Day 5

Waking up at 6:00 am was no big deal any more. Though I longed to sleep for a few more minutes I did manage to get up and get ready for the lecture. Joan had told me specifically that the lecture would start at 8:30 am at the big hall. So I went to the main campus for breakfast and went to the big hall. Now there were six big halls. I went to the one she had mentioned, it was not there, then I went to the other big hall. There were two very beautiful Chinese women who welcomed me to their session on Mobile populations. I asked for Joan Mencher, but they said that they were not aware of her session. Two more halls were ruled out. Then I went to straight to the info desk to get the exact location. It read 311. I rushed to the room but to my dismay I did not find any familiar faces. So I was so disappointed and confused.
Walking along the building I bumped into Malathi, she was sitting with a presenter in a hall. They were waiting for the session to begin but no one was there. The time was 9:00. I decided to go for another session. As I walked along the corridor I found, Joan sitting in a room. I went in and asked her about the session. She said that it was delayed and they were just about to begin the lecture. I was thrilled and sat through the lecture. She spoke about food security and agriculture in India, with specific reference to Tamil Nadu.
We already knew much of what was spoken but the perspectives were quite good and agreeable to the listeners.
As soon as this was over, I had booked myself for a trip to the Nationalities museum. The museum displayed the, art, culture, dressing and folklore of the 54 odd nationalities. It was a treat to watch it on display. Though the time was limited I was able to experience the richness of the cultural heritage of China. The way they showcase themselves needs a special mention.
It made me think of the forsaken tribal museum in Ooty. We had to run from pillar to post to collect basic facts and materials to show the world our tribal people lived with some dignity.
Getting back by noon was useful. We had a lunch and ventured out into the city. As planned, Fu Jiacheng, Su Honjian and Ma Xingxing were waiting for me. We planned to go to the camera repair place. So we took a bus and walked about two km to reach the place. Once we got there the lady took the camera, looked at it and said that the shutter was not closing. It would cost me 250 yuan to fix it. I could easily get it fixed in Chennai or could buy another one for a little more than that.
We left the place with the camera. We headed to the open market. It was a place where they sold handicrafts and small things. Believe me, the same things could be bought in Pondy Bazaar for 1/20 of the price. I was in no mood to buy any thing and hence just roamed around and continued to walk.
The next stop was the great wall. Well this was not the real great wall, it was the great wall miniature, model. It was nice to go on top of it. It was nothing like the real wall. On our way he stopped for some nice Ice cream from KFC. As if there was no better place in china to get an ice cream. The guys insisted on the quality of air conditioning and hence got the ice cream from there.
Our next stop was, the one and only Wal Mart. I told them about my discontent with the Waltons but still they said, this is a place you will get all that you may need. I said that I really did not need anything. Now that we were there we had to face it. I also thought that it may be a good idea to go there to compare the prices and approaches to the population.
Actually Wal Mart being in china is more appropriate because they take Chinese goods all around the world and sell it. It was good for them to set up a mall in China. This would surely through some light on the America-China mutual interests.
We were tired of walking for four hours and thirty minutes so we decided to return. Soon we went for dinner. After dinner, the guys came to my room to download the pictures. They came in had a chat, a few more followed. We were laughing so loud that the security guy game by to watch us. We laughed and joked for a while. The time had past 10:00 pm and they was no sign of going out. After a while since some of them had night shifts in the conference hospital they left.
It was a great day with so much fun and frolic. Tomorrow will be the closing ceremony. I look forward to watch it again from the giant screen.