Tags: Ancient, Asia, asian, China, Chinese, Culture, Kaifeng, night, Photography, temple, Travel, Travel Photography
Tag Archives: asian
Funny Things I Love About Asian Dramas
20 May
Random collection of funny things I love about Asian Dramas:
- That their plots can end up so intricate that they need maps.
Seriously, an honest-to-God sample plot might read:
“Instead of a love triangle, we bring you the love hexagon where two people are murderers (of each other’s parents, though they don’t know that), one is just coming back from America after being falsely accused of the others’ crimes, two girls are sisters but love the same man even though two other men love them better because that one man loves the girl who married his best friend for his money . . . . Oh and there is golden treasure from the ancient Joseon period hidden in a haunted well and protected by a bad guy who knows some badass kungfu and is protected by the mayor.”
- The fact that only really evil people or really cool people who studied in America (or just abroad) bring out guns.
Someone brings out a gun and everyone freezes in shock ~ apparently only trigger-happy American-trained people would ever bring a gun to the knife/pipe/bomb/chemical weapon fights that they usually have in the shows. There are two reactions: “Soooo Cool!” or “Do you want to die? Why would you even pack that!?! We’re all going to die!” The number of times I’ve watched a crime drama where all the police run out to a terrorist event with a baton and knife, but NO GUN, amuses me. And the really cool stars don’t need a gun at all. Apparently, it’s still more respected to fight mano-o-mano there.
- The Fact that Everyone is Remarkably Oblivious To People Tailing Them.
It doesn’t matter if you are a bad guy or a good guy, no one notices people tailing them. Driving right on my bumper in a giant yellow/orange van with ginormous logos on the side? Don’t see you. Sitting on my porch under a blue umbrella when I walk up into my house? Don’t see you. Wearing a white suit in a dark place hiding behind a skinny pole? Don’t see you. Standing creepily right behind me in the dark glaring? Don’t see you. Walking two feet behind me down seven different streets wearing a purple dress with giant orange polka dots? Don’t see you. It’s like watching a baby hide their face but leave everything else exposed – except the adult actually can’t see them!
Differences in Taste
9 May
Kelly Dobkin, a writer on Zagat, recently posted an interesting article “Hooked on Acid – Has the American Palate Changed Forever?” While I found interesting her article on the American taste changing from the creamy French to spicier/more acidic flavors in their food, what caught my eye was the fact that she suggests these spicier flavors are predominantly Asian in nature.
As most of my readers know, I have traveled and eaten in several Asian countries ~ China, Korea, and Japan to be exact. The lack of cooking utensils (and a determination to thoroughly enjoy ourselves) led me and my fellow students to local restaurants most nights. Asia is awesome for many reasons, but the cheap food at restaurants is a real draw.
One of the things that I kept running into were warnings about the spiciness of their food. Having been raised on Mexican and South American food, I have always had a preference for the spicier side of cuisine; and I generally order hotter dishes when I eat out. Asia was no different, and I frequently was drawn towards dishes with the cute little jalapeno pepper symbol next to it. Repeatedly, the waiters/waitresses would stop and ask if I was quite sure I wanted something that hot. Over and over, they would warn “very hot. I think that in America you must not eat food this hot.” And just as often, I would reassure them that if they didn’t hand over the beef dish immediately, they were losing a hand to my fork. Continue reading
Japanese Legends: Story of the Stonecutter
30 AprJapanese Legends:
The Stonecutter
Once upon a time there lived a stonecutter, who went every day to a great rock in the side of a big mountain and cut out slabs for gravestones or for houses. He understood very well the kinds of stones wanted for the different purposes, and as he was a careful workman he had plenty of customers. For a long time he was quite happy and contented, and asked for nothing better than what he had.
Now in the mountain dwelt a spirit which now and then appeared to men, and helped them in many ways to become rich and prosperous. The stonecutter, however, had never seen this spirit, and only shook his head, with an unbelieving air, when anyone spoke of it. But a time was coming when he learned to change his opinion.
One day the stonecutter carried a gravestone to the house of a rich man, and saw there all sorts of beautiful things, of which he had never even dreamed. Suddenly his daily work seemed to grow harder and heavier, and he said to himself: “Oh, if only I were a rich man, and could sleep in a bed with silken curtains and golden tassels, how happy I should be!” Continue reading
Art I Love – Man With Horse
15 Feb“Wallpaper from Wallcoo.com” by Anon If you are the original artist, please contact me with your name and the original source so I can give recognition.
“She was free in her wildness. She was a wanderess, a drop of free water. She belonged to no man and to no city” ~ Roman Payne
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