A bit of culture
Guangzhou is a modern city. There are skyscrapers everywhere, smog in the air so that sometimes you don't see a blue sky or far in the distance, and those freeways and mainroads that circle and divide the city centre. I expected this given that GZ is an industrial area and economic centre for the south. I didn't really expect to see no traces of an "old" China. By comparision Ho Chi Minh city in Viet Nam is modern too, but the old public and private buildings are still there. I believe there are some traces of the old Canton here, and I'll check them out this weekend at Shamian Island, which became a British & French outpost after the two Opium wars in the 1800's.
Sunday afternoon was spent at the Guangdong Museum of Art. The gallery had some excellent modern art, sculptures and special exhibitions. We admired some amazing landscape paintings and a photographic exhibition. There was also huge calligraphy exhibition, but we couldn't appreciate it not knowing anything of this artform. We have seen people crowd around artists doing calligraphy on a table in the street on a weekend though, so we appreciate that it is something special.
Sunday and Monday were coloured by another kind of culture as well, that dreaded human foible - culture shock. I found myself feeling a little worried about getting by without a command of the language, living in a hotel apartment, and feeling confused by which direction is north. Why am I here? Monday afternoon brought a little confidence. I ventured out to lunch, ordered ok, and read my phrasebook to understand and practice some simple polite words. I found my way to the supermarket and home ok, and the sky cleared to blue as the temperature rose into the low 20s. Felt much better!
What is travel if you don't take yourself outside your normal space and try something different? It is why I am here. To see what life is like in one of the world's most populous and biggest countries. Sure I'm not going to see a lot of it, being based in one place the whole time, but I'll get to see it day by day and soak it up a bit.
I saw toads and snakes for sale in the market last night, next to the turtles and fish. Toad for tea anyone? :P
Sunday afternoon was spent at the Guangdong Museum of Art. The gallery had some excellent modern art, sculptures and special exhibitions. We admired some amazing landscape paintings and a photographic exhibition. There was also huge calligraphy exhibition, but we couldn't appreciate it not knowing anything of this artform. We have seen people crowd around artists doing calligraphy on a table in the street on a weekend though, so we appreciate that it is something special.
Sunday and Monday were coloured by another kind of culture as well, that dreaded human foible - culture shock. I found myself feeling a little worried about getting by without a command of the language, living in a hotel apartment, and feeling confused by which direction is north. Why am I here? Monday afternoon brought a little confidence. I ventured out to lunch, ordered ok, and read my phrasebook to understand and practice some simple polite words. I found my way to the supermarket and home ok, and the sky cleared to blue as the temperature rose into the low 20s. Felt much better!
What is travel if you don't take yourself outside your normal space and try something different? It is why I am here. To see what life is like in one of the world's most populous and biggest countries. Sure I'm not going to see a lot of it, being based in one place the whole time, but I'll get to see it day by day and soak it up a bit.
I saw toads and snakes for sale in the market last night, next to the turtles and fish. Toad for tea anyone? :P
posted by Polecat at 6:53 PM
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