here's why it's not: SF Giants' riveting approach just can't be called baseball
See? You were just rooting for the wrong team the entire time.
And for those of you who could care less about baseball, I promise more China-related posts will be coming soon. Sorry for the delay, I was unexpectedly swamped with homework this week.
Until then, GO GIANTS!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
World Expo
Back in August, as a part of our tour package, my parents and I went to the World Expo in Shanghai. The tradition of the World Expo (also known in the past as the World's Fair or Universal Exhibition) dates back to the Great Exhibition in London in 1851, whose main feature was the famed Crystal Palace. Originally, the exhibitions were served as a platform to promote new technology and innovation; however, nowadays the World Expo serves more as a platform for "country-branding." That is to say, the main purpose of the different pavillions at the World Expo now serve as a platform for every country to promote it's national image internationally.
Personally, I wasn't that impressed by the World Expo. Although it's only fair to point out that my opinion was probably at least partially influenced by the fact that it was very hot and humid when we were there. Nonetheless, my parents & I wandered around looking at the architecture of the different pavilions which were each very unique in it's own way. I thought the European countries' pavilions were the most architecturally interesting. You can decide for yourself from the pictures below:
Personally, I wasn't that impressed by the World Expo. Although it's only fair to point out that my opinion was probably at least partially influenced by the fact that it was very hot and humid when we were there. Nonetheless, my parents & I wandered around looking at the architecture of the different pavilions which were each very unique in it's own way. I thought the European countries' pavilions were the most architecturally interesting. You can decide for yourself from the pictures below:
China Pavilion
Inside the Spanish restaurant in the Spain Pavilion
Norway Pavilion
I think architecturally, Norway has the coolest structure.
Germany Pavilion
People-watching is always interesting
Ireland
The shade covers over the benches
Turkey Pavillion
For more information on the history of the World Expo/World's Faire/Universal Exhibiton: http://ilearn-culture.com/world-expo-introduction-and-history/
For more information about the World Expo 2010 at Shanghai: http://en.expo2010.cn/
Guess who's off to the World Series..
That's right. The San Francisco Giants. Last night (this morning for me), the Giants beat the Phillies 3-2 to win the National League Pennant and a trip to the World Series.
Too bad I'm not home to feed off of all the excitement that I'm sure is buzzing around the Bay Area right now. Regardless...
Too bad I'm not home to feed off of all the excitement that I'm sure is buzzing around the Bay Area right now. Regardless...
Go Giants!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Great Buddha at Lingshan
During our time in Wuxi, we also visited the Great Buddha at Lingshan. Built only several years ago, the Great Buddha stands at 88 meters (96.24 yards) tall, excluding the lotus stand on the bottom. If you include the lotus stand, then the Great Buddha measures to over a 100 meters high.
While the Great Buddha itself was very impressively large, personally I felt that it was built using Buddhism as an excuse to build a large tourist attraction to increase tourism revenue in the area. But at least now I can say I've been there.
While the Great Buddha itself was very impressively large, personally I felt that it was built using Buddhism as an excuse to build a large tourist attraction to increase tourism revenue in the area. But at least now I can say I've been there.
Fountain during "Birth of Buddha" show
Wuxi
Located 128 km (79.5 miles) northeast of Shanghai, Wuxi was established 3,500 years ago as the capital of the Wu Kingdom. Originally, the area was named Youxi, meaning "having tin," in reference to the vast tin deposits that used to be found in the area. However, when the tin deposits dried up, the name was changed to Wuxi, which means "no tin."
Despite the lack of tin nowadays, Wuxi has remained a commercial center for thousands of years. During the Qing and Ming dynasties, it served as the main agricultural center for rice production. Nowadays, Wuxi is the commercial center for textile production.
Despite the lack of tin nowadays, Wuxi has remained a commercial center for thousands of years. During the Qing and Ming dynasties, it served as the main agricultural center for rice production. Nowadays, Wuxi is the commercial center for textile production.
