Last night after a hard day of studying mark, anna and my self went for a foot bath and a 90 minute massage. It was dirt cheap 70 yuan for the entire deal. CHEAP. So we soaked our feet which was very comfortable and then the girl started slaping and punching my feet and pulling and snapping my toes. Then she proceeded to dig her little fingers into the bottoms of my feet. She is tough for such a little girl. And then she would push my feet really hard backwards i am not sure what that was about- but it ment that she was finally finished torturing me ;). Today my feet feel great.
Well the neck, back,legs and arms are an entirely different adventure. I was dealt a male with very strong hands. So i sat on a little stool and he proceeded to dig into my neck and do very painful things to it as well. He later informed me through the translater that my neck was out and my merdians were off. So has he was digging in my neck his next move was to grab my chin and start forcing my neck sideways meanwhile still digging into my neck. Oh there is more. He puts me into a headlock and starts pulling me upwards. I went with hime because i did not want my head to seperate from my neck. He tried it on the other side and told me pull my body down while he pulled up. I couldn't help but laugh really. Then the fun part he gets me to lay on the bed, on my stomach and once again the torture begins. He was digging into my spine and lower back- of course where it hurt the most. Then he get to my legs and butt. I bet he has never seen a white girls ample behind jiggle aroung that much (remember i am fully clothed and he has a cloth over me as well). I couldn't help but laugh. So as he is digging into my buut/hip i envision my older bother and how he used to show no mercy when he decided to bug us. The massage guy was diggin in so hard that i started laughing- what else was i to do? Then he starts digging into my calves which are really tight so it really really hurt. THEN he grabbed my legs and started rotating them to the side. Oh i forgot what he did to my arms- he grabbed my shoulders and lifted,one at a time, off the table while oushing into my spine and lower back. He then made me sit up and started on my entire arm. He wastreating it like a piece of playdough using both hands and rubbing the heck out of it. He them brabbed my fingers and started snapping my arm up and down, and WHAM one big jolt. It was very funny.
THE AFTERMATH- well today i am so sore i can't even touch my neck and my back hurts just ad much. I also have reminents of his thumb prints on my neck and upper back. Will i go back- maybe. It was crazy. He is very well trained man and know all about alternative medical practices. He looked at my finger nails adn said my yin is weak and that i need to be careful and that i need to exercise more and stretch. He also said i am having digestion problems and that i am getting angry to easily and i need to control myself. So there you have it.
Do you think you will go to a chinese massage parlour anytime soon?
Monday, May 29, 2006
Sunday, May 28, 2006
folk shrine
On the way back from the warriors yesterday we stopped in a little village and worshipped the gods of above, below and in the middle (heaven, earth and water). The vilage was very small. It felt similar to my town except these people felt a little more connected to each other. Some of these people looked like they had never see a white person before. When we entered the little shrine there were only a few people outside,but the time we came out we had quite the little enterage. There were three little women and man who guided us and ansewered or questions. Even though i could not understand them when they talked to me you could see how happy they were to have us. They were laughing and joking and they each played there roles. One lady was the town gossip maybe, it was just really funny. They also told us they had a town medium, divinator. And before long she showed up. She pushed her way into the temple to know what was going on. Then she walked us out of the town and showed us what she can do. She could read energies and she read a couple of the people with us and nailed it right on the head. Se also showed us how she can be a medium- she held her hand to the sky and when she brought it down you could see the chinese characters in the wrinkles of her hands. It was amazing- i don't doubt her but it was an experince like no other.
Anna, sherry and myself are actually going to go back and see if she will tell us about her self and what she does within the community etc. Sherry can speak chinese so whe will help us with the translating and we might even stay out in the village for any evening or two. It will be nothing like i have ever seen or done. It wil be real anthropology- i hope this will materialize.
All of the ladies were boasting about there family. One of the ladies had four generation alive and she had two great grandsons which is very good. I just felt so lucky because my family is great and i have many great brother and sisters and all of the new additions to my family (marla, dylan, troy, dalas and cody do you have a girlfriend?) Well these people new what it was like to have siblings and how to stay connected with each other. The chinese pride themselves on there family, they don't strive to be so individualistic like westerns. Families stay to gether- so maybe my role in our family is the kinkeeper (tries to keep updated on everyone )?
