Me Ol' China, 3 weeks to go... (never published till now and not sure why)

I am looking for a new mum. If you are looking for a son, I may be the child for you. I am adult, so low maintenance, British, cleanly shaved, have a good sense of humour, and say nice things from time to time. Does this sound like the kind of child you would like? If so please reply, telling me what makes you suitable to be my mum!

Lonely Boy

You understood my situation. You knew I was vulnerable and needed a friend. I knew you wanted to f*** me, but I had no expectations and wanted a distraction. You called me a child after I rejected you. "I have never been rejected," you said. Well I hope you learn something from your injured, pathetic ego, you piece of sh*t. You are the child.

Just wanted to rant.

these are the two ads I have chosen for you guys this week.

A very odd week, this one gone. I enjoyed last weekend very much going around with my family and visiting what I consider being the most beautiful place to visit in Beijing, The Summer Palace. nearly 6 hours walks up and down the ills to enjoy one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. After the weekend the week has gone slowly. I met my successor and I am working on the handover of all the work issues and try to sort out things. Departure is set for Sept 27th with a few flights and car journeys between then and the 11th October, day I will fly to Brazil. Things are nearly set but there are still some red tape issues that need to be sorted and I ma sure will be sorted within a couple of weeks. This week my family is, sadly, leaving China. They loved it so much, especially my daughter that is showing some signs of intolerance towards Westerners. Last weekend I have been showing off my "I love China T shirt" and all the Chinese people I was meeting were smiling an giggling and some taking pictures and showing their thumbs up. It was my was of showing the true feeling I got for this country.

The days have been really nice and this Autumn, yes over here in China, Autumn starts much earlier, is really wonderful. No Fog, no pollution, just beautiful sunny skies. Ideal for the Olympics. Hold on! Paralympics, the P word! Has anyone of you seen the Medal Table? I do not even know that there are athletes competing! The Committee has done a great job, putting Posters all over, changing all the "Olympics" into the P word but, frankly, I haven't heard anyone talking about them and I tried to look on the Italian sport newspaper, la Gazzetta, if there was any news and.. NOTHING! Disgraceful.

Olympics are over and migrants are back in town. The city looks more packed and so the subway system. Last week Hong Qiao market looked pretty full of Big Noses despite the end of the Olympics and the prices have gone down. The same mobile I paid 1050 for now is 750 (RMB, of course).

Another 3 weeks to enjoy Beijing, 3 more weeks to go and redo the things I loved most and try to see some people I haven't seen for a long time. I will place an ad today trying to get hold of someone to go partying on Saturday night. I need it, I really feel I need to go to have a drink. The departure of my family is breaking a routine I got accustomed to and I liked but, it signals, as well, the end of my Chinese experience as, from now on, it's all a matter of counting down the days.

3 weeks left of which only one off to sort all my things out before saying good bye... Not much, but enough to look, once again at all smiles in the streets.

Guys, if anything happens this weekend I will update the blog, if not see you next week. Catch you later!

We are back! Tibet...

I decided to restart this blog but talking about China, once again… I will write, occasionally, about news coming from China and being reported over here, in the Western world or wherever I will be living.

I am sure that this will show some big difference in the way things are reported, especially if compared to what I used to write when I was in Beijing.

I will try to get the impressions of some Big Noses in China or some Chinese folks living there, when the important news strikes.



The Italian capital, Rome, and Venice have a new citizen, the Dalai Lama. His Holiness has been granted the honorary citizenship and in a very measured way has declared that nearly 6000 people have been arrested in the last few months by the Chinese authorities. The Dalai Lama has also warned the Tibetans not to fight as it is not the right way to achieve a sort of greater independence. According to the Dalai Lama, they have never asked for independence but just some greater autonomy to make sure that traditions and Tibetan culture don’t go lost. I am wondering then, why, if Dalai Lama doesn’t want the independence, the whole world is protesting and fighting for it. Someone here is not telling the truth as, according to China, they want independence, according to the Tibet support overseas they want independence, according to His Holiness, this is not the case.

I looked around the web trying to find some points of view from Tibetans and from Chinese authorities and I found this very interesting blogger. I recommend reading it, especially to those that are for the independence of Tibet:


Link here: http://twofish.wordpress.com/2008/03/19/what-the-dalai-lama-is-really-against-tibetan-independence/


One reason I sympathize with Tibetans trying to figure out what it means to be Tibetan within a larger national and global community is that I have to do figure out how to do the same thing.


I’ve observed that Westerners admire Tibet because they see it as a “garden of eden.” A pure land unspoiled by modernity. The trouble is that if you don’t become modern, you become extinct, and part of the largely successful struggle that the Chinese nation has undergone is the struggle to be modern and avoid national extinction. To survive, you must have power. This means economic power and military power. You will get nowhere by throwing rocks at tanks, you must be able to build your own tanks. The question then becomes once you have power then how do you use it without either destroying yourself or becoming a monster. Very, very difficult.



There is a fundamental contradiction in Tibetan independence that I don’t think Westerners aren’t quite aware of. To become an independent nation-state, you must have an army, you must have schools that teach young people to salute the flag, you must have a power structure, you must be prepared to deal with demonstrators with a mix of carrots and sticks, you must write history books that justify the existence of the nation. You must in the end teach people to die and to kill for the motherland.



You must in short do hundreds of things that Westerners *don’t* want Tibetans to do.



It’s interesting to compare Tibet with Mongolia. Mongolia was able to achieve independence, but it had to completely destroy its Lamaist institutions to do so, and have a Marxist-Leninist revolution and basically become a Soviet satellite. Mongolia had to create a one party state and undertake some ethnic cleansing to achieve national independence. Tibet could have easily gone down that route.



In the 1920’s there was a major debate within Tibet about what to do, and the decision was made to keep the Lamas and not modernize, and this meant that when the PLA entered Tibet in 1951, they couldn’t shoot back. If Tibet had made different decisions in 1920, then then could have fought back in 1951, but having a huge army to fight would make Tibet today probably look something like Burma. The army that shoots the invaders would then shoot the Lamas.



This by the way is why the Dalai Lama is against Tibetan independence. An independent Tibet becomes “just another third-world country” with flags, schools, propaganda, soldiers, bureaucrats, history books, and riot police. The brutal reality of the world is that nation-states must be prepared to fight, to die, and if necessary to kill.



The Dalai Lama realizes that to have even the slightly chance of independence, Tibet must destroy its soul. I think he is probably more scared of his own supporters than he is of the Chinese army. The PLA can suppress the monasteries for centuries, but the Buddhist ideals will survive, since you can’t shoot an idea with bullets. The PLA is not the real danger to the Dalai Lama’s ideals, the real danger is subversion from within. People use the works of Muhammad to justify suicide bombing, and it is not hard to go down that slope and have the ideas of the Dalai Lama perverted into justifying something similar, and mixing the message of non-violence with the idea of the state which is all about violence, makes this easier.



He realises this but I don’t think most of his supporters do.



I agree with blogger, to be honest but, Dalai Lama should make this much cleared and tell the Richard Geres and all those people giving him every sort of memorabilia in exchange of the Tibetan scarves that with their request for independence they are actually against Tibet and against the people of China which have no guilt towards the way history went.



This is an interesting excerpt from the website of the Council on Foreign Relations (http://www.cfr.org/publication/15965/) explaining how the Chinese claims came to live:



China claims that Tibet has been an inalienable part of China (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/08/content_7935999.htm) since the thirteenth century under the Yuan dynasty. Tibetan nationalists and their supporters counter that the Chinese Empire at that time was either a Mongol (in Chinese, Yuan) empire or a Manchu (Qing) one, which happened to include China too, and that Tibet was a protectorate, wherein Tibetans offered spiritual guidance to emperors in return for political protection. When British attempts to open relations with Tibet culminated in the 1903-04 invasion and conquest of Lhasa, Qing-ruled China, which considered Tibet politically subordinate, countered with attempts to increase control over Tibet’s administration. But in 1913, a year after the Qing dynasty collapsed, Tibet declared independence and all Chinese officials and residents in Lhasa were expelled by the Tibetan government. Tibet thenceforth functioned as a de facto independent nation until the Chinese army invaded its eastern borders in 1950.

· But even during this period, Tibet’s international status remained unsettled. China continued to claim it as sovereign territory. Western countries, including Britain and the United States, did not recognize Tibet as fully independent. After founding the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the new communist government in China sought reunification with Tibet and decided to invade it in 1950. A year later, in 1951, the Dalai Lama’s representatives signed a seventeen-point agreement with Beijing, granting China sovereignty over Tibet for the first time. The agreement stated that the central authorities “will not alter the existing political system in Tibet” or “the established status, functions and powers of the Dalai Lama.” While the Chinese government points to this document to prove Tibet is part of Chinese territory, proponents of Tibetan independence say Tibet was coerced into signing this document and surrendering its sovereignty.



Up to this the facts, you can read the rest on the CFR website, as after this point there are speculations and point of views of different parties.



As I always say:



· Tibet is very important to China’s sense of nationhood, says CFR’s China expert Adam Segal. “There is a fear that if Tibet gets independence, Uighurs and Taiwan will want independence.”

·

· Then it continues:

·

· Segal notes that Chinese authorities have frequently suggested that they are just waiting for the Dalai Lama to die, expecting Tibetan nationalism to disappear after his death, but says this may be a miscalculation. “I think the more radical Tibetans would direct the movement for independence after Dalai Lama’s death.”