More pictures on Angela Photo Musings
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
NLCS Bound!
Yay! After winning today's (well, technically yesterday's) game 4 versus the Atlanta Braves in Atlanta the Giants are off to face the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday at the National League Championship Series.
I unfortunately had class this morning so I couldn't listen to the game today. I'm not sure if that was a blessing or a curse. I guess at least I didn't spend the morning biting my nails to the quick. Regardless, onward Giants to the next game!
(Okay, okay, I realize most, if not all, of you don't care about how the Giants do in the MLB playoffs. But since I have no one to share this joy with here in China, I share with it with you guys via the Internet. Sorry you're just going to have to deal with it.)
I unfortunately had class this morning so I couldn't listen to the game today. I'm not sure if that was a blessing or a curse. I guess at least I didn't spend the morning biting my nails to the quick. Regardless, onward Giants to the next game!
(Okay, okay, I realize most, if not all, of you don't care about how the Giants do in the MLB playoffs. But since I have no one to share this joy with here in China, I share with it with you guys via the Internet. Sorry you're just going to have to deal with it.)
Monday, October 11, 2010
Ah, much better
Late last night it began pouring, which, luckily for me meant all that pollution haze was washed away. Here are some pictures of what my street looks like on a gorgeous, clear day. It's much better than the gross air quality yesterday.
Facing south
Facing north
Note: Aside from re-sizing these images, I did not Photoshop these photos either.
Nanjing
Recognized as one of China's four great ancient capitals, Nanjing's historical importance is undeniable. In the past, it served as the capital of several dynasties including the Song, Qi, (a portion of the) Ming, among others. More recently, it served as the capital of both the Taiping Rebellion in 1853 as well as the capital for the first republic of China that was founded by Dr. Sun Yat-sen in 1921. Unfortunately, in the United States and elsewhere abroad, it's probably most infamously known as the site of the Nanjing (then known as Nanking) Massacre in 1937.
Nowadays, Nanjing's location on the lower banks of the Yangtze River still makes it a very important commercial and industrial city. The majority of the city still lies within the old city walls that date back to Ming dynasty. Today, portions of the walls are open now for tourists to ponder.
Nowadays, Nanjing's location on the lower banks of the Yangtze River still makes it a very important commercial and industrial city. The majority of the city still lies within the old city walls that date back to Ming dynasty. Today, portions of the walls are open now for tourists to ponder.
Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge
Old city wall brick with brick-maker's stamp
Old city wall cannon
Nanjing Lu at night
Nanjing Lu at Night
More pictures at Angela Photo Musings.
Wuzhen
Located along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Wuzhen is located north of the city of Tongxiang in the Zhejiang province. In the past the canal served as the main artery between the south and Beijing and as a result, Wuzhen became a center of great commercial activity . Nowadays, it's mainly a tourist attraction, often invoking comparisons to Venice. Wuzhen is also known for its indigo and white printed fabrics.
At every doorway, there were small garlic-like bulbs hung. I don't know why. Maybe they're trying to keep the vampires away.
More photos on Angela Photo Musings
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Gross
On weather.com, it says the weather in Beijing is "foggy." I think the more correct term is "pollution haze."
I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area. I know what fog looks like. This is not fog. Gross.
I'm from the San Francisco Bay Area. I know what fog looks like. This is not fog. Gross.
Facing north on my street at 1 PM
Facing south at 1 PM
NOTE: Aside from re-sizing the images, I did not Photoshop either of these photos. This is really what it looks like outside.
Nujie Mosque
Despite my personal conflicted opinions on religion, religious structures fascinate me. I've been very fortunate to see many different religious structures through my travels but most of them have been of the temple, church or cathedral variety. I've visited very few synagogues and mosques. So upon realizing there is a mosque in Beijing dating back to the 10th century, I was more than eager to go see it for myself.
