Great Picture (5)

10 July 2010 - Today I will leave for Japan. I am really looking forward to the trip, because it will be my first time train-traveling in the country and I will be visiting many different cities and sites. The trip will bring me to Tokyo, Matsumoto, Tagayama, Nagoya, Ise/Toba, Kyoto, Nara, Hakone and again Tokyo. I aim to write about the trip on this blog, but during my last week's Beijing trip I learned that it is not an automatic given that blogspot is always accessible everywhere. However, Japan is not China, and I am hopeful (and pretty confident) that I will be able to continue my reflections online. This picture is a good start, for the simple reason that I found it stunningly beautiful. So please, follow my trip here and keep those comments coming.

Noisy Skies

10 July 2010 - Wherever you go in Hong Kong, people are blaring loudly into their mobile devices. There is no rule or etiquette, the practice seems simply that the louder is the better. One of the only places to escape the madness of cellphones, wireless internet and live television is high-up in the blues skies. But increasingly this is changing, and it is now been reported that Hong Kong's carriers Cathay Pacific and Dragon Air will make wireless services available on their combined fleet of 158 aircrafts two years from now. Aiaiaiaiaia! Mobile phone and blackberry services will be charged similar to international roaming services. I am really worried that flights will further turn into nightmares, because good luck if you sit for twelve hours next to a noisy passenger. In fact, it will be like being on the MTR or the bus, but you will be stuck for much longer.

Globish

9 July 2010 - More than seven years in Hong Kong did not really help improving my English. In fact, I just read an article claiming that I probably do not speak English at all, but use globish. Globish is not a language from Lord of The Rings, but an international language close to English. However, it is not always the English familiar to native speakers, but has a nice twist to it. English is now widely spoken all over the world and the language is getting influenced by the fact that so many non-English native speakers use the language to communicate. Most foreigners use a subset standard English grammar, and they use only about 1500 words. The term "globish" was first used by former IBM President Jean-Paul Nerriere who observed that non-native English speakers at international conferences were very well able to communicate with each other, but sometimes failed to understand the Scottish, Australians or other native English speakers. I recognize that, but I sometimes wonder if people understand my Chinglish?

The Long March to Space

9 July 2010 - Chinese first astronaut Yang Liwei has published his autobiography The Long March to Space, and has admitted that he lied when ground control asked how he was feeling. "I feel fine", he had replied, which brought enormous joy and pride among millions of Chinese people. Yang admitted that he actually felt wretched, as he was suffering from something called inversion illusion, and needed all his willpower and strength to fight it. Was Yang allowed to lie? Some Chinese authorities have commented that his comments were white lies that harmed no one and were intended to benefit the hearer. In Chinese society it can be regarded as an act of personal sacrifice if they lie for their families or their country. It has little to do with communist propaganda, but has roots deep in traditional Confucuian culture. However, such "virtuous lies" have also led to disaster, like in the 1950s when the leadership lied that the country had harvested more crops than it could consume. More recently, officials and scholars played down the SARS epidemic, thinking lies could save China's image and prevent chaos.

Quote of the Day (22)

8 July 2010 - With apologies to all non-Dutch speakers, I like to use this quote from the South African media as my next Quote of the Day. The South African language is very similar to Dutch, but has evolved in a different direction in the last decades (more than a century). Still, with a bit of imagination it is possible to de-cypher this quote about the third goal made by Arjan Robben in the match against Argentina: "Toen Robben Nederland se derde doel behaal het, het die skare begin uitrafel. Groep agter die doelhok het in rij die trappies gedans."

Cantonese Dilemma

8 July 2010 - The ancient dialect (some say language) of Cantonese is widely spoken in Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macau and parts of Guangxi. Yet, an influx of migrants workers to Guangdong province and unfavorable Government policies make Cantonese the target of a recent proposal to switch the language of prime-time TV programmes in Guangzhou to putonghua. The Cantonese dialect seems strange to outsiders. It raises the question how much cultural identity the southerners are willing to give up in the name of national unity? The idea to switch language on the two main public channels was met with strong opposition from Guangzhou residents. A survey was quoted that 80% of 30,000 respondents opposed the proposal, and when Guangzhou TV previously switched to programmes in putonghua rating dropped and it was forced to switch back to Cantonese. The 1982 Chinese constitution only enshrined putonghua as the official language, and it is national policy to promote putonghua. It seems Cantonese is now (again) under threat in Guangzhou - how long before Hong Kong will be affected?

