Jews and more Jews
Trip Start
Jan 2006
1
19
Trip End
Ongoing
Nanjing, China
Sunday, August 6, 2006
Memories of me teaching graduate level courses in XiŽan blindsided me, as one Doctor-to-be was talking about the "big park" in Europe for Jews.
A park? I leaned in....
"Whats the name of the park, Jack?"
"Auschwitz Park."
Blink. Blink.
"Jack, a park is where people run around with lolipops, wear bright stupid hats, and race around looking for people dressed up as large animals. Disney World is a park, Jack. Whatevers dancing through the hole in your brain is a park. Auschwitz is not quite a park."
"But isnt Auschwitz the place where Hitler killed many many, so many many Jew People?"
This guy was clearly twisted.
"Jack, does that sound like a park you would take your One Child Policy kid to?"
"I dont think so"
"Are there Lolipops in Auschwitz, Jack?"
"No."
"Bright Stupid Hats?"
People dressed up as large animals?"
"I dont think so"
"Well, then it isnt a park, now is it, Jack?"
Hopefully, Doctor Jack has been taking advantage of this cultural enlightenment.
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Leaving the apartment, I looked up at the sky. To my left and right, the sky was a light gray, a gray of light drizzle and measely winds. Ahead however, were dark grey clouds on a caffeine kick running towards the city. The wind was amazing, by the time I got on the bus, my curly hair had been blown straight.
I got off the bus just as the rain began. As the water cooled me down, a familiar happiness flooded me. I was again travelling through some strange city, carefree and hungry. Just like old times. I arrived at Starbucks soaked. Curious lemmings approached me to talk. They told me they envied my freedom. Can someone truely covet that which is already within their reach?
Back at the bookstore, I noticed for the first time the influx of self help books.
Simple Lemmings+Money=Confused, Unsatisfied Lemming longing for Happiness.
It wasnt too long ago when they were simple, happy lemmings looking only for money.
I got my first response for an interview.
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Remember the bookstore sign
"Taijiquan
too many fists"
Why Ill always have a job in China.
