Posted by: Jonathan
And we're off, again, this time to the other side of the world. We started the journey right off the bat with a bit of an adventure. Our flight started in Houston, backtracked a bit to Newark before reversing back across the US and touching down in Beijing. Even though we had a connecting flight on to Vietnam we still had to clear customs and immigration. This consisted of an hour of waiting in five to six lines, several of which we were called out for not standing single file or behind the yellow line etc. After we hurried (Jenn worried) through the process, we arrived to our gate just before our flight was scheduled to take off. It was now going to be a "few" hours late so we corralled a group of chairs at the gate and played the waiting game, which we are become fairly dominant in. After an hour or so, an airline attendant approached us and verified our names. She then said to follow her because there was a problem with our luggage... there was something illegal in my bag. We followed her back to the luggage screening area where six agents were standing around my lone bag. Turns out you can't have a pocket knife even in your checked bag that goes below the plane in the People's Republic of China. I reluctantly handed over my Smith & Wesson SWAT addition blade that I have carried since high school. After they inspected it (they couldn't figure out how to close it) they said they we would have to take it to the "place". I asked what place and she just repeated "the place". One of the other agents spoke up with a bit better pronunciation... the Police. At that point I no longer cared about the sentimental value of the blade - all I cared about was not going to the police to discuss my international weapons trafficking charge. After further discussion the matter was settled - an attended would turn it over to the authorities and we would be allowed to catch our connecting flight onward. (sigh of relief)
Once upon the severely delayed aircraft, I picked up a copy of China Daily in English - comparable to USA Today. There were several articles and quotes of interest, I will try not to bore those who just read for the pictures and descriptions, I just find the different views of each countries media astounding. First, an article about US duties on Chinese high-tech exports (front page). While in the airport in Houston, CNN covered this exact issue and they say the reason we are seeking legislation to place high duties on Chinese exports is because they feel China's currency is under valued. In the article in China Daily said, and I quote "The US politicians' frequent arguments of proposing legislation is based on inaccurate analysis and non-objective evaluation." Neither news outlet discussed the issue from both sides, they each just pointed the finger. I read further and it gets even better, and article about Wikileaks. "What can be said about the US frittering away diplomatic goodwill and twisting arms to get allies like Belgium to accept token pariah prisoners from Guantanamo, or to pressure Germany to hush up and halt legal proceedings against illegal extraordinary renditions? Is this the kind of wheeling and dealing the World's so-called beacon of democracy engages in? If it is so, it is not just petty but Pathetic... Historians know well that the US has never been half as idealistic as it likes to see itself; it takes a certain amount of over arching ego and sustained brutality to seize and secure a landmass... One might trace the fork in the road back to George W. Bush in the white house, though the roots of imperial ROT go back much further, back to bombs over Belgrade, bombs over Hanoi, bombs over Pyongyang, and of course, back to the terrible juncture when the US NEEDLESSLY dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima." The article started out a factual presentation of Wikileaks but then deteriorated to a US bash fest. There were several more interesting articles including one about Brett Favre, but the last one I want to write about focused on two suicide bombers in Iran who targeted a group of Shiites worshipping at a mosque, killing 38. Here is the quote that took me by surprise; "evidence and the kind of equipment used suggest that the terrorists were affiliated with extremist, groups backed by the US." Wait, when did we start funding suicide bombers and backing extremist groups? I thought everyone criticized us because we had a "War or Terror". I can't imagine how skewed someones view of us is if this is all they read and hear about the US. I sat on the plane for hours reflecting the differences in media and wonder how much what we read and believe is slightly twisted. On a lighter note I caught a sweet sunrise through all this inner turmoil.