I'll leave you with that, please tell me your thoughts.
Anna, sherry and myself are actually going to go back and see if she will tell us about her self and what she does within the community etc. Sherry can speak chinese so whe will help us with the translating and we might even stay out in the village for any evening or two. It will be nothing like i have ever seen or done. It wil be real anthropology- i hope this will materialize.
All of the ladies were boasting about there family. One of the ladies had four generation alive and she had two great grandsons which is very good. I just felt so lucky because my family is great and i have many great brother and sisters and all of the new additions to my family (marla, dylan, troy, dalas and cody do you have a girlfriend?) Well these people new what it was like to have siblings and how to stay connected with each other. The chinese pride themselves on there family, they don't strive to be so individualistic like westerns. Families stay to gether- so maybe my role in our family is the kinkeeper (tries to keep updated on everyone )?
I'll leave you with that, please tell me your thoughts.
chinese opera
We had a guest lecturer who taught us about traditional opera that is unique to our area in Shaanxi Province. Opera is unique to the area it is in, so it changes and is different in every province or maybe in every large city. The opera focuses on the actors then the music. They wear elaborate costumes and masks. Each color and each dress means something different and dictates the role the actor must play.
In opera there are 8 beauties: language, music, sculpture, dancing, painting, audio-visual, poetry and dress/make-up. So each beauty is shown in the opera. Each is shown some how or played out in some fashion.
The lady brought some of her students to show us. They were about 13 or 14 years old. The children are put into these performing arts schools at a young age and this is what they will do for the rest of there lives. The little girl could get her voice into a crazy high pitch- she was amazing. And the little boy was an acrobat.
It was only a brief introduction, i hope to see an entire set in Beijing.
In opera there are 8 beauties: language, music, sculpture, dancing, painting, audio-visual, poetry and dress/make-up. So each beauty is shown in the opera. Each is shown some how or played out in some fashion.
The lady brought some of her students to show us. They were about 13 or 14 years old. The children are put into these performing arts schools at a young age and this is what they will do for the rest of there lives. The little girl could get her voice into a crazy high pitch- she was amazing. And the little boy was an acrobat.
It was only a brief introduction, i hope to see an entire set in Beijing.
daoist temple
I think it was on wednesday that we went to one of the Daoist temples in the city. It was a very spiritual place. They are very intuned with finding harmony with heaven, earth and humans. It was a really pieceful place for me, there were many shrines including that of the 8 immortals; hall of Tai Bai or Venus- god of love, here people pray so that they would recieve children and they would also bring there kids here to pray to pass the national exam; Goddess of the stars; hall of Lu Zu- he was special because anyone could pray to him and he would always respond; hall of medicine god- he made great contributions to Traditional chinese medicine.
One of the monke took us around and showed us around and he also took us to see the living quarters. I had this vision of a strict monastic existance and for them to live in proverty, But it was not that extreme. There houses were nothing fancy but they were not shanties either. Since we are in the age of the 21 century everyone must be connected- so of course the Monk had a call phone- i got a picture- i thought that was really funny.
At 4pm everyday they have prayer- we stuck around for that. It was one of the most beautiful things i have ever heard. They pray in song and it was just such pretty music. There were drums, flute, bells, stringed instruments and a couple others. They recited all of there scripture in song. It was a bit over whelming for me. the music here is just so spiritual and peaceful. The flute was different- i was in awe what more can i say.
For reasons of my own i had envisioned that they would perform there rituals in a very different manner- but it was simliar to western relgion. I just did not want any connection to the western ideals. I guess prayer is very similar if you believe in one god or many gods. I think that i prefer the many gods idea. I'll keep you posted ont those revelations.
One of the monke took us around and showed us around and he also took us to see the living quarters. I had this vision of a strict monastic existance and for them to live in proverty, But it was not that extreme. There houses were nothing fancy but they were not shanties either. Since we are in the age of the 21 century everyone must be connected- so of course the Monk had a call phone- i got a picture- i thought that was really funny.
