1.10.11
My first trip to Asia, nonetheless, using my passport overseas.
Asked if I was excited, I said “Trying to play it cool…” Don’t want to seem too dorky about it. But you know, who cares… right!
So I’m on the plane right now and now I’m feeling the excitement. The anticipation of merely seeing land (Japan) as we approach arrival into Narita airport is peaking. Camera, ready.
Highlights thus far of this 11+ hour flight to Narita:
2 meals were served!! Dude. I’m telling you… simple pleasures.
Oh, and the flight attendants. I have two favorites. Oh me.
Almost everyone… wears a mask. I didn’t know anthrax was still here.
1.12.11
Everyone uses their horn liberally in China. Like, “Hi, I’m driving past you. Don’t switch into my lane. Thanks.”
Everyone on the street, particularly the motorcyclists and pedestrians, is also on a death wish. We’re driving about 45 mph when suddenly a motorcyclist decides to cross the intersection 50ft in front of us. Hello.
I finally got my first taste of a shoe factory. Wenta, our factory rumored to cease vulc ops. I don’t know.
I suppose it’s testament to the industrial designer that’s in me–I was giddy and excited for every sight, sound, and smell in front of me… from molding rubber cupsoles to lasting.
Yeah, I got a ton of pics. What was pretty neat to see was the production of a GEOX vulcanized shoe. (Copped me a defected one muahaha)
1.13.11
Again, simple pleasures–breakfast buffet included every morning! From flied lice to strawberry mousse. Hello.
Went to another factory. This factory produces some ANTA shoes. What’s up KG. Huge runs. I copped me some rainbow laces that were used on some ANTA vulc shoes. And coincidentally, ANTA is hosting their sales meeting at our hotel.
Boss says to me at lunch, “by the end of this trip you’ll prob miss food back home.” I said probably not, because Chinese food is my favorite kind of food anyway! Rice all day baby.
I’m eating plenty this trip… no cow intestines for me.
I played frogger tonight around the vicinity of our hotel. I was the frog.
Speaking of china’s poor traffic system, aside from the crazy drivers going against traffic and pedestrians crossing a 3 laner at their will, I saw many motorcycle taxis hauling a mother and their toddler aged kid on their lap. Piece it together… motorcycle, no helmet, toddler on lap, fast congested traffic… = not safe. Call me conservative. ?
I decide to go into some men’s fashion stores to see how my Taiwanese classmates were being influenced by murses. Jk Good styles, very euro. Prices–pretty much to par with Zara and BR. Anyway, the main highlight I wanted to bring up was how Chinese customer service off the bat walking into a store is much more exaggerated in contrast to Americans. Basically, salespeople act like they’re your personal butler (I guess especially if the ratio is 1:1 salesperson to customer at the time). Everywhere I walked a salesperson was 5 feet behind me. Awwkkwaaard (said with a posh gay voice).
1.15.11
Did I mention that they have odd habits here… like hocking loogies (sp?) in public, or cutting someone off is no big deal? My friend was right–Chinatowns are kinda gross and the people can be rude according to western standards, and I see now where it originates. So be it right, the ways of the world.
Back to the road traffic/activity, I swear no matter how long I stay here I’ll never be used to the customs or practices of driving a car or even worse, walking amidst the moving traffic. It’s pretty much… switch lanes when you want, cross the street when you want and people will hopefully stop for you, drive in the opposite direction just because you need a shortcut, etc. Man, I’m surprised I haven’t witnessed an accident yet. (God forbid)
We went to a fabric mart and I found some good pant material. I’ve been looking for nice twill, non-cotton (or at least a blend) fabric to make pants out of. Pants fit for urban biking while tailored to mark san b’s design standards (slim but not skinny, neither low or high rise, and straight–around a 7” leg opening). The next step is to find a good pattern maker/sewer in SF.
1.17.11
KTV. I’m going to guess it stands for Karaoke TV. Anyway, our man Sam thought it would be great entertainment for me to party it up at KTV… and get me a date for the evening while we’re at it. I thought how novel. When the time actually came though I felt like I was wearing my left shoe on my right foot–it felt awkward despite thinking “how odd could this be?” So we get to the garish karaoke room and I immediately we get served fruit and snacks, and Sam, apparently is greeted by a pretty lady who seems to be the manager (of some type). Well, she was the manager of the ladies who they rent out. I don’t know how else to call it. She kisses my hand as if to wet the whistle then brings in a pair of girls. I played dumb looking at Sam and the lady gesturing “um, so am I supposed to pick one?” LOL Unfortunately, neither looked cute to me and so I shook my head “no.” I felt so bad. But I had to remember that they do this for work and they understand that not every one of them will be picked. So they brought three more. I liked the one in the middle. Even though I picked, it still felt awkward. Like, who am I… the Prince of San Francisco, I get what I want whenever I want?
We immediately start drinking, she’s matching me drink for drink, constantly pouring into my glass. Daamn, she’s good at this. Sam’s pretty drunk so he forces my arms around the girl. I keep em there. As time passes, she’s getting tipsy too (but well behaved). We’re sitting intimately, hands all up on each other. And before you know it, she kisses me on the cheek. I immediately point to my lips. She happily concedes. Then once more… then once more. By the end of the night, I’m trying… ah nm, we end up driving her home. She kisses me goodnight. Bittersweet hahah such a sucker! I swear I had hopes of her diverting from this job and actually falling for the charm (hey, I didn’t say it. She told Sam I was charming.) Wait, she doesn’t speak English. Dammit.
here are just SOME of my images... there's a story behind each image, but i'm too lazy right now to write the captions.
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| LOL Only in China! |