Dog's Life

8 July 2010 - You have probably never heard of the Micio Pallino brand, even if you live in Hong Kong, but this is an interior design company. Mind you - not a common interior design company, because it specializes in designing and creating interior spaces for animals in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Italy since 1992. Star designer Paula Dindo explains how she first looks at an animal's home environment, then observes its personality and "spirit"; whether it is an energetic, feisty, shy or sedate animal. Cats love to climb trees (says Dindo - my good old family cat never climbed a tree in his blessed life) and perch high on branches, so Dindo has designed rooms with several climbing trees. Some trees are almost two meters tall and made out of wood and rope, without the use of glue. For dogs, Dindo prefers open spaces, as they need to run around. The dog room also needs a sleeping area with bedding. This helped Dindo to discover her new niche market: cushions and sleeping accessories for pets.

Knock-out Heroes

7 July 2010 - Today would not be complete if I did not post a picture of the Orange Madness on my blog. Holland beat Uruquay with 3 - 2 and moves on to their first World Cup Final since 1978. I hope we will play the Germans. The Dutch team seems to excel in "ugly wins" - but no complaints, because after so many years of being "group stage heroes, but knock-out zeroes" we finally made it to a BIG final again. This photo from the Dutch ANP Reuters to celebrate the madness in Amsterdam. Proud and Happy!

Frog Alarm

7 July 2010 - The World Cup in South Africa will come to an end this weekend, and it is expected that the word 'vuvuzela' will again disappear from the day-to-day terminology. The vuvuzela has been controversial since the first day of the tournement, and many people complained that the instrument spoiled their fun for watching the football matches, as they could no longer hear the chanting and singing of the crowds. However, a new and probably louder phenomena has appeared in Belgium and southern parts of Holland: the bullfrog. The frog was imported from Northern America for its meat, but escaped the frog-farms and multiplied. A bull frog can jump almost two meters far. The animal survives on fish, dragon flies and smaller frogs, and can moan like a cow. And they probably taste even better.

Nathan Road

7 July 2010 - It is the time of year that hot, sweaty tourists from overseas march Nathan Road on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong. Nathan Road is known as the "Golden Mile" of the city, but that seems a bit too much honor. Fashion and massage parlor billboards dangle dangerously over the street. The billboards are an impressive sight during daytime, but they really come to life at night. Chinese characters and the English alphabet alike, the billboards have become one of the main touristic attractions of downtown Kowloon. The only time to avoid this noisy stretch is when typhoon signal number 8 is hoisted. Maintenance and repair work cost money, so most entrepreneurs take their chance and wait with the essential repair work til it is about to get really dangerous. Consequently, billboards come flying during the summer storms. Mind you, Hong Kong's cyclone season only starts in August, when it is usually too hot and humid for solid shopping anyway.

Holy Water

7 July 2010 - A South Korean medical professor who invented a digital device he claimed could turn tap water into holy water is facing fraud charges. Seoul police explained that the professor said to have digitally captured the curative powers of the holy water on devices that he sold to more than 5,000 people for more than HKD 10 million profit. That's a lot of money! The 53-years old professor said he had obtained holy water from the shrine of the Holy Mary in Lourdes, the famous pilgrimage site in France. He also said he was also able to digitally transfer those healing powers onto ceramic and paper filters and plastic cards. Anyway, I do believe a bottle of the professor's holy water is cheaper than a return-ticket Seoul - Lourdes, but how is it possible that 5,000+ persons went for it? The professor must be a marketing genius.

Japan (1) - The Onion

6 July 2010 - I will be going to Japan on Saturday. Hardly a day passes by without some news from the country of the rising sun, whether it is about its economy, cuisine, politics, natural disasters or culture. Japan is Asia, but it is a totally different and unique part of Asia. Like China, Japan is a country of extremes: robots, computers and bullet trains combined with centuries' old traditions and values. I have been to Tokyo and Hokkaido before and I was always fascinated how different and beautiful Japan is. Beauty is not always easy to see - as it may be hidden from the surface or is kept in the details. Japan is not always easy for Westerners to understand and discovering it is like pealing an onion - there is always another layer. It is a great country to explore, because there is always something new around the corner. I am really looking forward to my journey of discovery in the coming two weeks, which could very well be the start of my farewell to Asia.

Tour d'Hollande

6 July 2010 - It is almost an overkill: the Football World Cup, Wimbledon and now the Tour de France. The Tour is not a major event in Asia, but it is a big one in Europe. The Tour de France started this year in Rotterdam, so kinda Tour D'Hollande. The country is completely football crazy at the moment, but one million people showed up to see the peloton cycle their first "etappe"  and another one million Dutch viewers watched on TV from home. The Tour crossed the southern provinces of the country, which are traditionally a bit "cycling-mad" (please do not ask me why? - maybe because it is close to Belgium? no, not really a convincing reason). The mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb called the start a "historical event", so maybe he needs to return to school for some history lessons. On Sunday the Tour left Holland for Belgium - but nobody called that historical.