At 4pm everyday they have prayer- we stuck around for that. It was one of the most beautiful things i have ever heard. They pray in song and it was just such pretty music. There were drums, flute, bells, stringed instruments and a couple others. They recited all of there scripture in song. It was a bit over whelming for me. the music here is just so spiritual and peaceful. The flute was different- i was in awe what more can i say.
For reasons of my own i had envisioned that they would perform there rituals in a very different manner- but it was simliar to western relgion. I just did not want any connection to the western ideals. I guess prayer is very similar if you believe in one god or many gods. I think that i prefer the many gods idea. I'll keep you posted ont those revelations.
terracotta warriors
we visted the warriors yesterday. And let me tell you i can see why it is classifed as a UNESCO world heritage site and why it is the 8th wonder of the world. The first emeperor of the Qin Dynasty (225-207 bc) started building his tomb when he was twenty some years old. The site of the warriors possess very good Feng shui because the mountains are to the south and the river is to the north. The site was discovered in 1974 by a farmer who was digging a well and he brought a head of one of the warriors. Archaeologists started to dig at that site and then in 1976 they found pits 2 and 3. There are 3 pits open of approximately 500. They estimate that there are 8000 warriors and alot are still buried. In 1997 they found bronze work of rare birds and animals- however thie is closed to public. In 1987 they found two chariots buried; unfortunately it was in thousands of pieces and took 8 years to restore. The reason why he built the army and all of the artifacts is because he needed all these things in the after life. The one chariot even had air conditioning! It had a door and two windows. But the emperor planned on travelling his land in the afterlife so he wanted to be comfortable.
He built 4 types of men- archer, charioteer, cavalry, and infantry. All of these forms were outfitted with different types of armor, dress, hair and shoes. They were also painted and they all looked different.
One of the swords that was unearthed contained chromium which wasn't invented until the 30's. I like that fact that it was in china some 2000 years prior.
I am sure if you search it on google you will be able to find the musuem, Xian terracotta warriors.
He built 4 types of men- archer, charioteer, cavalry, and infantry. All of these forms were outfitted with different types of armor, dress, hair and shoes. They were also painted and they all looked different.
One of the swords that was unearthed contained chromium which wasn't invented until the 30's. I like that fact that it was in china some 2000 years prior.
I am sure if you search it on google you will be able to find the musuem, Xian terracotta warriors.
taxi, taxi
The population of Xi'an is 8 million and there are probably that many cars as well, therefore traffic does not move that fast. They have many lanes in the central part of the city and there are painted lines to distinguish between the lanes. However it seems that these are only guildlines. One can choose to ride the lines, or they can choose to swerve in and out as they go, or they can just honk there horns and let the bus know that they are inching a little to close for comfort. Taxis are cheap here- about 6 yuan for us to get downtown. Or we can take the bus which is 1 yuan and you can get anywhere. When taking the bus one must be quick on there feet for the bus does not stay at a stop for very long- we had to hop off.
They also do not have very many traffic lights or pedestian crossings. So one must follow the flow of traffic across. I was only scared when i was standing in the middle of a four lane and two really big vehicles drove by at almost the same time. But i usually latch on to a local or a granny because if they make it i can make it. oh and NEVER run because you will get hit- it startles the driver.
They also do not have very many traffic lights or pedestian crossings. So one must follow the flow of traffic across. I was only scared when i was standing in the middle of a four lane and two really big vehicles drove by at almost the same time. But i usually latch on to a local or a granny because if they make it i can make it. oh and NEVER run because you will get hit- it startles the driver.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
sorry for the interuption
my internet card finally ran out after a week (i paid 10 yuan-cheap). So where was i- the drum tower. The srum show was so neat. They played three sets each with a different meaning. The first was about sailing through a storm, the second about the grinding of a tigers teeth and the third- i will get back to you. It was just very energizing- drums can just do that to a person. On the second floor of the tower was all of the traditional furniture used in the houses of the emperors. I have never seen such beauty and detail. Such heavy wood and marble i wish that i could have some of that. Mom you have rubbed you antique hunting off on me! It was just so beautiful. Our friend Davis (his english name) took some pictures for me so when i get them i will get them to you.
After the drum tower we travelled through a narrower street with lots of rich looking stores on the way to the bell tower. It was the exact same idea. Except upstairs in this one were family lineages and histories. Very neat. It was an extremely long day yesterday. I slept for about 10 hours so i think i might finally be adjusted to China time (which is 14 hours ahead).