And we're off, again, this time to the other side of the world. We started the journey right off the bat with a bit of an adventure. Our flight started in Houston, backtracked a bit to Newark before reversing back across the US and touching down in Beijing. Even though we had a connecting flight on to Vietnam we still had to clear customs and immigration. This consisted of an hour of waiting in five to six lines, several of which we were called out for not standing single file or behind the yellow line etc. After we hurried (Jenn worried) through the process, we arrived to our gate just before our flight was scheduled to take off. It was now going to be a "few" hours late so we corralled a group of chairs at the gate and played the waiting game, which we are become fairly dominant in. After an hour or so, an airline attendant approached us and verified our names. She then said to follow her because there was a problem with our luggage... there was something illegal in my bag. We followed her back to the luggage screening area where six agents were standing around my lone bag. Turns out you can't have a pocket knife even in your checked bag that goes below the plane in the People's Republic of China. I reluctantly handed over my Smith & Wesson SWAT addition blade that I have carried since high school. After they inspected it (they couldn't figure out how to close it) they said they we would have to take it to the "place". I asked what place and she just repeated "the place". One of the other agents spoke up with a bit better pronunciation... the Police. At that point I no longer cared about the sentimental value of the blade - all I cared about was not going to the police to discuss my international weapons trafficking charge. After further discussion the matter was settled - an attended would turn it over to the authorities and we would be allowed to catch our connecting flight onward. (sigh of relief)
Once upon the severely delayed aircraft, I picked up a copy of China Daily in English - comparable to USA Today. There were several articles and quotes of interest, I will try not to bore those who just read for the pictures and descriptions, I just find the different views of each countries media astounding. First, an article about US duties on Chinese high-tech exports (front page). While in the airport in Houston, CNN covered this exact issue and they say the reason we are seeking legislation to place high duties on Chinese exports is because they feel China's currency is under valued. In the article in China Daily said, and I quote "The US politicians' frequent arguments of proposing legislation is based on inaccurate analysis and non-objective evaluation." Neither news outlet discussed the issue from both sides, they each just pointed the finger. I read further and it gets even better, and article about Wikileaks. "What can be said about the US frittering away diplomatic goodwill and twisting arms to get allies like Belgium to accept token pariah prisoners from Guantanamo, or to pressure Germany to hush up and halt legal proceedings against illegal extraordinary renditions? Is this the kind of wheeling and dealing the World's so-called beacon of democracy engages in? If it is so, it is not just petty but Pathetic... Historians know well that the US has never been half as idealistic as it likes to see itself; it takes a certain amount of over arching ego and sustained brutality to seize and secure a landmass... One might trace the fork in the road back to George W. Bush in the white house, though the roots of imperial ROT go back much further, back to bombs over Belgrade, bombs over Hanoi, bombs over Pyongyang, and of course, back to the terrible juncture when the US NEEDLESSLY dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima." The article started out a factual presentation of Wikileaks but then deteriorated to a US bash fest. There were several more interesting articles including one about Brett Favre, but the last one I want to write about focused on two suicide bombers in Iran who targeted a group of Shiites worshipping at a mosque, killing 38. Here is the quote that took me by surprise; "evidence and the kind of equipment used suggest that the terrorists were affiliated with extremist, groups backed by the US." Wait, when did we start funding suicide bombers and backing extremist groups? I thought everyone criticized us because we had a "War or Terror". I can't imagine how skewed someones view of us is if this is all they read and hear about the US. I sat on the plane for hours reflecting the differences in media and wonder how much what we read and believe is slightly twisted. On a lighter note I caught a sweet sunrise through all this inner turmoil.
Once in Vietnam, we spent a few days resting from a combination of jet lag and Jenn being sick. Then we spent a day touring the local sights in Hanoi; Hoan Kiem Lake, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex, one Pillar Pagoda, Vietnam's War and Relics Museum, and most notably - Hoa Lo Prison Museum (also known as Hanoi Hilton). The thing that I found most interesting about the prison was that when the Vietnamese were held captive there by the French it was described as the most horrible and wretched place full or torture, but during the American War, (known to us as the Vietnam War) American pilots were captured and held there in the most pleasant of conditions. The displays drastically changed from horrific torture, to a nice place with fun activities. One quote read "During the war, the national economy was difficult but Vietnamese government had created the best living conditions to US pilots for they had a stable life during the temporary detention period." I found this statement a bit ridiculous since the "temporary detention period" lasted five plus years for some and was supplemented with limited food, poor medical help, and intermittent torture. Again, the truth is cloudy but one would imagine it lies in between the drastically different descriptions of the prison.
One night we attended a wildly popular and culturally significant water puppet show, which ended up being quite entertaining. While normal puppets are supported and moved by strings from above, these puppets are supported by bamboo sticks underwater, which are held by the puppet masters who hide behind the props and stage. The puppets come to life with movement from pedals and levels that puppet masters use, all underwater. The show is accompanied by a small band who play instruments, some that I can't name even with my music appreciation course at NC State.
With our fill of Hanoi, we booked a boat tour that would take us through the nearby karst studded landscape of Halong Bay.