Crack! Crack! Crack! Strolling around People's Park on Saturday, I assumed the noise might be firecrackers being set off or even people shooting. So obviously I trot off towards the source of the noise, and discover, that because China is sometimes more random that I can ever imagine, the noise was coming from a group of men who basically seemed to be using giant whips to smack the ground and make as much noise as possible.
Next to them were another group of, again mainly older men, engaged in spinning tops. The guy in the beige sweater is showing how it's done. He was also by far the youngest player.
This yellow top caused quite a few of the players trouble and none of them could keep it going very long. The strangely Mediterranean looking older guy in the white shirt you can see in the background was the best player there. Unfortunately because of his postition right in the middle it was infuriatingly difficult to get a good photo of him. I did however put the other observers in the difficult position of having to choose whether to photograph the top spinning or the foreigner photographing the top spinning!
Another popular park activity is showing off your diablo skills. I spotted this man at the waterpark demonstrating his prowess.
Steady....
Here we go...
Bravo, maestro!
Bravo, maestro!
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Lovely and variety of activity at the park.
ReplyDeleteInteresting recreation!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like they are having fun, when I visited Hong Kong recently I noticed how much the Chinese love colour and light and fun novelty things. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, they are all getting splendid exercise. Fun post.
ReplyDeleteInteresting, so very different. Thanks for your comment at my blog - my thoughts exactly.
ReplyDeleteJ: What special photos from China, certainly an interesting experiment with whips and tops.
ReplyDeleteApparently our park activities are boring here. That is definitely interesting. My kids would love to see that!
ReplyDeleteInteresting, very interesting!
ReplyDeleteWhat a unique game.
Hey J, that looks like a lot of fun! Did you join?
ReplyDeleteYou captured some most interesting pasttimes in your neighborhood park. I wonder what the whip-cracking is about. Letting off frustrations?
ReplyDeleteBravo to the old man. I'm sure it's as difficult as it looked. China as interesting people hanging out in their parks and is great for many photo opportunities. Enjoy China!
ReplyDeleteinteresting post:)
ReplyDeletethanks for your comments. i meant to ask one of the chinese english teachers today about the whip cracking, but got totally sidetracked talking about racism with a student.
ReplyDeleteLots of strange and unusual things happen in that Park. It would take lots of talent and practice to do some of those activities.
ReplyDeletean interesting window on what is happening elsewhere in the world!!
ReplyDelete