Chinese Construction Workers in The Mud Drilling

Chinese Construction Workers in The Mud Drilling, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

Julianne and I went out for dinner tonight to meet with a friend who unfortunately we ended up missing somehow . . .

We watched these construction workers while we waited and I snapped a few shots.

Other Chinese people walking by us would stop and come over to the railing near us to see what we were watching too. Some decided it was interesting too and stayed for a while, lol.

Julianne was a really big hit with the boys as several went off shift and walked past.

Anyways, at least I got a few nice pics while waiting . . . and waiting . . . and then finally giving up and going to get Korean BBQ.

Oh well.

J

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Because almost stepping on a dead rat barefoot first thing in the morning is fun–NOT

Because stepping on a dead rat barefoot first thing in the morning is fun–NOT!, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

Woke up a few days ago and opened the door to our kitchen (it’s usually closed and we have a mop handle tied to the door handle to keep it closed so our little friendly visitors don’t roam about the apartment at night) . . .

I walk over to the counter thinking about what I want to have for breakfast, and then wonder if any more rats or mice have been leaving their little ‘gifts’ on the floors and counter tops so that we have to do another massive daily cleaning of the kitchen . . .

I look around and don’t see any new poo . . . and then I turn and see the GIANT DEAD RAT on the floor in front of the doorway I had just walked through in my BARE FEET!!!

I don’t know how I missed stepping on Mr. Rat–but I’m freaking happy as hell that I don’t know what dead-rat-under-my-bare-foot feels like!!!

Julianne and I are NOT going to miss this apartment after we leave!

J

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Fireworks Shop Day Before 2011 Lunar New Year in Changsha, China

 

2011 January 30 Metro Before Lunar New Year 003, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

Julianne and I saw this firework’s store while riding a bus to Metro just before the Lunar New Year in China. Usually fireworks are not on display so far out onto the sidewalk . . . this was definitely a sign that Julianne and I were going to be in for a New Year’s Eve fireworks display that we could not begin to imagine in scope and volume.

I’d have to say how fireworks are used in China has been one of my bigger culture shock experiences, lol.

J

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2011 Lunar New Years Fireworks in Changsha, China

2011 Lunar New Years Fireworks in Changsha, China VII, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

I should post a blog (albeit a little late) about our experience during Lunar New Year’s eve in China.

I can sum it up one word: BLAM!

Changhsha has, I think, the largest number of fireworks’ factories in all of China. Having such a huge supply of fireworks at hand seems to mean that during the year they are set off on a daily basis at all times of the day and night.

Having such a large supply of fireworks at hand during the Lunar New Year’s festival, and especially on New Year’s eve, seems to mean setting off enough fireworks as to make one think they are in the middle of a WAR ZONE!

On New Year’s eve Julianne and I were watching a movie with the volume on my surround sound system at about medium power–and I had to turn it up beginning around 10pm; then I turned it up more at 10:30pm; then I turned it up MORE at 10:45pm . . .

Finally, at MAX POWER we still couldn’t hear the dialog in the movie because the fireworks being set off literally ALL AROUND us were so loud that we couldn’t hear anything INSIDE OUR APARTMENT.

I went outside and took some pics. This is one of my favorites.

The ‘end of the world’ soundtrack aka beginning of the new year lasted till about 1:30am or so.

Welcome to China!

Happy New Year!

J

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Drying Fish and Laundry on a Line in Changsha, China

Drying Fish and Laundry on a Line in China I, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

While walking around with my camera a while ago I saw meat and fish hung outside to dry–next to drying laundry.

Awesome.

J

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Meguai – I have dirty paws, and I don’t care!

Meguai Day 2 027 – I have dirty paws, and I don’t care!, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

Julianne and I have now witnessed Meguai’s curtain climbing prowess several times. From the curtains she then moves onto the top of our heating unit (it’s mounted on the wall), and then from there she jumps up onto the wooden curtain hanging thingy (don’t know the name) where she likes to look down at all of us puny mortals, and take naps too.

The bugger is, those places are so high up that they don’t get cleaned and the dust load is pretty bad. Hence the filthy paws . . .

Meguai doesn’t seem to mind, though, and it looks like her ascensions will be a daily habit while she stays with us.

As long as she doesn’t decide to descend onto our backs from about 14 feet up in the air I’m okay with her habit!

J

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Meimei – ‘End of a Yawn’ or ‘Satanic Grin’?

 

Meimei Day 2 019 – End of a Yawn, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

When I took this picture Meimei was actually just finishing a big yawn but it also looks like she’s got this Satanic grin going on–and after what happened earlier today I’m going with the Satanic grin!

I’m standing in our computer room talking to Julianne when suddenly I feel a sensation on my back . . . four groupings of pin pricks and a sudden pulling on the back of my shirt all happened at the same time . . .

It was Meimei! She was climbing up my back with her claws! Amy had warned us about how her cats do this sometimes–but I thought I’d have to be bent over or something for them to jump up on me!

The even bigger shocker is Meimei is a con artist of the first order. She pretends to be timid and scared at the least little sound or movement, and yet has NO PROBLEMS WITH CLIMBING THE LARGE CANADIAN MAN!!!

Anyways, Julianne’s also had a dose of Meimei’s mountaineering skills. In Julianne’s case though, it happened after a shower, and you
can fill in the rest with imagining what kind of sounds a woman makes when a cat jumps on her back to try and climb higher . . . yeah.

Meimei’s new book, “The Art of Claws,” will be coming to bookstores and ebook sites soon.

J

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Motorcycle Meat Shop in China – Best Pic Yet!

 

Motorcycle Meat Shop in China – Best Pic Yet!, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

Ever since I saw one of the motorcycle meat shops driving down the street I’ve been trying to get a really sharp and clear picture of one–and I think this is ‘the’ shot.

I tried with my Sigma 10-20mm wide angle lens, but either I’m not choosing the best settings on my Canon 400D when I compose the shot, or the Sigma lens isn’t delivering what I want. I like the Sigma lens, and usually am satisfied with it, but in this case my Canon ES-71II 50mm lens got the pic I wanted.

Now I just have to get a picture of the mobile meat shop driving down the street!

J

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Chinese Food – Beef, Potato Slices and Veggies in a Pot

Chinese Food – Beef, Potato Slices and Veggies in a Pot, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

Another beef dish worth blogging about . . . we ate this a while ago, but the metal serving dish it came out in was neat, and the flavors and quality of the dish were great.

One thing western cultures need to learn/re-learn from China, South Korea, and other Asian countries is how to serve food hot, and keep it hot while you’re eating.

J

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Drying Fish in China

Drying Fish in China I, originally uploaded by Serenity in China.

During the five years and change that I lived and taught English in South Korea I don’t remember seeing as many lines hung with drying fish as I’m seeing here in Changhsa, China.

Maybe it’s because I didn’t have my Canon 400D during the time I lived on Ganghwa Island, or because later on I was stressed out and tired by my work schedule and just didn’t notice . . . but even with the Pentax point and shoot camera I had I was still taking a lot of pictures–I just don’t have any of drying fish on a line or hook like I’ve seen here.

Anyways, seeing the more traditional ways of preserving foods is fantastic–and makes me think about how much we’ve lost with the modernization of food.

J

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