Browsing Category: Why Did DAD Photograph This?

Dad was walking around Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) when he suddenly stopped. There was a yellow lane painted on the pavement. A big smartphone symbol. And these words: 低头族专用通道 CLICK. 📸 Elaine: “Dad, why did you photograph that?” Dad: “You know what this says?” Elaine: “What?” Dad: “低头族专用通道.” Elaine: “Meaning?” Dad: “Special lane for people who walk while looking down at their phones!” 😂 Elaine: “Seriously?” Dad: “Ya! Now they have their OWN LANE!” 😂...

We were inside a convenience store in Chengdu (成都, Chéngdū) when Elaine suddenly called Dad over to the noodle section. Elaine: “Dad, come and see this.” Dad: “What?” Elaine pointed at the shelf. Elaine: “Cao Cao!” Dad: “曹操?!” Dad looked again. Dad: “Cao Cao is selling noodles now?!” 😂 Dad immediately pulled out his phone. CLICK. 📸 🥚 彩蛋 Yes. That was 曹操 (Cáo Cāo) — the famous warlord and statesman from the Three Kingdoms era —...

Elaine: “Dad, why are you photographing the receipt?” Dad: “Look at the bank.” Elaine: “Huaxia 华夏 Bank?” Dad: “Ya. HUAXIA 华夏.” Elaine: “So?” Dad: “How old is Huaxia? This must be the OLDEST BANK in the world!?” 😂 🥚 彩蛋 The Chinese name on the receipt was: 华夏银行 — Huáxià Yínháng HUAXIA BANK Huáxià (华夏) is an ancient name closely associated with China and Chinese civilization. But Huaxia Bank isn’t ancient. 😂 It was founded in 1992....

Dad and Elaine were wandering through the antique market in Dezhou (德州, Dézhōu). Then Dad suddenly stopped. Dad: “Elaine, look at this red book.” Elaine: “What is it?” Dad: “结婚证.” Elaine: “What’s that?” Dad: “Marriage certificate!” 😂 Elaine: “WHAT?” Dad: “Someone’s MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE is for sale in the antique market!” Elaine: “Why would anyone sell their marriage certificate?” Dad: “Good question…” Dad: “Maybe the marriage became antique too?” 😂😂 🥚 彩蛋 Dad went to...

Dad: “Elaine, you see this?” Elaine: “What?” Dad: “CONFUCIUS FAMILY BEER!” Elaine: “Oh…” Dad: “We are in Qufu… Confucius’ hometown.” Dad: “Confucius brewed his own beer?” 😂 Elaine: “Dad……” 🥚 彩蛋 No, Confucius didn’t brew Dad’s beer. 😂 But somehow, in Qufu (曲阜, Qūfù), even Dad’s beer reminded him where we were: The hometown of Confucius — 孔子 (Kǒngzǐ). Want to know why Qufu turned into one of the most interesting stops of our...

Dad: “Elaine, you see this beer?” Elaine: “What?” Dad: “Baotu Spring (趵突泉, Bàotū Quán) Beer!” Dad: “Do you think the water comes from Baotu Spring itself?” Elaine: “I guess so…” Dad: “That’s interesting. This city produces its own beer!” 😂 🥚 彩蛋 We had come to Jinan (济南, Jǐnán) to discover its famous springs. Dad found one on a beer can. 🍺😂 Want to know why Jinan is known as China’s “City of Springs” (泉城, Quánchéng)?...

Dad and Elaine had just arrived in Baoji (宝鸡, Bǎojī) from Xianyang by train. Our homestay owner had recommended a nearby noodle shop, so we went there for lunch. Elaine ordered at the counter, paid with her phone and came back to the table. Then she saw this bowl. Elaine: “Dad, what is that?” Dad: “Don’t know.” Dad: “Soup? Or water for us to wash our utensils?” In China, sometimes hot water is provided...

Elaine: “Dad, why did you photograph this?” Dad: “What do you think?” Elaine: “Hmm…” Dad: “See the LEGROOM on China’s high-speed rail!” 😂 🥚 彩蛋 Dad wasn’t photographing the seat. He was photographing all that space in front of it. Sometimes the most useful China travel photos are the ones nobody thinks to take. ChinaTravelBUG — See China. Understand It Better.

Take a good look at the photo first. 👀 Dad: “Elaine, you see.” Elaine: “What?” Dad: “肯德基 Kěndéjī.” Elaine: “Kěndéjī is KFC in Chinese lah!” Dad: “Ya, I know…” Dad pointed to the standee on the right. Dad: “BONELESS?” 😂 Elaine: “……” 🥚 彩蛋 Sometimes Dad photographs the attraction. Sometimes Dad photographs one word on a standee. ChinaTravelBUG — See China. Understand It Better.