The sun was shining a little too bright as I rolled out of bed Saturday morning. My first week of teaching in Beijing over, it was time to venture out a little further than the confines of my neighbourhood. I thought it might take some time to fully come around, but I promised Kyle I would meet him at noon.Kyle and I graduated from journalism school together. He enrolled in education that next fall and, upon completing his degree, came to China in 2010. Knowing Kyle is in Beijing is a comforting notion; he's a familiar, friendly face in a sea of the unknown. I have met some wonderful new friends and colleagues, so this trepidation is quickly evaporating but getting in touch with Kyle was wonderful...especially since he knew where to take us.
We hopped on the bus, first time since arriving, and followed Kyle's lead. The stops are announced over the loudspeaker both in Mandarin and English. It is very English-friendly in my neck of the woods and in most of the areas I've gone to so far. Most menus at restaurants have both languages and usually pictures to accompany the food. It's easiest, at times, just to point at a picture of what you want to order.
The art district in Beijing contains more art galleries than you can count on your hands, and most of them are free. Many are designated by the art's country of origin: Mongolia, Hong Kong, etc. The galleries provide a nice respite from the incredible volume of noise that follows you outside. Beijing, in places, is a loud city. You can't walk more than 20 seconds without hearing a car horn. Once you enter these galleries, the volume level drops and you are left with time for quiet contemplation and beautiful paintings and sculptures from all over.
There was one exception. Gil, one of my fellow teachers who joined us, saw a poster for a gallery for 3D art. I had no understanding of what this would entail, but we went. This place was loud, but it was a happy and boisterous noise; relaxed and fun while the noise outside was usually accompanied with a certain level of stress. The 3D gallery, which was temporary as we arrived on its second-last day, was completely interactive. The paintings appeared to be jumping out of the wall providing visitors the opportunity to enter the art and become a part of the process. It was also the only gallery that allowed photographs, in fact it was encouraged.
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| Twas beauty killed the beast. |
We wandered the streets of the art district for almost four hours checking out shops and more galleries (including one dedicated to North Korean propaganda posters). We had lunch at a cafe that served espresso, smoothies, sandwiches and familiar breakfasts like French toast. Kyle and I chatted about journalism and where our fellow classmates are now and the desire to write that still burns in both of us.
2 comments:
Oh maaaaan I assume the NK poster gallery is one of the no-pics ones? I would crap a dog (like an entire, whole dog) to see those!
When I was in my teens, I had no idea what I wanted to do except that I would not be in the crazy newspaper business that kept my parents out nights and weekends and led to them being reviled for exposing various conflicts of interest and hypocrisies. I was sent for a week of aptitude and interest testing which produced the extremely unwelcome advice that I would be happiest and most successful being a teacher or a minister. I was furious because I had a huge beef with organized religion and felt ill at the prospect of being in any bureaucracy. One day, some 30 years later, I realized that, as a newspaper owner, publisher and columnist, my whole function in life was to inform (teach) and, in my column, to recommend courses of action (preach). I read one time that the lead for every story is "Hey everybody! Look what I found out!". The need to do that, in class or media, is part blessing and part curse. Good teachers, as much as good journalists infect their audience as well as themselves with that, "Hey everybody!" enthusiasm. After journalists, teachers are the people I most identify with. I love to see you enjoying your blessing/curse Jason. What a wealth of knowledge and experience you are heading into.
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