Tag Archives: penbrush

Ayi* on Wheels

Ayi on Wheels
A memory from the last trip to Yunnan, where women of age, besides wearing the compulsory white gloves, over-sleeves and those iridescent sun-masks that make them look like astronauts, gear up their electric bikes with these spectacular umbrellas.

*Ayi: literally “auntie”, it is also the general term used to address ladies that seem past their young age.

Yunnan Tiger Tiles

Yunnan Tiger
Apparently, in some places in Yunnan province they decorate their rooftops with these creepy clay cats/tigers that eat evil spirits and look slightly burtonesque.
This one was spotted in captivity at the Yunnan Provincial Museum in Kunming,but it was an imposing specimen anyway.

Chinese Mycology

See You Tomorrow
*金针菇 (jīnzhēngū): Often literally translated as golden needle mushroom, but also known as Flammulina Velutipes, it’s a very common mushroom in Asia, where we eat it all the time. This one is saying “see you tomorrow!” because, according to popular wisdom, you can see it almost intact the day after you eat it if you are curious enough. Personally, I don’t think it’s that hard to digest and Wikipedia says it might also prevent cancer, so give it a try!