Things that make me go, ”Hmmmmm”

April 20^th we went with the entire staff and our student body to a place where, we were told, we could have a mass BBQ. It was not our idea because what do we know about such places; however, it was terrific—fun, educational and with lots of food. So here’s the thing: the name of this place translates to Plum Island. It is famous for, wait for it, peaches. People apparently come in droves just a week or two before we were there to view the lovely peach blossoms. Nor is Plum Island an island. It’s an old village with authentic buildings, an orchard, greenhouses, and a covered area for BBQs. Hmmmmm.

A sampling of the fare – fish, tofu, shrimp, wieners, chicken

BBQing is the man’s area of expertise – even in China

BBQ fish starts off this way …

…and ends up like this.

An old village in the heart of Jiaxing

Inexplicable signs: MadameNarf is a women’s dress shop. Hmmmm. Magic Li has the best store name in Jaixing—Li is pronounced Lee, ergo Magically. Sadly, I don’t know what he does or sells but love the name! And it does make me go Hmmmmm.

Magic Li (Ed. note: Get permission from Magic Johnson?) is not just an Internet Coffee House, but a COMPETITIVE Internet Coffee House

Who wouldn’t buy from Snimay Integrated Wardrobe. How would you like to be Sammy Snimay – or Susie Snimay? And what is an Integrated Wardrobe?

Madamnarf? Madam Narf?

At soon to be completed apartment complexes, they always have retail shops at street level. They put names of prominent products implying those companies are moving in. Never happens.

You also will see Stoly, Bacardi, Grand Marnier, Coach, Nike etc etc signs above empty shops.

Don’t know what Misch Masch will sell.

Real store? Miscellaneous goods? Or just can’t spell ?

And then there is

There is a “saying” in Jiaxing that addresses the changeable weather of Spring: “You put your coat on, you take your coat off. You put your coat on and you take your coat off. You put your coat on, you take your coat off, you clean your coat, you put it away. You take your coat out and put it on.”  Can all “sayings” be this long? Hmmmmm.

Things that make me go “Yay!”

The community bicycles have been upgraded! A lot of the old ones were seriously damaged– pedals bent, wheels wobbly, seats that could no longer be adjusted. These new ones are terrific because the frame size is a good 8″ longer than the old ones and much more suitable for the likes of me.   Mind you, young people are growing bigger, now that there is no shortage of milk and other healthy foods (Ed. note: KFC, McDonalds, Subway etc.).

An old community bike.

A new community bike.

We may finally be finished with winter. It’s been warm and looks to be seriously moving in the direction of hot. If so, I may have put my coat away for good. We should see a week or two of great weather before the humidity hits and then we will be complaining about the humidity. But Yay! No more multiple layers!

The Shoe Blog

Another contribution from a loyal reader. Thanks Rich.

Don’t think I have showed you these yet.

The Chinese women – and I – like red. Mao’s colour, you know.