A quiet celebration, just the three of us. Valerie has plans to celebrate in style on another day…
Valerie’s choice for her day was straightforward as usual: lunch in a Japanese restaurant (Capital Group Mansion), her favorite. Sun gave up at the end – too much food for the set lunch for “3 to 4 people”. Guess it was enough for five. Good thing those “da bao” (doggie bag), nothing is wasted!
Month: February 2007
Children rights: India versus China
Some days ago in my work with UNICEF the issue of children’s rights and slave labor came up. My comment was that I did not really feel this was a major issue in China. Sure, there are problems here but I don’t think it is a priority among the issues affecting China.
An article dated 19 February in the IHT gives some insights in the situation in India where the government is trying to enforce the Chile Labor Law but faces little progress. Official government figures estimate about 12 million children under 14 are employed – often under real slave conditions. Others estimate the figure could be closer to 60 million. It is a lucrative business and many girls end up in prostitution.
At the same time the Deccan Herald (Bangalore, India) reported 47% of Indian children are malnourished against 8% in China. (IHT 20 February)
So, China is doing quite well here. We are even facing serious obesity among the young in China and the need for more physical exercise.
Positive news should be reported too.
Gilbert on Radio1 – Belgium
My friend Ng Sauw Tjhoi, journalist with Radio1 in Belgium came to bug me again. As he is a nice guy he had the full treatment and was shown around in the Gongti area (workers’ Stadium, the Gongti Strip with the discos, etc.). And yes, guess where he ended up: in my favorite sauna house. A real discovery for him and the interview had ample coverage of our visit. The staff in Pacific Ocean Club were a bit surprised by me being followed around with a naked reporter, microphone in hand. I did check with him – no hidden cameras (you never know with those guys!).
So I came on the radio on Saturday morning 17 February (Belgian time). See attached the PDF with the details. Some of my family and friends heard it and e-mailed me. Gilbert, the sauna & massage expert. Sounds better than just “China specialist”. Thanks to the Internet I could listen online to the program – the website of the radio works great really. Just like listening life.
Ng Sauw Tjhoi also wrote a book, see here my comments.
Casino Royale: 007 is no more
A couple of days ago I went with Valerie to see the movie in a theater near us, cozy seats, large screen and (loud) surround sound. Not cheap to watch the movie: 60 RMB per person (about € 6).
Valerie had the right verdict: “it just looks like another one of those action movies”. Indeed, what’s the difference with the like of Mission Impossible? The charm and predictability of the REAL Bond movies is gone. Valerie: “he’s not really sexy either”. Can’t fully judge about that but I tend to agree. No more funny gadgets and secret weapons shown at the beginning.
And M is not calling when Bond is busy with a gorgeous girl at the end of the movie.
As a true 007 fan, I’ll stick to my collection of the old Bond movies. Call me old-fashioned – maybe – but it’s not the same anymore. Not the type of movie you want to watch again and again and add to the collection.
Celebrating The Year of the Pig – the traditional way
On Saturday afternoon I tried to have a last visit to the gym but had the wrong closing time – when I arrived at 4 pm they were closing for the holidays. So I walked a bit around in the area up to Full Link Plaza where I had a coffee at Starbucks. There was an eerie silence in our neighborhood, like during SARS. What were they all doing?
Simple. Making JIAOZI – Chinese dumplings. When I arrived home soon the family came over and started the sacred ritual: making them all together (the modern version to buy them at the supermarket is not the right stuff). And then the whole family sat down to eat, simply in the kitchen (our kitchen is more than big enough).
See the family busy in the kitchen – preparing jiaozi and eating
This year, again, fireworks are permitted. We got two boxes from friends (the stuff we get from Chinese has no limits, from fruit to vegetables, a whole lamb, cognac, cigars, etc.). So, Sun had to put up a sign of “no smoking”. We wouldn’t want to blow up the office, or? (Hmmm… sometimes I feel like). All around in the neighborhood stalls went up to sell the vast array of ear piercing fireworks. Biggest outlet was at the north gate of Workers’ Stadium (comes in handy, buy one before entering Mix or Vics).
I am not fond of those dangerous rockets. One of our friends once got one straight hitting her neck – a dog had jumped on the stick and it misfired. She ended up in the hospital. In Belgium.
Well, no escaping for me, life in Beijing is dangerous (= hardship post!!!). So, there we all went in front of Babyface near the building under-permanent-construction-but-now-being finished. I stayed far enough (excuse: I have to make the pics). Valerie had her protective gear. Nobody got hurt and the workers of the building had their fun too. A fire truck came to check us out but left disappointed – nobody on fire.
Valerie protected – our best shot – being checked by the firemen
Of course in China pictures are mandatory so we had a long photo shoot.
the entire family – Valerie & Beibei
The good thing about most Chinese dinners: start early, finish early. So after 9 pm we retreated to our top floor to watch the famous (?) CCTV New year program on TV, with the curtains open to watch Gongti Xilu and Julong under fire.
As I wrote earlier, NO PIGS under whatever form in the program. This Chinese Year is “muslim friendly” and animal-less. A bit boring for me to watch, too much blabla but Sun and Valerie were laughing with all the jokes. Yeah, yeah, one day (2027) I’ll understand it too.
The fireworks were never-ending and gave the impression we were under attack and the Guancai Building (where the Alliance Française is located) on fire. I hope those people closed the windows… they were literally being hit.
fireworks in Gonti Xilu, near Guancai & Coco Banana and right above Bar Destination (those were GAY fireworks?) – Julong compound being surrounded by artillery
So, with a bottle of Muscadet, some cigars and Belgian chocolates we entered the New Year. Now we can all eat like a pig.