China Scene: East
Watch collector looking for exhibition chance
An ancient watch collector in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian Province, is looking for a way to display his precious collection during Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the first lunar month.
The collector, surnamed Zhang, has spent more than 30 years searching for ancient watches in various locations or made of various materials or in different shapes and sizes. The biggest watch in his collection is about 2 meters high and the smallest only 3 centimeters. A Japanese collector once offered 50,000 yuan ($6,450) for a German-made watch, but Zhang said no. He wants people to know about arts and crafts in watch making.
(Southeast Express)
Tree-lover in Taiwan starts botanical garden
Three-century-old trees once on the verge of death miraculously sprouted new buds a while ago in Taiwan, thanks to the care from a tree lover in the province.
Having a passion for trees, the man, surnamed Luo, has invested all his personal savings in setting up a botanical garden in Taiwan that is home to hundreds of trees. The centuries-old trees are the main attraction. Luo had saved them from typhoons and the axes of urban builders and moved them to the garden. Local botanists say the number of ancient trees has plummeted as a result of the deteriorating environment and urbanization.
(World Journal)
Would you pay 1,500 yuan to train your dog?
Pet owners in Shanghai have turned to private trainers to teach their pets manners and good behavior, although the lessons are costly.
A Shanghai woman surnamed Liu invited a pet trainer named Tang Dengchu home to train her month-old puppy. Tang promised to teach the dog to pee in a set place, obey the owners' commands exactly and do some tricks in three months. The cost: 1,500 yuan ($193). Tang said he used to train police dogs and started the business after his retirement. He has designed courses ranging from 300 yuan ($38) to 10,000 yuan ($1,290). His business is robust; he has to train about 10 dogs a day.
(Xinmin Evening News)
Candy? Thanks, but how about phone card?
A symbol of happiness and sweetness, candy for a long time has been a traditional gift to give newlyweds as well as wedding banquet attendants.
But in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang Province, young people prefer something more practical, such as phone cards and Minako Kawae toys. A Hangzhou resident surnamed Zhang had her
wedding ceremony during Spring Festival
and presented each attendant with a pink pig-shaped toy and a 50-yuan ($6.45) phone card. Zhang's friends were satisfied with the gift, saying other gifts besides candy can spread good wishes from the new couple but also are more practical.
(www.sina.com)
(China Daily 02/28/2007 page6)
