The Sojourner

August 2009 Wiggers

FOUR new countries are added to my wig collection this AUGUST!

Last month, Jo Greene (New Zealand) commented that she must be in the next batch of wiggers. Right on the first day of August, she didn't only fulfill her dream of putting the rainbow wig on her head, but she's the first one to proudly wear it this month and first evah from her country, New Zealand.


Sara Ganchi (London, England) sent me a cs message wanting to meet up with me to show her the nightlife. Dude, I didn't bring to the cheap bars but instead to posh CENTRO where she met the Grammy-award nominee, Andromeda Turre. After a glass of cocktail, she left to check out the bars in Nanlouguxiang. But she didn't leave sans wearing the wig. Ah, I miss her cute British accent.


Nancy Lee (Australia) is another cser who vowed not to leave Beijing without wearing the infamous wig. Ha, she texted me twice on the day we had dinner---to remind me NOT TO FORGET to bring the wig! I was actually already at the bus station that morning when I received her first message. Girl, I had to go back to get the wig. And later that night, with the wig on, she gave a pose that's soooo Nasty Nancy. Well, I told her to give such look. :))


Aline and Oskar (with K) (Germany and Poland) were with Nancy when we met at a friend's farewell party at 1001 Nights. Little did I know that this couple are the coolest, and without qualms, wore the wig after two bottles of tsingtao beer at Fish Nation in Sanlitun bar street. Too bad, I met them on their last night in Beijing---and I have to leave early to work the next day.

 


Nadeeja is a slim Sri Lankan guy who was an object of desire of a friend of mine at the dinner table. Well, who wouldn't fall for him? He's absolutely smooth to talk with and charming. Yes, he is. Very. ladies, I can give you his email addy. He's the first wigger from Sri Lanka. He's in love. With cigars. ;)


Ruth (Canada) is my statuesque couchsurfer with an oozing sex apeal. She has been travelling for the last two years (I hope I'm not wrong) of her life. She's getting wiser and volunteers wherever and whenever she can. I'm looking forward to see her walk the aisle (in Toronto---if ever I am invited! Hello, Ruth, I need an invitation! Hahahaha) with her soooo gorgeous boyfriend. And guess what, she looks more fabulous in that wig than me. :(( 


Barry and Sherry (USA) are, perhaps, the coolest couple I've ever befriended with. from our night debauchery in Bangkok, Thailand last year to cs and non-cs events here in Beijing, they're just an epitome of cool. While Andromeda Turre was singing a ballad at the background, they wore the wig like it belonged to them.

Adele (Singapore),no doubt, believes in the sanctity of friendship and relationship. We have to retake her wig picture because the first one showed generous amount of her cleavage. She freaked out. The second one turned out perfectly well. She was just stunning on the night she wore the colors on her head. 

Paul (USA) is another cser who asked to meet him for a glass of martini. Instead, we ended up sashaying our asses in bars and restos and introduced him to a couple of my friends. He's a hardcore drinker, beware. A glass of martini is nothing to him but water while it is so much for me to imbibe. And most of all, he owns West Hollywood. he's not meant for Beijing.


Francois (France) is a low-maintenance couchsurfer. He easily goes with the flow and very flexible with everything that comes along. He's easy to please and very cool person to hang out with until the next day. As you can see in the pix, he's sleepyhead. We went out a night before this was taken.

Hanggai

The throat-singing Mongolian band, HANGGAI, would never, ever fail to amaze you.

After hearing about them since last year, I finally witnessed a solid rock performance of the famed band that moved up everybody to their seats and pumped the dance floor as hard as they could. 

They just don't rock the house that is Yugong Yishan but they impressed me with their kind of music though I don't understand the lyrics of what they were singing.

I was simply blown away by the sheer power of their throaty voice. ;)

Music, indeed, is a universal language.

Throat singing is, perhaps, odd to some---as it was to me. When I heard them playing last night, I shrieked like a high school starlet---in my throat shrieking voice, of course. :))

The performance below is about people drinking and cheering to their hearts' contents.

Hanggai from wideye shut on Vimeo.

Here's an info about them written by Sarah Bardeen from their website:

When Beijing-based punk rocker Ilchi heard throat singing for the first time, he was determined to investigate his family's Inner Mongolian heritage. He journeyed there, met two traditional musicians named Hugejiltu and Bagen, and soon Hanggai was born. Based in Beijing but devoted to traditional Mongolian songs, Hanggai's spacious, undeniably gorgeous music has won it many fans.

 Hanggai sing about Mongolian Robin Hoods, mix throat singing with rock instruments, and dress like men of the steppes even though they live in the teeming metropolis of Beijing. But embodying contradictions comes naturally to ethnic minorities in China -- only this time it's different.