The Nujie Mosque (also known as the Cow Street Mosque) is located in the Xuanwu district of Beijing, in the southern portion of Beijing. From the exterior, the mosque could pass just another old Chinese temple. But upon on closer inspection, you can see Muslim influences on the decor, including Arabic writing on the beams. Inside the prayer hall is a completely different story. From what I could see (I am not allowed in since I'm not Muslim), the interiors are elaborately decorated in a much more Islamic manner with gold Arabic writing covering the arches.
For those of you who are wondering, Islam has been present in China since the 7th century. Nowadays, there is an estimated 20 million Muslims in China, most of which are concentrated in western China. The largest Muslim minority group in China are the Hui people, who are often easily recognized by their characteristic white hats and beards.
The area surrounding the mosque is also primarily inhabited by Chinese Muslims. There are many Muslim shops and restaurants nearby.
To enter the mosque, unless you are Muslim, you must pay a 10 RMB entrance fee. However for some reason or another (maybe because it was already 4:30 PM), the man who sold me the ticket only charged me 5 RMB. He told me why but because his regional accent was very thick and he spoke quickly, I didn't catch the reason.
The mosque itself isn't very large. It's enclosed from the rest of the city by stone walls, making it a very serene environment. Inside the courtyard, several old men sat in front the prayer hall passing time and chatting. They were very kind and asked me where I was from and I explained in return that I am from the United States but currently studying at BNU.
Since I arrived around 4:30 in the afternoon, I was luckily enough to witness the 4:45 (sunset?) call to prayer (salat). In the past, I have known and lived with Muslims, so I am familiar with their ritual prayer but I never before witnessed an actual call to prayer at a mosque.
Around 4:45, a bell rang announcing it was time to pray. All the older men that had previously been sitting the courtyard took off their shoes, and scurried into the prayer hall while the Imam sang out from the courtyard for people to come pray. After he finished the song, the Imam walked to the front of the prayer hall, he led the men into prayer (the women pray in a separate hall).
Personally, I do not believe in religion, so naturally I do not pray. Despite this, I found observing the men pray very calming and honorable. It's definitely admirable that five times a day, these men are able to put aside whatever other thoughts they may have and focus solely on the act of prayer. I'm not sure if I have the concentration to do that.
In the United States and also in Europe, Isalm has been a big point of contention, especially within the last ten years. In the United States at least, I'm ashamed to say that many people are fearful of Islam and Muslims for no real reason at all. Even trying to build a mosque in the United States seems near impossible. Someday hopefully this will change.
Side note: Religion in China is still a very complicated issue. At BNU, we're often to reminded that it's best to only practice religion in areas designated to practice religion, e.g. a church or a mosque.
The Nujie Mosque (also known as the Cow Street Mosque) is located in the Xuanwu district of Beijing, in the southern portion of Beijing. From the exterior, the mosque could pass just another old Chinese temple. But upon on closer inspection, you can see Muslim influences on the decor, including Arabic writing on the beams. Inside the prayer hall is a completely different story. From what I could see (I am not allowed in since I'm not Muslim), the interiors are elaborately decorated in a much more Islamic manner with gold Arabic writing covering the arches.
For those of you who are wondering, Islam has been present in China since the 7th century. Nowadays, there is an estimated 20 million Muslims in China, most of which are concentrated in western China. The largest Muslim minority group in China are the Hui people, who are often easily recognized by their characteristic white hats and beards.
The area surrounding the mosque is also primarily inhabited by Chinese Muslims. There are many Muslim shops and restaurants nearby.
To enter the mosque, unless you are Muslim, you must pay a 10 RMB entrance fee. However for some reason or another (maybe because it was already 4:30 PM), the man who sold me the ticket only charged me 5 RMB. He told me why but because his regional accent was very thick and he spoke quickly, I didn't catch the reason.
