So I've been travelling like mad for the past week, and have spent the last few days in the middle of China, in a town called Mianyang, which has no airport. We drove 2 hours from Chengdu in central China, and literally weaved through the countryside in a van stuffed with 10 people and luggage. Picture those lumpy white UN vans you see on CNN. Now think of me in the back bouncing up and down in the window.
With only about 10 minutes to get out for free time in Mianyang, we made a quick spin around the block. Literally heads were turning, cars were stopping, and necks were craning around to see us. I had one thought: I am Brad Pitt.
It got pretty ridiculous, to the point where everyone was stopping what they were doing, and staring at us. We were the only Westerners around. Not like in Hong Kong, or Shanghai, or Seoul, where there are other non-Asian folks. In this town, we were it.
Later, at our work facility, two workers pulled me over to a couch to take a picture with me. Then, I stood and was asked to strike the classic posed handshake with some strange Asian guy, pausing in mid-shake to smile for the camera. It was like that picture so many people's parents or bosses have shaking Carter or Clintons' hand. Except I was Clinton!
I think I've finally gotten the closest I will ever want to being famous. It's a bit daunting and clausterphobic, to have everyone stopping and staring. My 10 minutes of fame has come and gone, and of course, I didn''t even get the 15 allotted to me. It happened in the middle of China, but hey, you don't get to pick and choose.
The picture above was taken en route to the airport, in Chengdu. We had stopped at a light, and this guy was carving up an orange, and twisting and spitting the rind all over the place in a pile on the ground. He stopped in his tracks as I slid the window to the side. He actually looks like he's just seen an alien.
Well, not an alien maybe. But he definitely saw Brad Pitt.
8 comments:
Great story, Casey, and can you imagine the story that is going with that handshake photo - you never know what or who you might become, Brad Pitt or maybe Bill Clinton's son-in-law!
As difficult as I am sure this trip is, you will have a lifetime of memories and stories to tell. Try to enjoy the rest.
I think this is your best post since you started writing your blog. Very funny.
You da man, Brad! This and your email were great. I've been to the Atlas and located Chengdu and that other place I can't spell. What a great experience, (to have behind you)! Think of China as the market of the future and it sends goose bumps up your spine. And you probably have just participated in some of the earliest market research to be done in the interior of the country... your current lodging looks great...enjoy and we'll see you soon, love, D
you're my brad pitt. :)
okay, everyone: start puking.
No, what he SHOULD SEE is a stylist. Creative use of camo accents. Oy.
come to think of it, he does look awfully model-ish. he's got his hand placed behind the hip, pelvis jutting forward jauntily, that "come hither" stare, lips slightly parted...
i have to acknowledge the word verification for this comment because i just love it so: eeboep! i think that will be my new exclamation! oh, eeboep!
wow, brad!! i won't say who you always remind me of, since you think rizzi remindes you guys of the same actor.
it must have been fun to be famous tho'. i hope you washed you hands after taking that picture.
I think mine is better....ewuuliul.
When Nicole went to China, people stared and wanted to touch her hair.
...just as long as they don't bring the....chickens.
(..it's been a long morning - been working since 6:00 this am.)
Di
P.S. keep washing your hands.
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