Monday, April 19

Hey! They're making a movie in my neighborhood! I'd ask them what the name of the flick was, but I'm sure the response would escape my non-Cantonese-understanding ears. You're always happening upon film shoots in Hong Kong, just like in New York. HK is the third largest movie-making city after Hollywood and Bollywood, the venerable Indian movie capital that churns out over 800 films a year (all having to do with a wedding of some sort). I have to say, when I was in Nepal, they ran Bollywood movies non-stop on the local channels, and I became highly addicted.
No sign of Hong Kong Film God Jackie Chan at this shoot, but who knows what tomorrow will bring.
 

Friday, April 16
 

Dog, The Other White Meat

Poor Sedra, if she only knew that just across the border, people are dining on dog heads! This I heard from someone who was at the time munching on Crocodile Jerky--yes, Australians do eat crocs, and kangaroos too. They think it's good for your skin or something, the way Chinese farmers think eating rats will make your hair nice and shiny black. I always assumed eating vermin would make you nice and shiny diseased. Oh, get me back to the WholeFoods before I die of shock over here.
The above shot was taken at Sheck-O beach, a quaint little fishing village on Hong Kong island that somehow escaped overdevelopment. Don't worry, we keep Sedra on a short leash, in these parts, you never know.

Sheck-O photo shoot.

Predatory looking Sheck-O flowers. Wonder what they eat?
 

Tuesday, April 13
 

How the East Was Won

What does the new economy in China look like? Well kind of like Las Vegas threw up on Newark. Neon affixed to architecture that looks like it just might tip over. But that's probably being a little harsh on Danshui, a little town near Bruce's job site in China that we visited this weekend. In truth, it has a bustling sort of charm as it adjusts from being nowhere to being somewhere. And if you stay away from the backstreets (where you may see dogs on the menu of local restaurants and all sorts of spitting) you'll find yourself taken by its lawless energy and optimism, and before long you'll be buying up counterfeit DVDs, getting supercheap massages, gobbling up delish dumplings, and darting through the unmanaged traffic with abandon. It's kind of like Dodge City, anything goes.

We spotted these girls in a little village that abuts the complex that houses Western expat workers (our address in China). They were so excited to see us. Right now, all over Guangdong Province China, peasant and farming culture is adjusting to the influx of business, commerce and outsiders. Sometimes it works out, other times it doesn't. For now this village gets to stay put.

The village is so intimate, you feel like you're walking through somebody's living room. I tried to take some pictures on the sly, but we began to feel a little self-conscious, and, well...raw sewage was running through the gutters.

An ancient looking print shop.

The local delicacy, Danshui Duck, kind of (just like) Peking Duck.

Of course there was the more traditional Easter spread, cooked up by our dear friend Margaret, who can do just about anything! Margaret you inspire us!

And no trip to China is complete without a pit stop in crazy, irresistible Lowu Commercial City for a faux designer handbag...a Tods in summer white! Tres stylish.
 

Thursday, April 8
 

Brave Posh Puts on a Brave Face

The good thing about being overseas is that you get all sorts of world news the US media collectively takes a snooze on...and I'm not just talking about President Bush's routinely asinine, grossly impeachable, apoplexy-inducing performance as commander and chief, I'm speaking of Posh and Becks!

Posh and Becks Posh and Becks Bosh and Pecks the whole world is in a tizzy!
It's a story with everything: married football (soccer to you and me) superstar, drug snorting, hedonistic, bisexual Dutch/Spanish/British party girl with the tabloid-friendly surname of Loos (as in loose!), tawdy text messages and a stunned but courageous power hungry wife putting on a brave surgically-enhanced, Gucci-clad face and hitting the slopes in France. Check out all the gory details here when you need a break from the sad state of affairs in the not so-real world. Enjoy.

I'm off to China for the Easter break. I'm sure they'll be ringing in the holiday with characteristic atheistic festivity. Don't eat too many peeps...and remember, Jesus loves you, and you, and you. God bless.
 

Tuesday, April 6
 

Don't Mess With Hello Kitty

Well, Hello Kitty, who knew you had such a potty mouth? Care of Big Bad Chinese Mama, who runs a kind of anti-Chinese mail order bride business. Her Harem of Angst is pretty scary. Those of you in the market for Asian lovlies are forewarned.
 

I fought the Law. Looks like China might be sending more of these guys to Hong Kong. After dangling a carrot for a couple years now, the People's Republic has come down hard on Hong Kong's dream of actually being permitted to vote for its own chief exec (kind of like a governor) and legislature. The PRC has decided that if Hong Kong wants to hold an election, well that's perfectly fine, but first it should ask China, at which point China will say "No!" Really bad news here, as the deomcracy issue has been heating up with protests and vigils daily.

Pat is Asialand's Person of the Day as I have just received a brand new copy of Wilco's DVD "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart" in the mail. Thanks PAT!!! Now, to the rest of you, where is my Tasti-D??
 

Monday, April 5
 

We tried to brush Sedra's teeth this weekend, but succeeded only in brushing her tongue, since she found her toothpaste a little too tasty. Yes, it was just that sort of weekend. Rainy season. Too much time indoors. Pets become FUNNY! Don't they though??!!

It's the Ching Ming Festival and Hong Kong is positively ghostly. Appropriate since it's the day most people head to the cemetery to clean graves. It's also called "Grave Sweeping Day." Legend has it that unhappy spirits choose this day to go for a stroll, so it's best not to be caught doing anything important like banking or getting surgery, or you might be punished by the spirit world. People set off firecrackers to let their ancestors know they're thinking of them, and also leave wine and meals at graves. I took advantage of the day off to go shoe shopping. I hope the spirit world doesn't mind. My ancestors are, after all, Italian.

Here are some shots of the deserted city...