Day 10 in Wuhan, Day 3 of official lessons. Morning was as normal, except waking up (or leaving room) a bit earlier and managed to take away some food from the canteen for breakfast. Business Process Engineering lesson by Mr Puah before we went to 武汉电脑大世界, which I called it Sim Lim Square of Wuhan. For your info, there are more than 1 IT malls or computer centres in that area. Yep. So the place we went is just 1 of the many. =P
Tata!
Nothing eventful to take about at the computer city, just purchased 1 Samsung 250 GB Hard disk (costing about RMB520) and 3 fake iPOD earpiece at approx. S$2 each (after bargaining by the girls. =.= ).
OHYA, there was a post office there! and it is opened! Sending Airmail back to Singapore is rather cheap, RMB 4.50 for a post card, which is approx. S$0.90. However, disappointed I was as the stamps were sold out! I suppose I would have to come back another day to purchase the stamps.
Went to 徐东大街's 销品贸. YES. the name of the shopping mall is 销品贸. A direct translation. Probably the main attraction there are KFC and Pizza Hut. However, (to everyone disappointment), both restaurants were full. Hence, the group decided to go level 5, think the name of restaurant is TreesTalk, 树语. (sounds familiar to Breadtalk? haha. Ordered a cup of Watermelon with a mini umbrella and magic wand costing RMB 20 (real ex.) and some clay pot chicken rice with lots of chili.
OHYA, the service in this restaurant is really very good. Haha. the best since I arrived in China. If they are in Singapore, there is a high probability that the majority of the service personnel will get the GEMS award. Lol.
TreesTalk
Yep. After that was 'patrolling' around the shopping centres before going home for rest!
P.S. There are certain events happened today which I would like to comment on.
FIRST, on our way to Computer City.
On the bus, we met a elderly man who enjoyed speaking to Yining (especially) and Karen. Let me see, I estimate his age around 70 years old, seems well-educated (i suspect he had university education before) and went to Singapore once in 1956! From this conversation, I realised a few things about Wuhanese (or should I say, senior Wuhanese):
N.B. Some of the points can be extended to Chinese that are not from Wuhan.
1) Proud of Wuhan
2) One China Policy
3) Myths about Singapore
4) Attitude towards Japanese due to World War 2
Allow me to elaborate a bit about the above-mentioned points.
1) Proud of Wuhan
Obviously, the uncle is very proud of Wuhan. During the conversation, you can see the 'enthusiasm in his eyes' when speaking about places of Wuhan which we must go visit, the culture and history and others (for example, the Chu Culture, 东湖, 武汉长江第一 and 二桥 etc). I sensed, most China Chinese (I would refer them as Chinese Nationals instead) somehow are full of pride and proud about their own culture, history, achievements and also the Chinese Civilisation as whole. Another example is the recent 2008 Beijing Olympics. Yep. got my meaning?
Speaking about this, I am going to do something which I don't think is 'correct' due to lack of common factors/variables or differences in culture between Singapore and China. COMPARISON! Didn't people realise Singaporeans lack the sense of pride/proud in our own culture, history and achievements? Or should I rephrase it, the Singaporean sense of pride/proudness is diminishing as compared to the past. A classic example (i would cite) is the National Soccer team. Once upon a time, everyone was so supportive of our own soccer team. For now, hmm.. =X Is it a result of globalisation or westernisation of our country? Seriously, I don't know.
Let's move on anyway.
2) One China Policy
I hope everyone knows what I am talking upon reading the above sub-title. Somehow in the bus, one part of the conversation was on the Taiwan issue. As expected, the elderly uncle still think that Taiwan is a province of PRC, not another sovereign state. Of course, he disliked Chen Shui Bian, the former president of Republic of China (Taiwan) due to the chaos he created. He did make one comment, "希望你们新加坡能帮上忙". or something along this line. I got a feeling that he is refering to the corruption charges against him as I remember that Singapore was one of the locations where the corrupted money is being transferred to.
Another enough of the One China Policy and 一国两制.
3) Myths about Singapore
Somehow, this eldery man do has some 'wrong impression' about Singapore. When I refer 'wrong impression', i am referring to myth. For example, he thought that the punishment for theft in Singapore is cutting of fingers! Haha. Fortunately, we clarified with him about this issue. I still feel weird on what made the uncle thought Singapore laws are so strict. lol.
4) Attitude towards Japanese
Remember I mentioned about the cutting of fingers myth? I clarified with the elderly that it was a practice by the Japanese when they occupied Singapore during WW2. During this spilt second, I sensed a change in 'attitude' by the uncle when I mentioned Japanese. Somehow, I still got a feeling that he disliked the Japanese. Yep. Maybe all Chinese Nationals do feel the same? I don't know.
Allright, I know you are tired upon reading my blog. YES. me too. Seriously, I dont know what am I typing already. So yea, good night people and stay tune! =)
P.S. China's L plate?