With their elegant songs, top-notch production and strangely familiar tunes, Hanggai have made the leap from folk phenomenon to crossover pioneers -- without losing their soul. Built from -- and meant for -- Mongolia's wide open spaces, this music will make you homesick for a place you've never been.

Chinese Traditional Dance

Summer Palace Garden of Virtue and Harmony.

It is said that this is the same stage where Beijing Opera was born.

Chinese Dance from wideye shut on Vimeo.

Chinese Traditional Music

Just in case your feet will lead you to the Summer Palace in Beijing one day, be sure to drop by the the GARDEN OF VIRTUE AND HARMONY to witness traditional Chinese stage performances like Beijing Opera, Music and Dances.

Two friends and I went there last Saturday and we were lucky to see the last show in the afternoon around 3:00.

Chinese Traditional Music from wideye shut on Vimeo.

Outdoor Napping in Forbidden City

I've been collecting Outdoor Beijing Nap since I arrive in Beijing. The ones above are taken in the East side of the Forbidden City Wall.

When summer comes in Beijing, the city turns into a huge comfy bedroom for everybody.

Yeah, this city always has a room for everyone who is never shy to take a nap outdoor.

Ah, yes, outdoor nap!

This is what Beijingers need at the moment--considering its rapid development which left the common Chinese in awe and wonder, who doesn't need a nap?

Or even just a cat nap?

We all are.

We need a good nap---wherever we are. Napping is a luxury that some people can't afford.

I so envy these people.

“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.” quoting Robert Fulghum in 1987 at Middlebury College

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“Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.”

quoting Robert Fulghum in 1987 at Middlebury College

1

"I catnap now and then, but I think while I nap, so it's not a waste of time." Martha Stewart

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"I catnap now and then, but I think while I nap, so it's not a waste of time." Martha Stewart

2

"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep." ~Dale Carnegie

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"If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep." ~Dale Carnegie

3

Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, Chief nourisher in life's feast. ~William Shakespeare, Macbeth

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Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleave of care
The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath
Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course,
Chief nourisher in life's feast.
~William Shakespeare, Macbeth

4

“I don't feel old. I don't feel anything till noon. That's when it's time for my nap.” Bob Hope

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“I don't feel old. I don't feel anything till noon. That's when it's time for my nap.” Bob Hope

5

Finally, you get the job, and you think you'll be dancing on the ceiling, but I just wanted to go take a nap. It was just like a weight had been lifted off or something. Josh Duhamel

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Finally, you get the job, and you think you'll be dancing on the ceiling, but I just wanted to go take a nap. It was just like a weight had been lifted off or something. Josh Duhamel

6

“A nap, my friend, is a brief period of sleep which overtakes superannuated persons when they endeavor to entertain unwelcome visitors or to listen to scientific lectures” George Bernard Shaw

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“A nap, my friend, is a brief period of sleep which overtakes superannuated persons when they endeavor to entertain unwelcome visitors or to listen to scientific lectures” George Bernard Shaw

7

“There is no point at which you can say, "Well, I'm successful now. I might as well take a nap."” Carrie Fisher

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“There is no point at which you can say, "Well, I'm successful now. I might as well take a nap."” Carrie Fisher

8

A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow. ~Charlotte Brontë

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A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow. ~Charlotte Brontë

9

O bed! O bed! delicious bed! That heaven upon earth to the weary head. ~Thomas Hood, Miss Kilmansegg - Her Dream

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O bed! O bed! delicious bed!
That heaven upon earth to the weary head.

~Thomas Hood, Miss Kilmansegg - Her Dream

10

Fatigue is the best pillow. ~Benjamin Franklin

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Fatigue is the best pillow. ~Benjamin Franklin

11

I'm not asleep... but that doesn't mean I'm awake. ~Author Unknown

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I'm not asleep... but that doesn't mean I'm awake. ~Author Unknown

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Sleeping is no mean art: for its sake one must stay awake all day. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

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Sleeping is no mean art: for its sake one must stay awake all day. ~Friedrich Nietzsche

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Yes, you are so right! THIS IS ME!

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Yes, you are so right! THIS IS ME!

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Park Card Games

Summer brings the other side of Beijing.

Aside from the searing heat / temperature, parks everywhere are full of people doing everything related to a culture unknown to the younger generation.

Oh, well, the youth know about it but they don't really bother to practice it.

From taichi to wushu to ribbon dancing to singing Beijing opera, parks come to life early in the morning with these sights and sounds.

And as the day progresses and as temperature rise, people begin to gather in group and play China's national past time / obsession: poker.


Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.
-- Mark Twain

1

This is usually played by the oldies. Those who are contented. And judging from the look of their faces, they seem happy.

