I had a hot date tonight. Strolling through downtown Ann Arbor, arm and arm, my Grandma and I went to the movies.
On Wednesday, I saw that a movie called Mongol about the rise of Ghengis (actually we translate that wrong, it's Chinggis!) Khan was playing at the Michigan Theater in A^2. I know I had to see it, to see if what I experienced would translate into Hollywood.
On the whole, Grandma and I enjoyed the movie, but Hollywood (or should I say the German/Russian/Mongolian film producers) did dramatize the plot a bit for 1206 C.E. Of course, the scenery was fantastic-- stunning Mongolia as always. The story also did a good job of portraying the tough, unforgiving climate and culture, too.
I just hope the people in front of me didn't hear my gasps of excitement every time I heard a Mongolian word I recognized! Oochlaarai ('excuse me')!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
This a Blog about Beijing
I'm really back in the swing of things now. Yessir, I went back to work today. Luckily, my friend Eoghan has been kind enough to let me stay at his apartment in Ann Arbor so I don't have to drive all the way home (1 hour 10 minutes, approx.). I'm in one of UofM's libraries getting out this blog.
I guess if I had to describe Beijing in one word it would be prolific. Everything there comes in olympic quantities. Want a modern highway? Beijing just built FIVE high-speed rings around the city. Want a modern subway? Beijing just built SIX new lines-- the cleanist I've ever seen. Want bike lanes? Beijing has one on every street just teeming with bikers. Want to meet some people? Beijing has 15 MILLION.
Of couse, the big deal in Beijing right now is the 2008 Summer Olympics. With signs plastered everywhere and a security check at every subway station, visitors cannot forget that they're visiting an olympic host city.
Even better are the throngs of young Chinese volunteering. Every young person I met seemed dissapointed that I wasn't staying for the Olympics. But they were sure to tell me how they had come all the way to Beijing from Hunan province to volunteer.
After seeing all the hype the Chinese government puts out for these games, I can no longer blame ordinary Chinese for being defensive about their country during the contentious torch relay through the West. This summer is China's time to shine. After so many years as a "second-tier" country, the people get to show off their hard work. Although this certainly doesn't absolve the government for its actions in Tibet or Darfur, Chinese citizens deserve this moment under the global spotlight.
As an aside, I'm having trouble posting photos into old posts, so I hope to have some up by the end of the weekend now. Thanks for waiting. In the meantime, check out my Mongolia Picasa album!
I guess if I had to describe Beijing in one word it would be prolific. Everything there comes in olympic quantities. Want a modern highway? Beijing just built FIVE high-speed rings around the city. Want a modern subway? Beijing just built SIX new lines-- the cleanist I've ever seen. Want bike lanes? Beijing has one on every street just teeming with bikers. Want to meet some people? Beijing has 15 MILLION.
Of couse, the big deal in Beijing right now is the 2008 Summer Olympics. With signs plastered everywhere and a security check at every subway station, visitors cannot forget that they're visiting an olympic host city.
Even better are the throngs of young Chinese volunteering. Every young person I met seemed dissapointed that I wasn't staying for the Olympics. But they were sure to tell me how they had come all the way to Beijing from Hunan province to volunteer.
After seeing all the hype the Chinese government puts out for these games, I can no longer blame ordinary Chinese for being defensive about their country during the contentious torch relay through the West. This summer is China's time to shine. After so many years as a "second-tier" country, the people get to show off their hard work. Although this certainly doesn't absolve the government for its actions in Tibet or Darfur, Chinese citizens deserve this moment under the global spotlight.
As an aside, I'm having trouble posting photos into old posts, so I hope to have some up by the end of the weekend now. Thanks for waiting. In the meantime, check out my Mongolia Picasa album!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Great Wall
Stretching on for miles and miles, the Great Wall of China is truly a sight to behold. The gargantuan structure-- both when crumbling and standing strong-- really stretches the limits of comprehension. On top of all that, the scenery is absolutely gorgeous. I'd never thought of China as a naturally beautiful country before, but now I want to hike along the wall for days and days.
Being built on top of mountains makes the wall a very steep and sometimes dangerous climb. We viewed the wall at Huairou, a decidedly less touristy place than the disneyland-esque Badaling. Aside from the welcome silence, Huairou offered the chance to see some of the wall's most precipitous drops, while climbing over them! Brian and I both agreed, with more time, we'd have come back and continued on our trek.
