Dear Beijing,
I am sorry I made fun of your smog, your prickly air. This morning you were sunny, lovely. The sky was crisp blue, the air breathable. At 6am it was cool, refreshing. We bought amazing 12 cent egg sandwiches from the tiny lady on the corner: the wait in line was well worth it.
We spent five hours walking through the middle of your city, and not once did we leave sight of water. Today you felt less like Chinatown, and more like China.
It never seemed crowded, but thousands of people were in the parks: men using water and large paintbrushes to put calligraphy on the sidewalks; children joining their grandmothers in ribbon twirling classes; men sitting in a pagoda - one playing a string instrument, one singing in unexpected notes. The beat of the dragon boat drummers resonated through the trees.
Your aspir
ing journalists wanted to interview us about our impressions of you. I must admit we were quite favorable. They wanted to know how we felt about the men who wear their t-shirts rolled up above their Buddha-bellies in the heat. They seemed embarrassed, and asked if we were offended. Beijing, we only think it is amusing. They asked what etiquette we deemed inappropriate, and asked us to give advice to the local residents on how to behave. We couldn't tell you.
I did see your signs posted along the wall in Beihai Park, encouraging your residents to welcome the Beijing 2008 visitors by refraining from spitting and by lining up. You also seemed to tell them that Westerners like to walk on the grass, so they should not be offended when they see this. I'm not exactly sure I understood that picture. Either way, Beijing, I applaud you trying to cut down on pollution, but please, when visitors come, be yourself. We wouldn't want you any other way.
Love,
Tasche
I am sorry I made fun of your smog, your prickly air. This morning you were sunny, lovely. The sky was crisp blue, the air breathable. At 6am it was cool, refreshing. We bought amazing 12 cent egg sandwiches from the tiny lady on the corner: the wait in line was well worth it.
We spent five hours walking through the middle of your city, and not once did we leave sight of water. Today you felt less like Chinatown, and more like China.
It never seemed crowded, but thousands of people were in the parks: men using water and large paintbrushes to put calligraphy on the sidewalks; children joining their grandmothers in ribbon twirling classes; men sitting in a pagoda - one playing a string instrument, one singing in unexpected notes. The beat of the dragon boat drummers resonated through the trees.
Your aspir
ing journalists wanted to interview us about our impressions of you. I must admit we were quite favorable. They wanted to know how we felt about the men who wear their t-shirts rolled up above their Buddha-bellies in the heat. They seemed embarrassed, and asked if we were offended. Beijing, we only think it is amusing. They asked what etiquette we deemed inappropriate, and asked us to give advice to the local residents on how to behave. We couldn't tell you.I did see your signs posted along the wall in Beihai Park, encouraging your residents to welcome the Beijing 2008 visitors by refraining from spitting and by lining up. You also seemed to tell them that Westerners like to walk on the grass, so they should not be offended when they see this. I'm not exactly sure I understood that picture. Either way, Beijing, I applaud you trying to cut down on pollution, but please, when visitors come, be yourself. We wouldn't want you any other way.
Love,
Tasche
1 comment:
yo t: no worries. i'm over it.
peace & love, bei
Post a Comment