The guy who invented poker was bright, but the guy who invented the chip was a genius. ~Author Unknown

2

Boredom makes us grow old fast. But poker? No, they delay aging. I guess so. :))

The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been. ---Madeleine L'Engle

3

Women group together while men do the same thing. Seldom both sexes play together. Don't ask me why. ;)

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Women group together while men do the same thing. Seldom both sexes play together. Don't ask me why. ;)

4

While four are playing, others are just but mere onlookers. When one player is tired, one would sit and replace him.

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While four are playing, others are just but mere onlookers. When one player is tired, one would sit and replace him.

5

This is a group of Tibetans who play on the street in front of a shop. They sell trinkets and other Tibetan jewelries around Beijing. When business is low, they gather around and play cards.

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This is a group of Tibetans who play on the street in front of a shop. They sell trinkets and other Tibetan jewelries around Beijing. When business is low, they gather around and play cards.

6

Under a pagoda-shaped shed. The commonest mistake in history is underestimating your opponent; it happens at the poker table all the time. ~David Shoup

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Under a pagoda-shaped shed.

The commonest mistake in history is underestimating your opponent; it happens at the poker table all the time. ~David Shoup

7

Exclusively for women only.

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Exclusively for women only.

8

These are the only young adult Beijingers I saw playing cards in a park.

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These are the only young adult Beijingers I saw playing cards in a park.

9

In this photo, I pretended to shoot the bird inside the cage.

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In this photo, I pretended to shoot the bird inside the cage.

10

Who says growing old is boring? It's just all in your brain!

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Who says growing old is boring? It's just all in your brain!

11

Like poker, life is not about winning or losing. It's about how you play it! "How long does it take to learn poker, Dad?" "All your life, son." ~Michael Pertwee

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Like poker, life is not about winning or losing. It's about how you play it!

"How long does it take to learn poker, Dad?"
"All your life, son."

~Michael Pertwee

12

Women, of course, can do what men can do!

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Women, of course, can do what men can do!

13

In life we lay your cards and do what we gotta do to win and survive!

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In life we lay your cards and do what we gotta do to win and survive!

14

Just by looking at the players, aging is so sweet.

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Just by looking at the players, aging is so sweet.

15

The best thing about these people playing outdoor games is that, there's no money involved. Not even a cent. It's just purely fun and spending afternoon time, sharing a hearty laughs with friends.

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The best thing about these people playing outdoor games is that, there's no money involved. Not even a cent. It's just purely fun and spending afternoon time, sharing a hearty laughs with friends.

16

As for me, I just wanna grow old gracefully and fabulously! ;)

My First CS Postcard

There's this group in COUCHSURFING that members send postcards of their country to random people who want it.

Or not.

But who doesn't want one, especially from a stranger who live far and away and that you are connected with the same purpose: pimping (or rather showing) your country through postcards and making someone SMILE, HAPPY and LOVED?

In this age of Information Technology, electronic communication seems to be the fastest and most practical choice.

Snail mail is out of the question. I read reports that some countries have closed some post offices due to their irrelevant existence and that's too sad to hear and read.

There's something about postcards.

Or shall I say, handwritten words.

They're sweet, if not romantic, in this age slash century.

When you see someone's handwriting, there's that instant connection and PERHAPS judgment who and what the person is.

But it doesn't really matter WHO and WHAT he is. It's the THOUGHT, as they say.

TODAY, I received my first postcard from Chris of Seattle. He's also the the moderator / founder of the POSTCARDS Club.




You can also leave your contact on the POSTCARD CLUB contacts website:
Username: postcards
Postcards: post



Thank you, CHRIS, for my very first ever CS postcard.

We may be far apart but someday, somehow, the universe will conspire for us to meet and say, "What a small world, mate!"

The POSTCARDS idea is as brilliant as my GLOBAL WIG Collection. Ok, it's about me, again. Hehehehe...

Aside from the fact that I'd be exposing my flamboyant handwriting on the back on the postcard, I decided to make MY OWN POSTCARD.

Talk about adding personal touch to it.

Instead of buying it somewhere, I brilliantly thought of printing my best travel photos into a postcard!

Tada!!!!!!!

The ones below are one of those travel photos with a story to tell.

CHOOSE ONE below and leave your address so I can ship it wherever you are!



THE STORY:
I was running as fast as I could in Gobi Dessert just to get nearer to this view. I don't wanna miss this awesome line of camels that looked magnificent and breath-taking!

It was like a scene of the movie I've seen before.

Or, maybe, I was thinking about The Nativity scene in the Bible.

I was a kilometer far and my tiny camera's zoom function can't make it clearer and nearer.

I was panting and profusely sweating when I took this shot.

It's worth it. ;)



THE STORY:
This is I think my best shot from the whole trip to Inner Mongolia. I lied down when I took this photo just to get the shot I wanted. read the whole trip HERE.

