Rich Or Poor ??

Today, I like to recollect an old story, a story I quite like. It goes like this.

- - -

One day …

The father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son : How was the trip?

The son replied : It was great, Dad.

“Did you see how poor people live?”, the father asked.

“Oh yeah.”, said the son.

“So, tell me, what you learned from the trip?”, asked the father.

The son answered :

I saw that we have one dog and they had four.We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end…

…We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond…

…We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them.

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

- - -

Maybe this little story leads us to re-look at what is being rich and what is being poor.

Of course, if I were to say being "wealthy" is not just measured in terms of our worldly-materialistic-possession, many people may say I'm just a 酸葡萄. Haha..

But I do see poor people feeling very rich. And I do observe rich people feeling very poor.

What do I mean?

我倒是觉得〈贫〉与〈富〉也是一种心态。

一个家境较贫的人，他若懂得珍惜所拥有的、乐意与人分享自己所拥有的、能觉得知足常乐，愿意付出但无非分之想…
那其实不就是一种很〈富裕〉的感觉吗？

换言之…
一个大富豪，他虽然家财万贯，但却不懂得乐善好施、眼里有高没有低、心里总是觉得还不够、一直还想多要一些…
那其实不就是一种很〈贫穷〉的感觉吗？

哈哈。。
So, everyone of us can choose to lead a rich life. As rich as you wanna be.
在心理上是可能的。

不要说我们穷。
先问问我们的心理穷不穷。

Purely Coincident, Perhaps..

Just yesterday, a *little pal felt really uncomfortable during the test. I was alerted. When I rushed there, I noted she was perspiring profusely, her shirt was almost soaking wet, she felt weak, her voice was weak, she couldn’t walk when not supported, although her temperature was normal.

I could only advise her to stop worrying about the test. With the assistance of a lady-colleague, she was assisted to the General Office and her mother was contacted for the necessary follow up collaboration to help the *little pal.

Just this afternoon, another *little pal felt very uncomfortable during another test. I happened to be just walking past the corridor and felt strange when an invigilator shouted, “Help! Help!”

So I was alerted again. When I went nearer, I noted the case was much more serious. She felt so weak she fell from her sitting position and was lying on the floor, her body was shivering slightly and she was almost like foaming at her mouth. With the assistance of a lady-colleague, she was assisted to the General Office and her mother was contacted for the necessary follow up collaboration to help the *little pal.

In both cases, I was alerted and was directly (or almost directly) involved. Don’t get me wrong, I am only glad I can be of some help. But of course, I felt inapt, and was at quite a lost of how to help these *little pals more effectively.

In both cases, the *little pals reflected they never had such experience before.

In both cases, they recovered pretty rapidly once they were helped out of the testing venue and lead to the General Office. They appeared so normal after a little rest. If we were to see their initial condition, we might think calling an ambulance was the best (and only) option.

In both cases…

erm.. take a deep breathe, please ...

They happened in the same room, same seating position, and almost during the same timing…


是巧合吧？
两次怎么该学生都反映她们没有前例？
两次怎么她们离开事发地点，便相当快速地就恢复如常？
两次怎么都是发生在同一间教室、同一个座位、几乎同一段时间？
两次怎么都是糊涂的我出现，来插上一脚？
我不是埋怨。能帮上什么我都乐意。

难道… 我当在其中体悟一些事物？
我还在想…

难道… 另界有些讯息要传达与我？
如果是如此，
请不要苦了这些小娃子与旁人。
我愿意亲自聆听受教。

Some “Rewards” (in the World of Cards) …

I believe most (if not all) working adults possess cards, I mean credit or debit cards, or some kind of membership card. To promote the use of cards (that is, to promote spending), many reward systems (and/or privileges) are in place.

Being more sensitive to numbers (I guess), I try to work out a few (I mean really just a few and not representative in any sense) of these “rewards” that I hardly feel like one.

- - - -

NTUC Link Card..

Point Awarding : usually 2 points for every dollar spent (with conditions)

Rewards : usually 3000 points for a $20-voucher (for some participating shops)

Translating to lay-man terms : We are rewarded $20 after spending $1500. That is, around 1.33% return.

