After the southern China dash was the mad week-long conference including one day of workshops from companies about how they are responsible companies, which I organised. This went well and the rest of the conference went very well too. In fact it ended quite emotionally...and I had to tell myself to shut-up!
Conferences are great things...intense, hard work and lots of fun. Its a great way of getting to know more about Chinese culture (specifically from the youth perspective) -from sex to tiananmen square to entrepreneurship and so on. I hope I have a better understanding of Chinese culture now...but still lots to learn, and language issues to overcome. I had 1 day to sort of relax in Shanghai before flying off to Thailand in beautiful weather; arriving at 2am totally exhausted from not having slep for 7 days and then woke up to see the pool and then explore Bangkok.
Yes, its interesting and yes, its very, very Asian. Its great, but also quite predictable. Its quite laid back and quite cheap. There are the little tuk-tuks (3 wheeler open sided taxis) and boats speeding along the canals and rivers. The city is an interesting mix -a huge number of foreigners working and travelling, a big mix of new and old housing next to each other and a massive number of temples and other buddhist things right next to backpacker bars or expat bars.
After being taken for a ride, literally and figuratively on a 'see 4 temples for cheap cause its governmnent promotion day (Chinese New Year being the reason given to us), we had a fantastic seafood meal last night and this morning continued to not sleep in order to wake at 6.30 and do a bike tour around the local countryside. It was 1 trip that was absolutely fantastic with over 50 photos taken, several bums hurting and more by the end. We really felt like we were off the beaten track; be it on the boat or the bike. Photos will be up when i get some time (2007, maybe?).
First impressions are of a country that caters very much for the middle and upper classes with a pretty expensive subway system and few eating places that are as budget as you expect to find hidden in alleys for the locals.. i guess they must be there somewhere. Me, Echo and Evelyn are having a great time, and Echo's family are great hosts...20 of them have flown in for Chinese New Year so we have lots of eating and other traditional stuff to do before doing a 6 day dash around the country (of sorts).
We did not come across the supposed demonstration against the prime minister by his former political openent/currently a talkshow host but did enjoy some wonderful 'pad thai' and local beer. There is always an incentive to go to sleep when the next day you will go to the pool, an imperial palace, eat at the Hyatt and arrange tickets to see watefalls, elephants and the most perfect beaches in the World.
For now, work shall wait, sleep shall beckon and...zzzz
Friday, January 27, 2006
Monday, January 16, 2006
Cities
Cities are interesting since they are found everywhere and serve the same purpose, yet each is different...but how different?
Coming to china and returning to the UK has reminded me what makes a city. In the UK most cities have been under redevelopment for over 30 years -it started after the War I guess with the economic restructuring of the economy away from manufacturing. Cities had to find new sources of employment and new sources of 'life'. Now the focus is on 'community'; designing whole districts, shopping, community services, transport and so on designed to create a sense of community, to reduce crime and so on.
In China, since so many bits of cities have been ripped up and rebuilt in just a few years (often without the previous occupiers having much of a say in the matter) and money has been spent 'willy-nilly' sometimes (i.e. our building will be the tallest, our hotel will have the highest revolving restaurant, our building will have the most glass, ours will have the most fancy shops inside etc), then it can be easy for a city to lose what identity or community it had.
In the last few days I have been back to Hong Kong which is a city that seems to not know what it is. More visibly Chinese than any city in mainland China but one where most people speak english, the signs are in both languages and you'll find the most advanced buildings or technology and the most diverse countries represented culturally in the residents, than any in the World. Maybe it will find its identity in the future. Right now everyone just works so hard, no-one has time to think about it!
I also went to Shenzhen, a small town that 25 years ago had 30,000 people and is now a city with a bigger population than London; full of China's richest (indeed its sometimes known as the play area of the rich -where hong kong and guangdong residents come to spend their money -though its no Monte Carlo at all, and nearby Macau draws teh gambling crowd) yet 8 million of the 10 million residents are workers..and mostly migrant workers (apparently). I was not there long enough to find out what the city is... but its nice enough to walk around, brand spanking new... probably not much community, culture or identity though.
