This weekend I had the pleasure to host Mike (my boss) in Beijing and a blast we had. Mike is not only the biggest “Gator” fan I know but also a man who approaches life with abundant energy and joy. Just the right type of guy you want to have as a travel buddy. For those non-Americans reading the blog, the Gators is the nickname for the University of Florida Football and Basketball teams. During Mike’s short visit, we did of course the top three tourist attractions: 1) hiking the Great Wall, 2) strolling the Tian’an Men Square and the Forbidden City, 3) bargain shopping in the Silk Market.
At the Wall, Mike wanted to take a few pictures for the local Cincinnati Gator website as the fan club collects pictures from all over the world. So he came dressed in the blue-orange uniform: Gator’s sweater and Gator’s cap. Believe it or not but of the handful Americans we met at the Wall, wasn’t there another Gator? Is there truly a Gator nation as Mike tried to explain me? Take a look at the picture with Mike and the Gator girl: what better proof!
However the most fun at the Great Wall was observing Mike haggling the price down for the “Red Book of Chairman Mao”. Comrade Mike is now fully engaged in the struggle of the working class. Watching Mike, I was laughing so hard my cheeks were hurting. He is a master negotiator and the practice he had in the Bazaars of Istanbul was showing. Looking back the shopping experience we had at the Great Wall came in handy the next day. On Sunday morning we stormed the Silk Market in Beijing for some last minute shopping before Mike took a flight back home. Wow, talking about a haggling game. The vendors (mostly girls) are literally grabbing you and dragging you in their stores. On principle, we tried to get away with a price that was 10 percent the original asking price but we had to endure a slur of insults (I hate you, you are making me cry, you are not nice, I don’t like you,…) and even bloody scratches. One of the girls was hitting us and screaming for a better price (I remember you, why don’t you remember me?). We played along and our performance was pure Commedia Dell’Arte. Mike is first generation Italian- American, you can imagine the drama. Shopping at the Silk Market is pure entertainment and pure survival. After 90 minutes of chaos, we were more than ready to conclude the day with an espresso and cappuccino. Priceless.
At the Wall, Mike wanted to take a few pictures for the local Cincinnati Gator website as the fan club collects pictures from all over the world. So he came dressed in the blue-orange uniform: Gator’s sweater and Gator’s cap. Believe it or not but of the handful Americans we met at the Wall, wasn’t there another Gator? Is there truly a Gator nation as Mike tried to explain me? Take a look at the picture with Mike and the Gator girl: what better proof!
However the most fun at the Great Wall was observing Mike haggling the price down for the “Red Book of Chairman Mao”. Comrade Mike is now fully engaged in the struggle of the working class. Watching Mike, I was laughing so hard my cheeks were hurting. He is a master negotiator and the practice he had in the Bazaars of Istanbul was showing. Looking back the shopping experience we had at the Great Wall came in handy the next day. On Sunday morning we stormed the Silk Market in Beijing for some last minute shopping before Mike took a flight back home. Wow, talking about a haggling game. The vendors (mostly girls) are literally grabbing you and dragging you in their stores. On principle, we tried to get away with a price that was 10 percent the original asking price but we had to endure a slur of insults (I hate you, you are making me cry, you are not nice, I don’t like you,…) and even bloody scratches. One of the girls was hitting us and screaming for a better price (I remember you, why don’t you remember me?). We played along and our performance was pure Commedia Dell’Arte. Mike is first generation Italian- American, you can imagine the drama. Shopping at the Silk Market is pure entertainment and pure survival. After 90 minutes of chaos, we were more than ready to conclude the day with an espresso and cappuccino. Priceless.
1 comment:
It's a Gator world!
Chris & I rode 22 miles Sunday. It was in the mid 60's and windy but it so very good to pedal.
Thanks, Paul.
Post a Comment