The mosque itself isn't very large. It's enclosed from the rest of the city by stone walls, making it a very serene environment. Inside the courtyard, several old men sat in front the prayer hall passing time and chatting. They were very kind and asked me where I was from and I explained in return that I am from the United States but currently studying at BNU.
Since I arrived around 4:30 in the afternoon, I was luckily enough to witness the 4:45 (sunset?) call to prayer (salat). In the past, I have known and lived with Muslims, so I am familiar with their ritual prayer but I never before witnessed an actual call to prayer at a mosque.
Around 4:45, a bell rang announcing it was time to pray. All the older men that had previously been sitting the courtyard took off their shoes, and scurried into the prayer hall while the Imam sang out from the courtyard for people to come pray. After he finished the song, the Imam walked to the front of the prayer hall, he led the men into prayer (the women pray in a separate hall).
Personally, I do not believe in religion, so naturally I do not pray. Despite this, I found observing the men pray very calming and honorable. It's definitely admirable that five times a day, these men are able to put aside whatever other thoughts they may have and focus solely on the act of prayer. I'm not sure if I have the concentration to do that.
In the United States and also in Europe, Isalm has been a big point of contention, especially within the last ten years. In the United States at least, I'm ashamed to say that many people are fearful of Islam and Muslims for no real reason at all. Even trying to build a mosque in the United States seems near impossible. Someday hopefully this will change.
Old men in the courtyard passing time
Imam singing out the call to prayer
Side note: Religion in China is still a very complicated issue. At BNU, we're often to reminded that it's best to only practice religion in areas designated to practice religion, e.g. a church or a mosque.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
On my way to the 798 Space: a mini-adventure
On Tuesday, I set out to check out Beijing's 798 Space, an art district in the outskirts of Beijing. But before I tell you all about 798, I have to tell you about my journey over to 798. Because, as the saying goes, the journey is half the battle.
As I mentioned previously, 798 is located in the outskirts of Beijing, just north of the Fourth Ring Road. Since there isn't a direct way to get out to 798 solely using the subway, I looked on Google Maps for a good bus route(s) to take out there from BNU. Dutifully, Google Maps quickly spit out directions that seemed to coincide with the directions on the 798 website and I, of course, not knowing any better followed them.
But, as I'm sure you've guessed by now, those directions were not correct. According to the directions and map, the stop I was instructed to get off at would place me directly at the entrance to 798. Wrong. Very wrong. You know where I ended up instead? On a paved road that had a dirt sidewalk on one side and a walled field around it on the other; in other words..it almost looked like the countryside. Definitely not where I wanted to be*.
After a few minutes of deliberation with myself and tentative walking around to make sure I really was in the wrong area, I decided to go ask the receptionist at a business hotel that luckily for me was located at the bust stop I had gotten off at. I have no idea what a business hotel (let alone a nice business hotel) was doing there all the way outside of the city, but nevertheless the receptionist was very kind when I asked her for directions (in Mandarin!).
As it turns out, I had completely overshot the 798 Space. In fact, I was so far that I couldn't even walk to it. I had to take a different bus back the way I came for roughly 10-15 minutes. (Needless to say, there isn't a dirt sidewalk over by 798; it's paved.)
All I have to say is, thanks, Google Maps; you were always so reliable before, but this time, you led me way astray. I don't appreciate that.
Regardless, I did eventually get to 798 after that little detour and it was definitely worth it. Using the abandon East German electronic factories from the 1950's, Bejing's contemporary art community has re-claimed the factories and turned them into various art galleries, cafes and stores. Since the factory workshops are sufficiently large, they are perfect for displaying art and large scale multimedia installations.
In some ways, 798 greatly reminded me of Brooklyn and Oakland/Emeryville, where many old warehouses have been converted into artist work-live lofts, among other uses. The space is also seemed very contained and separate from the bustling city that surrounded it; much like how Brooklyn always seems calmer than Manhattan.