Okay on to todays events. It was raining here this morning so it was a nice break from the ordinary- i actually put make up on and left my hair down. Usually it has been between 30 and 35, and very humid you could cut it with a knife. And they tell us that June is going to be even hotter. I am sure looking forward to that- not really;) Okay back to business. We had coffee at King Coffee which is like a starbuck really. Then we travelled to the east gate of the Ancient city wall and walked to the south gate, it was about a 3km walk. The wall is about 12 meters across and about 18m high. It was destroyed in the Tang dynasty and rebuilt in the ming dynasty which is about 6th century AD. There is still part of the moat that surrounds the city also. On one side of the wall is prosperity and the other not so much. I had a hard time deciding what to feel. I took some good pictures of all of the weapons that were used to protect the wall and kill anyone who tried to climb up.
We then took a walk across the street to Confucian's temple and the forest of the scirptures. The garden was filled with stele of all of Confucians writings. It was really big and old. The garden was really pretty. I saw a pomegranet tree, its blossoms are so pretty and quite fragrant. It was neat to see history set in stone. All of the writings were carved into stone. They often make replicas by rubbing charcoal over a piece of paper attached tot he stone. I made a copy with my pencil, i was lucky another girl got busted and got called an American- we had a little giggle about that.
We had a lunch nearby- we had some of the best ribs ever. I do not know how i will beable to duplicate this at home. Before heading home we walked down antique alley i'll call it. The street was filled with merchants and shops. I wasn't into searching today but we will head down there again i am sure.
At lunch we were waiting for our food and this little boy was playing on the street with his friend; he needed to pee so he pulls down his pants and whips it out and proceeds to pee on the street. It was so funny. The babies here do not wear diapers or underwear until they are potty trained. All of there pant have holes in the inseam. So it looks as though the crotch has been cut out. The parents then squat with the children to teach them how to pee- very interesting. It was very strange at first, but imagine how much waste they are saving by not having diapers. Since we are on the topic of toliets they do not have any here. We are in a hotel so we have toliets, but in all of the schools and resturants they have squat holes. They also do not have soap or tissue for wiping your hands or anything else. So carring tissues is madatory. That has been somewhat of an adjustment- if i was to squat it has always been outside by the side of the road or camping- which i prefer over these really smelly facilities.
Well on that fragrant note i will get to my homework and keep you posted. Thanks for posting comments but everything is in chinese so please send me an email and that will insure that it is in english. It is very difficult navigating windows when you can not read a thing.
Love you very much, miss you.
Mandy
After the drum tower we travelled through a narrower street with lots of rich looking stores on the way to the bell tower. It was the exact same idea. Except upstairs in this one were family lineages and histories. Very neat. It was an extremely long day yesterday. I slept for about 10 hours so i think i might finally be adjusted to China time (which is 14 hours ahead).
Okay on to todays events. It was raining here this morning so it was a nice break from the ordinary- i actually put make up on and left my hair down. Usually it has been between 30 and 35, and very humid you could cut it with a knife. And they tell us that June is going to be even hotter. I am sure looking forward to that- not really;) Okay back to business. We had coffee at King Coffee which is like a starbuck really. Then we travelled to the east gate of the Ancient city wall and walked to the south gate, it was about a 3km walk. The wall is about 12 meters across and about 18m high. It was destroyed in the Tang dynasty and rebuilt in the ming dynasty which is about 6th century AD. There is still part of the moat that surrounds the city also. On one side of the wall is prosperity and the other not so much. I had a hard time deciding what to feel. I took some good pictures of all of the weapons that were used to protect the wall and kill anyone who tried to climb up.
We then took a walk across the street to Confucian's temple and the forest of the scirptures. The garden was filled with stele of all of Confucians writings. It was really big and old. The garden was really pretty. I saw a pomegranet tree, its blossoms are so pretty and quite fragrant. It was neat to see history set in stone. All of the writings were carved into stone. They often make replicas by rubbing charcoal over a piece of paper attached tot he stone. I made a copy with my pencil, i was lucky another girl got busted and got called an American- we had a little giggle about that.