Mm.. We need to be loyal enough to spend $1500 at Fairprice to exchange for a $20 Fairprice voucher. How long will that take? And.. The points got expiry date some more. If we don’t spend enough to ex-change for anything this year, next year try again from scratch lor.

- - - -

Most Credit Cards..

Point Awarding : too varied to mention here

Rewards : usually we can redeem for a voucher of approximately $50 value, after spending $8000.

Translating to percentage : That is, approximately 0.63 % return.

Mm.. Spending $8000 dollars? That is how much of our annual salary?

- - - -

I have not accounted for the usual annual maintenance fee related to these cards (although many of us may get it free). Haha..

I have nothing against card and/or the using of such. In fact, I quite like them. :P
There are useful perks or privileges that are quite irresistible actually. But I also see quite many people near me got suck into it and now they are being piled with bills and hefty interests for them to clear and clear.

Their hefty interests… erm… Is there where we get our teeny weeny rewards?

- - - - - - - - - -

I am not quite sure about you. But this picture makes me smile for a while. Is that a sacred branch that they refused to move away?

How He Smuggled 2 Puppies Over..

I don't know Q that well, but through his sister, I learnt that he was proud that he managed to smuggled two puppies through the custom right under the noses of many immigration officers.

How he did it? Or rather, what was the advice given to him to make his attempt that successful?

He visited a pet shop in Country M. He liked two of their puppies very much. Of course, buying the puppies is easy task, but we all know bringing live animals across country-bounder can be a rather complicated business.

Q expressed his concern to the pet shop owner.

The pet shop owner confidently advised him, "If you are really interested, we can help you. Very easy."

Q : Really?

Pet Shop Owner : Are you really interested?

Q : Sure. But I must be comfortable with your suggestion first. I cannot keep them in a box or ask my wife to use her long shirt to cover these puppies. Because if they were to bark, I will be in trouble.

Pet Shop Owner : Not to worry. Very easy. Just feed the puppies this, x hrs before crossing the custom. The puppies will be sleeping and appear just like very real soft toy. I am very confident that it works. You are not my first customer that I have helped. All my previous customers were very satisfied.

Q actually took that kind of advice and bought the two puppies.

So the two puppies were fed that. And true enough, they slept so soundly, so motionlessly. One of them was boldly placed on the dashboard, and the other was left at the "dashboard" at the back of the back-seat of a sedan car. In other words, those puppies were very visible to anyone passing near the car. And they only appeared as cute-real-looking-soft-toy-puppies. Wa..

Mm..

This entry is not meant to be teach-you-how-to-do-it nature. It is just a simple recollection of some random thoughts that crossed my mind recently.

Actually, I don’t think I approve what Q was doing. I think I like puppies very much enough not to feed them that. I am just feeling a little disgusted surprised how bold he (and many others who had done it) actually is.

There are some good and valid reasons why bringing animals across country-border can be complicated. Ok, if not for all those official reason(s), I still feel a little uncomfortable to feed those puppies drugs.

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

目前有一个观念，你们必须深植于心。

那就是
「只要环境许可，任何人都可以犯罪」。

换句话说，
「只要自力、他力具足，任何人都能免除罪恶」。

Again..

I think I’m in trouble again.
And that’s just because I am expressing too much again?
Nevermind. Mm..

If you are in for a little bit of magic, the following clip may impress you.

【日本 Cyril 魔术】鳄鱼成真

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

我们当以学习的心来倾听别人所说的一切。

头七 ..

Just back from a more-than-810km-self-drive-trip to meet someone who has to be met.
就是为了要一起来负起忽略了十年左右的责任。
身是疲惫的；心是安慰的…

- - - -

The one who has to be met reminds me of someone (late Mrs Z). Maybe tonight, I shall talk a little bit about Mrs Z. I am not a good story-teller, but I shall try.

Mr and Mrs Z were married long ago. They were childless. I know the couple and communicated with them quite frequently back then. Mrs Z contracted some illnesses and she was already in rather serious condition when I knew her. Her physical conditions continue to deteriorate, but not her mental faculty. Especially during her last year, she gradually accepted her conditions and became stronger by committing herself to the teaching of her belief.

Anyway, one day she passed away.