Experts agree that unless there is political reform within China, the resolution of the Tibetan question remains bleak. "The historical question was never unsolvable," says Barnett. "It would not have been a problem necessarily if China had been able to develop policies for Tibet that were acceptable to most Tibetans." In November 2008, the Dalai Lama said his efforts to bring autonomy to Tibet had failed so far and called for a meeting of Tibetans from around the world to consider the future of the Tibetan movement. The meeting, which took place Nov. 17-22 in Dharamsala, India, drew more than five hundred Tibetans. Though the meeting closed with what was described as a "strong endorsement" (http://www.savetibet.org/media-center/ict-press-releases/tibetan-exiles-back-dalai-lama-challenge-talks-with-china) of the Dalai Lama's "middle-way" approach, participants also "clearly stated" they might seek independence if talks with China do not bring progress "in the near future."



So, dear Western readers, my point of view is very simple, is the one of the Dalai Lama: more autonomy, but forget the independence. Those who advocate their causes to a Free Tibet are those condemning the Dalai Lama’s ambitions for a greater autonomy.



Think about it people...



I am looking forward for an official point of view from China, about this.



I leave you with the Proclamation issued by the Dalai Lama XIII in 1913



http://www.tibetjustice.org/materials/tibet/tibet1.html



bye folks!

A big thank you to you all

Hello folks,

long no see... 3 weeks gone between last blog and now and 3 weeks that might change my life for good have gone without you knowing anything.

I have enjoyed greatly keeping this diary on a regular basis, well, more or less regularly, but now, it is time to take a break from it.

I have decided to stop writing at a weekly interval and stop keeping you informed about my life.

I am deleting my links from professional networks and I might do the same, at due time, with the social ones.

I think that I need more time to dedicate to myself, my well being, my life and my happiness and start keeping for me what I see and what I do.

I got the feeling that sharing is not always fulfilling, sometimes makes you feel naked in front of the entire world and, despite being very upfront and open, I do not think I can continue writing about my feelings as I go along without feeling naked and ashamed and, at the same time, I do not think is fair to be selective about the things I tell you, hiding things I go through.

As I said, this is a special period of my life and it is that time when you need to look forward and start again. One of those moments you feel you failed, you let someone down. This is much worse if the one let down is you!

So, my dear friends, I will take a break and I do not exclude I will be coming back to write about my life, my impressions and my experiences, but for the time being, this black out is necessary for me to get back my privacy and hide my nudity.

Happy 2009 and big big hugs to all of you, especially the few that have been there since the beginning of this diary.

Good by Me Ol' Chinas!

Italian (dis)information...

Italy continues the ideological war waged against China and its “biased” media that the Far East giant presents. If you had read some of my blogs in the past, you certainly know that I have been contradicting, strongly and vehemently, what the Western media was saying about China, the media and the official government positions.

Some journalists are shameless and today I was watching a special report by RAI UNO, broadcast on RAI ITALIA, about Mumbai’s tragedy.

The journalist in the Rome office starts with a “We have Paolo Longo, our correspondent in China that will confirm that there has been no mention at all in China about the Mumbai events. Isn’t it Paolo?” Paolo Longo: “It’s not true. Newspapers and TV have all mentioned it and, yes, they have not given the same time and visibility we have done in Europe but nevertheless the media has reported the events and followed the situation”. The journalist in Rome wasn’t so happy: “But for sure the government hasn’t mentioned anything at all”. Longo: “officially there has been no communications but I do not think that this is due to any special reasons. India and China are competitors (…) in some cases but recently they are increasing cooperation (…) and China has got bigger problems to think about these days”. Journalist “What kind of problems?”. Longo: “Strong economic crisis that seems to be much worse than expected…” bla bla bla…

Ok, if you cannot take my word for it, take the one coming directly from India:

http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/28/stories/2008112860511700.htm

China: opposed to any form of terrorism
BEIJING: Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday sent a message of condolences to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh concerning the terrorist in Mumbai.
Mr. Wen said China condemned the attacks, noting that it is firmly opposed to terrorism of any form. On behalf of the Chinese government, Mr. Wen expressed deep grief for the victims and conveyed sincere condolences to the relatives of the victims and those wounded in the violence.
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also sent a condolences message to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. — Xinhua, PTI

FULL OF SHIT! Especially when it is well known that China is facing some religious related issues with Islamic groups looking for independence from Beijing, not to talk about the well-known Tibetan story.

Zai Jian wo de zhong guo peng you! Zhen xiang zong shou xian!
再见我的中国朋友! 真相总是首先

Farewell Me Ol' Blog!

this was the description of the Blog that kept me and you guys company for the last 10 months:

MY views and not those of political commentators about my home country, Italy, and the one currently hosting me: China. An Asian country projected towards the future and a European country looking with nostalgia at its glorious past. A country that is politically tolerated due to the economic power and benefits it brings and one that is struggling growing and seems too busy in cheap political games.

Next week the title will change to...

surprise!!!

Me Ol' China, one week BB (Before Brazil)

I have spent some unforgettable time in Venice. Fantastic hotel, weather, food, company and most of all, my older sister's wedding!

I will not go through details about my feeling and the wedding as I cherish them as something extremely personal and it would be impossible to describe the feelings and emotions I have been through because only knowing me and my family very well would allow you to understand me.

Last week, between London and Venice, have represented the two extremes. A place that is ancient and gives you the impression of greatness and luxury and romanticism and another one that gives you exact opposite feeling of decaying, dirt and unromantic place. Pity... I really loved London....

Venice... last time I was there was in 1986 and frankly I had no memories about this city... Perhaps because I was there with my classmates and we cared more about laughing and running behind some skirts than looking around at the architecture. I found it magical. I have to admit that during these years I have had only negative words for the city on the Lagoon but now I am deeply in love with it and all those bullshitting expressions of "The Venice of Belgium" " The Venice of the US" "The Venice of North" and so on is pure rubbish! Venice is Venice and it is not a bit of water that makes a city comparable to Venice.

But no doubt that the most important event for the world is the Financial Crisis that is deepening beyond any possible imagination with Central Banks and Governments intervening to avoid a global default. what do we learn from this? simply that the system is not up to its role but that the system we currently have in place is the one that allows a high degree of flexibility in rescuing the markets. The banks are coming out of it with broken bones, the Governments are having a hell of a high speed ride, people are getting grey hair but, after all, speculation is getting hit badly and this is my biggest satisfaction! The EU is proving to be worth nothing as each country does whatever wants and the usual parasites we have in Europe, talking about Ireland or the Netherlands, still try to vouch on the crisis putting in place the usual unfair competition against other States. But these others emulate the others and, currently, we are assisting to a nationalisation of the whole Banking System in the UK, proving that the free market they always have been proud of is literally CRAP! and Italy still risks to see the Alitalia rescue plan boycotted by the EU! It's a bloody joke! ahahha

Anyway folks, this Saturday I am flying to Sao Paulo in Brazil and from next week I will be reporting from there. Now I am tired and I go to have some lunch. Catch you later! Be good!

Me Ol' China, these are financial times... remember... remember

Long Live the capitalism!

ahahahhahhahhaha oh guys it's so fucking funny to see the capitalism being rescued by the governments! amazing! where are those that think that the State should be out of everything?

Would they be so happy today if the whole system had crashed? Even because those who normally cry "Capitalism! Capitalism!" are those who will be swiped away first with this crisis.

I read that the banks are keeping cleaning their cupboards of the remaining skeletons they have accumulated in the last 15 to 20 years and I still think that the subprime got nothing to do and to see with this crisis but it has been a good excuse for starting showing the dirt in the safes.

At last the Capitalism and neo-liberism is shown its face. These days events are shown how over exposed banks are and that their intermediary role is reduced to a small part of their activities. I think that there is no doubt that banks have hands into everything and their main inter mediation role is just a power grabbing one rather than facilitate money flows between those who have excess of liquidity and those who are short of it.

I see big names like Fortis being saved by the governments, not to talk about the US banks or the Swiss and the UK ones... The growth of Fortis has always been puzzling and the team that was put in place to demolish ABN AMRO shows the true face of Financial Scavengers. If you only knew how much money Fortis wastes in external consultancies and the same for the other banks part of the triad that bought ABN, you would be disgusted!

Those who want to privatise everything, included the State activities, these days should repent, but I know that they will just stay at home and they will praise how perfect the capitalism is because it allows a rescue plan.

Oh Gosh if it was China doing this!

V for Vendetta!

When I used to live in England I remember I was really impressed by the freedom I could breath in London and by the simplicity of going through the passport controls and so on. I always said that I couldn't feel and form of State authority on the citizens or visitors to the UK. Yesterday, arriving in the UK, I had the exact opposite feeling. when I was coming through the passport control I started seeing a series of Black, Red and Blue (the UK colours) boards telling you that you were going to be controlled, that the officers in charge know how to detect a false passport or Visa, that if you dare being aggressive with the officers they would kick your ass, that you could not mess around with Political Asylum, that controls take longer than usual due to the times we live in and so on.

On the way to London via the Stansted Express I was looking at London by the train perspective and I found the show absolutely desolating: old! But not old like Rome can be, old like decadent, dirty. and even the new building here and there popping up, are so close to the rail-tracks giving you the impression of poverty and cheap.

Of course when you pay 21 pounds for a one way ticket from Stanstead to Mansion House and when you use the same old trains and the same old tube and you look at the sad face of people, you really miss China and the less capitalistic countries.

V for Vendetta!