We had a lunch nearby- we had some of the best ribs ever. I do not know how i will beable to duplicate this at home. Before heading home we walked down antique alley i'll call it. The street was filled with merchants and shops. I wasn't into searching today but we will head down there again i am sure.
At lunch we were waiting for our food and this little boy was playing on the street with his friend; he needed to pee so he pulls down his pants and whips it out and proceeds to pee on the street. It was so funny. The babies here do not wear diapers or underwear until they are potty trained. All of there pant have holes in the inseam. So it looks as though the crotch has been cut out. The parents then squat with the children to teach them how to pee- very interesting. It was very strange at first, but imagine how much waste they are saving by not having diapers. Since we are on the topic of toliets they do not have any here. We are in a hotel so we have toliets, but in all of the schools and resturants they have squat holes. They also do not have soap or tissue for wiping your hands or anything else. So carring tissues is madatory. That has been somewhat of an adjustment- if i was to squat it has always been outside by the side of the road or camping- which i prefer over these really smelly facilities.
Well on that fragrant note i will get to my homework and keep you posted. Thanks for posting comments but everything is in chinese so please send me an email and that will insure that it is in english. It is very difficult navigating windows when you can not read a thing.
Love you very much, miss you.
Mandy
it been a week
So it is sunday night and i am doing homework. Lucky me. Mom i hope that you had a great birthday ;)
Well this weekend was filled with kilometers! saturday was a packed day filled with so much stimulation i am having a hard time processing it all. I guess i will start at the beginning. We spent the morning at the Shaanxi museum.It is filled with artifacts from every dynasty and then some. SOme of the pieces in the museum i had studied in art history class, so that was a really neat experince. Most of what i recognized was the bronze work that came out of the Zhou and Shang dynasties which was in the 16 and 17th century B.C. The museum traced the history from stone toos to that of axes and swords and transpotation. then in the giftshop i got hosed. I bought a book about Xi'an for 250 yuan which is roughly 35cad. I was informed later that you are never supposed to pay more than half the price; and always start bartering at a third of a half. Sounds complicated to me ;)
After this we took another CRAZY taxi ride to the Muslim quarter. Everything in here is fake and usually fairly expensive. ANd they say keep a tight hold on your wallets and purses there are alot of pick pockters there. There are also alot of beggers. What is different here is that they usually belong to a beggers guild or assocation. So all the money that they get in one day goes to some sort of central authority and they get a small piece of the pie. We had lunch is this quarter, it was really good. I am a master of the chopstick. ANd i had a huge beer. It is only3.5% alcohol because the chinese like the socializing. They do not drink to get wasted.
So after lunch we walked around. Some of the girls are getting traditional chinese dresses made, they cost 350 yuan-CHEAP. I have not decided if i will get one. I can not see myself wearing it, it might get framed, therefore i can get any old one.
We then headed to the drum tower. There were 50 drums. There were also 24 drums that signify the 24 sections of the year. For example the changing of the seasons and also going from hot summer to the "big hottness" meaning peak summer period. We also sat through a trad
Well this weekend was filled with kilometers! saturday was a packed day filled with so much stimulation i am having a hard time processing it all. I guess i will start at the beginning. We spent the morning at the Shaanxi museum.It is filled with artifacts from every dynasty and then some. SOme of the pieces in the museum i had studied in art history class, so that was a really neat experince. Most of what i recognized was the bronze work that came out of the Zhou and Shang dynasties which was in the 16 and 17th century B.C. The museum traced the history from stone toos to that of axes and swords and transpotation. then in the giftshop i got hosed. I bought a book about Xi'an for 250 yuan which is roughly 35cad. I was informed later that you are never supposed to pay more than half the price; and always start bartering at a third of a half. Sounds complicated to me ;)
After this we took another CRAZY taxi ride to the Muslim quarter. Everything in here is fake and usually fairly expensive. ANd they say keep a tight hold on your wallets and purses there are alot of pick pockters there. There are also alot of beggers. What is different here is that they usually belong to a beggers guild or assocation. So all the money that they get in one day goes to some sort of central authority and they get a small piece of the pie. We had lunch is this quarter, it was really good. I am a master of the chopstick. ANd i had a huge beer. It is only3.5% alcohol because the chinese like the socializing. They do not drink to get wasted.
