Last Train Home

The movie that catches my attention was last train home. This movie is about a family who lives in village and has economic problems.  For that reason the parents have to move to the city because they have to work to support their family. In the city many people work in the factory and receive a few salary to do this hard work. They sleep together and the food is terrible. These parents didn’t see their children who live with their grandma for too many years. The kinds work too in the farm but it is just for eat. When the family finally be together the father told to his daughter that he only wanted that she studied and prepared for her future because they didn’t want that they passed for the same thing. When the daughter grows up she feel the necessity to work then she left the school and never back. They don't want to be A students like their parents expect, don't want to spend their lives sacrificing themselves in the name of the future. She decides to go to the city at the age of 17. The parents feel very sad and worried; this life was very hard for her. These children grow up without the love of their parents and with the necessity in the village. I know that the Chinese people work hard. They export almost everything but I didn’t know that most of them live in misery. Now I understand why they left their country and abandon their family due to the necessity. 

The panda bear 

The panda bear has been loved by children and sought after by photographers, zoologists and hunters everywhere. Since its official discovery in the remote, mountainous regions of western China over a century ago, the Giant Panda has intrigued and baffled naturalists like no other animal. Since there are so few captive pandas, the Chinese government has officially banned hunting them and only rarely permits their export. The panda bear remains one of the world's most mysterious creatures, almost as baffling a subject of investigation in captivity as when free.

It has been estimated in 2006 that there are more than 2,000 giant pandas in the wild, showing a recent increase in their population. However, some researchers claim that this apparent increase could be the result of a more detailed survey rather than an actual increase in the bear's number. Giant pandas in captivity have lived up to 35 years. However, their average lifespan in the wild is 15 to 20 years.

Viña, Andrés (2010) Range-wide analysis of wildlife habitat: Implications for conservation. Biological Conservation 143(9)

Feng shui

Feng Shui is the Chinese art of placement and its main purpose is to create harmony in the surroundings so that the flow of energy is positive. This art has been practiced in China for more than 4,000 years. Feng Shui is not an art frozen in time. It is very relevant to modern living. It teaches us how to live in the world, how to live with our environment and how to be attentive to the energies that flow through it."

Today, Feng Shui is practiced not only by the Chinese, but also by people from all over the world. Even today It is so important to some people that they use it for healing purposes, guide their businesses and create a peaceful atmosphere in their homes.

"Common sense feng shui." Business Times [Malaysia] 1 May 2010. General OneFile. Web. 7 Nov. 2011.

Chinese New Year

I choose this article because I think that it is very interested how the Chinese celebrate the New Year. For they, this is considered the most important holiday of the year. Superstition and symbolism are also important to most activities, behaviors, and routines during this time.

I learn that the Chinese receive the New Year, cleaning the house repairing or replacing broken objects, settling debts, washing old clothes, and buying new clothes if they can be afforded. Cleaning is done because it is believed that any dust or dirt left lying about might fly into someone's eye and blind him, while the other activities are associated with preparing for a completely fresh start for the New Year. This time is also considered to be magical, with ghosts and spirits lurking about that have to be defended against or appeased with protective symbols, visits to temples, and incense burning.
 

In many countries of Latin America Chinese festival are very common in Chinatowns, lion dances scare away bad spirits or troubles of the old year and welcome the new year, bringing good luck to all. Colorful acrobatics, loud cymbals, gongs, pipes, and drums, and the accompanying firecrackers make for a very festive scene.

The curious thing is that the culture of the Chinese New Year is very similar to us. We not only accepted them in our countries but also adopted part of their tradition and believe. 

Taylor, Karen Lau. "Chinese New Year." Daily Life through History. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 3 Nov. 2011.

A Chinatown grows in Buenos Aires

Li Na Tennis Player

       Li Na is the first player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title. She started to play the game at age 9, quite late for a professional. She never played on a true clay court as a child—she described China's "sand" courts as "totally different" from top-grade clay and so slippery that they made her feel like she was playing ice hockey. Li Na’s father, a former badminton player, died when she was 14 and by 2002, at the age of 20, she had retired to study journalism. "I really didn't think I could be a good player," she said.

China in Latin America

Latin America and the Caribbean are the next stop in China’s global expansion, and the first-ever Chinese white paper for this region, released on 4 November 2008, doesn’t leave any doubt about China’s intentions. Latin America has ‘abundant natural resources, a good base for economic and social growth and tremendous development potential.

The first Chinese immigrants in Latin America arrived in Cuba in 1847 and since then have formed well-established Chinatowns in the majority of Latin American countries. Hearn suggests, ‘Chinatowns are key to the soft power exercised by China in the region.’ This is especially the case in Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Costa Rica and Panama, countries with the largest number of Chinese immigrants. ‘Chinatown’s leaders play a central role in making connections and building partnerships.

China has established diplomatic relations with 21 of the 33 Latin American countries. In 2004, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Venezuela announced recognition of China’s full market economy status.

China in Latin America              

June 18, 2009

By Antonio Castillo

http://the-diplomat.com/2009/06/18/china-in-latin-america/

Monuments of China in Epcot II

    Statues of Budai form a central part of shrines. He is taken to represent many important teachings and messages, including contentment, and generosity. He helps people realize the essence within, which connects with all beings and he fosters the realization of tolerance, generosity and contentment; thus, he helps to bring heaven to earth.

Monuments of China in Epcot

Chinese immigrants - many illegal - are flooding into Italy