Russia Wins

5 July 2010 - The Football World Cup in South Africa has entered its last week and national sentiments in the last four qualifying countries are flying high. However, it is not only in Holland, Germany, Spain and Uruquay that emotions are felt. In Russia an independent poll, conducted between June 18 and 22, surveyed 1,600 Russian adults across 130 cities. A stunning 8% believed that their national team would win the World Cup - despite the fact that it never qualified for the tournament. When the Russian team was denied a place to play in South Africa by Slovenia, the nation was shattered and Dutch coach Hiddink was kicked out. I am hesitant about Russian nationalist sentiments, but their blind confidence in the football team needs to be admired.

Epilepsy

5 July 2010 - The Chinese name for epilepsy was officially changed recently to avoid connotations of madness and to prevent discrimination by those who confuse it with mental illness. Previously known as 'deen gan' in Cantonese, the disorder will now be known as 'no gan'. While deen means "crazy", no means "brain", giving a more neutral description of the condition. 'Gan' means seizure. The name change was initiated by a group of patients' organizations, medical staff and social workers. More than 40,000 people in Hong Kong are reported to suffer from the disorder, which can be controlled but not cured. It is advised to have patients lie on their side while maintaining clear airway, and generally patients recover in a few minutes. The practice to put some object into the mouth of an epilepsy patient to prevent them from biting their tongues is an urban myth.

Great Picture (4)

4 July 2010 - The Great Wall of China is the very symbol of the country and must have been photographed about a zillion times. I came across this picture (photographer unknown) and immediately loved it, because I am pretty sure the Wall was never filmed like this before (and possibly never will). Brilliant.

Home-made

4 July 2010 - It is July or in other words the holiday season in Europe has started. Millions of people will leave their homes to enjoy the sun, beach and fun elsewhere. I never understand why so many people bring their own food during the holidays? French cuisine is world famous, Italian-made pizzas and pasta are simply the best and a good Spanish paella is to die for, so why bring potatoes and soup all the way from your local supermarket? Chinese tourists are not much better, because many top Chinese restaurants in Europe are frequented by mainland or Hong Kong tourists who feel they seriously suffer without their daily bowl of rice or noodles. And the Korean restaurants in Hong Kong are packed with Koreans! These are not expatriates craving for a taste of home, but a bunch of unadventurous tourists. I am all in favor of the global village, but can we please enjoy the culinary diversity?

Paint it White!

4 July 2010 - Global warming or not: the Andean glaciers in the mountains of Peru are slowly melting. A Peruvian inventor, called Eduardo had a brilliant idea to stop the process by painting the mountain tops white. He only uses simple and environmental-friendly ingredients for the paint: lime, industrial egg white and water. The mixture has been used since the Peruvian colonial times. There are also no paint brushes, the painters just splash jugs with whitewash over the rocks. The principle is based on the simple concept that when sunlight is reflected off a white surface, solar energy passes back through the atmosphere rather than warming the earth. The World Bank awarded the idea with a prize of USD 200,000.

Zhongguancun

3 July 2010 - I probably do not pronounce "Zhongguancun" correctly, but it is the address of Beijing's Silicon Valley. It's a relatively new area - not far from the former emperor's summer palace - that all technology and IT nerds can no longer miss when visiting Beijing. Thousands of high-tech companies have settled here, ranging from all sizes local firms to the big multinationals as Microsoft, Siemens and NEC. Famous Tsinghua University has also opened its Tsinghua Science Park here. Tsinghua is one of China's elite universities, and only 2,000 out of the 7 million students that annually graduate for college can enter the university. Interestingly, Tsinghua encourages its professors and (former) students to set up companies in the area. The area is also frequently by the "sea-turtles" the local name for Chinese students who have studied overseas and now return home for career and wealth. I am not an IT nerd, nor a sea-turtles so I felt totally out-of-place.

Summer Palace

2 July 2010 - It is a hot summer day in Beijing, so it seemed appropriate to visit the Summer Palace. My Lonely Planet Book described the Summer Palace as 'a stunning collection of beautifully landscaped pavillions, temples, gardens, corridors and bridges set around the tranquil Kunming Lake', and that is exactly what it is, except that the Lake is not so tranquil anymore. In the days of the emperor the royal court came here to escape the heat and humidity of Beijing's summer, but these days there seems no escape because the Summer Palace was as crowded, hot and humid as anywhere in the city. It must have been an idyllic spot though, which was off-limits for foreigners for much of the Qing dynasty. Times have changed, because the place is now mainly frequented by foreign and mainland tourists of certain age. Some of them talked as loud as if they were on the market.