Poetic Consumption

We all love Chinglish, but nothing beats menus that have been translated for the western diner that still need to be translated. Or, you can just go with the most poetic option. Here are a few I've encountered.

- Dance of the Dragon and Phoenix
- Walnut Flowers from Jiuzaigou Valley
- Golden Fish in Turbulent Sea
- Rose Garden
- Life Long Good Partnership
- Half Moon Reflected in a Murky Pond

Don't they sound delicious! Menus are not the only areas graced with such license. I stumbled across a packet of potato chips under the guise, Lonely God. I took 10 packets.

Then there was the 'plain' packet of Sweet Potato Chips that I was shown by some traveler's in Chengdu. The mouth wateringly titled - Sweet Potato Fucks. On the back of the packet, under Ingredients it stated: Sweet Potato Fucks Sugar.

How to annoy people in hostels or practicing Chinese instruments

I wanted to buy some Chinese instruments whilst I was here. In Shanghai I managed to stumble across The Traditional Instrument Factory where I hung around and pestered the guy who fronted the shop until he succumb and showed me some basic techniques for 2 instruments. I am now the proud (remind me of that after a day of lugging them around with my backpack)owner of 2 stringed instruments. The Er-Hu and the Liuqin.

The Er-Hu is known as the 2 stringed violin. It is appropriate for deep tragedy and for the momentum of an avalanche. How could I resist!

The Liuqin is like a small lute or a mandolin with 4 strings and has a willow leaf shaped body (which is the actual translation for Liuqin). It was originally used in folk songs (known in some provinces as sad songs) and operas.

Is immanent success on the horizon for Constantly Immersed In Pain?