Believe me guys, I felt as if I was part of the movie. the sense of freedom I had more than 20 years ago in England and that accompanied me for more than a decade is gone. I feel the UK as an oppressive place. I do not feel safe. I feel as if you are a suspect, no matter what you do. For the first time I felt as if the Big Brother was there at the airport, with me.

It is a very odd feeling and I was telling myself "remember remember the 5th of November..."

Me Ol' China, 1 week AB (After Beijing)

My first week in Europe or, better say away from China, is ongoing. I have been catapulted in the Western society, especially the Italian one. What do the Italians talk about? Nothing. Italians do not talk, Italians complain! From Alitalia, to the Euro to the cost of living to the politicians to the neighbours to the global warming, Italians do it better, where IT is "moaning".

You try, as a foreigner to talk to an Italian about some internal issues and you will see the reaction you will get from him or her. Example.

Italian 1: This country is becoming impossible to manage but the fault is mainly due to our political class that does nothing but look after their own returns.
Italian 2: Indeed. They are all alike. I really wonder if we deserve a political class like that. Living here is becoming impossible. Life is too expensive and there is nothing in exchange to the tax we pay. It would be nice to pay but knowing that you get something back...
Italian 1: Absolutely. In any other Democratic country this would never happen. Just because we Italians have a short memory they can do whatever they want...
(...)

Same conversation with a foreigner:

Italian 1: This country is becoming impossible to manage but the fault is mainly due to our political class that does nothing but look after their own returns.
Foreigner: Well, I think that people got the governments they deserve as they are a direct expression of the vote. As foreigner resident here I always wonder what makes Italians choose between a politician and the other.
Italian 1: I think that this is the same situation everywhere with the difference that in Italy we always go public with our problems and in other countries they keep quiet.
Foreigner: I do not think so because the problems you have in Italy are pretty unique and linked to the honesty and the abuse of the public trust, power and goodwill
Italian 1: why do you think that in your country is different? At least over here we have nice weather and food ...
(...)

and so on...

Italians love moaning but do not support their point of view to eagerly because they do not like to be absolutely right. They like that someone from overseas tells them that it is not as bad as...

If you want to know what an Italian really think, try to make him feel better telling the opposite of what he or she says.

We are strange animals.

Next week I will be in the UK... My God, even further from my China. Not in terms of mileage but in terms of mentality and lifestyle but it will be only a week before coming back to Italy.

Guys, I really got not too much to report this week except for the emails and messages I keep getting from friends from China. Some are very touching and some are really sweet. I feel I left part of my being over there and I got this feeling that it is not over and that I will go back over there. I am planning to go back by 2010, when I will have finished my Brazilian experience. I am not counting the days because I would not enjoy my life between now and then but, for sure, I am keeping this hope in my heart so that I feel less sad about the distance. 2009 is going to be another year full of events for me and big changes. My family is leaving Italy and as at today it is still unknown where my wife will be settling, but, for sure, away from Italy. I am pretty cool about it because this country hasn't got much to offer to young people and my daughter in 10 years will have to look for a way ahead. I favour Germany and Belgium with greater preference for Germany but, frankly, my opinion never matches my wife's so it will be up to her to decide where and when to move. My daughter would like to go to China but my wife is not keen on that and I can certainly say that there are less chances they go to China than go on Mars... Sorry for my daughter... Anyhow guys, got not much more to report from this end except that I am enjoying the food and I am not going up in weight. Coooooool!

Some of you have asked me what I think about the Economic situation, globally, and especially about China. Frankly guys, I got enough on my plate to be busy with and I haven't got a clear idea but one thought, yes, I got one thought: I am so damn happy that this paper castle is starting collapsing! All the best Me ol' China and next week I will report my thoughts from London.

I Love You, China

7 AM, up as usual at 7 AM. But today is not any ordinary day. This morning the bells do not seem to wish me good morning, they have a tone of sadness. The same feeling one has when listens to a song of the childhood and thinks of oneself laughing and enjoying that happy song. The same feeling, that the happy song seems to be a sad song because of the memories that brings back cannot be revived. The week gone has been one of the saddest weeks in my life. I am leaving a place I loved from day one and learned to love despite all its faults. Like a woman you love for a reason and that you could hate for 100 other reasons but that feeling of love prevails. Far from being perfect, China, has been for me a travel of self-discover. I discovered that I can be, over here, myself more than I have been anywhere else. A country where people keep their emotions well under control has had, on me, the opposite effect. A rainbow of emotions since I arrived here. Beijing 2008, for you all will be the happy name of an Olympic event, for me is an unforgettable year. I changed, this place changed me. Everything has happened during my stay here in China. Heart-quakes, snow storms, typhoons, blazes, mine tragedies, tragedies of all kind, losses in my family, personal set-backs but also I discovered new friends, new type of food, a new culture. I am leaving China much richer than when I arrived. I have made new friends, I have learned a few words of Chinese, I have come to contact with one of the most ancients cultures in the world and learned to love and appreciate the diversity that the people of this country proudly carry. My memories of China, if I should put a spot together, will be a sequence of smiles followed by one of shadow fighters in the park, fan dancers, traditional opera painted faces, people exercising in the streets and kids looking at me as if I were straight from Mars, people taking pictures of me for my funny (Big nose) look, waitresses laughing at me while I eat with chopsticks, or when I bite a silk worm on a stick. But, also, I will not forget the strong emotional storm that has taken me when the Sichuan tragedy occurred and the days of national mourning and the victims count rising and never stopping. I will have vivid memories of people, friends, that have accompanied me in this trip, whether for a day or a week or a month. Some friends from very far, some from very close, but all of them showing their affections. The words of my daughter one evening in Hou Hai will be plastered in my heart forever "This is the most beautiful experience of my life". I know how she felt and how she still feels. This place kidnaps your senses and makes a smoothie with them. The smells, pleasant and not, the sounds, very often noises, the gardens, the parks, the calligraphy, the way many dress, the colours. All together in a blender and you are lost. If the Western travelers that sold opium would have felt what I feel about China it would have been them prisoners of China and not vice-versa.

Leave a door open for me, China, and take my tears as a down payment. I will come back. I must come back. I am just suspending my life for a while, until the reasons of my departures will be gone and I will have no more reasons to stay away from you. I hope that you will welcome me with the same warmth you did in January, January 6th, when everything started.

Good bye my love.

I love you.

Farewell (Me Ol') China!

Well well well... The financial crisis is getting deeper and deeper with the bankruptcy of Lehman and with the takeover of M. Lynch. Two historical names disappearing from the map of the financial world. Even Goldman Sachs reports strong reduction of profits in Q3. Exchanges all over the world are showing big losses. So? What do we make of this? I have to admit that up to last year November I did not expect the market to take such a bad turn but I have always said that if something would have happened, the Sub prime would have been just an excuse. I still think that there is more to this then Sub primes. Low interest rates are to be blamed for this big mess. The Clinton administration has a lot to be blamed for all of this. AIG... 85 billion dollar rescue package. Once again I would like to ask those who believe that the free market is a blessing if they would be happy now if they were in a less free market. Especially those who gamble with stocks or those who lost their jobs or risk to lose they pensions. Social Security in the hands of private institutions. Are you still in favour of it? Is the State intervention something positive for the collectivity? I really wonder if saving thousands of people's pensions is something positive for the community. Why should I pay out of my tax money to save my neighbour's investment? The truth is that we are all glad queers when someone else's ass is at stake.

The whole bloody Western world has been pointing the finger at China because of the State owned system and the "unclear" and "unfair" competition rules and then, here we go with Uncle Sam's country doing whatever they want above any rule. Oh yes, someone will say that this is a must to save the world from a collapse. I am wondering if a collapse is so negative. And I wonder if the collapse is not something natural and due, thanks to some greedy bastards that have been wanting more and more profit and made a dead body shake and dance hip hop just giving it electric shocks for years and years.

China could teach the Western world how to run the economy and, as I mentioned months ago, we tend to point a finger out of envy! China is the model for our "neoliberal" governments. Any democratic government would like to have a Chinese style management of the economy but, we cannot, we are afraid so, instead, we create these crashes and to allow Mr. Fitzpatrick from Hastings Nebraska to keep his 100K USD house, we have to suffer all the shit these economic crises bring.

America! America! The true danger for the world. Down with it! I am fucking tired of having to plan my whole existence based on the caprices of this country. I am tired of being Italian, European, American. I am tired of having to suffer, passively, all the setbacks due to a world based on some sort of balances that are so weak and so unfairly accepted as valid. From the UN to the WTO to the EU's Trust rules. In Italy we have a company that thanks to the mismanagement of the political class since 1945 has created a freak show with the best paid waitress in the world, Alitalia. But now we cannot do anything to save it because the EU laws do not allow state aids but, look at America!

Fucking hell guys, wake up! It is time to say NO to this one sided way of life. I hate Putin but i hope that he will manage to balance this world that is too much on one side. China cannot do much, too busy in keeping the internal order under control and playing with the ethnic puzzle and the forces that want to pull it on one side or another. So, Russia seems like the only country that can free us from this dependency we have.

I would still stick to the US side in a new Cold War but, I would love to have some balance.

So guys, my last week in China. I am publishing the blog midweek because I am not sure I will be able to write anything that will make sense during my last weekend here.

Time has come to go and I really do not feel like saying much about it. I will miss it terribly.

