Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Breakfast at the farm
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
China: The environment is NOT winning this battle
I knew it was bad, but honestly I didn't expect it to be so stunningly trashed out in the area between cities. Think of the worst post-industrial urban blight you've seen, add in new construction to the horizon in every direction, a billion people, smog, trash, sewage, infrastructure... an arid climate and wintertime.
It's really ugly out there.
Scenes from a 2 hour ride on the train. It was like this almost the whole way.
Tianjin at 10 in the morning. Note two things: 1) the amount of wind (flags standing straight out) 2) the skyline obscured by smog. How bad is it on a hot, windless summer day?? The near buildings were 1/4 mile away!
The glass paneled roof of a new railway station. Grime caked on. Looks like it has been there 50 years. This grime creates a unique form of booger. Good pickin!
Open, festering trash all over the place. Farmland is adjacent.
Polluted water, stagnant green in color, riverbanks made of layered trash. More farmland.
It's really ugly out there.
Scenes from a 2 hour ride on the train. It was like this almost the whole way.
Tianjin at 10 in the morning. Note two things: 1) the amount of wind (flags standing straight out) 2) the skyline obscured by smog. How bad is it on a hot, windless summer day?? The near buildings were 1/4 mile away!
The glass paneled roof of a new railway station. Grime caked on. Looks like it has been there 50 years. This grime creates a unique form of booger. Good pickin!
Open, festering trash all over the place. Farmland is adjacent.
Polluted water, stagnant green in color, riverbanks made of layered trash. More farmland.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Planes, trains and automobiles, part II
Taxi ride in Tianjin
Tianjin light rail - The customer prospect we met with
On the Beijing - Tianjin train
Going home after a long day! Jinge is on my right
Planes, trains and automobiles, part I
Beijing Subway at rush hour...
Boarding the train to Tianjin. You think flying coach is bad???
Monday, March 13, 2006
The food
I had cooked duck blood for lunch, frog for dinner.
Dont' ask, just eat. It all tastes good.
(Can't be worse than what is in a hotdog!)
Dont' ask, just eat. It all tastes good.
(Can't be worse than what is in a hotdog!)
Monday in Beijing
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Crazy street scenes from greater Beijing
Carrying home construction supplies on your bicycle, crossing against the light (of course!)
This guy is riding a three-wheeled motorcycle thing with a pickup bed in the back. Perfect place for the wifey, no? (does this count as a convertible? I bet I could pick one up cheap!)
"Semi-overloaded"...
Gas stations are like shrines, the nicest buildings around (After government buildings, natch) SINOPEC? How scary is that?
E & M: Quiz time
Guys, can you figure out what these huge pots are for, scattered all around the forbidden palace? Yes, they're really fancy, but the do have a purpose.
IF you need help, ask Gammafaye...
IF you need help, ask Gammafaye...
Tian Amen Square (and americans wearing knockoffs)
The streets are typically 14 lanes wide (5 for cars and 2 or bikes in each direction)
Tianamen square
Chinese culture museum. I did not go in (I have no culture?)... The guidebook says it sucks
Look, Ma! I got a great deal on a REAL North Face jacket for $20... (an easy way to spot Americans!) North Farce?More forbidden city (and the real chairman)
Forbidden bathrooms
The sign says "Star rated-toilet (4 stars) Issued by the Beijing Tourism Adminstration"... Never having been treated to a four-star bathroom before, I felt I must try it out.
...and my conclusion is that it is a lot like any other pisser I've seen. However, I will be on the lookout for one-star Chinese toilets, and will be sure to post pictures.
