China Stories

Bed head.

22nd May 2008, Gerald

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Park life.

22nd May 2008, Maria

Today we had an early morning shoot in a park.

We were filming some people doing Tai Chi which is a type of martial art. It's a very graceful looking sport with lots of gentle hand movements and slow stretches and kicks. At first the park was really quiet, you could hear the tweet of birds and the lapping of water around the lake. In fact I felt I had to whisper my directions to JP and Dave it was so peaceful.

Then slowly but surely the park started filling up with hundreds and hundreds of pensioners. It was completely bizarre like a crazy outdoor sports academy for old people. Large groups of women were doing aerobics to 80s music; couples were waltzing to no music; some were swinging swords, fans or pompoms around; others were clapping and shouting in unison; many were playing badminton with no net; jogging, skipping, fishing, stretching, jumping or just writing Chinese script on the ground with brushes and water.

I think most people under the age of 60 were at work or school... Google the film "Cocoon" or ask an adult if they saw it because that's what it reminded me of!

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New arrival.

22nd May 2008, Gerald

Went to pick up Alasdair this morning with George and our driver. He arrived early so had to wait about for a bit unfortunately. He was pretty exhausted as he hadn't slept on the plane at all. He is catching a couple of hours sleep now and we are meeting at 3PM to go through our adventures so far.

Maybe I should just make him read this diary?

Just different.

22nd May 2008, Gerald

Today, after our early start (and our spot of Tai Chi), Maria and I went a wee visit to the supermarket / mall to stock up on bottled water (you have to watch your tummy on your travels, you can never be too careful) and batteries for all our cameras and stuff.

It was kind of weird. Actually, not weird. Just different.

First we bought a book of writing paper. We were about to take it away but the guy wasn't having any of it. We had to leave it with him but he did give us a slip of paper with the price on it. Then we went off to get the batteries and hilarity ensued as we tried to say the Chinese word for batteries which is pronounced dyen-chur (well it is if you can speak reasonable Mandarin, which I don't). This fellow did the same thing and then sent us off to see a lady in a booth in the middle of the store where we were told to pay.

Then you basically go back to everyone you met and they hand you a bag with your goodies.

As I said, just different.

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