I am sure that those of you that have faith find a reason in doing things, even those you don't understand why you are doing. For me it's different. I like to see the reason behind decisions and when the reasons fail I see a strong defeat. I have been defeated a few times in my life and this is starting getting heavier on my chest. Living life for the sake of it is not what I aimed for all my life. I had ambitions, I had dreams, I never had certainties except one: I will make it! This has been my main motivator since I was a kid and so far I made it but the price has been high. Aiming to the stars makes you lose touch with the ground. Being a scientist makes your arguments understandable to few. Being a dreamer makes you a loser in this world. Being realist makes you either optimist or pessimist, depending on who you talk to. Whoever you aim to be and become creates a sort of canal around you and makes you lonelier.

I am your man. Leonard Cohen. A man for all seasons... that is many people want but if you are straight and honest this is not possible. So you are singled out and even those who appreciate your being straight is only because you agree with them, otherwise you will never be appreciated.

the choice is yours: be who you are or be whoever the others want you to be.

I chose, long ago, to be myself and despite the price I pay for this, I continue in my way towards something, probably a journey of self discover, probably a place, a time, a person, a something or, most probably, simply towards the end of life having accomplished a few million miles, contributed to give birth to a child for no reason. I will have known 30% of the world but I will not have had a place to call home. No security blanket, no friends to call in the night and meet, missed my daughter growing up, my parents getting older and all for the sake of knowing the world... Does it justify such a big sacrifice? Is there a prize for those who deal with many cultures? Would this blog or even a book about China, Saudi Arabia or any other place in the world ever influence people and make them change their mind about Tibet and Islam? I don't think so. So the answer is very simple. No, it is not worth it. Stay with the family guys, it's much better.

Next week I will write from Italy. Not sure, actually I will. I might take a week break as I think nothing interesting will happen and I want to keep the emotions I will experience boarding that place to myself.

Hugs to all of you, Me Ol' Chinas!

Thank you China! Thank you wonderful country! Thank you smiley people! You changed me in many ways. Wo ay ni, Zhong Guo

Me Ol' China, a thoughtful week.

My family has left Beijing. I cannot describe the feeling of loneliness I have been thrown in. China is not longer the same. I learned to love this place and I taught my family to love it as much as I did and, at least with my daughter, I am sure I succeeded but, with her leaving, seems like she has taken away the enthusiasm I had since I arrived here. It could well be the fact that I see their departure as a milestone preceding the only milestone left in my Chinese experience. I will leave China on September 23rd with an Air China flight. As Peter, my young Australian brother said, seems like I am trying to stretch China all the way. Perhaps is true, perhaps it is just because it's the only airline that flies direct to Rome from the Northern Capital.

Anyway, me ol' China, let's me share some thoughts with you about everything.

this week has been one of the most disappointing here in China under a personal relationship point of view. I had to realise what a bunch of backstabbers the people I work with are. It is sad to admit but I have screwed it up great times. Imagine you go for a trip for a week and at the doorstep you tell your young son that now, he is the man of the house. A week later, when you are back the boy will have developed such a sense of security that he will really believe to be a man and when he will realise that he is still a child, if you leave some guns around, he might even kill you in your sleep. The kids are my colleagues. Defending their work at the eye of the client and the same management and taking on the burden of having to do their job has made them think that they were big boys and could look after mummy... Well, this is something I learned about my colleagues and about Chinese.

If I should find a fault to these people, I would say that they are too sly and they were not tailored to be straight and tell you what they think. While I find this acceptable in every day's life with people I just come across in a restaurant or a bar, I find rather annoying this happening on the workplace or in so-called friendship.

Funny enough a couple of days ago, someone, on a social network posted this question:

What do Chinese people perceived the westerners staying in China? Are they opened to cultural shock brought in by westerners?
I like to hear some feed backs from westerners who stayed in China and welcome their frank comment of what Chinese people think of them......cheers

my answer:

It is difficult to answer to this question as experiences can prove me wrong but in my case I have tried to manage a project basing it on respect, considerations and professionalism but it failed to get through. I think that the attitude of many westerners towards Chinese people is rather arrogant but I have to admit that if I were arrogant I would have obtained better results in my job. This makes very clear that my answer to your question is a No, Chinese people do not find us pleasant in our way of doing business even because they are not keen in straight talking preferring backstabbing and badmouthing to frank comments and relationship. I am pretty sure that this answer to your question will attract some criticism but, as I said, this has been my impression in 9 months of China and despite the love I have developed for this people and this country, when, and not if, when I will come back I will use a different attitude towards locals at work. I do not think that China is ready for the cultural shock, they are light years away from our western culture. It takes time to develop, I am sure.

So, some of you must think... So why are you sad about leaving? The answer is very simple and I answer with a question to you all: Have you ever loved someone that gives you grief, anger, disappoint you? Nevertheless you still love this someone because love goes much deep inside you and touches some spots you do not even realise you had.

My love for China in unconditional.

Do you remember the migrants and the Olympics? well, they are back. The subway system is packed again with people and the streets boost with cyclists. It is nice to see Beijing back to normal. Where were they? Some critics say that they were hidden behind the walls hiding the old and the dirt of Beijing, but the truth is that they were back to their home provinces because the factories were closed.

This coming Monday, September 15th, is public holiday in China, Mid Autumn Festival, introduced this year to spread out the long golden week in May. It is a new tradition that has started. Beijing is flooded with shops and stands selling Moon cakes (search on Wikipedia to see them) and people buying them all over. Even chains like Starbucks have their own moon cakes up for grab and there are a huge variety and size. I think that, so far, this is the richest and sweetest cake I have tasted over here. Deserts in China are normally not sweet and in some case bitter. This one really looks like the odd one. chinese seem loving Festivals and give big importance to all celebrations.

How about Paralympics? As I mentioned in my Comment, I found out that they were not on yet but nobody knew anything about it... Now they are getting some coverage but, in the meantime, factories have re-opened and we can breath again a bit of smog and so the athletes. Thanks for that! Is it so impossible to run Olympic and Paralympics at the same time? Wouldn't it make all athletes feel alike? Probably not...

Now let me talk about this country: the USA... Have you ever heard about Alexis De Tocqueville? If so, you realise that his book doesn't certainly apply to today's America, if not, I recommend to read it as it might have been the reason for which America in Chinese is called Mei Guo, Beautiful country.

I think that America has been showing the worst of itself in the last 15 to 20 years. All the good things built during the cold war have now joined the bad ones they were developing at the same time. What is meant to be a liberal country is becoming more and more protectionist and while they preach fairness and market rules, they are the biggest communist and protectionist block of states in the world. Of course they are above law and impunity is guaranteed for them.

they can break any WTO rule, they can forget paying their debts to the UN, they can decided whether bomb my apartment or not and get the approval for doing that just shouting "fetch" to some little puppies around them, like the Italian dwarf, that you can admire in all his ignorance and bronze face on the left hand side of this page, and the British Puppy Blair.

The latest action is the nationalisation of Fanny Mae and Freddy. In Europe something like that would never be allowed, but in America, they can. I am outraged by the Alitalia scam that compared to the Fannie Freddy deal is really negligible. What a fucking world we live in!

The liberal America now has introduced the ESTA. Have you heard about it? No? read it... http://www.visitusa.org.uk/visitors/esta.aspx Of course it has all been done for your own sake! Because uncle Sam thinks of you! I still am pissed off at the fact that they breed their terrorists and then they are trying to blame the others for that.

How about Condoleeza Bitch Rice? Cuba was hit by Hurricanes and asked for a temporary removal of the embargo. The Bitch refused. No further comments necessary.

How about the other starlet, VP hopeful Palin? any gay friend out there? Be happy mate, with her prayers you might turn straight and perhaps Republican! I rather have a gay child than an homophobic one. But our fellow human beings with Stars and Stripes have felt galvanised by this woman that is homophobic, in favour of death penalty and in favour of carrying weapons. what a woman! fucking hell...

Or if we want to look at their respect towards non Christians, if Liebermann had become VP at the last election would have he sworn on the Talmud? How about an atheist being elected? Does he swear on Darwin's evolutionary theory book? Isn't it time that America becomes a lay state? I find offensive to all non believers living in the US. I think that swearing on the Constitution would be the most obvious thing to do, as sign of respect...

Alexis de Toqueville's America? ah!

How about Italians. This week we have offered a nice show with the mayor of Rome declaring that fascism was not so bad after-all and the Defense Secretary declaring that those who died defending Mussolini fighting the Liberation forces should be honoured as well as the partisans that were fighting the regime they supported. Bloody nice innit? so proud of my country I am, especially of the political class it has developed.

Anyway guys, this blog has been published, extraordinarily on September 11th because I wanted to dedicate my thoughts of to a dear colleague and person that 7 years ago died in the Twin Towers attack with another few thousand people: Geoff Campbell. My sincere thoughts go to his family and the fact that I am preparing to go to Latin America brings back thoughts of him all the times. I met Geoff, last time, in 1999 in Buenos Aires.

Good bye again Geoff! the world has not improved since you left and the world hasn't stop sucking a moment. And you and the other few thousand people are just numbers now, like all the million people killed every single day by religions, politics and bloody money.

The day people will get rid of religions this world will start changing, seriously.

So long folks!

Ad of the week... How about a nice holiday in Hainan Island?

Seeking single females or males wishing to live or visit us in Beautiful Hainan Island Our ideal person would be between 20 and 29 years of age, very open minded and willing to experiment with new idea meet only, game players and phonies do not waste our time we can spot a fake a mile away.
Write will a detailed letter of your interests, no one lines saying lets meet. Use you imagination when you contact us.
.
Beautiful swimming pool, tropical climate and close to the ocean. We require some good information about since we are inviting you to our home, a phone number and a photo is a must. We are not seeking on line chatting for extended periods of time. Want to meet only.
Best letter answered first

How about this?