The people in this photo are my two students and the one in red is a guide dressed in Mongolian costume.

This photo won 3rd place in an online PHOTO CONTEST sponsored by a travel agency.

And.... for the Queers and the QUEER friendly, you might like this!



THREE FABULOUS individuals in three different countries (Spain, Portugal and The Philippines) merged their super fab powers for their own (sort of) Pride Parade at Simatai Great Wall.

The shot above was taken in the early morning of our climb.

For the whole story of the Fabuloushness, click HERE.

For the VIDEO, click HERE.

So, Ladies and Gentlemen, leave your contact name and address in the LEAVE COMMENT below this blog and you shall receive one. :)

Don't forget to tell me which one you want, dahlins'!

Soldier's Day?

For some weird conspiracy, four of my students came to the class in their military camouflage shorts / trousers without me realizing it until our first break in the class.

And ALL four of them were seated next to each other and when I pointed it out to everyone, they, too, were laughing hard and the rest of the students made them as the butt of jokes later.

The new military recruits were just playing it cool and one commanded the three others to march around the classroom.

They make my day!

Rumi: Eat your way to Persia

RUMI.

This name intrigues me. Everytime I go to Sanlitun, I always pass by this retaurant from the East 3rd Ring Road but never had the chance to check it out until last night---together with the Spanish-speaking nenderthals.

I was the only one who can't speak the language but I can get some bits and pieces. But, I was never left out. I have the Spanish blood in me so I know (I'd like to believe) how to deal with the conquestadores. Hahahahaha...

Anyway, before I write this entry, I searched for the meaning of RUMI and a lot of meanings / interpretations came out. But I chose this definition:

RUMI now it means a way of loving God with internal unavoidable passions, leaving everything els behind. Its now a state of ecstasy where love of The Lord takes over. In contrast to it there is also a concept of 'razi' (a state where love will not take over to shed away other obligations).

Isn't it cute?

Alright, back to the restaurant.

RUMI is your mouth to Persian glorious food. I'm not really a connoisseur of food but I know when it's good: I belch secretly.

Or rather, charmingly, in front of everybody. 

When everybody (7 of us) were almost at the table, we ordered anything that fancies our grumbling stomach. If you have dinner at 10:00 p.m., how would you feel?

Hungry. Very hungry. 

Then, food came in 27 minutes. Yes, I timed it.

Wow! That's fast, yeah? 

Rice came in first, as expected.

The kebabs arrived in 5 minutes: chicken, lamb, salmon, chicken kebabs and the stews.

The kebabs were good not enough for me to say, "Hallelujiah!" My favorite is the salmon kebab. 

Yeah, I'm so fishy. Into fish. Depends how it is cooked, really. But, anything boneless and cooked, I'd devour it like it's "finger-licking good." 

I just hate raw food. I'm not even into salad nor desserts.

RUMI's ambience is very minimalist: all white and with light mint green chairs. The outdoor dining area is a good choice in a good evening but random devilish mosquitos suck your sweet blood big time.

I wore hippy jeans shorts that exposed my hairy legs so those vampire flying objects mistook my legs for a bush, maybe? Hahahahaha...

Be warned that this place is pretty pricey for a backpacker or even for someone who earns below RMB 10,000 / month here in Beijing.

However, the salads and desserts are affordable. It's a good excuse to say, "I'm on a diet."

But, it's WORTH a try. The food is good and the table is placed with toothpicks (I have a thing for toothpicks!).

And they have a playroom, too, for children.

BUT, there's no ALCOHOLIC beverage here.

It's ok to bring one though.

And their paper plate mat has these romantic words (in English, Chinese and Arabic) that made me smile:

Where is it?

• Sanlitun 三里屯
• 1A Gongti Beilu (opposite Zhaolong Hotel), Chaoyang District
• 朝阳区工体北路甲1号兆龙饭店对面
• Daily 11.30am-midnight
• 8454 3838

They Hugged the Stonehenge For Me

Image by vgm8383 via Flickr

My happiness can't be contained when I received these photos from friends who are soooo madly in-love to each other.

The last time I checked, they seemed to be opposite in nature: one is bubbly, one is a bit quiet. :))

But, then, love works in mysterious ways, isn't it?

They went to this huge rave at THE Stonehenge and guess, what!?

They freely hugged those stones for me!

...and in a fashionable, fabulous way ... complete with a neatly, labor-of-love placard...

As Sarah said: 

"We went to the big Stonehenge Party on Free Hugs Day! (That's July 4!) Unfortunately, I didn't hug anyone apart from 'the stones'. You are normally not allowed to touch them - not even go near them - apart from this one night of the year!

Thank you so much, lovebirds.

I owe you a hug!

A tight one. Promise! :))