It is a common belief that the soul of the departed will return on the first-7th-day. Although, Mr and Mrs Z had been married for many years and had been living pretty lovingly together all the while, Mr Z expressed he was scared on his wife’s first-7th-day. He requested his younger brother to stay with him for the night on his wife’s first-7th-day.

Little did he know, an interesting tale was about to unfold…

On that night, Mr Z got tired first. He returned to his room and tried to sleep while his younger brother stayed in the living room and continued to watch some television programmes.

在半梦半醒之间，Mr Z saw his wife appeared through the wall of his room and walked towards him and sat on the corner of the bed they used to share.

Mrs Z : 你还认得我吗？
Mr Z : 当然啦。你是我的老婆嘛。我为什么不认识？
(Accordingly to Mr Z, Mrs Z actually appeared very radiant and not sickly at all. She seemed much younger and livelier and certainly prettier.)

Mr Z : 你现在过得好吗？
Mrs Z : 我现在在天堂过得逍遥自在。你放心。

Mrs Z (now using her hand to stroke Mr Z’s head) : 我要跟你讲一些事情，你要听清楚。
Mr Z : 什么？

Mrs Z : 我曾经跟我的母亲借了马币 3000 元来买药，也跟 Mr C 借了新币600 元来看诊。过不久，你就会拿到我的保险的赔偿。你一定要帮我把钱先还给他们。你听懂吗？
Mr Z : 好 lor.
(Accordingly to Mr Z, he wasn’t aware that his wife had ever borrowed money for her medical care.)

Mrs Z : 还有，这一间屋子现在虽然是你一个人住，你就不要想把它给买了。其他两间房间你要出租是可以的，不过主人房你要留给自己住。好吗？
Mr Z : 好 lor.
(According to Mr Z, he was actually planning to sell away the flat and then stay with his sister.)

Mrs Z : 对了，房间外面的那一个人是谁啊？
Mr Z : 是我的弟弟，你不认识 meh ？

Mrs Z (only smiled and added) : 我想到厨房看看。

Upon saying that, she walked through the master-bedroom door, towards the kitchen. Not long after that, Mr Z was awakened by a pretty loud noise in the kitchen, as if something was dropped. He jumped out of his bed, opened the door and was thinking of walking towards the kitchen to take a look. His younger brother who was all the while watching television outside the living room was also disturbed by the noise in the kitchen. So the two brothers went to the kitchen to take a look, together.

They saw a frying spatula lying on the kitchen floor, as if being carelessly tossed.

Mr Z’s younger brother asked : 你刚才在房间跟谁讲话？
Mr Z : 跟我的老婆咯。

So, let you imagine how the brothers spend the remaining night hours…

- - - -

When Mr Z had received his wife’s insurance pay-out, he brought S$600 to see Mr C. Mr C wasn’t at home and so Mr Z passed the money to Mrs C.

Mrs C : 你给我这些钱做什么？
Mr Z : 我的老婆头七那天晚上跟我说… blah blah blah
(Mrs C wasn’t aware that Mr C actually lent Mrs Z that amount of money. A personal check with Mr C confirmed the truth…)

In the same way, when Mr Z returned the RM3000 to his mother-in-law, she was also surprised of the tale.

- - - -

想想：
- 是不是如果 Mrs Z 没有头七的显化，没有人会在提起那新币600元或那马币3000元？
- 是不是 Mrs Z 在生之年的病苦，必定有她过去的因。但是能虔心向真理，还了该还、受了该受，一样能逍遥自在。
- 是不是 ...

你能相信头七吧？
你能相信天地间有人、鬼、神、佛吧？
你能相信有地狱、天堂吧？

再想想...
百岁年后，我们的灵性将归何处？

In & Out of Cage..

We were walking past a row of shops. Some noises nearby caught our attention. The noises were distinctly that made by birds, many different birds chirping away.

Yes, I am using “noises” (and not music or songs) to describe the sounds made by those birds. I am not trying to be rude or crude. Firstly, I don’t think the birds were singing merrily. Secondly, the sounds were not harmonious in any sense.

We went over to take a closer look. It was a bird shop (a shop specialized in selling birds). There were many birds all well caged. There were even hornbills and different kinds of parrot/ parakeet. The bigger parrots were not caged, but one of their legs was chained to the rod they were standing upon.