Hello everybody.
I will be a little bit picky here )) Because I like to see people who are better than me around.
I'm 22, smart, good-looking, honest, self-confident. Single )) Speak 3 languages, work and study in Beijing.
You are:
foreigner (better not asian)
25-35, single
you like how you look like (it means you are neither ugly nor beautifull)
and you are everything what I said above about myself (intelligent, self-confident, successfull, Honest, and not cinic - better romantic)
----------------------------
As far as you and me are both in Beijing, we both know that it's better not to be alone here. But I mostly expect being friends with you.

I have never heard of someone looking for someone worst than him/herself. So, why should anyone reply to that ad? Hilarious!

Me Ol' China, 3 weeks to go...

I am looking for a new mum. If you are looking for a son, I may be the child for you. I am adult, so low maintenance, British, cleanly shaved, have a good sense of humour, and say nice things from time to time. Does this sound like the kind of child you would like? If so please reply, telling me what makes you suitable to be my mum!

Lonely Boy

You understood my situation. You knew I was vulnerable and needed a friend. I knew you wanted to f*** me, but I had no expectations and wanted a distraction. You called me a child after I rejected you. "I have never been rejected," you said. Well I hope you learn something from your injured, pathetic ego, you piece of sh*t. You are the child.

Just wanted to rant.

these are the two ads I have chosen for you guys this week.

A very odd week, this one gone. I enjoyed last weekend very much going around with my family and visiting what I consider to be the most beautiful place to visit in Beijing, The Summer Palace. nearly 6 hours walks up and down the ills to enjoy one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. After the weekend the week has gone slowly. I met my successor and I am working on the handover of all the work issues and try to sort out things. Departure is set for Sept 27th with a few flights and car journeys between then and the 11th October, day I will fly to Brazil. Things are nearly set but there are still some red tape issues that need to be sorted and I ma sure will be sorted within a couple of weeks. This week my family is, sadly, leaving China. They loved it so much, especially my daughter that is showing some signs of intolerance towards Westerners. Last weekend I have been showing off my "I love China T shirt" and all the Chinese people I was meeting were smiling an giggling and some taking pictures and showing their thumbs up. It was my way of showing the true feeling I got for this country.

This week I discovered Facebook and, I have to admit, I am having great fun with it. I got a profile there now! I think I was the only one, except my parents not to be on it. I even got back in touch with an old friend of mine, a gigolo, I met when I moved to London. Despite his age he is still in business. He just changed his name but, I am not surprised as over here, in China, people do it constantly. It was nice to remember the nice old days and the way we where... shit! I am old! ahahhaha

The days have been really nice and this Autumn, yes over here in China, Autumn starts much earlier, is really wonderful. No Fog, no pollution, just beautiful sunny skies. Ideal for the Olympics. Hold on! Paralympics, the P word! Has anyone of you seen the Medal Table? I do not even know that there are athletes competing! The Committee has done a great job, putting Posters all over, changing all the "Olympics" into the P word but, frankly, I haven't heard anyone talking about them and I tried to look on the Italian sport newspaper, la Gazzetta, if there was any news and.. NOTHING! Disgraceful.

Olympics are over and migrants are back in town. The city looks more packed and so the subway system. Last week Hong Qiao market looked pretty full of Big Noses despite the end of the Olympics and the prices have gone down. The same mobile I paid 1050 for now is 750 (RMB, of course).

Another 3 weeks to enjoy Beijing, 3 more weeks to go and redo the things I loved most and try to see some people I haven't seen for a long time. I will place an ad today trying to get hold of someone to go partying on Saturday night. I need it, I really feel I need to go to have a drink. The departure of my family is breaking a routine I got accustomed to and I liked but, it signals, as well, the end of my Chinese experience as, from now on, it's all a matter of counting down the days.

3 weeks left of which only one off to sort all my things out before saying good bye... Not much, but enough to look, once again at all smiles in the streets.

Guys, if anything happens this weekend I will update the blog, if not see you next week. Catch you later!

Me Ol' China, not only China

Let me start with Italy.

A quiz... Let's see how smart you are.

Imagine a room, full of dust. All we got in this room is a broom and a carpet. We need to make all the dust disappear. Where do you throw it?

I am sure you got it right: under the carpet!

I am not sure you know Tremonti, he is the Ministry of Economy in my home country. He proposed, a few years ago to solve the public debt creating a new company and transfer all the public debt, or at least the excess, to this company so that our parameters will go back to normal and the EU wouldn't be pissed off with us.

Of course the proposal was not approved by the EU and was not even given a chance to be put in place anyway. Tremonti is a smart guy, the nerd you would hate at school that to show revenge towards the society decides to become a Tax Evasion Support Manager (TESM), a tax accountant. A tax accountant for the biggest Italian corporations. As the software companies do using hackers to fight hackers, Berlusconi used a TESM to fight tax evasion. The results were catastrophic as he used, all the times, the broom and the rug method.

Why am I mentioning this? Because the same trick has been used for Alitalia and to make the rubbish disappear from the street of Naples.

All Berlusconi governments base their political action on trying to be smart and fuck the neighbour, no matter if this is the EU or another country or a category. Try to make a search on Google about the Alitalia solution or about the Robin hood tax in Italy or about the "condono fiscale" (Tax shield or tax pardon) or about the "condono edilizio" (legalising illegally built properties) and you will understand who my fellow citizens really are and why they vote for this bunch of crooks.

Putin... Putin is blaming the USA to create the Georgia case... Shit man! He is right to blame the US for this crap going on, but not for what he says. The fault of the Bush administrations are essentially two: 1. Create Putin 2. Bringing him up and give him that respectability he does not deserve. I have been writing for years about Mr. Putin and about Russia's expansionists idea while our Dwarf (Berlusconi) and Blair and Bush were spending time with "My Friend Vladimir".

I really wonder when america will start ruling the world with brain and not with money. short term assets vs long term liability... this is america and seems doomed to be like that forever and ever...

The Media...

A plane crashed in Madrid. Have you noticed that since then planes all over the world have crashed? amazing innit? I still do not know how the hell those things can fly but my theory is that when on board there are more people that do not believe it that they can fly than those who believe it, the plane crash. so, I am sure, that all the accidents, from Latin America to Kazakhstan to Canada to Africa to Madrid could be due to an odd concentration of misbelievers in the same planes...

Or, probably not.

In Italy a Dutch couple have been beaten up and the woman has been raped. Mayor Alemanno said that they have been a bit too silly to stop in isolated areas for camping. so guys, if you are really horny, you can go in the Roman countryside and screw any camper you want. Oooops, sorry, it has been clarified, he didn't mean that. He just meant that the chances of being subject to any sort of violence are higher if you are not careful. I agree with him.

In Naples a German woman has been raped and in Calabria a Polish woman had the same destiny.

So, how do we justify this? Ok for the planes and the misbelievers but... Is it possible that in a country all these people get horny at the same time and go raping women?

Bloody press! They are really on my nose.

I think that they look for the news they need to attract people attention and sell. People are killed and raped everyday everywhere but they highlight the things at their convenience.

Same for China, I hope that now that Beijing 2008 is gone these people will be left in peace with their tradition, their way of living and their aspirations and ambitions which are noble more than those in the Western World.

This week has been extremely stressful and every single day going is a bit like approaching the end of a beautiful dream. Leaving China is giving me so much grief. I feel like crying every single day and every time someone tells me how sad he/she is to see me going or I see those beautiful sad eyes.

I cannot stop being emotional and I am transforming my anger for having to go into energy to transfuse to my team members and friends so that they can go ahead and not forget me. I will never forget them and I hope they will not forget me either for a long time. The idea of being in their discussions makes me feel as if I never left and as if, this new anonymous Marco Polo, has left something in their lives.

Another week gone and when I play the "This-day-next-month-I-will-be-in"-game I feel really depressed thinking that I will be in London... the place I learned to hate most versus the one I love most... Life is really odd...

I was looking back at my last destinations and I listed Brussels, Stuttgart and Beijing... until 2004 I had always refused any job in these 3 places as I didn't feel attracted by them... these places are those I loved most so far with the exception of Argentina. my next three possible destinations are other places where I would have never wanted to go... Life can be so strange...

Next destination? Brazil. Sao Paulo.

Me Ol' China will still be published with the same name but the title of the blog will change to "Vento do Brasil 1984-2008"... I will explain you the meaning of this title when
I will be in Sao Paulo.

Have a nice week guys and read the September quote that is my way of seeing elections. and political systems.

kisses!


Ads of the week.

I have chosen this one. The end of the Olympics can be noticed in the ads published now. Again all counterfait mobiles are back and so the more explicit ads.

Foreigner lives and works in Beijing, seeks very obedient Girlfriend for a long time friendship. Write me your imaginations and a photo then, we can meet still today. All your dreams become true.

I wonder if people know what other people dream about... I was going to reply to his ad but it would be a bit too rude for this full-of-sh** German a**hole...

Or address him to his fellow citizen:

Hi im raineir looking for a guys im bisexual ,bi also man to man. are you willing to make some fun today just give me message 132xxxxxxxx,Only open minded person ok.

Me Ol' China, the day after Beijing 2008

Two posts this weekend... wow!

Oh men... It's over... Beijing 2008 is gone. China can go back to normal life. Yes the Paralympics are here but, let's be honest who gives a shit about them? I am sure that nobody really cares. If it was the case they would have run in parallel with the Olympics and the Olympic Fire would have not been switched off yesterday night.