Guangzhou is where i have been for a few more days, and this is the center of China's economic boom centred on manufacturing. Coming here last time it just seemed like shops (i was only here 6 hours!), but it actually is very Chinese. Lots of old Chinese appartment blocks and noodle shops around the corner from 5 star hotels, french style cafes and bars full of the weirdest bunch of foreigners you'll find. They come from all over on business trips..maybe as buyers, maybe as traders, maybe just to find a chinese girl who is looking for a rich westerner. But they are a motley crew -most seem to be here temporarily (on trips) whereas BJ and SH tend to have those who are more residents than travellers. So it might just be the most typical chinese city -the best expression of China now. It has an identity, but its losing it to skyscrapers and subway lines. Just outside it are both rice paddies and massive factories -inside it are a few beggars lining the wide streets and a lot of expensive taxis. There seems little Chinese history or culture, as is typical of China: beijing and a couple of other towns are the exceptions...
40% of china's population already lives in urban areas and the biggest migration in earth's history is continuing apace. Thinking about the cities is a great symbol of China in general. Changing quickly but somehow managing to keep it's sense of Chinese-ness -just. Hopefully there will forever be the old people playing cards, the local traders lining the streets with 'crap on a rug' (maybe i could trademark that sentence!) or 'fruit in a truck/bucket/box-on-shoulders', a cyclist running you over and people serving 'lunch-in-a-box'. But when i walk outside now I could just as easily go to McDonalds, get given a prostitute's calling card, buy a fake DVD or spend my disposable income on fashion.
Actually I think I need a 'lunch-in-a-box' one last time before zipping off to Shanghai
Coming to china and returning to the UK has reminded me what makes a city. In the UK most cities have been under redevelopment for over 30 years -it started after the War I guess with the economic restructuring of the economy away from manufacturing. Cities had to find new sources of employment and new sources of 'life'. Now the focus is on 'community'; designing whole districts, shopping, community services, transport and so on designed to create a sense of community, to reduce crime and so on.
In China, since so many bits of cities have been ripped up and rebuilt in just a few years (often without the previous occupiers having much of a say in the matter) and money has been spent 'willy-nilly' sometimes (i.e. our building will be the tallest, our hotel will have the highest revolving restaurant, our building will have the most glass, ours will have the most fancy shops inside etc), then it can be easy for a city to lose what identity or community it had.
In the last few days I have been back to Hong Kong which is a city that seems to not know what it is. More visibly Chinese than any city in mainland China but one where most people speak english, the signs are in both languages and you'll find the most advanced buildings or technology and the most diverse countries represented culturally in the residents, than any in the World. Maybe it will find its identity in the future. Right now everyone just works so hard, no-one has time to think about it!
I also went to Shenzhen, a small town that 25 years ago had 30,000 people and is now a city with a bigger population than London; full of China's richest (indeed its sometimes known as the play area of the rich -where hong kong and guangdong residents come to spend their money -though its no Monte Carlo at all, and nearby Macau draws teh gambling crowd) yet 8 million of the 10 million residents are workers..and mostly migrant workers (apparently). I was not there long enough to find out what the city is... but its nice enough to walk around, brand spanking new... probably not much community, culture or identity though.
Guangzhou is where i have been for a few more days, and this is the center of China's economic boom centred on manufacturing. Coming here last time it just seemed like shops (i was only here 6 hours!), but it actually is very Chinese. Lots of old Chinese appartment blocks and noodle shops around the corner from 5 star hotels, french style cafes and bars full of the weirdest bunch of foreigners you'll find. They come from all over on business trips..maybe as buyers, maybe as traders, maybe just to find a chinese girl who is looking for a rich westerner. But they are a motley crew -most seem to be here temporarily (on trips) whereas BJ and SH tend to have those who are more residents than travellers. So it might just be the most typical chinese city -the best expression of China now. It has an identity, but its losing it to skyscrapers and subway lines. Just outside it are both rice paddies and massive factories -inside it are a few beggars lining the wide streets and a lot of expensive taxis. There seems little Chinese history or culture, as is typical of China: beijing and a couple of other towns are the exceptions...
