WuXi (Marcus)

The weather was somewhat better today than yesterday. While the temperature must have been somewhere in the mid-teens, the wind was still quite cold, but at least the rain had stopped. We decided to spend the afternoon in WuXi, with the main event being a 'Western Meal' in TGI Friday's.

We caught the bus in which was as usual, standing and bracing yourself as the bus ducks and weaves it's way through traffic and uneven roads while the bus's TV entertainment screens blast at a level just above maximum. One thing we have noticed about the Chinese is they don't seem to recognize that noise level on a radio/tv which is where it just starts to distort. In Metro the other day, there was this stereo system beside the shoe section blasting music and announcements out in full distortion mode. Courtney and I were talking about it - how can anyone, be they Chinese, Indian, Greek, Aboriginal whatever...how can ANYONE have sound pumping out at that level and just carry about their business as if it's not there?!

So our first stop was the Nanchang Temple and market complex where we have been several times before. We had to buy a few things(including a boat load of pirated DVD's for me :):):) - throw your ethics out the window in this country folks). I also woofed down a bigmac meal at the nearby McDonalds - thoroughly satisfying. Moreso when you have a window bench seat facing out and basically become the western monkeys on display eating western hamburgers!! I showed them how it's done however, putting the Mac down in around 14 seconds tops.

The temple is actually a really cool place. There are different sections with so many different kinds of things for sale it's not funny, all amongst some absolutely awesome 'authentic' looking Chinese architecture. We definitely like exploring this place.

Sunday's at the Nanchang Temple have market stalls, rides for the kids like this bubble water thing - a really great family atmosphere. It feels like we're out doing what the Chinese are doing. I had to tell Courtney over and over to the point we almost had a fight, NO, you are NOT going in the water bubble!

We have found so many cats in China it's not funny. Every time we find one we have to go talk to it because we're slowly turning into weird cat people. There was this huge aquarium area in the market - no not like Metro's food section - actual pet fish this time, and around it...heaps of cats! Cats in cages, cat's just hanging out. One cat was absolutely dead to the world asleep on top of a fish tank - the fish tank's light keeping it's belly hell warm. Cats make us very very happy. When we see them we get these big dumb grins on our face and bee-line to them.

Beside the aquarium was an area packed to the rafters with birds. Some really beautiful birds in there actually - looked sort of like Butcher birds with really striking yellow markings by their heads.

We were walking around through an area with lots of plants and we are hearing this PEEP PEEP PEEP like a baby chicken, but we couldn't see where it was coming from, until I spotted this little boy walking by with a tiny plastic bag in his hand and in the bag? Yep baby chicken. Later on we found a few guys like the one above, equipped with Box 'O' Chicks.

Here's a classic example of Chinese see, Chinese do. A branch on a nice looking Pine tree(i think) about eye-height - nice and flat, perfect place to put an empty cup! Who needs bins when the tree's are so convenient. That cup incidentally contains the milk tea that is my favourite new addiction.

One of the other things i bought in the Temple Market today was an actual FULL-sized coffee mug. You just cant find the damned things over here. I had a choice of the above Japanese Anime image or 50 or so Chinese rock star looking punces..I took the Anime.

And like every other product in China, it was dirty. It's amazing, most things you buy here in shops are actually dirty. The Pig mugs Mr Pan's daughter bought for us as a gift? Needed to be washed hardcore. When I had a good look at this cup when I got it home I thought -hmm it's actually not too bad - so ran my finger across the bottom of it's inside...ah there we go, China.

So with our shopping done, we headed back into the city centre to have an early western meal at TGI Fridays. We both love asian cuisine, but I think you get to a stage where you just crave familiar food - like chips. We went to TGI's where the staff spoke quite good English. It was nice and clean and felt good. We were the only Westerners there, though saw one older western man leave. Then one came in..then another...then a pair of them, then four of them, then there's another at the bar. Pretty soon WE ARE THE WESTERN MAJORITY.

Now this is where things feel weird in China. We talk often about wanting western company - like when we met Barb in Shanghai - it felt wonderful to just walk around and talk with her like we do back home - but here...and actually in Shanghai too - we just feel WEIRD around other westerners. We don't want to make eye contact, let alone talk to them.

Of the men (haven't seen a western woman here yet) in TGI Friday's, one arrived before another and sat by himself at the table. He gave us a sort of scowly perusal in passing as he went to sit down. When his friend arrived - both men were in their 40's, the friend had an american accent. The other stood up and moved to him, saying in a loud(but jokey) voice, "Turn Around!! Turn Around!!!" then proceeded to try and give him a kick in the ass. His friend is like, "Oh ho ho ho you Frenchies are so aggressive," or something. I'm just sitting there thinking...wankers.

These guys embody what I assume a considerable portion of Western Expats would be like in this country. From these dickheads, over by the door we have the very meek, very polite Chinese waitress who sort of man's the main door, opening it and welcoming people in. It is obvious these guys feel they are superior to the Chinese - you can just feel it - they simply exude some kind of vibe that we instantly pick up.

I was watching the staff in Pizza Hut last week, and felt the same today. Do the Chinese staff feel awkward serving us - westerners, in a clearly western restaurant? A place they are all but forced into trying to speak English - a place that would attract quite possibly any westerners in the city at any time. It looks like they are timid because of this, and I can almost imagine how it would feel to them.

I don't know what it is about other westerners, but it almost felt refreshing to be outside and amongst nothing but the Chinese again. Inside we left the western rich men in their western restaurant, showing off with their western money like absolute twats. Ok they weren't that bad, not even half, but the little pantomime with the foot up the ass really made us think this way of them.

We are curious to check out some of the expat haunts in town, particularly a bar called Blue Bar, and an Aussie Pub type place, however we feel weirded out whenever we see other westerners in WuXi and really don't wish to have any dealings with them. YET, back at the school, all on our lonesome, we talk about how we would love it if the school employed another couple..you know, brothers in arms.

Who the hell knows really, maybe the tiny droplets of Chinese water that make their way into my mouth while I shower are finally getting to me.