Tidbits From the World

Tofu is to China what cheese is to France, it comes in a variety of flavors and can be added to many dishes. Let’s take a look at the tofu making process in a small business in Yulin.

There was a distinctive smell inside this little shop. Tofu in Chinese is “豆腐” (doufu), which litterally means “rotten beans”, but I’m not sure if the name really describes what it actually is.

In the end, the freshly made tofu is cut to pieces and sold by weight.

汉语版 :

In a recent journey in Yulin, a town up north in Shaanxi province, I met this man who was digging a sewer.

He was working during National Day, October 1st, which is supposed to be a holiday for everyone.

But China’s development never stops and construction sites work all day long… 24/7.

He saw me!

And he let me take a portrait of him.

There was another digger nearby.

At the end of the day, both workers met and probably discussed what they would be eating tonight!

Further, an open sewer. No warning sign. You better be walking head down to avoid falling in it…

!!!

All of a sudden, a young lady, formally dressed, came out of the sewer. Actually she had been inside to open some valve. She is probably employed in a nearby hotel.

October 1st was party time in China! This year was the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the People’s Republic of China. An impressing parade took place on Tian’anmen Square. For those who miss the good old days when the Soviet military would parade on the Red Square in the USSR, October 1st was the time or never to witness such a display of military might, of soldiers marching in perfect unison, of communist rhetoric being displayed as art, a show that only communist nations know how to do, as one Chinese told me: ” Only the Soviets, the North Koreans and us can do that!”.

I could not go to Beijing for the celebrations, so I watched the parade on television. On the picture, you can see a huge portrait of former president Deng Xiaoping, probably moved by a car, and behind him there was his slogan: “Pushing reform and opening up”. Four of the presidents, from Mao to Hu Jintao had their portrait displayed on the square and “their” slogan was closely following behind. Mao’s slogan was “The Chinese people have stood up!”; Jiang Zemin’s was: “Adhering to the important thoughts of the three represents”; and finally that of the actual chairman, Hu Jintao: “Implementing scientific outlook on development”.

Hu Jintao’s portrait.

And Hu Jintao himself, in a Mao suit.

Thousands of children (30000 according to a professor) were holding big cards, some were red, some were yellow or other colors. By flipping the cards to the correct color, the children would form words and slogans. Here: 社会主义好 (Communism is good).

“富强民主文明和谐” Prosperous and Powerful Democracy, Civilized and Harmonious Society.

“时刻准备着” Semper Paratus (Always Prepared).

“明天更美好” Tomorrow will be even more beautiful.

At the end of the parade, about thirty floats passed by, each one representing one province. There was Shanxi, Sichuan, Guangdong… and the very last province that everyone thought had been forgotten…: on the picture you can see the characters “Tai” and “Wan”.

On Taiwan’s float, there was some symbols of the “Rebel Island”, one of them the Taipei 101 tower, that was once the highest standing building in the world.