The future of Strangers

Been in Beijing for nearly a week now. Haven’t done much tourist sight seeing. I was and still might go to see the Birds Nest Stadium this afternoon but I am pretty tired after a non stop few days out. Have been meeting up with various people met over the internet and they all are pretty nice.

Yesterday I cycled to Wangfujing. The rain began while I cycled and steadily rose as I was reaching my destination. Met my new friend and we sat out over a drink and had a chat. The rain continued when we continued into the outdoor food maket where they sold skewers of various meat and scorpions. The Scorpions, which my new friend didn’t want to try were simply crispy and a little savoury and pretty expensive. It was a tourist area. I liked it though. We tried a few more things in the protection of umbrellas. The Beijing Oymmpic store was around the corner and we went to check it out. Without a doubt, it was full of souvenirs for all tastes. Even a £3000- single cast gold model of the birds nest which was pretty nice. I’d settle for a cap and tee shirt.

Later I met another new friend who I’d kept in touch with over the last few months. She’s Swedish born Chinese and is currently the the Art Director of a family owned furniture store. She also does some graphics and animation. Bars in Beijing are far between and only pockets of concentration exist. Due to the rain, she came were I already was and as the area I was in wasn’t one of those pockets, we settle into the bar within the Grand Hyatt. Service was pretty impeccable and the environment was pleasant. A bottle of beer was $60 rmb (£4.50). Which is about six times more than a regular restaurant. My new friend said, ‘$5 for the beer, $55 for the ambience’. Conversation mostly seem to revolve around our personal experience of diaspora and the lack of knowledge about the profound change China’s continuing rise will bring to the economic, social and cultural change to the world in years to come, outside of China.

My new friend said many people spoke of China being a main contributor to greenhouse gases but no one talks of China may also be the main contributor to the solution.

She took a cab and rode my bicycle home in the rain for 25mins, one hand on the bar, one hand with an umbrella she lent me. My shoes are still wet right now.

I met a man who works for one of the top energy companies in China the other day. When I asked will China be able to balance its energy and environmental requirements in years to come, he said, ‘without a doubt.. but it takes time’.

In a place where I can buy the same beer for $8rmb and $60rmb, anything is possible.

- J