Thoughts and Sayings (February 2012)

Here are some thoughts and sayings that I posted on Twitter and/or Facebook in January. To my knowledge, I made these up (for better or for worse). Sit back, relax, and enjoy the write!

1. While a constitutional sounds painful, it’s a great way to get the ideas out and the thoughts flowing.

2. In Asia, it’s okay to impose on someone but rude not to accommodate. In the West, it’s rude to impose on someone and okay not to accommodate.

3. I’m on a liquid diet to turn my keg-sized stomach into six-pack abs.

4. My son plays on the computer so much that it makes me want to screen.

5. When I was younger, I didn’t want to go to sleep because I wasn’t tired. Now that I’m older, I’m tired but won’t go to sleep.

6. I’m taking a social media break to write a book. What a novel concept.

7. Being the short one in a relationship does not make you less of a person.

8. I try to catch inspiration whenever it crosses my mind, but it is much too fleeting.

9. I ran into Trouble. He said to tell you hello.

10. I can’t keep my id from fighting with my ego and superego. It must be cerebral rivalry.

11. A loser wins when a winner loses.

12. The automated prayer request program has malfunctioned. You’re going to have to do it manually.

13. Wine is fine but puts me down every time.

14. You can’t put me in a box because my head is too big.

15. If you pay for something in Thailand, you baht it.

16. I think my brain power can be used as an energy-saving device.

17. I exercise before dinner to make room for more calories.

18. I’m preparing to render my treasure unto Caesar. Too bad Caesar doesn’t accept payment in moth and rust.

19. Measure as many times as it takes to get a consensus and then cut. If no agreement is reached, let it rot.

20. Fair is a four-letter word.

21. If you lose something profound, does it become prolost?

22. These thoughts and sayings may be insightful or inciteful depending on your disposition.

Click here to read the previous batch of Thoughts and Sayings.

Zhujiajiao, the Venice of Shanghai

On January 26, 2012, my family and I traveled to Zhujiajiao, an ancient village in Qingpu District about 45 minutes west of Shanghai. Zhujiajiao bills itself as the “Venice of Shanghai.” Why not the “Venice of China”? Well, perhaps because China has hundreds, if not thousands, of traditional villages like Zhujiajiao scattered throughout the country.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (12)

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (43)

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (1)

Founded over 1,700 years ago, Zhujiajiao has canals, wooden oar-driven tour boats, stone arch bridges, and plenty of traditional Chinese architecture. However, it bears little resemblance to Venice, Italy.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (36)

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (24)

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (18)

Some of the village’s attractions include a Buddhist temple that rises above town, a small Temple of the Town God dedicated to the spirits that protect the village, and a theater that offers performances of the Chinese classic play The Peony Pavilion during the summer months and on Saturdays.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (16)

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (33)

The traditional Qing Dynasty-era architecture that lines a picturesque network of canals is a main attraction, as are the Chinese foods, beverages, and souvenirs for sale from many vendors. Lotus root, soy beans, pork, toad, and seafood are local specialties.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (6)

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (23)

The toad was delectable.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (39)

The snails aren’t your garden variety escargot.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (40)

Dried, not fried, chicken is also a local favorite. Not recommended for tourists.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (42)

The crowds during Chinese New Year were horrific. We thought we were going to be crushed in an alleyway! Fortunately, body heat kept us warm on a cold winter day.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (26)

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (21)

In spite of the crowds, the atmosphere was festive during our visit. Dragon boats with drums beating sailed in the canals, and well-groomed dogs sported bright red Chinese New Year coats. Red lanterns with gold tassels festooned the streets.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (44)

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao

Zhujiajiao is a nice daytrip from Shanghai along with Da Guan Yuan, a park on the shore of Dian Shan Hu (lake) that replicates the garden featured in the classic Chinese novel The Dream of the Red Chamber.

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (2)

Just don’t go when it’s busy!

2012_01_26 Zhujiajiao (17)

Here are some short video clips from our visit.

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCwtCunBmDs&w=448&h=252&hd=1[/embedyt]
Zhujiajiao, China–January 26, 2012
[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YLetR0tNWM&w=448&h=252&hd=1[/embedyt]
Zhujiajiao, China–January 26, 2012
[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eNI5WkNFWI&w=448&h=252&hd=1[/embedyt]
Zhujiajiao, China–January 26, 2012
[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ea9YoAEyxmo&w=448&h=252&hd=1[/embedyt]
Zhujiajiao, China–January 26, 2012
[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X60xqrEFdZk&w=448&h=252&hd=1[/embedyt]
Dragon boats in Zhujiajiao, China–January 26, 2012

 
This has been a busy week in China with family and Chinese New Year’s festivities. Last night we could barely sleep as the locals blew off rounds of fireworks to welcome the god of wealth on the 5th day of New Year’s. I have to say that I’m looking forward to some peace and quiet – not to mention warmer weather – back in Thailand. We return home to Bangkok tomorrow.

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Temple of the Town God in Shanghai, China

Happy New Year! It’s the first day of the Year of the Dragon in China. Today we visited the Temple of the Town God in Shanghai. It was crowded! I haven’t seen so many people in one place in a long time — which means a lot in a place like China with more than 1.2 billion people.

Thousands converged on this popular attraction to see the lighting of the lanterns on decorated floats on the water and other Chinese New Year’s festivities. The lights were simply spectacular. The traditional Chinese architecture added to the ambiance.

Enjoy these video clips of the Temple of the Town God. Happy New Year! 新年快乐!

[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3k4ASPIBd0&w=495&h=278&hd=1[/embedyt]
Temple of the Town God, Shanghai, China–January 24, 2012
[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhzLk9ECSiw&w=496&h=279&hd=1[/embedyt]
Temple of the Town God, Shanghai, China–January 24, 2012
[embedyt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8KQ3aOERR4&w=498&h=279&hd=1[/embedyt]
Temple of the Town God, Shanghai, China-January 24, 2012

 

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