Hello to you,
It's been a while... But nothing special happened under the smog recently. We worked a lot on the campus, believe it or not.
Today, we went for the first time to the center of city while the sun was still up. I think something made us not specially hurried to go there, and it got confirmed. If there are some of you that thought China was still a communist country, I have to advise you to change your mind. And the coming story will help. I thought Shanghaï was the only really western city of China. But, even Nanjing looks like downtown New York, let's say Times Square. Or even worse... Guess I was very wrong. Skycrapers and billboards all over the place. You might enjoy it, it made me a bit dizzy...
Although I can't complain too much because, to be honest, we also went there to practice one of Modern Man's favourite hobbies: shopping... One of our favourite ways to spend our time like you know. But, as our friends on the campus are very much into sports (surprisingly: ping-pong, badminton and basketball) and we had no sportshoes, we had to do something about it. So, we went to a place advised by our colleagues here: the Central Emporium. Made me even more dizzy... The biggest shopping center i have visited in my life, seven floors, each about 10 000 m2, so 70 000 m2 of pure shopping pleasure. Quite chique (you might have guessed it at the name) and thus quite expensive, just as one would expect in the People's Republic of China. Everybody is equal, but some are a bit more equal than others.
After crossing the first floor with only city-shoes, cellphones and jewelry (we saw some up to 1200 euro, six times the average monthly salary) we already needed some 'fresh' outside air and left. But we didn't know where else to go to find good sportshoes, so after a walk around the block, we got back in. This time, we managed to reach the fifth floor with only sportsgear and the VIP lounge. Just what we needed... There, we got dizzy again. After pushing ourselves to the limit to stay in the shopping center until we had found the right ones to play basketball, before buying them we first had to go out again to get some money first. By the way, we crossed the whole floor TWO times before finding what we liked. Or something's wrong with us, or the biggest part of that floor was really useless, ugly crap. I guess it's us. So, after getting the money, we recovered a while on a bench outside and decided to go back inside only after seeing a beautiful Chinese girl in the constant flow of crowd that was passing in front of us. Unfortunately, after more than half an hour, we had to give up and just decided to go inside without succeeding in our challenge. There, the next challenge was waiting... We first went to buy Edwards' choice, normally 54 euro in the Converse-shop, but his size, 43, was not available. So we had to go to the Nike-shop in the building. After a long hesitation between the black or white version of some shoes at 79 euro we had our first success. Next it was Elias's turn. He had seen some nice shoes, 58 euro, in the Adidas part of the mall. Asking for a size 45, this was sadly enough not available. So, next shoes, no 45... Next, same thing. Other ones, sorry “no 45”. After at least ten different types in the Adidas shop, still no 45. Mostly maximum 42, sometimes 44, but still too small. If it had been Europe, some questions about the supplying capacity of the shop could have been legitimate, but of course it's China so it may be understandable. Fortunately, the employees of the shop, and we also, saw the comical side of the situation. Again, we had to give up, but it all ended with a good laugh. However, it meant that we had to struggle again through the whole floor to find some 45's and try to keep enjoying it, difficult sometimes, but we managed. After a try in the Nike shop, Elias realised he had some principle that made it impossible for him to buy Nikes. Apparently some strange complex with the brand as symbol for what's wrong with the economy. However, you will say, and he realises it also, Adidas is probably not much better. Strange game that the mind plays... Then, first little success that gave some hope, in a shop of some unknown chinese brand we found shoes size 45! But the bottom was mad of some hard plastic, not really suited for sports. And the quality made us think they wouldn't last long. Quality seemed the most important, I suppose we suffered of an important consumer disease, trying to find both quality and a low price at the same time... And in the end, lowering esthetical standards that possibly where to high for the given 10 000 m2, and raising the budget that apparently was too low (so not so cheap in China sometimes...) we found some Reebok “The Pump” (82 euro, sorry mama ;-) ). And, finally, here they are:
After this we needed a real break, and some food. Being in the heart of the city, surrounded by shopping centers, we thought for a second about visiting the Pizza Hut or the Mc Donalds or KFC or some other chain. Fortunately, we quickly changed our mind and decided to look for some small chinese food shop, and choosing not for immediate satisfaction but rather making a tour we finally found what we were looking for (sse the pictures below). Success! To be confirmed by our stomach tonight...
At the end of this 'adventure' we were a bit exhausted. In a last moment of weakness, we supported the chinese economy by consumption one last time. We bought a vital set of speakers with a sub-woofer for the bass, out of fear that two more months of laptop-sound might kill us... And, honestly, our improved soundspace in the room now was definitely worth it. Music-lovers will understand it. Others know better...
Some really nice chinese women helped us very kindly, seeing we were having problems. First with the map of Nanjing, trying to find out where we were exactly. Next, showing us the right place to catch the bus after we were waiting at a stop that apparently wasn't one. The last challenge of the day was waiting, taking the bus for the first time. Quite an experience. We had already read in the travelbook that the buses in Nanjing were particularly crowded, even to Chinese standards. I leave it up to you to imagine what it looks like... Also, when you're waiting at the stop for the right bus to come in the neverending row of busses, and you see that your bus is one of the three arriving, you have to start running towards to be able to jump on in time, in the five seconds before the door closes again and the bus rushes through. A funny thing to see, but not when you have to do it. We missed the first one... Then you get on to a crowded bus with a nice television screen and some too loud speakers playing advertisements the whole time. Adverstisement seems to be universal.
It was good to be home again...
