November 7, 2005
Only Beijing or Bust could make a visit to Maggie's into such a delightfully innocent piece:
Steve later told me that the girl talking to me, Sophia, had the best body, which I didn’t notice. I liked her personality though. At the tender age of 20, she had the flightiness of a young kid, bouncing around me constantly.
“Later on this place will be more fun. There will be a lot more people after 11.” Sophia sipped her drink. Two new Caucasian customers walked in. She glanced at them and mentioned casually, “I actually like Chinese guys a lot more than the white devils.” I liked her immediately.
And look, my Top Ten made it onto the China Blog List!
[ Archived ]
November 11, 2005
Via the Oriental-List:
November 9 Threat Message Retracted
The Chinese Ministry of Public Security informed the U.S. Embassy in Beijing on November 10th that Chinese security authorities have determined that the source of a reported threat against four and five star hotels in China is not credible. The United States Government is not aware of any other information of any threat against hotels in China, including Hong Kong. Our warden message of November 9th on threats to hotels is therefore retracted.
This is exactly what went through my mind when I first heard the official warning, but I never expected the PSB to come right out and say it themselves. Why not? Via the BBC:
China is often accused of exaggerating the threat of Islamic militancy to justify its crackdown on groups such as its Uighur minority in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang.
So, good on the PSB!
[ Archived ]
November 19, 2005
Wow, if this Suzhou Creek ferry became a reality it would be awesome:
Besides the two stops near Waibaidu Bridge and Dahua Qingshuiwan, the report also proposed setting up a stop at Mengqingyuan Park.
The ticket price was suggested to range between 6 yuan (74 US cents) and 15 yuan, depending on the distance.
[ Archived ]
November 21, 2005
Marxy:
Later, I'm with real Swedes who pronounce the word "Georgia" like they're from Macon. Not only do they speak English ultra-fluently, but they're comfortable conversing in a second tongue in front of each other, which is something nearly impossible for the ever growing numbers of foreign Japanese speakers.
Substitute "Chinese" for "Japanese". I've tasted it, but it's not common. Ah, that will be the day.
[ Archived ]
November 22, 2005
Classic Shanghai from Asa:
What was particularly funny was the "massage parlor" that was the last thing on the block to go, ever eminating it's pink light at the end of the dark demolished street. One day there were women's silhouettes standing in the doorway and a warm inviting glow amidst an entire street of rubble, the next the roof and front were bashed in and a dirty worker through things out from inside the collapsed den as if looting an already pillaged warzone, scavenging for left overs. ...old bricks?
From Time Magazine, How Christianity Thrives in China:
Time observed 20 church members kneeling on pillows laid on the tiled floor of an elder's apartment for a home-church prayer session. It's the kind of service police can break up, if they choose. For a half hour attendees took turns. "Lord, let China be Christian," invoked one woman. Amen, they said. "China has made economic progress, but the nation is empty." Many voices mumbled affirmation. "Let the country's new leaders hear us and protect us." Hallelujah. Then they recited the Lord's prayer, drank warm water with honey, and departed into the night.
Time observed...
Hey, it's like writing for Shanghaiist.
[ Archived ]