Wednesday, February 28, 2007

A Walk in the Park



Having nothing to do last Sunday, I decided it was a good time to walk through the People’s Park in Dongguan. I had heard that it was a big park, but had never been through it and had no idea of what to expect. As usual, it was a lot different than any expectation. Who would have expected bumper boats and croquet? And a Tea House? Pretty neat stuff.

The entrance and several locations throughout the park had big displays for the Chinese New Year. As usual, they were large gaudy looking balloon-type displays incorporating pigs or boars for “The Year of the Pig.” And red balls and other decorations were prominent in all the trees throughout the park. Hawkers were even promoting additional balloons and other New Year toys and treats. It was a typical USA-style commercial event.

Two big lakes had separate sections for bumper boats and paddle boats. Only there wasn’t much bumping. The patrons seemed more intent on a pleasant ride instead of any exhilaration from impact. The paddle boats had ornament hoods of birds and ducks. And I am sure everyone had a
lot of water to bale from those boats before they traveled very far. They did not look “sea-worthy.” But at least this wasn’t a sea. Koi were, of course, plentiful, and patrons were lined up to buy packets to feed the gold and white fish. They were causing quite a frenzy all along the dock, but by the number of people feeding on this day, you would never think they would lack for food.

The Tea House was a beautiful structure along a waterfall and lily pond. It was probably the prettiest structure I have observed in all of China (although my tours have been somewhat limited). I was told they were not serving tea at the time, but that ladies dressed in special attire from different regions of China served and danc
ed for a minimal fee to patrons reserving the rooms along the waterfront. I definitely have to do that sometime.

A real surprise was a cage like structure. I had heard there were monkeys in the park, so that was my expectation in this big space. Wrong! It was an indoor
croquet court. In fact, there were two courts and 30-40 Chinese were happily engaged in games. They were arguing and whacking balls all around the rooms. I never expected this. There were more elderly than I have ever seen in one day in China. Most were here playing croquet. Amazingly, you seldom see the elderly. They must spend most of their time in the park.

There was a monkey in a display area designed to keep the animals inside and not able to escape. Only there were three cats in sharing its space!??! This wasn’t the most impressive area of the park. It looked slightly run down and maybe some of the monkeys did figure out how to get out. The one inside was a little fat from all the junk food thrown down to it by the park guests. It will not be escaping anytime soon. The park meandered up and down hills through bamboo forests and along many additional lakes.

One very interesting yellow building of an almost classical architecture was said to house some kind of bookstore or library. Translation is always a little challenging for me. Another more modern facility catered to tennis and other indoor sports.

And there in the middle of the park were many soccer fields. In fact, unbeknownst to me beforehand, many of my friends were there from the Pub having a “friendly” against some other organized club. As usual the team was loosing, but they were getting primed for the post game ritual of beer. People were everywhere.

As always in China, there were many people. I was told it was probably a “light crowd” on this day! Wow! I hate to see it when it’s busy.

People’s Park of Dongguan! Impressive!

Photos available from link in Right Column.

Sunday, February 25, 2007

 


Fireworks from atop nearby apartment buildings across the street from my home in Dongguan City, PRC.
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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Fireworks!

So that’s when they do fireworks! I was surprised to rarely hear or see fireworks when I got here to China. Well, this week has been a little different. There have been fireworks every night for a week, and even interspersed during the daylight hours occasionally too.

Having not been here in China for the New Year period last year, I didn’t realize they shot off fireworks so frequently during this Lunar Festival. Every night there have been fireworks shows just out my apartment window. I have seen at least four different locations shooting fireworks.

And as I mentioned last week, the fireworks shows are not particularly well organized, but they are pretty good fireworks. There will be blasts of fireworks for a good five minutes from a location, and then it will be quiet for an hour, and then the same locale will blast off again for another five minutes. While almost within shouting distance, another show will be doing the same thing on other times. These are not the massive shows of Hong Kong or Shanghai, but more just neighborhoods or neighbors that get together to celebrate the week.

The Chinese are famous, of course, for developing fireworks. They have long used the fireworks at this festival to scare off evil spirits. The loud blasts and red paper that wraps the firecrackers is, by legend, felt to chase away the spirits.

As I arrived back to work yesterday, I was astonished to find four large mounds of shredded red paper at the entryway. I had missed our company fireworks show, but I sure was seeing the aftermath. That must have been one heck of a show to have made the piles of paper left here in the street!