It's time of comments, criticisms and wrapping up. For the Western media it will be everything wonderful in terms of Organisation but there will be still doubts about the fact that China has won with 100 medals. Still doubts about the Civil Rights issues and so on. For China it would have been the perfect Olympic. There will be words of praise to all volunteers and the people of China that have welcomed tourists and shown the face of China, the real one.

How about my point of view? I think that the Organisation has been impeccable and the disruption to our lives has been kept at the minimum. It has been more annoying the eve of the Olympics than the Olympics themselves. Prices have not increased and people seemed to be happier than before. I liked the atmosphere, I have to admit. Beijing 2008, for all of you will be the Olympic slogan, for me will be the discover of China, of Chinese people, their language and culture. Something I will never forget. It will have been 9 unforgettable months.

So what has been great about these Olympics? Everybody was expecting Phelps victories, and they came. Everybody was expecting records broken every day, and they came. We knew that the Chinese would have won in the competitions they won. The USA Dream Team victory was widely expected too. Jamaica sprinter was expected to win but not to demolish those records. Table Tennis, Diving, Cycling, Gymnastics, Sailing, Volleyball, Beach Volley: all expected victories.

Few surprises: Italy out against Belgium (soccer), the number of medals Britain won, the Australian diver that took a medal from China... and the rest? All as expected except fot China weightlifting... that is a surprise.

I am sure that in the years someone will tell us that there was something fishy in the muscles of the small Chinese and some of the girls jumping up and down were not in puberty age, but for the time being, let's just enjoy the records of the Jamaicans, swimmers and all the others...

During the Olympic period I manage to meet a journalist from a Chicago newspaper and a Spanish TV Commentator. They both thought that the pre-concepts about China were unjustified and that they were surprised in seeing the true China so different from the one their colleagues describe on the papers... But I know what will happen... Once back things will change. Some Italian sportsmen and women have led the way saying that everything was perfect but they know that the reality is different. They have started criticising what they cannot see. The Dalai Lama will receive a few presents from Italian medalists as they are all going to gift them with something in sign of solidarity for the 140 people killed during a mass protest a week ago. Even the Dalai Lama denied having said that, but they still continue supporting the allegations. I would have given my "presents" to Ossetians, for instance or Kurds... Oh, I forgot, those are not pacific people, they are not sweet monks...

The closing ceremony was boring! Jeeez! I found it so boring! And the fact that London is net city organizing it has already marked the 2012 Olympics with the stamp of boredom. The show the Brits offered was absolutely common. What will they show as part of the culture? According to my wife and a British friend, the British traditions and cultures lie in the other people's cultures and traditions... Cool! The melting pot they have been criticising so harshly in recent days can still be used as flag of Britain then! Typical Brit, they use whatever they got at hand to show they are GREAT and I am sure that they will organise a fantastic Olympic, anyway. Without soul but with beautiful appearances. They are good at that. Good luck London, see you in a few weeks time.

Last week I have seen the Italy vs Brazil semi final match. That was volleyball. Great atmosphere with many Brazilian and a bunch of Chinese supporting Italy. They were so sweet! Unfortunately my mood was not one of the best, having lost my grandmother, Maria, a few hours before the match started. It is sad when a member of the family dies, even if it is expected, and makes you think a lot about the sense of life and if it is really worth traveling around the world and missing to live the life of the loved ones. It was my grand mother this time but, one day, it will be my parents... and I will have regrets and deep sense of guilt... How to cope with this? How is it possible to make sure to be a good son, father, husband and at the same time live your life as you would like to? Better feeling sorry than having regrets... Is it true? How about regretting feeling sorry? The good intentions are not enough in life and sacrificing yourself for someone or something can push you to hate the person or the idea, one day. It's inevitable. So, better keeping going on and think that whatever you have done will have given a sense to your life. I learned, a few years ago, that the most important person in my life is ME and if I am not well all those around me suffer so, it is a must, for me, to try to be happy and go ahead in this self imposed mission of discovery of myself and the others.

Me Ol' China, few weeks left in Beijing and few weeks left for you to read my impression about this special moment of my life.

Love to you all!

PS Barak Obama has chosen Joe Biden as deputy... Fill the gaps: "O_AMA BI_ __DEN" Bit spooky innit?

Me Ol' China, the end is nigh!

This week I will not start the blog with an hello but with a goodbye.

Goodbye to China.

I am leaving in a month time. I resigned my job for a few reasons but I am not going to write them in a public blog.

Am I sad? What do you think? of course I am. I was hoping that this love story with this country could have continued for years to come, instead... On the move again.

Next destination will be an exciting place too but let's wait to be there before I tell you.

In the meantime the Olympics are going on and the Brits are all excited for their medals and this is an extract from the BBC website

0158: "Anyone else noticed that a USA team without Phelps would currently have as many gold medals as Great Britain?"
From anonymous via text on 81111
It was mentioned yesterday, but no harm in saying it again is there?


Why should one exclude Phelps Medals? What if we exclude all the medals won by cyclists or sailors... What a stupid comment that is! But, understandably, for a country that normally performs so poorly at Olympics, any excuse is good to show that they are as big as the lost colonies.. How about excluding all those who are not really so British looking due to their colour?

How about the defeat of Italy? I loved it! So happy that the arrogant bunch is out. But they are going back in Business Class and the other sportsmen are annoyed because they are traveling economy... But, for God sake, can't they buy an upgrade these people? I cannot believe it!

How about the former USSR. All doping innit?

why don't we participate as EU, anyway? If 50 States can compose the US of A, we can go all together, anyway. The National Anthems? Well, if Scotsmen and Catalans can survive with the UK and Spanish anthem, I think we all could bear with Beethoven masterpiece!

anyway, not long left to the end of the Olympics and I a sure that nobody will give a toss about the Paralympics following this show.

the Observer has published the interview to the mother of the two gypsy girls who died in Italy and whose bodies were left on the beach for three hours before they were taken away amongst the indifference of locals continuing swimming... That's nice! more and more proud to be Italian!

I am trying not to think of me leaving but this is impossible. I have experienced some incredible back stabbing this week. By people I really loved and this is making my departure much easier but, still, I will miss those beautiful eyes and smiles. I really wish I had taken a picture of every person that gave me at least a smile and put them on a sequence and let it run for hours. It would be the most beautiful present for anyone in the Western world. I got vivid memories in my mind and they will accompany me all life.

I am already looking forward to come back to China next year as tourist and, deep inside, I am hoping to come back one day to stay here for a while because I didn't manage to do and see much in these months. I never thought I would have left so quickly...

How about this ad? Please note that the part in bracket was part of the ad!

a girl wants two guys to explore some fun together. she is tall and slim, educated and fun. hope the two guys know each other, both over 180cm, presentable, athletic shape, fun and healthy. if you are interested, please leave me your email address and tell me your height, age and nationality. ( this is a scientific research for her graduate thesis. )

Abkhazia... will ask for recognition as a Sovereign State to Moscow! Wow! How good innit? It's time to stop with Putin and Russia. Far too many years have gone with this country blackmailing us (with Eltsin) and now threatening the ex Soviet states. All looking at China and nobody really caring about Putin and his military ambitions that have been known to attentive observers for far too many years while the Bushes, Berlusconism and other "friends" were not aware of the grave they were digging for the Western society and the world. Down with Russia! South Ossetia has asked recognition too... Good! Next Please!

On a site I read that some people where annoyed by the fact that despite the terrible plane disaster in Madrid, the national team played a friendly match. For God sake, but the million people starving every single day in the world do not attract your piety and stop you fro throwing away tons of food and money on the most useless things a human can ever think of? When are we going to stop with this Media-instigated piety? The IOC has rejected the request of the Spanish delegation to wear a black arm band and lower the flag half mast. I frankly agree with the IOC. Do you know how many kids die everyday in Africa? I don't but you are certainly good at mathematics: 1 every 3 seconds... Or you prefer the 5700 people that die in Africa every single day just for AIDS? Let's lower all the bloody flags of the world! Or if you like big numbers. between 1999 and 2000, only in Africa and due to AIDS, have died more people than all African wars fought...

How about the story of the censored internet? When China opened some blocked sites, a few weeks ago, it was written that however the BBC Chinese website was still banned.. I have used that site sicne I arrived here to practice my Mandarin and I never found it blocked, even when the Tibet thing was happening. How about this Thursday story about the iTunes being blocked because someone in the olympic village was downloading Tibetan material/music or whatever it was. Not only I accessed iTunes yesterday but, I even bought something... I am frankly sorry to leave China and all the information of journalists sent here just to discredit the whole country. I am really really sorry...

I had a strong argument with someone about the Medals China is winning. I do not think that there is any doping involved but, come on guys, most medals have been won by events where the judges were to decide who would have won. Except for the traditional sports where China has always been good, it would be nice to see where they won the other medals. I too ka quick look and more than 20 gold medals have been won in sports where the judges rule. I am really happy about the fact they are winning a lot but, a country that in 4 years can create athletes like that needs more than a GDP growth equal to 60% to pump the muscles up. Not saying that they are doped or they bribed the judges, but it is obvious that the home team get some favours. We will see in London, in 4 years time, how many medals the Brits will win, even in gymnastics and judo or diving or other events where the judges decide.

I nearly forgot about my lucky strike! I have some Volleyball semifinal tickets (yes, they were semifinals but men, not women) and I got... Italy! So I will go to see Italy vs Brazil (that had defeated China in the semifinal)...

