Why the change?
China is working to put her best face on, and best foot forward, for all the world to see when they celebrate the 70th anniversary of the "Chinese People's War of Resistance against the Japanese and the World Anti-Fascist War." All kinds of hoopla is planned this week, culminating in a full blown military parade at Tiananmen Square. For more on the significance of this celebration in the PRC's capital city, see this article: September Holiday and Military Parade
For me personally, the timing is especially keen, as it was only last week that I was at Pearl Harbor revisiting some related significant American history with my girls. The Hawaii blog(s) is still forthcoming...
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| A couple of days ago, as I took care of some business in the alley market and at the grocery, I passed this "sleepy sheepy" randomly placed on the sidewalk. It was not in front of a bed mattress store. The randomness of China just makes me smile :) |
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| Yesterday, as I made my way all the way to the northeast side of Beijing to go to a water park, I was astounded by the number of police, military soldiers, and those on security that are stationed at every corner, every stop, on every bridge, all over the city. Their presence is felt everywhere. When I popped up from the subway last evening, and exited by the grocery store I had been to just two days before, there was now a portable police station standing there in the grocery parking lot, that had not been there two days before. Things happen that FAST in China. I did not snap any photos of the armed soldiers and police that were present; they do not take kindly to having their photograph taken. I do not take kindly to the thought of a red jail. |
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| The good news is after four subway exchanges, an argument with a cab driver, and nearly two hours of travel, I made it to Crab Island- a water park! They had a wave pool :) |
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| Complete with Chinese babies digging in the sand (i.e. dirt). They had kid size back hoes for them to really dig deep! |
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| There was a huge wade pool area with all kinds of waterfalls and sprinklers and such to play in... naked babies and children were everywhere. |
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| Most adults, however, were covered up in swim dresses, |
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| ...under umbrellas... |
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| ...or in tents. I was severely under dressed in my bikini. |
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| They had a lazy river for kayaking or tubing. |
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| ...or you could just wear your child's tube on your head for sun protection, I guess. |
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| These two girls took Chinese bathing suit fashion to a whole new level. After all of their primping, they never did get wet, and only stayed 'exposed' for about fifteen minutes. Then they were covered up and back in the tent. |
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| Still, it was a fun afternoon for a little bit of sunshine, a lot of people watching, and some fun tubing down the curly slides. I am a kid at heart; I cannot resist a water slide ;) |
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| I couldn't help but notice this young woman's back. Cupping is an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine that dates back centuries. While it is believed to help all sorts of ailments, from migraines to infertility, to arthritis and more, there is little research to support the beneficial uses of cupping. I have seen some of my students at school with cupping bruises on their back and neck- also believed to help improve memory. All I know is that I won't be trying it any time soon- I bruise easily as it is, and it looks incredibly painful. |
To end on a happier note, I love how Chinese adults, even elders, love to laugh, play and have fun, just as children do. I see their reckless abandon for fun all the time, and it is endearing...
G'nite, y'all!
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