Friday, February 23, 2007

Overcharged Again!

They overcharged me again! It happens more than I would like to mention, but I have to tell about this one. It is one of the most frustrating things to an ex-pat.

Last night I was out with a friend having dinner at a very local Chinese restaurant, noted for dumplings. I enjoy dumplings, and having been to this location several times, it was one of my preferred local restaurants. And all was going pretty well, until the bill came!

Okay, there was one other thing. The waiter tried to spill a plate of chicken and ginger sauce in my lap. Luckily, he did not succeed, or I may have not been so tolerant. But the young man was trying hard, and the plate only slipped sideways and fortunately, all the sauce ran to the end of the table instead of in my lap.

He was apologetic and seemingly very embarrassed. At least, I thought so. And after surveying the situation, we decided to just forego the plate instead of waiting for another. And that was fine.

Only when I got the bill, the plate of chicken was still on the bill! And not only that, there was an added plate of green vegetable, that was never ordered, much less ever seen. The manager did finally take off the items and deduct to the proper amount. But believe it or not, that took two other waiters and a sub-manager and at least 15 minutes to get straight.

Now I thought the waiter had been very kind and apologetic. And the restaurant had seemingly been rather apologetic for the scene too. But that didn’t deter them from testing the financial waters. As an Westerner unable to read a bill, you have to be very careful here.

At first, I was always rather open and just let things go by too easily. I’ve adjusted and become a little less tolerant. And that’s because it happens far too frequently. I hate to say it, but I think they assume we Westerners will not care and have too much money. They love to give discount or VIP cards out to guests, particularly Westerners. And some hotels even sell special packages that include memberships that get discounts for meals. But don’t count on the bill to include the discount. It often takes several rounds of reminding and proving to get the discount – even for members that probably patronize a location every night!

The sad thing is the Chinese are really missing out on more income if they would do it differently. You see, tip of 10% is usually included in all bills, and I and most Westerners would probably leave change and extra tip if they would just treat us fairly. But no, instead most of us have realized that we have to carefully check each line item and total more diligently to assure no overcharging. If not, great I am happy to tip a little extra, but unfortunately, that is more rare than frequent.

BTW, that restaurant is no longer on my frequent dining list.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

The Fountains of Dongguan Center City



A few months ago, I wrote about the incredible fountains in the Central Park of downtown Dongguan City. Big Eddie recently sent me this video he took on our visit, and I figured out a way to share with all here. It's only one of the fountains, and only a short clip from the amazing show, but click on the green play button to enjoy.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Chinese New Year

Happy Chinese New Year! Or 愉快的中国新年

I didn’t know what to expect staying here in China over the Lunar New Year period. I’d heard horror stories about the inability to do anything with so many places closed. But here I am. And it’s not sooo bad.

It’s true that most everything is closed now. Most Western oriented restaurants have certainly closed. Heck, there’s hardly anyone around my housing development this week. Most Westerners certainly got out of the country. Many are in Thailand or Philippines or some other more enticing locale for vacation time.

From what I have been told, most stores may as well close. They are rather superstitious about many things here, but particularly about some of the things involving the Lunar New Year:

Ø It is a time for new clothes

Ø You should not get a haircut

Ø You do not buy pants or shoes

Ø You should wash your vehicles and clean your home prior to New Year, but not on New Year’s Day

Ø I particularly love: Do not use knives or scissors, as this may cut off good fortune

As for the Chinese, most go home during this family week. Last week, numerous news reports were about long lines at the train stations. The pictures showed masses of people for as far as the eye could see, just waiting for a train. I heard from some friends that took over 48 hours to get to destinations by train, bus, and car. They say probably 1 billion people were on the move in this country last week. That’s a lot of people.

I did get in a round of golf on Friday. And it was rather relaxing. Rain hampered play for a couple of holes, but most of the time, it was just a persistent drizzle. But best of all, it was the noise that made it so refreshing! Usually there is constant construction noise in the background. On this day, we could here frogs and birds. That is rare here!! But the workers have gone home and the tall construction projects of apartments near the course were all still, with the super cranes and pile drivers quiet and still for a change.

The smog is even a little less right now. Since most every factory is idled, you can actually see a little farther. This morning was clear and beautiful. It clouded over later, but at least we can breath easier for a few days.

