When people look back at the 21st century at all the great achievements, it may look something like this:
On October 23, 2001 Apple Computers publicly announced their portable music digital player the iPod.
In 2003 scientists announced the Completion of the Human Genome Project.
In 2005 Youtube was invented.
On December 1, 2009 Walmart opened in Yichang, China.
Some people might consider it a tragedy that conglomerates spread their tentacles to every edge of the globe, and in theory I'd be inclined to agree. However, holding an opinion about an abstract idea and finding that idea take shape in real life can be hard to reconcile. It was impossible not to be ecstatic when we discovered treasures like aluminum foil, ziploc bags, Christmas wrapping paper (last year we used hearts and other less festive designs), pizza, candles, paper towels and many other jewels. Walmart (沃尔玛) in China is by no means synonymous with Walmart in America. It retains its very Chinese feel, but does house items no one else in China seems to have.
Even the music seemed like an attempt to integrate the two countries. They were playing English songs, but kept the widespread Chinese custom of being stuck in the 90s, reminding us of greats like "I Believe I Can Fly", "All My Life", "End of the Road", and many other songs I'd forgotten ever existed. I sang along to "No Woman No Cry" as I surveyed the shark on ice right next to the pizza and fought through the crowds to the tune of "Back at One" by Brian McKnight. Eventually I got tired of elbowing my way through masses of people and made my way to the check out, but you can be sure I'll be frequenting Walmart many more times in the coming months. And thanking the stars daily for some corporations brave enough to spread all over the world.
On October 23, 2001 Apple Computers publicly announced their portable music digital player the iPod.
In 2003 scientists announced the Completion of the Human Genome Project.
In 2005 Youtube was invented.
On December 1, 2009 Walmart opened in Yichang, China.
Some people might consider it a tragedy that conglomerates spread their tentacles to every edge of the globe, and in theory I'd be inclined to agree. However, holding an opinion about an abstract idea and finding that idea take shape in real life can be hard to reconcile. It was impossible not to be ecstatic when we discovered treasures like aluminum foil, ziploc bags, Christmas wrapping paper (last year we used hearts and other less festive designs), pizza, candles, paper towels and many other jewels. Walmart (沃尔玛) in China is by no means synonymous with Walmart in America. It retains its very Chinese feel, but does house items no one else in China seems to have.
Even the music seemed like an attempt to integrate the two countries. They were playing English songs, but kept the widespread Chinese custom of being stuck in the 90s, reminding us of greats like "I Believe I Can Fly", "All My Life", "End of the Road", and many other songs I'd forgotten ever existed. I sang along to "No Woman No Cry" as I surveyed the shark on ice right next to the pizza and fought through the crowds to the tune of "Back at One" by Brian McKnight. Eventually I got tired of elbowing my way through masses of people and made my way to the check out, but you can be sure I'll be frequenting Walmart many more times in the coming months. And thanking the stars daily for some corporations brave enough to spread all over the world.
"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about."
- Charles Kingsley
- Charles Kingsley
1 comment:
How exciting! I remember how hard it was for Amanda and Jeremy when they lived in Italy...who knew that ziplock bags were such a big deal?!!
Enjoy shopping!
SuAnne
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