24 March 2013
No dinner
After my massive lunch involving a bowl of oil laced with chilli, chunks of garlic and sichuan peppercorns, I decided on no dinner. That means I didnt really have a goal to set out for and achieve. I was truly aimless.
In other news, the pollution levels dropped below 100, and it hasnt even rained yet, some kind of miracle.
In another miracle, the formula 1 race wasnt on tv, and I found a working hi def stream that didnt buffer once for 2 hours, on Chinese internet.
My walk only lasted about 3 hours, as I am still suffering the effects of sitting for 24 hours yesterday, also I am weak and a drama queen. None the less I explored the area in an ever increasing radius.
South of the centre is the luxury goods stores, they are not as prolific as say, Shanghai. Much of the cities tallest buildings are being built at once, many are nearing completion but at night are completely dark. This is kind of unusual when you are walking by.
There are also multiple subway lines under construction, which cuts off access to some areas, but its not too bad.
Now for the story time. In my wanderings I found myself in a multi level carrefour store, which is like a walmart style thing where you have everything in a single store.
This one was quite new and had very few customers. I am wandering around minding my own business, when a trolley flys past the end of the aisle. I never heard it hit anything, and when I got down there, I couldnt see anyone.
I turned up the next aisle, and again, a trolley flew past the end of the aisle, at the opposite end of the store as I had turned 180 degrees.
Again I didnt hear it smash into anything, and again I didnt see anyone!
Could this store be haunted? Was I hallucinating? Both?
The tunnels that go under the road to stop you getting killed by a bus are numerous. This one appeared to be an aquarium, but closer inspection revealed it to be wallpaper and LED's.
First we take a pig. Then we rip out its intestines. Then we turn them into poweder. Then we? Presumably use it for food. I suspect its the basis of hot pot broth.
A great time can be had just watching an intersection. This one is large, but has no pedestrians. I rate it about 7/10 for likelihood of an accident occuring.
Whilst waiting for that to happen, a beggar decided to set up right next to me and go into the rapid bowing routine, so I had to move on.
I have seen quite a few shop cats already. They seem to be mascots for the stores they are tied up to.
The luxury goods area. Valet parking, door men, handbags, watches. Nothing I want.
Nearby is the rollerblading instruction camp, at dusk on Sunday night.
The instructor was enthusiastic, charging about screaming his lungs out at the kids. They seemed to take it seriously and be appreciative that they were allowed to be out rollerblading.
I cant recall being involved in anything like this when I was 3.
Like I said, no dinner. Just this delicious fruit salad from Japanese department store Isetan. Their basement section was great, the ramen restaurant in it looked excellent but the line was immense.