40% of china's population already lives in urban areas and the biggest migration in earth's history is continuing apace. Thinking about the cities is a great symbol of China in general. Changing quickly but somehow managing to keep it's sense of Chinese-ness -just. Hopefully there will forever be the old people playing cards, the local traders lining the streets with 'crap on a rug' (maybe i could trademark that sentence!) or 'fruit in a truck/bucket/box-on-shoulders', a cyclist running you over and people serving 'lunch-in-a-box'. But when i walk outside now I could just as easily go to McDonalds, get given a prostitute's calling card, buy a fake DVD or spend my disposable income on fashion.
Actually I think I need a 'lunch-in-a-box' one last time before zipping off to Shanghai
Thursday, January 12, 2006
i'm too busy travelling, meeting and don't have enough time to do my work
its. 2.25am, i am getting up at 7am.
AGAIN!
AGAIN!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Unique cities
It seems I wrote in my previous post the phrase 'very unique' which may in fact be grammatically incorrect. Never the less, in the space of a week I have re-realised uniqueness.
The thing is, in China, most cities are pretty similar -some have a more developed modern bit than others, and some have more remaining old bits than the others, but barring beijing and shanghai most others are similar (note this is about cities, and NOT about the rural areas of China which are the opposite). London, is and I expect (as long as I do not forget what it is like) will always be my favourite city.
It may be extortionately expensive (and even more so when turning up from China!) but it has an atmosphere that I beleive is unparalleled (though I have not lived in every city in the World). Just walking along the river seeing St Paul's, the gherkin, parliament, the Tate and knowing that around the corner is the Globe, London Dungeon, Museums, Embassies and so much more. Seeing people from all around the world -feeling like a tourist in my own home is a wonderful feeling. I have realied that Beijing is an interesting city in an interesting country and that London is an exciting city in a sedate country. London rocks!
Then onto Belgium via a short 2 and a half hour train journey to see the European Parliament (the afternoon tour is not on fridays presumably so we cannot see how few MEPs bother to turn up at that time for work) and typically grand European Churches, Cathedrals, Palaces, Cafes, Restaurants and squares. aaah, what fond reminders of my 10 country/5 week dash in Summer 2000. Brugges was another matter altogether -a truly stunning and enjoyable town with the entire centre untouched for hundreds of years; beautiful chocolate shops and picturesque water-building features. I have so rarely seen a city lit up so well as to really bring out its features (I sound like a morning TV fashion stylist now, yikes). I much prefer it to Venice (supposed to be the venice of the north) and even more than Zhouzhuang (venice of the east, over near Shanghai).
Finally I am writing this by a fountain at night in 'Charter Park' which sits at the foot of the Bank of China building (the most noticable in Hong Kong) and adjacent to the Legislative Council (Hong Kong's 'parliament' that seems very small, presumably since its never had much power before '97 or after) -earlier there were old people doing theiir Tai Qi as always. Down the road/across the bay are thousands of 25 story-plus buildings and hundreds of 40-storey plus buildings lit up (some with xmas decorations of 30m high) and sandwiched between them going up the hill sits little chinese restaurants, stupidly steep stairs/alleyways and neon signs everywhere. I remember why I love this city so much as well.
In a few minutes (10.30pm) I'll be off to stay with the AIESEC guys here for a few days to work and renew my visa before heading back to cheap China. but first, back to the running water, quietness of a deserted park and the sweet music of Katie Melua on my new ipod (with video :)) that will keep me company for many a future journey I am sure (since i cannot log onto the wireless networks that are all secured in the park!).
The thing is, in China, most cities are pretty similar -some have a more developed modern bit than others, and some have more remaining old bits than the others, but barring beijing and shanghai most others are similar (note this is about cities, and NOT about the rural areas of China which are the opposite). London, is and I expect (as long as I do not forget what it is like) will always be my favourite city.
It may be extortionately expensive (and even more so when turning up from China!) but it has an atmosphere that I beleive is unparalleled (though I have not lived in every city in the World). Just walking along the river seeing St Paul's, the gherkin, parliament, the Tate and knowing that around the corner is the Globe, London Dungeon, Museums, Embassies and so much more. Seeing people from all around the world -feeling like a tourist in my own home is a wonderful feeling. I have realied that Beijing is an interesting city in an interesting country and that London is an exciting city in a sedate country. London rocks!
