on … Continue reading
Posted in 乌鲁木齐
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Frontier
In the far, far west of China is a vast province (well, technically, one of China’s five autonomous regions) which is bordered by the provinces of Gansu & Qinghai to the east; the autonomous region Tibet to the south; the countries of Mongolia, … Continue reading
Crush
Between Shanghai & Xi’an and Xi’an & Ürümqi, I ended up watching a cheesy Chinese movie called Time Raiders. Twice. Without headphones. I fear I’ve fallen in love with Sichun Ma.
Comfy II
Well, I’m a fucking idiot. For domestic Chinese flights, I’m always careful to book either business or first class. Because giant. Looks like I slipped and ended up with an economy ticket for the Xi’an to Ürümqi leg of my trip … Continue reading
Hub II
Well, I’m back in Xi’an yet again. The pollution was so bad that you could actually see it inside the airport itself.
Friends
I always love seeing movies at the IAPM mall here in Shanghai. Before the movie starts, there is this CG short with cute little characters singing along to a song about shutting the fuck up and watching the movie. 朋友们， … Continue reading
Sleepy
I was the only one in First/Business Class on my flight back from Taipei to Shanghai. I asked — first in English and then, for clarity, in Mandarin — why the flight was so empty and the stewardess confirmed that … Continue reading
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Motherboard
The “Made in Taiwan” sign above my gate at the airport was constructed out of old motherboards.
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Shire III
I can’t imagine that the Dream of Hobbiton pub in Taipei had anything I hadn’t already seen in New Zealand.
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Tradition III
This imposing building is the Grand Hotel. Once again, we see the more-Chinese-than-China motif on a grand scale.
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Martyrdom
The solemnity of Taiwan’s Martyrs’ Shrine brings to mind Arlington National Cemetery. I haven’t seen (or at least noticed) this rolling cloud motif in Mainland China, but the Taiwanese seem obsessed with it. Beautiful decorations throughout. Once again, there … Continue reading
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Liberty
Fittingly, I found myself at Taipei’s Liberty Square the morning after Inauguration Day. The sign above the main gate was, again, in Traditional Chinese but said something about “freedom.” To one side of the square is the National Concert Hall. … Continue reading
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Penultimate
Lungshan Temple was more exquisite than any temple I have seen on the Mainland. It even had freaking man-made waterfalls. Gorgeous. All of it. A Grade Two Historic Site? Way to be a … Continue reading
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Fathom
What’s that saying about sleeping dogs? Something about “full fathom five” I think.
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