The countryside is also much poorer than the city, and that leads to what we thought were scam artists along the wall. Twice, an older person demanded 2 RMB a piece in order to pass by. As 2RMB is roughly equivalent to 35 cents, we didn't really complain. However, when an older man with barking dogs tried to make us pay 20RMB per person to pass through his property on the way back from the wall, we ended up forging our own trail through the woods. Sneaking quietly and stealthily, I felt like an international spy trying to reach his target.
Nixon had it right (for once) when he said,
Being built on top of mountains makes the wall a very steep and sometimes dangerous climb. We viewed the wall at Huairou, a decidedly less touristy place than the disneyland-esque Badaling. Aside from the welcome silence, Huairou offered the chance to see some of the wall's most precipitous drops, while climbing over them! Brian and I both agreed, with more time, we'd have come back and continued on our trek.
The countryside is also much poorer than the city, and that leads to what we thought were scam artists along the wall. Twice, an older person demanded 2 RMB a piece in order to pass by. As 2RMB is roughly equivalent to 35 cents, we didn't really complain. However, when an older man with barking dogs tried to make us pay 20RMB per person to pass through his property on the way back from the wall, we ended up forging our own trail through the woods. Sneaking quietly and stealthily, I felt like an international spy trying to reach his target.
Nixon had it right (for once) when he said,
This is a Great Wall and only a great people with a great past could have a great wall and such a great people with such a great wall will surely have a great future.
+ and - of Leaving the Countryside*
Written July 12, 2008
Tomorrow is a day of travel: car from Hatgal to Moron; Plane from Moron to UB!
What I'm Happy About:
Tomorrow is a day of travel: car from Hatgal to Moron; Plane from Moron to UB!
What I'm Happy About:
- A continuous shower, lasting longer than one minute
- Roads that don't hurt to drive upon
- Non-Mongolian Food
- Music
- A mattress
- The internet
- Real toilets that can handle toilet paper
- Real shelter from temperature changes
- Clean air
- Peeing wherever I want
- Beautiful views
- Eating locally produced food
- Quiet
- Stars at night
In a Large Larch Tree!*
Written July 11, 2008
On the 12th day of Naadam, my true love gave to me...
12 grasshoppers hopping,
11 thousand mosquitoes biting,
10 Mongolian students,
9 soaking wet boots,
8 different tree cores,
7 grazing horses,
6 professors pooping,
5 GOLDEN GERS!
4 Ass-slaps,
3 types of Carex,
2 flying cranes,
and a Yak!
On the 12th day of Naadam, my true love gave to me...
12 grasshoppers hopping,
11 thousand mosquitoes biting,
10 Mongolian students,
9 soaking wet boots,
8 different tree cores,
7 grazing horses,
6 professors pooping,
5 GOLDEN GERS!
4 Ass-slaps,
3 types of Carex,
2 flying cranes,
and a Yak!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Born in the USA...
I made it back home safely Monday night, landing at Detroit Metro around 11:45pm. Another long day of travel made me tired, so I didn't really blog yesterday (Tuesday). I unpacked, went to the bank, you know, that boring stuff you have to do after vacation. But, I took work off today (Wednesday) so I could try and finish my paper blogs from Mongolia, blog about Beijing, and, most important, add photos and links to previous blogs!
Thanks to everyone who has been reading. Once I put the pictures and links up, shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment if you think I can improve something. I hope to really improve the blog before Munich!
Thanks to everyone who has been reading. Once I put the pictures and links up, shoot me an e-mail or leave a comment if you think I can improve something. I hope to really improve the blog before Munich!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
The Ballers in Beijing
Brian, Annie, Jen, and I all reached Beijing safely. So far, our impressions are very positive. The city is ultra-modern, and everything is very spick and span in preparation for the Olympic games. I'll do the most of my blogging on Beijing once I get home. There just aren't enough hours in the day to justify sitting at the computer while the Great Wall, Forbidden City, grand temples, etc. await!
In any case, the remaining 4 days in Beijing will be plenty. I'm ready to come home after so long away. Just waiting until the 21!
In any case, the remaining 4 days in Beijing will be plenty. I'm ready to come home after so long away. Just waiting until the 21!
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