Then onto Belgium via a short 2 and a half hour train journey to see the European Parliament (the afternoon tour is not on fridays presumably so we cannot see how few MEPs bother to turn up at that time for work) and typically grand European Churches, Cathedrals, Palaces, Cafes, Restaurants and squares. aaah, what fond reminders of my 10 country/5 week dash in Summer 2000. Brugges was another matter altogether -a truly stunning and enjoyable town with the entire centre untouched for hundreds of years; beautiful chocolate shops and picturesque water-building features. I have so rarely seen a city lit up so well as to really bring out its features (I sound like a morning TV fashion stylist now, yikes). I much prefer it to Venice (supposed to be the venice of the north) and even more than Zhouzhuang (venice of the east, over near Shanghai).
Finally I am writing this by a fountain at night in 'Charter Park' which sits at the foot of the Bank of China building (the most noticable in Hong Kong) and adjacent to the Legislative Council (Hong Kong's 'parliament' that seems very small, presumably since its never had much power before '97 or after) -earlier there were old people doing theiir Tai Qi as always. Down the road/across the bay are thousands of 25 story-plus buildings and hundreds of 40-storey plus buildings lit up (some with xmas decorations of 30m high) and sandwiched between them going up the hill sits little chinese restaurants, stupidly steep stairs/alleyways and neon signs everywhere. I remember why I love this city so much as well.
In a few minutes (10.30pm) I'll be off to stay with the AIESEC guys here for a few days to work and renew my visa before heading back to cheap China. but first, back to the running water, quietness of a deserted park and the sweet music of Katie Melua on my new ipod (with video :)) that will keep me company for many a future journey I am sure (since i cannot log onto the wireless networks that are all secured in the park!).
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
the UK
Returning to the UK has reminded me that no matter how much the world globalises/comes together, every country is still very unique.
So far I have revelled in:
- drinking real beer (A.K.A. bitter/ale and NOT lager) -I presume that xmas ales is a UK tradition; staying in a B & B;
-walking in the British countryside (with footpaths, bridleways, kissing gates, styles etc);
-driving on the left; put my hand up to thank the guy who put his hand up to thank me for letting him through when there was only space for 1 car in a narrow road;
-eaten food like spag bol, chips, steak, loction pudding, chocolate cake, pizza, curry, sandwhiches, toasted cheese sandwhiches, roast lamb, muesli cereal, croissants and so many other things;
-read, listened, watched and lauded over the BBC;
-caught up on all the great british comedy (new ones like little britain, medium ones like the office & father ted and the older ones too);
-strolled through modern redevloped town centres (with trams!) like Sheffield and older ones like Stourbridge (chavs and all!);
-journeyed to many a pub (god bless the pub);
-visited the residents' bar of a posh hotel on the golf course
-and caught up with friends galore (honestly!)
Another few weeks of stupid travel agenda coming up, and only another 5 days in the UK, where it has rained (not much unfortunately), snowed and been overcast (all in 1 day -great to be back!). Been having lots of thoughts..will try to remember them and write them down soon! Happy new year, and have a great 2006 everyone!
So far I have revelled in:
- drinking real beer (A.K.A. bitter/ale and NOT lager) -I presume that xmas ales is a UK tradition; staying in a B & B;
-walking in the British countryside (with footpaths, bridleways, kissing gates, styles etc);
-driving on the left; put my hand up to thank the guy who put his hand up to thank me for letting him through when there was only space for 1 car in a narrow road;
-eaten food like spag bol, chips, steak, loction pudding, chocolate cake, pizza, curry, sandwhiches, toasted cheese sandwhiches, roast lamb, muesli cereal, croissants and so many other things;
-read, listened, watched and lauded over the BBC;
-caught up on all the great british comedy (new ones like little britain, medium ones like the office & father ted and the older ones too);
-strolled through modern redevloped town centres (with trams!) like Sheffield and older ones like Stourbridge (chavs and all!);
-journeyed to many a pub (god bless the pub);
-visited the residents' bar of a posh hotel on the golf course
-and caught up with friends galore (honestly!)
Another few weeks of stupid travel agenda coming up, and only another 5 days in the UK, where it has rained (not much unfortunately), snowed and been overcast (all in 1 day -great to be back!). Been having lots of thoughts..will try to remember them and write them down soon! Happy new year, and have a great 2006 everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)