Chinese Obama Poster Propaganda

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3836

Canthy took me back to the Shuang Lai Fang Zhuang Chinese restaurant, as she wanted me to try another one of their special dishes. The last time we sat in a private room but this time we sat in the main restaurant. The interior design has a rustic feel using lots of wood and stone. This style matches the Shaanxi food they serve, which is quite simple and basic to prepare and cook. What I found most interesting was the “AobaMao” poster on the wall. It was depicting President Obama in a Chairman Mao pose and wearing a traditional Chinese suit from the 50s. Obama is very popular in China, especially when he came to visit the mainland last year. At that time posters and t-shirts with his image on were banned from being sold during his trip. This one seems to have survived but it’s rare to see these now.

High Rise Scaffolding Men

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3778

There are so many new building go up around Beijing you become oblivious to yet another building site. Walking past this one near my apartment I was struck by the size of the steel structure. However what really caught me eye was the two guys (in the middle of the photo) sitting on top of the steel girders. They looked like they were chatting away like it was just another day at the office. At times like this I wish I had a real camera with a zoom lens and not just a point and shoot. As I couldn’t get close enough to photograph them and get a really clear picture of the two guys. High-rise work is a dangerous and perilous job especially considering how fast and high things get built in China. But these guys looked like they were having a nice tea break while waiting for the boss to tell them what to do next.

Mercedes Pretty In Pink

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3712

 

You see a lot of luxury cars in Beijing so after a while you become oblivious to them. However, this bright pink Mercedes CLS caught my eye and probably everybody else’s too. I didn’t see who was driving it, but it was parked at the Village in Sanlitun. I’ve never seen a pink Mercedes before and this car looked like it had been factory painted. Probably a one off special edition, but whoever drives this is also a one off. As there can’t be many people that have the confidence to drive a bright pink Mercedes in Beijing. Unless it’s owned buy one of Beijing’s 富二代 Fu Er Dai. As the city has many of these second-generation rich kids. Who have wealthy powerful parents, which allows them to have flashy extravagant lifestyles and drive exotic cars.

Papaya And Prawn Salad

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3715

I went to meet an old friend for lunch at Sanlitun Village. There are lots of places top eat there, but we ended up going to an old favourite, Elements Fresh. The place is always lively, though the food can often be variable quality. As I am trying to eat more healthily I ordered a salad which is something I usually never eat when I out. The menu had pictures, so I ordered the papaya and prawn salad. I was pleasantly surprised when the food came, as it looked good and tasted really fresh. It was a lot healthier than what I would normally chose. And with a side order of French bagette it filled me up nicely.

Ma La Shang Guo Monday

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Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original
text from the link above the article. The site’s blog section aims to introducing
expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers as 50 percent of Beijing Today
readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors
or school students. Blogger who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing
Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the
stories. )

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3684

Canthy loves really spicy hot food. Especially the kind that numbs your lips and makes you sweat when you eat it. My tolerance for spicy food is pretty low so it’s rare we can share the same dish. However as I know how much she likes it I decided to let her take me to her new favorite place to eat. A Ma La Shang Guo restaurant that has opened at Fortune Plaza, across the road from our apartment. The idea is quite simple. You just choose whatever meat, fish, or vegetables you want and they cook it all up in one big dish. Adding peppers and spices depending on what level of hot you require. Canthy ordered “wei la” which is the lowest level but it still made my lips numb. Next time I think I’ll try a little hotter if I am feeling brave enough. I just need to drink plenty of iced water to cool down my burning mouth.

Origami Cranes Show Support For The Japan Earthquake

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3678

Canthy and I both fancied sushi, so we went to Hatsune, a Japanese restaurant at Sanlitun. The tables had been laid out with small pot containing a paper origami crane. I asked the waitress and she told us it was to show support for the people suffering in the Japanese earthquake. Apparently around the world many people, especially schoolkids and students were making paper cranes to show support. There is even a Facebook page called Paper Cranes For Japan, but unfortunately Facebook is still blocked in China. The crane is one of the symbols of Japan and legend says that if you fold 1000 origami cranes your wish will come true. Last week we made a donation to the Red Cross to help out in Japan. This week I think I might make some origami cranes as I am sure the people in Japan could do with some good karma as well as financial relief. Don’t think I will have time to make a 1000 but I guess 10 would be ok, as it’s the thought that counts.

ACFP Beijing Photography Group Monthly Metting

Event information

Event name:ACFP Beijing Photography Group Monthly Metting

Host:ACFP – The Associated China Foreign Photographers

Event typeMeetings – Networking

Location24 Jiaodaokou Dongdajie

Time & Place

Date:March 28, 2011

Time:19:00 – 0:00

Neighbourhood:朝阳区(Chaoyang) District

Event Description

On Monday 28th of March, ACFP will hold his first general monthly meeting in a BRAND NEW LOCATION, the Multi media and photography café :

“”WAITING FOR GODOT”” (Subway : Beixingqiao, Exit D, 200 meters on left)
24 Jiaodaokou Dongdajie

Cool and charming cafe that takes it name from Samuel Beckett’s best-known play, our new location will also feature photography and Art exhibitions. Come and relax with us on Monday to discuss your latest creations, new photographic equipment and projects with other photographers!

Review and critics of your photographs ( please bring on a Memory stick or send : cjheyer@hotmail.com)
Presentation of Ancient China Photographs ( Photographer Henry Decron)
Presentation of ACFP Projects for 2011:
- Mini seminars series program 2011
- Coach Series – Trip to Guangxi minorities villages ( Planned Apr / May 2011) Presentation of photos in this area – proposal of short trip with photos shooting workshops onsite (People photography, Landscape photography, Nature photography)
- Assignments April 2011

Should you want to show your own photographs on your subject of choice, please bring a memory stick !

Thanks and looking forward seeing you soon!,
The ACFP Team

Migrant Workers Shack

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3645

Next to my apartment complex they are building a huge new development. It will be another luxury office/retail complex for CBD. At the moment it’s just a big hole in the ground but that will soon change. It will be built by an army of migrant workers that live on site in these portable cabins. They work 12 hours a day, often 7 days a week and eat, live and sleep in these tiny dormitory rooms. I sometimes wonder what they think about the buildings they build and the people that will use them. As they only earn around RMB 2,000 (US$300, GB£188) per month they could never afford to buy a Starbucks coffee, let alone lunch in the place they are building.

Beijing Breakfast Pod

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3625

A very common expression is Beijing is “Ni chifan le ma?” 你吃饭了吗 ?, which means have you eaten yet. These days most office workers don’t have time for breakfast at home, so they tend to buy it on the street. You often find these food stalls, which are quite basic around subway stations or near large office towers. However, recently these more modern orange and yellow pods have been appearing around town. They sell typical Beijing breakfast food including fried pancakes, which they cook fresh in front of you. I haven’t tried them yet but I promise myself I will soon. And it will give me another opportunity to practice my Chinese.

One-On-One Mandarin

(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)

http://www.rayallychina.com/?p=3607

One of the best things of learning Mandarin at this school is that the lessons are all one on one. So there are no big classrooms and no big group of students with differing learning abilities. It’s just you and a teacher, so they can go as fast or as slow as you like. The classrooms are a little spartan, just a table and two chairs. So it sometimes feels more like an interrogation room especially when the teachers asks me question that I just can’t answer. The downside or upside is that there is nowhere to hide and you are forced to speak Chinese the minute the class starts. I have six hours of lessons everyday, which is intensive interrogation  But I have a different teacher each hour, which is a great idea. As it keeps the teachers and me fresh and makes the lessons more interesting.