April 8th, 2007 Chris
Living in a second-tier city has its drawbacks. Much as I often tout the comforts of living in Dalian—relaxed atmosphere, clean(ish) streets, blue(ish) skies—some things just can’t be found outside Beijing. Like this, for example:
Beijing’s Penis Emporium.
The Guolizhuang restaurant claims to be China’s only speciality penis emporium, and no, it is not a joke.
The atmosphere is more exotic spa than boozy night-out.
Nancy [the waitress] describes herself as a nutritionist.
“We don’t call them waiters here. And we don’t serve much alcohol,” she says. “Only common people come here to get drunk and laugh.”
It seems a steaming plate of dick is one of the healthiest things you can eat. Go ahead, chow down. Still not sure? Here’s what you can expect, according to the BBC story:
- “Donkey… Good for the skin…”
- “Snake. Very potent. They have two penises each.”
- “Sheep… horse… ox… seal - excellent for the circulation.”
The vital organ, as it were, is “low in cholesterol and good, not just for boosting the male sex drive, but for treating all sorts of ailments.” Never would have guessed.
Months ago, I boasted a “try anything” policy, a stance that got me a mouthful, and then a handful, of black and rubbery sea slug. At the time, Jeremiah offered this advice: “If you like something, don’t ask what it is or what is in it. You won’t like it as much after you get the answer.â€
When this comes to your table, though, do you really need to ask?
(Tip o’ the hat to Sam, who emailed me the story from England.)
Posted in News | 3 Comments »
April 3rd, 2007 Chris
I really meant to study Chinese tonight. Or, more likely, I was going to watch a bootleg copy of 300, which looks just plain awesome. The disc is sitting right in front of me.
Instead, I’ve been stuck on Multimedia Shooter, going through some of the coolest web journalism and multi-sensory storytelling I’ve seen in a while. My favorite so far—there are 11 in the post and I haven’t watched them all—is East Side Blues, by Brent Foster.
All, so far, have been well worth the distraction, and give me lots of ideas for a new project. I could say more about these, but you’re better off just watching. Enjoy.
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April 1st, 2007 Chris
Sometimes, China is just one big spoof of itself. Three stories from the blogosphere had me laughing today, for better or worse:
On the Humanaught’s Blog:
Though long thought to have evolved from the UK-created rounders, new evidence suggests that the sport of baseball’s origins extend back nearly 500 years to China’s Ming Dynasty (c1368-1644).
Li Gang, of the National Council of History and Culture (NCHC), recently announced findings from a year-long study into the origins of various sporting events thought to have Chinese roots.
“We were quite surprised by this discovery,†said Li. “It is common knowledge that table tennis, tai chi, swimming and football all have a long history in China, but we could not have expected baseball too would make the list.â€
OK, baseball has to be a joke. No way that’s real. And swimming? I’m pretty sure the guy who invented swimming was the first one thrown into the pond who didn’t sink.
This story had China Law Blog contemplating a new post category: Fiction.
“China’s ethnic groups enjoy equal status and live in harmony. There is no discrimination (directed at any ethnicity),” Dainzhub, who is of Tibetan origin, said at a press conference in response to a Reuters reporter who asked whether racial discrimination existed in Chinese society.
China has 55 ethnic minority groups. The Han people account for more than 90 percent of the country’s total population.
“People from different ethnic groups often help each other and their relations are harmonious,” he said, adding the central government was investing more money to alleviate poverty in some ethnic minority groups.
“The 56 ethnic groups are like brothers and sisters living in one family,” said Dainzhub.
And then there was this site, which looks curiously familiar:
Posted in self-indulgence | 3 Comments »
