Pénglái, technically still part of my main city, Yāntái, is also a port city (the first on the eastern coast open to foreigners) and a big destination for domestic tourism. The two most famous features are its place in legend as the spot where the 8 immortals fell to Earth and the mirages at sea.
We spent our time at the immortal drop spot, Pénglái Pavilion, which you can see behind us, as well as the Pénglái Water Fortress.
It was a refreshing chance to see a Taoist spot, as I've only seen Buddhist ones. It was also a chance to party with the 8 immortals, because these statues get down.
Now, I won't go on some feminist rant about how there is only one female immortal, as there is also a sexually ambiguous one, which is a surprising win for those of the "3rd gender." What I will do, is give a big eye roll (I'm doing it, you just can't see it), that Woman He is a virgin. It's a shame that for a woman to be a "holy" symbol in a religion, she has to always have abstained from normal and basic human behavior. It's also a shame that not only does this rarely apply to a man, but having multiple partners can sometimes make him holier. If a good woman shouldn't have sex, who is a good man supposed to have sex with?
Who has a bra to burn??!! Finish them!!!!
Whew, anyhooooo, to get to top of the mountain, there was an incredibly charming chair lift that you would expect to show up in wall art photos sold at IKEA. And I didn't die on it, so, bonus. And it creates romance...awww
I got photobombed by a baby at the top during my dragon unity recreation. But, the baby is so cute, that I've given him a pass.
Perhaps the most beautiful part of the visit are the quartz stair trails which carve from the top of the cliff to the beach and all around the mountain. They are terrifyingly slippery, but if you can get over your impending death, you can take in the intricate pieces and soft colors of the natural mineral formations that create the beachside cliffs.
One of the saddest parts of the visit, and of China in general, is the litter, which is everywhere. That they seem to burn their trash at the park, also isn't a comfort. Photographer Lu Guang recently won the W. Eugene Smith Fund for documenting the effects of pollution in China, and it is heartbreaking and also really shocking and strange that he was allowed to release photos.
But, the litter upsets me less than the absolute control of the government. It's scary when all media is controlled by one entity, that people disappear overnight and the news is sometimes completely staged to sway public opinion.
But maybe our government only seems more transparent. Here's an example:
There is great controversy and conspiracy theory over water fluoridation (the U.S. government, without asking, puts fluoride in your water). Although I consider myself fairly thoughtful, I've never questioned this, because it's presented as fact that fluoride is good for your teeth, and therefor good in your water. And if you look, you'll find that there isn't a diligent study which proves this, and that there is research which speaks to the opposite also available. My brother told me one story, which is that Aluminum producers needed something to do with their chemical waste (fluoride) in the 1940's, and paid off all the right people, created/covered-up studies, and silenced dissenters, making a very lucrative deal with the U.S. government. And, perhaps it isn't conspiracy, because few countries have followed us and many respected scientists speak out against it. So, where does our government get its fluoride from now? Why is it in our water if they can't prove it does anything? Perhaps I'm just as hypnotized by my own government as China tries to make its citizens.
So, before we get too dark, here's some joy. Don't ever say that I don't have talent. I have talent, there's just no market for it.
In case it isn't apparent, I am easily amused and happy from simple things, which can also result in "lameness." I rang a bell and there's really no reason that it should make me so happy, but I was like pee-my-pants excited. Also took some shots of the waves and some fishermen when I was there.
And finally, let's close on the joyful treat of seeing a real pomegranate tree (Oooo, Ahhh) and a common street vendor food, a baked sweet potato. It didn't sound that special at first to me, but after peeling one and biting into it, it was glorious. Why, oh why, don't street vendors in the U.S. sell such cheap, delicious, healthy and simple treats?
HAHA cute baby indeed! Also love that top you're wearing.
Great point about the good men having sex with... whom?
Posted by: Kristan | November 26, 2009 at 12:53