In some cages, we witnessed the squeezy living-condition. The small birds within seemed to be fighting for more space. Some were obviously literally fighting.

Naturally, how can the sound made by them (under such conditions) be harmonious? How can the sound made by them (under such conditions) be pleasant to the ears?

Me : I think they are screaming to be freed.
M* : 你又不是鸟儿，你又如何知道？

Me : You are not me. How would you know I don’t understand the birds?
M* :你少来这一套了。除非你是鸟人。哈哈。

Me : I felt an urge to just buy as many birds as possible with whatever amount of money I have now and then set them free.
M* : 这样的做法，好像也不错。能放多少是多少。可是你认为这些鸟儿在笼外真的会过的比较好吗？

Me : I think I am quite sure of that.
M* : 你看看眼前这一幕。

I was lead to witness an interesting scene.

Many cages were placed outside the stall. Many small wild birds (birds not caged) flew near the cages. They were not there to say hello or to say how sorry they felt to see their comrades being caged. Those freed birds were busy pecking away at the spilled food around the cages. They seemed so hungry and were oblivious of the people walking around.

I raised my head to take a look around. There weren’t many tall trees in the region. And I think even a small forest wasn’t that nearby.

I started thinking :

- Will those caged birds get used to the environment outside whereby they have to source food for themselves? But I think in time, they will learn.

- With so many freed birds risking their lifes to come near those caged birds to source for food, does that imply the sources of food out there is so limited?

- - - - -

M* 那么一提，我倒是没有把握这些在笼里的鸟儿如果被我释放了，它们在笼外会过得比较好。因为那么多的笼外之鸟都要冒险飞来笼子旁边争食。

笼内的鸟好羡慕笼外的鸟有自由。
笼外的鸟好羡慕笼内的鸟有温饱。

我 ...

Should be Playing Snake & Ladder...

During a simple gathering, a woman (near 50 of age) was astonished to see that some kids were gathered and were happily playing cards.

She asked me, "How can they be playing cards?"
I so believe she was half-hoping I could step forward and stop those kids from playing cards. She would be impressed if I could deliver a lecture on why-you-shouldn’t-be-playing-cards to those kids on the spot. :P

I was too surprised with her question. I tried to be as polite as possible and watching my tone, "Why not?"

She did not give her reason(s), but gave some suggestions instead. She added, "Why not play snake-and-ladder or scrabble?"

She may not have given her reasons, but I think I know why. It must be the gambling element that is often associated with playing cards.

I replied her and I was more to the point, "Oh, playing snake-and-ladder or scrabble, also can gamble what." Upon seeing her surprised look, I playfully added, "You don't believe, want to bet?"
(Haha.. I was merely making an attempt to re-inforce the idea that when gambling is concerned, it can be everywhere or we could gamble at just anything.)

I continued, "It's the playing mentality we should be more concerned with. I see that the kids are having a decent clean fun game with cards. I think that is pretty harmless and should be entertaining also."

She then questioned me softly, "That means, also can play mahjong lor?"

Mm...
I was too amazed by her questioning. I felt a little awkward as if lecturing to an almost elderly lady. But since she asked me, I believe she didn’t mind my views.

麻将本无罪。不过是小小玩意儿嘛。

当然是要看玩的人的心态嘛。赌的话，我只是觉得不太好。
打发时间的话，我也觉得很罪过。

但是，若是借此来联络朋友之间的情感应该还算可以接受吧。

我也得承认联络朋友之间的情感的方法有很多，
但偶尔变通一下(但是不沉迷)应该也无妨。

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

衣食住行，佛与众生无误；所以衣食住行，则有别也。
喜怒哀乐，圣贤亦有之；所以喜怒哀乐，则与凡夫不同也。
不为道用，情欲必将泛滥成灾；
以道发端，忧患恐惧无非自性妙如。

A Little Humour

The boss of a listed company walked up the stage to deliver his speech.

Boss : 他们说我很 hao4 lian4 。 其实他们都错了。
Then he paused. His expression became a little tensed.
The floor of hundreds of guests were quietened. They were waiting eagerly for him to explain why or how he is not hao4 lian4 (arrogant/boastful).

