9/7/2008
Day 10
Took the train to Jinan today (Check out the images of their great courtesy magazine provided in my seat pocket here). I felt very relieved to leave Beijing. I can’t say that I liked it all that much- people felt strange there… constricted… Too much police presence, too much policing, ha. Anyway, it felt like everyone had to fit into the mold, or they just simply had no voice, no opinion or reaction. I was happy to leave that, as I always say- for me, travel is about the people, less about the place.
When we arrived, we settled into our very hotel style dorms. Following we were received with the biggest dinner I’ve ever seen (and a thousand toasts). Not that I myself consumed very much considering the vast number of dishes we were presented with- I’ve long since grown tired of Chinese food.
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9/8/2008
Day 11
We met our program partners today; I was matched with a kid called Kong Sai- looks like we’re a perfect fit.
He might be kind of a local celebrity as kids seem to really regard him… It might have something to do with the fact that he’s the 75th generation of Confucius, apparently in China that’s like being related to somebody like Jesus (to put it into perspective).
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9/9/2008
Day 12
Today we actually visited the home of Confucius (also the hometown of my partner Kong Sai if you read my previous post), his temple… and well, the others went to the graveyard of Confucius and his family… and Mount Tai. I on the other hand couldn’t do anything after viewing the temple due to severe stomach flu, and a fever. The students were sure to inform me that Mount Tai was the best thing they'd seen on the trip thus far.
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9/10/2008
Day 13
We met with our partners, and spent the whole day working and goofing around. Our group is really fun, so the dynamic has been really positive. Kong Sai (who I named “Mario” on the first day, as many of the students have “American” names) and I are working on this audio/visual piece. I’m making, rather reinterpretating, a song, and then we are going to make kind of animation/movie. I’m not sure I’m in love with the concept (my fault, as I came up with it), but we only have about 2 full working days, plus installation, so there isn’t a whole lot of time to deliberate. Oh, did I mention Kong Sai doesn’t really speak any English? Barely any of the group does…
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9/11/2008
Day 14
Today was spent mostly on a tour bus.
Other than that, a visit to one of the more well known Kite makers in China, then we shadowed a local woodcut printer and played with his super cute dogs.
See the set, here
When I got home, I didn't have the stomach for chinese... so I struck out on my own, and went to the local western cafe..
While waiting for my food I made a list of everything I hated about the restaurants design, goes as follows:
-Frosted Glass
-Unnecessary Branding (on the frosted glass also)
-Denny's Style Printed Napkins (I actually meant those paper placemats, not napkins... you know the ones)
-Shitty Wall Art
-Cheap table accessories, wood, and upholstery
-Ugly black marble table
-Ugly Salt & Pepper Shakers
-Ugly Floor Tile
Also, my food was hardly "western," and certainly miss-advertised:
Ordered: Fried leg of chicken with Soup, with Black Pepper Sauce (weird ordering, but they had a few choices following "Soup")
Received: Flattened breaded piece of chicken with plenty of gristle, covered in said sauce. No soup. But, on the side was about 3 tbsp of Pasta with a sauce that was somewhere between Ketchup and BBQ, 1 tbsp broccoli, 1 egg over easy.
Price: About 5 times more than I've been spending on most meals.
But, I did feel I received an adequate alternative to my usual fair.
Ps. If I hadn't posted photos in a previous blog, then they are up now.. I know nobody actually enjoys the reading part.
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9/12/2008
Day 15
I spent the entire day working on my own projects, and collaborating with Kong Sai. I don't have too much to report other than that, and I don't have any photos.
I will say that in spite of getting a lot of work done, I'm really looking forward to Shanghai.. I want to feel better about China in general knowing that there is a place for me somewhere here. Kind of like the United States..
Actually, I do have a photo- this is all I look forward to coming back to my dormitory.
Stop reading now if you don't want to hear about toilet stuff
Squat toilets are really hard to deal with- I've only made one run, and I don't want a repeat trip. Interestingly though, the Chinese are as grossed as we are (towards our toilet).. I guess its based on the idea that everyone has to share a seat, which is a valid concern.
My main issue with Chinese bathrooms is their unpleasant smell (due to Squat Toilets), and the lack of toilet paper, or handsoap.
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9/13/2008
Day 16
I had to really remind myself to be cool today. Something that's been really good about this whole experience is the forced expansion and simplification that communicating with a central collaborator requires- even to get the simplest message across.
Today was another pure work day- and it took a lot out of me. A few good breaks from work were certainly in order, one was to explore this abandoned building- really a construction site- across the street from the lab I've been working in. Very cool..
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9/14/2008
Day 17
Tons of work.. update tomorrow.. maybe the next..
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9/15/2008
Day 18
Still mad busy..
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9/16/2008
Day 19
Heading to Shanghai in a few hours- working with students in Jinan has been such a blessing. We finished off all of our projects, and held a rather large opening. Photos on the way..