The celebrations are primarily a family affair. They start with a festival meal, and at midnight the fireworks ring in the New Year. And WOW! Did they ever have a lot of fireworks! A few of us ex-pats still stuck here, got together for a great dinner at a friend’s home. From his high balcony, we could see fireworks all over the city. They continued at least three hours. They were not massive, well-organized firework shows, but they sure lasted a long time.

Today, I walked around the city some. It’s pretty interesting to see the families out to show off their new clothes. Many Chinese were gathering with families for dinners. I was amazed at a Porsche, and Mercedes in front of one restaurant. As I was admiring and proceeding along, I almost bumped into a Rolls Royce parked in the front by another patron. Wow! Now that’s showing off the new riches!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Year of the Pig

Pigs, pigs, and more pigs! But is it the “golden pig” or the “pig of fire”?

This is the Year of the Pig or Boar. I think it officially starts on Saturday. But I have also read that another Chinese calendar had the start February 4. (They seem to have a lot of calendars here.)

And now they are in some debate over the type of pig, represented for this year. The merchants are touting it as a “golden pig.” Scholars say that it is really the “fire pig,” and that “golden pig” will not be here for another 30 days. But since Chinese equate a lot to fortune and fame from the calendar, the merchants hope advertising “golden pigs” will sell more goods. Last year, the Year of the Dog was good for marriage, and sure enough, weddings were up dramatically. Now they expect many of those couples to have children thinking it will be born under the “golden pig” of fortune.

Decca Celebrations

Whatever pig year, it means a lot of folks traveling and some good parties. Decca continued its tradition of parties with three last week to commemorate the event. The factory function for group leaders and higher management included almost 400 for dinner, games, and the ever popular here: Lucky Draw. At least five televisions were amongst the big winners. I even got an English translation of the Welcome speech, so that I could follow along for a change.

I headed into Hong Kong for the equivalent event on Saturday at our headquarters. It was a simpler, but the “Lucky Draw” was a treat. I even got my very first “red packet.” That is the gift method handed out by elders and married to the younger or unmarried, or in this case, by our company vice chairman. Everyone was a winner, including one cleaning lady who won the $3,000 HK grand prize. Pretty good awards.

The amazing thing to me at these events is how everyone gets so much enjoyment. The whole staff of professionals and managers crammed into the conference room for the drawings at the office. And everyone, and I mean everyone, was thrilled and contented with their reward, and in general just being there. I’ve never seen such joy and happiness universally by a group so big. When these folks work, they work hard, but given the chance, they really enjoy their camaraderie.

Sunday night was the traditional annual dinner by Decca at Lei Garden restaurant in the Wanchai area of Hong Kong. I guess I’m getting used to it. I didn’t even take many pictures, since it was so similar to the event of the prior year.

But as always it was a wonderful night of dining, wine, and entertaining of friends. Always a joy amongst the Decca family.

Links to photos of 2007 Decca New Year Celebration available from the right column. Be sure to check all subalbums.

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Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Queuing Lessons Needed

Did you see that on Sunday, Beijing observed its’ first “Queuing Day?” It will be observed every 11th of the month, to emphasize improving lining up to wait for buses, tickets, or whatever the queue. They are trying to improve the etiquette around Beijing, prior to the world descending on the city for the 2008 Olympics.

The Chinese need some help on this little simple act of politeness. Go almost anyplace, and it seems more like a mob scene than anything organized. I have basically learned you don’t get anything unless you act like everyone else and just push your way to the front or speak up to get an attendant’s attention. Take McDonald’s: I’ve many a time been to the front of a line, to just have person after person push in front of me. And no one seems to mind. The attendants just help the person that speaks loudest and is pushiest.

Bill Bryson wrote that the French were really great at lining up in a straight line for buses, but that whenever a bus arrived, they just broke rank and all hell broke loose for whoever could fight to the front. In China they don’t even start with a line. It’s just a free-for-all for most anything.

When McDonald’s opened a drive-through service window, it was a joke. They drive like they walk here and everyone just breaks in lines and around you any chance they can. McDonald’s had to block anyone from being able to break in front after the ordering station, so cars remained in proper sequence.

Beijing may be getting better now with the “Queuing Day” efforts. I just hope they bring the queuing lessons on down here to Dongguan someday soon!

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Thursday, February 08, 2007

A Bloody Mary Morning

Peter walked in and ordered a bottle of Jack Daniel’s. It wasn’t 7 AM yet! Most everyone else was already having Bloody Marys. The bar was running out of horseradish and Tabasco to spice the drinks. You knew this was going to be a different kind of morning! …………… Only in China!

