Jazz Festival

It was before 7 am when I woke up on Saturday, strangely enough eager than ever over the week to start the day. I had a sleep over at some friends' place... the morning sun was paving the floor through the large window. I picked a book, it was China Travel Guide... I opened the Tibet page. Hope to go there one of these days.

We did some yoga, following the women on the tape, laughing half way, since the translation into Russian was quite funny - too direct... and still sweating stretching our bodies. It's killing... the yoga... especially if you do not stretch for ages... I should do it more.

We were off into the city after breakfast, heading to the tea market. On the way in taxi I had time to let my imagination grow and make a picture of the tea market life. Chaotic and maybe unorganized, huge souks with green leaves and old ladies thrusting in their fingers to get a handful of what will go into the teapot for a probe.

It was completely different though, as many things in China that I tend to underestimate. Many separated rooms, clean, well thought, equipped with all necessary tools for pleasant and long tea testing. It is quite time consuming, I would say, one bunch of leaves can last for 10 times of brewing and it gives slightly different taste every time. Sellers like to talk about their type of tea and it is quite interesting to listen if you know Chinese or have someone who can translate. I had, so we went through several rooms, drinking maybe 20 cups in total.

I like tea ceremony, I have never thought of doing one myself. Well, after this visit to the market I am proud to admit I have everything for a basic amateur tea ceremony.

Since Monday I was dreaming of Jazz Festival. It started on Friday and is going for three days in the park not that far from where I live. We walked there, watching streets and people, feeling the energy tea gave us. The tickets were sold out. Ha? How could that be, there should be one left for me, or three left for us, since we really wanted to go... Well, the music was heard outside the park, so we walked around catching the smooth sounds. And then we have found it. The entrance that did not require the tickets. Just a fence, low and unguarded, it was just impossible not to jump over it. So we did. Heading towards the lights of the stage I was thinking that this was a perfect cooperation of initially contradicting facts which makes me happy and does not make anyone else unhappy - since they got all expected profits anyway.
The place was crowded, but not as much as at Natura concert in Iceland when the Bjork was announced to sing. People set on the grass, some danced.

There were Chinese bands, playing instrumental jazz first, followed by female solo singers.
Very deep, again unexpectedly nice voices. The light was soft under the lantern we set. My friend pulled a book by Richard Bach. I watched the fireworks behind the stage. A girl on stage swing softly with the rime, her voice hanging in the night air.

Putuo Shan

Not exactly sure how I happen to be on the back of a motorbike moving for some reason just towards the rest of the traffic. I just hoped the 'taxi' driver knew what he was doing. He knew, we were at the port in a matter of minutes, having escaped all the jams. There was a smell of fried chestnuts in the night and many people moving towards the deem light of a port building.


We took a night ship Friday evening, moving smoothly through the waves and wind towards a small dragon island. The wake up call happen almost 3 hours in advance that allowed for slow breakfast and refreshing walk with camera pointed at patches of land raising out of the water and disappearing towards the horizon.

We were met by the hostess and briskly walked towards our lodging for the night, it was drizzling.


Putuo Shan is famous for it's Buddhist temples as well as mount Putuo, that is considered to be one of the 4 sacred mountains in Buddhism. It is not limited by that however. Two beaches, poetically named, caves and sculpture are not of a less interest to an eye spoiled by western views.


The temples, with their quieting atmosphere, burning aroma sticks, prayers and Buddhas, coins thrown here and there for luck, Buddhist monks walking around in tidy orange cloths, lotuses in the wells and ponds - symbol of Buddhism, lions and dragons - signs of imperial power, fish that is hit on it side to call monks and visitors for the humble and very cheap dinner, beautiful nature these all make for an incredible experience.


I am back to the city, with it's 100 000 taxis, neon lights and countless people... having had a royal treatment at a massage center, nice dinner in the up scale restaurant, in my mind I am still going back to the quietness and mystic of the Buddhist temples... hope one day... soon, I will find my way back there.

One day in planet China

It is quite early in the night but I feel sleepy... no trace of thoughts, blank and empty mind, feel sorry for people who have to be around jet lagged individuals. Just came back from dinner out... actually was brought back on the seat of motorcycle(3 wheels one - we've got lots of attention). Wind into the face, ear rings swinging in fast motion. I am home now, on the 18th level of happiness. Am I? Well, may be, may be not, depends what I focus on...

Afternoon, at the office. Young faces around. Calm and concentrated atmosphere. A bit dim, just screens standing out of darkness. Working. Early lunch in the Chinese upscale restaurant, sticks playing tricks on me. Fork is an attractive option, just I am in China... should go Chinese way. Nice view on the district from the terrace. Contrasting tall and slim condominiums and small brick tale houses. Gardens with drying underwear, cafes and restaurants filled with Europeans... All under the gray linen of polluted sky. Late snack served to the desk by ayi... feels like home...unexpected(undeserved) care...

Morning. Sun is quite summery. Put my running shoes on. Off for the streets. People cycling to work. Some stopping on the way to grab fast breakfast. Smells good, lines are long. Running past 2 Starbucks, coffee is a trend here more than pleasurable drink. Get into the crowd in a small park, all engaged in hypnotizing motion of tai chi. Some dance to their inner music, careless of people around, deep into themselves. Some write verses with slightly tainted brushes, right on the paved ground. Not sure for whom...

Early... before the day even starts, seating up on very white bed. I am in China. Feels great, does not feel Chinese...