The boss continued..
Boss (he exclaimed) : 其实我是 xi2 beh3 hao4 lian4 ah!
(xi2 beh3 hao4 lian4 = very arrogant/boastful)

The whole floor burst out laughing.
I would have laughed out loud too, if I were to be present.

- - - - - - -

I don't know the boss. I was told of the tale by one who was amongst the floor listening to that speech and had a good time laughing.

I just know that the boss has a very humble beginning and has quite an interesting sense of humour.

I have noted that the one who had just shared with me the tale remembers nothing about the boss's speech, except for that pretty humourous beginning.

I think everyone likes a bit of humour here and there.

Am I too boring (i.e. not humourous enough)?
I try not to be too boring.
But how much difference can a boring person make? Erps..
I can only continue trying ... :p

Okay, at times the students were laughing hard during my lessons.
Does that mean they only remember the laughing and not the content I'd just shared? Haha.. You can't blame me thinking this way. The recent examination results seem to suggest my "hypothesis" anyway. Mm..

- - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

其实你们需要把眼光放远一点、放宽一点。
烦躁是最容易生罪过的起源。
一旦你的心烦躁无明，就很容易毁坏了你其他正确的动力。

而你们在什么时候烦躁，
相信大家现在回想一下都很清楚：
- 在你忙碌的时候；
- 在你想到未来的时候；
- 在你面临到你不会的事情的时候。

2007 : Remembrance of China (Part 7) ..

I think this is the last part. But of course, the memories are going to last. :o)

Photos..

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I am done with the photos.

Not really promising this time. The limitation is on my side.

Certainly the charms of 九寨沟, 黄龙, 乐山大佛 and 熊猫 are far beyond what you will see from my pictures.

You may access my pictures from the following link :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spn/sets/72157600330084612/

I think the pictures are best viewed as slideshow.

Simply click on this

which can be found at the top right hand corner of the website provided by the link above.

Also, you may mouse-over the pictures (during the slideshow) and click to toggle for the captions which I try to explain the pictures.

多多指教。:o)

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

成功不是奇迹，而是一种坚持到底。
有困难在所难免。
但为了成功一定要再坚持下去。

2007 : Remembrance of China (Part 6) ..

Before my memory faded, maybe I should be slightly more discipline and try to write a few more points.


English..

Much due to tourism I guess, many instructions / signboards (even the official ones) in China have English translation. Because we understand both English and Chinese languages, we tried to read both versions. Mm.. It was a very “entertaining” experience. I believe the Ang Mohs will find it very confusing. Sorry, I only remember the laughing and have forgotten the specific examples.

But but but..
We can feel that the Chinese are very keen in learning the English language.

Example 1 : Knowing that we are from Singapore, one of the staff member at Sim's Cozy Guesthouse approached W to clarify some words in English.

Example 2 : We saw restaurant waitresses practising with each other to pronouce the words in the menu right during the time when it was not too crowded.

Example 3 : We saw a young local initiating conversation with an Ang Moh in English (and happily conversing in English thereafter) during one of those long journey bus rides.

And so on..

I am rather impressed with their learning attitude and I believe their standard of English will catch up real soon.

I quite believe in the saying :
It’s the attitude and not the aptitude that determines the altitude.



Right Time / Right Season? ..

I got to admit, this may not be the "so-called best" season to visit 九寨沟 or 黄龙 . It is the drier and hotter season and water is interpreted as the soul of these places. In other words, we missed quite a bit of scenery, especially at 黄龙.

We were advised by some locals that more rain-water will come in late June. But 九寨沟 ( and 黄龙 ) is best visited after 15th of October, because that is the time not only there are plenty of water, but the leaves will be red enough. In other words, these places will be blossomed in different shades of red, orange, yellow and green against the clear turquoise or blue water. Plus, all the water-falls will be unleashing their full might.

If you dare to brave the coldness, the wintry scenes (at later months) will definitely carry a different charm to please you. Just imagine the green pines covered in white snow standing just beside the clear blue water. Yes, we were told some water bodies will not be frozen even during winter.

By the way, during our recent visit, we could even still see some snow-capped ranges nearby and the temperature at 九寨沟 is well below 20 degrees Celsius by day (in this month), and well below 10 degrees Celsius by night (in this month). I remember we were snaking through the wooden planks under the tree shade, just beside the flowing waters for 4 hours, still feeling fresh without perspiring. Cool!

