Xi Hu, Hangzhou

I have climbed the pagoda in this photograph, many years ago when we lived in China. The photo is from Xi Hu, literally "West Lake," near the town of Hangzhou, once capital of the Southern Song Dynasty.

5 comments:

J Melcher said...

An interesting claim.

"I have climbed the pagoda."

It make me wonder if it's like:
" "I have seen the elephant."

In the 1840s, seeing an elephant was an exotic thing for a cosmopolitan world traveler to have accomplished. In the 1860s, Civil War soldiers who had "seen the elephant" had been in chaotic situations where cannon, cavalry, and even war-elephants from Siam might have been in the mix of battle. By the 1890s, a child who had been dragged off to the zoo (or opera, or museum) a few too many times for her taste would use the expression in the sense we'd say:

" "Been there. Done that. Bought the t-shirt. Worn it to work."

I understand the literal claim, but I am curious if there is an underlying meaning.





raven said...

" ,once capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. "

Are you sure? Some say it is Nashville. ;^)

ymarsakar said...

The Chinese architecture and pagodas reminds me of Bruce Lee's unfinished Death movie, where he goes up this pagoda fighting mini bosses that each feature a particular brand of martial arts. It had some funny names on the acting list, including Chuck Norris and Karem Da something.

While I wish the stock market wasn't quite as volatile in the short term, I have been doing a lot of off time from work so I got my wish. Watching humanity panic around me is interesting and fun, especially as I know what the end result is.

Grim said...

“I am curious if there is an underlying meaning.“

Maybe more particularly in this case. It is said in Hangzhou that those who climb to the top of the Six Harmonies Pagoda are entitled to ultimate happiness. I took photos to prove my claim when the day comes for distribution of that.

“Nashville”

You rascal. :)

ymarsakar said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGkU7HmAAAc

A more mainstream security debrief on 5g for China.