See you next week Me Ol' China and thank you for keeping reading my blog.

Me Ol' China, Olympic days in the Northern Capital

Hi guys!

The Olympic ceremony was fake, fireworks were fake, the girl singing was fake, the weightlifters are doped, the gymnasts are 5 years old, the air is polluted, the TV censors Italian flags, the water in the pool is not water, Putin that asks the anti doping 24 hours a day for all athletes after 7 Russians have been caught, Italy and Cameroon have implicitly agreed for a draw that would have allowed them to pass and the Italian OC boss said that "it wasn't nice but acceptable because we passed", "one of the Chinese athletes (gymnastics) still has to teeth" Was said by a US delegation member, to imply that the Chinese are much younger than they declare...

Jeeeeeeez! You are really getting on my nerves, Big Noses!

While all athletes have words of praise for the whole thing, the Western press keeps highlighting all the negative aspects, whether confirmed or alleged.

Bloody hypocrites all of them! I cannot believe it that everyone talks about Olympic Spirit and then all they are after, is money! How about the Italian fencing champion that has asked that the prize won for getting the medals should be tax free? Olympic Spirit? (in the meantime it has been agreed that the prize will be tax free :()

At least the hostilities in Ossetia seems to have ceased for a while. Who knows how long for, but for the time being they are suspended... Pax Olympica? Doubt it!

I wrote the line above on Thursday morning and just the time to go back home in the evening and heard that the truce was broken and the occupation stays, with a defiant Putin that meets the Abkhazians and the Ossetians and declaring Russia's support for the independence... How about Chechnya? I guess not... and what did Bush expect when his country announces the (controversial) agreement to place the missiles in Poland, knowing that Russia has been criticising it and suspended most agreements with the US because of this? Is this asshole losing his marble just because he is going away?

So, Ossetia, Abkhazia, Kosovo, Pristina, Mindanao, Srebenica, Basra, Kandahar, Gori, Nassiriya, Chechnya, Kurdistan, Sadr City, East Timor... I am sure you all know these places but you didn't know them until a war or something tragic happened. Wars have this big power: make places in the world well known. How about countries like Rwanda. Nobody knew what it was and nobody knew about Hutus and Tutsis, for us they were all "black". well, thanks to the genocide now we all know Rwanda, I am sure they would have been happy being unknown but life reserved them to built their popularity on blood. What will be next? How many Kosovo in the world? How many Rwanda we have to face and why? Why is so important for mankind flex muscles? Is it really a matter of survival? I doubt.

Ossetia... Those who think that Sarkozy has brought the peace back is a fool. Sarkozy has gone to Moscow to declare Putin, the most powerful Prime minister Russia has ever had, winner of the match on the defiant, little bit arrogant and polyglot President of Georgia. Bush understood it, Sarkozy did and so the rest of the world. Russia is no fool and it is clear that the approach to the NATO will have to be postponed for Georgia that, sooner or later, will have to replace the President. David and Goliath doesn't apply to real life. the Georgian president thought that he could have counted on the support of NATO to show Russia that they are independent, especially being one of the few ex Soviet countries no longer dependent on the oil coming from Moscow.


Come on guys! wake up! The Soviet Union is still alive and being smaller it makes it more agile and not having anymore the communist ideology but the same one the US have, money and power, is much more agile than it was before. Thanks Gorbacev!

Is it this what those who defend the independence of Tibet are aiming for? Are those in favour of the independence of Tibet in favour of the indpendence of Ossetia, Basque Countries, Padania, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Lapland, Catalunya, Friesland, Chechnya, Mindanao, Turkistan, Kurdistan and so on? My dear hypocritical friend, think twice!

How about the two Peruvian ladies sitting somewhere on the staircase of a famous Italian monument being taken in by the police and accused of prostitution, just because foreigners?

This week has been rather boring... Seems like work is occupying most of my life these days, except weekends when we go around to visit local attractions which are not worth mentioning due to the fact that you can find better material on the net.

Next week I should have some important news from here and I will keep you posted if anything special occurs. Oh by the way, I got some tickets for the quarter finals of the male Volleyball.. they told me it was the semi-final match for the ladies' one!!!

Take care Me Ol' China!


Ad of the week... It was really difficult to choose the right one this week... But last minute this one caught my eye

Elegant, Cultured, Smart, Simple and Sensuous petite lady world-traveler is ready for my Life Match. I am a Miracle with deep passion and compassion; can be challenging to get but easy to be with once captured.

I seeks pleasure and fulfillment with decency, diversity, depth and dimensions. I take life seriously in a relaxed manner, comfortable with formal and casual wears. I am Happy with myself, free and comfortable in physical, mental and spiritual matters. I am the Empress, the Goddess, the Mother and the fair Maiden all in one.

I am a quality lover devoted to the comfort, wellbeing and fulfillment of my Mate. My Mate would be a King gentleman in manner, a Lion in passion and an Entrepreneur free and comfortable in body, mind and spirit. His life is meaningful to self and others like mine. He appreciates intelligent lady and willing to know the art of wooing and spoiling to lure my maiden self to play and create together.

If you can be my match, a real romantic, single, cultured, NON-smoker, healthy with strong shoulders and a nice head of hair, Please send me a temptation.

Let's give Life a real chance.

How about being modest? She forgot it!

Me Ol' China, Olympics at last!

How can one enjoy the ceremony when, against the Olympic spirit Georgia and Russia start a war?
I felt really odd seeing the Georgians waving and smiling at the parade. It was more emotional than seeing Taiwan and Japan being applauded by the Chinese crowds or looking at my country representatives going through.

Tradition and modernity have been well blended in the show but, I really wonder, how much is Olympic spirit and how much is national pride.

I am not sure you had the same visions I had over here: the director of the CCTV was really bad! And spent more time showing the effort of the participants to the show than the corographies they were working on.

I am sure that Nike must have spent a lot of money because the director was showing, no stop the shoes of some national teams.

Anyway, I am sure it was nice for you but, for us, over here, it was ok...

August 9th, an American tourist killed on the Drum Tower... Add this to the sadness and, frankly, the spirit is really down to lows.

Let's add on top the bombs exploded in the XinJiang province and I really wonder if this show-business camouflaged by Olympics is really worth so much fuss, so many oaths and all the hymns and slogans.

Concerning my week.

Last weekend had great time at the Botanical Gardens. Fantastic place. I am wondering how nice it an be in Spring. 2 square kilometers of plants and flowers. can't miss! Some pictures are in the Me Ol' China Sights II

Then the week has gone as usual except with the nice surprise of the Public Holiday declared on Wednesday evening.

On Saturday morning I had the strange feeling that the Olympics are over. Funny isn't it, that the feeling of relief for the Opening ceremony prevails on the athletes?

Usually, I spend the whole Olympic period in front of the TV, this time I am not even planning of watching anything. As far as I am concerned the Olympics have finished already.

Friday and Saturday spent both days out and about and Sunday, today is going to be the same.

Guys, I do not fancy writing much.

Catch you later!

Oh, let me mention someone. My front tooth temporary crown broke and I went to visit a dentist clinic. Very professional, courteous and nice. They fixed it and didn't want any money for that. I thought I would have mentioned this clinic: Arrail.

And while I am here let me mention the reception of the hotel WOFOSI located on the North side of the Botanical Garden. They called us a taxi and allowed us to stay in the reception despite the fact we were not clients and a bit sweaty. Thanks a lot!

Olympic fever and hypocrisy on the rise!

Oh guys, Beijing is becoming hectic these days. People in the street are much less than usual but there is the Olympic fever spreading quickly and even those like me, untouched by the event is starting getting nervous as if the 8.08.08 at 08.08 PM is going to tick the new Century arrival!

Flags are proliferating, the fog is always there, the bonfire of hypocrisy worldwide is proliferating with the Italian politicians calling of the athletes not to go to the opening while these are very much excited at the idea of participating. 60% of the Italian is with the athletes. At last, the Italians are not disappointing me. How about France? They just call for the athlete to have a badge. Mr. Sarkozy was the one that said No to his participation to the opening and he will be here and not only that! He has managed t send his French to be wife, the singer ex model Carla Bruni, to meet the Dalai Lama in Paris. Once again Europe is fought between principles and feeding the masses.

President Bush, is for the civil rights! Wow! I cannot believe that this man has actually a soul, after all the people he sent to the electric chair and those he sent to die in Iraq and those he has killed with his troops! He even was against the death penalty of a Mexican Citizen that has been killed two days ago! He has a soul!! oh my God!!!

How about Italy fever towards clean and safe cities! No more food hunting in the rubbish in the streets! It makes our cities dirty! That is right guys, from now on no more searching for your lunches and dinners in the rubbish bins of the Capital! And while someone talks about reopening whorehouses in a northern city screwing a prostitute costs you 500 euro extra due to the fine (I call it tax) that the city government has levied on those looking for some mercenary sex.

A friend told me that Chinese are hypocrites. Wow! You should see the rest of the world, my dear friend!

A mail from a friend asked me whether my excitement for this Country is due to the fact that I never moved from Italy until now... Well... I lived and worked in 21 countries in my last 20 years so I should be really little or not impressible at all about places and people.

Another mail asked me about who I am and what my profession is. I would like to ask you to bear a bit of patience and in October I can tell a bit more about me, before I cannot.

Air quality these days... better talk about something else!

Tomorrow has been declared Public Holiday so we will enjoy an extended weekend. Thanks t the Government for that!

How about the two ads below? will be in touch soon!

kisses and hugs!

