China Stories

What's that sound?

26th May 2008, Maria

There is a strange new sound that echoes all around the streets of Denfeng (for this is where we are).

I heard it a few times in Beijing, but only in the distance and never close up. I've only seen (and heard) men do it, but I've been told women do it too. It's the sound of noses, throats and possibly stomach contents being spat out onto the ground with great force. In the hotel great blobs of phlegm are directed into buckets or indeed any receptacle resembling a spittoon. I can only shudder at the thought of winter cold season. It's strange that a country so bound up in etiquette and rituals should find it sociably acceptable to spit in public places, but they do and I'm just going to have to stop turning my nose up at it.

Photos from the Kung Fu academy.

26th May 2008, MariaandGerald

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A very different experience.

26th May 2008, Gerald

I always thought I was the kind of person who embraced the experience of seeing the "real" side of another country.

However, I'm beginning to question this.

After the comforts of Beijing with its big hotels, modern restaurants and general Olympic splendour, Dengfeng (our location for the Shaolin Kung Fu School) is proving to be a challenge.

This area is a much poorer area of China. Pretty much no English is spoken here and so we have to get by with the few words of Mandarin that we know. One of the strangest things that I just can't get used to (as well as the spitting) is that many people here stare at us as they simply haven't seen that many Westerners. To tell you the truth I feel pretty alienated here and I have a full crew with me! It's just very, very, erm, Chinese really.

I'm sure I must sound like a spoiled Westerner. Being in this very different area certainly reminds me how lucky I am. But I would be lying if I said it was easy here.

To finish on a more positive note, I have noticed that there is a strong sense of togetherness in Dengfeng. Very different to Beijing. People meet on the street when the dark comes to talk, eat, drink and laugh - both young and old. And with that comes a lovely atmosphere which tickles your senses.

I'm glad I was able to come and see Dengfeng.

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