Youth Community

This is a sad picture taken from inside my room. One day, again concerned for our safety (there's a lot of concerning), they decided to put bars up in our rooms. I protested to no avail. I'm on the fourth floor, don't you think that's quite ridick? If these chinese houdinimen can manage a 75 pound tv out the window at this height then they should be rewarded for their talents, I rather not live in a cage. Cest la vie. In China you must convince yourself to love gates, locks and bars.

























Straw hats are not a lost fashion in China. Men and women line the street in them has they meticulously prune the land scape. Mainly it's women you see on the side of the street tending each blade of grass with their hands.

What we did in Shanghai

It was Bastille Day (France's National Holiday) so we joined Shanghai's French community in their festivities-basically a lot of Frenchmen enjoying crepes, espresso, champagne, and people singing French pop songs.
Here I am on the way back through the city enjoying the "scenic route". We purposely took this particular bridge to enjoy Shanghai's skyline only to the disappointment that the lights are off after midnight, hence the blackness behind me.

Before we made it back to the hotel we stopped at a rather nice lounge downtown. Here is how you fake smoke a hookah. That's a lot of pretend smoke you're blowing out there.

The next day we wound ourselves around their little art district, charming, but on the danger side of becoming a tourist trap. And, that was about it for Shanghai this time but I'll be back.

Shanghai

They're really into their spheres here in Shanghai, you see them everywhere.


Unfortunately I don't have much to show, I was not in photog mode at all.



These walkways are common here, good idea- separate the peeps from the vehicles.

The city seems to revolve around shopping, so I'm happy to be living in Suzhou. But sure, I did partake in the action and did a little shopping myself. Everywhere you go it's about space management- what do you do when you're changing in a tiny dressing room, but no matter a Chinese person opens the curtain and fits themselves in? You shove up against the wall and figure how to get your arms through your shirt while boxed in, awkward.

More Rehearsal

The Amazing Gemma.

Our whole show is not upside down, I just find these pictures interesting.

Our Prima, Agnieska, and her men.

Coco and Yu Wen Xhin, two of the many stunning Chinese dancers with their whacked extension.

Transformers

These bugs are quite comical to see flying around, you really just see flying antennas and the body is a blur. I hear stories of awful green bugs to come in August... I'm scared.

I'm sure this work utility vehicle design was inspired by this bug.

Yet another B-day

The thing about having sixty people in the company is that there is always a Birthday celebration to be had.
This is your typical table set, anywhere I've gone you got your fancy fruit plate and dice.














Birthday Boys.



I just noticed the American Flag- see the world doesn't hate us.

A Theatrical Event

Going to a bar here they keep you entertained.
Cute.
 

Very Cute.

The boys likey.

Independence Day

Downtown there is a TGIF, and yes, I vowed to myself I would not go there, but after a month of never knowing what your eating it beckoned. Not to mention it was the fourth of July and good excuse of patronage. And oh was it wonderful. Easy to say after the evening before when I had chicken feat for crying out loud. The Chief of Police held a dinner for me and another couple of company representatives. There was quite an array of dishes and I thought to myself 'well, it's now or never'- perhaps should of left it to never.

This little boy, like every other little Chinese kid over here, was the cutest. He just laughed and played and played with us through the window. 

Scooter Madness

Downtown the sidewalk is a sea of scooters.

There's a talent to riding your scooter and carrying your goods. The best sights I've seen I just couldn't get my camera out quick enough. One guy balanced a TV and a massive desk. The best was a guy wreathed in chickens.

When it rains all the sudden you see many four legged riders.

Peaches Are In

Lake Shihu Scenic Region

Nearly a three hour bus journey away lies the Shihu Scenic area. Three hours not because it's that far but because your buses here are about as efficient as a Flinestone car, they have to be restarted should they catch a red light. Most drivers coast down the road watching the time on the light (they all have countdowns on them) to avoid hitting a red and doing the whole restart thing, but it's inevitable. I questioned the journey this morning because when you don't have a seat, it's 100 degrees and your packed like a sardine its comparable to hell. Not to mention after a night getting to know Suzhou's nightlife the whiskey and green tea that was so good last night might not be so agreeable with this situation. After some initial vapors, and the seating gods came to our side, the trip was fine. Destination finer.


Trekking up a mini mountain to visit a temple we were mildly bummed the cable cars weren't in action. They connected to the next mountain over which had a giant Buddha on it. We did notice we were the only ones in this park and actually all we needed to do was just ask them to turn it on for us. I never had cable cars all to myself. I'm constantly thinking about the jobs here- watching people wondering what that work must be like. This was one of those times. One guy to help us on at the temple, one guy to let us off at the Buddha- but I get this feeling it must be weeks which go by before someone asks for a ride.

Birthday/Farwell Diner

Saturday was the last day and birthday of a guest teacher, so most of the cast went out to celebrate the occasion. Sure, some were celebrating the departure being it was a tough couple of weeks. Her job of converting bunheads to a different style of dance, namely jazz, is not an easy task, but she could be down right mean. Temperamental artist, what else is new?