Back in China
I'm back in China again. The trip always makes me a little goofy for a while (13 hour fligh and 13 hour time change). It also makes it very challenging to keep up with things back home because I'm on the wrong side of the clock. Everyone's been very patient with me and I'm so glad to have the technology available to do email and other disconnected ways to keep up with people. I guess this Blog is another way to do that as well.
I found out a few fun things while here. I work regularly with austin's centralmagic site at austinmagic.org. My friend Steve Farmer started the site and does most of the work, but I try to tweak it now and again. I went to check on some information about Austin magic news and found the site was blocked from my hotel room. Apparently the Austin magicians pose a potential threat to the security of China. As a magician there are ways to deal with such matters-- and I did-- but it was a surprise to find the site blocked.
Another fun moment was when I was walking around next to the river looking for a place to have dinner. If you've never been to Shanghai they have a large number of watches for sale. People on the street are constantly trying to push them on you. I understand people trying to make a living, so I politely say no thanks and move on. Most persist for a time or two, but then they get the hint and go away. However I had one lady latch onto me and she would not go away. After saying "No thanks" several times I stopped and looked a little funny. With a small cough I produced a ribbon cards from my mouth and said "Excuse me! I really need to get something to drink." She did not follow me.
I finally saw three birds. Last time I remarked that there were no birds in Shanghai. I still haven't seen many signs, but while I was walking outside of a mall next to my hotel, I saw three sparrows on the sidewalk. Crazy! I still haven't gotten a good answer as to why there are not birds everywhere. I probably don't want to know.
One final thought. I saw a Hooters opening in shanghai. It is strange enough seeing McDonalds and KFC. Hooters is just too much. It doesn't seem to be opened yet, so I can't report on the hot wings.
OK. One last thought. I had a Chinese pizza last night. It had squid and shrimp with strips of onion and a few mushrooms and olives. Not like pizza back home. Definitely not!
I found out a few fun things while here. I work regularly with austin's centralmagic site at austinmagic.org. My friend Steve Farmer started the site and does most of the work, but I try to tweak it now and again. I went to check on some information about Austin magic news and found the site was blocked from my hotel room. Apparently the Austin magicians pose a potential threat to the security of China. As a magician there are ways to deal with such matters-- and I did-- but it was a surprise to find the site blocked.
Another fun moment was when I was walking around next to the river looking for a place to have dinner. If you've never been to Shanghai they have a large number of watches for sale. People on the street are constantly trying to push them on you. I understand people trying to make a living, so I politely say no thanks and move on. Most persist for a time or two, but then they get the hint and go away. However I had one lady latch onto me and she would not go away. After saying "No thanks" several times I stopped and looked a little funny. With a small cough I produced a ribbon cards from my mouth and said "Excuse me! I really need to get something to drink." She did not follow me.
I finally saw three birds. Last time I remarked that there were no birds in Shanghai. I still haven't seen many signs, but while I was walking outside of a mall next to my hotel, I saw three sparrows on the sidewalk. Crazy! I still haven't gotten a good answer as to why there are not birds everywhere. I probably don't want to know.
One final thought. I saw a Hooters opening in shanghai. It is strange enough seeing McDonalds and KFC. Hooters is just too much. It doesn't seem to be opened yet, so I can't report on the hot wings.
OK. One last thought. I had a Chinese pizza last night. It had squid and shrimp with strips of onion and a few mushrooms and olives. Not like pizza back home. Definitely not!
posted by Chris Walden at
11:49 PM
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