Ch 19: Animal Welfare

Reflections on Chengdu:

FOOD The food is spicy but it hasn't been spicier then what we have been getting in China since we arrived two weeks ago. I think most chinese have a great tolerance for spicing. In the US we just happen to have food from the only regions that don't eat spicy =(.

PEOPLE The people are nice. They enjoy hanging out in tea houses in the afternoons and evenings. The city is full of tea houses. They are pretty pale skinned for people living in such a hot area. Most people cover up and use umbrellas (did you know that umbrellas are a chinese invention brought to Europe by the English during the victorian era). Good skin is highly valued in Chinese society. They are also much shorter then the Chinese in the northern and central cities. In fact I've been shocked about how tall the average chinese person has been so far on this trip. I suppose the latter half of my trip will bring down the average.

PANDAS They are the symbol of this city, WWF, and China. These animals who are picky eaters and have a difficult time mating have maximized their cuteness to a degree unequalled in animal history. To harm a Panda is punishable up to death in China. I think they are nice animals that have grown too dependent on "animal welfare", and have forgotten how to do alot of things for themselves. On the other hand they probably generate millions each for China so who am I to judge.