Title: If only countries blend like smoothies

It's been a while since my last entry, well i was away overseas. This time round, going on a holiday isn't what it used to be, for me that is. I went to visit scenic places, rather then the city life which i used to do. China was where i went. It was rather comforting to hear that i was going to China this time round, as Beijing gave me a mild good impression of what China was going to be like. I was prepared, well sort of.

Places that i covered in China were more to the scenic type then the city. Xiamen, Wu Yi Shan, Fuzhou, Putian, Quanzhou, Chaozhou, Shantou; those were places i covered in China. Well, i've said it, they were more of scenic places, so i did not expect much of their city. But i never thought it was rather worst then i thought. Hotels were alright, very much like the usual hotels. Stuffs are cheap there. So two ups. The downs are really...sad. Its almost not civilised.

Smoking was a big problem, people in China smoked EVERYWHERE! and i mean everywhere, from hotel lobbies, to restaurants and even the trains, its sort of like a national hobby or some sort. There was a point in the trip where we were supposed to take a five hour ride on the train to a certain place. I thought in my little head, five hours isnt that bad, i could play cards and all. And once again, the smoke raided the clean air. They weren't allowed to smoke though, there were designated places to smoke but...a typical Chinaman would not abide the rules and just smoked at the seats, how predictable. The problem that seriously pissed me off is that the police we confronted, did not care and told my family to take care of them on our own, its like a snooze button on a smoke alarm...hello? responsiblity....so much for being a police.

Spitting anywhere and not washing hands after using the bathroom,gross huh?, i know.

Apart from those "cultural trend" that the Chinese has, another "happening" trends are Temples, Beggars and Tea. You wouldn't get by a day without seeing one of them. For Temples, its roughly a 56% chance of seeing them, for tea its 52% and for Beggars? A whopping 98%, you'll see them everyday. They're like paparazzis, only without cameras. Its kind of a guilt walking past them without giving any money, but the problem is, once money is given to a certain beggar, the other beggars will swarm you. Its like drowning yourself in a human sea.

Here's my personal favourite, the TRAFFIC! I've always admired places with big lands to drive and walk. But, that image has been shattered rather badly. Cars 'cut' into lanes which go against the flow, moving the vehicles at high speeds after the red lights had been flashed. I don't mean just one vehicle, but many, from scooters, motorcycles, cars and even trucks. Crossing the roads was rather, suicidal. Crossing the roads,i had my life considerably shortened,very. I guess foreigners should take up a PHD course on 'Road-Crossing in China' in order to cross safely to the other side. I might add, crossing the roads of China, its like jumping off a springboard into a ravine, and doing flips while you're at it. Tough break, i know.

One hotel that left a deep impression on me was one at Shantou, the first thing i do when i step into any hotel, was to check the view outside. My brother went to swished the curtain to the sides, and WOW.....er....this is S***. I anticipated a nice scenic view of the ocean, but what i got was a dilapitated construction site. With more noises then work done, i would say that is counter-productive. "COME ON !CHOP-CHOP CHINA!!!"

Something i find achieving is that, i got to meet my Grandmother's and Grandfather's relatives, we mingled, ate, and talked, my grandmother had much catching up to do with her siblings.

All in all, it was great experiencing a different lifestyle for a change as compared to my own, For those people out there going to the places i've stated above, its no harm bringing some masks, and get the thickest one out there.

Im outta here.

out-