28 yrs old beijing boy wanna to wash socks for beijing girls, because this is my hobby, i love women's old socks,please email me to xxxx

a 60 yr old (in good shape) celebrity from a european country, having chinese ancestors, and now entering the chinese market, would like to meet a really nice chinese lady (age 45 - 52) for a serious relationship, she should be charming and goodlooking, smart and witty, with good level of education, having her own wellgoing career, being independent; economically aswell as in life attitude, with strong and at the same time soft character
only serious reactions (please ask whatever you want to get more information about me) will be handled and screened by my PA first

Me Ol' China, mid week thoughts

3 days to the Olympic explosions of colours, sounds, fireworks and pride and Beijing is still in the arms of the fog. This strange fog that seems to appear out of nothing. Last weekend has been beautiful with high temperatures and blue skies and on Monday morning, here you go with the surprise: never seen so much fog since I am here!

What will they do to reduce it is currently unknown but they will have to do something even if, I reckon, the authorities are counting on the rain that should accompany the ceremony this weekend.

Yesterday the Olympic spirit has been disturbed by the bomb exploded in a remote province. A bomb that has killed 16 policemen and injured a few more. Those that are keen to jump on the train of the independence seekers, whether Tibet or other Islamic provinces in China, should think twice. independence granted to 2 or 3 or 10 provinces will lead to the dissolution and the misery of China. it is bloody easy to make independentist thesis as own but, believe me, China is not as Slovenia and Croatia but is more like Kosovo. The population minority in regions like the one where the bomb exploded yesterday represent 57% of the total pollution and the majority 43%... This to give you an idea of the mess that can come out if independence is granted. And, I am afraid, when bombs are planted, I always support the Central Governments. No matter whether this is Palestine or Chechnya or Tibet.

The athletes, so far, have declared that the Olympic village is great and they love the whole setting and organisation. food is excellent and facilities are top class ones.
That makes me happy, showing the appreciation for the job the Organisers have done in these 7 years.

Another piece of news was commented with sarcasm by the foreign media:

Protest application procedure piles out
People wanting to protest during the Beijing Games must seek police permission five days ahead of their actions, according to a statement posted on the official BOCOG website over the weekend.


I wonder, what the difference is between Italy and here or any other Democratic World Country...

You always need the authorities approval to stage a protest. Actually, in my country they even forbid those that are not "convenient" to the Vatican. we might me a lay state but we have the Pacts with the Holy See embedded in our Constitution, for God sake! In my country the mayor of the city of Novara has declared that 3 people in the street (loitering) are a public threat! Same for the curfew in the parks and so on... Come on!

So guys, enjoy the opening Ceremony and will keep you posted this weekend as usual!

cheers!

1 week to the Olympics, Me Ol' China!

"i am a chinese guy, and i just find the site recently for i have a room for rent. but i find many chinese girl said " i am young sexy , want to have fun, if only you are a white man." this kind of words just make me sick. i can't believe chinese girls can be so disgusting.

do you think by doing this you can get the ture love, wake up silly girls.

we r chinese, should respect yourself. i think though we r not very rich now, we can be very rich in the future.
but don't low yourself to get a shameful greencard. "

An odd way to start my blog but I think that the guy writing it 1. is absolutely right 2. he ended up in the wrong section of the site he mentions.

The Beijing 2008 and People's Republic of China flags are multiplying and roads and cars all have one or more flags waiving. A sign of pride that this people has got and that Western media has contributed to grow, jointly with the disgraces that China had to suffer this year that was meant to be the lucky one. Pointless reminding them again as, if you read this Blog you are certainly aware of what happens in the world and in the country hosting me.

The news of the week is that Beijing Railway Station has reopened on August 1st. that is a fantastic news and confirms my impression that it was closed for wrong design and not for security reasons. Before May in the subway there were just the two ticket controllers and some guards by the tracks keeping you behind the yellow line. nowadays there are at least 4 people at the metal detecting machines, some sort of volunteers (quite a few), machine gun equipped policemen, a few security guards, some more policemen down on the track and a few more volunteers. let's say that at my subway station I counted, this morning, 25 people, of which 9 people at my exit. considering that the exits are 4 we are talking of 4 football teams at least! and in the streets? Volunteers every-bloody-where. Another change is the announcement of the trains in the subway stations. A nice voice informs you to "mind the gap" and about approaching trains in both Mandarin and English. Well done!

Big big smiles great you all over. As you know I love this people and their smiles but now it looks like they are all working for a toothpaste manufacturer, showing their teeth all the times. Until last week nobody would have asked me where I was from and if I were her for the Olympics. This week I got asked the question so many times, even in the restaurants I have been eating for 6 months! It looks like if this is a sort of "How are you?" our Yankee friends use without really meaning that they care how you are. I decided to answer every time with a different country and so far I have been Italian, Andorran, Brazilian, British, Ukrainian and Saudi. Another novelty is the warning that some food contains pork! Before the Olympic fever started getting hotter, they would have never informed me that this or that food contained pork. Now they all tell me that the things I am taking contain pork and this doesn't stop after you order the first dish with pork meat. If you order three or four dishes with pork they will tell you all the times that there is pork in it. It reminds me of an old manager I had the pleasure to work with that when he was in Lagos, Nigeria, taught his servants to say the British equivalent of "bullshit!" in Italian. He told them that it meant, "nice to meet you" in Italian. when the Board of Director of the company went to visit the office in Lagos, all the servants were lined up and at every hand shake by the guests they were replying with a loud "bullshit!". Well over here seems the same. It is just a sentence they have been told to repeat. How about English speakers? How can be possible that until last week nobody spoke English and now they all make the effort to speak it? Even those who didn't show any familiarity with the language? Shocking!

Weather and traffic measures... Reduce the cars around and increase the smog... amazing! only China can do that! so, it means that the reason of the pollution is somewhere else. Right? Where? I think it's the A/C, as I mentioned in the comments I published to last week Blog but I am really not sure. Another incredible thing is the reduction of the cars has created an increase in traffic... Amazing innit? not if you think that most of the main roads with 3 lanes each direction have now the Olympic Lane that is used only by... by... by whom? I don't know but definitely not by car drivers. this means that the reduction of 25% of the cars circulating has been compensated in many big arteries by the reduction of the 33% of the lanes available, increasing, in real terms, the traffic by 8%. not bat at all! Of course this is only partially true because most city roads do not have this lane but, there has been a huge increase of bus lines and buses do pollute more than cars, especially the old ones.

I am really pissed off with the Western media about the story of the internet censorship. I would like to ask our Dutch friends if they go to Italy, they expect to smoke some hash in the local cafe', or if a Turk coming to Italy expects to smoke in a restaurant, or an Italian going to Germany to find Scientology and so on. Or, even worse, if you commit a crime in a country where the Death Penalty for drug smuggling (or even detention)is the usual punishment, you claim to be Dutch.

Wake up guys! I do not really understand why a journalist coming for the Olympics should have access to Falun Gong website or Amnesty International ones? Why the hell a journalist should access internet from Beijing to look at those sites? Is it legal to watch pornography in the UK? Every bloody excuse is good to attack. there are ways to look at them anyway, and we all know this, so, please, stop with this crap! I found already a few adverts around of some Western journalists looking for "company" over here. it would be just nice to prepare some traps and publish their pictures on some Western website while they enjoy professionals' services! Fucking hypocrites!

In the meantime, in a very smart move, Beijing has removed the censorship from some sites amongst which Medicines Sans Frontieres and Amnesty. I am sure that now the journalist will have plenty of material to work on! Yes, because they couldn't get that kind of information while they were here and it would have jeopardised he quality of their articles! I checked some gay sites and yes, they are available from here, and same for the major Adult dating ones! Enjoy guys!!!


Anyway, one week to the start of the Olympics, one week before Beijing will have 4 billion eyes on. I really do not like the idea of you guys spying on me and I dread the idea of what will be written on the papers about China and the Chinese. I have seen something on the italian newspaper laughing at the fact that the police over here uses some Beach Umbrella to shelter thmseles from the sun while on duty on the roads. I really do not understand what they find so funny about it and I am sure that there will be many things that will make the Western world laugh but I stick to my Chinese friends rather than by my arrogant siblings.

A thought to my country. A girl that has been in a coma for 16 years obtained the right to die and stop being fed forcedly with drips. The Parliament has voted with the majority of votes to challenge the Court decision. In the meantime the girl will be kept alive for some more time. The right to die is not something that my country allows. Only di Pietro government supported the right of the girl's parents to see the daughter die, while the Democratic Party abstained and all the right wing block and the Catholics supported the government proposal to over rule the decision. Another occasion missed for being a free country.

But the news I really loved and made me think a lot is the one coming from Israel where PM Olmert will resign his post to be trialed for corruption while in my country PM Berlusconi has resigned as defendant to run the country as PM. Different culture, different people. Olmert declared to be proud of a country that treats all people alike, including him, while Berlusconi says the exact opposite. What a fucked up country I come from!

Anyway Folks, leave you now.

Oh, I forgot! Last week outing was in a very luxurious 5 start hotel 90 minutes drive from the city centre but still Beijing. Food, facilities and all the rest were really tip top! Absolutely great. I had a great time and I ate soooooooooooooo much! love you and leave you. Busy weekend the one coming. that's why I anticipated the publication of the blog again. take care folks and if you are coming to Beijing, let me know, we might meet for a coffee, you pay! If you have enough money to come here you have enough money to pay a coffee for your Old China!

kisses and hugs!