The not so subtle differences in China…

Travis Sherwin/Orlando

There are a few subtle differences that really stand out after you spend a few weeks in China.

Let’s start with food. The Chinese really love corn. It’s everywhere. You see people eating it on street corners. You see them eating it while they ride their bicycles. You see it on their vegetarian pizza.

Corn on pizza

Another Chinese favorite – potatoes. Dominos Pizza delivers tater tots; traditional Chinese restaurants have multiple dishes featuring potatoes; and the meals at our workspace always include spuds.

I’ve had baby potatoes, roasted potatoes, sauteed potatoes with leeks, mashed potatoes, potato wedges, potato cakes, baked potatoes, and today’s selection, scalloped potatoes.

Scalloped potatoes

Finally, there’s a subtle difference in the bathrooms here. No paper towels. They use tissues instead. Ever notice how little water is absorbed by a tissue? If you haven’t, try it. The fewest I can get by with per wash is three. Plus, they stick to your hands.

Tissues to dry your hands

Alone, these small items are minor issues. But, day after day, they start making their impact. It will be a long time before I have another potato. I’m off corn for a while, too. And as for tissues, I’m not planning on catching a cold any time soon!

-Travis

Chips Ahoy!

Jaime Brassard/Berlin, VT

This will be my last chip related entry.  I invite you, now, to watch as we play GUESS THAT FLAVOR!

 

 done

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Things You Can’t Do in China

Travis Sherwin/Orlando

There are a lot of signs around Beijing telling you what you cannot do. It’s probably no more than in America, but it’s really spelled out here.

Here’s list of what you can’t do at the Summer Palace, a popular historical tourist attraction:

You Can't Do This

No motorcycle riding.

No picking flowers.

No sitting on the railings.

No taxis.

No littering.

No playing of music.

No rollerblading.

No ballplaying.

No guns.

No dogs.

No fireworks.

No open fires.

On my way out, I noticed this sign:

What Does This Mean?

Mady, my new friend and translator, said it means, “No open fires in cars.” Who knew that open fires in cars were so popular that you needed a sign to prevent them? (There’s a good chance this sign’s true meaning is lost in translation.)

The wait for a cab as we left the Summer Palace was impossibly long, so I chose to ride in this:

Traditional Rickshaw

It’s a common sight on the streets of Beijing – a traditional rickshaw. We hired the driver to take us to a restaurant for lunch. He told us the ride would be $20 yuan.

Price Haggling

After arriving at the restaurant, the driver told us, “Oh, no, it’s not $20 yuan, it’s $20 yuan per person.”

Mady wasn’t very pleased, but we agreed that the guy probably needed it given the condition of his rickshaw.

And $40 yuan is only $6.70 in U.S. dollars.

-Travis

My Dinner with Bing

Jaime Brassard/ Berlin, VT

Yesterday, after shooting a story in the suburbs of Beijing, Aixa, our translator Mady, our Driver Bing and myself went to lunch.  We told Bing to find us a place, and he did.  It was probably the Chinese equivalent of a dive restaurant.  It didn’t look all that clean or inviting.  There were no pictures on the menus.  But Bing said it was okay, and we trusted him.  And he was right. 

 

 The food was pretty good.  I have no idea what it was called or, really, what was in it, and I had a little trouble with the noodles…

 

 

Mady tried to help  but they were just to long.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The best part of the meal was the part that Bing ordered.  He asked us if we like potatoes when we ordered.  When we said we did, he pointed to the menu and this is what arrived.

It’s chunks of potato, deep fried, and covered in carmelized sugar.  It sounded weird but it was really tasty.  Bing taught us how to eat it.  First…

Grab a chunk, and pull it free from the mass of potatoes.  In the process, you are supposed to gather up the sugar strings that are formed, and then….

You dip the chunk in water to cool it down.  Due to being deep fried, and covered in molten sugar, these puppies are pretty hot! And finally….

You pop it in your mouth, and burn your tounge, because it really is too hot and you didn’t leave it in the water enough to cool it down.

Ow. 

Still HOT!

But delicious and surely something I never would have tried if I hadn’t come to Beijing.

Beijing High-Rises

Travis Sherwin/Orlando

Beijing is a city of high-rise buildings. Twenty-plus stories is very common. The elevator companies have got to be making a killing.

Directly across from my hotel are five identical apartment buildings. I’ve walked by them many times. Either no one lives there, or they must be so happy there that they never leave, because I’ve never seen anyone go through the doors.

Apartments

To the left, is this office tower. Again, twenty-plus stories. The building is closed because it is directly across from the Bird’s Nest. There must be hundreds of people enjoying their Olympic vacation.

Office Tower

To the right, another office tower. Again, closed. I wonder if the companies that lease space there get reimbursed for the business they are losing. Likely, not.

Office Building

The Chinese people say it’s their duty to help make these Olympic Games a success. There are many volunteers doing everything from directing traffic to picking up trash.

Volunteers

Here’s a view of the outside of the boxing venue. All the people dressed in blue are volunteers. If you’re ever lost, or can’t find the restroom, the folks in blue are your best friends.

-Travis

How do you make 9 Americans in Beijing Happy?

Jaime Brassard/ Berlin, VT

You turn this….

Into  this!

 And yes that did say corn cup.  Just one of the many little diferences.

Raining Buckets!

Travis Sherwin/Orlando

 

Today, it rained. Nearly all day. It postponed almost all of the outdoor events.

I’ve learned that you must always carry your umbrella with you in Beijing. It is the rainy season.

Necessary Accessory

Our translator, and my new friend, Mady, says that umbrellas give you freedom. You find out exactly what she means when you’re caught in a downpour without one!

The man below must be a Beijing native. These people have raincoats that they seem to pull them out of nowhere.

Beijing Native

One thing I’ve noticed, the drainage here is very, very poor. The streets are in great shape, but when it rains there are 3, 4 even 6 inch deep, puddles everywhere.

Drainage is an issue

The rain isn’t all bad – it clears the skies for the next day. So tomorrow, I’m breaking out the sunglasses!

-Travis

Interesting Transportation – Part 2

Travis Sherwin/Orlando

I continue to be amazed by the different types of transportation in Beijing.

This is a typical modern rickshaw. You see a lot of these on the streets.

Modern Rickshaw

If you want to get where you’re going sooner, pick the rickshaw below. It’s motorized!

Another Rickshaw

I found this truck in an Olympic area. I think it’s a sanitation truck. I doubt you’d see one of these driving through the Beijing ‘hood.’

Sanitiation Truck?

Then, there’s this guy. I don’t know what he’s hauling, but I’ll bet it’s everything he owns.

Very Overloaded!

And, if you really want to cruise around the capital of China in style, you’ll pick up one of these:

Ferrari Dealership

It could be yours for a few million yuan. I haven’t seen anything remotely this exotic driving around, but someone must own one. This dealership is right around the corner from my hotel.

-Travis