Foresight is Key
Sometimes Chinese people do some really strange things. At least, to me they seem strange. I would assume that here in China it is just the cultural norm. Sometimes you see very poorly translated signs that are hilarious. Sometimes you encounter rules or methods that leave you scratching your head in utter confusion. And sometimes, ever so rarely, you get the opportunity to witness something that is at once completely baffling and at the same time sums up the entirety of Chinese’s ability to plan ahead:
That’s right. A seemingly innocuous line of windows. Covered by a brick wall. A grand view from the Residency Permit Office in Xi’an.
Tomorrow I leave for Guangxi for a three day jaunt in my first solo adventure here in China. I shall be returning Monday night so be sure to check back Tuesday for an update. Wish me luck!
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for a minute, i was like, uhhh, what?! and then i just laughed. way to catch truly traditional chinese architecture. simply astounding!
Those are the cells of the people who did not receive residency permits.
I’ve seen plenty of bricked up windows in the brownstones of the South End in Boston. A crying shame, but I suspect it has to do with all the remodeling that’s gone on. I know that the UK once had a window tax which led to many buildings having small windows, or covering up existing ones (long since abolished). What’s the tax structure like in communist China?
@Laura: Actually it was Christa who pointed it out to me. Nevertheless a great find!
@Stevo: I imagine it’s more like the cells of the people who built the building, just like in the old days of China. The people who build the buildings get sealed in after completing it.
@Melissa: Tax structure in China? Are you kidding me? I can’t even figure out the bus routes here in Xi’an.