James’s Ataxia Blog

Jimo Road Market

April 6th, 2009

Yesterday we hired a van with the Canadian couple, their two boys, Perry from Australia, Amanda, one of our interpreters and Jim and I.  We went to downtown Qingdao to Jimo Road Market which is a huge indoor marketplace where the Chinese shop.  It consists of many many little booths where they hawk their wares.  it is much like our flea markets but it is a permanent thing.  Of course very few people have cars so people arrive all day long in taxis.  Everyone from grandma to very small children.  No one over 70 years of age is allowed a driver’s license and I can certainly understand why.  Your reflexes must be excellent to drive here.  At any rate this market is three floors and there must have been everything made in China displayed.  Most notable are booth after booth of knock-off watches basically Rolex, pearls of every kind and color and in many strings from which you can choose your pearls and have them strung.  We also saw lots of jade.  There were many booths containing decorations for your hair – very sparkly and colorful.

Jim and I spent an hour or so sitting on a bench outside just watching people.  The young people get all dressed up to go shopping.  All of the young girls wear boots to the knee with high heels and most everyone wears leather jackets.  It was interesting to see all of the western dress.  We did not see a single traditionally dressed person.  If the men aren’t wearing leather jackets they are in sport coats.  The women are all in western jeans but they are usually decorated down the leg or on the pockets with embroidery or sparkles.

Watching people at the beach

The most interesting thing is the ride there and back.  It takes approximately an hour each way.  Jim was riding copilot and his knuckles were white.  His only comment when we got back was “Well we cheated death one more time.”

After our shopping spree we went again to the Yellow Sea.  They refer to it as the seashore which it is.  We went back to May Fourth Square which is where that big red sculpture is and to Zhan Pier.  Our last visit when Roy was here was on a weekday.  This time we went on Sunday and couldn’t believe the people.  I guess when you spend your life in a high rise apartment you go to the seashore or the park whenever you can.  Thousands of Chinese people everywhere you look.

Pagoda on Yellow Sea

Back at the hospital today the interpreter (Lucy) tells me that this is a three-day holiday called “Tomb Sweeping Day.”  Apparently it compared to our Memorial Day.  It is a day to honor the dead.  Lucy said during this holiday they eat steamed eggs and bean curd and leeks.  Think I’ll pass.  Oh yes, another thing – they sell “100 year old eggs” in the little stores downstairs.  Again, I’ll pass.  We just heard a lot of fireworks going off.  I asked Lucy about it and that is part of the celebration to honor the dead.  They don’t wait until dark, just let ‘er rip.  We could see the clear flashes from the window.

Roy's ghost in China

You might wonder at the names of our caregivers here as I did.  They take an American name of their choice to make it easier for us.  Jack and Lucy both told me what their Chinese names are and they are right – it is much easier for us to manage the American names.

Jim has a free day today as his physical therapist (Jason) is off today.  He will go back to his regular routine tomorrow and Wednesday and then we head for the airport at 6:00 am on Thursday.

Entry Filed under: ataxia,Uncategorized