And, I was literally nearly got frozen at the airport near 黄龙. It was early and I think the temperature then was below 10 degrees Celsius as we were on higher ground. The people working there were wearing wintry thick coat. Me? I was wearing t-shirt, Bermuda with a simple vest and that cannot-make-it kind of jacket. *shiver*

On a fairer note :
- Dryness provides a different kind of beauty. I still like it and find it lovely.
- The tourist crowd is not as much and usually the accomodation rates are significantly slashed (compared to their published rates).
- We have a good enough reason to revisit the same places again in different season(s).

Visiting these places at different time of the year (during different season) will give us different memories. I think our trip is still a very memorable one. :)

这一次的远游，是回味无穷的。谢了老友 W 。

我只是希望我不会在不知不觉中，
唠叨了一点、长气了一点、啰嗦了一点。
那一定会相当烦。

此乃我的旧痼。
Mm ...
若有的话，就真的不好意思咯。我会多注意的。：P

This is 长海 @ 九寨沟.
Those are snow-capped ranges at the background (during summer).

- - - - - - - - - -



有一位圣者这么说：

成功
不在于别人的勉励，而在于己身的自动自发；
不在于天生的才能，而在于现在的勤奋不倦。

他说他没有时间..

本来早已经报了名要参加 ABC.
临时他说他没有时间，因为工作的岗位走不开。
Truly, he was really busy.
He was helping in his son-in-law's business and the business is blooming.
But are we that indispensable from our work? Maybe it was his responsibility setting in.

He even thought of setting up his own business.
By the way, he was already near 70 years of age.
乐龄人士若能享享清福，不是很好吗？
But again, he had his reason(s) for his actions.

One early morning, two days after that ABC (which he didn’t attend), he prepared to wake up for work.
He found himself perspiring profusely and energy seemed to have seeped away from him.
He couldn't even walk.
An ambulance was activated and he was eventually hospitalized.
He was given blood transfusion for they suspected internal bleeding in the stomach.
But he needed to wait till the next morning for a scan.
I met him in the late evening.
He appeared so weak, too weak to even sit up for too long. But we spoke briefly.

During the scan the next day morning, he had a heart attack.
His heart stopped for nearly 2 minutes.
The rescue was immediate, but only left him in the coma state.
I saw him in that late evening.
He appeared to be sleeping with minimal body moments when spoken too.
Yet everyone seemed to be hopeful that things will change for the better.

A day later, in the morning, after suffered three rounds of heart attacks, he left …
I thought I will be seeing him this late evening, but …

他说他没有时间..
现在真的什么时间都没有了..

Things happened just too fast for everyone, I guess.
But again, a stroll at any ICU tells us that "things" happen anytime and maybe to anyone, regardless of age.

你有时间吗？
认为有意义的事就多做吧 …

In memory of Mr H ...

2007 : Remembrance of China (Part 5) ..

Maybe tonight, I shall talk a little bit about food today (tonight).

Food..

Something that you already know : yes, the food is cheap. But how cheap? We once paid RMB 13 (S$2.60) for our a la carte dinner with 2 plate-ful of dishes and unlimited rice supply.

Something that you may like to know : yes, yes, yes, the food is really (very) tasty. None of the dishes disappointed us. I feel that the standard of food is well beyond the dishes I tried here, locally. Oh, I am referring to the vegetarian food at the various big vegetarian restaurants we visited.

Much to my pleasant surprise, there are many big vegetarian restaurants in the cities. Just imagine, we took 6 dinners and 1 lunch in 6 different vegetarian restaurants during our rather brief stay there. We ate plenty, and yet no matter how posh the restaurants are (they all look nice and comfortable by the way) and how full we filled our tummies, the cost is usually well within S$20 for each satisfying, very-filling and tasty meal.

But again, China is so big. If we happen to be at the "wrong" side, getting to these vegetarian restaurants may need some simple transport means. For our case, by some strokes of luck, we happened to stay within walking distance from these vegetarian restaurants. :)

In general, it is not very difficult to spot the vegetarian restaurants. We may just need to ask around. By the way, I observed that many of these restaurants are near to big taoist or buddhist temples.

