Origins of Capitalism

So although the official party line is China is a communist country, I would have to respectfully disagree. I have never in all my life seen a whole country of people who will find and use any and every opportunity to sell things.  If you go to a tourist site, you have to wait in the "gift shop" for 15 min prior to going in.  And the proprietor of said shop is not a nice old lady patiently waiting for you to buy something.  Its 5 to 7 Chinese people following you around trying to force you to buy anything in their shop.  Also, if you are walking along a street, anywhere, in any city, people will yell "HEY LADY!!!" or "HEY MISTER!!" and grab your arm trying to get you to buy things.  For a country that claims they are not yielding to the American capitalist consumer culture, I would really like to know how they explain all the Chinese people selling everything they can get their hands on...real or otherwise.

Because everyone needs a wax figure of Bush, Osama, Saddam or Kofi Annan...seriously?

This is an island on Li River.  If you notice, there is a power line strung from the shore to the Island, which is selling food (being cooked on the island) and internet on a lone computer.  You would think it would be easier to sell food and internet on the shore...not commute to an island everyday.  (FYI: there is no way to walk to this island,  must use a bamboo boat)

HUGE bugs encapsulated in plastic.  This year's top gift for dad, because everyone fears the guy with the huge bug on his desk.  

Pets.  Yes, in Beijing (around the corner from my Apt) you too can buy ANY pet you want.  Bunnies, hamsters, rats, squirrels, birds, turtles, chipmunks...and off the back of a bike. 

Yangshuo Lights

So I recently was able to visit Guilin and Yangshuo  It was incredible, beautiful and eye-opening all at once.  It was very clear that these two cities had been impacted by the tourism since everywhere you went there was always something on sale, and every possible point of tourism was open for business.  It was nice to see that so much of the area was preserved, but also a bit sad to know that the only reason it has been protected was because it brings in revenue.  Makes you hope that tourism doesn't die down so that these cities aren't "modernized" like the big cities.

Underground caves in Guilin.  Best part was when the Chinese guide would show us a rock formation he would tell us what they thought it looked like and then say "use your imagination". Many of the things required a LOT of imagination. 

"The money shot"- The picture on the back of the 20 RMB note. (seriously, that is what they kept calling it. "and if you turn around, you can now see the money shot".) 

The Chinese are the original capitalists.  This guy is on a phoenix bamboo raft, selling his hand carved wares while hanging on to our steamboat(which was still moving) with only his foot.  He didn't sell anything, but it didn't stop him from doing it to all the subsequent boats on in our parade. 

Fresh silk.  The two tall towers are drying out the wet silk, to be spun later.  The white blob on the right is silk, and the brown are the dead silk worms.  At least you have a bit more proof that you aren't getting swindled at this store. 

Yangshuo Impressions light show on the Li river.  This show all took place ON the river, and they used the mountains light up as the background.  Directed by Zhang Yimou (the man who directed the 2008 Olympic opening ceremonies) it depicts the lives of minority peoples in the area.  Most amazing show I've seen so far.