There are certain sights that make you stop and stare. Do a head swivel at least, to these:
The secret eating.
A new fruit, bread, nut, or meat being cooked on the street that looks completely foreign even though you've lived in a foreign country for almost a year; it is prickly smooth, reddish blue, sometimes blackened, with seeds and without, catastrophes and treasures. Most are greasy and a few times they make you sick. For me these mystery foods always peak my curiosity. Sometimes, you pay the price. Other times, you wind up with something great you'd never have found anywhere else, and it feels like your own. Chestnuts to be enjoyed with a movie or Naruto, greasy and floppy ji ba dan (??) with egg cooked inside and delicious sauce, those waffle holes. Yea, the holes from waffles ended up in China, golden brown and just sweet enough.
And cat meat.
The random beating.
An angry cabbie, possibly just coming from a car wash, just got broadsided. He comes out of the cab and grabs the suspect, a youth on a scooter, by the collar. He roughs him up a bit in the middle of the street. Having displayed his anger, he then points out the dent in his cab and discussion can begin.
At night while biking, marvel at the man and woman chasing two youths with a Singapore-style cane and folding sign, respectively. The woman hits one of the youths with the sign, WWF(E?) style. The girl you're with sucks her teeth and implores you to keep going because no one wants to see violence in the streets. So you continue on reluctantly and see that the dozen bikes riding on the path with you are all checking out the show, too.
The beautiful woman.
In Asia, Japan is known for its beautiful women. Japanese women know how to dress; Japan is a Mecca of fashion. Korea, some say, has more beautiful women. Many Korean women seem to have heard this and whether they are or not carry themselves as such. Those who prefer something more exotic, prefer a foil to the standard that white skin and thin are the hallmarks of beauty, might vote for Thailand or Vietnam or the Philippines. There are a dedicated contingent of American ABCs who are all about Taiwan and Hong Kong and the subtle differences one can see in women from those spots when compared to Chinese from the mainland.
There are enough guys, and girls, who would argue on behalf of the mainland China if for no other reason then it's heavyweight champ in this department: Shanghai. Shopping malls, shopping districts, night clubs, hotels, subways, IKEA. They make you hold your breath a little, bite your lip, and feel a slight longing pain for nostalgic romance mixed with clips from the various music videos and movies you've seen throughout your life. A smile in your direction, the chance to pick up something important she dropped, the you look she looks you look exchange...these are things you may hope for.
But there ain't no event, food, or beautiful woman who can compete for my head swiveling, lip biting, knuckles whitening like a fat faced Asian baby.
Call me a psycho, I don't care.