Even the most of the other visitors of 798 seemed like they belonged in Brooklyn or Oakland. They all were young, like me, hip and interested in contemporary art and culture. It's the type of place I know a lot of my friends from home & New York would love.
Overall, it was a great outing for that day and I'll definitely be returning to 798 again (but not that dirt sidewalk place). And I have to say, I'm a proud of myself for figuring out how to go to my original destination, despite having completely misleading directions.
Here are some photos from 798. I should've taken one of the bus stop I got off when I was lost, but I didn't think of it at the time. Sorry!
For more info about the 798 Space: http://www.798space.com/index_en.asp
*Note: For those of you concerned with my safety, rest assured that this detour occurred around noon on a sunny day and despite the country-esque surroundings, there were other people and cars around. I was in no danger whatsoever.
As I mentioned previously, 798 is located in the outskirts of Beijing, just north of the Fourth Ring Road. Since there isn't a direct way to get out to 798 solely using the subway, I looked on Google Maps for a good bus route(s) to take out there from BNU. Dutifully, Google Maps quickly spit out directions that seemed to coincide with the directions on the 798 website and I, of course, not knowing any better followed them.
But, as I'm sure you've guessed by now, those directions were not correct. According to the directions and map, the stop I was instructed to get off at would place me directly at the entrance to 798. Wrong. Very wrong. You know where I ended up instead? On a paved road that had a dirt sidewalk on one side and a walled field around it on the other; in other words..it almost looked like the countryside. Definitely not where I wanted to be*.
After a few minutes of deliberation with myself and tentative walking around to make sure I really was in the wrong area, I decided to go ask the receptionist at a business hotel that luckily for me was located at the bust stop I had gotten off at. I have no idea what a business hotel (let alone a nice business hotel) was doing there all the way outside of the city, but nevertheless the receptionist was very kind when I asked her for directions (in Mandarin!).
As it turns out, I had completely overshot the 798 Space. In fact, I was so far that I couldn't even walk to it. I had to take a different bus back the way I came for roughly 10-15 minutes. (Needless to say, there isn't a dirt sidewalk over by 798; it's paved.)
All I have to say is, thanks, Google Maps; you were always so reliable before, but this time, you led me way astray. I don't appreciate that.
Regardless, I did eventually get to 798 after that little detour and it was definitely worth it. Using the abandon East German electronic factories from the 1950's, Bejing's contemporary art community has re-claimed the factories and turned them into various art galleries, cafes and stores. Since the factory workshops are sufficiently large, they are perfect for displaying art and large scale multimedia installations.
In some ways, 798 greatly reminded me of Brooklyn and Oakland/Emeryville, where many old warehouses have been converted into artist work-live lofts, among other uses. The space is also seemed very contained and separate from the bustling city that surrounded it; much like how Brooklyn always seems calmer than Manhattan.
Even the most of the other visitors of 798 seemed like they belonged in Brooklyn or Oakland. They all were young, like me, hip and interested in contemporary art and culture. It's the type of place I know a lot of my friends from home & New York would love.
Overall, it was a great outing for that day and I'll definitely be returning to 798 again (but not that dirt sidewalk place). And I have to say, I'm a proud of myself for figuring out how to go to my original destination, despite having completely misleading directions.
Here are some photos from 798. I should've taken one of the bus stop I got off when I was lost, but I didn't think of it at the time. Sorry!
I'm not convinced the Italian(?) here actually means what it says in English & Chinese, but I like the sentiment.
I'm not exactly sure why the Chinese military acts as security here. Maybe 798 lies right outside of Beijing Security's jurisdiction. Either way, this guy doesn't seem to be doing much.
For more info about the 798 Space: http://www.798space.com/index_en.asp
*Note: For those of you concerned with my safety, rest assured that this detour occurred around noon on a sunny day and despite the country-esque surroundings, there were other people and cars around. I was in no danger whatsoever.
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