“Those kids are all single digit aged…”
The highlight of my stay in Shanghai, beside the fact that we rode on an awkward amusement park ride in the park across the street from our hotel, was definitely the acrobatic show. Many seemed to be amused since the peking duck dinner show in Beijing so shelling out the last of my yuans to see the show was all worth it for me.
We took the subway to the theater and saw a small, blind child walking through the train cars begging for money. At first I felt terrible enough, then I saw an older woman guiding him and realized this didn’t seem right. Our guide had warned us many times not to support panhandling, even if the situation tugs your hearts to do so. We began to speculate whether the child was purposely made blind as part of a gang to collect money from tourists, or what the intentions were for our donations.
I couldn’t stand it. Sometimes, it’s hard for me to confront the reality of it all. It’s a recurring theme of what it means to be happy in China, or how privileged I am despite everything. But for this, I felt helpless. I couldn’t do anything but look away and pretend to not acknowledge the poor boy and it killed me.
Anyhow, back to the show. After we exited the subway and I got my mind distracted from thinking about the child, I entered the theater and made my way to the best possible seat left. What was about to occur was just too amazing.
It started out normal enough: some prancing here, some jumping there, some flipping around. Then the children came out. Most of the acrobats/gymnasts looked as though they hadn’t even hit puberty yet and it made me wonder how they chose to pursue this profession. Was it by choice, or were they forced? What ever happened to school for them? It’s a stark difference between these children who, even if forced to enter the industry, were producing something proactive than panhandling using disability as the lure. Either way, it still bothers me how little choice some people have in China, so soon as when they start growing up.
One of the many reasons I loved this acrobatic show was the use of Star Wars music to supplement the acts. For a straw hat show, the Cantina song was played while the theme song was used for the final act. It was all too epic, but not as much as the Titanic act which everyone loved.
This act consisted of a “Jack” and “Rose” who supported each other, suspending around silk strips of fabric to “My Heart Will Go On.” 70% of those who sat around me sang along to the three loops of the song which was hilarious and entertaining. It also helped that the music video was projected along the sides of the stage to intensify the drama.
The Ball of Death, aka the final act, consisted of five motorcyclists in one circular cage, driving around and crossing each other’s paths. The fact that they drove around to the epic Star Wars music made me gleeful on the inside, but I did my best to keep my composure. By that, I mean I bopped my head around and hardcore smiled.
On the very last day of our mainland seminar, we were treated to a farewell dinner and allowed to walk around a touristy strip one last time. Marine, Chiwei and I decided to spend our last few yuans on Haagen Daaz ice cream which was so good that we left two hours later across the street from our hotel to get more. With our group of seven, we ordered an ice cream fondue set.
We had an option of several ice cream flavors, cheesecake, biscuits, and fruits dipped in either choice of white or milk chocolate. In honor of my Syracuse roommate, Noelia, I had to do a raspberry sorbet lathered in both.
Sweetest way to end such a crazy trip!
Our trip advisor, Philip Bruce, said from the beginning that “China stays in your blood” and certainly there have been a few moments that will stick with me forever. Even the first two weeks of the trip made me reminisce every so often, and I’ve no doubt this entire study abroad semester is going to last a lifetime.
