Solo CNY

Spent the CNY alone in Nanjing on sat 13 feb 2010 for a night.

CNY in China is a big affair. Firecrackers were let off round-the-clock (yes I mean nonstop!) on the night of the eve of CNY. Even in my sleep I could hear it. Initially I found it exciting, but after a while, I am glad that Singapore has banned firecrackers. Why do I say so? Because while walking on the street, firecrackers were let off it all direction, and if you aren't careful, it's gonna be like the "Bali bomb" incident. I mean no joke! I have to be on high alert everywhere I go, and it was super tiring can!

The first time when I heard the sound of firecrackers 2 weeks ago, I thought it was some sort of gun fire. My colleagues had a good laugh when I spoke about it.

Anyway I went to the Sun Yat Sen's Mausoleum (中山陵) had a good climb of 300 over steps to the top which commanded a good view of the city of Nanjing.

Then I went to the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Hall (南京抗日军同胞大屠杀纪念馆), with lots of pics displaying the brutal act of the Japanese soldiers during the Japanese Occupation. Nanjing fell under the hands of the Japanese on 13 November 1937, the day after Shanghai was occupied. The Japanese soldiers went on to raping young girls and even old women were not let off (I agree that some people have a fetish for old women?) Haha! This incident became what is now known as the Rape of Nanjing. I have read a novel written by Iris Chang titled the Rape of Nanjing. Very heart-breaking. Over 300,000 Chinese soldiers and civilians were killed.

Is there still a very strong anti-Japanese sentiment in China? A fellow hostelite who shared the same dorm as me told me he was very anti-Japanese, such that he did not take up Japanese language during university. But he confessed that he was contradictory, in the sense that he only buy Japanese-brand camera.

One colleague of mine dislike the Japanese people, but told me he has completed Japanese language (elementary level) during university days and requested me to help him buy a Citizens' watch.

Another colleague of mine is Korean-Japanese crazed! Because she's after Japanese cosmetics and sundries' products.

What about my own observation over the years? I still remember there aren't any Japanese outlets in Shanghai about 10 years ago, let alone Suzhou. Now, you can even find Muji and Uniqlo in Suzhou.

What about my own views? Forgive but not forget. We shall never forget about history, and to treat history as learning lessons. The past, if not remembered at present, will repeat in the future. Nevertheless we have to forgive because:-

1) I enjoy learning Japanese language (OMG! HAHA!! It's so much fun compared to learning Chinese language)
2) Of the need to facilitate international trade

But then again, I was told by a Chinese that every where there are good and bad people. Same for Japan and same for China.

Mentality of the Chinese nationals is gradually changing as China becomes one of the fastest growing countries in the world. Thus, my next stop was the Yangtze River Bridge, which is testimony to China's engineering marvel. Had a torturous climb up to the top of the bridge, with steep stairs that left my legs wobbling. I was the only one there, during that eerie night! Kept worrying what will happen if I see ghost. Kula even told me the night before I came to Nanjing that I have to be very careful because of the victimisation of countless number of civilians during the gangrape by the Japanese soldiers!

Reached back to my hostel (Jasmine Youth Hostel) at about 10 plus. McDonald's saved my life during that night because most of the food outlets were closed on the eve of CNY.

Woke up the next day to see that the whole of Jiangsu Province (Suzhou included) was snowing... I had a more "Christmas-sy" mood rather than a CNY mood! I was even humming Christmas songs LOL! On the first day of Christmas my mother gave to me... lalalalahhhhh

McDonald's saved my life the second time as I had the most important meal of the day - breakfast! Of hotcakes and sausage.

Returned to Suzhou thereafter. And saw my apartment was blanketed with snow. Elated!

Today (15 Feb 2010) I moved to Shanghai for a night. Almost missed my train because there wasn't any taxi in sight. Rained in Shanghai, so I just went for dinner at a cantonese restaurant and bought some snacks back.