So after lunch we walked around. Some of the girls are getting traditional chinese dresses made, they cost 350 yuan-CHEAP. I have not decided if i will get one. I can not see myself wearing it, it might get framed, therefore i can get any old one.
We then headed to the drum tower. There were 50 drums. There were also 24 drums that signify the 24 sections of the year. For example the changing of the seasons and also going from hot summer to the "big hottness" meaning peak summer period. We also sat through a trad
Friday, May 19, 2006
its friday
Good morning everyone. It is only 7am but Xi'an is busy. The street vendors are setting up and the farmers are bringing their produce out. The streets are always very busy always alot of noise and lots of horns. The neat thing here is that Volkswagons are the affordable car. So everyone even the police have VW. When we see one with very tinted windows that mean it is soemone with high importance like the president of the University of dean of a college. And never walk in front of the car, they do not tend to stop. So that is why they honk and if you do not move they proceed to drive around you. And one must always watch out for the bikes. There are many;) The first day when we were heading out for supper at about 7pm daycare was just letting out and there was swarms of children and parents and bikes. It was really funny to be in the middle of it.
Today we are going down town. It is so exciting. I think that it will be fun. Everything is so cheap here. This Internet card that i am using i put 10yuan on it days ago and i still have many days left iam sure. 10 yuan is about $1.30 cad. So as you can tell very cheap. And the gaming culture is another story, This lab is always filled with at least 50 gamers and there is about 150 computers. The room is also a haze cause they all like to smoke.
Breakfast is good very different. Deepfried doughs are a popular item. As well as fresh vegetables. they might cook is some westerner breakfast one day.
Well have to go see you after the weekend of touring.
Today we are going down town. It is so exciting. I think that it will be fun. Everything is so cheap here. This Internet card that i am using i put 10yuan on it days ago and i still have many days left iam sure. 10 yuan is about $1.30 cad. So as you can tell very cheap. And the gaming culture is another story, This lab is always filled with at least 50 gamers and there is about 150 computers. The room is also a haze cause they all like to smoke.
Breakfast is good very different. Deepfried doughs are a popular item. As well as fresh vegetables. they might cook is some westerner breakfast one day.
Well have to go see you after the weekend of touring.
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
arrived
Hey everyone yesterday was the longest day of my life. We were on the plane for days. So it is now 730 on wednesday morning and we are going to our welcome ceremony. I am not sure what that is going to be about. It is crazy here it seems the people never sleep. We arrived in Xi'an at midnight- our flight was delayed from Beijing- they finally had rain (after months of drought so who are we to complain). We arrived at the dorms at 1230 and tried to get some sleep. Since i left Saskatoon i only have slept a few hours on the flight to Beijing and finally got 4 hours in a row while waiting on the plane to get out of Beijing. Now we are up and walking around, waiting for the others. So far there is not alot of difference in the height of people. But the morning sun is filled with industrial smog, not praire brightness.
So far nothing else has happened. On the way from the last airport driving through town was interesting. It was like the people do not sleep. They were all hanging outside smoking and cooking and having a good time. There were also lots of store fronts open- alot of oil supply shops and mechanic shops.
We will have a tour today of our facilities then have lunch and rest time. Tomarrow we start off with lectures and getting into the homework. Great ;)
I will keep you posted as much as i can. Love you lots
Hugs Mandy
So far nothing else has happened. On the way from the last airport driving through town was interesting. It was like the people do not sleep. They were all hanging outside smoking and cooking and having a good time. There were also lots of store fronts open- alot of oil supply shops and mechanic shops.
We will have a tour today of our facilities then have lunch and rest time. Tomarrow we start off with lectures and getting into the homework. Great ;)
I will keep you posted as much as i can. Love you lots
Hugs Mandy
Monday, May 15, 2006
And I'm off
so i leave in about 16 hours. My flight leaves at 9am from Saskatoon and i will arrive in Xi'an on tuesday evening at 930pm. So this will be a crazy day tomarrow. I have lots of things to keep me occupied, and i hear one can watch three movies on the 11hour flight from Vancouver. Everyone keeps telling me how fast 5 weeks will go. so nothing really to say yet, i'll keep you posted.
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