In touristy places and smaller towns, finding a vegetarian restaurants (or stalls) is almost impossible. But no worries, just get into any not-too-big and comfortable food stall. The way I see it, the cook is always willing to adjust the menu to suit our choices.

A typical starting conversation may go like this :
Me : 老板，可否为我们炒一些素菜？
Cook : 没问题。你们要怎么吃，我就怎么炒。
We may then just go on to the specific as to what to include or exclude.

Alright, a little bit of details :

For Guangzhou : They are at least 3 big restaurants clustered near to 光孝寺, along 净慧路. The surrounding may appear a little ulu. But through our kind taxi driver, we realised we were rather near to 北京街 (very much like our Orchard Road) and many other specific shopping highlights (all well within walking distance).

For Chengdu : They are 2 big restaurants within 文殊坊. 文殊坊 is a rather "cultured" area with rich buddhism-touch. There is another very impressive one (枣子村) just beside Carrefour within the city centre. Upon my return, I was told there are some more at different parts of Chengdu.

Oh no! I miss the food there. Writing this entry makes me feel hungry. Mm..

Oh I nearly forget. There is a saying in Chengdu : 不辣不成食. I remember once we ordered a dish which is categorized as 微辣. But it turned out that there was a spread of red-cut-chilli all over the entire top layer of the dish. Very threatening, but very appetizing. I wonder how their dishes which are categorized as 特辣 or 超级辣 will taste like. :)

- - - - - - -

Oh yes, one more photo which I have just processed to share with you all.

I think this is 树正群海 @ 九寨沟 and I quite like the colours.
Hope you find it pleasant to your eyes too.

2007 : Remembrance of China (Part 4) ..

Spitting..

While we were on our very first bus-journey (boarded at Guangzhou Airport), we were greeted by a recorded welcoming speech. Along with the speech, we were reminded not to spit in the bus. I was wondering, will anyone actually do that?

Mm.. I am not kidding. We see people spitting almost everywhere.
- I saw one spitting right in front of me in an air-conditioned supermarket.
- I saw many stall keepers spitting right in front of their own stall they are manning.
- I saw people spitting while waiting for their bus.
The list may just go on.

Now, I recall a more interesting case.
We were walking along a stretch of straight path-way just outside a row of shops. I think we were just about 10 metres away from a particularly shop. I saw a lady (I presumed she is the boss) walked from inside the shop to just the door-step of her shop. I first thought she was coming out to "tout" for business. I was wrong. Immediately, I saw her "pouting" her lips a little and out of her mouth I saw a milky white substance projected out to a few metres away from where she was standing. It was rather disgusting, I thought. Still, I am amazed by their ability to take aim and spit far. Practice may be the reason. Eee..

By the way, the spitting practice is also participated by fine young looking ladies. At one moment, we may be admiring their beauty ; the next moment, we might see them (or even hear them) turn away a little... quack-puii... :P


Ladies of Sichuan..

Even before I set off to China, a few friends/colleagues were telling me :
川妹很赞哦.
Wa.. I think it is true lor.

It was quite a feast to the eyes, actually. ;)

I mean they bother to dress up neatly and their facial features are very well-defined (and without thick make-up).

No wonder W is considering migrating to 四川 or at least considering working there for a while, for a very good and valid reason. Kidding.. :p

- - - - - - -

I am still in the midst of processing the photos. Okay, maybe I share with you one that I had just done.

This is part of 五花海 @ 九寨沟.
I don't know how you feel about it.
I think I like it.

我自问…

我还敢吗？
我还来得及吗？
我还有希望吗？

难道我还装糊涂吗？
难道我真的忍心吗?
难道我还要辜负吗？

咳 ...

那一股排山又倒海的恶劣势力会将我吞没吗？
那一股无私又坚毅的力量可让我扭转乾坤吗？

我自问 ...
时间分秒过 ...

我自答 ...
时间分秒过 ...

- - - - - - -

Hey, reader, if you are a credit card holder, the following clip might interest you. Watch it. The information shared might even “protect” you.

The general rule is :
If it can be made, it can be copied!

Real Hustle is really a rather interesting series. You may wish to check out other amazing stunts (of Real Hustle) in You-Tube.