Six Weeks In China

Tonight we went to the National Theatre to see a performance of the New Peking Opera, a fascinating fusion of classical Western, classical Chinese, and modern music and dance. I enjoyed it save the fact the sets were largely dependent on awkward CGI renderings projected onto a backdrop. It was an interesting experience, and I think most of the people I went with enjoyed it as well.

I got home to dealing with the insurance company about my March car accident in which I was nearly killed. I can't believe that things are still up in the air, that doctors haven't really been paid, whatever. I don't feel like dealing with this. I'm in China, after all.

I spent my evening on the internet. I really honestly derive more pleasure from few other things than the internet. Today's hot find is Naomi Klein's article in the most recent issue of Rolling Stone. I know it's Rolling Stone, but the fact that it's Naomi Klein totally cancels it out. It made me think about the games I play on the streets of Beijing -- picking out the security cameras. We see so many that it's not even worth it to count anymore. But sometimes I do smile and wave. Hey Beijing Police. I'm just a visitor here, but I know what you're on about.

Joking aside though, the whole thing freaks me out a lot. Klein mentions in her article that she had her passport scanned when she checked into her Chinese hotel -- I remember that, and she reports that when she inquired about it, it turns out that they send a copy of your visa and biopage to the police. Is this normal? Should this be normal? Why is it happening here? And when is it going to start happening elsewhere?

Also: I can't believe the article isn't blocked by the Great Firewall.