There’s nothing quite like getting up early in the morning to go to a game. Sure I always loved heading out to Wolfpack football early on a Saturday morning to tailgate with the gang! But getting up at 6 AM to go watch a game in a bar was a new experience. This had to be the Super Bowl! Why else would a bunch of Americans be up at this hour in China?

I arrived at the pub – One for the Road – about 6:45 AM. The street was deserted. No one was outside, but you could hear some kind of football stuff on the outdoor speakers. So I figured I wasn’t dreaming or had the wrong day. But having seen no one yet on this morning, I did think I would be the only one dumb enough to be this early. ……Surprise, there was a pretty good crowd already inside. I was late. I had to sit in the rear!

The sun wasn’t even breaking through the windows behind the big screen TV. Fans were scattered about the room for the game and the few waitresses and Jason were scurrying about to try to get things organized. You could tell they weren’t used to doing this kind of thing this early in the morning either.

By the time the first couple of tables had made it through the breakfast buffet before the kickoff, there was very little of anything left. And the toaster was blowing fuse after fuse. I waited till a latter round.

The game was great! Okay, who won? I didn’t really care! My spot on the big lottery board kept coming up a winner! I won the first two quarters! And the third was empty…….. so that just increased my split! And think about it…… I won the first quarter with a missed extra point. And the other guys were salivating and determining the winner of the second quarter as it was ending,……….. but wait………… Vinateri missed a field goal! That made the scoring 10-0 Indianapolis in the second…. And that was the same ending digits on the board! I won again!!

The most disappointing thing about the game was not getting the new commercials! NOOOO..... instead of the new Budweiser dog, or Dorito special commercials, we got ESPN International commercials. Most were just advertisements for upcoming sporting events, like Mongolian wrestling and soccer! Whoopee!! Who wants to see that?

Great game anyway! Okay, I enjoyed the Wolfpack game on the previous day more, but I sure liked my winnings. I even won the final “small” board in the Pub!

It was time to play golf. I was having too good a day! And it didn’t stop either. I birdied two from off the green on the front nine!

What a great day! I don’t mind getting up early for football after all!

(More photos available from link in right column.)

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

NC State 83 Carolina 79

What a great game!” How could it get any better than this? To wake up to email after email from friends congratulating me on the GREAT GAME!! It was wonderful!


NC State beat Carolina!!!

If only I could get the basketball games in China. Of course, it is a little difficult staying up for a ballgame that started about 4 AM Hong Kong time!

Sunday, February 04, 2007

Haircut FollowUp

Ah, this haircut stuff is great here! Only I really may have gone too far last weekend. I decided it was time for another great shampoo and trim, but I decided to try out a new place this time. I was doing great …. For a while anyway.

As usual, no one seemed to speak English. It was a beautiful place, and I could tell the girl that greeted me upon my entrance, had the right idea by her hand motions. She made a wave of her hands like she was shampooing. So I figured I was headed in the right direction. And I was. We actually headed first up some steep glass stairway to the second floor. Only I had to be a little careful on this second floor. I don’t think this building had originally been planned for two floors. My head was practically touching the ceiling when we ascended to the top of the stairway. And believe me, I had to duck the beams between sections.

But the room for shampooing was great. There were four long bed style washstands, and I was soon stretched out and getting a very soothing massage to the scalp. Ohhhh, those small fingernails scratching the head are soooooooooooo comforting. She even washed my face, ……… ever so gently. All was just going great. …………… but then…….. she held out a small bowl in front of my face as I lay on the table and mumbled something. I just said “Okay,” that easily recognized worldwide phrase of agreement. ………… Maybe I ought to have checked a little closer.

Soon she was wrapping me in blankets and warm towels. All that was kind of nice. But then she disappeared for a few minutes. I could hear a mixing commotion nearby somewhere. I figured she was mixing something in that bowl.

When she returned, she took out a small spatula and started dabbing the concoction all over my face! I was getting a FACIAL! How’d I do this?????

Oh well, it was kind of interesting. But I understood the blankets more now. That stuff she dabbed on my face was ICE COLD! Man, was it cold! I mean I’ve been cold here for weeks now, and didn’t really need this.

After a few minutes she peeled the hardened mask off my face. It felt pretty good. Wonder if I look better?