Justin's Adventures: China

Ok, so footballers spit when they get a bit too much saliva in their mouths because they've been running a bit, and Chavs spit because they think it's cool to be a bit obnoxious. But why do the Chinese spit??!!

And we're not talking about a subtle little 'toof' into a tissue. We're talking about retching up the stickiest, thickest globs of phelgm, and the biggest, green-ish, brown, cum-white, slightly bloody thick slime from the deepest channels of the sinuses. Sucking it up and then using that familiar but uncomfortable technique to force the 'gob ball' into your mouth.

Then they probably swill it around the tonsils a bit, over the toungue to taste the delicious but unusual saltiness before making a dip in the tongue and pursing the lips. Then they prepare to spit.

So where do they spit this tablespoon of viscous nasal debris? Into a tissue? Into the toilet bowl? Maybe into the gutter? No!! They sit in restaurants, move their chair back, lean forward and spit it on the floor - yes, in the restaurant!

Or, if they're in a very decent hotel lobby and they feel the urge they just gob in an ashtray at the side of the hall.

Or maybe on a carpeted staircase.

And this happens all day, everywhere - not just slums and suburbs but 'decent' city folk, non-stop. Yuk!

Hello folks!

Here I am in an average, 'business' Novotel in Beijing, just a few blocks down from Tiananmen Square. Ben Harper is here in my room playing his new album and I have some Nag Champa incense (purchased in Nepal) burning. Mmm..just like home..if I had one that is!

Beijing has been ok. Can't say too much but we've had some fun and met Meiduo and Hiro from Litang and we're going on a tour of Tibet and Western China with them. Should be fun! I leave tomorrow morning.

A few days ago we went to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City which was amazing. So much dramatic and recent history right here. (Incidentally I am censoring this posting just in case!)
I even managed to find a copy of the Last Emperor just to get a feel for things.

I've had more than my fair share of Chinese food here (although they tend to just call it 'food') and have come to the conclusion that no mater in the world you go, Chinese food is basically just greasy, sweet stuff fried in a mixture of sugar and MSG, or stewed cabbage and onion in um, greasy stuff with MSG in it. Yum!

I have enjoyed haggling at the fake clothing market and bought my share of North Face, Timberland and Rip Curl clothing and a rather stunning Breitling watch. I do have a troubled conscience about the kids in the sweatshop where the clothing was undoubtedly made but I take some pleasure in the fact that North Face, Timberland et al won't get to see any of my money, seeing as they are probably also running sweat shops!

So, the rest of the trip takes in Lhasa, Linxia, Litang and Chengdu and that's pretty much my itinerary for the next six weeks. Litang is between 2 and 14 degrees so it will seem just like a winter in England. But I am looking forward to getting to ride horses with our genuine herdsman, Hiro.
Click here for a map of the area I'm heading to. The map shows Lhasa rougly in the centre above Bhutan, Litang over to the East and Chengdu further East.

Speak soon. Be good!!